Patents by Inventor Norihiro Ichimaru

Norihiro Ichimaru 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: 11375136
    Abstract: The present technology relates to an imaging device, a method of driving the same, and an electronic instrument capable of improving functions by using high-speed readout in a period shorter than the output cycle of an image. An imaging device includes a pixel array unit in which pixels are arranged in a matrix, and a control unit that controls image readout by the pixel array unit. The control unit causes the pixel array unit to perform image readout twice or more within a cycle of outputting one image to the outside. The present technology can be applied to an imaging device or the like including a memory area, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norihiro Ichimaru, Masao Zen
  • Patent number: 11265465
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus including a frame buffer executes high-speed shooting consecutively in plural sessions. An imaging element includes a buffer, an image producing unit, a managing unit, and an output unit. The image producing unit produces an image in the case where an empty capacity of any of plural areas in the buffer exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The managing unit causes an area whose empty capacity exceeds the predetermined threshold value, of the plural areas to retain the image as a buffering image. The output unit extracts the buffering image from the buffer and outputting the buffering image, in order of the retention of the buffering image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Zen, Jun Hashizume, Tsutomu Nakajima, Norihiro Ichimaru
  • Patent number: 11201997
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device, a driving method, and an electronic apparatus that can suppress a decrease in signal reading speed of the solid-state imaging device. A solid-state imaging device according to a first aspect of the present technology includes a pixel array unit in which a plurality of pixels is arrayed, a signal processing unit configured to perform a signal process including at least A/D conversion on a noise signal and a data signal read from the pixel, and a memory unit configured to retain a signal obtained in the signal process, in which the signal processing unit records the noise signal obtained from a predetermined frame in the memory unit, and performs the signal process of the data signal obtained from a frame after the predetermined frame by using the noise signal recorded in the memory unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norihiro Ichimaru, Masao Zen
  • Patent number: 11088724
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a communication device, a control method, and a program which enable reliable selection of a desired target. A CLF transmits a polling command received from a NFC reader for selecting a candidate of a final target to targets, selects the candidate of the final target, by setting a P2P application as a target having the highest priority in the selection of the candidate of the final target, selects the final target based on a command other than the polling command received from the NFC reader, and controls to lower the priority of the P2P application, in a case where the P2P application is selected as the candidate of the final target and the P2P application is not selected as the final target. The present technology can be applied to a communication device supporting an NFC standard, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Inventors: Takashi Suzuki, Norihiro Ichimaru, Katsuyuki Teruyama
  • Publication number: 20200260003
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus including a frame buffer executes high-speed shooting consecutively in plural sessions. An imaging element includes a buffer, an image producing unit, a managing unit, and an output unit. The image producing unit produces an image in the case where an empty capacity of any of plural areas in the buffer exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The managing unit causes an area whose empty capacity exceeds the predetermined threshold value, of the plural areas to retain the image as a buffering image. The output unit extracts the buffering image from the buffer and outputting the buffering image, in order of the retention of the buffering image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Zen, Jun Hashizume, Tsutomu Nakajima, Norihiro Ichimaru
  • Patent number: 10645279
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus including a frame buffer executes high-speed shooting consecutively in plural sessions. An imaging element includes a buffer, an image producing unit, a managing unit, and an output unit. The image producing unit produces an image in the case where an empty capacity of any of plural areas in the buffer exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The managing unit causes an area whose empty capacity exceeds the predetermined threshold value, of the plural areas to retain the image as a buffering image. The output unit extracts the buffering image from the buffer and outputting the buffering image, in order of the retention of the buffering image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Zen, Jun Hashizume, Tsutomu Nakajima, Norihiro Ichimaru
  • Publication number: 20200128168
    Abstract: The present technology relates to an imaging device, a method of driving the same, and an electronic instrument capable of improving functions by using high-speed readout in a period shorter than the output cycle of an image. An imaging device includes a pixel array unit in which pixels are arranged in a matrix, and a control unit that controls image readout by the pixel array unit. The control unit causes the pixel array unit to perform image readout twice or more within a cycle of outputting one image to the outside. The present technology can be applied to an imaging device or the like including a memory area, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Norihiro ICHIMARU, Masao ZEN
  • Publication number: 20200099852
