Patent ID: 7554588

Claim:
A method of capturing an image of a scene using an image capture device having an array of pixels arranged into a plurality of rows, the method comprising: for a first duration, capturing a first portion of the scene with a first plurality of the rows; for a second duration that is longer than the first duration, capturing a second portion of the scene with a second plurality of the rows; for each pixel in the first plurality of the rows: determining whether a pixel value associated with the pixel is below a first predetermined threshold; based on the determination: if the pixel value is above the first predetermined threshold: creating a scaled-up pixel value by increasing the pixel value by a scale factor; using the scaled-up pixel for a final pixel value; and if the pixel value is below the first predetermined threshold, using an interpolated pixel value for the final pixel value; and storing the final pixel value as part of the captured image; for each pixel in the second plurality of the rows: determining whether a pixel value associated with the pixel is above a second predetermined threshold; based on the determination: if the pixel value is below the second predetermined threshold, using the pixel value for a final pixel value; and if the pixel value is above the second predetermined threshold, using an interpolated pixel value for the final pixel value; and storing the final pixel value as part of the captured image; and displaying at least a portion of the captured image.