Patents by Inventor Luonghung Asakura

Luonghung Asakura 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: 20240171884
    Abstract: To improve image quality in a solid-state imaging element that simultaneously performs exposure in all pixels. Arranged in a pre-stage circuit are a pair of floating diffusion layers that converts transferred charges into a voltage, and a conversion efficiency control transistor that controls conversion efficiency with which the charges are converted into voltage by opening and closing a path between the pair of floating diffusion layers. First, second, third, and fourth capacitive elements have their respective one ends commonly connected to the pre-stage circuit. The selection circuit selects one of their respective other ends of the first, second, third, and fourth capacitive elements and connects the selected other end to a predetermined post-stage node. The post-stage circuit reads, via the post-stage node, a reset level obtained by amplifying the voltage when the pair of floating diffusion layers is initialized and a signal level obtained by amplifying the voltage when the charges are transferred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventor: LuongHung Asakura
  • Patent number: 11974057
    Abstract: Solid-state imaging elements are disclosed. In one example, an upstream circuit block generates a predetermined reset level and a plurality of signal levels each corresponding to an exposure amount, and causes capacitive elements, different from each other, to hold them. A selection circuit sequentially performs control to connect the capacitive element in which the reset level is held to a predetermined downstream node, control to disconnect capacitive elements from the downstream node, and control to connect the capacitive element in which any of the plurality of signal levels is held to the downstream node. A downstream reset transistor initializes a level of the downstream node when the capacitive elements are disconnected from the downstream node. A downstream circuit sequentially reads the reset level and the plurality of signal levels via the downstream node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Luonghung Asakura, Hiromu Kato
  • Publication number: 20240073553
    Abstract: Image quality enhancement in a solid-state imaging element with simultaneous pixel exposure is disclosed. In one example, a solid-state imaging element includes a first pixel with a first selection transistor that opens and closes a path between a first capacitive element holding a predetermined reset level and a predetermined node, and a second selection transistor that opens and closes a path between a second capacitive element holding a signal level corresponding to an exposure amount and the node. It also includes a second pixel with a third selection transistor that opens and closes a path between a third capacitive element holding a predetermined reset level and a predetermined node, and a fourth selection transistor that opens and closes a path between a fourth capacitive element holding a signal level corresponding to the exposure amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventor: LuongHung Asakura
  • Patent number: 11917312
    Abstract: Solid-state imaging apparatuses are disclosed. In one example, an apparatus includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate includes a pixel array that is arrayed in columns and rows. The second substrate is stacked on the first substrate, and includes first and second analog circuits that overlap with the pixel array in a third direction intersecting the column and row directions. A pixel divider section divides pixels in the array into a first area and a second area. The first and second analog circuits respectively connect to pixels in the first and second areas, and are adjacent to each other with a circuit divider section interposed therebetween, the circuit divider section being located with an overlap with the pixel divider section in the third direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Chihiro Okada, Luonghung Asakura, Kengo Iseki
  • Publication number: 20240040285
    Abstract: In one example, an imaging device includes stacked first and second substrates. The first substrate has an array of light receiving pixels divisible into pixel blocks and the second substrate has a pixel control portion that controls the pixels. The first substrate includes a first wiring line that transmits a first voltage, a second wiring line that transmits a second voltage, and a fault detection circuit that detects a wiring fault for each pixel block. The fault detection circuit detects a wiring fault by connecting wiring lines corresponding to pixel columns or pixel rows in series in each pixel block, connecting one of the ends of a wiring chain connected in series in each pixel block to the first wiring line, connecting the other end to the second wiring line, and detecting a wiring fault based on a potential at an intermediate position of the wiring chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Luonghung Asakura
  • Patent number: 11832011
    Abstract: In one example, an imaging device includes stacked first and second substrates. The first substrate has an array of light receiving pixels divisible into pixel blocks and the second substrate has a pixel control portion that controls the pixels. The first substrate includes a first wiring line that transmits a first voltage, a second wiring line that transmits a second voltage, and a fault detection circuit that detects a wiring fault for each pixel block. The fault detection circuit detects a wiring fault by connecting wiring lines corresponding to pixel columns or pixel rows in series in each pixel block, connecting one of the ends of a wiring chain connected in series in each pixel block to the first wiring line, connecting the other end to the second wiring line, and detecting a wiring fault based on a potential at an intermediate position of the wiring chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventor: Luonghung Asakura
  • Publication number: 20230283922
