Patents by Inventor Fumihiko Koga

Fumihiko Koga 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: 20240147091
    Abstract: Imaging devices and electronic apparatuses incorporating imaging devices are provided. An imaging device as disclosed can include a first pixel of a first pixel and a second pixel of a second pixel. The first and second pixels each have a first electrode, a portion of a photoelectric conversion film, and a portion of a second electrode, where the photoelectric conversion film is between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode of the first pixel has a first area, while the first electrode of the second pixel has a second area that is smaller than the first area. The first pixel can include a light shielding film. Alternatively or in addition, the first pixel can be divided into first and second portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke HATANO, Ryosuke NAKAMURA, Yuji UESUGI, Fumihiko KOGA, Tetsuji YAMAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20240145517
    Abstract: Provided is a solid-state image capturing element including a semiconductor substrate and first and second photoelectric conversion parts configured to convert light into electric charge. The first and the second photoelectric conversion parts each have a laminated structure including an upper electrode, a lower electrode, a photoelectric conversion film sandwiched between the upper electrode and the lower electrode, and an accumulation electrode facing the upper electrode through the photoelectric conversion film and an insulating film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicants: SONY GROUP CORPORATION, SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi MURATA, Masahiro JOEI, Fumihiko KOGA, Iwao YAGI, Shintarou HIRATA, Hideaki TOGASHI, Yosuke SAITO, Shingo TAKAHASHI
  • Patent number: 11974444
    Abstract: There is provided a solid-state image sensor, a solid-state imaging device, an electronic apparatus, and a method of manufacturing a solid-state image sensor capable of improving characteristics. There is provided a solid-state image sensor including a stacked structure that includes a semiconductor substrate, a first photoelectric converter provided above the semiconductor substrate and converting light into charges, and a second photoelectric converter provided above the first photoelectric converter and converting light into charges, where the first photoelectric converter and the second photoelectric converter include a photoelectric conversion stacked structure in which a common electrode, a photoelectric conversion film, and a readout electrode are stacked so that the first photoelectric converter and the second photoelectric converter are in a line-symmetrical relationship with each other with a vertical plane perpendicular to a stacking direction of the stacked structure as an axis of symmetry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignees: SONY CORPORATION, SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideaki Togashi, Iwao Yagi, Masahiro Joei, Fumihiko Koga, Kenichi Murata, Shintarou Hirata, Yosuke Saito, Akira Furukawa
  • Publication number: 20240107157
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a solid-state imaging device, a method for driving the solid-state imaging device, and an electronic device capable of improving auto-focusing accuracy by using a phase difference signal obtained by using a photoelectric conversion film. The solid-state imaging device includes a pixel including a photoelectric conversion portion having a structure where a photoelectric conversion film is interposed by an upper electrode on the photoelectric conversion film and a lower electrode under the photoelectric conversion film. The upper electrode is divided into a first upper electrode and a second upper electrode. The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, a solid-state imaging device or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke HATANO, Fumihiko KOGA, Tetsuji YAMAGUCHI, Shinichiro IZAWA
  • Publication number: 20240096914
    Abstract: Provided is an imaging element including a photoelectric conversion unit formed by stacking a first electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer and a second electrode. The photoelectric conversion unit further includes a charge storage electrode which is disposed to be spaced apart from the first electrode and disposed opposite to the photoelectric conversion layer via an insulating layer. The photoelectric conversion unit is formed of N number of photoelectric conversion unit segments, and the same applies to the photoelectric conversion layer, the insulating layer and the charge storage electrode. An nth photoelectric conversion unit segment is formed of an nth charge storage electrode segment, an nth insulating layer segment and an nth photoelectric conversion layer segment. As n increases, the nth photoelectric conversion unit segment is located farther from the first electrode. A thickness of the insulating layer segment gradually changes from a first to Nth photoelectric conversion unit segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira FURUKAWA, Yoshihiro ANDO, Hideaki TOGASHI, Fumihiko KOGA
  • Publication number: 20240056695
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device that can improve imaging quality by reducing variation in the voltage of a charge retention unit, a method of driving the solid-state imaging device, and an electronic apparatus. A first photoelectric conversion unit generates and accumulates signal charge by receiving light that has entered a pixel, and photoelectrically converting the light. A first charge retention unit retains the generated signal charge. A first output transistor outputs the signal charge in the first charge retention unit as a pixel signal, when the pixel is selected by the first select transistor. A first voltage control transistor controls the voltage of the output end of the first output transistor. The present technology can be applied to pixels in solid-state imaging devices, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Fumihiko KOGA
  • Patent number: 11901382
