Patents by Inventor Masahiko Sakagami

Masahiko Sakagami 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: 20230238070
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a storage element write unit including a storage element configured to be electrically written only once and store two values, a write controller connected to the storage element through a first node signal and configured to perform a write to the storage element based on a write control signal instructing a write to the storage element, and a write state detection circuit configured to detect that the storage element is in a write state based on a measurement signal obtained by measuring the first node signal. In a case where the write controller receives a detection signal indicating that the storage element is in the write state from the write state detection circuit after start of a write to the storage element, the write controller stops write operation after a lapse of a predetermined time from detection of the write state of the storage element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicants: TOWER PARTNERS SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD., TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshige HIRANO, Hiroaki KURIYAMA, Masahiko SAKAGAMI, Micha GUTMAN, Erez SARIG, Yakov ROIZIN
  • Patent number: 7468900
    Abstract: In order to omit a reset transistor between a storage node and a cell plate line of a memory cell, a cell plate line is fixed to a potential substantially equal to a ground potential and a bit line is driven with positive and negative voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kunisato Yamaoka, Hiroshige Hirano, Masahiko Sakagami
  • Patent number: 7307866
    Abstract: A ferroelectric memory of the present invention comprises: a plurality of normal cells, each of which includes a first ferroelectric capacitor for holding data and a first transistor connected to a first electrode of the first ferroelectric capacitor; a first bit line connected to the first transistor; a first bit line precharge circuit which is a switch circuit provided between the first bit line and a ground; and a word line connected to a gate of the first transistor. The word line is deactivated to disconnect the first ferroelectric capacitor from the first bit line before the first bit line precharge circuit is driven to discharge a potential of the first bit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunisato Yamaoka, Hiroshige Hirano, Yasushi Gohou, Shunichi Iwanari, Yasuo Murakuki, Masahiko Sakagami, Tetsuji Nakakuma, Takashi Miki
  • Patent number: 7280406
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor memory device compatible with a SRAM and capable of a high-speed data transfer operation while maintaining data reliability. An access to a memory core 6 starts when an external chip enable signal XCE performs a falling transition. Simultaneously, an external write enable signal XWE and an external address signal ADD are received, and a memory cell 1, in the memory core 6, corresponding to the received external address signal ADD is selected. When a data read-out from the memory cell 1 or a data write-in to the memory cell 1 is complete, a rewrite timer 7 is activated in accordance with a rising transition of an external chip enable signal XCE or a rising transition of the external write enable signal XWE for performing a data rewrite for the memory cell 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunichi Iwanari, Masahiko Sakagami, Hiroshige Hirano, Tetsuji Nakakuma, Takashi Miki, Yasushi Gohou, Kunisato Yamaoka, Yasuo Murakuki
  • Publication number: 20060285378
    Abstract: In order to omit a reset transistor between a storage node and a cell plate line of a memory cell, a cell plate line is fixed to a potential substantially equal to a ground potential and a bit line is driven with positive and negative voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventors: Kunisato Yamaoka, Hiroshige Hirano, Masahiko Sakagami
  • Patent number: 7136313
    Abstract: To provide a semiconductor storage device which can adapt to assembly processes involving different treatment temperatures, can become unrewritable when rewriting of data by the user is prohibited, negates the necessity for developing different semiconductor storage devices, and lowers development cost. A semiconductor storage device is provided with, as areas for storing faulty address information indicating a faulty area and operation mode setting information about the semiconductor storage device, a first setting function storage area 103 formed from electrically-rewritable nonvolatile memory and a second setting function storage area 102 formed from once-rewritable nonvolatile memory. Transfer of faulty address information to a faulty address register 111 and transfer of operation mode setting information to an operation mode register 110 are selectively performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Murakuki, Hiroshige Hirano, Yasushi Gohou, Masahiko Sakagami, Kunisato Yamaoka, Shunichi Iwanari, Tetsuji Nakakuma, Takashi Miki
  • Publication number: 20060171246
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor memory device compatible with a SRAM and capable of a high-speed data transfer operation while maintaining data reliability. An access to a memory core 6 starts when an external chip enable signal XCE performs a falling transition. Simultaneously, an external write enable signal XWE and an external address signal ADD are received, and a memory cell 1, in the memory core 6, corresponding to the received external address signal ADD is selected. When a data read-out from the memory cell 1 or a data write-in to the memory cell 1 is complete, a rewrite timer 7 is activated in accordance with a rising transition of an external chip enable signal XCE or a rising transition of the external write enable signal XWE for performing a data rewrite for the memory cell 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Inventors: Shunichi Iwanari, Masahiko Sakagami, Hiroshige Hirano, Tetsuji Nakakuma, Takashi Miki, Yasushi Gohou, Kunisato Yamaoka, Yasuo Murakuki
  • Patent number: 7085148
