公开(公告)号：US20080029690A1

公开(公告)日：2008-02-07

申请号：US11722110

申请日：2005-12-28

申请人： Yusuke Hashimoto ,  Yuji Takada

发明人： Yusuke Hashimoto ,  Yuji Takada

IPC分类号： H01L27/144

CPC分类号： H04N5/335 ,  G01C3/085 ,  G01S7/4816 ,  G01S7/4914 ,  G01S7/493 ,  G01S17/89 ,  H01L27/14625 ,  H01L27/14806 ,  H01L27/14843 ,  H01L27/1485 ,  H01L31/0224

摘要： A photodetector is provided, which has the capability of preventing a reduction in dynamic range for a signal light even under a plenty of environmental light to stably obtain a received light output. This photodetector has an accumulation electrode and a holding electrode, which are formed on a photoelectric converting portion through an insulating layer, and a control unit for controlling timings of applying voltages to these electrodes and polarities of the voltages. One of electrons and holes generated in the photoelectric converting portion is accumulated in an accumulation region formed by applying the voltage to the accumulation electrode, and the other is accumulated in a holding region formed by applying the voltage to the holding electrode. Then, the electrons and holes accumulated in the accumulation region and the holding region are recombined, so that remaining electrons or holes not recombined are output.

摘要翻译： 提供一种光电检测器，其具有即使在大量环境光下也能够防止信号光的动态范围的降低以稳定地获得接收的光输出的能力。 该光检测器具有通过绝缘层形成在光电转换部分上的累积电极和保持电极，以及用于控制向这些电极施加电压的定时和电压的极性的控制单元。 在光电转换部分中产生的电子和空穴中的一个被积聚在通过向累积电极施加电压而形成的累积区域中，另一个在通过向保持电极施加电压形成的保持区域中积累。 然后，积聚在积存区域和保持区域中的电子和空穴被再结合，从而输出剩余的电子或未再结合的空穴。

公开(公告)号：US20050178946A1

公开(公告)日：2005-08-18

申请号：US10510216

申请日：2003-07-14

申请人： Yusuke Hashimoto ,  Yuji Takada ,  Fumikazu Kurihara ,  Satoshi Furukawa ,  Motoo Ikari

发明人： Yusuke Hashimoto ,  Yuji Takada ,  Fumikazu Kurihara ,  Satoshi Furukawa ,  Motoo Ikari

IPC分类号： G01S7/493 ,  G01S17/36 ,  H01L27/148 ,  H04N5/359 ,  H01L27/00 ,  H01L31/00

CPC分类号： G01S7/493 ,  G01S7/4914 ,  G01S17/36 ,  H01L27/14806 ,  H01L27/14831 ,  H04N5/3597

摘要： A spatial information detecting apparatus using an intensity-modulated light has a photoelectric converter for receiving a light provided from a space, into which a light intensity-modulated by a predetermined modulation signal is being irradiated, and generating amounts of electric charges corresponding to an intensity of received light; charge discarding portion having an electrode for removing dispensable charges from the electric charges generated by the photoelectric converter according to a voltage applied to the electrode; charge storage portion for storing signal charges from the electric charges generated by the photoelectric converter; control circuit for controlling the voltage applied to the electrode at a timing synchronized with a period of the modulation signal to change a ratio of the signal charges stored in the charge storage portion to the electric charges generated by the photoelectric converter; charge ejector for outputting the signal charges from the charge storage portion; and an analyzer for determining spatial information from an output of the charge ejector. According to this apparatus, since the dispensable charges are previously removed from the electric charges generated by the photoelectric converter by the charge discarding portion, it is possible to improve S/N ratio and accurately determine the spatial information.

