Patents by Inventor Naoki Kawazu

Naoki Kawazu 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: 20240155103
    Abstract: A row driver assembly includes a row driver unit. The row driver unit includes a buffer circuit that drives a control signal to a pixel circuit. The buffer circuit is electrically connected to a high buffer supply voltage and to a low buffer supply voltage. A voltage converter circuit supplies the low buffer supply voltage to the buffer circuit. An error detection circuit outputs an active error signal when the low buffer supply voltage is outside a target voltage window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Tongxi WANG, Manuel MORENO-GARCIA, Naoki KAWAZU
  • Publication number: 20240155264
    Abstract: An imaging system according to the present disclosure includes: an imaging device that is mounted in a vehicle, and captures and generates an image of a peripheral region of the vehicle; and a processing device that is mounted in the vehicle, and executes processing related to a function of controlling the vehicle on the basis of the image. The imaging device includes: a first control line, a first voltage generator that applies a first voltage to the first control line, a first signal line, a plurality of pixels that applies a pixel voltage to the first signal line, a first dummy pixel that applies a voltage corresponding to the first voltage of the first control line to the first signal line in a first period, a converter including a first converter that performs AD conversion on the basis of a voltage of the first signal line in the first period to generate a first digital code, and a diagnosis section that performs diagnosis processing on the basis of the first digital code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2024
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kawazu, Atsushi Suzuki, Junichiro Azami, Yuichi Motohashi
  • Publication number: 20240137668
    Abstract: A pixel substrate includes a photoelectric conversion element. The photoelectric conversion element includes a doped region and a substrate region. The doped region and the substrate region form a pn junction. A pixel circuit is electrically connected to a first supply line and the photoelectric conversion element. A protection circuit is configured to short-circuit the first supply line and the substrate region when a voltage difference between the first supply line and the substrate region falls below a negative threshold voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Tohid MORADI KHANSHAN, Naoki KAWAZU
  • Publication number: 20240056697
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an imaging apparatus and an imaging method, a camera module, and an electronic apparatus that are capable of detecting a failure in an imaging device having a structure in which a plurality of substrates are stacked. The timing at which a row drive unit provided in a second substrate outputs a control signal for controlling accumulation and reading of pixel signals in a pixel array provided in a first substrate is compared with the timing at which the control signal output from the row drive unit is detected after passing through the pixel array. Depending on whether or not the timings coincides with each other, a failure is detected. The present disclosure can be applied to an imaging apparatus mounted on a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Applicant: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Takumi Oka, Atsushi Suzuki, Naoki Kawazu
  • Patent number: 11902681
    Abstract: An imaging system according to the present disclosure includes: an imaging device that is mounted in a vehicle, and captures and generates an image of a peripheral region of the vehicle; and a processing device that is mounted in the vehicle, and executes processing related to a function of controlling the vehicle on the basis of the image. The imaging device includes: a first control line, a first voltage generator that applies a first voltage to the first control line, a first signal line, a plurality of pixels that applies a pixel voltage to the first signal line, a first dummy pixel that applies a voltage corresponding to the first voltage of the first control line to the first signal line in a first period, a converter including a first converter that performs AD conversion on the basis of a voltage of the first signal line in the first period to generate a first digital code, and a diagnosis section that performs diagnosis processing on the basis of the first digital code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kawazu, Atsushi Suzuki, Junichiro Azami, Yuichi Motohashi
  • Patent number: 11843881
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an imaging apparatus and an imaging method, a camera module, and an electronic apparatus that are capable of detecting a failure in an imaging device having a structure in which a plurality of substrates are stacked. The timing at which a row drive unit provided in a second substrate outputs a control signal for controlling accumulation and reading of pixel signals in a pixel array provided in a first substrate is compared with the timing at which the control signal output from the row drive unit is detected after passing through the pixel array. Depending on whether or not the timings coincides with each other, a failure is detected. The present disclosure can be applied to an imaging apparatus mounted on a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Takumi Oka, Atsushi Suzuki, Naoki Kawazu
