Patents by Inventor Kenichiro Arai

Kenichiro Arai 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: 11974042
    Abstract: A signal processing device includes an approximate curved surface conversion unit that includes a first stacked autoencoder pretrained on the basis of learning input data constituted by coordinate data acquired for each of multiple elements of an object, and that obtains approximate curved surface data indicating an approximate curved surface of the object in an intermediate layer of the first stacked autoencoder, on the basis of input data constituted by the coordinate data acquired for each of the elements, and a geometric modulation processing unit that includes a second stacked autoencoder having learned by machine learning on the basis of learning input data constituted by the approximate curved surface data and on the basis of training data constituted by a result obtained by coordinate conversion for each of the elements in a geometric modulation process performed for the object, and performs the geometric modulation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Arai, Yuriko Ohtsuka, Kenichiro Nishi, Takeshi Masuura, Norimitsu Okiyama, Yuji Matsui, Satoshi Takashima
  • Patent number: 9997378
    Abstract: In a substrate processing apparatus, with an internal space of a chamber brought into a pressurized atmosphere, an etching process is performed by continuously supplying a first processing liquid onto an upper surface of a substrate while rotating the substrate. It is thereby possible to suppress vaporization of the first processing liquid on the substrate and further suppress a decrease in the temperature of the substrate due to the heat of vaporization as it goes from a center portion of the substrate toward a peripheral portion thereof as compared with under normal pressure. As a result, it is possible to improve the uniformity in the temperature of the upper surface of the substrate during the etching process using the first processing liquid and improve the uniformity of etching over the entire upper surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: SCREEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Masuhara, Kenichiro Arai, Masahiro Miyagi, Toru Endo
  • Patent number: 9972515
    Abstract: In a substrate processing apparatus, a temperature of an anti-static liquid having electrical resistivity which gradually decreases as a liquid temperature increases is adjusted by a temperature adjustment part and the electrical resistivity of the anti-static liquid is higher than the electrical resistivity of a processing liquid (SPM liquid). After that, a plurality of substrates are immersed in the anti-static liquid inside the anti-static liquid storage part and both main surfaces of each substrate entirely conic into contact with the anti-static liquid. This gradually removes static electricity from the substrate. Then, the SPM liquid is supplied onto an upper surface of the substrate to thereby perform an SPM process. In the SPM process, it is thereby possible to prevent a large amount of electric charges from sharply moving from the substrate to the SPM liquid and prevent any damage to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: SCREEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Miyagi, Kenichiro Arai
  • Patent number: 9640382
    Abstract: In a substrate processing apparatus, with an internal space of a chamber brought into a reduced pressure atmosphere, a first processing liquid is supplied onto an upper surface of a substrate while the substrate is rotated, and the first processing liquid is thereby quickly spread from a center portion toward a peripheral portion on the upper surface of the substrate. It is thereby possible to coat the upper surface of the substrate with the first processing liquid in a shorter time as compared with under normal pressure. Further, by sucking the first processing liquid from the vicinity of an edge of the substrate, it is possible to coat the upper surface of the substrate with the first processing liquid in a still shorter time. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time required for the processing of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SCREEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Masuhara, Kenichiro Arai, Masahiro Miyagi, Toru Endo
  • Publication number: 20170117163
    Abstract: In a substrate processing apparatus, with an internal space of a chamber brought into a pressurized atmosphere, an etching process is performed by continuously supplying a first processing liquid onto an upper surface of a substrate while rotating the substrate. It is thereby possible to suppress vaporization of the first processing liquid on the substrate and further suppress a decrease in the temperature of the substrate due to the heat of vaporization as it goes from a center portion of the substrate toward a peripheral portion thereof as compared with under normal pressure. As a result, it is possible to improve the uniformity in the temperature of the upper surface of the substrate during the etching process using the first processing liquid and improve the uniformity of etching over the entire upper surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Hirofumi MASUHARA, Kenichiro ARAI, Masahiro MIYAGI, Toru ENDO
  • Patent number: 9576808
    Abstract: In a substrate processing apparatus, with an internal space of a chamber brought into a pressurized atmosphere, an etching process is performed by continuously supplying a first processing liquid onto an upper surface of a substrate while rotating the substrate. It is thereby possible to suppress vaporization of the first processing liquid on the substrate and further suppress a decrease in the temperature of the substrate due to the heat of vaporization as it goes from a center portion of the substrate toward a peripheral portion thereof as compared with under normal pressure. As a result, it is possible to improve the uniformity in the temperature of the upper surface of the substrate during the etching process using the first processing liquid and improve the uniformity of etching over the entire upper surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SCREEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Masuhara, Kenichiro Arai, Masahiro Miyagi, Toru Endo
  • Patent number: 9401283
