Patents by Inventor Toru Endo

Toru Endo 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).

  • Publication number: 20190308224
    Abstract: A first SPM, prepared by mixing sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide water at a first mixing ratio, is supplied to a substrate. A second SPM, prepared by mixing the sulfuric acid and the hydrogen peroxide water at a second mixing ratio greater than the first mixing ratio, is supplied to the substrate after the supply of the first SPM is stopped. The first SPM expelled from the substrate flows into a drain piping. The second SPM expelled from the substrate flows into a recovery piping. SPM is prepared by mixing the hydrogen peroxide water with sulfuric acid contained in the second SPM guided by the recovery piping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Masayuki HAYASHI, Nobuyuki SHIBAYAMA, Toru ENDO
  • Publication number: 20190311919
    Abstract: A substrate processing method includes a substrate holding step of holding a substrate in a horizontal attitude, a chemical liquid supply step of supplying a chemical liquid to a main surface of the substrate while rotating the substrate around a vertical rotational axis that passes through a central portion of the substrate, a processing-height maintaining step of maintaining a cylindrical first guard that captures a chemical liquid expelled from the substrate at a processing height position in parallel with the chemical liquid supply step, and a cleaning-height maintaining step of maintaining the first guard at a cleaning height position set below the processing height position in parallel with the chemical liquid supply step after the processing-height maintaining step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Toru ENDO, Masayuki HAYASHI, Nobuyuki SHIBAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20190295862
    Abstract: A substrate processing method includes a substrate holding step of holding a substrate by a substrate holding unit, a chemical liquid supplying step of supplying a chemical liquid to a main surface of the substrate while rotating the substrate around a rotational axis passing through a central portion of the substrate, a foreign matter detecting step of detecting foreign matter, contained in the chemical liquid expelled from the substrate, in parallel with the chemical liquid supplying step, and a flow destination switching step of switching, based on the detection of the foreign matter by the foreign matter detecting step, a flow destination of the chemical liquid expelled from the substrate from a drain piping to a recovery piping during the chemical liquid supplying step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Toru ENDO, Masayuki HAYASHI, Nobuyuki SHIBAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20190295839
    Abstract: A substrate processing method includes a substrate holding step of holding a substrate by a substrate holding unit, a chemical liquid supply step of supplying a chemical liquid to a main surface of the substrate while rotating the substrate around a rotational axis passing through a central portion of the substrate, and a flow destination switching step of switching a flow destination of a chemical liquid expelled from the substrate from a first flow space in a processing cup surrounding a periphery of the substrate holding unit to a second flow space separated from the first flow space in the processing cup in parallel with the chemical liquid supply step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Toru ENDO, Masayuki HAYASHI, Nobuyuki SHIBAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20190172737
    Abstract: In equipment that supplies a processing liquid on a top surface of a substrate while holding the substrate horizontally in a chamber a generation status of fumes is determined. Specifically, an image of a predetermined imaging area in the chamber is captured. Then, the generation status of fumes in the chamber is determined based on luminance values of the captured image acquired by the capturing of an image. Accordingly, it is possible to quantitatively determine whether a generation status of fumes in a chamber is normal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Applicant: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru ENDO, Masayuki HAYASHI, Nobuyuki SHIBAYAMA, Hideji NAOHARA, Hiroaki KAKUMA, Yuji OKITA, Tatsuya MASUI
  • Patent number: 9997378
    Abstract: In a substrate processing apparatus, with an internal space of a chamber brought into a pressurized atmosphere, an etching process is performed by continuously supplying a first processing liquid onto an upper surface of a substrate while rotating the substrate. It is thereby possible to suppress vaporization of the first processing liquid on the substrate and further suppress a decrease in the temperature of the substrate due to the heat of vaporization as it goes from a center portion of the substrate toward a peripheral portion thereof as compared with under normal pressure. As a result, it is possible to improve the uniformity in the temperature of the upper surface of the substrate during the etching process using the first processing liquid and improve the uniformity of etching over the entire upper surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: SCREEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Masuhara, Kenichiro Arai, Masahiro Miyagi, Toru Endo
  • Patent number: 9713822
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus comprising a substrate holding rotating mechanism, a process liquid supply mechanism having a nozzle for dispensing a process liquid toward a principal face of the substrate, a processing liquid reservoir for holding sufficient process liquid to form a liquid film covering the whole principal face of the substrate, a liquid film forming unit for forming the liquid film by supplying the process liquid onto the principal face of the substrate in a single burst, and a control unit for controlling the liquid film forming unit and the process liquid supply mechanism such that the process liquid is dispensed from the process liquid nozzle toward the principal face of the substrate after formation of the liquid film covering the whole area of the principal face of the substrate by the liquid film forming unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Miyagi, Koji Hashimoto, Toru Endo
