Patents by Inventor Nobuyuki Endo

Nobuyuki Endo 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: 20160309101
    Abstract: Dark current from a transfer transistor is suppressed and power-supply voltage in a second semiconductor substrate is lowered. A solid-state image pickup device includes a pixel array, a plurality of common output lines receiving signals read out from a plurality of pixels, a transfer scanning unit sequentially driving the plurality of transfer transistors, a signal processing unit processing the signals output to the common signal lines, and a level shift unit making amplitude of a pulse supplied to a gate of the transfer transistor larger than amplitude of a pulse supplied to a gate of a transistor constituting the signal processing unit. The pixel array and the level shift unit are arranged on a first semiconductor substrate, whereas the plurality of common output lines and the signal processing unit are arranged on a second semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Tetsuya Itano, Kazuo Yamazaki, Nobuyuki Endo, Kyouhei Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9443895
    Abstract: An apparatus according to the present invention in which a first substrate including a photoelectric conversion element and a gate electrode of a transistor, and a second substrate including a peripheral circuit portion are placed upon each other. The first substrate does not include a high-melting-metal compound layer, and the second substrate includes a high-melting-metal compound layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Endo, Tetsuya Itano, Kazuo Yamazaki, Kyouhei Watanabe, Takeshi Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 9385152
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid-state image pickup device. The device includes a first substrate including a photoelectric conversion element and a transfer gate electrode configured to transfer charge from the photoelectric conversion element, a second substrate having a peripheral circuit portion including a circuit configured to read a signal based charge generated in the photoelectric conversion element, the first and second substrates being laminated. The device further includes a multilayer interconnect structure, disposed on the first substrate, including an aluminum interconnect and a multilayer interconnect structure, disposed on the second substrate, including a copper interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Endo, Tetsuya Itano, Kazuo Yamazaki, Kyouhei Watanabe, Takeshi Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 9338377
    Abstract: Dark current from a transfer transistor is suppressed and power-supply voltage in a second semiconductor substrate is lowered. A solid-state image pickup device includes a pixel array, a plurality of common output lines receiving signals read out from a plurality of pixels, a transfer scanning unit sequentially driving the plurality of transfer transistors, a signal processing unit processing the signals output to the common signal lines, and a level shift unit making amplitude of a pulse supplied to a gate of the transfer transistor larger than amplitude of a pulse supplied to a gate of a transistor constituting the signal processing unit. The pixel array and the level shift unit are arranged on a first semiconductor substrate, whereas the plurality of common output lines and the signal processing unit are arranged on a second semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuya Itano, Kazuo Yamazaki, Nobuyuki Endo, Kyouhei Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9247173
    Abstract: Each of a plurality of pixel circuits is an insulated gate transistor and includes a first kind transistor having a maximum value of a gate potential difference to be applied equal to or higher than a first value. Each of a plurality of analog signal processing circuits is an insulated gate transistor and includes a second kind transistor having a maximum value of a gate potential difference to be applied equal to or lower than a second value that is lower than the first value. Each of a plurality of analog signal processing circuits does not include an insulated gate transistor having a maximum value of a gate potential difference to be applied not higher than the second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuo Kokumai, Yusuke Onuki, Hiroaki Naruse, Masashi Kusukawa, Katsunori Hirota, Nobuyuki Endo, Kazuo Yamazaki, Hiroaki Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20160013236
    Abstract: An apparatus according to the present invention in which a first substrate including a photoelectric conversion element and a gate electrode of a transistor, and a second substrate including a peripheral circuit portion are placed upon each other. The first substrate does not include a high-melting-metal compound layer, and the second substrate includes a high-melting-metal compound layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Endo, Tetsuya Itano, Kazuo Yamazaki, Kyouhei Watanabe, Takeshi Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20150333098