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device, a driving method, and an electronic apparatus that can suppress a decrease in signal reading speed of the solid-state imaging device. A solid-state imaging device according to a first aspect of the present technology includes a pixel array unit in which a plurality of pixels is arrayed, a signal processing unit configured to perform a signal process including at least A/D conversion on a noise signal and a data signal read from the pixel, and a memory unit configured to retain a signal obtained in the signal process, in which the signal processing unit records the noise signal obtained from a predetermined frame in the memory unit, and performs the signal process of the data signal obtained from a frame after the predetermined frame by using the noise signal recorded in the memory unit. The present technology can be applied to, for example, an image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Norihiro ICHIMARU, Masao ZEN
  • Publication number: 20190238187
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a communication device, a control method, and a program which enable reliable selection of a desired target. A CLF transmits a polling command received from a NFC reader for selecting a candidate of a final target to targets, selects the candidate of the final target, by setting a P2P application as a target having the highest priority in the selection of the candidate of the final target, selects the final target based on a command other than the polling command received from the NFC reader, and controls to lower the priority of the P2P application, in a case where the P2P application is selected as the candidate of the final target and the P2P application is not selected as the final target. The present technology can be applied to a communication device supporting an NFC standard, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: FeliCa Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Suzuki, Norihiro Ichimaru, Katsuyuki Teruyama
  • Publication number: 20190166306
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus including a frame buffer executes high-speed shooting consecutively in plural sessions. An imaging element includes a buffer, an image producing unit, a managing unit, and an output unit. The image producing unit produces an image in the case where an empty capacity of any of plural areas in the buffer exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The managing unit causes an area whose empty capacity exceeds the predetermined threshold value, of the plural areas to retain the image as a buffering image. The output unit extracts the buffering image from the buffer and outputting the buffering image, in order of the retention of the buffering image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Zen, Jun Hashizume, Tsutomu Nakajima, Norihiro Ichimaru
  • Patent number: 10305547
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a communication device, a control method, and a program which enable reliable selection of a desired target. A CLF transmits a polling command received from a NFC reader for selecting a candidate of a final target to targets, selects the candidate of the final target, by setting a P2P application as a target having the highest priority in the selection of the candidate of the final target, selects the final target based on a command other than the polling command received from the NFC reader, and controls to lower the priority of the P2P application, in a case where the P2P application is selected as the candidate of the final target and the P2P application is not selected as the final target. The present technology can be applied to a communication device supporting an NFC standard, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: FeliCa Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Suzuki, Norihiro Ichimaru, Katsuyuki Teruyama
  • Patent number: 10171750
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state image sensor, an imaging control method, a signal processing method, and an electronic apparatus that suppress the deterioration of image quality, which is caused by the difference of sensitivity between pixels. A solid-state image sensor includes: a pixel array unit including a plurality of pixels arranged, the plurality of pixels including a plurality of kinds of pixels, the plurality of kinds of pixels including a first pixel and a second pixel, the first pixel having the highest sensitivity, the second pixel having a sensitivity lower than the sensitivity of the first pixel; and a control unit that controls at least one of an analog gain and exposure time of/for the respective pixels depending on a ratio between the sensitivities of the first pixel and the second pixel. The present technology is applicable to a solid-state image sensor such as a CMOS image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taro Sugizaki, Go Yamanaka, Daisuke Yoshioka, Toru Nishi, Yousuke Horie, Takesi Kozasa, Keneki Go, Norihiro Ichimaru, Naoki Hosoi
  • Publication number: 20170201693
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state image sensor, an imaging control method, a signal processing method, and an electronic apparatus that suppress the deterioration of image quality, which is caused by the difference of sensitivity between pixels. A solid-state image sensor includes: a pixel array unit including a plurality of pixels arranged, the plurality of pixels including a plurality of kinds of pixels, the plurality of kinds of pixels including a first pixel and a second pixel, the first pixel having the highest sensitivity, the second pixel having a sensitivity lower than the sensitivity of the first pixel; and a control unit that controls at least one of an analog gain and exposure time of/for the respective pixels depending on a ratio between the sensitivities of the first pixel and the second pixel. The present technology is applicable to a solid-state image sensor such as a CMOS image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: TARO SUGIZAKI, GO YAMANAKA, DAISUKE YOSHIOKA, TORU NISHI, YOUSUKE HORIE, TAKESI KOZASA, KENEKI GO, NORIHIRO ICHIMARU, NAOKI HOSOI
  • Publication number: 20160337002
