Patents by Inventor Atsumasa Sako
Atsumasa Sako 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).
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Patent number: 8264869Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes a memory cell array in which a memory cell including an MOS capacitor is arranged; a power supply unit that supplies a plate voltage to a plate line that is coupled to a gate electrode of the MOS capacitor; and a switch that couples the plate line to a first power supply line when an access to the memory cell array is caused.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2010Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor LimitedInventors: Toshiya Miyo, Atsumasa Sako
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Patent number: 7859135Abstract: A current mirror circuit which is connected to first and second power supplies and generates a desired current, has a plurality of first transistors which are connected in parallel to the first power supply side and the gates of which are connected to a common node, a plurality of second transistors which are cascode-connected to the plurality of first transistors and the gates of which are supplied with a cascode bias potential and a cascode bias generation circuit which generates the cascode bias potential, wherein the cascode bias generation circuit maintains the cascode bias potential during normal operation at a first potential between the potentials of the first and second power supplies, and maintains the cascode bias potential during power-on at a second potential closer to the potential of the second power supply than the first potential.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2008Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor LimitedInventors: Atsumasa Sako, Atsushi Takeuchi
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Patent number: 7847624Abstract: A disclosed invention is an internal power supply circuit, which generates an internal power supply from a first power supply. The circuit comprises a first internal step-down power supply generation unit, which generates a first internal step-down power supply from the first power supply; a normal second internal step-down power supply generation unit, which generates a second internal step-down power supply from the first internal step-down power supply in the normal operating state, and which, at the time of power supply startup, begins operation to generate the second internal step-down power supply at a first timing at which a voltage of the first internal step-down power supply reaches a prescribed reference level; and, a startup power supply load unit, which begins to consume, before the first time, current from the first internal step-down power supply.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2008Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor LimitedInventor: Atsumasa Sako
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Patent number: 7844411Abstract: A temperature detector sets the level of a temperature detecting signal to a level indicating a high temperature state, detecting that the chip temperature is higher than a first boundary temperature. The temperature detector sets the level of thereof to a level indicating a low temperature state, detecting that the chip temperature is lower than a second boundary temperature. A control circuit changes its operating state according to the level of the temperature detecting signal. This prevents the operating state of the control circuit from frequently switched even when the chip temperature fluctuates around the boundary temperatures, and accordingly reduces current consumption of the control circuit due to the switching operation. Further, the first and second boundary temperatures set a buffer zone, so that the temperature detector does not detect power supply noises as temperature variation. This can prevent malfunction of the temperature detector and the semiconductor integrated circuit.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2009Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor LimitedInventors: Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Atsumasa Sako
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Publication number: 20100290267Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes a memory cell array in which a memory cell including an MOS capacitor is arranged; a power supply unit that supplies a plate voltage to a plate line that is coupled to a gate electrode of the MOS capacitor; and a switch that couples the plate line to a first power supply line when an access to the memory cell array is caused.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2010Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: FUJITSU SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITEDInventors: Toshiya MIYO, Atsumasa SAKO
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Patent number: 7813205Abstract: A semiconductor memory device is provided for minutely changing a refresh interval according to a detected temperature and thereby lowering its power consumption. A temperature detector detects a temperature of a chip and outputs the corresponding temperature signal. A reference temperature signal output unit outputs the corresponding reference temperature signal with each of different reference temperatures to be compared with the chip temperature according to a selection signal. A temperature comparison unit compares the chip temperature with the reference temperature through the temperature signal and the reference temperature signal. A selection signal output unit outputs the selection signal according to the compared result of the temperature comparison unit. A refresh interval control unit changes the refresh interval according to the compared result of the temperature comparison unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2008Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor LimitedInventor: Atsumasa Sako
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Patent number: 7652934Abstract: In addition to a booster power supply circuit boosting a power supply voltage to supply a boost voltage VPP to a memory core, cell capacitors composing a stabilization capacitor, and a bias generation circuit supplying a midpoint potential to a connection point of the cell capacitors, further, a clamp circuit reducing the boost voltage to a set value is provided, in which when the booster power supply circuit stops a boosting operation, the clamp circuit cramps the boost voltage to the set value, so that the midpoint potential can be prevented from largely deviating to a boosting voltage side and a ground potential side in a transition to a normal operation thereafter.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2007Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Fujitsu Microelectronics LimitedInventor: Atsumasa Sako
