Patents by Inventor Toshifumi Wakano

Toshifumi Wakano 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: 20240121529
    Abstract: To provide a solid-state imaging device and an electronic apparatus capable of achieving both of a high dynamic range operation and an auto focus operation in a pixel configuration in which a plurality of unit pixels includes two or more subpixels. There is provided a solid-state imaging device including: a first pixel separation region that separates a plurality of unit pixels including two or more subpixels; a second pixel separation region that separates each of the plurality of unit pixels separated by the first pixel separation region; and an overflow region that causes signal charges accumulated in the subpixels to overflow to at least one of adjacent subpixels, in which the overflow region is formed between a first subpixel and a second subpixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: HIROFUMI YAMASHITA, SHOHEI SHIMADA, YUSUKE OTAKE, YUSUKE TANAKA, TOSHIFUMI WAKANO
  • Patent number: 11948958
    Abstract: The solid-state imaging element includes a photoelectric converter, a first separator, and a second separator. The photoelectric converter is configured to perform photoelectric conversion of incident light. The first separator configured to separate the photoelectric converter is formed in a first trench formed from a first surface side. The second separator configured to separate the photoelectric converter is formed in a second trench formed from a second surface side facing a first surface. The present technology is applicable to an individual imaging element mounted on, e.g., a camera and configured to acquire an image of an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideyuki Honda, Tetsuya Uchida, Toshifumi Wakano, Yusuke Tanaka, Yoshiharu Kudoh, Hirotoshi Nomura, Tomoyuki Hirano, Shinichi Yoshida, Yoichi Ueda, Kosuke Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 11937002
    Abstract: Provided is a solid-state imaging device and an electronic apparatus capable of achieving both of a high dynamic range operation and an auto focus operation in a pixel configuration in which a plurality of unit pixels includes two or more subpixels. The solid-state imaging device includes a first pixel separation region that separates a plurality of unit pixels including two or more subpixels, a second pixel separation region that separates each of the plurality of unit pixels separated by the first pixel separation region and an overflow region that causes signal charges accumulated in the subpixels to overflow to at least one of adjacent subpixels, in which the overflow region is formed between a first subpixel and a second subpixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirofumi Yamashita, Shohei Shimada, Yusuke Otake, Yusuke Tanaka, Toshifumi Wakano
  • Patent number: 11929380
    Abstract: There is provided a solid-state image-capturing element capable of reducing the capacitance by using a hollow region. At least a part of a region between an FD wiring connected to a floating diffusion and a wiring other than the FD wiring is a hollow region. The present disclosure can be applied to a CMOS image sensor having, for example, a floating diffusion, a transfer transistor, an amplifying transistor, a selection transistor, a reset transistor, and a photodiode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke Tanaka, Takashi Nagano, Toshifumi Wakano, Takeshi Matsunuma
  • Publication number: 20240072080
    Abstract: A light detection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a semiconductor substrate that includes a first surface and a second surface opposed to each other, and includes a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels is disposed in an array; a semiconductor layer that is provided on a side of the first surface of the semiconductor substrate; a light receiver that is provided inside the semiconductor substrate for each of the pixels, and generates carriers corresponding to a received light amount by photoelectric conversion; a multiplier that includes a first conduction-type region and a second conduction-type region sequentially stacked on the side of the first surface, at least the second conduction-type region being provided in the semiconductor layer, and that performs avalanche multiplication on the carriers generated by the light receiver; a first electrode that is provided on the side of the first surface, and is electrically coupled to the light receiver; and a second elect
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Yusuke Otake, Toshifumi Wakano
  • Publication number: 20240038810
    Abstract: A sensor includes a first substrate including at least a first pixel. The first pixel includes an avalanche photodiode to convert incident light into electric charge and includes an anode and a cathode. The cathode is in a well region of the first substrate. The first pixel includes an isolation region that isolates the well region from at least a second pixel that is adjacent to the first pixel. The first pixel includes a hole accumulation region between the isolation region and the well region. The hole accumulation region is electrically connected to the anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke OTAKE, Akira MATSUMOTO, Junpei YAMAMOTO, Ryusei NAITO, Masahiko NAKAMIZO, Toshifumi WAKANO
  • Publication number: 20230411416
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging element of a pixel sharing type with improved driving of transistors is disclosed. A first electric charge accumulating section and a second electric charge accumulating section are arranged in a predetermined direction. A first transfer section transfers electric charge from first photoelectric conversion elements to the first electric charge accumulating section, causing it to accumulate the electric charge. A second transfer section transfers electric charge from second photoelectric conversion elements to the second electric charge accumulating section, causing it to accumulate the electric charge. A first transistor is configured to output a signal corresponding to an amount of the electric charge accumulated in each of the first electric charge accumulating section and the second electric charge accumulating section. A second transistor is arranged with the first transistor in the predetermined direction and connected in parallel to the first transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Nakadate, Toshifumi Wakano, Masahiko Nakamizo
