Abstract: An imaging system includes an infrared lamp to emit infrared light, a CCD camera (5) to pick up an image of a place irradiated with the infrared lamp and convert the picked-up image into an electric signal, and an image processing unit (7) to periodically change a signal accumulation time of the CCD camera and periodically and continuously provide images of different exposure values. The image processing unit extracts a high-brightness block surrounded with a medium-brightness area from a first image of the periodically provided images, and according to a degree of the medium-brightness area, controls a signal accumulation time of a second image to be picked up.

Abstract: The imaging means comprises an IR lamp to radiate an infrared light forward, a CCD camera to image forward and convert to electrical signals and an image processing unit to change the signal storage time duration of the CCD camera at a predetermined period and sequentially and periodically output images with the different light exposure. The image processing unit extends the images with the different light exposure in the longitudinal direction and averages the signal level of both images after extending to form a composite image.

Abstract: An imaging system according to the present invention is capable of outputting an image which is less unnatural while elongating a signal storage time of a CCD camera gradually. It includes an IR lamp for radiating an infrared ray, a CCD camera 5 for taking the place radiated by the IR lamp and converting it into an electric signal, and an image processing unit 7 capable of outputting an image with a different exposure value continuously and periodically, while varying a signal storage time of the CCD camera 5 at a predetermined period. The image processing unit 7 is characterized by outputting an image that is different in exposure depending upon a signal storage time according to the extent to which how strongly light strikes on the CCD camera 5, and elongating gradually the signal storage time when there is no strong light falling on CCD camera 5.