Patents by Inventor KUMIKO MAHARA

KUMIKO MAHARA 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: 20240121419
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a pixel array unit (101) including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix array, each of the pixels generating a pixel signal corresponding to light received by exposure, the pixel array unit acquiring image data based on each of the pixel signals respectively generated by the plurality of pixels, a compression unit (1020) configured to compress a data amount of the image data to generate compressed image data, a signature generation unit (1021) configured to generate signature data based on the compressed image data; and an output unit (104,131,132) configured to output the image data and authenticity proof data obtained by adding the signature data to the compressed image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventor: Kumiko Mahara
  • Publication number: 20240056310
    Abstract: An imaging device according to an embodiment includes: a pixel array section (101) that includes a plurality of pixels that are arranged in a matrix array and each generate a pixel signal corresponding to light received by exposure, and outputs image data of each of the pixel signals generated by the plurality of pixels at a frame cycle; a signature generating section (1021) that generates signature data on the basis of the image data; and an output control section (104) that controls output of the image data and the signature data, and the signature generating section generates the signature data by thinning the image data output at the frame cycle in a unit of thinning that is based on the frame cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Kumiko Mahara, Toru Akishita, Hirotake Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11895412
    Abstract: Provided is an imaging device that is operable to reduce power upon receiving light, even with resolution of the imaging device increased. An imaging device includes: a plurality of pixels that are arranged in a matrix manner and receive reflected light from a target region, each of the plurality of pixels having a light receiving element that outputs an electric signal based on charge accumulated in either one of first and second charge accumulation parts in accordance with the reflected light; and a control part that executes switching control of the first and second charge accumulation parts by switching frequencies for each pixel region constituted of a pixel group of at least one part of an imaging frame formed by the plurality of pixels, the switching frequencies being different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kumiko Mahara
  • Publication number: 20240019579
    Abstract: Provided is a sensor control system capable of reducing a load on an application system in processing of a synchronization signal and performing flexible synchronization control in accordance with a system change even if the system change such as an increase in the number of sensors is made. A sensor control system includes: a light emitting unit; a sensor including a signal processing unit that performs signal processing on the basis of an electric signal output from each of a plurality of pixels; and a control device that controls execution of the signal processing of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventor: KUMIKO MAHARA
  • Publication number: 20230417920
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a ranging sensor, a ranging system, and an electronic device capable of efficiently arranging circuits that implement ranging by different ranging methods. A ranging sensor includes a light emission control circuit that generates a light emission pulse that controls a light emission timing of irradiation light, a pixel modulation unit that performs charge distribution control in a pixel by an indirect ToF method, and a TDC that generates a count value corresponding to a flight time of the irradiation light by a direct ToF method, in which the light emission control circuit is arranged adjacent to the pixel modulation unit and the TDC. The present technology is applicable to, for example, a ranging sensor that measures a distance to a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: YUSUKE MORIYAMA, KUMIKO MAHARA, OSAMU OZAWA
  • Publication number: 20230408692
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a distance measuring sensor and a distance measuring system capable of performing different measurements using SPAD pixels. The distance measuring sensor includes a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) pixel including a SPAD as a photoelectric conversion element, a time-of-flight (ToF) data processing unit that generates and outputs distance measurement data by a ToF method on the basis of a pixel signal output from the SPAD pixel, and a viewing data processing unit that generates and outputs viewing data on the basis of a pixel signal output from the SPAD pixel. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a distance measuring system that measures a distance to a subject, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventor: KUMIKO MAHARA
  • Publication number: 20230336323
    Abstract: Provided is a transmission/reception system that can implement miniaturization and a reduced number of wires for transmitting a signal between a sensor device and a reception device. The sensor device includes a data transmitting unit configured to transmit imaging data synchronized with a first clock signal to the reception device through a first signal transmission path, a clock signal transmitting unit configured to transmit a second clock signal with a lower frequency than the first clock signal to the reception device through a second signal transmission path, and a control signal communicating unit configured to communicate a control signal necessary for control of the first clock signal with the reception device through the second signal transmission path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: RYOTA SHINODA, TAKASHI MASUDA, KUMIKO MAHARA
