Patents by Inventor Michihiko Nishigaki
Michihiko Nishigaki 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).
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Patent number: 7906823Abstract: A MEMS apparatus includes a MEMS unit formed on a semiconductor substrate and a cover provided with a pore and serving to seal the MEMS unit. The pore is sealed with a sealing material shaped in a sphere or a hemisphere.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2008Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Kazuhiro Suzuki, Michihiko Nishigaki, Yutaka Onozuka, Hiroshi Yamada, Kazuhiko Itaya, Hideyuki Funaki
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Patent number: 7847252Abstract: An infrared-detecting element includes: a substrate; a laminated body; an anchor coupling a part of the laminated body with the substrate and supporting the laminated body with a gap above the substrate; and an amplifier provided on the substrate and connected to at least one of the lower electrode and the upper electrode. The laminated body has a lower electrode, an upper electrode, and a piezoelectric film made of aluminum nitride which is provided between the lower electrode and the upper electrode and in which a c-axis is oriented almost perpendicularly to a film plane. The amplifier has a circuit performing conversion into voltage according to a charge generated in the laminated body.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2008Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Takashi Kawakubo, Michihiko Nishigaki, Toshihiko Nagano, Yoshinori Iida, Ikuo Fujiwara, Hiroto Honda
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Patent number: 7830937Abstract: It makes possible to inject a current into the current confinement region substantially uniformly. A surface emitting type optical semiconductor device includes a semiconductor active layer provided above a substrate; a first and second reflecting mirror layers sandwiching the semiconductor active layer to form an optical cavity in a direction perpendicular to the substrate; a plurality of current confinement regions provided in the second reflecting mirror layer so as to be separated by an impurity region having impurities; a semiconductor current diffusion layer provided on the second reflecting mirror layer so as to cover the current confinement regions; and an electrode portion which injects a current into the semiconductor active layer. The electrode portion comprising a first electrode provided on the semiconductor current diffusion layer so as to surround the current confinement regions and a second electrode provided on an opposite side of the substrate from the semiconductor active layer.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2008Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Mitsuhiro Kushibe, Mizunori Ezaki, Rei Hashimoto, Michihiko Nishigaki
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Patent number: 7830068Abstract: An actuator includes a first beam, a first fixed part, a second beam, a first connective part, and a first fixed electrode. The first beam extends from a first fixed end to a first connective end, and the first fixed part connects the first fixed end and the substrate and supports the first beam above a main surface of the substrate with a gap. The second beam extends from a second connective end to a first action end and is provided in parallel to the first beam, and has a first division part divided by a first slit extending from the first action end toward the second connective end. The first connective part connects the first connective end and the second connective end and holds the second beam above the main surface of the substrate with a gap. The first fixed electrode is provided on the main surface of the substrate being configured to be opposed to a part of the first division part on a side of the first action end.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2009Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Michihiko Nishigaki, Toshihiko Nagano, Kazuhiko Itaya, Takashi Kawakubo
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Patent number: 7816841Abstract: A piezoelectric driven MEMS apparatus includes: a substrate; a support part provided on the substrate; a fixed electrode provided on the substrate; and an actuator having a first electrode film, a piezoelectric film formed on the first electrode film, and a second electrode film formed on the piezoelectric film, a first end of the actuator being supported by the support part, a second end of the actuator being disposed so as to be opposed to the fixed electrode. The second end of the actuator is divided into a plurality of electrode parts by a plurality of slits which pass through the first electrode film, the piezoelectric film and the second electrode film, at least a part of each electrode part is linked to parts of adjacent electrode parts, and each electrode part is capable of generating bending deformation individually.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2008Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Takashi Kawakubo, Toshihiko Nagano, Michihiko Nishigaki
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Publication number: 20100244628Abstract: A piezoelectric-driven MEMS element includes a substrate, a beam, a fixed portion, a fixed electrode portion and a power source. The beam is provided with a lower electrode film, a lower piezoelectric film, a middle electrode film, an upper piezoelectric film and an upper electrode film. The fixed portion fixes one end of the beam onto the substrate so as to hold the beam with a gap above the substrate. The fixed electrode portion has a capacitive gap between the fixed electrode portion and the other end of the beam. In addition, at least one or two of the lower electrode film, the middle electrode film and the upper electrode film is thicker than the rest thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2009Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Michihiko Nishigaki, Toshihiko Nagano, Hiroshi Ono, Takashi Kawakubo
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Patent number: 7796710Abstract: A digital demodulator includes a resonator having a resonance frequency same as a carrier frequency to store a charge corresponding to a digital signal modulated by phase shift keying, a capacitor to store the charge of the resonator, an amplifier including an input node and an output node between which the capacitor is connected to convert a stored charge of the capacitor into a voltage signal, and a controller configured to accumulate in the resonator the charge induced by the frequency signal modulated by phase shift keying in a first control mode and configured to transfer the charge of the resonator to the capacitor in a second control mode, to output the voltage signal corresponding to the stored charge of the capacitor from the output node of the amplifier.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2005Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Kazuhide Abe, Michihiko Nishigaki, Toshihiko Nagano, Takashi Kawakubo
