Patents by Inventor Shin Kikuchi

Shin Kikuchi 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: 7595821
    Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device reduces the load of outputs from pixels and suppresses a decrease in gain, a reduction in a speed, and the like using a circuit for adding (averaging) a plurality of pixel signals. The device has a plurality of pixels which are one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally arranged and output photoelectrically converted signals, and a plurality of output lines to which the output signal(s) from one pixel or the pixels arranged on one column is/are outputted. A signal adder circuit for arbitrarily adding the output signals from the plurality of output lines and outputting an addition signal and a signal output circuit for outputting each of the output signals, as individual signals, from the plurality of output lines without adding them are independently provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shin Kikuchi
  • 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: 20090234564
    Abstract: An unoccupied route search system for efficiently searching for a route (transportation means used) to the destination according to presence/absence of an unoccupied set of transportation means. An unoccupied seat route searching system (10) comprises an operation data DB (52) storing operation data on operation of transportation means, a search operation data DB (37) storing operation data for search, reservation information collecting means (35) for collecting reservation information on transportation means, condition input means (22) for inputting route search conditions including a seat condition, route search means (36) for searching transportation means constituting the route according to the reservation information collected by the reservation information collecting means (22) under the route search condition while referencing the search operation data DB (37), and output means (23) for outputting the results of the route search.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: NAVITIME JAPAN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keisuke Onishi, Shin Kikuchi, Hiroshi Sakamoto
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20090225212
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a pixel unit having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, a plurality of block lines to which signals are supplied from the pixels, transfer switches used to supply the signals from the block lines to a common signal line, and a driving circuit configured to drive the pixels, the block lines, and the transfer switches. The block lines have resetting units used to reset potentials of the block lines. With this configuration, a signal reading operation is performed at high speed in the photoelectric conversion apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shin Kikuchi, Toru Koizumi
  • Patent number: 7587273
    Abstract: A route seeking device, a route seeking method, and a program capable of determining a guide route requiring a small number of transfers of transportation by a single route seek. In the route seeking device comprising a route seeking section for seeking a route from a start point to a goal with reference to a route network DB consisting of nodes, links to which attribute information representing the groups to which the links belong is added, and costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Navitime Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Ohnishi, Shin Kikuchi
  • 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: 7554591
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a pixel unit having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, a plurality of block lines to which signals are supplied from the pixels, transfer switches used to supply the signals from the block lines to a common signal line, and a driving circuit configured to drive the pixels, the block lines, and the transfer switches. The block lines have resetting units used to reset potentials of the block lines. With this configuration, a signal reading operation is performed at high speed in the photoelectric conversion apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shin Kikuchi, Toru Koizumi
  • Patent number: 7550793
    Abstract: The image pickup device of the invention has a path deeper in a semiconductor substrate, than a region wherein a channel is formed, upon turning on a first MOS transistor, under a gate thereof. The path is arranged by forming a P-type layer for forming a potential barrier, within a P-type well excluding a region below the gate of the first MOS transistor. Thus, even when the first transfer MOS transistor is securely turned off at accumulation, carriers overflowing from a photodiode can flow into the path, thereby enabling to accumulate the carriers, overflowing from the photodiode, in a carrier accumulation region. Such structure allows to suppress a dark current generation from an interface of a gate oxide film of the first transfer MOS transistor, and also to expand the dynamic range of the image pickup device by the carriers overflowing from the photodiode and flowing through the path into the carrier accumulation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Itano, Toru Koizumi, Shin Kikuchi, Akira Okita, Masanori Ogura
  • Publication number: 20090143081
    Abstract: There is provided an information distribution system capable of distributing a content to a mobile terminal in a predetermined area, distributing content guide information to the mobile terminal, and distributing the content selected by the mobile terminal, within the area. The information distribution system includes an information distribution server, a mobile terminal, and a content DB. The content DB contains content information to be provided to the mobile terminal and information on the area to which the content is provided. The information distribution server distributes the content guide information to the mobile terminal. According to this content guide information, the mobile terminal performs a content distribution request. The information distribution server judges the position of the mobile terminal according to position judgment means. When the mobile terminal is in the distribution area of the content requested, the content is downloaded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: Navitime Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Onishi, Shin Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7539576
    Abstract: A pedestrian navigation system provides distance information and travel directions to a destination. The system includes a pedestrian navigation device for navigating a pedestrian's route by means of a vibration, a server for offering navigation information to the pedestrian navigation device, a network for connecting the pedestrian navigation device with the server to permit communication between each other, and a GPS for offering position information to the pedestrian navigation device. Further, the pedestrian navigation device can include a speaker for outputting a guide voice based on the user's present position information, so as to start a voice guide after generating vibration, thereby facilitating verification of the guidance information provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Navitime Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Ohnishi, Takayuki Matsunaga, Yusuke Suzuki, Shin Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20090109314
