Patents by Inventor Akiko Yuzawa
Akiko Yuzawa 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: 9791341Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a support, a film unit supported by the support, having an upper surface, and capable of being deformed, and a first sensing element provided on the upper surface. The first sensing element includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer provided apart from the first magnetic layer and a first intermediate unit including a first intermediate layer including a portion provided between the first and second magnetic layers. The first magnetic layer extends in a first direction parallel to the upper surface, and a first major axis length of the first magnetic layer is longer than a first minor axis length. The second magnetic layer extends in a second direction parallel to the upper surface and crossing the first direction, and a second major axis length of the second magnetic layer is longer than a second minor axis length.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2014Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Yoshihiko Fuji, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Michiko Hara, Tomohiko Nagata, Akio Hori, Shiori Kaji, Yoshihiro Higashi, Akiko Yuzawa
-
Publication number: 20170241851Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a film portion, a sensor unit, and a structure body. The film portion has a front surface and is deformable. The sensor unit includes a plurality of sensing elements arranged along the front surface. One of the plurality of sensing elements includes a magnetic layer, a opposing magnetic layer, and a nonmagnetic intermediate layer. The structure body is arranged with the first sensor unit along the arrangement direction of the plurality of sensing elements. The structure body includes a structure body layer, a opposing structure body layer, and a intermediate structure body layer. The structure body layer has at least one of a floating potential with respect to the opposing structure body layer or same potential as a potential of the opposing structure body layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2016Publication date: August 24, 2017Inventors: Shotaro BABA, Yoshihiko FUJI, Kei MASUNISHI, Michiko HARA, Akiko YUZAWA, Shiori KAJI, Tomohiko NAGATA, Yoshihiro HIGASHI, Kenji OTSU, Kazuaki OKAMOTO
-
Publication number: 20170102276Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a film part, and a sensing unit. A circumscribing rectangle circumscribing a configuration of a film surface of the film part has a first side, a second side, a third side connected to one end of the first side and one end of the second side, a fourth side connected to one other end of the first side and one other end of the second side, and a centroid of the circumscribing rectangle. The circumscribing rectangle includes a first region enclosed by the first side, line segments connecting the centroid to the one end of the first side, and to the one other end of the first side. The sensing unit includes sensing elements provided on a portion of the film surface overlapping the first region. Each sensing element includes a first, second magnetic layers, and a spacer layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2016Publication date: April 13, 2017Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Yoshihiko FUJI, Kei MASUNISHI, Hideaki FUKUZAWA, Yoshihiro HIGASHI, Michiko HARA, Akio HORI, Tomohiko NAGATA, Shiori KAJI, Akiko YUZAWA
-
Publication number: 20170094419Abstract: According to one embodiment, a microphone package includes: a pressure sensing element including a film and a device; and a cover. The film generates strain in response to pressure. The device includes: a first electrode; a second electrode; and a first magnetic layer. The first magnetic layer is provided between the first electrode and the second electrode and has a first magnetization. The cover includes: an upper portion; and a side portion. The side portion is magnetic and provided depending on the first magnetization and the second magnetization.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2016Publication date: March 30, 2017Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Yoshihiro HIGASHI, Yoshihiko FUJI, Michiko HARA, Akiko YUZAWA, Shiori KAJI, Tomohiko NAGATA, Akio HORI, Hideaki FUKUZAWA
-
Patent number: 9596995Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a film part, and a sensing unit. A circumscribing rectangle circumscribing a configuration of a film surface of the film part has a first side, a second side, a third side connected to one end of the first side and one end of the second side, a fourth side connected to one other end of the first side and one other end of the second side, and a centroid of the circumscribing rectangle. The circumscribing rectangle includes a first region enclosed by the first side, line segments connecting the centroid to the one end of the first side, and to the one other end of the first side. The sensing unit includes sensing elements provided on a portion of the film surface overlapping the first region. Each sensing element includes a first, second magnetic layers, and a spacer layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2014Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Yoshihiko Fuji, Kei Masunishi, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Yoshihiro Higashi, Michiko Hara, Akio Hori, Tomohiko Nagata, Shiori Kaji, Akiko Yuzawa
-
Publication number: 20170067787Abstract: A pressure sensor of an embodiment includes a support portion, a transformable membrane part and a sensor portion. The membrane part includes an end portion supported by the support portion, and a first area and a second area. The first area is positioned between a center of the membrane part and the end portion and has a first rigidity. The second area is positioned between the first area and the end portion, and has a second rigidity lower than the first rigidity. The sensor portion is provided at the first area and includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer and a first intermediate layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. An end-side distance between the first area and the end portion is shorter than a center-side distance between the second area and the center of the membrane part.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Kei MASUNISHI, Akiko YUZAWA, Yoshihiko FUJI, Michiko HARA, Yoshihiro HIGASHI, Kazuaki OKAMOTO, Kenji OTSU
