US Patent 7319478 Solid-state video camera and method for brightness control

A solid-state video camera is equipped with pixel addition logic such that, if the measured object brightness falls below a certain threshold value, a brightening of the image is effected without increasing the noise component accepting a loss in real-time representation. The pixel addition by way of the pixel addition logic is coupled to the gain control of the camera in a manner such that, in each case, the gain control compensates for jumps in brightness which arise by way of the pixel addition and creates for the user a flowing transition without noticeable jumps in brightness.