Patents by Inventor Yutaka Hirose

Yutaka Hirose 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: 20190013349
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a first electrode formed above a semiconductor substrate; a photoelectric conversion film formed on the first electrode and for converting light into signal charges; a second electrode formed on the photoelectric conversion film; a charge accumulation region electrically connected to the first electrode and for accumulating the signal charges converted from the light by the photoelectric conversion film; a reset gate electrode for resetting the charge accumulation region; an amplification transistor for amplifying the signal charges accumulated in the charge accumulation region; and a contact plug in direct contact with the charge accumulation region, comprising a semiconductor material, and for electrically connecting to each other the first electrode and the charge accumulation region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Yusuke SAKATA, Mitsuyoshi MORI, Yutaka HIROSE, Hiroshi MASUDA, Hitoshi KURIYAMA, Ryohei MIYAGAWA
  • Patent number: 10158814
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus has: a signal readout circuit including a charge storage region connected to a photoelectric conversion region, and a reset transistor connected at one of source and drain to the charge storage region; and a negative feedback circuit that feeds back an output of the signal readout circuit in a negative feedback manner to the other of the source and drain of the reset transistor. A reset operation for discharging a charge stored in the charge storage region includes a first period in which the negative feedback circuit is OFF and a second period which occurs after the first period and in which the negative feedback circuit is ON. In the first period, the reset transistor changes from OFF to ON and then to OFF. In the second period, such a reset transistor control voltage is applied that makes the reset transistor to gradually change to ON.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motonori Ishii, Yoshiyuki Matsunaga, Yutaka Hirose
  • Patent number: 10129494
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: a solid-state image sensor including: a plurality of pixels that are arranged in a two-dimensional array; and a signal processing device that processes an output signal from the solid-state image sensor. The imaging device generates a corrected image by: generating a correction signal based on a difference between a first temporary correction signal and a second temporary correction signal, the first temporary correction signal being obtained by directly applying a first voltage amplitude to a signal storage provided in each of the plurality of pixels, and the second temporary correction signal being obtained by applying, to the signal storage, a second voltage amplitude that is different from the first voltage amplitude; acquiring an image signal upon a photographing drive operation being performed by the solid-state image sensor; and applying the correction signal to the image signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motonori Ishii, Yutaka Hirose, Shota Yamada
  • Publication number: 20180292347
    Abstract: A gas sensor includes: a cell array which includes a plurality of cells disposed in rows and columns; a read-out circuit which reads out signals from the plurality of cells; and a signal processor which processes the signals read out. Each of the plurality of cells includes: a gas molecule detector which is electrically isolated between adjacent ones of the plurality of cells; and an amplifier circuit which is electrically connected to the gas molecule detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Toru OKINO, Yutaka HIROSE, Yoshihisa KATO, Akio OKI
  • Patent number: 10084008
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a first electrode formed above a semiconductor substrate; a photoelectric conversion film formed on the first electrode and for converting light into signal charges; a second electrode formed on the photoelectric conversion film; a charge accumulation region electrically connected to the first electrode and for accumulating the signal charges converted from the light by the photoelectric conversion film; a reset gate electrode for resetting the charge accumulation region; an amplification transistor for amplifying the signal charges accumulated in the charge accumulation region; and a contact plug in direct contact with the charge accumulation region, comprising a semiconductor material, and for electrically connecting to each other the first electrode and the charge accumulation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Sakata, Mitsuyoshi Mori, Yutaka Hirose, Hiroshi Masuda, Hitoshi Kuriyama, Ryohei Miyagawa
  • Publication number: 20180191975
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: a solid-state image sensor including: a plurality of pixels that are arranged in a two-dimensional array; and a signal processing device that processes an output signal from the solid-state image sensor. The imaging device generates a corrected image by: generating a correction signal based on a difference between a first temporary correction signal and a second temporary correction signal, the first temporary correction signal being obtained by directly applying a first voltage amplitude to a signal storage provided in each of the plurality of pixels, and the second temporary correction signal being obtained by applying, to the signal storage, a second voltage amplitude that is different from the first voltage amplitude; acquiring an image signal upon a photographing drive operation being performed by the solid-state image sensor; and applying the correction signal to the image signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Motonori Ishii, Yutaka Hirose, Shota Yamada
  • Publication number: 20180190706
