Patents by Inventor Yoshihiko Fuji

Yoshihiko Fuji 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: 20170094419
    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: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshihiro HIGASHI, Yoshihiko FUJI, Michiko HARA, Akiko YUZAWA, Shiori KAJI, Tomohiko NAGATA, Akio HORI, Hideaki FUKUZAWA
  • Patent number: 9596995
    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: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Fuji, Kei Masunishi, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Yoshihiro Higashi, Michiko Hara, Akio Hori, Tomohiko Nagata, Shiori Kaji, Akiko Yuzawa
  • Publication number: 20170074949
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a supporter, a film portion, a first sensing element, a second sensing element, and a processor. The film portion is supported by the supporter, and is deformable. The first sensing element is fixed to the supporter, and 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. The second sensing element is fixed to the film portion, and includes a third magnetic layer, a fourth magnetic layer, and a second intermediate layer provided between the third magnetic layer and the fourth magnetic layer. The processor outputs an output signal when a first signal is in a first state. The first signal is obtained from the first sensing element. The output signal is based on a second signal obtained from the second sensing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Yoshihiro HIGASHI, Yoshihiko FUJI, Hideaki FUKUZAWA, Michiko HARA, Motomichi SHIBANO
  • Publication number: 20170067787
    Abstract: A pressure sensor of an embodiment includes a support portion, a transformable membrane part and a sensor portion. The membrane part includes an end portion supported by the support portion, and a first area and a second area. The first area is positioned between a center of the membrane part and the end portion and has a first rigidity. The second area is positioned between the first area and the end portion, and has a second rigidity lower than the first rigidity. The sensor portion is provided at the first area and 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. An end-side distance between the first area and the end portion is shorter than a center-side distance between the second area and the center of the membrane part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kei MASUNISHI, Akiko YUZAWA, Yoshihiko FUJI, Michiko HARA, Yoshihiro HIGASHI, Kazuaki OKAMOTO, Kenji OTSU
  • Publication number: 20170067791
    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: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Yoshihiko FUJI, Michiko HARA, Kei MASUNISHI, Yoshihiro HIGASHI, Shiori KAJI, Akiko YUZAWA, Akio HORI, Tomohiko NAGATA, Kazuaki OKAMOTO, Kenji OTSU, Shotaro BABA
  • Publication number: 20170059424
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a first sensor unit, a first stacked body, and a film unit. The first sensor unit includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a first intermediate layer, the first intermediate layer being provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The first stacked body includes a third magnetic layer, a fourth magnetic layer, and a second intermediate layer, the second intermediate layer being provided between the third magnetic layer and the fourth magnetic layer. The film unit is deformable. A portion of the film unit is disposed between the first sensor unit and the first stacked body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Akiko YUZAWA, Hideaki FUKUZAWA, Kei MASUNISHI, Yoshihiro HIGASHI, Michiko HARA, Yoshihiko FUJI
  • Patent number: 9549261
    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: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Higashi, Yoshihiko Fuji, Michiko Hara, Akiko Yuzawa, Shiori Kaji, Tomohiko Nagata, Akio Hori, Hideaki Fukuzawa
  • Patent number: 9488541
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes: a base body; a sensor section; and a processing circuit. The sensor section includes: a transducing thin film; a first strain sensing element; and a second strain sensing element. The transducing thin film has a film surface and is flexible. The processing circuit is configured to output as an output signal at least one of a first signal obtained from the first strain sensing element upon application of external pressure to the transducing thin film and a second signal obtained from the second strain sensing element upon application of the external pressure to the transducing thin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hideaki Fukuzawa, Masatoshi Sakurai, Masayuki Kii, Yoshihiko Fuji, Michiko Hara, Yoshihiro Higashi, Kenji Otsu, Akiko Yuzawa, Kazuaki Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20160282101
    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: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shiori KAJI, Hideaki FUKUZAWA, Tomohiko NAGATA, Akio HORI, Yoshihiko FUJI
  • Patent number: 9445731
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pulse wave velocity measuring device includes a first sensor, a second sensor, a base body and a calculation unit. The first sensor is configured to sense a pulse wave propagating through an interior of a vessel. The second sensor is separated from the first sensor and is configured to sense the pulse wave. The base body is configured to hold the first sensor and the second sensor and regulate a distance between the first sensor and the second sensor. The calculation unit is configured to derive a difference between a time of the sensing of the pulse wave by the first sensor and a time of the sensing of the pulse wave by the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hideaki Fukuzawa, Osamu Nishimura, Takehiko Suzuki, Michiko Hara, Yoshihiko Fuji
  • Publication number: 20160258824
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a strain sensing element provided at a deformable film part, includes a stacked body, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The stacked body includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and an intermediate layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. A magnetization direction of the first magnetic layer changes in accordance with a deformation of the film part. The first electrode includes a first alloy layer including a first alloy including Ta and Mo. The first electrode is electrically connected to the stacked body. The second electrode is electrically connected to the stacked body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Yoshihiko FUJI, Akio HORI, Kei MASUNISHI, Hideaki FUKUZAWA, Akiko YUZAWA, Kazuaki OKAMOTO
  • Patent number: 9435868
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magneto-resistive effect device, includes a stacked body stacked on a substrate, a pair of first electrodes that feeds current to the stacked body, a strain introduction member, and a second electrode for applying a voltage to the strain introduction member. The stacked body includes a first magnetic layer that includes one or more metals selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, and nickel, a second magnetic layer stacked on the first magnetic layer, having a composition that is different from the first magnetic layer, and a spacer layer disposed between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Devin Giddings, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Yoshihiko Fuji, Michiko Hara, Hiromi Yuasa
  • Patent number: 9422150
