Patents by Inventor Mitsuyoshi Kobayashi

Mitsuyoshi Kobayashi 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: 9857594
    Abstract: An optical device includes a light-shielding layer and a microlens array. The light-shielding layer includes a plurality of openings. The microlens array is divided into a plurality of microlenses corresponding to the respective plurality of openings. A refractive index of the microlens array is variable so that light is incident on the microlenses is focused on the respective plurality of openings. A portion where light is focused includes a central position of the corresponding opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Yuko Kizu, Yukio Kizaki, Honam Kwon, Machiko Ito, Risako Ueno, Mitsuyoshi Kobayashi, Koichi Ishii, Satoshi Takayama, Tsutomu Nakanishi, Takashi Sasaki, Ryosuke Nonaka, Tomoya Tsuruyama
  • Patent number: 9791599
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image processing method is implemented in an imaging device that includes a microlens array including microlenses, a main lens configured to guide light from a photographic subject to the microlens array, and an image sensor configured to receive the light after passing through the main lens and the microlens array. The method includes: obtaining an image captured by the image sensor; setting, according to an image height, an arrangement of a microlens image of interest and comparison-target microlens images from among microlens images that are included in the image and that are formed by the microlenses; detecting an amount of image shift between the microlens image of interest and each of the comparison-target microlens images by comparing the microlens image of interest with the comparison-target microlens images; and calculating a distance corresponding to the microlens image of interest using the amounts of image shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Kobayashi, Risako Ueno, Kazuhiro Suzuki, Honam Kwon, Hideyuki Funaki
  • Patent number: 9781311
    Abstract: A liquid crystal optical device includes: a first electrode unit including a first substrate transparent to light, a light-transmitting layer formed on the first substrate, and a first electrode formed on the light-transmitting layer and being transparent to light, the light-transmitting layer including recesses formed on a surface facing the first electrode, arranged in a first direction, and extending in a second direction; a second electrode unit including a second substrate, the second substrate being transparent to light, and two second electrodes formed on the second substrate, the second electrodes being arranged in the second direction and extending along the first direction; a liquid crystal layer located between the first and second electrode units; a first polarizing plate located on an opposite side of the second electrode unit from the liquid crystal layer; and a drive unit that applies voltages to the first and second electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Yuko Kizu, Machiko Ito, Yukio Kizaki, Honam Kwon, Hideyuki Funaki, Kazuhiro Suzuki, Risako Ueno, Mitsuyoshi Kobayashi, Hiroto Honda
  • Patent number: 9645290
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a color filter array includes a plurality of color filters of multiple colors. The color filters are arranged so that each of the color filter of each color corresponds to any one of a plurality of microlenses included in a microlens array. Each microlens is configured to irradiate a plurality of pixels with light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Kobayashi, Risako Ueno, Kazuhiro Suzuki, Hiroto Honda, Honam Kwon, Hideyuki Funaki
  • Patent number: 9596402
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a microlens array for a solid-state image sensing device includes a plurality of microlenses and a state detector. The plurality of microlenses are disposed in an imaging microlens area and is configured to form two-dimensional images. The state detector is disposed on a periphery of the imaging microlens area and is configured to, on an image forming surface of the microlenses, generate images having a smaller diameter than images formed by the microlenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Kobayashi, Risako Ueno, Kazuhiro Suzuki, Hiroto Honda, Honam Kwon, Hideyuki Funaki
  • Publication number: 20170052127
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a photodetector includes a light converting unit, a first layer, a light detecting unit, and a second layer. The light converting unit converts radiation into light. The first layer absorbs the radiation. The light detecting unit is provided between the light converting unit and the first layer and detects light. The second layer is provided between the first layer and the light detecting unit, has a smaller average atomic weight than an average atomic weight of the first layer, and absorbs radiation scattered in the first layer and a fluorescent X-ray generated in the first layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi KOBAYASHI, Kazuhiro ITSUMI, Rei HASEGAWA
  • Patent number: 9529095
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a measuring device includes a plurality of scintillators, plurality of receiving elements, and a processor. The scintillators each convert incident radiation into light. The receiving elements each convert scintillation light received by a light receiving surface thereof into an electric signal. The processor acquires a value corresponding to an intensity of the incident radiation based on the electric signal. Each of the scintillators includes an incident surface on which the radiation is incident. The incident surface includes an inclination that has a predetermined angle with respect to the light receiving surface and that is asymmetric with respect to a center of the incident surface. The scintillators are arrayed on a plane including the light receiving surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Kobayashi, Rei Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20160349382
