Patents by Inventor Akira Fukuda
Akira Fukuda 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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Publication number: 20070254558Abstract: A polishing apparatus (30) has a polishing surface (32), a top ring (36) for holding a wafer (W), motors (46, 56) to move the polishing surface (32) and the wafer (W) relative to each other at a relative speed, and a vertical movement mechanism (54) to press the wafer (W) against the polishing surface (32) under a pressing pressure. The polishing apparatus (30) also has a controller (44) to adjust a polishing condition in a non-Preston range in which a polishing rate is not proportional to a product of the pressing pressure and the relative speed. The polishing apparatus (30) can simultaneously achieve uniform supply of a chemical liquid to a surface of the wafer (W) and a uniform polishing rate within the surface of the wafer (W).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2005Publication date: November 1, 2007Inventors: Masako Kodera, Yoshihiro Mochizuki, Akira Fukuda, Akira Kodera, Hirokuni Hiyama, Manabu Tsujimura, Kazuto Hirokawa, Akira Fukunaga
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Publication number: 20070232203Abstract: A polishing method can prevent scratches in a polished surface of a polishing object, caused by foreign matter adhering to a surface of a polishing member, thus preventing the attendant lowering of the yield even when the polishing object is large-sized. The polishing method includes: specifying a foreign matter adhesion position or a foreign matter adhesion area in a surface of the polishing member; and intensively cleaning the foreign matter adhesion position or the foreign matter adhesion area in the surface of the polishing member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2007Publication date: October 4, 2007Inventors: Akira Fukuda, Hirokuni Hiyama, Manabu Tsujimura
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Publication number: 20070224916Abstract: A polishing method can automatically reset polishing conditions according to a state of a polishing member based on data on a polishing profile changing with time, thereby extending life of the polishing member and obtaining flatness of a polished surface with higher accuracy. The polishing method, includes steps of: independently applying a desired pressure by each of pressing portions of a top ring on a polishing object; estimating a polishing profile of the polishing object based on set pressure values, and calculating a recommended polishing pressure value so that a difference between the polishing profile of the polishing object after it is polished under certain polishing conditions and a desired polishing profile becomes smaller; and polishing the polishing object with the recommended polishing pressure value.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2007Publication date: September 27, 2007Inventors: Kunihiko Sakurai, Tetsuji Togawa, Yoshihiro Mochizuki, Akira Fukuda, Hirokuni Hiyama, Kazuto Hirokawa, Manabu Tsujimura
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Publication number: 20070205112Abstract: A polishing apparatus (30) has a polishing surface (32), a top ring (36) for holding a wafer (W), motors (46, 56) to move the polishing surface (32) and the wafer (W) relative to each other at a relative speed, and a vertical movement mechanism (54) to press the wafer (W) against the polishing surface (32) under a pressing pressure. The polishing apparatus (30) also has a controller (44) to adjust a polishing condition in a non-Preston range in which a polishing rate is not proportional to a product of the pressing pressure and the relative speed. The polishing apparatus (30) can simultaneously achieve uniform supply of a chemical liquid to a surface of the wafer (W) and a uniform polishing rate within the surface of the wafer (W).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2007Publication date: September 6, 2007Inventors: Masako Kodera, Yoshihiro Mochizuki, Akira Fukuda, Akira Kodera, Hirokuni Hiyama, Manabu Tsujimura, Kazuto Hirokawa, Akira Fukunaga
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Patent number: 7234999Abstract: A polishing method can automatically reset polishing conditions according to a state of a polishing member based on data on a polishing profile changing with time, thereby extending life of the polishing member and obtaining flatness of a polished surface with higher accuracy. The polishing method, includes steps of: independently applying a desired pressure by each of pressing portions of a top ring on a polishing object; estimating a polishing profile of the polishing object based on set pressure values, and calculating a recommended polishing pressure value so that a difference between the polishing profile of the polishing object after it is polished under certain polishing conditions and a desired polishing profile becomes smaller; and polishing the polishing object with the recommended polishing pressure value.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2006Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: Ebara CorporationInventors: Kunihiko Sakurai, Tetsuji Togawa, Yoshihiro Mochizuki, Akira Fukuda, Hirokuni Hiyama, Kazuto Hirokawa, Manabu Tsujimura
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Publication number: 20070061036Abstract: A polishing method can automatically reset polishing conditions according to a state of a polishing member based on data on a polishing profile changing with time, thereby extending life of the polishing member and obtaining flatness of a polished surface with higher accuracy. The polishing method, includes steps of: independently applying a desired pressure by each of pressing portions of a top ring on a polishing object; estimating a polishing profile of the polishing object based on set pressure values, and calculating a recommended polishing pressure value so that a difference between the polishing profile of the polishing object after it is polished under certain polishing conditions and a desired polishing profile becomes smaller; and polishing the polishing object with the recommended polishing pressure value.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2006Publication date: March 15, 2007Inventors: Kunihiko Sakurai, Tetsuji Togawa, Yoshihiro Mochizuki, Akira Fukuda, Hirokuni Hiyama, Kazuto Hirokawa, Manabu Tsujimura
