Patents by Inventor Nanako Kato

Nanako Kato 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: 10128300
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state image sensor, an imaging device, and electronic equipment configured such that an FD is shared by a plurality of pixels to further miniaturize the pixels at low cost without lowering of sensitivity and a conversion efficiency. In a configuration in which a plurality of pixels are arranged with respect to at least either of one of the OCCFs or one of the OCLs, a floating diffusion (FD) is shared by a sharing unit including a plurality of pixels, the plurality of pixels including pixels of at least either of different OCCFs or different OCLs. The present technology is applicable to a CMOS image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nanako Kato, Toshifumi Wakano, Yusuke Tanaka, Yusuke Otake
  • Publication number: 20180261635
    Abstract: Provided is a solid-state imaging device including a lamination-type backside illumination CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor having a global shutter function. The solid-state imaging device includes a separation film including one of a light blocking film and a light absorbing film between a memory and a photo diode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nanako Kato, Toshifumi Wakano
  • Publication number: 20180261644
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state image sensor, an imaging device, and electronic equipment configured such that an FD is shared by a plurality of pixels to further miniaturize the pixels at low cost without lowering of sensitivity and a conversion efficiency. In a configuration in which a plurality of pixels are arranged with respect to at least either of one of the OCCFs or one of the OCLs, a floating diffusion (FD) is shared by a sharing unit including a plurality of pixels, the plurality of pixels including pixels of at least either of different OCCFs or different OCLs. The present technology is applicable to a CMOS image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nanako Kato, Toshifumi Wakano, Yusuke Tanaka, Yusuke Otake
  • Patent number: 10075659
    Abstract: Imaging devices and electronic apparatuses with one or more shared pixel structures are provided. The shared pixel structure includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices or photodiodes. Each photodiode in the shared pixel structure is located within a rectangular area. The shared pixel structure also includes a plurality of shared transistors. The shared transistors in the shared pixel structure are located adjacent the photoelectric conversion devices of the shared pixel structure. The rectangular area can have two short sides and two long sides, with the shared transistors located along one of the long sides. In addition, a length of one or more of the transistors can be extended in a direction parallel to the long side of the rectangular area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nanako Kato, Toshifumi Wakano, Yusuke Otake
  • Patent number: 10074678
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion units, a floating diffusion unit that is shared by the plurality of photoelectric conversion units and converts electric charge generated in each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion units into a voltage signal, a plurality of transfer units that are respectively provided in the plurality of photoelectric conversion units and transfer the electric charge generated in the plurality of photoelectric conversion units to the floating diffusion unit, a first transistor group that is electrically connected to the floating diffusion unit and includes a gate and source/drain which are arranged with a first layout configuration, and a second transistor group that is electrically connected to the floating diffusion unit, includes a gate and source/drain arranged with a second layout configuration symmetrical to the first layout configuration, and is provided in a separate area from the first transistor group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nanako Kato, Toshifumi Wakano, Atsuhiko Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10002897
    Abstract: Provided is a solid-state imaging device including a lamination-type backside illumination CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor having a global shutter function. The solid-state imaging device includes a separation film including one of a light blocking film and a light absorbing film between a memory and a photo diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nanako Kato, Toshifumi Wakano
  • Publication number: 20180083062
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state image sensor, an imaging device, and electronic equipment configured such that an FD is shared by a plurality of pixels to further miniaturize the pixels at low cost without lowering of sensitivity and a conversion efficiency. In a configuration in which a plurality of pixels are arranged with respect to at least either of one of the OCCFs or one of the OCLs, a floating diffusion (FD) is shared by a sharing unit including a plurality of pixels, the plurality of pixels including pixels of at least either of different OCCFs or different OCLs. The present technology is applicable to a CMOS image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nanako Kato, Toshifumi Wakano, Yusuke Tanaka, Yusuke Otake
  • Publication number: 20180069045
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state image sensor, an imaging device, and electronic equipment configured such that an FD is shared by a plurality of pixels to further miniaturize the pixels at low cost without lowering of sensitivity and a conversion efficiency. In a configuration in which a plurality of pixels are arranged with respect to at least either of one of the OCCFs or one of the OCLs, a floating diffusion (FD) is shared by a sharing unit including a plurality of pixels, the plurality of pixels including pixels of at least either of different OCCFs or different OCLs. The present technology is applicable to a CMOS image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nanako Kato, Toshifumi Wakano, Yusuke Tanaka, Yusuke Otake
  • Patent number: 9865643
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state image sensor, an imaging device, and electronic equipment configured such that an FD is shared by a plurality of pixels to further miniaturize the pixels at low cost without lowering of sensitivity and a conversion efficiency. In a configuration in which a plurality of pixels are arranged with respect to at least either of one of the OCCFs or one of the OCLs, a floating diffusion (FD) is shared by a sharing unit including a plurality of pixels, the plurality of pixels including pixels of at least either of different OCCFs or different OCLs. The present technology is applicable to a CMOS image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nanako Kato, Toshifumi Wakano, Yusuke Tanaka, Yusuke Otake
  • Publication number: 20170287972
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state image sensor, an imaging device, and electronic equipment configured such that an FD is shared by a plurality of pixels to further miniaturize the pixels at low cost without lowering of sensitivity and a conversion efficiency. In a configuration in which a plurality of pixels are arranged with respect to at least either of one of the OCCFs or one of the OCLs, a floating diffusion (FD) is shared by a sharing unit including a plurality of pixels, the plurality of pixels including pixels of at least either of different OCCFs or different OCLs. The present technology is applicable to a CMOS image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nanako Kato, Toshifumi Wakano, Yusuke Tanaka, Yusuke Otake
