Patents by Inventor Toshiaki Sano

Toshiaki Sano 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: 20220404820
    Abstract: An alarm reporting apparatus determines that an alarm reporting is necessary if an abnormality occurring in a machine is to be constantly reported, determines that the alarm reporting is not necessary if the abnormality is to be reported during operation and the machine is not during operation, determines that the alarm reporting is not necessary if the abnormality is to be reported during operation, the machine is during operation, and an elapsed time from the occurrence of the abnormality has not exceeded a set monitoring time, and determines that the alarm reporting is necessary if the abnormality is to be reported during operation, the machine is during operation, and the elapsed time from the occurrence of the abnormality has exceeded the set monitoring time. When it is determined that the alarm reporting is necessary, the alarm reporting apparatus reports, to a monitoring apparatus, an alarm related to the corresponding machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Toshiaki SANO, Qianli MA
  • Patent number: 10897248
    Abstract: A MOS transistor is allowed to recover from BTI degradation even when an operation mode signal is inactive. A semiconductor device includes a drive circuit coupled to a controlled circuit via a delay element. The drive circuit includes first and second MOS transistors coupled in series to each other. The first MOS transistor is controlled to be in an OFF state when the operation mode signal is active. When the operation mode signal is inactive, the first MOS transistor is controlled to be in the OFF state at least temporarily while the second MOS transistor is controlled to be in the OFF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshisato Yokoyama, Toshiaki Sano
  • Patent number: 10510400
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device provided can increase a write margin and suppress increase of a chip area. The semiconductor storage device includes plural memory cells arranged in a matrix; plural bit-line pairs arranged corresponding to each column of the memory cells; a write driver circuit which transmits data to a bit-line pair of a selected column according to write data; and a write assist circuit which drives a bit line on a low potential side of the bit-line pair of a selected column to a negative voltage level. The write assist circuit includes first signal wiring; a first driver circuit which drives the first signal wiring according to a control signal; and second signal wiring which is coupled to the bit line on the low-potential side and generates a negative voltage by the driving of the first driver circuit, based on inter-wire coupling capacitance with the first signal wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Sano, Ken Shibata, Shinji Tanaka, Makoto Yabuuchi, Noriaki Maeda
  • Patent number: 10490262
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a memory unit having a memory cell driven by a voltage applied from power supply lines VSS and VDD, and a memory unit potential controller for adjusting the potential of the voltage applied to the memory cell. The memory unit potential controller includes a first potential adjustment part provided between the power supply lines VSS and ARVSS, and a second potential adjustment part provided between the power supply lines VDD and ARVSS. Further, the memory unit potential controller adjusts the potential of the power supply line ARVSS based on a first current supplied between the power supply line VSS and a first end portion of the memory cell through the first potential adjustment part, and adjusts a second current supplied between the power supply lines VDD and ARVSS through the second potential adjustment part, in order to rapidly stabilize the potential applied to the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshisato Yokoyama, Takeshi Hashizume, Toshiaki Sano
  • Publication number: 20190296734
    Abstract: A MOS transistor is allowed to recover from BTI degradation even when an operation mode signal is inactive. A semiconductor device includes a drive circuit coupled to a controlled circuit via a delay element. The drive circuit includes first and second MOS transistors coupled in series to each other. The first MOS transistor is controlled to be in an OFF state when the operation mode signal is active. When the operation mode signal is inactive, the first MOS transistor is controlled to be in the OFF state at least temporarily while the second MOS transistor is controlled to be in the OFF.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Yoshisato YOKOYAMA, Toshiaki SANO
  • Patent number: 10304526
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit which can respond to changes of the amount of retained data at the time of standby is provided. The semiconductor integrated circuit comprises a logic circuit (logic) and plural SRAM modules. The plural SRAM modules perform power control independently of the logic circuit, and an independent power control is performed among the plural SRAM modules. Specifically, one terminal and the other terminal of a potential control circuit of each SRAM module are coupled to a cell array and a local power line, respectively. The local power line of one SRAM module and the local power line of the other SRAM module share a shared local power line. A power switch of one SRAM module and a power switch of the other SRAM module are coupled in common to the shared local power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Shigenobu Komatsu, Masanao Yamaoka, Noriaki Maeda, Masao Morimoto, Yasuhisa Shimazaki, Yasuyuki Okuma, Toshiaki Sano
  • Patent number: 10210947
    Abstract: A multi-port memory includes a memory cell, first and second word lines, first and second bit lines, first and second address terminals, and an address control circuit. The address control circuit controls the first and second word lines independently of each other on the basis of address signals that are respectively supplied to the first and second address terminals in a normal operation mode, and activates both of the first and second word lines that are coupled to the same memory cell on the basis of the address signal that is supplied to one of the first and second address terminals in a disturb test mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Sano, Shunya Nagata, Shinji Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20180350430