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Publication number: 20060285129Abstract: An image output apparatus for outputting an image to an image capturing apparatus comprises a first acquisition part for acquiring information concerning a display resolution of a display of the image capturing apparatus, a change part for changing an output resolution of the image in accordance with the display resolution, and an output part for outputting the image with the output resolution changed by the change part to the image capturing apparatus. The change part changes the output resolution to a resolution lower than an original resolution of the image.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2006Publication date: December 21, 2006Inventors: Takehisa Yamaguchi, Akira Fukuda, Tsutomu Honda
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Patent number: 7150673Abstract: A polishing method can automatically reset polishing conditions according to a state of a polishing member based on data on a polishing profile changing with time, thereby extending life of the polishing member and obtaining flatness of a polished surface with higher accuracy. The polishing method, includes steps of: independently applying a desired pressure by each of pressing portions of a top ring on a polishing object; estimating a polishing profile of the polishing object based on set pressure values, and calculating a recommended polishing pressure value so that a difference between the polishing profile of the polishing object after it is polished under certain polishing conditions and a desired polishing profile becomes smaller; and polishing the polishing object with the recommended polishing pressure value.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2005Date of Patent: December 19, 2006Assignee: Ebara CorporationInventors: Kunihiko Sakurai, Tetsuji Togawa, Yoshihiro Mochizuki, Akira Fukuda, Hirokuni Hiyama, Kazuto Hirokawa, Manabu Tsujimura
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Patent number: 7078862Abstract: A beam source has a plasma generating chamber, an antenna for generating plasma in the plasma generating chamber, a first electrode disposed in the plasma generating chamber, and a second electrode disposed in the plasma generating chamber. Both of the antenna and the second electrode face the first electrode. The beam source also includes a power supply for applying a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode to extract particles from the plasma generated by the antenna. The beam source applies various kinds of beams having a large diameter, such as a positive ion beam, a negative ion beam, and a neutral particle beam, uniformly to a workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2004Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignees: Ebara Corporation, Tohoku UniversityInventors: Akira Fukuda, Akio Shibata, Hirokuni Hiyama, Katsunori Ichiki, Kazuo Yamauchi, Seiji Samukawa
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Patent number: 7034285Abstract: A beam source has a plasma generating chamber and a gas inlet port for introducing a gas into the plasma generating chamber. The beam source includes a plasma generator for generating positive-negative ion plasma containing positive ions at a density of at least 1010 ions/cm3 and negative ions from the gas. The beam source also includes a plasma potential adjustment electrode disposed in the plasma generating chamber and a grid electrode having a plurality of beam extraction holes formed therein. The beam extraction holes have a diameter of at least 0.5 mm. The beam source has a first power supply for applying a voltage of at most 500 V between the plasma potential adjustment electrode and the grid electrode.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2004Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignees: Ebara Corporation, Tohoku UniversityInventors: Katsunori Ichiki, Akio Shibata, Akira Fukuda, Hirokuni Hiyama, Kazuo Yamauchi, Seiji Samukawa
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Publication number: 20060009127Abstract: A polishing method can automatically reset the polishing conditions according to the state of a polishing member based on data on the polishing profile changing with time, thereby extending the life of the polishing member and obtaining flatness of the polished surface with higher accuracy. The polishing method, including the steps of: independently applying a desired pressure by each of the pressing portions of the top ring on the polishing object; estimating a polishing profile of the polishing object based on set pressure values, and calculating a recommended polishing pressure value so that the difference between the polishing profile of the polishing object after it is polished under certain polishing conditions and a desired polishing profile becomes smaller; and polishing the polishing object with the recommended polishing pressure value.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2005Publication date: January 12, 2006Inventors: Kunihiko Sakurai, Tetsuji Togawa, Yoshihiro Mochizuki, Akira Fukuda, Hirokuni Hiyama, Kazuto Hirokawa, Manabu Tsujimura
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Patent number: 6980235Abstract: A digital-type camera having a printing mechanism which assures a high quality of prints in an environment with a low temperature. The digital-type camera has an arrangement in which an ink cartridge, for storing ink fed to a printer head of a printing part, is installed on a rear surface of a substrate on a front surface of which a CCD of a heat-generating component is installed. Heat generated from the CCD is conducted to the ink cartridge via the substrate, so that the ink stored inside the ink cartridge is prevented from dropping down in temperature, and so that the temperature of the ink is kept within a thermal region within which its printing operation is guaranteed.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2000Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koji Yamamoto, Tohru Murakami, Toru Ishi, Akira Fukuda, Shoichi Minato
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Publication number: 20050161326Abstract: The present invention relates to a microchip apparatus using liquids. More specifically, the invention provides a liquid mixing apparatus comprising at least two microchannels for introducing liquids and a mixing microchannel that connects to the at least two liquid-introducing microchannels, wherein the liquids are transported from the respective liquid-introducing microchannels toward the mixing microchannel, the apparatus further comprising means for enhancing the mixing of the liquids that converge in the mixing microchannel. The invention also provides an electrophoretic apparatus and a microchip electrophoretic apparatus for denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2004Publication date: July 28, 2005Inventors: Tomoyuki Morita, Akiko Miya, Akira Fukuda, Motohiko Nomi, Katsunori Ichiki, Manabu Tsujimura, Shunsuke Shimizu
