SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE, PHYSICAL INFORMATION ACQUISITION APPARATUS AND SIGNAL READOUT METHOD

• Main Authors: SAKIOKA YOJI, NOMURA SHINYA, URAKAWA YOSHIAKI
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 30.08.2012
• Subjects: ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE; ELECTRICITY; PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce power consumption more in an element select mode which requires information on only some of unit elements than in a normal mode.SOLUTION: During an element select mode which requires information on only some of unit elements among one line equivalent of unit elements in an element array section, a signal processing circuit for unwanted unit elements is controlled of its function so that the signal processing circuit is placed into a lower power consumption state than during a normal operation mode. Preferably, transfer of a readout signal for unwanted unit elements should be disabled during the element select mode. For example, the circuit function may be controlled so that the low power consumption state is entered into while the power supply remains on or a method may be adopted which reduces current from a current source for a functional unit associated with the current source. The circuit function may be controlled by turning the power supply itself off. A greater power consumption cutback effect can be expected by turning the power supply itself off than controlling the circuit function while keeping the power supply on.