  • Patent number: 9773835
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state image sensor, an imaging device, and electronic equipment configured such that an FD is shared by a plurality of pixels to further miniaturize the pixels at low cost without lowering of sensitivity and a conversion efficiency. In a configuration in which a plurality of pixels are arranged with respect to at least either of one of the OCCFs or one of the OCLs, a floating diffusion (FD) is shared by a sharing unit including a plurality of pixels, the plurality of pixels including pixels of at least either of different OCCFs or different OCLs. The present technology is applicable to a CMOS image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nanako Kato, Toshifumi Wakano, Yusuke Tanaka, Yusuke Otake
  • Publication number: 20170250210
    Abstract: Provided is a solid-state imaging device including a lamination-type backside illumination CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor having a global shutter function. The solid-state imaging device includes a separation film including one of a light blocking film and a light absorbing film between a memory and a photo diode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Nanako Kato, Toshifumi Wakano
  • Patent number: 9679932
    Abstract: Provided is a solid-state imaging device including a lamination-type backside illumination CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor having a global shutter function. The solid-state imaging device includes a separation film including one of a light blocking film and a light absorbing film between a memory and a photo diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nanako Kato, Toshifumi Wakano
  • Publication number: 20170110503
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state image sensor, an imaging device, and electronic equipment configured such that an FD is shared by a plurality of pixels to further miniaturize the pixels at low cost without lowering of sensitivity and a conversion efficiency. In a configuration in which a plurality of pixels are arranged with respect to at least either of one of the OCCFs or one of the OCLs, a floating diffusion (FD) is shared by a sharing unit including a plurality of pixels, the plurality of pixels including pixels of at least either of different OCCFs or different OCLs. The present technology is applicable to a CMOS image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nanako Kato, Toshifumi Wakano, Yusuke Tanaka, Yusuke Otake
  • Publication number: 20170013211
    Abstract: Imaging devices and electronic apparatuses with one or more shared pixel structures are provided. The shared pixel structure includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices or photodiodes. Each photodiode in the shared pixel structure is located within a rectangular area. The shared pixel structure also includes a plurality of shared transistors. The shared transistors in the shared pixel structure are located adjacent the photoelectric conversion devices of the shared pixel structure. The rectangular area can have two short sides and two long sides, with the shared transistors located along one of the long sides. In addition, a length of one or more of the transistors can be extended in a direction parallel to the long side of the rectangular area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: NANAKO KATO, TOSHIFUMI WAKANO, YUSUKE OTAKE
  • Publication number: 20160372504
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion units, a floating diffusion unit that is shared by the plurality of photoelectric conversion units and converts electric charge generated in each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion units into a voltage signal, a plurality of transfer units that are respectively provided in the plurality of photoelectric conversion units and transfer the electric charge generated in the plurality of photoelectric conversion units to the floating diffusion unit, a first transistor group that is electrically connected to the floating diffusion unit and includes a gate and source/drain which are arranged with a first layout configuration, and a second transistor group that is electrically connected to the floating diffusion unit, includes a gate and source/drain arranged with a second layout configuration symmetrical to the first layout configuration, and is provided in a separate area from the first transistor group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Nanako Kato, Toshifurni Wakano, Atsuhiko Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20160126266
    Abstract: Provided is a solid-state imaging device including a lamination-type backside illumination CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor having a global shutter function. The solid-state imaging device includes a separation film including one of a light blocking film and a light absorbing film between a memory and a photo diode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Nanako Kato, Toshifumi Wakano
  • Patent number: 9324753
    Abstract: Provided is a solid-state imaging device including a lamination-type backside illumination CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor having a global shutter function. The solid-state imaging device includes a separation film including one of a light blocking film and a light absorbing film between a memory and a photo diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nanako Kato, Toshifumi Wakano
  • Publication number: 20150129943
    Abstract: Provided is a solid-state imaging device including a lamination-type backside illumination CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor having a global shutter function. The solid-state imaging device includes a separation film including one of a light blocking film and a light absorbing film between a memory and a photo diode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Nanako Kato, Toshifumi Wakano
  • Publication number: 20130049082
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion units, a floating diffusion unit that is shared by the plurality of photoelectric conversion units and converts electric charge generated in each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion units into a voltage signal, a plurality of transfer units that are respectively provided in the plurality of photoelectric conversion units and transfer the electric charge generated in the plurality of photoelectric conversion units to the floating diffusion unit, a first transistor group that is electrically connected to the floating diffusion unit and includes a gate and source/drain which are arranged with a first layout configuration, and a second transistor group that is electrically connected to the floating diffusion unit, includes a gate and source/drain arranged with a second layout configuration symmetrical to the first layout configuration, and is provided in a separate area from the first transistor group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nanako Kato, Toshifumi Wakano, Atsuhiko Yamamoto