Patents by Inventor Masaaki Niwa

Masaaki Niwa 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: 20240420179
    Abstract: The method includes obtaining interest information indicative of an object of interest of a user, selecting advertisement information based on the interest information, and notifying the user of the advertisement information on a way to or from an event venue of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2024
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Makoto AKAHANE, Yu NAGATA, Tomokazu MAYA, Masaaki TOMIYA, Yuko MINETA, Kayo TSUMOTO, Shinichi NIWA, Satoshi KOMAMINE
  • Publication number: 20240416966
    Abstract: The control device includes a control unit that acquires information on a distribution of a loudness of sound in an area in which sound is generated, and controls movement of mobility with a conference room moving in the area based on the acquired information on the distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2024
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Makoto AKAHANE, Yu NAGATA, Tomokazu MAYA, Masaaki TOMIYA, Yuko MINETA, Kayo TSUMOTO, Shinichi NIWA, Satoshi KOMAMINE
  • Publication number: 20240418516
    Abstract: The control device includes a control unit configured to obtain information regarding a congestion level of at least two locations in which an event is held, and determine a transport route in which mobility moving between the at least two locations transports passengers based on the obtained information regarding the congestion level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2024
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Makoto AKAHANE, Yu NAGATA, Tomokazu MAYA, Masaaki TOMIYA, Yuko MINETA, Kayo TSUMOTO, Shinichi NIWA, Satoshi KOMAMINE
  • Publication number: 20240394607
    Abstract: The information processing device includes a control unit that predicts the number of users of each of the plurality of stations on the event date based on the identification information of the visitor and the person flow data of each of the plurality of stations in the vicinity of the event place, and determines a station that prompts the visitor to use based on the identification information and the predicted number of users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto AKAHANE, Yu Nagata, Tomokazu Maya, Masaaki Tomiya, Yuko Mineta, Kayo Tsumoto, Shinichi Niwa, Satoshi Komamine
  • Publication number: 20240380224
    Abstract: The control device acquires information regarding an event held within a certain area, and based on the acquired information, the power supply has the function of supplying power to electronic devices used by the user from among multiple locations within the area. The control unit includes a control unit that determines a location to dispatch the mobility and performs processing to dispatch the power supply mobility to the determined location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Makoto AKAHANE, Yu NAGATA, Tomokazu MAYA, Masaaki TOMIYA, Yuko MINETA, Kayo TSUMOTO, Shinichi NIWA, Satoshi KOMAMINE
  • Patent number: 11258006
    Abstract: Provided are a magnetic memory element in which an improvement in properties, such as an improvement in coercive properties or a reduction in a leak current, can be attained, a method for producing the same, and a magnetic memory. The magnetic memory element, includes: a columnar stack ST in which a reference layer FX having a fixed magnetization direction, a barrier layer TL including a non-magnetic body, and a recording layer FR having a reversible magnetization direction are stacked in this order; and an insulating film which contains nitrogen and is provided to cover a lateral surface of the columnar stack, in which in one or both of the recording layer and the barrier layer, a nitrogen concentration is 7×1030 atoms/m2 or more in a position of 2 nm inside from an outer circumferential end of the columnar stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: TOHOKU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Tetsuo Endoh, Masaaki Niwa, Hiroaki Honjo, Hideo Sato, Shoji Ikeda, Toshinari Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11121310
    Abstract: A structure used in the formation of a spintronics element, the spintronics element to include a plurality of laminated layers, includes a substrate, a plurality of laminated layers formed on the substrate, an uppermost layer of the plurality of laminated layers being a non-magnetic layer containing oxygen, and a protection layer directly formed on the uppermost layer, the protection layer preventing alteration of characteristics of the uppermost layer while exposed in an atmosphere including H2O, a partial pressure of H2O in the atmosphere being equal to or larger than 10?4 Pa, no other layer being directly formed on the protection layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: TOHOKU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Soshi Sato, Masaaki Niwa, Hiroaki Honjo, Shoji Ikeda, Hideo Ohno, Tetsuo Endo
  • Patent number: 11062876
    Abstract: An evaluation method for an electronic device provided with an insulating film between a pair of electrode layers includes preparing a sample that has a tunnel barrier insulating film as the insulating film; irradiating the sample with electron beams from a plurality of angles to acquire a plurality of images; and performing image processing using the plurality of images to reconstruct a stereoscopic image and generate a cross-sectional image of the sample from the stereoscopic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: TOHOKU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Masaaki Niwa, Tetsuo Endoh, Shoji Ikeda, Kosuke Kimura
  • Publication number: 20210091304
