Patents by Inventor Masahiko Nakamizo

Masahiko Nakamizo 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: 11901391
    Abstract: An imaging device of an embodiment has a first substrate, a second substrate, a wire, and a trench. The first substrate has a pixel having a photodiode and a floating diffusion that holds a charge converted by the photodiode. The second substrate has a pixel circuit that reads a pixel signal based on the charge held in the floating diffusion in the pixel, and is stacked on the first substrate. The wire penetrates the first substrate and the second substrate in a stacking direction, and electrically connects the floating diffusion in the first substrate to an amplification transistor in the pixel circuit of the second substrate. The trench is formed at least in the second substrate, runs in parallel with the wire, and has a depth equal to or greater than the thickness of a semiconductor layer in the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeyoshi Komoto, Masahiko Nakamizo, Toshiaki Ono, Tomonori Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20240038810
    Abstract: A sensor includes a first substrate including at least a first pixel. The first pixel includes an avalanche photodiode to convert incident light into electric charge and includes an anode and a cathode. The cathode is in a well region of the first substrate. The first pixel includes an isolation region that isolates the well region from at least a second pixel that is adjacent to the first pixel. The first pixel includes a hole accumulation region between the isolation region and the well region. The hole accumulation region is electrically connected to the anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke OTAKE, Akira MATSUMOTO, Junpei YAMAMOTO, Ryusei NAITO, Masahiko NAKAMIZO, Toshifumi WAKANO
  • Publication number: 20230411416
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging element of a pixel sharing type with improved driving of transistors is disclosed. A first electric charge accumulating section and a second electric charge accumulating section are arranged in a predetermined direction. A first transfer section transfers electric charge from first photoelectric conversion elements to the first electric charge accumulating section, causing it to accumulate the electric charge. A second transfer section transfers electric charge from second photoelectric conversion elements to the second electric charge accumulating section, causing it to accumulate the electric charge. A first transistor is configured to output a signal corresponding to an amount of the electric charge accumulated in each of the first electric charge accumulating section and the second electric charge accumulating section. A second transistor is arranged with the first transistor in the predetermined direction and connected in parallel to the first transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Nakadate, Toshifumi Wakano, Masahiko Nakamizo
  • Publication number: 20230353905
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging element and an electronic device are provided. A pixel at least includes a photoelectric conversion unit that performs photoelectric conversion, an FD unit to which charge generated in the photoelectric conversion unit is transferred, and an amplification transistor that has a gate electrode to which the FD unit is connected. A reference signal is input to a MOS transistor. The reference signal is referred to when AD conversion is performed on a pixel signal according to an amount of light received by the pixel. Then, a shared structure is employed in which a predetermined number of pixels share an AD converter that includes a differential pair including the MOS transistor and the amplification transistor. Each of the pixels is provided with a selection transistor that is used to select a pixel for which AD conversion is performed on the pixel signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: KENICHI OBATA, MASAHIKO NAKAMIZO
  • Patent number: 11756971
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging element of a pixel sharing type with improved driving of transistors is disclosed. A first electric charge accumulating section and a second electric charge accumulating section are arranged in a predetermined direction. A first transfer section transfers electric charge from first photoelectric conversion elements to the first electric charge accumulating section, causing it to accumulate the electric charge. A second transfer section transfers electric charge from second photoelectric conversion elements to the second electric charge accumulating section, causing it to accumulate the electric charge. A first transistor is configured to output a signal corresponding to an amount of the electric charge accumulated in each of the first electric charge accumulating section and the second electric charge accumulating section. A second transistor is arranged with the first transistor in the predetermined direction and connected in parallel to the first transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Nakadate, Toshifumi Wakano, Masahiko Nakamizo
  • Patent number: 11743619
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging element and an electronic device are provided. A pixel at least includes a photoelectric conversion unit that performs photoelectric conversion, an FD unit to which charge generated in the photoelectric conversion unit is transferred, and an amplification transistor that has a gate electrode to which the FD unit is connected. A reference signal is input to a MOS transistor. The reference signal is referred to when AD conversion is performed on a pixel signal according to an amount of light received by the pixel. Then, a shared structure is employed in which a predetermined number of pixels share an AD converter that includes a differential pair including the MOS transistor and the amplification transistor. Each of the pixels is provided with a selection transistor that is used to select a pixel for which AD conversion is performed on the pixel signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Obata, Masahiko Nakamizo
  • Publication number: 20230232125
