Signal processing apparatus

A signal processing method 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 method comprising:

• a first new-data-order determination step of determining an order of magnitude of levels of pixel signals to be newly subjected to signal processing as a result of shift of the region;
• a new-data rearrangement step of rearranging new pixel signals to be newly subjected to signal processing, based on the order of magnitude determined in said first new-data-order determination step;
• a second new-data-order determination step of determining an order of magnitude of new pixel signals obtained by combining the new pixel signals rearranged in said new-data rearrangement step and old pixel signals which have been subjected to signal processing before the shift of the region, and an order of magnitude of signal levels of which have been determined, by comparing levels of the new pixel signals rearranged in said new-data rearrangement step with the levels of the old pixel signals;
• an all-data-order determination step of determining 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 in said second new-data-order determination step;
• and
• an all-data rearrangement step of rearranging signals of the all pixels, based on the order of magnitude of the signal levels of all the pixels determined in said all-data-order determination step.

A storing medium storing a program for a signal processing method 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 method comprising:

• a first new-data-order determination step of determining an order of magnitude of levels of pixel signals to be newly subjected to signal processing as a result of shift of the region;
• a new-data rearrangement step of rearranging pixel signals to be newly subjected to signal processing, based on the order of magnitude determined in said first new-data-order determination step;
• a second new-data-order determination step of determining an order of magnitude of new pixel signals obtained by combining the new pixel signals rearranged in said new-data rearrangement step and old pixel signals which have been subjected to signal processing before the shift of the region, and an order of magnitude of signal levels of which have been determined, by comparing levels of the new pixel signals rearranged in said new-data rearrangement step with the levels of the old pixel signals;
• an all-data-order determination step of determining 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 in said second new-data-order determination step;
• and
• an all-data rearrangement step of rearranging signals of all the pixels, based on the order of magnitude of the signal levels of all the pixels determined in said all-data-order determination step.