Market Context — Why This Technology, Why Now

Global demand for energy-efficient electronics is surging due to environmental regulations, rising energy costs, and the proliferation of battery-powered devices. This technology directly supports the transition to more sustainable computing by drastically cutting memory power consumption. It aligns with industry pressures to reduce carbon footprints and extend device longevity, offering a critical advantage in competitive markets like IoT, wearables, and cloud infrastructure.

Key Competitive Advantages
01

Reduces Power Consumption by 80%

02

Ensures Stable Data Retention

03

Versatile for Broad Applications

Market Opportunity
IoT Devices
$1.5B–$2.5B globally (AI est.)
With numerous sensors and communication modules, battery-powered IoT devices critically depend on low-power memory for product lifespan and performance.
IoT module manufacturers Smart sensor developers Edge computing hardware providers Industrial automation solution providers
Wearable Devices
$0.5B–$1.5B globally (AI est.)
Miniaturization and extended operating times are crucial for wearable devices, where memory power efficiency directly impacts user experience. This technology could significantly extend battery life.
Smartwatch and fitness tracker OEMs Augmented reality headset manufacturers Medical wearable device companies Consumer electronics brands
Data Centers
$3B–$4B globally (AI est.)
Server memory consumes vast amounts of power; reducing this directly contributes to operational cost savings, reduced cooling loads, and supports ESG initiatives.
Cloud infrastructure providers Server hardware manufacturers Hyperscale data center operators Enterprise storage solution providers
IP Defensibility — Why Competitors Can't Replicate This
What This Patent Covers

This patent protects an electronic circuit featuring memory cells with switchable operating modes (hysteresis/no-hysteresis) and a control circuit for low-voltage data retention. Its broad claims, spanning 14 items, were granted after successfully overcoming examiner rejections, indicating a robust and clearly defined scope of protection.

Competitive White Space

This patent focuses on memory cell architecture. Licensees could develop higher-level system-on-chip (SoC) designs or integrate with novel non-volatile memory materials without conflict.

Economic Impact
~$800K/year estimated power cost reduction per enterprise (est.)
estimated ROI · USD · AI analysis
ROI Calculation Logic

Assuming an enterprise manufactures 1 million IoT devices annually incorporating this technology, achieving an 80% power reduction in the memory portion of each device. With an estimated annual power cost saving of $0.80/device (AI est.), the total annual power cost reduction could reach $800K (AI est.).

Speed to Market
6× faster than in-house development
This technology pertains to memory cells, a fundamental component of electronic circuits, and is estimated to be relatively easy to integrate into existing semiconductor manufacturing processes and design flows. With established foundational circuit design technology, adopting this patent could significantly shorten development timelines compared to in-house development, enabling faster market entry for licensees.
Competitive Positioning

X: Power Efficiency
Y: Data Retention Stability

Business Models & Applications
💡 Product Integration Licensing
A model where licensees integrate this technology into their semiconductor products or electronic devices to achieve product differentiation and higher value, generating license fees.
🤝 Joint Development & Technology Transfer
A model that accelerates product lineup expansion and market entry for licensees through joint development focused on specific applications, optimizing this technology.
🏗️ IP Core Provision
A model that provides this technology as an IP core, allowing semiconductor manufacturers to easily integrate it into their chip designs, thereby building a broad ecosystem.
Adjacent Application Opportunities
🔋 Battery-Powered Devices
Ultra-Long Endurance IoT Sensor Modules
By utilizing memory cells incorporating this technology, battery life for environmental monitoring sensors in remote areas or logistics tracking devices could be extended several-fold. This significantly reduces maintenance and charging efforts, dramatically lowering operational costs.
🚗 Automotive Electronics
Low-Power Automotive ECU Memory
Integrating this technology into ECUs for autonomous driving or infotainment systems could reduce the load on automotive batteries, contributing to extended range for electric vehicles. It also helps suppress heat generation, potentially improving system reliability and enabling miniaturization.
🏥 Medical & Healthcare
Extended Battery Life for Wearable Medical Devices
Applying this technology to wearable medical devices like heart rate monitors or glucose meters could reduce battery replacement frequency, enhancing patient convenience. It supports continuous data collection for applications requiring constant monitoring.
Integration Roadmap — Estimated 18-Month Deployment
Phase 1: Technical Evaluation & Conceptual Design
Duration: 3 months
Evaluate the basic circuit design for compatibility with the licensee's existing systems and conduct conceptual architecture design. This phase confirms compatibility with existing LSI design flows.
Phase 2: Prototype Development & Verification
Duration: 9 months
Based on the conceptual design, develop and manufacture prototype circuits incorporating this technology. Conduct functional verification, performance evaluation, and power consumption measurements through simulation and physical testing to confirm practicality.
Phase 3: Product Implementation & Mass Production
Duration: 6 months
Utilizing insights from prototype verification, proceed with final product implementation design. Optimize integration with existing mass production processes, undergo reliability testing, and establish market launch and mass production systems.
Technical Feasibility
This technology focuses on optimizing memory cells at the electronic circuit level and is estimated to have high compatibility with existing CMOS process technologies and LSI design tools. The bistable circuit and control circuit configurations described in the claims could be implemented by maximizing existing semiconductor design assets, requiring no significant capital investment or new manufacturing process development, thus presenting relatively low technical integration hurdles.
Success Scenario
If this technology is adopted, a licensee's IoT devices could see their battery life extended by up to 2x, potentially halving product maintenance frequency and improving user satisfaction. Applied to data center servers, it could reduce memory power consumption by up to 20% annually, leading to significant operational cost reductions and decreased cooling loads.
Patent Record
APPLICATION NO.
特願2021-522653
REGISTRATION NO.
7430407
FILING DATE
2020/03/18
GRANT DATE
2024/02/02
EXPIRATION DATE
2040/03/18
PATENT HOLDER
国立研究開発法人科学技術振興機構
Examination History
2021年12月06日
手続補正書（自発・内容）
2022年12月12日
出願審査請求書
2023年10月10日
拒絶理由通知書
2023年12月08日
意見書
2023年12月08日
手続補正書（自発・内容）
2023年12月26日
特許査定