Patents by Inventor Kiyoshi Kato

Kiyoshi Kato 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: 9818750
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device capable of holding data for a long period. The semiconductor device includes first to third transistors, a capacitor, and a circuit. The third transistor includes a first gate and a second gate. A gate of the first transistor is electrically connected to a first terminal of the capacitor. A first terminal of the first transistor is electrically connected to the second gate. A second terminal of the first transistor is electrically connected to the circuit. A gate of second transistor is electrically connected to a first terminal of the second transistor. A first terminal of the second transistor is electrically connected to the second gate. A second terminal of the second transistor is electrically connected to a first terminal of the capacitor. The circuit is configured to generate a negative potential. A channel formation region of the first transistor preferably includes an oxide semiconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuaki Ohshima, Kiyoshi Kato, Tomoaki Atsumi
  • Patent number: 9819261
    Abstract: Provided is a structure which is capable of central control of an electric device and a sensor device and a structure which can reduce power consumption of an electric device and a sensor device. A central control system includes at least a central control device, an output unit, and an electric device or a sensor device. The central control device performs arithmetic processing on information transmitted from the electric device or the sensor device and makes the output unit output information obtained by the arithmetic processing. It is possible to know the state of the electric device or the sensor device even apart from the electric device or the sensor device. The electric device or the sensor device includes a transistor which includes an activation layer using a semiconductor with the band gap wider than that of single crystal silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Tatsuji Nishijima, Hidetomo Kobayashi, Tomoaki Atsumi, Kiyoshi Kato
  • Publication number: 20170309325
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with low power consumption or a semiconductor device with a reduced area is provided. The semiconductor device includes a cell array including a first memory cell and a second memory cell; and a sense amplifier circuit including a first sense amplifier and a second sense amplifier. The cell array is over the sense amplifier circuit. The first sense amplifier is electrically connected to the first memory cell through a first wiring BL. The second sense amplifier is electrically connected to the second memory cell through a second wiring BL. The first sense amplifier and the second sense amplifier are electrically connected to a wiring GBL. The sense amplifier circuit is configured to select one of a potential of the first wiring BL and a potential of the second wiring BL and output the selected potential to the wiring GBL.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Tatsuya ONUKI, Kiyoshi KATO, Wataru UESUGI, Takahiko ISHIZU
  • Patent number: 9798178
    Abstract: A variable capacitor is formed from a pair of electrodes and a dielectric interposed between the electrodes over a substrate, and an external input is detected by changing capacitance of the variable capacitor by a physical or electrical force. Specifically, a variable capacitor and a sense amplifier are provided over the same substrate, and the sense amplifier reads the change of capacitance of the variable capacitor and transmits a signal in accordance with the input to a control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kato, Toshihiko Saito
  • Publication number: 20170301380
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device combining transistors integrating on a same substrate transistors including an oxide semiconductor in their channel formation region and transistors including non-oxide semiconductor in their channel formation region. An application of the present invention is to realize substantially non-volatile semiconductor memories which do not require specific erasing operation and do not suffer from damages due to repeated writing operation. Furthermore, the semiconductor device is well adapted to store multivalued data. Manufacturing methods, application circuits and driving/reading methods are explained in details in the description.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Shunpei YAMAZAKI, Jun KOYAMA, Kiyoshi KATO
  • Publication number: 20170302271
    Abstract: A potential is held stably. A negative potential is generated with high accuracy. A semiconductor device with a high output voltage is provided. The semiconductor device includes a first transistor, a second transistor, a capacitor, and a comparator. The comparator includes a non-inverting input terminal, an inverting input terminal, and an output terminal. A gate and one of a source and a drain of the first transistor are electrically connected to each other. One of a source and a drain of the second transistor is electrically connected to the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator, one electrode of the capacitor, and a gate of the second transistor. The other of the source and the drain of the second transistor is electrically connected to the one of the source and the drain of the first transistor. The first transistor and the second transistor each contain an oxide semiconductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Kiyoshi KATO, Yutaka SHIONOIRI, Takanori MATSUZAKI
  • Patent number: 9793276