    Abstract: [Problem] Provided are a magnetic memory element in which an improvement in properties, such as an improvement in coercive properties or a reduction in a leak current, can be attained, a method for producing the same, and a magnetic memory. [Means for Resolution] The magnetic memory element, includes: a columnar stack ST in which a reference layer FX having a fixed magnetization direction, a barrier layer TL including a non-magnetic body, and a recording layer FR having a reversible magnetization direction are stacked in this order; and an insulating film (a second insulating film 20) which contains nitrogen and is provided to cover a lateral surface of the columnar stack, in which in one or both of the recording layer and the barrier layer, a nitrogen concentration is 7×1030 atoms/m2 or more in a position of 2 nm inside from an outer circumferential end of the columnar stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Tetsuo Endoh, Masaaki Niwa, Hiroaki Honjo, Hideo Sato, Shoji Ikeda, Toshinari Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10658572
    Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element includes first and second magnetic layers having a perpendicular magnetization direction, and a first non-magnetic layer disposed adjacent to the first magnetic layer and on a side opposite to a side on which the second magnetic layer is disposed. An interfacial perpendicular magnetic anisotropy exists at an interface between the first magnetic layer and the first non-magnetic layer, and the anisotropy causes the first magnetic layer to have a magnetization direction perpendicular to the surface of the layers. An atomic fraction of all magnetic elements to all magnetic and non-magnetic elements included in the second magnetic layer is smaller than that of the first magnetic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: TOHOKU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hideo Sato, Shoji Ikeda, Mathias Bersweiler, Hiroaki Honjo, Kyota Watanabe, Shunsuke Fukami, Fumihiro Matsukura, Kenchi Ito, Masaaki Niwa, Tetsuo Endoh, Hideo Ohno
  • Patent number: 10644234
    Abstract: A method for producing a magnetic memory includes: forming a magnetic film having a non-magnetic layer between a first magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer on a substrate having an electrode layer; performing annealing treatment at a first treatment temperature in a state where a magnetic field is applied in a direction perpendicular to a film surface of the first or the second magnetic layer in vacuum; forming a magnetic tunnel junction element; forming a protective film protecting the magnetic tunnel junction element; a formation accompanied by thermal history, in which a constituent element of a magnetic memory is formed after the protective film formation on the substrate; and implementing annealing treatment at a second treatment temperature lower than the first treatment temperature on the substrate in an annealing treatment chamber, in vacuum or inert gas wherein no magnetic field is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: TOHOKU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kenchi Ito, Tetsuo Endoh, Shoji Ikeda, Hideo Sato, Hideo Ohno, Sadahiko Miura, Masaaki Niwa, Hiroaki Honjo
  • Publication number: 20190363245
    Abstract: A structure used in the formation of a spintronics element, the spintronics element to include a plurality of laminated layers, includes a substrate, a plurality of laminated layers formed on the substrate, an uppermost layer of the plurality of laminated layers being a non-magnetic layer containing oxygen, and a protection layer directly formed on the uppermost layer, the protection layer preventing alteration of characteristics of the uppermost layer while exposed in an atmosphere including H2O, a partial pressure of H2O in the atmosphere being equal to or larger than 10?4 Pa, no other layer being directly formed on the protection layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: TOHOKU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Soshi SATO, Masaaki NIWA, Hiroaki HONJO, Shoji IKEDA, Hideo OHNO, Tetsuo ENDO
  • Publication number: 20190304741
    Abstract: An evaluation method for an electronic device provided with an insulating film between a pair of electrode layers includes preparing a sample that has a tunnel barrier insulating film as the insulating film; irradiating the sample with electron beams from a plurality of angles to acquire a plurality of images; and performing image processing using the plurality of images to reconstruct a stereoscopic image and generate a cross-sectional image of the sample from the stereoscopic image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Masaaki Niwa, Tetsuo Endoh, Shoji Ikeda, Kosuke Kimura
  • Patent number: 10424725
    Abstract: A spintronics element including a ferromagnetic layer containing boron, and a diffusion stopper film covering a side face of the ferromagnetic layer partially or entirely, the side face in direct contact with diffusion stopper film, so as to prevent out-diffusion of the boron contained in the ferromagnetic layer. The diffusion stopper film contains boron at a concentration higher than a concentration of the boron in a portion of the ferromagnetic layer where the ferromagnetic layer contacts the diffusion stopper film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: TOHOKU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Soshi Sato, Masaaki Niwa, Hiroaki Honjo, Shoji Ikeda, Hideo Sato, Hideo Ohno, Tetsuo Endoh
  • Patent number: 10396274
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a spintronics element from laminated layers. The method includes (a) forming a plurality of laminated layers in manufacturing equipment, (b) forming a wafer in the manufacturing equipment, including applying a protection layer directly on a non-magnetic uppermost layer of the laminated layers so that the protection layer prevents alteration of characteristics of the uppermost layer, and (c) exposing the wafer, outside of the manufacturing equipment, to an atmosphere that includes H2O having a partial pressure in the atmosphere equal to or larger than 10?4 Pa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: TOHOKU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Soshi Sato, Masaaki Niwa, Hiroaki Honjo, Shoji Ikeda, Hideo Ohno, Tetsuo Endo