    Abstract: Solid-state imaging apparatuses are disclosed. In one example, an apparatus includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate includes a pixel array that is arrayed in columns and rows. The second substrate is stacked on the first substrate, and includes first and second analog circuits that overlap with the pixel array in a third direction intersecting the column and row directions. A pixel divider section divides pixels in the array into a first area and a second area. The first and second analog circuits respectively connect to pixels in the first and second areas, and are adjacent to each other with a circuit divider section interposed therebetween, the circuit divider section being located with an overlap with the pixel divider section in the third direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Chihiro Okada, Luonghung Asakura, Kengo Iseki
  • Publication number: 20230239593
    Abstract: An imaging device according to an embodiment includes: a plurality of pixels (110) each including a photoelectric conversion element (20) and arranged in an array of matrix; a control line group (16) including a plurality of control lines for controlling each of pixels aligned in a row direction, each arranged in each of rows of the array; and a plurality of reading lines (VSL) arranged in each of columns for transferring a pixel signal read from each of pixels aligned in a column direction of the array, wherein the plurality of pixels includes: a first pixel (110GS) controlled by a control signal supplied from a first control line group including control lines in a first number among a plurality of control lines included in the control line group in each of pixels aligned in the row direction in at least one of rows of the array; and a second pixel (110RS) controlled by a control signal supplied from a second control line group including a control line in a second number smaller than the first number among a
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventor: LUONGHUNG ASAKURA
  • Publication number: 20230188867
    Abstract: Solid-state imaging elements are disclosed. In one example, an upstream circuit sequentially generates a predetermined reset level and a signal level corresponding to an exposure amount, and causes first and second capacitive elements to hold the reset level and the signal level. A selection circuit sequentially connects one of the capacitive elements to a predetermined downstream node, disconnects both capacitive elements from the downstream node, and connects the other capacitive element to the downstream node. A downstream reset transistor initializes a level of the downstream node when both capacitive elements are disconnected from the downstream node. A downstream circuit sequentially reads the reset level and the signal level from the first and second capacitive elements via the downstream node and outputs the reset level and the signal level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Luonghung Asakura, Yoshiaki Inada
  • Publication number: 20230053574
    Abstract: PLS resistance is improved in a solid-state imaging element in which all pixels are simultaneously exposed. A front-stage transfer transistor transfers a charge from a photoelectric conversion element to a front-stage charge holding region and a rear-stage charge holding region which have different capacities. A rear-stage transfer transistor transfers the charge from the rear-stage charge holding region to a floating diffusion region. An intermediate transfer transistor transfers a charge, which remains in the front-stage charge holding region after the charge has been transferred from the rear-stage charge holding region to the floating diffusion region, to the floating diffusion region via the front-stage charge holding region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventor: LUONGHUNG ASAKURA
  • Publication number: 20230028780
    Abstract: Solid-state imaging elements are disclosed. In one example, an upstream circuit block generates a predetermined reset level and a plurality of signal levels each corresponding to an exposure amount, and causes capacitive elements, different from each other, to hold them. A selection circuit sequentially performs control to connect the capacitive element in which the reset level is held to a predetermined downstream node, control to disconnect capacitive elements from the downstream node, and control to connect the capacitive element in which any of the plurality of signal levels is held to the downstream node. A downstream reset transistor initializes a level of the downstream node when the capacitive elements are disconnected from the downstream node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Luonghung Asakura, Hiromu Kato
  • Patent number: 11523074
    Abstract: In a pixel array unit 11, pixels that generate pixel signals are arranged in a matrix. A control unit 17 performs reading of pixel signals in a first mode in which reading of the pixel signals is performed by thinning out lines from the pixel array unit 11, and reading of pixel signals in a second mode in which reading of the pixel signals is performed by including the lines thinned out in the first mode after the reading in the first mode. A signal processing unit 16 uses a pixel signal read in the first mode and a pixel signal read in the second mode, to set an amount of correction for a pixel of the lines thinned out in the first mode, on the basis of the pixel signal read in the second mode from a pixel in which reading of the pixel signal is performed in the first mode and the second mode, and corrects the pixel signal read in the second mode from the pixel of the lines thinned out in the first mode with the set amount of correction to reduce an influence of leakage light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Luonghung Asakura, Chihiro Okada
  • Publication number: 20220272287
    Abstract: A first and second pixel units that perform FD addition are provided. The first pixel unit includes: a first switch transistor of which one source/drain electrode is connected to an FD; and a reset transistor that is connected between another source/drain electrode of the first switch transistor and a power supply node. The second pixel unit includes: a second switch transistor of which one source/drain electrode is connected to an FD; a third switch transistor of which one source/drain electrode is connected to another source/drain electrode of the second switch transistor; and a capacitive element that is connected between another source/drain electrode of the third switch transistor and a reference potential node. The respective other source/drain electrodes of the first switch transistor and the second switch transistor are electrically connected with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventor: Luonghung Asakura
