Patents by Inventor Akira Shimizu

Akira Shimizu 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: 8536466
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a terminal box includes a box case placed on and fixed to a back film of a solar cell string and a terminal panel formed on the box case. The box case includes a case main body placed on and fixed to the back film of the solar cell string and a terminal panel fixing portion for placing and fixing the terminal panel above the case main body. An opening for passing an output lead wire through the terminal panel is formed continuously from the bottom face of the case main body to the top face of the terminal panel. One edge of the terminal panel is provided so as to protrude from the terminal panel fixing portion such that the tip of the output lead wire can be bent and latched on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akira Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8517199
    Abstract: A tank having a structure which restricts decline in the strength of a screw section. The tank includes a mouthpiece having a mouthpiece screw section which is formed with a screw thread and has a larger diameter on the outer side than on the inner side in an axial direction of the tank, and a valve having a valve screw section which corresponds only to a portion of the mouthpiece screw section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akira Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8510316
    Abstract: Provided is a database system in which sorting of query results is sped up. The database system stores storage location information in which storage locations of the pieces of data are recorded in a given order. When there is no second task, which is executed based on data that is fetched in a first task, whether every piece of data requested in a third task, which is executed before the first task, has been fetched is determined. In the case where every piece of data requested in the third task has been fetched, data fetched in the first task is output. In the case where some of the data requested in the third task has not been fetched, data fetched in the first task is kept in a temporary buffer until every piece of data requested in the third task is fetched, and then output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Shimizu, Kazutomo Ushijima, Seisuke Tokuda, Michiko Tanaka, Shinji Fujiwara, Nobuo Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20130159303
    Abstract: A computer system, comprising: a computer for outputting a result in response to a request; and a storage system for storing data output based on the request, the computer including: a request reception module for receiving the request; a processing procedure generation module for generating a plurality of processing procedures including an order of access to the data stored in the plurality of storage devices; a data division module for dividing the data; an information obtaining module for obtaining load information indicating a load condition of the storage system; an allotment determination module for determining, based on the obtained load information, allotments for allocating the divided data to be processed by the generated plurality of processing procedures; and a processing execution module for executing, based on the determined allotments, the generated plurality of processing procedures in parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazutomo Ushijima, Akira Shimizu, Seisuke Tokuda, Michiko Tanaka, Nobuo Kawamura, Norihiro Hara
  • Publication number: 20130144867
    Abstract: It is provided a database processing method including: a first step of receiving a query request instructing to output the requested data as query results in a designated order; a second step of generating a query execution plan including an order of accessing tables for storing the data based on the received query request; a third step of acquiring the data requested based on the query request from the database based on the generated query execution plan; a fourth step of generating intermediate results including the acquired data; a fifth step of sorting the generated intermediate results in the designated order; a sixth step of judging, for each of the intermediate results, whether an order of the sorted intermediate results has been determined; and a seventh step of outputting the intermediate results whose order has been determined as the query results in order from a head thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Michiko Tanaka, Kazutomo Ushijima, Akira Shimizu, Seisuke Tokuda, Nobuo Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20130112271
    Abstract: The present invention provides a polyester film for sealing the backside of solar cell having excellent light reflectivity and durability and good electric insulation. A polyester film for sealing the backside of solar cell having a light reflectance at 550 nm wavelength of 50% or more and containing 3 to 50% by mass of inorganic fine particles, characterized in that acid value of the film is 1 to 30 eq/ton and limiting viscosity of the film is 0.60 to 0.80 dL/g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOBO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Ikehata, Akira Shimizu, Shiro Hamamoto, Jun Inagaki, Shinji Sawazaki
  • Patent number: 8415259
    Abstract: A method of forming a film on a semiconductor substrate by plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD), includes: introducing a nitrogen- and hydrogen-containing reactive gas and a rare gas into a reaction space inside which the semiconductor substrate is placed; introducing a precursor in pulses of less than 1.0-second duration into the reaction space wherein the reactive gas and the rare gas are introduced; exiting a plasma in pulses of less than 1.0-second duration immediately after the precursor is shut off; and maintaining the reactive gas and the rare gas as a purge of less than 2.0-second duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: ASM Japan K.K.