    Abstract: A substrate treatment method includes the steps of: supporting a substrate with a support member; arranging an extension surface such that the extension surface laterally surrounds one major surface of the substrate supported by the support member and extends continuously to the major surface of the substrate supported by the support member; rotating the substrate supported by the support member; and etching the substrate by supplying an etching liquid onto the major surface of the substrate supported by the support member, wherein the extension surface has higher affinity for the etching liquid than the major surface of the substrate supported by the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Arai, Kazunari Nada
  • Publication number: 20160160352
    Abstract: There is provided an electroless plating apparatus which, despite using a high-productivity batch processing method, can reduce the amount of a liquid chemical brought out of a processing tank, thereby reducing the cleaning time in a cleaning step, and can perform flushing easily and quickly. The electroless plating apparatus includes a pre-plating treatment module including a pre-plating treatment tank, a plating module, and an inter-module substrate transport device. The pre-plating treatment tank is provided with a pre-plating treatment solution circulation line having a temperature control function for a pre-plating treatment solution. The plating tank is provided with a plating solution circulation line having a filter and a temperature control function for a plating solution. The plating solution circulation line is connected to a flushing line for flushing the interior of the plating solution circulation line and the interior of the plating tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KANDA, Junichiro TSUJINO, Junko MINE, Makoto KUBOTA, Tsutomu NAKADA, Kenichiro ARAI
  • Patent number: 9293364
    Abstract: There is provided an electroless plating apparatus which, despite using a high-productivity batch processing method, can reduce the amount of a liquid chemical brought out of a processing tank, thereby reducing the cleaning time in a cleaning step, and can perform flushing easily and quickly. The electroless plating apparatus includes a pre-plating treatment module including a pre-plating treatment tank, a plating module, and an inter-module substrate transport device. The pre-plating treatment tank is provided with a pre-plating treatment solution circulation line having a temperature control function for a pre-plating treatment solution. The plating tank is provided with a plating solution circulation line having a filter and a temperature control function for a plating solution. The plating solution circulation line is connected to a flushing line for flushing the interior of the plating solution circulation line and the interior of the plating tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignees: Ebara Corporation, Screen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kanda, Junichiro Tsujino, Junko Mine, Makoto Kubota, Tsutomu Nakada, Kenichiro Arai
  • Publication number: 20160005592
    Abstract: In a substrate processing apparatus, with an internal space of a chamber brought into a reduced pressure atmosphere, a first processing liquid is supplied onto an upper surface of a substrate while the substrate is rotated, and the first processing liquid is thereby quickly spread from a center portion toward a peripheral portion on the upper surface of the substrate. It is thereby possible to coat the upper surface of the substrate with the first processing liquid in a shorter time as compared with under normal pressure. Further, by sucking the first processing liquid from the vicinity of an edge of the substrate, it is possible to coat the upper surface of the substrate with the first processing liquid in a still shorter time. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time required for the processing of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Hirofumi MASUHARA, Kenichiro ARAI, Masahiro MIYAGI, Toru ENDO
  • Publication number: 20150325449
    Abstract: A substrate treatment method includes the steps of: supporting a substrate with a support member; arranging an extension surface such that the extension surface laterally surrounds one major surface of the substrate supported by the support member and extends continuously to the major surface of the substrate supported by the support member; rotating the substrate supported by the support member; and etching the substrate by supplying an etching liquid onto the major surface of the substrate supported by the support member, wherein the extension surface has higher affinity for the etching liquid than the major surface of the substrate supported by the support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Kenichiro ARAI, Kazunari NADA
  • Patent number: 9099504
    Abstract: The substrate treatment apparatus according to the present invention includes a substrate holding mechanism which holds a substrate, a nozzle body having a spout which spouts an etching liquid toward a major surface of the substrate held by the substrate holding mechanism, a nozzle body movement mechanism which moves the nozzle body in a predetermined movement direction so as to move an etching liquid application position at which the etching liquid is applied on the major surface, a first flexible sheet attached to the nozzle body to be brought into contact with a portion of the major surface located on one of opposite sides of the etching liquid application position with respect to the movement direction, and a second flexible sheet attached to the nozzle body to be brought into contact with a portion of the major surface located on the other side of the etching liquid application position with respect to the movement direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunari Nada, Kenichiro Arai
  • Publication number: 20140202496
    Abstract: In a substrate processing apparatus, a temperature of an anti-static liquid having electrical resistivity which gradually decreases as a liquid temperature increases is adjusted by a temperature adjustment part and the electrical resistivity of the anti-static liquid is higher than the electrical resistivity of a processing liquid (SPM liquid). After that, a plurality of substrates are immersed in the anti-static liquid inside the anti-static liquid storage part and both main surfaces of each substrate entirely conic into contact with the anti-static liquid. This gradually removes static electricity from the substrate. Then, the SPM liquid is supplied onto an upper surface of the substrate to thereby perform an SPM process. In the SPM process, it is thereby possible to prevent a large amount of electric charges from sharply moving from the substrate to the SPM liquid and prevent any damage to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: DAINIPPON SCREEN MFG., CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro MIYAGI, Kenichiro ARAI
