Patents by Inventor Sei Suzuki

Sei Suzuki 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: 20240089712
    Abstract: An object is to provide a data collection device and the like capable of reducing a load on an IoT terminal in metadata transmission and power consumption associated with the metadata transmission. In the present invention, a controller is provided on a data collection side that collects metadata, the metadata transmitted from an IoT terminal is grasped, and the IoT terminal is instructed to reduce the transmission frequency of metadata that does not need high real-time property according to a sensor, the type of the IoT terminal, or the like. The IoT terminal transmits the metadata only at a window time (transmission timing, data size, metadata type, or the like) permitted by the metadata controller. As a result, the IoT terminal transmits the metadata only at a limited timing, and thus can reduce a transmission load and power consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Shinya TAMAKI, Ryota SHIINA, Tetsuya SUZUKI, Yasutaka KIMURA, Tomohiro TANIGUCHI, Sei KOU, Tomoya HATANO, Takashi YAMADA
  • Patent number: 11460549
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of pixels arranged in matrix form, each pixel including a photoelectric converter and a plurality of first transfer electrodes, and a plurality of control lines connected to mutually-corresponding ones of the first transfer electrodes in a plurality of pixels arranged in a specific row. The plurality of pixels include a plurality of first pixels and second pixels. Each of the first pixels includes a floating diffusion layer and a readout circuit. Each of the second pixels shares the floating diffusion layer with one of the first pixels arranged in a column direction. At least some of the plurality of control lines are further connected to the first transfer electrodes of pixels that are arranged adjacent in the column direction to respective ones of the plurality of pixels arranged in the specific row and that share at least one of the floating diffusion layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: NUVOTON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION JAPAN
    Inventors: Junichi Matsuo, Sei Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11399148
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix on a semiconductor substrate, wherein each of the plurality of pixels includes: a photoelectric converter that converts received light into a signal charge; a plurality of read gates that each read the signal charge from the photoelectric converter; a plurality of charge accumulators that each accumulate the signal charge read by any one of the plurality of read gates; and a charge holder that receives, from one of the plurality of charge accumulators, transfer of the signal charge accumulated in the charge accumulator, holds the signal charge, and transfers, to one of the plurality of charge accumulators, the signal charge held.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: NUVOTON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION JAPAN
    Inventors: Sei Suzuki, Junichi Matsuo
  • Patent number: 11194025
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: pixels arranged in a matrix on a semiconductor substrate. Each of the pixels includes: a photoelectric converter that converts received light into a signal charge; at least one read gate that reads the signal charge from the photoelectric converter; charge accumulators that each accumulate the signal charge read by the at least one read gate; and a charge holder that receives, from one of the charge accumulators, transfer of the signal charge accumulated in the charge accumulator, holds the signal charge, and transfers, to one of the charge accumulators, the signal charge held, each of the charge accumulators includes a part of a transfer channel and a part of a transfer electrode overlapping with the part of the transfer channel in a planar view of the semiconductor substrate, and the transfer channel per one pixel comprises transfer channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: NUVOTON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION JAPAN
    Inventors: Sei Suzuki, Junichi Matsuo, Shinichi Kawai
  • Patent number: 11089270
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes pixels arranged in matrix form, each including a photoelectric converter and first transfer electrodes, and control lines connected to mutually-corresponding ones of the first transfer electrodes in pixels arranged in a specific row. The pixels include first pixels that receive visible light and second pixels that receive infrared light. Each of floating diffusion layer-including pixels, which are some of the plurality of pixels, further includes a floating diffusion layer and a readout circuit. Each floating diffusion layer-lacking pixel shares the floating diffusion layer with one of the first pixels arranged in a column direction. At least some of the control lines are further connected to the first transfer electrodes of pixels arranged adjacent in the column direction to respective ones of the pixels arranged in the specific row and that share at least one of the floating diffusion layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: NUVOTON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION JAPAN
    Inventors: Junichi Matsuo, Sei Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10928493
    Abstract: Provided is a method for driving a solid-state imaging device including a unit pixel which includes at least a first pixel including: a photoelectric converter which receives reflected light from an object and converts the reflected light into charge; an exposure resetter which switches between exposure and discharge of the charge in the photoelectric converter; and a plurality of readers which read the charge from the photoelectric converter and include at least a first reader and a second reader. The method includes: performing a first exposure as the exposure that is performed in a first period in which a gate of the first reader is ON; and performing a second exposure as the exposure that is performed in a second period which is started in conjunction with the end of the first period and in which a gate of the second reader is ON.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tohru Yamada, Sei Suzuki, Yasuyuki Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20200213553