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Patent number: 7777592Abstract: An antenna sharing device has a common signal terminal pair, a first terminal pair, a second terminal pair, a first filter, a second filter, a first inductor element, second inductor elements, third inductor elements. The second and third inductor elements have a plurality of inductor elements, respectively. An inductor element closest to the first terminal pair among the inductor elements included in the second inductor elements and an inductor element closest to the second terminal pair among the third inductor elements are arranged further away from the first inductor element than the other inductor elements included in the second and third inductor elements, or formed on a substrate different from a substrate on which the first inductor element is formed, or formed opposite to the first inductor element by sandwiching a shielding pattern.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2007Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Michihiko Nishigaki, Ryoichi Ohara, Minoru Kawase, Kazuhiko Itaya
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Patent number: 7772745Abstract: It is made possible to provide a MEMS device that has a low operation voltage, a large contact pressure force, and a large separation force. A MEMS device includes: a substrate; a supporting unit that is provided on the substrate; a fixed electrode that is provided on the substrate; an actuator that includes a first electrode, a first piezoelectric film formed on the first electrode, and a second electrode formed on the first piezoelectric film, one end of the actuator being fixed onto the substrate with the supporting unit, the actuator extending in a direction connecting the supporting unit and the fixed electrode, the first electrode being located to face the fixed electrode; and a stopper unit that is located above a straight line connecting the supporting unit and the fixed electrode, and is located on the substrate so as to face the first electrode.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Takashi Kawakubo, Toshihiko Nagano, Michihiko Nishigaki
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Patent number: 7770274Abstract: A piezoelectric thin film device includes an amorphous metal film disposed on a substrate and a piezoelectric film disposed on the amorphous metal. One of crystal axis of the piezoelectric film is aligned in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the amorphous metal.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Kenya Sano, Ryoichi Ohara, Naoko Yanase, Takaaki Yasumoto, Kazuhiko Itaya, Takashi Kawakubo, Hiroshi Toyoda, Masahiko Hasunuma, Toshihiko Nagano, Kazuhide Abe, Michihiko Nishigaki, Hironobu Shibata
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Patent number: 7769352Abstract: A receiver has a first voltage control oscillator configured to generate a first oscillation signal, a second voltage control oscillator configured to generate a second oscillation signal having a first phase, a first phase comparator configured to detect a phase difference between the first and second oscillation signals, a demodulator configured to perform demodulation processing of the received signal and to generate timing information of a second phase included in the first oscillation signal, a second phase comparator configured to detect the phase difference between the first and second oscillation signals, and a first control voltage generator configured to generate a first control voltage for controlling a phase and a frequency of the second voltage control oscillator based on the phase difference detected by the second phase comparator.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2006Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Takashi Kawakubo, Toshihiko Nagano, Kazuhide Abe, Michihiko Nishigaki
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Patent number: 7732990Abstract: A MEMS device includes: a first actuator having a first fixed end, including a stacked structure of a first lower electrode, a first piezoelectric film, and a first upper electrode, and being able to be operated by applying voltages to the first lower electrode and the first upper electrode; a second actuator having a second fixed end, being disposed in parallel with the first actuator, including a stacked structure of a second lower electrode, a second piezoelectric film, and a second upper electrode, and being able to be operated by applying voltages to the second lower electrode and the second upper electrode; and an electric circuit element having a first action part connected to the first actuator and a second action part connected to the second actuator.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2007Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Michihiko Nishigaki, Toshihiko Nagano, Takashi Miyazaki, Kazuhiko Itaya, Takashi Kawakubo
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Patent number: 7719169Abstract: A micro-electromechanical device includes a first piezoelectric actuator and a second piezoelectric actuator. The first piezoelectric actuator includes a first beam fixed on a substrate and a second beam extended in parallel to the first beam from a first connecting end to a first working end. A second piezoelectric actuator includes a third beam, spaced from the first beam, fixed on the substrate and a fourth beam extended in parallel to the third beam from a second connecting end to a second working end. The second working end faces the first working end in a perpendicular direction to a surface of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2007Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Takashi Kawakubo, Toshihiko Nagano, Michihiko Nishigaki
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Publication number: 20100077858Abstract: A multi-axis accelerometer or a multi-axis angular rate sensor which can be made by an easy process and the size of which can be greatly reduced is provided. An inertia sensor has a substrate, a flat proofmass formed on the substrate and a stacked structure including at least a lower electrode, a piezoelectric film, and an upper electrode, an anchor unit formed in a cutout inside of the proofmass and fixed on the substrate, and a plurality of flat piezoelectric beams each having one end connected to the proofmass, the other end connected to the anchor unit, and a stacked structure formed in a cutout inside of the proofmass and including at least a lower electrode, a piezoelectric film, and an upper electrode, wherein the inertia sensor enables to detect an acceleration applied on the proofmass based on charges generated to the electrodes of the piezoelectric beams.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2009Publication date: April 1, 2010Inventors: Takashi KAWAKUBO, Toshihiko NAGANO, Michihiko NISHIGAKI
