Patents by Inventor Yusuke NEGORO

Yusuke NEGORO 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: 11943554
    Abstract: An imaging device capable of executing image processing is provided. Analog data (image data) acquired through an imaging operation is retained in a pixel, and data obtained by multiplying the analog data by a given weight coefficient in the pixel can be extracted. The data is taken into a neural network or the like, whereby processing such as image recognition can be performed. Since an enormous amount of image data can be retained in pixels in an analog data state, processing can be performed efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichi Yoneda, Yusuke Negoro, Hidetomo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11937007
    Abstract: An imaging device having a motion detecting function and an image processing function is provided. The imaging device can detect a difference between a reference frame image and a comparative frame image, and can switch from a motion detecting mode to a normal image capturing mode when a significant difference is detected. A low-frame-rate operation in the motion detecting mode can reduce power consumption. Moreover, the imaging device has an image recognition function in combination with the motion detecting function, so that switching from the motion detecting mode to the normal image capturing mode can be performed when a particular image is recognized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Inoue, Seiichi Yoneda, Yusuke Negoro, Takahiko Ishizu, Hidetomo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11862649
    Abstract: An imaging device that can obtain imaging data corresponding to high-resolution images in a short period of time is provided. The imaging device includes a pixel including a photoelectric conversion element and n (n is an integer more than 2 inclusive) retention circuits. The photoelectric conversion element and the n retention circuits are stacked. One electrode of the photoelectric conversion element is electrically connected to the first to n-th retention circuits. The retention circuits include OS transistors with an extremely low off-state current feature, and can retain imaging data for a long time. In the first to n-th periods, the imaging device obtains the first to n-th imaging data and retains it in the first to n-th retention circuits. Then, the first to n-th imaging data retained in the first to n-th retention circuits are read out. The read imaging data is output outside the imaging data through AD conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichi Yoneda, Hidetomo Kobayashi, Takashi Nakagawa, Yusuke Negoro, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 11847195
    Abstract: A novel authentication system is provided. In addition, a method for recording an unlocking history is provided. The authentication system includes an arithmetic device and an input/output device. The arithmetic device supplies first control data and second control data, and is supplied with a sensor signal. The input/output device includes an electric lock and a reading portion, and the electric lock is unlocked on the basis of the second control data. The reading portion is supplied with the first control data, supplies the sensor signal, and includes a light-emitting element and a pixel array. The light-emitting element emits light including infrared rays, the pixel array includes pixels, the pixels each include an imaging circuit and a photoelectric conversion element, the imaging circuit is electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion element, the imaging circuit includes a transistor, and the transistor includes an oxide semiconductor film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichi Yoneda, Yusuke Negoro
  • Patent number: 11849234
    Abstract: An imaging device with a novel structure is provided. The imaging device includes an imaging region provided with a plurality of pixels. The plurality of pixels included in the imaging region include a first pixel and a second pixel. The imaging device has a function of selecting a first region or a second region. The first region includes the same number of pixels as the second region. The first region includes at least the first and second pixels. The second region includes at least the second pixel. The pixels included in the first region or the second region have a function of outputting imaging signals obtained by the pixels. The imaging device generates first image data by concurrently reading the imaging signals output from the pixels included in the first region and performing arithmetic operation on the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichi Yoneda, Hiromichi Godo, Yusuke Negoro, Hiroki Inoue, Takahiro Fukutome
  • Publication number: 20230397444
    Abstract: An imaging device that has an image processing function and is capable of operating at high speed is provided. The imaging device has an additional function such as image processing, image data obtained by an imaging operation is binarized in a pixel portion, and a product-sum operation is performed using the binarized data. A memory circuit is provided in the pixel portion and retains a weight coefficient used for the product-sum operation. Thus, an arithmetic operation can be performed without the weight coefficient read from the outside every time, so that power consumption can be reduced. Furthermore, a pixel circuit, a memory circuit, and the like and a product-sum operation circuit and the like are formed to be stacked; therefore, the length of a wiring between the circuits can be shortened, and a low-power consumption operation and a high-speed operation can be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Yusuke NEGORO, Hideaki SHISHIDO
  • Publication number: 20230396899
