Image input device and method with strobo-light control

Claim 2

An image input device for executing successive operations for picking up images comprising: an image pickup means for picking up an image of an object to obtain image data for the object for a certain number of pixels; alight-shuttering means for performing a light-shuttering operation to form a light-shuttered state relative to said image pickup means; a strobo-light emitting means for emitting strobo-light when an image of an object is picked up by said image pickup means; a first control means for controlling a second operation for picking up an image among successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup means at a timing when the image data obtained in a first operation for picking up an image among the successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup means is read out from said image pickup means, and also for controlling, after said second operation for picking up the image, the light shuttering operation by said light-shuttering means at a timing earlier than a timing when the image data obtained in said second operation for picking up the image is read out from said image pickup means; and a second control means for controlling an operation for emitting strobo-light by said strobo-light emitting means so that a time interval from starting of said second operation for picking up an image until second strobo-light is emitted is made shorter than a time interval from starting of said first operation for picking up an image until first strobo-light is emitted.

Claim 3

An image input device according to claim 1 ; wherein said strobo-light emitting means has a plurality of strobo capacitors.

Claim 4

An image input device according to claim 1 ; wherein said strobo-light emitting means has a single strobo capacitor.

Claim 5

An image input device according to claim 1 ; wherein said first control means has at least a first mode for executing successive operations for picking up images by emitting said strobo-light and a second mode for executing successive operations for picking up images without emitting of said strobo-light, and determines whether said first mode is to be executed or said second mode is to be executed according to a result of a comparison between an exposure time obtained based on a photometric value by said image pickup means and a preset allowable time in consideration of camera shaking.

Claim 6

An image input device for executing successive operations for picking up images comprising: an image pickup means for picking up an image of an object to obtain image data for a certain number of pixel is; a changing means for changing a pickup range for the object to be photographed by said image pickup means; a light shuttering means for performing a light-shuttering operation to form a light-shuttered state relative to said image pickup means; a strobo-light emitting means for emitting strobo-light when an image of an object is picked up by said image pickup means; a first control means for controlling an operation for changing said pickup range by said changing means after a first operation for picking up an image among successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup means, controlling a second operation for picking up an image among the successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup means at a timing when the image data obtained in the first operation for picking up the image is read out from said image pickup means, and also controlling, after said second operation for picking up the image, the light shuttering operation by said light-shuttering means at a timing earlier than a timing when the image data obtained in said second operation for picking up the image is read out from said image pickup means; and a second control means for controlling a strobo-light emitting operation by said strobo light emitting means so that a time interval from starting of said second operation for picking up an image until a second strobo-light is emitted is made shorter than a time interval from starting of said first operation for picking up an image until a first strobo-light is emitted.

Claim 7

An image input device for executing successive operations for picking up images comprising: an image pickup means for picking up an image of an object to obtain image data for a certain number of pixel is; a changing means for changing a pickup range for the object to be photographed by said image pickup means; a light shuttering means for performing a light-shuttering operation to form a light-shuttered state relative to said image pickup means; a strobo-light emitting means for emitting strobo-light when an image of an object is picked up by said image pickup means; a first control means for controlling an operation for changing said pickup range by said changing means after a first operation for picking up an image among successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup means, controlling a second operation for picking up an image among the successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup means at a timing when the image data obtained in the first operation for picking up the image is read out from said image pickup means, and also controlling, after said second operation for picking up the image, the light shuttering operation by said light-shuttering means at a timing earlier than a timing when the image data obtained in said second operation for picking up the image is read out from said image pickup means; and a second control means for controlling a strobo-light emitting operation by said strobo light emitting means so that a time interval from starting of said second operation for picking up an image until a second strobo-light is emitted is made shorter than a time interval from starting of said first operation for picking up an image until a first strobo-light is emitted.

Claim 8

An image input device according to claim 5 ; wherein said strobo light emitting means has a plurality of strobo.

Claim 9

An image input device according to claim 5 ; wherein said strobo light emitting means has a single strobo capacitor.

Claim 10

An image input device according to claim 5 ; wherein said first control means has at least a first mode for executing successive operations for picking up images by emitting said strobo-light and a Second mode for executing successive operations for picking up images without emitting of said strobo-light, and determines whether said first mode is to be executed or said second mode is to be executed according to a result of a comparison between an exposure time obtained based on a photometric value by said image pickup means and a preset allowable time in consideration of camera shaking.

