Patent ID: 8482655

Claim:
A method of generating digital image data using an electronic imaging apparatus comprising: generating electronic image signals via a plurality of light-sensitive devices each having sensitivity to light in a range from a visible region to an infrared region; wherein a plurality of first filters for transmitting light in the visible region are provided for members of a first group of the plurality of light-sensitive devices; wherein a plurality of second filters for transmitting light in the infrared region are provided for members of a second group of the plurality of light-sensitive devices; and automatically determining whether a signal output from a member of the first group or the second group is used in determining an exposure value via a processor controlled system based on a signal intensity determination and further wherein if a visible light range pixel signal intensity is greater than a threshold, only visible light pixel signals are used for exposure control and if a visible light range intensity is less than a certain value only infrared pixel signals are used for exposure control.