Patents by Inventor Shinichirou Etou

Shinichirou Etou 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: 11950007
    Abstract: Solid-state imaging devices are disclosed. In one example, a solid-state imaging device includes a conversion circuit connected to a vertical signal line of a pixel array, a voltage generation circuit that outputs a predetermined voltage, and a reference voltage generation circuit that receives the predetermined voltage and outputs a reference voltage. The reference voltage generation circuit includes an operational amplifier that amplifies the predetermined voltage and outputs the reference voltage, a capacitive element having one end connected to an input of the operational amplifier that is different from an input that receives the predetermined voltage, a first switching circuit that connects the other end of the capacitive element to either the predetermined voltage output from the voltage generation circuit or a feedback loop of the operational amplifier, and a second switching circuit that selectively connects the one end of the capacitive element to the feedback loop of the operational amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichirou Etou, Yusuke Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20230362503
    Abstract: Solid state imaging devices and electronic devices are disclosed. In one example, an imaging device includes photoelectric conversion sections arranged on a first chip and at least a part of each of detection circuits, an arbiter, and a signal processing circuit arranged on a second chip stacked on the first chip. A first region in the first chip in which the photoelectric conversion sections is arrayed and a second region in the second chip in which at least a part of each of the detection circuits is arrayed are at least partially superimposed in a stacking direction, and a logic circuit including the arbiter and the signal processing circuit is arranged in a third region at least partially adjacent to the second region in the second chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Atsushi Muto, Shinichirou Etou, Atsumi Niwa, Masafumi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 11750951
    Abstract: It is intended to improve reading speed of pixel signals in a solid-state imaging element provided with an ADC. A plurality of pixels are arrayed in a pixel block. A drive circuit drives the pixel block to output a plurality of pixel signals at the same time. A comparator successively selects the plurality of pixel signals and compares the selected pixel signals and a predetermined reference signal. A control section generates a control signal for updating the predetermined reference signal on the basis of comparison results of the comparator. A reference signal update section updates the predetermined reference signal according to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichirou Etou, Yosuke Ueno, Yasufumi Hino, Kazutoshi Tomita
  • Publication number: 20230247314
    Abstract: Suppressing a dead period at the time of mode switching. A solid-state imaging device includes: a plurality of pixels (300) that each outputs a luminance change of incident light; and a detection circuit (305) that outputs an event signal based on the luminance change output from each of the pixels, in which each of the pixels includes: a photoelectric conversion element (311) that generates a charge according to an incident light amount; a logarithmic conversion circuit (312, 313) that is connected to the photoelectric conversion element and converts a photocurrent flowing out of the photoelectric conversion element into a voltage signal corresponding to a logarithmic value of the photocurrent; and a first transistor (318) having a drain connected to a sense node of the logarithmic conversion circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Tsutomu Imoto, Yusuke Ikeda, Atsumi Niwa, Atsushi Suzuki, Shinichirou Etou, Kenichi Takamiya, Takuya Maruyama, Ren Hiyoshi
  • Publication number: 20230104085
    Abstract: The range-finding apparatus (1) includes a light source (200), an optical receiver (1103), a setting unit (100), a detector (1100), and a calculation unit (300). The light source (200) projects light with a first irradiation pattern in a first period and projects light with a second irradiation pattern in a second period. The optical receiver (1103) receives light to output a pixel signal. The setting unit (100) sets a reference signal on the basis of the pixel signal in the first period. The detector (1100) detects whether or not the pixel signal varies from the reference signal by a first value or more in the second period and outputs a first detection signal indicative of a result obtained by the detection. The calculation unit (300) calculates a distance to a to-be-measured object using the first detection signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: TAKAHIRO AKAHANE, SHUN KAIZU, YUSUKE IKEDA, YASUTAKA KIMURA, SHINICHIROU ETOU, TAKESHI OYAKAWA, NAOTO NAGAKI, EIJI HIRATA, HIROSHI YUASA
  • Publication number: 20230074464
    Abstract: The range-finding apparatus (1) includes an optical receiver (110), a light source unit (200), a converter (134), and a calculation unit (300). The optical receiver (110) receives light to output a pixel signal. The light source unit (200) projects light with a first irradiation pattern in a first period and projects light with a second irradiation pattern in a second period. The converter (134) sequentially converts the pixel signal bit by bit using binary search to output a first digital signal and a second digital signal, the first digital signal being output by performing the conversion with a first bit width in the first period, the second digital signal being output by performing the conversion with a second bit width in the second period, the second bit width being less than the first bit width. The calculation unit (300) calculates a distance on the basis of the first digital signal and the second digital signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: TAKAHIRO AKAHANE, YUSUKE IKEDA, SHUN KAIZU, EIJI HIRATA, HIROSHI YUASA, SHINICHIROU ETOU, YASUTAKA KIMURA, TAKESHI OYAKAWA, NAOKI YOSHIMOCHI
