Patents by Inventor Tomoki Hikichi
Tomoki Hikichi 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: 9523743Abstract: Provided is a magnetic sensor capable of identifying an individual having a high offset voltage, which is a cause of an initial defect in magnetic characteristics, and changes over time. A cross-transmission switch is provided in a changeover switch circuit which transmits to an amplifier circuit a differential signal voltage output from a Hall element, and the cross-transmission switch cross-transmits a signal in any one of a first period and a second period during which a current flowing into the Hall element is switched by a control signal from a control circuit, to thereby determine and identify a magnitude of an offset voltage.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2014Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: SII Semiconductor CorporationInventors: Tomoki Hikichi, Minoru Ariyama
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Patent number: 9453889Abstract: To provide a magnetic sensor device which maintains accuracy thereof while reducing current consumption by switching drive power of a Hall element to two drive power. A magnetic sensor device is equipped with a driving circuit which supplies power to a sensor element, a switch changeover circuit which restricts the supply of the power from the driving circuit to the sensor element, a differential amplifier circuit which performs arithmetic processing on an output signal of the sensor element, a threshold voltage generating circuit which generates a threshold voltage used in magnetism determination, a comparison circuit which compares and determines a voltage of the differential amplifier circuit and the threshold voltage, and a logic circuit which according to the output of the comparison circuit, switches the power outputted from the driving circuit, switches the threshold voltage and controls on/off of the switch changeover circuit in a constant cycle.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2015Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: SII SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Takemasa Miura, Minoru Ariyama, Tomoki Hikichi, Kentaro Fukai
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Patent number: 9453888Abstract: The sensor device includes: a physical quantity voltage conversion element; a differential amplifier; a first capacitor that includes one terminal connected to a first output terminal of the differential amplifier; a comparator; a low pass filter circuit arranged at the first output terminal of the differential amplifier; a control circuit configured to on/off control the physical quantity voltage conversion element, the differential amplifier, the comparator, and the low pass filter circuit; and a logic circuit configured to output a result of operation processing performed on an output signal of the comparator. The logic circuit is configured to: successively verify, in a case where there is a change between a previous logic output and a first logic output, the logic outputs a plurality of times; and output a control signal to the control circuit so that the low pass filter circuit is turned on in a second signal processing period and thereafter.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2015Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: SII SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Tomoki Hikichi, Minoru Ariyama, Kentaro Fukai, Takemasa Miura
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Publication number: 20160258995Abstract: To provide a sensor device which is capable of high temperature detection using self-heat generation without providing a dedicated terminal and suppresses an increase in cost with an increase in chip occupation area due to the addition of a test pad. A sensor device is configured to include an active logic switching circuit for switching an active logic of an output driver and perform a heating inspection while switching the active logic of the output driver during an inspection process with the output driver as a heat generation source.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2016Publication date: September 8, 2016Inventor: Tomoki HIKICHI
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Patent number: 9267818Abstract: Provided is a magnetic sensor device capable of performing signal processing at high speed with high accuracy. The magnetic sensor device includes: a plurality of Hall elements; a plurality of differential amplifiers to which the plurality of Hall elements are connected, respectively; a detection voltage setting circuit for outputting a reference voltage; and a comparator including: a plurality of differential input pairs connected to the plurality of differential amplifiers, respectively; and a differential input pair connected to the detection voltage setting circuit.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2014Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.Inventors: Daisuke Muraoka, Minoru Ariyama, Tomoki Hikichi, Kentaro Fukai
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Patent number: 9261569Abstract: Provided is a sensor device capable of removing the influence of each offset voltage of a sensor element, a differential amplifier, and an amplifier of the sensor device, to thereby detect a physical quantity with high precision and respond to high-speed operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.Inventors: Minoru Ariyama, Daisuke Muraoka, Tomoki Hikichi, Kentaro Fukai