    Abstract: A solid state image pickup device which can prevent color mixture by using a layout of a capacitor region provided separately from a floating diffusion region and a camera using such a device are provided. A photodiode region is a rectangular region including a photodiode. A capacitor region includes a carrier holding unit and is arranged on one side of the rectangle of the photodiode region as a region having a side longer than the one side. In a MOS unit region, an output unit region including an output unit having a side longer than the other side which crosses the one side of the rectangle of the photodiode region is arranged on the other side. A gate region and the FD region are arranged between the photodiode region and the capacitor region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toru Koizumi, Akira Okita, Masanori Ogura, Shin Kikuchi, Tetsuya Itano
  • Publication number: 20090073298
    Abstract: An image sensing apparatus comprises a pixel including, a column signal line, a readout circuit, an output line, and an output unit. The readout circuit includes a first accumulation unit, a first opening/closing unit, a second accumulation unit, a transmission unit, and a second opening/closing unit. A capacitance of the first accumulation unit is smaller than a capacitance of the second accumulation unit, and the signal held by the second accumulation unit is read out to the output unit based on the capacitance of the second accumulation unit and the capacitance of the output line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: MASANORI OGURA, Toru Koizumi, Tatsuya Ryoki, Shin Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20090046093
    Abstract: A map display device and a map display method, in which a building in a map is formed as a pseudo three-dimensional figure and arithmetic processing to display the figure as a bird's-eye view is simplified. The map display device 20 for displaying map data, formed from vector data, on a display means has a plane figure-for-bird's-eye-view creation means 218, a shift amount storage means 219, a building position determination means 220, and a figure data copying means 221. The plane-figure-for-bird's-eye-view creation means 218 creates, from the map data formed from vector data, a plane figure for creating a bird's-eye view. The figure data copying means 221 copies and draws the plane figure to display a bird's-eye view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: NAVITIME JAPAN CO., LTD.,
    Inventors: Shin Kikuchi, Hiroshi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 7460162
    Abstract: A solid state image pickup device which can prevent color mixture by using a layout of a capacitor region provided separately from a floating diffusion region and a camera using such a device are provided. A photodiode region is a rectangular region including a photodiode. A capacitor region includes a carrier holding unit and is arranged on one side of the rectangle of the photodiode region as a region having a side longer than the one side. In a MOS unit region, an output unit region including an output unit having a side longer than the other side which crosses the one side of the rectangle of the photodiode region is arranged on the other side. A gate region and the FD region are arranged between the photodiode region and the capacitor region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Koizumi, Akira Okita, Masanori Ogura, Shin Kikuchi, Tetsuya Itano
  • Patent number: 7456888
    Abstract: In a photoelectric conversion device with a photoelectric conversion region for accumulating electric charges that correspond to incident light and an amplifying filed effect transistor into which a signal charge from the photoelectric conversion region is inputted, the photoelectric conversion region is surrounded by a potential barrier region (a selectively oxidized film and a channel stopper), a nick region (overflow channel) is formed in a part of the potential barrier region, and a drain region of the field effect transistor that has the same conductivity type as the photoelectric conversion region is placed next to the nick region. Thus excess carriers are prevented from flowing into adjacent pixels or other floating regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shin Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20080288166
    Abstract: A portable navigation device where a map being displayed on a display section is fixed by performing map stop operation at a portable navigation terminal where an appropriate map is selected and displayed so as to correspond to the speed of movement. A portable navigation terminal (10) has speed detecting means (104) for detecting the speed of movement of the terminal, a map data request/acquisition section (105) for requesting, according to the movement speed detected by the speed detecting mean, different kinds of map data to an information distributing server and acquiring the map data, and an operation section (16) having a map stop button for stopping, at a desired time point during the movement, change in the kind of map displayed on display means. The portable navigation terminal (10) further has manual scroll means (164), a zoom-in button (162), and a zoom-out button (163) that have the function of the map stop button.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: NAVITIME JAPAN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keisuke Onishi, Shin Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20080211948
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a pixel unit having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, a plurality of block lines to which signals are supplied from the pixels, transfer switches used to supply the signals from the block lines to a common signal line, and a driving circuit configured to drive the pixels, the block lines, and the transfer switches. The block lines have resetting units used to reset potentials of the block lines. With this configuration, a signal reading operation is performed at high speed in the photoelectric conversion apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shin Kikuchi, Toru Koizumi
  • Patent number: 7418338
    Abstract: A road information provision system or route search system has a terminal device such as a car navigation device 20a, portable telephone 20b, or PC 20c which specifies routes and issues requests for road information; a VICS center 40 which provides congestion information; a road information provision/route search server 10 which, in response to requests from terminal devices 20a to 20c, generates road information based on congestion information from the VICS center 40, and provides the road information to the terminal devices 20a to 20c; a dedicated circuit network 50 which connects the road information provision server 10 and VICS center 40 by dedicated circuits; a network 30 which connects the terminal devices 20a to 20c and road information provision/route search server 10 to enable communication; and a GPS 60 which provides position information. The system can determine shortest-route information of distance or time and congestion information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Navitime Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Ohnishi, Shin Kikuchi, Yusuke Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20080201070
    Abstract: There are provided a mobile navigation terminal and an information distribution server that includes a geographical database for route searching and a mesh database storing therein meshes into which images produced from aerial photographs have been divided. The mobile navigation terminal includes GPS means; matching means for matching a measured location with a route to determine a current location; and a mesh data requesting part for calculating mesh data for which to request the information distribution server anew in connection with the current location. The mobile navigation terminal transmits a route search request and/or a mesh data distribution request to the information distribution server. The information distribution server, which includes a route searching part and a mesh dada distributing part, uses the geographical database to search for a route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: NAVITIME JAPAN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shin Kikuchi