Patents by Inventor Tomohiko Nagata

Tomohiko Nagata 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: 11214481
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a MEMS element includes a base body, a supporter, a film part, a first electrode, a second electrode, and an insulating member. The supporter is fixed to the base body. The film part is separated from the base body in a first direction and supported by the supporter. The first electrode is fixed to the base body and provided between the base body and the film part. The second electrode is fixed to the film part and provided between the first electrode and the film part. The insulating member includes a first insulating region and a second insulating region. The first insulating region is provided between the first electrode and the second electrode. A first gap is provided between the first insulating region and the second electrode. The second insulating region does not overlap the first electrode in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Fumitaka Ishibashi, Naofumi Nakamura, Hiroaki Yamazaki, Tomohiro Saito, Tomohiko Nagata, Kei Masunishi, Yoshihiko Kurui
  • Patent number: 11169035
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a base body, a supporter, a film part, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The supporter is fixed to the base body. The film part is separated from the base body. The film part includes first, second, and third partial regions, and a rim portion. The rim portion is supported by the supporter. The second partial region is between the first partial region and the rim portion. The third partial region is between the second partial region and the rim portion. The first electrode is provided between the base body and the first partial region and between the base body and the second partial region. The first electrode is fixed to the base body. The second electrode is provided between the first electrode and the first partial region and between the first electrode and the second partial region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Kei Masunishi, Naofumi Nakamura, Hiroaki Yamazaki, Tomohiro Saito, Fumitaka Ishibashi, Yoshihiko Kurui, Tomohiko Nagata
  • Patent number: 11137295
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a supporter, a film portion, a first element, and a first magnetic portion. The supporter includes a first support portion and a second support portion. The film portion includes a first partial region supported by the first support portion. The first element is provided at the first partial region. The first element includes a first electrode region, a first opposing electrode region, and a first magnetic layer provided between the first electrode region and the first opposing electrode region. A direction from the second support portion toward the first magnetic portion is aligned with a first direction. The first direction is from the first opposing electrode region toward the first electrode region. At least a portion of the first magnetic portion overlaps at least a portion of the first element in a direction crossing the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Shotaro Baba, Yoshihiko Fuji, Kazuaki Okamoto, Shiori Kaji, Tomohiko Nagata, Yoshihiro Higashi, Akiko Yuzawa, Michiko Hara
  • Publication number: 20210047171
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a MEMS element includes a base body, a supporter, a film part, a first electrode, a second electrode, and an insulating member. The supporter is fixed to the base body. The film part is separated from the base body in a first direction and supported by the supporter. The first electrode is fixed to the base body and provided between the base body and the film part. The second electrode is fixed to the film part and provided between the first electrode and the film part. The insulating member includes a first insulating region and a second insulating region. The first insulating region is provided between the first electrode and the second electrode. A first gap is provided between the first insulating region and the second electrode. The second insulating region does not overlap the first electrode in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Fumitaka ISHIBASHI, Naofumi NAKAMURA, Hiroaki YAMAZAKI, Tomohiro SAITO, Tomohiko NAGATA, Kei MASUNISHI, Yoshihiko KURUI
  • Publication number: 20210041311
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a base body, a supporter, a film part, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The supporter is fixed to the base body. The film part is separated from the base body. The film part includes first, second, and third partial regions, and a rim portion. The rim portion is supported by the supporter. The second partial region is between the first partial region and the rim portion. The third partial region is between the second partial region and the rim portion. The first electrode is provided between the base body and the first partial region and between the base body and the second partial region. The first electrode is fixed to the base body. The second electrode is provided between the first electrode and the first partial region and between the first electrode and the second partial region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Kei MASUNISHI, Naofumi Nakamura, Hiroaki Yamazaki, Tomohiro Saito, Fumitaka Ishibashi, Yoshihiko Kurui, Tomohiko Nagata
  • Patent number: 10908035
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor is disclosed. The pressure sensor includes a substrate, and a first capacitor element. The first capacitor element includes a lower electrode provided on the substrate, an upper electrode disposed above the lower electrode, and a film provided over the lower electrode and upper electrode. The lower electrode and the upper electrode are between the substrate and the film. An absolute value of an amount of change in an electrostatic capacitance between the lower electrode and the upper electrode with respect to unit change in an ambient temperature of the first capacitor element is substantially zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kei Masunishi, Naofumi Nakamura, Hiroaki Yamazaki, Tomohiro Saito, Fumitaka Ishibashi, Yoshihiko Kurui, Tomohiko Nagata
