Data signal amplifier and processor with multiple signal gains for increased dynamic signal range

Claim 1

An apparatus including data signal amplification and processing circuitry with multiple signal gains, comprising: a signal node to convey an input signal having an input signal value; amplification circuitry coupled to said signal node, including a variable signal gain responsive to at least one gain control signal having a plurality of values, and responsive to said input signal by providing an intermediate signal having a plurality of values corresponding to said plurality of gain control signal values; sampling circuitry coupled to said amplification circuitry and responsive to a sampling control signal by sampling said intermediate signal to provide a sample signal having a plurality of values which include at least a maximum and a minimum, and correspond to said plurality of intermediate signal values; and processing circuitry coupled to said sampling circuitry and responsive to one or more processing control signals by processing said sample signal to provide a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value, wherein said processed signal value represents said maximum sample signal value when said maximum value fails to traverse a predetermined lower threshold, said minimum sample signal value when an adjacent larger one of said plurality of sample signal values traverses a predetermined higher threshold, a smaller of mutually adjacent ones of a pair of said plurality of sample signal values when a larger one of said pair of sample signal values traverses said predetermined higher threshold and said smaller value fails to traverse said predetermined lower threshold, and a combination of said smaller and larger ones of said pair of sample signal values when said larger value traverses said predetermined lower threshold and fails to traverse said predetermined higher threshold.

Claim 2

An apparatus including data signal amplification and processing circuitry with multiple signal gains, comprising: a signal node to convey an input signal having an input signal value; amplification circuitry coupled to said signal node, including a variable signal gain responsive to at least one gain control signal having a plurality of values, and responsive to said input signal by providing an intermediate signal having a plurality of values corresponding to said plurality of gain control signal values; sampling circuitry coupled to said amplification circuitry and responsive to a sampling control signal by sampling said intermediate signal to provide a sample signal having a plurality of values which include at least a maximum and a minimum, and correspond to said plurality of intermediate signal values; and processing circuitry coupled to said sampling circuitry and responsive to one or more processing control signals by processing said sample signal to provide a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value, wherein said processed signal value represents said maximum sample signal value when said maximum value fails to traverse a predetermined lower threshold, said minimum sample signal value when an adjacent larger one of said plurality of sample signal values traverses a predetermined higher threshold, a smaller of mutually adjacent ones of a pair of said plurality of sample signal values when a larger one of said pair of sample signal values traverses said predetermined higher threshold and said smaller value fails to traverse said predetermined lower threshold, and a combination of said smaller and larger ones of said pair of sample signal values when said larger value traverses said predetermined lower threshold and fails to traverse said predetermined higher threshold.

Claim 10

An apparatus including data signal amplification and processing circuitry with multiple signal gains, comprising: amplifier means, including variable signal gain, for receiving an input signal having an input signal value and at least one gain control signal having a plurality of values, and in response thereto generating an intermediate signal having a plurality of values corresponding to said plurality of gain control signal values; sampling means for receiving a sampling control signal and in response thereto sampling said intermediate signal and generating a sample signal having a plurality of values which include at least a maximum and a minimum, and correspond to said plurality of intermediate signal values; and processor means for receiving one or more processing control signals and in response thereto processing said sample signal and generating a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value, wherein said processed signal value represents said maximum sample signal value when said maximum value fails to traverse a predetermined lower threshold, said minimum sample signal value when an adjacent larger one of said plurality of sample signal values traverses a predetermined higher threshold, a smaller of mutually adjacent ones of a pair of said plurality of sample signal values when a larger one of said pair of sample signal values traverses said predetermined higher threshold and said smaller value fails to traverse said predetermined lower threshold, and a combination of said smaller and larger ones of said pair of sample signal values when said larger value traverses said predetermined lower threshold and fails to traverse said predetermined higher threshold.

Claim 11

An apparatus including data signal amplification and processing circuitry with multiple signal gains, comprising: amplifier means, including variable signal gain, for receiving an input signal having an input signal value and at least one gain control signal having a plurality of values, and in response thereto generating an intermediate signal having a plurality of values corresponding to said plurality of gain control signal values; sampling means for receiving a sampling control signal and in response thereto sampling said intermediate signal and generating a sample signal having a plurality of values which include at least a maximum and a minimum, and correspond to said plurality of intermediate signal values; and processor means for receiving one or more processing control signals and in response thereto processing said sample signal and generating a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value, wherein said processed signal value represents said maximum sample signal value when said maximum value fails to traverse a predetermined lower threshold, said minimum sample signal value when an adjacent larger one of said plurality of sample signal values traverses a predetermined higher threshold, a smaller of mutually adjacent ones of a pair of said plurality of sample signal values when a larger one of said pair of sample signal values traverses said predetermined higher threshold and said smaller value fails to traverse said predetermined lower threshold, and a combination of said smaller and larger ones of said pair of sample signal values when said larger value traverses said predetermined lower threshold and fails to traverse said predetermined higher threshold.

Claim 12

A method of data signal amplification and processing with multiple signal gains, comprising: receiving an input signal having an input signal value; receiving at least one gain control signal having a plurality of values; generating, in response to said input signal and said at least one gain control signal, an intermediate signal having a plurality of values corresponding to said plurality of gain control signal values; receiving a sampling control signal and in response thereto sampling said intermediate signal and generating a sample signal having a plurality of values which include at least a maximum and a minimum, and correspond to said plurality of intermediate signal values; and receiving one or more processing control signals and in response thereto processing said sample signal and generating a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value, wherein said processed signal value represents said maximum sample signal value when said maximum value fails to traverse a predetermined lower threshold, said minimum sample signal value when an adjacent larger one of said plurality of sample signal values traverses a predetermined higher threshold, a smaller of mutually adjacent ones of a pair of said plurality of sample signal values when a larger one of said pair of sample signal values traverses said predetermined higher threshold and said smaller value fails to traverse said predetermined lower threshold, and a combination of said smaller and larger ones of said pair of sample signal values when said larger value traverses said predetermined lower threshold and fails to traverse said predetermined higher threshold.