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Patent number: 6856345Abstract: There is provided a digital camera having a printing function, the camera having a moving member for moving from an out-of-use position to an in-use position to perform a shooting operation, a selector for selecting a printing operation to be performed, and a controller for bringing the moving member into the out-of-use position in response to the selection of the printing operation by the selector.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2000Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koji Yamamoto, Tohru Murakami, Toru Ishii, Akira Fukuda, Yoshiharu Tanaka, Shoichi Minato
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Publication number: 20040222367Abstract: A beam source has a plasma generating chamber and a gas inlet port for introducing a gas into the plasma generating chamber. The beam source includes a plasma generator for generating positive-negative ion plasma containing positive ions at a density of at least 1010 ions/cm3 and negative ions from the gas. The beam source also includes a plasma potential adjustment electrode disposed in the plasma generating chamber and a grid electrode having a plurality of beam extraction holes formed therein. The beam extraction holes have a diameter of at least 0.5 mm. The beam source has a first power supply for applying a voltage of at most 500 V between the plasma potential adjustment electrode and the grid electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2004Publication date: November 11, 2004Inventors: Katsunori Ichiki, Akio Shibata, Akira Fukuda, Hirokuni Hiyama, Kazuo Yamauchi, Seiji Samukawa
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Publication number: 20040221815Abstract: A beam source has a plasma generating chamber, an antenna for generating plasma in the plasma generating chamber, a first electrode disposed in the plasma generating chamber, and a second electrode disposed in the plasma generating chamber. Both of the antenna and the second electrode face the first electrode. The beam source also includes a power supply for applying a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode to extract particles from the plasma generated by the antenna. The beam source applies various kinds of beams having a large diameter, such as a positive ion beam, a negative ion beam, and a neutral particle beam, uniformly to a workpiece.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2004Publication date: November 11, 2004Inventors: Akira Fukuda, Akio Shibata, Hirokuni Hiyama, Katsunori Ichiki, Kazuo Yamauchi, Seiji Samukawa
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Patent number: 6816283Abstract: A digital camera having a printing function which is driven by a battery comprises a printer unit operable when the voltage of the battery is equal to or higher than a first voltage, a camera unit operable when the voltage of the battery is equal to or higher than a second voltage, and a voltage detecting unit for detecting the voltage of the battery. The digital camera further comprises controller which compares the voltage of the battery detected by the voltage detecting unit with the first and second voltages and performs, based on the result of comparison, a control operation whereby the respective operations of the printer unit and the camera unit are enabled or disabled.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2000Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koji Yamamoto, Tohru Murakami, Toru Ishii, Akira Fukuda, Yoshiharu Tanaka, Shoichi Minato
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Publication number: 20040179131Abstract: A digital camera (image capturing apparatus) includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), a crossed switch constructed by a plurality of buttons, and a turnable dial. The digital camera has a plurality of function modes including an exposure correction mode and a histogram display mode of displaying a finder image and a histogram (luminance distribution) of the finder image on an LCD prior to an image capturing operation. In the exposure correction mode, an exposure correction value is changed by an operation input of two or more steps (actions) of the user on the buttons of the crossed switch. On the other hand, in the histogram display mode, an exposure correction value is changed by an operation input of a single step on the dial. With the configuration, in the case of displaying the luminance distribution regarding a finder image, a simple exposure setting can be made.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2003Publication date: September 16, 2004Applicant: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tsutomu Honda, Akira Fukuda
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Patent number: 6771308Abstract: There is provided a digital camera having a printing function, the camera comprising a detector for detecting the amount of camera shake during shooting, a recording medium for recording each of shot images and camera shake data on the amount of camera shake detected by the detector, a selector for selecting a shot image to be printed from the shot images recorded on the recording medium, and a controller for judging, for the shot image selected by the selector, whether or not proper printing of the shot image can be performed. The digital camera further comprises an indicator for giving a warning when it is judged that proper printing cannot be performed.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2000Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koji Yamamoto, Tohru Murakami, Toru Ishii, Akira Fukuda, Yoshiharu Tanaka, Shoichi Minato
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Publication number: 20040125220Abstract: A digital camera has a display such as an LCD. A viewfinder image obtained by a CCD before photographing is displayed on the display, and a pointer which can be moved up, down, right and left by operation of the user is displayed so as to be superimposed on the viewfinder image. A histogram indicative of a luminance distribution of the whole viewfinder image and a marker indicative of luminance of a pixel of a portion designated by the pointer are displayed so as to be superimposed on the viewfinder image. By displaying the marker, the user can grasp luminance information of a part of the viewfinder image.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Applicant: MINOLTA CO., LTD.Inventors: Akira Fukuda, Toshio Nagai, Tsutomu Honda