    Abstract: Provided is an imaging element including a photoelectric conversion unit formed by stacking a first electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer and a second electrode. The photoelectric conversion unit further includes a charge storage electrode which is disposed to be spaced apart from the first electrode and disposed opposite to the photoelectric conversion layer via an insulating layer. The photoelectric conversion unit is formed of N number of photoelectric conversion unit segments, and the same applies to the photoelectric conversion layer, the insulating layer and the charge storage electrode. An nth photoelectric conversion unit segment is formed of an nth charge storage electrode segment, an nth insulating layer segment and an nth photoelectric conversion layer segment. As n increases, the nth photoelectric conversion unit segment is located farther from the first electrode. A thickness of the insulating layer segment gradually changes from a first to Nth photoelectric conversion unit segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Group Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Furukawa, Yoshihiro Ando, Hideaki Togashi, Fumihiko Koga
  • Patent number: 11902678
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device that can improve imaging quality by reducing variation in the voltage of a charge retention unit, a method of driving the solid-state imaging device, and an electronic apparatus. A first photoelectric conversion unit generates and accumulates signal charge by receiving light that has entered a pixel, and photoelectrically converting the light. A first charge retention unit retains the generated signal charge. A first output transistor outputs the signal charge in the first charge retention unit as a pixel signal, when the pixel is selected by the first select transistor. A first voltage control transistor controls the voltage of the output end of the first output transistor. The present technology can be applied to pixels in solid-state imaging devices, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventor: Fumihiko Koga
  • Publication number: 20240047490
    Abstract: There is provided a solid-state image pickup device including: a semiconductor substrate; a photodiode formed in the semiconductor substrate; a transistor having a gate electrode part or all of which is embedded in the semiconductor substrate, the transistor being configured to read a signal electric charge from the photodiode via the gate electrode; and an electric charge transfer layer provided between the gate electrode and the photodiode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryosuke NAKAMURA, Fumihiko KOGA, Taiichiro WATANABE
  • Patent number: 11888012
    Abstract: Provided is a solid-state image capturing element including a semiconductor substrate and first and second photoelectric conversion parts configured to convert light into electric charge. The first and the second photoelectric conversion parts each have a laminated structure including an upper electrode, a lower electrode, a photoelectric conversion film sandwiched between the upper electrode and the lower electrode, and an accumulation electrode facing the upper electrode through the photoelectric conversion film and an insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignees: SONY CORPORATION, SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Murata, Masahiro Joei, Fumihiko Koga, Iwao Yagi, Shintarou Hirata, Hideaki Togashi, Yosuke Saito, Shingo Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11882359
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a solid-state imaging device, a method for driving the solid-state imaging device, and an electronic device capable of improving auto-focusing accuracy by using a phase difference signal obtained by using a photoelectric conversion film. The solid-state imaging device includes a pixel including a photoelectric conversion portion having a structure where a photoelectric conversion film is interposed by an upper electrode on the photoelectric conversion film and a lower electrode under the photoelectric conversion film. The upper electrode is divided into a first upper electrode and a second upper electrode. The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, a solid-state imaging device or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Keisuke Hatano, Fumihiko Koga, Tetsuji Yamaguchi, Shinichiro Izawa
  • Publication number: 20230422534
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a first electrode, a charge accumulating electrode arranged with a space from the first electrode, an isolation electrode arranged with a space from the first electrode and the charge accumulating electrode and surrounding the charge accumulating electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer formed in contact with the first electrode and above the charge accumulating electrode with an insulating layer interposed therebetween, and a second electrode formed on the photoelectric conversion layer. The isolation electrode includes a first isolation electrode and a second isolation electrode arranged with a space from the first isolation electrode, and the first isolation electrode is positioned between the first electrode and the second isolation electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yukio KANEDA, Fumihiko KOGA
  • Publication number: 20230420482
    Abstract: Provided are a light receiving element and an electronic apparatus that prevent generation of a false signal due to light emission caused by a circuit. The light receiving element includes a plurality of pixels. Each of the plurality of pixels includes: a photoelectric conversion layer that photoelectrically converts incident light; a signal reading circuit including an in-pixel transistor that is provided on a side opposite to a light incident side surface of the photoelectric conversion layer, amplifies signal charge generated by the photoelectric conversion layer, and reads the signal charge out of a pixel array; and a metal junction that bonds the photoelectric conversion layer and the signal reading circuit. The metal junction covers the in-pixel transistor when viewed from the light incident side surface of the photoelectric conversion layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Yasuhisa TOCHIGI, Taiichiro WATANABE, Fumihiko KOGA
