Patent ID: 7586536

Claim:
A image taking apparatus that receives light from a subject and generates an image signal, comprising: (A) an image sensor unit including: (a) an image sensor that receives the light from the subject and generates the image signal, and (b) a filter that is disposed in front of the image sensor, having: (b-1) a transparent layer that is transparent to light in a visible light region regardless of the state of an electric field and is transparent to light in a predetermined variable transparent region containing an infrared light region and/or an ultraviolet light region in response to the state of the electric field, and (b-2) electrodes that generate the electric field in the transparent layer on the application of a voltage; and (B) a filter controller that regulates the wavelength region of light passing through the filter by controlling the voltage applied to the electrodes; and wherein the transparent layer is composed of a dispersion medium that is transparent to the light in the visible light region and the variable transparent region, and dispersoids that are dispersed in the dispersion medium, the dispersoids being impermeable to the light in the variable transparent region and transparent to the light in the visible light region.