Apparatus for capturing images, method of controlling exposure in the apparatus, and computer readable recording medium storing program

A non-transitory computer readable recording medium storing a computer program that provides instructions for:

• calculating an automatic exposure time value such that an exposure time value is substantially in inverse proportion to the brightness of a subject;
• when the automatic exposure time value is smaller than a first exposure time value, setting a control exposure time value as the automatic exposure time value;
• when the automatic exposure time value is greater than or equal to the first exposure time value and smaller than or equal to a second exposure time value, setting the control exposure time value as the first exposure time value;
• when the automatic exposure time value is greater than the second exposure time value, setting the control exposure time value to be substantially in proportion to the automatic exposure time value such that the control exposure time value is smaller than the automatic exposure time value by predetermined steps;
• increasing a sensitivity value according to a difference between the automatic exposure time value and the control exposure time value.

An apparatus for capturing an image, the apparatus comprising an exposure control unit for controlling parameters for controlling exposure, wherein in low brightness conditions, the exposure control unit:

• calculates an automatic exposure time value such that an exposure time value is substantially in inverse proportion to the brightness of a subject;
• when the automatic exposure time value is smaller than a first exposure time value, sets a control exposure time value as the automatic exposure time value;
• when the automatic exposure time value is greater than or equal to the first exposure time value and smaller than or equal to a second exposure time value, sets the control exposure time value as the first exposure time value;
• when the automatic exposure time value is greater than the second exposure time value, sets the control exposure time value to be substantially in proportion to the automatic exposure time value such that the control exposure time value is smaller than the automatic exposure time value by predetermined steps;
• and
• increases a sensitivity value according to a difference between the automatic exposure time value and the control exposure time value.