Claim 11

An image input device for executing successive operations for picking up images comprising: an image pickup means for picking up an image of an object to obtain image data for a certain number of pixels a storing means for storing therein image data read out from said image pickup means; a light-shuttering means for performing a light-shuttering operation to form a light-shuttered state relative to said image pickup means; a strobo-light emitting means for emitting strobo light when an image of an object is picked up by said image pickup means; a first control means for controlling a second operation for picking up an image among successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup means at a timing when first image data obtained in a first operation for picking up an image among the successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup means is read out from said image pickup means, and also controlling, after said second operation for picking up the image, the light shuttering operation by said light-shuttering means at a timing earlier than a timing when second image data obtained in said second operation for picking up the image is read out from said image pickup means; a second control means for controlling a strobo light emitting operation by said strobo-light emitting means so that a time interval from starting of said second operation for picking up an image until a second strobo-light is emitted is made shorter than a time interval from starting of said first operation for picking up an image until a first strobo light is emitted; and an image synthesizing means for synthesizing the first and second image data read out from said image pickup means and stored in said storing means under control by said first control means.

Claim 12

An image input device for executing successive operations for picking up images comprising: an image pickup means for picking up an image of an object to obtain image data for a certain number of pixels a storing means for storing therein image data read out from said image pickup means; a light-shuttering means for performing a light-shuttering operation to form a light-shuttered state relative to said image pickup means; a strobo-light emitting means for emitting strobo light when an image of an object is picked up by said image pickup means; a first control means for controlling a second operation for picking up an image among successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup means at a timing when first image data obtained in a first operation for picking up an image among the successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup means is read out from said image pickup means, and also controlling, after said second operation for picking up the image, the light shuttering operation by said light-shuttering means at a timing earlier than a timing when second image data obtained in said second operation for picking up the image is read out from said image pickup means; a second control means for controlling a strobo light emitting operation by said strobo-light emitting means so that a time interval from starting of said second operation for picking up an image until a second strobo-light is emitted is made shorter than a time interval from starting of said first operation for picking up an image until a first strobo light is emitted; and an image synthesizing means for synthesizing the first and second image data read out from said image pickup means and stored in said storing means under control by said first control means.

Claim 13

An image input device according to claim 9 , wherein said strobo light emitting means has a plurality of strobo capacitors.

Claim 14

An image input device according to claim 9 , wherein said strobo-light emitting means has a single strobo capacitor.

Claim 15

An image input device according to claim 9 ; wherein said first control means has at least a first mode for executing successive operations for picking up images by emitting said strobo-light and a second mode for executing successive operations for picking up images without emitting of said strobo-light, and determines whether said first mode is to be executed or said second mode is to be executed according to a result of a comparison between an exposure time obtained based on a photometric value by said image pickup means and a preset allowable time in consideration of camera shaking.

Claim 16

An image input device for executing successive operations for picking up images comprising: an image pickup means for picking up an image of an object to obtain image data for a certain number of pixels; a changing means for changing a pickup range of an object to be photographed by said image pickup means; a storing means for storing therein image data read out from said image pickup means; a light-shuttering means for performing a light-shuttering operation to form a light-shuttered state relative to said image pickup means; a strobo-light emitting means for emitting strobo-light when an image of an object is picked up by said image pickup means; a first control means for controlling an operation for changing a pickup range by said changing means after a first operation for picking up an image among successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup means, controlling a second operation for picking up an image among the successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup means at a timing when the first image data obtained in the first operation for picking up the image is read out from said image pickup means, and also controlling, after said second operation for picking up the image, the light-shuttering operation by said light-shuttering means at a timing earlier than a timing when the second image data obtained in said second operation for picking up the image is read out from said image pickup means; a second control means for controlling a strobo light emitting operation by said strobo-light emitting means so that a time interval from starting of said second operation for picking up an image until a second strobo-light is emitted is made shorter than a time interval from starting of said first operation for picking up an image until a first strobo-light is emitted; and an image synthesizing means for synthesizing the first and second image data read out from said image pickup means and stored in said storing means under control by said first control means.

