Patents by Inventor Yoshihisa Minami

Yoshihisa Minami 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: 12074516
    Abstract: A switch circuit is configured of a first semiconductor element and a second semiconductor element connected in series, and receives a DC voltage of 100 V or more. The drive circuit causes the first semiconductor element or the second semiconductor element to perform a switching operation. The isolated power supply circuit converts a predetermined power supply voltage into an isolated first power supply voltage, and outputs the first power supply voltage to the drive circuit. The isolation signal converter converts a first signal of 6 MHz or more into an isolated first drive signal, and outputs the first drive signal to the drive circuit. The single substrate mounts the isolated power supply circuit and the isolation signal converter. Both the first semiconductor element and the second semiconductor element are wide bandgap semiconductor elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki Akashi, Takuya Ishii, Yoshihito Kawakami, Kazuhiro Yahata, Takeshi Azuma, Yoshihisa Minami
  • Patent number: 11749578
    Abstract: The semiconductor module includes: a heat dissipation board including first to third wiring patterns; a first metal plate on the first wiring pattern, a second metal plate on the second wiring pattern, a first semiconductor chip and a first intermediate board which are on the first metal plate, a second semiconductor chip and a second intermediate board which are on the second metal plate. A first metal film on the first intermediate board is electrically connected to the first semiconductor chip and the second metal plate, and a second metal film on the second intermediate board is electrically connected to the second semiconductor chip and the third wiring pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Takahashi, Kazuhiro Yahata, Yoshihisa Minami, Hiroki Akashi, Shinya Miyazaki
  • Publication number: 20230024780
    Abstract: A switch circuit is configured of a first semiconductor element and a second semiconductor element connected in series, and receives a DC voltage of 100 V or more. The drive circuit causes the first semiconductor element or the second semiconductor element to perform a switching operation. The isolated power supply circuit converts a predetermined power supply voltage into an isolated first power supply voltage, and outputs the first power supply voltage to the drive circuit. The isolation signal converter converts a first signal of 6 MHz or more into an isolated first drive signal, and outputs the first drive signal to the drive circuit. The single substrate mounts the isolated power supply circuit and the isolation signal converter. Both the first semiconductor element and the second semiconductor element are wide bandgap semiconductor elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: HIROKI AKASHI, TAKUYA ISHII, YOSHIHITO KAWAKAMI, KAZUHIRO YAHATA, TAKESHI AZUMA, YOSHIHISA MINAMI
  • Patent number: 11398820
    Abstract: A switching circuit includes: a normally-off junction field-effect GaN transistor including source, drain, and gate terminals; a drive device of one output type electrically connected to the gate terminal; a first rectifier, between the source terminal and the gate terminal, including an anode on a source terminal side and a cathode on a gate terminal side; a capacitor between a cathode side of the first rectifier and the drive device; a first resistor between the capacitor and the drive device; a second resistor, one side of the second resistor being connected to the drive device, another side of the second resistor being connected between the cathode side of the first rectifier and the capacitor; and a second rectifier including an anode on a capacitor side and a cathode on a drive device side. No resistor is provided between the cathode side of the second rectifier and the drive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daijiro Arisawa, Takeshi Azuma, Daisuke Yamamoto, Yoshihisa Minami, Manabu Yanagihara
  • Publication number: 20220139797
    Abstract: The semiconductor module includes: a heat dissipation board including first to third wiring patterns; a first metal plate on the first wiring pattern, a second metal plate on the second wiring pattern, a first semiconductor chip and a first intermediate board which are on the first metal plate, a second semiconductor chip and a second intermediate board which are on the second metal plate. A first metal film on the first intermediate board is electrically connected to the first semiconductor chip and the second metal plate, and a second metal film on the second intermediate board is electrically connected to the second semiconductor chip and the third wiring pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Koji TAKAHASHI, Kazuhiro YAHATA, Yoshihisa MINAMI, Hiroki AKASHI, Shinya MIYAZAKI
  • Patent number: 11252813
    Abstract: An advantageous effect of a low-pass filter that reduces high-frequency noise can be obtained by including an input terminal that extends from a front surface to a rear surface of a multilayer circuit board including a double-sided circuit board; a first wiring conductor having an end connected to the input terminal on the rear surface of the multilayer circuit board; a first via that extends from an other end of the first wiring conductor to the front surface of the multilayer circuit board; a second wiring conductor having an end connected to the first via on the front surface of the multilayer circuit board; and a first input capacitor disposed on the second wiring conductor; by being conductive due to the input terminal and the first via being configured in series; and including the first input capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Minami, Takuya Ishii
  • Publication number: 20210258008
