Patent ID: 7271937

Claim:
A method for imaging using a plurality of image sensor elements generating different output signal values when using different exposure times, an image signal value for each image sensor element being generated by means of the following steps: (a) detecting a first output signal value when using a first exposure time; (b) detecting an associated second output signal value when using a second exposure time; (c) if the first output signal value does not exceed a threshold value associated thereto, calculating the image signal value using a first calculating rule on the basis of the first output signal value; and (d) if the first output signal value exceeds the threshold value, calculating the image signal value using at least a second calculating rule on the basis of at least the second output signal value, wherein, by the calculating rules, the first and second output signal values are shifted relative to each other and adjusted such that no detectable discontinuity occurs between an image signal value still calculated according to the first calculating rule and an image signal value already calculated according to the second calculating rule, and wherein the first and second output signal values are shifted, by the calculating rules, relative to each other by an amount corresponding to a difference of the two output signal values in a region of the threshold value associated to the first output signal value.