Patents by Inventor Yoshiaki Oikawa

Yoshiaki Oikawa 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: 8879011
    Abstract: An object is to provide a display device with excellent display characteristics, where a pixel circuit and a driver circuit provided over one substrate are formed using transistors which have different structures corresponding to characteristics of the respective circuits. The driver circuit portion includes a driver circuit transistor in which a gate electrode layer, a source electrode layer, and a drain electrode layer are formed using a metal film, and a channel layer is formed using an oxide semiconductor. The pixel portion includes a pixel transistor in which a gate electrode layer, a source electrode layer, and a drain electrode layer are formed using an oxide conductor, and a semiconductor layer is formed using an oxide semiconductor. The pixel transistor is formed using a light-transmitting material, and thus, a display device with higher aperture ratio can be manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Junichiro Sakata, Masashi Tsubuku, Kengo Akimoto, Miyuki Hosoba, Masayuki Sakakura, Yoshiaki Oikawa
  • Patent number: 8877569
    Abstract: An object is to provide a semiconductor device provided with a thin film transistor having excellent electric characteristics using an oxide semiconductor layer. An In—Sn—O-based oxide semiconductor layer including SiOX is used for a channel formation region. In order to reduce contact resistance between the In—Sn—O-based oxide semiconductor layer including SiOX and a wiring layer formed from a metal material having low electric resistance, a source region or drain region is formed between a source electrode layer or drain electrode layer and the In—Sn—O-based oxide semiconductor layer including SiOX. The source region or drain region and a pixel region are formed using an In—Sn—O-based oxide semiconductor layer which does not include SiOX.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Oikawa, Hotaka Maruyama, Hiromichi Godo, Daisuke Kawae, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8860306
    Abstract: An object is to provide a highly reliable light emitting device which is thin and is not damaged by external local pressure. Further, another object is to manufacture a light emitting device with a high yield by preventing defects of a shape and characteristics due to external stress in a manufacture process. A light emitting element is sealed between a first structure body in which a fibrous body is impregnated with an organic resin and a second structure body in which a fibrous body is impregnated with an organic resin, whereby a highly reliable light emitting device which is thin and has intensity can be provided. Further, a light emitting device can be manufactured with a high yield by preventing defects of a shape and characteristics in a manufacture process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Oikawa, Shingo Eguchi, Mitsuo Mashiyama, Masatoshi Kataniwa, Hironobu Shoji, Masataka Nakada, Satoshi Seo
  • Publication number: 20140248744
    Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, which prevents waste generation from being caused peeling of films and prevents failure of peeling from being caused by waste due to peeling of films. A first semiconductor substrate is used which has a structure in which a peeling layer is not formed in a section subjected to a first dividing treatment, so that the peeling layer is not exposed at the end surface of a second semiconductor substrate when the second semiconductor substrate is cut out of the first semiconductor substrate. In addition, a supporting material is provided on a layer to be peeled of the second semiconductor substrate before the second semiconductor substrate is subjected to a second dividing treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro CHIDA, Yoshiaki OIKAWA, Chiho KAWANABE
  • Publication number: 20140231802
    Abstract: The semiconductor device includes a driver circuit portion including a driver circuit and a pixel portion including a pixel. The pixel includes a gate electrode layer having a light-transmitting property, a gate insulating layer, a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer each having a light-transmitting property provided over the gate insulating layer, an oxide semiconductor layer covering top surfaces and side surfaces of the source electrode layer and the drain electrode layer and provided over the gate electrode layer with the gate insulating layer therebetween, a conductive layer provided over part of the oxide semiconductor layer and having a lower resistance than the source electrode layer and the drain electrode layer, and an oxide insulating layer in contact with part of the oxide semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki SAKAKURA, Yoshiaki OIKAWA, Shunpei YAMAZAKI, Junichiro SAKATA, Masashi TSUBUKU, Kengo AKIMOTO, Miyuki HOSOBA
  • Patent number: 8803298
    Abstract: With the use of a conductive shield formed on the top or bottom side of a semiconductor integrated circuit, an electrostatic breakdown (malfunctions of the circuit or damages of a semiconductor element) of the semiconductor integrated circuit due to electrostatic discharge is prevented, and sufficient communication capability is obtained. With the use of a pair of insulators which sandwiches the semiconductor integrated circuit, a highly reliable semiconductor device that is reduced in thickness and size and has resistance to an external stress can be provided. A semiconductor device can be manufactured with high yield while defects of shapes and characteristics due to an external stress or electrostatic discharge are prevented in the manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Oikawa, Shingo Eguchi
  • Publication number: 20140186997
    Abstract: An object is to provide a display device with excellent display characteristics, where a pixel circuit and a driver circuit provided over one substrate are formed using transistors which have different structures corresponding to characteristics of the respective circuits. The driver circuit portion includes a driver circuit transistor in which a gate electrode layer, a source electrode layer, and a drain electrode layer are formed using a metal film, and a channel layer is formed using an oxide semiconductor. The pixel portion includes a pixel transistor in which a gate electrode layer, a source electrode layer, and a drain electrode layer are formed using an oxide conductor, and a semiconductor layer is formed using an oxide semiconductor. The pixel transistor is formed using a light-transmitting material, and thus, a display device with higher aperture ratio can be manufactured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei YAMAZAKI, Junichiro SAKATA, Masashi TSUBUKU, Kengo AKIMOTO, Miyuki HOSOBA, Masayuki SAKAKURA, Yoshiaki OIKAWA
