Patents by Inventor Yoshiaki Satou

Yoshiaki Satou 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: 20180343373
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: an imager that includes first pixels having sensitivity to visible light and second pixels having sensitivity to non-visible light, the imager acquiring first image data from the first pixels and acquiring second image data from the second pixels, each of the first image data and the second image data containing an image of an object that displays a code through non-visible light; and an image processor. The image processor performs a correction process including a process of multiplying at least either the first image data or the second image data by a correction factor, generates third image data from a difference between a pair of image data obtained by the correction process, and extracts the code on the basis of the third image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: YOSHIAKI SATOU, KAZUKO NISHIMURA, YASUO MIYAKE, OSAMU SHIBATA, HIROSHI IWAI
  • Publication number: 20180278861
    Abstract: An objective is recognition of the travel direction of an object captured in an image frame. An image generating apparatus includes: a receiver circuit that receives a single exposure frame created by a single exposure and a multiple exposure frame created by multiple exposures after the single exposure frame, the single exposure frame and the multiple exposure frame being output from an image sensor; and a control circuit that specifies a starting point of a motion track of an object in the multiple exposure frame in accordance with a position of the object in the single exposure frame and a position of the same object in the multiple exposure frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LT D.
    Inventors: Osamu SHIBATA, Hiroshi IWAI, Kazuko NISHIMURA, Yasuo MIYAKE, Yoshiaki SATOU
  • Publication number: 20180278862
    Abstract: An object is to extract the motion tracks of other vehicles from an image taken from a target vehicle. An image generating apparatus includes: a determiner circuit that determines whether surroundings of the target vehicle are in a dark place; and a control circuit that causes an image sensor including a high-sensitivity cell and a highly-saturated cell to create a highly-saturated frame by multiple exposures through the highly-saturated cell, the highly-saturated cell having lower sensitivity and larger charge storage capacity than the high-sensitivity cell, when the determiner circuit determines that the surroundings of the target vehicle are in the dark place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LT D.
    Inventors: Osamu SHIBATA, Hiroshi IWAI, Kazuko NISHIMURA, Yasuo MIYAKE, Yoshiaki SATOU
  • Patent number: 10079988
    Abstract: An imaging device comprising: a pixel comprising a photoelectric converter and a reset transistor having a source and a drain one of which is electrically connected to the photoelectric converter; a first voltage generating circuit for generating a first voltage; a second voltage generating circuit for generating a second voltage identical or equivalent to the first voltage; and a first switching circuit having a first input terminal electrically connected to the first voltage generating circuit, a second input terminal electrically connected to the second voltage generating circuit, a first output terminal electrically connected to the other of the source and the drain of the reset transistor. The first switching circuit electrically connects one of the first and second input terminals to the first output terminal selectively in a period when the photoelectric converter is reset. The photoelectric converter is reset by use of the first voltage or the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaaki Yanagida, Takayasu Kito, Yoshiaki Satou
  • Publication number: 20180249102
    Abstract: A method for driving an imaging device which includes unit pixel cells each including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a photoelectric conversion layer between the first electrode and second electrode, the photoelectric conversion layer having a photocurrent characteristic including a first voltage range, a second voltage range, and a third voltage range where an absolute value of a rate of change of the current density relative to the bias voltage is less than in the first voltage range and the second voltage range, the method including supplying a first voltage to the second electrode in a first period, and supplying a second voltage different from the first voltage to the second electrode in a second period different from the first period such that the bias voltage applied to the photoelectric conversion layer falls within the third voltage range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: YASUO MIYAKE, MASASHI MURAKAMI, TOKUHIKO TAMAKI, YOSHIAKI SATOU
  • Publication number: 20180249101
    Abstract: An imaging device including: unit pixel cells each including a first electrode, a second electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer, a charge accumulation region connected to the first electrode, and a signal detection circuit connected to the charge accumulation region; and a voltage supply circuit connected to the second electrode, the voltage supply circuit supplying a first voltage to the second electrode in a first period, the voltage supply circuit supplying a second voltage that is different from the first voltage to the second electrode in a second period. Each unit pixel cells includes a reset transistor which switches between supply and cutoff of a reset voltage initializing the charge accumulation region, and a potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode when the reset voltage is supplied is greater than a potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode after the reset voltage is cut off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: YASUO MIYAKE, MASASHI MURAKAMI, TOKUHIKO TAMAKI, YOSHIAKI SATOU
  • Patent number: 9986182
