Patents by Inventor Takashi Moue

Takashi Moue 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: 11962927
    Abstract: A solid-state image sensor includes: an input transistor configured to output, from a drain, a drain voltage according to an input voltage input to a source in a case where the input voltage substantially coincides with a predetermined reference voltage input to a gate; and an output transistor configured to output a signal indicating whether or not a difference between the input voltage input to a source and the drain voltage input to a gate exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage as a comparison result between the input voltage and the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Moue, Yosuke Ueno
  • Patent number: 11863896
    Abstract: An object of the present technology is to provide an image sensor and a photodetector that are capable of reducing power consumption of an AD conversion unit. The image sensor includes a comparator, in which the comparator includes a differential input unit that includes a first input unit connected to a first capacitance unit and a second input unit connected to a second capacitance unit, a current mirror unit that includes a first resistance element connected to the differential input unit and an NMOS transistor diode-connected via the first resistance element, a second resistance element connected to the differential input unit, and a switch unit provided between the first input unit and a junction between the first resistance element and the NMOS transistor, and between the second input unit and a junction between the second resistance element and the current mirror unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Moue
  • Publication number: 20230421927
    Abstract: To provide an image capturing device capable of suppressing a decrease of a dynamic range of the entire image capturing device caused by an input transistor of a comparator inserted between a signal line and a load current source in an analog-digital converter. The image capturing device of the present disclosure includes: a load current source; a comparator that includes an input transistor connected between a signal line that transmits a signal read from a pixel and the load current source; and a reference signal supply section that supplies a predetermined reference signal to a charge-voltage conversion section of the pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Takashi Moue, Yosuke Ueno, Tomonori Yamashita, Youhei Oosako, Kengo Umeda
  • Publication number: 20230353907
    Abstract: Provided are an imaging device capable of suppressing an error in inversion timing of a comparison result when an analog pixel signal is compared with a predetermined reference signal, and an electronic apparatus including the imaging device. An imaging device of the present disclosure includes: a load current source; a comparator that has an input transistor connected between the load current source and a signal line transmitting a signal read from a pixel; a first capacitor that inputs a predetermined reference signal to a gate electrode of the input transistor; and a second capacitor connected between the gate electrode of the input transistor and a reference potential node. Furthermore, an electronic apparatus of the present disclosure includes the imaging device having the above-described configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Takashi Moue, Takuro Kosaka
  • Publication number: 20230336893
    Abstract: A solid-state image sensor includes: an input transistor configured to output, from a drain, a drain voltage according to an input voltage input to a source in a case where the input voltage substantially coincides with a predetermined reference voltage input to a gate; and an output transistor configured to output a signal indicating whether or not a difference between the input voltage input to a source and the drain voltage input to a gate exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage as a comparison result between the input voltage and the reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Takashi Moue, Yosuke Ueno
  • Publication number: 20230300485
    Abstract: In a solid-state imaging element provided with a comparator for each column, responsiveness of the comparator is improved. An input transistor outputs, from a drain, a potential within a range from one side to the other side of a pair of output potentials on the basis of whether or not an input potential input to a source and a predetermined reference potential input to a gate substantially coincide with each other. A first current source supplies a constant current. A capacitor is inserted between the source of the input transistor and a first current source. A cutoff switch disconnects a drain of the input transistor from a connection node within a predetermined period for initializing the connection node between the capacitor and the first current source to a lower one of the pair of output potentials, and connects the connection node with the drain of the input transistor outside the predetermined period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: DAISUKE NAKAGAWA, TAKASHI MOUE, YOSHIO AWATANI
  • Patent number: 11729533
    Abstract: A solid-state image sensor includes: an input transistor configured to output, from a drain, a drain voltage according to an input voltage input to a source in a case where the input voltage substantially coincides with a predetermined reference voltage input to a gate; and an output transistor configured to output a signal indicating whether or not a difference between the input voltage input to a source and the drain voltage input to a gate exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage as a comparison result between the input voltage and the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Moue, Yosuke Ueno
  • Publication number: 20230247329
    Abstract: Provided is an image sensor including: a pixel section configured to include a plurality of pixels arranged therein; and an AD conversion unit configured to perform analog-to-digital (AD) conversion on a pixel signal on the basis of a result of comparison between a first voltage of a signal, which is obtained by adding, via capacitances, the pixel signal of the pixel and a reference signal that linearly changes in a direction opposite to the pixel signal, with a second voltage serving as a reference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Atsumi Niwa, Tomonori Yamashita, Takashi Moue, Yosuke Ueno
  • Patent number: 11601610
    Abstract: It is an object of the present technology to provide an image sensor capable of reducing crosstalk in an AD conversion unit. The image sensor includes: capacitors in an even-numbered column region; and a capacitor in an odd-numbered column region disposed facing the capacitors in the even-numbered column region with different areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Moue, Hiroaki Yatsuda
  • Publication number: 20230007203
    Abstract: The dynamic range of a solid-state imaging element including a comparator is expanded. The solid-state imaging element includes a pixel circuit and a comparison transistor. In the solid-state imaging element, the pixel circuit generates a pixel signal and outputs the pixel signal to a vertical signal line. Further, the comparison transistor has a source connected to a constant current source configured to supply a constant current to the vertical signal line. The comparison transistor has a gate to which a predetermined reference signal is input. Further, the comparison transistor has a drain from which a comparison result between the pixel signal and the reference signal is output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: YOSHIO AWATANI, YOSUKE UENO, TAKASHI MOUE