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device having a semiconductor substrate includes a plurality of reference cells 4 and a plurality of bit lines 10. The reference cells 4 are formed in a region near the centerline of a predetermined region of the semiconductor substrate which is perpendicular to the bit lines 10. The bit lines 10 form pairs each composed of two adjacent bit lines. Two bit lines 10 in each pair have a first parallel state and a second parallel state in which positions of the two bit lines are reversed from the first parallel state. Each pair of bit lines 10 has at least one cross section 11 where one of the pair of bit lines 10 crosses the other, to switch between the first parallel state and the second parallel state. The cross section 11 is provided in the predetermined region of the semiconductor substrate such that the length of a bit line 10 in the first parallel state is equal to the length of the bit line 10 in the second parallel state. The semiconductor memory device is reduced in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunichi Iwanari, Masahiko Sakagami, Yasuo Murakuki
  • Patent number: 7016247
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory apparatus including a simple circuit configuration and is capable of randomly accessing fuse data. A fuse cell 30 including a fuse 31 is connected to a pair of bit lines of a memory circuit. The fuse 31 and a fuse data output circuit (which includes a resistor 32 and an inverter 33) are connected to a pair of bit lines BLT and BLB of the memory circuit through a fuse selection switch 34. By allowing a column decoder 12 for selecting a pair of bit lines of the memory cell to also function as a decoder circuit for selecting a fuse, the bit lines of the memory circuit can be used as signal lines for outputting fuse data, whereby the circuit size is reduced and the circuit area is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Murakuki, Masahiko Sakagami, Shunichi Iwanari
  • Publication number: 20050265090
    Abstract: To provide a semiconductor storage device which can adapt to assembly processes involving different treatment temperatures, can become unrewritable when rewriting of data by the user is prohibited, negates the necessity for developing different semiconductor storage devices, and lowers development cost. A semiconductor storage device is provided with, as areas for storing faulty address information indicating a faulty area and operation mode setting information about the semiconductor storage device, a first setting function storage area 103 formed from electrically-rewritable nonvolatile memory and a second setting function storage area 102 formed from once-rewritable nonvolatile memory. Transfer of faulty address information to a faulty address register 111 and transfer of operation mode setting information to an operation mode register 110 are selectively performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Inventors: Yasuo Murakuki, Hiroshige Hirano, Yasushi Gohou, Masahiko Sakagami, Kunisato Yamaoka, Shunichi Iwanari, Tetsuji Nakakuma, Takashi Miki
  • Publication number: 20050259461
    Abstract: A ferroelectric memory of the present invention comprises: a plurality of normal cells, each of which includes a first ferroelectric capacitor for holding data and a first transistor connected to a first electrode of the first ferroelectric capacitor; a first bit line connected to the first transistor; a first bit line precharge circuit which is a switch circuit provided between the first bit line and a ground; and a word line connected to a gate of the first transistor. The word line is deactivated to disconnect the first ferroelectric capacitor from the first bit line before the first bit line precharge circuit is driven to discharge a potential of the first bit line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Inventors: Kunisato Yamaoka, Hiroshige Hirano, Yasushi Gohou, Shunichi Iwanari, Yasuo Murakuki, Masahiko Sakagami, Tetsuji Nakakuma, Takashi Miki
  • Publication number: 20050146969
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory apparatus is provided which has a simple circuit configuration and is capable of randomly accessing fuse data. In the semiconductor memory apparatus of the present invention, a fuse cell 30 including a fuse 31 is connected to a pair of bit lines of a memory circuit. The fuse 31 and a fuse data output circuit (which includes a resistor 32 and an inverter 33) are connected to a pair of bit lines BLT and BLB of the memory circuit through a fuse selection switch 34. In the semiconductor memory apparatus of the present invention, by allowing a column decoder 12 for selecting a pair of bit lines of the memory cell to also function as a decoder circuit for selecting a fuse, the bit lines of the memory circuit can be used as signal lines for outputting fuse data, whereby the circuit size is reduced and the circuit area is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventors: Yasuo Murakuki, Masahiko Sakagami, Shunichi Iwanari
  • Publication number: 20050078547
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device having a semiconductor substrate includes a plurality of reference cells 4 and a plurality of bit lines 10. The reference cells 4 are formed in a region near the centerline of a predetermined region of the semiconductor substrate which is perpendicular to the bit lines 10. The bit lines 10 form pairs each composed of two adjacent bit lines. Two bit lines 10 in each pair have a first parallel state and a second parallel state in which positions of the two bit lines are reversed from the first parallel state. Each pair of bit lines 10 has at least one cross section 11 where one of the pair of bit lines 10 crosses the other, to switch between the first parallel state and the second parallel state. The cross section 11 is provided in the predetermined region of the semiconductor substrate such that the length of a bit line 10 in the first parallel state is equal to the length of the bit line 10 in the second parallel state. The semiconductor memory device is reduced in size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Inventors: Shunichi Iwanari, Masahiko Sakagami, Yasuo Murakuki
  • Patent number: 6320229
