Patents by Inventor Katsuya Nozawa

Katsuya Nozawa 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: 20210265583
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a photoelectric conversion element includes providing a base structure including a semiconductor substrate having a principal surface, a first electrode located on or above the principal surface, second electrodes which are located on or above the principal surface and which are one- or two-dimensionally arranged, and a photoelectric conversion film covering at least the second electrodes; forming a mask layer on the photoelectric conversion film, the mask layer being conductive and including a covering section covering a portion of the photoelectric conversion film that overlaps the second electrodes in plan view; and partially removing the photoelectric conversion film by immersing the base structure and the mask layer in an etchant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Masaya HIRADE, Manabu NAKATA, Katsuya NOZAWA, Yasunori INOUE
  • Patent number: 11094746
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: pixels arranged one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally, each of the pixels including an electrode that is electrically connected to the other pixels, a charge capturing unit that is separated from the other pixels, and a photoelectric conversion layer that is located between the electrode and the charge capturing unit, the photoelectric conversion layer being continuous among the pixels. The photoelectric conversion layer contains semiconductor carbon nanotubes, and one of a first substance and a second substance, the first substance having an electron affinity larger than that of the semiconducting carbon nanotubes, the second substance having a ionization energy smaller than that of the semiconductor carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Katsuya Nozawa
  • Publication number: 20210225939
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a pixel electrode, a counter electrode that faces the pixel electrode, a first photoelectric conversion layer that is located between the pixel electrode and the counter electrode and that generates first signal charge, a second photoelectric conversion layer that is located between the first photoelectric conversion layer and the pixel electrode and that generates second signal charge, a first barrier layer that is located between the first photoelectric conversion layer and the second photoelectric conversion layer and that forms a first heterojunction barrier against the first signal charge in the first photoelectric conversion layer, and a charge accumulator that is electrically connected to the pixel electrode and that accumulates the first signal charge and the second signal charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: KATSUYA NOZAWA, TAKEYOSHI TOKUHARA, NOZOMU MATSUKAWA, SANSHIRO SHISHIDO
  • Publication number: 20210202582
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: a semiconductor substrate; pixel electrodes located above the semiconductor substrate and each electrically connected to the semiconductor substrate; a counter electrode located above the pixel electrodes; a first photoelectric conversion layer located between the counter electrode and the pixel electrodes; and at least one first light-shielding body located in or above the first photoelectric conversion layer. The first photoelectric conversion layer contains a semiconducting carbon nanotube that absorbs light in a first wavelength range and an organic molecule that covers the semiconducting carbon nanotube, absorbs light in a second wavelength range, and emits fluorescence in a third wavelength range. The at least one first light-shielding body absorbs or reflects light with a wavelength in at least part of the second wavelength range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: KATSUYA NOZAWA, TAKEYOSHI TOKUHARA, NOZOMU MATSUKAWA, SANSHIRO SHISHIDO
  • Publication number: 20210202551
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a pixel electrode, a counter electrode, a first quantum dot that includes a first core which generates first signal charge and a first shell, a second quantum dot that includes a second core which generates second signal charge and a second shell. In a case where the potential difference between the pixel electrode and the counter electrode is a first potential difference, the first signal charge does not pass through the first shell and is held in the first core and the second signal charge passes through the second shell and is collected by the pixel electrode. In a case where the potential difference between the pixel electrode and the counter electrode is a second potential difference which is larger than the first potential difference, the first signal charge passes through the first shell and is collected by the pixel electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: KATSUYA NOZAWA, TAKEYOSHI TOKUHARA, NOZOMU MATSUKAWA, SANSHIRO SHISHIDO
  • Publication number: 20210202558
    Abstract: A light sensor includes a photoelectric conversion layer and a long-pass filter that is disposed above the photoelectric conversion layer. The photoelectric conversion layer has a spectral sensitivity characteristic having a first peak at a first wavelength that is longer than a cut-on wavelength of the long-pass filter, and a spectral sensitivity of the photoelectric conversion layer at the cut-on wavelength is greater than or equal to 0% and less than or equal to 50% of a spectral sensitivity of the photoelectric conversion layer at the first wavelength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: SANSHIRO SHISHIDO, SHINICHI MACHIDA, TAKEYOSHI TOKUHARA, KATSUYA NOZAWA
  • Patent number: 11031568
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a photoelectric conversion element includes providing a base structure including a semiconductor substrate having a principal surface, a first electrode located on or above the principal surface, second electrodes which are located on or above the principal surface and which are one- or two-dimensionally arranged, and a photoelectric conversion film covering at least the second electrodes; forming a mask layer on the photoelectric conversion film, the mask layer being conductive and including a covering section covering a portion of the photoelectric conversion film that overlaps the second electrodes in plan view; and partially removing the photoelectric conversion film by immersing the base structure and the mask layer in an etchant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaya Hirade, Manabu Nakata, Katsuya Nozawa, Yasunori Inoue