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a communication device, a control method, and a program which enable reliable selection of a desired target. A CLF transmits a polling command received from a NFC reader for selecting a candidate of a final target to targets, selects the candidate of the final target, by setting a P2P application as a target having the highest priority in the selection of the candidate of the final target, selects the final target based on a command other than the polling command received from the NFC reader, and controls to lower the priority of the P2P application, in a case where the P2P application is selected as the candidate of the final target and the P2P application is not selected as the final target. The present technology can be applied to a communication device supporting an NFC standard, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: FeliCa Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Suzuki, Norihiro Ichimaru, Katsuyuki Teruyama
  • Patent number: 9444519
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a communication device, a control method, and a program which enable reliable selection of a desired target. A CLF transmits a polling command received from a NFC reader for selecting a candidate of a final target to targets, selects the candidate of the final target, by setting a P2P application as a target having the highest priority in the selection of the candidate of the final target, selects the final target based on a command other than the polling command received from the NFC reader, and controls to lower the priority of the P2P application, in a case where the P2P application is selected as the candidate of the final target and the P2P application is not selected as the final target. The present technology can be applied to a communication device supporting an NFC standard, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: FeliCa Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Suzuki, Norihiro Ichimaru, Katsuyuki Teruyama
  • Publication number: 20160087683
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a communication device, a control method, and a program which enable reliable selection of a desired target. A CLF transmits a polling command received from a NFC reader for selecting a candidate of a final target to targets, selects the candidate of the final target, by setting a P2P application as a target having the highest priority in the selection of the candidate of the final target, selects the final target based on a command other than the polling command received from the NFC reader, and controls to lower the priority of the P2P application, in a case where the P2P application is selected as the candidate of the final target and the P2P application is not selected as the final target. The present technology can be applied to a communication device supporting an NFC standard, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Applicant: FeliCa Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Suzuki, Norihiro Ichimaru, Katsuyuki Teruyama
  • Patent number: 9237409
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a communication device, a control method, and a program which enable reliable selection of a desired target. A CLF transmits a polling command received from a NFC reader for selecting a candidate of a final target to targets, selects the candidate of the final target, by setting a P2P application as a target having the highest priority in the selection of the candidate of the final target, selects the final target based on a command other than the polling command received from the NFC reader, and controls to lower the priority of the P2P application, in a case where the P2P application is selected as the candidate of the final target and the P2P application is not selected as the final target. The present technology can be applied to a communication device supporting an NFC standard, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: FeliCa Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Suzuki, Norihiro Ichimaru, Katsuyuki Teruyama
  • Publication number: 20150038077
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a communication device, a control method, and a program which enable reliable selection of a desired target. A CLF transmits a polling command received from a NFC reader for selecting a candidate of a final target to targets, selects the candidate of the final target, by setting a P2P application as a target having the highest priority in the selection of the candidate of the final target, selects the final target based on a command other than the polling command received from the NFC reader, and controls to lower the priority of the P2P application, in a case where the P2P application is selected as the candidate of the final target and the P2P application is not selected as the final target. The present technology can be applied to a communication device supporting an NFC standard, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: FELICA NETWORKS, INC.
    Inventors: Takashi Suzuki, Norihiro Ichimaru, Katsuyuki Teruyama
  • Patent number: 8847738
    Abstract: A mobile terminal includes a contactless communication unit configured to conduct contactless communication with an external communication apparatus, a plurality of memory units configured to store information to be transmitted to the communication apparatus, and a controller configured to control communication with the communication apparatus and set a priority order for the plurality of memory units when transmitting information from the plurality of memory units to the communication apparatus. The controller sets the priority order depending on the current time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Norihiro Ichimaru, Takashi Suzuki, Tetsunoshin Anzai, Toshimitsu Higashikawa
  • Patent number: 8612506
    Abstract: An arithmetic circuit includes: a detection unit that detects a code error for plural signals respectively modulated by different modulation methods and encoded by a predetermined encoding method; a measurement unit that measures a number of times of signal variations at a predetermined frequency or less generated in the plural signals in a period from detection of the code error in the detection unit to first detection of predetermined data contained in the plural signals with respect to each of the plural signals; and a selection unit that selects one signal from the plural signals based on a measurement result of the measurement unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Felica Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Masayuki Umejima, Katsuhiro Onozuka, Norihiro Ichimaru, Shogo Kawata