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus including: a first imaging element and a second imaging element, in which each of the first and second imaging elements includes: a plurality of pixels in a semiconductor substrate; a pixel separation wall; and a color filter above a light receiving surface of the semiconductor substrate that transmits light having a wavelength that is different between the first imaging element and the second imaging element, the pixel separation wall included in the first imaging element has a slit at a center of the first imaging element where the imaging apparatus is viewed from a side of the light receiving surface, and the pixel separation wall included in the second imaging element does not have a slit at a center of the second imaging element where the imaging apparatus is viewed from a side of the light receiving surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masahiko NAKAMIZO
  • Publication number: 20230136655
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging element of a pixel sharing type with improved driving of transistors is disclosed. A first electric charge accumulating section and a second electric charge accumulating section are arranged in a predetermined direction. A first transfer section transfers electric charge from first photoelectric conversion elements to the first electric charge accumulating section, causing it to accumulate the electric charge. A second transfer section transfers electric charge from second photoelectric conversion elements to the second electric charge accumulating section, causing it to accumulate the electric charge. A first transistor is configured to output a signal corresponding to an amount of the electric charge accumulated in each of the first electric charge accumulating section and the second electric charge accumulating section. A second transistor is arranged with the first transistor in the predetermined direction and connected in parallel to the first transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Nakadate, Toshifumi Wakano, Masahiko Nakamizo
  • Patent number: 11552114
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging element of a pixel sharing type with improved driving of transistors is disclosed. A first electric charge accumulating section and a second electric charge accumulating section are arranged in a predetermined direction. A first transfer section transfers electric charge from first photoelectric conversion elements to the first electric charge accumulating section, causing it to accumulate the electric charge. A second transfer section transfers electric charge from second photoelectric conversion elements to the second electric charge accumulating section, causing it to accumulate the electric charge. A first transistor is configured to output a signal corresponding to an amount of the electric charge accumulated in each of the first electric charge accumulating section and the second electric charge accumulating section. A second transistor is arranged with the first transistor in the predetermined direction and connected in parallel to the first transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Nakadate, Toshifumi Wakano, Masahiko Nakamizo
  • Publication number: 20230007209
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging element and an electronic device are provided. A pixel at least includes a photoelectric conversion unit that performs photoelectric conversion, an FD unit to which charge generated in the photoelectric conversion unit is transferred, and an amplification transistor that has a gate electrode to which the FD unit is connected. A reference signal is input to a MOS transistor. The reference signal is referred to when AD conversion is performed on a pixel signal according to an amount of light received by the pixel. Then, a shared structure is employed in which a predetermined number of pixels share an AD converter that includes a differential pair including the MOS transistor and the amplification transistor. Each of the pixels is provided with a selection transistor that is used to select a pixel for which AD conversion is performed on the pixel signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: KENICHI OBATA, MASAHIKO NAKAMIZO
  • Publication number: 20220367555
    Abstract: An imaging device of an embodiment has a first substrate, a second substrate, a wire, and a trench. The first substrate has a pixel having a photodiode and a floating diffusion that holds a charge converted by the photodiode. The second substrate has a pixel circuit that reads a pixel signal based on the charge held in the floating diffusion in the pixel, and is stacked on the first substrate. The wire penetrates the first substrate and the second substrate in a stacking direction, and electrically connects the floating diffusion in the first substrate to an amplification transistor in the pixel circuit of the second substrate. The trench is formed at least in the second substrate, runs in parallel with the wire, and has a depth equal to or greater than the thickness of a semiconductor layer in the second substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeyoshi KOMOTO, Masahiko NAKAMIZO, Toshiaki ONO, Tomonori YAMASHITA
  • Publication number: 20220321816
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a third substrate, and a switching unit. The first substrate has a pixel including a photodiode and floating diffusion that holds the charge converted by the photodiode. The second substrate has a pixel circuit that reads out a pixel signal based on the charge held in the floating diffusion in the pixel, and is stacked on the first substrate. The third substrate has a processing circuit that detects a pixel signal read out by the pixel circuit, and is stacked on the second substrate. The switching unit is provided to enable electrical connection between the floating diffusion and a floating diffusion of another pixel in the first substrate, and is provided on the second substrate. As a result, by switching the capacitance of the floating diffusion of the pixel using floating diffusion of another pixel, it is possible to switch the charge-voltage conversion efficiency levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: SOICHI OCHIAI, TAKEYOSHI KOMOTO, MASAHIKO NAKAMIZO
  • Patent number: 11463645
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging element and an electronic device is provided. A pixel at least includes a photoelectric conversion unit that performs photoelectric conversion, an FD unit to which charge generated in the photoelectric conversion unit is transferred, and an amplification transistor that has a gate electrode to which the FD unit is connected. A reference signal is input to a MOS transistor. The reference signal is referred to when AD conversion is performed on a pixel signal according to an amount of light received by the pixel. Then, a shared structure is employed in which a predetermined number of pixels share an AD converter that includes a differential pair including the MOS transistor and the amplification transistor. Each of the pixels is provided with a selection transistor that is used to select a pixel for which AD conversion is performed on the pixel signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Obata, Masahiko Nakamizo
