Method and apparatus for taking pictures

A method of taking a picture, comprising the steps of:

• obtaining detection information from captured-image information of an imaging element array;
• providing an area in an image capturing region in the imaging element array;
• choosing, in response to the obtained detection information, one among different patterns each defining a ratio of a number of photosensor pixels used to capture an image to a number of all photosensor pixels in the area;
• driving the imaging element array in accordance with the generated pattern;
• implementing interpolation responsive to a 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 the area;
• and
• combining the first picture signal and the second picture signal into a captured-image signal, and outputting the captured-image signal at a prescribed frame rate.

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 obtaining detection information from captured-image information of the imaging element array;
• means for providing an area in the image capturing region in the imaging element array;
• means for generating, in response to the obtained detection information, a pattern defining a ratio of a number of photosensor pixels used to capture an image to a number of all photosensor pixels in the area;
• means for driving the imaging element array in accordance with the generated pattern;
• means for implementing interpolation responsive to a 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 the area;
• and
• means for combining the first picture signal and the second picture signal into a captured-image signal, and outputting the captured-image signal at a prescribed frame rate.

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 obtaining detection information from captured-image information of the imaging element array;
• means for providing an area in the image capturing region in the imaging element array;
• means for choosing, in response to the obtained detection information, one among different patterns each defining a ratio of a number of photosensor pixels used to capture an image to a number of all photosensor pixels in the area;
• means for driving the imaging element array in accordance with the generated pattern;
• means for implementing interpolation responsive to a 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 the area;
• and
• means for combining the first picture signal and the second picture signal into a captured-image signal, and outputting the captured-image signal at a prescribed frame rate.