Patents by Inventor Takashi Kasai
Takashi Kasai 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: 9374644Abstract: An acoustic transducer has a vibrating film and a fixed film formed above an opening portion of a substrate, and at least a first sensing portion and a second sensing portion that detect sound waves using change in capacitance between a vibrating electrode provided in the vibrating film and a fixed electrode provided in the fixed film, convert the sound waves into electrical signals, and output the electrical signals. In the first sensing portion and the second sensing portion, the fixed film is used in common, and the vibrating electrode is divided into a first sensing region and a second sensing region that respectively correspond to the first sensing portion and the second sensing portion. In the first sensing portion, a protrusion portion that protrudes toward the vibrating electrode is provided on a region of the fixed film that opposes the first sensing region.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2014Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: OMRON CorporationInventor: Takashi Kasai
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Patent number: 9363608Abstract: Provided is an acoustic transducer including: a semiconductor substrate; a vibrating membrane provided above the semiconductor substrate, including a vibrating electrode; and a fixed membrane provided above the semiconductor substrate, including a fixed electrode, the acoustic transducer detecting a sound wave according to changes in capacitances between the vibrating electrode and the fixed electrode, converting the sound wave into electrical signals, and outputting the electrical signals. At least one of the vibrating electrode and the fixed electrode is divided into a plurality of divided electrodes, and the plurality of divided electrodes outputting the electrical signals.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2013Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignees: OMRON CORPORATION, STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.Inventors: Takashi Kasai, Shobu Sato, Yuki Uchida, Igino Padovani, Filippo David, Sebastiano Conti
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Publication number: 20160157023Abstract: Provided is an acoustic transducer including: a semiconductor substrate; a vibrating membrane provided above the semiconductor substrate, including a vibrating electrode; and a fixed membrane provided above the semiconductor substrate, including a fixed electrode, the acoustic transducer detecting a sound wave according to changes in capacitances between the vibrating electrode and the fixed electrode, converting the sound wave into electrical signals, and outputting the electrical signals. At least one of the vibrating electrode and the fixed electrode is divided into a plurality of divided electrodes, and the plurality of divided electrodes outputting the electrical signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2016Publication date: June 2, 2016Inventors: Takashi KASAI, Shobu SATO, Yuki UCHIDA, Igino PADOVANI, Filippo DAVID, Sebastiano CONTI
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Patent number: 9326081Abstract: A microphone has a package, and an acoustic sensor, an under surface of which is fixed to an inner face of the package. The acoustic sensor has a substrate having a plurality of hollows penetrating the substrate from a top surface to an under surface, and a capacitor structure made by a movable electrode plate and a fixed electrode plate disposed above each of the hollows. A package sound hole is opened in the package in a position opposed to the under surface of the acoustic sensor. A dent which is communicated with each of the hollows and open below the under surface side of the substrate is formed below the under surface of the substrate. A height of the dent measured from the under surface of the substrate is equal to or less than half of a height of the hollow.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: OMRON CorporationInventors: Koji Momotani, Takashi Kasai
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Publication number: 20160094918Abstract: An acoustic transducer includes a slit having higher passage resistance than in conventional structures and having a lower rate of decrease in the passage resistance than in conventional structures when, for example, the vibration electrode plate warps. The acoustic transducer includes a stationary electrode plate, and a vibration electrode plate facing the stationary electrode plate with a space between the electrode plates. The vibration electrode plate includes a slit that allows sound to pass through. The vibration electrode plate includes a resistance increasing section including at least one pair of high-resistance surfaces that constitute side surfaces of the slit in a width direction thereof, and are thicker than a middle portion of the vibration electrode plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2015Publication date: March 31, 2016Inventors: Yuki UCHIDA, Koji MOMOTANI, Takashi KASAI
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Patent number: 9260292Abstract: A sensor device has a substrate, a sensor section provided on an upper surface of the substrate, a circuit section provided on the upper surface of the substrate, a plurality of connection pads that electrically conduct with the sensor section or the circuit section, and a metal protective film covering at least a part of the circuit section from above.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: OMRON CorporationInventor: Takashi Kasai
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Publication number: 20160021459Abstract: A diaphragm is arranged on the upper surface of a silicon substrate so as to cover a chamber in the silicon substrate. Multiple anchors are provided on the upper surface of the silicon substrate, and the lower surfaces of corner portions of the diaphragm are supported by the anchors. Also, a fixed electrode plate is provided above the diaphragm with an air gap therebetween. In a view from a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the silicon substrate, the entire length of the outer edge of the diaphragm located between adjacent anchors is located outward of a line segment that circumscribes the edges of the adjacent anchors on the side distant from the center of the diaphragm. Also, one or two or more through-holes are formed in the diaphragm in the vicinity of the anchors.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2013Publication date: January 21, 2016Applicant: OMRON CORPORATIONInventors: Tadashi INOUE, Takashi KASAI, Yuki UCHIDA