    Abstract: In a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type, first and second high-concentration layers of a second conductivity type are formed in spaced relation to each other. A reference voltage is applied to the second high-concentration layer. A conductive layer provides an electrical connection between the first high-concentration layer and an input pad for inputting an input signal to an input circuit or input/output circuit. A first low-concentration layer of the second conductivity type is formed in the region of the semiconductor substrate immediately underlying the first high-concentration layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Toshitaka Uchikoba, Masahiko Sakagami, Akihiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5233557
    Abstract: A memory control device for controlling a random access memory provides with an arbiter for generating write start and read start signals in response to WRITE and READ commands which are obtained by frequency-dividing writing and reading clock signals, respectively and a memory control circuit comprised of first and second delay circuits for delaying the write start and read start signals by predetermined times, respectively, and first and second RS flip-flop circuits for generating write and read control signals in response to the write start and read start signals, respectively, which are reset by reset signals output from the first and second delay circuits, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Sakagami, Yoshikazu Maeyama
  • Patent number: 5227697
    Abstract: A dynamic type semiconductor memory in which a bit line is made to be connected to an electric potential different from a precharge potential after a precharge of the bit line is effected and one of word lines is selected and before a sensing amplifier operates. Thereby, all data stored in memory cells of the same row address can be cleared or preset in a cycle. Further, data stored in all of memory cells of which the number is equal to that of row addresses multiplied by that of column addresses can be cleared or preset in cycles of which the number is equal to that of the row addresses. Consequently, a clearance of contents of or a presetting of all memory cells can be effected at a high speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Matsushita Electronic Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiko Sakagami
  • Patent number: 5144578
    Abstract: A semiconductor device contains circuits composed on a semiconductor substrate which are divided at least into two circuit blocks as seen from the aspect of supplying electrical power, and the pad and wiring for feeding a supply potential and/or grounding potential to the first circuit block, and the pad and wiring for feeding the supply potential and/or grounding potential to the second circuit block other than the first circuit block are electrically independent of each other. In this constitution, it is possible to prevent malfunctions of the second circuit block and distortions of the output signal due to fluctuations of the supply potential or grounding potential occurring during operation of the first circuit block. It is also possible to prevent malfunctions of the first circuit block and distortions of the signal on the first circuit block due to fluctuations of the supply potential or grounding potential occurring due to a malfunction of the second circuit block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiko Sakagami
  • Patent number: 5065052
    Abstract: This invention is realized, in sum, by providing at least one reset input terminal, aside from a reset input terminal to which a request end signal is supplied, to output stage RS flip-flops of plural latch circuits to which plural request signals are supplied respectively. The signal of a first output terminal of the output stage RS flip-flop of a specified latch circuit of the plural latch circuits is supplied to a reset input terminal of the output stage RS flip-flop of the other latch circuit and a delay circuit is connected between a second output terminal and the other reset input terminal of the output stage RS flip-flops of each latch circuit. Accordingly, if plural request signals are supplied at substantially the same time, the competition of these request signals may be settled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Sakagami, Hideki Kawai
  • Patent number: 4821299
    Abstract: In a semiconductor integrated circuit device having at least one shift register, a plurality of 5 stages of the shift register are electrically connected in series, the 1st stage of said shift register is located in the closest position to the data input terminal, and other succeeding stages are sequentially and straightly located at intervals; the chain of the stages is folded at a particular stage, and further succeeding stages are sequentially and straightly located at intervals so as to fill in the spaces between the other stages, thus, the unbalance of the load capacitance between said stages and the functional unbalance between the shift registers can be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Matsushita Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Kawai, Masaru Fujii, Kiyoto Ohta, Masahiko Sakagami
  • Patent number: RE41879
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor memory device compatible with a SRAM and capable of a high-speed data transfer operation while maintaining data reliability. An access to a memory core 6 starts when an external chip enable signal XCE performs a falling transition. Simultaneously, an external write enable signal XWE and an external address signal ADD are received, and a memory cell 1, in the memory core 6, corresponding to the received external address signal ADD is selected. When a data read-out from the memory cell 1 or a data write-in to the memory cell 1 is complete, a rewrite timer 7 is activated in accordance with a rising transition of an external chip enable signal XCE or a rising transition of the external write enable signal XWE for performing a data rewrite for the memory cell 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shunichi Iwanari, Masahiko Sakagami, Hiroshige Hirano, Tetsuji Nakakuma, Takashi Miki, Yasushi Gohou, Kunisato Yamaoka, Yasuo Murakuki