  • Publication number: 20230217102
    Abstract: An object of the present disclosure is to provide a transmission device, a reception device, and a transmission-reception system capable of achieving downsizing and communication at a high frame rate. A transmission device includes a control signal reception unit that receives a control signal input from an external device and including predetermined information, and a control unit that controls switching between first communication and second communication on a basis of switching information, the switching information being included in the predetermined information as necessary, the switching information indicating switching between the first communication in which host communication is executed in a blanking period among one frame period and the second communication in which host communication is executed in a blanking period and a data output period among one frame period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: KUMIKO MAHARA, TAKASHI MASUDA, RYOTA SHINODA
  • Publication number: 20230146183
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a distance measuring device and a distance measuring method enabling use of a plurality of sensors employing different distance measurement schemes in combination at low cost. A pixel region including a pixel including a SPAD to be used for distance measurement using a direct ToF scheme and a pixel including a current assisted photonic demodulator (CAPD) to be used for distance measurement using an indirect ToF scheme or a normal pixel, and a light emitting unit are shared and controlled. The present disclosure can be applied to a distance measuring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventor: KUMIKO MAHARA
  • Publication number: 20230132196
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a light receiving apparatus, a light receiving circuit, and a distance measurement apparatus which can detect a photon with high accuracy, irrespective of illuminance in the environment. [Solution] A light receiving apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a first light receiving circuit configured such that it is possible to switch a recharge method for a light receiving element, and a control circuit configured to control the recharge method for the first light receiving circuit on the basis of a signal outputted by the first light receiving circuit in a reaction with a photon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Kumiko Mahara, Osamu Ozawa, Tomohiro Matsukawa, Yasuhiro Shinozuka
  • Publication number: 20230115893
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a distance measuring device and a distance measuring method which, even when a plurality of sensors whose distance measurement systems are different from each other is combined to be used, allow the plurality of sensors to he easily controlled as if a sensor of a single distance measurement system were handled. A bridge processing part collectively controls operation timings of a plurality of distance measuring sensors such as an iToF sensor, a dToF sensor, and a millimeter-wave sensor and converts distance measurement results of the plurality of distance measuring sensors to common information such as a depth map. The present disclosure is applicable to a distance measuring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventor: Kumiko Mahara
  • Publication number: 20230095241
    Abstract: Provided is an imaging device that is operable to reduce power upon receiving light, even with resolution of the imaging device increased. An imaging device includes: a plurality of pixels that are arranged in a matrix manner and receive reflected light from a target region, each of the plurality of pixels having a light receiving element that outputs an electric signal based on charge accumulated in either one of first and second charge accumulation parts in accordance with the reflected light; and a control part that executes switching control of the first and second charge accumulation parts by switching frequencies for each pixel region constituted of a pixel group of at least one part of an imaging frame formed by the plurality of pixels, the switching frequencies being different from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventor: KUMIKO MAHARA
  • Publication number: 20230048083
    Abstract: Provided are a light receiving device, a light receiving circuit, and a distance measuring device capable of minimizing dead time. A light receiving device according to the present disclosure may include: a light receiving circuit including a light receiving element; a power supply circuit configured to supply a power supply potential to the light receiving circuit; and a control circuit configured to control the power supply potential supplied by the power supply circuit on the basis of a signal output from the light receiving circuit in a reaction with a photon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: KUMIKO MAHARA, OSAMU OZAWA, TOMOHIRO MATSUKAWA, YASUHIRO SHINOZUKA, KEITAROU AMAGAWA
  • Publication number: 20230018095
    Abstract: A distance measuring device of the present disclosure includes a light source section that irradiates a subject with light, a light receiving device that receives reflected light from the subject, and an application processor that controls the light source section and the light receiving device. The light receiving device has an object detection function of measuring a distance to the subject to detect that the subject approaches within a predetermined distance, and provides notification of a detection result to the application processor in a standby state. The application processor starts up in response to the notification from the light receiving device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: KUMIKO MAHARA, HAYATO KAMIZURU, NOBUHARU SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20220413109
