Sony Assigned Forty-Two Patents

Drive control
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,344,693) developed by Nakamura, Masashi, Tokyo, Japan, for a “drive control apparatus and drive control method, and video output apparatus.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”There is provided a drive control apparatus that includes a horizontal control section, and a vertical control section. The horizontal control section controls a scanning mirror for horizontal scanning with laser light, the scanning mirror being driven at a fixed frequency in a horizontal direction. The vertical control section controls the scanning mirror for vertical scanning based on the frequency at which the horizontal control section drives the scanning mirror in the horizontal direction, the vertical control section outputting a vertical drive signal to control the scanning mirror for vertical scanning, the vertical drive signal including an interval in which the laser light is directed vertically from top to bottom and an interval in which the laser light is directed vertically from bottom to top, the intervals alternately producing an output of a predetermined amount.“

The patent application was filed on October 16, 2013 (14/054,866).

Storage element, storage apparatus, and magnetic head
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,343,657) developed by Yamane, Kazutaka, Kanagawa, Japan, Hosomi, Masanori, Tokyo, Japan, Ohmori, Hiroyuki, Bessho, Kazuhiro, Higo, Yutaka, Kanagawa, Japan, Asayama, Tetsuya, Tokyo, Japan, and Uchida, Hiroyuki, Kanagawa, Japan, for a “storage element, storage apparatus, and magnetic head.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”There is provided a storage element including a layered construction including a storage layer that has magnetization perpendicular to a surface of the storage layer and whose direction of magnetization is changed corresponding to information, a pinned magnetization layer that has magnetization perpendicular to a surface of the pinned magnetization layer and serves as a standard for information stored in the storage layer, and an insulating layer that is composed of a non-magnetic material and is provided between the storage layer and the pinned magnetization layer.“

The patent application was filed on August 9, 2013 (14/429,230).

Memory element and memory apparatus
with plurality of magnetic layers and oxide layer
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,337,416) developed by Yamane, Kazutaka, Kanagawa, Japan, Hosomi, Masanori, Tokyo, Japan, Ohmori, Hiroyuki, Bessho, Kazuhiro, Higo, Yutaka, Kanagawa, Japan, Asayama, Tetsuya, Tokyo, Japan, and Uchida, Hiroyuki, Kanagawa, Japan, for a “memory element and memory apparatus with a plurality of magnetic layers and an oxide layer.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A memory element has a layered structure, including a memory layer that has magnetization perpendicular to a film face in which a magnetization direction is changed depending on information, and includes a Co–Fe–B magnetic layer, the magnetization direction being changed by applying a current in a lamination direction of the layered structure to record the information in the memory layer, a magnetization-fixed layer having magnetization perpendicular to a film face that becomes a base of the information stored in the memory layer, and an intermediate layer that is formed of a non-magnetic material and is provided between the memory layer and the magnetization-fixed layer, a first oxide layer and a second oxide layer.“

The patent application was filed on June 4, 2015 (14/730,700).

Memory device, semiconductor unit
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,336,895) developed by Yanagisawa, Yuki, Kanematsu, Shigeru, Kanagawa, Japan, and Iwasaki, Matsuo, Nagasaki, Japan, for a “memory device, semiconductor unit and method of operating the same, and electronic apparatus.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A semiconductor unit with memory devices, each of the memory devices includes: a first semiconductor layer, second and third semiconductor layers, a first dielectric film and a first conductive film, first, second, and third electrodes electrically connected to the second semiconductor layer, the third semiconductor layer, and the first conductive film, respectively, the third electrode being electrically connected to the first electrode. In the memory devices, when a voltage equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value is applied between the first and second electrodes, a filament that is a conductive path electrically linking the second and third semiconductor layers is formed in the region between the second and third semiconductor layers, and thereby, writing operation of information is performed.“

The patent application was filed on April 8, 2013 (14/395,986).

Recording apparatus
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,336,821) developed by Nakamuro, Hideyuki, Nagatomo, Takashi, and Iriyama, Toshihisa, Kanagawa, Japan, for a “recording apparatus, and recording method.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”Provided is a recording apparatus including a light radiating unit that radiates light to an optical recording medium, a recording unit that performs light emission control of the light radiating unit, and performs recording on the optical recording medium, and a control unit that controls the recording unit in a manner that recording of remaining data starts from a position over a defect occurrence area, according to occurrence of a defect, in a state in which a logical address space and a physical address space are defined with respect to a recording area of the optical recording medium, and controls the recording unit in a manner that, when the buffer area is consumed and data is not completely recorded, a recording area of the remaining data that is not completely recorded is replaced with the spare area and the remaining data is recorded on the spare area.“

The patent application was filed on March 21, 2013 (13/848,560).

