Patents by Inventor Masahiro Sakuragi

Masahiro Sakuragi 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: 11643324
    Abstract: A MEMS sensor includes a silicon substrate that has a first surface and a second surface on a side opposite to the first surface and that has a cavity in the first surface, a silicon diaphragm that has a first surface and a second surface on aside opposite to the first surface and in which the second surface is joined directly to the first surface of the silicon substrate, and a piezoresistance formed at the first surface of the silicon diaphragm, and, in the MEMS sensor, a plane orientation of the first surface of the silicon substrate and a plane orientation of the first surface of the silicon diaphragm differ from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masahiro Sakuragi
  • Publication number: 20210039946
    Abstract: A MEMS sensor includes a silicon substrate that has a first surface and a second surface on a side opposite to the first surface and that has a cavity in the first surface, a silicon diaphragm that has a first surface and a second surface on aside opposite to the first surface and in which the second surface is joined directly to the first surface of the silicon substrate, and a piezoresistance formed at the first surface of the silicon diaphragm, and, in the MEMS sensor, a plane orientation of the first surface of the silicon substrate and a plane orientation of the first surface of the silicon diaphragm differ from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masahiro SAKURAGI
  • Patent number: 10597288
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a MEMS device includes a hole forming step of forming a plurality of holes concaved from a principal surface in a substrate material including a semiconductor, a connecting-hollow-portion forming step of forming a connecting hollow portion that connects the plurality of holes together, and a movable-portion forming step of, by partially moving the semiconductor of the substrate material so as to close at least one part of the plurality of holes, forming a hollow portion that exists inside the substrate material and a movable portion that coincides with the hollow portion when viewed in a thickness direction of the substrate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masahiro Sakuragi
  • Patent number: 10260974
    Abstract: An electronic part (air pressure detecting device) 1 includes a sensor element (air pressure sensor element) 2 that includes an ambient air contacting surface S including an ambient air contacting region Sa to be exposed to ambient air, and a supporting substrate 4, arranged to support the sensor element 2. The sensor element 2 is bonded to one surface 4a of the supporting substrate 4 in a state where its ambient air contacting surface S faces the one surface 4a of the supporting substrate 4 and a gap, through which the ambient air flows, is formed between the ambient air contacting surface S and the one surface 4a of the supporting substrate 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masahiro Sakuragi
  • Publication number: 20180346322
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a MEMS device includes a hole forming step of forming a plurality of holes concaved from a principal surface in a substrate material including a semiconductor, a connecting-hollow-portion forming step of forming a connecting hollow portion that connects the plurality of holes together, and a movable-portion forming step of, by partially moving the semiconductor of the substrate material so as to close at least one part of the plurality of holes, forming a hollow portion that exists inside the substrate material and a movable portion that coincides with the hollow portion when viewed in a thickness direction of the substrate material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masahiro SAKURAGI
  • Publication number: 20170284881
    Abstract: An electronic part (air pressure detecting device) 1 includes a sensor element (air pressure sensor element) 2 that includes an ambient air contacting surface S including an ambient air contacting region Sa to be exposed to ambient air, and a supporting substrate 4, arranged to support the sensor element 2. The sensor element 2 is bonded to one surface 4a of the supporting substrate 4 in a state where its ambient air contacting surface S faces the one surface 4a of the supporting substrate 4 and a gap, through which the ambient air flows, is formed between the ambient air contacting surface S and the one surface 4a of the supporting substrate 4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masahiro SAKURAGI
  • Patent number: 9568385
    Abstract: A semiconductor pressure sensor (720) includes a thin film piezoelectric element (701) which applies strain to a portion of a semiconductor substrate that corresponds to a thin region (402). The thin film piezoelectric element (701) is formed at a distance away from diffusion resistors (406, 408, 410, and 412) functioning as strain gauges and is extended to the proximity of a bonding pad (716A) connected to an upper electrode layer of the thin film piezoelectric element and a bonding pad (716F) connected to a lower electrode thereof. The diffusion resistors (406, 408, 410, and 412) constitute a bridge circuit by metal wiring (722) and diffusion wiring (724). During self-diagnosis, a prescribed voltage is applied to a thin film piezoelectric element (701). If the output difference of the bridge circuit between before and after the voltage application falls outside a prescribed range, it is determined that a breakage occurs in the semiconductor pressure sensor (720).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Yamada, Masahiro Sakuragi, Takeshi Yoshida, Kei Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9410987
    Abstract: A probe card includes a board or silicon substrate; a plurality of probes (terminals) at a first surface of the board, the respective probes having a first extending portion extending along the first surface of the board; a plurality of through-holes formed in correspondence to the respective probes and penetrating between the first and second surfaces of the board; through electrodes embedded in the respective through-holes and conductively connected to the probes in the respective through-holes; and a wiring at the second surface of the board conductively connected to the through electrodes, the wiring having a second extending portion extending along the second surface of the board, wherein the first extending portion and the second extending portion extend in different directions from each other, and a space is formed across the entire width of the first extending portion between the first extending portion and the first surface of the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Goro Nakatani, Masahiro Sakuragi, Koichi Niino
