Patents by Inventor Junichiro Azami

Junichiro Azami 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: 11902681
    Abstract: An imaging system according to the present disclosure includes: an imaging device that is mounted in a vehicle, and captures and generates an image of a peripheral region of the vehicle; and a processing device that is mounted in the vehicle, and executes processing related to a function of controlling the vehicle on the basis of the image. The imaging device includes: a first control line, a first voltage generator that applies a first voltage to the first control line, a first signal line, a plurality of pixels that applies a pixel voltage to the first signal line, a first dummy pixel that applies a voltage corresponding to the first voltage of the first control line to the first signal line in a first period, a converter including a first converter that performs AD conversion on the basis of a voltage of the first signal line in the first period to generate a first digital code, and a diagnosis section that performs diagnosis processing on the basis of the first digital code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kawazu, Atsushi Suzuki, Junichiro Azami, Yuichi Motohashi
  • Patent number: 11722799
    Abstract: An imaging device having first and second pixels is described. The first pixel includes a first transfer transistor, a first reset transistor, a first amplifier transistor and a first select transistor. The second pixel includes a first photoelectric conversion element, a second transfer transistor, a second reset transistor, a second amplifier transistor and a second select transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kawazu, Motonobu Torii, Yuichi Motohashi, Atsushi Suzuki, Junichiro Azami
  • Patent number: 11706538
    Abstract: An imaging system according to the present disclosure includes: an imaging device that is mounted in a vehicle, and captures and generates an image of a peripheral region of the vehicle; and a processing device that is mounted in the vehicle, and executes processing related to a function of controlling the vehicle on the basis of the image. The imaging device includes: a first control line, a first voltage generator that applies a first voltage to the first control line, a first signal line, a plurality of pixels that applies a pixel voltage to the first signal line, a first dummy pixel that applies a voltage corresponding to the first voltage of the first control line to the first signal line in a first period, a converter including a first converter that performs AD conversion on the basis of a voltage of the first signal line in the first period to generate a first digital code, and a diagnosis section that performs diagnosis processing on the basis of the first digital code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kawazu, Atsushi Suzuki, Junichiro Azami, Motohashi Yuichi
  • Publication number: 20230112723
    Abstract: An imaging device having first and second pixels is described. The first pixel includes a first transfer transistor, a first reset transistor, a first amplifier transistor and a first select transistor. The second pixel includes a first photoelectric conversion element, a second transfer transistor, a second reset transistor, a second amplifier transistor and a second select transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kawazu, Motonobu Torii, Yuichi Motohashi, Atsushi Suzuki, Junichiro Azami
  • Patent number: 11558568
    Abstract: An imaging device having first and second pixels is described. The first pixel includes a first transfer transistor, a first reset transistor, a first amplifier transistor and a first select transistor. The second pixel includes a first photoelectric conversion element, a second transfer transistor, a second reset transistor, a second amplifier transistor and a second select transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kawazu, Motonobu Torii, Motohashi Yuichi, Atsushi Suzuki, Junichiro Azami
  • Publication number: 20220191414
    Abstract: An imaging device having first and second pixels is described. The first pixel includes a first transfer transistor, a first reset transistor, a first amplifier transistor and a first select transistor. The second pixel includes a first photoelectric conversion element, a second transfer transistor, a second reset transistor, a second amplifier transistor and a second select transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kawazu, Motonobu Torii, Motohashi Yuichi, Atsushi Suzuki, Junichiro Azami
  • Patent number: 11303833
    Abstract: An imaging device having first and second pixels is described. The first pixel includes a first transfer transistor, a first reset transistor, a first amplifier transistor and a first select transistor. The second pixel includes a first photoelectric conversion element, a second transfer transistor, a second reset transistor, a second amplifier transistor and a second select transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kawazu, Motonobu Torii, Motohashi Yuichi, Atsushi Suzuki, Junichiro Azami
  • Publication number: 20210250533
    Abstract: An imaging device having first and second pixels is described. The first pixel comprises a first transfer transistor, a first reset transistor, a first amplifier transistor and a first select transistor. The first transfer transistor has a first terminal coupled to a reference signal generation circuit. The first reset transistor has a first terminal coupled to the reference signal generation circuit. The first amplifier transistor has a gate coupled to a second terminal of the first reset transistor and a second terminal of the first transfer transistor. The first select transistor is coupled to the first amplifier transistor. The second pixel comprises a first photoelectric conversion element, a second transfer transistor, a second reset transistor, a second amplifier transistor and a second select transistor. The second transfer transistor is coupled to the first photoelectric conversion element. The second reset transistor is configured to receive a first predetermined voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kawazu, Motonobu Torii, Motohashi Yuichi, Atsushi Suzuki, Junichiro Azami
