Patents by Inventor Atsushi Toda

Atsushi Toda 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: 11526115
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, a development roller configured to supply developer to the photosensitive drum, a transfer roller configured to transfer a developer image formed on the photosensitive drum to a recording material, and a cleaning roller being in contact with the photosensitive drum, configured to clean a part of the recording material adhered to the photosensitive drum, wherein a diameter of the transfer roller is greater than a diameter of the development roller and the diameter of the transfer roller is greater than a diameter of the cleaning roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Toda, Hisashi Taniguchi, Bunro Noguchi, Shunsuke Matsushita
  • Patent number: 11424284
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a solid-state imaging device and an electronic apparatus that make it possible to estimate a normal vector to one direction with high accuracy with a simple configuration. A polarization image sensor includes a plurality of polarizers disposed on a chip and having different polarization directions, and a plurality of photoelectric conversion sections having light reception regions for receiving light transmitted through the polarizers, the light reception regions being symmetrical. The present disclosure can be applied, for example, to a polarization image sensor or the like that estimates a surface and a shape of an imaging object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi Toda
  • Publication number: 20220236661
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, a charging member for charging the photosensitive member, a cleaning member that comes into contact with the charging member and moves relative to the charging member to clean the charging member, an opening/closing member for exposing an inside of the apparatus, and a driving mechanism that moves the charging member and the cleaning member relative to each other in association with opening/closing of the opening/closing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Bunro Noguchi, Hisashi Taniguchi, Atsushi Toda, Shunsuke Matsushita
  • Patent number: 11398526
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a solid-state imaging device that can achieve a high S/N ratio at a high sensitivity level without any decrease in resolution, and to an electronic apparatus. In the upper layer, the respective pixels of a photoelectric conversion unit that absorbs light of a first wavelength are tilted at approximately 45 degrees with respect to a square pixel array, and are two-dimensionally arranged in horizontal directions and vertical directions in an oblique array. The respective pixels of a photoelectric conversion unit that is sensitive to light of a second or third wavelength are arranged under the first photoelectric conversion unit. That is, pixels that are ?2 times as large in size (twice as large in area) and are rotated 45 degrees are arranged in an oblique array. The present disclosure can be applied to solid-state imaging devices that are used in imaging apparatuses, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Toda
  • Patent number: 11386688
    Abstract: Provided is an imaging device including a light source that radiates light in at least two different wavelength bands and an imaging element that acquires signals individually from the light in the two different wavelength bands. The two different wavelength bands include a first wavelength band from 400 to 580 nm for use in dermatoglyphic pattern authentication, and a second wavelength band of 650 nm or more mainly including near-infrared rays for use in vein authentication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Toda, Koji Furumi
  • Patent number: 11333992
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, a charging member for charging the photosensitive member, a cleaning member that comes into contact with the charging member and moves relative to the charging member to clean the charging member, an opening/closing member for exposing an inside of the apparatus, and a driving mechanism that moves the charging member and the cleaning member relative to each other in association with opening/closing of the opening/closing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Bunro Noguchi, Hisashi Taniguchi, Atsushi Toda, Shunsuke Matsushita
  • Publication number: 20220146726
    Abstract: To provide a filter-based sensor capable of enhancing reliability and image quality. There is provided a solid-state imaging device including pillar structures, a filter element, a semiconductor substrate, and a photoelectric conversion element formed in the semiconductor substrate, in which the pillar structures are disposed above the semiconductor substrate in a cross-sectional view and the filter element is disposed between the semiconductor substrate and the pillar structures, and the pillar structures are configured to change a direction of an incident light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventor: ATSUSHI TODA
  • Publication number: 20220123053
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus includes a pixel array part in which a plurality of pixels are two-dimensionally arranged, in which each pixel has a first photoelectric conversion region formed above a semiconductor layer, a second photoelectric conversion region formed in the semiconductor layer, a first filter configured to transmit a light in a predetermined wavelength region corresponding to a color component, and a second filter having different transmission characteristics from the first filter, one photoelectric conversion region out of the first photoelectric conversion region and the second photoelectric conversion region photoelectrically converts a light in a visible light region, the other photoelectric conversion region photoelectrically converts a light in an infrared region, the first filter is formed above the first photoelectric conversion region, and the second filter has transmission characteristics of making wavelengths of lights in an infrared region absorbed in the other photoelectric co
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuji YAMAGUCHI, Atsushi TODA, Itaru OSHIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20220082987
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, a development roller configured to supply developer to the photosensitive drum, a transfer roller configured to transfer a developer image formed on the photosensitive drum to a recording material, and a cleaning roller being in contact with the photosensitive drum, configured to clean a part of the recording material adhered to the photosensitive drum, wherein the diameter of the transfer roller is greater than the diameter of the development roller and the diameter of the cleaning roller is greater than the diameter of the development roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Atsushi Toda, Hisashi Taniguchi, Bunro Noguchi, Shunsuke Matsushita
  • Publication number: 20220085088
    Abstract: Spectral performance in a wide wavelength range is improved. A solid-state imaging device according to an embodiment includes: a pixel array unit in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements (PD) are arranged in a two-dimensional lattice form; a plurality of diffraction gratings provided corresponding one-to-one to light-receiving surfaces of the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements; and pixel circuits configured to generate pixel signals on the basis of charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion elements, wherein a period of a first diffraction grating positioned at a first imaging height is different from a period of a second diffraction grating positioned at a second imaging height different from the first imaging height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi TODA
  • Publication number: 20220059620