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit which can respond to changes of the amount of retained data at the time of standby is provided. The semiconductor integrated circuit comprises a logic circuit (logic) and plural SRAM modules. The plural SRAM modules perform power control independently of the logic circuit, and an independent power control is performed among the plural SRAM modules. Specifically, one terminal and the other terminal of a potential control circuit of each SRAM module are coupled to a cell array and a local power line, respectively. The local power line of one SRAM module and the local power line of the other SRAM module share a shared local power line. A power switch of one SRAM module and a power switch of the other SRAM module are coupled in common to the shared local power line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Shigenobu KOMATSU, Masanao YAMAOKA, Noriaki MAEDA, Masao MORIMOTO, Yasuhisa SHIMAZAKI, Yasuyuki OKUMA, Toshiaki SANO
  • Publication number: 20180315470
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a memory unit having a memory cell driven by a voltage applied from power supply lines VSS and VDD, and a memory unit potential controller for adjusting the potential of the voltage applied to the memory cell. The memory unit potential controller includes a first potential adjustment part provided between the power supply lines VSS and ARVSS, and a second potential adjustment part provided between the power supply lines VDD and ARVSS. Further, the memory unit potential controller adjusts the potential of the power supply line ARVSS based on a first current supplied between the power supply line VSS and a first end portion of the memory cell through the first potential adjustment part, and adjusts a second current supplied between the power supply lines VDD and ARVSS through the second potential adjustment part, in order to rapidly stabilize the potential applied to the memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Yoshisato YOKOYAMA, Takeshi HASHIZUME, Toshiaki SANO
  • Patent number: 10109337
    Abstract: Provided is a memory macro which allows detection of a fault in a fetch circuit for an address signal which is input. The memory micro includes an address input terminal, a clock input terminal, a memory array and a control unit. The control unit includes a temporary memory circuit which fetches an input address signal which is input into the address input terminal in synchronization with an input clock signal which is input from the clock input terminal and outputs the input address signal as an internal address signal. The memory macro further includes an internal address output terminal which outputs the internal address signal for comparison with the input address signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshisato Yokoyama, Yoshikazu Saito, Shunya Nagata, Toshiaki Sano, Takeshi Hashizume
  • Patent number: 10079055
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit which can respond to changes of the amount of retained data at the time of standby is provided. The semiconductor integrated circuit comprises a logic circuit (logic) and plural SRAM modules. The plural SRAM modules perform power control independently of the logic circuit, and an independent power control is performed among the plural SRAM modules. Specifically, one terminal and the other terminal of a potential control circuit of each SRAM module are coupled to a cell array and a local power line, respectively. The local power line of one SRAM module and the local power line of the other SRAM module share a shared local power line. A power switch of one SRAM module and a power switch of the other SRAM module are coupled in common to the shared local power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Shigenobu Komatsu, Masanao Yamaoka, Noriaki Maeda, Masao Morimoto, Yasuhisa Shimazaki, Yasuyuki Okuma, Toshiaki Sano
  • Publication number: 20180240513
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device provided can increase a write margin and suppress increase of a chip area. The semiconductor storage device includes plural memory cells arranged in a matrix; plural bit-line pairs arranged corresponding to each column of the memory cells; a write driver circuit which transmits data to a bit-line pair of a selected column according to write data; and a write assist circuit which drives a bit line on a low potential side of the bit-line pair of a selected column to a negative voltage level. The write assist circuit includes first signal wiring; a first driver circuit which drives the first signal wiring according to a control signal; and second signal wiring which is coupled to the bit line on the low-potential side and generates a negative voltage by the driving of the first driver circuit, based on inter-wire coupling capacitance with the first signal wiring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Toshiaki SANO, Ken SHIBATA, Shinji TANAKA, Makoto YABUUCHI, Noriaki MAEDA
  • Publication number: 20180226135
    Abstract: A multi-port memory includes a memory cell, first and second word lines, first and second bit lines, first and second address terminals, and an address control circuit. The address control circuit controls the first and second word lines independently of each other on the basis of address signals that are respectively supplied to the first and second address terminals in a normal operation mode, and activates both of the first and second word lines that are coupled to the same memory cell on the basis of the address signal that is supplied to one of the first and second address terminals in a disturb test mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki SANO, Shunya NAGATA, Shinji TANAKA
  • Patent number: 9978445
