Patents by Inventor Michiko Hara

Michiko Hara 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: 20150271586
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes: a base body; a sensor section; and a processing circuit. The sensor section includes: a transducing thin film; a first strain sensing element; and a second strain sensing element. The transducing thin film has a film surface and is flexible. The processing circuit is configured to output as an output signal at least one of a first signal obtained from the first strain sensing element upon application of external pressure to the transducing thin film and a second signal obtained from the second strain sensing element upon application of the external pressure to the transducing thin film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hideaki FUKUZAWA, Masatoshi SAKURAI, Masayuki KII, Yoshihiko FUJI, Michiko HARA, Yoshihiro HIGASHI, Kenji OTSU, Akiko YUZAWA, Kazuaki OKAMOTO
  • Patent number: 9131856
    Abstract: A strain sensor element comprises a laminated film which has a magnetic free layer, a spacer layer, and a magnetic reference layer. The free layer has a variable magnetization direction and a out-of-plane magnetization direction. The reference layer has a variable magnetization direction which is pinned more strongly than the magnetization of the free layer. The spacer layer provided between the free layer and the reference layer. A pair of electrodes is provided with a plane of the laminated film. A substrate is provided with either of the pair electrodes and can be strained. The rotation angle of the magnetization of the free layer is different from the rotation angle of the magnetization of the reference layer when the substrate is distorted. Electrical resistance is changed depending on the magnetization angle between the free layer and the reference layer, which allows the element to operate as a strain sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Alexander Devin Giddings, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Yoshihiko Fuji, Hiromi Yuasa, Michiko Hara, Shuichi Murakami
  • Publication number: 20150204739
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a base and a sensor unit provided on the base. The sensor unit includes a transducing thin film having a first surface, a first strain sensing element provided on the first surface, and a second strain sensing element provided on the first surface. The first strain sensing element includes a first magnetic layer, a first film having a first oxygen concentration, a second magnetic layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the first film, and a first intermediate layer provided between the first and the second magnetic layer. The second strain sensing element includes a third magnetic layer, a second film having a second oxygen concentration different from the first concentration, a fourth magnetic layer provided between the third magnetic layer and the second film, and a second intermediate layer provided between the third and the fourth magnetic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hideaki FUKUZAWA, Yoshihiko Fuji, Yoshihiro Higashi, Michiko Hara
  • Publication number: 20150185296
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magneto-resistive effect device, includes a stacked body stacked on a substrate, a pair of first electrodes that feeds current to the stacked body, a strain introduction member, and a second electrode for applying a voltage to the strain introduction member. The stacked body includes a first magnetic layer that includes one or more metals selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, and nickel, a second magnetic layer stacked on the first magnetic layer, having a composition that is different from the first magnetic layer, and a spacer layer disposed between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Devin GIDDINGS, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Yoshihiko Fuji, Michiko Hara, Hiromi Yuasa
  • Publication number: 20150164348
    Abstract: A blood-pressure sensor includes a substrate, a first electrode, a magnetization fixed layer, a nonmagnetic layer, a magnetization free layer, and a second electrode. The substrate is bent to generate a tensile stress at least in a first direction. The first electrode is provided on the substrate. The magnetization fixed layer has magnetization to be fixed in a second direction, and is provided on the substrate. The nonmagnetic layer is provided on the magnetization fixed layer. The magnetization free layer has a magnetization direction which is different from the first direction and from a direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second electrode is provided on the magnetization free layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hiromi YUASA, Hideaki FUKUZAWA, Yoshihiko FUJI, Alexander Devin GIDDINGS, Michiko HARA, Shuichi MURAKAMI
  • Patent number: 9046549
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a pressure sensing device includes preparing a sensor unit and a mounting substrate. The sensor unit includes: a membrane body; and an element unit provided on the membrane body. The element unit includes: a first electrode; a second electrode; and a first magnetic layer provided between the first electrode and the second electrode and having magnetization in a first direction. The mounting substrate includes: a base; a first electrode pad provided on the base; and a second electrode pad provided on the base and provided apart from the first electrode pad. The method further includes joining the first electrode pad to the first electrode while heated, and joining the second electrode pad to the second electrode while heated, with an external magnetic field along the first direction applied to the sensor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Higashi, Michiko Hara, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Yoshihiko Fuji, Hiromi Yuasa, Tomohiko Nagata
  • Patent number: 9032808
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magneto-resistive effect device, includes a stacked body stacked on a substrate, a pair of first electrodes that feeds current to the stacked body, a strain introduction member, and a second electrode for applying a voltage to the strain introduction member. The stacked body includes a first magnetic layer that includes one or more metals selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, and nickel, a second magnetic layer stacked on the first magnetic layer, having a composition that is different from the first magnetic layer, and a spacer layer disposed between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Devin Giddings, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Yoshihiko Fuji, Michiko Hara, Hiromi Yuasa