  • Patent number: 10902986
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a deformable film portion, and a first sensing element provided at the film portion. The first sensing element includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a first intermediate layer provided between the first and second magnetic layers. The first intermediate layer is nonmagnetic. The first magnetic layer includes a first film including Fe and Co, a second film including Fe and Co, a third film, and a fourth film. The third film includes at least one selected from the group consisting of Cu, Au, Ru, Ag, Pt, Pd, Ir, Rh, Re, and Os and is provided between the first and second films. The fourth film includes at least one selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sc, Ti, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ba, La, Hf, Ta, and W and is provided between the third and second films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kazuaki Okamoto, Yoshihiko Fuji, Shiori Kaji, Yoshihiro Higashi, Tomohiko Nagata, Shotaro Baba, Michiko Hara
  • Patent number: 10788545
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a supporter, a first film portion, a first sensing element, and a first magnetic portion. The first film portion is supported by the supporter, is deformable, and includes a first fixed end extending along a first fixed end direction. A first sensing element is fixed to the first film portion, and includes a first magnetic layer, a first opposing magnetic layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the first film portion, and a first intermediate layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the first opposing magnetic layer. A direction from the first opposing magnetic layer toward the first magnetic layer is aligned with a first element direction. The first magnetic portion includes a first end portion extending along a first end portion direction tilted with respect to the first fixed end direction, and overlaps a portion of the supporter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shotaro Baba, Yoshihiko Fuji, Akiko Yuzawa, Kei Masunishi, Michiko Hara, Shiori Kaji, Tomohiko Nagata, Yoshihiro Higashi, Kazuaki Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20200300717
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor is disclosed. The pressure sensor includes a substrate, and a first capacitor element. The first capacitor element includes a lower electrode provided on the substrate, an upper electrode disposed above the lower electrode, and a film provided over the lower electrode and upper electrode. The lower electrode and the upper electrode are between the substrate and the film. An absolute value of an amount of change in an electrostatic capacitance between the lower electrode and the upper electrode with respect to unit change in an ambient temperature of the first capacitor element is substantially zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Kei Masunishi, Naofumi Nakamura, Hiroaki Yamazaki, Tomohiro Saito, Fumitaka Ishibashi, Yoshihiko Kurui, Tomohiko Nagata
  • Patent number: 10746526
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a strain sensing element includes a film unit being deformable, a first and a second magnetic unit, and a strain sensor. The first magnetic unit is provided on the film unit and is arranged with the film unit in a first direction. The first magnetic unit includes a first magnetic body layer and a first intermediate magnetic layer. The second magnetic unit is provided on the film unit and is arranged with the first magnetic unit in a second direction crossing the first direction. The second magnetic unit includes a second magnetic body layer and a second intermediate magnetic layer. The strain sensor is provided on the film unit between the first magnetic unit and the second magnetic unit. An electrical characteristic of the strain sensor changes according to a deformation of the film unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Shiori Kaji, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Tomohiko Nagata, Akio Hori, Yoshihiko Fuji
  • Publication number: 20200041363
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a supporter, a film portion, a first element, and a first magnetic portion. The supporter includes a first support portion and a second support portion. The film portion includes a first partial region supported by the first support portion. The first element is provided at the first partial region. The first element includes a first electrode region, a first opposing electrode region, and a first magnetic layer provided between the first electrode region and the first opposing electrode region. A direction from the second support portion toward the first magnetic portion is aligned with a first direction. The first direction is from the first opposing electrode region toward the first electrode region. At least a portion of the first magnetic portion overlaps at least a portion of the first element in a direction crossing the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Shotaro BABA, Yoshihiko Fuji, Kazuaki Okamoto, Shiori Kaji, Tomohiko Nagata, Yoshihiro Higashi, Akiko Yuzawa, Michiko Hara
  • Patent number: 10495702
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a first film, a first sensor portion, a driving portion, and a processor. The first sensor portion is provided at the first film. The first sensor portion includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a first intermediate layer. The second magnetic layer is provided between the first film and the first magnetic layer. The first intermediate layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The driving portion causes the first film to deform at a first frequency. The processor outputs a third signal based on a first signal and a second signal. The first signal relates to the first frequency. The second signal is output from the first sensor portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Higashi, Michiko Hara, Tomohiko Nagata, Shiori Kaji, Yoshihiko Fuji, Akiko Yuzawa, Kenji Otsu, Kazuaki Okamoto, Shotaro Baba
  • Patent number: 10481027