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Publication number: 20150377647Abstract: To provide a magnetic sensor which is reduced in power consumption without reducing magnetism detection sensitivity of a magnetoelectric transducing element. One end of a magnetoelectric transducing element is connected to an output electrode of a constant current circuit, and the other end thereof is connected to a power supply electrode on the positive side of one or plural signal processing circuits, and the like built in a magnetic sensor, whereby a connection relation of the magnetoelectric transducing element and the signal processing circuit is configured such that they are connected in series with a voltage source.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2015Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: Kentaro FUKAI, Minoru ARIYAMA, Tomoki HIKICHI, Takemasa MIURA
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Publication number: 20150377983Abstract: To provide a magnetic sensor device which maintains accuracy thereof while reducing current consumption by switching drive power of a Hall element to two drive power. A magnetic sensor device is equipped with a driving circuit which supplies power to a sensor element, a switch changeover circuit which restricts the supply of the power from the driving circuit to the sensor element, a differential amplifier circuit which performs arithmetic processing on an output signal of the sensor element, a threshold voltage generating circuit which generates a threshold voltage used in magnetism determination, a comparison circuit which compares and determines a voltage of the differential amplifier circuit and the threshold voltage, and a logic circuit which according to the output of the comparison circuit, switches the power outputted from the driving circuit, switches the threshold voltage and controls on/off of the switch changeover circuit in a constant cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2015Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: Takemasa MIURA, Minoru ARIYAMA, Tomoki HIKICHI, Kentaro FUKAI
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Publication number: 20150276891Abstract: The sensor device includes: a physical quantity voltage conversion element; a differential amplifier; a first capacitor that includes one terminal connected to a first output terminal of the differential amplifier; a comparator; a low pass filter circuit arranged at the first output terminal of the differential amplifier; a control circuit configured to on/off control the physical quantity voltage conversion element, the differential amplifier, the comparator, and the low pass filter circuit; and a logic circuit configured to output a result of operation processing performed on an output signal of the comparator. The logic circuit is configured to: successively verify, in a case where there is a change between a previous logic output and a first logic output, the logic outputs a plurality of times; and output a control signal to the control circuit so that the low pass filter circuit is turned on in a second signal processing period and thereafter.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2015Publication date: October 1, 2015Inventors: Tomoki HIKICHI, Minoru ARIYAMA, Kentaro FUKAI, Takemasa MIURA
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Patent number: 9128127Abstract: Provided is a sensor device capable of removing the influence of each offset voltage of a sensor element, a differential amplifier, and an amplifier of the sensor device, to thereby detect a physical quantity with high precision.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2014Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.Inventors: Minoru Ariyama, Daisuke Muraoka, Tomoki Hikichi, Kentaro Fukai
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Publication number: 20150115942Abstract: To provide a magnetic sensor circuit that outputs a desired detection pulse while preventing an erroneous detection/erroneous release pulse output when a fluctuation in a power supply voltage occurs within an operating power supply voltage range. A magnetic sensor circuit is configured to include a detection circuit that detects a fluctuation in a power supply voltage or an internal power supply voltage and so as not to latch a determination output of a comparator by a latch circuit that, on the basis of a power supply fluctuation detection signal output from the detection circuit, holds the logic of a control clock signal output from an oscillation circuit for a prescribed period of time and determines the output logic of an output terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2014Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventors: Tomoki HIKICHI, Daisuke MURAOKA, Minoru ARIYAMA, Kentaro FUKAI
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Publication number: 20150084620Abstract: Provided is a magnetic sensor capable of identifying an individual having a high offset voltage, which is a cause of an initial defect in magnetic characteristics, and changes over time. A cross-transmission switch is provided in a changeover switch circuit which transmits to an amplifier circuit a differential signal voltage output from a Hall element, and the cross-transmission switch cross-transmits a signal in any one of a first period and a second period during which a current flowing into the Hall element is switched by a control signal from a control circuit, to thereby determine and identify a magnitude of an offset voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2014Publication date: March 26, 2015Inventors: Tomoki HIKICHI, Minoru ARIYAMA
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Publication number: 20150040687Abstract: Provided is a sensor device capable of removing the influence of each offset voltage of a sensor element, a differential amplifier, and an amplifier of the sensor device, to thereby detect a physical quantity with high precision and respond to high-speed operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2014Publication date: February 12, 2015Inventors: Minoru ARIYAMA, Daisuke MURAOKA, Tomoki HIKICHI, Kentaro FUKAI
