Patents by Inventor Koichiro Iwata

Koichiro Iwata 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: 20240082559
    Abstract: A connector (50) includes a tubular member (52) and a base tube (58). A light-guiding tube (60) is drawn out from the base tube (58) toward the opposite side to the tubular member (52). An adapter (1) includes: a first connecting portion (10) that can be connected to and disconnected from a light source device (70); a second connecting portion (20) that can be connected to and disconnected from the connector (50); and a light-guiding member (30) that guides light emitted from the light source device (70) to a proximal end surface (61) of the tube (60).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Takehiko YUKI, Masaya MUTSUKADO, Ken KANDA, Koichiro TOYOTA, Masahiro KINOSHITA, Osuke IWATA, Manabu MOCHIZUKI, Yasuo IMAMURA
  • Publication number: 20240048862
    Abstract: In a photoelectric conversion device, in a first period in which a respective different offset voltage is supplied to a comparator included in each of a plurality of AD conversion circuits, a control unit performs control to bring the offset voltage into a first driving state in which a voltage change amount per unit time of the offset voltage is a first voltage amount, and, in a second period in which a ramp signal is supplied to the comparator included in each of the plurality of AD conversion circuits, the control unit performs control to bring the ramp signal into a second driving state in which a voltage change amount per unit time of the ramp signal is a second voltage amount, wherein the first voltage amount is larger the second voltage amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: KOICHIRO IWATA, YU ARISHIMA, MASAKI SATO
  • Publication number: 20240040279
    Abstract: The photoelectric conversion device includes a plurality of pixels arranged to form a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, wherein each of the plurality of pixels includes a photoelectric conversion unit, a plurality of output lines, wherein at least two of the plurality of output lines are arranged in each of the plurality of columns and each of the plurality of output lines is connected to a pixel of a corresponding column, a scanning circuit configured to sequentially select plural rows that are a part of the plurality of rows, and a selection circuit that includes an input unit to which a control signal different from a control signal input to the scanning circuit is input and is configured to select a row that is the other part of the plurality of rows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: YU ARISHIMA, KOICHIRO IWATA, MASAKI SATO, SHINYA ICHINO
  • Publication number: 20240031708
    Abstract: A pixel is configured to output a signal. An input node is configured to input the signal. A holding circuit is configured to hold the signal input to the input node. An amplifier is configured to input the signal held in the holding circuit. An output node is configured to output the signal from the amplifier. An input switch is connected in series between the input node and the holding circuit. An output switch is connected in series between the amplifier and the output node. In a first operation mode, the output switch is in an on state, and the input switch is turned on or off at a predetermined timing to hold the signal in the holding circuit. In a second operation mode, the input switch and the output switch are an off state and the amplifier outputs a constant voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: KOICHIRO IWATA, YOSHIAKI TAKADA
  • Publication number: 20240006453
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a first substrate and a second substrate. A plurality of photoelectric conversion circuits is disposed on the first substrate. A plurality of floating diffusion circuits, a first switch, and a plurality of amplification transistors are disposed on the second substrate. The plurality of floating diffusion circuits is connected to the plurality of photoelectric conversion circuits. The first switch is configured to connect a first floating diffusion circuit and a second floating diffusion circuit in the plurality of floating diffusion circuits. The plurality of amplification transistors is configured to output signals based on potentials of the plurality of floating diffusion circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: MASANORI SHIBATA, YU ARISHIMA, KOICHIRO IWATA
  • Patent number: 11800253
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: a first pad portion that is connected to a voltage supply line in an aperture pixel region, and to which a reference voltage from outside of the semiconductor substrate is supplied; and a second pad portion that is connected to the voltage supply line in the light-shielded pixel region, and to which the reference voltage from outside of the semiconductor substrate is supplied, the second pad portion being separated from the first pad portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Saito, Hideo Kobayashi, Koichiro Iwata, Yoshiaki Takada, Satoshi Kato
  • Publication number: 20230276147
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a pixel array having aperture pixels arranged so as to form rows and columns, signal lines arranged in the pixel array so as to allow readout of signals from the aperture pixels, current sources connected to the signal lines, a first voltage supply line configured to supply a first reference voltage to the aperture pixels, a first pad connected to the first voltage supply line, a bias circuit configured to supply a bias voltage to the current sources, a second voltage supply line electrically separated from the first voltage supply line, and configured to supply a second reference voltage to the bias circuit, and a second pad connected to the second voltage supply line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: YU ARISHIMA, KOICHIRO IWATA, HIROAKI KAMEYAMA, MASAKI SATO