  • Publication number: 20230011014
    Abstract: Solid-state imaging devices are disclosed. In one example, a solid-state imaging device includes a conversion circuit connected to a vertical signal line of a pixel array, a voltage generation circuit that outputs a predetermined voltage, and a reference voltage generation circuit that receives the predetermined voltage and outputs a reference voltage. The reference voltage generation circuit includes an operational amplifier that amplifies the predetermined voltage and outputs the reference voltage, a capacitive element having one end connected to an input of the operational amplifier that is different from an input that receives the predetermined voltage, a first switching circuit that connects the other end of the capacitive element to either the predetermined voltage output from the voltage generation circuit or a feedback loop of the operational amplifier, and a second switching circuit that selectively connects the one end of the capacitive element to the feedback loop of the operational amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Shinichirou Etou, Yusuke Ikeda
  • Patent number: 11470274
    Abstract: A solid state imaging element according to an embodiment includes: a converter (14) that converts an analog pixel signal read out from a pixel into a bit value, successively for each of a plurality of bits, on the basis of a threshold voltage set according to a conversion history of the bit converted before a target bit; a plurality of voltage generation units (102a and 102b) that each generate a plurality of reference voltages; and a setting unit (12d) that sets the threshold voltage using the reference voltage selected from the reference voltages generated by each of the voltage generation units on the basis of a conversion result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Nakagawa, Shinichirou Etou
  • Patent number: 11445138
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device configured to suppress fixed pattern noise having column correlation and/or lateral correlation from being generated in images is disclosed. In one example, a solid-state imaging device includes unit pixels arranged in row and column directions, vertical signal lines respectively connected to at least one of the unit pixels arranged in the column direction, first converters connected to the respective vertical signal lines and configured to convert an analog pixel signal into a digital pixel signal in reading each unit pixel arranged in the row direction, an initialization voltage generator that outputs an initialization voltage for initializing the unit pixels or input nodes of the first converters, and an initialization voltage line that connects the initialization voltage generator and the first converters. The initialization voltage generator changes the initialization voltage that is output for each row and/or column to be processed by the first converters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Tomita, Shinichirou Etou
  • Publication number: 20220264051
    Abstract: It is intended to improve reading speed of pixel signals in a solid-state imaging element provided with an ADC. A plurality of pixels are arrayed in a pixel block. A drive circuit drives the pixel block to output a plurality of pixel signals at the same time. A comparator successively selects the plurality of pixel signals and compares the selected pixel signals and a predetermined reference signal. A control section generates a control signal for updating the predetermined reference signal on the basis of comparison results of the comparator. A reference signal update section updates the predetermined reference signal according to the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichirou Etou, Yosuke Ueno, Yasufumi Hino, Kazutoshi Tomita
  • Patent number: 11418750
    Abstract: An imaging element according to a first aspect includes: a successive approximation resistor type analog-digital converter that converts an analog signal output from a pixel including a photoelectric conversion part into a digital signal, in which the successive approximation resistor type analog-digital converter has a preamplifier having a band limiting function. An imaging element according to a second aspect includes a DAC in which the successive approximation resistor type analog-digital converter uses a capacitance element to convert a digital value after AD conversion to an analog value, and sets the analog value to a comparison reference for comparison with an analog input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichirou Etou, Yusuke Ikeda
  • Patent number: 11405572
    Abstract: A solid state imaging element (100) includes: a successive approximation type analog-digital conversion circuit (140) converting an analog pixel signal received from a pixel of a pixel array portion (110) to a digital code; and a first noise detection circuit (130-1) connected to a DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) output node inside the successive approximation type analog-digital conversion circuit (140) and detecting power noise supplied to the pixel of the pixel array portion (110) to output a detection result to the DAC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Nakagawa, Shinichirou Etou
  • Patent number: 11368644
    Abstract: It is intended to improve reading speed of pixel signals in a solid-state imaging element provided with an ADC. A plurality of pixels are arrayed in a pixel block. A drive circuit drives the pixel block to output a plurality of pixel signals at the same time. A comparator successively selects the plurality of pixel signals and compares the selected pixel signals and a predetermined reference signal. A control section generates a control signal for updating the predetermined reference signal on the basis of comparison results of the comparator. A reference signal update section updates the predetermined reference signal according to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichirou Etou, Yosuke Ueno, Yasufumi Hino, Kazutoshi Tomita
