Patents by Inventor Kazuyoshi Yamashita

Kazuyoshi Yamashita 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: 20200127028
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device and a driving method thereof, and an electronic apparatus that make it possible to improve the precision of phase difference detection while suppressing deterioration of resolution in a solid-state imaging device having a global shutter function and a phase difference AF function. Provided is a solid-state imaging device including: a pixel array unit including, as pixels including an on-chip lens, a photoelectric conversion unit, and a charge accumulation unit, imaging pixels for generating a captured image and phase difference detection pixels for performing phase difference detection arrayed therein; and a driving control unit configured to control driving of the pixels. The imaging pixel is formed with the charge accumulation unit shielded from light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Okuno, Kazuyoshi Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20200091213
    Abstract: Imaging sensors, imaging apparatuses, and methods of driving an image sensor are provided. An image sensor can include a semiconductor substrate with a photoelectric conversion element and a charge-conversion element. The sensor can further include a capacitance switch. A charge accumulation element is located adjacent the photoelectric conversion element. At least a portion of the charge accumulation element overlaps a charge accumulation region of the photoelectric conversion element. The charge accumulation element is selectively connected to the charge-voltage conversion element by the capacitance switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventor: KAZUYOSHI YAMASHITA
  • Patent number: 10594969
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state image sensor, an imaging device, and an electronic device capable of switching FD conversion efficiency in all pixels of a solid-state image sensor. A photodiode performs photoelectric conversion on incident light. A floating diffusion (FD) stores charge obtained by the photodiode. FD2, which is a second FD to which the capacity of an additional capacitor MIM is added, adds the capacity to the FD. The additional capacitor MIM is constituted by a first electrode formed by a wiring layer and a second electrode formed by a metallic light blocking film provided on a surface of a substrate on which the photodiode is formed. Switching between the FD and FD+FD2 allows switching of the FD conversion efficiency. The present technology is applicable to a CMOS image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Machida, Kazuyoshi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10559609
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device and a driving method thereof, and an electronic apparatus that make it possible to improve the precision of phase difference detection while suppressing deterioration of resolution in a solid-state imaging device having a global shutter function and a phase difference AF function. Provided is a solid-state imaging device including: a pixel array unit including, as pixels including an on-chip lens, a photoelectric conversion unit, and a charge accumulation unit, imaging pixels for generating a captured image and phase difference detection pixels for performing phase difference detection arrayed therein; and a driving control unit configured to control driving of the pixels. The imaging pixel is formed with the charge accumulation unit shielded from light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Okuno, Kazuyoshi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10559608
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device and a driving method thereof, and an electronic apparatus that make it possible to improve the precision of phase difference detection while suppressing deterioration of resolution in a solid-state imaging device having a global shutter function and a phase difference AF function. Provided is a solid-state imaging device including: a pixel array unit including, as pixels including an on-chip lens, a photoelectric conversion unit, and a charge accumulation unit, imaging pixels for generating a captured image and phase difference detection pixels for performing phase difference detection arrayed therein; and a driving control unit configured to control driving of the pixels. The imaging pixel is formed with the charge accumulation unit shielded from light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Okuno, Kazuyoshi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10546887
    Abstract: Imaging sensors, imaging apparatuses, and methods of driving an image sensor are provided. An image sensor can include a semiconductor substrate with a photoelectric conversion element and a charge-conversion element. The sensor can further include a capacitance switch. A charge accumulation element is located adjacent the photoelectric conversion element. At least a portion of the charge accumulation element overlaps a charge accumulation region of the photoelectric conversion element. The charge accumulation element is selectively connected to the charge-voltage conversion element by the capacitance switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20200029037
    Abstract: A photoelectric converter generates a charge corresponding to the exposure amount during an exposure period. The generated-charge retention portion and the output charge retention portion retain the charge. The generated-charge transfer portion transfers the charge from the photoelectric converter to the generated-charge retention portion to perform the transfer after the elapse of the exposure period. The retained-charge transfer portion transfers the charge retained in the generated-charge retention portion to the output charge retention portion to perform the transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: YOSHIMICHI KUMAGAI, TAKASHI ABE, KAZUYOSHI YAMASHITA, RYOTO YOSHITA