Claim 13

A method of data signal amplification and processing with multiple signal gains, comprising: receiving an input signal having an input signal value; receiving at least one gain control signal having a plurality of values; generating, in response to said input signal and said at least one gain control signal, an intermediate signal having a plurality of values corresponding to said plurality of gain control signal values; receiving a sampling control signal and in response thereto sampling said intermediate signal and generating a sample signal having a plurality of values which include at least a maximum and a minimum, and correspond to said plurality of intermediate signal values; and receiving one or more processing control signals and in response thereto processing said sample signal and generating a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value, wherein said processed signal value represents said maximum sample signal value when said maximum value fails to traverse a predetermined lower threshold, said minimum sample signal value when an adjacent larger one of said plurality of sample signal values traverses a predetermined higher threshold, a smaller of mutually adjacent ones of a pair of said plurality of sample signal values when a larger one of said pair of sample signal values traverses said predetermined higher threshold and said smaller value fails to traverse said predetermined lower threshold, and a combination of said smaller and larger ones of said pair of sample signal values when said larger value traverses said predetermined lower threshold and fails to traverse said predetermined higher threshold.

Claim 21

An apparatus including data signal amplification and processing circuitry with multiple signal gains, comprising: signal acquisition circuitry responsive to an image data signal by providing an acquired data signal; amplification circuitry coupled to said signal acquisition circuitry and responsive to at least one gain control signal and said acquired data signal by amplifying said acquired data signal with a plurality of signal gains to produce a corresponding plurality of amplified data signals; sampling circuitry coupled to said amplification circuitry and responsive to at least one sampling control signal and said plurality of amplified data signals by sampling said plurality of amplified data signals to produce a corresponding plurality of sampled data signals having a like plurality of values which include at least a maximum and a minimum, and correspond to said plurality of amplified data signals; and processing circuitry coupled to said sampling circuitry and responsive to one or more reference signals and one or more of said plurality of sampled data signals by providing a data output signal corresponding to said maximum sampled data signal value when said maximum value fails to satisfy a first one of a plurality of criteria related to said one or more reference signals, said minimum sampled data signal value when an adjacent larger one of said plurality of sampled data signal values satisfies a second one of said plurality of criteria, a smaller of mutually adjacent ones of a pair of said plurality of sampled data signal values when a larger one of said pair of sampled data signal values satisfies said second one of said plurality of criteria and said smaller value fails to satisfy said first one of said plurality of criteria, and a combination of said smaller and larger ones of said pair of sampled data signal values when said larger value satisfies said first one of said plurality of criteria and fails to satisfy said second one of said plurality of criteria.

Claim 22

An apparatus including data signal amplification and processing circuitry with multiple signal gains, comprising: signal acquisition circuitry responsive to an image data signal by providing an acquired data signal; amplification circuitry coupled to said signal acquisition circuitry and responsive to at least one gain control signal and said acquired data signal by amplifying said acquired data signal with a plurality of signal gains to produce a corresponding plurality of amplified data signals; sampling circuitry coupled to said amplification circuitry and responsive to at least one sampling control signal and said plurality of amplified data signals by sampling said plurality of amplified data signals to produce a corresponding plurality of sampled data signals having a like plurality of values which include at least a maximum and a minimum, and correspond to said plurality of amplified data signals; and processing circuitry coupled to said sampling circuitry and responsive to one or more reference signals and one or more of said plurality of sampled data signals by providing a data output signal corresponding to said maximum sampled data signal value when said maximum value fails to satisfy a first one of a plurality of criteria related to said one or more reference signals, said minimum sampled data signal value when an adjacent larger one of said plurality of sampled data signal values satisfies a second one of said plurality of criteria, a smaller of mutually adjacent ones of a pair of said plurality of sampled data signal values when a larger one of said pair of sampled data signal values satisfies said second one of said plurality of criteria and said smaller value fails to satisfy said first one of said plurality of criteria, and a combination of said smaller and larger ones of said pair of sampled data signal values when said larger value satisfies said first one of said plurality of criteria and fails to satisfy said second one of said plurality of criteria.

Claim 30

An apparatus including data signal amplification and processing circuitry with multiple signal gains, comprising: signal acquisition means for acquiring a data signal; amplifier means for amplifying said acquired data signal with a plurality of signal gains and generating a corresponding plurality of amplified data signals; sampling means for sampling said plurality of amplified data signals and generating a corresponding plurality of sampled data signals having a like plurality of values which include at least a maximum and a minimum, and correspond to said plurality of amplified data signals; and processor means for receiving one or more reference signals, processing one or more of said plurality of sampled data signals and generating a data output signal corresponding to said maximum sampled data signal value when said maximum value fails to satisfy a first one of a plurality of criteria related to said one or more reference signals, said minimum sampled data signal value when an adjacent larger one of said plurality of sampled data signal values satisfies a second one of said plurality of criteria, a smaller of mutually adjacent ones of a pair of said plurality of sampled data signal values when a larger one of said pair of sampled data signal values satisfies said second one of said plurality of criteria and said smaller value fails to satisfy said first one of said plurality of criteria, and a combination of said smaller and larger ones of said pair of sampled data signal values when said larger value satisfies said first one of said plurality of criteria and fails to satisfy said second one of said plurality of criteria.

Claim 31

An apparatus including data signal amplification and processing circuitry with multiple signal gains, comprising: signal acquisition means for acquiring a data signal; amplifier means for amplifying said acquired data signal with a plurality of signal gains and generating a corresponding plurality of amplified data signals; sampling means for sampling said plurality of amplified data signals and generating a corresponding plurality of sampled data signals having a like plurality of values which include at least a maximum and a minimum, and correspond to said plurality of amplified data signals; and processor means for receiving one or more reference signals, processing one or more of said plurality of sampled data signals and generating a data output signal corresponding to said maximum sampled data signal value when said maximum value fails to satisfy a first one of a plurality of criteria related to said one or more reference signals, said minimum sampled data signal value when an adjacent larger one of said plurality of sampled data signal values satisfies a second one of said plurality of criteria, a smaller of mutually adjacent ones of a pair of said plurality of sampled data signal values when a larger one of said pair of sampled data signal values satisfies said second one of said plurality of criteria and said smaller value fails to satisfy said first one of said plurality of criteria, and a combination of said smaller and larger ones of said pair of sampled data signal values when said larger value satisfies said first one of said plurality of criteria and fails to satisfy said second one of said plurality of criteria.