  • Patent number: 11283460
    Abstract: An A/D converter and electronic equipment are disclosed. In one example, an A/D converter includes a comparator circuit and a first transistor. The comparator circuit compares a threshold voltage (Vth) to a pixel signal (SVSL). The first transistor has a control terminal and forms a clamp circuit, and receives an input of a result of the comparison. When the clamp circuit is turned on (closed), the first transistor equalizes currents flowing to a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position or equalizes voltages at the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position, the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position being connected to each other at the time of clamping. This makes it possible to suppress occurrence of streaking in a case where an excessive input is applied to a pixel signal line side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Yasufumi Hino, Yusuke Ikeda, Shinichirou Etou, Kazutoshi Tomita
  • Patent number: 11251797
    Abstract: Power consumption of a time-to-digital converter (TDC) used in a phase locked loop (ADPLL) is suppressed. The time-to-digital converter includes an analog-to-digital converter and a current source circuit. The analog-to-digital converter includes a predetermined charge capacitor. The current source circuit supplies a charge current that charges the charge capacitor of the analog-to-digital converter with a charge. The charge current supplied by the current source circuit is supplied so that a charge voltage at the time of charging the charge capacitor of the analog-to-digital converter with the charge current has a constant gradient with respect to a charge time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichirou Etou, Tetsuya Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 11206038
    Abstract: A first successive approximation register analog-to-digital converter according an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an N-bit (N represents an integer greater than or equal to 5) capacitive digital-to-analog converter including a plurality of capacitive elements. A plurality of first capacitive elements of the plurality of capacitive elements is capacitive elements that have total capacity corresponding to total capacity of a plurality of the capacitive elements corresponding to a whole or a portion of first to (N?1)-th bits, and do not correspond to the first to (N?1)-th bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinichirou Etou
  • Publication number: 20210329190
    Abstract: A solid state imaging element (100) includes: a successive approximation type analog-digital conversion circuit (140) converting an analog pixel signal received from a pixel of a pixel array portion (110) to a digital code; and a first noise detection circuit (130-1) connected to a DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) output node inside the successive approximation type analog-digital conversion circuit (140) and detecting power noise supplied to the pixel of the pixel array portion (110) to output a detection result to the DAC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Daisuke Nakagawa, Shinichirou Etou
  • Publication number: 20210306587
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device configured to suppress fixed pattern noise having column correlation and/or lateral correlation from being generated in images is disclosed. In one example, a solid-state imaging device includes unit pixels arranged in row and column directions, vertical signal lines respectively connected to at least one of the unit pixels arranged in the column direction, first converters connected to the respective vertical signal lines and configured to convert an analog pixel signal into a digital pixel signal in reading each unit pixel arranged in the row direction, an initialization voltage generator that outputs an initialization voltage for initializing the unit pixels or input nodes of the first converters, and an initialization voltage line that connects the initialization voltage generator and the first converters. The initialization voltage generator changes the initialization voltage that is output for each row and/or column to be processed by the first converters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Tomita, Shinichirou Etou
  • Publication number: 20210306585
    Abstract: A solid state imaging element according to an embodiment includes: a converter (14) that converts an analog pixel signal read out from a pixel into a bit value, successively for each of a plurality of bits, on the basis of a threshold voltage set according to a conversion history of the bit converted before a target bit; a plurality of voltage generation units (102a and 102b) that each generate a plurality of reference voltages; and a setting unit (12d) that sets the threshold voltage using the reference voltage selected from the reference voltages generated by each of the voltage generation units on the basis of a conversion result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Daisuke Nakagawa, Shinichirou Etou
  • Patent number: 11115031
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a phase-locked loop that allows a reduction in power consumption. A SAR-ADC that includes two capacitors and outputs a result of comparison between voltages generated from the two capacitors, a current source that charges the two capacitors with current, a first switch that is disposed between one of the two capacitors and the current source and is provided with a phase difference between a first clock of a reference frequency and a second clock having a higher frequency than the first clock, and a second switch that is disposed between another of the two capacitors and the current source and is provided with the second clock are included. The present disclosure can be applied, for example, to a wireless communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Naoya Arisaka, Tetsuya Fujiwara, Shinichirou Etou