Patents by Inventor Hirohiko Morikawa

Hirohiko Morikawa 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: 20240127386
    Abstract: A control device that is communicably connected to a vehicle includes a control unit. The control unit executes acquisition of sensor information from a sensor provided in the vehicle, determination of whether the vehicle is parked based on the sensor information, determination of whether a user is staying in the vehicle based on the sensor information, and estimation that the user is staying in the vehicle when a parking time of the vehicle exceeds a first reference value and a staying time of the user exceeds a second reference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hirohiko Morikawa
  • Publication number: 20240096101
    Abstract: A server includes a control unit. The control unit determines whether a parked vehicle is used as a shelter based on a first image which is included in an image captured by a camera and which is obtained by imaging the vehicle and surroundings of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yui SUGIE, Koichi SUZUKI, Naoki UENOYAMA, Hiroki TAKEDA, Hirohiko MORIKAWA, Genshi KUNO
  • Patent number: 11900684
    Abstract: A server includes a control unit. The control unit determines whether a parked vehicle is used as a shelter based on a first image which is included in an image captured by a camera and which is obtained by imaging the vehicle and surroundings of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yui Sugie, Koichi Suzuki, Naoki Uenoyama, Hiroki Takeda, Hirohiko Morikawa, Genshi Kuno
  • Patent number: 11893652
    Abstract: A control device that is communicably connected to a vehicle includes a control unit. The control unit executes acquisition of sensor information from a sensor provided in the vehicle, determination of whether the vehicle is parked based on the sensor information, determination of whether a user is staying in the vehicle based on the sensor information, and estimation that the user is staying in the vehicle when a parking time of the vehicle exceeds a first reference value and a staying time of the user exceeds a second reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hirohiko Morikawa
  • Publication number: 20220201446
    Abstract: A method that is performed by an information processing device that communicates with a plurality of vehicles includes identifying any vehicle located in a disaster area out of the plurality of vehicles, sending a first message asking a user of the identified vehicle whether the vehicle is being used as an evacuation spot for spending the night, and determining whether the vehicle is being used as the evacuation spot, based on a first response to the first message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yui SUGIE, Koichi SUZUKI, Naoki UENOYAMA, Hiroki TAKEDA, Hirohiko MORIKAWA, Genshi KUNO
  • Publication number: 20220198484
    Abstract: An information processing device includes a communication unit and a control unit. The communication unit is configured to be able to acquire purchase information indicating that a user has purchased a predetermined item. The control unit is configured to be able to accumulate the purchase information and determine a satisfaction level of a predetermined requirement for sheltering in a vehicle that is used as an evacuation shelter based on the purchase information that has been accumulated. The predetermined item is an item that is available for sheltering in the vehicle when a disaster occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yui SUGIE, Koichi SUZUKI, Naoki UENOYAMA, Hiroki TAKEDA, Hirohiko MORIKAWA, Genshi KUNO
  • Publication number: 20220198805
    Abstract: A server includes a control unit. The control unit determines whether a parked vehicle is used as a shelter based on a first image which is included in an image captured by a camera and which is obtained by imaging the vehicle and surroundings of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yui SUGIE, Koichi SUZUKI, Naoki UENOYAMA, Hiroki TAKEDA, Hirohiko MORIKAWA, Genshi KUNO
  • Publication number: 20220114691
    Abstract: A control device that is communicably connected to a vehicle includes a control unit. The control unit executes acquisition of sensor information from a sensor provided in the vehicle, determination of whether the vehicle is parked based on the sensor information, determination of whether a user is staying in the vehicle based on the sensor information, and estimation that the user is staying in the vehicle when a parking time of the vehicle exceeds a first reference value and a staying time of the user exceeds a second reference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirohiko Morikawa
  • Patent number: 10249907
    Abstract: Provided is a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery with better battery performance than in the past, by forming an SEI coat with very little non-uniformity on the surface of the negative electrode active material layer. The invention provides a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery in which an electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte are contained in a battery case. In this secondary battery, the nonaqueous electrolyte contains a crown ether that forms a complex with a sodium ion, and the negative electrode includes a negative current collector, a negative electrode active material layer containing a negative electrode active material formed on the surface of the current collector, and a coat including an oxalato complex structure and provided on at least part of the surface of the negative electrode active material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahiro Sakurai, Hiroyasu Kado, Hirohiko Morikawa, Hisanao Kojima
