Patents by Inventor Shun Kaizu

Shun Kaizu 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: 20240114255
    Abstract: There is provided a signal processing device, a signal processing method, and a detection sensor that makes it possible to detect flicker information from an output indicating a luminance change. The signal processing device includes: a change detection unit that detects a first luminance change in a positive direction and a second luminance change in a negative direction among luminance changes detected by a light receiving unit; a coefficient generation unit that generates a coefficient depending on a time at which the luminance change is detected; and an integration unit that integrates a result of multiplication of the first luminance change and the coefficient and integrates a result of multiplication of the second luminance change and the coefficient. The present technology can be applied to, for example, an event detection sensor and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shun KAIZU
  • Patent number: 11847762
    Abstract: A polarization imaging unit generates, as polarization information, a polarization image including pixels in a plurality of polarization directions. An interpolation processing unit of an information processor performs interpolation processing using the polarization image obtained from the polarization imaging unit, and generates a polarization image for each polarization method. A polarization degree calculation unit calculates, for example, a polarization degree for each pixel as object surface information on the basis of the polarization image for each polarization method. A noise amount calculation unit calculates a noise amount for each pixel on the basis of the polarization image for each polarization method and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Teppei Kurita, Shun Kaizu, Yasutaka Hirasawa, Yuhi Kondo
  • Patent number: 11818475
    Abstract: The present technology relates to image data processing devices, image data processing methods, and programs. A frame data generation unit generates first frame data based on event data indicating a variation in an electrical signal of a pixel generating the electrical signal by performing photoelectric conversion during a first accumulation time from a first frame generation start time to a first frame generation end time, and second frame data based on event data occurring during a second accumulation time from a second frame generation start time to a second frame generation end time. A first frame period from the first frame generation start time to the second frame generation start time is set and supplied to the frame data generation unit. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a case where a frame data is generated from an event data output from a dynamic vision sensor (DVS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Motonari Honda, Shun Kaizu
  • Publication number: 20230262193
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a first generator and a second generator. The first generator generates projection images correspondingly to respective monochromatic projectors of a plurality of monochromatic projectors using respective correction parameters, each projection image including a first pixel region that includes a content image, and a second pixel region that is a region other than the first pixel region, the second pixel region including a feature-point image in at least a portion of the second pixel region. The second generator detects the feature-point image in a captured image obtained by capturing the projection image projected by each of the plurality of monochromatic projectors, and generates the correction parameter on the basis of a result of the detection of the feature-point image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: Sony Group Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji HIRATA, Shun KAIZU
  • Publication number: 20230217117
    Abstract: There is provided a signal processing device, a signal processing method, and a detection sensor that enable detection of flicker information from an output indicating a luminance change. The signal processing device includes: a count unit that counts a first count number, which is a count number of pixels in which a first luminance change in a positive direction is detected, and a second count number, which is a count number of pixels in which a second luminance change in a negative direction is detected, in an image output from alight receiving unit at a predetermined frame rate and indicating a luminance change; a coefficient generation unit that generates a coefficient corresponding to a time at which the luminance change is detected; and an integrating unit that integrates a multiplication result of the count number of the pixels and the coefficient. The present technology can be applied to, for example, an event detection sensor or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicant: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shun KAIZU, Takahiro MIYAZAKI
  • Patent number: 11663831
    Abstract: A polarized image acquisition section 11a acquires a polarized image of a target object having one or more polarization directions. A polarization parameter acquisition section 12-1 calculates the average brightness ? of a polarization model on the basis of a non-polarized image subjected to sensitivity correction. Further, the polarization parameter acquisition section 12-1 calculates the amplitude ? of the polarization model on the basis of the calculated average brightness ?, pre-stored information regarding the zenith angle ? of the normal line of the target object, a refractive index r, and reflectance property information indicative of whether a subject is diffuse reflection or specular reflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hajime Mihara, Shun Kaizu, Teppei Kurita, Yuhi Kondo, Yasutaka Hirasawa
