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).

  • Patent number: 8164065
    Abstract: In a radiation detecting apparatus of the invention, plural pixels are arranged, and the pixel has a conversion element converting a radiation into an electric signal and a switching element connected to the conversion element. The conversion element includes a first electrode disposed on a first surface of an insulating substrate, a second electrode disposed on the first electrode, and a semiconductor layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode is made of a light-transmitting conductive material which transmits light emitted from a light source, and the first electrode is formed form a light transmitting electroconductive material transmitting light emitted form a light source disposed on a second surface of the insulating substrate opposite to the first surface. The switching element has a light shielding member which prevents incidence of the light from the light source to the switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Takamasa Ishii
  • Patent number: 8154641
    Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device according to the present invention has a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements and a plurality of switching elements. The photoelectric conversion element is formed above at least one switching element, and a shielding electrode layer is disposed between the switching elements and the photoelectric conversion elements. Further, a radiation image pickup device according to the present invention has a radiation conversion layer for directly converting radiation into electric charges, and a plurality of switching elements, and has the radiation conversion layer formed above one or more switching elements, and a shielding electrode layer disposed between the switching elements and the radiation conversion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiichi Nomura, Masakazu Morishita, Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Takamasa Ishii
  • Publication number: 20120080605
    Abstract: A stacked-type detection apparatus includes a plurality of pixels arranged at small intervals in row and column directions and has small signal line capacitance that allows a high-speed driving operation. Each pixel includes a conversion element configured to convert radiation or light into an electric charge and a switch element disposed on an insulating substrate. A driving line is disposed on the insulating substrate and is connected to switch elements arranged in the row direction; and a signal line is connected to switch elements arranged in the column direction. Each conversion element is disposed above a corresponding switch element. The driving line is realized using a conductive layer embedded in an insulating layer located below an uppermost surface portion of the driving line located below an uppermost surface portion of a main electrode of the switch element located below the conversion element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jun Kawanabe, Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Takamasa Ishii, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Publication number: 20120080600
    Abstract: A stacked-type detection apparatus includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix having row and column directions. Each pixel includes a conversion element configured to convert radiation or light into an electric charge, and a switch element configured to output an electric signal corresponding to the electric charge. A driving line is connected to switch elements arranged in the row direction, and a signal line is connected to switch elements arranged in the column direction. In each pixel, the conversion element is disposed above the switch element. The signal line is formed by a conductive layer embedded in an insulating layer located below an uppermost surface portion of a main electrode of the switch element located below an uppermost surface portion of the driving line located below the conversion element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Takamasa Ishii, Jun Kawanabe, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Publication number: 20120082875
    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: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: Lithium Energy Japan
    Inventors: Minoru Watanabe, Shingo Kawahara
  • Publication number: 20120032088
    Abstract: A stacked-type detection apparatus including a plurality of pixels arranged at small intervals is configured to have low capacitance associated with signal lines and/or driving lines. With this novel configuration, small time constant and high-speed driving capability can be achieved in the signal lines and/or driving lines. The plurality of pixels in the detection apparatus are arranged in a row direction and a column direction on an insulating substrate. Each pixel includes a conversion element and a switch element, the conversion element is disposed above the switch element. A driving line disposed below the conversion elements is connected to switch elements arranged in the row direction, and a signal line is connected to switch elements arranged in the column direction. The signal line includes a conductive layer embedded in an insulating member, the insulating member is disposed in a layer lower than an uppermost surface portion of the driving line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takamasa Ishii, Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Patent number: 8084745
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus comprises a pixel region, on an insulating substrate 100, including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, each pixel having a conversion element 101 that converts radiation into electric charges and a switching element 102 connected to the conversion element 101. The conversion element 101 has an upper electrode layer 119, a lower electrode layer 115, a semiconductor layer 117 arranged between the upper electrode layer 119 and the lower electrode layer 115. The upper electrode layer 119 or the lower electrode layer 115 has an opening 200 at least within a region where the semiconductor layer 117 is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Takamasa Ishii, Masakazu Morishita
  • Patent number: 8067743
    Abstract: Pixels including a photoelectric conversion element 1, a signal transfer TFT (thin film transistor) 2 electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion element, and a reset TFT 3 electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion element and for applying a bias to the photoelectric conversion element are two-dimensionally disposed on the insulating substrate, and the photoelectric conversion element 1, signal transfer TFT 2, and reset TFT 3 are electrically connected through a common contact hole 9. A source or drain electrode of the signal transfer TFT 2 and the source or drain electrode of the reset TFT 3 are formed from a common electroconductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takamasa Ishii, Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8054670
    Abstract: [PROBLEMS] To provide a reconfiguration controller of an optically reconfigurable gate array for correctly and reliably writing various types of logical operation circuits of an optically reconfigurable gate array and performing high-speed logical operation by quickly starting up the circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignees: Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Minoru Watanabe, Fuminori Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20110248176
    Abstract: A detection apparatus comprising a substrate; a switching element arranged over the substrate and including a plurality of electrodes; a conductive line arranged over the substrate and electrically connected to a first electrode of the plurality of electrodes of the switching element; and a conversion element including a semiconductor layer arranged over the switching element and the conductive line and arranged between two electrodes, one electrode of the two electrodes being electrically connected to a second electrode of the plurality of electrodes of the switching element, is provided. The one electrode of the conversion element is arranged over the switching element and the conductive line through a space formed between the one electrode and the first electrode of the switching element or between the one electrode and the conductive line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Takamasa Ishii, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi
