Patents by Inventor Akira Aoki

Akira Aoki 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: 20240138039
    Abstract: A level shifter includes a current output amplifier configured to output a first output current and a second output current through first and second output terminals thereof, respectively, a first resistor configured to be connected between each of an inverted input terminal and the first output terminal of the current output amplifier and an application terminal of a ground potential, and a second resistor configured to be connected between the second output terminal of the current output amplifier and an application terminal of a negative potential lower than the ground potential. A first analog signal referenced to the ground potential is accepted at a non-inverted input terminal of the current output amplifier, and a second analog signal referenced to the negative potential is outputted through one terminal of the second resistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Akira AOKI, Ryo TAKAGI
  • Publication number: 20240130018
    Abstract: For example, a semiconductor device disclosed in the present description is configured to function as a component of a switching power supply, and includes: a current sense signal generator configured to generate a current sense signal by amplifying a sense voltage corresponding to the output current of the switching power supply; a voltage sense signal generator configured to generate a voltage sense signal corresponding to the output voltage of the switching power supply; a selector configured to output as a selected sense signal one of the current sense signal and the voltage sense signal according to a mode switch signal; and an output feedback controller configured to control the driving of the switching power supply based on the selected sense signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Akira AOKI, Ryo TAKAGI
  • Patent number: 11924941
    Abstract: In a first light emission control device, a clock signal is generated, and after a first driving sequence starts to be performed in which the respective states of light-emitting elements in a first light-emitting element array are sequentially switched synchronously with the clock signal, at a particular time point a characteristic of the clock signal is changed from a first characteristic to a second characteristic. After the change, in a second light emission control device, a second driving sequence is performed in which the respective states of light-emitting elements in a second light-emitting element array are sequentially switched synchronously with the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinsuke Takagimoto, Akira Aoki
  • Publication number: 20240061620
    Abstract: A memory system includes a non-volatile memory and a controller that includes a first memory and is configured to write log data to the first memory, including a history of commands for controlling the memory system. An information processing system includes the memory system and an information processing device configured to store an expected value and to transmit a signal that instructs the memory system to stop when a value of the log data transmitted from the memory system does not match the expected value. The expected value and the transmitted value are determined based on the log data of the memory system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Takeshi NAKANO, Akihiko ISHIHARA, Shingo TANIMOTO, Yasuaki NAKAZATO, Shinji MAEDA, Minoru UCHIDA, Kenji SAKAUE, Koichi INOUE, Yosuke KINO, Takumi SASAKI, Mikio TAKASUGI, Kouji SAITOU, Hironori NAGAI, Shinya TAKEDA, Akihito TOUHATA, Masaru OGAWA, Akira AOKI
  • Patent number: 11871490
    Abstract: A lighting control device switches an input voltage to generate an output voltage and supplies a driving current based on the output voltage to a lighting unit. A raw control signal is generated to specify a lighting period and an extinction period alternately, and a corrected control signal is generated by correcting the raw control signal based on the current through the lighting unit. A switching controller performs the switching of the input voltage during the lighting period specified by the corrected control signal and suspends the switching of the input voltage during the extinction period specified by the corrected control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Aoki, Ryo Takagi
  • Publication number: 20230422375
    Abstract: A power control device is configured to control a power circuit that generates an output voltage based on an input supply voltage relative to a ground, and includes a first terminal fed with a common voltage, a second terminal connectable to an application terminal for the ground, a P-type substrate fed with the common voltage, a MOS transistor connected between the first and second terminals and configured with an N-channel MOSFET, and an internal reference voltage generating circuit configured to generate, based on the input supply voltage, an internal reference voltage relative to the common voltage. When the input supply voltage is turned on, the MOS transistor is turned on and thereby the first and second terminals are short-circuited together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Daisuke KANBARA, Akira AOKI, Ryo TAKAGI
  • Patent number: 11853599
    Abstract: A memory system includes a non-volatile memory and a controller that includes a first memory and is configured to write log data to the first memory, including a history of commands for controlling the memory system. An information processing system includes the memory system and an information processing device configured to store an expected value and to transmit a signal that instructs the memory system to stop when a value of the log data transmitted from the memory system does not match the expected value. The expected value and the transmitted value are determined based on the log data of the memory system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Nakano, Akihiko Ishihara, Shingo Tanimoto, Yasuaki Nakazato, Shinji Maeda, Minoru Uchida, Kenji Sakaue, Koichi Inoue, Yosuke Kino, Takumi Sasaki, Mikio Takasugi, Kouji Saitou, Hironori Nagai, Shinya Takeda, Akihito Touhata, Masaru Ogawa, Akira Aoki
