Patents by Inventor Noriyuki Kaifu

Noriyuki Kaifu 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: 20110036986
    Abstract: An image sensor has a plurality of pixels, each pixel including a photoelectric converter and a pixel circuit for processing signals from the photoelectric converter and outputting processed signals and a scanning circuit, disposed between the photoelectric converters, included in each of at least two adjacent pixels among a plurality of pixels aligned in a single direction. An edge pixel accommodates, in order from an edge of the image sensor toward an interior, a predetermined empty region, a photoelectric converter and a pixel circuit. There is at least one position at which two adjacent pixels, the first of the two pixels accommodating, in order, a pixel circuit, a photoelectric converter and predetermined empty region, the second accommodating, in order, a predetermined empty region, a photoelectric converter and a pixel circuit. The scanning circuit is disposed in the predetermined empty region between the two adjacent pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: KAZUAKI TASHIRO, NORIYUKI KAIFU, SHIN KIKUCHI, TOMOYUKI NODA
  • Patent number: 7888680
    Abstract: In a semiconductor device having a plurality of thin film transistors and matrix wiring lines formed on a substrate, the matrix wiring lines are electrically connected via resistors in order to prevent electrostatic destructions during a panel manufacture process and improve a manufacture yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Watanabe, Noriyuki Kaifu, Chiori Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 7847259
    Abstract: An image sensor has a plurality of pixels, each pixel including a photoelectric converter and a pixel circuit for processing signals from the photoelectric converter and outputting processed signals and a scanning circuit, disposed between the photoelectric converters, included in each of at least two adjacent pixels among a plurality of pixels aligned in a single direction. An edge pixel accommodates, in order from an edge of the image sensor toward an interior, a predetermined empty region, a photoelectric converter and a pixel circuit. There is at least one position at which two adjacent pixels, the first of the two pixels accommodating, in order, a pixel circuit, a photoelectric converter and predetermined empty region, the second accommodating, in order, a predetermined empty region, a photoelectric converter and a pixel circuit. The scanning circuit is disposed in the predetermined empty region between the two adjacent pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuaki Tashiro, Noriyuki Kaifu, Shin Kikuchi, Tomoyuki Noda
  • Patent number: 7842927
    Abstract: An image sensor has a plurality of pixels, each pixel including a photoelectric converter and a pixel circuit for processing signals from the photoelectric converter and outputting processed signals and a scanning circuit, disposed between the photoelectric converters, included in each of at least two adjacent pixels among a plurality of pixels aligned in a single direction. An edge pixel accommodates, in order from an edge of the image sensor toward an interior, a predetermined empty region, a photoelectric converter and a pixel circuit. There is at least one position at which two adjacent pixels, the first of the two pixels accommodating, in order, a pixel circuit, a photoelectric converter and predetermined empty region, the second accommodating, in order, a predetermined empty region, a photoelectric converter and a pixel circuit. The scanning circuit is disposed in the predetermined empty region between the two adjacent pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuaki Tashiro, Noriyuki Kaifu, Shin Kikuchi, Tomoyuki Noda
  • Publication number: 20100108899
    Abstract: A photoelectric converter includes a plurality of substrates, which are located adjacent to each other and on which a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices are two-dimensionally arranged, and either scan circuits or detection circuits that are arranged on two opposing sides of the photoelectric converter, whereby scanning directions either from the scan circuits or from the detection circuits, which are arranged on the two opposing sides, are capable of being set so as to be performed in like directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Isao KOBAYASHI, Noriyuki KAIFU, Shinichi TAKEDA, Kazuaki TASHIRO, Tadao ENDO, Toshio KAMESHIMA
  • Publication number: 20100054407
    Abstract: In order to provide a photoelectric conversion apparatus, which is an apparatus excellent in reading speed, high S/N, high tone level, and low cost, the photoelectric conversion apparatus has a photoelectric conversion circuit section comprising a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, switching elements, matrix signal wires, and gate drive wires arranged on a same substrate in order to output parallel signals, a driving circuit section for applying a driving signal to the gate drive wire, and a reading circuit section for converting the parallel signals transferred through the matrix signal wires to serial signals to output them, wherein the reading circuit section comprises at least one analog operational amplifier connected with each of the matrix signal wires, transfer switches for transferring output signals from the respective matrix signal wires, output through each amplifier, reading capacitors, and reading switches for successively reading the signals out of the reading capacitors in the for
