Patents by Inventor Masami Endo

Masami Endo 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: 10857850
    Abstract: A stabilizer bushing installed on a stabilizer bar is made of two divided parts of rubber or the like to prevent or decrease generation of a gap in a bonding surface. The stabilizer bushing installed on an outer periphery of the stabilizer bar by adhesion includes divided rubber bushings of an upper rubber bushing and a lower rubber bushing. Before adhesion, both end portions of the upper and lower rubber bushings, respectively, in a circumferential direction are tapered so that an overlapping amount between the upper and lower rubber bushings increases toward the outer periphery side of the bushings. After adhesion, a bonding surface is bonded by pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Sumitomo Riko Company Limited
    Inventors: Yuji Homma, Taisuke Nishimura, Masami Endo, Norimasa Kuki, Daiki Mimpo, Ryusuke Yamada
  • Publication number: 20190135069
    Abstract: A stabilizer bushing installed on a stabilizer bar is made of two divided parts of rubber or the like to prevent or decrease generation of a gap in a bonding surface. The stabilizer bushing installed on an outer periphery of the stabilizer bar by adhesion includes divided rubber bushings of an upper rubber bushing and a lower rubber bushing. Before adhesion, both end portions of the upper and lower rubber bushings, respectively, in a circumferential direction are tapered so that an overlapping amount between the upper and lower rubber bushings increases toward the outer periphery side of the bushings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Sumitomo Riko Company Limited
    Inventors: Yuji HOMMA, Taisuke NISHIMURA, Masami ENDO, Norimasa KUKI, Daiki MIMPO, Ryusuke YAMADA
  • Patent number: 10008502
    Abstract: A memory device which stores a large amount of data is provided. The memory device includes a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, a first capacitor, a second capacitor, and first to third wirings. The first transistor includes an oxide semiconductor in a channel formation region, the second transistor includes silicon in a channel formation region, and the third transistor includes silicon in a channel formation region. The first capacitor is provided in the same layer as the first transistor. A region of the second capacitor and a region of the first capacitor overlap with each other. The thickness of a dielectric of the second capacitor is preferably larger than the thickness of a dielectric of the first capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masami Endo
  • Patent number: 9847406
    Abstract: A semiconductor device capable of retaining data for a long time is provided. A semiconductor device includes a first transistor including a first insulator, a first oxide semiconductor, a first gate, and a second gate; a second transistor including a second oxide semiconductor, a third gate, and a fourth gate; and a node. The first gate and the second gate overlap with each other with the first oxide semiconductor therebetween. The third gate and the fourth gate overlap with each other with the second oxide semiconductor therebetween. The first oxide semiconductor and the second gate overlap with each other with the first insulator therebetween. One of a source and a drain of the first transistor, the first gate, and the fourth gate are electrically connected to the node. The first insulator is configured to charges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Miyairi, Masami Endo
  • Patent number: 9818749
    Abstract: A signal processing circuit whose power consumption can be suppressed is provided. In a period during which a power supply voltage is not supplied to a storage element, data stored in a first storage circuit corresponding to a nonvolatile memory can be held by a first capacitor provided in a second storage circuit. With the use of a transistor in which a channel is formed in an oxide semiconductor layer, a signal held in the first capacitor is held for a long time. The storage element can accordingly hold the stored content (data) also in a period during which the supply of the power supply voltage is stopped. A signal held by the first capacitor can be converted into the one corresponding to the state (the on state or off state) of the second transistor and read from the second storage circuit. Consequently, an original signal can be accurately read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuro Ohmaru, Masami Endo
  • Publication number: 20170323892
    Abstract: A memory device which stores a large amount of data is provided. The memory device includes a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, a first capacitor, a second capacitor, and first to third wirings. The first transistor includes an oxide semiconductor in a channel formation region, the second transistor includes silicon in a channel formation region, and the third transistor includes silicon in a channel formation region. The first capacitor is provided in the same layer as the first transistor. A region of the second capacitor and a region of the first capacitor overlap with each other. The thickness of a dielectric of the second capacitor is preferably larger than the thickness of a dielectric of the first capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventor: Masami ENDO
  • Patent number: 9767862
    Abstract: A memory element having a novel structure and a signal processing circuit including the memory element are provided. A first circuit, including a first transistor and a second transistor, and a second circuit, including a third transistor and a fourth transistor, are included. A first signal potential and a second signal potential, each corresponding to an input signal, are respectively input to a gate of the second transistor via the first transistor in an on state and to a gate of the fourth transistor via the third transistor in an on state. After that, the first transistor and the third transistor are turned off. The input signal is read out using both the states of the second transistor and the fourth transistor. A transistor including an oxide semiconductor in which a channel is formed can be used for the first transistor and the third transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masami Endo