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of pixels arranged in matrix form, each pixel including a photoelectric converter and a plurality of first transfer electrodes, and a plurality of control lines connected to mutually-corresponding ones of the first transfer electrodes in a plurality of pixels arranged in a specific row. The plurality of pixels include a plurality of first pixels and second pixels. Each of the first pixels includes a floating diffusion layer and a readout circuit. Each of the second pixels shares the floating diffusion layer with one of the first pixels arranged in a column direction. At least some of the plurality of control lines are further connected to the first transfer electrodes of pixels that are arranged adjacent in the column direction to respective ones of the plurality of pixels arranged in the specific row and that share at least one of the floating diffusion layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Junichi MATSUO, Sei SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20200213539
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: pixels arranged in a matrix on a semiconductor substrate. Each of the pixels includes: a photoelectric converter that converts received light into a signal charge; at least one read gate that reads the signal charge from the photoelectric converter; charge accumulators that each accumulate the signal charge read by the at least one read gate; and a charge holder that receives, from one of the charge accumulators, transfer of the signal charge accumulated in the charge accumulator, holds the signal charge, and transfers, to one of the charge accumulators, the signal charge held, each of the charge accumulators includes a part of a transfer channel and a part of a transfer electrode overlapping with the part of the transfer channel in a planar view of the semiconductor substrate, and the transfer channel per one pixel comprises transfer channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Sei SUZUKI, Junichi MATSUO, Shinichi KAWAI
  • Publication number: 20200213540
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix on a semiconductor substrate, wherein each of the plurality of pixels includes: a photoelectric converter that converts received light into a signal charge; a plurality of read gates that each read the signal charge from the photoelectric converter; a plurality of charge accumulators that each accumulate the signal charge read by any one of the plurality of read gates; and a charge holder that receives, from one of the plurality of charge accumulators, transfer of the signal charge accumulated in the charge accumulator, holds the signal charge, and transfers, to one of the plurality of charge accumulators, the signal charge held.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Sei SUZUKI, Junichi MATSUO
  • Publication number: 20200213550
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes pixels arranged in matrix form, each including a photoelectric converter and first transfer electrodes, and control lines connected to mutually-corresponding ones of the first transfer electrodes in pixels arranged in a specific row. The pixels include first pixels that receive visible light and second pixels that receive infrared light. Each of floating diffusion layer-including pixels, which are some of the plurality of pixels, further includes a floating diffusion layer and a readout circuit. Each floating diffusion layer-lacking pixel shares the floating diffusion layer with one of the first pixels arranged in a column direction. At least some of the control lines are further connected to the first transfer electrodes of pixels arranged adjacent in the column direction to respective ones of the pixels arranged in the specific row and that share at least one of the floating diffusion layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Junichi MATSUO, Sei SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 10690755
    Abstract: A plurality of pixels of a solid-state imaging device include: a photoelectric converter which receives light from an object and converts the light into charge; a plurality of readers which read the charge from the photoelectric converter; a plurality of charge accumulators which accumulate the charge of the photoelectric converter; and a transfer controller which performs a transfer control including controlling whether the charge is transferred or blocked from being transferred. The readers read the charge of the photoelectric converter to the charge accumulators, the plurality of pixels include at least a first pixel and a second pixel, and the transfer controller performs the transfer control to cause addition of the charge read from each of the first pixel and the second pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sei Suzuki, Tohru Yamada, Yasuyuki Shimizu
  • Patent number: 10687002
    Abstract: An image-capturing device includes an infrared light source configured to emit infrared light, and a solid-state image-capturing device including a plurality of first pixels configured to convert visible light into signal charge and a plurality of second pixels configured to convert infrared light into signal charge, the plurality of first pixels and the plurality of second pixels being arranged on a semiconductor substrate in a matrix. The solid-state image-capturing device outputs, during the same single frame scanning period, a first signal obtained from the plurality of first pixels, a second signal obtained from the plurality of second pixels during a period of time when the infrared light is emitted, and a third signal obtained from the plurality of second pixels during a period of time when the infrared light is not emitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junichi Matsuo, Sei Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10666875
    Abstract: A plurality of pixels of a solid-state imaging device include: a photoelectric converter which receives light from an object and converts the light into charge; a plurality of readers which read the charge from the photoelectric converter; a plurality of charge accumulators each of which accumulates the charge of the photoelectric converter read from the plurality of readers; and a transfer controller which performs a transfer control including controlling whether the charge accumulated in one of the plurality of charge accumulators is transferred or blocked from being transferred to another one of the plurality of charge accumulators. The transfer controller is disposed between the plurality of charge accumulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sei Suzuki, Tohru Yamada, Yasuyuki Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20190110006
