Patents by Inventor Yasuharu Ota

Yasuharu Ota 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: 20240088174
    Abstract: A signal processing device includes a plurality of pixel signal processing units and a signal line group. The plurality of pixel signal processing units is arranged in a first direction and a second direction, each of the plurality of signal processing units acquiring a digital signal having a plurality of bits based on an output from a corresponding avalanche photodiode. The signal line group is arranged corresponding to the plurality of pixel signal processing units arranged in the first direction and including a signal line to which a plurality of signals corresponding to a plurality of bits of different digits of the digital signal held in each of the plurality of pixel signal processing units arranged in the first direction are commonly output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Tomoya Sasago, Shintaro Maekawa, Yu Maehashi, Yasuharu Ota
  • Patent number: 11855106
    Abstract: A signal processing device includes a plurality of pixel signal processing units and a signal line group. The plurality of pixel signal processing units is arranged in a first direction and a second direction, each of the plurality of signal processing units acquiring a digital signal having a plurality of bits based on an output from a corresponding avalanche photodiode. The signal line group is arranged corresponding to the plurality of pixel signal processing units arranged in the first direction and including a signal line to which a plurality of signals corresponding to a plurality of bits of different digits of the digital signal held in each of the plurality of pixel signal processing units arranged in the first direction are commonly output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoya Sasago, Shintaro Maekawa, Yu Maehashi, Yasuharu Ota
  • Publication number: 20230343879
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes an avalanche photodiode including an anode and a cathode, a switch that is connected to one node of the anode and the cathode, and a power line to which a drive voltage is to be applied, and configured to switch a resistance value between the one node and the power line, and a signal generation unit configured to generate a pulse signal for controlling switching of the switch, wherein a value obtained by dividing the number of the pulse signals in a first exposure period by the first exposure period, and a value obtained by dividing the number of the pulse signals in a second exposure period having a length different from a length of the first exposure period, by the second exposure period are different.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: YASUHARU OTA, KAZUHIRO MORIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20230120430
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a plurality of pixels each including a respective avalanche photodiode, wherein the plurality of pixels includes an active pixel that outputs a photon detection signal according to detection of a photon and an inactive pixel that does not output the photon detection signal, and wherein the photoelectric conversion apparatus further includes a control unit that recharges a voltage to be applied between an anode and a cathode of the avalanche photodiode of the inactive pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Yasuharu Ota, Taichi Kasugai
  • Publication number: 20230119511
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a pixel unit including a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and each including a quench element of which a control node a signal defining a start and an end of an exposure period is input to and a photodiode connected to the quench element, a scan unit that scans the pixel unit by performing processing of reading signals of the pixels, processing of starting the exposure period, and processing of ending the exposure period on the plurality of rows sequentially in units of one row or two or more rows, and a control unit that outputs a synchronization signal to the scan unit to control a timing of the reading processing, wherein at least one of a timing of the start processing and a timing of the end processing is controlled by another control signal different from the synchronization signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Taichi Kasugai, Yasuharu Ota, Shintaro Takenaka
  • Publication number: 20230117198
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a pixel area including a plurality of pixels each including an avalanche photodiode including an anode and a cathode. The plurality of pixels includes effective pixels that output a photon detection signal responsive to photo detection, dummy pixels that do not output the photon detection signal, and optical black pixels including a light shielding portion. The pixel area includes a first area including the effective pixels, a second area including the dummy pixels, and a third area including the optical black pixels. The second area includes a first portion in contact with an end of the pixel area and a second portion. The first portion, the first area, the second portion, and the third area are disposed in this order in a first direction. A width of the second portion is larger than a width of the first portion in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Keisuke Ito, Yasuharu Ota, Masahiro Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20230118600
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a photodiode configured to perform avalanche multiplication, a recharging circuit configured to perform a recharging operation to bring the photodiode after the avalanche multiplication into a state in which the avalanche multiplication can be performed again based on a first control signal including pulses that periodically repeat transitions from a first level to a second level, and a counter configured to count the number of occurrences of the avalanche multiplication by being enabled based on a second control signal. Before the counter is enabled based on the second control signal, the first control signal transitions from the first level to the second level and transitions from the second level to the first level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Masayuki Tsuchiya, Masahiro Kobayashi, Yasuharu Ota
  • Publication number: 20230120836
    Abstract: The disclosed semiconductor device includes a region provided with a plurality of circuit blocks each including an avalanche photodiode. A part of the plurality of circuit blocks is a pixel circuit further including a first control circuit configured to control the avalanche photodiode to a standby state in which an avalanche multiplication is possible and a recharging state in which the avalanche photodiode is returned to a state in which the avalanche multiplication is possible after the avalanche multiplication occurs, in response to the first control signal, and another part of the plurality of circuit blocks is a signal generation circuit configured to generate a signal corresponding to a waveform of the first control signal. The signal generation circuit is configured not to output a signal corresponding to the output of the avalanche photodiode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Masahiro Kobayashi, Yasuharu Ota
  • Publication number: 20230071218
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a circuit provided between an avalanche photodiode and a power source, a counter configured to count an output signal output from the avalanche photodiode, and a memory into which time information indicating that a count value of the counter has reached a threshold value within a predetermined exposure period shorter than an exposure time is written, wherein a clock signal is configured to be input to the circuit in the exposure period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Yasuharu Ota, Kazuhiro Morimoto
  • Patent number: 11521540
