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: 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
  • Publication number: 20170213832
    Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device functioning as a multivalued memory device including: memory cells connected in series; a driver circuit selecting a memory cell and driving a second signal line and a word line; a driver circuit selecting any of writing potentials and outputting it to a first signal line; a reading circuit comparing a potential of a bit line and a reference potential; and a potential generating circuit generating the writing potential and the reference potential. One of the memory cells includes: a first transistor connected to the bit line and a source line; a second transistor connected to the first and second signal line; and a third transistor connected to the word line, bit line, and source line. The second transistor includes an oxide semiconductor layer. A gate electrode of the first transistor is connected to one of source and drain electrodes of the second transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Shunpei YAMAZAKI, Jun KOYAMA, Kiyoshi KATO
  • Patent number: 9715906
    Abstract: A bootstrap circuit of which the capacitance of a bootstrap capacitor is small and which requires a shorter precharge period is provided. The bootstrap circuit includes transistors M41 and M42, capacitors BSC1 and BSC2, an inverter INV41, and keeper circuits 43 and 44. A signal OSG with a high voltage is generated from an input signal OSG_IN. As the signal OSG_IN is made a high level, a node SWG is made a high level by BSC1. After a signal BSE1 is made a high level and the node SWG is made a low level by the keeper circuit 44, a signal BSE2 is made a high level. By the capacitance coupling of BSC2, a voltage of an output terminal 22 increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiko Ishizu, Kiyoshi Kato, Yutaka Shionoiri, Tatsuya Onuki
  • Publication number: 20170207244
    Abstract: A semiconductor device that can retain data for a long time is provided. The semiconductor device includes a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor contains an oxide semiconductor in a channel formation region. The second transistor includes a first gate and a second gate. A gate of the first transistor is connected to a first electrode of the first transistor. The first electrode of the first transistor is connected to the second gate. A negative potential is applied to a second electrode of the first transistor. The first electrode and the second electrode of the first transistor include a first end portion and a second end portion, respectively. The first end portion and the second end portion face each other. The first end portion includes a first arc and the second end portion includes a second arc when seen from the top. The radius of curvature of the second arc is larger than that of the first arc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Kato
  • Patent number: 9704562
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Onuki, Kiyoshi Kato, Wataru Uesugi, Takahiko Ishizu
  • Patent number: 9705005
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Jun Koyama, Kiyoshi Kato
  • Publication number: 20170194048
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device having a memory cell array, which is capable of existing in three power-gating states depending on a non-access period to the memory cell array. The memory cell array includes a plurality of memory cells which each have an SRAM and a nonvolatile memory portion having a transistor with an oxide semiconductor in a channel region. The three power-gating states includes: a first state in which a power-gating to the memory cell array is performed; a second state in which the power-gating is performed on the memory cell array and peripheral circuits which control the memory cell array; and a third state in which, in addition to the memory cell array and the peripheral circuits, a power supply voltage supplying circuit is subjected to the power gating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Takahiko ISHIZU, Kiyoshi KATO, Tatsuya ONUKI, Wataru UESUGI
  • Publication number: 20170186473
    Abstract: A semiconductor device capable of stably holding data for a long time is provided. A transistor including a back gate is used as a writing transistor of a memory element. In the case where the transistor is an n-channel transistor, a negative potential is supplied to a back gate in holding memory. The supply of the negative potential is stopped while the negative potential is held in the back gate. In the case where an increase in the potential of the back gate is detected, the negative potential is supplied to the back gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Takayuki IKEDA, Yutaka SHIONOIRI, Kiyoshi KATO, Tomoaki ATSUMI
  • Publication number: 20170186749
    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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Kazuaki OHSHIMA, Kiyoshi KATO, Tomoaki ATSUMI
  • Patent number: 9692421
    Abstract: A novel non-volatile latch circuit and a semiconductor device using the non-volatile latch circuit are provided. The latch circuit has a loop structure in which an output of a first element is electrically connected to an input of a second element and an output of the second element is electrically connected to an input of the first element through a second transistor. A transistor using an oxide semiconductor as a semiconductor material of a channel formation region is used as a switching element, and a capacitor is provided to be electrically connected to a source electrode or a drain electrode of the transistor, whereby data of the latch circuit can be retained, and a non-volatile latch circuit can thus be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kato, Jun Koyama
  • Publication number: 20170179294
    Abstract: A semiconductor device capable of holding data for a long time is provided. The semiconductor device includes a first transistor, a second transistor, and a circuit. The first transistor includes a first gate and a second gate. The first transistor includes a first semiconductor in a channel formation region. The first gate and the second gate overlap with each other in a region with the first semiconductor provided therebetween. The second transistor includes a second semiconductor in a channel formation region. A first terminal of the second transistor is electrically connected to a gate of the second transistor and the second gate. A second terminal of the second transistor is electrically connected to the circuit. The circuit has a function of generating a negative potential. The second semiconductor has a wider bandgap than the first semiconductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Kiyoshi KATO, Tomoaki ATSUMI, Shunpei YAMAZAKI, Haruyuki BABA, Shinpei MATSUDA
