Patent ID: 6480226
Filing Date: 2002-11-12
Classification: H01L,H04N

Abstract:
An image pickup apparatus comprising:(a) an image pickup which converts an optical image into an electrical image signal; (b) a drive unit which operates to cause said image pickup to form a first image signal of a given photographic scene having a first accumulation time and to form a subsequent second image signal of the same photographic scene having a second accumulation time different from the first accumulation time; (c) a first accumulation time control unit which adjusts the first accumulation time on the basis of the first image signal; (d) a second accumulation time control unit which adjusts the second accumulation time on the basis of the second image signal subsequent to said first image signal; (e) a combining device which combines said first image signal of which first accumulation time is adjusted by said first accumulation time control unit, and said subsequent second image signal of which second accumulation time is adjusted by said second accumulation time control unit, to form a gradation controlled single image; and (f) an image signal analyzing circuit which analyzes said image signal and controls said first and second accumulation time control units.