Patents by Inventor Keigo Yokoyama

Keigo Yokoyama 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: 8723996
    Abstract: A read out operation for reading out image data from a conversion circuit irradiated with a radiation, and a read out operation for reading out offset image data from the conversion circuit without irradiated with a radiation are selectively conducted, a control is conducted to repeat at a plurality of times the operation for reading out the offset image data, offset data corresponding to each pixel is extracted from one of the plurality of the offset image data to generate corrective offset image data such that offset data corresponding to all the pixels in a row of the matrix is not extracted from one of the plurality of offset image data, and the corrective offset image data is subtracted from the image data to perform an offset correction to render line noise less noticeable, for an offset correction without line noise by a simple signal processing to be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keigo Yokoyama, Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka
  • Publication number: 20140097348
    Abstract: A detecting apparatus formed on a substrate, includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, and a signal line electrically connected to the pixels. Each of the pixels includes a sensing element that converts radiant ray or light to electric charges, an amplification thin film transistor that outputs an electric signal based on an amount of the electric charges, a capacitor that holds an electric signal output by the amplification thin film transistor, and a transfer thin film transistor that transfers an electric signal held in the capacitor to the signal line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventors: Minoru Watanabe, Chiori Mochizuki, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Publication number: 20140091203
    Abstract: A detection apparatus includes a plurality of conversion elements, an interlayer insulating layer, and a covering layer. Each of the plurality of conversion elements includes an electrode electrically connected to a corresponding one of a plurality of switching elements and a semiconductor layer disposed on the electrode. The interlayer insulating layer is disposed so as to cover the plurality of switching elements and composed of an organic material, and has a surface including a first region and a second region located outside the first region. The electrodes are disposed on the surface of the interlayer insulating layer in the first region. The covering layer is disposed on the surface of the interlayer insulating layer in the second region and composed of an inorganic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Jun Kawanabe, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Patent number: 8680478
    Abstract: A detection apparatus includes a driving circuit unit in which a plurality of unit circuits each including a first circuit that supplies conducting voltage of a switch element of a pixel based on voltage included in a clock signal to a driving wire in accordance with an initiation signal and a second circuit that supplies non-conducting voltage of the switch element to the driving wire in accordance with a termination signal are provided for the plurality of corresponding driving wires and a control unit that supplies the clock signal to the driving circuit unit. The control unit supplies control voltage to the plurality of unit circuits, and each of the plurality of unit circuits further includes a third circuit that continues to supply the non-conducting voltage to the corresponding driving wire in accordance with the control voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masato Ofuji, Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Patent number: 8680471
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a control unit and a detector that includes multiple pixels and that performs an image capturing operation to output image data corresponding to radiation or light that is emitted. The image capturing operation includes a first image capturing operation in a first scanning area corresponding to part of the multiple pixels to output image data in the first scanning area and a second image capturing operation in a second scanning area larger than the first scanning area to output image data in the second scanning area. The control unit causes the detector to perform an accumulation operation in the second image capturing operation in a time determined so that an image artifact caused by the scanning area is lower than a predetermined allowable value on the basis of information about the amount of integration of accumulation times in the first image capturing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Kameshima, Tadao Endo, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka, Keigo Yokoyama, Sho Sato, Toshikazu Tamura
  • Patent number: 8669529
    Abstract: A radiation detection apparatus includes a scintillator, a photoelectric conversion unit, and a grid for removing scattered radiation. The photoelectric conversion unit includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a two-dimensional array on a substrate. Each pixel is configured to convert visible light output from the scintillator into an electric signal. The grid, the substrate, the photoelectric conversion unit, and the scintillator are disposed in this order from a radiation-incident side of the radiation detection apparatus to an opposite side thereof. In this radiation detection apparatus in which the scintillator is disposed on the side opposite to the radiation-incident side, scattered radiation is effectively removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Watanabe, Chiori Mochizuki, Keigo Yokoyama, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Publication number: 20140035006
    Abstract: A detection apparatus includes a plurality of pixels and a plurality of signal wires arranged on a substrate, in which each of the plurality of pixels includes a switch element arranged on the substrate and a conversion element arranged on the switch element, the conversion element includes a first electrode which is arranged on the switch element and electrically connected to the switch element and a semiconductor layer arranged over a plurality of the first electrodes, and a plurality of the switch elements is electrically connected to the plurality of signal wires, and the detection apparatus further includes a constant potential wire which is supplied with a constant potential, in which the first electrode is electrically connected to the constant potential wire in apart of pixels among the plurality of pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Jun Kawanabe, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Publication number: 20140014844
