Patents by Inventor RYOHEI KAWASAKI
RYOHEI KAWASAKI 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).
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Publication number: 20240064438Abstract: Each of a plurality of pixels includes a light receiving element that generates an electric charge in response to received light, a pixel circuit that outputs an analog signal in accordance with the electric charge, and a conversion circuit that converts the analog signal into a digital signal based on a reference signal whose voltage changes stepwise. A generation unit that generates, as reference signals, a first reference signal to be supplied to a first pixel of the plurality of pixels and a second reference signal to be supplied to a second pixel of the plurality of pixels different from the first pixel. The first reference signal is supplied to the first pixel of the plurality of pixels via a first wiring, and the second reference signal is supplied to the second pixel of the plurality of pixels different from the first pixel via a second wiring.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventor: RYOHEI KAWASAKI
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Patent number: 11843892Abstract: Provided is an imaging device that includes a plurality of pixels, where each of the plurality of pixels includes a light receiving element that generates an electric charge in response to received light, a pixel circuit that outputs an analog signal in accordance with the electric charge generated by the light receiving element, and a conversion circuit that converts the analog signal output from the pixel circuit into a digital signal on the basis of a reference signal whose voltage changes stepwise. The imaging device further includes a generation unit that generates, as reference signals, a first reference signal and a second reference signal, where the first reference signal is supplied to a first pixel of the plurality of pixels via a first wiring, and the second reference signal is supplied to a second pixel of the plurality of pixels different from the first pixel via a second wiring.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2020Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATIONInventor: Ryohei Kawasaki
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Patent number: 11838672Abstract: A solid-state imaging element that detects address events captures high-quality images. The solid-state imaging element includes a pixel array section that has a plurality of pixels including a specific pixel arranged in a two-dimensional lattice pattern. The specific pixel includes a pixel circuit and two analog-digital converters. The pixel circuit outputs two analog signals proportional to an amount of charge produced by photoelectric conversion. The analog-digital converters convert the respective two analog signals into digital signals with different resolutions.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2021Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATIONInventors: Masaki Sakakibara, Ryohei Kawasaki
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Patent number: 11595601Abstract: In a solid-state imaging element that transfers data in a vertical direction, the number of times of transfer is reduced. The solid-state imaging element is provided with a plurality of storage units and a data transfer circuit. In the solid-state imaging element, each of the plurality of storage units is provided with a holding unit that holds predetermined reset data and signal data according to an amount of light, and an arithmetic circuit that obtains a difference between the reset data and the signal data to output as pixel data. Furthermore, the data transfer circuit in the solid-state imaging element transfers the output pixel data.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2019Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATIONInventor: Ryohei Kawasaki
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Patent number: 11457169Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a solid-state imaging element and electronic equipment that make it possible to sufficiently secure a time width of a pulse signal. In an AD converter for each unit pixel, a pulse generation circuit feeds back a delay signal obtained by delaying an output signal of the comparator to the comparator and arithmetically operates the output signal and the delay signal to generate a pulse signal. A latch circuit latches the pulse signal generated by the pulse generation circuit. The present disclosure can be applied to a solid-state imaging element of a stacked type and a back side illumination type.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2021Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATIONInventor: Ryohei Kawasaki
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Patent number: 11323645Abstract: Power consumption is reduced in a solid-state imaging element including a differential input circuit for each pixel. The solid-state imaging element includes a current source circuit, a pair of differential transistors, and a digital signal generating unit. The current source circuit in the solid-state imaging element supplies a predetermined constant current in a case where a predetermined enable signal is input. The pair of differential transistors generates a differential amplified signal using the constant current, the differential amplified signal being obtained by amplifying a difference between an analog signal generated by a pixel circuit and a predetermined reference signal. The digital signal generating unit generates a digital signal from the differential amplified signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2019Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions CorporationInventor: Ryohei Kawasaki
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Publication number: 20220053156Abstract: Each of a plurality of pixels includes: a light receiving element (100) that generates an electric charge in response to received light; a pixel circuit (11) that outputs an analog signal in accordance with the electric charge generated by the light receiving element; and a conversion circuit (12) that converts the analog signal output from the pixel circuit into a digital signal on the basis of a reference signal whose voltage changes stepwise. A generation unit (5) generates, as reference signals, a first reference signal to be supplied to a first pixel of the plurality of pixels and a second reference signal to be supplied to a second pixel of the plurality of pixels different from the first pixel. The first reference signal is supplied to the first pixel of the plurality of pixels via the first wiring (1031a), and the second reference signal is supplied to the second pixel of the plurality of pixels different from the first pixel via the second wiring (1031b).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2020Publication date: February 17, 2022Inventor: RYOHEI KAWASAKI
