Patents by Inventor Keigo Yokoyama

Keigo Yokoyama 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).

  • Patent number: 9948871
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus includes a radiation detection unit including a plurality of sensors which detect radiation, and a monitoring unit which monitors irradiation of radiation based on signals detected by the plurality of sensors. The monitoring unit determines a plurality of effective sensor candidates from the plurality of sensors, and determines effective sensor(s) from effective sensor candidates excluding certain effective sensor candidates of the plurality of effective sensor candidates, the certain effective sensor candidates being an effective sensor candidate which has detected a signal having a maximum value and an effective sensor candidate which has detected a signal having a minimum value. The monitoring unit monitors irradiation of radiation based on signal(s) detected by the effective sensor(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Wayama, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi
  • Patent number: 9924113
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of imaging pixels configured to acquire a radiation image, a plurality of detection pixels each including a detection conversion element and a detection switch element, a drive unit configured to drive the detection switch element of each of the plurality of detection pixels, a plurality of detection regions in each of which the plurality of detection pixels are arranged, a control unit configured to control the drive unit to drive the plurality of detection pixels arranged in each of the plurality of detection regions at respective different timing, and an acquisition unit configured to acquire an amount of incidence of radiation rays on each of the plurality of detection regions based on a value obtained by summing or averaging signals read out from the plurality of detection pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jun Kawanabe, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama, Kazuya Furumoto
  • Patent number: 9912881
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a detecting pixel including a converting element and a switch element, a different pixel includes a different converting element and a different switch element, a signal line connected in common to a plurality of the switch elements, a driving unit configured to drive the different switch element and the switch element, and a control unit configured to control the driving unit, wherein the control unit controls the driving unit such that in a case where an on-state voltage or an off-state voltage is applied to at least one switch element, a voltage of opposite polarity to the on-state voltage or the off-state voltage is applied to a different switch element that is different from the at least one switch element or a voltage of opposite polarity to the on-state voltage or the off-state voltage is applied to the different switch element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jun Kawanabe, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama, Kazuya Furumoto
  • Publication number: 20180055464
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises pixels arranged in an image sensing region, a first and a second detecting elements configured to obtain radiation irradiation information, a first signal line to which a signal from the first detecting element is to be output and a second signal line to which a signal from the second detecting element is to be output, and a signal processing circuit configured to process the signals output from the first and the second detecting elements. The first the second signal lines are arranged in the image sensing region or arranged adjacent to the image sensing region, the first detecting element has a larger region to detect radiation than the second detecting element. The signal processing circuit generates the radiation irradiation information based on the signals from the first and the second signal lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama, Kazuya Furumoto
  • Patent number: 9887224
    Abstract: A detection apparatus includes a plurality of conversion elements, an interlayer insulating layer, and a covering layer. Each of the plurality of conversion elements includes an electrode electrically connected to a corresponding one of a plurality of switching elements and a semiconductor layer disposed on the electrode. The interlayer insulating layer is disposed so as to cover the plurality of switching elements and composed of an organic material, and has a surface including a first region and a second region located outside the first region. The electrodes are disposed on the surface of the interlayer insulating layer in the first region. The covering layer is disposed on the surface of the interlayer insulating layer in the second region and composed of an inorganic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Jun Kawanabe, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Publication number: 20180008215
    Abstract: A radiation imaging system includes pixel array, scanning circuit to scan rows of the pixel array, and readout circuit to read signals from the pixel array. Each pixel includes converter to generate electric signal corresponding to radiation and transistor connected to the converter. The readout circuit reads signal from the converter via the transistor. The system performs image capturing modes and conditioning mode of conditioning a threshold voltage of the transistor. In the conditioning mode, the scanning circuit supplies, to a gate of the transistor, an OFF voltage different from OFF voltages in the image capturing modes. The scanning circuit scans the rows in units of at least one row in the image capturing modes, and scans the rows in units of at least two rows in the conditioning mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Hiroshi Wayama, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Satoru Sawada, Kazuya Furumoto
  • Publication number: 20180006080