Claim 32

A method of data signal amplification and processing with multiple signal gains, comprising: acquiring an image data signal; amplifying said image data signal with a plurality of signal gains to produce a corresponding plurality of amplified data signals; sampling said plurality of amplified data signals to produce a corresponding plurality of sampled data signals having a like plurality of values which include at least a maximum and a minimum, and correspond to said plurality of amplified data signals; comparing one or more of said plurality of sampled data signal values to one or more reference signals; and providing a data output signal corresponding to said maximum sampled data signal value when said maximum value fails to satisfy a first one of a plurality of criteria related to said one or more reference signals, said minimum sampled data signal value when an adjacent larger one of said plurality of sampled data signal values satisfies a second one of said plurality of criteria, a smaller of mutually adjacent ones of a pair of said plurality of sampled data signal values when a larger one of said pair of sampled data signal values satisfies said second one of said plurality of criteria and said smaller value fails to satisfy said first one of said plurality of criteria, and a combination of said smaller and larger ones of said pair of sampled data signal values when said larger value satisfies said first one of said plurality of criteria and fails to satisfy said second one of said plurality of criteria.

Claim 33

A method of data signal amplification and processing with multiple signal gains, comprising: acquiring an image data signal; amplifying said image data signal with a plurality of signal gains to produce a corresponding plurality of amplified data signals; sampling said plurality of amplified data signals to produce a corresponding plurality of sampled data signals having a like plurality of values which include at least a maximum and a minimum, and correspond to said plurality of amplified data signals; comparing one or more of said plurality of sampled data signal values to one or more reference signals; and providing a data output signal corresponding to said maximum sampled data signal value when said maximum value fails to satisfy a first one of a plurality of criteria related to said one or more reference signals, said minimum sampled data signal value when an adjacent larger one of said plurality of sampled data signal values satisfies a second one of said plurality of criteria, a smaller of mutually adjacent ones of a pair of said plurality of sampled data signal values when a larger one of said pair of sampled data signal values satisfies said second one of said plurality of criteria and said smaller value fails to satisfy said first one of said plurality of criteria, and a combination of said smaller and larger ones of said pair of sampled data signal values when said larger value satisfies said first one of said plurality of criteria and fails to satisfy said second one of said plurality of criteria.

Claim 41

An apparatus including data signal amplifier circuitry with multiple signal gains, comprising: sampling amplifier circuitry responsive to at least one control signal and an input signal having an input signal value by providing at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values, including maximum and minimum sample signal values, and corresponding to said input signal value; and processing circuitry coupled to said sampling amplifier circuitry and responsive to said at least one sample signal and one or more processing control signals by processing said at least one sample signal to provide a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents: said maximum sample signal value when said maximum value fails to traverse a predetermined lower threshold; said minimum sample signal value when an adjacent larger one of said plurality of sample signal values traverses a predetermined higher threshold; a smaller of mutually adjacent ones of a pair of said plurality of sample signal values when a larger one of said pair of sample signal values traverses said predetermined higher threshold and said smaller value fails to traverse said predetermined lower threshold; and a combination of said smaller and larger ones of said pair of sample signal values when said larger value traverses said predetermined lower threshold and fails to traverse said predetermined higher threshold.

Claim 42

An apparatus including data signal amplifier circuitry with multiple signal gains, comprising: sampling amplifier circuitry responsive to at least one control signal and an input signal having an input signal value by providing at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values, including maximum and minimum sample signal values, and corresponding to said input signal value; and processing circuitry coupled to said sampling amplifier circuitry and responsive to said at least one sample signal and one or more processing control signals by processing said at least one sample signal to provide a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents: said maximum sample signal value when said maximum value fails to traverse a predetermined lower threshold; said minimum sample signal value when an adjacent larger one of said plurality of sample signal values traverses a predetermined higher threshold; a smaller of mutually adjacent ones of a pair of said plurality of sample signal values when a larger one of said pair of sample signal values traverses said predetermined higher threshold and said smaller value fails to traverse said predetermined lower threshold; and a combination of said smaller and larger ones of said pair of sample signal values when said larger value traverses said predetermined lower threshold and fails to traverse said predetermined higher threshold.

Claim 43

An apparatus including data signal amplifier circuitry with multiple signal gains, comprising: sampling amplifier circuitry responsive to at least one control signal and an input signal having an input signal value by providing at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values, including maximum and minimum sample signal values, and corresponding to said input signal value; and processing circuitry coupled to said sampling amplifier circuitry and responsive to said at least one sample signal and one or more processing control signals by processing said at least one sample signal to provide a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes said maximum sample signal value, said minimum sample signal value, a first one of said plurality of sample signal values, and a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of sample signal values; and wherein said sampling amplifier circuitry comprises: first amplifier circuitry including input and output terminals; a feedback capacitance coupled between said first amplifier circuitry input and output terminals; and second amplifier circuitry coupled to said first amplifier circuitry output terminal and having said variable signal gain responsive to at least one of said at least one control signal.

Claim 44

An apparatus including data signal amplifier circuitry with multiple signal gains, comprising: sampling amplifier circuitry responsive to at least one control signal and an input signal having an input signal value by providing at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values, including maximum and minimum sample signal values, and corresponding to said input signal value; and processing circuitry coupled to said sampling amplifier circuitry and responsive to said at least one sample signal and one or more processing control signals by processing said at least one sample signal to provide a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes said maximum sample signal value, said minimum sample signal value, a first one of said plurality of sample signal values, and a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of sample signal values; and wherein said sampling amplifier circuitry comprises: first amplifier circuitry including input and output terminals; a feedback capacitance coupled between said first amplifier circuitry input and output terminals; and second amplifier circuitry coupled to said first amplifier circuitry output terminal and having said variable signal gain responsive to at least one of said at least one control signal.

Claim 45

An apparatus including data signal amplifier circuitry with multiple signal gains, comprising: sampling amplifier circuitry responsive to at least one control signal and an input signal having an input signal value by providing at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values, including maximum and minimum sample signal values, and corresponding to said input signal value; and processing circuitry coupled to said sampling amplifier circuitry and responsive to said at least one sample signal and one or more processing control signals by processing said at least one sample signal to provide a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes said maximum sample signal value, said minimum sample signal value, a first one of said plurality or sample signal values, and a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of sample signal values; and wherein: said input signal has an input signal charge associated therewith; and said sampling amplifier circuitry comprises a signal node to convey said input signal, capacitive circuitry, and a switch coupled between said signal node and said capacitive circuitry, and responsive to one or more of said at least one control signal by conveying a predetermined portion of said input signal charge to said capacitive circuitry.

