Patents by Inventor Shohei SHIMADA

Shohei SHIMADA 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: 20240121529
    Abstract: To provide a solid-state imaging device and an electronic apparatus capable of achieving both of a high dynamic range operation and an auto focus operation in a pixel configuration in which a plurality of unit pixels includes two or more subpixels. There is provided a solid-state imaging device including: a first pixel separation region that separates a plurality of unit pixels including two or more subpixels; a second pixel separation region that separates each of the plurality of unit pixels separated by the first pixel separation region; and an overflow region that causes signal charges accumulated in the subpixels to overflow to at least one of adjacent subpixels, in which the overflow region is formed between a first subpixel and a second subpixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: HIROFUMI YAMASHITA, SHOHEI SHIMADA, YUSUKE OTAKE, YUSUKE TANAKA, TOSHIFUMI WAKANO
  • Patent number: 11937002
    Abstract: Provided is a solid-state imaging device and an electronic apparatus capable of achieving both of a high dynamic range operation and an auto focus operation in a pixel configuration in which a plurality of unit pixels includes two or more subpixels. The solid-state imaging device includes a first pixel separation region that separates a plurality of unit pixels including two or more subpixels, a second pixel separation region that separates each of the plurality of unit pixels separated by the first pixel separation region and an overflow region that causes signal charges accumulated in the subpixels to overflow to at least one of adjacent subpixels, in which the overflow region is formed between a first subpixel and a second subpixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirofumi Yamashita, Shohei Shimada, Yusuke Otake, Yusuke Tanaka, Toshifumi Wakano
  • Publication number: 20240072192
    Abstract: Provided is an optical detection device capable of suppressing a fluctuation of a drive starting voltage in a pixel. The optical detection device according to the present disclosure includes: a semiconductor substrate that has a first surface as a light incident surface and a second surface on an opposite side to the light incident surface; a first pixel that is in the semiconductor substrate and has an avalanche amplification region including a first conductive region and a second conductive region; a pixel isolation portion that isolates the first pixel from an adjacent pixel; a first insulation film that is provided on the second surface side and in contact with the pixel isolation portion; and a second insulation film that is provided between the first insulation film and the avalanche amplification region, in which a film thickness of the second insulation film is larger than the film thickness of the first insulation film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Yuma Jibiki, Shohei Shimada, Yusuke Otake
  • Patent number: 11916093
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device, a driving method therefor, and an electronic apparatus capable of acquiring a signal to detect phase difference and a signal to generate a high dynamic range image at the same time. The solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array unit in which a plurality of pixels that receives light of a same color is arranged under one on-chip lens. The plurality of pixels uses at least one pixel transistor in a sharing manner, some pixels out of the plurality of pixels are set to have a first exposure time, and other pixels are set to have a second exposure time shorter than the first exposure time. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a solid-state imaging device or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Tanaka, Shohei Shimada
  • Publication number: 20240047502
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device, a driving method therefor, and an electronic apparatus capable of acquiring a signal to detect phase difference and a signal to generate a high dynamic range image at the same time. The solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array unit in which a plurality of pixels that receives light of a same color is arranged under one on-chip lens. The plurality of pixels uses at least one pixel transistor in a sharing manner, some pixels out of the plurality of pixels are set to have a first exposure time, and other pixels are set to have a second exposure time shorter than the first exposure time. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a solid-state imaging device or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira TANAKA, Shohei SHIMADA
  • Publication number: 20240038791
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device and an electronic apparatus capable of improving the accuracy of phase difference detection while suppressing degradation of a picked-up image. There is provided a solid-state imaging device including: a pixel array unit, a plurality of pixels being two-dimensionally arranged in the pixel array unit, a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices being formed with respect to one on-chip lens in each of the plurality of pixels, a part of at least one of an inter-pixel separation unit formed between the plurality of pixels and an inter-pixel light blocking unit formed between the plurality of pixels protruding toward a center of the corresponding pixel in a projecting shape to form a projection portion. The present technology is applicable to, for example, a CMOS image sensor including a pixel for detecting the phase difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shouichirou SHIRAISHI, Takuya MARUYAMA, Shinichiro YAGI, Shohei SHIMADA, Shinya SATO
  • Patent number: 11888001
