Patents by Inventor Takeru Ohya

Takeru Ohya 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: 20190333949
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus performs a global electronic shutter operation. During an exposure period for acquiring one frame, the imaging apparatus transfers electric charges accumulated in a first period from a photoelectric conversion portion to a holding portion. When a second period has elapsed since an end time of the first period, the holding portion holds both electric charges generated in the first period and electric charges generated in the second period. A plurality of pixels included in the imaging apparatus includes a first pixel and a second pixel each having a different saturation charge quantity of the photoelectric conversion portion included in each pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Takeru Ohya, Masahiro Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20190297296
    Abstract: Provided is a photoelectric conversion apparatus including a plurality of pixels and a control unit, wherein each of the pixels includes a photoelectric conversion unit and a digital-signal output unit configured to output a digital signal based on the output of the photoelectric conversion unit, and the number of bits of the digital signal may be switched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Takeru Ohya, Tomoya Onishi, Daisuke Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10362251
    Abstract: Provided is a photoelectric conversion apparatus including a plurality of pixels and a control unit, wherein each of the pixels includes a photoelectric conversion unit and a digital-signal output unit configured to output a digital signal based on the output of the photoelectric conversion unit, and the number of bits of the digital signal may be switched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeru Ohya, Tomoya Onishi, Daisuke Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10319765
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a pixel region in which a plurality of pixels, each including a photoelectric converter, are arranged, including an effective pixel region, an optical black region covered with a light-shielding film, and a dummy pixel region arranged between the effective pixel region and the optical black region. The pixels arranged in at least the effective pixel region and the optical black region among the plurality of the pixels each include an optical waveguide arranged above the photoelectric converter. The pixels including the optical waveguides are arranged between the effective pixel region and the optical black region so as to be spaced apart from each other by at least a one-pixel pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Taro Kato, Akira Okita, Takehito Okabe, Takeru Ohya, Kosuke Asano, Koichiro Iwata, Seiichirou Sakai
  • Publication number: 20180309946
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a plurality of pixels each of which includes a photoelectric converter that generates charges by photoelectric conversion, a first transfer unit that transfers charges in the photoelectric converter to a first holding portion, a second transfer unit that transfers charges in the first holding portion to a second holding portion, an amplifier unit that outputs a signal based on charges held in the second holding portion, and a third transfer unit that transfers charges of the photoelectric converter to a drain portion; and a control unit that, in an exposure period in which signal charges are accumulated in the photoelectric converter, changes a potential barrier formed by the third transfer unit with respect to the signal charges accumulated in the photoelectric converter from a first level to a second level that is higher than the first level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Takeru Ohya, Satoshi Koizumi, Masahiro Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20180234657
    Abstract: A pixel array has a plurality of output units arranged in matrix form and a plurality of A/D conversion units corresponds to the output units. Each of the output units outputs an electric signal based on incident electromagnetic waves. Each of the A/D conversion units converts the electric signal input from the corresponding output unit to a digital signal. A plurality of storage units corresponds to columns of the output units. Each of the storage units holds the corresponding digital signal. A first signal line is configured to supply a driving bias to at least one of the output units and the A/D conversion units. A second signal line is configured to transmit the digital signal from the A/D conversion units to the storage units. The output units are provided between the first signal line and the second signal line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Daisuke Kobayashi, Tomoya Onishi, Takeru Ohya
  • Patent number: 9967492
    Abstract: A pixel array has a plurality of output units arranged in matrix form and a plurality of A/D conversion units corresponds to the output units. Each of the output units outputs an electric signal based on incident electromagnetic waves. Each of the A/D conversion units converts the electric signal input from the corresponding output unit to a digital signal. A plurality of storage units corresponds to columns of the output units. Each of the storage units holds the corresponding digital signal. A first signal line is configured to supply a driving bias to at least one of the output units and the A/D conversion units. A second signal line is configured to transmit the digital signal from the A/D conversion units to the storage units. The output units are provided between the first signal line and the second signal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daisuke Kobayashi, Tomoya Onishi, Takeru Ohya
  • Publication number: 20180006071
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a pixel region in which a plurality of pixels, each including a photoelectric converter, are arranged, including an effective pixel region, an optical black region covered with a light-shielding film, and a dummy pixel region arranged between the effective pixel region and the optical black region. The pixels arranged in at least the effective pixel region and the optical black region among the plurality of the pixels each include an optical waveguide arranged above the photoelectric converter. The pixels including the optical waveguides are arranged between the effective pixel region and the optical black region so as to be spaced apart from each other by at least a one-pixel pitch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Taro Kato, Akira Okita, Takehito Okabe, Takeru Ohya, Kosuke Asano, Koichiro Iwata, Seiichirou Sakai
