Patents by Inventor Toshio Kameshima

Toshio Kameshima 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).

  • Patent number: 10992883
    Abstract: A radiation imaging system includes a two-dimensional array in which a plurality of elements which detect radiation are two-dimensionally arrayed. The plurality of elements includes a plurality of detectors usable for exposure control of stopping radiation irradiation in accordance with a fact that a radiation irradiation dose has reached a target irradiation dose. The radiation imaging system includes a controller configured to determine, based on a setting of a reading manner of signals from the plurality of detectors, a minimum irradiation time required from the start of radiation irradiation until the stop of radiation irradiation according to signals from the two-dimensional array and perform an error process when the minimum irradiation time exceeds a reference irradiation time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshio Kameshima, Hideyuki Okada, Eriko Sato
  • Patent number: 10551721
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus that includes a plurality of sensors, a readout unit and a control unit, wherein the control unit performs a first control of reading out signals from sensors after radiation irradiation is started, and a second control of outputting a control signal to end the radiation irradiation when a calculated value calculated based on an output of the readout unit in the first control reaches a reference value, and the control unit, in the first control, reads out the signals from the sensors by changing a signal amplification ratio of the readout unit such that a value of an output of the readout unit is not saturated, and, in the second control, calculates the calculated value by accumulating the output of the readout unit in consideration of the signal amplification ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Eriko Sato, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Hideyuki Okada, Takuya Ryu
  • Patent number: 10234574
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus includes a pixel array having a plurality of pixels configured to detect radiation, a detector configured to detect radiation irradiation, and a controller. In a case in which a measured value obtained by using the detector exceeds a threshold in one range out of a positive range and a negative range with respect to a reference value, the controller controls a radiation image capturing operation by determining that the radiation irradiation has started. The controller changes the threshold in accordance with the measured value of the other range out of the positive range and the negative range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Iwashita, Toshio Kameshima, Hideyuki Okada, Eriko Sato
  • Publication number: 20180295294
    Abstract: A radiation imaging system includes a two-dimensional array in which a plurality of elements which detect radiation are two-dimensionally arrayed. The plurality of elements includes a plurality of detectors usable for exposure control of stopping radiation irradiation in accordance with a fact that a radiation irradiation dose has reached a target irradiation dose. The radiation imaging system includes a controller configured to determine, based on a setting of a reading manner of signals from the plurality of detectors, a minimum irradiation time required from the start of radiation irradiation until the stop of radiation irradiation according to signals from the two-dimensional array and perform an error process when the minimum irradiation time exceeds a reference irradiation time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Toshio Kameshima, Hideyuki Okada, Eriko Sato
  • Patent number: 10009990
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprises a detecting unit for converting radiation or light into an electric signal provided with a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, each of the pixels including a conversion element and a switching element, a drive circuit unit for controlling a conducting state of the switching element, and a control circuit unit for controlling the drive circuit unit based on the electric signal converted by the detecting unit. The control circuit unit controls the drive circuit unit to perform steps including the drive circuit unit setting the switching elements at the conducting state row by row to acquire an offset image based on the signal accumulated in the plurality of pixels for subtraction processing of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsuro Takenaka, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Sho Sato, Atsushi Iwashita, Eriko Sugawara
  • Publication number: 20180172851
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus includes a pixel array having a plurality of pixels configured to detect radiation, a detector configured to detect radiation irradiation, and a controller. In a case in which a measured value obtained by using the detector exceeds a threshold in one range out of a positive range and a negative range with respect to a reference value, the controller controls a radiation image capturing operation by determining that the radiation irradiation has started. The controller changes the threshold in accordance with the measured value of the other range out of the positive range and the negative range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Atsushi IWASHITA, Toshio KAMESHIMA, Hideyuki OKADA, Eriko SATO
  • Patent number: 9989656
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus includes a pixel array where a plurality of pixels configured to detect radiation are arrayed, a sensor configured to detect radiation irradiation for exposure control, a reader configured to read out signals from the plurality of pixels and the sensor, and a processor configured to process the signals read out by the reader. The processor corrects, based on the signals read out from the sensor by the reader, the signals read out from the plurality of pixels by the reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Eriko Sato, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka, Atsushi Iwashita, Hideyuki Okada, Takuya Ryu, Kosuke Terui
