Patents by Inventor Luonghung Asakura

Luonghung Asakura 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: 20250119656
    Abstract: A first and second pixel units that perform FD addition are provided. The first pixel unit includes: a first switch transistor of which one source/drain electrode is connected to an FD; and a reset transistor that is connected between another source/drain electrode of the first switch transistor and a power supply node. The second pixel unit includes: a second switch transistor of which one source/drain electrode is connected to an FD; a third switch transistor of which one source/drain electrode is connected to another source/drain electrode of the second switch transistor; and a capacitive element that is connected between another source/drain electrode of the third switch transistor and a reference potential node. The respective other source/drain electrodes of the first switch transistor and the second switch transistor are electrically connected with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Inventor: Luonghung Asakura
  • Patent number: 12192659
    Abstract: PLS resistance is improved in a solid-state imaging element in which all pixels are simultaneously exposed. A front-stage transfer transistor transfers a charge from a photoelectric conversion element to a front-stage charge holding region and a rear-stage charge holding region which have different capacities. A rear-stage transfer transistor transfers the charge from the rear-stage charge holding region to a floating diffusion region. An intermediate transfer transistor transfers a charge, which remains in the front-stage charge holding region after the charge has been transferred from the rear-stage charge holding region to the floating diffusion region, to the floating diffusion region via the front-stage charge holding region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Luonghung Asakura
  • Publication number: 20240414452
    Abstract: The solid-state imaging element includes a photoelectric conversion film, an upstream circuit, and a sample-hold circuit. The photoelectric conversion film converts incident light into a charge. The upstream circuit sequentially generates a reset level according to an amount of the charge at a time of a start of exposure and a signal level according to an amount of the charge at a time of an end of exposure, and outputs the reset level and the signal level to an upstream node. The sample-hold circuit causes the reset level and the signal level to be held at mutually different capacitive elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Inventor: LUONGHUNG ASAKURA
  • Publication number: 20240414451
    Abstract: The present invention improves image quality while preventing a decrease in frame rate in a solid-state imaging element in which all pixels are exposed simultaneously. The solid-state imaging element includes a comparison unit, a pre-stage circuit, a capacitor unit, and a post-stage circuit. The comparison unit compares a signal level corresponding to an exposure amount with a predetermined threshold and outputs a comparison result. The pre-stage circuit converts charges into a voltage at a conversion efficiency selected from among a plurality of different conversion efficiencies on the basis of the comparison result and outputs the voltage. The capacitor unit holds the voltage. The post-stage circuit reads the voltage thus held and outputs the voltage to a vertical signal line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Inventors: RYOTO YOSHITA, LUONGHUNG ASAKURA, YOSHIAKI INADA
  • Publication number: 20240414450
    Abstract: In a solid-state imaging element that performs exposure in all pixels at the same time, image quality is improved. A solid-state imaging element includes a previous-stage circuit, a plurality of capacitive elements, a selection circuit, and a subsequent-stage circuit. In the solid-state imaging element, the previous-stage circuit converts charges into a voltage using each of a plurality of conversion efficiencies and outputs it to the previous-stage node. One ends of the plurality of capacitive elements are connected to the previous-stage node in common. The selection circuit connects the other end of one of the plurality of capacitive elements to a subsequent-stage node. The subsequent-stage circuit reads the voltage via the subsequent-stage node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2022
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryoto YOSHITA, Takashi MACHIDA, Luonghung ASAKURA, Yoshiaki INADA, Yoshimichi KUMAGAI, Toru SHIRAKATA
  • Publication number: 20240397239
    Abstract: Solid-state imaging elements that accommodate expanded dynamic range are disclosed. In one example, a conversion efficiency control transistor controls conversion efficiency during conversion of a charge into a voltage by opening and closing a path between a floating diffusion layer and an additional capacitance. An upstream amplification transistor amplifies the voltage generated from the charge according to the conversion efficiency, and outputs the voltage to a node. Capacitive elements hold the output voltage. A selecting circuit connects any of the capacitive elements to a downstream node. A downstream circuit reads out and outputs the held voltage via the downstream node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Luonghung Asakura, Minoru Sakata
  • Patent number: 12149857
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device and electronic apparatus capable of relieving wiring failure with less redundancy. The solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array unit in which a plurality of pixels is two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix, one redundant wiring provided for n number of signal lines that transmit a pixel signal from the pixels, and one or more redundant switches that connect one signal line and a redundant wiring. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a solid-state imaging device, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Luonghung Asakura
  • Publication number: 20240373143