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device and an electronic apparatus capable of improving the accuracy of phase difference detection while suppressing degradation of a picked-up image. There is provided a solid-state imaging device including: a pixel array unit, a plurality of pixels being two-dimensionally arranged in the pixel array unit, a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices being formed with respect to one on-chip lens in each of the plurality of pixels, a part of at least one of an inter-pixel separation unit formed between the plurality of pixels and an inter-pixel light blocking unit formed between the plurality of pixels protruding toward a center of the corresponding pixel in a projecting shape to form a projection portion. The present technology is applicable to, for example, a CMOS image sensor including a pixel for detecting the phase difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Shouichirou Shiraishi, Takuya Maruyama, Shinichiro Yagi, Shohei Shimada, Shinya Sato
  • Publication number: 20230268365
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a light reception element and an electronic device that make it possible to achieve better performance. Provided is a SPAD element including an avalanche multiplication region provided at a junction surface between an N-type diffusion layer and a P-type diffusion layer provided on a side of a sensor substrate opposite from a light reception surface of the sensor substrate, a hole accumulation layer provided so as to surround a lateral surface and a light reception surface of a well provided in the sensor substrate, a pinning layer provided outside the hole accumulation layer, and an in-pixel trench structure provided in a pixel region, the pinning layer being formed all over an outer peripheral surface of the in-pixel trench structure. The present technology is applicable to, for example, a distance image sensor that performs time-of-flight (ToF)-based distance measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Kenji Kurata, Yusuke Otake, Shohei Shimada
  • Publication number: 20230238404
    Abstract: There is provided a solid-state imaging device including: a pixel array unit, a plurality of pixels being two-dimensionally arranged in the pixel array unit, a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices being formed with respect to one on-chip lens in each of the plurality of pixels, a part of at least one of an inter-pixel separation unit formed between the plurality of pixels and an inter-pixel light blocking unit formed between the plurality of pixels protruding toward a center of the corresponding pixel in a projecting shape to form a projection portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shouichirou SHIRAISHI, Takuya MARUYAMA, Shinichiro YAGI, Shohei SHIMADA, Shinya SATO
  • Publication number: 20230238405
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device capable of achieving high detection efficiency and low jitter without depending on an increase in thickness of a substrate. A semiconductor device is provided with a plurality of pixels in each of which an avalanche photodiode element that photoelectrically converts incident light is formed, and each of the plurality of pixels is provided with a substrate including a first semiconductor material, and a stacked portion stacked on a surface on a light incident side of the substrate and including a second semiconductor material different from the first semiconductor material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shohei SHIMADA, Yusuke OTAKE, Toshifumi WAKANO
  • Patent number: 11688747
    Abstract: There is provided a solid-state imaging device including: a pixel array unit, a plurality of pixels being two-dimensionally arranged in the pixel array unit, a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices being formed with respect to one on-chip lens in each of the plurality of pixels, a part of at least one of an inter-pixel separation unit formed between the plurality of pixels and an inter-pixel light blocking unit formed between the plurality of pixels protruding toward a center of the corresponding pixel in a projecting shape to form a projection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shouichirou Shiraishi, Takuya Maruyama, Shinichiro Yagi, Shohei Shimada, Shinya Sato
  • Publication number: 20230112018
    Abstract: In a solid-state imaging element that measures a distance on the basis of a light receiving timing of reflected light, the shortest distance that can be measured is shortened. A photoelectric conversion region generates charges through photoelectric conversion. A multiplication region multiplies the generated charges. An output electrode outputs the multiplied charges. A detection circuit detects the presence or absence of photons contained in reflected light with respect to radiation light on the basis of the charges output from the output electrode. An additional electrode discharges the charges from the photoelectric conversion region in a case where a predetermined potential is applied to the additional electrode. A control circuit applies the predetermined potential to the additional electrode at a radiation timing when the radiation light is radiated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: YASUNORI TSUKUDA, KYOSUKE ITO, SHOHEI SHIMADA
  • Publication number: 20230067160
    Abstract: To provide a solid-state imaging device and an electronic apparatus capable of achieving both of a high dynamic range operation and an auto focus operation in a pixel configuration in which a plurality of unit pixels includes two or more subpixels. There is provided a solid-state imaging device including: a first pixel separation region that separates a plurality of unit pixels including two or more subpixels; a second pixel separation region that separates each of the plurality of unit pixels separated by the first pixel separation region; and an overflow region that causes signal charges accumulated in the subpixels to overflow to at least one of adjacent subpixels, in which the overflow region is formed between a first subpixel and a second subpixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: HIROFUMI YAMASHITA, SHOHEI SHIMADA, YUSUKE OTAKE, YUSUKE TANAKA, TOSHIFUMI WAKANO
  • Patent number: 11523078