    Abstract: Provided is a radiation imaging apparatus, including: a plurality of pixels configured to output image signals corresponding to radiation; an image signal line configured to output the image signals; and a detection signal line configured to output a detection signal for detection of irradiation of the radiation, in which at least one of the plurality of pixels includes: a conversion element configured to convert the radiation into charge; a first switch configured to output the image signal corresponding to the charge via the image signal line; a storage capacitor including a first electrode and a second electrode, in which the first electrode is electrically connected to the conversion element to store the charge; and a second switch configured to electrically connect the second electrode and the detection signal line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Jun Kawanabe, Hiroshi Wayama, Kazuya Furumoto
  • Patent number: 9838638
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus, comprising pixels, a unit including a detecting element and a switch element, a signal line connected to the detecting element through the switch element, and a controller, the controller obtains, before a start of radiation irradiation, a first signal of the signal line with the switch element being in a non-conductive state and a second signal of the signal line with the switch element being in a conductive state, obtains, in response to the start of the irradiation, a third signal of the signal line with the switch element being in the non-conductive state and a fourth signal of the signal line with the switch element being in the conductive state, and performs AEC based on the first to fourth signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuya Furumoto, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi
  • Patent number: 9835732
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus has a plurality of pixels including a plurality of imaging pixels for obtaining a radiation image and a detecting pixel for detecting radiation, a plurality of column signal lines, and a detection signal line corresponding to the detecting pixel. Each of the imaging pixels includes a first conversion element configured to convert radiation into an electrical signal, and a first switch arranged between the first conversion element and a corresponding column signal line among the plurality of column signal lines. The detecting pixel includes a second conversion element configured to convert radiation into an electrical signal, and a second switch arranged between the second conversion element and the detection signal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Jun Kawanabe, Hiroshi Wayama, Kazuya Furumoto
  • Patent number: 9726767
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus includes a unit constituted by arranging blocks in line and an information processing unit. Each of the blocks includes a conversion element configured to generate an image signal corresponding to radiation, a switching element connected between the conversion element and a column signal line, a detection element configured to detect radiation, and a detection signal line connected to the detection element. The information processing unit corrects a signal from the detection element, by using a value of the signal based on a parasitic capacitance between the conversion elements arranged on the same column as a column of the detection element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jun Kawanabe, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Patent number: 9715021
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus includes a first control line electrically connected to a control electrode of an imaging switching element, a second control line electrically connected to a control electrode of a detection switching element, a signal line electrically connected to a main electrode of the detection switching element, a capacitance line arranged to be capacitively coupled with the signal line, wherein the capacitance line is different from the first control line and the second control line, a driving unit electrically connected to the second control line and the capacitance line and configured to apply a voltage to the detection switching element and the capacitance line, and a control unit configured to control the driving unit to apply, in a case where an on-state or off-state voltage is applied to the detection switching element, a voltage having an opposite polarity to that of the voltage to the capacitance line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama, Kazuya Furumoto
  • Publication number: 20170201704
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus, comprising pixels, a unit including a detecting element and a switch element, a signal line connected to the detecting element through the switch element, and a controller, the controller obtains, before a start of radiation irradiation, a first signal of the signal line with the switch element being in a non-conductive state and a second signal of the signal line with the switch element being in a conductive state, obtains, in response to the start of the irradiation, a third signal of the signal line with the switch element being in the non-conductive state and a fourth signal of the signal line with the switch element being in the conductive state, and performs AEC based on the first to fourth signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Kazuya Furumoto, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi
  • Patent number: 9675307
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus includes a plurality of pixels for acquiring a radiation image and a plurality of sensors for detecting radiation, a processing unit for sampling outputs from sensors constituting an effective sensor group, out of the plurality of sensors, and outputting information for control of irradiation in accordance with the sampled outputs. In a first period after the irradiation to the radiation imaging apparatus starts, the processing unit excludes, from the effective sensor group, a sensor, a value corresponding to an output from which has exceeded a first threshold, out of the plurality of sensors, and in a second period after the first period, the processing unit outputs the information in accordance with outputs from the sensors constituting the effective sensor group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masato Ofuji, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Publication number: 20170153336