  • Patent number: 11838662
    Abstract: Imaging devices and electronic apparatuses incorporating imaging devices are provided. An imaging device as disclosed can include a first pixel of a first pixel and a second pixel of a second pixel. The first and second pixels each have a first electrode, a portion of a photoelectric conversion film, and a portion of a second electrode, where the photoelectric conversion film is between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode of the first pixel has a first area, while the first electrode of the second pixel has a second area that is smaller than the first area. The first pixel can include a light shielding film. Alternatively or in addition, the first pixel can be divided into first and second portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Keisuke Hatano, Ryosuke Nakamura, Yuji Uesugi, Fumihiko Koga, Tetsuji Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20230388681
    Abstract: There is provided an imaging element includes a photoelectric conversion unit that includes a first electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer, and a second electrode, in which the photoelectric conversion unit further includes a charge storage electrode that has an opposite region opposite to the first electrode via an insulating layer, and a transfer control electrode that is opposite to the first electrode and the charge storage electrode via the insulating layer, and the photoelectric conversion layer is disposed above at least the charge storage electrode via the insulating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: YUSUKE SATO, FUMIHIKO KOGA
  • Publication number: 20230370738
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer, and a voltage applier. The first electrode includes a plurality of electrodes independent from each other. The second electrode pis disposed opposite to the first electrode. The photoelectric conversion layer is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The voltage applier applies different voltages to at least one of the first electrode or the second electrode during a charge accumulation period and a charge non-accumulation period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: TAIICHIRO WATANABE, TETSUJI YAMAGUCHI, YUSUKE SATO, FUMIHIKO KOGA
  • Publication number: 20230370742
    Abstract: Provided is a light detecting device, including a first electrode and a third electrode formed on a semiconductor layer, a photoelectric conversion layer formed on the first electrode and the third electrode, a second electrode formed on the photoelectric conversion layer, and an insulation film is disposed between the third electrode and the photoelectric conversion layer. A voltage of the third electrode is controlled to a voltage corresponding to a detection result which can contribute to control of discharge of charges or assist for transfer of charges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: YUJI UESUGI, FUMIHIKO KOGA, KEISUKE HATANO
  • Publication number: 20230352500
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state image sensing device capable of restricting a deterioration in photoelectric conversion characteristic of a photoelectric conversion unit, and an electronic device. A solid-state image sensing device includes: a photoelectric conversion unit formed outside a semiconductor substrate; a charge holding unit for holding signal charges generated by the photoelectric conversion unit; a reset transistor for resetting the potential of the charge holding unit; a capacitance switching transistor connected to the charge holding unit and directed for switching the capacitance of the charge holding unit; and an additional capacitance device connected to the capacitance switching transistor. The present technology is applicable to solid-state image sensing devices and the like, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Fumihiko KOGA
  • Publication number: 20230343807
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging element includes a pixel including a first imaging element, a second imaging element, a third imaging element, and an on-chip micro lens 90. The first imaging element includes a first electrode 11, a third electrode 12, and a second electrode 16. The pixel further includes a third electrode control line VOA connected to the third electrode 12 and a plurality of control lines 62B connected to various transistors included in the second and third imaging elements and different from the third electrode control line VOA. In the pixel, a distance between the center of the on-chip micro lens 90 included in the pixel and any one of the plurality of control lines 62B included in the pixel is shorter than a distance between the center of the on-chip micro lens 90 included in the pixel and the third electrode control line VOA included in the pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Nobuhiro KAWAI, Hideaki TOGASHI, Fumihiko KOGA, Tetsuji YAMAGUCHI, Shintarou HIRATA, Taiichiro WATANABE, Yoshihiro ANDO
  • Publication number: 20230335573
    Abstract: A photodetection device includes: a photoelectric conversion layer provided in a first substrate; a diffusion region provided in a second substrate attached to the first substrate, the diffusion region storing electric charge resulting from photoelectric conversion at the photoelectric conversion layer; and a coupling section having a multilayer structure including a via and a wiring layer, the coupling section being provided to extend from the first substrate to the second substrate and electrically coupling the photoelectric conversion layer and the diffusion region. The coupling section is provided in a manner in which, as viewed in a plane from a direction normal to a principal surface of each of the first substrate and the second substrate, a plane region of each layer is included in a plane region of a layer that is largest in plane region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: YASUHISA TOCHIGI, TAIICHIRO WATANABE, FUMIHIKO KOGA