  • Publication number: 20170263609
    Abstract: To provide a semiconductor device with excellent charge retention characteristics, an OS transistor is used as a transistor whose gate is connected to a node for retaining charge. Charge is stored in a first capacitor, and data at the node for retaining charge is read based on whether the stored charge is transferred to a second capacitor. Since a Si transistor, in which leakage current through a gate insulating film occurs, is not used as a transistor connected to the node for retaining charge, charge retention characteristics of the node are improved. In addition, the semiconductor device operates in data reading without requiring transistor performance equivalent to that of a Si transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventor: Masami ENDO
  • Patent number: 9735179
    Abstract: A semiconductor circuit capable of controlling and holding the threshold voltage of a transistor at an optimal level and a driving method thereof are disclosed. A storage device, a display device, or an electronic device including the semiconductor circuit is also provided. The semiconductor circuit comprises a diode and a first capacitor provided in a node to which a transistor to be controlled is connected through its back gate. This structure allows the application of desired voltage to the back gate so that the threshold voltage of the transistor is controlled at an optimal level and can be held for a long time. A second capacitor connected in parallel with the diode is optionally provided so that the voltage of the node can be changed temporarily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Endo, Kazuaki Ohshima
  • Patent number: 9608005
    Abstract: To provide a semiconductor device with excellent charge retention characteristics, an OS transistor is used as a transistor whose gate is connected to a node for retaining charge. Charge is stored in a first capacitor, and data at the node for retaining charge is read based on whether the stored charge is transferred to a second capacitor. Since a Si transistor, in which leakage current through a gate insulating film occurs, is not used as a transistor connected to the node for retaining charge, charge retention characteristics of the node are improved. In addition, the semiconductor device operates in data reading without requiring transistor performance equivalent to that of a Si transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masami Endo
  • Publication number: 20170062433
    Abstract: A semiconductor device capable of retaining data for a long time is provided. A semiconductor device includes a first transistor including a first insulator, a first oxide semiconductor, a first gate, and a second gate; a second transistor including a second oxide semiconductor, a third gate, and a fourth gate; and a node. The first gate and the second gate overlap with each other with the first oxide semiconductor therebetween. The third gate and the fourth gate overlap with each other with the second oxide semiconductor therebetween. The first oxide semiconductor and the second gate overlap with each other with the first insulator therebetween. One of a source and a drain of the first transistor, the first gate, and the fourth gate are electrically connected to the node. The first insulator is configured to charges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Hidekazu MIYAIRI, Masami ENDO
  • Publication number: 20170032825
    Abstract: A memory element having a novel structure and a signal processing circuit including the memory element are provided. A first circuit, including a first transistor and a second transistor, and a second circuit, including a third transistor and a fourth transistor, are included. A first signal potential and a second signal potential, each corresponding to an input signal, are respectively input to a gate of the second transistor via the first transistor in an on state and to a gate of the fourth transistor via the third transistor in an on state. After that, the first transistor and the third transistor are turned off. The input signal is read out using both the states of the second transistor and the fourth transistor. A transistor including an oxide semiconductor in which a channel is formed can be used for the first transistor and the third transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventor: Masami ENDO
  • Patent number: 9508448
    Abstract: A memory element having a novel structure and a signal processing circuit including the memory element are provided. A first circuit, including a first transistor and a second transistor, and a second circuit, including a third transistor and a fourth transistor, are included. A first signal potential and a second signal potential, each corresponding to an input signal, are respectively input to a gate of the second transistor via the first transistor in an on state and to a gate of the fourth transistor via the third transistor in an on state. After that, the first transistor and the third transistor are turned off. The input signal is read out using both the states of the second transistor and the fourth transistor. A transistor including an oxide semiconductor in which a channel is formed can be used for the first transistor and the third transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masami Endo
  • Publication number: 20160225774