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes: a support section; a film section; and a strain sensing element. The film section is supported by the support section and deformable. The film section includes a first film and a second film. The first film includes a first region located in a central part and a second region located in a peripheral part around the first region. The second film is provided on the first region. The strain sensing element is provided on part of the second region. The strain sensing element includes a first magnetic layer; a second magnetic layer; and an intermediate layer. Magnetization of the first magnetic layer changes in response to deformation of the second region. The intermediate layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kazuaki Okamoto, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Yoshihiko Fuji, Akiko Yuzawa, Akio Hori, Kei Masunishi
  • Patent number: 9383268
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a strain sensor includes: a base; a strain sensing element; a magnetic field sensing element; and a processing unit. The strain sensing element includes a first magnetic layer having a first magnetization; a second magnetic layer having a second magnetization; and a first intermediate layer. In the strain sensing element an angle between a direction of the first magnetization and a direction of the second magnetization changes in accordance with a strain. The magnetic field sensing element includes a third magnetic layer having a third magnetization; a fourth magnetic layer having a fourth magnetization; and a second intermediate layer. In the magnetic field sensing an angle between a direction of the third magnetization and a direction of the fourth magnetization changes in accordance with a magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Higashi, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Yoshihiko Fuji, Michiko Hara, Masayuki Kii, Akio Hori, Tomohiko Nagata
  • Patent number: 9342179
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a strain sensing element includes a film unit, and a sensing unit. The film unit has a film surface and is capable of being deformed. The sensing unit includes a first sensing element and a second sensing element. The first sensing element is provided between a part of the film unit and the second sensing element. The first sensing element includes a first magnetic layer having a changeable magnetization with a deformation of the film unit, a second magnetic layer provided apart from the first magnetic layer, and a first spacer layer provided between the first and second magnetic layers. The second sensing element includes a third magnetic layer having a changeable magnetization with the deformation of the film unit, a fourth magnetic layer provided apart from the third magnetic layer, and a second spacer layer provided between the third and fourth magnetic layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Fuji, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Tomohiko Nagata, Akio Hori, Yoshihiro Higashi
  • Patent number: 9322726
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a base and a sensor unit provided on the base. The sensor unit includes a transducing thin film having a first surface, a first strain sensing element provided on the first surface, and a second strain sensing element provided on the first surface. The first strain sensing element includes a first magnetic layer, a first film having a first oxygen concentration, a second magnetic layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the first film, and a first intermediate layer provided between the first and the second magnetic layer. The second strain sensing element includes a third magnetic layer, a second film having a second oxygen concentration different from the first concentration, a fourth magnetic layer provided between the third magnetic layer and the second film, and a second intermediate layer provided between the third and the fourth magnetic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hideaki Fukuzawa, Yoshihiko Fuji, Yoshihiro Higashi, Michiko Hara
  • Patent number: 9250142
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a base unit, a film unit, and a plurality of sensing elements. The plurality of sensing elements is provided on the film unit radially with respect to a centroid of the film unit. The plurality of sensing elements has a first side and a second side intersecting the first side. Each of the plurality of sensing elements includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and an intermediate layer. Each of the plurality of sensing elements has a shape anisotropy characterized by a length of the first side being longer than a length of the second side intersecting the first side. The plurality of sensing elements is provided at lines having radial configurations extending from the centroid to have a prescribed angle between the first side and the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hideaki Fukuzawa, Yoshihiro Higashi, Yoshihiko Fuji, Michiko Hara, Akio Hori, Shiori Kaji, Tomohiko Nagata, Akiko Yuzawa
  • Publication number: 20160009545
    Abstract: A strain detection element is provided above a deformable membrane. Moreover, this strain detection element includes an electrode and a stacked body, the stacked body including: a first magnetic layer whose magnetization direction is variable according to a deformation of the membrane; a second magnetic layer provided facing the first magnetic layer; and an intermediate layer provided between these first magnetic layer and second magnetic layer, and at least part of the first magnetic layer is amorphous, and the electrode includes a metal layer configured from a Cu—Ag alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Yoshihiko FUJI, Hideaki FUKUZAWA, Akio HORI, Shiori KAJI
  • Publication number: 20160003697
    Abstract: A pressure sensor according to an embodiment includes: a support member; a membrane supported by the support and having flexibility; and a strain detection element formed on the membrane. The strain detection element includes a first magnetic layer formed on the membrane and having a magnetization, a second magnetic layer having a magnetization, and an intermediate layer formed between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. A direction of at least one of the magnetization of the first magnetic layer and the magnetization of the second magnetic layer changes relatively to that of the other depending on a strain of the membrane. Moreover, the membrane includes an oxide layer that includes aluminum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: KAZUAKI OKAMOTO, AKIO HORI, HIDEAKI FUKUZAWA, YOSHIHIKO FUJI, AKIKO YUZAWA
  • Publication number: 20150338292
    Abstract: A strain sensor element comprises a laminated film which has a magnetic free layer, a spacer layer, and a magnetic reference layer. The free layer has a variable magnetization direction and a out-of-plane magnetization direction. The reference layer has a variable magnetization direction which is pinned more strongly than the magnetization of the free layer. The spacer layer provided between the free layer and the reference layer. A pair of electrodes is provided with a plane of the laminated film. A substrate is provided with either of the pair electrodes and can be strained. The rotation angle of the magnetization of the free layer is different from the rotation angle of the magnetization of the reference layer when the substrate is distorted. Electrical resistance is changed depending on the magnetization angle between the free layer and the reference layer, which allows the element to operate as a strain sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Alexander Devin Giddings, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Yoshihiko Fuji, Hiromi Yuasa, Mlchiko Hara, Shuichi Murakami