Patent ID: 6703959
Filing Date: 2004-03-09
Classification: G01N,H04N

Abstract:
A signal detecting method of repeating the processes of initiating accumulation of charge signals by switching an integrating amplifier to an accumulator mode, retaining a first electric signal outputted from the integrating amplifier immediately after the integrating amplifier is switched to the accumulator mode, finding a difference between a second electric signal outputted from the integrating amplifier immediately before the integrating amplifier is switched to a reset mode after completing accumulation of the charge signals and the retained first electric signal so as to define the difference as a signal component, and converting the signal component into a digital signal and thereby outputting the digital signal, the signal detecting method comprising the steps of:retaining the signal component obtained in connection with a first charge signal; converting the retained signal component into the digital signal; and switching the integrating amplifier to the accumulator mode after completing accumulation concerning the first charge signal but before completing conversion into the digital signal so as to initiate accumulation concerning a second charge signal.