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Patent number: 7646659Abstract: A semiconductor device temperature sensor produces a reference level for temperature detection from two or more reference levels of different temperatures to detect a temperature. The temperature sensor is applied for detecting the temperature of a semiconductor storage device having a memory unit which requires a refresh action. A refresh cycle control circuit provided in the semiconductor storage device controls the cycle of the refresh action for the memory unit in response to an output of the temperature sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2009Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Fujitsu Microelectronics LimitedInventor: Atsumasa Sako
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Publication number: 20090230770Abstract: A current mirror circuit which is connected to first and second power supplies and generates a desired current, has a plurality of first transistors which are connected in parallel to the first power supply side and the gates of which are connected to a common node, a plurality of second transistors which are cascode-connected to the plurality of first transistors and the gates of which are supplied with a cascode bias potential and a cascode bias generation circuit which generates the cascode bias potential, wherein the cascode bias generation circuit maintains the cascode bias potential during normal operation at a first potential between the potentials of the first and second power supplies, and maintains the cascode bias potential during power-on at a second potential closer to the potential of the second power supply than the first potential.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2008Publication date: September 17, 2009Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITEDInventors: Atsushi TAKEUCHI, Atsumasa Sako
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Publication number: 20090204358Abstract: A temperature detector sets the level of a temperature detecting signal to a level indicating a high temperature state, detecting that the chip temperature is higher than a first boundary temperature. The temperature detector sets the level of thereof to a level indicating a low temperature state, detecting that the chip temperature is lower than a second boundary temperature. A control circuit changes its operating state according to the level of the temperature detecting signal. This prevents the operating state of the control circuit from frequently switched even when the chip temperature fluctuates around the boundary temperatures, and accordingly reduces current consumption of the control circuit due to the switching operation. Further, the first and second boundary temperatures set a buffer zone, so that the temperature detector does not detect power supply noises as temperature variation. This can prevent malfunction of the temperature detector and the semiconductor integrated circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2009Publication date: August 13, 2009Applicant: FUJITSU MICROELECTRONICS LIMITEDInventors: Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Atsumasa Sako
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Patent number: 7532996Abstract: A temperature detector sets the level of a temperature detecting signal to a level indicating a high temperature state, detecting that the chip temperature is higher than a first boundary temperature. The temperature detector sets the level of thereof to a level indicating a low temperature state, detecting that the chip temperature is lower than a second boundary temperature. A control circuit changes its operating state according to the level of the temperature detecting signal. This prevents the operating state of the control circuit from frequently switched even when the chip temperature fluctuates around the boundary temperatures, and accordingly reduces current consumption of the control circuit due to the switching operation. Further, the first and second boundary temperatures set a buffer zone, so that the temperature detector does not detect power supply noises as temperature variation. This can prevent malfunction of the temperature detector and the semiconductor integrated circuit.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2006Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Fujitsu Microelectronics LimitedInventors: Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Atsumasa Sako
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Publication number: 20090116539Abstract: A semiconductor device temperature sensor produces a reference level for temperature detection from two or more reference levels of different temperatures to detect a temperature. The temperature sensor is applied for detecting the temperature of a semiconductor storage device having a memory unit which requires a refresh action. A refresh cycle control circuit provided in the semiconductor storage device controls the cycle of the refresh action for the memory unit in response to an output of the temperature sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2009Publication date: May 7, 2009Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITEDInventor: Atsumasa SAKO
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Patent number: 7492657Abstract: A semiconductor device temperature sensor produces a reference level for temperature detection from two or more reference levels of different temperatures to detect a temperature. The temperature sensor is applied for detecting the temperature of a semiconductor storage device having a memory unit which requires a refresh action. A refresh cycle control circuit provided in the semiconductor storage device controls the cycle of the refresh action for the memory unit in response to an output of the temperature sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2006Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventor: Atsumasa Sako
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Publication number: 20090039951Abstract: A disclosed invention is an internal power supply circuit, which generates an internal power supply from a first power supply. The circuit comprises a first internal step-down power supply generation unit, which generates a first internal step-down power supply from the first power supply; a normal second internal step-down power supply generation unit, which generates a second internal step-down power supply from the first internal step-down power supply in the normal operating state, and which, at the time of power supply startup, begins operation to generate the second internal step-down power supply at a first timing at which a voltage of the first internal step-down power supply reaches a prescribed reference level; and, a startup power supply load unit, which begins to consume, before the first time, current from the first internal step-down power supply.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2008Publication date: February 12, 2009Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITEDInventor: Atsumasa SAKO
