Patents by Inventor Fumiaki Sano

Fumiaki Sano has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240014343
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a solid-state imaging element, an imaging device, and an electronic device capable of improving light-receiving sensitivity. An avalanche region is formed by forming a P+ type semiconductor region connected to an anode into an annular structure having a hole at a center portion at a pixel center as seen in an incident direction of incident light, and forming an N+ type semiconductor region connected to a cathode at a subsequent stage as seen in the incident direction of the hole. This may be applied to an avalanche photodiode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventor: FUMIAKI SANO
  • Patent number: 11582407
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging apparatus and a driving method that can perform imaging at lower power consumption. By providing the solid-state imaging apparatus including a pixel array section on which a plurality of SPAD pixels is two-dimensionally arranged, in which in a case where illuminance becomes first illuminance higher than reference illuminance, a part of the SPAD pixels of the plurality of pixels arranged on the pixel array section is thinned, it is possible to image at lower power consumption. The present technology can be applied to an image sensor, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventor: Fumiaki Sano
  • Publication number: 20220014692
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging apparatus and a driving method that can perform imaging at lower power consumption. By providing the solid-state imaging apparatus including a pixel array section on which a plurality of SPAD pixels is two-dimensionally arranged, in which in a case where illuminance becomes first illuminance higher than reference illuminance, a part of the SPAD pixels of the plurality of pixels arranged on the pixel array section is thinned, it is possible to image at lower power consumption. The present technology can be applied to an image sensor, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventor: Fumiaki Sano
  • Patent number: 11115609
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging apparatus and a driving method that can perform imaging at lower power consumption. By providing the solid-state imaging apparatus including a pixel array section on which a plurality of SPAD pixels is two-dimensionally arranged, in which in a case where illuminance becomes first illuminance higher than reference illuminance, a part of the SPAD pixels of the plurality of pixels arranged on the pixel array section is thinned, it is possible to image at lower power consumption. The present technology can be applied to an image sensor, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventor: Fumiaki Sano
  • Publication number: 20200322550
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging apparatus and a driving method that can perform imaging at lower power consumption. By providing the solid-state imaging apparatus including a pixel array section on which a plurality of SPAD pixels is two-dimensionally arranged, in which in a case where illuminance becomes first illuminance higher than reference illuminance, a part of the SPAD pixels of the plurality of pixels arranged on the pixel array section is thinned, it is possible to image at lower power consumption. The present technology can be applied to an image sensor, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventor: Fumiaki Sano
  • Patent number: 10750104
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging apparatus and a driving method that can perform imaging at lower power consumption. By providing the solid-state imaging apparatus including a pixel array section on which a plurality of SPAD pixels is two-dimensionally arranged, in which in a case where illuminance becomes first illuminance higher than reference illuminance, a part of the SPAD pixels of the plurality of pixels arranged on the pixel array section is thinned, it is possible to image at lower power consumption. The present technology can be applied to an image sensor, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventor: Fumiaki Sano
  • Publication number: 20200213538
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging apparatus and a driving method that can perform imaging at lower power consumption. By providing the solid-state imaging apparatus including a pixel array section on which a plurality of SPAD pixels is two-dimensionally arranged, in which in a case where illuminance becomes first illuminance higher than reference illuminance, a part of the SPAD pixels of the plurality of pixels arranged on the pixel array section is thinned, it is possible to image at lower power consumption. The present technology can be applied to an image sensor, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventor: Fumiaki Sano
  • Patent number: 10096640
    Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a solid-state imaging apparatus including a first impurity layer, a second impurity layer, a third impurity layer, and an electrode. The first impurity layer is a photoelectric conversion layer, and is formed to have a constant depth on a semiconductor substrate. The second impurity layer is formed on a surface of the first impurity layer, to have a depth which becomes shallower toward a direction from the first impurity layer to the third impurity layer. The third impurity layer is formed in a position spaced apart from the first impurity layer and the second impurity layer on the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The electrode can transport electric charges from the first impurity layer to the third impurity layer, and is formed between the second impurity layer and the third impurity layer, on the surface of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Arai, Fumiaki Sano
  • Publication number: 20150325607
    Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a solid-state imaging apparatus including a first impurity layer, a second impurity layer, a third impurity layer, and an electrode. The first impurity layer is a photoelectric conversion layer, and is formed to have a constant depth on a semiconductor substrate. The second impurity layer is formed on a surface of the first impurity layer, to have a depth which becomes shallower toward a direction from the first impurity layer to the third impurity layer. The third impurity layer is formed in a position spaced apart from the first impurity layer and the second impurity layer on the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The electrode can transport electric charges from the first impurity layer to the third impurity layer, and is formed between the second impurity layer and the third impurity layer, on the surface of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tomoyuki ARAI, Fumiaki SANO
  • Patent number: 9076705
    Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a solid-state imaging apparatus including a first impurity layer, a second impurity layer, a third impurity layer, and an electrode. The first impurity layer is a photoelectric conversion layer, and is formed to have a constant depth on a semiconductor substrate. The second impurity layer is formed on a surface of the first impurity layer, to have a depth which becomes shallower toward a direction from the first impurity layer to the third impurity layer. The third impurity layer is formed in a position spaced apart from the first impurity layer and the second impurity layer on the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The electrode can transport electric charges from the first impurity layer to the third impurity layer, and is formed between the second impurity layer and the third impurity layer, on the surface of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Arai, Fumiaki Sano
  • Patent number: 8502897
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a cell includes 2N pixels configured to accumulate charges generated based on incident light, an amplifier transistor is formed for each the cell and amplifies, for each of the pixels, signals read out from the pixels to a floating diffusion, and charge coupled devices transfer the charges accumulated in the pixels to the floating diffusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Fumiaki Sano
  • Publication number: 20130043550
    Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a solid-state imaging apparatus including a first impurity layer, a second impurity layer, a third impurity layer, and an electrode. The first impurity layer is a photoelectric conversion layer, and is formed to have a constant depth on a semiconductor substrate. The second impurity layer is formed on a surface of the first impurity layer, to have a depth which becomes shallower toward a direction from the first impurity layer to the third impurity layer. The third impurity layer is formed in a position spaced apart from the first impurity layer and the second impurity layer on the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The electrode can transport electric charges from the first impurity layer to the third impurity layer, and is formed between the second impurity layer and the third impurity layer, on the surface of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tomoyuki ARAI, Fumiaki SANO
  • Publication number: 20110096217
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a cell includes 2N pixels configured to accumulate charges generated based on incident light, an amplifier transistor is formed for each the cell and amplifies, for each of the pixels, signals read out from the pixels to a floating diffusion, and charge coupled devices transfer the charges accumulated in the pixels to the floating diffusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Fumiaki SANO
  • Publication number: 20090008686
    Abstract: A transfer gate is formed such that both end portions thereof in a second direction, which crosses a first direction in which a photodiode and a floating diffusion layer that is formed with a distance from the photodiode are arranged, are located inside boundaries with element isolation regions. Channel stopper layers are formed on surface portions of a device region in the vicinity of lower parts of both end portions of the transfer gate in the second direction in such a manner to extend to the boundaries with the element isolation regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Motohiro MAEDA, Hisanori Ihara, Hirofumi Yamashita, Fumiaki Sano, Makoto Monoi, Takanori Yagami
  • Patent number: 6769887