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with a novel structure in which stored data can be held even when power is not supplied and there is no limitation on the number of times of writing. In the semiconductor device, a plurality of memory cells each including a first transistor, a second transistor, and a capacitor is provided in matrix and a wiring (also called a bit line) for connecting one memory cell to another memory cell and a source or drain electrode of the first transistor are electrically connected to each other through a source or drain electrode of the second transistor. Accordingly, the number of wirings can be smaller than that in the case where the source or drain electrode of the first transistor and the source or drain electrode of the second transistor are connected to different wirings. Thus, the degree of integration of the semiconductor device can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kato, Shuhei Nagatsuka, Hiroki Inoue, Takanori Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 9780093
    Abstract: An object is to provide a semiconductor device with a novel structure in which stored data can be held even when power is not supplied and there is no limit on the number of write operations. The semiconductor device includes a first memory cell including a first transistor and a second transistor, a second memory cell including a third transistor and a fourth transistor, and a driver circuit. The first transistor and the second transistor overlap at least partly with each other. The third transistor and the fourth transistor overlap at least partly with each other. The second memory cell is provided over the first memory cell. The first transistor includes a first semiconductor material. The second transistor, the third transistor, and the fourth transistor include a second semiconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Kato
  • Publication number: 20170271337
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a non-volatile memory cell including a writing transistor which includes an oxide semiconductor, a reading transistor which includes a semiconductor material different from that of the writing transistor, and a capacitor is provided. Data is written or rewritten to the memory cell by turning on the writing transistor and supplying a potential to a node where a source electrode (or a drain electrode) of the writing transistor, one electrode of the capacitor, and a gate electrode of the reading transistor are electrically connected to each other, and then turning off the writing transistor so that the predetermined amount of charge is held in the node. Further, when a transistor whose threshold voltage is controlled and set to a positive voltage is used as the reading transistor, a reading potential is a positive potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Shunpei YAMAZAKI, Jun KOYAMA, Kiyoshi KATO
  • Publication number: 20170271516
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided in which the power consumption can be reduced by reducing the driving voltage and the on-state current can be increased in a period in which a transistor having an extremely low off-state current is brought into an electrically floating state. The semiconductor device comprises a memory cell, a first circuit, and a second circuit. The memory cell includes a first transistor. The first transistor includes a first semiconductor layer, a first gate electrode, and a first back gate electrode. The first gate electrode is connected to a word line. The first back gate electrode is connected to a back gate line. The first circuit supplies a signal for controlling the conduction state of the first transistor to the word line. The second circuit supplies a voltage for controlling the threshold voltage of the first transistor to the back gate line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Tatsuya ONUKI, Kiyoshi KATO, Tomoaki ATSUMI
  • Publication number: 20170271338
    Abstract: An object is to provide a semiconductor device with a novel structure. The semiconductor device includes a first wiring; a second wiring; a third wiring; a fourth wiring; a first transistor having a first gate electrode, a first source electrode, and a first drain electrode; and a second transistor having a second gate electrode, a second source electrode, and a second drain electrode. The first transistor is provided in a substrate including a semiconductor material. The second transistor includes an oxide semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Shunpei YAMAZAKI, Jun KOYAMA, Kiyoshi KATO
  • Publication number: 20170272079
    Abstract: An object is to provide a semiconductor device that can maintain the connection relation between logic circuit units or the circuit configuration of each of the logic circuit units even after supply of power supply voltage is stopped. Another object is to provide a semiconductor device in which the connection relation between logic circuit units or the circuit configuration of each of the logic circuit units can be changed at high speed. In a reconfigurable circuit, an oxide semiconductor is used for a semiconductor element that stores data on the circuit configuration, connection relation, or the like. Specifically, the oxide semiconductor is used for a channel formation region of the semiconductor element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Masashi FUJITA, Yutaka SHIONOIRI, Kiyoshi KATO, Hidetomo KOBAYASHI
  • Patent number: 9768210
    Abstract: When a conductive layer occupying a large area is provided in a coiled antenna portion, it has been difficult to supply power stably. A memory circuit portion and a coiled antenna portion are disposed by being stacked together; therefore, it is possible to prevent a current from flowing through a conductive layer occupying a large area included in the memory circuit portion, and thus, power saving can be achieved. In addition, the memory circuit portion and the coiled antenna portion are disposed by being stacked together, and thus, it is possible to use a space efficiently. Therefore, downsizing can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tamae Takano, Nobuharu Ohsawa, Kiyoshi Kato
  • Patent number: 9761611