  • Publication number: 20130260570
    Abstract: In a substrate processing apparatus, with an internal space of a chamber brought into a pressurized atmosphere, an etching process is performed by continuously supplying a first processing liquid onto an upper surface of a substrate while rotating the substrate. It is thereby possible to suppress vaporization of the first processing liquid on the substrate and further suppress a decrease in the temperature of the substrate due to the heat of vaporization as it goes from a center portion of the substrate toward a peripheral portion thereof as compared with under normal pressure. As a result, it is possible to improve the uniformity in the temperature of the upper surface of the substrate during the etching process using the first processing liquid and improve the uniformity of etching over the entire upper surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: DAINIPPON SCREEN MFG. CO., LTD
    Inventors: Hirofumi MASUHARA, Kenichiro ARAI, Masahiro MIYAGI, Toru ENDO
  • Publication number: 20130260574
    Abstract: In a substrate processing apparatus, with an internal space of a chamber brought into a reduced pressure atmosphere, a first processing liquid is supplied onto an upper surface of a substrate while the substrate is rotated, and the first processing liquid is thereby quickly spread from a center portion toward a peripheral portion on the upper surface of the substrate. It is thereby possible to coat the upper surface of the substrate with the first processing liquid in a shorter time as compared with under normal pressure. Further, by sucking the first processing liquid from the vicinity of an edge of the substrate, it is possible to coat the upper surface of the substrate with the first processing liquid in a still shorter time. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time required for the processing of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: DAINIPPON SCREEN MFG. CO., LTD
    Inventors: Hirofumi MASUHARA, Kenichiro ARAI, Masahiro MIYAGI, Toru ENDO
  • Patent number: 8197059
    Abstract: A media storage is adapted to store a plate-shaped medium. A media drive is operable to write data in the medium. A label printer is operable to print on the medium. A media conveyer is operable to convey the medium between the media storage, the media drive and the label printer. A casing defines an interior space of the media processor. A plate-shaped frame divides the interior space into a first space located in a rear upper portion of the interior space, a second space located in a rear lower portion of the interior space and a front space located in a front portion of the interior space. The media drive is disposed in the first space. The label printer is disposed in the second space. The media storage and the media conveyer are disposed in the front space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuya Oshida, Hideki Kawakami, Kenichiro Arai
  • Patent number: 8109627
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus is provided. A transport mechanism is that transports a sheet in a first direction. A liquid ejecting head is configured to eject liquid onto the sheet. The transport mechanism includes: a plurality of transport belts that transports the sheet and arranged in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction, each of the transport belts extending in the first direction and having a transport surface with which the transported sheet is brought into contact; a concave portion disposed between the transport belts adjacent to each other in the second direction; and a plurality of suction ports that sucks the sheet and disposed on both sides of the concave portion in the second direction. A distance between the liquid ejecting head and a suction surface of each of the suction ports is longer than a distance between the liquid ejecting head and the transport surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichiro Arai
  • Patent number: 8104812
    Abstract: A disc transporting mechanism includes a gripping mechanism having a plurality of gripping members configured to grip a disc, a transport arm provided with the gripping mechanism, and a moving mechanism configured to move up and down the transport arm. The transport arm is connected to the moving mechanism through an elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichiro Arai
  • Publication number: 20110256728
    Abstract: A wafer thinning apparatus for treating wafers each having at least a circuit-forming surface thereof protected, by immersing the wafers in a treating solution. The apparatus includes a support table for receiving, as placed thereon, containers each containing a plurality of wafers in one of groups into which the wafers are sorted according to predetermined ranges of thickness, a treating tank for storing the treating solution and receiving the containers, a transport mechanism for transporting the containers between the support table and the treating tank, and a control unit for controlling the transport mechanism to transport the containers successively to the treating tank, and for changing an immersion time of the containers in the treating tank for each group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Toshio HIROE, Kenichiro ARAI
  • Patent number: 7981286
    Abstract: A liquid within a processing tank is caused to overflow, and the overflowing liquid is circulated by a circulation system. In this process, bubbles are discharged into the liquid within the processing tank. Thus, particles within the processing tank are not only carried along by a flow of the liquid but also attach to the bubbles to be carried with the bubbles outwardly of the processing tank. A dip-type substrate processing apparatus removes the particles within the processing tank in a short time with efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ayumi Higuchi, Kenichiro Arai