    Inventors: Woo Jin Lee, Kuo-Wei Hong, Akira Shimizu, Daekyun Jeong
  • Publication number: 20130084714
    Abstract: A method for forming a single-phase multi-element film on a substrate in a reaction zone by PEALD repeating a single deposition cycle. The single deposition cycle includes: adsorbing a precursor on the substrate in the absence of reactant and plasma; decomposing the precursor adsorbed on the substrate by an inert gas plasma; and reacting the decomposed precursor with a reactant gas plasma in the presence of the inert gas plasma. The multi-element film contains silicon and at least two non-metal elements constituting a matrix of the film, the precursor contains silicon and optionally at least one non-metal element to be incorporated in the matrix, and the reactant gas contains at least one non-metal element to be incorporated in the matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: ASM JAPAN K.K.
    Inventors: Takahiro Oka, Akira Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8394466
    Abstract: A method of forming a conformal dielectric film having Si—N bonds on a substrate having a patterned surface includes: introducing a reactant gas into a reaction space; introducing a silicon precursor in pulses of less than 5-second duration into the reaction space; applying a first RF power to the reaction space during the pulse of the silicon precursor; applying a second RF power to the reaction space during the interval of the silicon precursor pulse, wherein an average intensity of the second RF power during the interval of the silicon precursor pulse is greater than that of the first RF power during the pulse of the silicon precursor; and repeating the cycle to form a conformal dielectric film having Si—N bonds with a desired thickness on the patterned surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: ASM Japan K.K.
    Inventors: Kuo-wei Hong, Akira Shimizu, Kunitoshi Namba, Woo-Jin Lee
  • Publication number: 20120304955
    Abstract: A method for processing a cylinder block is disclosed, wherein a protrusion protruding toward a crankcase is provided at a crankcase-side edge of a cylinder bore and a sprayed coating is formed on an inner surface of the cylinder bore and an inner surface of the protrusion continuous with the inner surface of the cylinder bore. After forming the sprayed coating, at least part of the protrusion is removed together with the sprayed coating formed on the inner surface of the protrusion. Accordingly, even in the case of removing the edge portion of the cylinder bore on the crankcase side, a sufficient margin to be removed can be ensured while a reduction in size of the cylinder block is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Eiji Shiotani, Akira Shimizu, Hidenobu Matsuyama, Daisuke Terada, Yoshito Utsumi, Yoshitsugu Noshi, Hiroshi Hatta, Masami Tashiro, Shuji Adachi, Hiroaki Mochida
  • Patent number: 8322752
    Abstract: There is provided a laser-marking multilayer sheet for an electronic passport formed by laminating five sheets of a multilayer sheet A/a multilayer sheet B/a film C/a multilayer sheet B/a multilayer sheet A. The multilayer sheet B is a colored laser-marking multilayer sheet. The film C is a laser-marking multilayer sheet made of a film for the electronic passport. The laser-marking multilayer sheet can have clear letters, symbols, and images, which are excellent in a laser-marking property and high in contrasts between the original surface color and the printed portions. The laser-marking multilayer sheet is excellent especially for inhibiting the falsification and forgery thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Japan Coloring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshinori Sakagami, Akira Shimizu, Akira Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8296286
    Abstract: Provided is a database processing system including: a computer for outputting data in response to a received query request; and a storage system including a storage device for storing the data, in which: the storage device stores a plurality of partial indices indicating a storage location of the data; the data stored in the storage device is grouped; and the computer is configured to: receive the query request for the data; acquire one of the plurality of partial indices; specify, based on the query request for the data and the acquired one of the plurality of partial indices, a location at which the requested data is stored; and send a request to acquire the data stored at the specified location to the storage system. Accordingly, in the database processing system, a time period necessary to input and output the data is shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michiko Tanaka, Kazutomo Ushijima, Akira Shimizu, Seisuke Tokuda, Shinji Fujiwara, Nobuo Kawamura
  • Patent number: 8283822
    Abstract: A connection circuit board includes a main portion and a lead wire connecting portion. The main portion is positioned between an end portion of a motor case body and an end bracket. The lead wire connecting portion projects outwardly from the motor case body. A protective cap including a connecting portion receiving chamber for receiving the lead wire connecting portion of the connection circuit board is attached to the lead wire connecting portion through an engaging structure. An adhesive is filled in the connecting portion receiving chamber of the protective cap. In a small-sized motor of the above configuration, the protective cap can securely be fixed to the motor case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Sanyo Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daigo Kuraishi, Akira Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20120241969
