Patents by Inventor Atsushi Kawasumi

Atsushi Kawasumi 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: 20120243287
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes memory cells and sense amplifiers. Each of the memory cells comprises a flip-flop circuit and first to fourth transistors. The flip-flop circuit includes a first storage node and a second storage node. The first and second transistors are connected between the first and second storage nodes of the flip-flop circuit and the first and second bit lines, respectively, and have gate electrodes are connected to the word line. The third and fourth transistors have gate electrodes connected to the word line and disconnect a feedback loop of the flip-flop circuit when the first and second transistors are selected. In data write, of a plurality of sense amplifiers, a sense amplifier including an unselected memory cell which is connected to the word line writes back data output from the unselected memory cell to the unselected memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Atsushi Kawasumi
  • Publication number: 20120243356
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory cell stores therein data. In a bit line, a potential changes according to write data to be written in the memory cell. A precharge circuit precharges the bit line. A precharge control circuit controls precharge of the bit line based on the potential of the bit line and the write data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Shinichi Sasaki, Atsushi Kawasumi
  • Publication number: 20120195135
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of memory cells each of which is arranged at the intersection position between a pair of complementary bit lines and a word line, and stores data between a first power supply voltage applied to a first node and a voltage applied to a virtual ground node, and a control circuit which changes the amount of current of the pair of bit lines in accordance with the amplitude of the pair of bit lines for each column in a memory macro, that is formed by arranging the plurality of memory cells in a matrix, in the data read operation of each of the plurality of memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Atsushi KAWASUMI
  • Patent number: 8223581
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes: a memory cell array including a plurality of first wirings, a plurality of second wirings intersecting with the first wirings, and a plurality of memory cells respectively arranged at intersections of the first and second wirings; a plurality of drivers that drive the first wirings; a dummy wiring continuously extending in a direction of the first wirings and in a direction of the second wirings, a part of the dummy wiring extending in the direction of the second wirings being connected to the plurality of drivers; a plurality of switch circuits connected to respective connection portions of the plurality of drivers and the dummy wiring; and a replica line extending in the direction of the second wirings and connected to the dummy wiring through the plurality of switch circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Atsushi Kawasumi
  • Publication number: 20120127811
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a semiconductor storage device includes a memory cell array, a plurality of sense amplifiers and a timing generation circuit. The memory cell array includes a plurality of word lines, a plurality of bit lines crossing the plurality of word lines, and a plurality of memory cells provided in intersection portions of the plurality of word lines and the plurality of bit lines. The plurality of sense amplifiers is configured to detect a signal level of the corresponding bit lines. The timing generation circuit includes a timing selection circuit configured to select a timing in a preset order from among timings in which each bit line signal in the plurality of bit lines changes. The timing generation circuit is configured to generate activation timing to activate the plurality of sense amplifiers based on the selected timing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Atsushi Kawasumi
  • Patent number: 8179139
    Abstract: The rechargeable battery abnormality detection apparatus is provided with an internal short circuit detection section (20b) that monitors rechargeable battery (1) voltage change when no charging or discharging takes place, and detects internal short circuit abnormality when battery voltage drop during a predetermined time period exceeds a preset threshold voltage; a degradation appraisal section (20d) that judges the degree of rechargeable battery degradation; and a threshold control section (20c) that incrementally increases the threshold voltage according to the degree of degradation determined by the degradation appraisal section (20d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Kawasumi, Toru Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 8148950
    Abstract: A charging method includes first and second charging steps to charge a lithium-ion battery. In the first charging step, a temperature rise gradient of the battery is detected. A battery temperature when the battery is charged to a first predetermined capacity is predicted based on the detected gradient. A charging current is controlled based on the predicted temperature. The battery is charged, at a current that results in a battery temperature that is lower than a predetermined temperature, to the first predetermined capacity. In the second charging step, a temperature rise gradient of the battery is detected. A battery temperature when the battery is charged to a second predetermined capacity is predicted based on the gradient. A charging current is controlled based on the predicted temperature. The battery is charged, at a current that results in a temperature of the battery that is lower than the predetermined temperature, to the second predetermined capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Matsuura, Atsushi Kawasumi