  • Publication number: 20230276150
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes pixels each including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements and arranged in a matrix, and a control circuit that controls the pixels on row-by-row. Each pixel may output a first signal corresponding to charge generated by the first photoelectric conversion element and a second signal corresponding to charge generated by the first and second photoelectric conversion elements. The control circuit performs a first reset operation and a first readout operation for reading out the second signal on pixels in a first row, and performs a second reset operation, a second readout operation for reading out the first signal, and a third readout operation for reading out the second signal on pixels in a second row. The control circuit performs a third reset operation on pixels of any one of rows in a period one before a period during which the second reset operation is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: MASAKI SATO, KOICHIRO IWATA, YU ARISHIMA, KENTARO TSUKIDA
  • Patent number: 11700468
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes a plurality of pixels, a signal line connected to the plurality of pixels, and a limiter circuit configured to limit an amplitude of the signal at the signal line. A first pixel in the plurality of pixels sequentially outputs a noise signal, a focus detection signal, and an image capturing signal to the signal line. A second pixel in the plurality of pixels sequentially outputs a noise signal and an image capturing signal to the signal line, and wherein a potential of the signal at the signal line is set to a potential by the limiter circuit during a period after the second pixel outputs the noise signal and before the second pixel outputs the image capturing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichiro Iwata, Yu Arishima, Masaki Sato
  • Patent number: 11627269
    Abstract: An analog-to-digital conversion circuit includes a comparator circuit configured to perform processing of comparison between an analog signal and a ramp signal, and a counter configured to perform count processing in parallel with the comparison processing by the comparator circuit. The analog-to-digital conversion circuit acquires digital data, which is a count value corresponding to the comparison processing, and subjects the analog signal to analog-to-digital conversion. A period from the start to the end of the analog-to-digital conversion of the one analog signal includes a first period and a second period following the first period. The first and the second periods are switched based on an output of the counter. The count processing is performed at a high speed during the first period and performed at a low speed during the second period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kohichi Nakamura, Hiroaki Kameyama, Koichiro Iwata, Yu Arishima
  • Publication number: 20220182571
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes a plurality of pixels, a signal line connected to the plurality of pixels, and a limiter circuit configured to limit an amplitude of the signal at the signal line. A first pixel in the plurality of pixels sequentially outputs a noise signal, a focus detection signal, and an image capturing signal to the signal line. A second pixel in the plurality of pixels sequentially outputs a noise signal and an image capturing signal to the signal line, and wherein a potential of the signal at the signal line is set to a potential by the limiter circuit during a period after the second pixel outputs the noise signal and before the second pixel outputs the image capturing signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Koichiro Iwata, Yu Arishima, Masaki Sato
  • Publication number: 20220141414
    Abstract: An analog-to-digital conversion circuit includes a comparator circuit configured to perform processing of comparison between an analog signal and a ramp signal, and a counter configured to perform count processing in parallel with the comparison processing by the comparator circuit. The analog-to-digital conversion circuit acquires digital data, which is a count value corresponding to the comparison processing, and subjects the analog signal to analog-to-digital conversion. A period from the start to the end of the analog-to-digital conversion of the one analog signal includes a first period and a second period following the first period. The first and the second periods are switched based on an output of the counter. The count processing is performed at a high speed during the first period and performed at a low speed during the second period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Kohichi Nakamura, Hiroaki Kameyama, Koichiro Iwata, Yu Arishima
  • Patent number: 11265501
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes pixels including first and second photoelectric converters, a memory unit, and a transfer unit for transferring signals in the memory unit to a processing unit. The pixels output a first signal based on a signal of the first photoelectric converter, and a second signal based on signals of the first and second photoelectric converters. The transfer unit performs on row-by-row a first transfer period of transferring the first signal in the memory unit and a second transfer period of transferring the second signals held in the memory unit. A column a pixel outputting the first signal transferred during the first period of a first row is arranged is different from a column a pixel outputting the first signal transferred during the first period of a second row is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koichiro Iwata