  • Patent number: 8766269
    Abstract: It is an object to provide a flexible light-emitting device with high reliability in a simple way. Further, it is an object to provide an electronic device or a lighting device each mounted with the light-emitting device. A light-emitting device with high reliability can be obtained with the use of a light-emitting device having the following structure: an element portion including a light-emitting element is interposed between a substrate having flexibility and a light-transmitting property with respect to visible light and a metal substrate; and insulating layers provided over and under the element portion are in contact with each other in the outer periphery of the element portion to seal the element portion. Further, by mounting an electronic device or a lighting device with a light-emitting device having such a structure, an electronic device or a lighting device with high reliability can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Kaoru Hatano, Masahiro Katayama, Shingo Eguchi, Yoshiaki Oikawa, Ami Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8742422
    Abstract: The semiconductor device includes a driver circuit portion including a driver circuit and a pixel portion including a pixel. The pixel includes a gate electrode layer having a light-transmitting property, a gate insulating layer, a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer each having a light-transmitting property provided over the gate insulating layer, an oxide semiconductor layer covering top surfaces and side surfaces of the source electrode layer and the drain electrode layer and provided over the gate electrode layer with the gate insulating layer therebetween, a conductive layer provided over part of the oxide semiconductor layer and having a lower resistance than the source electrode layer and the drain electrode layer, and an oxide insulating layer in contact with part of the oxide semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Sakakura, Yoshiaki Oikawa, Shunpei Yamazaki, Junichiro Sakata, Masashi Tsubuku, Kengo Akimoto, Miyuki Hosoba
  • Publication number: 20140138711
    Abstract: It is an object to provide a flexible light-emitting device with high reliability in a simple way. Further, it is an object to provide an electronic device or a lighting device each mounted with the light-emitting device. A light-emitting device with high reliability can be obtained with the use of a light-emitting device having the following structure: an element portion including a light-emitting element is interposed between a substrate having flexibility and a light-transmitting property with respect to visible light and a metal substrate; and insulating layers provided over and under the element portion are in contact with each other in the outer periphery of the element portion to seal the element portion. Further, by mounting an electronic device or a lighting device with a light-emitting device having such a structure, an electronic device or a lighting device with high reliability can be obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Kaoru Hatano, Masahiro Katayama, Shingo Eguchi, Yoshiaki Oikawa, Ami Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20140138681
    Abstract: An object is to improve reliability of a semiconductor device. A semiconductor device including a driver circuit portion and a display portion (also referred to as a pixel portion) over the same substrate is provided. The driver circuit portion and the display portion include thin film transistors in which a semiconductor layer includes an oxide semiconductor; a first wiring; and a second wiring. The thin film transistors each include a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer. In the thin film transistor in the driver circuit portion, the semiconductor layer is sandwiched between a gate electrode layer and a conductive layer. The first wiring and the second wiring are electrically connected to each other in an opening provided in a gate insulating film through an oxide conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei YAMAZAKI, Junichiro SAKATA, Masayuki SAKAKURA, Yoshiaki OIKAWA, Kenichi OKAZAKI, Hotaka MARUYAMA, Masashi TSUBUKU
  • Patent number: 8728868
    Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, which prevents waste generation from being caused peeling of films and prevents failure of peeling from being caused by waste due to peeling of films. A first semiconductor substrate is used which has a structure in which a peeling layer is not formed in a section subjected to a first dividing treatment, so that the peeling layer is not exposed at the end surface of a second semiconductor substrate when the second semiconductor substrate is cut out of the first semiconductor substrate. In addition, a supporting material is provided on a layer to be peeled of the second semiconductor substrate before the second semiconductor substrate is subjected to a second dividing treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Chida, Yoshiaki Oikawa, Chiho Kawanabe
  • Publication number: 20140106505
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method to manufacture a thin film transistor having an oxide semiconductor as a channel formation region. The method includes; forming an oxide semiconductor layer over a gate insulating layer; forming a source and drain electrode layers over and in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer so that at least portion of the oxide semiconductor layer is exposed; and forming an oxide insulating film over and in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer. The exposed portion of the oxide semiconductor may be exposed to a gas containing oxygen in the presence of plasma before the formation of the oxide insulating film. The method allows oxygen to be diffused into the oxide semiconductor layer, which contributes to the excellent characteristics of the thin film transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki OIKAWA, Kenichi OKAZAKI, Hotaka MARUYAMA
  • Patent number: 8698970