    Abstract: A switching circuit includes: a normally-off junction field-effect GaN transistor including source, drain, and gate terminals; a drive device of one output type electrically connected to the gate terminal; a first rectifier, between the source terminal and the gate terminal, including an anode on a source terminal side and a cathode on a gate terminal side; a capacitor between a cathode side of the first rectifier and the drive device; a first resistor between the capacitor and the drive device; a second resistor, one side of the second resistor being connected to the drive device, another side of the second resistor being connected between the cathode side of the first rectifier and the capacitor; and a second rectifier including an anode on a capacitor side and a cathode on a drive device side. No resistor is provided between the cathode side of the second rectifier and the drive device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Daijiro Arisawa, Takeshi Azuma, Daisuke Yamamoto, Yoshihisa Minami, Manabu Yanagihara
  • Patent number: 11031935
    Abstract: A switching circuit includes; a switching element; a driver; a diode connected between a source terminal and a gate terminal of the switching element; a resistor connected between the driver and the gate terminal of the switching element; a series circuit connected in parallel with the resistor, and including a capacitor and a resistor; and a diode including an anode on a side of the gate terminal of the switching element and a cathode on a side of a second output terminal of the driver. The diode is connected in parallel with at least the capacitor out of the capacitor and the resistor connected in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daijiro Arisawa, Takeshi Azuma, Daisuke Yamamoto, Yoshihisa Minami, Manabu Yanagihara
  • Publication number: 20200395933
    Abstract: A switching circuit includes; a switching element; a driver; a diode connected between a source terminal and a gate terminal of the switching element; a resistor connected between the driver and the gate terminal of the switching element; a series circuit connected in parallel with the resistor, and including a capacitor and a resistor; and a diode including an anode on a side of the gate terminal of the switching element and a cathode on a side of a second output terminal of the driver. The diode is connected in parallel with at least the capacitor out of the capacitor and the resistor connected in series.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Daijiro Arisawa, Takeshi AZUMA, Daisuke YAMAMOTO, Yoshihisa MINAMI, Manabu YANAGIHARA
  • Publication number: 20190364657
    Abstract: An advantageous effect of a low-pass filter that reduces high-frequency noise can be obtained by including an input terminal that extends from a front surface to a rear surface of a multilayer circuit board including a double-sided circuit board; a first wiring conductor having an end connected to the input terminal on the rear surface of the multilayer circuit board; a first via that extends from an other end of the first wiring conductor to the front surface of the multilayer circuit board; a second wiring conductor having an end connected to the first via on the front surface of the multilayer circuit board; and a first input capacitor disposed on the second wiring conductor; by being conductive due to the input terminal and the first via being configured in series; and including the first input capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Yoshihisa MINAMI, Takuya ISHII
  • Patent number: 9871457
    Abstract: A switching power supply device of the present disclosure includes a device connection state detection circuit that detects a connection state in a load device connection terminal, in a power supply system having the load device connection terminal. The device connection state detection circuit includes a transformer, a switching element, a pulse generator, and a waveform detection circuit. The waveform detection circuit detects a voltage or a current generated at a connecting point between a primary winding wire of the transformer and the switching element in response to operation of a pulse signal. The waveform detection circuit compares the voltage or the current with a predetermined reference value, and outputs an output signal in response to a comparison result to an OFF terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Sakurai, Takashi Saji, Yoshihisa Minami, Keita Kawabe
  • Publication number: 20170141690
    Abstract: A switching power supply device of the present disclosure includes a device connection state detection circuit that detects a connection state in a load device connection terminal, in a power supply system having the load device connection terminal. The device connection state detection circuit includes a transformer, a switching element, a pulse generator, and a waveform detection circuit. The waveform detection circuit detects a voltage or a current generated at a connecting point between a primary winding wire of the transformer and the switching element in response to operation of a pulse signal. The waveform detection circuit compares the voltage or the current with a predetermined reference value, and outputs an output signal in response to a comparison result to an OFF terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: TATSUYA SAKURAI, TAKASHI SAJI, YOSHIHISA MINAMI, KEITA KAWABE
  • Patent number: 8390715
    Abstract: The present invention provides a solid-state imaging device which is capable of high-speed and high-quality pixel mixture. The solid-state imaging device includes: a plurality of pixels; a row selecting circuit; a plurality of column signal lines each of which is provided to a corresponding one of columns of pixels, is connected to pixels of the corresponding column, and transfers the signals outputted from the connected pixels; a pixel current source which (i) is provided to a corresponding one of the column signal lines, (ii) is connected to the corresponding column signal line, and (iii) supplies to the connected column signal line a current when the signal is outputted from the selected pixel to the connected column signal line; and a control unit which changes the number of rows of pixels being simultaneously selected by the row selecting circuit, and values of the current supplied by the pixel current source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Matsunaga, Kunihiko Hara, Hiroyuki Hayashita, Yoshihisa Minami
  • Patent number: 7852059