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a radiation detector according to an embodiment includes: forming a plurality of scintillator array columns, each of the scintillator array columns being formed by preparing a scintillator member that a thickness being smaller than a length and a width, the scintillator member having a first face, a second face, a third face, and a fourth face, and being cut from the third face along the second direction to form at least a groove that penetrates from the first face to the second face but does not reach the fourth face to have an uncut portion near the fourth face; stacking the scintillator array columns in the first direction with a space between each of adjacent two scintillator array columns, and filling a spacer material into the space; inserting a reflector into each space and each groove; and cutting the uncut portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Yasuharu HOSONO, Kazunori MIYAZAKI, Go KAWATA, Mitsuyoshi KOBAYASHI, Rei HASEGAWA
  • Patent number: 9479760
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a solid state imaging device includes a first imaging device, a second imaging device, and a calculating unit. The first imaging device includes a first optical system, a first imaging unit, and a second optical system provided between the first optical system and the first imaging unit. The second imaging device includes a third optical system, a second imaging unit, and a fourth optical system provided between the third optical system and the second imaging unit. The calculating unit is configured to perform a first calculation and a second calculation. The first calculation includes deriving a first distance from stereo disparity. The second calculation includes deriving a second distance from a parallax image. The calculating unit is configured to estimate a target distance based on at least one selected from the first distance and the second distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Suzuki, Risako Ueno, Mitsuyoshi Kobayashi, Honam Kwon, Hideyuki Funaki
  • Patent number: 9462166
    Abstract: A solid state imaging device according to an embodiment includes: a liquid crystal optical element including a first electrode having a first recess and a projecting portion surrounding the first recess on a first surface, a second electrode facing the first surface of the first electrode, a filling film located between the first recess of the first electrode and the second electrode, and a liquid crystal layer located between the filling film and the second electrode; an imaging lens facing the second electrode to form an image of a subject on an imaging plane; and an imaging element facing the first recess, the imaging element having a pixel block having a plurality of pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Honam Kwon, Kazuhiro Suzuki, Hiroto Honda, Risako Ueno, Mitsuyoshi Kobayashi, Yuko Kizu, Machiko Ito, Hideyuki Funaki
  • Publication number: 20160274247
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a measuring device includes a plurality of scintillators, plurality of receiving elements, and a processor. The scintillators each convert incident radiation into light. The receiving elements each convert scintillation light received by a light receiving surface thereof into an electric signal. The processor acquires a value corresponding to an intensity of the incident radiation based on the electric signal. Each of the scintillators includes an incident surface on which the radiation is incident. The incident surface includes an inclination that has a predetermined angle with respect to the light receiving surface and that is asymmetric with respect to a center of the incident surface. The scintillators are arrayed on a plane including the light receiving surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi KOBAYASHI, Rei HASEGAWA
  • Publication number: 20160223817
    Abstract: An optical device includes a light-shielding layer and a microlens array. The light-shielding layer includes a plurality of openings. The microlens array is divided into a plurality of microlenses corresponding to the respective plurality of openings. A refractive index of the microlens array is variable so that light is incident on the microlenses is focused on the respective plurality of openings. A portion where light is focused includes a central position of the corresponding opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Yuko Kizu, Yukio Kizaki, Honam Kwon, Machiko Ito, Risako Ueno, Mitsuyoshi Kobayashi, Koichi Ishii, Satoshi Takayama, Tsutomu Nakanishi, Takashi Sasaki, Ryosuke Nonaka, Tomoya Tsuruyama
  • Patent number: 9383549
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an imaging system includes an image sensor, an imaging lens, a microlens array, an irradiator, a distance information acquiring unit, and a controller. The microlens array includes multiple microlenses arranged with a predetermined pitch, the microlenses being respectively associated with pixel blocks. The irradiator emits light to project a pattern onto an object. The distance information acquiring unit acquires information on the distance in the depth direction to the object on the basis of a signal resulting from photoelectric conversion performed by the image sensor. The controller controls the irradiator so that images contained in a pattern that is reflected by the object and scaled down on the image sensor by the imaging lens and the microlenses are smaller than the arrangement pitch of images each formed on the image sensor by each microlens and larger than twice the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Risako Ueno, Kazuhiro Suzuki, Mitsuyoshi Kobayashi, Honam Kwon, Hideyuki Funaki
  • Patent number: 9300885
    Abstract: A solid state imaging device according to an embodiment includes: an imaging element formed on a semiconductor substrate, and including pixel blocks each having pixels; a main lens forming an image of a subject on an imaging plane; a microlens array including microlenses corresponding to the pixel blocks, the microlens array reducing an image to be formed on the imaging plane by Nf times or less and forming reduced images on the pixel blocks corresponding to the respective microlenses; and an image processing unit enlarging and synthesizing the reduced images formed by the microlenses, the solid state imaging device meeting conditions of an expression MTFMain(u)?MTFML(u)?MTFMain(u×Nf) where u denotes an image spatial frequency, MTFML(u) denotes an MTF function of the microlenses, and MTFMain(u) denotes an MTF function of the main lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Risako Ueno, Hiroto Honda, Mitsuyoshi Kobayashi, Kazuhiro Suzuki, Honam Kwon, Hideyuki Funaki