  • Patent number: 11642431
    Abstract: Provided is an information processing apparatus that is worn on a user's body for use. The information processing apparatus includes a sensor, a communication section, a control section, a power supply section, a housing section, a sticking section, and a sticking sensor. The control section controls the sensor and the communication section. The housing section accommodates the sensor, the communication section, the control section, and the power supply section. The sticking section fastens the housing section to the user. The sticking sensor detects a state of sticking between the user and the housing on the sticking section. The control section wirelessly sends a given signal to external equipment via the communication section in response to detection, by the sticking sensor, of the fact that the sticking section has peeled off from the user or is just about to peel off from the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Go Igarashi, Junya Suzuki, Shun Kaizu, Yusuke Otani, Yuto Ishizu
  • 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: 20220413144
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a signal processing device, a signal processing method, and a distance measurement device capable of preventing erroneous detection of the number of cycles N in a method of resolving ambiguity of the number of cycles N on the basis of a result of distance measurement using two frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hajime MIHARA, Shun KAIZU
  • Publication number: 20220317269
    Abstract: There is provided a signal processing device, a signal processing method, and a ranging module that enable appropriate exposure control. A parameter determination unit of the ranging module determines an exposure control parameter on the basis of an evaluation index using distance information and luminance information calculated from a detection signal of a light reception unit. The present technology may be applied to, for example, a ranging module that performs ranging by an indirect ToF method and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Applicant: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hajime MIHARA, Shun KAIZU
  • Publication number: 20220268942
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a light receiving device capable of expanding a measurement range, and a method of driving the light receiving device. The light receiving device includes a pixel having a photoelectric conversion unit that photoelectrically converts incident light to generate charges, a first charge accumulation unit that accumulates first charges generated in the photoelectric conversion unit for a first charge accumulation time, and a second charge accumulation unit that accumulates second charges generated in the photoelectric conversion unit for a second accumulation time different from the first accumulation time. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a ranging module that performs ranging using the indirect ToF method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: SHUN KAIZU, HAJIME MIHARA
  • Publication number: 20220179072
    Abstract: There is provided a signal processing device, a signal processing method, and a distance-measuring module that allow improvement in distance measurement accuracy. The signal processing device includes an estimation unit that estimates, in a pixel including a first tap that detects a charge photoelectrically converted by a photoelectric conversion unit and a second tap that detects the charge photoelectrically converted by the photoelectric conversion unit, a sensitivity difference between taps of the first tap and the second tap by using first to fourth detection signals obtained by detecting reflected light generated by emission light reflected by an object in first to fourth phases with respect to the emission light. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a distance-measuring module that performs distance measurement by the indirect ToF method, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicants: SONY GROUP CORPORATION, SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shun KAIZU, Hajime MIHARA, Takuro KAMIYA, Shuntaro AOTAKE
  • Patent number: 11336849
    Abstract: A polarization imaging section 20 includes polarized pixels in each of a plurality of polarization directions. The polarization imaging section 20 includes a polarizer. The polarization imaging section 20 outputs image signals of a polarized image to a defect detecting section 35 of an image processing section 30. In a case where a difference between a pixel value of a target polarized pixel generated by the polarization imaging section and a pixel value of the target polarized pixel estimated from polarization characteristics corresponding to pixel values of peripheral pixels in a polarization direction different from a polarization direction of the target polarized pixel is greater than a predetermined allowable range, the defect detecting section 35 determines that the target polarized pixel is a defective pixel. Therefore, it is possible to detect a defect of a pixel in the polarization imaging section that generates the polarized image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Teppei Kurita, Shun Kaizu, Yuhi Kondo, Yasutaka Hirasawa
  • Patent number: 11297252