  • Publication number: 20170339365
    Abstract: In an image pickup apparatus including first circuits, second circuits, and conversion units, an operation period of the second circuit is shorter than an operation period of the first circuit, and a number of the first circuit arranged in each unit cell is greater than a number of the second circuit arranged in each unit cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Daisuke Kobayashi, Tomoya Onishi, Takeru Ohya
  • Patent number: 9756272
    Abstract: In an image pickup apparatus including first circuits, second circuits, and conversion units, an operation period of the second circuit is shorter than an operation period of the first circuit, and a number of the first circuit arranged in each unit cell is greater than a number of the second circuit arranged in each unit cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daisuke Kobayashi, Tomoya Onishi, Takeru Ohya
  • Patent number: 9549137
    Abstract: There is provided an imaging apparatus including an A/D converting unit, wherein reset periods for a plurality of pixels are differentiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoya Onishi, Daisuke Kobayashi, Takeru Ohya
  • Publication number: 20160241803
    Abstract: Provided is a photoelectric conversion apparatus including a plurality of pixels and a control unit, wherein each of the pixels includes a photoelectric conversion unit and a digital-signal output unit configured to output a digital signal based on the output of the photoelectric conversion unit, and the number of bits of the digital signal may be switched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Takeru Ohya, Tomoya Onishi, Daisuke Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9386251
    Abstract: Provided are an image pickup device, a method of driving the image pickup device, and an image pickup system, in which timings of starting operations in a plurality of comparison units to which power supply voltage is applied through a common line are controlled to be different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoya Onishi, Takeru Ohya, Daisuke Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9369649
    Abstract: There are provided an imaging apparatus, an imaging system, and a method for driving the imaging apparatus, which include a pixel including a conversion unit and an AD conversion unit for converting a signal output from the conversion unit into a digital signal, a first bias line electrically connected to the conversion unit, and a capacitance element for storing the voltage based on the potential of the first bias line, wherein the AD conversion unit is driven by the voltage stored in the capacitance element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Kobayashi, Tomoya Onishi, Takeru Ohya
  • Patent number: 9325922
    Abstract: Provided is a photoelectric conversion apparatus including a plurality of pixels and a control unit, wherein each of the pixels includes a photoelectric conversion unit and a digital-signal output unit configured to output a digital signal based on the output of the photoelectric conversion unit, and the number of bits of the digital signal may be switched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeru Ohya, Tomoya Onishi, Daisuke Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20160073016
    Abstract: A sensor includes first and second focus detection units. Each of the first and second focus detection units includes a photoelectric converter arranged in a semiconductor substrate, a first light blocking portion arranged in a first layer above the semiconductor substrate, and a second light blocking portion arranged in a second layer above the first layer, orthogonal projection of the photoelectric converter onto a face of the semiconductor substrate has a first end and a second end which are located on opposite sides, orthogonal projection of the first light blocking portion onto the face covers the first end, and orthogonal projection of the second light blocking portion onto the face covers the second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Takeru Ohya, Noriyuki Shikina, Shota Shigemori
  • Patent number: 9232166
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a pixel array configured to include a first analog-to-digital conversion unit and a second analog-to-digital conversion unit, a first electrical signal supply unit configured to supply an electrical signal to the first analog-to-digital conversion unit, and a second electrical signal supply unit configured to supply an electrical signal to the second analog-to-digital conversion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeru Ohya, Tomoya Onishi, Daisuke Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9225352
    Abstract: A signal apparatus includes a plurality of pairs, each pair of which includes plural digital signal output units configured to output a digital signal, a block wiring to which output terminals of the plural digital signal output units are connected, and a buffer circuit an input terminal of which is connected to the block wiring, in which the output terminal of the buffer circuit included in one of the pairs is connected to the block wiring included in another one of the pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daisuke Kobayashi, Tomoya Onishi, Takeru Ohya
  • Patent number: 9219872
    Abstract: In an image pickup apparatus, a counter configured to output a count signal to a second AD conversion unit starts, with a delay, counting clock signals as compared with a counter configured to output a count signal to a first AD conversion unit by a time period corresponding to a delay of a reference signal output to a comparator of the second AD conversion unit with respect to a reference signal output to the comparator of the first AD conversion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeru Ohya, Tomoya Onishi, Daisuke Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9142575
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus having a pixel array is provided. The apparatus includes one or more ground lines and one or more power supply lines for supplying power to the pixels. Each of the pixels includes an photoelectric conversion element and an A/D converter for converting an analog signal corresponding to a charge generated by the photoelectric conversion element into a digital signal. At least one of the plurality of pixels includes at least a portion of a capacitance element having a first electrode connected to one of the one or more power supply lines, and a second electrode connected to one of the one or more ground lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Kobayashi, Tomoya Onishi, Takeru Ohya