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a highly functional imaging device that can be manufactured through a small number of steps. The imaging device is formed in such a manner that a first stacked body in which a plurality of devices are stacked and a second stacked body in which a plurality of devices are stacked are bonded to each other. For example, a pixel circuit, a driver circuit of a pixel, and the like can be provided in the first stacked body, and a reading circuit of the pixel circuit, a memory circuit, a driver circuit of the memory circuit, and the like can be provided in the second stacked body. With these structures, the imaging device which is small can be formed. Furthermore, wiring delay or the like can be prevented by stacking circuits, so that high-speed operation can be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Yusuke NEGORO, Hideaki SHISHIDO
  • Publication number: 20230387147
    Abstract: An imaging device capable of image processing is provided. The imaging device can retain analog data (image data) obtained by an image-capturing operation in a pixel and perform a product-sum operation of the analog data and a predetermined weight coefficient in the pixel to convert the data into binary data. When the binary data is taken in a neural network or the like, processing such as image recognition can be performed. Since enormous volumes of image data can be retained in pixels in the state of analog data, processing can be performed efficiently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takayuki IKEDA, Yoshiyuki KUROKAWA, Shintaro HARADA, Hidetomo KOBAYASHI, Roh YAMAMOTO, Kiyotaka KIMURA, Takashi NAKAGAWA, Yusuke NEGORO
  • Publication number: 20230261017
    Abstract: A highly functional imaging device is provided. A small imaging device is provided. An imaging device or the like capable of high-speed operation is provided. A highly reliable imaging device is provided. The imaging device includes a pixel array, and a light-blocking layer and a transparent conductive layer that are over the pixel array. The light-blocking layer includes a first region overlapping with a first pixel and a second region overlapping with a second pixel. The transparent conductive layer includes a region overlapping with the first region and a region overlapping with the second region. The transparent conductive layer has a light-transmitting property. The transparent conductive layer is electrically connected to the first region and the second region. First light enters the photoelectric conversion device included in the first pixel. Second light enters the photoelectric conversion device included in the second pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Hiroki INOUE, Seiichi YONEDA, Yusuke NEGORO, Takayuki IKEDA, Naoto KUSUMOTO, Kensuke YOSHIZUMI, Shunpei YAMAZAKI
  • Patent number: 11728355
    Abstract: An imaging device capable of image processing is provided. The imaging device can retain analog data (image data) obtained by an image-capturing operation in a pixel and perform a product-sum operation of the analog data and a predetermined weight coefficient in the pixel to convert the data into binary data. When the binary data is taken in a neural network or the like, processing such as image recognition can be performed. Since enormous volumes of image data can be retained in pixels in the state of analog data, processing can be performed efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Ikeda, Yoshiyuki Kurokawa, Shintaro Harada, Hidetomo Kobayashi, Roh Yamamoto, Kiyotaka Kimura, Takashi Nakagawa, Yusuke Negoro
  • Publication number: 20230207585
    Abstract: An imaging device that can obtain imaging data corresponding to high-resolution images in a short period of time is provided. The imaging device includes a pixel including a photoelectric conversion element and n (n is an integer more than 2 inclusive) retention circuits. The photoelectric conversion element and the n retention circuits are stacked. One electrode of the photoelectric conversion element is electrically connected to the first to n-th retention circuits. The retention circuits include OS transistors with an extremely low off-state current feature, and can retain imaging data for a long time. In the first to n-th periods, the imaging device obtains the first to n-th imaging data and retains it in the first to n-th retention circuits. Then, the first to n-th imaging data retained in the first to n-th retention circuits are read out. The read imaging data is output outside the imaging data through AD conversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Seiichi YONEDA, Hidetomo KOBAYASHI KOBAYASHI, Takashi NAKAGAWA, Yusuke NEGORO, Shunpei YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20230198509
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with low power consumption can be provided. The semiconductor device includes a differential circuit and a latch circuit, the differential circuit includes a transistor including an oxide semiconductor in a channel formation region, and the latch circuit includes a transistor including a single semiconductor or a compound semiconductor in a channel formation region. The differential circuit and the latch circuit include an overlap region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Takeya HIROSE, Seiichi YONEDA, Yusuke NEGORO
  • Publication number: 20230179888
    Abstract: An imaging device that has an image processing function and is capable of operating at high speed is provided. The imaging device has an additional function such as image processing, image data obtained by an imaging operation is binarized in a pixel unit, and a product-sum operation is performed using the binarized data. A memory circuit is provided in the pixel unit and retains a weight coefficient used for the product-sum operation. Thus, an arithmetic operation can be performed without the weight coefficient read from the outside every time, whereby power consumption can be reduced. Furthermore, a pixel circuit, a memory circuit, and the like and a product-sum operation circuit and the like are stacked, so that the lengths of wirings between the circuits can be reduced, and high-speed operation with low power consumption can be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Shunsuke SATO, Seiichi YONEDA, Yusuke NEGORO, Takeya HIROSE, Shunpei YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20230156376