  • Patent number: 11050955
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device, a method for driving the solid-state imaging device, and an electronic apparatus, the solid-state imaging device being capable of expanding the dynamic range without deteriorating the image quality. The solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array section having a plurality of unit pixels and a drive section. Each of the unit pixels includes a first photoelectric conversion section, a second photoelectric conversion section which is less sensitive than the first photoelectric conversion section, a charge storage section configured to store charges generated by the second photoelectric conversion section, a charge-voltage conversion section, a first transfer gate section configured to transfer charges from the first photoelectric conversion section, and a second transfer gate section configured to combine the potential of the charge-voltage conversion section with the potential of the charge storage section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yorito Sakano, Isao Hirota, Motonobu Torii, Masaaki Takizawa, Junichiro Azami, Motohashi Yuichi, Atsushi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11025846
    Abstract: [Object] To make it possible to detect, in the case where abnormality has occurred in at least a part of the pixels, the abnormality for each of the pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kawazu, Atsushi Suzuki, Junichiro Azami, Motohashi Yuichi
  • Publication number: 20210152768
    Abstract: An imaging system according to the present disclosure includes: an imaging device that is mounted in a vehicle, and captures and generates an image of a peripheral region of the vehicle; and a processing device that is mounted in the vehicle, and executes processing related to a function of controlling the vehicle on the basis of the image. The imaging device includes: a first control line, a first voltage generator that applies a first voltage to the first control line, a first signal line, a plurality of pixels that applies a pixel voltage to the first signal line, a first dummy pixel that applies a voltage corresponding to the first voltage of the first control line to the first signal line in a first period, a converter including a first converter that performs AD conversion on the basis of a voltage of the first signal line in the first period to generate a first digital code, and a diagnosis section that performs diagnosis processing on the basis of the first digital code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicant: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kawazu, Atsushi Suzuki, Junichiro Azami, Yuichi Motohashi
  • Patent number: 10992889
    Abstract: A first pixel comprises a first transfer transistor, a first reset transistor, a first amplifier transistor and a first select transistor. The first transfer transistor has a first terminal coupled to a reference signal generation circuit. The first reset transistor has a first terminal coupled to the reference signal generation circuit. The first amplifier transistor has a gate coupled to a second terminal of the first reset transistor and a second terminal of the first transfer transistor. The first select transistor is coupled to the first amplifier transistor. A second pixel comprises a first photoelectric conversion element, a second transfer transistor coupled to the first photoelectric conversion element, a second reset transistor configured to receive a first predetermined voltage, a second amplifier transistor coupled to the second transfer transistor and the second reset transistor, and a second select transistor coupled to the second amplifier transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kawazu, Motonobu Torii, Motohashi Yuichi, Atsushi Suzuki, Junichiro Azami
  • Patent number: 10819928
    Abstract: An imaging system includes an imaging apparatus that is mounted on a vehicle and generates an image by imaging an area around the vehicle, and a processing apparatus that is mounted on the vehicle. The imaging apparatus includes a plurality of pixels. A control unit controls exposure by each of the plurality of pixels, and a processing unit executes a predetermined test. The control unit controls exposure so that reading of a pixel signal is started in a second period after the completion of reading of a pixel signal in a first period. The processing unit executes a predetermined test in a third period, the third period is between the reading of the pixel signal in the first period and the reading of the pixel signal in the second period. The processing apparatus restricts a function of controlling the vehicle based on a result of the predetermined test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoki Kawazu, Atsushi Suzuki, Junichiro Azami, Motohashi Yuichi
  • Patent number: 10785435