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Publication number: 20090022002Abstract: A semiconductor memory device is provided for minutely changing a refresh interval according to a detected temperature and thereby lowering its power consumption. A temperature detector detects a temperature of a chip and outputs the corresponding temperature signal. A reference temperature signal output unit outputs the corresponding reference temperature signal with each of different reference temperatures to be compared with the chip temperature according to a selection signal. A temperature comparison unit compares the chip temperature with the reference temperature through the temperature signal and the reference temperature signal. A selection signal output unit outputs the selection signal according to the compared result of the temperature comparison unit. A refresh interval control unit changes the refresh interval according to the compared result of the temperature comparison unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2008Publication date: January 22, 2009Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITEDInventor: Atsumasa Sako
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Patent number: 7443754Abstract: A semiconductor memory device is provided for minutely changing a refresh interval according to a detected temperature and thereby lowering its power consumption. A temperature detector detects a temperature of a chip and outputs the corresponding temperature signal. A reference temperature signal output unit outputs the corresponding reference temperature signal with each of different reference temperatures to be compared with the chip temperature according to a selection signal. A temperature comparison unit compares the chip temperature with the reference temperature through the temperature signal and the reference temperature signal. A selection signal output unit outputs the selection signal according to the compared result of the temperature comparison unit. A refresh interval control unit changes the refresh interval according to the compared result of the temperature comparison unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2007Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventor: Atsumasa Sako
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Publication number: 20080068916Abstract: In addition to a booster power supply circuit boosting a power supply voltage to supply a boost voltage VPP to a memory core, cell capacitors composing a stabilization capacitor, and a bias generation circuit supplying a midpoint potential to a connection point of the cell capacitors, further, a clamp circuit reducing the boost voltage to a set value is provided, in which when the booster power supply circuit stops a boosting operation, the clamp circuit cramps the boost voltage to the set value, so that the midpoint potential can be prevented from largely deviating to a boosting voltage side and a ground potential side in a transition to a normal operation thereafter.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2007Publication date: March 20, 2008Inventor: Atsumasa Sako
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Publication number: 20070140031Abstract: A semiconductor memory device is provided for minutely changing a refresh interval according to a detected temperature and thereby lowering its power consumption. A temperature detector detects a temperature of a chip and outputs the corresponding temperature signal. A reference temperature signal output unit outputs the corresponding reference temperature signal with each of different reference temperatures to be compared with the chip temperature according to a selection signal. A temperature comparison unit compares the chip temperature with the reference temperature through the temperature signal and the reference temperature signal. A selection signal output unit outputs the selection signal according to the compared result of the temperature comparison unit. A refresh interval control unit changes the refresh interval according to the compared result of the temperature comparison unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2007Publication date: June 21, 2007Inventor: Atsumasa Sako
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Patent number: 7184349Abstract: A semiconductor memory device is provided for minutely changing a refresh interval according to a detected temperature and thereby lowering its power consumption. A temperature detector detects a temperature of a chip and outputs the corresponding temperature signal. A reference temperature signal output unit outputs the corresponding reference temperature signal with each of different reference temperatures to be compared with the chip temperature according to a selection signal. A temperature comparison unit compares the chip temperature with the reference temperature through the temperature signal and the reference temperature signal. A selection signal output unit outputs the selection signal according to the compared result of the temperature comparison unit. A refresh interval control unit changes the refresh interval according to the compared result of the temperature comparison unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventor: Atsumasa Sako
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Publication number: 20070043522Abstract: A temperature detector sets the level of a temperature detecting signal to a level indicating a high temperature state, detecting that the chip temperature is higher than a first boundary temperature. The temperature detector sets the level of thereof to a level indicating a low temperature state, detecting that the chip temperature is lower than a second boundary temperature. A control circuit changes its operating state according to the level of the temperature detecting signal. This prevents the operating state of the control circuit from frequently switched even when the chip temperature fluctuates around the boundary temperatures, and accordingly reduces current consumption of the control circuit due to the switching operation. Further, the first and second boundary temperatures set a buffer zone, so that the temperature detector does not detect power supply noises as temperature variation. This can prevent malfunction of the temperature detector and the semiconductor integrated circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2006Publication date: February 22, 2007Inventors: Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Atsumasa Sako