Cache memory and method of controlling cache memory
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,336,148) developed by Hirao, Taichi, Tokyo, Japan, for a “cache memory, cache memory control unit, and method of controlling the cache memory.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A cache memory includes: a tag storage section in which one of a plurality of indexes, each index containing a plurality of tag addresses and one suspension-indicating section, is looked up by a first address portion of an accessed address, a data storage section, a tag control section configured to, when the suspension-indicating section contained in the looked-up index indicates suspension, allow access relevant to the accessed address to wait, and when the suspension-indicating section contained in the looked-up index indicates non-suspension, compare a second address portion different from the first address portion of the accessed address to each of the plurality of tag addresses contained in the looked-up index, and detects a tag address matched with the second address portion, and a data control section.“

The patent application was filed on March 12, 2014 (14/205,418).

Magnetic memory element and memory apparatus
having multiple magnetization directions
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,331,270) developed by Higo, Yutaka, Kanagawa, Japan, Hosomi, Masanori, Tokyo, Japan, Ohmori, Hiroyuki, Bessho, Kazuhiro, Kanagawa, Japan, Asayama, Tetsuya, Tokyo, Japan, Yamane, Kazutaka, and Uchida, Hiroyuki, Kanagawa, Japan, for a “magnetic memory element and memory apparatus having multiple magnetization directions.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A memory element includes a layered structure: a memory layer having a magnetization direction changed depending on information, the magnetization direction being changed by applying a current in a lamination direction of the layered structure to record the information in the memory layer, including a first ferromagnetic layer having a magnetization direction that is inclined from a direction perpendicular to a film face, a bonding layer laminated on the first ferromagnetic layer, and a second ferromagnetic layer laminated on the bonding layer and bonded to the first ferromagnetic layer via the bonding layer, having a magnetization direction that is inclined from the direction perpendicular to the film face, a magnetization-fixed layer having a fixed magnetization direction, an intermediate layer that is provided between the memory layer and the magnetization-fixed layer, and is contacted with the first ferromagnetic layer, and a cap layer that is contacted with the second ferromagnetic layer.“

The patent application was filed on July 14, 2014 (14/330,748).

Recording apparatus, server apparatus, recording method,
program and storage medium
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,330,707) developed by Hirano, Koji, Kanagawa, Japan, Inagaki, Shoji, Tokyo, Japan, and Togashi, Ryuichiro, Kanagawa, Japan, for a “recording apparatus, server apparatus, recording method, program and storage medium.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and information processing apparatuses. The medium stores instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method including automatically reading first management data from a first recording medium. The first management data identifies tracks of source data recorded on the first recording medium. One of the tracks of source data is automatically identified based on the first management data and second management data, which identifies files of ripped data recorded on a second recording medium. The one of the tracks of source data is absent from the second recording medium. The one of the tracks of source data is automatically transferred to the second recording medium and becomes one of the files of ripped data. The method further includes automatically displaying transferring status of the one of the tracks of source data by a symbolic figure.“

The patent application was filed on January 31, 2014 (14/169,593).

Adapter for recording medium
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,325,101) developed by Tsutsumi, Isao, and Takaki, Shinji, Kanagawa, Japan, for a “adapter for a recording medium.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”An adapter device includes a cover that covers an inserted recording medium, a cover urging portion that urges the cover in a direction of the recording medium and causes the cover to be in press contact with the recording medium, and a connector conversion section that connects a terminal portion of the recording medium to a connector on an apparatus side having a different physical specification.“

The patent application was filed on July 9, 2014 (14/327,397).

Storage element, memory and electronic apparatus
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,324,940) developed by Yamane, Kazutaka, Kanagawa, Japan, Hosomi, Masanori, Tokyo, Japan, Ohmori, Hiroyuki, Bessho, Kazuhiro, Higo, Yutaka, and Uchida, Hiroyuki, Kanagawa, Japan, for a “storage element, memory and electronic apparatus.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A storage element is provided. The storage element includes a memory layer having a first magnetization state of a first material, a fixed magnetization layer having a second magnetization state of a second material, an intermediate layer including a nonmagnetic material and provided between the memory layer and the fixed magnetization layer, wherein the first material includes Co–Fe–B alloy, and at least one of a non-magnetic metal and an oxide.“

The patent application was filed on November 17, 2015 (14/943,781).

