Patent ID: 6687413
Filing Date: 2004-02-03
Classification: G06T,H04N

Abstract:
A signal processing apparatus for setting a region having a predetermined size in order to process pixel signals in an image pickup device, shifting the set region, and performing signal processing based on pixel signals within each region by sequentially shifting the region, said apparatus comprising:a first new-data-order determination unit adapted to determine an order of magnitude of levels of pixel signals to be newly subjected to signal processing as a result of a shift of the region; a new-data rearrangement unit adapted to rearrange new pixel signals to be newly subjected to signal processing, based on the order of magnitude determined by said first new-data-order determination unit; a second new-data-order determination means adapted to determine an order of magnitude of new pixel signals obtained by combining the new pixel signals rearranged by said new-data rearrangement unit and old pixel signals that have been subjected to signal processing before the shift of the region, and an order of magnitude of signal levels which have been determined, by comparing levels of the new pixel signals rearranged by said new-data rearrangement unit with the levels of the old pixel signals; an all-data-order determination unit adapted to determine an order of magnitude of signal levels of all pixels obtained by combining the new pixel signals and the old pixel signals, based on the order of magnitude of the new pixel signals determined by said second new-data-order determination unit; and an all-data rearrangement unit adapted to rearrange signals of the all pixels, based on the order of magnitude of the signal levels of all the pixels determined by said all-data-order determination unit.