Patents by Inventor Kazutoshi Ebe

Kazutoshi Ebe 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: 10568148
    Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to controlling a mobile device to provide notices within a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes, in response to an electronic signal indicating an occurrence of an event associated with the vehicle, identifying whether a mobile device is actively in use by a passenger of the vehicle. The method further includes determining a viewing orientation for a display of the mobile device by analyzing state information from the mobile device about a present mode of operation for the display in relation to a relative alignment with the vehicle. The method also includes controlling the mobile device to display the notice according to the viewing orientation by wirelessly instructing the mobile device to render the notice on the display as a function of the viewing orientation to display the notice relative to an alignment between the vehicle and the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikiya Ishihara, Yi Li, Kazutoshi Ebe
  • Patent number: 10527450
    Abstract: A navigation apparatus for an autonomous vehicle includes circuitry configured to receive at least one route between a start location and a destination, display the at least one route on a first screen that allows selection of a first set of routes from the at least one route, receive a plurality of characteristics corresponding to each of the at least one route. Each characteristic of the plurality of characteristics is associated with a measure and a longest block within which each characteristic can be performed continuously. The circuitry further configured to divide a route of the at least one route to generate a plurality of segments based on the plurality of characteristics, and display the first set of routes, the plurality of characteristics corresponding to the first set of routes, the measure and the longest block corresponding to the plurality of characteristics on a second screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: John-Michael McNew, Kazutoshi Ebe, Danil V. Prokhorov, Michael J. Delp
  • Patent number: 10166996
    Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to adaptively communicating notices to passengers within a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes in response to receiving a notice about an occurrence of an event, determining a viewing orientation of a passenger in the vehicle according to at least one electronic input that indicates information about a physical position of the passenger within the vehicle. The event is an incident associated with the vehicle for which the passenger is to be informed. The method also includes selecting at least one alerting device from available communication devices in the vehicle according to the viewing orientation by determining which of the available communication devices correspond with the viewing orientation of the passenger. The method further includes controlling the at least one alerting device to communicate the notice to the passenger about the occurrence of the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikiya Ishihara, Yi Li, Kazutoshi Ebe
  • Publication number: 20180222490
    Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to adaptively communicating notices to passengers within a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes in response to receiving a notice about an occurrence of an event, determining a viewing orientation of a passenger in the vehicle according to at least one electronic input that indicates information about a physical position of the passenger within the vehicle. The event is an incident associated with the vehicle for which the passenger is to be informed. The method also includes selecting at least one alerting device from available communication devices in the vehicle according to the viewing orientation by determining which of the available communication devices correspond with the viewing orientation of the passenger. The method further includes controlling the at least one alerting device to communicate the notice to the passenger about the occurrence of the event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Mikiya Ishihara, Yi Li, Kazutoshi Ebe
  • Publication number: 20180211527
    Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to controlling a mobile device to provide notices within a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes, in response to an electronic signal indicating an occurrence of an event associated with the vehicle, identifying whether a mobile device is actively in use by a passenger of the vehicle. The method further includes determining a viewing orientation for a display of the mobile device by analyzing state information from the mobile device about a present mode of operation for the display in relation to a relative alignment with the vehicle. The method also includes controlling the mobile device to display the notice according to the viewing orientation by wirelessly instructing the mobile device to render the notice on the display as a function of the viewing orientation to display the notice relative to an alignment between the vehicle and the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Mikiya Ishihara, Yi Li, Kazutoshi Ebe
  • Patent number: 9902266
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle that provides personal convenience reminders to a user of a vehicle. The system accesses an off board system such as a personal electronic device of the user to display the personal convenience reminders. The system can also access various off board applications in response to the personal electronic device of the user to further refine the personal convenience reminders in response to a user selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Pisz, Jason A. Schulz, Kazutoshi Ebe, Pujitha Gunaratne, Warren Jing Po Chou
  • Patent number: 9791857
    Abstract: A computing device for a vehicle is provided. The computing device includes one or more processors for controlling operation of the computing device, and a memory for storing data and program instructions usable by the one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to receive sensor data relating to operation of an autonomous driving assistance system, process the received sensor data to derive a value for an assistance system data quality parameter, compare the quality parameter value to a reference, and generate a notification including a result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Ebe
  • Publication number: 20170291544
    Abstract: Arrangements herein relate to an adaptive-alert system for an autonomous vehicle. The system can include a communications circuit interface that can be configured to communicate with an occupant sensor and to receive from the sensor physical state information associated with the occupant. Some of the physical state information may be acquired by the sensor prior to the occupant engaging the vehicle. The system can also include a processor and a warning circuit that can be configured to generate alerts having different levels of severity. The processor can be configured to cause the warning circuit to generate the alerts in response to a detected operational hazard and receive from the communications circuit interface the physical state information associated with the occupant. The processor can also be configured to, based on the received physical state information, cause a level of severity for at least one of the alerts to be adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Mikiya Ishihara, Yi Li, Kazutoshi Ebe