    Abstract: To improve the image quality in a solid-state imaging element that performs exposure by a rolling shutter scheme or a global shutter scheme. A pixel circuit outputs a pixel signal as an input signal and, in a case where a rolling shutter mode to start exposure sequentially row by row is selected, outputs the pixel signal as a first output signal. A sample-hold circuit holds the input signal and outputs the input signal as a second output signal in a case where a global shutter mode to start exposure simultaneously for all pixels is selected. A changeover switch selects any one of the first and second output signals and outputs the selected one to an analog-to-digital converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Inventors: Hiromu Kato, Luonghung Asakura, Yoshiaki Inada
  • Publication number: 20240348943
    Abstract: Solid-state imaging elements are disclosed. In one example, an upstream circuit block generates a predetermined reset level and a plurality of signal levels each corresponding to an exposure amount, and causes capacitive elements, different from each other, to hold them. A selection circuit sequentially performs control to connect the capacitive element in which the reset level is held to a predetermined downstream node, control to disconnect capacitive elements from the downstream node, and control to connect the capacitive element in which any of the plurality of signal levels is held to the downstream node. A downstream reset transistor initializes a level of the downstream node when the capacitive elements are disconnected from the downstream node. A downstream circuit sequentially reads the reset level and the plurality of signal levels via the downstream node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2024
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Inventors: Luonghung Asakura, Hiromu Kato
  • Patent number: 12120449
    Abstract: An image capturing device of the present disclosure has a stacked chip structure in which at least two semiconductor chips including a first semiconductor chip and a second semiconductor chip are stacked. Pixels each including a light receiving portion are arranged on the first semiconductor chip, and a scanning section that selectively scans the pixel and a signal processing section that processes an analog signal output from the pixel are arranged on the second semiconductor chip. Further, the scanning section is arranged along pixel rows of the pixel arrangement in the matrix form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Luonghung Asakura
  • Publication number: 20240340551
    Abstract: Solid-state imaging elements are disclosed. In one example, an upstream circuit sequentially generates a predetermined reset level and a signal level corresponding to an exposure amount, and causes first and second capacitive elements to hold the reset level and the signal level. A selection circuit sequentially connects one of the capacitive elements to a predetermined downstream node, disconnects both capacitive elements from the downstream node, and connects the other capacitive element to the downstream node. A downstream reset transistor initializes a level of the downstream node when both capacitive elements are disconnected from the downstream node. A downstream circuit sequentially reads the reset level and the signal level from the first and second capacitive elements via the downstream node and outputs the reset level and the signal level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2024
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Inventors: Luonghung Asakura, Yoshiaki Inada
  • Patent number: 12088942
    Abstract: An imaging device that includes a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion element and arranged in an array of matrix, a control line group including a plurality of control lines for controlling each of pixels aligned in a row direction, each arranged in each of rows of the array, and a plurality of reading lines (VSL) arranged in each of columns for transferring a pixel signal read from each of pixels aligned in a column direction of the array, wherein the plurality of pixels includes a first pixel controlled by a control signal supplied from a first control line group including control lines in a first number among a plurality of control lines included in the control line group in each of pixels aligned in the row direction in at least one of rows of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Luonghung Asakura
  • Patent number: 12088945
    Abstract: In one example, an imaging device includes stacked first and second substrates. The first substrate has an array of light receiving pixels divisible into pixel blocks and the second substrate has a pixel control portion that controls the pixels. The first substrate includes a first wiring line that transmits a first voltage, a second wiring line that transmits a second voltage, and a fault detection circuit that detects a wiring fault for each pixel block. The fault detection circuit detects a wiring fault by connecting wiring lines corresponding to pixel columns or pixel rows in series in each pixel block, connecting one of the ends of a wiring chain connected in series in each pixel block to the first wiring line, connecting the other end to the second wiring line, and detecting a wiring fault based on a potential at an intermediate position of the wiring chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventor: Luonghung Asakura
  • Patent number: 12047701
    Abstract: Solid-state imaging elements are disclosed. In one example, an upstream circuit sequentially generates a predetermined reset level and a signal level corresponding to an exposure amount, and causes first and second capacitive elements to hold the reset level and the signal level. A selection circuit sequentially connects one of the capacitive elements to a predetermined downstream node, disconnects both capacitive elements from the downstream node, and connects the other capacitive element to the downstream node. A downstream reset transistor initializes a level of the downstream node when both capacitive elements are disconnected from the downstream node. A downstream circuit sequentially reads the reset level and the signal level from the first and second capacitive elements via the downstream node and outputs the reset level and the signal level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Luonghung Asakura, Yoshiaki Inada