Storage element and storage device
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,324,935) developed by Yamane, Kazutaka, Kanagawa, Japan, Hosomi, Masanori, Tokyo, Japan, Ohmori, Hiroyuki, Bessho, Kazuhiro, Higo, Yutaka, Kanagawa, Japan, Asayama, Tetsuya, Tokyo, Japan, and Uchida, Hiroyuki, Kanagawa, Japan, for a “storage element and storage device.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”Provided is an information storage element comprising a first layer, an insulation layer coupled to the first layer, and a second layer coupled to the insulation layer opposite the first layer. The first layer has a transverse length that is approximately 45 nm or less, or an area that is approximately 1,600 nm.sup.2 or less, so as to be capable of storing information according to a magnetization state of a magnetic material. The magnetization state is configured to be changed by a current. The insulation layer includes a non-magnetic material. The second layer includes a fixed magnetization so as to be capable of serving as a reference of the first layer.“

The patent application was filed on July 17, 2014 (14/334,277).

Memory device and access method
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,324,424) developed by Higo, Yutaka, Kanagawa, Japan, Hosomi, Masanori, Tokyo, Japan, Ohmori, Hiroyuki, Bessho, Kazuhiro, Yamane, Kazutaka, and Uchida, Hiroyuki, Kanagawa, Japan, for a “memory device and access method.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A memory device includes multiple bit lines extending in a first direction, multiple word lines extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, and multiple memory cells each coupled to corresponding two word lines and corresponding two bit lines. Each memory cell includes a memory element configured to store information on the basis of changes in resistance and two select transistors. One terminal of the memory element is coupled to one of the two bit lines corresponding to the memory cell, the other terminal is coupled to respective drains of the select transistors, respective sources of the select transistors are coupled to the other bit line, a gate of one of the select transistors is coupled to one of the two word lines corresponding to the memory cell, and a gate of the other is coupled to the other word line.“

The patent application was filed on September 26, 2014 (14/497,978).

Barium ferrite magnetic storage media
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,324,354) developed by Lowery, David C., Roberts, WI, Ebner, Stephen R., Stillwater, MN, Isobe, Ryosuke, Superior, CO, Olson, Larold L., Lindstrom, MN, Sharrock, Michael P., St. Paul, MN, and Walker, Scott A., White Bear Lake, MN, for a “barium ferrite magnetic storage media.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”Magnetic storage media that include a multilayer structure are described. In general, the magnetic storage media include a substrate, an underlayer that includes a plurality of underlayer particles formed over the substrate, and a magnetic layer that includes a plurality of magnetic particles formed over the underlayer. The magnetic layer may define a saturated magnetization and thickness product less than or equal to approximately 1.00 memu per square centimeter, and the magnetic particles may be selected from the group consisting of magnetic platelet-shaped particles and magnetic particles with an aspect ratio less than or equal to approximately 1.5. In addition, the described magnetic storage media may exhibit minimal interlayer diffusion between the underlayer and magnetic layer. Reduced interlayer diffusion between different layers of a magnetic recording medium may result in an improved magnetic recording surface for recording and storing data.“

The patent application was filed on April 2, 2010 (12/753,718).

Recording apparatus, recording method,
and pattern forming medium
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,314,872) developed by Yamashita, Eiki, Kanagawa, Japan, and Suzuki, Akitoshi, Shizuoka, Japan, for a “recording apparatus, recording method, and pattern forming medium.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A recording apparatus includes a rotation driving unit configured to rotate a recording layer forming medium in which a recording layer is formed, a laser irradiation unit configured to apply laser light to the recording layer of the recording layer forming medium, a first slide mechanism configured to change a position of an irradiation spot of the laser light on the recording layer in a first direction parallel to an in-plane direction of the recording layer, and a recording unit configured to perform a recording operation in which the position of the irradiation spot is changed in the first direction by the first slide mechanism while applying the laser light to the recording layer by the laser irradiation unit and rotating the recording layer forming medium by the rotation driving unit, thereby recording a predetermined pattern in consecutive areas including a central portion of the recording layer.“

The patent application was filed on March 31, 2014 (14/230,431).

Recording layer, information recording medium
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,311,953) developed by Kurokawa, Kotaro, Kanagawa, Japan, and Ota, Yo, Tokyo, Japan, for a “recording layer, information recording medium, and target.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”The present invention relates to an information recording medium that has good enough recording characteristics even without containing Pd. The information recording medium has a recording layer including an oxide of Mn in which Mn atoms are partially or fully present as Mn with a valence of +4.“

The patent application was filed on June 3, 2013 (14/403,060).

Optical disk, control method, control program
and information storage medium
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,311,950) developed by Mimura, Satoshi, Kanagawa, Japan, for a “optical disk apparatus, control method, control program and information storage medium.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”Disclosed herein is an optical disc apparatus including: an optical pickup radiating light having a first wavelength provided for an optical disc medium of a first type and light having a second wavelength which is smaller than the first wavelength and provided for another optical disc medium of a second type, a signal outputting section outputting a signal according to light reflected by the optical disc medium to reflect light radiated by the optical pickup, and a type determination section requesting the optical pickup to radiate light having the first wavelength to an object optical disc medium to acquire the signal output by the signal outputting section and determining the type of the object optical disc medium in accordance with the number of peaks appearing in the acquired output signal output by the signal outputting section while moving the optical pickup in a direction to the object optical disc medium.“

The patent application was filed on October 23, 2014 (14/521,800).