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Publication number: 20160014528Abstract: A silicon substrate has a chamber that penetrates vertically. A diaphragm is formed on the upper surface of the silicon substrate so as to cover the upper portion of the chamber. Also, a back plate is provided above the silicon substrate so as to cover the diaphragm, and a fixed electrode plate is provided on the lower surface of the back plate in opposition to the diaphragm. Multiple acoustic holes, which penetrate vertically and are for allowing the passage of acoustic vibration, are formed in the back plate (28) and the fixed electrode plate. Multiple through-holes that have a smaller opening area than the acoustic holes are formed in a large displacement region of the diaphragm.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2013Publication date: January 14, 2016Applicant: OMRON CorporationInventor: Takashi KASAI
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Patent number: 9199837Abstract: In an acoustic sensor, a diaphragm arranged on an upper side of a silicon substrate includes a back chamber, and an anchor supports the diaphragm. An insulating plate portion fixed to an upper surface of the silicon substrate covers the diaphragm with a gap. A conductive fixed electrode film arranged on a lower surface of the plate portion configures a back plate. The change in electrostatic capacitance between the fixed electrode film and the diaphragm outputs to the outside from a fixed side electrode pad and a movable side electrode pad as an electric signal. A protective film is arranged continuously with the plate portion at an outer periphery of the plate portion. The protective film covers the outer peripheral part of the upper surface of the silicon substrate, and the outer periphery of the protective film coincides with the outer periphery of the upper surface of the silicon substrate.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2011Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: OMRON CorporationInventors: Takashi Kasai, Nobuyuki Iida, Tomofumi Nakamura
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Publication number: 20150293160Abstract: Diaphragm 33 is provided on a top surface of silicon substrate 32, and plate unit 39 is fixed to the top surface of silicon substrate 32 so as to cover the movable electrode film with a gap. Plate unit 39 is made of an insulating material. Fixed electrode film 40 is formed on a bottom surface of plate unit 39, and diaphragm 33 and fixed electrode film 40 constitute a capacitor. In an area around plate unit 39, a whole outer peripheral edge of the top surface of silicon substrate 32 is exposed from plate unit 39. On the top surface of the substrate 32, insulating sheet 47 made of the insulating material is formed in a part of an area exposed from plate unit 39, and electrode pad 48 electrically connected to diaphragm 33 and electrode pad 49 electrically connected to fixed electrode film 40 are provided on a top surface of insulating sheet 47.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2012Publication date: October 15, 2015Applicant: OMRON CORPORATIONInventors: Takashi Kasai, Inoue Tadashi
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Publication number: 20150245123Abstract: A capacitance type sensor has a substrate, a vibration electrode plate formed over the substrate, a back plate formed over the substrate so as to cover the vibration electrode plate, and a fixed electrode plate provided on the back plate so as to be opposite to the vibration electrode plate. At least one of the vibration electrode plate and the fixed electrode plate is separated into a plurality of regions, each of the plurality of regions being formed with a sensing section including the vibration electrode plate and the fixed electrode plate. A barrier electrode is provided between respective sensing sections of at least one adjacent pair of regions of the plurality of regions to prevent signal interference between the respective sensing sections.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2013Publication date: August 27, 2015Applicant: OMRON CORPORATIONInventors: Yuki Uchida, Takashi Kasai
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Patent number: 9118994Abstract: A capacitance sensor has a substrate, a vibration electrode plate formed over an upper side of the substrate, a back plate formed over the upper side of the substrate to cover the vibration electrode plate, and a fixed electrode plate arranged on the back plate facing the vibration electrode plate. At least one of the vibration electrode plate and the fixed electrode plate is divided into a plurality of regions. A sensing unit configured by the vibration electrode plate and the fixed electrode plate is formed on each of the divided regions. An isolation portion that suppresses vibration from being propagated is formed on the back plate to partition the sensing units from each other.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2013Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: OMRON CorporationInventors: Yuki Uchida, Takashi Kasai
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Publication number: 20150230027Abstract: An acoustic transducer has a substrate having an opening in an upper surface thereof, a vibration electrode plate disposed above the substrate, and having an outer edge thereof facing the upper surface of the substrate with a gap therebetween, a fixed electrode plate facing the vibration electrode plate, and a plurality of projections protruding on a lower surface of the outer edge of the vibration electrode plate. The vibration electrode plate covers an upper side of the opening. The plurality of projections are disposed so as to not be positioned along a straight line or a curved line parallel to an edge of the opening in at least a part of one or at least two arrays formed on the lower surface of the outer edge.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2013Publication date: August 13, 2015Applicant: OMRON CorporationInventors: Tadashi Inoue, Takashi Kasai
