Patents by Inventor Itsutaku Sano

Itsutaku Sano 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: 11127770
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a plurality of pixels, a signal holding unit, first and second control electrodes. Each of the plurality of pixels includes a photoelectric conversion unit, and an amplification element to amplify signals based on signal charges generated by the photoelectric conversion unit, in which the plurality of pixels output signals for performing a phase contrast detection type of focal point detection. The signal holding unit is in an electrical pathway between an output node of the photoelectric conversion unit and an input node of the amplification element, in which signals for performing the phase contrast detection type of focal point detection are held. The first control electrode is configured to transfer a signal of the photoelectric conversion unit to the signal holding unit. The second control electrode is configured to transfer a signal for performing the phase difference detection type of focal point detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuichiro Yamashita, Masahiro Kobayashi, Itsutaku Sano, Takeshi Kojima
  • Patent number: 10469762
    Abstract: An image pickup device, an image pickup system, and a movable body that include a conductive line in which a potential changes in a direction opposite to a direction of a change in a potential of a control line used to perform a global electronic shutter operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daisuke Kobayashi, Itsutaku Sano, Kazuhiro Saito
  • Publication number: 20190037122
    Abstract: An image pickup device, an image pickup system, and a movable body that include a conductive line in which a potential changes in a direction opposite to a direction of a change in a potential of a control line used to perform a global electronic shutter operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Daisuke Kobayashi, Itsutaku Sano, Kazuhiro Saito
  • Publication number: 20180269241
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a plurality of pixels, a signal holding unit, first and second control electrodes. Each of the plurality of pixels includes a photoelectric conversion unit, and an amplification element to amplify signals based on signal charges generated by the photoelectric conversion unit, in which the plurality of pixels output signals for performing a phase contrast detection type of focal point detection. The signal holding unit is in an electrical pathway between an output node of the photoelectric conversion unit and an input node of the amplification element, in which signals for performing the phase contrast detection type of focal point detection are held. The first control electrode is configured to transfer a signal of the photoelectric conversion unit to the signal holding unit. The second control electrode is configured to transfer a signal for performing the phase difference detection type of focal point detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Yuichiro Yamashita, Masahiro Kobayashi, Itsutaku Sano, Takeshi Kojima
  • Patent number: 10002894
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a plurality of pixels, a signal holding unit, first and second control electrodes. Each of the plurality of pixels includes a photoelectric conversion unit, and an amplification element to amplify signals based on signal charges generated by the photoelectric conversion unit, in which the plurality of pixels output signals for performing a phase contrast detection type of focal point detection. The signal holding unit is in an electrical pathway between an output node of the photoelectric conversion unit and an input node of the amplification element, in which signals for performing the phase contrast detection type of focal point detection are held. The first control electrode is configured to transfer a signal of the photoelectric conversion unit to the signal holding unit. The second control electrode is configured to transfer a signal for performing the phase difference detection type of focal point detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuichiro Yamashita, Masahiro Kobayashi, Itsutaku Sano, Takeshi Kojima
  • Patent number: 9386249
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes: first and second photoelectric conversion units that are disposed in a semiconductor substrate, are configured to accumulate charges, and are of a first conductivity type; an electrode that is disposed on a region between the first and second photoelectric conversion units and is configured to control an electrical conduction between the first and second photoelectric conversion units; a first semiconductor region that is formed under the electrode and between the first and second photoelectric conversion units, is continuous from the first photoelectric conversion unit to the second photoelectric conversion unit, and is of the first conductivity type; and a second semiconductor region that is formed under the electrode and between the first and second photoelectric conversion units, is provided at a depth different from that of the first semiconductor region, and is of a second conductivity type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoko Iida, Jun Iba, Itsutaku Sano
  • Patent number: 9356585
    Abstract: An electronic device according to one or more embodiments of the present invention comprises an output line, a current mirror circuit and a comparator. Current signals from a plurality of signal sources are output to the output line. The current mirror circuit is electrically connected to the output line. The comparator is configured to compare a mirrored current signal from the current mirror circuit with a reference current signal. The comparator is configured to output a signal representing a comparison result of amplitudes of the mirrored current signal and the reference current signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhito Sakurai, Itsutaku Sano
  • Publication number: 20160086988
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a plurality of pixels, a signal holding unit, first and second control electrodes. Each of the plurality of pixels includes a photoelectric conversion unit, and an amplification element to amplify signals based on signal charges generated by the photoelectric conversion unit, in which the plurality of pixels output signals for performing a phase contrast detection type of focal point detection. The signal holding unit is in an electrical pathway between an output node of the photoelectric conversion unit and an input node of the amplification element, in which signals for performing the phase contrast detection type of focal point detection are held. The first control electrode is configured to transfer a signal of the photoelectric conversion unit to the signal holding unit. The second control electrode is configured to transfer a signal for performing the phase difference detection type of focal point detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Yuichiro Yamashita, Masahiro Kobayashi, Itsutaku Sano, Takeshi Kojima
