Patent ID: 8711261
Filing Date: 2014-04-29
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A method for controlling a semiconductor device including a signal obtaining unit, column processors, and a classification-signal generator, the signal obtaining unit including unit elements arranged in rows and columns, the unit elements each including a charge generator configured to generate signal charges corresponding to incident electromagnetic waves and a signal generator configured to generate a signal corresponding to the signal charges generated by the charge generator, the column processors being provided at least one column processor for each one of the respective columns to read the signals for the respective column on a row-by-row basis, to amplify the signals by certain gains, and to sequentially output amplified signals, the column processors respectively including amplifier circuits for amplifying the signals read from the unit elements by gains set to the amplifier circuits, the method comprising: in a gain-determination controlling step, detecting signal levels of output signals of the amplifier circuits, outputting M-bit classification signals based on the detected signal levels, determining gains to be set to the amplifier circuits based on the detected signal levels, and causing the amplifier circuits to operate with the gains determined; converting output signals corresponding to the amplifier circuits from analog signals into N-bit digital signals; and extending a dynamic range of the N-bit digital signals based on the M-bit classification signals wherein, ‘M’ refers to an integer value greater than zero, and ‘N’ refers to an integer value greater than zero; and further comprising comparing the detected signal levels with a plurality of threshold values to classify the detected signal levels, and generating and outputting the M-bit classification signals representing results of the classification, wherein the classification-signal generator is configured to output the M-bit classification signals to an outside circuit configured to receive the M-bit classification signals and disposed outside of a semiconductor chip including the signal obtaining unit and the column processors.