  • Patent number: 9980685
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus comprising a plurality of sensors arrayed to form a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns on a substrate and a driving unit configured to drive the plurality of sensors row by row, wherein the driving unit performs a first operation of driving the plurality of sensors while selecting the plurality of rows in a first order, and a second operation of driving the plurality of sensors while selecting the plurality of rows in a second order different from the first order after the first operation, such that a time difference is produced between a sensor in each row and a sensor in a neighboring row from the selection in the first order to the selection in the second order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Iwashita, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka, Hideyuki Okada, Eriko Sato, Takuya Ryu, Kosuke Terui
  • Patent number: 9971046
    Abstract: A radiation imaging system for performing a plurality of times of radiation imaging is provided. A readout circuit generates a value corresponding to a signal read out from each pixel. A control unit causes the readout circuit to generate a first pixel value corresponding to a signal read out from each pixel, and a first offset value of the readout circuit before starting the plurality of times of radiation imaging. The control unit causes the readout circuit to generate a second pixel value corresponding to a signal read out from each pixel, and a second offset value of the readout circuit during a plurality of times of radiation imaging. A correction unit corrects the second pixel value by using the first pixel value, the first offset value, and the second offset value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuya Ryu, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka, Atsushi Iwashita, Eriko Sato, Hideyuki Okada, Kosuke Terui
  • Publication number: 20180129120
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus that includes a plurality of sensors, a readout unit and a control unit, wherein the control unit performs a first control of reading out signals from sensors after radiation irradiation is started, and a second control of outputting a control signal to end the radiation irradiation when a calculated value calculated based on an output of the readout unit in the first control reaches a reference value, and the control unit, in the first control, reads out the signals from the sensors by changing a signal amplification ratio of the readout unit such that a value of an output of the readout unit is not saturated, and, in the second control, calculates the calculated value by accumulating the output of the readout unit in consideration of the signal amplification ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Eriko Sato, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Hideyuki Okada, Takuya Ryu
  • Patent number: 9910169
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus includes a pixel array having a plurality of pixels configured to detect radiation, a detector configured to detect radiation irradiation, and a controller. In a case in which a measured value obtained by using the detector exceeds a threshold in one range out of a positive range and a negative range with respect to a reference value, the controller controls a radiation image capturing operation by determining that the radiation irradiation has started. The controller changes the threshold in accordance with the measured value of the other range out of the positive range and the negative range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Iwashita, Toshio Kameshima, Hideyuki Okada, Eriko Sato
  • Publication number: 20180063933
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus includes a pixel array including pixels for detecting radiation and column signal lines, a detector for detecting signals that appear in the column signal lines, and a controller. Each pixel includes a conversion element for converting radiation into an electrical signal and a switch for connecting the conversion element and a column signal line. In a state in which the switches of the pixels irradiated with radiation are open, the detector detects, as a radiation signal, a signal appearing in at least one column signal line. The controller converts an integrated value of the radiation signal into an integrated irradiation amount of radiation. The controller determines, based on the radiation signal and a signal read out by the detector from at least one pixel in a state in which the switch of the at least one pixel of the pixels is closed, a conversion coefficient to convert the integrated value into the integrated irradiation amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Hideyuki Okada, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Eriko Sato, Takuya Ryu
  • Patent number: 9885790
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus that includes a plurality of sensors and a control unit, wherein the control unit performs a first control of monitoring, after a radiation irradiation is started, a signal of a first sensor and accumulating the monitored signal of the first sensor, a second control of outputting, in response to a calculated value obtained by the accumulation and reaching a target value, a control signal to end the radiation irradiation, and a third control of reading out, after the radiation irradiation is ended, the signals of the respective plurality of sensors, and the control unit changes a monitoring cycle of the first control based on the target value and an elapsed time since the radiation irradiation has been started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideyuki Okada, Toshio Kameshima, Eriko Sato
  • Patent number: 9846245