Claim 46

An apparatus including data signal amplifier circuitry with multiple signal gains, comprising: sampling amplifier circuitry responsive to at least one control signal and an input signal having an input signal value by providing at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values, including maximum and minimum sample signal values, and corresponding to said input signal value; and processing circuitry coupled to said sampling amplifier circuitry and responsive to said at least one sample signal and one or more processing control signals by processing said at least one sample signal to provide a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes said maximum sample signal value, said minimum sample signal value, a first one of said plurality or sample signal values, and a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of sample signal values; and wherein: said input signal has an input signal charge associated therewith; and said sampling amplifier circuitry comprises a signal node to convey said input signal, capacitive circuitry, and a switch coupled between said signal node and said capacitive circuitry, and responsive to one or more of said at least one control signal by conveying a predetermined portion of said input signal charge to said capacitive circuitry.

Claim 47

An apparatus including data signal amplifier circuitry with multiple signal gains, comprising: sampling amplifier circuitry responsive to at least one control signal and an input signal having an input signal value by providing at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values, including maximum and minimum sample signal values, and corresponding to said input signal value; and processing circuitry coupled to said sampling amplifier circuitry and responsive to said at least one sample signal and one or more processing control signals by processing said at least one sample signal to provide a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes said maximum sample signal value, said minimum sample signal value, a first one of said plurality of sample signal values, and a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of sample signal values; and wherein said sampling amplifier circuitry comprises: serial switching circuitry responsive to one of said at least one control signal by providing a switched signal; and shunt capacitive circuitry coupled to said serial switching circuitry and responsive to said switched signal by charging to provide said at least one sample signal.

Claim 48

An apparatus including data signal amplifier circuitry with multiple signal gains, comprising: sampling amplifier circuitry responsive to at least one control signal and an input signal having an input signal value by providing at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values, including maximum and minimum sample signal values, and corresponding to said input signal value; and processing circuitry coupled to said sampling amplifier circuitry and responsive to said at least one sample signal and one or more processing control signals by processing said at least one sample signal to provide a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes said maximum sample signal value, said minimum sample signal value, a first one of said plurality of sample signal values, and a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of sample signal values; and wherein said sampling amplifier circuitry comprises: serial switching circuitry responsive to one of said at least one control signal by providing a switched signal; and shunt capacitive circuitry coupled to said serial switching circuitry and responsive to said switched signal by charging to provide said at least one sample signal.

Claim 49

An apparatus including data signal amplifier circuitry with multiple signal gains, comprising: sampling amplifier circuitry responsive to at least one control signal and an input signal having an input signal value by providing at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values, including maximum and minimum sample signal values, and corresponding to said input signal value; and processing circuitry coupled to said sampling amplifier circuitry and responsive to said at least one sample signal and one or more processing control signals by processing said at least one sample signal to provide a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes said maximum sample signal value, said minimum sample signal value, a first one of said plurality of sample signal values, and a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of sample signal values; wherein said processing circuitry comprises analog-to-digital conversion circuitry responsive to one of said one or more processing control signals by converting said sample signal to provide a digital signal having a plurality of values corresponding to said plurality of sample signal values, and computational circuitry coupled to said analog-to-digital conversion circuitry and responsive to another one or more of said one or more processing control signals and said digital signal by providing said processed signal; and wherein said computational circuitry comprises comparison circuitry responsive to said digital signal by comparing said plurality of digital signal values to predetermined lower and higher thresholds, and combining circuitry responsive to said digital signal by selectively combining first and second ones of said plurality of digital signal values to provide a combination signal corresponding to said combination of said first and second ones of said plurality of sample signal values.

Claim 50

An apparatus including data signal amplifier circuitry with multiple signal gains, comprising: sampling amplifier circuitry responsive to at least one control signal and an input signal having an input signal value by providing at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values, including maximum and minimum sample signal values, and corresponding to said input signal value; and processing circuitry coupled to said sampling amplifier circuitry and responsive to said at least one sample signal and one or more processing control signals by processing said at least one sample signal to provide a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes said maximum sample signal value, said minimum sample signal value, a first one of said plurality of sample signal values, and a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of sample signal values; wherein said processing circuitry comprises analog-to-digital conversion circuitry responsive to one of said one or more processing control signals by converting said sample signal to provide a digital signal having a plurality of values corresponding to said plurality of sample signal values, and computational circuitry coupled to said analog-to-digital conversion circuitry and responsive to another one or more of said one or more processing control signals and said digital signal by providing said processed signal; and wherein said computational circuitry comprises comparison circuitry responsive to said digital signal by comparing said plurality of digital signal values to predetermined lower and higher thresholds, and combining circuitry responsive to said digital signal by selectively combining first and second ones of said plurality of digital signal values to provide a combination signal corresponding to said combination of said first and second ones of said plurality of sample signal values.

Claim 51

A method of data signal amplification and processing with multiple signal gains, comprising: receiving at least one control signal; receiving an input signal having an input signal value; generating, in response to said at least one control signal and said input signal, at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values, including maximum and minimum sample signal values, and corresponding to said input signal value; and receiving one or more processing control signals and in response thereto processing said at least one sample signal and generating a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes said maximum sample signal value, said minimum sample signal value, a first one of said plurality of sample signal values, and a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of sample signal values; and wherein said processed signal value represents: said maximum sample signal value when said maximum value fails to traverse a predetermined lower threshold; said minimum sample signal value when an adjacent larger one of said plurality of sample signal values traverses a predetermined higher threshold; a smaller of mutually adjacent ones of a pair of said plurality of sample signal values when a larger one of said pair of sample signal values traverses said predetermined higher threshold and said smaller value fails to traverse said predetermined lower threshold; and a combination of said smaller and larger ones of said pair of sample signal values when said larger value traverses said predetermined lower threshold and fails to traverse said predetermined higher threshold.

Claim 52

A method of data signal amplification and processing with multiple signal gains, comprising: receiving at least one control signal; receiving an input signal having an input signal value; generating, in response to said at least one control signal and said input signal, at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values, including maximum and minimum sample signal values, and corresponding to said input signal value; and receiving one or more processing control signals and in response thereto processing said at least one sample signal and generating a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes said maximum sample signal value, said minimum sample signal value, a first one of said plurality of sample signal values, and a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of sample signal values; and wherein said processed signal value represents: said maximum sample signal value when said maximum value fails to traverse a predetermined lower threshold; said minimum sample signal value when an adjacent larger one of said plurality of sample signal values traverses a predetermined higher threshold; a smaller of mutually adjacent ones of a pair of said plurality of sample signal values when a larger one of said pair of sample signal values traverses said predetermined higher threshold and said smaller value fails to traverse said predetermined lower threshold; and a combination of said smaller and larger ones of said pair of sample signal values when said larger value traverses said predetermined lower threshold and fails to traverse said predetermined higher threshold.