    Abstract: An image-capturing device includes an infrared light source configured to emit infrared light, and a solid-state image-capturing device including a plurality of first pixels configured to convert visible light into signal charge and a plurality of second pixels configured to convert infrared light into signal charge, the plurality of first pixels and the plurality of second pixels being arranged on a semiconductor substrate in a matrix. The solid-state image-capturing device outputs, during the same single frame scanning period, a first signal obtained from the plurality of first pixels, a second signal obtained from the plurality of second pixels during a period of time when the infrared light is emitted, and a third signal obtained from the plurality of second pixels during a period of time when the infrared light is not emitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Junichi MATSUO, Sei SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 10187591
    Abstract: An image-capturing device includes an infrared light source configured to emit infrared light, and a solid-state image-capturing device including a plurality of first pixels configured to convert visible light into signal charge and a plurality of second pixels configured to convert infrared light into signal charge, the plurality of first pixels and the plurality of second pixels being arranged on a semiconductor substrate in a matrix. The solid-state image-capturing device outputs, during the same single frame scanning period, a first signal obtained from the plurality of first pixels, a second signal obtained from the plurality of second pixels during a period of time when the infrared light is emitted, and a third signal obtained from the plurality of second pixels during a period of time when the infrared light is not emitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Matsuo, Sei Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20180167562
    Abstract: A plurality of pixels of a solid-state imaging device include: a photoelectric converter which receives light from an object and converts the light into charge; a plurality of readers which read the charge from the photoelectric converter; a plurality of charge accumulators each of which accumulates the charge of the photoelectric converter read from the plurality of readers; and a transfer controller which performs a transfer control including controlling whether the charge accumulated in one of the plurality of charge accumulators is transferred or blocked from being transferred to another one of the plurality of charge accumulators. The transfer controller is disposed between the plurality of charge accumulators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Sei SUZUKI, Tohru YAMADA, Yasuyuki SHIMIZU
  • Publication number: 20180156898
    Abstract: A plurality of pixels of a solid-state imaging device include: a photoelectric converter which receives light from an object and converts the light into charge; a plurality of readers which read the charge from the photoelectric converter; a plurality of charge accumulators which accumulate the charge of the photoelectric converter; and a transfer controller which performs a transfer control including controlling whether the charge is transferred or blocked from being transferred. The readers read the charge of the photoelectric converter to the charge accumulators, the plurality of pixels include at least a first pixel and a second pixel, and the transfer controller performs the transfer control to cause addition of the charge read from each of the first pixel and the second pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Sei SUZUKI, Tohru YAMADA, Yasuyuki SHIMIZU
  • Publication number: 20180156899
    Abstract: Provided is a method for driving a solid-state imaging device including a unit pixel which includes at least a first pixel including: a photoelectric converter which receives reflected light from an object and converts the reflected light into charge; an exposure resetter which switches between exposure and discharge of the charge in the photoelectric converter; and a plurality of readers which read the charge from the photoelectric converter and include at least a first reader and a second reader. The method includes: performing a first exposure as the exposure that is performed in a first period in which a gate of the first reader is ON; and performing a second exposure as the exposure that is performed in a second period which is started in conjunction with the end of the first period and in which a gate of the second reader is ON.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Tohru YAMADA, Sei SUZUKI, Yasuyuki SHIMIZU
  • Patent number: 9736438
    Abstract: Provided is an a imaging device that acquires a distance image excluding influence of background light in one frame scanning period and acquires a visible image in a separate frame from a single imaging sensor, and includes an infrared light source that emits infrared light, and a solid state imaging device including a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels, which respectively include vertical overflow drains, and are arranged in a matrix on a semiconductor substrate, the plurality of first pixels converting the infrared light into signal charges, and the plurality of second pixels converting visible light into signal charges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Asano, Sei Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20160173802
    Abstract: Provided are an imaging apparatus with reduced variations in ranging results and increased ranging precision, and its driving method. The imaging apparatus includes a near-infrared light source and a solid-state imaging device. The solid-state imaging device includes a photoelectric conversion region in which a plurality of photoelectric converters is arranged in a matrix, a plurality of vertical transfer units for transferring signal charges generated in the photoelectric converters in a direction perpendicular to a row direction of the photoelectric conversion region, a plurality of horizontal transfer units for transferring the signal charges in a direction horizontal to the row direction of the photoelectric conversion region, and a plurality of charge detectors for amplifying and outputting the signal charges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: JUNICHI MATSUO, SEI SUZUKI, TAKUYA ASANO