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: unit pixel cells each including first and second electrodes, a photoelectric conversion layer therebetween, a charge accumulation region, and a signal detection circuit; and a voltage supply circuit, the voltage supply circuit supplying a first voltage to the second electrode in an exposure period. The start and end of the exposure period is common to the unit pixel cells. The photoelectric conversion layer has a photocurrent characteristic including first to third voltage ranges. In the third voltage range between the first and second voltage ranges, an absolute value of a rate of change of a current density relative to a bias voltage is less than in the first and second voltage ranges. The voltage supply circuit supplies a second voltage to the second electrode in a non-exposure period such that the bias voltage applied to the photoelectric conversion layer falls within the third voltage range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Miyake, Masashi Murakami, Tokuhiko Tamaki, Yoshiaki Satou
  • Publication number: 20180020171
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: unit pixel cells each including first and second electrodes, a photoelectric conversion layer therebetween, a charge accumulation region, and a signal detection circuit; and a voltage supply circuit, the voltage supply circuit supplying a first voltage to the second electrode in an exposure period. The start and end of the exposure period is common to the unit pixel cells. The photoelectric conversion layer has a photocurrent characteristic including first to third voltage ranges. In the third voltage range between the first and second voltage ranges, an absolute value of a rate of change of a current density relative to a bias voltage is less than in the first and second voltage ranges. The voltage supply circuit supplies a second voltage to the second electrode in a non-exposure period such that the bias voltage applied to the photoelectric conversion layer falls within the third voltage range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: YASUO MIYAKE, MASASHI MURAKAMI, TOKUHIKO TAMAKI, YOSHIAKI SATOU
  • Publication number: 20170230563
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a unit pixel cell. The unit pixel cell captures first data in a first exposure period and captures second data in a second exposure period different from the first exposure period, the first exposure period and the second exposure period being included in a frame period. A sensitivity per unit time of the unit pixel cell in the first exposure period is different from a sensitivity per unit time of the unit pixel cell in the second exposure period. The imaging device outputs multiple-exposure image data including at least the first data and the second data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: YOSHIAKI SATOU, YASUO MIYAKE, YASUNORI INOUE, TOKUHIKO TAMAKI
  • Publication number: 20170013221
    Abstract: An imaging device comprising: a pixel comprising a photoelectric converter and a reset transistor having a source and a drain one of which is electrically connected to the photoelectric converter; a first voltage generating circuit for generating a first voltage; a second voltage generating circuit for generating a second voltage identical or equivalent to the first voltage; and a first switching circuit having a first input terminal electrically connected to the first voltage generating circuit, a second input terminal electrically connected to the second voltage generating circuit, a first output terminal electrically connected to the other of the source and the drain of the reset transistor. The first switching circuit electrically connects one of the first and second input terminals to the first output terminal selectively in a period when the photoelectric converter is reset. The photoelectric converter is reset by use of the first voltage or the second voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: MASAAKI YANAGIDA, TAKAYASU KITO, YOSHIAKI SATOU
  • Publication number: 20150299451
    Abstract: To provide: a multilayer sheet and the like, which can provide a molded multilayer article that has excellent appearance and the like, while exhibiting excellent wear resistance and the like; a molded multilayer article using the multilayer sheet and the like; and a method for producing a molded multilayer article. A photocurable resin composition for surface protective layers of multilayer sheets, which contains (A) a thermoplastic resin that has a radically polymerizable unsaturated group in a side chain, (B) a high molecular weight hindered amine light stabilizer that has a number average molecular weight of 1,000 to 50,000 and (C) a photo-polymerization initiator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki SATOU, Yoshinori ABE, Noriko FUJIMOTO
  • Patent number: 8795843
    Abstract: Provided is an acrylic film for punching excellent in transparency and free from breakage or whitening even if it is punched. The present invention is an acrylic film for punching containing a polymer (C) containing a di(meth)acrylate (A) unit represented by general formula (1) below and a mono(meth)acrylate (B) unit: —CH2—CR1—COO—(X)n—COCR1—CH2—??(1) wherein (X) represents at least one repeat unit selected from C2H4O, C3H6O and C4H8O; the molecular weight of (X)n is 500 or more; and R1 represents H or CH3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuhei Konokawa, Yoshiaki Satou, Kousuke Fujiyama, Yasuhiko Nabeshima, Tomoyoshi Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20120127757
    Abstract: Provided is an acrylic film for punching excellent in transparency and free from breakage or whitening even if it is punched. The present invention is an acrylic film for punching containing a polymer (C) containing a di(meth)acrylate (A) unit represented by general formula (1) below and a mono(meth)acrylate (B) unit: —CH2—CR1—COO—(X)n—COCR1—CH2—??(1) wherein (X) represents at least one repeat unit selected from C2H4O, C3H6O and C4H8O; the molecular weight of (X)n is 500 or more; and R1 represents H or CH3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI RAYON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuuhei Konokawa, Yoshiaki Satou, Kousuke Fujiyama, Yasuhiko Nabeshima, Tomoyoshi Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20110077517
    Abstract: An ultrasonic probe of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic transducer array having a plurality of channels. Each channel contains a pair of a first ultrasonic transducer and a second ultrasonic transducer. The first ultrasonic transducer transmits and receives an ultrasonic wave of a fundamental frequency, and outputs a first reception signal. The second ultrasonic transducer receives a harmonic wave, and outputs a second reception signal. In a normal mode, composite reception signals in which the first reception signals and the second reception signals are added on a pair basis are inputted to a reception circuit. Due to a resonant circuit, a fundamental component of the composite reception signals is inputted to the reception circuit. In a THI mode, only a second harmonic component of the second reception signal is transmitted to the reception circuit due to the resonant circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Satou
