Patent ID: 8144206
Filing Date: 2012-03-27
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An imaging apparatus, comprising: an imaging unit including at least a first solid-state imaging element and a second solid-state imaging element, each solid-state imaging element having a same discrete pixel structure of a frame including a first number M of pixels, the imaging unit being configured to: 1) perform normal imaging and high-speed imaging, 2) output directly imaging signals of a first number M of pixel data from the first solid-state imaging element and the second solid-state imaging element during normal imaging, and 3) mix a second number N of pixel data of the first number M of pixel data to form a third number of pixel data on the first solid-state imaging element and the second solid-state imaging element, the third number being equal to the first number M divided by the second number N (M/N, wherein M and N are integers equal to or greater than 2), and output the imaging signals of the third number of pixel data during high-speed imaging, wherein a first combination of the second number N pixel data to be mixed by the first solid-state imaging element is different from a second combination of the second number N pixel data to be mixed by the second solid-state imaging element; an operation unit configured to output directly the imaging signals of the first number M of pixel data from the imaging unit during the normal imaging, and configured to interpolate (N−1) pixel data between respective pixel data of the imaging signals from the imaging unit and output interpolated signals of the first number M of pixel data during high-speed imaging, and a storage unit disposed between the imaging unit and the operation unit configured to store the imaging signals output from the imaging unit and output the stored imaging signals to the operation unit, wherein the operation unit performs operations on the stored imaging signals output from the storage unit.