Claim 53

A method of data signal amplification and processing with multiple signal gains, comprising: receiving at least one control signal; receiving an input signal having an input signal value; generating, in response to said at least one control signal and said input signal, at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values, including maximum and minimum sample signal values, and corresponding to said input signal value, by generating an initial signal in response to said input signal with first amplifier circuitry including a feedback capacitance, and generating said at least one sample signal in response to said initial signal with second amplifier circuitry having a variable signal gain responsive to at least one of said plurality control signals; and receiving one or more processing control signals and in response thereto processing said at least one sample signal and generating a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes said maximum sample signal value, said minimum sample signal value, a first one of said plurality of sample signal values, and a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of sample signal values.

Claim 54

A method of data signal amplification and processing with multiple signal gains, comprising: receiving at least one control signal; receiving an input signal having an input signal value; generating, in response to said at least one control signal and said input signal, at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values, including maximum and minimum sample signal values, and corresponding to said input signal value, by generating an initial signal in response to said input signal with first amplifier circuitry including a feedback capacitance, and generating said at least one sample signal in response to said initial signal with second amplifier circuitry having a variable signal gain responsive to at least one of said plurality control signals; and receiving one or more processing control signals and in response thereto processing said at least one sample signal and generating a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes said maximum sample signal value, said minimum sample signal value, a first one of said plurality of sample signal values, and a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of sample signal values.

Claim 55

A method of data signal amplification and processing with multiple signal gains, comprising: receiving at least one control signal; receiving an input signal having an input signal value, wherein said input signal has an input signal charge associated therewith; generating, in response to said at least one control signal and said input signal, at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values, including maximum and minimum sample signal values, and corresponding to said input signal value, by conveying a predetermined portion of said input signal charge, responsive to one or more of said at least one control signal, to capacitive circuitry; and receiving one or more processing control signals and in response thereto processing said at least one sample signal and generating a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes said maximum sample signal value, said minimum sample signal value, a first one of said plurality of sample signal values, and a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of sample signal values.

Claim 56

A method of data signal amplification and processing with multiple signal gains, comprising: receiving at least one control signal; receiving an input signal having an input signal value, wherein said input signal has an input signal charge associated therewith; generating, in response to said at least one control signal and said input signal, at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values, including maximum and minimum sample signal values, and corresponding to said input signal value, by conveying a predetermined portion of said input signal charge, responsive to one or more of said at least one control signal, to capacitive circuitry; and receiving one or more processing control signals and in response thereto processing said at least one sample signal and generating a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes said maximum sample signal value, said minimum sample signal value, a first one of said plurality of sample signal values, and a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of sample signal values.

Claim 57

A method of data signal amplification and processing with multiple signal gains, comprising: receiving at least one control signal; receiving an input signal having an input signal value; generating, in response to said at least one control signal and said input signal, at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values, including maximum and minimum sample signal values, and corresponding to said input signal value, by responding to one of said at least one control signal by providing a switched signal, and responding to said switched signal by charging shunt capacitive circuitry to provide said at least one sample signal; and receiving one or more processing control signals and in response thereto processing said at least one sample signal and generating a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes said maximum sample signal value, said minimum sample signal value, a first one of said plurality of sample signal values, and a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of sample signal values.

Claim 58

A method of data signal amplification and processing with multiple signal gains, comprising: receiving at least one control signal; receiving an input signal having an input signal value; generating, in response to said at least one control signal and said input signal, at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values, including maximum and minimum sample signal values, and corresponding to said input signal value, by responding to one of said at least one control signal by providing a switched signal, and responding to said switched signal by charging shunt capacitive circuitry to provide said at least one sample signal; and receiving one or more processing control signals and in response thereto processing said at least one sample signal and generating a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes said maximum sample signal value, said minimum sample signal value, a first one of said plurality of sample signal values, and a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of sample signal values.

Claim 59

A method of data signal amplification and processing with multiple signal gains, comprising: receiving at least one control signal; receiving an input signal having an input signal value; generating, in response to said at least one control signal and said input signal, at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values, including maximum and minimum sample signal values, and corresponding to said input signal value; and receiving one or more processing control signals and in response thereto processing said at least one sample signal and generating a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value, by responding to one of said one or more processing control signals by converting said at least one sample signal to a digital signal having a plurality of values corresponding to said plurality of sample signal values, and responding to another one or more of said one or more processing control signals and said digital signal by generating said processed signal, by responding to said digital signal by comparing said plurality of digital signal values to predetermined lower and higher thresholds, and responding to said digital signal by selectively combining first and second ones of said plurality of digital signal values to generate a combination signal corresponding to said combination of said first and second ones of said plurality of sample signal values; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes said maximum sample signal value, said minimum sample signal value, a first one of said plurality of sample signal values, and a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of sample signal values.

Claim 60

A method of data signal amplification and processing with multiple signal gains, comprising: receiving at least one control signal; receiving an input signal having an input signal value; generating, in response to said at least one control signal and said input signal, at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values, including maximum and minimum sample signal values, and corresponding to said input signal value; and receiving one or more processing control signals and in response thereto processing said at least one sample signal and generating a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value, by responding to one of said one or more processing control signals by converting said at least one sample signal to a digital signal having a plurality of values corresponding to said plurality of sample signal values, and responding to another one or more of said one or more processing control signals and said digital signal by generating said processed signal, by responding to said digital signal by comparing said plurality of digital signal values to predetermined lower and higher thresholds, and responding to said digital signal by selectively combining first and second ones of said plurality of digital signal values to generate a combination signal corresponding to said combination of said first and second ones of said plurality of sample signal values; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes said maximum sample signal value, said minimum sample signal value, a first one of said plurality of sample signal values, and a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of sample signal values.