  • Patent number: 11405568
    Abstract: A first and second pixel units that perform FD addition are provided. The first pixel unit includes: a first switch transistor of which one source/drain electrode is connected to an FD; and a reset transistor that is connected between another source/drain electrode of the first switch transistor and a power supply node. The second pixel unit includes: a second switch transistor of which one source/drain electrode is connected to an FD; a third switch transistor of which one source/drain electrode is connected to another source/drain electrode of the second switch transistor; and a capacitive element that is connected between another source/drain electrode of the third switch transistor and a reference potential node. The respective other source/drain electrodes of the first switch transistor and the second switch transistor are electrically connected with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventor: Luonghung Asakura
  • Patent number: 11310449
    Abstract: Provided is a new solid-state imaging device and electronic apparatus capable of eliminating streaking. Provided is a solid-state imaging device including: plurality of pixels provided in a pixel region on a substrate in a matrix form; a plurality of first wirings commonly provided to each of the plurality of pixels arranged along a first direction; a second wiring capacitively coupled to each of the plurality of first wirings; and a second detection unit that is electrically connected to the second wiring and detects a second signal appearing on the second wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Luonghung Asakura
  • Publication number: 20220094874
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device and electronic apparatus capable of relieving wiring failure with less redundancy. The solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array unit in which a plurality of pixels is two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix, one redundant wiring provided for n number of signal lines that transmit a pixel signal from the pixels, and one or more redundant switches that connect one signal line and a redundant wiring. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a solid-state imaging device, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventor: LUONGHUNG ASAKURA
  • Publication number: 20220086379
    Abstract: An image capturing device of the present disclosure has a stacked chip structure in which at least two semiconductor chips including a first semiconductor chip and a second semiconductor chip are stacked. Pixels each including a light receiving portion are arranged on the first semiconductor chip, and a scanning section that selectively scans the pixel and a signal processing section that processes an analog signal output from the pixel are arranged on the second semiconductor chip. Further, the scanning section is arranged along pixel rows of the pixel arrangement in the matrix form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventor: LUONGHUNG ASAKURA
  • Publication number: 20220060643
    Abstract: In a pixel array unit 11, pixels that generate pixel signals are arranged in a matrix. A control unit 17 performs reading of pixel signals in a first mode in which reading of the pixel signals is performed by thinning out lines from the pixel array unit 11, and reading of pixel signals in a second mode in which reading of the pixel signals is performed by including the lines thinned out in the first mode after the reading in the first mode. A signal processing unit 16 uses a pixel signal read in the first mode and a pixel signal read in the second mode, to set an amount of correction for a pixel of the lines thinned out in the first mode, on the basis of the pixel signal read in the second mode from a pixel in which reading of the pixel signal is performed in the first mode and the second mode, and corrects the pixel signal read in the second mode from the pixel of the lines thinned out in the first mode with the set amount of correction to reduce an influence of leakage light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: LUONGHUNG ASAKURA, CHIHIRO OKADA
  • Publication number: 20220046201
    Abstract: In one example, an imaging device includes stacked first and second substrates. The first substrate has an array of light receiving pixels divisible into pixel blocks and the second substrate has a pixel control portion that controls the pixels. The first substrate includes a first wiring line that transmits a first voltage, a second wiring line that transmits a second voltage, and a fault detection circuit that detects a wiring fault for each pixel block. The fault detection circuit detects a wiring fault by connecting wiring lines corresponding to pixel columns or pixel rows in series in each pixel block, connecting one of the ends of a wiring chain connected in series in each pixel block to the first wiring line, connecting the other end to the second wiring line, and detecting a wiring fault based on a potential at an intermediate position of the wiring chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventor: Luonghung Asakura
  • Patent number: 11223791
    Abstract: In a digital signal processing circuit that performs AD conversion using a comparison device and a counter, the speed of the AD conversion is increased. An attenuation unit, in a case where the level of an input signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value, attenuates the input signal and outputs it as an output signal. The comparison device compares the output signal with a predetermined reference signal that changes with lapse of time, and outputs the comparison result. The counter counts a count value until the comparison result is inverted and outputs a digital signal indicating the count value. The digital signal processing unit performs multiplication processing on the digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventor: Luonghung Asakura