  • Patent number: 8144532
    Abstract: A memory cell is provided at an intersection of a word line and a bit line. A sense amplifier circuit senses and amplifies a signal on the bit line. Replica circuits include a replica cell configured to retain certain data fixedly. A signal detection circuit detects an output signal that rises up at the latest timing among output signals output from the plurality of replica circuits respectively and outputs a detection signal. A delay circuit delays the detection signal. The sense amplifier circuit is activated based on the delayed signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Atsushi Kawasumi
  • Patent number: 8111571
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device comprises a plurality of word lines, a plurality of bit lines intersecting the word lines, a memory cell array having a plurality of memory cell each provided at an intersection of the word line and the bit line, a plurality of sense amplifier each of which detects and amplifies a signal level of the bit line, a replica word line, a replica bit line intersecting the replica word line, a replica memory cell provided at each intersection of the replica word line and the replica bit line, a replica circuit which simulates reading out of the memory cell, and a timing generating circuit which quantizes a replica delay time that is a time until the replica bit line changes from a reference timing, and which generates an activation timing for the sense amplifier based on a quantization result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Atsushi Kawasumi
  • Patent number: 8107278
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes a memory cell array having a plurality of SRAM cells arranged along a pair of bit lines that extend along a first direction. A read circuit is arranged for each column at one side of the memory cell array and detects a potential of any one of the pair of bit lines. A write circuit is arranged, separately from the read circuit, at the other side of the memory cell array. The write circuit provides written data to the pair of bit lines to write data to the SRAM cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takahiko Sasaki, Atsushi Kawasumi
  • Patent number: 8077499
    Abstract: A latch circuit includes first and second inverters connected in a cross-coupling manner at a first node and a second node. A voltage application circuit applies a hot carrier generation voltage for generating hot carrier at a transistor included in the first inverter or the second inverter. An inverting circuit generates an inversion signal as an inverted signal of an amplified signal provided from the latch circuit to the bit line pair to provide the inversion signal to the first node and the second node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Atsushi Kawasumi, Yukihiro Urakawa
  • Patent number: 8018757
    Abstract: The first power supply terminal is connected to source electrodes of the first and third transistors. The second power supply terminal is connected to source electrodes of the second and fourth transistors. When offset information of the memory cell is to be read, a voltage applied to the first power supply terminal and a voltage applied to the second power supply terminal are made equal. Then the voltage applied to the first power supply terminal is returned to the first potential, and the voltage applied to the second power supply terminal is returned to the second potential. When stress is generated in the first to fourth transistor included in the first or second inverter, the potential difference between the first power supply terminal and the second power supply terminal is made larger than a difference between the first potential and the second potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Atsushi Kawasumi, Yukihiro Urakawa
  • Publication number: 20110133697
    Abstract: A remaining capacity calculating section is provided that acquires a discharged capacity of a rechargeable battery based on a discharging current and a discharging time of the rechargeable battery, and calculates a relative remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery based on the discharged capacity and the fully-charged capacity of the rechargeable battery. The remaining capacity calculating section employs the rating capacity of the rechargeable battery or a learned fully-charged capacity as the fully-charged capacity when a high capacity mode is selected, and employs a capacity obtained by multiplying the rating capacity or learned fully-charged capacity by a predetermined factor not more than 1 as the fully-charged capacity when a long life mode is selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Shinichi Matsuura, Atsushi Kawasumi
  • Patent number: 7929333