  • Patent number: 11849219
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image pickup device that enables inhibition of occurrence of color mixture or noise, and an electronic apparatus. The image pickup device of the present disclosure includes an image plane phase difference detection pixel for obtaining a phase difference signal for image plane phase difference AF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Kyohei Yoshimura, Toshifumi Wakano, Yusuke Otake
  • Patent number: 11818486
    Abstract: To improve accuracy of distance measurement using a Z pixel having the same size as size of a visible light pixel. In a solid-state imaging apparatus, a visible light converting block includes a plurality of visible light converting units in which light receiving faces for receiving visible light are disposed and configured to generate electric charges in accordance with a light receiving amount of the received visible light, and a visible light electric charge holding unit configured to exclusively hold the electric charges respectively generated by the plurality of visible light converting units in periods different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya Sano, Toshifumi Wakano
  • Patent number: 11791359
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a light detecting element and a method of manufacturing the same that make it possible to reduce pixel size. The light detecting element includes a plurality of pixels arranged in the form of a matrix. Each of the pixels includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type formed in an outer peripheral portion in the vicinity of a pixel boundary, and a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type opposite from the first conductivity type formed on the inside of the first semiconductor layer as viewed in plan. A high field region formed by the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer when a reverse bias voltage is applied is configured to be formed in a depth direction of a substrate. The present technology is, for example, applicable to a photon counter or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Otake, Toshifumi Wakano
  • Patent number: 11756971
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging element of a pixel sharing type with improved driving of transistors is disclosed. A first electric charge accumulating section and a second electric charge accumulating section are arranged in a predetermined direction. A first transfer section transfers electric charge from first photoelectric conversion elements to the first electric charge accumulating section, causing it to accumulate the electric charge. A second transfer section transfers electric charge from second photoelectric conversion elements to the second electric charge accumulating section, causing it to accumulate the electric charge. A first transistor is configured to output a signal corresponding to an amount of the electric charge accumulated in each of the first electric charge accumulating section and the second electric charge accumulating section. A second transistor is arranged with the first transistor in the predetermined direction and connected in parallel to the first transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Nakadate, Toshifumi Wakano, Masahiko Nakamizo
  • Publication number: 20230247317
    Abstract: Imaging devices and electronic apparatuses with one or more shared pixel structures are provided. The shared pixel structure includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices or photodiodes. Each photodiode in the shared pixel structure is located within a rectangular area. The shared pixel structure also includes a plurality of shared transistors. The shared transistors in the shared pixel structure are located adjacent the photoelectric conversion devices of the shared pixel structure. The rectangular area can have two short sides and two long sides, with the shared transistors located along one of the long sides. In addition, a length of one or more of the transistors can be extended in a direction parallel to the long side of the rectangular area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: NANAKO KATO, TOSHIFUMI WAKANO, YUSUKE OTAKE
  • Publication number: 20230246055
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a first chip. The first chip includes a first pixel and a second pixel. The first pixel includes a first anode region and a first cathode region, and the second pixel includes a second anode region and a second cathode region. The first chip includes a first wiring layer. The first wiring layer includes a first anode electrode, a first anode via coupled to the first anode electrode and the first anode region, and a second anode via coupled to the first anode electrode and the second anode region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji KOBAYASHI, Toshifumi WAKANO, Yusuke OTAKE
  • Publication number: 20230238405
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device capable of achieving high detection efficiency and low jitter without depending on an increase in thickness of a substrate. A semiconductor device is provided with a plurality of pixels in each of which an avalanche photodiode element that photoelectrically converts incident light is formed, and each of the plurality of pixels is provided with a substrate including a first semiconductor material, and a stacked portion stacked on a surface on a light incident side of the substrate and including a second semiconductor material different from the first semiconductor material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shohei SHIMADA, Yusuke OTAKE, Toshifumi WAKANO