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Publication number: 20100064804Abstract: In a angular rate sensor, a weight and a base are connected directly through piezoelectric bimorph detectors and piezoelectric bimorph exciters each having a bent portion. When acceleration is applied to the weight, the weight is displaced so as to deform the piezoelectric bimorph detectors. Due to this deformation, charges generated in the piezoelectric bimorph detectors are detected so as to detect acceleration. If an angular rate is applied to the weight when the weight is vibrated by the piezoelectric bimorph exciters, Coriolis force is generated in the weight so as to deform the piezoelectric bimorph detectors. Due to this deformation, charges generated in the piezoelectric bimorph detectors are detected so as to detect the angular rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2009Publication date: March 18, 2010Inventors: Takashi Kawakubo, Toshihiko Nagano, Michihiko Nishigaki
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Patent number: 7675393Abstract: A MEMS switch according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a substrate; a fixing portion formed on the substrate; a movable beam including a lower electrode, a first insulation layer formed on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode formed on the first insulation layer, the movable beam having one end fixed by the fixing portion, the lower electrode and the first insulation layer having an opening going through both of the lower electrode and the first insulation layer; a fixed electrode formed on the substrate facing to a bottom surface of the other end of the movable beam, the fixed electrode facing to the opening; a contact electrode formed in the opening so as to project below the bottom surface of the movable beam and to be electrically connected to the upper electrode as well as to be insulated from the lower electrode; and a second insulation layer formed on the fixed electrode and having an opening facing to the contact electrode so as to insulate the lower electrode from the fixedType: GrantFiled: February 12, 2007Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Takashi Kawakubo, Toshihiko Nagano, Michihiko Nishigaki
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Patent number: 7675222Abstract: A thin film piezoelectric actuator comprises a driving part at least one end of which is supported by an anchor portion. The driving part includes: a piezoelectric film, a first lower electrode provided under a first region of the piezoelectric film, a second lower electrode provided under a second region different from the first region of the piezoelectric film, a first upper electrode provided opposite to the first lower electrode on the piezoelectric film, a second upper electrode provided opposite to the second lower electrode on the piezoelectric film, a first connection part that electrically connects the first lower electrode and the second upper electrode via a first via hole formed in the piezoelectric film, and a second connection part that electrically connects the second lower electrode and the first upper electrode via a second via hole formed in the piezoelectric film.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2007Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Takashi Kawakubo, Ryoichi Ohara, Tomio Ono, Toshihiko Nagano, Michihiko Nishigaki, Takaaki Yasumoto, Kazuhide Abe, Kenya Sano
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Publication number: 20090322183Abstract: An inertial sensor includes a first beam, a first proof mass section and a first upper surface stopper section. The first beam extends in a first direction in a plane parallel to a major surface of a substrate and is held with a spacing from the major surface of the substrate. The first beam has a first detecting section including a first upper side electrode, a first lower side electrode, and a first upper side piezoelectric film provided between the first upper side electrode and the first lower side electrode. The first beam has one end connected to the major surface of the substrate. The first proof mass section is connected to the other end of the first beam and held with a spacing from the major surface of the substrate. The first upper surface stopper section is provided on the opposite side of the first proof mass section from the substrate with a spacing from the first proof mass section.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2009Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Takashi Kawakubo, Toshihiko Nagano, Michihiko Nishigaki
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Publication number: 20090296308Abstract: A MEMS variable capacitor includes: a first connection beam having one end fixed to a substrate; a first actuation beam connected to the first connection beam; a second actuation beam connected to the first actuation beam and extending in a reverse direction; a second connection beam having one end fixed to the substrate; a third actuation beam connected to the second connection beam; a fourth actuation beam connected to the third actuation beam and extending in a reverse direction; a movable electrode provided between the second and fourth actuation beams; and a fixed electrode provided on the substrate opposed to the movable electrode. The first to fourth actuation beams have a piezoelectric film sandwiched between a lower electrode and an upper electrode, the first and third actuation beams are placed on a line, the second and fourth actuation beams are placed on a line, and the first and second actuation beams and the third and fourth actuation beams are placed symmetrically about a line.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2009Publication date: December 3, 2009Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Takashi Kawakubo, Toshihiko Nagano, Michihiko Nishigaki, Kazuhiko Itaya
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Patent number: 7619349Abstract: It is made possible to provide a piezoelectric driven MEMS device having the distance between the action end and the fixed electrode which is kept constant regardless of whether the residual strain is large or small and having a mechanism which is excellent in reproducibility and reliability. Two piezoelectric driven actuators each having a folded beam structure are disposed in parallel and in a line-symmetric manner, and connected to each other in the vicinity of an action end.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2007Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Takashi Kawakubo, Toshihiko Nagano, Michihiko Nishigaki