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a solid-state imaging device that can achieve a high S/N ratio at a high sensitivity level without any decrease in resolution, and to an electronic apparatus. In the upper layer, the respective pixels of a photoelectric conversion unit that absorbs light of a first wavelength are tilted at approximately 45 degrees with respect to a square pixel array, and are two-dimensionally arranged in horizontal directions and vertical directions in an oblique array. The respective pixels of a photoelectric conversion unit that is sensitive to light of a second or third wavelength are arranged under the first photoelectric conversion unit. That is, pixels that are ?{square root over (2)} times as large in size (twice as large in area) and are rotated 45 degrees are arranged in an oblique array. The present disclosure can be applied to solid-state imaging devices that are used in imaging apparatuses, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi TODA
  • Patent number: 11233092
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus includes a pixel array part in which a plurality of pixels are two-dimensionally arranged, in which each pixel has a first photoelectric conversion region formed above a semiconductor layer, a second photoelectric conversion region formed in the semiconductor layer, a first filter configured to transmit a light in a predetermined wavelength region corresponding to a color component, and a second filter having different transmission characteristics from the first filter, one photoelectric conversion region out of the first photoelectric conversion region and the second photoelectric conversion region photoelectrically converts a light in a visible light region, the other photoelectric conversion region photoelectrically converts a light in an infrared region, the first filter is formed above the first photoelectric conversion region, and the second filter has transmission characteristics of making wavelengths of lights in an infrared region absorbed in the other photoelectric co
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuji Yamaguchi, Atsushi Toda, Itaru Oshiyama
  • Patent number: 11231534
    Abstract: To provide a sensor capable of enhancing reliability and image quality. There is provided a solid-state imaging device including a functional element, a spectroscopic element, a semiconductor substrate, and a photoelectric conversion element formed in the semiconductor substrate, in which the spectroscopic element is disposed between the functional element and the photoelectric conversion element, and the functional element corrects incident light to light in a direction substantially perpendicular to the photoelectric conversion element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi Toda
  • Patent number: 11227888
    Abstract: Solid-state imaging devices, methods to produce the solid-state imaging devices, and electronic apparatuses including the solid-state imaging devices, where the solid-state imaging devices include a semiconductor substrate including a light receiving surface; a plurality of photoelectric conversion parts provided within the semiconductor substrate; and a plurality of reflection portions provided in the semiconductor substrate on a side of the photoelectric conversion parts that is opposite from the light receiving surface; where each of the reflection portions includes a reflection plate and a plurality of metal wirings, and where the plurality of metal wirings are disposed in a same layer of the semiconductor substrate as the reflection plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Keisuke Hatano, Atsushi Toda
  • Patent number: 11221256
    Abstract: To provide a sensor that can improve reliability and image quality. Provided is a sensor including: at least one variable wavelength device including an optical element including at least two optical interference filters, the at least two optical interference filters arranged to face each other, the optical element having a gap between the at least two optical interference filters arranged to face each other, and a variable distance apparatus that changes a distance of the gap; and at least one photoelectric conversion element. The distance of the gap is changed to acquire continuous optical spectra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi Toda
  • Patent number: 11209768
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, a development roller configured to supply developer to the photosensitive drum, a transfer roller configured to transfer a developer image formed on the photosensitive drum to a recording material, and a cleaning roller being in contact with the photosensitive drum, configured to clean a part of the recording material adhered to the photosensitive drum, wherein the diameter of the transfer roller is greater than the diameter of the development roller and the diameter of the cleaning roller is greater than the diameter of the development roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Toda, Hisashi Taniguchi, Bunro Noguchi, Shunsuke Matsushita
  • Publication number: 20210389689
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, a charging member for charging the photosensitive member, a cleaning member that comes into contact with the charging member and moves relative to the charging member to clean the charging member, an opening/closing member for exposing an inside of the apparatus, and a driving mechanism that moves the charging member and the cleaning member relative to each other in association with opening/closing of the opening/closing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Bunro Noguchi, Hisashi Taniguchi, Atsushi Toda, Shunsuke Matsushita
  • Publication number: 20210377471
    Abstract: There is provided an imaging device, an electronic apparatus including an imaging device, and an automotive vehicle including an electronic apparatus including an imaging device, including: a first substrate including a first set of photoelectric conversion units; a second substrate including a second set of photoelectric conversion units; and an insulating layer between the first substrate and the second substrate; where the insulating layer has a capability to reflect a first wavelength range of light and transmit a second wavelength range of light that is longer than the first wavelength range of light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi TODA
  • Publication number: 20210302902
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, a development roller configured to supply developer to the photosensitive drum, a transfer roller configured to transfer a developer image formed on the photosensitive drum to a recording material, and a cleaning roller being in contact with the photosensitive drum, configured to clean a part of the recording material adhered to the photosensitive drum, wherein the diameter of the transfer roller is greater than the diameter of the development roller and the diameter of the cleaning roller is greater than the diameter of the development roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Atsushi Toda, Hisashi Taniguchi, Bunro Noguchi, Shunsuke Matsushita
  • Patent number: RE49082
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp controller, a vehicle lamp system, and a vehicle lamp control method are provided. The vehicle lamp system includes an acceleration sensor, a vehicle lamp, and the vehicle controller. The controller includes a receiver configured to receive an acceleration information detected by the acceleration sensor, a control unit configured to derive a vehicle longitudinal direction acceleration and a vehicle vertical direction acceleration from the acceleration information, and to generate a control signal for instructing an adjustment of an optical axis of the vehicle lamp, based on a variation in a ratio between a temporal change amount of the vehicle longitudinal direction acceleration and a temporal change amount of the vehicle vertical direction acceleration during at least one of an acceleration and a deceleration of a vehicle, and a transmitter configured to transmit the control signal to an optical axis adjusting portion of the vehicle lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Kasaba, Masashi Yamazaki, Atsushi Toda