Patents by Inventor Naoki Inatani

Naoki Inatani 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: 11159756
    Abstract: At least one solid-state image pickup element includes a plurality of pixels that are arranged in a two-dimensional manner. Each of the plurality of pixels includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion units each including a pixel electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer disposed on the pixel electrode, and a counter electrode disposed such that the photoelectric conversion layer is sandwiched between the pixel electrode and the counter electrode. In one or more embodiments, each of the plurality of pixels also includes a microlens disposed on the plurality of photoelectric conversion units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiaki Ono, Masatsugu Itahashi, Naoki Inatani, Yu Maehashi, Hidekazu Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20190037160
    Abstract: At least one solid-state image pickup element includes a plurality of pixels that are arranged in a two-dimensional manner. Each of the plurality of pixels includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion units each including a pixel electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer disposed on the pixel electrode, and a counter electrode disposed such that the photoelectric conversion layer is sandwiched between the pixel electrode and the counter electrode. In one or more embodiments, each of the plurality of pixels also includes a microlens disposed on the plurality of photoelectric conversion units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Toshiaki Ono, Masatsugu Itahashi, Naoki Inatani, Yu Maehashi, Hidekazu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10178286
    Abstract: A method for forming a color filter array includes a step of exposing a photosensitive color filter film, a step of forming a color filter array from the color filter film by developing the color filter film using a developer, and a step of cleaning the color filter array while rotating the color filter array and moving a nozzle for spraying fluid containing liquid and gas above the color filter array in a direction intersecting with an axis of the rotation. The method reduces variation in thickness of a color filter that is generated in the cleaning step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masao Ishioka, Daisuke Shimoyama, Takayuki Sumida, Kei Aoki, Yasuhiro Kawabata, Naoki Inatani, Tomoyuki Tezuka, Jun Iwata, Masaki Kurihara
  • Patent number: 10136091
    Abstract: At least one solid-state image pickup element includes a plurality of pixels that are arranged in a two-dimensional manner. Each of the plurality of pixels includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion units each including a pixel electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer disposed on the pixel electrode, and a counter electrode disposed such that the photoelectric conversion layer is sandwiched between the pixel electrode and the counter electrode. In one or more embodiments, each of the plurality of pixels also includes a microlens disposed on the plurality of photoelectric conversion units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiaki Ono, Masatsugu Itahashi, Naoki Inatani, Yu Maehashi, Hidekazu Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20180294307
    Abstract: Each of a plurality of pixels arranged in two dimensions includes a photoelectric conversion unit including a pixel electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer provided above the pixel electrode, and a counter electrode provided so as to sandwich the photoelectric conversion layer between the counter electrode and the pixel electrode, and a microlens arranged above the photoelectric conversion unit. The plurality of pixels includes a first pixel and a plurality of second pixels. At least either the pixel electrodes of the plurality of second pixels are smaller than the pixel electrode of the first pixel or the counter electrodes of the plurality of second pixels are smaller than the counter electrode of the first pixel, and a configuration between the counter electrode and the microlens of the first pixel is the same as a configuration between the counter electrode and the microlens of each of the plurality of second pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Masatsugu Itahashi, Toshiaki Ono, Hidekazu Takahashi, Naoki Inatani, Yu Maehashi
  • Patent number: 10020340
    Abstract: Each of a plurality of pixels arranged in two dimensions includes a photoelectric conversion unit including a pixel electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer provided above the pixel electrode, and a counter electrode provided so as to sandwich the photoelectric conversion layer between the counter electrode and the pixel electrode, and a microlens arranged above the photoelectric conversion unit. The plurality of pixels includes a first pixel and a plurality of second pixels. At least either the pixel electrodes of the plurality of second pixels are smaller than the pixel electrode of the first pixel or the counter electrodes of the plurality of second pixels are smaller than the counter electrode of the first pixel, and a configuration between the counter electrode and the microlens of the first pixel is the same as a configuration between the counter electrode and the microlens of each of the plurality of second pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masatsugu Itahashi, Toshiaki Ono, Hidekazu Takahashi, Naoki Inatani, Yu Maehashi
  • Patent number: 9893110
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solid-state image sensor is provided. The method comprises preparing a structure which is covered by a protective film, depositing a first material by using a first color filter material on the protective film, forming a first color filter from the first material, depositing a second material by using a second color filter material after the forming the first color filter and forming a second color filter from the second material. An upper surface of the protective film has a concave portion. A part of the first material enters the concave portion in the depositing the first material, the first material is patterned so as to form a member in the concave portion from the first material in the forming the first color filter and the second material covers the member in the depositing the second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takayuki Sumida, Masao Ishioka, Kei Aoki, Yasuhiro Kawabata, Naoki Inatani, Masaki Kurihara