摘要翻译： 使用强度调制光的空间信息检测装置具有光电转换器，用于接收由照射由预定调制信号调制的光的空间提供的光，并产生与强度对应的电荷量 收到光; 具有用于根据施加到所述电极的电压从所述光电转换器产生的电荷中去除可分配电荷的电极的放电部分; 电荷存储部分，用于存储由光电转换器产生的电荷的信号电荷; 控制电路，用于在与调制信号的周期同步的定时控制施加到电极的电压，以将存储在电荷存储部分中的信号电荷的比率改变为由光电转换器产生的电荷; 电荷喷射器，用于从电荷存储部分输出信号电荷; 以及用于从所述电荷喷射器的输出确定空间信息的分析器。 根据该装置，由于通过电荷丢弃部分预先从光电转换器产生的电荷中去除了可分配的电荷，所以可以提高S / N比并精确地确定空间信息。

公开(公告)号：US07834305B2

公开(公告)日：2010-11-16

申请号：US10599615

申请日：2005-07-28

申请人： Kenichi Hagio ,  Motoo Ikari ,  Yuji Takada ,  Yusuke Hashimoto ,  Fumi Tsunesada

发明人： Kenichi Hagio ,  Motoo Ikari ,  Yuji Takada ,  Yusuke Hashimoto ,  Fumi Tsunesada

IPC分类号： G01S17/36 ,  H01J40/14

CPC分类号： G01S17/36 ,  G01S17/88 ,  G01S17/89

摘要： An image processing device for generating both of a distance image and a gray image from an electrical output of a light receiving element on the precondition that a light intensity-modulated at a modulation frequency is irradiated into a target space. This device has an image generator for generating the distance image having pixel values, each of which provides a distance value between an object in the target space and the device, in accordance with a phase difference between the irradiated light and the received light, and the gray image having pixel values, each of which provides a gray value of the object, in accordance with an intensity of the received light. By use of an output of the image generator, an outline of the object can be extracted.

摘要翻译： 一种图像处理装置，用于在将以调制频率被调制的光强度照射到目标空间的前提下，从光接收元件的电输出产生距离图像和灰度图像两者。 该装置具有用于生成具有像素值的距离图像的图像发生器，每个像素值根据照射的光和接收到的光之间的相位差，提供目标空间中的物体与装置之间的距离值， 灰度图像具有根据所接收的光的强度的像素值，每个像素值提供对象的灰度值。 通过使用图像生成器的输出，可以提取对象的轮廓。

公开(公告)号：US20100141927A1

公开(公告)日：2010-06-10

申请号：US12448615

申请日：2007-12-27

申请人： Yusuke Hashimoto ,  Fumi Tsunesada ,  Kenji Imai ,  Yuji Takada

发明人： Yusuke Hashimoto ,  Fumi Tsunesada ,  Kenji Imai ,  Yuji Takada

IPC分类号： G01C3/08 ,  H01L27/148 ,  H01L31/09

CPC分类号： H01L27/14887 ,  H01L27/14812

摘要： A photodetector capable of improving dynamic range for input signals is provided. This photodetector includes a photoelectric converting portion, a charge separating portion, a charge accumulating portion, a barrier electrode formed the charge separating portion and the charge accumulating portion, and a barrier-height adjusting portion electrically connected to the barrier electrode. Undesired electric charges such as generated when environment light is incident on the photoelectric converting portion are removed by the charge separating portion. A potential barrier with an appropriate height is formed under the barrier electrode by applying a voltage to the barrier electrode according to an electric charge amount supplied from the charge separating portion to the barrier-height adjusting portion. Electric charges flowing from the charge separating portion into the charge accumulating portion over the potential barrier are provided as an output of the photodetector.

