Patents by Inventor Junichiro Osako

Junichiro Osako 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: 20110227234
    Abstract: A multifunction card device has an external connection terminal, an interface controller, a memory, and the security controller connected to the interface controller and the external connection terminal. The interface controller has a plurality of interface control modes, and controls an external-interface action and a memory interface action by the control mode according to the instruction from the outside. The external connection terminals have an individual terminal individualized for every interface control mode, and a communalized common terminal. A clock input terminal, a power supply terminal, and an earthing terminal are included in the common terminals. A data terminal, and a dedicated terminal of the security controller are included in the individual terminals. Partial communalization and individualization of an external connection terminal attain a guarantee of the reliability of an interface, and increase control of physical magnitude to some kinds of interface control modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Hirotaka Nishizawa, Akira Higuchi, Kenji Osawa, Junichiro Osako, Tamaki Wada, Michiaki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 7971793
    Abstract: The present invention provides a memory card equipped with an interface controller connected to external connecting terminals, a memory connected to the interface controller, and a security controller connected to the interface controller. A second external connecting terminal capable of supplying an operating power supply to the security controller is provided aside from a first external connecting terminal which supplies an operating power supply to the interface controller and the memory. An interface unit of the interface controller connected to the security controller receives the operating power supply from the second external connecting terminal and thereby enables a stop of the supply of the operating power supply from the first external connecting terminal. Even if the supply of the operating power supply to the interface controller is cut off, the output of the interface unit is not brought to an indefinite state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hirotaka Nishizawa, Akira Higuchi, Kenji Osawa, Tamaki Wada, Michiaki Sugiyama, Junichiro Osako
  • Patent number: 7971791
    Abstract: A multifunction card device has an external connection terminal, an interface controller, a memory, and the security controller connected to the interface controller and the external connection terminal. The interface controller has a plurality of interface control modes, and controls an external-interface action and a memory interface action by the control mode according to the instruction from the outside. The external connection terminals have an individual terminal individualized for every interface control mode, and a communalized common terminal. A clock input terminal, a power supply terminal, and an earthing terminal are included in the common terminals. A data terminal, and a dedicated terminal of the security controller are included in the individual terminals. Partial communalization and individualization of an external connection terminal attain a guarantee of the reliability of an interface, and increase control of physical magnitude to some kinds of interface control modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hirotaka Nishizawa, Akira Higuchi, Kenji Osawa, Junichiro Osako, Tamaki Wada, Michiaki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 7946500
    Abstract: An antenna connection function for a noncontact interface is provided by suppressing a modification in a pin arrangement and a pin shape of a memory card that does not correspond to the noncontact interface. Two antenna connecting pins having the memory card are divided into two areas in which a size of one potential supply pin is the largest and used as a split pin arranged at intervals. Because a size of the two antenna connecting pins is at maximum as large as the size of the potential supply pin, the two antenna connecting pins are provided and the memory card that corresponds to the noncontact interface is obtained by devoting a pin area having the size of the one potential supply pin to the memory card that does not correspond to the noncontact interface. Accordingly, the pin area of the memory card that corresponds to the noncontact interface can be formed without departing from the pin area of the memory card that does not correspond to the noncontact interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hirotaka Nishizawa, Akira Higuchi, Kenji Osawa, Junichiro Osako, Tamaki Wada, Michiaki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 7823793
    Abstract: An IC card and card adapters are designed so that the IC card of a specific standard (e.g., MMC standard) is compatible with IC cards and terminals of other standards (e.g., MS card standard and USB terminal standard). In the IC card (MMC), a controller IC, which is connected to a flash memory, includes a voltage pull-down detector, a mode controller, a USB-mode interface controller, a MS-mode interface controller, and an MMC/SD-mode interface controller. The card adapters suffice to have component parts which are easy in formation and low in cost such as wiring lines and resistors. The voltage pull-down detector of the IC card detects the voltage pull-down caused by the resistors, and the mode controller selects the USB-mode interface controller, MS-mode interface controller or MMC/SD-mode interface controller so that the IC card becomes compatible with the corresponding IC card standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignees: Renesas Electronics Corporation, Hitachi ULSI Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Higuchi, Hirotaka Nishizawa, Junichiro Osako, Kenji Osawa
  • Publication number: 20100267419
    Abstract: In an IC card, there is provided a technique capable of large expandability of a memory volume, and a memory volume and a cost matched with a user's requirement. A SIM adapter 101 has a top panel 104 for covering a recess portion. In the top panel 104, when a memory card 103 is not inserted, the top panel 104 is positioned at a first height, and, when the memory card 103 is inserted, a part of the top panel 104 is engaged with a part of the SIM adapter 101 so that the top panel is latched at a second height higher than the first height. Also, into a SIM adapter, a top panel for fixing a memory card when the memory card is inserted is inserted, and a part of the top panel is engaged with a part of the SIM adapter so that the top panel is latched when the memory card is inserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Hirotaka Nishizawa, Hironori Iwasaki, Hideo Koike, Junichiro Osako, Tamaki Wada, Takashi Totsuka
