Image generating apparatus and image generating method

An image generating method that generates an image of a translucent material using

• a first light source,
• a second light source positioned a certain distance away from the first light source,
• an image sensor on which the material is disposed, and
• a mask including a light-transmitting part that transmits light from the first light source and the second light source, and a light-blocking part that blocks the light, the mask being positioned between the image sensor, and the first light source and the second light source,
• the image sensor including a first pixel region and a second pixel region,
• the light-blocking part being positioned between the first pixel region and the first light source, and
• the light-blocking part being positioned between the second pixel region and the second light source,
• the image generating method comprising:
• (a) acquiring, with the image sensor, a first image of the material when illuminated by the first light source;
• (b) acquiring, with the image sensor, a second image of the material when illuminated by the second light source;
• and
• (c) using first pixel information corresponding to the first pixel region in the first image and second pixel information corresponding to the second pixel region in the second image to generate a third image.

An image generating apparatus, comprising:

• a light source including a first light source and a second light source;
• an image sensor, including first pixels and second pixels;
• a mask having a transmission part and a shield including a first shield and a second shield, the mask being located between the light source and the image sensor;
• and
• a processing circuit, wherein
• the first shield is located on a light path for first light that is emitted from the first light source and travels straight from the first light source to the first pixels,
• the second shield is located on a light path for second light that is emitted from the second light source and travels straight from the second light source to the second pixels,
• the processing circuit generates an image of an object provided between the mask and the image sensor using information detected by the first pixels during a first time period when the first light source emits light and information detected by the second pixels during a second time period when the second light source emits light, and
• the first time period and the second time period are not overlapped.