  • Patent number: 11818333
    Abstract: An imaging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels, a scanning control section that controls scanning of the plurality of pixels, and a readout control section that controls reading of the plurality of pixels. The imaging device further includes a first waveform generation part that generates a plurality of control signals for controlling of at least one of the scanning control section or the readout control section, a second waveform generation part that generates a plurality of reference signals, and a failure detection section that detects a failure of the first waveform generation part or the second waveform generation part on a basis of comparison between the plurality of control signals and the plurality of reference signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Keita Sasaki, Naoki Kawazu, Masaki Murozuka, Yuichi Motohashi
  • Publication number: 20230336867
    Abstract: Provided is an imaging device that includes an imaging unit that performs an imaging operation, a data generator that generates first power supply voltage data corresponding to a first power supply voltage and a flag generation section that generates a flag signal for the first power supply voltage by comparing the first power supply voltage data and first reference data. The first power supply voltage is supplied to the imaging unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: NAOKI KAWAZU, KEITA SASAKI, TAKUMI OKA, YUICHI MOTOHASHI, ATSUSHI SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 11729496
    Abstract: Provided is an imaging device that includes an imaging unit that performs an imaging operation, a data generator that generates first power supply voltage data corresponding to a first power supply voltage and a flag generation section that generates a flag signal for the first power supply voltage by comparing the first power supply voltage data and first reference data. The first power supply voltage is supplied to the imaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoki Kawazu, Keita Sasaki, Takumi Oka, Yuichi Motohashi, Atsushi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20230254442
    Abstract: An imaging device capable of reporting more reliably an occurrence of trouble is provided. The imaging device of the present disclosure includes an imaging sensor configured to generate image data, a diagnosis circuit configured to perform diagnosis processing for the imaging sensor and an output circuit configured to output a flag signal corresponding to a result of the diagnosis processing, wherein the flag signal is set to a ground level signal in response to the result of the diagnosis processing indicating an error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kawazu, Masaki Murozuka, Yuichi Motohashi, Atsushi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11722799
    Abstract: An imaging device having first and second pixels is described. The first pixel includes a first transfer transistor, a first reset transistor, a first amplifier transistor and a first select transistor. The second pixel includes a first photoelectric conversion element, a second transfer transistor, a second reset transistor, a second amplifier transistor and a second select transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kawazu, Motonobu Torii, Yuichi Motohashi, Atsushi Suzuki, Junichiro Azami
  • Publication number: 20230239460
    Abstract: In one example, an imaging device including a plurality of pixel circuits, a first control line, a second control line, a first voltage supply line, a second voltage supply line, a first light-receiving element, and a diagnosis unit is disclosed. The pixel circuits each include a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, an accumulation unit, a first transistor, a second transistor, and an output unit. The first transistor is couples the third terminal to the accumulation unit on the basis of a voltage of the first terminal. The second transistor supplies a predetermined voltage to the accumulation unit on the basis of a voltage of the second terminal. The output unit outputs a signal corresponding to a voltage in the accumulation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Takumi Oka, Naoki Kawazu, Atsushi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11711633
    Abstract: An imaging device includes an imaging unit that generates image data on the basis of a first power voltage, an image processing unit that performs image processing on the image data on the basis of a second power voltage, a reference voltage generating unit that generates a first reference voltage on the basis of the first power voltage and a first flag generating unit that generates a first flag signal for the second power voltage on the basis of a comparison of the second power voltage and the first reference voltage and configured to output the first flag signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoki Kawazu, Mohammad Munirul Haque, Yuichi Motohashi, Atsushi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11706538