  • Patent number: 9640382
    Abstract: In a substrate processing apparatus, with an internal space of a chamber brought into a reduced pressure atmosphere, a first processing liquid is supplied onto an upper surface of a substrate while the substrate is rotated, and the first processing liquid is thereby quickly spread from a center portion toward a peripheral portion on the upper surface of the substrate. It is thereby possible to coat the upper surface of the substrate with the first processing liquid in a shorter time as compared with under normal pressure. Further, by sucking the first processing liquid from the vicinity of an edge of the substrate, it is possible to coat the upper surface of the substrate with the first processing liquid in a still shorter time. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time required for the processing of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SCREEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Masuhara, Kenichiro Arai, Masahiro Miyagi, Toru Endo
  • Publication number: 20170117163
    Abstract: In a substrate processing apparatus, with an internal space of a chamber brought into a pressurized atmosphere, an etching process is performed by continuously supplying a first processing liquid onto an upper surface of a substrate while rotating the substrate. It is thereby possible to suppress vaporization of the first processing liquid on the substrate and further suppress a decrease in the temperature of the substrate due to the heat of vaporization as it goes from a center portion of the substrate toward a peripheral portion thereof as compared with under normal pressure. As a result, it is possible to improve the uniformity in the temperature of the upper surface of the substrate during the etching process using the first processing liquid and improve the uniformity of etching over the entire upper surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Hirofumi MASUHARA, Kenichiro ARAI, Masahiro MIYAGI, Toru ENDO
  • Patent number: 9576808
    Abstract: In a substrate processing apparatus, with an internal space of a chamber brought into a pressurized atmosphere, an etching process is performed by continuously supplying a first processing liquid onto an upper surface of a substrate while rotating the substrate. It is thereby possible to suppress vaporization of the first processing liquid on the substrate and further suppress a decrease in the temperature of the substrate due to the heat of vaporization as it goes from a center portion of the substrate toward a peripheral portion thereof as compared with under normal pressure. As a result, it is possible to improve the uniformity in the temperature of the upper surface of the substrate during the etching process using the first processing liquid and improve the uniformity of etching over the entire upper surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SCREEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Masuhara, Kenichiro Arai, Masahiro Miyagi, Toru Endo
  • Patent number: 9396974
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate holding unit that horizontally holds a substrate in non-contact with a major surface of the substrate, a processing liquid supply unit that supplies a processing liquid to the major surface of the substrate held by the substrate holding unit, and a hydrophilic surface placing unit that places an annular hydrophilic surface along a peripheral portion of the major surface of the substrate held by the substrate holding unit such that the hydrophilic surface comes into contact with a liquid film of the processing liquid held on the major surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Takahashi, Toru Endo, Masahiro Miyagi, Koji Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9385012
    Abstract: Scan step (S3) for moving a nozzle with etching liquid discharged therefrom is carried out such that etching liquid application position toward the rotating substrate moves from the edge portion toward the center portion of the principal face of the substrate. Thereafter, center discharging step (S4) for continuing the supply of the etching liquid toward the principal face of the substrate under the condition that the application position is positioned at the center portion of the principal face of the substrate W is conducted. Moving velocity of the liquid application position in the scan step (S3) is determined in accordance with supply condition of the etching liquid toward the substrate under the condition that the liquid application position is positioned at the center portion of the principal face of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Fujii, Toru Endo
  • Publication number: 20160005592
    Abstract: In a substrate processing apparatus, with an internal space of a chamber brought into a reduced pressure atmosphere, a first processing liquid is supplied onto an upper surface of a substrate while the substrate is rotated, and the first processing liquid is thereby quickly spread from a center portion toward a peripheral portion on the upper surface of the substrate. It is thereby possible to coat the upper surface of the substrate with the first processing liquid in a shorter time as compared with under normal pressure. Further, by sucking the first processing liquid from the vicinity of an edge of the substrate, it is possible to coat the upper surface of the substrate with the first processing liquid in a still shorter time. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time required for the processing of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Hirofumi MASUHARA, Kenichiro ARAI, Masahiro MIYAGI, Toru ENDO
  • Publication number: 20150059645