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Publication number: 20150230011Abstract: An acoustic transducer has a substrate having a cavity that is open at a top of the substrate, a vibration electrode film provided above the substrate so as to cover the cavity, and a fixed electrode film provided a distance above the vibration electrode film. A gap is formed between an upper surface of the substrate and a lower surface of the vibration electrode film around the cavity. In the gap across which the upper surface of the substrate and the lower surface of the vibration electrode film face each other, a narrow portion of the gap that is narrower than another portion of the gap is disposed. The narrow portion of the gap extends linearly.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2013Publication date: August 13, 2015Applicant: OMRON CorporationInventors: Tadashi Inoue, Takashi Kasai
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Publication number: 20150156576Abstract: A capacitance sensor has a substrate, a vibration electrode plate formed over an upper side of the substrate, a back plate formed over the upper side of the substrate to cover the vibration electrode plate, and a fixed electrode plate arranged on the back plate facing the vibration electrode plate. At least one of the vibration electrode plate and the fixed electrode plate is divided into a plurality of regions. A sensing unit configured by the vibration electrode plate and the fixed electrode plate is formed on each of the divided regions. An isolation portion that suppresses vibration from being propagated is formed on the back plate to partition the sensing units from each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2013Publication date: June 4, 2015Inventors: Yuki Uchida, Takashi Kasai
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Patent number: 9028456Abstract: An infusion pump is provided with a slide clamp mechanism having a clamp member for closing or opening an infusion tube and a valve mechanism for pressing the infusion tube to stop flow of a solution in the infusion tube and has a structure where an interlocking mechanism for interlocking the slide clamp mechanism with the valve mechanism only by manipulation of a handle is disposed. During a series of manipulations of the handle, the infusion tube is always closed by one or both of the slide clamp and valves 14A and 14B, so that free flow of a solution in the infusion tube 40 can be entirely prevented.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2008Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Namiki Seimitsu Houseki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takashi Kasai, Kenji Honda
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Publication number: 20150104048Abstract: A capacitance sensor has a substrate, a vibration electrode plate formed over an upper side of the substrate, a back plate formed over the upper side of the substrate to cover the vibration electrode plate, and a fixed electrode plate arranged on the back plate facing the vibration electrode plate. At least one of the vibration electrode plate and the fixed electrode plate is divided into a plurality of regions. A sensing unit configured by the vibration electrode plate and the fixed electrode plate is formed in each of the divided regions. The plurality of sensing units output a plurality of signals having different sensitivities. At least some sensing units of the sensing units have vibration electrode plates having areas different from the areas of the vibration electrode plates in the other sensing units.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Inventors: Yuki Uchida, Takashi Kasai
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Publication number: 20150078591Abstract: An acoustic transducer has a vibrating film and a fixed film formed above an opening portion of a substrate, and at least a first sensing portion and a second sensing portion that detect sound waves using change in capacitance between a vibrating electrode provided in the vibrating film and a fixed electrode provided in the fixed film, convert the sound waves into electrical signals, and output the electrical signals. In the first sensing portion and the second sensing portion, the fixed film is used in common, and the vibrating electrode is divided into a first sensing region and a second sensing region that respectively correspond to the first sensing portion and the second sensing portion. In the first sensing portion, a protrusion portion that protrudes toward the vibrating electrode is provided on a region of the fixed film that opposes the first sensing region.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Inventor: Takashi Kasai
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Patent number: 8976985Abstract: Provided is an acoustic sensor capable of improving an S/N ratio of a sensor without preventing reduction in size of the sensor. A diaphragm 43 as a movable electrode plate is formed on the top surface of a silicon substrate 42. The diaphragm 43 has a rectangular form, and four corners and midsections of long sides of the diaphragm 43 are supported by anchors 46. A displacement of the diaphragm 43 is minimal on a line D that connects between the anchors 46 at the midsections of the long sides. A displacement maximal point G, at which a displacement is maximal, is present on each side of the line D, and the line D extends in a direction intersecting with a line connecting between the displacement maximal points G.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2011Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: OMRON CorporationInventor: Takashi Kasai
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Publication number: 20150043759Abstract: A microphone has a package, and an acoustic sensor, an under surface of which is fixed to an inner face of the package. The acoustic sensor has a substrate having a plurality of hollows penetrating the substrate from a top surface to an under surface, and a capacitor structure made by a movable electrode plate and a fixed electrode plate disposed above each of the hollows. A package sound hole is opened in the package in a position opposed to the under surface of the acoustic sensor. A dent which is communicated with each of the hollows and open below the under surface side of the substrate is formed below the under surface of the substrate. A height of the dent measured from the under surface of the substrate is equal to or less than half of a height of the hollow.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2014Publication date: February 12, 2015Inventors: Momotani Koji, Takashi Kasai