    Abstract: An imaging system according to the present disclosure includes: an imaging device that is mounted in a vehicle, and captures and generates an image of a peripheral region of the vehicle; and a processing device that is mounted in the vehicle, and executes processing related to a function of controlling the vehicle on the basis of the image. The imaging device includes: a first control line, a first voltage generator that applies a first voltage to the first control line, a first signal line, a plurality of pixels that applies a pixel voltage to the first signal line, a first dummy pixel that applies a voltage corresponding to the first voltage of the first control line to the first signal line in a first period, a converter including a first converter that performs AD conversion on the basis of a voltage of the first signal line in the first period to generate a first digital code, and a diagnosis section that performs diagnosis processing on the basis of the first digital code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kawazu, Atsushi Suzuki, Junichiro Azami, Motohashi Yuichi
  • Patent number: 11686630
    Abstract: To obtain an imaging device that can improve temperature detection accuracy. An imaging device of the present disclosure includes a processing unit formed on a first semiconductor substrate and capable of performing predetermined image processing on the basis of image data obtained by an imaging unit, a temperature sensor formed on the first semiconductor substrate and capable of generating a detection signal according to a temperature, and a first pad electrode formed on the first semiconductor substrate and electrically insulated from a circuit formed on the first semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kawazu, Keita Sasaki, Takumi Oka, Mohammad Munirul Haque, Nobuhiko Fujimori, Makoto Satou, Masahiro Baba, Satoshi Yamamoto, Yuichi Motohashi, Atsushi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11671555
    Abstract: To obtain imaging device capable of reporting more reliably an occurrence of trouble. The imaging device of the present disclosure includes an imaging sensor configured to generate image data, a diagnosis circuit configured to perform diagnosis processing for the imaging sensor and an output circuit configured to output a flag signal corresponding to a result of the diagnosis processing, wherein the flag signal is set to a ground level signal in response to the result of the diagnosis processing indicating an error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kawazu, Masaki Murozuka, Yuichi Motohashi, Atsushi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20230112723
    Abstract: An imaging device having first and second pixels is described. The first pixel includes a first transfer transistor, a first reset transistor, a first amplifier transistor and a first select transistor. The second pixel includes a first photoelectric conversion element, a second transfer transistor, a second reset transistor, a second amplifier transistor and a second select transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kawazu, Motonobu Torii, Yuichi Motohashi, Atsushi Suzuki, Junichiro Azami
  • Patent number: 11588990
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an imaging apparatus and an imaging method, a camera module, and an electronic apparatus that are capable of detecting a failure in an imaging device having a structure in which a plurality of substrates are stacked. The timing at which a row drive unit provided in a second substrate outputs a control signal for controlling accumulation and reading of pixel signals in a pixel array provided in a first substrate is compared with the timing at which the control signal output from the row drive unit is detected after passing through the pixel array. Depending on whether or not the timings coincides with each other, a failure is detected. The present disclosure can be applied to an imaging apparatus mounted on a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Takumi Oka, Atsushi Suzuki, Naoki Kawazu
  • Patent number: 11558568
    Abstract: An imaging device having first and second pixels is described. The first pixel includes a first transfer transistor, a first reset transistor, a first amplifier transistor and a first select transistor. The second pixel includes a first photoelectric conversion element, a second transfer transistor, a second reset transistor, a second amplifier transistor and a second select transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kawazu, Motonobu Torii, Motohashi Yuichi, Atsushi Suzuki, Junichiro Azami
  • Publication number: 20220408045
    Abstract: An imaging device includes an imaging unit that generates image data on the basis of a first power voltage, an image processing unit that performs image processing on the image data on the basis of a second power voltage, a reference voltage generating unit that generates a first reference voltage on the basis of the first power voltage and a first flag generating unit that generates a first flag signal for the second power voltage on the basis of a comparison of the second power voltage and the first reference voltage and configured to output the first flag signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: NAOKI KAWAZU, MOHAMMAD MUNIRUL HAQUE, YUICHI MOTOHASHI, ATSUSHI SUZUKI