Patents by Inventor Ikuhiro Yamamura

Ikuhiro Yamamura 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: 20240128286
    Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device includes a plurality of pixels, a pixel connection section, and a pixel reset section. The plurality of pixels each include a photoelectric conversion section that generates a charge according to irradiated light, a charge holding section that holds the generated charge, and a signal generation section that generates as an image signal a signal according to the held charge. The pixel connection section conducts between charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels and thereby allows each of the charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels to hold the charge that has been generated by the photoelectric conversion section of one pixel of the plurality of pixels. The pixel reset section discharges and resets the charge of the respective charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels when the pixel connection section conducts between the respective charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi ABE, Ikuhiro YAMAMURA
  • Patent number: 11916089
    Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device includes a plurality of pixels, a pixel connection section, and a pixel reset section. The plurality of pixels each include a photoelectric conversion section that generates a charge according to irradiated light, a charge holding section that holds the generated charge, and a signal generation section that generates as an image signal a signal according to the held charge. The pixel connection section conducts between charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels and thereby allows each of the charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels to hold the charge that has been generated by the photoelectric conversion section of one pixel of the plurality of pixels. The pixel reset section discharges and resets the charge of the respective charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels when the pixel connection section conducts between the respective charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Abe, Ikuhiro Yamamura
  • Publication number: 20220102452
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes: a first semiconductor substrate that includes a light emitting unit and a first drive circuit, the first drive circuit driving the light emitting unit; and a second semiconductor substrate that includes a second drive circuit to be electrically connected to the first drive circuit, the second semiconductor substrate being bonded to the first semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventor: Ikuhiro Yamamura
  • Publication number: 20220013558
    Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device includes a plurality of pixels, a pixel connection section, and a pixel reset section. The plurality of pixels each include a photoelectric conversion section that generates a charge according to irradiated light, a charge holding section that holds the generated charge, and a signal generation section that generates as an image signal a signal according to the held charge. The pixel connection section conducts between charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels and thereby allows each of the charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels to hold the charge that has been generated by the photoelectric conversion section of one pixel of the plurality of pixels. The pixel reset section discharges and resets the charge of the respective charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels when the pixel connection section conducts between the respective charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Applicant: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi ABE, Ikuhiro YAMAMURA
  • Patent number: 11152405
    Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device includes a plurality of pixels, a pixel connection section, and a pixel reset section. The plurality of pixels each include a photoelectric conversion section that generates a charge according to irradiated light, a charge holding section that holds the generated charge, and a signal generation section that generates as an image signal a signal according to the held charge. The pixel connection section conducts between charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels and thereby allows each of the charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels to hold the charge that has been generated by the photoelectric conversion section of one pixel of the plurality of pixels. The pixel reset section discharges and resets the charge of the respective charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels when the pixel connection section conducts between the respective charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Abe, Ikuhiro Yamamura
  • Publication number: 20210217787
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an imaging device and an electronic device that make it possible to obtain a better pixel signal. A photoelectric conversion part that converts received light into a charge, and a holding part that holds a charge transferred from the photoelectric conversion part are provided, the photoelectric conversion part and the holding part are formed in a semiconductor substrate having a predetermined thickness, and the holding part is formed with a thickness that is half or less of the predetermined thickness. A charge capturing region that captures a charge is further provided on a light incident side of a region where the holding part is formed. A light shielding part that shields light is formed between the photoelectric conversion part and the charge capturing region. The present technology is applicable to an imaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshimichi KUMAGAI, Takashi ABE, Ryoto YOSHITA, Ikuhiro YAMAMURA
  • Patent number: 10991734
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an imaging device and an electronic device that make it possible to obtain a better pixel signal. A photoelectric conversion part that converts received light into a charge, and a holding part that holds a charge transferred from the photoelectric conversion part are provided, the photoelectric conversion part and the holding part are formed in a semiconductor substrate having a predetermined thickness, and the holding part is formed with a thickness that is half or less of the predetermined thickness. A charge capturing region that captures a charge is further provided on a light incident side of a region where the holding part is formed. A light shielding part that shields light is formed between the photoelectric conversion part and the charge capturing region. The present technology is applicable to an imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshimichi Kumagai, Takashi Abe, Ryoto Yoshita, Ikuhiro Yamamura