  • Publication number: 20150123691
    Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a probe card which inspects electrical characteristics of a plurality of semiconductor devices in batch. The method includes: a step of forming a plurality of probes, which are to be brought into contact with external terminals of the semiconductor devices, on one side of a board which forms the base body of the probe card; a step of forming on the board, by photolithography and etching, a plurality of through-holes which reach the probes from the other side of the board; a step of forming, in the through-holes, through electrodes to be conductively connected with the probes, respectively; and a step of forming wiring, which is conductively connected with the through electrodes, on the other side of the board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Goro Nakatani, Masahiro Sakuragi, Koichi Niino
  • Patent number: 8970242
    Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a probe card which inspects electrical characteristics of a plurality of semiconductor devices in batch. The method includes: a step of forming a plurality of probes, which are to be brought into contact with external terminals of the semiconductor devices, on one side of a board which forms the base body of the probe card; a step of forming on the board, by photolithography and etching, a plurality of through-holes which reach the probes from the other side of the board; a step of forming, in the through-holes, through electrodes to be conductively connected with the probes, respectively; and a step of forming wiring, which is conductively connected with the through electrodes, on the other side of the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Rohm Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Goro Nakatani, Masahiro Sakuragi, Koichi Niino
  • Publication number: 20140311249
    Abstract: A semiconductor pressure sensor (720) includes a thin film piezoelectric element (701) which applies strain to a portion of a semiconductor substrate that corresponds to a thin region (402). The thin film piezoelectric element (701) is formed at a distance away from diffusion resistors (406, 408, 410, and 412) functioning as strain gauges and is extended to the proximity of a bonding pad (716A) connected to an upper electrode layer of the thin film piezoelectric element and a bonding pad (716F) connected to a lower electrode thereof. The diffusion resistors (406, 408, 410, and 412) constitute a bridge circuit by metal wiring (722) and diffusion wiring (724). During self-diagnosis, a prescribed voltage is applied to a thin film piezoelectric element (701). If the output difference of the bridge circuit between before and after the voltage application falls outside a prescribed range, it is determined that a breakage occurs in the semiconductor pressure sensor (720).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Yamada, Masahiro Sakuragi, Takeshi Yoshida, Kei Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8829630
    Abstract: [Subject] To provide a pressure sensor capable of implementing cost reduction and miniaturization. [Solving Means] A pressure sensor 1 includes a silicon substrate 2 provided therein with a reference pressure chamber 8, a diaphragm 10, consisting of part of the silicon substrate 2, formed on a surface layer portion of the silicon substrate 2 to partition a reference pressure chamber 8, and an etching stop layer 9 formed on a lower surface of the diaphragm 10 facing the reference pressure chamber 8. A through-hole 11 communicating with the reference pressure chamber 8 is formed on the diaphragm 10, and a filler 13 is arranged in the through-hole 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Sakuragi, Toma Fujita, Mizuho Okada
  • Patent number: 8770035
    Abstract: A semiconductor pressure sensor (720) includes a thin film piezoelectric element (701) which applies strain to a portion of a semiconductor substrate that corresponds to a thin region (402). The thin film piezoelectric element (701) is formed at a distance away from diffusion resistors (406, 408, 410, and 412) functioning as strain gauges and is extended to the proximity of a bonding pad (716A) connected to an upper electrode layer of the thin film piezoelectric element and a bonding pad (716F) connected to a lower electrode thereof. The diffusion resistors (406, 408, 410, and 412) constitute a bridge circuit by metal wiring (722) and diffusion wiring (724). During self-diagnosis, a prescribed voltage is applied to a thin film piezoelectric element (701). If the output difference of the bridge circuit between before and after the voltage application falls outside a prescribed range, it is determined that a breakage occurs in the semiconductor pressure sensor (720).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Yamada, Masahiro Sakuragi, Takeshi Yoshida, Kei Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20130062713
    Abstract: [Subject] To provide a pressure sensor capable of implementing cost reduction and miniaturization. [Solving Means] A pressure sensor 1 includes a silicon substrate 2 provided therein with a reference pressure chamber 8, a diaphragm 10, consisting of part of the silicon substrate 2, formed on a surface layer portion of the silicon substrate 2 to partition a reference pressure chamber 8, and an etching stop layer 9 formed on a lower surface of the diaphragm 10 facing the reference pressure chamber 8. A through-hole 11 communicating with the reference pressure chamber 8 is formed on the diaphragm 10, and a filler 13 is arranged in the through-hole 11.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Sakuragi, Toma Fujita, Mizuho Okada
  • Publication number: 20120118068
