Image input apparatus and method

An image input method in a camera system for inputting an image of an object, comprising the steps of:

• detecting a change cycle of an intensity of an external light inputted to said camera system;
• synchronizing the change cycle of the intensity of the external light with a plurality of input timings of said camera system;
• evaluating an influence of the external light inputted to said camera system at each of the plurality of input timings;
• and
• selecting one of the input timings whose influence of the external light is smallest from all input timings.

A computer readable memory in a camera system for inputting an image of an object, comprising:

• instruction means for causing a computer to detect a change cycle of an intensity of an external light inputted to said camera system;
• instruction means for causing a computer to synchronize the change cycle of the intensity of the external light with a plurality of input timings of said camera system;
• instruction means for causing a computer to evaluate an influence of the external light inputted to said camera system at each of the plurality of input timings;
• and
• instruction means for causing a computer to select one of the input timings whose influence of the external light is smallest from all input timings.

An image input apparatus comprising:

• a camera configured to input an image of an object;
• a detection unit configured to detect a change cycle of an intensity of an external light inputted to said camera;
• a timing control unit configured to synchronize the change cycle of the intensity of the external light with a plurality of input timings of said camera;
• an evaluation unit configured to evaluate an influence of the external light inputted to said camera at each of the plurality of input timings;
• and
• a selection unit configured to select one of the plurality of input timings that least influences the external light among all of the plurality of input timings.