  • Publication number: 20150118779
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a strain and pressure sensing device includes a semiconductor circuit unit and a sensing unit. The semiconductor circuit unit includes a semiconductor substrate and a transistor. The transistor is provided on a semiconductor substrate. The sensing unit is provided on the semiconductor circuit unit, and has space and non-space portions. The non-space portion is juxtaposed with the space portion. The sensing unit further includes a movable beam, a strain sensing element unit, and first and second buried interconnects. The movable beam has fixed and movable portions, and includes first and second interconnect layers. The fixed portion is fixed to the non-space portion. The movable portion is separated from the transistor and extends from the fixed portion into the space portion. The strain sensing element unit is fixed to the movable portion. The first and second buried interconnects are provided in the non-space portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hideaki FUKUZAWA, Tatsuya Ohguro, Akihiro Kojima, Yoshiaki Sugizaki, Mariko Takayanagi, Yoshihiko Fuji, Akio Hori, Michiko Hara
  • Patent number: 9000547
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a strain sensor includes a substrate, a lid, a frame, and a sensing unit. The substrate has a first surface. The lid is provided on the first surface. The frame is provided between the substrate and the lid. The frame is nonconductive and includes a magnetic body. The sensing unit is provided inside the frame between the substrate and the lid, and includes a magnetoresistance effect element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yusaku Asano, Kazuhito Higuchi, Takeshi Miyagi, Yoshihiro Higashi, Michiko Hara, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Masayuki Kii, Eizo Fujisawa
  • Publication number: 20150082886
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an inertial sensor includes a base portion, a weight portion, a connection portion, and a first sensing element unit. The connection portion connects the weight portion and the base portion and is capable of being deformed in accordance with a change in relative position of the weight portion with respect to the position of the base portion. The first sensing element unit is provided on a first portion of the connection portion and includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a nonmagnetic first intermediate layer. The nonmagnetic first intermediate layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Hideaki FUKUZAWA, Michiko HARA, Yoshihiko FUJI, Yoshihiro HIGASHI, Shiori KAJI, Akio HORI, Tomohiko NAGATA, Akiko YUZAWA, Akira KIKITSU
  • Publication number: 20150088008
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a support, a film unit supported by the support, having an upper surface, and capable of being deformed, and a first sensing element provided on the upper surface. The first sensing element includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer provided apart from the first magnetic layer and a first intermediate unit including a first intermediate layer including a portion provided between the first and second magnetic layers. The first magnetic layer extends in a first direction parallel to the upper surface, and a first major axis length of the first magnetic layer is longer than a first minor axis length. The second magnetic layer extends in a second direction parallel to the upper surface and crossing the first direction, and a second major axis length of the second magnetic layer is longer than a second minor axis length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshihiko FUJI, Hideaki FUKUZAWA, Michiko HARA, Tomohiko NAGATA, Akio HORI, Shiori KAJI, Yoshihiro HIGASHI, Akiko YUZAWA
  • Publication number: 20150082894
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes: a support unit; a substrate; and a plurality of sensing elements. The substrate is supported by the support unit and deformable. The plurality of sensing elements are provided on a part of the substrate. The sensing element includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and an intermediate layer. Magnetization of the first magnetic layer changes according to deformation of the substrate. Magnetization of the second magnetic layer is fixed. The intermediate layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. A direction of the magnetization of the second magnetic layer of a first sensing element among the plurality of sensing elements is different from a direction of the magnetization of the second magnetic layer of a second sensing element among the plurality of sensing elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Kazuaki OKAMOTO, Hideaki FUKUZAWA, Yoshihiko FUJI, Michiko HARA, Yoshihiro HIGASHI
  • Publication number: 20150082888
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an acoustic sensor includes a base and a first strain sensing element. The base includes a support and a first film unit supported by the support. The first film unit is flexible. The first strain sensing element is provided on a first surface of the first film unit. The first strain sensing element includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a first intermediate layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. An angle between a magnetization of the first magnetic layer and a magnetization of the second magnetic layer is variable by an acoustic wave. The acoustic wave is transmitted to a first film unit by a first transmitting material in contact with the first film unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Kenji OTSU, Hideaki FUKUZAWA, Michiko HARA, Tomio ONO
  • Publication number: 20150082919
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a strain sensor includes: a base; a strain sensing element; a magnetic field sensing element; and a processing unit. The strain sensing element includes a first magnetic layer having a first magnetization; a second magnetic layer having a second magnetization; and a first intermediate layer. In the strain sensing element an angle between a direction of the first magnetization and a direction of the second magnetization changes in accordance with a strain. The magnetic field sensing element includes a third magnetic layer having a third magnetization; a fourth magnetic layer having a fourth magnetization; and a second intermediate layer. In the magnetic field sensing an angle between a direction of the third magnetization and a direction of the fourth magnetization changes in accordance with a magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshihiro HIGASHI, Hideaki FUKUZAWA, Yoshihiko FUJI, Michiko HARA, Masayuki KII, Akio HORI, Tomohiko NAGATA
  • Publication number: 20150082918
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a strain sensing element is provided on a film unit configured to be deformed. The strain sensing element includes a functional layer, a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a spacer layer. The functional layer includes at least one of an oxide and a nitride. The second magnetic layer is provided between the functional layer and the first magnetic layer. A magnetization of the second magnetic layer is variable in accordance with a deformation of the film unit. The spacer layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. At least a part of the second magnetic layer is amorphous and includes boron.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshihiko FUJI, Hideaki FUKUZAWA, Shiori KAJI, Akio HORI, Tomohiko NAGATA, Michiko HARA, Yoshihiro HIGASHI, Akiko YUZAWA
  • Publication number: 20150069540
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a strain sensor includes a substrate, a lid, a frame, and a sensing unit. The substrate has a first surface. The lid is provided on the first surface. The frame is provided between the substrate and the lid. The frame is nonconductive and includes a magnetic body. The sensing unit is provided inside the frame between the substrate and the lid, and includes a magnetoresistance effect element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yusaku ASANO, Kazuhito HIGUCHI, Takeshi MIYAGI, Yoshihiro HIGASHI, Michiko HARA, Hideaki FUKUZAWA, Masayuki KII, Eizo FUJISAWA
  • Patent number: 8973446
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a base, and a first sensor unit. The first sensor unit includes a first transducer thin film, a first strain sensing device and a second strain sensing device. The first strain sensing device includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a first intermediate layer provided between the first and the second magnetic layers. The second strain sensing device is provided apart from the first strain sensing device on the first membrane surface and provided at a location different from a location of the barycenter, the second strain sensing device including a third magnetic layer, a fourth magnetic layer, and a second intermediate layer provided between the third and the fourth magnetic layers, the first and the second intermediate layers being nonmagnetic. The first and the second strain sensing devices, and the barycenter are in a straight line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hideaki Fukuzawa, Akihiko Enamito, Osamu Nishimura, Michiko Hara, Hiromi Yuasa, Yoshihiko Fuji, Masayuki Kii, Eizo Fujisawa
  • Publication number: 20150047437
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a base, and a first sensor unit. The first sensor unit includes a first transducer thin film, a first strain sensing device and a second strain sensing device. The first strain sensing device includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a first intermediate layer provided between the first and the second magnetic layers. The second strain sensing device is provided apart from the first strain sensing device on the first membrane surface and provided at a location different from a location of the barycenter, the second strain sensing device including a third magnetic layer, a fourth magnetic layer, and a second intermediate layer provided between the third and the fourth magnetic layers, the first and the second intermediate layers being nonmagnetic. The first and the second strain sensing devices, and the barycenter are in a straight line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hideaki FUKUZAWA, Akihiko ENAMITO, Osamu NISHIMURA, Michiko HARA, Hiromi YUASA, Yoshihiko FUJI, Masayuki KII, Eizo FUJISAWA
  • Patent number: 8958574
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a strain and pressure sensing device includes a semiconductor circuit unit and a sensing unit. The semiconductor circuit unit includes a semiconductor substrate and a transistor. The transistor is provided on a semiconductor substrate. The sensing unit is provided on the semiconductor circuit unit, and has space and non-space portions. The non-space portion is juxtaposed with the space portion. The sensing unit further includes a movable beam, a strain sensing element unit, and first and second buried interconnects. The movable beam has fixed and movable portions, and includes first and second interconnect layers. The fixed portion is fixed to the non-space portion. The movable portion is separated from the transistor and extends from the fixed portion into the space portion. The strain sensing element unit is fixed to the movable portion. The first and second buried interconnects are provided in the non-space portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hideaki Fukuzawa, Tatsuya Ohguro, Akihiro Kojima, Yoshiaki Sugizaki, Mariko Takayanagi, Yoshihiko Fuji, Akio Hori, Michiko Hara
  • Patent number: 8933909
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a touch panel includes first interconnections, second interconnections, sensor units and a control unit. The first interconnections are arranged along a first direction, and extend along a second direction intersecting with the first direction. The second interconnections are arranged along a third direction intersecting with the first direction, and extend along a fourth direction intersecting with the third direction. The sensor units are provided in intersection portions of the first and second interconnections, include first and second ferromagnetic layers, and an intermediate layer, allow a current to be passed, and have one end connected to the first interconnections and another end connected to the second interconnections. The control unit is connected to the first and second interconnections. An electric resistance of the sensor units changes in accordance with a stress applied. The control unit senses a change in the electric resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Devin Giddings, Nobuyoshi Saito, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Yoshihiko Fuji, Michiko Hara, Hajime Yamaguchi