    Abstract: A power supply device includes an inductor controlled by switching to be charged or discharged such that a DC input voltage is boosted and a capacitor which smoothes the boosted voltage to generate a DC output voltage. Specifically, the power supply device further includes a transistor connected between the inductor and the capacitor to carry out a rectification function; an output voltage determination circuit which refers to the DC input voltage and the DC output voltage to determine the level of these voltages; and a current control circuit which controls a current flowing through the transistor such that the current has a predetermined value when the output voltage determination circuit determines that the DC output voltage is lower than the DC input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Ishii, Mikio Motomori, Kazuhito Kimura, Yoichi Deguchi, Satoshi Wada, Yoshihisa Minami
  • Publication number: 20100271522
    Abstract: The present invention provides a solid-state imaging device which is capable of high-speed and high-quality pixel mixture. The solid-state imaging device includes: a plurality of pixels; a row selecting circuit; a plurality of column signal lines each of which is provided to a corresponding one of columns of pixels, is connected to pixels of the corresponding column, and transfers the signals outputted from the connected pixels; a pixel current source which (i) is provided to a corresponding one of the column signal lines, (ii) is connected to the corresponding column signal line, and (iii) supplies to the connected column signal line a current when the signal is outputted from the selected pixel to the connected column signal line; and a control unit which changes the number of rows of pixels being simultaneously selected by the row selecting circuit, and values of the current supplied by the pixel current source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki MATSUNAGA, Kunihiko HARA, Hiroyuki HAYASHITA, Yoshihisa MINAMI
  • Publication number: 20080079410
    Abstract: A power supply device includes an inductor controlled by switching to be charged or discharged such that a DC input voltage is boosted and a capacitor which smoothes the boosted voltage to generate a DC output voltage. Specifically, the power supply device further includes a transistor connected between the inductor and the capacitor to carry out a rectification function; an output voltage determination circuit which refers to the DC input voltage and the DC output voltage to determine the level of these voltages; and a current control circuit which controls a current flowing through the transistor such that the current has a predetermined value when the output voltage determination circuit determines that the DC output voltage is lower than the DC input voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Takuya Ishii, Mikio Motomori, Kazuhito Kimura, Yoichi Deguchi, Satoshi Wada, Yoshihisa Minami
  • Patent number: 7116946
    Abstract: The present invention provides a transmitter conforming to the EER method in a wide frequency band at high efficiency. For this purpose, the amplitude component of a modulated signal is input to the power supply terminal of a high-frequency power amplifier 130, the I and Q quadrature signals thereof are input to the high-frequency input terminal of the high-frequency power amplifier 130, and the original modulated signal is obtained from the output of the high-frequency power amplifier 130. A collector voltage is supplied from DC—DC converter group 615 having output voltages being different sequentially to an emitter follower 729 via a switch group 621.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Tanabe, Takaharu Saeki, Yoshihisa Minami, Koichiro Tanaka, Noriaki Saito
  • Patent number: 7030443
    Abstract: A MIM (metal-insulator-metal) capacitor is provided with a substrate; a first metal area; a second metal area formed between the substrate and the first metal area; and a first insulating layer formed between the first metal area and the second metal area; wherein a capacitance value is determined by opposing surface areas of the first metal area and the second metal area; and the MIM capacitor is further provided with: a third metal area formed between the second metal area and the substrate; and a second insulating layer formed between the third metal area and the second metal area; wherein the third metal area is connected to a ground potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuo Hino, Yoshihisa Minami
  • Publication number: 20060068697
    Abstract: The present invention provides a transmitter conforming to the EER method in a wide frequency band at high efficiency. For this purpose, the amplitude component of a modulated signal is input to the power supply terminal of a high-frequency power amplifier 130, the I and Q quadrature signals thereof are input to the high-frequency input terminal of the high-frequency power amplifier 130, and the original modulated signal is obtained from the output of the high-frequency power amplifier 130. A collector voltage is supplied from DC-DC converter group 615 having output voltages being different sequentially to an emitter follower 729 via a switch group 621.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD
    Inventors: Mitsuru Tanabe, Takaharu Saeki, Yoshihisa Minami, Koichiro Tanaka, Noriaki Saito
  • Publication number: 20050141636
    Abstract: The present invention directly modulates the VCO in accordance with transmission data, reduces the circuit scale and current consumed during transmission and obtains a highly accurate modulated output. A transmission data signal converted into an IQ modulation signal with a predetermined modulation bandwidth that is phase-modulated by the select control signal inputted to the ROM via the modulation circuit. The IQ modulation signal is converted into an analog signal by means of the DAC, and the analog signal is inputted to the gm adjustment device via the noise filter before being converted to an appropriate signal level that corresponds with the control sensitivity of the VCO. The converted analog signal is inputted to a second input terminal for controlling the direct frequency of the VCO and the oscillation frequency of the VCO is modulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Applicant: Matsushita Elec. Ind. Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Minami, Takuo Hino