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a sub array including a plurality of memory cells each holding data arranged therein; a memory cell array including a plurality of the sub arrays arranged therein; paired bit lines including a first bit line and a second bit line connected to each of the sub arrays; and a write/read circuit arranged to correspond to each of the sub arrays, writing data to the sub array, and reading data from the sub array, wherein a pair of the sub array and the write/read circuit is repeatedly arranged along the paired bit lines, allowing the data to be transferred via the write/read circuit and the paired bit lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Atsushi Kawasumi
  • Publication number: 20110013468
    Abstract: A memory cell is provided at an intersection of a word line and a bit line. A sense amplifier circuit senses and amplifies a signal on the bit line. Replica circuits include a replica cell configured to retain certain data fixedly. A signal detection circuit detects an output signal that rises up at the latest timing among output signals output from the plurality of replica circuits respectively and outputs a detection signal. A delay circuit delays the detection signal. The sense amplifier circuit is activated based on the delayed signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Atsushi Kawasumi
  • Patent number: 7829942
    Abstract: A first transfer transistor includes a first diffusion layer connected to a first bit line, and a second diffusion layer connected to a first storage node, the first diffusion layer is provided in a substrate, the second diffusion layer is provided in a bottom part of a recess provided in the substrate, a channel region of the first transfer transistor is offset with respect to the second diffusion layer toward the first storage node, and the offset part functions as a resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Atsushi Kawasumi, Tetsu Morooka
  • Publication number: 20100213891
    Abstract: The battery pack updating method updates firmware stored in internal control circuit memory 24 via an update signal sent from a main device 1 that supplies power. When battery pack memory is updated, an AC adapter 3 is connected to the main device, and power is supplied to the main device from the AC adapter. The updating method transmits a charging and discharging blocking signal from the main device to the battery pack 2 control circuit 21 via a communication line 19. The charging and discharging blocking signal stops discharge from the battery pack 2 rechargeable battery 20, and stops charging of the rechargeable battery 20. With rechargeable battery 20 discharging and charging to and from the main device stopped by the charging and discharging blocking signal, the updating method transmits update data from the main device to the battery pack 2 control circuit 21 to update memory 24.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Toru Nishikawa, Atsushi Kawasumi
  • Publication number: 20100194398
    Abstract: The rechargeable battery abnormality detection apparatus is provided with an internal short circuit detection section (20b) that monitors rechargeable battery (1) voltage change when no charging or discharging takes place, and detects internal short circuit abnormality when battery voltage drop during a predetermined time period exceeds a preset threshold voltage; a degradation appraisal section (20d) that judges the degree of rechargeable battery degradation; and a threshold control section (20c) that incrementally increases the threshold voltage according to the degree of degradation determined by the degradation appraisal section (20d).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Atsushi KAWASUMI, Toru Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20100165697
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes: a memory cell array including a plurality of first wirings, a plurality of second wirings intersecting with the first wirings, and a plurality of memory cells respectively arranged at intersections of the first and second wirings; a plurality of drivers that drive the first wirings; a dummy wiring continuously extending in a direction of the first wirings and in a direction of the second wirings, a part of the dummy wiring extending in the direction of the second wirings being connected to the plurality of drivers; a plurality of switch circuits connected to respective connection portions of the plurality of drivers and the dummy wiring; and a replica line extending in the direction of the second wirings and connected to the dummy wiring through the plurality of switch circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Atsushi KAWASUMI
  • Publication number: 20100165771
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device comprises a plurality of word lines, a plurality of bit lines intersecting the word lines, a memory cell array having a plurality of memory cell each provided at an intersection of the word line and the bit line, a plurality of sense amplifier each of which detects and amplifies a signal level of the bit line, a replica word line, a replica bit line intersecting the replica word line, a replica memory cell provided at each intersection of the replica word line and the replica bit line, a replica circuit which simulates reading out of the memory cell, and a timing generating circuit which quantizes a replica delay time that is a time until the replica bit line changes from a reference timing, and which generates an activation timing for the sense amplifier based on a quantization result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Atsushi KAWASUMI