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device according to the present disclosure includes: a charge storage region that stores a signal charge obtained through photoelectric conversion in a photoelectric conversion film; an amplification transistor that amplifies the signal charge stored in the charge storage region in a corresponding pixel; a contact plug that is electrically connected to the charge storage region and contains a semiconductor material; and a line that is disposed above the contact plug and contains a semiconductor material. The contact plug and the charge storage region are electrically connected, and the contact plug and a gate electrode of the amplification transistor are electrically connected via the line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi MORI, Ryohei MIYAGAWA, Yoshiyuki OHMORI, Yoshihiro SATO, Yutaka HIROSE, Yusuke SAKATA, Toru OKINO
  • Patent number: 9935149
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device according to the present disclosure includes: a charge storage region that stores a signal charge obtained through photoelectric conversion in a photoelectric conversion film; an amplification transistor that amplifies the signal charge stored in the charge storage region in a corresponding pixel; a contact plug that is electrically connected to the charge storage region and contains a semiconductor material; and a line that is disposed above the contact plug and contains a semiconductor material. The contact plug and the charge storage region are electrically connected, and the contact plug and a gate electrode of the amplification transistor are electrically connected via the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Mori, Ryohei Miyagawa, Yoshiyuki Ohmori, Yoshihiro Sato, Yutaka Hirose, Yusuke Sakata, Toru Okino
  • Publication number: 20180019546
    Abstract: A socket includes a first base member that includes a module mount unit allowing a module including an imaging device and an object to be placed thereon and an electric connector that electrically connects the imaging device to an external apparatus, a second base member having an opening, and an engagement unit that causes the first base member to be engaged with the second base member under a condition that the module placed on the module mount unit is sandwiched by the first and second base members. When the first base member is engaged with the second base member by the engagement unit under a condition that the module placed on the module mount unit is sandwiched by the first base member and the second base member, the electric connector is electrically connected to the imaging device, and the object receives illumination light from a light source through the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Yutaka HIROSE, Yoshihisa KATO, Hiroyuki MORI, Taichi SATO, Yoshihide SAWADA, Tsuyoshi TANAKA
  • Patent number: 9871983
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus includes a pixel including: a photoelectric converter that generates a signal charge corresponding to incident light; a charge storage section that is connected to the photoelectric converter and accumulates signal charge; a reset transistor; an amplifying transistor; and a cutoff transistor, wherein the amplifying transistor and the cutoff transistor form a negative feedback amplifying circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keisuke Yazawa, Motonori Ishii, Yutaka Hirose, Yoshihisa Kato, Yoshiyuki Matsunaga
  • Publication number: 20170345865
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a first electrode formed above a semiconductor substrate; a photoelectric conversion film formed on the first electrode and for converting light into signal charges; a second electrode formed on the photoelectric conversion film; a charge accumulation region electrically connected to the first electrode and for accumulating the signal charges converted from the light by the photoelectric conversion film; a reset gate electrode for resetting the charge accumulation region; an amplification transistor for amplifying the signal charges accumulated in the charge accumulation region; and a contact plug in direct contact with the charge accumulation region, comprising a semiconductor material, and for electrically connecting to each other the first electrode and the charge accumulation region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Yusuke SAKATA, Mitsuyoshi MORI, Yutaka HIROSE, Hiroshi MASUDA, Hitoshi KURIYAMA, Ryohei MIYAGAWA
  • Patent number: 9799992
    Abstract: A socket includes a first base member that includes a module mount unit allowing a module including an imaging device and an object to be placed thereon and an electric connector that electrically connects the imaging device to an external apparatus, a second base member having an opening, and an engagement unit that causes the first base member to be engaged with the second base member under a condition that the module placed on the module mount unit is sandwiched by the first and second base members. When the first base member is engaged with the second base member by the engagement unit under a condition that the module placed on the module mount unit is sandwiched by the first base member and the second base member, the electric connector is electrically connected to the imaging device, and the object receives illumination light from a light source through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Hirose, Yoshihisa Kato, Hiroyuki Mori, Taichi Sato, Yoshihide Sawada, Tsuyoshi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9768226
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a first electrode formed above a semiconductor substrate; a photoelectric conversion film formed on the first electrode and for converting light into signal charges; a second electrode formed on the photoelectric conversion film; a charge accumulation region electrically connected to the first electrode and for accumulating the signal charges converted from the light by the photoelectric conversion film; a reset gate electrode for resetting the charge accumulation region; an amplification transistor for amplifying the signal charges accumulated in the charge accumulation region; and a contact plug in direct contact with the charge accumulation region, comprising a semiconductor material, and for electrically connecting to each other the first electrode and the charge accumulation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Sakata, Mitsuyoshi Mori, Yutaka Hirose, Hiroshi Masuda, Hitoshi Kuriyama, Ryohei Miyagawa