Claim 61

An apparatus including data signal amplifier circuitry with multiple signal gains, comprising: sampling amplifier circuitry with a plurality of signal gains, including at least maximum and minimum signal gains, and responsive to at least one control signal and an input signal having an input signal value by providing at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values related to said plurality of signal gains, corresponding to said input signal value and including maximum and minimum sample signal values; and processing circuitry coupled to said sampling amplifier circuitry and responsive to said at least one sample signal and one or more processing control signals by processing said at least one sample signal to provide a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents said first value when said maximum sample signal value fails to traverse a predetermined lower threshold, said second value when an adjacent larger one of said plurality of sample signal values traverses a predetermined higher threshold, said third value as a smaller of mutually adjacent ones of a pair of said plurality of sample signal values when a larger one of said pair of sample signal values traverses said predetermined higher threshold and said smaller value fails to traverse said predetermined lower threshold, and said fourth value as a combination of said smaller and larger ones of said pair of sample signal values when said larger value traverses said predetermined lower threshold and fails to traverse said predetermined higher threshold.

Claim 62

An apparatus including data signal amplifier circuitry with multiple signal gains, comprising: sampling amplifier circuitry with a plurality of signal gains, including at least maximum and minimum signal gains, and responsive to at least one control signal and an input signal having an input signal value by providing at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values related to said plurality of signal gains, corresponding to said input signal value and including maximum and minimum sample signal values; and processing circuitry coupled to said sampling amplifier circuitry and responsive to said at least one sample signal and one or more processing control signals by processing said at least one sample signal to provide a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents said first value when said maximum sample signal value fails to traverse a predetermined lower threshold, said second value when an adjacent larger one of said plurality of sample signal values traverses a predetermined higher threshold, said third value as a smaller of mutually adjacent ones of a pair of said plurality of sample signal values when a larger one of said pair of sample signal values traverses said predetermined higher threshold and said smaller value fails to traverse said predetermined lower threshold, and said fourth value as a combination of said smaller and larger ones of said pair of sample signal values when said larger value traverses said predetermined lower threshold and fails to traverse said predetermined higher threshold.

Claim 63

An apparatus including data signal amplifier circuitry with multiple signal gains, comprising: sampling amplifier circuitry with at plurality of signal gains, including at least maximum and minimum signal gains, and responsive to at least one control signal and an input signal having an input signal value by providing at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values related to said plurality of signal gains and corresponding to said input signal value; and processing circuitry coupled to said sampling amplifier circuitry and responsive to said at least one sample signal and one or more processing control signals by processing said at least one sample signal to provide a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes a first value corresponding to said minimum signal gain, a second value corresponding to said maximum signal gain, a third value corresponding to a first one of said plurality of signal gains, and a fourth value corresponding to a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of signal gains; and wherein said sampling amplifier circuitry comprises: first amplifier circuitry including input and output terminals; a feedback capacitance coupled between said first amplifier circuitry input and output terminals; and second amplifier circuitry coupled to said first amplifier circuitry output terminal and having said variable signal gain responsive to at least one of said at least one control signal.

Claim 64

An apparatus including data signal amplifier circuitry with multiple signal gains, comprising: sampling amplifier circuitry with at plurality of signal gains, including at least maximum and minimum signal gains, and responsive to at least one control signal and an input signal having an input signal value by providing at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values related to said plurality of signal gains and corresponding to said input signal value; and processing circuitry coupled to said sampling amplifier circuitry and responsive to said at least one sample signal and one or more processing control signals by processing said at least one sample signal to provide a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes a first value corresponding to said minimum signal gain, a second value corresponding to said maximum signal gain, a third value corresponding to a first one of said plurality of signal gains, and a fourth value corresponding to a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of signal gains; and wherein said sampling amplifier circuitry comprises: first amplifier circuitry including input and output terminals; a feedback capacitance coupled between said first amplifier circuitry input and output terminals; and second amplifier circuitry coupled to said first amplifier circuitry output terminal and having said variable signal gain responsive to at least one of said at least one control signal.

Claim 65

An apparatus including data signal amplifier circuitry with multiple signal gains, comprising: sampling amplifier circuitry with a plurality of signal gains, including at least maximum and minimum signal gains, and responsive to at least one control signal and an input signal having an input signal value by providing at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values related to said plurality of signal gains and corresponding to said input signal value; and processing circuitry coupled to said sampling amplifier circuitry and responding to said at least one sample signal and one or more processing control signals by processing said at least one sample signal to provide a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes a first value corresponding to said minimum signal gain, a second value corresponding to said maximum signal gain, a third value corresponding to a first one of said plurality of signal gains, and a fourth value corresponding to a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of signal gains; wherein said input signal has an input signal charge associated therewith; and wherein said sampling amplifier circuitry comprises a signal node to convey said input signal, capacitive circuitry, and a switch coupled between said signal node and said capacitive circuitry, and responsive to one or more of said at least one control signal by conveying a predetermined portion of said input signal charge to said capacitive circuitry.

Claim 66

An apparatus including data signal amplifier circuitry with multiple signal gains, comprising: sampling amplifier circuitry with a plurality of signal gains, including at least maximum and minimum signal gains, and responsive to at least one control signal and an input signal having an input signal value by providing at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values related to said plurality of signal gains and corresponding to said input signal value; and processing circuitry coupled to said sampling amplifier circuitry and responding to said at least one sample signal and one or more processing control signals by processing said at least one sample signal to provide a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes a first value corresponding to said minimum signal gain, a second value corresponding to said maximum signal gain, a third value corresponding to a first one of said plurality of signal gains, and a fourth value corresponding to a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of signal gains; wherein said input signal has an input signal charge associated therewith; and wherein said sampling amplifier circuitry comprises a signal node to convey said input signal, capacitive circuitry, and a switch coupled between said signal node and said capacitive circuitry, and responsive to one or more of said at least one control signal by conveying a predetermined portion of said input signal charge to said capacitive circuitry.

Claim 67

An apparatus including data signal amplifier circuitry with multiple signal gains, comprising: sampling amplifier circuitry with a plurality of signal gains, including at least maximum and minimum signal gains, and responsive to at least one control signal and an input signal having an input signal value by providing at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values related to said plurality of signal gains and corresponding to said input signal value; and processing circuitry coupled to said sampling amplifier circuitry and responsive to said at least one sample signal and one or more processing control signals by processing said at least one sample signal to provide a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes a first value corresponding to said minimum signal gain, a second value corresponding to said maximum signal gain, a third value corresponding to a first one of said plurality of signal gains, and a fourth value corresponding to a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of signal gains; and wherein said sampling amplifier circuitry comprises: serial switching circuitry responsive to one of said at least one control signal by providing a switched signal; and shunt capacitive circuitry coupled to said serial switching circuitry and responsive to said switched signal by charging to provide said at least one sample signal.

