Apparatus for processing data, memory bank used therefor, semiconductor device, and memory for reading out pixel data

An apparatus for processing data, said apparatus comprising a first memory bank and a second memory bank;

• said first memory bank including:
• first memory cell array having memory cells arranged in rows and columns, and first word lines arranged in rows, each of said first word lines extending in a column direction of said first memory cell array, each memory cell alignment in the column direction corresponding to each of said first word lines, said memory cell alignment storing multiple items of pixel data, said pixel data being adapted to be derived from each pixel block of a first row, said first row being set in a horizontal way in a search area within a search frame of picture signal;
• first sense amplifier for amplifying bit signals of multiple items of pixel data in a predetermined pixel block, each bit signal being read out of said first memory cell array corresponding to an activated one of predetermined first word lines;
• first data buffer for holding said multiple items of pixel data output from said first sense amplifier;
• first switch for allowing said respective multiple items of pixel data output from said first sense amplifier to be selectively captured into said first data buffer, said first switch being arranged between said first sense amplifier and said first data buffer;
• and
• first control circuit for controlling said first switch to allow its switching operation, and
• said second memory bank including:
• second memory cell array having memory cells arranged in rows and columns, and second word lines arranged in rows, each of said second word lines extending in a column direction of said second memory cell array, each memory cell alignment in the column direction corresponding to each of said second word lines, said memory cell alignment storing multiple items of pixel data, said pixel data being adapted to be derived from each pixel block of a second row, said second row being set adjacent to said first row in the horizontal way in said search area within said search frame of the picture signal;
• second sense amplifier for amplifying bit signals of multiple items of pixel data in a predetermined pixel block, each bit signal being read out of said second memory cell array corresponding to an activated one of predetermined second word line;
• second data buffer for holding said multiple items of pixel data output from said second sense amplifier;
• second switch for allowing said respective multiple items of pixel data output from said second sense amplifier to be selectively captured into said second data buffer, said second switch being arranged between said second sense amplifier and said second data buffer;
• second control circuit for controlling said second switch to allow its switching operation;
• selector for selecting and extracting multiple items of pixel data adapted to be a candidate block from said multiple items of pixel data held in said first data buffer and said multiple items of pixel data held in said second data buffer;
• and
• matching circuit for receiving said multiple items of pixel data thus sequentially captured as said candidate block by said selector and input multiple items of pixel data adapted to be a reference block in a reference frame of input picture signal, and matching said multiple items of pixel data thus sequentially captured with said input multiple items of pixel data to obtain a motion vector relative to said reference block.