Patents by Inventor Tomohide Minami

Tomohide Minami 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: 11841278
    Abstract: A temperature measurement sensor according to an exemplary embodiment includes a substrate and an optical fiber provided on an upper surface of the substrate and extending along the upper surface. The temperature measurement sensor further includes a light introduction path of a space that allows a space above the upper surface and a space below a lower surface of the substrate to communicate with each other and an optical coupling portion provided on the upper surface and disposed in the light introduction path. The optical coupling portion is optically connected to the end surface of the optical fiber. The optical fiber forms the first pattern shape and the second pattern shape. The first pattern shape includes the optical fiber more densely than the second pattern shape. Light incident on the optical coupling portion from a side of the lower surface through the light introduction path reaches the end surface through the optical coupling portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Tong Wu, Tomohide Minami, Masaaki Miyagawa
  • Patent number: 11460355
    Abstract: An antenna device according to an exemplary embodiment includes a first metal layer, a first dielectric layer, a second metal layer, and a second dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer has a thermal conductivity and heat resistance that are higher than those of an FR-4 resin. The antenna device includes a first metal terminal and a second metal terminal, and a thermosensor. A pair of an input terminal and an output terminal of the thermosensor are electrically connected to the first metal terminal and the second metal terminal, respectively, and the second metal layer includes a first segment and a second segment. The first metal terminal is disposed above the first segment, and the second metal terminal is disposed above the second segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Tong Wu, Tomohide Minami
  • Publication number: 20210343560
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for real-time sensing of properties in industrial manufacturing equipment are described. The sensing system includes first plural sensors mounted within a processing environment of a semiconductor device manufacturing system, wherein each sensor is assigned to a different region to monitor a physical or chemical property of the assigned region of the manufacturing system, and a reader system having componentry configured to simultaneously and wirelessly interrogate the plural sensors. The reader system uses a single high frequency interrogation sequence that includes (1) transmitting a first request pulse signal to the first plural sensors, the first request pulse signal being associated with a first frequency band, and (2) receiving uniquely identifiable response signals from the first plural sensors that provide real-time monitoring of variations in the physical or chemical property at each assigned region of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Sylvain Ballandras, Thierry Laroche, Kimihiro Matsuse, Jacques Berg, Tomohide Minami
  • Patent number: 11114321
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for real-time sensing of properties in industrial manufacturing equipment are described. The sensing system includes first plural sensors mounted within a processing environment of a semiconductor device manufacturing system, wherein each sensor is assigned to a different region to monitor a physical or chemical property of the assigned region of the manufacturing system, and a reader system having componentry configured to simultaneously and wirelessly interrogate the plural sensors. The reader system uses a single high frequency interrogation sequence that includes (1) transmitting a first request pulse signal to the first plural sensors, the first request pulse signal being associated with a first frequency band, and (2) receiving uniquely identifiable response signals from the first plural sensors that provide real-time monitoring of variations in the physical or chemical property at each assigned region of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Sylvain Ballandras, Thierry Laroche, Kimihiro Matsuse, Jacques Berg, Tomohide Minami
  • Publication number: 20200408612
    Abstract: An antenna device according to an exemplary embodiment includes a first metal layer, a first dielectric layer, a second metal layer, and a second dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer has a thermal conductivity and heat resistance that are higher than those of an FR-4 resin. The antenna device includes a first metal terminal and a second metal terminal, and a thermosensor. A pair of an input terminal and an output terminal of the thermosensor are electrically connected to the first metal terminal and the second metal terminal, respectively, and the second metal layer includes a first segment and a second segment. The first metal terminal is disposed above the first segment, and the second metal terminal is disposed above the second segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Tong WU, Tomohide MINAMI
  • Publication number: 20200408613
    Abstract: A temperature measurement sensor according to an exemplary embodiment includes a substrate and an optical fiber provided on an upper surface of the substrate and extending along the upper surface. The temperature measurement sensor further includes a light introduction path of a space that allows a space above the upper surface and a space below a lower surface of the substrate to communicate with each other and an optical coupling portion provided on the upper surface and disposed in the light introduction path. The optical coupling portion is optically connected to the end surface of the optical fiber. The optical fiber forms the first pattern shape and the second pattern shape. The first pattern shape includes the optical fiber more densely than the second pattern shape. Light incident on the optical coupling portion from a side of the lower surface through the light introduction path reaches the end surface through the optical coupling portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Tong WU, Tomohide MINAMI, Masaaki MIYAGAWA
  • Patent number: 10837991