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Publication number: 20220014695Abstract: In a solid-state imaging element that transfers data in a vertical direction, the number of times of transfer is reduced. The solid-state imaging element is provided with a plurality of storage units and a data transfer circuit. In the solid-state imaging element, each of the plurality of storage units is provided with a holding unit that holds predetermined reset data and signal data according to an amount of light, and an arithmetic circuit that obtains a difference between the reset data and the signal data to output as pixel data. Furthermore, the data transfer circuit in the solid-state imaging element transfers the output pixel data.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2019Publication date: January 13, 2022Inventor: RYOHEI KAWASAKI
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Publication number: 20210409637Abstract: A solid-state imaging element that detects address events captures high-quality images. The solid-state imaging element includes a pixel array section that has a plurality of pixels including a specific pixel arranged in a two-dimensional lattice pattern. The specific pixel includes a pixel circuit and two analog-digital converters. The pixel circuit outputs two analog signals proportional to an amount of charge produced by photoelectric conversion. The analog-digital converters convert the respective two analog signals into digital signals with different resolutions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: MASAKI SAKAKIBARA, RYOHEI KAWASAKI
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Publication number: 20210329188Abstract: Power consumption is reduced in a solid-state imaging element including a differential input circuit for each pixel. The solid-state imaging element includes a current source circuit, a pair of differential transistors, and a digital signal generating unit. The current source circuit in the solid-state imaging element supplies a predetermined constant current in a case where a predetermined enable signal is input. The pair of differential transistors generates a differential amplified signal using the constant current, the differential amplified signal being obtained by amplifying a difference between an analog signal generated by a pixel circuit and a predetermined reference signal. The digital signal generating unit generates a digital signal from the differential amplified signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2019Publication date: October 21, 2021Inventor: Ryohei Kawasaki
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Publication number: 20210329186Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a solid-state imaging element and electronic equipment that make it possible to sufficiently secure a time width of a pulse signal. In an AD converter for each unit pixel, a pulse generation circuit feeds back a delay signal obtained by delaying an output signal of the comparator to the comparator and arithmetically operates the output signal and the delay signal to generate a pulse signal. A latch circuit latches the pulse signal generated by the pulse generation circuit. The present disclosure can be applied to a solid-state imaging element of a stacked type and a back side illumination type.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2021Publication date: October 21, 2021Inventor: RYOHEI KAWASAKI
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Publication number: 20210321057Abstract: In a memory circuit that stores pixel data, the pixel data is read out in a predetermined order. A plurality of memory elements stores the values of a plurality of pixels. A counter sequentially outputs count values is synchronization with a clock. A plurality of decoders is provided for the plurality of memory elements in one-to-one correspondence. When detecting that the count value has reached a predetermined value, the plurality of decoders performs control to read the stored contents from the corresponding memory elements. An output unit outputs the stored contents read from one of the plurality of memory elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2019Publication date: October 14, 2021Inventor: Ryohei Kawasaki
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Patent number: 11146751Abstract: A solid-state imaging element that detects address events captures high-quality images. The solid-state imaging element includes a pixel array section that has a plurality of pixels including a specific pixel arranged in a two-dimensional lattice pattern. The specific pixel includes a pixel circuit and two analog-digital converters. The pixel circuit outputs two analog signals proportional to an amount of charge produced by photoelectric conversion. The analog-digital converters convert the respective two analog signals into digital signals with different resolutions.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2018Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATIONInventors: Masaki Sakakibara, Ryohei Kawasaki
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Patent number: 11082654Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a solid-state imaging element and electronic equipment that make it possible to sufficiently secure a time width of a pulse signal. In an AD converter for each unit pixel, a pulse generation circuit feeds back a delay signal obtained by delaying an output signal of the comparator to the comparator and arithmetically operates the output signal and the delay signal to generate a pulse signal. A latch circuit latches the pulse signal generated by the pulse generation circuit. The present disclosure can be applied to a solid-state imaging element of a stacked type and a back side illumination type.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2017Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATIONInventor: Ryohei Kawasaki
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Publication number: 20200128205Abstract: A solid-state imaging element that detects address events captures high-quality images. The solid-state imaging element includes a pixel array section that has a plurality of pixels including a specific pixel arranged in a two-dimensional lattice pattern. The specific pixel includes a pixel circuit and two analog-digital converters. The pixel circuit outputs two analog signals proportional to an amount of charge produced by photoelectric conversion. The analog-digital converters convert the respective two analog signals into digital signals with different resolutions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2018Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: MASAKI SAKAKIBARA, RYOHEI KAWASAKI
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Publication number: 20190335127Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a solid-state imaging element and electronic equipment that make it possible to sufficiently secure a time width of a pulse signal. In an AD converter for each unit pixel, a pulse generation circuit feeds back a delay signal obtained by delaying an output signal of the comparator to the comparator and arithmetically operates the output signal and the delay signal to generate a pulse signal. A latch circuit latches the pulse signal generated by the pulse generation circuit. The present disclosure can be applied to a solid-state imaging element of a stacked type and a back side illumination type.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2017Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventor: RYOHEI KAWASAKI