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device provided can increase a write margin and suppress increase of a chip area. The semiconductor storage device includes plural memory cells arranged in a matrix; plural bit-line pairs arranged corresponding to each column of the memory cells; a write driver circuit which transmits data to a bit-line pair of a selected column according to write data; and a write assist circuit which drives a bit line on a low potential side of the bit-line pair of a selected column to a negative voltage level. The write assist circuit includes first signal wiring; a first driver circuit which drives the first signal wiring according to a control signal; and second signal wiring which is coupled to the bit line on the low-potential side and generates a negative voltage by the driving of the first driver circuit, based on inter-wire coupling capacitance with the first signal wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Sano, Ken Shibata, Shinji Tanaka, Makoto Yabuuchi, Noriaki Maeda
  • Patent number: 9972401
    Abstract: A multi-port memory includes a memory cell, first and second word lines, first and second bit lines, first and second address terminals, and an address control circuit. The address control circuit controls the first and second word lines independently of each other on the basis of address signals that are respectively supplied to the first and second address terminals in a normal operation mode, and activates both of the first and second word lines that are coupled to the same memory cell on the basis of the address signal that is supplied to one of the first and second address terminals in a disturb test mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Sano, Shunya Nagata, Shinji Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20170352399
    Abstract: Provided is a memory macro which allows detection of a fault in a fetch circuit for an address signal which is input. The memory micro includes an address input terminal, a clock input terminal, a memory array and a control unit. The control unit includes a temporary memory circuit which fetches an input address signal which is input into the address input terminal in synchronization with an input clock signal which is input from the clock input terminal and outputs the input address signal as an internal address signal. The memory macro further includes an internal address output terminal which outputs the internal address signal for comparison with the input address signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshisato YOKOYAMA, Yoshikazu SAITO, Shunya NAGATA, Toshiaki SANO, Takeshi HASHIZUME
  • Publication number: 20170309327
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit which can respond to changes of the amount of retained data at the time of standby is provided. The semiconductor integrated circuit comprises a logic circuit (logic) and plural SRAM modules. The plural SRAM modules perform power control independently of the logic circuit, and an independent power control is performed among the plural SRAM modules. Specifically, one terminal and the other terminal of a potential control circuit of each SRAM module are coupled to a cell array and a local power line, respectively. The local power line of one SRAM module and the local power line of the other SRAM module share a shared local power line. A power switch of one SRAM module and a power switch of the other SRAM module are coupled in common to the shared local power line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Shigenobu KOMATSU, Masanao YAMAOKA, Noriaki MAEDA, Masao MORIMOTO, Yasuhisa SHIMAZAKI, Yasuyuki OKUMA, Toshiaki SANO
  • Publication number: 20170263333
    Abstract: A multi-port memory includes a memory cell, first and second word lines, first and second bit lines, first and second address terminals, and an address control circuit. The address control circuit controls the first and second word lines independently of each other on the basis of address signals that are respectively supplied to the first and second address terminals in a normal operation mode, and activates both of the first and second word lines that are coupled to the same memory cell on the basis of the address signal that is supplied to one of the first and second address terminals in a disturb test mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Applicant: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki SANO, Shunya NAGATA, Shinji TANAKA
  • Patent number: 9734893
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit which can respond to changes of the amount of retained data at the time of standby is provided. The semiconductor integrated circuit comprises a logic circuit (logic) and plural SRAM modules. The plural SRAM modules perform power control independently of the logic circuit, and an independent power control is performed among the plural SRAM modules. Specifically, one terminal and the other terminal of a potential control circuit of each SRAM module are coupled to a cell array and a local power line, respectively. The local power line of one SRAM module and the local power line of the other SRAM module share a shared local power line. A power switch of one SRAM module and a power switch of the other SRAM module are coupled in common to the shared local power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Shigenobu Komatsu, Masanao Yamaoka, Noriaki Maeda, Masao Morimoto, Yasuhisa Shimazaki, Yasuyuki Okuma, Toshiaki Sano
  • Patent number: 9691502
    Abstract: A multi-port memory includes a memory cell, first and second word lines, first and second bit lines, first and second address terminals, and an address control circuit. The address control circuit controls the first and second word lines independently of each other on the basis of address signals that are respectively supplied to the first and second address terminals in a normal operation mode, and activates both of the first and second word lines that are coupled to the same memory cell on the basis of the address signal that is supplied to one of the first and second address terminals in a disturb test mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Sano, Shunya Nagata, Shinji Tanaka