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus comprising a substrate holding rotating mechanism, a process liquid supply mechanism having a nozzle for dispensing a process liquid toward a principal face of the substrate, a processing liquid reservoir for holding sufficient process liquid to form a liquid film covering the whole principal face of the substrate, a liquid film forming unit for forming the liquid film by supplying the process liquid onto the principal face of the substrate in a single burst, and a control unit for controlling the liquid film forming unit and the process liquid supply mechanism such that the process liquid is dispensed from the process liquid nozzle toward the principal face of the substrate after formation of the liquid film covering the whole area of the principal face of the substrate by the liquid film forming unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Masahiro MIYAGI, Koji HASHIMOTO, Toru ENDO
  • Patent number: 8883030
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus comprising a substrate holding rotating mechanism, a process liquid supply mechanism having a nozzle for dispensing a process liquid toward a principal face of the substrate, a processing liquid reservoir for holding sufficient process liquid to form a liquid film covering the whole principal face of the substrate, a liquid film forming unit for forming the liquid film by supplying the process liquid onto the principal face of the substrate in a single burst, and a control unit for controlling the liquid film forming unit and the process liquid supply mechanism such that the process liquid is dispensed from the process liquid nozzle toward the principal face of the substrate after formation of the liquid film covering the whole area of the principal face of the substrate by the liquid film forming unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Miyagi, Koji Hashimoto, Toru Endo
  • Publication number: 20140197129
    Abstract: Scan step (S3) for moving a nozzle with etching liquid discharged therefrom is carried out such that etching liquid application position toward the rotating substrate moves from the edge portion toward the center portion of the principal face of the substrate. Thereafter, center discharging step (S4) for continuing the supply of the etching liquid toward the principal face of the substrate under the condition that the application position is positioned at the center portion of the principal face of the substrate W is conducted. Moving velocity of the liquid application position in the scan step (S3) is determined in accordance with supply condition of the etching liquid toward the substrate under the condition that the liquid application position is positioned at the center portion of the principal face of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: DAINIPPON SCREEN MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuya FUJII, Toru ENDO
  • Publication number: 20130260570
    Abstract: In a substrate processing apparatus, with an internal space of a chamber brought into a pressurized atmosphere, an etching process is performed by continuously supplying a first processing liquid onto an upper surface of a substrate while rotating the substrate. It is thereby possible to suppress vaporization of the first processing liquid on the substrate and further suppress a decrease in the temperature of the substrate due to the heat of vaporization as it goes from a center portion of the substrate toward a peripheral portion thereof as compared with under normal pressure. As a result, it is possible to improve the uniformity in the temperature of the upper surface of the substrate during the etching process using the first processing liquid and improve the uniformity of etching over the entire upper surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: DAINIPPON SCREEN MFG. CO., LTD
    Inventors: Hirofumi MASUHARA, Kenichiro ARAI, Masahiro MIYAGI, Toru ENDO
  • Publication number: 20130260574
    Abstract: In a substrate processing apparatus, with an internal space of a chamber brought into a reduced pressure atmosphere, a first processing liquid is supplied onto an upper surface of a substrate while the substrate is rotated, and the first processing liquid is thereby quickly spread from a center portion toward a peripheral portion on the upper surface of the substrate. It is thereby possible to coat the upper surface of the substrate with the first processing liquid in a shorter time as compared with under normal pressure. Further, by sucking the first processing liquid from the vicinity of an edge of the substrate, it is possible to coat the upper surface of the substrate with the first processing liquid in a still shorter time. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time required for the processing of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: DAINIPPON SCREEN MFG. CO., LTD
    Inventors: Hirofumi MASUHARA, Kenichiro ARAI, Masahiro MIYAGI, Toru ENDO
  • Publication number: 20130078381
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus comprising a substrate holding rotating mechanism, a process liquid supply mechanism having a nozzle for dispensing a process liquid toward a principal face of the substrate, a processing liquid reservoir for holding sufficient process liquid to form a liquid film covering the whole principal face of the substrate, a liquid film forming unit for forming the liquid film by supplying the process liquid onto the principal face of the substrate in a single burst, and a control unit for controlling the liquid film forming unit and the process liquid supply mechanism such that the process liquid is dispensed from the process liquid nozzle toward the principal face of the substrate after formation of the liquid film covering the whole area of the principal face of the substrate by the liquid film forming unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Masahiro MIYAGI, Koji HASHIMOTO, Toru ENDO
  • Patent number: 8395504
    Abstract: An IC label for prevention of forgery includes: a label substrate which has an adhesive agent for affixing the same to an object; a non-contact IC medium which is provided on the label substrate and has an IC chip for storing predetermined identification information and an antenna for wireless transmission of the identification information; and a security function portion which is provided on the label substrate and prevents replication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignees: Toppan Printing Co., Ltd., Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kozue Furuichi, Toru Endo, Manabu Suzuki, Hidehiko Kando