  • Publication number: 20200007805
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state image sensor, an imaging device, and an electronic device capable of switching FD conversion efficiency in all pixels of a solid-state image sensor. A photodiode performs photoelectric conversion on incident light. A floating diffusion (FD) stores charge obtained by the photodiode. FD2, which is a second FD to which the capacity of an additional capacitor MIM is added, adds the capacity to the FD. The additional capacitor MIM is constituted by a first electrode formed by a wiring layer and a second electrode formed by a metallic light blocking film provided on a surface of a substrate on which the photodiode is formed. Switching between the FD and FD+FD2 allows switching of the FD conversion efficiency. The present technology is applicable to a CMOS image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi MACHIDA, Kazuyoshi YAMASHITA
  • Patent number: 10510786
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device and a driving method thereof, and an electronic apparatus that make it possible to improve the precision of phase difference detection while suppressing deterioration of resolution in a solid-state imaging device having a global shutter function and a phase difference AF function. Provided is a solid-state imaging device including: a pixel array unit including, as pixels including an on-chip lens, a photoelectric conversion unit, and a charge accumulation unit, imaging pixels for generating a captured image and phase difference detection pixels for performing phase difference detection arrayed therein; and a driving control unit configured to control driving of the pixels. The imaging pixel is formed with the charge accumulation unit shielded from light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Okuno, Kazuyoshi Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20190371841
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixel units in a matrix arrangement. At least a first pixel unit of the plurality of pixel units includes a substrate including a first photoelectric conversion region and a second photoelectric conversion region, and a first layer over the substrate and including a first pixel circuit and a second pixel circuit. The first pixel unit includes a second layer over the first layer and including first and second wirings extending in a first direction, and a third layer over the second layer and including signal lines that extend in the second direction. The first pixel unit includes a first via that couples a first signal line to the first wiring, and a second via offset from the first via in the first direction and that couples a second signal line to the second wiring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi YAMASHITA
  • Patent number: 10490581
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solid-state imaging apparatus including: a semiconductor base; a photodiode created on the semiconductor base and used for carrying out photoelectric conversion; a pixel section provided with pixels each having the photodiode; a first wire created by being electrically connected to the semiconductor base for the pixel section through a contact section and being extended in a first direction to the outside of the pixel section; a second wire made from a wiring layer different from the first wire and created by being extended in a second direction different from the first direction to the outside of the pixel section; and a contact section for electrically connecting the first and second wires to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Mikiko Kobayashi, Kazuyoshi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10469783
    Abstract: To transfer all charges retained in a charge retention region. The photoelectric converter generates a charge corresponding to the exposure amount during a predetermined exposure period. The generated-charge retention portion and the output charge retention portion retain the charge. The generated-charge transfer portion transfers the charge from the photoelectric converter to the generated-charge retention portion to perform the generated-charge transfer after the elapse of the exposure period. The retained-charge transfer portion transfers the charge retained in the generated-charge retention portion to the output charge retention portion to perform the retained-charge transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshimichi Kumagai, Takashi Abe, Kazuyoshi Yamashita, Ryoto Yoshita
  • Patent number: 10431622
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging apparatus and an electronic apparatus that makes it possible to improve coloration and improve image quality. The solid-state imaging apparatus is formed so that, in a pixel array unit in which combinations of a first pixel corresponding to a color component of a plurality of color components and a second pixel having higher sensitivity to incident light as compared with the first pixel are two-dimensionally arrayed, a first electrical barrier formed between a first photoelectric conversion unit and a first unnecessary electric charge drain unit in the first pixel, and a second electrical barrier formed between a second photoelectric conversion unit and a second unnecessary electric charge drain unit in the second pixel have different heights, respectively. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a CMOS image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20190246055
