Patents by Inventor Yohtaro Yasu

Yohtaro Yasu 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: 20240413181
    Abstract: A light deflecting device and a distance measuring device in which spread of emission light is suppressed and an effective opening for light reception is enlarged are provided. A light deflecting device including a plurality of waveguides that extends in a first direction in parallel to each other and is provided in a semiconductor layer, and is capable of emitting light to an external space of the semiconductor layer and receiving light from the external space, and an optical system that is provided on a substrate including the semiconductor layer and converts light deflected and emitted from the plurality of waveguides in the first direction into a light beam substantially parallel to a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Inventors: TOSHIFUMI YASUI, KOUHEI ANJU, YOHTARO YASU, YOSHIKI EBIKO
  • Patent number: 12095468
    Abstract: A DLL circuit (110) includes a phase delay circuit (114), a selection circuit (115), a detection circuit (117), and a clock stop circuit (116). The phase delay circuit (114) generates a plurality of delayed signals having different phases according to a clock signal. The selection circuit (115) selects one of the plurality of delayed signals as an output signal according to a setting signal. The detection circuit (117) detects a timing of switching the setting signal. The clock stop circuit (116) stops input of the clock signal to the phase delay circuit (114) for a predetermined period including the timing detected by the detection circuit (117).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Miho Akagi, Yohtaro Yasu
  • Patent number: 11921209
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a signal generation apparatus that is used in a ToF camera system especially adopting an indirect system and can suppress occurrence of erroneous distance measurement caused by distance measurement of a same target by a plurality of cameras with a simple configuration. [Solving means] There is provided a signal generation apparatus including a first pulse generator configured to generate a pulse to be supplied to a light source that irradiates light upon a distance measurement target, a second pulse generator configured to generate a pulse to be supplied to a pixel that receives the light reflected by the distance measurement target, and a signal generation section configured to generate a pseudo-random signal for inverting a phase of signals to be generated by the first pulse generator and the second pulse generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Yohtaro Yasu, Nobuhiko Shigyo
  • Patent number: 11894851
    Abstract: A signal generation apparatus is used in a ToF camera system especially adopting the indirect system and suppresses occurrence of a cyclic error. The signal generation apparatus includes a first pulse generator configured to generate a pulse to be supplied to a light source that irradiates light upon a distance measurement target, a second pulse generator configured to generate a pulse to be supplied to a pixel that receives the light reflected by the distance measurement target, and a signal selection section configured to select and output a duty cycle of a signal to be outputted from the first pulse generator from between a first duty cycle and a second duty cycle different from the first duty cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Yohtaro Yasu, Takashi Kobayashi, Nobuhiko Shigyo
  • Patent number: 11889213
    Abstract: A sensor chip includes: a pixel array unit that has a rectangular-shaped area in which a plurality of sensor elements are arranged in an array pattern; and a global control circuit, in which driving elements simultaneously driving the sensor elements are arranged in one direction, and each of the driving elements is connected to a control line disposed for each one column of the sensor elements, that is arranged to have a longitudinal direction to be along a long side of the pixel array unit. For example, the present technology can be applied to ToF sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Yohtaro Yasu, Katsuhiko Hanzawa
  • Patent number: 11867842
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a pulse generator that is used in a ToF camera system especially adopting the indirect system and can be ready for various settings of a frequency or a phase with a simple configuration. [Solving means] There is provided a pulse generator that includes a first counter that determines a phase of a pulse to be outputted and used for distance measurement to a distance measurement target using an input signal, and a second counter that determines a frequency of the pulse using the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Yohtaro Yasu, Yuichi Kato
  • Publication number: 20230370070
    Abstract: A DLL circuit (110) includes a phase delay circuit (114), a selection circuit (115), a detection circuit (117), and a clock stop circuit (116). The phase delay circuit (114) generates a plurality of delayed signals having different phases according to a clock signal. The selection circuit (115) selects one of the plurality of delayed signals as an output signal according to a setting signal. The detection circuit (117) detects a timing of switching the setting signal. The clock stop circuit (116) stops input of the clock signal to the phase delay circuit (114) for a predetermined period including the timing detected by the detection circuit (117).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: MIHO AKAGI, YOHTARO YASU
  • Publication number: 20230266445