Computer-readable storage medium, reception apparatus,
and information providing apparatus for identifying
available channels and/or services
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,300,896) developed by Eyer, Mark, Woodinville, WA, for a “method, computer-readable storage medium, reception apparatus, and information providing apparatus for identifying available channels and/or services.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method, computer-readable storage medium, reception apparatus, and information providing apparatus for generating a list of accessible channels. The method includes retrieving from a primary server terrestrial broadcast channel information associated with a predetermined geographical region. The terrestrial broadcast channel information includes, for each broadcaster associated with the predetermined geographical region, one or a combination of a broadcast channel and a secondary server location associated with the respective broadcaster. Service information is retrieved, for each of at least one broadcaster associated with the predetermined geographical region, from a secondary server associated with the respective broadcaster based on the terrestrial broadcast channel information. The reception apparatus determines, for each of the at least one broadcaster associated with the predetermined geographical region, whether the broadcast channel associated with the respective broadcaster is receivable by the reception apparatus. The reception apparatus generates the list of accessible channels based on the determination.“

The patent application was filed on July 3, 2013 (13/934,615).

Memory element
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,299,916) developed by Bessho, Kazuhiro, Kanagawa, Japan, Hosomi, Masanori, Tokyo, Japan, Ohmori, Hiroyuki, Higo, Yutaka, Yamane, Kazutaka, and Uchida, Hiroyuki, Kanagawa, Japan, for a “memory element and memory device.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”There is disclosed a memory element including a memory layer that maintains information through the magnetization state of a magnetic material, a magnetization-fixed layer with a magnetization that is a reference of information stored in the memory layer, and an intermediate layer that is formed of a non-magnetic material and is provided between the memory layer and the magnetization-fixed layer. The storing of the information is performed by inverting the magnetization of the memory layer by using a spin torque magnetization inversion occurring according to a current flowing in the lamination direction of a layered structure having the memory layer, the intermediate layer, and the magnetization-fixed layer, the memory layer includes an alloy region containing at least one of Fe and Co, and a magnitude of an effective diamagnetic field which the memory layer receives during magnetization inversion thereof is smaller than the saturated magnetization amount of the memory layer.“

The patent application was filed on April 28, 2014 (14/263,657).

Magnetic recording medium having recording layer
with diffraction peak of magnetic atoms
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,299,378) developed by Sekiguchi, Noboru, Tachibana, Junichi, Endo, Tetsuo, Ozaki, Tomoe, and Terui, Hikaru, Miyagi, Japan, for a “magnetic recording medium having a recording layer with a diffraction peak of magnetic atoms.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A magnetic recording medium includes a base material which has flexibility, a lower coating layer, and a recording layer, in which, in X-ray diffraction peaks, a value of .DELTA..theta..sub.50 where a diffraction peak of magnetic atoms which are included in the recording layer is measured by a locking curve method is 5.degree. or more to less than 10.degree.“

The patent application was filed on March 24, 2015 (14/666,581).

Memory element and memory device
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,293,693) developed by Yamane, Kazutaka, Kanagawa, Japan, Hosomi, Masanori, Tokyo, Japan, Ohmori, Hiroyuki, Bessho, Kazuhiro, Higo, Yutaka, Uchida, Hiroyuki, Kanagawa, Japan, and Asayama, Tetsuya, Tokyo, Japan, for a “memory element and memory device.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”There is disclosed an information storage element including a first layer including a ferromagnetic layer with a magnetization direction perpendicular to a film face, an insulation layer coupled to the first layer, and a second layer coupled to the insulation layer opposite the first layer, the second layer including a fixed magnetization so as to be capable of serving as a reference of the first layer. The first layer is capable of storing information according to a magnetization state of a magnetic material, and the magnetization state is configured to be changed by a spin injection. A magnitude of an effective diamagnetic field which the first layer receives is smaller than a saturated magnetization amount of the first layer.“

The patent application was filed on July 30, 2014 (14/446,685).

Storage element and memory
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,293,692) developed by Higo, Yutaka, Miyagi, Japan, Hosomi, Masanori, Bessho, Kazuhiro, Yamamoto, Tetsuya, Ohmori, Hiroyuki, Kanagawa, Japan, Yamane, Kazutaka, Miyagi, Japan, Oishi, Yuki, and Kano, Hiroshi, Kanagawa, Japan, for a “storage element and memory.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A storage element including a storage layer configured to hold information by use of a magnetization state of a magnetic material, with a pinned magnetization layer being provided on one side of the storage layer, with a tunnel insulation layer, and with the direction of magnetization of the storage layer being changed through injection of spin polarized electrons by passing a current in the lamination direction, so as to record information in the storage layer, wherein a spin barrier layer configured to restrain diffusion of the spin polarized electrons is provided on the side, opposite to the pinned magnetization layer, of the storage layer, and the spin barrier layer includes at least one material selected from the group composing of oxides, nitrides, and fluorides.“

The patent application was filed on September 4, 2013 (14/017,779).