    Abstract: On the assumption that pressure Pm1 (MPa) of a boss portion outside space determined by a restrictor and a flow regulating valve provided midway in an oil feed passageway is expressed by Pm1=Ps+&agr;, and a differential pressure value at which a difference between high and low pressures becomes minimum in a running pressure range of a scroll compressor is represented by min(Pd−Ps), the value a in the above expression is set to fall in a range expressed by 0<&agr;<min(Pd−Ps). Here, Ps represents suction pressure (MPa) of the compressor, and Pd represents discharge pressure (MPa) of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyoharu Ikeda, Yoshihide Ogawa, Takeshi Fushiki, Teruhiko Nishiki, Takashi Sebata, Fumiaki Sano, Shin Sekiya
  • Patent number: 6746215
    Abstract: A compressor includes a compression mechanism part for compressing refrigerant sucked from an outside of the hermetic container and discharging compressed refrigerant to a discharge space, an electric motor part composed of a stator and a rotor, facing a first space which is at an opposite side of the discharge space with respect to the compression mechanism part in the hermetic container, for driving the compression mechanism part through a main shaft, a passage at an external circumferential side of the compression mechanism part, for connecting the discharge space with the first space, and a fan provided at an end of the rotor, facing the first space. The refrigerant discharged into the discharge space passes through the passage at the external circumferential side of the compression mechanism part to reach the first space, and passes the fan to be discharged to the outside of the hermetic container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masao Tani, Fumiaki Sano, Kiyoharu Ikeda, Minoru Ishii, Takeshi Fushiki, Yoshihide Ogawa, Teruhiko Nishiki, Takashi Sebata, Shin Sekiya
  • Patent number: 6679690
    Abstract: A scroll compressor including a guide frame (22) for fixing a fixed scroll member (12) and a compliant frame (24) for supporting an oscillating scroll member (14) in the axial direction of the scroll compressor in the guide frame (22), wherein the guide frame (22) has a plurality of cylindrical surfaces (33, 35), and the compliant frame (24) has a plurality of cylindrical surfaces (23, 25) which engage with the cylindrical surfaces (33, 35), and wherein in order to facilitate assembling of the guide frame (22) and the compliant frame (24), the first cylindrical surfaces (25, 35) are first engaged with each other when the compliant frame (24) is inserted into the guide frame (22), that is, the cylindrical surfaces are engaged in the order of increase in diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Fushiki, Kiyoharu Ikeda, Teruhiko Nishiki, Yoshihide Ogawa, Takashi Sebata, Fumiaki Sano
  • Patent number: 6648618
    Abstract: A structure is provided that prevents excessive force from acting on a fastening portion where a guide frame is fastened to a sealed container. A fastening position of the guide frame and sealed structure is set within a range bounded by an upper meshing circumferential inner surface of the guide frame together with an upper meshing circumferential outer surface of a compliant frame and a lower meshing circumferential inner surface of the guide frame together with a lower meshing circumferential outer surface of the compliant frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruhiko Nishiki, Takeshi Fushiki, Kiyoharu Ikeda, Yoshihide Ogawa, Takashi Sebata, Fumiaki Sano
  • Patent number: 6582210
    Abstract: According to a scroll compressor of the present invention, at least one of a diameter space between an upper fitting surface of the guide frame and an upper fitting surface of the compliant frame at an upper fitting part where the upper fitting surface of the guide frame contacts with the upper fitting surface of the compliant frame, and a diameter space between a lower fitting surface of the guide frame and a lower fitting surface of the compliant frame at a lower fitting part where the lower fitting surface of the guide frame contacts with the lower fitting surface of the compliant frame is set to be equal to or shorter than a diameter space between the rotor and the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumiaki Sano, Shin Sekiya, Kiyoharu Ikeda, Takeshi Fushiki, Yoshihide Ogawa, Teruhiko Nishiki, Takashi Sebata, Masao Tani
  • Publication number: 20030091446
    Abstract: A refrigerant compressor improved in pressure-resistant strength of a closed vessel. In a prior-art refrigerant compressor, a three-phase integral type sealed terminal in which three pins connected to a three-phase power source are disposed on one metal base portion, is attached to a body portion of a closed vessel for supplying electric power to an electric motor. When a high hydrostatic pressure load is applied to the closed vessel, the closed vessel is deformed into a barrel shape, and the sealed terminal pulled in the circumferential direction due to the deformation of the closed vessel is deformed elliptically. There may arise a problem with a glass material for insulating the metal base portion from the pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kiyoharu Ikeda, Fumiaki Sano, Takeshi Fushiki, Yoshihide Ogawa, Teruhiko Nishiki, Takashi Sebata, Shin Sekiya