    Abstract: An imaging device that has an image processing function and is capable of a high-speed operation is provided. The imaging device has an additional function such as image processing, and can retain analog data obtained by an image capturing operation in pixels and extract data obtained by multiplying the analog data by a given weight coefficient. In the imaging device, the data is stored in a memory cell and pooling processing of data stored in a plurality of memory cells can be performed. The pixels are provided so as to have a region overlapping with at least one of the memory cells, a pooling processing circuit, and a reading circuit of the pixels; thus, an increase in the area of the imaging device can be inhibited even with an additional function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Seiichi YONEDA, Yusuke NEGORO, Takeya HIROSE, Shunsuke SATO, Shunpei YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20230144505
    Abstract: A multifunctional imaging device is provided. The imaging device includes first to fourth light-receiving elements and first and second functional layers. The first to fourth light-receiving elements are photoelectric conversion elements having sensitivity to light of different wavelengths from each other. The first and second functional layers each include first and second transistors. The first functional layer and the fourth to first light-receiving elements are stacked in this order over the second functional layer. In each of the first to fourth light-receiving elements, a first conductive layer, a first buffer layer, a photoelectric conversion layer, a second buffer layer, and a second conductive layer are stacked in this order. The photoelectric conversion layer includes an organic compound, and the first buffer layer and the second buffer layer each include a metal or an organic compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Yusuke NEGORO, Seiichi YONEDA, Hiroki INOUE, Shunsuke SATO, Shunpei YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20230133706
    Abstract: An imaging device having an image processing function is provided. The imaging device includes a plurality of pixels. The pixel has a function of generating first data of an n-th frame by supplying a first weight to image data obtained in the n-th frame (n is an integer greater than or equal to 2). The pixel has a function of generating first data of an n?1-th frame by supplying a second weight to image data obtained in the n?1-th frame. The pixel has a function of generating second data by adding the first data of the n?1-th frame and the first data of the n-th frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Yusuke NEGORO, Seiichi YONEDA, Shunpei YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20230090488
    Abstract: A small-sized and highly functional imaging device is provided. The imaging device includes a photoelectric conversion device formed on a silicon substrate and a transistor including a channel formation region in a silicon epitaxial growth layer formed on the silicon substrate. The transistor provided in the epitaxial growth layer has favorable electrical characteristics, so that the imaging device with little noise can be formed. Since the transistor can be formed so as to have a region overlapping with the photoelectric conversion device, the imaging device can be downsized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Seiichi YONEDA, Hiroki INOUE, Yusuke NEGORO, Takayuki IKEDA, Shunpei YAMAZAKI
  • Patent number: 11600645
    Abstract: An imaging device that can obtain imaging data corresponding to high-resolution images in a short period of time is provided. The imaging device includes a pixel including a photoelectric conversion element and n (n is an integer more than 2 inclusive) retention circuits. The photoelectric conversion element and the n retention circuits are stacked. One electrode of the photoelectric conversion element is electrically connected to the first to n-th retention circuits. The retention circuits include OS transistors with an extremely low off-state current feature, and can retain imaging data for a long time. In the first to n-th periods, the imaging device obtains the first to n-th imaging data and retains it in the first to n-th retention circuits. Then, the first to n-th imaging data retained in the first to n-th retention circuits are read out. The read imaging data is output outside the imaging data through AD conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seiichi Yoneda, Hidetomo Kobayashi, Takashi Nakagawa, Yusuke Negoro, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 11595594
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus including a light source is provided. The imaging apparatus includes a light-emitting device and a photoelectric conversion device in a pixel, and a pixel circuit has a function of outputting third data generated by multiplying obtained first data by second data (weight). Calculating the third data externally enables more detailed information on a subject with respect to a specific wavelength to be obtained. In addition, reading out collectively a plurality of pixels to which proper weight is given enables output of difference data between pixels and the like, which allows external calculation to be omitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventors: Takayuki Ikeda, Yusuke Negoro
  • Publication number: 20230054986
    Abstract: An imaging device capable of image processing is provided. The imaging device has an image recognition function. In the imaging device, cells have a function of acquiring imaging data and a function of retaining weight data. Among the cells arranged in a matrix, some of the cells acquire imaging data and the rest of the cells retain weight data. Then, arithmetic operation is performed using the imaging data and the weight data. For example, all the imaging data can be subjected to arithmetic operation where products of the imaging data and the weight data are calculated and the sum of the calculated products is calculated. That is, product-sum operation can be performed. When an arithmetic operation result is captured by a neural network such as a convolutional neural network (CNN) or the like, the additional function can be used because image processing can be performed on the imaging data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Seiichi YONEDA, Takayuki IKEDA, Hiroki INOUE, Yusuke NEGORO, Shunpei YAMAZAKI