  • Publication number: 20100257313
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has operation modes selectable through the control by a second microcomputer (113). In a first mode, an operation of a memory controller (105) responding to a memory card command from a memory card interface terminal and an operation of a first microcomputer (106) responding to an IC card command from an IC card interface terminal are separately performed. In a second mode, the first microcomputer operates in response to the IC card command from the IC card interface terminal. In a third mode, the memory controller and the first microcomputer operate in response to an undefined IC card command from the IC card interface terminal. In a fourth mode, the memory controller and the first microcomputer operate in response to the memory card command from the memory card interface terminal. Convenience of the semiconductor device having an IC card function and a memory card function is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: RENESAS TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Nishizawa, Junichiro Osako, Minoru Shinohara, Tamaki Wada, Kunihirio Katayama, Shigemasa Shiota
  • Publication number: 20100072284
    Abstract: Connector terminals are arranged at the center of a thin memory card 1802, thereby preventing an electrical short circuit between the terminals. A step is provided to the thin memory card 1802, thereby allowing the IC chips to be stacked in a thick portion. Adhesion portions of the connector terminals 3303 are located at a position on a card insertion port side of a substrate 3002, thereby preventing the destruction of the connector terminals at the time of the card insertion. An upper retainer lid 3003 is provided on an upper portion of the connector terminals 3303, thereby preventing the deflection of the card.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: RENESAS TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: Hirotaka NISHIZAWA, Hideo KOIKE, Hironori IWASAKI, Junichiro OSAKO, Minoru SHINOHARA, Tamaki WADA, Takashi TOTSUKA
  • Patent number: 7669773
    Abstract: To realize compatibility with an SIM card and adaptation to a high-speed memory access in an IC card module having a microcomputer and a memory card controller. An IC card module includes a plurality of first external connecting terminals and a plurality of second external connecting terminals both exposed to one surface of a card substrate, a microcomputer connected to the first external connecting terminals, a memory controller connected to the second external connecting terminals, and a volatile memory connected to the memory controller. The shape of the card substrate and the layout of the first external connecting terminals are based on a standard of plug-in UICC of ETSI TS 102 221 V4.4.0 (2001-10) or have compatibility. The second external connecting terminals are disposed outside the minimum range of the terminal layout based on the standard for the first external connecting terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Nishizawa, Takashi Totsuka, Kenji Osawa, Junichiro Osako, Tamaki Wada, Michiaki Sugiyama
  • Publication number: 20100025480
    Abstract: A technique for an IC capable of achieving the large expandability of the memory capacity, a memory capacity and cost burden in accordance with the requirements of users is provided. The IC card of the present invention is a flash memory card 306 mounted with a flash memory, characterized in that the flash memory card 306 can be inserted into a Plug-in SIM adaptor 305a and/or a mini UICC adaptor 305b each mounted with a secure IC, the flash memory card 306 is inserted into the Plug-in SIM adaptor 305a or the mini UICC adaptor 305b, thereby operating as a SIM attached with an expansion memory or a mini UICC attached with an expansion memory, and the flash memory card 306 can be physically removed from the Plug-in SIM adaptor 305a or the mini UICC adaptor 305b.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Hirotaka Nishizawa, Junichiro Osako, Hironori Iwasaki, Hideo Koike, Tamaki Wada, Takashi Totsuka
  • Patent number: 7646085
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes external interface terminals and processing circuits, and it is fed with an operating power source when detachably set in a host equipment. Power source feeding terminals (VCC, VSS) among the external interface terminals are long enough to keep touching the corresponding terminals of the host equipment for, at least, a predetermined time period since the separation of an extraction detecting terminal among the external interface terminals, from the corresponding terminal of the host equipment, and they are formed to be longer in the extraction direction of the semiconductor device than the extraction detecting terminal. Thus, a time period till the cutoff of the power source is easily made comparatively long. The power source feeding terminals should preferably be extended onto the insertion side of the semiconductor device, but an extendible distance is sometimes liable to be limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Nishizawa, Kenji Osawa, Hideo Koike, Junichiro Osako, Tamaki Wada
  • Publication number: 20090283885
    Abstract: On an adapter mounting portion 3a having a projecting cross section which is formed on a cap 3 of a small-sized memory card 1, a recessed portion of an adapter 2 side is fitted so that both parts are formed as an integral unit in a replaceable manner. Accordingly, the small-sized memory card 1 can maintain the dimensional compatibility with respect to existing memory cards whereby the small-sized memory card 1 can be used also in equipment which is designed to cope with the existing memory cards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Tamaki Wada, Hirotaka Nishizawa, Masachika Masuda, Kenji Osawa, Junichiro Osako, Satoshi Hatakeyama, Haruji Ishihara, Kazuo Yoshizaki, Kazunori Furusawa
  • Patent number: 7615855
    Abstract: An IC body is loaded to a case 2 made of thermosetting resin material and sealed with a sealing portion made of thermosetting resin material to be integrated, whereby an IC card is manufactured. The IC body comprises: a wiring substrate formed with an external connection terminal at a back surface thereof; a semiconductor chip loaded over a surface of the wiring substrate and electrically connected to the external connection terminal via a interconnect; and the sealing portion made of thermosetting resin material so as to cover the semiconductor chip and a bonding wire. The sealing portion is formed so that the external connection terminal is exposed. The present invention makes it possible to heighten the strength of IC cards and at the same time, to reduce the manufacturing cost and improve the reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Junichiro Osako, Hirotaka Nishizawa, Kenji Osawa, Akira Higuchi