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a pixel circuit section including: a first semiconductor region containing a first conductivity type impurity; a second semiconductor region formed in the first semiconductor region by using the first conductivity type impurity; a third semiconductor region formed in the second semiconductor region by using a second conductivity type impurity; and a contact plug formed on the third semiconductor region. A net concentration of the first conductivity type impurity is higher in the second semiconductor region than in the first and third semiconductor regions. In the second and third semiconductor regions, a distance between the contact plug and a position where the concentration of the second conductivity type impurity is maximum is equal to or less than a distance between the contact plug and a position where the concentration of the first conductivity type impurity is maximum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Endo, Katsunori Hirota, Takumi Ogino, Masashi Kusukawa, Seiichi Tamura
  • Patent number: 9178081
    Abstract: An apparatus according to the present invention in which a first substrate including a photoelectric conversion element and a gate electrode of a transistor, and a second substrate including a peripheral circuit portion are placed upon each other. The first substrate does not include a high-melting-metal compound layer, and the second substrate includes a high-melting-metal compound layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Endo, Tetsuya Itano, Kazuo Yamazaki, Kyouhei Watanabe, Takeshi Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 9177979
    Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device includes a pixel region including photoelectric conversion units, FDs, and transfer transistors, reset transistors, amplifier transistors, and a reference voltage supply line used to supply reference voltages to the photoelectric conversion units. In the device, the pixel region and the reference voltage supply line are disposed on a first semiconductor substrate, and at least the reset transistors or the amplifier transistors are disposed on a second semiconductor substrate. Furthermore, power supply lines used to supply voltages to the reference voltage supply line are disposed on the second semiconductor substrate. The device further includes second electric connection units which electrically connect the reference voltage supply line to the power supply line. The first electric connection units are disposed in the pixel region whereas the second electric connection units are disposed outside the pixel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuo Yamazaki, Tetsuya Itano, Nobuyuki Endo, Kyouhei Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20150287755
    Abstract: A member for a solid-state image pickup device having a bonding plane with no gaps and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The manufacturing method includes the steps of providing a first substrate provided with a photoelectric converter on its primary face and a first wiring structure, providing a second substrate provided with a part of a peripheral circuit on its primary face and a second wiring structure, and performing bonding so that the first substrate, the first wiring structure, the second wiring structure, and the second substrate are disposed in this order. In addition, at least one of an upper face of the first wiring structure and an upper face of the second wiring structure has a concave portion, and a conductive material forms a bottom face of the concave portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Endo, Tetsuya Itano, Kazuo Yamazaki, Kyouhei Watanabe, Junji Iwata
  • Publication number: 20150214269
    Abstract: The method comprises forming a first silicon nitride film covering a pixel circuit section by thermal CVD; forming an opening in the first silicon nitride film by removing a first portion of the first silicon nitride film while remaining a second portion of the first silicon nitride film; forming a second silicon nitride film covering the opening by plasma CVD; forming an insulating film covering the first silicon nitride film and the second silicon nitride film and covering a peripheral transistor in the peripheral circuit section; and forming a contact plug passing through the insulating film and being in contact with the peripheral transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Endo
  • Patent number: 9093350
    Abstract: A member for a solid-state image pickup device having a bonding plane with no gaps and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The manufacturing method includes the steps of providing a first substrate provided with a photoelectric converter on its primary face and a first wiring structure, providing a second substrate provided with a part of a peripheral circuit on its primary face and a second wiring structure, and performing bonding so that the first substrate, the first wiring structure, the second wiring structure, and the second substrate are disposed in this order. In addition, at least one of an upper face of the first wiring structure and an upper face of the second wiring structure has a concave portion, and a conductive material forms a bottom face of the concave portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Endo, Tetsuya Itano, Kazuo Yamazaki, Kyouhei Watanabe, Junji Iwata
  • Publication number: 20150189211