摘要翻译： 提供能够改善输入信号的动态范围的光检测器。 该光检测器包括光电转换部分，电荷分离部分，电荷累积部分，形成电荷分离部分和电荷累积部分的势垒电极，以及与阻挡电极电连接的势垒高度调节部分。 当环境光入射到光电转换部分时产生的不期望的电荷被电荷分离部分除去。 通过根据从电荷分离部向阻挡高度调节部供给的电荷量向阻挡电极施加电压，在阻挡电极下形成具有适当高度的势垒。 作为光电检测器的输出，提供从电荷分离部分流过势垒上的电荷累积部分的电荷。

公开(公告)号：US07601992B2

公开(公告)日：2009-10-13

申请号：US10563619

申请日：2005-03-17

申请人： Yusuke Hashimoto ,  Yuji Takada ,  Fumikazu Kurihara ,  Fumi Tsunesada

发明人： Yusuke Hashimoto ,  Yuji Takada ,  Fumikazu Kurihara ,  Fumi Tsunesada

IPC分类号： G02B5/32

CPC分类号： H01L31/103 ,  G01S7/4914 ,  G01S17/36 ,  H01L27/14609 ,  H04N5/335

摘要： A light detecting element 1 including an element formation layer 22 which contains a well region 31. A surface electrode 25 is formed on the layer 22 through an insulating layer 24. The region 31 contains an electron holding region 32. The region 32 contains a hole holding region 33. The layer 24 contains a control electrode 26 facing the region 33 through the layer 24. Electrons and holes are generated at the layer 22. There are two selected states. In one state, by controlling each electric potential applied to the electrodes 25, 26, electrons are gathered at the region 32, while holes are held at the region 33. In another state, recombination is stimulated between the electrons and the holes. After the recombination, the remaining electrons are picked out as received light output.

摘要翻译： 光检测元件1，其包括含有阱区31的元件形成层22.表面电极25通过绝缘层24形成在层22上。区域31包含电子保持区32.区域32包含孔 层24包含面向通过层24的区域33的控制电极26.在层22处产生电子和空穴。存在两种选择的状态。 在一个状态下，通过控制施加到电极25,26的每个电位，电子在区域32处聚集，而空穴被保持在区域33处。在另一个状态下，在电子和空穴之间激发复合。 复合后，剩余的电子被选出作为接收光输出。

公开(公告)号：US20090045359A1

公开(公告)日：2009-02-19

申请号：US12096019

申请日：2007-10-10

申请人： Minoru Kumahara ,  Yusuke Hashimoto ,  Shinji Sakamoto ,  Yuji Takada

发明人： Minoru Kumahara ,  Yusuke Hashimoto ,  Shinji Sakamoto ,  Yuji Takada

IPC分类号： G01N21/84

CPC分类号： G01S17/36 ,  G01S7/4913 ,  G01S7/4915 ,  G01S7/493 ,  G01S7/497 ,  G01S17/89

摘要： In an apparatus using an intensity-modulated light for detection of spatial information based upon light intensity of light reflected from a target space, a timing synchronization circuit is provided to synchronize a phase of the intensity-modulated light from a light-emitting element with a timing of operating a light-receiving element receiving the intensity-modulated light. The light-receiving element is caused to operate for enabling the detection of intensity of the received light for each of a plurality of phase regions within one cycle of the intensity-modulated light. The timing synchronization circuit functions to compare a cyclic variation determining the operation of the light-receiving element with a cyclic variation associated with an output from a light-emitting element driving circuit in order to keep a constant phase difference between these two cyclic variations.

摘要翻译： 在使用强度调制光用于基于从目标空间反射的光的光强度来检测空间信息的装置中，提供定时同步电路以使来自发光元件的强度调制光的相位与 操作接收强度调制光的光接收元件的定时。 导致光接收元件操作，以便能够在强度调制光的一个周期内检测多个相位区域中的每一个的接收光的强度。 定时同步电路用于将确定光接收元件的操作的循环变化与与发光元件驱动电路的输出相关联的循环变化进行比较，以便在这两个循环变化之间保持恒定的相位差。

公开(公告)号：US20070237363A1

公开(公告)日：2007-10-11

申请号：US10599615

申请日：2005-07-28

申请人： Kenichi Hagio ,  Motoo Ikari ,  Yuji Takada ,  Yusuke Hashimoto ,  Fumi Tsunesada