    Abstract: An imaging system includes: an imaging device and a processing device mounted in a vehicle. The imaging device includes: a first pixel coupled to a first signal line, a second pixel coupled to a second signal line, the second signal line is different from the first signal line, a first latch that is coupled to the first signal line, and stores a first digital code, a second latch that is coupled to the second signal line, is adjacent to the first latch, and stores a second digital code, a transfer section that transfers digital codes outputted from the first latch and the second latch, and a diagnosis section that performs diagnosis processing on the basis of the digital codes transferred from the first latch and the second latch. The processing device restricts the function of controlling the vehicle on the basis of a result of the diagnosis processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoki Kawazu, Atsushi Suzuki, Junichiro Azami, Yuichi Motohashi
  • Publication number: 20200059615
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device, a method for driving the solid-state imaging device, and an electronic apparatus, the solid-state imaging device being capable of expanding the dynamic range without deteriorating the image quality. The solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array section having a plurality of unit pixels and a drive section. Each of the unit pixels includes a first photoelectric conversion section, a second photoelectric conversion section which is less sensitive than the first photoelectric conversion section, a charge storage section configured to store charges generated by the second photoelectric conversion section, a charge-voltage conversion section, a first transfer gate section configured to transfer charges from the first photoelectric conversion section, and a second transfer gate section configured to combine the potential of the charge-voltage conversion section with the potential of the charge storage section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yorito SAKANO, Isao HIROTA, Motonobu TORII, Masaaki TAKIZAWA, Junichiro AZAMI, Motohashi YUICHI, Atsushi SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20200014872
    Abstract: An imaging system according to the present disclosure includes: an imaging device that is mounted in a vehicle, and captures and generates an image of a peripheral region of the vehicle; and a processing device that is mounted in the vehicle, and executes processing related to a function of controlling the vehicle on the basis of the image. The imaging device includes: a first control line, a first voltage generator that applies a first voltage to the first control line, a first signal line, a plurality of pixels that applies a pixel voltage to the first signal line, a first dummy pixel that applies a voltage corresponding to the first voltage of the first control line to the first signal line in a first period, a converter including a first converter that performs AD conversion on the basis of a voltage of the first signal line in the first period to generate a first digital code, and a diagnosis section that performs diagnosis processing on the basis of the first digital code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Applicant: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kawazu, Atsushi Suzuki, Junichiro Azami, Motohashi Yuichi
  • Publication number: 20190394414
    Abstract: [Object] To make it possible to more efficiently perform various tests for detecting abnormality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: NAOKI KAWAZU, ATSUSHI SUZUKI, JUNICHIRO AZAMI, MOTOHASHI YUICHI
  • Publication number: 20190387188
    Abstract: [Object] To make it possible to detect, in the case where abnormality has occurred in at least a part of the pixels, the abnormality for each of the pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kawazu, Atsushi Suzuki, Junichiro Azami, Yuichi Motohashi
  • Publication number: 20190379853
    Abstract: An imaging system according to the present disclosure includes: an imaging device that is mounted in a vehicle, and captures and generates an image of a peripheral region of the vehicle; and a processing device that is mounted in the vehicle, and executes processing related to a function of controlling the vehicle on the basis of the image. The imaging device includes: a first pixel, a second pixel, a first signal line that is coupled to the first pixel, a second signal line that is coupled to the second pixel, and is different from the first signal line, a first latch that is coupled to the first signal line, and stores a first digital code, a second latch that is coupled to the second signal line, is adjacent to the first latch, and stores a second digital code, a transfer section that transfers digital codes outputted from the first latch and the second latch, and a diagnosis section that performs diagnosis processing on the basis of the digital codes transferred from the first latch and the second latch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: NAOKI KAWAZU, ATSUSHI SUZUKI, JUNICHIRO AZAMI, YUICHI MOTOHASHI
  • Publication number: 20190373190
    Abstract: A first pixel comprises a first transfer transistor, a first reset transistor, a first amplifier transistor and a first select transistor. The first transfer transistor has a first terminal coupled to a reference signal generation circuit. The first reset transistor has a first terminal coupled to the reference signal generation circuit. The first amplifier transistor has a gate coupled to a second terminal of the first reset transistor and a second terminal of the first transfer transistor. The first select transistor is coupled to the first amplifier transistor. A second pixel comprises a first photoelectric conversion element, a second transfer transistor coupled to the first photoelectric conversion element, a second reset transistor configured to receive a first predetermined voltage, a second amplifier transistor coupled to the second transfer transistor and the second reset transistor, and a second select transistor coupled to the second amplifier transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kawazu, Motonobu Torii, Yuichi Motohashi, Atsushi Suzuki, Junichiro Azami