    Abstract: An object is to provide a display device with excellent display characteristics, where a pixel circuit and a driver circuit provided over one substrate are formed using transistors which have different structures corresponding to characteristics of the respective circuits. The driver circuit portion includes a driver circuit transistor in which a gate electrode layer, a source electrode layer, and a drain electrode layer are formed using a metal film, and a channel layer is formed using an oxide semiconductor. The pixel portion includes a pixel transistor in which a gate electrode layer, a source electrode layer, and a drain electrode layer are formed using an oxide conductor, and a semiconductor layer is formed using an oxide semiconductor. The pixel transistor is formed using a light-transmitting material, and thus, a display device with higher aperture ratio can be manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Junichiro Sakata, Masashi Tsubuku, Kengo Akimoto, Miyuki Hosoba, Masayuki Sakakura, Yoshiaki Oikawa
  • Patent number: 8698172
    Abstract: Thinned and highly reliable light emitting elements are provided. Further, light emitting devices in which light emitting elements are formed over flexible substrates are manufactured with high yield. One light emitting device includes a flexible substrate, a light emitting element formed over the flexible substrate, and a resin film covering the light emitting element, and in the light emitting element, an insulating layer serving as a partition has a convex portion and the convex portion is embedded in the resin film, that is, the resin film covers an entire surface of the insulating layer and an entire surface of the second electrode, whereby the light emitting element can be thinned and highly reliable. In addition, a light emitting device can be manufactured with high yield in a manufacturing process thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Masahiro Katayama, Shingo Eguchi, Yoshiaki Oikawa, Ami Nakamura, Satoshi Seo, Kaoru Hatano
  • Publication number: 20140099752
    Abstract: An oxide semiconductor layer with excellent crystallinity is formed to enable manufacture of transistors with excellent electrical characteristics for practical application of a large display device, a high-performance semiconductor device, etc. By first heat treatment, a first oxide semiconductor layer is crystallized. A second oxide semiconductor layer is formed over the first oxide semiconductor layer. By second heat treatment, an oxide semiconductor layer including a crystal region having the c-axis oriented substantially perpendicular to a surface is efficiently formed and oxygen vacancies are efficiently filled. An oxide insulating layer is formed over and in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer. By third heat treatment, oxygen is supplied again to the oxide semiconductor layer. A nitride insulating layer containing hydrogen is formed over the oxide insulating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei YAMAZAKI, Hotaka MARUYAMA, Yoshiaki OIKAWA, Katsuaki TOCHIBAYASHI
  • Patent number: 8664036
    Abstract: An oxide semiconductor layer with excellent crystallinity is formed to enable manufacture of transistors with excellent electrical characteristics for practical application of a large display device, a high-performance semiconductor device, etc. By first heat treatment, a first oxide semiconductor layer is crystallized. A second oxide semiconductor layer is formed over the first oxide semiconductor layer. By second heat treatment, an oxide semiconductor layer including a crystal region having the c-axis oriented substantially perpendicular to a surface is efficiently formed and oxygen vacancies are efficiently filled. An oxide insulating layer is formed over and in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer. By third heat treatment, oxygen is supplied again to the oxide semiconductor layer. A nitride insulating layer containing hydrogen is formed over the oxide insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Hotaka Maruyama, Yoshiaki Oikawa, Katsuaki Tochibayashi
  • Patent number: 8654272
    Abstract: An object is to improve reliability of a semiconductor device. A semiconductor device including a driver circuit portion and a display portion (also referred to as a pixel portion) over the same substrate is provided. The driver circuit portion and the display portion include thin film transistors in which a semiconductor layer includes an oxide semiconductor; a first wiring; and a second wiring. The thin film transistors each include a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer. In the thin film transistor in the driver circuit portion, the semiconductor layer is sandwiched between a gate electrode layer and a conductive layer. The first wiring and the second wiring are electrically connected to each other in an opening provided in a gate insulating film through an oxide conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Junichiro Sakata, Masayuki Sakakura, Yoshiaki Oikawa, Kenichi Okazaki, Hotaka Maruyama, Masashi Tsubuku
  • Patent number: 8643020
    Abstract: It is an object to provide a flexible light-emitting device with high reliability in a simple way. Further, it is an object to provide an electronic device or a lighting device each mounted with the light-emitting device. A light-emitting device with high reliability can be obtained with the use of a light-emitting device having the following structure: an element portion including a light-emitting element is interposed between a substrate having flexibility and a light-transmitting property with respect to visible light and a metal substrate; and insulating layers provided over and under the element portion are in contact with each other in the outer periphery of the element portion to seal the element portion. Further, by mounting an electronic device or a lighting device with a light-emitting device having such a structure, an electronic device or a lighting device with high reliability can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Kaoru Hatano, Masahiro Katayama, Shingo Eguchi, Yoshiaki Oikawa, Ami Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20140027852
    Abstract: A semiconductor device in which defects in characteristics due to electrostatic discharge is reduced and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device are provided. The semiconductor device has at least one of these structures: (1) a structure in which a first and second insulating films are in direct contact with each other in a peripheral region of a circuit portion, (2) a structure in which a first and second insulators are closely attached to each other, and (3) a structure in which a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer are provided on outer surfaces of the first insulator and the second insulator, respectively, and electrical conduction between the first and second conductive layers is achieved at a side surface of the peripheral region. Note that the conduction at the side surface can be achieved by cutting a plurality of semiconductor devices into separate semiconductor devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shingo Eguchi, Yoshiaki Oikawa