Information storage medium, information input device
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., Tokyo, JP, has been assigned a patent (9,289,679) developed by Okura, Junya, Saitama, Japan, and Tsuchikura, Toshitake, Tokyo, Japan, for a “information storage medium, information input device, and control method of same”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”Provided is a program capable of facilitating an operation input made by a user. A computer-readable information storage medium has stored thereon a program for controlling a computer connected to an operation input device to function so as to obtain, for each time unit, an input value indicating specifics of the operation input of the user received by the operation input device, and to calculate, as an output value of a parameter to be operated, a value obtained by changing a reference value by a change amount, the reference value being determined by one of a plurality of obtained input values, the change amount being determined by each of the plurality of obtained input values..“

The patent application was filed on December 27, 2010 (13/643,686).

Storage element and memory
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,287,493) developed by Higo, Yutaka, Miyagi, Japan, Hosomi, Masanori, Bessho, Kazuhiro, Yamamoto, Tetsuya, Ohmori, Hiroyuki, Kanagawa, Japan, Yamane, Kazutaka, Miyagi, Japan, Oishi, Yuki, and Kano, Hiroshi, Kanagawa, Japan, for a “storage element and memory.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A storage element including a storage layer configured to hold information by use of a magnetization state of a magnetic material, with a pinned magnetization layer being provided on one side of the storage layer, with a tunnel insulation layer, and with the direction of magnetization of the storage layer being changed through injection of spin polarized electrons by passing a current in the lamination direction, so as to record information in the storage layer, wherein a spin barrier layer configured to restrain diffusion of the spin polarized electrons is provided on the side, opposite to the pinned magnetization layer, of the storage layer, and the spin barrier layer includes at least one material selected from the group composing of oxides, nitrides, and fluorides.“

The patent application was filed on October 3, 2013 (14/045,055).

Recording apparatus, and recording medium
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,280,999) developed by Iriyama, Toshihisa, Kanagawa, Japan, for a “recording apparatus, recording method and recording medium.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A recording apparatus includes a recording unit that performs a recording operation to each layer by performing laser light illumination to a recording medium which has, (n+1) or more layers as a recording layer and in which a test writing area of each layer is formed between at least n consecutive layers and at a position in which the test writing areas are not overlapped with each other when seen from a laser light incident surface side, and a controller that sets the n consecutive layers to be a recording target layer in the recording operation including a test writing for laser power adjustment and causes the recording unit to execute the recording operation to the n recording target layers, wherein n.gtoreq.2.“

The patent application was filed on April 16, 2013 (13/863,508).

Memory control device, non-volatile memory,
and memory control
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,280,455) developed by Adachi, Naohiro, Tokyo, Japan, Tsutsui, Keiichi, Kanagawa, Japan, Ishii, Ken, Tokyo, Japan, Okubo, Hideaki, Saitama, Japan, Nakanishi, Kenichi, Fujinami, Yasushi, Shinbashi, Tatsuo, Tokyo, Japan, Sakai, Lui, and Ikegaya, Ryoji, Kanagawa, Japan, for a “memory control device, non-volatile memory, and memory control method.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”Provided is a memory control device, including a write control unit that sequentially designates a memory block, a write processing unit that writes write data in the designated memory block, a verifying unit that reads read data from the memory block and verifies whether or not the read data matches the write data for each of a plurality of memory cells, a retry inhibiting unit that inhibits a retry process from being performed in a memory cell in which the read data matches the write data among the plurality of memory cells, and a retry control unit that designates at least some memory blocks among the plurality of memory blocks and simultaneously executes the retry process when the read data does not match the write data in any one of the plurality of memory cells in which all the write data is written.“

The patent application was filed on July 19, 2013 (13/945,987).

Recording device and recording control
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,270,865) developed by Mizukura, Takami, Kanagawa, Japan, and Katoh, Naoya, Chiba, Japan, for a “recording device and recording control method, reproduction device and reproduction control method, output device and output control method, and programs.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A recording device includes a color gamut conversion control unit, a color gamut conversion unit, and a recording unit. The color gamut conversion control unit controls a method of converting the color gamut of content data, on the basis of a user-specified condition specified by a user. The color gamut conversion unit converts the color gamut of the content data in accordance with the control of the color gamut conversion control unit. The recording unit records, on a recording medium, the content data, the color gamut of which has been converted by the color gamut conversion unit in accordance with the control of the color gamut conversion control unit, or the content data, the color gamut of which has not been converted by the color gamut conversion unit in accordance with the control of the color gamut conversion control unit.“

The patent application was filed on May 6, 2009 (12/436,369).