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a deformable film portion, a first sensing element and a second sensing element. The first sensing element is fixed to the film portion, and includes a first magnetic layer of a first material, a first opposing magnetic layer, and a first intermediate layer. The first intermediate layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the first opposing magnetic layer. The second sensing element is fixed to the film portion, and includes a second magnetic layer of a second material, a second opposing magnetic layer, and a second intermediate layer. The second material is different from the first material. The second intermediate layer is provided between the second magnetic layer and the second opposing magnetic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Fuji, Michiko Hara, Kei Masunishi, Yoshihiro Higashi, Shiori Kaji, Akiko Yuzawa, Akio Hori, Tomohiko Nagata, Kazuaki Okamoto, Kenji Otsu, Shotaro Baba
  • Patent number: 10477323
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a microphone package includes: a pressure sensing element including a film and a device; and a cover. The film generates strain in response to pressure. The device includes: a first electrode; a second electrode; and a first magnetic layer. The first magnetic layer is provided between the first electrode and the second electrode and has a first magnetization. The cover includes: an upper portion; and a side portion. The side portion is magnetic and provided depending on the first magnetization and the second magnetization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Higashi, Yoshihiko Fuji, Michiko Hara, Akiko Yuzawa, Shiori Kaji, Tomohiko Nagata, Akio Hori, Hideaki Fukuzawa
  • Patent number: 10473685
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a first support portion, a first movable portion, a first piezoelectric element, and a first magnetic element. The first movable portion extends in a first extension direction and is connected to the first support portion. The first piezoelectric element is fixed to the first movable portion. The first piezoelectric element includes a first electrode, a second electrode provided between the first electrode and the first movable portion, and a first piezoelectric layer provided between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first magnetic element is fixed to the first movable portion. The first magnetic 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Fuji, Michiko Hara, Kei Masunishi, Yoshihiro Higashi, Shiori Kaji, Akiko Yuzawa, Tomohiko Nagata, Kenji Otsu, Kazuaki Okamoto, Shotaro Baba
  • Patent number: 10413198
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Fuji, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Shiori Kaji, Akio Hori, Tomohiko Nagata, Michiko Hara, Yoshihiro Higashi, Akiko Yuzawa
  • Publication number: 20190272934
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a deformable film portion, and a first sensing element provided at the film portion. The first sensing element includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a first intermediate layer provided between the first and second magnetic layers. The first intermediate layer is nonmagnetic. The first magnetic layer includes a first film including Fe and Co, a second film including Fe and Co, a third film, and a fourth film. The third film includes at least one selected from the group consisting of Cu, Au, Ru, Ag, Pt, Pd, Ir, Rh, Re, and Os and is provided between the first and second films. The fourth film includes at least one selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sc, Ti, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ba, La, Hf, Ta, and W and is provided between the third and second films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Kazuaki OKAMOTO, Yoshihiko FUJI, Shiori KAJI, Yoshihiro HIGASHI, Tomohiko NAGATA, Shotaro BABA, Michiko HARA
  • Patent number: 10254305
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hideaki Fukuzawa, Michiko Hara, Yoshihiko Fuji, Yoshihiro Higashi, Shiori Kaji, Akio Hori, Tomohiko Nagata, Akiko Yuzawa, Akira Kikitsu
  • Publication number: 20190086481
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a supporter, a first film portion, a first sensing element, and a first magnetic portion. The first film portion is supported by the supporter, is deformable, and includes a first fixed end extending along a first fixed end direction. A first sensing element is fixed to the first film portion, and includes a first magnetic layer, a first opposing magnetic layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the first film portion, and a first intermediate layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the first opposing magnetic layer. A direction from the first opposing magnetic layer toward the first magnetic layer is aligned with a first element direction. The first magnetic portion includes a first end portion extending along a first end portion direction tilted with respect to the first fixed end direction, and overlaps a portion of the supporter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shotaro BABA, Yoshihiko FUJI, Akiko YUZAWA, Kei MASUNISHI, Michiko HARA, Shiori KAJI, Tomohiko NAGATA, Yoshihiro HIGASHI, Kazuaki OKAMOTO
  • Patent number: 10234343
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a film part, and a sensing unit. A circumscribing rectangle circumscribing a configuration of a film surface of the film part has a first side, a second side, a third side connected to one end of the first side and one end of the second side, a fourth side connected to one other end of the first side and one other end of the second side, and a centroid of the circumscribing rectangle. The circumscribing rectangle includes a first region enclosed by the first side, line segments connecting the centroid to the one end of the first side, and to the one other end of the first side. The sensing unit includes sensing elements provided on a portion of the film surface overlapping the first region. Each sensing element includes a first, second magnetic layers, and a spacer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Fuji, Kei Masunishi, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Yoshihiro Higashi, Michiko Hara, Akio Hori, Tomohiko Nagata, Shiori Kaji, Akiko Yuzawa