  • Publication number: 20200013808
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an imaging device and an electronic device that make it possible to obtain a better pixel signal. A photoelectric conversion part that converts received light into a charge, and a holding part that holds a charge transferred from the photoelectric conversion part are provided, the photoelectric conversion part and the holding part are formed in a semiconductor substrate having a predetermined thickness, and the holding part is formed with a thickness that is half or less of the predetermined thickness. A charge capturing region that captures a charge is further provided on a light incident side of a region where the holding part is formed. A light shielding part that shields light is formed between the photoelectric conversion part and the charge capturing region. The present technology is applicable to an imaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshimichi KUMAGAI, Takashi ABE, Ryoto YOSHITA, Ikuhiro YAMAMURA
  • Publication number: 20190280029
    Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device includes a plurality of pixels, a pixel connection section, and a pixel reset section. The plurality of pixels each include a photoelectric conversion section that generates a charge according to irradiated light, a charge holding section that holds the generated charge, and a signal generation section that generates as an image signal a signal according to the held charge. The pixel connection section conducts between charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels and thereby allows each of the charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels to hold the charge that has been generated by the photoelectric conversion section of one pixel of the plurality of pixels. The pixel reset section discharges and resets the charge of the respective charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels when the pixel connection section conducts between the respective charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi ABE, Ikuhiro YAMAMURA
  • Patent number: 9450003
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device including a photoelectric conversion element operable to generate electric charge according to the amount of incident light and to accumulate the electric charge in the inside thereof, an electric-charge holding region in which the electric charge generated through photoelectric conversion by the photoelectric conversion element is held until read out, and a transfer gate having a complete transfer path through which the electric charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element is completely transferred into the electric-charge holding region, and an intermediate transfer path through which the electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion element during an exposure period and being in excess of a predetermined charge amount is transferred into the electric-charge holding region. The complete transfer path and the intermediate transfer path are formed in different regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke Oike, Takahiro Kawamura, Shinya Yamakawa, Ikuhiro Yamamura, Takashi Machida, Yasunori Sogoh, Naoki Saka
  • Patent number: 9060145
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solid-state image taking apparatus, includes: a pixel array section including unit pixels laid out two-dimensionally to form a matrix to serve as unit pixels each employing an opto-electric conversion device, a transfer transistor, a first electric-charge accumulation section, a read transistor, a second electric-charge accumulation section, a reset transistor, and an amplification transistor; a driving section; and a correction section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Kato, Tadayuki Taura, Ikuhiro Yamamura, Shinichi Yoshimura, Yusuke Oike
  • Publication number: 20150137188
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device including a photoelectric conversion element operable to generate electric charge according to the amount of incident light and to accumulate the electric charge in the inside thereof, an electric-charge holding region in which the electric charge generated through photoelectric conversion by the photoelectric conversion element is held until read out, and a transfer gate having a complete transfer path through which the electric charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element is completely transferred into the electric-charge holding region, and an intermediate transfer path through which the electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion element during an exposure period and being in excess of a predetermined charge amount is transferred into the electric-charge holding region. The complete transfer path and the intermediate transfer path are formed in different regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Yusuke Oike, Takahiro Kawamura, Shinya Yamakawa, Ikuhiro Yamamura, Takashi Machida, Yasunori Sogoh, Naoki Saka
  • Patent number: 8952432
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solid-state imaging device including a photoelectric conversion element operable to generate electric charge according to the amount of incident light and to accumulate the electric charge in the inside thereof, an electric-charge holding region in which the electric charge generated through photoelectric conversion by the photoelectric conversion element is held until read out, and a transfer gate having a complete transfer path through which the electric charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element is completely transferred into the electric-charge holding region, and an intermediate transfer path through which the electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion element during an exposure period and being in excess of a predetermined charge amount is transferred into the electric-charge holding region. The complete transfer path and the intermediate transfer path are formed in different regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Oike, Takahiro Kawamura, Shinya Yamakawa, Ikuhiro Yamamura, Takashi Machida, Yasunori Sogoh, Naoki Saka
