Patents by Inventor Minoru Watanabe

Minoru Watanabe 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: 20160161617
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of imaging pixels configured to acquire a radiation image, a plurality of detection pixels each including a detection conversion element and a detection switch element, a drive unit configured to drive the detection switch element of each of the plurality of detection pixels, a plurality of detection regions in each of which the plurality of detection pixels are arranged, a control unit configured to control the drive unit to drive the plurality of detection pixels arranged in each of the plurality of detection regions at respective different timing, and an acquisition unit configured to acquire an amount of incidence of radiation rays on each of the plurality of detection regions based on a value obtained by summing or averaging signals read out from the plurality of detection pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Jun Kawanabe, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama, Kazuya Furumoto
  • Patent number: 9331119
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Jun Kawanabe, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Patent number: 9293506
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Jun Kawanabe, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Patent number: 9277896
    Abstract: A radiation detection apparatus includes conversion elements including a first electrode, a semiconductor layer, and a second electrode that are divided for each pixel; switching elements electrically connected to the first electrodes; and a first insulating layer that separates the conversion elements of adjacent pixels. The semiconductor layer is located between the first and second electrodes. A periphery of the semiconductor layer is located outside peripheries of the first and second electrodes. The semiconductor layer includes a first impurity semiconductor layer, a second impurity semiconductor layer, and an intrinsic semiconductor layer located between the first and second impurity semiconductor layers. Parameters of the apparatus are defined to set a residual charge 10 ?s after the switching element is turned on to be not higher than 2%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masato Ofuji, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Patent number: 9270903
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a plurality of pixels each of which includes a conversion element and a first transistor of which one of a source and a drain is connected to the conversion element; and a second transistor which is shared by the plurality of pixels and has a gate connected respectively to the other of the source and the drain of the first transistor of each of the plurality of pixels. At least one among the gate, a source, a drain and a channel portion of the second transistor is formed to be extended over the plurality of pixels, and the conversion element is arranged over the first and second transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Wayama, Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi
  • Publication number: 20160047920
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus comprises a sensor portion including a pixel array configured to acquire an image signal corresponding to radiation, and a plurality of detection elements arranged in the pixel array and configured to detect the radiation, and a readout circuit configured to read out the image signal from the sensor portion, wherein the readout circuit includes a signal processing circuit arranged to combine and process signals from the plurality of detection elements if determining the presence or absence of radiation irradiation, and to process a signal for each detection element or combine and process signals from a number of detection elements from among the plurality of detection elements, the number being less than the number of detection elements that include the plurality of detection elements, if determining a radiation dose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Keigo Yokoyama, Minoru Watanabe, Masato Ofuji, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Publication number: 20160041276
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus includes a unit constituted by arranging blocks in line and an information processing unit. Each of the blocks includes a conversion element configured to generate an image signal corresponding to radiation, a switching element connected between the conversion element and a column signal line, a detection element configured to detect radiation, and a detection signal line connected to the detection element. The information processing unit corrects a signal from the detection element, by using a value of the signal based on a parasitic capacitance between the conversion elements arranged on the same column as a column of the detection element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Jun Kawanabe, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Publication number: 20160025865
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus includes a radiation detection unit including a plurality of sensors which detect radiation, and a monitoring unit which monitors irradiation of radiation based on signals detected by the plurality of sensors. The monitoring unit determines a plurality of effective sensor candidates from the plurality of sensors, and determines effective sensor(s) from effective sensor candidates excluding certain effective sensor candidates of the plurality of effective sensor candidates, the certain effective sensor candidates being an effective sensor candidate which has detected a signal having a maximum value and an effective sensor candidate which has detected a signal having a minimum value. The monitoring unit monitors irradiation of radiation based on signal(s) detected by the effective sensor(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Hiroshi Wayama, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi
  • Patent number: 9236591
    Abstract: Even if a junction box is laid out such that a region where a battery cell is disposed is divided, the battery cell is effectively cooled. A battery pack includes: a battery pack case (1) including a junction box accommodating portion (10) and a battery accommodating portions (7, 8a, 8b); and a plurality of batteries (2) accommodated in the battery accommodating portions (7, 8a, 8b) of the battery pack case (1). The junction box accommodating portion (10) is covered with shield members (21, 22, 23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: GS Yuasa International Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Watanabe, Toshiki Kusunoki, Yo Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20150362601
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus includes a plurality of pixels for acquiring a radiation image and a plurality of sensors for detecting radiation, a processing unit for sampling outputs from sensors constituting an effective sensor group, out of the plurality of sensors, and outputting information for control of irradiation in accordance with the sampled outputs. In a first period after the irradiation to the radiation imaging apparatus starts, the processing unit excludes, from the effective sensor group, a sensor, a value corresponding to an output from which has exceeded a first threshold, out of the plurality of sensors, and in a second period after the first period, the processing unit outputs the information in accordance with outputs from the sensors constituting the effective sensor group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Masato Ofuji, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Publication number: 20150346361
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus includes pixels arranged to form an array, sensors including conversion elements dispersed in the array to monitor radiation, a processing circuit for processing signals from the sensors, first signal lines for transmitting a signal from at least one of the sensors to the processing circuit, and second signal lines extending in a direction parallel to the first signal lines and not directly connected to the pixels and the conversion elements or connected to at least one of the pixels and at least one of the sensors. The processing circuit determines a value of a signal generated by each sensor based on a difference between a value of a signal appearing on the first signal line and a value of a signal appearing on the second signal line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Patent number: 9203066