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Publication number: 20150035567Abstract: An output driver circuit provides an overcurrent protection function by a simple circuit configuration. The output driver circuit has a constant-current circuit, a constant-current mirror MOS transistor, and a selector circuit. The constant-current mirror MOS transistor and the output MOS transistor constitute a current mirror circuit. The gate of the output MOS transistor is controlled by a voltage based on a constant current generated by the constant-current mirror MOS transistor, thereby limiting the current flowing between the source and the drain of the output MOS transistor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Masahiro MITANI, Minoru ARIYAMA, Daisuke MURAOKA, Tomoki HIKICHI
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Publication number: 20150022241Abstract: Provided is a sensor device capable of removing the influence of each offset voltage of a sensor element, a differential amplifier, and an amplifier of the sensor device, to thereby detect a physical quantity with high precision.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: Minoru ARIYAMA, Daisuke MURAOKA, Tomoki HIKICHI, Kentaro FUKAI
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Patent number: 8866474Abstract: A magnetic sensor device for generating a logic output in accordance with a magnetic field intensity applied to a magnetoelectric conversion element includes: a comparator for inputting amplified output signals of the magnetoelectric conversion element, and outputting a comparison result; and a logic circuit for performing arithmetic processing on an output signal of the comparator. Only when the logic output is changed by a change in the magnetic field intensity, the logic circuit performs successive matching determination of logic outputs a plurality of times. Thus, the variation in determination for detection or canceling of a magnetic field intensity, which is caused by noise generated from respective constituent elements included in the magnetic sensor device and external noise, may be reduced while suppressing electric power consumption.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2012Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.Inventors: Daisuke Muraoka, Minoru Ariyama, Tomoki Hikichi, Kentaro Fukai
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Publication number: 20140232387Abstract: Provided is a magnetic sensor device capable of performing signal processing at high speed with high accuracy. The magnetic sensor device includes: a plurality of Hall elements; a plurality of differential amplifiers to which the plurality of Hall elements are connected, respectively; a detection voltage setting circuit for outputting a reference voltage; and a comparator including: a plurality of differential input pairs connected to the plurality of differential amplifiers, respectively; and a differential input pair connected to the detection voltage setting circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.Inventors: Daisuke MURAOKA, Minoru ARIYAMA, Tomoki HIKICHI, Kentaro FUKAI
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Patent number: 8502529Abstract: Provided is a magnetic sensor device capable of suppressing a variation in determination for detection or canceling of a magnetic field intensity, which is caused by noise generated from respective constituent elements included in the magnetic sensor device and external noise, to thereby achieve high-precision magnetic reading. The magnetic sensor device includes: a first D-type flip-flop and a second D-type flip-flop each having an input terminal connected to an output terminal of a comparator; an XOR circuit having a first input terminal and a second input terminal which are connected to an output terminal of the first D-type flip-flop and an output terminal of the second D-type flip-flop, respectively; a selector circuit; and a third D-type flip-flop having an input terminal connected to an output terminal of the selector circuit.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.Inventors: Daisuke Muraoka, Minoru Ariyama, Tomoki Hikichi, Manabu Fujimura
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Patent number: 8476891Abstract: Provided is a constant current circuit capable of low current consumption operation, which is prevented from repeating a start-up state and a zero steady state and entering an oscillating state when power is activated. When power is activated, until a node (A) reaches a start-up state, an excitation current is continued to be supplied to a node (B), to thereby reliably start up the constant current circuit in a short period of time without repeating the start-up state and the zero steady state.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.Inventors: Tomoki Hikichi, Minoru Ariyama, Daisuke Muraoka, Manabu Fujimura
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Publication number: 20130076350Abstract: A magnetic sensor device for generating a logic output in accordance with a magnetic field intensity applied to a magnetoelectric conversion element includes: a comparator for inputting amplified output signals of the magnetoelectric conversion element, and outputting a comparison result; and a logic circuit for performing arithmetic processing on an output signal of the comparator. Only when the logic output is changed by a change in the magnetic field intensity, the logic circuit performs successive matching determination of logic outputs a plurality of times. Thus, the variation in determination for detection or canceling of a magnetic field intensity, which is caused by noise generated from respective constituent elements included in the magnetic sensor device and external noise, may be reduced while suppressing electric power consumption.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2012Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.Inventors: Daisuke MURAOKA, Minoru ARIYAMA, Tomoki HIKICHI, Kentaro FUKAI