Claim 17

An image input device for executing successive operations for picking up images comprising: an image pickup means for picking up an image of an object to obtain image data for a certain number of pixels; a changing means for changing a pickup range of an object to be photographed by said image pickup means; a storing means for storing therein image data read out from said image pickup means; a light-shuttering means for performing a light-shuttering operation to form a light-shuttered state relative to said image pickup means; a strobo-light emitting means for emitting strobo-light when an image of an object is picked up by said image pickup means; a first control means for controlling an operation for changing a pickup range by said changing means after a first operation for picking up an image among successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup means, controlling a second operation for picking up an image among the successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup means at a timing when the first image data obtained in the first operation for picking up the image is read out from said image pickup means, and also controlling, after said second operation for picking up the image, the light-shuttering operation by said light-shuttering means at a timing earlier than a timing when the second image data obtained in said second operation for picking up the image is read out from said image pickup means; a second control means for controlling a strobo light emitting operation by said strobo-light emitting means so that a time interval from starting of said second operation for picking up an image until a second strobo-light is emitted is made shorter than a time interval from starting of said first operation for picking up an image until a first strobo-light is emitted; and an image synthesizing means for synthesizing the first and second image data read out from said image pickup means and stored in said storing means under control by said first control means.

Claim 18

An image input device according to claim 13 ; wherein said strobo light emitting means has a plurality of strobo capacitors.

Claim 19

An image input device according to claim 13 ; wherein said strobo-light emitting means has a single strobo capacitor.

Claim 20

An image input device according to claim 13 ; wherein said first control means has at least a first mode for executing successive operations for picking up images by emitting said strobo-light and a second mode for executing successive operations for picking up images without emitting of said strobo-light, and determines whether said first mode is to be executed or said second mode is to be executed according to a result of a comparison between an exposure time obtained based on a photometric value by said image pickup means and a preset allowable time in consideration of camera shaking.

Claim 21

An image input device for executing successive operations for picking up images comprising: an image pickup device which picks up an image of an object to obtain image data for the object for a certain number of pixels; a light-shuttering unit configured to perform a light-shuttering operation to form a light-shuttered state relative to said image pickup device; a strobo light emitting unit which emits strobo-light when an image of an object is picked up by said image pickup device; a first control unit which controls a second operation for picking up an image among successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup device at a timing when the image data obtained in a first operation for picking up an image among the successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup device is read out from said image pickup device, and also for controlling, after said second operation for picking up the image, the light-shuttering operation by said light-shuttering unit at a timing earlier than a timing when the image data obtained in said second operation for picking up the image is read out from said image pickup device; and a second control unit which controls an operation for emitting strobo-light by said strobo light emitting unit so that a time interval from starting of said second operation for picking up an image until second strobo-light is emitted is made shorter than a time interval from starting of said first operation for picking up an image until first strobo-light is emitted.

Claim 22

An image input device for executing successive operations for picking up images comprising: an image pickup device which picks up an image of an object to obtain image data for the object for a certain number of pixels; a light-shuttering unit configured to perform a light-shuttering operation to form a light-shuttered state relative to said image pickup device; a strobo light emitting unit which emits strobo-light when an image of an object is picked up by said image pickup device; a first control unit which controls a second operation for picking up an image among successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup device at a timing when the image data obtained in a first operation for picking up an image among the successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup device is read out from said image pickup device, and also for controlling, after said second operation for picking up the image, the light-shuttering operation by said light-shuttering unit at a timing earlier than a timing when the image data obtained in said second operation for picking up the image is read out from said image pickup device; and a second control unit which controls an operation for emitting strobo-light by said strobo light emitting unit so that a time interval from starting of said second operation for picking up an image until second strobo-light is emitted is made shorter than a time interval from starting of said first operation for picking up an image until first strobo-light is emitted.

Claim 23

An image input device for executing successive operations for picking up images comprising: an image pickup device which picks up an image of an object to obtain image data for a certain number of pixels; a changing unit which changes a pickup range for the object to be photographed by said image pickup device; a light-shuttering unit configured to perform a light-shuttering operation to form a light-shuttered state relative to said image pickup device; a strobo-light emitting unit which emits strobo-light when an image of an object is picked up by said image pickup device; a first control unit which controls an operation for changing said pickup range by said changing unit after a first operation for picking up an image among successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup device, controlling a second operation for picking up an image among the successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup device at a timing when the image data obtained in the first operation for picking up the image is read out from said image pickup device, and also controlling, after said second operation for picking up the image, the light-shuttering operation by said light-shuttering unit at a timing earlier than a timing when the image data obtained in said second operation for picking up the image is read out from said image pickup device; and a second control unit which controls a strobo-light emitting operation by said strobo-light emitting unit so that a time interval from starting of said second operation for picking up an image until a second strobo-light is emitted is made shorter than a time interval from starting of said first operation for picking up an image until a first strobo-light is emitted.

