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).

  • Patent number: 12277348
    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: November 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    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
  • Publication number: 20250119994
    Abstract: A semiconductor device for controlling a driver circuit configured to drive an electronic device includes: a processing circuit configured to control the driver circuit according to a device address setting signal from outside and a control signal from outside; and an autonomous processing circuit provided independently of the processing circuit and configured to control the driver circuit under a preset condition, wherein when the device address setting signal falls within a predetermined condition, the processing circuit is enabled and the autonomous processing circuit is disabled, and when the device address setting signal deviates from the predetermined condition, the autonomous processing circuit is enabled and the processing circuit is disabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Inventors: Shinsuke TAKAGIMOTO, Akira AOKI
  • Publication number: 20250048525
    Abstract: A light emitting element driving device is configured to drive a light emitting element, the light emitting element driving device includes: a switch driving unit configured to drive a switch connectable to a negative end of the light emitting element the positive end of which is grounded; and an overcurrent detection unit configured to detect an overcurrent based on a voltage generated across both ends of a current detection resistor connected to a negative side of the switch and the switch driving unit is configured to switch the switch to an off-state when the overcurrent detection unit detects the overcurrent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2024
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Inventor: Akira AOKI
  • Publication number: 20250024568
    Abstract: A light-emitting element drive device includes, for example, a current sense amplifier configured to generate a current detection signal corresponding to a difference between a sense voltage corresponding to an inductor current (and thus an output current) supplied to a light-emitting element and a predetermined current setting signal (e.g., an offset voltage corresponding to a set current), an error amplifier configured to generate an error signal such that a direct-current component of the current detection signal has a zero value, a comparator configured to generate a set signal by comparing the current detection signal with the error signal, and a driver configured to perform feedback control of the output current in accordance with the set signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2024
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Inventor: Akira AOKI
  • Publication number: 20250016896
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a current sense circuit that generates a current sense signal corresponding to a monitoring target current; an error amplifier; a comparator; and a controller. The current sense circuit includes: a differential amplifier of a current output type; a first input resistor connected between a first input terminal of the differential amplifier and a first current sense terminal; a second input resistor connected between a second input terminal of the differential amplifier and a second current sense terminal; an output resistor configured to be connected to the output terminal of the differential amplifier; a first feedback current path across which a first feedback current is passed between the first input terminal and the output terminal of the differential amplifier; and a second feedback current path across which a second feedback current is passed between the second input terminal of the differential amplifier and the output terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventor: AKIRA AOKI
  • Publication number: 20250016898
    Abstract: A light-emitting element driving device includes an error amplifier configured to output a voltage corresponding to the difference between a voltage corresponding to the current flowing through a light-emitting element and a reference voltage, and to switch between an operating state and a non-operating state according to a control signal; a driver configured to drive, based on the output voltage of the error amplifier, a switching element in a voltage feeder configured to feed a voltage to the light-emitting element; and a suppressor configured, when the error amplifier switches from the non-operating state to the operating state, to suppress a rise in the output voltage of the error amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventors: Ryo TAKAGI, Akira AOKI
  • Publication number: 20240333162
    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: June 14, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Akira AOKI, Ryo TAKAGI
  • Patent number: 12096530
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Inventors: Daisuke Kanbara, Akira Aoki, Ryo Takagi
  • Patent number: 12047004
    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: July 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Inventors: Akira Aoki, Ryo Takagi
  • Publication number: 20240237168
    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: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Akira AOKI, Ryo TAKAGI
  • Patent number: 11981008
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Kikai, Tomokazu Nagata, Akira Aoki
  • 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