  • Publication number: 20170222263
    Abstract: Provided is a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery with better battery performance than in the past, by forming an SEI coat with very little non-uniformity on the surface of the negative electrode active material layer. The invention provides a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery in which an electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte are contained in a battery case. In this secondary battery, the nonaqueous electrolyte contains a crown ether that forms a complex with a sodium ion, and the negative electrode includes a negative current collector, a negative electrode active material layer containing a negative electrode active material formed on the surface of the current collector, and a coat including an oxalato complex structure and provided on at least part of the surface of the negative electrode active material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahiro SAKURAI, Hiroyasu KADO, Hirohiko MORIKAWA, Hisanao KOJIMA
  • Patent number: 6425644
    Abstract: A braking pressure control apparatus for a hydraulically operated brake, including a first hydraulic system having a first hydraulic pressure source power-operated to pressurize a working fluid and capable of controlling the fluid pressure, for operating the brake, a second hydraulic system having a second hydraulic pressure source operable by an operating force acting on a manually operable brake operating member, to pressurize the working fluid to a pressure higher than a level corresponding to the operating force, for operating the brake, a switching device operable to selectively establish a first state in which the brake is operated with the pressurized fluid delivered from the first hydraulic pressure source, and a second state in which the brake is operated with the pressurized fluid delivered from the second hydraulic pressure source, and a diagnosing device operable to diagnose the second hydraulic system on the basis of the fluid pressure in the second hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumiaki Kawahata, Tetsuya Miyazaki, Hirohiko Morikawa, Akihiro Otomo
  • Publication number: 20010006308
    Abstract: A braking pressure control apparatus for a hydraulically operated brake, including a first hydraulic system having a first hydraulic pressure source power-operated to pressurize a working fluid and capable of controlling the fluid pressure, for operating the brake, a second hydraulic system having a second hydraulic pressure source operable by an operating force acting on a manually operable brake operating member, to pressurize the working fluid to a pressure higher than a level corresponding to the operating force, for operating the brake, a switching device operable to selectively establish a first state in which the brake is operated with the pressurized fluid delivered from the first hydraulic pressure source, and a second state in which the brake is operated with the pressurized fluid delivered from the second hydraulic pressure source, and a diagnosing device operable to diagnose the second hydraulic system on the basis of the fluid pressure in the second hydraulic system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumiaki Kawahata, Tetsuya Miyazaki, Hirohiko Morikawa, Akihiro Otomo
  • Patent number: 6123397
    Abstract: In a brake fluid control device, front wheel cylinders are connected to a front hydraulic circuit, and rear wheel cylinders are connected to a rear hydraulic circuit. The front hydraulic circuit and the rear hydraulic circuit are connected to a front left pressure-decrease valve, a front right pressure-decrease valve, a rear left pressure-decrease valve, a rear right pressure-decrease valve and a connecting pipe. When a brake pedal is depressed, the front left pressure-decrease valve, the front right pressure-decrease valve, the rear left pressure-decrease valve and the rear right pressure-decrease valve are opened and a master cylinder pressure sensor leads to both the front hydraulic circuit and the rear hydraulic circuit. Comparing a detection value of the of the master cylinder pressure sensor, a detection value of a front wheel cylinder pressure sensor and a detection value of a rear wheel cylinder pressure sensor respectively, detects the state of operation of each of the sensors provided in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Ohtomo, Akira Sakai, Fumiaki Kawahata, Hirohiko Morikawa, Kiyoharu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6007164
    Abstract: A brake fluid pressure control apparatus achieves a sufficiently large brake force even when a malfunction occurs in an operational force sensor for detecting a level of operational force applied to a brake system. A magnitude of a master cylinder pressure generated by a master cylinder is detected by a master cylinder pressure sensor. A linear fluid pressure source generates a linear fluid pressure adjusted by the magnitude of the master cylinder pressure. Front wheel cylinders and rear wheel cylinders are provided with the linear fluid pressure. A front wheel cylinder pressure is detected and a front wheel cylinder pressure value corresponding to a magnitude of the front wheel cylinder pressure is output by a front wheel cylinder sensor. If it is determined that a malfunction is occurring in the operational force sensor, a connection of the front wheel cylinders is switched from the linear fluid pressure source to the master cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Sakai, Akihiro Ohtomo, Fumiaki Kawahata, Hirohiko Morikawa, Kiyoharu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5992949