  • Publication number: 20220264052
    Abstract: It is an object of the present technology to provide an image sensor capable of reducing crosstalk in an AD conversion unit. The image sensor includes: capacitors in an even-numbered column region; and a capacitor in an odd-numbered column region disposed facing the capacitors in the even-numbered column region with different areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Takashi Moue, Hiroaki Yatsuda
  • Patent number: 11418749
    Abstract: A solid-state image pick-up device of the present disclosure includes a pixel array unit obtained by disposing a plurality of unit pixels, each of which includes a photoelectric conversion unit, in a matrix form, an amplifier unit that adjusts a level of a pixel signal output from a unit pixel through a vertical signal line provided to correspond to column arrangement of the pixel array unit, a sample and hold unit that samples and holds a pixel signal passing through the amplifier unit, and an analog-digital conversion unit that converts the pixel signal output from the sample and hold unit into a digital signal. Further, the sample and hold unit includes at least three capacitors that hold pixel signals and performs fetching of a pixel signal to one capacitor and outputting of an image signal fetched to another capacitor in advance to the analog-digital conversion unit in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Moue, Yosuke Ueno, Tomonori Yamashita, Kazunori Hasebe
  • Patent number: 11363225
    Abstract: It is an object of the present technology to provide an image sensor capable of reducing crosstalk in an AD conversion unit. The image sensor includes: capacitors in an even-numbered column region; and a capacitor in an odd-numbered column region disposed facing the capacitors in the even-numbered column region with different areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Moue, Hiroaki Yatsuda
  • Patent number: 11350056
    Abstract: An image sensor including a pixel array section in which a plurality of pixels including photoelectric conversion units is disposed, and a comparator that compares an analog pixel signal output from the pixels to a predetermined reference signal, and outputs a comparison result according to a signal level of the pixel signal. The comparator includes differential pair transistors, a first load transistor connected in series with a first transistor of the differential pair, and a second load transistor connected in series with a second transistor of the differential pair. The first transistor of the differential pair accepts a signal obtained by combining the pixel signal and the predetermined reference signal as a gate input, the second transistor of the differential pair accepts a predetermined voltage as a gate input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Katzutoshi Tomita, Yusuke Ikeda, Sachio Akebono, Takashi Moue
  • Publication number: 20220166949
    Abstract: A solid-state image sensor includes: an input transistor configured to output, from a drain, a drain voltage according to an input voltage input to a source in a case where the input voltage substantially coincides with a predetermined reference voltage input to a gate; and an output transistor configured to output a signal indicating whether or not a difference between the input voltage input to a source and the drain voltage input to a gate exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage as a comparison result between the input voltage and the reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Takashi Moue, Yosuke Ueno
  • Publication number: 20220094871
    Abstract: An image sensor including a pixel array section in which a plurality of pixels including photoelectric conversion units is disposed, and a comparator that compares an analog pixel signal output from the pixels to a predetermined reference signal, and outputs a comparison result according to a signal level of the pixel signal. The comparator includes differential pair transistors, a first load transistor connected in series with a first transistor of the differential pair, and a second load transistor connected in series with a second transistor of the differential pair. The first transistor of the differential pair accepts a signal obtained by combining the pixel signal and the predetermined reference signal as a gate input, the second transistor of the differential pair accepts a predetermined voltage as a gate input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Katzutoshi Tomita, Yusuke Ikeda, Sachio Akebono, Takashi Moue
  • Publication number: 20220046197
    Abstract: An object of the present technology is to provide an image sensor and a photodetector that are capable of reducing power consumption of an AD conversion unit. The image sensor includes a comparator, in which the comparator includes a differential input unit that includes a first input unit connected to a first capacitance unit and a second input unit connected to a second capacitance unit, a current mirror unit that includes a first resistance element connected to the differential input unit and an NMOS transistor diode-connected via the first resistance element, a second resistance element connected to the differential input unit, and a switch unit provided between the first input unit and a junction between the first resistance element and the NMOS transistor, and between the second input unit and a junction between the second resistance element and the current mirror unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventor: TAKASHI MOUE
  • Patent number: 11212471
    Abstract: Solid-state image capturing elements are disclosed. In one example, a solid-state image capturing element includes a noise-cancelling-signal generating circuit connected to a pixel power source. It executes a gain change and a polarity inversion on a first noise cancelling signal to output a second noise cancelling signal. The element also includes a DA converter that outputs a reference signal and converts a current of the second noise cancelling signal into a voltage to superpose the converted voltage on the reference signal; a comparator that receives inputs of the reference signal and a pixel signal and outputs an inversion signal according to the pixel signal and a gain setting; a counter that converts an inversion timing of the comparator into a digital value; and a gain controlling unit that outputs, when changing a gradient of the reference signal and an input capacity to execute a gain control on the comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Moue, Takeshi Etou
  • Publication number: 20210368125
    Abstract: Provided is an image sensor including: a pixel section configured to include a plurality of pixels arranged therein; and an AD conversion unit configured to perform analog-to-digital (AD) conversion on a pixel signal on the basis of a result of comparison between a first voltage of a signal, which is obtained by adding, via capacitances, the pixel signal of the pixel and a reference signal that linearly changes in a direction opposite to the pixel signal, with a second voltage serving as a reference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicant: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Atsumi Niwa, Tomonori Yamashita, Takashi Moue, Yosuke Ueno
  • Publication number: 20210258532
    Abstract: It is an object of the present technology to provide an image sensor capable of reducing crosstalk in an AD conversion unit. The image sensor includes: capacitors in an even-numbered column region; and a capacitor in an odd-numbered column region disposed facing the capacitors in the even-numbered column region with different areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Takashi Moue, Hiroaki Yatsuda