  • Patent number: 9224771
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a plurality of pixels, a signal holding unit, first and second control electrodes. Each of the plurality of pixels includes a photoelectric conversion unit, and an amplification element to amplify signals based on signal charges generated by the photoelectric conversion unit, in which the plurality of pixels output signals for performing a phase contrast detection type of focal point detection. The signal holding unit is in an electrical pathway between an output node of the photoelectric conversion unit and an input node of the amplification element, in which signals for performing the phase contrast detection type of focal point detection are held. The first control electrode is configured to transfer a signal of the photoelectric conversion unit to the signal holding unit. The second control electrode is configured to transfer a signal for performing the phase difference detection type of focal point detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuichiro Yamashita, Masahiro Kobayashi, Itsutaku Sano, Takeshi Kojima
  • Publication number: 20150334328
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes: first and second photoelectric conversion units that are disposed in a semiconductor substrate, are configured to accumulate charges, and are of a first conductivity type; an electrode that is disposed on a region between the first and second photoelectric conversion units and is configured to control an electrical conduction between the first and second photoelectric conversion units; a first semiconductor region that is formed under the electrode and between the first and second photoelectric conversion units, is continuous from the first photoelectric conversion unit to the second photoelectric conversion unit, and is of the first conductivity type; and a second semiconductor region that is formed under the electrode and between the first and second photoelectric conversion units, is provided at a depth different from that of the first semiconductor region, and is of a second conductivity type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Satoko Iida, Jun Iba, Itsutaku Sano
  • Patent number: 9190449
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion unit, an amplification element configured to amplify a signal based on a signal charge generated in the photoelectric conversion unit, and a first signal holding unit and a second signal holding unit located at a stage following the first signal holding unit and arranged on an electric path between the photoelectric conversion unit and an input node of the amplification element, in which a coverage by a light-shielding member of the first signal holding unit is lower than a coverage by a light-shielding member of the second signal holding unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Kobayashi, Yuichiro Yamashita, Takeshi Kojima, Itsutaku Sano
  • Patent number: 9153617
    Abstract: An embodiment is an imaging apparatus including a plurality of unit cells. The imaging apparatus includes a first conductive member electrically connected to gates of the plurality of first transfer transistors, a second conductive member electrically connected to gates of the plurality of second transfer transistors, a third conductive member disposed adjacently to the first conductive member in a same wiring layer as the first conductive member and electrically connected to a plurality of nodes each included in respective one of the plurality of unit cells, and a fourth conductive member disposed adjacently to the second conductive member in a same wiring layer as the second conductive member. An opposing length of the first conductive member and the third conductive member is longer than an opposing length of the second conductive member and the fourth conductive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kotaro Abukawa, Itsutaku Sano
  • Patent number: 8780248
    Abstract: One or more embodiments relate to an image pickup apparatus including multiple pixels. Each of the multiple pixels includes a photoelectric-conversion unit, and an amplifier which outputs a signal based on charge generated by the photoelectric-conversion unit. Within an electric path between the photoelectric-conversion unit and an input node of the amplifier, there are disposed a first holder, a second holder disposed following the first holder, a first transfer unit which transfers charge to the first holder, a second transfer unit which transfers charge of the first holder to the second holder, and a third transfer unit which transfers charge of the second holder. The first holder includes a first-conductive-type first semiconductor region holding charge. The second holder includes a first-conductive-type second semiconductor region holding charge. Impurity concentration of the first semiconductor region is lower than impurity concentration of the second semiconductor region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuichiro Yamashita, Masahiro Kobayashi, Itsutaku Sano, Takeshi Kojima
  • Publication number: 20140131556
    Abstract: An embodiment is an imaging apparatus including a plurality of unit cells. The imaging apparatus includes a first conductive member electrically connected to gates of the plurality of first transfer transistors, a second conductive member electrically connected to gates of the plurality of second transfer transistors, a third conductive member disposed adjacently to the first conductive member in a same wiring layer as the first conductive member and electrically connected to a plurality of nodes each included in respective one of the plurality of unit cells, and a fourth conductive member disposed adjacently to the second conductive member in a same wiring layer as the second conductive member. An opposing length of the first conductive member and the third conductive member is longer than an opposing length of the second conductive member and the fourth conductive member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Kotaro Abukawa, Itsutaku Sano