  • Publication number: 20110134289
    Abstract: In an image pickup apparatus including a plurality of pixels arranged a matrix of rows and columns, a correction unit performs a correction process based on an electric signal output via a first switch element of a particular pixel and a correction electric signal output via a second switch element of the particular pixel. A correction image signal based on the correction electric signal output via the second switch element is acquired in a period that partially overlaps in time a period in which an image signal based on the electric signal output via the first switch element is acquired. When the electric signal associated with the image signal is output for the particular pixel, the second switch element of the particular pixel is controlled to be in an on-state over a period during which the first switch element of the particular pixel is in an off-state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Takamasa Ishii, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi
  • Patent number: 7946682
    Abstract: A method for producing an elastic plate for a liquid jet head, which includes etching a rolled metal plate based on a rolling direction of the rolled metal plate, to form an etched portion and a non-etched portion on the rolled metal plate. The thickness of the etched portion is thinner than the thickness of the non-etched portion and the rolling direction is substantially perpendicular to a long side of the rolled metal plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoaki Takahashi, Minoru Watanabe, Atsushi Furuhata
  • Publication number: 20110114846
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus comprises a pixel region, on an insulating substrate 100, including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, each pixel having a conversion element 101 that converts radiation into electric charges and a switching element 102 connected to the conversion element 101. The conversion element 101 has an upper electrode layer 119, a lower electrode layer 115, a semiconductor layer 117 arranged between the upper electrode layer 119 and the lower electrode layer 115. The upper electrode layer 119 or the lower electrode layer 115 has an opening 200 at least within a region where the semiconductor layer 117 is arranged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Takamasa Ishii, Masakazu Morishita
  • Patent number: 7932946
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an imaging apparatus capable of reducing image unevenness even if a protective layer including a polarized solvent is used. The imaging apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of pixels each having a conversion element and a TFT connected to the conversion element, a protective layer disposed over the plurality of pixels, a plurality of bias lines each electrically connected to each of the conversion elements, and a plurality of signal lines each electrically connected to each of the TFT. Then, the plurality of bias lines and the plurality of signal lines are alternately disposed at a predetermined interval within a region in the protective layer. Then, the plurality of bias lines is commonly connected through a connecting wiring on the outside of the region in the protective layer, and the connecting wiring is disposed to cross the plurality of signal lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takamasa Ishii, Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7923695
    Abstract: Sensitivity is freely changeable to another one in correspondence to a photographing mode, and both still image photographing and moving image photographing for example which are largely different from each other in dosage of exposure to radiation and which are also different from each other in required sensitivity are carried out so as to meet that request. A source or drain electrode of a TFT 21 is connected to a signal output circuit 3 through a signal line 14a and an IC 5. A source/drain of a TFT 23 is connected to the signal output circuit 3 through a signal line 14b and the IC 5. Thus, in each pixel 6, any one of the signal lines 14a and 14b is freely selectable when a signal is read out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takamasa Ishii, Masakazu Morishita, Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Keiichi Nomura
  • Patent number: 7897930
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus comprises a pixel region, on an insulating substrate 100, including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, each pixel having a conversion element 101 that converts radiation into electric charges and a switching element 102 connected to the conversion element 101. The conversion element 101 has an upper electrode layer 119, a lower electrode layer 115, a semiconductor layer 117 arranged between the upper electrode layer 119 and the lower electrode layer 115. The upper electrode layer 119 or the lower electrode layer 115 has an opening 200 at least within a region where the semiconductor layer 117 is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Takamasa Ishii, Masakazu Morishita
  • Patent number: 7888680
    Abstract: In a semiconductor device having a plurality of thin film transistors and matrix wiring lines formed on a substrate, the matrix wiring lines are electrically connected via resistors in order to prevent electrostatic destructions during a panel manufacture process and improve a manufacture yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Watanabe, Noriyuki Kaifu, Chiori Mochizuki
  • Publication number: 20110017919
    Abstract: In a radiation detecting apparatus of the invention, plural pixels are arranged, and the pixel has a conversion element converting a radiation into an electric signal and a switching element connected to the conversion element. The conversion element includes a first electrode disposed on a first surface of an insulating substrate, a second electrode disposed on the first electrode, and a semiconductor layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode is made of a light-transmitting conductive material which transmits light emitted from a light source, and the first electrode is formed form a light transmitting electroconductive material transmitting light emitted form a light source disposed on a second surface of the insulating substrate opposite to the first surface. The switching element has a light shielding member which prevents incidence of the light from the light source to the switching element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Takamasa Ishii
  • Patent number: 7876483
    Abstract: To provide an optically reconfigurable logic circuit in which a mount area of an optical circuit is reduced as much as possible and a high gate density is realized. In an optically reconfigurable logic circuit 1 provided with a plurality of configuration information input circuits 6 for converting an optical signal including logic circuit configuration information into an electric signal and holding and outputting this electric signal and a logic configuration variable circuit 7 for performing logic configuration on the basis of the logic circuit configuration information, the configuration information input circuits 6 holds the logic circuit configuration information as electric charge with use of a junction capacitance and a floating capacitance of a photoconductive device P. An inter-terminal voltage of the photoconductive device P is converted into binary data by a binary circuit and output as a circuit configuration signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Minoru Watanabe, Fuminori Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20110006191
    Abstract: An image capture apparatus includes a plurality of pixels, each including a plurality of thin film transistors (T1, T2) having different operating resistances and a photo-electric conversion element (C11), a selection unit configured to select at least one of the thin film transistors, and a signal line (S1) on which electric charge generated by the photo-electric conversion elements is output via the thin film transistors selected by the selection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Minoru Watanabe, Chiori Mochizuki, Takamasa Ishii