  • Patent number: 11025847
    Abstract: An imaging device including a first imaging cell having a variable sensitivity; and a first sensitivity control line electrically connected to the first imaging cell, where the first imaging cell comprises a photoelectron conversion area that generates a signal charge by incidence of light, and a signal detection circuit that detects the signal charge. The photoelectron conversion area includes a first electrode, a translucent second electrode connected to the first sensitivity control line, and a photoelectric conversion layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and during an exposure period from a reset of the first imaging cell until a readout of the signal charge accumulated in the first imaging cell by exposure, the first sensitivity control line supplies to the first imaging cell a first sensitivity control signal having a waveform expressed by a first function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuya Nozawa, Yasuo Miyake
  • Publication number: 20210118941
    Abstract: An imaging system includes an imaging optical system, an imaging device, an actuator, and control circuitry. The actuator changes a relative position of a plurality of pixel cells and an image of a subject. The pixel cells include a photoelectric converter and a charge accumulation region. The control circuitry sets the relative position to a first position, and a first signal charge obtained at the photoelectric converter during a first exposure is accumulated in the charge accumulation region. The relative position is set to a second position different from the first position, and a second signal charge obtained at the photoelectric converter during a second exposure time that is different from the first exposure time is accumulated in the charge accumulation region in addition to the first signal charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventor: Katsuya NOZAWA
  • Publication number: 20210066360
    Abstract: An image sensor includes pixel electrodes, a control electrode, a photoelectric conversion film arranged on the pixel electrodes, a transparent electrode arranged on the photoelectric conversion film, an insulating layer arranged on at least a portion of a top surface of the transparent electrode, and a connection layer that electrically connects the control electrode to the transparent electrode. The connection layer is in contact with at least one side surface of the transparent electrode. A side surface of the insulating layer, the at least one side surface of the transparent electrode, and a side surface of the photoelectric conversion film are aligned with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: YUUKO TOMEKAWA, KATSUYA NOZAWA
  • Publication number: 20210043861
    Abstract: A photoelectric converter includes a first electrode containing a transparent conductive material, a second electrode, and a multilayer body that is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, and that has a photoelectric conversion function. The multilayer body includes a first layer and a second layer positioned between the first layer and the second electrode. The first layer absorbs light in a first wavelength band of 360 nm or longer and transmits light in a second wavelength band, the second wavelength band including wavelengths longer than wavelengths included in the first wavelength band. The second layer absorbs the light in the second wavelength band. The multilayer body substantially does not have sensitivity for photoelectric conversion in the first wavelength band and has sensitivity for photoelectric conversion in the second wavelength band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventor: KATSUYA NOZAWA
  • Patent number: 10903264
    Abstract: An imaging system includes an imaging optical system, an imaging device, an actuator, and control circuitry. The actuator changes a relative position of a plurality of pixel cells and an image of a subject. The pixel cells have variable sensitivity, and include a photoelectric converter and a charge accumulation region. The control circuitry sets the relative position to a first position, and also sets the sensitivity of each pixel cell to a first sensitivity. A first signal charge obtained at the photoelectric converter is accumulated in the charge accumulation region. The relative position is set to a second position different from the first position, and also the sensitivity of each pixel cell is set to a second sensitivity different from the first sensitivity. A second signal charge obtained at the photoelectric converter is accumulated in the charge accumulation region in addition to the first signal charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuya Nozawa
  • Publication number: 20200373453
    Abstract: A photodetection element includes: a photoelectric conversion structure that contains a first material having an absorption coefficient higher than an absorption coefficient of monocrystalline silicon for light of a first wavelength, for which monocrystalline silicon exhibits absorption, and generates positive and negative charges by absorbing a photon; and an avalanche structure that includes a monocrystalline silicon layer, in which avalanche multiplication occurs as a result of injection of at least one selected from the group consisting of the positive and negative charges from the photoelectric conversion structure. The first material includes at least one selected from the group consisting of an organic semiconductor, a semiconductor-type carbon nanotube, and a semiconductor quantum dot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventor: Katsuya NOZAWA
  • Patent number: 10847669