  • Patent number: 9257470
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an imaging lens includes a first optical system and a microlens array. The first optical system includes an optical axis. The microlens array is provided between the first optical system and an imaging element. The microlens array includes microlens units provided in a first plane. The imaging element includes pixel groups. Each of the pixel groups includes pixels. The microlens units respectively overlap the pixel groups when projected onto the first plane. The first optical system includes an aperture stop, and first, second, and third lenses. The first lens is provided between the aperture stop and the microlens array, and has a positive refractive power. The second lens is provided between the first lens and the microlens array, and has a negative refractive power. The third lens is provided between the second lens and the microlens array, and has a positive refractive power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Risako Ueno, Hiroto Honda, Mitsuyoshi Kobayashi, Kazuhiro Suzuki, Honam Kwon, Hideyuki Funaki
  • Patent number: 9207365
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an imaging lens includes a first optical system and a microlens array. The first optical system includes an optical axis. The microlens array is provided between the first optical system and an imaging element. The microlens array includes microlens units provided in a first plane. The imaging element includes pixel groups. Each of the pixel groups includes pixels. The microlens units respectively overlap the pixel groups when projected onto the first plane. The first optical system includes an aperture stop, a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, and a fourth lens. The first lens is provided between the aperture stop and the microlens array. The second lens is provided between the first lens and the microlens array. The third lens is provided between the second lens and the microlens array. The fourth lens is provided between the third lens and the microlens array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Risako Ueno, Hiroto Honda, Mitsuyoshi Kobayashi, Kazuhiro Suzuki, Honam Kwon, Hideyuki Funaki
  • Publication number: 20150324992
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device according to an embodiment includes: an imaging element formed on a semiconductor substrate, and comprising an imaging region including a plurality of pixel blocks each including a plurality of pixels; a first optical system forming an image of an object on an imaging plane; and a second optical system comprising a microlens array including a plurality of microlenses each corresponding to one of the pixel blocks, and reducing and re-forming the image to be formed on the imaging plane on the pixel blocks corresponding to the respective microlenses. The imaging plane of the first optical system is located further away from the first optical system than the imaging element when the object is located at an infinite distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Risako UENO, Hideyuki FUNAKI, Mitsuyoshi KOBAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20150304579
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device according to an embodiment includes: an imaging element including an imaging area formed with a plurality of pixel blocks each including pixels; a first optical system forming an image of an object on an imaging surface; and a second optical system re-forming the image, which has been formed on the imaging surface, on the pixel blocks corresponding to microlenses, the second optical system including a microlens array formed with the microlenses provided in accordance with the pixel blocks. The microlenses are arranged in such a manner that an angle ? between a straight line connecting center points of adjacent microlenses and one of a row direction and a column direction in which the pixels are aligned is expressed as follows: ?>sin?1(2dp/Dml), where Dml represents microlens pitch, and dp represents pixel pitch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroto HONDA, Kazuhiro SUZUKI, Mitsuyoshi KOBAYASHI, Risako UENO, Honam KWON, Hideyuki FUNAKI
  • Publication number: 20150268385
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image processing method is implemented in an imaging device that includes a microlens array including microlenses, a main lens configured to guide light from a photographic subject to the microlens array, and an image sensor configured to receive the light after passing through the main lens and the microlens array. The method includes: obtaining an image captured by the image sensor; setting, according to an image height, an arrangement of a microlens image of interest and comparison-target microlens images from among microlens images that are included in the image and that are formed by the microlenses; detecting an amount of image shift between the microlens image of interest and each of the comparison-target microlens images by comparing the microlens image of interest with the comparison-target microlens images; and calculating a distance corresponding to the microlens image of interest using the amounts of image shift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi KOBAYASHI, Risako UENO, Kazuhiro SUZUKI, Honam KWON, Hideyuki FUNAKI
  • Publication number: 20150268392
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a filter-array-equipped microlens includes a filter array and a microlens array. The filter array includes a plurality of first optical filters for selectively transmitting light of an infrared region and a plurality of second optical filters for selectively transmitting light of a first visible wavelength region. The microlens array includes a plurality of microlenses each corresponding to any one of the first optical filters and the second optical filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi KOBAYASHI, Risako UENO, Kazuhiro SUZUKI, Honam KWON, Hideyuki FUNAKI