  • Patent number: 8519456
    Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device in which electric charges accumulated in a photodiode conversion element are transferred to a second diffusion layer through a first diffusion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Masagaki, Ikuhiro Yamamura
  • Patent number: 8211740
    Abstract: To arrange diffusion-inhibitory films 5a, 5b, and 5c for inhibiting the diffusion of a wiring material absent in a region on or above a light receiving unit 2, the diffusion-inhibitory films 5a, 5b, and 5c formed on a region above the light receiving unit 2 are selectively removed. Alternatively, the diffusion-inhibitory films are arranged only on top surfaces of wirings 4a, 4b, and 4c, and only a passivation film 12 and interlayer insulating films 3a, 3b, and 3c are arranged in the region on or above the light receiving unit 2. Thus, with less interface between different insulation films and less reflection of incident light in an incident region, the incident light 13 highly efficiently passes through these insulating films and comes into the light receiving unit 2. The light receiving unit 2 can thereby receive a sufficient quantity of the incident light 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Ikuhiro Yamamura
  • Publication number: 20120154656
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging element is disclosed which includes: a pixel array portion configured to have a plurality of unit pixels arrayed two-dimensionally, the unit pixels being furnished with a photoelectric conversion portion, a transfer section, and a reset section, the transfer section being configured to transfer electrical charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion portion to a charge retention portion, the reset section being configured to reset the electrical charges of the charge retention portion; and a drive control section configured to control the driving of the unit pixels; wherein the drive control section controls the driving of the unit pixels in such a manner that prior to the charge transfer by the transfer section, the reset section resets the electrical charges of the charge retention portion in increments of a plurality of rows of the unit pixels, the plurality of rows being not adjacent to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke OIKE, Takafumi TAKATSUKA, Ikuhiro YAMAMURA
  • Publication number: 20110241079
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solid-state imaging device including a photoelectric conversion element operable to generate electric charge according to the amount of incident light and to accumulate the electric charge in the inside thereof, an electric-charge holding region in which the electric charge generated through photoelectric conversion by the photoelectric conversion element is held until read out, and a transfer gate having a complete transfer path through which the electric charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element is completely transferred into the electric-charge holding region, and an intermediate transfer path through which the electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion element during an exposure period and being in excess of a predetermined charge amount is transferred into the electric-charge holding region. The complete transfer path and the intermediate transfer path are formed in different regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke Oike, Takahiro Kawamura, Shinya Yamakawa, Ikuhiro Yamamura, Takashi Machida, Yasunori Sogoh, Naoki Saka
  • Publication number: 20110221940
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solid-state image taking apparatus, includes: a pixel array section including unit pixels laid out two-dimensionally to form a matrix to serve as unit pixels each employing an opto-electric conversion device, a transfer transistor, a first electric-charge accumulation section, a read transistor, a second electric-charge accumulation section, a reset transistor, and an amplification transistor; a driving section; and a correction section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Kato, Tadayuki Taura, Ikuhiro Yamamura, Shinichi Yoshimura, Yusuke Oike
  • Publication number: 20110079832
    Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device includes: a semiconductor substrate; and a plurality of pixel circuits formed on the semiconductor substrate; each of the plurality of pixel circuits formed on the semiconductor substrate including a photoelectric conversion element, a first buried gate electrode formed adjacent to the photoelectric conversion element, a second buried gate electrode formed away from each of the photoelectric conversion element and the first buried gate electrode, a first diffusion layer formed between the first buried gate electrode and the second buried gate electrode, and a second diffusion layer formed between the first buried gate electrode and the second buried gate electrode away from the first diffusion layer so as to overlap the first diffusion layer; wherein electric charges accumulated in the photodiode conversion element are transferred to the second diffusion layer through the first diffusion layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Masagaki, Ikuhiro Yamamura
  • Patent number: 7759712
    Abstract: To arrange diffusion-inhibitory films 5a, 5b, and 5c for inhibiting the diffusion of a wiring material absent in a region on or above a light receiving unit 2, the diffusion-inhibitory films 5a, 5b, and 5c formed on a region above the light receiving unit 2 are selectively removed. Alternatively, the diffusion-inhibitory films are arranged only on top surfaces of wirings 4a, 4b, and 4c, and only a passivation film 12 and interlayer insulating films 3a, 3b, and 3c are arranged in the region on or above the light receiving unit 2. Thus, with less interface between different insulation films and less reflection of incident light in an incident region, the incident light 13 highly efficiently passes through these insulating films and comes into the light receiving unit 2. The light receiving unit 2 can thereby receive a sufficient quantity of the incident light 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Ikuhiro Yamamura