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tadao Endo, Noriyuki Kaifu, Toshiaki Sato, Masakazu Morishita
  • Patent number: 7663082
    Abstract: For providing a photoelectric conversion device that can prevent radiation noise by a low-cost and simple mounting method, the photoelectric conversion device having a photoelectric conversion element is provided in which a conductive member such as a thin metal sheet is stuck on the photoelectric conversion element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eiichi Takami, Noriyuki Kaifu, Kenji Kajiwara
  • Patent number: 7643077
    Abstract: In order to provide a photoelectric conversion apparatus, which is an apparatus excellent in reading speed, high S/N, high tone level, and low cost, the photoelectric conversion apparatus has a photoelectric conversion circuit section comprising a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, switching elements, matrix signal wires, and gate drive wires arranged on a same substrate in order to output parallel signals, a driving circuit section for applying a driving signal to the gate drive wire, and a reading circuit section for converting the parallel signals transferred through the matrix signal wires to serial signals to output them, wherein the reading circuit section comprises at least one analog operational amplifier connected with each of the matrix signal wires, transfer switches for transferring output signals from the respective matrix signal wires, output through each amplifier, reading capacitors, and reading switches for successively reading the signals out of the reading capacitors in the for
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadao Endo, Noriyuki Kaifu, Toshiaki Sato, Masakazu Morishita
  • Patent number: 7639295
    Abstract: An image sensing apparatus provided with a plurality of image sensing elements each including a plurality of photoelectric conversion sections and an adding circuit adapted to add signals from the plurality of photoelectric conversion sections to obtain a one-pixel signal, wherein the adding circuit adds the signals obtained by the addition are arranged at equal intervals in an area extending over the plurality of image sensing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Yuki, Noriyuki Kaifu, Kazuaki Tashiro, Tetsunobu Kochi
  • Patent number: 7635835
    Abstract: A photoelectric converter includes a plurality of substrates, which are located adjacent to each other and on which a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices are two-dimensionally arranged, and either scan circuits or detection circuits that are arranged on two opposing sides of the photoelectric converter, whereby scanning directions either from the scan circuits or from the detection circuits, which are arranged on the two opposing sides, are capable of being set so as to be performed in like directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isao Kobayashi, Noriyuki Kaifu, Shinichi Takeda, Kazuaki Tashiro, Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima
  • Patent number: 7630010
    Abstract: An image sensing apparatus provided with a plurality of image sensing elements each including a plurality of photoelectric conversion sections and an adding circuit adapted to add signals from the plurality of photoelectric conversion sections to obtain a one-pixel signal, wherein the adding circuit adds the signals such that the one-pixel signals obtained by the addition are arranged at equal intervals in an area extending over the plurality of image sensing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Yuki, Noriyuki Kaifu, Kazuaki Tashiro, Tetsunobu Kochi
  • Patent number: 7616244
    Abstract: To read stable image information by making small in a short time the amount of change in potential at the time the potential of signal wires or sensor bias wires drops a moment, the device is, in the refresh mode of photoelectric conversion pixels, so driven that the timing at which two drive wires are driven overlaps which are sequentially and at least consecutively driven by the control means among drive wires while keeping the signal wires at a reset potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isao Kobayashi, Noriyuki Kaifu, Toshikazu Tamura, Tomoyuki Yagi
  • Publication number: 20090268050
    Abstract: An image sensor comprises a pixel array, and a control unit which performs, in a first period, a control operation of an electric potential of a signal line to turn off a MOS transistor while the electric potential of a charge-voltage converter in a selected pixel is maintained at an electric potential of a selected state, and, in a second period subsequent to the first period, performs a control operation of the electric potential of the signal line to turn on the MOS transistor while the electric potential of the charge-voltage converter in the selected pixel is maintained at an electric potential of the selected state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuaki Tashiro, Noriyuki Kaifu
  • Publication number: 20090230310