  • Patent number: 9466640
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor apparatus, comprising forming a structure including an insulating layer on a substrate, and an electrode on the structure, forming an insulating first film covering the electrode and the structure, forming an opening in a projection, of the first film, formed by a step between upper faces of the electrode and the structure, to expose part of the upper face of the electrode as a first portion, forming a second film covering the first film and the first portion, forming a protective film in the opening by processing the second film, the protective film covering a side face defining the opening and the first portion and being not formed on an upper face of the projection, and forming a third film on the first film and the protective film by spin coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoki Inatani, Daisuke Shimoyama, Kei Aoki, Masaki Kurihara
  • Publication number: 20160293657
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solid-state image sensor is provided. The method comprises preparing a structure which is covered by a protective film, depositing a first material by using a first color filter material on the protective film, forming a first color filter from the first material, depositing a second material by using a second color filter material after the forming the first color filter and forming a second color filter from the second material. An upper surface of the protective film has a concave portion. A part of the first material enters the concave portion in the depositing the first material, the first material is patterned so as to form a member in the concave portion from the first material in the forming the first color filter and the second material covers the member in the depositing the second material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Takayuki Sumida, Masao Ishioka, Kei Aoki, Yasuhiro Kawabata, Naoki Inatani, Masaki Kurihara
  • Publication number: 20160065916
    Abstract: A method for forming a color filter array includes a step of exposing a photosensitive color filter film, a step of forming a color filter array from the color filter film by developing the color filter film using a developer, and a step of cleaning the color filter array while rotating the color filter array and moving a nozzle for spraying fluid containing liquid and gas above the color filter array in a direction intersecting with an axis of the rotation. The method reduces variation in thickness of a color filter that is generated in the cleaning step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Masao Ishioka, Daisuke Shimoyama, Takayuki Sumida, Kei Aoki, Yasuhiro Kawabata, Naoki Inatani, Tomoyuki Tezuka, Jun Iwata, Masaki Kurihara
  • Publication number: 20160037117
    Abstract: At least one solid-state image pickup element includes a plurality of pixels that are arranged in a two-dimensional manner. Each of the plurality of pixels includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion units each including a pixel electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer disposed on the pixel electrode, and a counter electrode disposed such that the photoelectric conversion layer is sandwiched between the pixel electrode and the counter electrode. In one or more embodiments, each of the plurality of pixels also includes a microlens disposed on the plurality of photoelectric conversion units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Toshiaki Ono, Masatsugu Itahashi, Naoki Inatani, Yu Maehashi, Hidekazu Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20160035780
    Abstract: Each of a plurality of pixels arranged in two dimensions includes a photoelectric conversion unit including a pixel electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer provided above the pixel electrode, and a counter electrode provided so as to sandwich the photoelectric conversion layer between the counter electrode and the pixel electrode, and a microlens arranged above the photoelectric conversion unit. The plurality of pixels includes a first pixel and a plurality of second pixels. At least either the pixel electrodes of the plurality of second pixels are smaller than the pixel electrode of the first pixel or the counter electrodes of the plurality of second pixels are smaller than the counter electrode of the first pixel, and a configuration between the counter electrode and the microlens of the first pixel is the same as a configuration between the counter electrode and the microlens of each of the plurality of second pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Masatsugu Itahashi, Toshiaki Ono, Hidekazu Takahashi, Naoki Inatani, Yu Maehashi
  • Publication number: 20150236069
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor apparatus, comprising forming a structure including an insulating layer on a substrate, and an electrode on the structure, forming an insulating first film covering the electrode and the structure, forming an opening in a projection, of the first film, formed by a step between upper faces of the electrode and the structure, to expose part of the upper face of the electrode as a first portion, forming a second film covering the first film and the first portion, forming a protective film in the opening by processing the second film, the protective film covering a side face defining the opening and the first portion and being not formed on an upper face of the projection, and forming a third film on the first film and the protective film by spin coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Naoki Inatani, Daisuke Shimoyama, Kei Aoki, Masaki Kurihara