Patents by Inventor Norihito KATOU

Norihito KATOU 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: 11968465
    Abstract: A technique capable of improving linearity at a low illuminance is provided. A solid-state sensing image device includes: a pixel array including a plurality pixels arranged in a matrix form and a plurality of pixel signal lines connected to the plurality of pixels and receiving pixel signals supplied from the plurality pixels; a column-parallel A/D converting circuit connected to the plurality of pixel signal lines; and a reference-voltage generating circuit generating ramp-wave reference voltage that linearly changes in accordance with time passage. The column-parallel A/D converting circuit includes a first A/D converter, the first A/D converter includes: a first input terminal connected to the pixel signal line; a second input terminal receiving the reference voltage; and an offset generating circuit connected to the first input terminal and generating an offset voltage for the first input terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norihito Katou, Fukashi Morishita
  • Publication number: 20220408046
    Abstract: A technique capable of improving linearity at a low illuminance is provided. A solid-state sensing image device includes: a pixel array including a plurality pixels arranged in a matrix form and a plurality of pixel signal lines connected to the plurality of pixels and receiving pixel signals supplied from the plurality pixels; a column-parallel A/D converting circuit connected to the plurality of pixel signal lines; and a reference-voltage generating circuit generating ramp-wave reference voltage that linearly changes in accordance with time passage. The column-parallel A/D converting circuit includes a first A/D converter, the first A/D converter includes: a first input terminal connected to the pixel signal line; a second input terminal receiving the reference voltage; and an offset generating circuit connected to the first input terminal and generating an offset voltage for the first input terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Norihito KATOU, Fukashi MORISHITA