  • Patent number: 7549593
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes external interface terminals and processing circuits, and it is fed with an operating power source when detachably set in a host equipment. Power source feeding terminals (VCC, VSS) among the external interface terminals are long enough to keep touching the corresponding terminals of the host equipment for, at least, a predetermined time period since the separation of an extraction detecting terminal among the external interface terminals, from the corresponding terminal of the host equipment, and they are formed to be longer in the extraction direction of the semiconductor device than the extraction detecting terminal. The processing circuits include an interface control circuit (2) which is connected to the external interface terminals, and a rewritable nonvolatile memory (3) which is controlled by the interface control circuit. The nonvolatile memory stores information on the basis of the difference of the threshold voltages of memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Nishizawa, Kenji Osawa, Hideo Koike, Junichiro Osako, Tamaki Wada
  • Patent number: 7543757
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes external interface terminals and processing circuits, and it is fed with an operating power source when detachably set in a host equipment. Power source feeding terminals (VCC, VSS) among the external interface terminals are long enough to keep touching the corresponding terminals of the host equipment for, at least, a predetermined time period since the separation of an extraction detecting terminal among the external interface terminals, from the corresponding terminal of the host equipment, and they are formed to be longer in the extraction direction of the semiconductor device than the extraction detecting terminal. These power source feeding terminals are a power source terminal and a ground terminal, and any power source compensating capacitor is not connected between the power source terminal and the ground terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Nishizawa, Kenji Osawa, Hideo Koike, Junichiro Osako, Tamaki Wada
  • Patent number: 7478473
    Abstract: The productivity of an IC card is to be improved. In a memory card of the type in which a memory body having a wiring substrate and a semiconductor chip mounted on a main surface of the wiring substrate is held so as to be sandwiched in between a first case and a second case, a planar outline of the memory body is smaller than half of a planar outline of the memory card. The memory body is disposed so as to be positioned closer to a first end side as one short side of the memory card with respect to a midline between the first end side and a second end side as an opposite short side of the memory card positioned on the side opposite to the first end side. The other area than the memory body-disposed area in the first and the second case is used as another functional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Nishizawa, Kenji Osawa, Akira Higuchi, Junichiro Osako, Tamaki Wada
  • Publication number: 20080300020
    Abstract: The loss of data stored in a secure memory card, such as a SIM card, due to the physical destruction thereof is prevented. A host unit performs card authentication of a memory card, and transmits update data for the memory card by security communication to update data when the result of the authentication is OK. Then, the host unit outputs a request for mirror-updating the card data to a base station server. When an access is permitted, the card data is transmitted to the base station server via the host unit to mirror-update the card data. When the mirror-updating of the card data is completed, the base station server returns a completion confirmation to the host unit, so that a data backup process is completed. By thus causing the base station server to mirror-update the data in the memory card, the loss of the stored data is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Hirotaka Nishizawa, Hideo Koike, Hironori Iwasaki, Junichiro Osako, Minoru Shinohara, Tamaki Wada
  • Publication number: 20080283619
    Abstract: An IC card is prevented from falling off readily an electronic device while maintaining the mechanical strength of the IC card. A recess for preventing a memory card from falling off an electronic device is provided at the side of one side of a principal surface of a cap of the memory card which is configured by fitting a memory body in a recess formed on a parts mounting surface of the cap. The bottom of the recess is terminated in the middle of the thickness of the cap. This construction makes it possible to prevent the memory card from falling off readily an electronic device while maintaining the mechanical strength of the memory card.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Hirotaka Nishizawa, Akira Higuchi, Kenji Osawa, Junichiro Osako, Tamaki Wada
  • Publication number: 20080272197
    Abstract: An antenna connection function for a noncontact interface is provided by suppressing a modification in a pin arrangement and a pin shape of a memory card that does not correspond to the noncontact interface. Two antenna connecting pins having the memory card are divided into two areas in which a size of one potential supply pin is the largest and used as a split pin arranged at intervals. Because a size of the two antenna connecting pins is at maximum as large as the size of the potential supply pin, the two antenna connecting pins are provided and the memory card that corresponds to the noncontact interface is obtained by devoting a pin area having the size of the one potential supply pin to the memory card that does not correspond to the noncontact interface. Accordingly, the pin area of the memory card that corresponds to the noncontact interface can be formed without departing from the pin area of the memory card that does not correspond to the noncontact interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Hirotaka NISHIZAWA, Akira Higuchi, Kenji Osawa, Junichiro Osako, Tamaki Wada, Michiaki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: D581932
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignees: Renesas Technology Corp., Sony Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirotaka Nishizawa, Kenji Osawa, Junichiro Osako, Tamaki Wada, Michiaki Sugiyama, Takashi Totsuka, Yoshitaka Aoki, Keiichi Tsutsui