    Abstract: A radiographic image capturing apparatus includes: a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels outputting an electrical signal corresponding to radiation are arranged; a readout circuit section; and a member for preventing radiation from entering the readout circuit section. The pixel array includes a first region in which some pixels used for generating image signals are arranged, and a second region in which other pixels not used for generating the image signals are arranged in at least part of a region around the first region. From an outer side toward an inner side of the pixel array, an end on the inner side of the readout circuit section disposed in the second region, an end on the inner side of an orthogonal projection of the member to the pixel array, and an end on the inner side of the second region are arranged in this order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuro Takenaka, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Atsushi Iwashita, Eriko Sato, Hideyuki Okada, Takuya Ryu, Kosuke Terui, Takashi Takasaki
  • Patent number: 9812474
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a pixel that generates charge; an integral amplifier that integrates charge transferred from the pixel; a low pass filter to which output of the integral amplifier is supplied and whose time constant is variable; first and second sample-and-hold circuits that sample and hold output of the low pass filter before and after the charge is transferred from the pixel to the integral amplifier, respectively; a differential circuit that outputs a difference between signals held by the first and second sample-and-hold circuits; and a control circuit that changes the time constant. The control circuit decreases the time constant after the sampling by the first sample-and-hold circuit ends, and increases the time constant in the middle of the sampling by the second sample-and-hold circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Yagi, Toshio Kameshima, Katsuro Takenaka, Sho Sato, Hideyuki Okada, Atsushi Iwashita, Eriko Sato, Takuya Ryu
  • Publication number: 20170303878
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus comprising a plurality of sensors arrayed to form a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns on a substrate and a driving unit configured to drive the plurality of sensors row by row, wherein the driving unit performs a first operation of driving the plurality of sensors while selecting the plurality of rows in a first order, and a second operation of driving the plurality of sensors while selecting the plurality of rows in a second order different from the first order after the first operation, such that a time difference is produced between a sensor in each row and a sensor in a neighboring row from the selection in the first order to the selection in the second order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Atsushi Iwashita, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka, Hideyuki Okada, Eriko Sato, Takuya Ryu, Kosuke Terui
  • Patent number: 9743018
    Abstract: A radiation imaging system capable of obtaining excellent image quality is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Iwashita, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka, Hideyuki Okada, Sho Sato, Eriko Sato, Takuya Ryu
  • Patent number: 9737271
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus comprising a plurality of sensors arrayed to form a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns on a substrate and a driving unit configured to drive the plurality of sensors row by row, wherein the driving unit performs a first operation of driving the plurality of sensors while selecting the plurality of rows in a first order, and a second operation of driving the plurality of sensors while selecting the plurality of rows in a second order different from the first order after the first operation, such that a time difference is produced between a sensor in each row and a sensor in a neighboring row from the selection in the first order to the selection in the second order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Iwashita, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka, Hideyuki Okada, Eriko Sato, Takuya Ryu, Kosuke Terui
  • Patent number: 9655586
    Abstract: Provided is a radiation imaging apparatus, including: a first conversion element arranged to convert a radiation ray into electric charge in order to obtain a radiographic image; a first amplifier arranged to output a voltage corresponding to the electric charge of the first conversion element; a second conversion element arranged to convert the radiation ray into electric charge in order to detect radiation irradiation; a second amplifier arranged to output a voltage corresponding to the electric charge of the second conversion element; and a control circuit configured to control the first amplifier and the second amplifier, in which the control circuit is capable of controlling the second amplifier independently of control that is exerted over the first amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Yagi, Toshio Kameshima, Katsuro Takenaka, Atsushi Iwashita, Eriko Sato, Hideyuki Okada, Takuya Ryu, Kosuke Terui
  • Patent number: RE49401
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus includes a pixel array having pixels including conversion elements and switching elements, a bias line for supplying a bias potential to the conversion elements; driving lines for supplying a signal to control the switching elements, a driving unit for performing an initialization operation of supplying a driving signal to each driving line group, switching each driving signal from an OFF voltage to an ON voltage, and then returning the driving signal to the OFF voltage; an acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of times in each driving cycle a signal value representing a current flowing through the bias line; a calculation unit configured to calculate radiation information based on the signal values; and a determination unit configured to determine whether irradiation of the pixel array with radiation is present based on the radiation information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Iwashita, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka, Hideyuki Okada, Sho Sato, Eriko Sato, Takuya Ryu