    Abstract: A photodetection element includes: a photoelectric conversion structure that contains a first material having an absorption coefficient higher than an absorption coefficient of monocrystalline silicon for light of a first wavelength, for which monocrystalline silicon exhibits absorption, and generates positive and negative charges by absorbing a photon; and an avalanche structure that includes a monocrystalline silicon layer, in which avalanche multiplication occurs as a result of injection of at least one selected from the group consisting of the positive and negative charges from the photoelectric conversion structure. The first material includes at least one selected from the group consisting of an organic semiconductor, a semiconductor-type carbon nanotube, and a semiconductor quantum dot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Katsuya Nozawa
  • Patent number: 10777699
    Abstract: A photodetection element includes: a photoelectric conversion structure that contains a first material having an absorption coefficient higher than an absorption coefficient of monocrystalline silicon for light of a first wavelength, for which monocrystalline silicon exhibits absorption, and generates positive and negative charges by absorbing a photon; and an avalanche structure that includes a monocrystalline silicon layer, in which avalanche multiplication occurs as a result of injection of at least one selected from the group consisting of the positive and negative charges from the photoelectric conversion structure. The first material includes at least one selected from the group consisting of an organic semiconductor, a semiconductor-type carbon nanotube, and a semiconductor quantum dot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Katsuya Nozawa
  • Publication number: 20200227483
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: pixels arranged one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally, each of the pixels including an electrode that is electrically connected to the other pixels, a charge capturing unit that is separated from the other pixels, and a photoelectric conversion layer that is located between the electrode and the charge capturing unit, the photoelectric conversion layer being continuous among the pixels. The photoelectric conversion layer contains semiconductor carbon nanotubes, and one of a first substance and a second substance, the first substance having an electron affinity larger than that of the semiconducting carbon nanotubes, the second substance having a ionization energy smaller than that of the semiconductor carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventor: Katsuya NOZAWA
  • Patent number: 10708511
    Abstract: A three-dimensional motion obtaining apparatus includes: a light source; a charge amount obtaining circuit that includes pixels and obtains, for each of the pixels, a first charge amount under a first exposure pattern and a second charge amount under a second exposure pattern having an exposure period that at least partially overlaps an exposure period of the first exposure pattern; and a processor that controls a light emission pattern for the light source, the first exposure pattern, and the second exposure pattern. The processor estimates a distance to a subject for each of the pixels on the basis of the light emission pattern and on the basis of the first charge amount and the second charge amount of each of the pixels obtained by the charge amount obtaining circuit, and estimates an optical flow for each of the pixels on the basis of the first exposure pattern, the second exposure pattern, and the first charge amount and the second charge amount obtained by the charge amount obtaining circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Sato, Sanshiro Shishido, Katsuya Nozawa, Takeo Azuma, Masaaki Yanagida, Takeyoshi Tokuhara, Kunio Nobori
  • Patent number: 10672836
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: pixels arranged one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally, each of the pixels including an electrode that is electrically connected to the other pixels, a charge capturing unit that is separated from the other pixels, and a photoelectric conversion layer that is located between the electrode and the charge capturing unit, the photoelectric conversion layer being continuous among the pixels. The photoelectric conversion layer contains semiconductor carbon nanotubes, and one of a first substance and a second substance, the first substance having an electron affinity larger than that of the semiconducting carbon nanotubes, the second substance having a ionization energy smaller than that of the semiconductor carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuya Nozawa
  • Patent number: 10636972
    Abstract: A method for producing the photoelectric conversion element includes, in carbon nanotubes including semiconducting carbon nanotubes having different chiralities from each other and metallic carbon nanotubes, changing a chirality distribution in the semiconducting carbon nanotubes, separating the carbon nanotubes into the semiconducting carbon nanotubes and the metallic carbon nanotubes after changing the chirality distribution, covering the semiconducting carbon nanotubes with a polymer after performing separating, and forming a photoelectric conversion film including the semiconducting carbon nanotubes between a pair of electrodes after performing covering with the polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazunori Hayashida, Nozomu Matsukawa, Katsuya Nozawa
  • Publication number: 20200106978
    Abstract: An imaging device including a first imaging cell having a variable sensitivity; and a first sensitivity control line electrically connected to the first imaging cell, where the first imaging cell comprises a photoelectron conversion area that generates a signal charge by incidence of light, and a signal detection circuit that detects the signal charge. The photoelectron conversion area includes a first electrode, a translucent second electrode connected to the first sensitivity control line, and a photoelectric conversion layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and during an exposure period from a reset of the first imaging cell until a readout of the signal charge accumulated in the first imaging cell by exposure, the first sensitivity control line supplies to the first imaging cell a first sensitivity control signal having a waveform expressed by a first function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Katsuya NOZAWA, Yasuo MIYAKE