  • Patent number: 11843244
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a current detection circuit having a high detection precision. The current detection circuit includes: a current output type differential amplifier; a first input resistor, configured to be connected between a first input end of the differential amplifier and a first current sense terminal; a second input resistor, configured to be connected between a second input end of the differential amplifier and a second current sense terminal; an output resistor, configured to be connected to an output end of the differential amplifier; a first feedback current path, configured to allow a first feedback current to flow between the first input end and the output end of the differential amplifier; and a second feedback current path, configured to allow a second feedback current to flow between the second current sense terminal and the output end of the differential amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Aoki
  • Publication number: 20230369980
    Abstract: This light-emitting element drive control device (100) comprises: a drive logic unit (113) which performs a drive control of a switch output stage (N1, D1, L1) for dropping an input voltage (VIN) to an output voltage (VOUT) and supplying a light-emitting element therewith; a charge-pump power supply unit (?) which generates a step-up voltage (CP) higher than the input voltage (VIN); and a current detecting comparator (114) which receives a supply of the step-up voltage (CP) and the output voltage (VOUT) as power supply voltages, and generates control signals (SET, RST) for the drive logic unit (113) by directly comparing a current detection signal (Vsns) corresponding to an inductor current (IL) of the switch output stage with a peak detection value (Vsns_pk) and a bottom detection value (Vsns_bt).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Akira AOKI, Ryo TAKAGI
  • Publication number: 20230337346
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit for driving a light emitting element forms at least part of a light emitting element driving device configured to change the number of light emitting elements that are lit among a plurality of light emitting elements connected in series. The semiconductor integrated circuit includes a variable resistor controller configured to increase the resistance value of a variable resistor connected in series with the plurality of light emitting elements immediately before, or at the same time as, the time point at which the number of light emitting elements that are lit is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Shinsuke TAKAGIMOTO, Akira AOKI, Junichi HAGINO
  • Patent number: 11764683
    Abstract: This light-emitting element drive control device (100) comprises: a drive logic unit (113) which performs a drive control of a switch output stage (N1, D1, L1) for dropping an input voltage (VIN) to an output voltage (VOUT) and supplying a light-emitting element therewith: a charge-pump power supply unit (?) which generates a step-up voltage (CP) higher than the input voltage (VIN); and a current detecting comparator (114) which receives a supply of the step-up voltage (CP) and the output voltage (VOUT) as power supply voltages, and generates control signals (SET, RST) for the drive logic unit (113) by directly comparing a current detection signal (Vsns) corresponding to an inductor current (IL) of the switch output stage with a peak detection value (Vsns_pk) and a bottom detection value (Vsns_bt).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Aoki, Ryo Takagi
  • Publication number: 20220416667
    Abstract: This light-emitting element drive control device (100) comprises: a drive logic unit (113) which performs a drive control of a switch output stage (N1, D1, L1) for dropping an input voltage (VIN) to an output voltage (VOUT) and supplying a light-emitting element therewith: a charge-pump power supply unit (?) which generates a step-up voltage (CP) higher than the input voltage (VIN); and a current detecting comparator (114) which receives a supply of the step-up voltage (CP) and the output voltage (VOUT) as power supply voltages, and generates control signals (SET, RST) for the drive logic unit (113) by directly comparing a current detection signal (Vsns) corresponding to an inductor current (IL) of the switch output stage with a peak detection value (Vsns_pk) and a bottom detection value (Vsns_bt).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Akira AOKI, Ryo Takagi
  • Publication number: 20220388446
    Abstract: In a first light emission control device, a clock signal is generated, and after a first driving sequence starts to be performed in which the respective states of light-emitting elements in a first light-emitting element array are sequentially switched synchronously with the clock signal, at a particular time point a characteristic of the clock signal is changed from a first characteristic to a second characteristic. After the change, in a second light emission control device, a second driving sequence is performed in which the respective states of light-emitting elements in a second light-emitting element array are sequentially switched synchronously with the clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Shinsuke Takagimoto, Akira AOKI
  • Patent number: 11502608