    Abstract: A semiconductor pressure sensor (720) includes a thin film piezoelectric element (701) which applies strain to a portion of a semiconductor substrate that corresponds to a thin region (402). The thin film piezoelectric element (701) is formed at a distance away from diffusion resistors (406, 408, 410, and 412) functioning as strain gauges and is extended to the proximity of a bonding pad (716A) connected to an upper electrode layer of the thin film piezoelectric element and a bonding pad (716F) connected to a lower electrode thereof. The diffusion resistors (406, 408, 410, and 412) constitute a bridge circuit by metal wiring (722) and diffusion wiring (724). During self-diagnosis, a prescribed voltage is applied to a thin film piezoelectric element (701). If the output difference of the bridge circuit between before and after the voltage application falls outside a prescribed range, it is determined that a breakage occurs in the semiconductor pressure sensor (720).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Yamada, Masahiro Sakuragi, Takeshi Yoshida, Kei Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20110175637
    Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a probe card which inspects electrical characteristics of a plurality of semiconductor devices in batch. The method includes: a step of forming a plurality of probes, which are to be brought into contact with external terminals of the semiconductor devices, on one side of a board which forms the base body of the probe card; a step of forming on the board, by photolithography and etching, a plurality of through-holes which reach the probes from the other side of the board; a step of forming, in the through-holes, through electrodes to be conductively connected with the probes, respectively; and a step of forming wiring, which is conductively connected with the through electrodes, on the other side of the board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Goro Nakatani, Masahiro Sakuragi, Koichi Niino
  • Patent number: 7521747
    Abstract: AMOS transistor comprises: a first conduction type region; a second conduction type drain region formed on the outermost layer portion of the first conduction type region; a second conduction type source region formed on the outermost layer portion of the first conduction type region with a channel region provided between the second conduction type drain region and the second conduction type source region; agate electrode formed on the channel region; a second conduction type base region formed inside of the second conduction type drain region in plan elevation; a plurality of first conduction type emitter regions formed in the second conduction type base region on the outermost layer portion thereof at spatial intervals in a predetermined direction; and a drain contact connected to, as lying astride, adjacent two first conduction type emitter regions and that portion of the second conduction type drain region between these adjacent two first conduction type emitter regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Sakuragi, Masahiko Sonoda
  • Patent number: 7323750
    Abstract: A bipolar transistor is provided, which is low in collector-to-emitter saturation voltage, small in size and to be manufactured by a reduced number of processes, and a semiconductor device formed with such a bipolar transistor and a MOS transistor on a same substrate. A high concentration region for reducing the collector-to-emitter saturation voltage VCE(sat) is formed in a manner surrounding a base region of an NPN transistor. This high concentration region is not necessarily formed in such a depth as reaching a buried layer, and can be reduced in the spread in a lateral direction. Because a high concentration region can be formed in a same process as upon forming source and drain regions for an NMOS transistor to be formed together with an NPN transistor on a same silicon substrate, it is possible to omit a diffusion process exclusive for forming a high concentration region and hence to manufacture a semiconductor device through a reduced number of processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Sakuragi
  • Publication number: 20050253174
    Abstract: A MOS transistor comprises: a first conduction type region; a second conduction type drain region formed on the outermost layer portion of the first conduction type region; a second conduction type source region formed on the outermost layer portion of the first conduction type region with a channel region provided between the second conduction type drain region and the second conduction type source region; agate electrode formed on the channel region; a second conduction type base region formed inside of the second conduction type drain region in plan elevation; a plurality of first conduction type emitter regions formed in the second conduction type base region on the outermost layer portion thereof at spatial intervals in a predetermined direction; and a drain contact connected to, as lying astride, adjacent two first conduction type emitter regions and that portion of the second conduction type drain region between these adjacent two first conduction type emitter regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Publication date: November 17, 2005
    Inventors: Masahiro Sakuragi, Masahiko Sonoda
  • Publication number: 20050156249
    Abstract: A bipolar transistor is provided, which is low in collector-to-emitter saturation voltage, small in size and to be manufactured by a reduced number of processes, and a semiconductor device formed with such a bipolar transistor and a MOS transistor on a same substrate. A high concentration region for reducing the collector-to-emitter saturation voltage VCE(sat) is formed in a manner surrounding a base region of an NPN transistor. This high concentration region is not necessarily formed in such a depth as reaching a buried layer, and can be reduced in the spread in a lateral direction. Because a high concentration region can be formed in a same process as upon forming source and drain regions for an NMOS transistor to be formed together with an NPN transistor on a same silicon substrate, it is possible to omit a diffusion process exclusive for forming a high concentration region and hence to manufacture a semiconductor device through a reduced number of processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Applicant: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Sakuragi