    Abstract: An electrostatic capacitance measuring device includes: a base substrate; a first sensor having a first electrode, one or more second sensors each having a second electrode, and a circuit board mounted on the base substrate. The first sensor is provided along an edge of the base substrate. The second sensors are fixed on the base substrate. The circuit board is connected to the first sensor and the second sensors, and configured to output high frequency signals to the first electrode and the one or more second electrodes and obtain a first measurement value indicating an electrostatic capacitance from a voltage amplitude at the first electrode and one or more second measurement values indicating electrostatic capacitances obtained from voltage amplitudes at the one or more second electrodes. The measuring device has one or more reference surfaces fixed on the measuring device and facing the one or more second electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kippei Sugita, Tomohide Minami, Satoru Nishio
  • Patent number: 10837810
    Abstract: In a method for calibrating a measuring device by using a case which includes a case main body configured to accommodate the measuring device, a restricting portion configured to restrict translation of the measuring device accommodated in the case main body and reference surfaces provided in the case main body to face the respective sensor electrodes, a plurality of detection values is acquired in a state where translation of the measuring device accommodated in the case is restricted by the restricting portion, the reference surfaces face respective sensor electrodes of the measuring device and a high frequency signal is applied to the sensor electrodes. Then, coefficients in functions used in calculating measurement values are calibrated such that the measurement values become a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kippei Sugita, Tomohide Minami
  • Patent number: 10634479
    Abstract: Provided is a measuring instrument for measuring an electrostatic capacity. The measuring instrument includes a base substrate having a disk shape, a plurality of first sensors arranged along an edge of the base substrate and respectively provide a plurality of side electrodes, one or more second sensors each of which has a bottom electrode provided along a bottom surface of the base substrate, and a circuit board. The circuit board is configured to apply a high frequency signal to the plurality of side electrodes and the bottom electrode, to generate a plurality of first measurement values respectively indicating electrostatic capacities based on voltage amplitudes in the plurality of side electrodes, and to generate a second measurement value indicating an electrostatic capacity based on a voltage amplitude in the bottom electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kippei Sugita, Tomohide Minami
  • Publication number: 20190057887
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for real-time sensing of properties in industrial manufacturing equipment are described. The sensing system includes first plural sensors mounted within a processing environment of a semiconductor device manufacturing system, wherein each sensor is assigned to a different region to monitor a physical or chemical property of the assigned region of the manufacturing system, and a reader system having componentry configured to simultaneously and wirelessly interrogate the plural sensors. The reader system uses a single high frequency interrogation sequence that includes (1) transmitting a first request pulse signal to the first plural sensors, the first request pulse signal being associated with a first frequency band, and (2) receiving uniquely identifiable response signals from the first plural sensors that provide real-time monitoring of variations in the physical or chemical property at each assigned region of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Sylvain Ballandras, Thierry Laroche, Kimihiro Matsuse, Jacques Berg, Tomohide Minami
  • Publication number: 20190033103
    Abstract: In a method for calibrating a measuring device by using a case which includes a case main body configured to accommodate the measuring device, a restricting portion configured to restrict translation of the measuring device accommodated in the case main body and reference surfaces provided in the case main body to face the respective sensor electrodes, a plurality of detection values is acquired in a state where translation of the measuring device accommodated in the case is restricted by the restricting portion, the reference surfaces face respective sensor electrodes of the measuring device and a high frequency signal is applied to the sensor electrodes. Then, coefficients in functions used in calculating measurement values are calibrated such that the measurement values become a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kippei Sugita, Tomohide Minami
  • Publication number: 20180284171
    Abstract: An electrostatic capacitance measuring device includes: a base substrate; a first sensor having a first electrode, one or more second sensors each having a second electrode, and a circuit board mounted on the base substrate. The first sensor is provided along an edge of the base substrate. The second sensors are fixed on the base substrate. The circuit board is connected to the first sensor and the second sensors, and configured to output high frequency signals to the first electrode and the one or more second electrodes and obtain a first measurement value indicating an electrostatic capacitance from a voltage amplitude at the first electrode and one or more second measurement values indicating electrostatic capacitances obtained from voltage amplitudes at the one or more second electrodes. The measuring device has one or more reference surfaces fixed on the measuring device and facing the one or more second electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kippei SUGITA, Tomohide MINAMI, Satoru NISHIO
  • Patent number: 10074549
    Abstract: In a method for acquiring data indicating an electrostatic capacitance between a focus ring and a measuring device includes a disc-shaped base substrate, sensor units arranged along an edge of the base substrate and a circuit substrate mounted on the base substrate, a processor acquires one or more first data sets respectively including a plurality of digital values indicating an electrostatic capacitance of a corresponding sensor unit. The measuring device is transferred to a region on the mounting table surrounded by the focus ring. The processor acquires second data sets when one or more digital values or an average of the digital values included in each of said one or more first data sets exceeds a first threshold. The processor stores measurement data including the respective second data sets or averages of the digital values of each of the second data sets. The measuring device is unloaded from the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kippei Sugita, Tomohide Minami
  • Patent number: 10018484