Claim 24

An image input device for executing successive operations for picking up images comprising: an image pickup device which picks up an image of an object to obtain image data for a certain number of pixels; a changing unit which changes a pickup range for the object to be photographed by said image pickup device; a light-shuttering unit configured to perform a light-shuttering operation to form a light-shuttered state relative to said image pickup device; a strobo-light emitting unit which emits strobo-light when an image of an object is picked up by said image pickup device; a first control unit which controls an operation for changing said pickup range by said changing unit after a first operation for picking up an image among successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup device, controlling a second operation for picking up an image among the successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup device at a timing when the image data obtained in the first operation for picking up the image is read out from said image pickup device, and also controlling, after said second operation for picking up the image, the light-shuttering operation by said light-shuttering unit at a timing earlier than a timing when the image data obtained in said second operation for picking up the image is read out from said image pickup device; and a second control unit which controls a strobo-light emitting operation by said strobo-light emitting unit so that a time interval from starting of said second operation for picking up an image until a second strobo-light is emitted is made shorter than a time interval from starting of said first operation for picking up an image until a first strobo-light is emitted.

Claim 25

An image input device for executing successive operations for picking up images comprising: an image pickup device which picks up an image of an object to obtain image data for a certain number of pixels; a storing unit which stores therein image data read out from said image pickup device; a light-shuttering unit configured to perform a light-shuttering operation to form a light-shuttered state relative to said image pickup device; a strobo-light emitting unit which emits strobo-light when an image of an object is picked up by said image pickup device; a first control unit which controls a second operation for picking up an image among successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup device at a timing when first image data obtained in a first operation for picking up an image among the successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup device is read out from said image pickup device, and also controlling, after said second operation for picking up the image, the light-shuttering operation by said light-shuttering unit at a timing earlier than a timing when second image data obtained in said second operation for picking up the image is read out from said image pickup device; a second control unit which controls a strobo-light emitting operation by said strobo-light emitting unit so that a time interval from starting of said second operation for picking up an image until a second strobo-light is emitted is made shorter than a time interval from starting of said first operation for picking up an image until a first strobo-light is emitted; and an image synthesizing unit which synthesizes the first and second image data read out from said image pickup device and stored in said storing unit under control by said first control unit.

Claim 26

An image input device for executing successive operations for picking up images comprising: an image pickup device which picks up an image of an object to obtain image data for a certain number of pixels; a storing unit which stores therein image data read out from said image pickup device; a light-shuttering unit configured to perform a light-shuttering operation to form a light-shuttered state relative to said image pickup device; a strobo-light emitting unit which emits strobo-light when an image of an object is picked up by said image pickup device; a first control unit which controls a second operation for picking up an image among successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup device at a timing when first image data obtained in a first operation for picking up an image among the successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup device is read out from said image pickup device, and also controlling, after said second operation for picking up the image, the light-shuttering operation by said light-shuttering unit at a timing earlier than a timing when second image data obtained in said second operation for picking up the image is read out from said image pickup device; a second control unit which controls a strobo-light emitting operation by said strobo-light emitting unit so that a time interval from starting of said second operation for picking up an image until a second strobo-light is emitted is made shorter than a time interval from starting of said first operation for picking up an image until a first strobo-light is emitted; and an image synthesizing unit which synthesizes the first and second image data read out from said image pickup device and stored in said storing unit under control by said first control unit.

Claim 27

An image input device for executing successive operations for picking up images comprising: an image pickup device which picks up an image of an object to obtain image data for a certain number of pixels; a changing unit which changes a pickup range of an object to be photographed by said image pickup device; a storing unit which stores therein image data read out from said image pickup device; a light-shuttering unit configured to perform a light-shuttering operation to form a light-shuttered state relative to said image pickup device; a strobo-light emitting unit which emits strobo-light when an image of an object is picked up by said image pickup device; a first control unit which controls an operation for changing a pickup range by said changing unit after a first operation for picking up an image among successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup device, controlling a second operation for picking up an image among the successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup device at a timing when the first image data obtained in the first operation for picking up the image is read out from said image pickup device, and also controlling, after said second operation for picking up the image, the light-shuttering operation by said light-shuttering unit at a timing earlier than a timing when the second image data obtained in said second operation for picking up the image is read out from said image pickup device; a second control unit which controls a strobo-light emitting operation by said strobo-light emitting unit so that a time interval from starting of said second operation for picking up an image until a second strobo-light is emitted is made shorter than a time interval from starting of said first operation for picking up an image until a first strobo-light is emitted; and an image synthesizing unit which synthesizes the first and second image data read out from said image picking device arid stored in said storing unit under control by said first control unit.