  • Publication number: 20240187752
    Abstract: To improve image quality in a solid-state imaging element that simultaneously performs exposure in all pixels. The solid-state imaging element includes a predetermined number of capacitive elements, a pre-stage circuit, a selection circuit, a post-stage circuit, and a vertical scanning circuit. The pre-stage circuit generates a predetermined reset level and a signal level corresponding to an exposure amount, and causes each of the capacitive elements to hold a corresponding one of the reset level and the signal level. In the selection circuit, a selection transistor that opens and closes a path between one end of each capacitive element and a predetermined node is arranged. The post-stage circuit sequentially reads the reset level and the signal level via the node. The vertical scanning circuit performs control to lower the potential of the one end when the reset level and the signal level are held.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventor: LuongHung Asakura
  • Patent number: 12003873
    Abstract: A first and second pixel units that perform FD addition are provided. The first pixel unit includes: a first switch transistor of which one source/drain electrode is connected to an FD; and a reset transistor that is connected between another source/drain electrode of the first switch transistor and a power supply node. The second pixel unit includes: a second switch transistor of which one source/drain electrode is connected to an FD; a third switch transistor of which one source/drain electrode is connected to another source/drain electrode of the second switch transistor; and a capacitive element that is connected between another source/drain electrode of the third switch transistor and a reference potential node. The respective other source/drain electrodes of the first switch transistor and the second switch transistor are electrically connected with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventor: Luonghung Asakura
  • Publication number: 20240171884
    Abstract: To improve image quality in a solid-state imaging element that simultaneously performs exposure in all pixels. Arranged in a pre-stage circuit are a pair of floating diffusion layers that converts transferred charges into a voltage, and a conversion efficiency control transistor that controls conversion efficiency with which the charges are converted into voltage by opening and closing a path between the pair of floating diffusion layers. First, second, third, and fourth capacitive elements have their respective one ends commonly connected to the pre-stage circuit. The selection circuit selects one of their respective other ends of the first, second, third, and fourth capacitive elements and connects the selected other end to a predetermined post-stage node. The post-stage circuit reads, via the post-stage node, a reset level obtained by amplifying the voltage when the pair of floating diffusion layers is initialized and a signal level obtained by amplifying the voltage when the charges are transferred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventor: LuongHung Asakura
  • Patent number: 11974057
    Abstract: Solid-state imaging elements are disclosed. In one example, an upstream circuit block generates a predetermined reset level and a plurality of signal levels each corresponding to an exposure amount, and causes capacitive elements, different from each other, to hold them. A selection circuit sequentially performs control to connect the capacitive element in which the reset level is held to a predetermined downstream node, control to disconnect capacitive elements from the downstream node, and control to connect the capacitive element in which any of the plurality of signal levels is held to the downstream node. A downstream reset transistor initializes a level of the downstream node when the capacitive elements are disconnected from the downstream node. A downstream circuit sequentially reads the reset level and the plurality of signal levels via the downstream node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Luonghung Asakura, Hiromu Kato
  • Publication number: 20240073553
    Abstract: Image quality enhancement in a solid-state imaging element with simultaneous pixel exposure is disclosed. In one example, a solid-state imaging element includes a first pixel with a first selection transistor that opens and closes a path between a first capacitive element holding a predetermined reset level and a predetermined node, and a second selection transistor that opens and closes a path between a second capacitive element holding a signal level corresponding to an exposure amount and the node. It also includes a second pixel with a third selection transistor that opens and closes a path between a third capacitive element holding a predetermined reset level and a predetermined node, and a fourth selection transistor that opens and closes a path between a fourth capacitive element holding a signal level corresponding to the exposure amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventor: LuongHung Asakura
  • Patent number: 11917312
    Abstract: Solid-state imaging apparatuses are disclosed. In one example, an apparatus includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate includes a pixel array that is arrayed in columns and rows. The second substrate is stacked on the first substrate, and includes first and second analog circuits that overlap with the pixel array in a third direction intersecting the column and row directions. A pixel divider section divides pixels in the array into a first area and a second area. The first and second analog circuits respectively connect to pixels in the first and second areas, and are adjacent to each other with a circuit divider section interposed therebetween, the circuit divider section being located with an overlap with the pixel divider section in the third direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Chihiro Okada, Luonghung Asakura, Kengo Iseki