Claim 68

An apparatus including data signal amplifier circuitry with multiple signal gains, comprising: sampling amplifier circuitry with a plurality of signal gains, including at least maximum and minimum signal gains, and responsive to at least one control signal and an input signal having an input signal value by providing at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values related to said plurality of signal gains and corresponding to said input signal value; and processing circuitry coupled to said sampling amplifier circuitry and responsive to said at least one sample signal and one or more processing control signals by processing said at least one sample signal to provide a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes a first value corresponding to said minimum signal gain, a second value corresponding to said maximum signal gain, a third value corresponding to a first one of said plurality of signal gains, and a fourth value corresponding to a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of signal gains; and wherein said sampling amplifier circuitry comprises: serial switching circuitry responsive to one of said at least one control signal by providing a switched signal; and shunt capacitive circuitry coupled to said serial switching circuitry and responsive to said switched signal by charging to provide said at least one sample signal.

Claim 69

An apparatus including data signal amplifier circuitry with multiple signal gains, comprising: sampling amplifier circuitry with a plurality of signal gains, including at least maximum and minimum signal gains, and responsive to at least one control signal and an input signal having an input signal value by providing at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values related to said plurality of signal gains and corresponding to said input signal value; and processing circuitry coupled to said sampling amplifier circuitry and responsive to said at least one sample signal and one or more processing control signals by processing said at least one sample signal to provide a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes a first value corresponding to said minimum signal gain, a second value corresponding to said maximum signal gain, a third value corresponding to a first one of said plurality of signal gains, and a fourth value corresponding to a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of signal gains; wherein said processing circuitry comprises analog-to-digital conversion circuitry responsive to one of said one or more processing control signals by converting said sample signal to provide a digital signal having a plurality of values corresponding to said plurality of sample signal values, and computational circuitry coupled to said analog-to-digital conversion circuitry and responsive to another one or more of said one or more processing control signals and said digital signal by providing said processed signal; and wherein said computational circuitry comprises comparison circuitry responsive to said digital signal by comparing said plurality of digital signal values to predetermined lower and higher thresholds, and combining circuitry responsive to said digital signal by selectively combining first and second ones of said plurality of digital signal values to provide a combination signal corresponding to said combination of said first and second ones of said plurality of sample signal values.

Claim 70

An apparatus including data signal amplifier circuitry with multiple signal gains, comprising: sampling amplifier circuitry with a plurality of signal gains, including at least maximum and minimum signal gains, and responsive to at least one control signal and an input signal having an input signal value by providing at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values related to said plurality of signal gains and corresponding to said input signal value; and processing circuitry coupled to said sampling amplifier circuitry and responsive to said at least one sample signal and one or more processing control signals by processing said at least one sample signal to provide a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes a first value corresponding to said minimum signal gain, a second value corresponding to said maximum signal gain, a third value corresponding to a first one of said plurality of signal gains, and a fourth value corresponding to a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of signal gains; wherein said processing circuitry comprises analog-to-digital conversion circuitry responsive to one of said one or more processing control signals by converting said sample signal to provide a digital signal having a plurality of values corresponding to said plurality of sample signal values, and computational circuitry coupled to said analog-to-digital conversion circuitry and responsive to another one or more of said one or more processing control signals and said digital signal by providing said processed signal; and wherein said computational circuitry comprises comparison circuitry responsive to said digital signal by comparing said plurality of digital signal values to predetermined lower and higher thresholds, and combining circuitry responsive to said digital signal by selectively combining first and second ones of said plurality of digital signal values to provide a combination signal corresponding to said combination of said first and second ones of said plurality of sample signal values.

Claim 71

A method of data signal amplification and processing with multiple signal gains, comprising: receiving at least one control signal; receiving an input signal having an input signal value; generating, in conformance with a plurality of signal gains, including at least maximum and minimum signal gains, and in response to said at least one control signal and said input signal, at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values related to said plurality of signal gains, corresponding to said input signal value and including maximum and minimum sample signal values; and receiving one or more processing control signals and in response thereto processing said at least one sample signal and generating a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents said first value when said maximum sample signal value fails to traverse a predetermined lower threshold, said second value when an adjacent larger one of said plurality of sample signal values traverses a predetermined higher threshold, said third value as a smaller of actually adjacent ones of a pair of said plurality of sample signal values when a larger one of said pair of sample signal values traverses said predetermined higher threshold and said smaller value falls to traverse said predetermined lower threshold, and said fourth value as a combination of said smaller and larger ones of said pair of sample signal values when said larger value traverses said predetermined lower threshold and fails to traverse said predetermined higher threshold.

Claim 72

A method of data signal amplification and processing with multiple signal gains, comprising: receiving at least one control signal; receiving an input signal having an input signal value; generating, in conformance with a plurality of signal gains, including at least maximum and minimum signal gains, and in response to said at least one control signal and said input signal, at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values related to said plurality of signal gains, corresponding to said input signal value and including maximum and minimum sample signal values; and receiving one or more processing control signals and in response thereto processing said at least one sample signal and generating a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents said first value when said maximum sample signal value fails to traverse a predetermined lower threshold, said second value when an adjacent larger one of said plurality of sample signal values traverses a predetermined higher threshold, said third value as a smaller of actually adjacent ones of a pair of said plurality of sample signal values when a larger one of said pair of sample signal values traverses said predetermined higher threshold and said smaller value falls to traverse said predetermined lower threshold, and said fourth value as a combination of said smaller and larger ones of said pair of sample signal values when said larger value traverses said predetermined lower threshold and fails to traverse said predetermined higher threshold.

Claim 73

A method of data signal amplification and processing with multiple signal gains, comprising: receiving at least one control signal; receiving an input signal having an input signal value; generating, in conformance with a plurality of signal gains, including at least maximum and minimum signal gains, and in response to said at least one control signal and said input signal, at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values related to said plurality of signal gains and corresponding to said input signal value, by generating an initial signal in response to said input signal with first amplifier circuitry including a feedback capacitance, and generating said at least one sample signal in response to said initial signal with second amplifier circuitry having a variable signal gain responsive to at least one of said plurality control signals; and receiving one or more processing control signals and in response thereto processing said at least one sample signal and generating a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes a first value corresponding to said minimum signal gain, a second value corresponding to said maximum signal gain, a third value corresponding to a first one of said plurality of signal gains, and a fourth value corresponding to a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of signal gains.