    Abstract: An image sensing apparatus provided with a plurality of image sensing elements each including a plurality of photoelectric conversion sections and an adding circuit adapted to add signals from the plurality of photoelectric conversion sections to obtain a one-pixel signal, wherein the adding circuit adds the signals such that the one-pixel signals obtained by the addition are arranged at equal intervals in an area extending over the plurality of image sensing elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: OSAMU YUKI, NORIYUKI KAIFU, KAZUAKI TASHIRO, TETSUNOBU KOCHI
  • Publication number: 20090230290
    Abstract: An image sensor has a plurality of pixels, each pixel including a photoelectric converter and a pixel circuit for processing signals from the photoelectric converter and outputting processed signals and a scanning circuit, disposed between the photoelectric converters, included in each of at least two adjacent pixels among a plurality of pixels aligned in a single direction. An edge pixel accommodates, in order from an edge of the image sensor toward an interior, a predetermined empty region, a photoelectric converter and a pixel circuit. There is at least one position at which two adjacent pixels, the first of the two pixels accommodating, in order, a pixel circuit, a photoelectric converter and predetermined empty region, the second accommodating, in order, a predetermined empty region, a photoelectric converter and a pixel circuit. The scanning circuit is disposed in the predetermined empty region between the two adjacent pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: KAZUAKI TASHIRO, NORIYUKI KAIFU, SHIN KIKUCHI, TOMOYUKI NODA
  • Publication number: 20090230312
    Abstract: An image sensor has a plurality of pixels, each pixel including a photoelectric converter and a pixel circuit for processing signals from the photoelectric converter and outputting processed signals and a scanning circuit, disposed between the photoelectric converters, included in each of at least two adjacent pixels among a plurality of pixels aligned in a single direction. An edge pixel accommodates, in order from an edge of the image sensor toward an interior, a predetermined empty region, a photoelectric converter and a pixel circuit. There is at least one position at which two adjacent pixels, the first of the two pixels accommodating, in order, a pixel circuit, a photoelectric converter and predetermined empty region, the second accommodating, in order, a predetermined empty region, a photoelectric converter and a pixel circuit. The scanning circuit is disposed in the predetermined empty region between the two adjacent pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: KAZUAKI TASHIRO, NORIYUKI KAIFU, SHIN KIKUCHI, TOMOYUKI NODA
  • Patent number: 7589774
    Abstract: An image sensing apparatus including an X-ray image sensing unit having a non-destructive read function, adapted to sense an object image, and a subtractor adapted to sequentially output as a corrected value a difference between a plurality of frames sequentially read out non-destructively from the X-ray image sensing unit and a frame read out before the plurality of frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kaifu, Kazuaki Tashiro, Osamu Yuki
  • Patent number: 7564037
    Abstract: An image sensor has a plurality of pixels, each pixel including a photoelectric converter and a pixel circuit for processing signals from the photoelectric converter and outputting processed signals and a scanning circuit, disposed between the photoelectric converters, included in each of at least two adjacent pixels among a plurality of pixels aligned in a single direction. An edge pixel accommodates, in order from an edge of the image sensor toward an interior, a predetermined empty region, a photoelectric converter and a pixel circuit. There is at least one position at which two adjacent pixels, the first of the two pixels accommodating, in order, a pixel circuit, a photoelectric converter and predetermined empty region, the second accommodating, in order, a predetermined empty region, a photoelectric converter and a pixel circuit. The scanning circuit is disposed in the predetermined empty region between the two adjacent pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuaki Tashiro, Noriyuki Kaifu, Shin Kikuchi, Tomoyuki Noda
  • Patent number: 7505070
    Abstract: In order to eliminate impairment due to a disconnection and to make driving at high speed possible, a semiconductor device is provided which includes a plurality of pixels, each having a switching element, arrayed two-dimensionally, which includes a plurality of common lines connected to the switching elements arrayed in a direction, and which drives the switching elements. A plurality of driving devices for applying a control signal are connected to the common lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Kameshima, Noriyuki Kaifu
  • Patent number: RE42157
    Abstract: A photoelectric converter of a high signal-to-noise ratio, low cost, high productivity and stable characteristics and a system including the above photoelectric converter. The photoelectric converter includes a photoelectric converting portion in which a first electrode layer, an insulating layer for inhibiting carriers from transferring, a photoelectric converting semiconductor layer of a non-single-crystal type, an injection blocking layer for inhibiting a first type of carriers from being injected into the semiconductor layer and a second electrode layer are laminated in this order on an insulating substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kaifu, Hidemasa Mizutani, Shinichi Takeda, Isao Kobayashi, Satoshi Itabashi