-
Publication number: 20170067791Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a deformable film portion, a first sensing element and a second sensing element. The first sensing element is fixed to the film portion, and includes a first magnetic layer of a first material, a first opposing magnetic layer, and a first intermediate layer. The first intermediate layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the first opposing magnetic layer. The second sensing element is fixed to the film portion, and includes a second magnetic layer of a second material, a second opposing magnetic layer, and a second intermediate layer. The second material is different from the first material. The second intermediate layer is provided between the second magnetic layer and the second opposing magnetic layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Inventors: Yoshihiko FUJI, Michiko HARA, Kei MASUNISHI, Yoshihiro HIGASHI, Shiori KAJI, Akiko YUZAWA, Akio HORI, Tomohiko NAGATA, Kazuaki OKAMOTO, Kenji OTSU, Shotaro BABA
-
Publication number: 20170059424Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a first sensor unit, a first stacked body, and a film unit. The first sensor unit includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a first intermediate layer, the first intermediate layer being provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The first stacked body includes a third magnetic layer, a fourth magnetic layer, and a second intermediate layer, the second intermediate layer being provided between the third magnetic layer and the fourth magnetic layer. The film unit is deformable. A portion of the film unit is disposed between the first sensor unit and the first stacked body.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: Akiko YUZAWA, Hideaki FUKUZAWA, Kei MASUNISHI, Yoshihiro HIGASHI, Michiko HARA, Yoshihiko FUJI
-
Patent number: 9549261Abstract: According to one embodiment, a microphone package includes: a pressure sensing element including a film and a device; and a cover. The film generates strain in response to pressure. The device includes: a first electrode; a second electrode; and a first magnetic layer. The first magnetic layer is provided between the first electrode and the second electrode and has a first magnetization. The cover includes: an upper portion; and a side portion. The side portion is magnetic and provided depending on the first magnetization and the second magnetization.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2013Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Yoshihiro Higashi, Yoshihiko Fuji, Michiko Hara, Akiko Yuzawa, Shiori Kaji, Tomohiko Nagata, Akio Hori, Hideaki Fukuzawa
-
Patent number: 9488541Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes: a base body; a sensor section; and a processing circuit. The sensor section includes: a transducing thin film; a first strain sensing element; and a second strain sensing element. The transducing thin film has a film surface and is flexible. The processing circuit is configured to output as an output signal at least one of a first signal obtained from the first strain sensing element upon application of external pressure to the transducing thin film and a second signal obtained from the second strain sensing element upon application of the external pressure to the transducing thin film.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2014Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Hideaki Fukuzawa, Masatoshi Sakurai, Masayuki Kii, Yoshihiko Fuji, Michiko Hara, Yoshihiro Higashi, Kenji Otsu, Akiko Yuzawa, Kazuaki Okamoto
-
Publication number: 20160258824Abstract: According to one embodiment, a strain sensing element provided at a deformable film part, includes a stacked body, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The stacked body includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and an intermediate layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. A magnetization direction of the first magnetic layer changes in accordance with a deformation of the film part. The first electrode includes a first alloy layer including a first alloy including Ta and Mo. The first electrode is electrically connected to the stacked body. The second electrode is electrically connected to the stacked body.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2015Publication date: September 8, 2016Inventors: Yoshihiko FUJI, Akio HORI, Kei MASUNISHI, Hideaki FUKUZAWA, Akiko YUZAWA, Kazuaki OKAMOTO
-
Patent number: 9422150Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes: a support section; a film section; and a strain sensing element. The film section is supported by the support section and deformable. The film section includes a first film and a second film. The first film includes a first region located in a central part and a second region located in a peripheral part around the first region. The second film is provided on the first region. The strain sensing element is provided on part of the second region. The strain sensing element includes a first magnetic layer; a second magnetic layer; and an intermediate layer. Magnetization of the first magnetic layer changes in response to deformation of the second region. The intermediate layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2014Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Kazuaki Okamoto, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Yoshihiko Fuji, Akiko Yuzawa, Akio Hori, Kei Masunishi
-
Patent number: 9250142Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a base unit, a film unit, and a plurality of sensing elements. The plurality of sensing elements is provided on the film unit radially with respect to a centroid of the film unit. The plurality of sensing elements has a first side and a second side intersecting the first side. Each of the plurality of sensing elements includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and an intermediate layer. Each of the plurality of sensing elements has a shape anisotropy characterized by a length of the first side being longer than a length of the second side intersecting the first side. The plurality of sensing elements is provided at lines having radial configurations extending from the centroid to have a prescribed angle between the first side and the line.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2013Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Hideaki Fukuzawa, Yoshihiro Higashi, Yoshihiko Fuji, Michiko Hara, Akio Hori, Shiori Kaji, Tomohiko Nagata, Akiko Yuzawa