Claim 28

An image input device for executing successive operations for picking up images comprising: an image pickup device which picks up an image of an object to obtain image data for a certain number of pixels; a changing unit which changes a pickup range of an object to be photographed by said image pickup device; a storing unit which stores therein image data read out from said image pickup device; a light-shuttering unit configured to perform a light-shuttering operation to form a light-shuttered state relative to said image pickup device; a strobo-light emitting unit which emits strobo-light when an image of an object is picked up by said image pickup device; a first control unit which controls an operation for changing a pickup range by said changing unit after a first operation for picking up an image among successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup device, controlling a second operation for picking up an image among the successive operations for picking up images by said image pickup device at a timing when the first image data obtained in the first operation for picking up the image is read out from said image pickup device, and also controlling, after said second operation for picking up the image, the light-shuttering operation by said light-shuttering unit at a timing earlier than a timing when the second image data obtained in said second operation for picking up the image is read out from said image pickup device; a second control unit which controls a strobo-light emitting operation by said strobo-light emitting unit so that a time interval from starting of said second operation for picking up an image until a second strobo-light is emitted is made shorter than a time interval from starting of said first operation for picking up an image until a first strobo-light is emitted; and an image synthesizing unit which synthesizes the first and second image data read out from said image picking device arid stored in said storing unit under control by said first control unit.

Claim 29

An image input method for executing successive operations for picking up images comprising the steps of: picking up an image of an object to obtain image data for the object for a certain number of pixels; performing a light-shuttering operation to form a light-shuttered state; emitting strobo-light when an image of an object is picked up; controlling a second operation for picking up an image among successive operations for picking up images at a timing when the image data obtained in a first operation for picking up an image among the successive operations for picking up images is read out, and also for controlling, after said second operation for picking up the image, the light-shuttering operation at a timing earlier than a timing when the image data obtained in said second operation for picking up the image is read out; and controlling an operation for emitting strobo-light so that a time interval from starting of said second operation for picking up an image until second strobo-light is emitted is made shorter than a time interval from starting of said first operation for picking up an image until first strobo-light is emitted.

Claim 30

An image input method for executing successive operations for picking up images comprising the steps of: picking up an image of an object to obtain image data for the object for a certain number of pixels; performing a light-shuttering operation to form a light-shuttered state; emitting strobo-light when an image of an object is picked up; controlling a second operation for picking up an image among successive operations for picking up images at a timing when the image data obtained in a first operation for picking up an image among the successive operations for picking up images is read out, and also for controlling, after said second operation for picking up the image, the light-shuttering operation at a timing earlier than a timing when the image data obtained in said second operation for picking up the image is read out; and controlling an operation for emitting strobo-light so that a time interval from starting of said second operation for picking up an image until second strobo-light is emitted is made shorter than a time interval from starting of said first operation for picking up an image until first strobo-light is emitted.

Claim 31

An image input method for executing successive operations for picking up images composing the steps of: picking up an image of an object to obtain image data for a certain number of pixels; changing a pickup range for the object to be photographed; performing a light-shuttering operation to form a light-shuttered state; emitting strobo-light when an image of an object is picked up; controlling an operation for changing said pickup range after a first operation for picking up an image among the successive operations for picking up images, controlling a second operation for picking up an image among the successive operations for picking up images at a timing when the image data obtained in the first operation for picking up the image is read out, and also controlling, after said second operation for picking up the image, the light-shuttering operation at a timing earlier than a timing when the image data obtained in said second operation for picking up the image is read out; and controlling a strobo-light emitting operation so that a time interval from starting of said second operation for picking up an image until a second strobo-light is emitted is made shorter than a time interval from starting of said first operation for picking up an image until a first strobo-light is emitted.