  • Publication number: 20170241898
    Abstract: An electronic prepared slide includes: an image sensor that has a light receiving surface and receives, on the light receiving surface, light that has passed through a specimen disposed above the light receiving surface; and a removable nonvolatile transparent film that is disposed on the light receiving surface and seals the light receiving surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Toru OKINO, Shota YAMADA, Yutaka HIROSE, Yoshihisa KATO, Tsuyoshi TANAKA, Manabu KAMOSHIDA, Hideto MOTOMURA, Yoshihide SAWADA
  • Patent number: 9743026
    Abstract: A semiconductor photodetector has at least one unit pixel having a photoelectric conversion part, a charge storage part, and a detection circuit. The photoelectric conversion part includes a charge multiplication region in which incident light is converted into a charge, and the charge is multiplied by avalanche multiplication. The charge storage part is connected to the photoelectric conversion part and stores a signal charge from the photoelectric conversion part. The detection circuit is connected to the charge storage part, converts the signal charge stored in the charge storage part into a voltage, passes the voltage through an amplifier to amplify the voltage, and outputs the amplified voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Manabu Usuda, Yutaka Hirose, Yoshihisa Kato, Nobukazu Teranishi
  • Publication number: 20170229599
    Abstract: A photodiode that multiplies a charge generated by photoelectric conversion in an avalanche region includes: a p? type semiconductor layer having interfaces; an n+ type semiconductor region located inside the p? type semiconductor layer and in contact with the interface; an n+ type semiconductor region located inside the p? type semiconductor layer and connected to the n+ type semiconductor region; and a p type semiconductor region located between the n+ type semiconductor region and the interface, wherein the n+ type semiconductor region, the n+ type semiconductor region, and the p type semiconductor region each have a higher impurity concentration than the p? type semiconductor layer, the avalanche region is a region between the n+ type semiconductor region and the p type semiconductor region inside the p? type semiconductor layer, and the n+ type semiconductor region has a smaller area than the n+ type semiconductor region in planar view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Yusuke SAKATA, Manabu USUDA, Mitsuyoshi MORI, Yutaka HIROSE, Yoshihisa KATO
  • Publication number: 20170170226
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device according to the present disclosure includes: a charge storage region that stores a signal charge obtained through photoelectric conversion in a photoelectric conversion film; an amplification transistor that amplifies the signal charge stored in the charge storage region in a corresponding pixel; a contact plug that is electrically connected to the charge storage region and contains a semiconductor material; and a line that is disposed above the contact plug and contains a semiconductor material. The contact plug and the charge storage region are electrically connected, and the contact plug and a gate electrode of the amplification transistor are electrically connected via the line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi MORI, Ryohei MIYAGAWA, Yoshiyuki OHMORI, Yoshihiro SATO, Yutaka HIROSE, Yusuke SAKATA, Toru OKINO
  • Publication number: 20170146790
    Abstract: An image acquisition device includes an optical system, an illumination angle adjustment mechanism, and a stage. The optical system has a lens and a light source disposed in the focal plane of the lens, and generates a collimated illumination light. The illumination angle adjustment mechanism is configured so as to be able to change the irradiation direction of the illumination light with respect to an object. A module is detachably loaded on a stage. The module includes the object and an image sensor which are integrated such that the illumination light transmitted through the object is incident on the image sensor. The stage has a circuit for receiving an output of the image sensor in a state where the module is loaded on the stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: YUTAKA HIROSE, KEISUKE YAZAWA, SHINZO KOYAMA, YOSHIHISA KATO, HIDETO MOTOMURA
  • Patent number: 9627431
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device according to the present disclosure includes: a charge storage region that stores a signal charge obtained through photoelectric conversion in a photoelectric conversion film; an amplification transistor that amplifies the signal charge stored in the charge storage region in a corresponding pixel; a contact plug that is electrically connected to the charge storage region and contains a semiconductor material; and a line that is disposed above the contact plug and contains a semiconductor material. The contact plug and the charge storage region are electrically connected, and the contact plug and a gate electrode of the amplification transistor are electrically connected via the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Mori, Ryohei Miyagawa, Yoshiyuki Ohmori, Yoshihiro Sato, Yutaka Hirose, Yusuke Sakata, Toru Okino
  • Publication number: 20170094206
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus includes a pixel including: a photoelectric converter that generates a signal charge corresponding to incident light; a charge storage section that is connected to the photoelectric converter and accumulates signal charge; a reset transistor; an amplifying transistor; and a cutoff transistor, wherein the amplifying transistor and the cutoff transistor form a negative feedback amplifying circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Keisuke YAZAWA, Motonori ISHII, Yutaka HIROSE, Yoshihisa KATO, Yoshiyuki MATSUNAGA