  • Patent number: 9685447
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Jun Koyama, Kiyoshi Kato
  • Publication number: 20170162603
    Abstract: A semiconductor device that is suitable for miniaturization and higher density is provided. A semiconductor device includes a first transistor over a semiconductor substrate, a second transistor including an oxide semiconductor over the first transistor, and a capacitor over the second transistor. The capacitor includes a first conductor, a second conductor, and an insulator. The second conductor covers a side surface of the first conductor with an insulator provided therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei YAMAZAKI, Kiyoshi KATO, Masayuki SAKAKURA
  • Patent number: 9672873
    Abstract: A novel semiconductor device where multilevel data can be written and read. The semiconductor device includes first to fifth transistors, a capacitor, a bit line, and a power supply line. Write operation is performed in such a manner that first data is supplied to a gate of the fifth transistor through the first transistor; the first transistor is turned off; second data is supplied to a second electrode of the capacitor through the second transistor to convert the first data into third data; and the second electrode of the capacitor are made electrically floating. The second electrode of the capacitor is initialized to GND through the third transistor. Read operation is performed by charging or discharging the bit line through the fourth transistor and the fifth transistor. The first to third transistors are preferably oxide semiconductor transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Yamamoto, Kiyoshi Kato
  • Patent number: 9673224
    Abstract: To provide a semiconductor device that is suitable for miniaturization. The semiconductor device includes a first transistor, a second transistor over the first transistor, a barrier layer between the first transistor and the second transistor, a first electrode between the first transistor and the barrier layer, and a second electrode between the hairier layer and the second transistor and overlapping the first electrode with the barrier layer therebetween. A gate electrode of the first transistor, the first electrode, one of a source electrode and a drain electrode of the second transistor are electrically connected to one another. A channel is formed in a first semiconductor layer including a single crystal semiconductor in the first transistor. A channel is formed in a second semiconductor layer including an oxide semiconductor in the second transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Shuhei Nagatsuka, Tatsuya Onuki, Yutaka Shionoiri, Kiyoshi Kato, Hidekazu Miyairi
  • Publication number: 20170154652
    Abstract: To provide a small, highly reliable memory device with a large storage capacity. A semiconductor device includes a circuit for retaining data and a circuit for reading data. The circuit for retaining data includes a transistor and a capacitor. The circuit for reading data is configured to supply a potential to the circuit for retaining data and read a potential from the circuit for retaining data. The circuit for retaining data and the circuit for reading data are provided in different layers, so that the semiconductor device with a large storage capacity is manufactured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventor: Kiyoshi KATO
  • Patent number: 9666614
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Satoshi Murakami, Masahiko Hayakawa, Kiyoshi Kato, Mitsuaki Osame
  • Patent number: 9659945
    Abstract: A first transistor including a channel formation region, a first gate insulating layer, a first gate electrode, and a first source electrode and a first drain electrode; a second transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer, a second source electrode and a second drain electrode, a second gate insulating layer, and a second gate electrode; and a capacitor including one of the second source electrode and the second drain electrode, the second gate insulating layer, and an electrode provided to overlap with one of the second source electrode and the second drain electrode over the second gate insulating layer are provided. The first gate electrode and one of the second source electrode and the second drain electrode are electrically connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Jun Koyama, Kiyoshi Kato
  • Patent number: 9645909
    Abstract: An operation management apparatus to improve the accuracy of the estimation of the processing performance needed for the execution environment of the migration-destination, is provides, which is performed in system migration. In an operation management apparatus 100, a correlation model storage unit 112 stores a correlation model indicating a correlation for each pair of one or more metrics in a state of executing a predetermined program in a first processing system. A benchmark performance collection unit 103 collects values of a metric having a correlation with another metric in the correlation model in a state of executing a predetermined benchmark process in the first processing system and a second processing system, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Kato
  • Publication number: 20170117283
    Abstract: The memory device includes a first transistor and a circuit. The circuit includes a second to a (2n+1)th transistor, a first to an n-th capacitor, a first wiring, and a first to an n-th retention node (n is an integer greater than or equal to 2). When n is 2, a memory cell MC[1] includes a transistor ROS[1], a transistor WOS[1], and a capacitor C[1] and a memory cell MC[2] includes a transistor ROS[2], a transistor WOS [2], and a capacitor C[2]. A back gate of the transistor WOS[1] and a back gate of the transistor WOS[2] are electrically connected to a wiring WBG. A bake gate of a first transistor, a back gate of the transistor ROS[1], and a back gate of the transistor ROS[2] are electrically connected to a wiring RBG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Takanori MATSUZAKI, Kiyoshi KATO