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a distance measurement sensor, a distance measurement system, and an electronic apparatus in which power consumption can be further reduced. The distance measurement sensor includes a pixel array section where pixels that each. receive reflection light resulting from irradiation light applied by an illumination device and reflected by an object and output a detection. signal according to a quantity of the received light are two-dimensionally arranged, and a control section that controls an operation state of the illumination device according to an operation timing of the distance measurement sensor itself. The present technology is applicable to a distance measurement system that measures a distance to a subject, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventor: Kumiko MAHARA
  • Publication number: 20220397652
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a distance measuring sensor, a distance measuring system, and electronic equipment that can quickly cope with an error of an illumination device. A distance measuring sensor includes a pixel array section in which pixels that receive reflected light returned after irradiation light applied from an illumination device is reflected by an object and that output detection signals according to the amount of received light are two dimensionally arranged, and a control unit that detects occurrence of an error of the illumination device and performs control according to the error. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a distance measuring system and the like for measuring a distance to a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventor: KUMIKO MAHARA
  • Publication number: 20220357455
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a distance measuring sensor, a distance measuring system, and electronic equipment adapted to change light emission conditions at high speed. The distance measuring sensor includes a pixel array section configured to have pixels arrayed two-dimensionally, each of the pixels receiving reflected light from an object under irradiation light from a lighting apparatus and outputting a detection signal corresponding to an amount of the received light, and a control section configured to control a light emission condition for the lighting apparatus according to an operation of each of the pixels in the pixel array section. This technology can be applied, for example, to a distance measuring system for measuring the distance to a subject being imaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventor: KUMIKO MAHARA
  • Publication number: 20220353440
    Abstract: A light reception device of the present disclosure includes: a light-receiving section including pixels two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix, the pixels each including a light-receiving element; a row selector that selects the pixels of the light-receiving section in units of one pixel row or a plurality of pixel rows; a column selector that selects the pixels in one pixel row or a plurality of pixel rows selected by the row selector in pixel units; and a controller that controls the column selector. Then, the controller controls the column selector to select the pixels in the one pixel row or the plurality of pixel rows selected by the row selector in units of regions each including a plurality of pixels as a unit, and read out signals of the pixels for each of the regions. In addition, a distance measuring device of the present disclosure uses a light reception device having a configuration described above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Yuuko Sonoda, Kumiko Mahara
  • Publication number: 20220284543
    Abstract: A pixel is appropriately interpolated regarding a histogram image in which a distance histogram is allocated to each pixel position. A signal processing apparatus according to the present technology includes a histogram generation unit that inputs a histogram image in which a distance histogram indicating results of a plurality of times of distance measurement as frequency information for each distance is allocated to each pixel position and generates a distance histogram of an interpolation target position in the histogram image on the basis of distance histograms of a plurality of pixel positions near the interpolation target position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2020
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: KENSEI JO, TOMOHIRO MATSUKAWA, MITSUHARU OHKI, MASAHIRO WATANABE, KENICHI TAYU, KEITAROU AMAGAWA, KUMIKO MAHARA, TAKAHISA UENO
  • Publication number: 20220137193
    Abstract: A measurement apparatus (1a) according to an embodiment includes: a first pixel (10); a light source (131); a control unit (150) that controls emission of light emitted from the light source by generating light emission commands that allow the light source to emit light; a first measuring unit (133ref) that measures a first time period between a first light emission command timing at which the control unit generates a first light emission command out of the light emission commands and a light emission timing at which the light source emits light in accordance with the first light emission command; second measuring units (1331, 1332, 1333, and . . . ) each of which measures a second time period between a second light emission command timing at which the control unit generates a second light emission command out of the light emission commands and a time at which the light is received by the first pixel; and generating units (1401, 1402, 1403, and . . .
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: MITSUHARU OHKI, MASAHIRO WATANABE, KENICHI TAYU, TOMOHIRO MATSUKAWA, KEITAROU AMAGAWA, KUMIKO MAHARA, KENSEI JO