  • Patent number: 11258973
    Abstract: An AD conversion circuit includes a comparator configured to compare an analog signal with a ramp signal and output a comparison result signal indicating a result of the comparison, and performs an AD conversion using the comparison result signal. In the comparison, a potential of the ramp signal changes with a lapse of time from a first potential to a second potential. Before the comparison, the potential of the ramp signal changes at a first change rate and then changes at a second change rate smaller than the first change rate, the potential of the ramp signal changes from the first potential to a third potential between the first potential and the second potential, and the comparator is reset in a state where the third potential is input to the comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichiro Iwata, Yoshiaki Takada, Kohichi Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20210360180
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: a first pad portion that is connected to a voltage supply line in an aperture pixel region, and to which a reference voltage from outside of the semiconductor substrate is supplied; and a second pad portion that is connected to the voltage supply line in the light-shielded pixel region, and to which the reference voltage from outside of the semiconductor substrate is supplied, the second pad portion being separated from the first pad portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Saito, Hideo Kobayashi, Koichiro Iwata, Yoshiaki Takada, Satoshi Kato
  • Publication number: 20210344868
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes pixels including first and second photoelectric converters, a memory unit, and a transfer unit for transferring signals in the memory unit to a processing unit. The pixels output a first signal based on a signal of the first photoelectric converter, and a second signal based on signals of the first and second photoelectric converters. The transfer unit performs on row-by-row a first transfer period of transferring the first signal in the memory unit and a second transfer period of transferring the second signals held in the memory unit. A column a pixel outputting the first signal transferred during the first period of a first row is arranged is different from a column a pixel outputting the first signal transferred during the first period of a second row is arranged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventor: Koichiro Iwata
  • Publication number: 20210294155
    Abstract: The present invention appropriately holds an optical component without damage and reduces parts count. An optical switching module (15) includes: a reflector element (32); a housing (31); and an angled window member (33) that includes inclined faces (33a, 33b) whose normal directions are different from each other and that guides light beams incident on the respective inclined faces (33a, 33b) to respective different segments (first region (32a) and second region (32b)) of the light receiving surface of the reflector element (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Applicant: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventor: Koichiro Iwata
  • Patent number: 11114740
    Abstract: The present invention achieves a coupling mechanism which allows for more efficient dissipation of heat generated by the heat generating element, as compared with a conventional coupling mechanism. A coupling mechanism (1) includes: a plate-like member group (11) including (i) a first plate-like member (11_2) which is joined to a heat generating element (92) and (ii) a second plate-like member (11_1) which is joined to a radiator (91); and a shaft member (12) configured to hold the first plate-like member and the second plate-like member (11_1, 11_2) so as to allow the first plate-like member and the second plate-like member (11_1, 11_2) to rotate on a shared axis which is orthogonal to main surfaces of the respective first and second plate-like members (11_1, 11_2). The main surface of the first plate-like member (11_2) is in plane contact with the main surface of the second plate-like member (11_1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventor: Koichiro Iwata
  • Patent number: 11115608
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, column circuits operate selectively in a first drive mode to output a comparison signal or a second drive mode to acquire a correction value of a first reference signal and a second reference signal, and a selector circuit of a second column circuit selects the same reference signal out of the first reference signal and the second reference signal in the first drive mode and the second drive mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiichirou Sakai, Hiroaki Kameyama, Kazuo Yamazaki, Koichiro Iwata, Kohichi Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20210258529
    Abstract: A unit circuit includes a photoelectric conversion element, an output transistor including an input node and configured to output a signal based on a charge from the photoelectric conversion element, a reset transistor, and a first transistor connected to the input node and configured to change a capacitance of the input node. A first control signal supplied to a gate electrode of the first transistor has at least three types of voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Yu Arishima, Masahiro Kobayashi, Koichiro Iwata, Fumihiro Inui