Recording device, recording method, and program
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,264,468) developed by Kikkoji, Hiroyuki, Okuzawa, Nozomu, Tokyo, Japan, Yamashita, Shinsuke, Kanagawa, Japan, Moriya, Jun, and Murase, Yasuhiro, Tokyo, Japan, for a “recording device, recording method, and program.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A content receiving apparatus including a receiver receiving first contents from a broadcasting station, a temporary memory unit temporarily storing first contents-related information related to the first contents, a memory storing the first contents and storing, based on an input recording request, the first contents-related information, and the memory storing a plurality of second contents and a plurality of second contents-related information received from a server, the second contents-related information being related to the first contents, and displayable.“

The patent application was filed on May 18, 2004 (10/556,729).

Memory element and memory device
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,263,670) developed by Yasuda, Shuichiro, Sei, Hiroaki, Kouchiyama, Akira, Shimuta, Masayuki, and Yamada, Naomi, Kanagawa, Japan, for a “memory element and memory device.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A memory element and a memory device, the memory element including a first electrode, a memory layer, and a second electrode in this order. The memory layer includes a resistance change layer provided on the first electrode side, and an ion source layer provided on the second electrode side and is higher in resistance value than the resistance change layer. A resistance value of the resistance change layer is changeable in response to a composition change by applied voltage to the first and second electrodes.“

The patent application was filed on September 16, 2013 (14/027,666).

Recording/transferring
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,262,119) developed by Araki, Satoshi, Kanagawa, Japan, for a “recording/transferring program, recording/transferring apparatus, and recording/transferring method.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”Disclosed herein is a recording/transferring program that causes an information processing apparatus to perform the steps of: generating programming information for programming the information processing apparatus to record a particular content, starting recording of the particular content onto a recording medium in accordance with the programming information, and automatically transferring, upon completion of the recording of the particular content onto the recording medium, the particular content read out from the recording medium to an external device connected to the information processing apparatus so as to be capable of communicating therewith.“

The patent application was filed on October 22, 2014 (14/520,869).

Memory element and memory device
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,257,635) developed by Ohmori, Hiroyuki, Kanagawa, Japan, Hosomi, Masanori, Tokyo, Japan, Bessho, Kazuhiro, Higo, Yutaka, Yamane, Kazutaka, Uchida, Hiroyuki, Kanagawa, Japan, and Asayama, Tetsuya, Tokyo, Japan, for a “memory element and memory device.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”Spin transfer torque memory elements and memory devices are provided. In one embodiment, the spin transfer torque memory element includes a first portion including CoFeB, a second portion including CoFeB, an intermediate portion interposed between the first and second portions, a third portion adjoining the second portion opposite the intermediate portion, and a fourth portion adjoining the third portion opposite the second portion. The intermediate portion includes MgO. The third portion includes at least one of Ag, Au, Cr, Cu, Hf, Mo, Nb, Os, Re, Ru, Ta, W, and Zr. The fourth portion includes at least alloy of CoPt, FePt, and Ru.“

The patent application was filed on June 26, 2015 (14/752,126).

Nonvolatile cache memory
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,251,057) developed by Higo, Yutaka, Kanagawa, Japan, Hosomi, Masanori, Tokyo, Japan, Ohmori, Hiroyuki, Bessho, Kazuhiro, Kanagawa, Japan, Asayama, Tetsuya, Tokyo, Japan, Yamane, Kazutaka, and Uchida, Hiroyuki, Kanagawa, Japan, for a “nonvolatile cache memory, processing method of nonvolatile cache memory, and computer system.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”Disclosed is a nonvolatile cache memory including a nonvolatile memory part and a cache controller. The nonvolatile memory part is configured to store cache data. The cache controller is configured to control reading and writing of the cache data with respect to the nonvolatile memory part. Further, the cache controller is configured to perform, as a preparation for an interruption of power supply, standby preparation processing to generate standby state data and store the generated standby state data in the nonvolatile memory part. Further, the cache controller is configured to perform, at resumption of the power supply, restoration processing of the cache data stored in the nonvolatile memory part using the standby state data.“

The patent application was filed on November 20, 2012 (13/681,999).