    Abstract: A battery and an electrical apparatus accommodated in a battery pack body (1, 4) are effectively cooled. The battery pack body (1, 4) includes a battery region in which a battery module (2) is accommodated and an electrical apparatus region in which the electrical apparatus is accommodated. An air-suction portion (3) and an air-exhaust portion (37) are formed in the battery pack body (1, 4). Air which flows through the air-suction portion (36) is made to flow in the battery pack body (1, 4), thereby cooling the battery module (2) and the electrical apparatus and then, the air is made to flow out through the air-exhaust portion (37). The electrical apparatus region includes an electrical apparatus cover (27) which covers at least a portion of the electrical apparatus and which branches air which is sucked through the air-suction portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: GS YUASA INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventors: Minoru Watanabe, Toshiki Kusunoki, Shinpei Ono
  • Patent number: 9190437
    Abstract: A detection apparatus includes a transistor disposed on a substrate, a conversion element disposed above the transistor and connected to the transistor, a capacitor connected in parallel with conversion element to the transistor, the capacitor including, between the substrate and the conversion element, an ohmic contact part connected to the conversion element, a semiconductor part connected to the ohmic contact part, and an electrically conductive part disposed at a location opposite to the semiconductor part and the ohmic contact part via an insulating layer, and a potential supplying unit configured to selectively supply a first electric potential to the electrically conductive part to accumulate charge carriers in the semiconductor part and a second electric potential to the electrically conductive part to deplete the semiconductor part. The detection apparatus configured in the above-described manner is capable of controlling pixel capacitance thereby achieving a high signal-to-noise ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Kawanabe, Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Masato Ofuji, Keigo Yokoyama, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Publication number: 20150319382
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus includes a plurality of conversion elements configured to convert radiation into an electric signal to obtain a radiation image, a sensor for monitoring radiation, a processing unit configured to process signals output from output electrodes of the plurality of conversion elements and an output electrode of the sensor, and a shield. The signal output from the output electrode of the sensor is supplied to the processing unit via a signal line. The shield is arranged such that capacitive coupling between the output electrodes of the plurality of conversion elements and the signal line is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Jun Kawanabe, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Publication number: 20150316664
    Abstract: A pixel includes a conversion element detecting radiation, and a switch between the element and a signal line. A readout unit reads out a signal on the signal line. The readout unit includes a reset unit that resets a potential of the signal line. A period during which the readout unit reads out a signal on the signal line includes a first period during which the signal line is reset, and a signal on the signal line in a state that the switch is not turned on is read out, and a second period during which the signal line is reset, and a signal on the signal line due to the switch being turned on is read out. The processing unit calculates a difference between the signals read out in the second and first periods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Jun Kawanabe, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Publication number: 20150316661
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus has a plurality of pixels including a plurality of imaging pixels for obtaining a radiation image and a detecting pixel for detecting radiation, a plurality of column signal lines, and a detection signal line corresponding to the detecting pixel. Each of the imaging pixels includes a first conversion element configured to convert radiation into an electrical signal, and a first switch arranged between the first conversion element and a corresponding column signal line among the plurality of column signal lines. The detecting pixel includes a second conversion element configured to convert radiation into an electrical signal, and a second switch arranged between the second conversion element and the detection signal line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Jun Kawanabe, Hiroshi Wayama, Kazuya Furumoto
  • Patent number: 9165957
    Abstract: A detecting device includes a conversion device having a substrate, a pixel electrode formed of a transparent conductive oxide, a impurity semiconductor portion, and a semiconductor portion, the pixel electrode, impurity semiconductor portion, and semiconductor portion having been formed upon the substrate in that order from the substrate side. The impurity semiconductor portion includes a first region including a place in contact with the pixel electrode, and a second region situated nearer to the semiconductor portion than the first region. Concentration of dopant in the second region is higher than concentration of dopant in the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keigo Yokoyama, Minoru Watanabe, Masato Ofuji, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Patent number: 9159970
    Abstract: Provided is a battery pack that can uniformly cool a plurality of electric cells, prevent a breakdown of the electric cells, and provide high performance of all electric cells. The battery pack includes a packaging case in which: each adjacent ones of a plurality of electric cells in the first direction define a ventilation space; first and second passages are defined that extend in the first direction and that are arranged to have the plurality of electric cells located between the first and second passages in a second direction intersecting the first direction, wherein gas supplied to the first passage flows through the ventilation spaces to the second passage; and a flow rate limitation device is provided that is arranged in an upstream area of the first passage and that limits a flow rate of the gas flowing through one of the plurality of ventilation spaces, which leads to the upstream area of the first passage, to a predetermined flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: GS YUASA INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventors: Minoru Watanabe, Shingo Kawahara
  • Patent number: 9130209
    Abstract: An electric storage apparatus includes a holder for holding a plurality of electric storage devices. An inter-electric storage device air passage is formed between the electric storage devices. A holder body of the holder includes: at least one wall portion extending in a second direction, the at least one wall portion being opposed from outside to an electric storage device located at one end in a first direction among the plurality of electric storage devices; and an air vent portion formed side by side with the wall portion in a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions, the air vent portion being opened to the first and second directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: GS YUASA INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventors: Seiji Nemoto, Minoru Watanabe, Yoshihiro Masuda
  • Publication number: 20150234056
    Abstract: A radiation detection apparatus includes conversion elements including a first electrode, a semiconductor layer, and a second electrode that are divided for each pixel; switching elements electrically connected to the first electrodes; and a first insulating layer that separates the conversion elements of adjacent pixels. The semiconductor layer is located between the first and second electrodes. A periphery of the semiconductor layer is located outside peripheries of the first and second electrodes. The semiconductor layer includes a first impurity semiconductor layer, a second impurity semiconductor layer, and an intrinsic semiconductor layer located between the first and second impurity semiconductor layers. Parameters of the apparatus are defined to set a residual charge 10 ?ts after the switching element is turned on to be not higher than 2%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Masato Ofuji, Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama