Patents by Inventor Shigeru Maeta

Shigeru Maeta 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: 11095133
    Abstract: A simple battery and battery charger. In one embodiment, the battery charger includes an output terminal that provides a charging voltage Vout and charging current Iout. The battery is contained in a battery pack having an input terminal, which can be connected to the output terminal in order to receive Vout and Iout. The battery charger may include a first circuit for controlling the magnitude of Vout. The battery pack may include a second circuit that generates a control signal when the output terminal is connected to the input terminal. The first circuit is configured to control the magnitude of Vout based on the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics America Inc.
    Inventors: Kota Kano, Tetsuo Sato, Shigeru Maeta
  • Patent number: 10789792
    Abstract: A dual mode, passcode storage, wireless secure lock is disclosed. In one embodiment, a key is provided that includes a key coil, a first key data processing device (DPD), a second key DPD, and a key radio transceiver. The first key DPD is configured to receive a first authentication code (AC) from a lock via the key coil. The first key DPD is configured to compare the first AC with data in memory of the key DPD. The first key DPD is configured to activate the second key DPD in response to response to determining the first AC compares equally to data in memory of the first key DPD. The second key DPD is configured to transmit a second AC to the lock via the key radio transceiver after the second key DPD is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics America Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Grange, Shigeru Maeta, Eugene G. Bonev
  • Publication number: 20200295583
    Abstract: A simple battery and battery charger. In one embodiment, the battery charger includes an output terminal that provides a charging voltage Vout and charging current Iout. The battery is contained in a battery pack having an input terminal, which can be connected to the output terminal in order to receive Vout and Iout. The battery charger may include a first circuit for controlling the magnitude of Vout. The battery pack may include a second circuit that generates a control signal when the output terminal is connected to the input terminal. The first circuit is configured to control the magnitude of Vout based on the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: RENESAS ELECTRONICS AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Kota KANO, Tetsuo SATO, Shigeru MAETA
  • Patent number: 10679986
    Abstract: A semiconductor die is disclosed upon which is formed direct current (DC) isolated first and second circuits. The first circuit is configured for electrical connection to a first ground. The second circuit is configured for electrical connection to a second ground. The first and second grounds can be at different potentials. The first and second circuits were formed using front end of line (FEOL) and back end of line (BEOL) processes. The first circuit includes a plurality of first devices, such as transistors, which were formed during the FEOL process, and the second circuit includes only second devices, such as transistors, which were formed during the BEOL process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics America Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Yoshida, Tetsuo Sato, Shigeru Maeta, Toshio Kimura
  • Patent number: 10673254
    Abstract: A simple battery and battery charger. In one embodiment, the battery charger includes an output terminal that provides a charging voltage Vout and charging current Iout. The battery is contained in a battery pack having an input terminal, which can be connected to the output terminal in order to receive Vout and Iout. The battery charger may include a first circuit for controlling the magnitude of Vout. The battery pack may include a second circuit that generates a control signal when the output terminal is connected to the input terminal. The first circuit is configured to control the magnitude of Vout based on the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics America Inc.
    Inventors: Kota Kano, Tetsuo Sato, Shigeru Maeta
  • Patent number: 10658855
    Abstract: A transformer less battery charger system. In one embodiment, the battery charger system includes input terminals for receiving an AC voltage, output terminals for receiving terminals of a rechargeable battery pack, and a non-isolated DC-DC converter coupled between the input terminals and the output terminals. A device is also coupled somewhere between the input terminals and the output terminals. The device is configured to selectively and indirectly couple the input terminals to the output terminals. More particularly, the device indirectly couples the input terminals to the output terminals when the rechargeable battery pack terminals are received by the output terminals, and the device indirectly decouples the input terminals from the output terminals when the rechargeable battery pack terminals are separated from the output terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics America Inc.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Sato, Shigeru Maeta, Toshio Kimura, Atsushi Mitamura, Akira Negishi, Gary S. Jacobson
  • Publication number: 20190188938
    Abstract: A dual mode, passcode storage, wireless secure lock is disclosed. In one embodiment, a key is provided that includes a key coil, a first key data processing device (DPD), a second key DPD, and a key radio transceiver. The first key DPD is configured to receive a first authentication code (AC) from a lock via the key coil. The first key DPD is configured to compare the first AC with data in memory of the key DPD. The first key DPD is configured to activate the second key DPD in response to response to determining the first AC compares equally to data in memory of the first key DPD. The second key DPD is configured to transmit a second AC to the lock via the key radio transceiver after the second key DPD is activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: Renesas Electronics America Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. GRANGE, Shigeru MAETA, Eugene G. BONEV
  • Publication number: 20190103401
    Abstract: A semiconductor die is disclosed upon which is formed direct current (DC) isolated first and second circuits. The first circuit is configured for electrical connection to a first ground. The second circuit is configured for electrical connection to a second ground. The first and second grounds can be at different potentials. The first and second circuits were formed using front end of line (FEOL) and back end of line (BEOL) processes. The first circuit includes a plurality of first devices, such as transistors, which were formed during the FEOL process, and the second circuit includes only second devices, such as transistors, which were formed during the BEOL process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Kenji YOSHIDA, Tetsuo SATO, Shigeru MAETA, Toshio KIMURA
  • Patent number: 10147722
    Abstract: A semiconductor die is disclosed upon which is formed direct current (DC) isolated first and second circuits. The first circuit is configured for electrical connection to a first ground. The second circuit is configured for electrical connection to a second ground. The first and second grounds can be at different potentials. The first and second circuits were formed using front end of line (FEOL) and back end of line (BEOL) processes. The first circuit includes a plurality of first devices, such as transistors, which were formed during the FEOL process, and the second circuit includes only second devices, such as transistors, which were formed during the BEOL process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Kenji Yoshida, Tetsuo Sato, Shigeru Maeta, Toshio Kimura
  • Publication number: 20180083467
    Abstract: A transformer less battery charger system. In one embodiment, the battery charger system includes input terminals for receiving an AC voltage, output terminals for receiving terminals of a rechargeable battery pack, and a non-isolated DC-DC converter coupled between the input terminals and the output terminals. A device is also coupled somewhere between the input terminals and the output terminals. The device is configured to selectively and indirectly couple the input terminals to the output terminals. More particularly, the device indirectly couples the input terminals to the output terminals when the rechargeable battery pack terminals are received by the output terminals, and the device indirectly decouples the input terminals from the output terminals when the rechargeable battery pack terminals are separated from the output terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Tetsuo Sato, Shigeru Maeta, Toshio Kimura, Atsushi Mitamura, Akira Negishi, Gary S. Jacobson
  • Publication number: 20180047756
    Abstract: A semiconductor die is disclosed upon which is formed direct current (DC) isolated first and second circuits. The first circuit is configured for electrical connection to a first ground. The second circuit is configured for electrical connection to a second ground. The first and second grounds can be at different potentials. The first and second circuits were formed using front end of line (FEOL) and back end of line (BEOL) processes. The first circuit includes a plurality of first devices, such as transistors, which were formed during the FEOL process, and the second circuit includes only second devices, such as transistors, which were formed during the BEOL process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Kenji Yoshida, Tetsuo Sato, Shigeru Maeta, Toshio Kimura
  • Publication number: 20180026455
    Abstract: A simple battery and battery charger. In one embodiment, the battery charger includes an output terminal that provides a charging voltage Vout and charging current Iout. The battery is contained in a battery pack having an input terminal, which can be connected to the output terminal in order to receive Vout and Iout. The battery charger may include a first circuit for controlling the magnitude of Vout. The battery pack may include a second circuit that generates a control signal when the output terminal is connected to the input terminal. The first circuit is configured to control the magnitude of Vout based on the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Kota Kano, Tetsuo Sato, Shigeru Maeta
  • Patent number: 9843206
    Abstract: A transformer less battery charger system. In one embodiment, the battery charger system includes input terminals for receiving an AC voltage, output terminals for receiving terminals of a rechargeable battery pack, and a non-isolated DC-DC converter coupled between the input terminals and the output terminals. A device is also coupled somewhere between the input terminals and the output terminals. The device is configured to selectively and indirectly couple the input terminals to the output terminals. More particularly, the device indirectly couples the input terminals to the output terminals when the rechargeable battery pack terminals are received by the output terminals, and the device indirectly decouples the input terminals from the output terminals when the rechargeable battery pack terminals are separated from the output terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics America Inc.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Sato, Shigeru Maeta, Toshio Kimura, Atsushi Mitamura, Akira Negishi, Gary S. Jacobson
  • Publication number: 20170207642
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in devices such as rechargeable battery packs. The apparatus, in one embodiment, includes an integrated circuit comprising a first circuit, a second circuit, and a thin film transistor (TFT). The first circuit is configured to generate a square wave signal. The second circuit is configured to convert the square wave signal to a direct current (DC) signal. The TFT is configured to activate and conduct current in response to the DC control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Tetsuo Sato, Shigeru Maeta, Toshio Kimura, Kenji Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9711984
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a high voltage at a battery system. The apparatus in one embodiment includes a supply node configured for direct or indirect coupling to a supply voltage. A converter is coupled between an input node and an output node, wherein the converter is configured to operate in a forward mode or a reverse mode. The converter generates a voltage at the converter output node for charging a battery when operating in the forward mode, wherein a magnitude of the voltage generated at the converter output node is less than a magnitude of the supply voltage. The converter generates a voltage at the converter input node when operating in the reverse mode, wherein a magnitude of the voltage generated at the converter input node is different than a magnitude of a voltage provided by the battery. A control circuit is coupled to and configured to control operation of the converter in the forward mode or the reverse mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics America Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Yoshida, Tetsuo Sato, Shigeru Maeta, Chikara Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20170077729
    Abstract: A transformer less battery charger system. In one embodiment, the battery charger system includes input terminals for receiving an AC voltage, output terminals for receiving terminals of a rechargeable battery pack, and a non-isolated DC-DC converter coupled between the input terminals and the output terminals. A device is also coupled somewhere between the input terminals and the output terminals. The device is configured to selectively and indirectly couple the input terminals to the output terminals. More particularly, the device indirectly couples the input terminals to the output terminals when the rechargeable battery pack terminals are received by the output terminals, and the device indirectly decouples the input terminals from the output terminals when the rechargeable battery pack terminals are separated from the output terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Tetsuo Sato, Shigeru Maeta, Toshio Kimura, Atsushi Mitamura, Akira Negishi, Gary S. Jacobson
  • Publication number: 20160118825
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a high voltage at a battery system. The apparatus in one embodiment includes a supply node configured for direct or indirect coupling to a supply voltage. A converter is coupled between an input node and an output node, wherein the converter is configured to operate in a forward mode or a reverse mode. The converter generates a voltage at the converter output node for charging a battery when operating in the forward mode, wherein a magnitude of the voltage generated at the converter output node is less than a magnitude of the supply voltage. The converter generates a voltage at the converter input node when operating in the reverse mode, wherein a magnitude of the voltage generated at the converter input node is different than a magnitude of a voltage provided by the battery. A control circuit is coupled to and configured to control operation of the converter in the forward mode or the reverse mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Kenji Yoshida, Tetsuo Sato, Shigeru Maeta, Chikara Kobayashi