  • Publication number: 20190198755
    Abstract: A method for producing a magnetic memory includes: forming a magnetic film having a non-magnetic layer between a first magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer on a substrate having an electrode layer; performing annealing treatment at a first treatment temperature in a state where a magnetic field is applied in a direction perpendicular to a film surface of the first or the second magnetic layer in vacuum; forming a magnetic tunnel junction element; forming a protective film protecting the magnetic tunnel junction element; a formation accompanied by thermal history, in which a constituent element of a magnetic memory is formed after the protective film formation on the substrate; and implementing annealing treatment at a second treatment temperature lower than the first treatment temperature on the substrate in an annealing treatment chamber, in vacuum or inert gas wherein no magnetic field is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Kenchi ITO, Tetsuo ENDOH, Shoji IKEDA, Hideo SATO, Hideo OHNO, Sadahiko MIURA, Masaaki NIWA, Hiroaki HONJO
  • Publication number: 20190074433
    Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element includes first and second magnetic layers having a perpendicular magnetization direction, and a first non-magnetic layer disposed adjacent to the first magnetic layer and on a side opposite to a side on which the second magnetic layer is disposed. An interfacial perpendicular magnetic anisotropy exists at an interface between the first magnetic layer and the first non-magnetic layer, and the anisotropy causes the first magnetic layer to have a magnetization direction perpendicular to the surface of the layers. An atomic fraction of all magnetic elements to all magnetic and non-magnetic elements included in the second magnetic layer is smaller than that of the first magnetic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicant: TOHOKU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hideo SATO, Shoji IKEDA, Mathias BERSWEILER, Hiroaki HONJO, Kyota WATANABE, Shunsuke FUKAMI, Fumihiro MATSUKURA, Kenchi ITO, Masaaki NIWA, Tetsuo ENDOH, Hideo OHNO
  • Patent number: 10164174
    Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element includes first and second magnetic layers having a perpendicular magnetization direction, and a first non-magnetic layer disposed adjacent to the first magnetic layer and on a side opposite to a side on which the second magnetic layer is disposed. An interfacial perpendicular magnetic anisotropy exists at an interface between the first magnetic layer and the first non-magnetic layer, and the anisotropy causes the first magnetic layer to have a magnetization direction perpendicular to the surface if the layers. The second magnetic layer has a saturation magnetization lower than that of the first magnetic layer, and an interfacial magnetic anisotropy energy density (Ki) at the interface between the first magnetic layer and the first non-magnetic layer is greater than that of an interface between the first non-magnetic layer and second magnetic layers if being disposed adjacent each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: TOHOKU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hideo Sato, Shoji Ikeda, Mathias Bersweiler, Hiroaki Honjo, Kyota Watanabe, Shunsuke Fukami, Fumihiro Matsukura, Kenchi Ito, Masaaki Niwa, Tetsuo Endoh, Hideo Ohno
  • Publication number: 20180301621
    Abstract: A spintronics element including a ferromagnetic layer containing boron, and a diffusion stopper film covering a side face of the ferromagnetic layer partially or entirely, the side face in direct contact with diffusion stopper film, so as to prevent out-diffusion of the boron contained in the ferromagnetic layer. The diffusion stopper film contains boron at a concentration higher than a concentration of the boron in a portion of the ferromagnetic layer where the ferromagnetic layer contacts the diffusion stopper film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: TOHOKU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Soshi SATO, Masaaki NIWA, Hiroaki HONJO, Shoji IKEDA, Hideo SATO, Hideo OHNO, Tetsuo ENDOH
  • Publication number: 20180175286
    Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element includes first and second magnetic layers having a perpendicular magnetization direction, and a first non-magnetic layer disposed adjacent to the first magnetic layer and on a side opposite to a side on which the second magnetic layer is disposed. An interfacial perpendicular magnetic anisotropy exists at an interface between the first magnetic layer and the first non-magnetic layer, and the anisotropy causes the first magnetic layer to have a magnetization direction perpendicular to the surface if the layers. The second magnetic layer has a saturation magnetization lower than that of the first magnetic layer, and an interfacial magnetic anisotropy energy density (Ki) at the interface between the first magnetic layer and the first non-magnetic layer is greater than that of an interface between the first non-magnetic layer and second magnetic layers if being disposed adjacent each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: TOHOKU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hideo SATO, Shoji IKEDA, Mathias BERSWEILER, Hiroaki HONJO, Kyota WATANABE, Shunsuke FUKAMI, Fumihiro MATSUKURA, Kenchi ITO, Masaaki NIWA, Tetsuo ENDOH, Hideo OHNO