    Abstract: A display device is provided. The device comprises a pixel array, a scanning circuit configured to select a row in the pixel array, and a signal output circuit configured to supply image signals to pixels arranged in the row selected by the scanning circuit. The device displays an image using pixels arranged between an initial line on one side in the pixel array and an end line succeeding the initial line on the other side. The scanning circuit includes a start designation circuit configured to designate the initial line, an end designation circuit configured to designate the end line and a shift register. The shift register is configured to start selection for writing the image signals from the initial line and sequentially select the rows between the initial line and the end line in one frame period for displaying one image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Muto, Yasuharu Ota
  • Publication number: 20220357198
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a photodiode, a counter, a control circuit. The photodiode is configured to cause avalanche multiplication. The counter is configured to generate a count signal as a result of counting a pulse generated by the avalanche multiplication during a predetermined period. The control circuit is configured to perform control to bring the photodiode into a waiting state in which the avalanche multiplication is possible and a stop state in which the avalanche multiplication is stopped, based on the count signal during a predetermined period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventor: Yasuharu Ota
  • Patent number: 11488517
    Abstract: A display device is provided. The device comprises a pixel array, a scanning circuit configured to select a row in the pixel array, and a signal output circuit configured to supply image signals to pixels arranged in the row selected by the scanning circuit. The device displays an image using pixels arranged between an initial line on one side in the pixel array and an end line succeeding the initial line on the other side. The scanning circuit includes a start designation circuit configured to designate the initial line, an end designation circuit configured to designate the end line and a shift register. The shift register is configured to start selection for writing the image signals from the initial line and sequentially select the rows between the initial line and the end line in one frame period for displaying one image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Muto, Yasuharu Ota
  • Publication number: 20220326076
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes an avalanche multiplying photodiode, a signal generation unit that includes a control unit configured to control an applied voltage to the photodiode and generates a photon detection pulse based on an output generated by incidence of a photon to the photodiode, and a counter that counts the photon detection pulse output from the signal generation unit, and the counter outputs a setting value detection signal when a count value of the photon detection pulse reaches a predetermined setting value, and in response to receiving the setting value detection signal, the control unit controls the applied voltage to the photodiode so as to stop generation of an avalanche current in the photodiode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Yasuharu Ota, Yukihiro Kuroda
  • Patent number: 11415458
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a photodiode, a counter, a control circuit. The photodiode is configured to cause avalanche multiplication. The counter is configured to generate a count signal as a result of counting a pulse generated by the avalanche multiplication during a predetermined period. The control circuit is configured to perform control to bring the photodiode into a waiting state in which the avalanche multiplication is possible and a stop state in which the avalanche multiplication is stopped, based on the count signal during a predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuharu Ota
  • Patent number: 11402264
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes an avalanche multiplying photodiode, a signal generation unit that includes a control unit configured to control an applied voltage to the photodiode and generates a photon detection pulse based on an output generated by incidence of a photon to the photodiode, and a counter that counts the photon detection pulse output from the signal generation unit, and the counter outputs a setting value detection signal when a count value of the photon detection pulse reaches a predetermined setting value, and in response to receiving the setting value detection signal, the control unit controls the applied voltage to the photodiode so as to stop generation of an avalanche current in the photodiode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuharu Ota, Yukihiro Kuroda
  • Publication number: 20220238574
    Abstract: A signal processing device includes a plurality of pixel signal processing units and a signal line group. The plurality of pixel signal processing units is arranged in a first direction and a second direction, each of the plurality of signal processing units acquiring a digital signal having a plurality of bits based on an output from a corresponding avalanche photodiode. The signal line group is arranged corresponding to the plurality of pixel signal processing units arranged in the first direction and including a signal line to which a plurality of signals corresponding to a plurality of bits of different digits of the digital signal held in each of the plurality of pixel signal processing units arranged in the first direction are commonly output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Tomoya Sasago, Shintaro Maekawa, Yu Maehashi, Yasuharu Ota
  • Publication number: 20220239857
    Abstract: The photoelectric conversion device includes a pixel. The pixel includes a photoelectric conversion unit and a signal processing circuit. The photoelectric conversion unit includes an avalanche diode that multiplies charge generated by an incident of photon by avalanche multiplication, and outputting a first signal in accordance with the incident of photon. The signal processing circuit includes a logic circuit that outputs a third signal in response to the first signal and a second signal. The signal processing circuit includes a first element having a first withstand voltage and a second element having a second withstand voltage lower than the first withstand voltage, and is configured such that the first signal is input to the first element and the second signal is input to the second element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Yasuharu Ota, Tomoya Sasago
  • Publication number: 20220238589
    Abstract: The wiring is configured so that both ends of a region including each of a plurality of pixel circuits in a first direction and both ends of the region in a second direction intersecting the first direction are connected by a combination of a wiring layer group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Yasuharu Ota, Tomoya Sasago
  • Publication number: 20220115366
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes: a first substrate including an avalanche photodiode; and a second substrate, in which the first substrate and the second substrate are stacked on each other, and further includes: a temperature detection unit arranged in at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate and having an output characteristic depending on a temperature; and a temperature value generating circuit arranged outside the first substrate and configured to convert output from the temperature detection unit into a temperature value signal that is a signal indicating temperature information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Yasuharu Ota, Yukihiro Kuroda, Kazuhiro Morimoto
  • Patent number: 10867561
    Abstract: A display apparatus in which selection circuits and display blocks are arranged is provided. Each of the display blocks include signal lines extending in a column direction, and pixels connected to the signal lines and arranged in a matrix in the column direction and in a row direction crossing the column direction. Each of the selection circuits selects a signal line in a predetermined order to supply an image signal among the signal lines such that the image signal is written in each of the pixels arranged in the row direction among the pixels. A time to select at least one signal line among the signal lines and supply the image signal is different from a time to select a signal line other than the at least one signal line among the signal lines and supply the image signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuharu Ota, Yasushi Matsuno, Yu Maehashi, Hiromasa Tsuboi