Claim 32

An image input method for executing successive operations for picking up images composing the steps of: picking up an image of an object to obtain image data for a certain number of pixels; changing a pickup range for the object to be photographed; performing a light-shuttering operation to form a light-shuttered state; emitting strobo-light when an image of an object is picked up; controlling an operation for changing said pickup range after a first operation for picking up an image among the successive operations for picking up images, controlling a second operation for picking up an image among the successive operations for picking up images at a timing when the image data obtained in the first operation for picking up the image is read out, and also controlling, after said second operation for picking up the image, the light-shuttering operation at a timing earlier than a timing when the image data obtained in said second operation for picking up the image is read out; and controlling a strobo-light emitting operation so that a time interval from starting of said second operation for picking up an image until a second strobo-light is emitted is made shorter than a time interval from starting of said first operation for picking up an image until a first strobo-light is emitted.

Claim 33

An image input method for executing successive operations for picking up images comprising the steps of: picking up an image of an object to obtain image data for a certain number of pixels; storing therein image data read out; performing a light-shuttering operation to form a light-shuttered state; emitting strobo-light when an image of an object is picked up; controlling a second operation for picking up an image among successive operations for picking up images at a timing when first image data obtained in a first operation for picking up an image among the successive operations for picking up images is read out, and also controlling, after said second operation for picking up the image, the light-shuttering operation at a timing earlier than a timing when second image data obtained in said second operation for picking up the image is read out; controlling a strobo-light emitting operation so that a time interval from starting of said second operation for picking up an image until a second strobo-light is emitted is made shorter than a time interval from starting of said first operation for picking up an image until a first strobo-light is emitted; and synthesizing the first and second image data read out and stored.

Claim 34

An image input method for executing successive operations for picking up images comprising the steps of: picking up an image of an object to obtain image data for a certain number of pixels; storing therein image data read out; performing a light-shuttering operation to form a light-shuttered state; emitting strobo-light when an image of an object is picked up; controlling a second operation for picking up an image among successive operations for picking up images at a timing when first image data obtained in a first operation for picking up an image among the successive operations for picking up images is read out, and also controlling, after said second operation for picking up the image, the light-shuttering operation at a timing earlier than a timing when second image data obtained in said second operation for picking up the image is read out; controlling a strobo-light emitting operation so that a time interval from starting of said second operation for picking up an image until a second strobo-light is emitted is made shorter than a time interval from starting of said first operation for picking up an image until a first strobo-light is emitted; and synthesizing the first and second image data read out and stored.

Claim 35

An image input method for executing successive operations for picking up images comprising the steps of: picking up an image of an object to obtain image data for a certain number of pixels; changing a pickup range of an object to be photographed; storing therein image data read out; performing a light-shuttering operation to form a light-shuttered state; emitting strobo-light when an image of an object is picked up; controlling an operation for changing a pickup range after a first operation for picking up an image among successive operations for picking up images, controlling a second operation for picking up an image among the successive operations for picking up images at a timing when the first image data obtained in the first operation for picking up the image is read out, and also controlling, after said second operation for picking up the image, the light-shuttering operation at a timing earlier than a timing when the second image data obtained in said second operation for picking up the image is read out; controlling a strobo-light emitting operation so that a time interval from starting of said second operation for picking up an image until a second strobo-light is emitted is made shorter than a time interval from starting of said first operation for picking up an image until a first strobo-light is emitted; and synthesizing the first and second image data read out and stored.

Claim 36

An image input method for executing successive operations for picking up images comprising the steps of: picking up an image of an object to obtain image data for a certain number of pixels; changing a pickup range of an object to be photographed; storing therein image data read out; performing a light-shuttering operation to form a light-shuttered state; emitting strobo-light when an image of an object is picked up; controlling an operation for changing a pickup range after a first operation for picking up an image among successive operations for picking up images, controlling a second operation for picking up an image among the successive operations for picking up images at a timing when the first image data obtained in the first operation for picking up the image is read out, and also controlling, after said second operation for picking up the image, the light-shuttering operation at a timing earlier than a timing when the second image data obtained in said second operation for picking up the image is read out; controlling a strobo-light emitting operation so that a time interval from starting of said second operation for picking up an image until a second strobo-light is emitted is made shorter than a time interval from starting of said first operation for picking up an image until a first strobo-light is emitted; and synthesizing the first and second image data read out and stored.