发明人： Kenichi Hagio ,  Motoo Ikari ,  Yuji Takada ,  Yusuke Hashimoto ,  Fumi Tsunesada

IPC分类号： G01S17/36

CPC分类号： G01S17/36 ,  G01S17/88 ,  G01S17/89

摘要： An image processing device for generating both of a distance image and a gray image from an electrical output of a light receiving element on the precondition that a light intensity-modulated at a modulation frequency is irradiated into a target space. This device has an image generator for generating the distance image having pixel values, each of which provides a distance value between an object in the target space and the device, in accordance with a phase difference between the irradiated light and the received light, and the gray image having pixel values, each of which provides a gray value of the object, in accordance with an intensity of the received light. By use of an output of the image generator, an outline of the object can be extracted.

摘要翻译： 一种图像处理装置，用于在将以调制频率被调制的光强度照射到目标空间的前提下，从光接收元件的电输出产生距离图像和灰度图像两者。 该装置具有用于生成具有像素值的距离图像的图像发生器，每个像素值根据照射的光和接收到的光之间的相位差，提供目标空间中的物体与装置之间的距离值， 灰度图像具有根据所接收的光的强度的像素值，每个像素值提供对象的灰度值。 通过使用图像生成器的输出，可以提取对象的轮廓。

公开(公告)号：US07034274B2

公开(公告)日：2006-04-25

申请号：US10455431

申请日：2003-06-06

申请人： Yusuke Hashimoto ,  Yuji Takada ,  Fumikazu Kurihara

发明人： Yusuke Hashimoto ,  Yuji Takada ,  Fumikazu Kurihara

IPC分类号： H01L27/14

CPC分类号： H04N5/335 ,  G01S17/06

摘要： A light receiving device using a new method of controlling sensitivity and a spatial information detecting apparatus using the same technical concept are provided. This light receiving device comprises a photoelectric converter for receiving a light at a light receiving surface and generating amounts of electric charges corresponding to an intensity of received light; electrodes formed on the photoelectric converter; a charge collection area induced in the photoelectric converter by applying a control voltage to the electrodes to collect at least part of the electric charges generated in the photoelectric converter; a charge ejector for outputting the electric charges from the charge collection area; and a sensitivity controller for controlling the number of the electrodes, to which the control voltage is applied, to change size of the charge collection area in the light receiving surface of the photoelectric converter. As compared with conventional ones, this light receiving device is of a relatively simple structure with an increased aperture ratio and excellent in S/N ratio.

摘要翻译： 提供一种使用具有相同技术概念的控制灵敏度的新方法的光接收装置和空间信息检测装置。 该光接收装置包括用于在光接收表面处接收光并产生与接收光的强度相对应的电荷量的光电转换器; 在光电转换器上形成的电极; 通过向所述电极施加控制电压以收集所述光电转换器中产生的电荷的至少一部分而在所述光电转换器中感应的电荷收集区域; 用于从所述电荷收集区输出电荷的充电喷射器; 以及用于控制施加了控制电压的电极的数量以改变光电转换器的光接收表面中的电荷收集区域的尺寸的灵敏度控制器。 与传统的光接收装置相比，这种光接收装置具有相对简单的结构，孔径比增加，S / N比优异。

公开(公告)号：US20050145773A1

公开(公告)日：2005-07-07

申请号：US10507516

申请日：2003-04-07

申请人： Yusuke Hashimoto ,  Yuji Takada ,  Fumikazu Kurihara

发明人： Yusuke Hashimoto ,  Yuji Takada ,  Fumikazu Kurihara

IPC分类号： H01L27/146 ,  G01S7/493 ,  G01S17/36 ,  G01S17/89 ,  H01L27/148 ,  H01L31/02 ,  H01L31/103 ,  H03D9/00 ,  H04N5/30 ,  H04N5/335 ,  H04N5/369 ,  H04N5/372 ,  G01J1/20