Claim 74

A method of data signal amplification and processing with multiple signal gains, comprising: receiving at least one control signal; receiving an input signal having an input signal value; generating, in conformance with a plurality of signal gains, including at least maximum and minimum signal gains, and in response to said at least one control signal and said input signal, at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values related to said plurality of signal gains and corresponding to said input signal value, by generating an initial signal in response to said input signal with first amplifier circuitry including a feedback capacitance, and generating said at least one sample signal in response to said initial signal with second amplifier circuitry having a variable signal gain responsive to at least one of said plurality control signals; and receiving one or more processing control signals and in response thereto processing said at least one sample signal and generating a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes a first value corresponding to said minimum signal gain, a second value corresponding to said maximum signal gain, a third value corresponding to a first one of said plurality of signal gains, and a fourth value corresponding to a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of signal gains.

Claim 75

A method of data signal amplification and processing with multiple signal gains, comprising: receiving at least one control signal; receiving an input signal having an input signal value and an input signal charge associated therewith generating, in conformance with a plurality of signal gains, including at least maximum and minimum signal gains, and in response to said at least one control signal and said input signal, at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values related to said plurality of signal gains and corresponding to said input signal value, by conveying a predetermined portion of said input signal charge, responsive to one or more of said at least one control signal, to capacitive circuitry; and receiving one or more processing control signals and in response thereto processing said at least one sample signal and generating a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes a first value corresponding to said minimum signal gain, a second value corresponding to said maximum signal gain, a third value corresponding to a first one of said plurality of signal gains, and a fourth value corresponding to a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of signal gains.

Claim 76

A method of data signal amplification and processing with multiple signal gains, comprising: receiving at least one control signal; receiving an input signal having an input signal value and an input signal charge associated therewith generating, in conformance with a plurality of signal gains, including at least maximum and minimum signal gains, and in response to said at least one control signal and said input signal, at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values related to said plurality of signal gains and corresponding to said input signal value, by conveying a predetermined portion of said input signal charge, responsive to one or more of said at least one control signal, to capacitive circuitry; and receiving one or more processing control signals and in response thereto processing said at least one sample signal and generating a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes a first value corresponding to said minimum signal gain, a second value corresponding to said maximum signal gain, a third value corresponding to a first one of said plurality of signal gains, and a fourth value corresponding to a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of signal gains.

Claim 77

A method of data signal amplification and processing with multiple signal gains, comprising: receiving at least one control signal; receiving an input signal having an input signal value; generating, in conformance with a plurality of signal gains, including at least maximum and minimum signal gains, and in response to said at least one control signal and said input signal, at least one sample signal having a plurality sample signal values related to said plurality of signal gains and corresponding to said input signal value, by responding to one of said at least one control signal by providing a switched signal, and responding to said switched signal by charging shunt capacitive circuitry to provide said at least one sample signal; and receiving one or more processing control signals and in response thereto processing said at least one sample signal and generating a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes a first value corresponding to said minimum signal gain, a second value corresponding to said maximum signal gain, a third value corresponding to a first one of said plurality of signal gains, and a fourth value corresponding to a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of signal gains.

Claim 78

A method of data signal amplification and processing with multiple signal gains, comprising: receiving at least one control signal; receiving an input signal having an input signal value; generating, in conformance with a plurality of signal gains, including at least maximum and minimum signal gains, and in response to said at least one control signal and said input signal, at least one sample signal having a plurality sample signal values related to said plurality of signal gains and corresponding to said input signal value, by responding to one of said at least one control signal by providing a switched signal, and responding to said switched signal by charging shunt capacitive circuitry to provide said at least one sample signal; and receiving one or more processing control signals and in response thereto processing said at least one sample signal and generating a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes a first value corresponding to said minimum signal gain, a second value corresponding to said maximum signal gain, a third value corresponding to a first one of said plurality of signal gains, and a fourth value corresponding to a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of signal gains.

Claim 79

A method of data signal amplification and processing with multiple signal gains, comprising: receiving at least one control signal; receiving an input signal having an input signal value; generating, in conformance wit a plurality of signal gains, including at least maximum and minimum signal gains, and in response to said at least one control signal and said input signal, at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values related to said plurality of signal gains and corresponding to said input signal value; and receiving one or more processing control signals and in response thereto processing said at least one sample signal and generating a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value, by responding to one of said one or more processing control signals by converting said at least one sample signal to a digital signal having a plurality of values corresponding to said plurality of sample signal values, and responding to another one or more of said one or more processing control signals and said digital signal by generating said processed signal, by responding to said digital signal by comparing said plurality of digital signal values to predetermined lower and higher thresholds, and responding to said digital signal by selectively combining first and second ones of said plurality of digital signal values to generate a combination signal corresponding to said combination of said first and second ones of said plurality of sample signal values; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes a first value corresponding to said minimum signal gain, a second value corresponding to said maximum signal gain, a third value corresponding to a first one of said plurality of signal gains, and a fourth value corresponding to a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of signal gains.

Claim 80

A method of data signal amplification and processing with multiple signal gains, comprising: receiving at least one control signal; receiving an input signal having an input signal value; generating, in conformance wit a plurality of signal gains, including at least maximum and minimum signal gains, and in response to said at least one control signal and said input signal, at least one sample signal having a plurality of sample signal values related to said plurality of signal gains and corresponding to said input signal value; and receiving one or more processing control signals and in response thereto processing said at least one sample signal and generating a processed signal having a value corresponding to said input signal value, by responding to one of said one or more processing control signals by converting said at least one sample signal to a digital signal having a plurality of values corresponding to said plurality of sample signal values, and responding to another one or more of said one or more processing control signals and said digital signal by generating said processed signal, by responding to said digital signal by comparing said plurality of digital signal values to predetermined lower and higher thresholds, and responding to said digital signal by selectively combining first and second ones of said plurality of digital signal values to generate a combination signal corresponding to said combination of said first and second ones of said plurality of sample signal values; wherein said processed signal value represents one of a plurality of values which includes a first value corresponding to said minimum signal gain, a second value corresponding to said maximum signal gain, a third value corresponding to a first one of said plurality of signal gains, and a fourth value corresponding to a combination of said first one and a second one of said plurality of signal gains.