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake control apparatus in which a master cylinder supplies a brake fluid pressure responsive to a brake operating force to wheel cylinders through a first valve, includes a first control unit which controls second valves and third valves when a brake fluid pressure supplied to the wheel cylinders by a pressure supplying device is detected to be excessively high under a condition in which the supply of the brake fluid pressure to the wheel cylinders by the master cylinder is inhibited by the first valve, so that the supply of the brake fluid pressure to the wheel cylinders by the pressure supplying device is inhibited by the second valves and a flow of the brake fluid from the wheel cylinders into a reservoir tank is allowed by the third valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyoharu Nakamura, Fumiaki Kawahata, Masayasu Ohkubo, Hirohiko Morikawa, Akira Sakai, Akihiro Ohtomo
  • Patent number: 5979997
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake control apparatus includes a pressure supply inhibiting unit which inhibits supply of a brake fluid pressure to wheel cylinders by a first pressure supplying unit when a defect in a brake fluid path between a first flow control unit and the wheel cylinders has occurred, and inhibits supply of a brake fluid pressure to the wheel cylinders by a second pressure supplying unit when a defect in a brake fluid path between a second flow control unit and the wheel cylinders has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masayasu Ohkubo, Fumiaki Kawahata, Amane Shimura, Hirohiko Morikawa, Akira Sakai, Akihiro Ohtomo
  • Patent number: 5951120
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake control apparatus in which a master cylinder is connected to wheel cylinders via a master cylinder cut valve, and the wheel cylinders are connected to a reservoir tank via a switching valve, includes a check valve provided between the master cylinder and the wheel cylinders in parallel with the master cylinder cut valve, the check valve provided in a bypass passage of the master cylinder cut valve, the check valve allowing a flow of a brake fluid from the master cylinder to the wheel cylinders and inhibiting a flow of the brake fluid from the wheel cylinders to the master cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Amane Shimura, Hirohiko Morikawa, Fumiaki Kawahata, Kiyoharu Nakamura, Akira Sakai, Akihiro Ohtomo
  • Patent number: 5865453
    Abstract: When oil is discharged from an actuator 11i for lowering a vehicle height, an actuator pressure Pa is higher than a pump pressure Pp so that a differential pressure valve 41 slides its valving element 42 to the left by a pressure difference. A valving element seal portion 42b, abutted against a seat face 43a closing an opening of a lower return conduit 40b, moves from seat face 43a and open to lower return conduit 40b. As a result, the closure of the connected portion in the lower return conduit 40b is opened. Thus, the passage of a return conduit 40 is opened. Then, the oil from the actuator 11i is discharged via the return conduit 40 to the reserve tank 16 while receiving less flow resistance by avoiding a passage through any solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Harada, Hirohiko Morikawa, Tomomasa Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5114216
    Abstract: An anti-lock brake system for a wheel wherein a fluid pressure is applied to a wheel cylinder, through a solenoid-operated valve device and a flow control device. Upon detection of locking of the wheel, the valve device is brought into an anti-lock state in which the valve device is alternately placed in its pressure-increase and pressure-decrease positions. The flow control device is normally placed in a first mode for a sufficient flow of the fluid into the wheel cylinder, and is operated in a second mode with the valve device placed in the anti-lock state. In the second mode, the flow control device decreases the rate of fluid flow to the wheel cylinder, with an increase in a difference between the power source pressure and the wheel cylinder pressure. An assisting device is provided for enabling the flow control device to adequaely effect the first mode of operation for at least a period between commencement of brake application and commencement of anti-lock operation of the valve device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Tsuda, Hiroyoshi Kako, Hirohiko Morikawa, Noboru Noguchi, Nobuyasu Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 4957330
    Abstract: A braking device having a high-pressure hydraulic system including a hydraulic pressure source, a wheel-cylinder hydraulic system including a wheel cylinder for applying brake to a vehicle wheel, a low-pressure hydraulic system including a reservoir, a solenoid-operated directional control valve device for fluid communication of the wheel-cylinder hydraulic system selectively with the high-pressure hydraulic system or the low-pressure hydraulic system, an electric control device connected to the directional control valve device to control the wheel cylinder pressure, and a variable flow restrictor device disposed in the high-pressure hydraulic system or the wheel-cylinder hydraulic system, for decreasing a rate of flow of the fluid through the high-pressure or wheel-cylinder hydraulic system, with an increase in a pressure difference between the high-pressure and wheel-cylinder hydraulic systems, and with an increase in a pressure in the wheel-cylinder hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirohiko Morikawa, Hiroyoshi Kako, Noboru Noguchi, Nobuyasu Nakanishi