    Abstract: A radiation detection apparatus includes a scintillator, a photoelectric conversion unit, and a grid for removing scattered radiation. The photoelectric conversion unit includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a two-dimensional array on a substrate. Each pixel is configured to convert visible light output from the scintillator into an electric signal. The grid, the substrate, the photoelectric conversion unit, and the scintillator are disposed in this order from a radiation-incident side of the radiation detection apparatus to an opposite side thereof. In this radiation detection apparatus in which the scintillator is disposed on the side opposite to the radiation-incident side, scattered radiation is effectively removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Minoru Watanabe, Chiori Mochizuki, Keigo Yokoyama, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Patent number: 8625742
    Abstract: An imaging system includes a plurality of imaging apparatuses, each of the imaging apparatuses includes a detector for performing an imaging operation for outputting image data corresponding to applied radiation or light and a controller for controlling the operation of the detector. The imaging apparatuses can independently perform an imaging operation and are movable in accordance with a relative positional relationship thereof. Sensing means obtain information indicative of the relative positional relationship between the imaging apparatuses. A control computer sends a control signal for determining operations of the imaging apparatuses to the controller. The control computer determines the operations of the imaging apparatuses by using the information obtained from the sensing means; and sets an appropriate scanning direction of each of the imaging apparatuses in accordance with the positional relationship thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Iwashita, Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka, Keigo Yokoyama, Sho Sato
  • Patent number: 8624991
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a detection unit including a plurality of pixels that are arranged in a matrix and that are divided into at least first and second pixel groups, a signal processing unit including first and second readout circuits and first and second A/D converters, a power supply unit configured to supply the components included in the signal processing unit with respective biases, and a control unit configured to control at least one of the signal processing unit and the power supply unit. The control unit is configured to perform processing of altering an analog signal capable of being input into at least one of the first and second A/D converters or altering an A/D conversion characteristic of at least one of the first and second A/D converters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Kameshima, Tadao Endo, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka, Keigo Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20140001340
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a conversion unit including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, each pixel including a conversion element, an output switch element, and an initialization switch element; an output drive circuit controls an output operation; an initialization drive circuit controls an initialization operation; and a readout circuit performs a signal sample-and-hold operation and a reset operation. A control unit performs termination of the output operation of a certain row and start of the output operation of another row after the termination of the reset operation, the start of the signal sample-and-hold operation after the termination of the output operation of the certain row and the start of the output operation of the other row, the start of the reset operation and the initialization operation after the termination of the signal sample-and-hold operation, and the termination of the reset operation after the termination of the initialization operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsuro Takenaka, Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Keigo Yokoyama, Sho Sato
  • Publication number: 20130342514
    Abstract: A detection apparatus includes a substrate which includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix and adapted to generate pixel signals, a plurality of drive lines arranged in a column direction and each connected in common to a plurality of pixels in a row direction, a plurality of data lines arranged in the row direction and each connected in common to a plurality of pixels in the column direction, connection terminals smaller in number than the data lines, and a multiplexer unit provided between the connection terminals and the data lines; a read circuit provided with a reset switch for supplying a constant potential to the connection terminals and connected to the connection terminals; a drive circuit adapted to control driving of the plurality of pixels; and a control circuit adapted to supply a control signal to the substrate and the read circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Keigo Yokoyama, Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Masato Ofuji, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Publication number: 20130328612
    Abstract: An active matrix panel includes a gate line connected to control electrodes of a plurality of transistors; and a drive circuit supplying the gate line with a conducting voltage and a non-conducting voltage. The drive circuit includes a shift register including a plurality of shift register unit circuits connected to each other, and a demultiplexer including a plurality of demultiplexer unit circuits into which output signals of the shift register unit circuits are input. The demultiplexer unit circuit includes a first transistor for supplying the gate line with the conducting voltage, and a second transistor for supplying the gate line with the non-conducting voltage. The first transistor is changed from a non-conducting state into a conducting state when the second transistor is in the conducting state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masato Ofuji, Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Patent number: 8586399
