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: 9627010
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiko Ishizu, Kiyoshi Kato, Tatsuya Onuki, Wataru Uesugi
  • Patent number: 9613964
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Jun Koyama, Kiyoshi Kato
  • Publication number: 20170090231
    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: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Kiyoshi KATO, Toshihiko SAITO
  • Publication number: 20170077101
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a nonvolatile memory cell in which 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 are included is provided. Data is written to the memory cell by turning on the writing transistor and applying 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, and then turning off the writing transistor, so that the predetermined amount of charge is held in the node. Further, when a p-channel transistor is used as the reading transistor, a reading potential is a positive potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Hiroki INOUE, Kiyoshi KATO, Takanori MATSUZAKI, Shuhei NAGATSUKA
  • Patent number: 9589961
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Jun Koyama, Kiyoshi Kato
  • Publication number: 20170062044
    Abstract: To provide a semiconductor device having a novel structure. To provide a semiconductor device excellent in reducing power consumption. A memory cell including an SRAM capable of backing up data to the nonvolatile memory and a peripheral circuit of the memory cell are configured to offer different power gating states. In a first period, which is extremely short, the bit line is brought into an electrically floating state by turning off the switch. In a second period, which is longer than the first period, power gating is performed on the memory cell. In a third period, which is longer than the second period, power gating is performed on the memory cell and the peripheral circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Takahiko ISHIZU, Wataru UESUGI, Kiyoshi KATO, Tatsuya ONUKI
  • Publication number: 20170062482
    Abstract: To provide a semiconductor device that is not easily damaged by ESD in a manufacturing process thereof. A layer whose band gap is greater than or equal to 2.5 eV and less than or equal to 4.2 eV, preferably greater than or equal to 2.7 eV and less than or equal to 3.5 eV is provided to overlap with a dicing line. A layer whose band gap is greater than or equal to 2.5 eV and less than or equal to 4.2 eV, preferably greater than or equal to 2.7 eV and less than or equal to 3.5 eV is provided around the semiconductor device such as a transistor. The layer may be in a floating state or may be supplied with a specific potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Shunpei YAMAZAKI, Kiyoshi KATO, Yuto YAKUBO, Shuhei NAGATSUKA
  • Patent number: 9570116
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Kato
  • Publication number: 20170038826
    Abstract: A microcontroller which operates in a low power consumption mode is provided. A microcontroller includes a CPU, a memory, and a peripheral circuit such as a timer circuit. A register in the peripheral circuit is provided in an interface with a bus line. A power gate for controlling supply control is provided. The microcontroller can operate not only in a normal operation mode where all circuits are active, but also in a low power consumption mode where some of the circuits are active. A volatile memory and nonvolatile memory are provided in a register, such as a register of the CPU. Data in the volatile memory is backed up in the nonvolatile memory before the power supply is stopped. In the case where the operation mode returns to the normal mode, when power supply is started again, data in the nonvolatile memory is written back into the volatile memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Tatsuji NISHIJIMA, Hidetomo KOBAYASHI, Tomoaki ATSUMI, Kiyoshi KATO, Shunpei YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20170033111
    Abstract: A novel semiconductor device or memory device is provided. Alternatively, a semiconductor device or memory device in which storage capacity per unit area is large is provided. The semiconductor device includes a sense amplifier provided to a semiconductor substrate and a memory cell provided over the sense amplifier. The sense amplifier includes a first transistor. The memory cell includes a capacitor over the semiconductor substrate, a second transistor provided over the capacitor, a conductor, and a groove portion. The capacitor includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode is formed along the groove portion. The second electrode has a region facing the first electrode in the groove portion. The second transistor includes an oxide semiconductor. One of a source and a drain of the second transistor is electrically connected to the second electrode through the conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei YAMAZAKI, Kiyoshi KATO, Hidekazu MIYAIRI, Akihisa SHIMOMURA, Atsushi HIROSE
  • Publication number: 20170033110
    Abstract: It is an object to provide a memory device whose power consumption can be suppressed and a semiconductor device including the memory device. As a switching element for holding electric charge accumulated in a transistor which functions as a memory element, a transistor including an oxide semiconductor film as an active layer is provided for each memory cell in the memory device. The transistor which is used as a memory element has a first gate electrode, a second gate electrode, a semiconductor film located between the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode, a first insulating film located between the first gate electrode and the semiconductor film, a second insulating film located between the second gate electrode and the semiconductor film, and a source electrode and a drain electrode in contact with the semiconductor film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Yutaka SHIONOIRI, Hiroyuki MIYAKE, Kiyoshi KATO