    Abstract: A signal processing apparatus and a signal processing method that process a signal to control exposure timing of an image sensor, and an imaging device are provided. The signal processing apparatus includes a first adjustment unit that adjusts exposure density in an exposure period, and a second adjustment unit that adjusts a start time and an end time of exposure in a frame period, and provides a control signal to control exposure timing by the exposure density between the start time and the end time, to an image sensor including a mechanism to accumulate photoelectrically converted charge a plurality of times separately and then AD-convert and read out total charge, to allow acquisition of a flicker-free high dynamic range image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shun Kaizu
  • Publication number: 20220030185
    Abstract: The present technology relates to image data processing devices, image data processing methods, and programs. A frame data generation unit generates first frame data based on event data indicating a variation in an electrical signal of a pixel generating the electrical signal by performing photoelectric conversion during a first accumulation time from a first frame generation start time to a first frame generation end time, and second frame data based on event data occurring during a second accumulation time from a second frame generation start time to a second frame generation end time. A first frame period from the first frame generation start time to the second frame generation start time is set and supplied to the frame data generation unit. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a case where a frame data is generated from an event data output from a dynamic vision sensor (DVS).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicants: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION, SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Motonari HONDA, Shun KAIZU
  • Publication number: 20210281786
    Abstract: A polarization imaging section 20 includes polarized pixels in each of a plurality of polarization directions. The polarization imaging section 20 includes a polarizer. The polarization imaging section 20 outputs image signals of a polarized image to a defect detecting section 35 of an image processing section 30. In a case where a difference between a pixel value of a target polarized pixel generated by the polarization imaging section and a pixel value of the target polarized pixel estimated from polarization characteristics corresponding to pixel values of peripheral pixels in a polarization direction different from a polarization direction of the target polarized pixel is greater than a predetermined allowable range, the defect detecting section 35 determines that the target polarized pixel is a defective pixel. Therefore, it is possible to detect a defect of a pixel in the polarization imaging section that generates the polarized image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: TEPPEI KURITA, SHUN KAIZU, YUHI KONDO, YASUTAKA HIRASAWA
  • Patent number: 11108951
    Abstract: In an image capturing unit 20, an imaging element has a 4×4-pixel area in which: pixels including at least one pixel of every color component of a plurality of color components are polarization pixels of the same polarization direction; and pixels which are not the polarization pixels constitute a majority of the 4×4-pixel area, and are non-polarization pixels. The unpolarized component calculating unit 31 of the image processing unit 30 calculates unpolarized components for each pixel and for each color component by using pixel signals of polarization pixels, and pixel signals of non-polarization pixels that are generated at the image capturing unit 20. The diffuse reflection component calculating unit 32 calculates diffuse reflection components for each pixel and for each color component by using pixel signals of polarization pixels, and pixel signals of non-polarization pixels that are generated at the image capturing unit 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Teppei Kurita, Shun Kaizu, Yasutaka Hirasawa
  • Patent number: 11076094
    Abstract: In an image capturing unit 20, an imaging element has a 4×4-pixel area in which: pixels including at least one pixel of every color component of a plurality of color components are polarization pixels of the same polarization direction; and pixels which are not the polarization pixels constitute a majority of the 4×4-pixel area, and are non-polarization pixels. The unpolarized component calculating unit 31 of the image processing unit 30 calculates unpolarized components for each pixel and for each color component by using pixel signals of polarization pixels, and pixel signals of non-polarization pixels that are generated at the image capturing unit 20. The diffuse reflection component calculating unit 32 calculates diffuse reflection components for each pixel and for each color component by using pixel signals of polarization pixels, and pixel signals of non-polarization pixels that are generated at the image capturing unit 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Teppei Kurita, Shun Kaizu, Yasutaka Hirasawa
  • Publication number: 20210227116
    Abstract: A signal processing apparatus and a signal processing method that process a signal to control exposure timing of an image sensor, and an imaging device are provided. The signal processing apparatus includes a first adjustment unit that adjusts exposure density in an exposure period, and a second adjustment unit that adjusts a start time and an end time of exposure in a frame period, and provides a control signal to control exposure timing by the exposure density between the start time and the end time, to an image sensor including a mechanism to accumulate photoelectrically converted charge a plurality of times separately and then AD-convert and read out total charge, to allow acquisition of a flicker-free high dynamic range image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventor: SHUN KAIZU