    Abstract: A signal processing circuit whose power consumption can be suppressed is provided. In a period during which a power supply voltage is not supplied to a storage element, data stored in a first storage circuit corresponding to a nonvolatile memory can be held by a first capacitor provided in a second storage circuit. With the use of a transistor in which a channel is formed in an oxide semiconductor layer, a signal held in the first capacitor is held for a long time. The storage element can accordingly hold the stored content (data) also in a period during which the supply of the power supply voltage is stopped. A signal held by the first capacitor can be converted into the one corresponding to the state (the on state or off state) of the second transistor and read from the second storage circuit. Consequently, an original signal can be accurately read.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Takuro OHMARU, Masami ENDO
  • Patent number: 9344009
    Abstract: An object is to reduce, with the control circuit of the full-bridge inverter circuit, distortions in an output signal of the inverter circuit resulting from an error in control of the switching of the high-side transistors and low-side transistors included in the first half-bridge circuit and the second half-bridge circuit. The pulse width of a signal that controls ON/OFF of the high-side transistors and low-side transistors included in the first half-bridge circuit and the second half-bridge circuit is reduced, i.e., the duty cycle of the signal is reduced. This results in a reduction in short-circuit periods during which both the high-side transistor and the low-side transistor are on, thereby reducing distortions in a signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masami Endo
  • Patent number: 9330759
    Abstract: A signal processing circuit whose power consumption can be suppressed is provided. In a period during which a power supply voltage is not supplied to a storage element, data stored in a first storage circuit corresponding to a nonvolatile memory can be held by a first capacitor provided in a second storage circuit. With the use of a transistor in which a channel is formed in an oxide semiconductor layer, a signal held in the first capacitor is held for a long time. The storage element can accordingly hold the stored content (data) also in a period during which the supply of the power supply voltage is stopped. A signal held by the first capacitor can be converted into the one corresponding to the state (the on state or off state) of the second transistor and read from the second storage circuit. Consequently, an original signal can be accurately read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuro Ohmaru, Masami Endo
  • Patent number: 9257971
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first latch, a second latch and a transistor whose semiconductor layer contains an oxide semiconductor. An input of the first latch is electrically connected to one of a source and a drain of the transistor, an output of the first latch is electrically connected to an input of the second latch, and an output of the second latch is electrically connected to the other of the source or the drain of the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Endo, Takuro Ohmaru
  • Publication number: 20150235700
    Abstract: A signal processing circuit whose power consumption can be suppressed is provided. In a period during which a power supply voltage is not supplied to a storage element, data stored in a first storage circuit corresponding to a nonvolatile memory can be held by a first capacitor provided in a second storage circuit. With the use of a transistor in which a channel is formed in an oxide semiconductor layer, a signal held in the first capacitor is held for a long time. The storage element can accordingly hold the stored content (data) also in a period during which the supply of the power supply voltage is stopped. A signal held by the first capacitor can be converted into the one corresponding to the state (the on state or off state) of the second transistor and read from the second storage circuit. Consequently, an original signal can be accurately read.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Takuro Ohmaru, Masami Endo
  • Publication number: 20150171117
    Abstract: A semiconductor circuit capable of controlling and holding the threshold voltage of a transistor at an optimal level and a driving method thereof are disclosed. A storage device, a display device, or an electronic device including the semiconductor circuit is also provided. The semiconductor circuit comprises a diode and a first capacitor provided in a node to which a transistor to be controlled is connected through its back gate. This structure allows the application of desired voltage to the back gate so that the threshold voltage of the transistor is controlled at an optimal level and can be held for a long time. A second capacitor connected in parallel with the diode is optionally provided so that the voltage of the node can be changed temporarily.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Masami ENDO, Kazuaki OHSHIMA
  • Patent number: 9059704
    Abstract: An object is to provide a programmable logic device configured to keep a connection state of logic circuits even while power supply voltage is stopped. The programmable logic device includes arithmetic circuits each of whose logic state can be changed; a configuration changing circuit changing the logic states of the arithmetic circuits; a power supply control circuit controlling supply of power supply voltage to the arithmetic circuits; a state memory circuit storing data on the logic states and data on states of the power supply voltage of the arithmetic circuits; and an arithmetic state control circuit controlling the configuration changing circuit and the power supply control circuit in accordance with the data stored in the state memory circuit. A transistor in which a channel formation region is formed in an oxide semiconductor layer is provided between the configuration changing circuit and each of the arithmetic circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichi Yoneda, Jun Koyama, Yutaka Shionoiri, Masami Endo, Hiroki Dembo, Tatsuji Nishijima, Hidetomo Kobayashi, Kazuaki Ohshima