  • Publication number: 20170018560
    Abstract: An object is to provide a semiconductor device having a novel structure with a high degree of integration. A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer having a channel formation region, a source electrode and a drain electrode electrically connected to the channel formation region, a gate electrode overlapping with the channel formation region, and a gate insulating layer between the channel formation region and the gate electrode. A portion of a side surface of the semiconductor layer having the channel formation region and a portion of a side surface of the source electrode or the drain electrode are substantially aligned with each other when seen from a planar direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventor: Kiyoshi KATO
  • Patent number: 9542977
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device which can achieve a reduction in its area, reduction in power consumption, and operation at a high speed. A semiconductor device 10 has a structure in which a circuit 31 including a memory circuit and a circuit 32 including an amplifier circuit are stacked. With this structure, the memory circuit and the amplifier circuit can be mounted on the semiconductor device 10 while the increase in the area of the semiconductor device 10 is suppressed. Thus, the area of the semiconductor device 10 can be reduced. Further, the circuits are formed using OS transistors, so that the memory circuit and the amplifier circuit which have low off-state current and which can operate at a high speed can be formed. Therefore, a reduction in power consumption and improvement in operation speed of the semiconductor device 10 can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Onuki, Kiyoshi Kato, Yutaka Shionoiri, Tomoaki Atsumi, Takanori Matsuzaki, Hiroki Inoue, Shuhei Nagatsuka, Yuto Yakubo
  • Patent number: 9525051
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a nonvolatile memory cell in which 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 are included is provided. Data is written to the memory cell by turning on the writing transistor and applying 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, and then turning off the writing transistor, so that the predetermined amount of charge is held in the node. Further, when a p-channel transistor is used as the reading transistor, a reading potential is a positive potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Inoue, Kiyoshi Kato, Takanori Matsuzaki, Shuhei Nagatsuka
  • Publication number: 20160364641
    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: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Tamae TAKANO, Nobuharu OHSAWA, Kiyoshi KATO
  • Patent number: 9519175
    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: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kato, Toshihiko Saito
  • Publication number: 20160358942
    Abstract: The invention provides a processor obtained by forming a high functional integrated circuit using a polycrystalline semiconductor over a substrate which is sensitive to heat, such as a plastic substrate or a plastic film substrate. Moreover, the invention provides a wireless processor, a wireless memory, and an information processing system thereof which transmit and receive power or signals wirelessly. According to the invention, an information processing system includes an element forming region including a transistor which has at least a channel forming region formed of a semiconductor film separated into islands with a thickness of 10 to 200 nm, and an antenna. The transistor is fixed on a flexible substrate. The wireless processor in which a high functional integrated circuit including the element forming region is formed and the semiconductor device transmit and receive data through the antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Kiyoshi Kato, Jun Koyama, Yutaka Shionoiri
  • Patent number: 9515661
    Abstract: A circuit with a reduced leakage current is provided. A first transistor, a third transistor, and a second transistor are electrically connected in this order in series, a drain of the second transistor and a source of the third transistor are electrically connected to each other and are electrically connected to an output node. The first transistor is a p-channel transistor. The second and third transistors are n-channel transistors each including a semiconductor region including an oxide semiconductor. The third transistor functions as a switch that controls electrical connection between a drain of the first transistor and an output node of the circuit. In the standby mode, the third transistor is in an off state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Kato
  • Patent number: 9507687
    Abstract: An operation management device includes: an information collection module which collects, from a managed device, first and second performance information showing a time series change in the performance information; a correlation model generation module which derives a correlation function between the first and second performance information and creates a correlation model based on the correlation function; a correlation change analysis module which judges whether or not the current first and second performance information acquired by the information collection module satisfy the relation shown by the conversion function between the first and second performance information of the correlation model within a specific error range; and a failure period extraction module which, when the first and second performance information does not satisfy the relation shown by the conversion function of the correlation model , extracts a period of that state as a failure period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Kato
  • Publication number: 20160336055
    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: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventor: Kiyoshi KATO