  • Publication number: 20170284823
    Abstract: A navigation apparatus for an autonomous vehicle includes circuitry configured to receive at least one route between a start location and a destination, display the at least one route on a first screen that allows selection of a first set of routes from the at least one route, receive a plurality of characteristics corresponding to each of the at least one route. Each characteristic of the plurality of characteristics is associated with a measure and a longest block within which each characteristic can be performed continuously. The circuitry further configured to divide a route of the at least one route to generate a plurality of segments based on the plurality of characteristics, and display the first set of routes, the plurality of characteristics corresponding to the first set of routes, the measure and the longest block corresponding to the plurality of characteristics on a second screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: John-Michael MCNEW, Kazutoshi EBE, Danil V. PROKHOROV, Michael J. DELP
  • Publication number: 20170261974
    Abstract: A computing device for a vehicle is provided. The computing device includes one or more processors for controlling operation of the computing device, and a memory for storing data and program instructions usable by the one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to receive sensor data relating to operation of an autonomous driving assistance system, process the received sensor data to derive a value for an assistance system data quality parameter, compare the quality parameter value to a reference, and generate a notification including a result of the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Ebe
  • Patent number: 9581460
    Abstract: A navigation apparatus for an autonomous vehicle includes circuitry configured to receive at least one route between a start location and a destination, display the at least one route on a first screen that allows selection of a first set of routes from the at least one route, receive a plurality of characteristics corresponding to each of the at least one route. Each characteristic of the plurality of characteristics is associated with a measure and a longest block within which each characteristic can be performed continuously. The circuitry further configured to divide a route of the at least one route to generate a plurality of segments based on the plurality of characteristics, and display the first set of routes, the plurality of characteristics corresponding to the first set of routes, the measure and the longest block corresponding to the plurality of characteristics on a second screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: John-Michael McNew, Kazutoshi Ebe, Danil V. Prokhorov, Michael J. Delp
  • Patent number: 9536411
    Abstract: A computer storage medium has embodied thereon computer-readable instructions that, when executed, perform a method for identifying biometric markers within a vehicle. The method includes detecting a biometric marker of a driver within the vehicle and displaying data associated with the biometric marker to the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: James Peter Foley, Emery Charles Gulash, Kazutoshi Ebe, Yifan Jiang, Warren Jing Po Chou
  • Patent number: 9373239
    Abstract: A computing device, methods, and systems for providing in-vehicle prescription and medical reminders are disclosed. One example method for providing in-vehicle prescription and medical reminders includes identifying a vehicle occupant; determining, based on medical information associated with the occupant, whether a medical activity is due to be performed; and alerting the occupant if a medical activity is due to be performed. An example medical activity includes administering prescription medication. Example implementations include identifying the occupant based at least in part on biometric data; alerting the occupant by a visual, audible, or haptic alert; prompting the occupant to provide a response acknowledging the alert; and notifying designated third parties. The medical information can be received from an online profile or obtained through vital-sign sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Ebe
  • Publication number: 20160042627
    Abstract: A computer storage medium has embodied thereon computer-readable instructions that, when executed, perform a method for identifying biometric markers within a vehicle. The method includes detecting a biometric marker of a driver within the vehicle and displaying data associated with the biometric marker to the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: James Peter Foley, Emery Charles Gulash, Kazutoshi Ebe, Yifan Jiang, Warren Jing Po Chou
  • Publication number: 20160019767
    Abstract: A computing device, methods, and systems for providing in-vehicle prescription and medical reminders are disclosed. One example method for providing in-vehicle prescription and medical reminders includes identifying a vehicle occupant; determining, based on medical information associated with the occupant, whether a medical activity is due to be performed; and alerting the occupant if a medical activity is due to be performed. An example medical activity includes administering prescription medication. Example implementations include identifying the occupant based at least in part on biometric data; alerting the occupant by a visual, audible, or haptic alert; prompting the occupant to provide a response acknowledging the alert; and notifying designated third parties. The medical information can be received from an online profile or obtained through vital-sign sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Ebe
  • Publication number: 20150077272
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle that provides personal convenience reminders to a user of a vehicle. The system accesses an off board system such as a personal electronic device of the user to display the personal convenience reminders. The system can also access various off board applications in response to the personal electronic device of the user to further refine the personal convenience reminders in response to a user selection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: James T. Pisz, Jason A. Schulz, Kazutoshi Ebe, Pujitha Gunaratne, Warren Jing Po Chou
  • Publication number: 20110152709
    Abstract: A mobile body control device includes: a brain activity detecting unit that detects brain activity information of a user; a brain signal separating unit that separates an artifact component from the brain activity information detected by the brain activity detecting unit; a control signal generating unit that slides a sampling period for extracting brain data, at predetermined intervals in an overlapped manner in the brain activity information from which the artifact component is separated, successively calculates feature values for the brain data within each of the sampling periods obtained by sliding, and generates a control signal based on the feature values calculated; and a drive control unit that drives and controls a mobile body with a user riding thereon, based on the control signal generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, RIKEN
    Inventors: Hitoshi Yamada, Tomoya Takatani, Kazutoshi Ebe, Andrzej Cichocki, Kyuwan Choi