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a detection device including pixels on a substrate, each pixel including a switch element and a conversion element including an impurity semiconductor layer on an electrode, which is disposed above the switch element and isolated per pixel, the switch element and the electrode being connected in a contact hole formed in a protection layer and an interlayer insulating layer, which are disposed between the switch elements and the electrodes, the method includes forming insulating members over the interlayer insulating layer between the electrodes in contact with the interlayer insulating layer, forming an impurity semiconductor film covering the insulating members and the electrodes, and forming a coating layer covering an area of the protection layer where an orthographically-projected image of a portion of the electrode is positioned, the portion including a level difference within the contact hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Masato Ofuji, Keigo Yokoyama, Jun Kawanabe, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Publication number: 20130299711
    Abstract: A detection device includes conversion elements, each including a first electrode disposed on a substrate, a semiconductor layer disposed on the first electrode, an impurity semiconductor layer disposed on the semiconductor layer and including at least a first region and a second region, and a second electrode disposed on the first region of the impurity semiconductor layer in contact with the impurity semiconductor layer. Sheet resistance in the second region disposed at a position where the impurity semiconductor layer is not contacted with the second electrode is less than sheet resistance in the first region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Patent number: 8569707
    Abstract: A radiation detection apparatus includes a scintillator, a photoelectric conversion unit, and a grid for removing scattered radiation. The photoelectric conversion unit includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a two-dimensional array on a substrate. Each pixel is configured to convert visible light output from the scintillator into an electric signal. The grid, the substrate, the photoelectric conversion unit, and the scintillator are disposed in this order from a radiation-incident side of the radiation detection apparatus to an opposite side thereof. In this radiation detection apparatus in which the scintillator is disposed on the side opposite to the radiation-incident side, scattered radiation is effectively removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Watanabe, Chiori Mochizuki, Keigo Yokoyama, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Patent number: 8563915
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a conversion unit including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, each pixel including a conversion element, an output switch element, and an initialization switch element; an output drive circuit controls an output operation; an initialization drive circuit controls an initialization operation; and a readout circuit performs a signal sample-and-hold operation and a reset operation. A control unit performs termination of the output operation of a certain row and start of the output operation of another row after the termination of the reset operation, the start of the signal sample-and-hold operation after the termination of the output operation of the certain row and the start of the output operation of the other row, the start of the reset operation and the initialization operation after the termination of the signal sample-and-hold operation, and the termination of the reset operation after the termination of the initialization operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuro Takenaka, Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Keigo Yokoyama, Sho Sato
  • Publication number: 20130264485
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a radiation detection apparatus including a photoelectric conversion element that includes a first electrode placed above a substrate, a semiconductor layer placed on the first electrode, and a second electrode placed on the semiconductor layer includes forming the second electrode by removing a portion of an electrode layer formed over the semiconductor layer, the portion being located on an end section of the semiconductor layer. The method includes forming an insulating layer such that the insulating layer covers a portion of the semiconductor layer that is not covered by the second electrode. The method further includes forming a third electrode on at least one portion of the insulating layer such that the insulating layer is interposed between the third electrode and the end section of the semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Jun Kawanabe, Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Publication number: 20130248727
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a control unit and a detector that includes multiple pixels and that performs an image capturing operation to output image data corresponding to radiation or light that is emitted. The image capturing operation includes a first image capturing operation in a first scanning area corresponding to part of the multiple pixels to output image data in the first scanning area and a second image capturing operation in a second scanning area larger than the first scanning area to output image data in the second scanning area. The control unit causes the detector to perform an accumulation operation in the second image capturing operation in a time determined so that an image artifact caused by the scanning area is lower than a predetermined allowable value on the basis of information about the amount of integration of accumulation times in the first image capturing operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshio Kameshima, Tadao Endo, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenada, Keigo Yokoyama, Sho Sato, Toshikazu Tamura
  • Patent number: 8541754
    Abstract: An imaging system includes a detector (104) having a first area where irradiation occurs in a radiation field (A) and a second area other than the first area where irradiation occurs in a radiation field (B) and configured to output image data, and an image processing unit (601) that performs image processing on the image data. The image processing unit (601) includes a storage unit (602) that stores dark output information, a measurement unit (607) that measures the integral dose of the radiation or light applied to a pixel in the first area and the integral dose of the radiation or light applied to a pixel in the second area, and a correction unit (610) that corrects the image data, based on the dark output information obtained from the storage unit (602) and the integral doses measured by the measurement unit (607), when changing of the radiation field has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuro Takenaka, Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Masayoshi Akiyama, Tomoyuki Yagi, Keigo Yokoyama