    Abstract: This light-emitting element drive control device (100) comprises: a drive logic unit (113) which performs a drive control of a switch output stage (N1, D1, L1) for dropping an input voltage (VIN) to an output voltage (VOUT) and supplying a light-emitting element therewith; a charge-pump power supply unit (a) which generates a step-up voltage (CP) higher than the input voltage (VIN); and a current detecting comparator (114) which receives a supply of the step-up voltage (CP) and the output voltage (VOUT) as power supply voltages, and generates control signals (SET, RST) for the drive logic unit (113) by directly comparing a current detection signal (Vsns) corresponding to an inductor current (IL) of the switch output stage with a peak detection value (Vsns_pk) and a bottom detection value (Vsns_bt).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Aoki, Ryo Takagi
  • Publication number: 20220319965
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises: a package having a rectangular shape when viewed in plan and including a first side, a second side parallel to the first side, a third side orthogonal to the first side and the second side, and a fourth side parallel to the third side and orthogonal to the first side and the second side; a power supply terminal provided on the first side; a power ground terminal provided on the second side; a switch output terminal provided on the second side; an upper switch connected between the power supply terminal and the switch output terminal; and a lower switch 11L connected between the switch output terminal and the power ground terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Akira Aoki, Shinsuke Takagimoto, Masaaki Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20220111503
    Abstract: A stapler includes a handle unit connected to a driver unit by a transmission shaft portion provided between a fulcrum shaft portion and a driver, and configured to move the driver unit; a camshaft provided to a clincher unit; a cam groove portion provided to the handle unit, configured to permit the camshaft to enter, and having one open end portion to enable to the camshaft to be inserted/pulled out; a guide convex portion provided to the clincher unit, and a guide concave portion provided to the handle unit and configured to restrict a movement path of the handle unit with respect to the clincher unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Applicant: MAX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoaki KIKAI, Tomokazu NAGATA, Akira AOKI
  • Publication number: 20220102969
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a current detection circuit having a high detection precision. The current detection circuit includes: a current output type differential amplifier; a first input resistor, configured to be connected between a first input end of the differential amplifier and a first current sense terminal; a second input resistor, configured to be connected between a second input end of the differential amplifier and a second current sense terminal; an output resistor, configured to be connected to an output end of the differential amplifier; a first feedback current path, configured to allow a first feedback current to flow between the first input end and the output end of the differential amplifier; and a second feedback current path, configured to allow a second feedback current to flow between the second current sense terminal and the output end of the differential amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventor: Akira Aoki
  • Patent number: 11265981
    Abstract: A light emitting element driving device includes, for example, a slope voltage generator generating a slope voltage including information on an inductor current passing through a switching output stage, a sense amplifier generating a sense voltage commensurate with the output current fed to a light-emitting element from the switching output stage, a sense amplifier generating a control voltage commensurate with the difference between the sense voltage and a reference voltage, a comparator comparing the slope voltage with the control voltage to generate a comparison signal, a controller controlling the switching output stage in accordance with the comparison signal, and a clamper limiting the control voltage to equal to or lower than a clamp voltage commensurate with the slope voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Aoki, Ryo Takagi
  • Patent number: 11172556
    Abstract: A light emitting element drive device generates a single output current while switching a target current value for each of a plurality of light emitting elements, and supplies the single output current to the plurality of light emitting elements in a time division manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Aoki, Ryo Takagi, Masaaki Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20210303214
    Abstract: A memory system includes a non-volatile memory and a controller that includes a first memory and is configured to write log data to the first memory, including a history of commands for controlling the memory system. An information processing system includes the memory system and an information processing device configured to store an expected value and to transmit a signal that instructs the memory system to stop when a value of the log data transmitted from the memory system does not match the expected value. The expected value and the transmitted value are determined based on the log data of the memory system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Takeshi NAKANO, Akihiko ISHIHARA, Shingo TANIMOTO, Yasuaki NAKAZATO, Shinji MAEDA, Minoru UCHIDA, Kenji SAKAUE, Koichi INOUE, Yosuke KINO, Takumi SASAKI, Mikio TAKASUGI, Kouji SAITOU, Hironori NAGAI, Shinya TAKEDA, Akihito TOUHATA, Masaru OGAWA, Akira AOKI