CPC分类号： H01L31/02024 ,  G01S7/4914 ,  G01S7/493 ,  G01S17/36 ,  H01L27/14603 ,  H01L27/14812 ,  H01L31/103 ,  H03D9/00

摘要： A spatial information detecting device using an intensity-modulated light is provided. This device comprises a photoelectric converter for receiving a light from a space into which a light intensity-modulated at a predetermined emission frequency is being irradiated, and generating an electrical output corresponding to an intensity of received light; a local oscillator circuit for outputting a local oscillator signal having a local oscillator frequency different from the emission frequency; a sensitivity controller for mixing the local oscillator signal with the electrical output to frequency convert the electrical output into a beat signal having a lower frequency than the emission frequency; an integrator for performing integration of said beat signal at a predetermined timing; and an analyzer for detecting information concerning the space according to an output of the integrator. According to this device, it is possible to accurately detect the spatial information without using a switching element having high-speed response at the light receiving side.

摘要翻译： 提供了使用强度调制光的空间信息检测装置。 该装置包括光电转换器，用于接收来自照射预定发射频率的光强调制的空间的光，并产生对应于接收光强度的电输出; 用于输出具有与发射频率不同的本地振荡器频率的本地振荡器信号的本地振荡器电路; 用于将本机振荡器信号与电输出混合的灵敏度控制器，以将电输出频率转换成具有比发射频率低的频率的差拍信号; 用于在预定定时执行所述拍频信号的集成的积分器; 以及分析器，用于根据积分器的输出来检测与空间有关的信息。 根据该装置，能够在光接收侧不使用具有高速响应的开关元件来精确地检测空间信息。

公开(公告)号：US20100097506A1

公开(公告)日：2010-04-22

申请号：US12593820

申请日：2008-03-28

申请人： Yusuke Hashimoto ,  Fumi Tsunesada ,  Kenji Imai ,  Yuji Takada

发明人： Yusuke Hashimoto ,  Fumi Tsunesada ,  Kenji Imai ,  Yuji Takada

IPC分类号： H04N5/335

CPC分类号： H01L27/1485 ,  H01L27/14806

摘要： A compact image pickup device with high sensitivity is provided, which is suitable for a spatial information detecting apparatus. The image pickup device has a plurality of image pickup units (U1) arranged on a semiconductor substrate. Each of the image pickup units (U1) has a light receiving array of photoelectric conversion elements (Px) for generating electric charges corresponding to a received-light amount, a transfer array (Y1) of charge transfer elements (Py), an accumulation array (Z1) of charge accumulation elements each having a greater charge storage capacity than a saturation charge amount of the photoelectric conversion element, and a charge-amount adjusting portion (D4) configured to determine an amount of undesired electric charges to be separated from the electric charges generated by each of the photoelectric conversion elements. The transfer array and the light receiving array (X1) are arranged in a line in a vertical direction (Dv). The accumulation array (Pz) is disposed adjacent to the transfer array (Py) in a horizontal direction (Dh).

摘要翻译： 提供了一种具有高灵敏度的紧凑型图像拾取装置，其适用于空间信息检测装置。 图像拾取装置具有布置在半导体衬底上的多个摄像单元（U1）。 每个图像拾取单元（U1）具有用于产生对应于接收光量的电荷的光电转换元件（Px）的光接收阵列，电荷转移元件（Py）的传输阵列（Y1），累积阵列 （Z1），每个电荷累积元件具有比所述光电转换元件的饱和电荷量更大的电荷存储容量;以及电荷量调节部（D4），被配置为确定与所述光电转换元件分离的不需要的电荷的量 由每个光电转换元件产生的电荷。 传送阵列和光接收阵列（X1）沿垂直方向（Dv）排列成一行。 累积阵列（Pz）在水平方向（Dh）上邻近传送阵列（Py）设置。