    Abstract: Each of a plurality of pixel circuits is an insulated gate transistor and includes a first kind transistor having a maximum value of a gate potential difference to be applied equal to or higher than a first value. Each of a plurality of analog signal processing circuits is an insulated gate transistor and includes a second kind transistor having a maximum value of a gate potential difference to be applied equal to or lower than a second value that is lower than the first value. Each of a plurality of analog signal processing circuits does not include an insulated gate transistor having a maximum value of a gate potential difference to be applied not higher than the second value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Kazuo Kokumai, Yusuke Onuki, Hiroaki Naruse, Masashi Kusukawa, Katsunori Hirota, Nobuyuki Endo, Kazuo Yamazaki, Hiroaki Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20150138388
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid-state image pickup device. The device includes a first substrate including a photoelectric conversion element and a transfer gate electrode configured to transfer charge from the photoelectric conversion element, a second substrate having a peripheral circuit portion including a circuit configured to read a signal based charge generated in the photoelectric conversion element, the first and second substrates being laminated. The device further includes a multilayer interconnect structure, disposed on the first substrate, including an aluminum interconnect and a multilayer interconnect structure, disposed on the second substrate, including a copper interconnect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Endo, Tetsuya Itano, Kazuo Yamazaki, Kyouhei Watanabe, Takeshi Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20150115136
    Abstract: In a solid-state imaging device, a photoelectric conversion unit, a transfer transistor, and at least a part of electric charge holding unit, among pixel constituent elements, are disposed on a first semiconductor substrate. An amplifying transistor, a signal processing circuit other than a reset transistor, and a plurality of common output lines, to which signals are read out from a plurality of pixels, are disposed on a second semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Kazuo Yamazaki, Tetsuya Itano, Nobuyuki Endo, Kyouhei Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8963271
    Abstract: In a solid-state imaging device, a photoelectric conversion unit, a transfer transistor, and at least a part of electric charge holding unit, among pixel constituent elements, are disposed on a first semiconductor substrate. An amplifying transistor, a signal processing circuit other than a reset transistor, and a plurality of common output lines, to which signals are read out from a plurality of pixels, are disposed on a second semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuo Yamazaki, Tetsuya Itano, Nobuyuki Endo, Kyouhei Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8912578
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid-state image pickup device. The device includes a first substrate including a photoelectric conversion element and a transfer gate electrode configured to transfer charge from the photoelectric conversion element, a second substrate having a peripheral circuit portion including a circuit configured to read a signal based charge generated in the photoelectric conversion element, the first and second substrates being laminated. The device further includes a multilayer interconnect structure, disposed on the first substrate, including an aluminum interconnect and a multilayer interconnect structure, disposed on the second substrate, including a copper interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Endo, Tetsuya Itano, Kazuo Yamazaki, Kyouhei Watanabe, Takeshi Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 8709450
    Abstract: The invention is a cellulose derivative wherein some of the carboxyl groups of the cellulose derivative carboxymethylcellulose are replaced with —CO—NH—X—CO—Y—Z, and a hydrogel of the same. In the formula, X is a C1-10 divalent hydrocarbon group, Y is a divalent group derived from polyalkylene oxide having oxygen atoms at both ends, and Z is a C1-24 hydrocarbon group or —CO—R4, where R4 is a C1-23 hydrocarbon group. The hydrogel has excellent viscoelasticity and can be injected into prescribed sites with injecting devices such as syringes, and it can thus be utilized as a medical gel or adhesion barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Teijin Limited
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kaneko, Nobuyuki Endo, Masaya Ito
  • Publication number: 20130248953
    Abstract: An apparatus according to the present invention in which a first substrate including a photoelectric conversion element and a gate electrode of a transistor, and a second substrate including a peripheral circuit portion are placed upon each other. The first substrate does not include a high-melting-metal compound layer, and the second substrate includes a high-melting-metal compound layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Endo, Tetsuya Itano, Kazuo Yamazaki, Kyouhei Watanabe, Takeshi Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20130175652
    Abstract: In a solid-state imaging device, a photoelectric conversion unit, a transfer transistor, and at least a part of electric charge holding unit, among pixel constituent elements, are disposed on a first semiconductor substrate. An amplifying transistor, a signal processing circuit other than a reset transistor, and a plurality of common output lines, to which signals are read out from a plurality of pixels, are disposed on a second semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuo Yamazaki, Tetsuya Itano, Nobuyuki Endo, Kyouhei Watanabe