  • Patent number: 7914457
    Abstract: An ultrasonic probe of a radial scan type mountable on an ultrasonic observation apparatus, which inputs and outputs M numbers of signals in parallel, comprises the following: N (N>M) numbers of ultrasonic transducers disposed on an outer periphery of a tip, and grouped into plural sensor element groups activated in sequence, each of which has M numbers of ultrasonic transducers; N numbers of first signal lines respectively connected to the N numbers of ultrasonic transducers for transmitting a drive signal for driving the ultrasonic transducers and an echo signal from within a living organism; M numbers of second signal lines connected to the ultrasonic observation apparatus; and a multiplexer disposed between the first signal lines and the second signal lines, which selectively switches M numbers of the first signal lines for respectively connecting to the second signal lines according to the sensor element group to be activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Satou, Tomoo Sato, Hiroyuki Karasawa, Kazuhiro Tsujita
  • Publication number: 20060074317
    Abstract: An ultrasonic probe of a radial scan type mountable on an ultrasonic observation apparatus, which inputs and outputs M numbers of signals in parallel, comprises the following: N (N>M) numbers of ultrasonic transducers disposed on an outer periphery of a tip, and grouped into plural sensor element groups activated in sequence, each of which has M numbers of ultrasonic transducers; N numbers of first signal lines respectively connected to the N numbers of ultrasonic transducers for transmitting a drive signal for driving the ultrasonic transducers and an echo signal from within a living organism; M numbers of second signal lines connected to the ultrasonic observation apparatus; and a multiplexer disposed between the first signal lines and the second signal lines, which selectively switches M numbers of the first signal lines for respectively connecting to the second signal lines according to the sensor element group to be activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Satou, Tomoo Sato, Hiroyuki Karasawa, Kazuhiro Tsujita
  • Publication number: 20060060300
    Abstract: A plasma treatment method of etching a substrate to be processed by using a gas plasma in a treatment chamber. The method includes exhausting reaction products obtained by etching and released into a vapor phase as a gas from the treatment chamber, wherein the reaction products on an outer periphery of the substrate are more efficiently exhausted and setting a deposition probability of the reaction products in a central part of a plane of the substrate to be low and setting a deposition probability of the reaction products in a peripheral part of a plane of the substrate to be high. The setting of the deposition probability is effected by setting a temperature in the central part of the substrate higher than a temperature in the peripheral part of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Publication date: March 23, 2006
    Inventors: Kazue Takahashi, Saburo Kanai, Yoshiaki Satou, Takazumi Ishizu
  • Publication number: 20030060054
    Abstract: A plasma treatment method of etching a substrate to be processed by using a gas plasma in a treatment chamber. The method includes exhausting reaction products obtained by etching and released into a vapor phase as a gas from the treatment chamber, wherein the reaction products on an outer periphery of the substrate are more efficiently exhausted and setting a deposition probability of the reaction products in a central part of a plane of the substrate to be low and setting a deposition probability of the reaction products in a peripheral part of a plane of the substrate to be high. The setting of the deposition probability is effected by setting a temperature in the central part of the substrate higher than a temperature in the peripheral part of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Kazue Takahashi, Saburo Kanai, Yoshiaki Satou, Takazumi Ishizu
  • Patent number: 6482747
    Abstract: Plasma treatment apparatus and method in which an influence on the treatment characteristics of reaction products in plasma treatment such as etching is offset, thereby enabling uniform treatment characteristics to be obtained in the plane of a substrate are provided. In a plasma treatment method of treating a substrate to be processed by using a gas plasma via a mask in a treatment chamber, plasma treatment is performed while optimizing an amount of deposition of a side wall protection layer, equalizing the optimized deposition amount in the center of the substrate and that in a peripheral part, and maintaining the uniformity in the plane of the side wall protection layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazue Takahashi, Saburo Kanai, Yoshiaki Satou, Takazumi Ishizu
  • Patent number: 6043853
    Abstract: Video camera which emphasizes an outline of a video signal produced thereby. A detail signal of a video image represented by the video signal is generated and which represents a vertical outline emphasis signal. Edges of the video image and burst-like portions of the video signal are detected, and an edge detection signal is generated that corresponds in one manner to the detected edges and that corresponds in another manner to the detected burst portions. The detail signal is adjusted by the edge detection signal or by a cross color suppression signal generated from the vertical outline emphasis signal. The video signal then is modified by the adjusted detail signal so as to produce the outline emphasized video signal. The detail signal may also be adjusted by a gain setting signal that corresponds to the vertical outline emphasis signal and which is compressed in level when the vertical outline emphasis signal is relatively low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shingo Shimazaki, Takashi Asaida, Takashi Kameyama, Yoshiaki Satou