    Abstract: A distance measuring device (500) including a plurality of pixels (11a, 12a) provided in a row direction and a column direction, a plurality of AD conversion circuits (6, 7) provided in the row direction, each of the plurality of AD conversion circuits performing AD conversion on pixel signals of a corresponding column, and a signal processing section (92) that generates a depth image signal based on conversion results of the plurality of AD conversion circuits, wherein the plurality of pixels (11a, 12a) include a plurality of valid pixels (11a) provided in the row direction and the column direction to correspond to the depth image signal, each of the valid pixels including a plurality of charge transfer sections (TA, TB) that extract pixel signals corresponding to a light amount of incident light in different periods, and a plurality of light-shielded pixels (12a) provided in the column direction on at least one of two end sides in the row direction with respect to a region provided with the plurality of val
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventor: Yohtaro Yasu
  • Publication number: 20230246041
    Abstract: To provide a ranging device having improved quantum efficiency and resolution. The present disclosure provides a ranging device including: a semiconductor layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; a lens provided on the second surface side; first and second charge storage sections provided in the semiconductor layer on the first surface side; a photoelectric conversion section that is in contact with the semiconductor layer on the first surface side, the photoelectric conversion section including a material different from a material of the semiconductor layer; first and second voltage application sections that apply a voltage to the semiconductor layer between the first and second charge storage sections and the photoelectric conversion section; and a first wire provided on the first surface side and electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yohtaro YASU
  • Publication number: 20230204773
    Abstract: To provide a ranging device having improved quantum efficiency and resolution. The present disclosure provides a ranging device including: a semiconductor layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; a lens on the second surface side; first and second charge storage sections in the semiconductor layer on the first surface side; a photoelectric conversion section that is in contact with the semiconductor layer on the first surface side, the photoelectric conversion section including a material different from a material of the semiconductor layer; first and second voltage application sections that apply a voltage to the semiconductor layer between the first and second charge storage sections and the photoelectric conversion section; and a waveguide provided in the semiconductor layer so as to extend from the second surface to the photoelectric conversion section, the waveguide including a material different from the material of the semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yohtaro YASU, Yoshiki EBIKO
  • Publication number: 20230161036
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a signal generation apparatus that is used in a ToF camera system especially adopting an indirect system and can suppress occurrence of erroneous distance measurement caused by distance measurement of a same target by a plurality of cameras with a simple configuration. [Solving means] There is provided a signal generation apparatus including a first pulse generator configured to generate a pulse to be supplied to a light source that irradiates light upon a distance measurement target, a second pulse generator configured to generate a pulse to be supplied to a pixel that receives the light reflected by the distance measurement target, and a signal generation section configured to generate a pseudo-random signal for inverting a phase of signals to be generated by the first pulse generator and the second pulse generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yohtaro Yasu, Nobuhiko Shigyo
  • Patent number: 11543525
    Abstract: To provide a signal generation apparatus that is used in a ToF camera system especially adopting an indirect system and can suppress occurrence of erroneous distance measurement caused by distance measurement of a same target by a plurality of cameras with a simple configuration. There is provided a signal generation apparatus including a first pulse generator configured to generate a pulse to be supplied to a light source that irradiates light upon a distance measurement target, a second pulse generator configured to generate a pulse to be supplied to a pixel that receives the light reflected by the distance measurement target, and a signal generation section configured to generate a pseudo-random signal for inverting a phase of signals to be generated by the first pulse generator and the second pulse generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Yohtaro Yasu, Nobuhiko Shigyo
  • Publication number: 20220252727
    Abstract: Ranging sensors with reduced cyclic errors and drive current dispersion are disclosed. In one example, a ranging sensor includes a phase shift circuit that generates a phase-shifted drive pulse signal by shifting a drive pulse signal to a plurality of phases in a time division manner within one frame period, with the drive pulse signal being generated in response to a light emission control signal indicating an irradiation timing of a light emission source. A pixel accumulates electric charges on the basis of the phase-shifted drive pulse signal and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the accumulated electric charges, with the electric charges being obtained by photoelectrically converting reflected light by a predetermined object. The technology can be applied to a ranging module or the like that measures a distance to a predetermined object, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Yohtaro Yasu, Jayesh Hannurkar