Optical disc device, control method thereof,
program, and information storage medium
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,245,571) developed by Nishigata, Naoyuki, Chiba, Japan, for a “optical disc device, control method thereof, program, and information storage medium.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”An optical disc device that reads information recorded in an optical disc medium includes an objective lens that focuses light on the optical disc medium, a spherical aberration correction mechanism that changes an amount of spherical aberration of the objective lens according to a setting value of a predetermined parameter, and an evaluation value measurement section that measures an evaluation value indicating the accuracy of reading of information from the optical disc medium. The optical disc device further includes a control section that executes adjustment processing in which the control section carries out plural times of measurement of the evaluation value by the evaluation value measurement section concurrently with changing the amount of spherical aberration of the objective lens by the spherical aberration correction mechanism and calculates an optimum setting value of the parameter based on plural evaluation values obtained by the plural times of measurement.“

The patent application was filed on October 28, 2014 (14/525,567).

Reproducing apparatus
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,245,570) developed by Saito, Kimihiro, and Sekiguchi, Koji, Kanagawa, Japan, for a “reproducing apparatus and reproducing method.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”Provided is a reproducing apparatus including: an optical system that obtains a signal light by radiating light emitted from a light source and generates a reference light from the light emitted from the light source, with respect to a recording medium, and that generates first to fourth groups of the signal light beams and the reference light beams, with respect to the superposed light in which the signal light and the reference light are superposed onto each other, a light receiving unit that receives light beams of the first to fourth groups of the signal light beams and the reference light beams respectively through first to fourth light receiving elements, and a reproduction signal generation circuit that calculates a first differential signal and a second differential signal, and that generates a reproduction signal by performing an arithmetic operation using the first and second differential signals.“

The patent application was filed on July 1, 2014 (14/320,856).

Memory component, memory device
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,240,549) developed by Ohba, Kazuhiro, Miyagi, Japan, Yasuda, Shuichiro, Mizuguchi, Tetsuya, Kanagawa, Japan, Aratani, Katsuhisa, Aichi, Japan, Shimuta, Masayuki, Kouchiyama, Akira, Kanagawa, Japan, and Ogasawara, Mayumi, Miyagi, Japan, for a “memory component, memory device, and method of operating memory device.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A memory component including first and second electrodes with a memory layer therebetween, the memory layer having first and second memory layers, the first memory layer containing aluminum and a chalcogen element of tellurium, the second memory layer between the first memory layer and the first electrode and containing an aluminum oxide and at least one of a transition metal oxide and a transition metal oxynitride having a lower resistance than the aluminum oxide.“

The patent application was filed on March 7, 2014 (14/201,376).

Memory control apparatus
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,229,714) developed by Ishii, Ken, Tokyo, Japan, Tsutsui, Keiichi, Kanagawa, Japan, Fujinami, Yasushi, Nakanishi, Kenichi, Adachi, Naohiro, Tokyo, Japan, Okubo, Hideaki, Saitama, Japan, and Shinbashi, Tatsuo, Tokyo, Japan, for a “memory control apparatus, memory apparatus, information processing system, and processing method for use therewith.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”There is provided a memory control apparatus including: a pre-read processing section reading pre-read data from a data area to be written to before a write process in a predetermined data area of a memory cell array, a conversion determination section which, upon selectively allowing the pre-read data to transition to either a first conversion candidate or a second conversion candidate of the write data to be written in the write process, generates a determination result for selecting either of the candidates based on the larger of two values of which one is the number of bits transitioning from the first value to the second value and of which the other is the number of bits transitioning from the second value to the first value, and a conversion control section selecting either of the candidates in accordance with the determination result.“

The patent application was filed on April 30, 2013 (13/873,679).

Memory element and memory device
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,224,942) developed by Yamane, Kazutaka, Kanagawa, Japan, Hosomi, Masanori, Tokyo, Japan, Ohmori, Hiroyuki, Bessho, Kazuhiro, Higo, Yutaka, and Uchida, Hiroyuki, Kanagawa, Japan, for a “memory element and memory device.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”There is disclosed a memory element including a layered structure including a memory layer that has a magnetization perpendicular to a film face, a magnetization-fixed layer, and an insulating layer provided between the memory layer. An electron that is spin-polarized is injected in a lamination direction of a layered structure, a magnitude of an effective diamagnetic field which the memory layer receives is smaller than a saturated magnetization amount of the memory layer, in regard to the insulating layer that comes into contact with the memory layer, and the other side layer with which the memory layer comes into contact at a side opposite to the insulating layer, at least an interface that comes into contact with the memory layer is formed of an oxide film, and the memory layer includes at least one of non-magnetic metal and oxide in addition to a Co–Fe–B magnetic layer.“

The patent application was filed on October 16, 2013 (14/055,386).