  • Publication number: 20220020789
    Abstract: A sensor includes a first substrate including at least a first pixel. The first pixel includes an avalanche photodiode to convert incident light into electric charge and includes an anode and a cathode. The cathode is in a well region of the first substrate. The first pixel includes an isolation region that isolates the well region from at least a second pixel that is adjacent to the first pixel. The first pixel includes a hole accumulation region between the isolation region and the well region. The hole accumulation region is electrically connected to the anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke OTAKE, Akira MATSUMOTO, Junpei YAMAMOTO, Ryusei NAITO, Masahiko NAKAMIZO, Toshifumi WAKANO
  • Publication number: 20210272992
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging element of a pixel sharing type with improved driving of transistors is disclosed. A first electric charge accumulating section and a second electric charge accumulating section are arranged in a predetermined direction. A first transfer section transfers electric charge from first photoelectric conversion elements to the first electric charge accumulating section, causing it to accumulate the electric charge. A second transfer section transfers electric charge from second photoelectric conversion elements to the second electric charge accumulating section, causing it to accumulate the electric charge. A first transistor is configured to output a signal corresponding to an amount of the electric charge accumulated in each of the first electric charge accumulating section and the second electric charge accumulating section. A second transistor is arranged with the first transistor in the predetermined direction and connected in parallel to the first transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Nakadate, Toshifumi Wakano, Masahiko Nakamizo
  • Patent number: 11031421
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging element of a pixel sharing type with improved driving of transistors is disclosed. A first electric charge accumulating section and a second electric charge accumulating section are arranged in a predetermined direction. A first transfer section transfers electric charge from first photoelectric conversion elements to the first electric charge accumulating section, causing it to accumulate the electric charge. A second transfer section transfers electric charge from second photoelectric conversion elements to the second electric charge accumulating section, causing it to accumulate the electric charge. A first transistor is configured to output a signal corresponding to an amount of the electric charge accumulated in each of the first electric charge accumulating section and the second electric charge accumulating section. A second transistor is arranged with the first transistor in the predetermined direction and connected in parallel to the first transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Nakadate, Toshifumi Wakano, Masahiko Nakamizo
  • Patent number: 10893224
    Abstract: The present technology relates to an imaging element and an electronic device that enable pixels to flexibly share a charge voltage converting unit. The imaging element includes a pixel array unit in which pixels respectively having charge voltage converting units and switches are arranged, and the charge voltage converting units of the plurality of pixels are connected to a signal line in parallel via the respective switches. The present technology is applied to, for example, a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor in which pixels share a charge voltage converting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuu Kajiwara, Masahiko Nakamizo
  • Publication number: 20200404211
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a solid-state imaging element and an electronic device that enable performance to be further improved. A pixel at least includes: a photoelectric conversion unit configured to perform photoelectric conversion; an FD unit to which charge generated in the photoelectric conversion unit is transferred; and an amplification transistor that has a gate electrode to which the FD unit is connected. A reference signal is input to a MOS transistor. The reference signal is referred to when AD conversion is performed on a pixel signal according to an amount of light received by the pixel. Then, a shared structure is employed in which a predetermined number of pixels share an AD converter that includes a differential pair including the MOS transistor and the amplification transistor. Each of the pixels is provided with a selection transistor that is used to select a pixel for which AD conversion is performed on the pixel signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: KENICHI OBATA, MASAHIKO NAKAMIZO
  • Patent number: 10804309
    Abstract: A sensor includes a first substrate including at least a first pixel. The first pixel includes an avalanche photodiode to convert incident light into electric charge and includes an anode and a cathode. The cathode is in a well region of the first substrate. The first pixel includes an isolation region that isolates the well region from at least a second pixel that is adjacent to the first pixel. The first pixel includes a hole accumulation region between the isolation region and the well region. The hole accumulation region is electrically connected to the anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Otake, Akira Matsumoto, Junpei Yamamoto, Ryusei Naito, Masahiko Nakamizo, Toshifumi Wakano
  • Publication number: 20200321369
    Abstract: A sensor includes a first substrate including at least a first pixel. The first pixel includes an avalanche photodiode to convert incident light into electric charge and includes an anode and a cathode. The cathode is in a well region of the first substrate. The first pixel includes an isolation region that isolates the well region from at least a second pixel that is adjacent to the first pixel. The first pixel includes a hole accumulation region between the isolation region and the well region. The hole accumulation region is electrically connected to the anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke OTAKE, Akira MATSUMOTO, Junpei YAMAMOTO, Ryusei NAITO, Masahiko NAKAMIZO, Toshifumi WAKANO