Data conversion/output apparatus for digitalizing sensor data and outputting through a sensor array

A data conversion/output apparatus comprising:

• a column decoder for selecting at once a plurality of pixels aligned on an arbitrary column from pixels arrayed in a matrix;
• a plurality of data buses each commonly connected to a plurality of pixels aligned on each row out of the pixels;
• a counter for sequentially outputting count values in accordance with internal count operation;
• a plurality of latch circuits which are arranged on respective rows and latch the count values from said counter in accordance with level changes of said data buses corresponding to the respective rows;
• a row decoder for selecting a row having a desired pixel out of the pixels selected by said column decoder;
• and
• a plurality of row switches which are arranged on the respective rows and output as sensed data of desired pixels the count values latched by said latch circuits corresponding to the respective rows, wherein each of the pixels has
• a sensor for outputting a detection result as an output voltage value,
• a voltage-time conversion circuit for changing an output level upon the lapse of time corresponding to an output voltage value from said sensor after a predetermined conversion operation start point,
• a column switch for outputting in accordance with selection of a pixel by said row decoder an output from said voltage-time conversion circuit to a data bus connected to the pixel,
• an operation start of the voltage-time conversion circuit and a start of count operation of the counter are staggered, and
• a count control circuit for controlling a speed of incrementing the counter to thereby adjust a conversion sensitivity for conversion concerning sensed data arbitrarily depending on a region of output voltage value of each of said plurality of sensors.