    Abstract: Electrostatic capacitance can be measured with high directivity in a specific direction. A sensor chip that measures the electrostatic capacitance includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a third electrode. The first electrode has a first portion. The second electrode has a second portion extended on the first portion of the first electrode, and is insulated from the first electrode within the sensor chip. The third electrode has a front face extended in a direction which intersects with the first portion of the first electrode and the second portion of the second electrode, and is provided on the first portion and the second portion. The third electrode is insulated from the first electrode and the second electrode within the sensor chip. No portion is extended from the first electrode to be positioned above the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kippei Sugita, Tomohide Minami
  • Publication number: 20180136013
    Abstract: Electrostatic capacitance can be measured with high directivity in a specific direction. A sensor chip that measures the electrostatic capacitance includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a third electrode. The first electrode has a first portion. The second electrode has a second portion extended on the first portion of the first electrode, and is insulated from the first electrode within the sensor chip. The third electrode has a front face extended in a direction which intersects with the first portion of the first electrode and the second portion of the second electrode, and is provided on the first portion and the second portion. The third electrode is insulated from the first electrode and the second electrode within the sensor chip. No portion is extended from the first electrode to be positioned above the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Kippei Sugita, Tomohide Minami
  • Patent number: 9970838
    Abstract: Provided is a pressure measuring device including a first electric resistor that is exposed to gas; a second electric resistor that is exposed to gas and has the same structure as that of the first electric resistor; a first measuring unit that measures a first voltage drop generated across the first electric resistor; a second measuring unit that measures a second voltage drop generated across the second electric resistor; a third measuring unit that measures a third voltage drop generated across the first electric resistor; a calculating unit that calculates a correction value that corrects the third voltage drop, based on a difference between the first voltage drop and the second voltage drop; and an output unit that corrects the third voltage drop using the calculated correction value and outputs a pressure value according to the third voltage value after the correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Tomohide Minami
  • Patent number: 9903739
    Abstract: Electrostatic capacitance can be measured with high directivity in a specific direction. A sensor chip that measures the electrostatic capacitance includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a third electrode. The first electrode has a first portion. The second electrode has a second portion extended on the first portion of the first electrode, and is insulated from the first electrode within the sensor chip. The third electrode has a front face extended in a direction which intersects with the first portion of the first electrode and the second portion of the second electrode, and is provided on the first portion and the second portion. The third electrode is insulated from the first electrode and the second electrode within the sensor chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kippei Sugita, Tomohide Minami
  • Publication number: 20170363407
    Abstract: Provided is a measuring instrument for measuring an electrostatic capacity. The measuring instrument includes a base substrate having a disk shape, a plurality of first sensors arranged along an edge of the base substrate and respectively provide a plurality of side electrodes, one or more second sensors each of which has a bottom electrode provided along a bottom surface of the base substrate, and a circuit board. The circuit board is configured to apply a high frequency signal to the plurality of side electrodes and the bottom electrode, to generate a plurality of first measurement values respectively indicating electrostatic capacities based on voltage amplitudes in the plurality of side electrodes, and to generate a second measurement value indicating an electrostatic capacity based on a voltage amplitude in the bottom electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kippei SUGITA, Tomohide MINAMI
  • Patent number: 9841395
    Abstract: A system of inspecting a focus ring is provided. The system includes a measuring device, a transfer device and an operation unit. The measuring device includes a base substrate, a sensor chip and a circuit board. The sensor chip has a sensor electrode and is provided along an edge of the base substrate. The circuit board is configured to output a high frequency signal to the sensor electrode and acquire a digital value indicating electrostatic capacitance based on a voltage amplitude in the sensor electrode. The transfer device is configured to scan the measuring device. The operation unit is configured to obtain difference values by performing a difference operation with respect to the digital values acquired by the measuring device at multiple positions along a direction which intersects with an inner periphery of the focus ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kippei Sugita, Tomohide Minami
  • Publication number: 20170278735
    Abstract: In a method for acquiring data indicating an electrostatic capacitance between a focus ring and a measuring device includes a disc-shaped base substrate, sensor units arranged along an edge of the base substrate and a circuit substrate mounted on the base substrate, a processor acquires one or more first data sets respectively including a plurality of digital values indicating an electrostatic capacitance of a corresponding sensor unit. The measuring device is transferred to a region on the mounting table surrounded by the focus ring. The processor acquires second data sets when one or more digital values or an average of the digital values included in each of said one or more first data sets exceeds a first threshold. The processor stores measurement data including the respective second data sets or averages of the digital values of each of the second data sets. The measuring device is unloaded from the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kippei SUGITA, Tomohide MINAMI