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of first groups having same configurations and arranged in a row direction and a column direction, each of the first groups including a plurality of pixels for obtaining a radiation image and at least one detection section for detecting an amount of incident radiation, and a plurality of detection signal lines connected to the plurality of detection sections. Two of the plurality of first groups which are arranged in the column direction are shifted from each other in the row direction, and the detection sections included in the two groups are connected to different detection signal lines in the plurality of detection signal lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Jun Kawanabe, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Kazuya Furumoto
  • Patent number: 9661240
    Abstract: A pixel includes a conversion element detecting radiation, and a switch between the element and a signal line. A readout unit reads out a signal on the signal line. The readout unit includes a reset unit that resets a potential of the signal line. A period during which the readout unit reads out a signal on the signal line includes a first period during which the signal line is reset, and a signal on the signal line in a state that the switch is not turned on is read out, and a second period during which the signal line is reset, and a signal on the signal line due to the switch being turned on is read out. The processing unit calculates a difference between the signals read out in the second and first periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Jun Kawanabe, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Publication number: 20170128033
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of detection pixels configured to generate a signal according to a radiation irradiation amount to obtain radiation irradiation information, a detection unit configured to correspond to a region of the plurality of detection pixels and detect one of light, pressure, capacitance, and temperature as two-dimensional information, and a control unit configured to determine a monitoring target detection pixel and a non-monitoring-target detection pixel among the plurality of detection pixels based on the two-dimensional information detected by the detection unit, read the signals of detection pixels of a row in which the monitoring target detection pixel is included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Masato Ofuji, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Jun Kawanabe, Kazuya Furumoto
  • Patent number: 9625585
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises first pixels arranged in an image sensing region to obtain a radiation image, a second pixel configured to obtain a dose of incident radiation and a control unit configured to control the first pixels and the second pixel. The control unit causes the first pixels to accumulate charge corresponding to a radiation dose, while causing the second pixel to operate in a detection cycle determined based on irradiation information of radiation before irradiation with radiation, obtains a dose of incident radiation for each detection cycle, and corrects the obtained radiation dose in accordance with an amount of noise output from the second pixel operating in the detection cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keigo Yokoyama, Minoru Watanabe, Masato Ofuji, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama, Kazuya Furumoto
  • Publication number: 20170090041
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises first pixels arranged in an image sensing region to obtain a radiation image, a second pixel configured to obtain a dose of incident radiation and a control unit configured to control the first pixels and the second pixel. The control unit causes the first pixels to accumulate charge corresponding to a radiation dose, while causing the second pixel to operate in a detection cycle determined based on irradiation information of radiation before irradiation with radiation, obtains a dose of incident radiation for each detection cycle, and corrects the obtained radiation dose in accordance with an amount of noise output from the second pixel operating in the detection cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Keigo Yokoyama, Minoru Watanabe, Masato Ofuji, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama, Kazuya Furumoto
  • Patent number: 9521347
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus includes a plurality of conversion elements configured to convert radiation into an electric signal to obtain a radiation image, a sensor for monitoring radiation, a processing unit configured to process signals output from output electrodes of the plurality of conversion elements and an output electrode of the sensor, and a shield. The signal output from the output electrode of the sensor is supplied to the processing unit via a signal line. The shield is arranged such that capacitive coupling between the output electrodes of the plurality of conversion elements and the signal line is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jun Kawanabe, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Publication number: 20160316547
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus includes a plurality of pixels, each of which includes a conversion element and a transistor, a plurality of drive lines connected to gates of the transistors, a drive circuit unit configured to supply a voltage to the plurality of drive lines, and a control unit configured to control the drive circuit unit. The control unit performs control of causing the drive circuit unit to apply a different voltage that is between the OFF voltage and the ON voltage and is different from the OFF voltage and the ON voltage to the plurality of drive lines in a different period different from a period in which storage control is performed and a period in which read control is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Hiroshi Wayama, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Kazuya Furumoto