Memory access control circuit
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,223,704) developed by Kimori, Yoshitaka, Tokyo, Japan, for a “memory access control circuit, prefetch circuit, memory device and information processing system.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”Disclosed herein is a memory access control circuit including: a determination section adapted to determine whether a target requested by a first wraparound memory access request from a processor is stored in a prefetch buffer, a request generation section adapted to generate a second wraparound memory access request including the target if it is determined that the target is not stored in the prefetch buffer, and an address conversion section adapted to convert the start address of the first wraparound memory access request according to predetermined rules for use as a start address of the second wraparound memory access request.“

The patent application was filed on December 16, 2011 (13/328,467).

Storage control apparatus
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,203,262) developed by Yokoyama, Masayuki, Tokyo, Japan, for a “storage control apparatus and storage control method.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”Power generating elements output electromotive force. A path switching unit switches a path for connecting arbitrary power generating elements among the power generating elements. A voltage converting unit is a DC-DC converter that converts voltage levels of outputs of some of the power generating elements. A path switching control unit controls the path switching unit such that a set of power generating elements where a sum of maximum power point voltages falls within a range of an appropriate charging voltage of a storage element is connected to a short-circuit path and the other power generating elements are connected to a transformation path. A voltage conversion control unit controls a transformation rate of voltage conversion in the voltage converting unit such that a voltage in the transformation path and a voltage in the short-circuit path become equal to each other.“

The patent application was filed on November 9, 2010 (13/505,969).

Memory element and memory device
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,203,018) developed by Ohba, Kazuhiro, Sone, Takeyuki, Miyagi, Japan, Shimuta, Masayuki, and Yasuda, Shuichiro, Kanagawa, Japan, for a “memory element and memory device.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A memory element with a first electrode, a memory layer, and a second electrode in this order. The memory layer includes a resistance change layer provided on the first electrode side, an ion source layer provided on the second electrode side, an intermediate layer provided between the resistance change layer and the ion source layer, and a barrier layer provided at least either between the ion source layer and the intermediate layer, or between the intermediate layer and the resistance change layer.“

The patent application was filed on March 4, 2014 (14/196,240).

Storage controlling apparatus
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,202,563) developed by Fujinami, Yasushi, Adachi, Naohiro, Ishii, Ken, Tokyo, Japan, Okubo, Hideaki, Saitama, Japan, Tsutsui, Keiichi, Kanagawa, Japan, Nakanishi, Kenichi, and Shinbashi, Tatsuo, Tokyo, Japan, for a “storage controlling apparatus, storage apparatus and processing method.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A storage controlling apparatus includes a command decoder and command processing section. The command decoder decides whether or not a plurality of access object addresses of different commands included in a command string correspond to words different from each other in a same one of blocks of a memory cell array which have a common plate. The command processing section collectively and successively executes, when it is decided that the access object addresses of the commands correspond to the words different from each other in the same block of the memory cell array, those of operations in processing of the commands in which an equal voltage is applied as a drive voltage between the plate and a bit line.“

The patent application was filed on April 2, 2013 (13/855,155).

Memory element and memory device
with ion source layer and resistance change layer
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,202,560) developed by Mizuguchi, Tetsuya, Kanagawa, Japan, Ohba, Kazuhiro, Miyagi, Japan, Yasuda, Shuichiro, Shimuta, Masayuki, Kouchiyama, Akira, and Sei, Hiroaki, Kanagawa, Japan, for a “memory element and memory device with ion source layer and resistance change layer.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”There are provided a memory element and a memory device excellently operating at a low current, and having the satisfactory retention characteristics. The memory element includes a first electrode, a memory layer, and a second electrode in this order. The memory layer includes a resistance change layer disposed on the first electrode side, and being in a single- or multi-layer structure including a layer containing a highest percentage of tellurium, (Te) as an anionic component, and an ion source layer disposed on the second electrode side, and containing a metallic element and one or more chalcogen elements including tellurium, (Te), sulfur, (S), and selenium, (Se) with aluminum, (Al) of 27.7 atomic % or more but 47.4 atomic % or less.“

The patent application was filed on February 23, 2012 (13/403,560).

Optical disc drive configured to incline  chuck pulley relative to turntable
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, has been assigned a patent (9,202,508) developed by Eto, Kazutaka, Tokyo, Japan, for a “optical disk drive configured to incline a chuck pulley relative to a turntable.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”Provided is an optical disk drive including a turntable on which an optical disk is mounted and which rotates the optical disk, a chuck pulley movable in the direction of an axis of the turntable between a first pulley position spaced from the turntable and a second pulley position which is close to the turntable and in which the chuck pulley grips the optical disk together with the turntable, the chuck pulley being attracted toward the turntable by a magnetic force, and a pulley operating mechanism for moving the chuck pulley between the first pulley position and the second pulley position. The pulley operating mechanism, at the time of moving the chuck pulley between the first pulley position and the second pulley position, inclines the chuck pulley in relation to the turntable, and brings the chuck pulley closer to or away from the turntable.“

The patent application was filed on July 7, 2014 (14/324,814).