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an oxide layer, a source electrode layer in contact with the oxide layer, a first drain electrode layer in contact with the oxide layer, a second drain electrode layer in contact with the oxide layer, a gate insulating film in contact with the oxide layer, a first gate electrode layer overlapping with the source electrode layer and the first drain electrode layer and overlapping with a top surface of the oxide layer with the gate insulating film interposed therebetween, a second gate electrode layer overlapping with the source electrode layer and the second drain electrode layer and overlapping with the top surface of the oxide layer with the gate insulating film interposed therebetween, and a third gate electrode layer overlapping with a side surface of the oxide layer with the gate insulating film interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Jun Koyama, Kiyoshi Kato
  • Patent number: 9762246
    Abstract: An object is to provide a semiconductor device that can maintain the connection relation between logic circuit units or the circuit configuration of each of the logic circuit units even after supply of power supply voltage is stopped. Another object is to provide a semiconductor device in which the connection relation between logic circuit units or the circuit configuration of each of the logic circuit units can be changed at high speed. In a reconfigurable circuit, an oxide semiconductor is used for a semiconductor element that stores data on the circuit configuration, connection relation, or the like. Specifically, the oxide semiconductor is used for a channel formation region of the semiconductor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Fujita, Yutaka Shionoiri, Kiyoshi Kato, Hidetomo Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20170256570
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor display device having an interlayer insulating film which can obtain planarity of a surface while controlling film formation time, can control treatment time of heating treatment with an object of removing moisture, and can prevent moisture in the interlayer insulating film from being discharged to a film or an electrode adjacent to the interlayer insulating film. An inorganic insulating film containing nitrogen, which is less likely to transmit moisture compared with an organic resin, is formed so as to cover a TFT. Next, an organic resin film containing photosensitive acrylic resin is applied to the organic insulting film, and the organic resin film is partially exposed to light to be opened. Thereafter, an inorganic insulting film containing nitrogen, which is less likely to transmit moisture compared with an organic resin, is formed so as to cover the opened organic resin film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Shunpei YAMAZAKI, Satoshi MURAKAMI, Masahiko HAYAKAWA, Kiyoshi KATO, Mitsuaki OSAME
  • Patent number: 9741867
    Abstract: An object is to achieve low power consumption and a long lifetime of a semiconductor device having a wireless communication function. The object can be achieved in such a manner that a battery serving as a power supply source and a specific circuit are electrically connected to each other through a transistor in which a channel formation region is formed using an oxide semiconductor. The hydrogen concentration of the oxide semiconductor is lower than or equal to 5×1019 (atoms/cm3). Therefore, leakage current of the transistor can be reduced. As a result, power consumption of the semiconductor device in a standby state can be reduced. Further, the semiconductor device can have a long lifetime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kato, Jun Koyama
  • Publication number: 20170236839
    Abstract: A highly reliable semiconductor device suitable for miniaturization and high integration is provided. The semiconductor device includes a first insulator; a transistor over the first insulator; a second insulator over the transistor; a first conductor embedded in an opening in the second insulator; a barrier layer over the first conductor; a third insulator over the second insulator and over the barrier layer; and a second conductor over the third insulator. The first insulator, the third insulator, and the barrier layer have a barrier property against oxygen and hydrogen. The second insulator includes an excess-oxygen region. The transistor includes an oxide semiconductor. The barrier layer, the third insulator, and the second conductor function as a capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Shunpei YAMAZAKI, Yuta ENDO, Kiyoshi KATO, Satoru OKAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20170230041
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device that can directly compare two negative potentials. The semiconductor device includes a first to a third transistor and a load and is configured to compare a first negative potential and a second negative potential. The first negative potential and the second negative potential are input to a gate of the first transistor and a gate of the second transistor, respectively. Each drain of the first transistor and the second transistor is electrically connected to the load. The third transistor serves as a current source. The first transistor and the second transistor each include a backgate. A positive potential is input to the backgates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Kiyoshi KATO, Yutaka SHIONOIRI, Tomoaki ATSUMI, Takanori MATSUZAKI
  • Patent number: 9728243
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device including first to sixth capacitors, first to fourth wirings, first and second sense amplifiers, and a memory cell array over the first and second sense amplifiers. The first wiring is electrically connected to the memory cell array, one electrode of the first capacitor, the third wiring via a source and a drain of a first transistor, the fourth wiring via the fifth capacitor, and the second wiring via the first sense amplifier. The second wiring is electrically connected to one electrode of the second capacitor, the fourth wiring via a source and a drain of a second transistor, and the third wiring via the sixth capacitor. The third wiring is electrically connected to one electrode of the third capacitor, and the fourth wiring via the second sense amplifier. The fourth wiring is electrically connected to one electrode of the fourth capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Kato