Method and apparatus for taking pictures
View Patent ↗Detection information is obtained from captured-image information of an imaging element array. An area is provided in an image capturing region in the imaging element array. In response to the obtained detection information, a pattern is generated which defines a ratio of a number of photosensor pixels used to capture an image to a number of all photosensor pixels in the area. The imaging element array is driven in accordance with the generated pattern. Interpolation responsive to a first picture signal generated by the used photosensor pixels in the area is implemented to generate a second picture signal corresponding to unused ones among all the photosensor pixels in the area. The first picture signal and the second picture signal are combined into a captured-image signal. The captured-image signal is outputted at a prescribed frame rate.
1. A method of taking a picture, comprising the steps of:
dividing an image capturing region in an imaging element array into division-result areas;
providing a first pattern defining a ratio of a number of photosensor pixels used to capture an image to a number of all photosensor pixels in each of the division-result areas, the ratio varying from division-result area to division-result area;
driving the imaging element array in accordance with the first pattern and thereby generating a first picture signal responsive to the ratio for each of the division-result areas;
implementing interpolation responsive to the first picture signal generated by the used photosensor pixels to generate a second picture signal corresponding to unused ones among all the photosensor pixels in each of the division-result areas; and
combining the first picture signal and the second picture signal into a first captured-image signal, and outputting the first captured-image signal.
2. A method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
providing a second pattern defining a ratio of a number of photosensor pixels used to capture an image to a number of all photosensor pixels in the image capturing region;
driving the imaging element array in accordance with the second pattern and thereby generating a third picture signal responsive to the ratio defined by the second pattern;
implementing interpolation responsive to the third picture signal generated by the used photosensor pixels to generate a fourth picture signal corresponding to unused ones among all the photosensor pixels in the image capturing region; and
combining the third picture signal and the fourth picture signal into a second captured-image signal, and outputting the second captured-image signal.
3. A method as recited in claim 2 , further comprising the steps of:
providing different candidate patterns for the second pattern; and
selecting one from the candidate patterns and using the selected candidate pattern as the second pattern.
4. A method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
providing candidate patterns for the first pattern; and
selecting one from the candidate patterns and using the selected candidate pattern as the first pattern;
wherein the candidate patterns differ from each other in number of the division-result areas and ratio of a number of photosensor pixels used to capture an image to a number of all photosensor pixels in each of the division-result areas.
5. An apparatus for taking a picture, comprising:
an imaging element array having a matrix of photosensor pixels and having an image capturing region;
means for dividing the image capturing region into division-result areas;
means for providing a first pattern defining a ratio of a number of photosensor pixels used to capture an image to a number of all photosensor pixels in each of the division-result areas, the ratio varying from division-result area to division-result area;
means for driving the imaging element array in accordance with the first pattern and thereby generating a first picture signal responsive to the ratio for each of the division-result areas;
means for implementing interpolation responsive to the first picture signal generated by the used photosensor pixels to generate a second picture signal corresponding to unused ones among all the photosensor pixels in each of the division-result areas; and
means for combining the first picture signal and the second picture signal into a first captured-image signal, and outputting the first captured-image signal.
6. An apparatus as recited in claim 5 , further comprising:
means for providing a second pattern defining a ratio of a number of photosensor pixels used to capture an image to a number of all photosensor pixels in the image capturing region;
means for driving the imaging element array in accordance with the second pattern and thereby generating a third picture signal responsive to the ratio defined by the second pattern;
means for implementing interpolation responsive to the third picture signal generated by the used photosensor pixels to generate a fourth picture signal corresponding to unused ones among all the photosensor pixels in the image capturing region; and
means for combining the third picture signal and the fourth picture signal into a second captured-image signal, and outputting the second captured-image signal.
7. An apparatus as recited in claim 6 , further comprising:
means for providing different candidate patterns for the second pattern; and
means for selecting one from the candidate patterns and using the selected candidate pattern as the second pattern.
8. An apparatus as recited in claim 5 , further comprising:
means for providing candidate patterns for the first pattern; and
means for selecting one from the candidate patterns and using the selected candidate pattern as the first pattern;
wherein the candidate patterns differ from each other in number of the division-result areas and ratio of a number of photosensor pixels used to capture an image to a number of all photosensor pixels in each of the division-result areas.