-
Publication number: 20160003697Abstract: A pressure sensor according to an embodiment includes: a support member; a membrane supported by the support and having flexibility; and a strain detection element formed on the membrane. The strain detection element includes a first magnetic layer formed on the membrane and having a magnetization, a second magnetic layer having a magnetization, and an intermediate layer formed between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. A direction of at least one of the magnetization of the first magnetic layer and the magnetization of the second magnetic layer changes relatively to that of the other depending on a strain of the membrane. Moreover, the membrane includes an oxide layer that includes aluminum.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2015Publication date: January 7, 2016Inventors: KAZUAKI OKAMOTO, AKIO HORI, HIDEAKI FUKUZAWA, YOSHIHIKO FUJI, AKIKO YUZAWA
-
Publication number: 20150338293Abstract: According to an embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a substrate, a support part, a flexible membrane part, and a magnetoresistive element. The support part is adhered on the substrate by using a first adhesive material with a first Young's modulus and a second adhesive material with a second Young's modulus different from the first Young's modulus. The membrane part is supported by the support part. The magnetoresistive element is provided on the membrane part, and includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a spacer layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2015Publication date: November 26, 2015Inventors: Kei MASUNISHI, Hideaki FUKUZAWA, Yoshihiko FUJI, Akiko YUZAWA, Kazuaki OKAMOTO
-
Publication number: 20150338300Abstract: According to an embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a support part, a flexible membrane part, and a magnetoresistive element. The flexible membrane part is supported by the support part, and includes a first region and a second region with rigidity lower than rigidity of the first region. The magnetoresistive element is provided on the membrane part, and includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a spacer layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2015Publication date: November 26, 2015Inventors: Kei MASUNISHI, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Yoshihiko Fuji, Akiko Yuzawa, Kazuaki Okamoto
-
Patent number: 9176014Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a substrate, a first electrode, a second electrode, a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic, a spacer layer, a third magnetic layer. The substrate includes a first region and a second region. The first electrode is provided on the first region. The second electrode is provided on the first electrode. The first magnetic layer is provided between the first electrode and the second electrode. The second magnetic layer is provided between the first electrode and the first magnetic layer or between the first magnetic layer and the second electrode. The spacer layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer in a stacking direction of layers from the first electrode to the second electrode. The third magnetic layer is provided continuously with the second magnetic layer on the second region.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2013Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Yoshihiko Fuji, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Michiko Hara, Yoshihiro Higashi, Akio Hori, Tomohiko Nagata, Shiori Kaji, Akiko Yuzawa
-
Publication number: 20150271586Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes: a base body; a sensor section; and a processing circuit. The sensor section includes: a transducing thin film; a first strain sensing element; and a second strain sensing element. The transducing thin film has a film surface and is flexible. The processing circuit is configured to output as an output signal at least one of a first signal obtained from the first strain sensing element upon application of external pressure to the transducing thin film and a second signal obtained from the second strain sensing element upon application of the external pressure to the transducing thin film.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2014Publication date: September 24, 2015Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Hideaki FUKUZAWA, Masatoshi SAKURAI, Masayuki KII, Yoshihiko FUJI, Michiko HARA, Yoshihiro HIGASHI, Kenji OTSU, Akiko YUZAWA, Kazuaki OKAMOTO
-
Publication number: 20150266717Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes: a support section; a film section; and a strain sensing element. The film section is supported by the support section and deformable. The film section includes a first film and a second film. The first film includes a first region located in a central part and a second region located in a peripheral part around the first region. The second film is provided on the first region. The strain sensing element is provided on part of the second region. The strain sensing element includes a first magnetic layer; a second magnetic layer; and an intermediate layer. Magnetization of the first magnetic layer changes in response to deformation of the second region. The intermediate layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2014Publication date: September 24, 2015Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Kazuaki OKAMOTO, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Yoshihiko Fuji, Akiko Yuzawa, Akio Hori, Kei Masunishi
-
Publication number: 20150082886Abstract: According to one embodiment, an inertial sensor includes a base portion, a weight portion, a connection portion, and a first sensing element unit. The connection portion connects the weight portion and the base portion and is capable of being deformed in accordance with a change in relative position of the weight portion with respect to the position of the base portion. The first sensing element unit is provided on a first portion of the connection portion and includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a nonmagnetic first intermediate layer. The nonmagnetic first intermediate layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2014Publication date: March 26, 2015Inventors: Hideaki FUKUZAWA, Michiko HARA, Yoshihiko FUJI, Yoshihiro HIGASHI, Shiori KAJI, Akio HORI, Tomohiko NAGATA, Akiko YUZAWA, Akira KIKITSU