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state image sensor, an imaging device, and an electronic device capable of switching FD conversion efficiency in all pixels of a solid-state image sensor. A photodiode performs photoelectric conversion on incident light. A floating diffusion (FD) stores charge obtained by the photodiode. FD2, which is a second FD to which the capacity of an additional capacitor MIM is added, adds the capacity to the FD. The additional capacitor MIM is constituted by a first electrode formed by a wiring layer and a second electrode formed by a metallic light blocking film provided on a surface of a substrate on which the photodiode is formed. Switching between the FD and FD+FD2 allows switching of the FD conversion efficiency. The present technology is applicable to a CMOS image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi MACHIDA, Kazuyoshi YAMASHITA
  • Patent number: 10320091
    Abstract: An array antenna for satellite communications includes a first sub-array and a second sub-array, each including a plurality of antenna elements arrayed in a matrix with a regular pitch, the first sub-array and the second sub-array being shifted relative to each other in a satellite orbital direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Yamashita, Tomohiro Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20190172869
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging apparatus and an electronic apparatus that makes it possible to improve coloration and improve image quality. The solid-state imaging apparatus is formed so that, in a pixel array unit in which combinations of a first pixel corresponding to a color component of a plurality of color components and a second pixel having higher sensitivity to incident light as compared with the first pixel are two-dimensionally arrayed, a first electrical barrier formed between a first photoelectric conversion unit and a first unnecessary electric charge drain unit in the first pixel, and a second electrical barrier formed between a second photoelectric conversion unit and a second unnecessary electric charge drain unit in the second pixel have different heights, respectively. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a CMOS image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventor: KAZUYOSHI YAMASHITA
  • Patent number: 10313618
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state image sensor, an imaging device, and an electronic device capable of switching FD conversion efficiency in all pixels of a solid-state image sensor. A photodiode performs photoelectric conversion on incident light. A floating diffusion (FD) stores charge obtained by the photodiode. FD2, which is a second FD to which the capacity of an additional capacitor MIM is added, adds the capacity to the FD. The additional capacitor MIM is constituted by a first electrode formed by a wiring layer and a second electrode formed by a metallic light blocking film provided on a surface of a substrate on which the photodiode is formed. Switching between the FD and FD+FD2 allows switching of the FD conversion efficiency. The present technology is applicable to a CMOS image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Machida, Kazuyoshi Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20190148426
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device and a driving method thereof, and an electronic apparatus that make it possible to improve the precision of phase difference detection while suppressing deterioration of resolution in a solid-state imaging device having a global shutter function and a phase difference AF function. Provided is a solid-state imaging device including: a pixel array unit including, as pixels including an on-chip lens, a photoelectric conversion unit, and a charge accumulation unit, imaging pixels for generating a captured image and phase difference detection pixels for performing phase difference detection arrayed therein; and a driving control unit configured to control driving of the pixels. The imaging pixel is formed with the charge accumulation unit shielded from light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Jun Okuno, Kazuyoshi Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20190148425
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device and a driving method thereof, and an electronic apparatus that make it possible to improve the precision of phase difference detection while suppressing deterioration of resolution in a solid-state imaging device having a global shutter function and a phase difference AF function. Provided is a solid-state imaging device including: a pixel array unit including, as pixels including an on-chip lens, a photoelectric conversion unit, and a charge accumulation unit, imaging pixels for generating a captured image and phase difference detection pixels for performing phase difference detection arrayed therein; and a driving control unit configured to control driving of the pixels. The imaging pixel is formed with the charge accumulation unit shielded from light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Jun Okuno, Kazuyoshi Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20190014278
    Abstract: To transfer all charges retained in a charge retention region. The photoelectric converter generates a charge corresponding to the exposure amount during a predetermined exposure period. The generated-charge retention portion and the output charge retention portion retain the charge. The generated-charge transfer portion transfers the charge from the photoelectric converter to the generated-charge retention portion to perform the generated-charge transfer after the elapse of the exposure period. The retained-charge transfer portion transfers the charge retained in the generated-charge retention portion to the output charge retention portion to perform the retained-charge transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: YOSHIMICHI KUMAGAI, TAKASHI ABE, KAZUYOSHI YAMASHITA, RYOTO YOSHITA