    Abstract: Provided is a solid-state imaging device and an electronic apparatus capable of achieving both of a high dynamic range operation and an auto focus operation in a pixel configuration in which a plurality of unit pixels includes two or more subpixels. The solid-state imaging device includes a first pixel separation region that separates a plurality of unit pixels including two or more subpixels, a second pixel separation region that separates each of the plurality of unit pixels separated by the first pixel separation region and an overflow region that causes signal charges accumulated in the subpixels to overflow to at least one of adjacent subpixels, in which the overflow region is formed between a first subpixel and a second subpixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirofumi Yamashita, Shohei Shimada, Yusuke Otake, Yusuke Tanaka, Toshifumi Wakano
  • Publication number: 20220199668
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device capable of increasing sensitivity while reducing color mixing degradation. A solid-state imaging device includes: a substrate; a plurality of photoelectric conversion regions formed in the substrate; a trench that is formed between the photoelectric conversion regions, and penetrates the substrate; and a recessed region that includes a plurality of concave portions, and is provided above the photoelectric conversion regions and on the side of the light receiving surface of the substrate, in which the substrate includes a III-V semiconductor or polycrystalline SiXGe (1-x) (x=0 to 1). The recessed region is also provided below the photoelectric conversion regions and on the side of a surface of the substrate, the surface facing the light receiving surface. The present technology can be applied to back-illuminated solid-state imaging devices and the like, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: NATSUKO OOTANI, MIKINORI ITO, TAKASHI TANAKA, MASUMI ABE, SHOHEI SHIMADA
  • Publication number: 20220077220
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device, a driving method therefor, and an electronic apparatus capable of acquiring a signal to detect phase difference and a signal to generate a high dynamic range image at the same time. The solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array unit in which a plurality of pixels that receives light of a same color is arranged under one on-chip lens. The plurality of pixels uses at least one pixel transistor in a sharing manner, some pixels out of the plurality of pixels are set to have a first exposure time, and other pixels are set to have a second exposure time shorter than the first exposure time. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a solid-state imaging device or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira TANAKA, Shohei SHIMADA
  • Patent number: 11201186
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device, a driving method therefor, and an electronic apparatus capable of acquiring a signal to detect phase difference and a signal to generate a high dynamic range image at the same time. The solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array unit in which a plurality of pixels that receives light of a same color is arranged under one on-chip lens. The plurality of pixels uses at least one pixel transistor in a sharing manner, some pixels out of the plurality of pixels are set to have a first exposure time, and other pixels are set to have a second exposure time shorter than the first exposure time. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a solid-state imaging device or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Tanaka, Shohei Shimada
  • Publication number: 20210313362
    Abstract: There is provided a solid-state imaging device including: a pixel array unit, a plurality of pixels being two-dimensionally arranged in the pixel array unit, a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices being formed with respect to one on-chip lens in each of the plurality of pixels, a part of at least one of an inter-pixel separation unit formed between the plurality of pixels and an inter-pixel light blocking unit formed between the plurality of pixels protruding toward a center of the corresponding pixel in a projecting shape to form a projection portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shouichirou SHIRAISHI, Takuya MARUYAMA, Shinichiro YAGI, Shohei SHIMADA, Shinya SATO
  • Patent number: 11075236
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device and an electronic apparatus capable of improving the accuracy of phase difference detection while suppressing degradation of a picked-up image. There is provided a solid-state imaging device including: a pixel array unit, a plurality of pixels being two-dimensionally arranged in the pixel array unit, a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices being formed with respect to one on-chip lens in each of the plurality of pixels, a part of at least one of an inter-pixel separation unit formed between the plurality of pixels and an inter-pixel light blocking unit formed between the plurality of pixels protruding toward a center of the corresponding pixel in a projecting shape to form a projection portion. The present technology is applicable to, for example, a CMOS image sensor including a pixel for detecting the phase difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Shouichirou Shiraishi, Takuya Maruyama, Shinichiro Yagi, Shohei Shimada, Shinya Sato
  • Publication number: 20210144321
    Abstract: To provide a solid-state imaging device and an electronic apparatus capable of achieving both of a high dynamic range operation and an auto focus operation in a pixel configuration in which a plurality of unit pixels includes two or more subpixels. There is provided a solid-state imaging device including: a first pixel separation region that separates a plurality of unit pixels including two or more subpixels; a second pixel separation region that separates each of the plurality of unit pixels separated by the first pixel separation region; and an overflow region that causes signal charges accumulated in the subpixels to overflow to at least one of adjacent subpixels, in which the overflow region is formed between a first subpixel and a second subpixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: HIROFUMI YAMASHITA, SHOHEI SHIMADA, YUSUKE OTAKE, YUSUKE TANAKA, TOSHIFUMI WAKANO