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Imaging apparatus offering dynamic range that is expandable by weighting two image signals produced during different exposure times with two coefficients whose sum is 1 and adding them up

  • US 6,677,992 B1
  • Filed: 10/22/1998
  • Issued: 01/13/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An imaging apparatus comprising:

  • an imaging device for successively outputting a first image signal produced by imaging an object during a first exposure time and a second image signal produced by imaging said object during a time shorted than said first exposure time;

    an image signal producing circuit composed of;

    first and second weighting circuits for applying a first weight, which decreases monotonously with an increase in light level from a light level of substantially no luminance up to a light level causing said first and second image signals to have a saturation value, and a second weight, which increases monotonously from said light level of substantially no luminance up to said light level causing said first and second image signals to have said saturation value, to said first and second image signals under the condition that the sum of said first and second weights is 1; and

    an adding circuit for adding together first and second picture signals produced by applying said first and second weights to said first and second image signals by means of said first and second weighting circuits; and

    a signal processing circuit for processing a picture signal output from said adding circuit and producing a video signal according to which an image can be displayed on a display device.

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