  • Patent number: 11699716
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a first chip. The first chip includes a first pixel and a second pixel. The first pixel includes a first anode region and a first cathode region, and the second pixel includes a second anode region and a second cathode region. The first chip includes a first wiring layer. The first wiring layer includes a first anode electrode, a first anode via coupled to the first anode electrode and the first anode region, and a second anode via coupled to the first anode electrode and the second anode region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Kobayashi, Toshifumi Wakano, Yusuke Otake
  • Patent number: 11683601
    Abstract: Imaging devices and electronic apparatuses with one or more shared pixel structures are provided. The shared pixel structure includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices or photodiodes. Each photodiode in the shared pixel structure is located within a rectangular area. The shared pixel structure also includes a plurality of shared transistors. The shared transistors in the shared pixel structure are located adjacent the photoelectric conversion devices of the shared pixel structure. The rectangular area can have two short sides and two long sides, with the shared transistors located along one of the long sides. In addition, a length of one or more of the transistors can be extended in a direction parallel to the long side of the rectangular area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nanako Kato, Toshifumi Wakano, Yusuke Otake
  • Patent number: 11652175
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a light reception device and a distance measurement module whose characteristic can be improved. The light reception device includes an on-chip lens, a wiring layer, and a semiconductor layer arranged between the on-chip lens and the wiring layer. The semiconductor layer includes a first tap having a first voltage application portion and a first charge detection portion arranged around the first voltage application portion, and a second tap having a second voltage application portion and a second charge detection portion arranged around the second voltage application portion. Furthermore, the light reception device is configured such that a phase difference is detected using signals detected by the first tap and the second tap. The present technology can be applied, for example, to a light reception device that generates distance information, for example, by a ToF method, and so forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuro Murase, Ryota Watanabe, Toshifumi Wakano, Takuya Maruyama, Yusuke Otake, Tsutomu Imoto, Yuji Isogai
  • Patent number: 11647301
    Abstract: Imaging devices and electronic apparatuses with one or more shared pixel structures are provided. The shared pixel structure includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices or photodiodes. Each photodiode in the shared pixel structure is located within a rectangular area. The shared pixel structure also includes a plurality of shared transistors. The shared transistors in the shared pixel structure are located adjacent the photoelectric conversion devices of the shared pixel structure. The rectangular area can have two short sides and two long sides, with the shared transistors located along one of the long sides. In addition, a length of one or more of the transistors can be extended in a direction parallel to the long side of the rectangular area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nanako Kato, Toshifumi Wakano, Yusuke Otake
  • Publication number: 20230136655
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging element of a pixel sharing type with improved driving of transistors is disclosed. A first electric charge accumulating section and a second electric charge accumulating section are arranged in a predetermined direction. A first transfer section transfers electric charge from first photoelectric conversion elements to the first electric charge accumulating section, causing it to accumulate the electric charge. A second transfer section transfers electric charge from second photoelectric conversion elements to the second electric charge accumulating section, causing it to accumulate the electric charge. A first transistor is configured to output a signal corresponding to an amount of the electric charge accumulated in each of the first electric charge accumulating section and the second electric charge accumulating section. A second transistor is arranged with the first transistor in the predetermined direction and connected in parallel to the first transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Nakadate, Toshifumi Wakano, Masahiko Nakamizo
  • Publication number: 20230132945
    Abstract: To improve sensitivity to near-infrared light and suppress deterioration of timing jitter characteristics. A photodetector includes: a pixel region in which a plurality of pixels each having a photoelectric converter is arranged in a matrix, in which the photoelectric converter includes: a first semiconductor portion segmented by a separator; a second semiconductor portion provided on a side of a first face of the first semiconductor portion, the first face being opposite to a second face of the first semiconductor portion, the second semiconductor portion containing germanium; a light absorber with which the second semiconductor portion is provided, the light absorber being configured to absorb light having entered the second semiconductor portion to generate a carrier; and a multiplier with which the first semiconductor portion is provided, the multiplier being configured to avalanche-multiply the carrier generated by the light absorber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Yusuke Otake, Toshifumi Wakano