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes: a rectangular shaped semiconductor substrate; a metal wiring layer formed on or over the semiconductor substrate; and a passivation layer covering the metal wiring layer. A corner non-wiring region where no portion of the metal wiring layer is formed is disposed in a corner of the semiconductor substrate. A slit is formed in a portion of the metal wiring layer which is close to the corner of the semiconductor substrate. The passivation layer includes a first passivation layer which is formed on the metal wiring layer and a second passivation layer which is formed on the first passivation layer. The first passivation layer is formed of a material that is softer than a material of the second passivation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuru OKAZAKI, Youichi KAJIWARA, Naoki TAKAHASHI, Akira SHIMIZU
  • Patent number: 8257181
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes at least a human body detection sensor. The human body detection sensor is disposed on a lower face of a housing portion, so as to face downward and face a cabinet main body. In addition, the gaming machine is provided with a sound sensor on an upper face thereof, and starts executing a game in a case where the human body detection sensor responds and then the sound sensor detects a player's voice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20120220139
    Abstract: A method of forming a film on a semiconductor substrate by plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD), includes: introducing a nitrogen- and hydrogen-containing reactive gas and a rare gas into a reaction space inside which the semiconductor substrate is placed; introducing a precursor in pulses of less than 1.0-second duration into the reaction space wherein the reactive gas and the rare gas are introduced; exiting a plasma in pulses of less than 1.0-second duration immediately after the precursor is shut off; and maintaining the reactive gas and the rare gas as a purge of less than 2.0-second duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: ASM JAPAN K.K.
    Inventors: Woo-Jin Lee, Kuo-wei Hong, Akira Shimizu, Deakyun Jeong
  • Patent number: 8252372
    Abstract: A sprayed film forming method and apparatus in which the thickness of the sprayed film in a predetermined region is increased so as to unify the entire thickness. A sprayed film is formed at a cylinder bore inner surface while a spraying gun is moved in an axial direction during rotation inside the bore. Air inside the bore is sucked out to prevent foreign material from being caught in the sprayed film. The flow rate inside the bore tends to become higher at an axial end on a suction side, resulting in a thinned region. The supply speed of a wire serving as a spraying material to the spraying gun or the number of sprays in this region is higher than those at other portions. The thickness at the axial end of the bore is made equal while suppressing an increase in working time and spraying material used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Terada, Kiyohisa Suzuki, Eiji Shiotani, Akira Shimizu, Akiharu Tashiro, Kei Fujii
  • Patent number: 8249424
    Abstract: An optical disc (100) is provided with a recording region where prescribed clock information (WBL) is preformatted for recording. The clock information is (i) included in a first frequency band that is definable by a first reference frequency (Fstd) (that is impossible for a conventional reproducing device to detect by a detecting method based on a self-correlation) and is (ii) defined by a frequency that is integer times the first frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Shimizu, Masayoshi Yoshida, Tsuyoshi Hasebe, Masahiro Kato, Eisaku Kawano, Shoji Taniguchi, Eiji Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 8241991
    Abstract: A method for forming an interconnect structure with airgaps, includes: providing a structure having a trench formed on a substrate; depositing a spacer oxide layer on sidewalls of the trench as sidewall spacers by plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition; filling the trench having the sidewall spacers with copper; removing the sidewall spacers to form an airgap structure; and encapsulating the airgap structure, wherein airgaps are formed between the filled copper and the sidewalls of the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: ASM Japan K.K.
    Inventors: Julian J. Hsieh, Nobuyoshi Kobayashi, Akira Shimizu, Kiyohiro Matsushita, Atsuki Fukazawa
  • Publication number: 20120200951
    Abstract: A duplication device is provided. When content is duplicated by recording, in a recording medium of a recording destination, the same content as content recorded in a recording medium of a duplication source, even if a reading speed is slower than a writing speed, the duplication device can reduce a duplication time as much as possible. The duplication device 100 reads a reading portion of content from an optical disc D in which content is recorded, and in parallel to this reading, downloads a transmission portion which includes a portion of content other than the reading portion, from a distribution server 200, and records the read reading portion and the downloaded transmission portion in the hard disc 106 at a speed faster than a speed of reading the reading portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Koda, Katsutoshi Inagaki, Akira Shimizu, Hirokazu Oishi, Masayoshi Yoshida, Tsuyoshi Hasebe, Tsuyoshi Namiki