  • Patent number: 11333763
    Abstract: A signal generation apparatus for use with a ToF camera system includes a first pulse generator configured to generate a pulse to be supplied to a light source that irradiates light to a distance measurement target, a second pulse generator configured to generate a pulse to be supplied to pixels that receive light reflected by the distance measurement target, and a switching section configured to switch a setting of a modulation frequency of the first pulse generator and the second pulse generator within a predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Yohtaro Yasu, Nobuhiko Shigyo
  • Publication number: 20210333398
    Abstract: To provide a signal generation apparatus for use with a ToF camera system that especially adopts the indirect system, which can be ready for various modulation frequencies with a simple configuration. A signal generation apparatus is provided which includes a first pulse generator configured to generate a pulse to be supplied to a light source that irradiates light to a distance measurement target, a second pulse generator configured to generate a pulse to be supplied to pixels that receive light reflected by the distance measurement target, and a switching section configured to switch a setting of a modulation frequency of the first pulse generator and the second pulse generator within a predetermined period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Applicant: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Yohtaro Yasu, Nobuhiko Shigyo Fukuoka
  • Publication number: 20210325535
    Abstract: To provide a signal generation apparatus that is used in a ToF camera system especially adopting an indirect system and can suppress occurrence of erroneous distance measurement caused by distance measurement of a same target by a plurality of cameras with a simple configuration. There is provided a signal generation apparatus including a first pulse generator configured to generate a pulse to be supplied to a light source that irradiates light upon a distance measurement target, a second pulse generator configured to generate a pulse to be supplied to a pixel that receives the light reflected by the distance measurement target, and a signal generation section configured to generate a pseudo-random signal for inverting a phase of signals to be generated by the first pulse generator and the second pulse generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Applicant: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Yohtaro Yasu, Nobuhiko Shigyo
  • Publication number: 20210286083
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a signal generation apparatus that is used in a ToF camera system especially adopting the indirect system and it can suppress occurrence of a cyclic error with a simple configuration. [Solving means] There is provided a signal generation apparatus including a first pulse generator configured to generate a pulse to be supplied to a light source that irradiates light upon a distance measurement target, a second pulse generator configured to generate a pulse to be supplied to a pixel that receives the light reflected by the distance measurement target, and a signal selection section configured to select and output a duty of a signal to be outputted from the first pulse generator from between a first duty and a second duty different from the first duty.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Yohtaro Yasu, Takashi Kobayashi, Nobuhiko Shigyo
  • Publication number: 20210050380
    Abstract: A sensor chip includes: a pixel array unit that has a rectangular-shaped area in which a plurality of sensor elements are arranged in an array pattern; and a global control circuit, in which driving elements simultaneously driving the sensor elements are arranged in one direction, and each of the driving elements is connected to a control line disposed for each one column of the sensor elements, that is arranged to have a longitudinal direction to be along a long side of the pixel array unit. For example, the present technology can be applied to ToF sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Yohtaro Yasu, Katsuhiko Hanzawa
  • Patent number: 10872920
    Abstract: A sensor chip includes: a pixel array unit that has a rectangular-shaped area in which a plurality of sensor elements are arranged in an array pattern; and a global control circuit, in which driving elements simultaneously driving the sensor elements are arranged in one direction, and each of the driving elements is connected to a control line disposed for each one column of the sensor elements, that is arranged to have a longitudinal direction to be along a long side of the pixel array unit. For example, the present technology can be applied to ToF sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Yohtaro Yasu, Katsuhiko Hanzawa
  • Publication number: 20200309921
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a pulse generator that is used in a ToF camera system especially adopting the indirect system and can be ready for various settings of a frequency or a phase with a simple configuration. [Solving means] There is provided a pulse generator that includes a first counter that determines a phase of a pulse to be outputted and used for distance measurement to a distance measurement target using an input signal, and a second counter that determines a frequency of the pulse using the input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Yohtaro Yasu, Yuichi Kato