Patents by Inventor Kota Watanabe

Kota Watanabe 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: 20170231446
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner main body capable of picking up images over a wide range by a camera securely without being interrupted by any obstacles. The vacuum cleaner main body includes a main casing, a camera capable of picking up images and provided in the main casing, driving wheels for enabling the main casing to travel, a sensor part provided in the main casing to detect a distance to an obstacle around the main casing, and a control unit. The control unit has at least a traveling mode and an image pickup mode. In the image pickup mode, the control unit makes the main casing autonomously travel to an image pickup position where no obstacles within a certain distance around the main casing are detected by the sensor part and where still images in a plurality of directions are picked up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: TOSHIBA LIFESTYLE PRODUCTS & SERVICES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kota WATANABE, Hirokazu IZAWA, Kazuhiro FURUTA, Yuuki MARUTANI
  • Publication number: 20170231447
    Abstract: An autonomous mobile apparatus such that damage to a camera thereof can be avoided. The autonomous mobile apparatus includes: a main body case; a running gear for moving the main body case when placed on the floor; a driving force source for driving the running gear; a robot controller for controlling the driving force source so that the main body case autonomously moves on the floor; a bumper disposed on the front side of the main body case; and a camera unit disposed on the rear side of a side surface of the main body case and images the area behind the main body case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: TOSHIBA LIFESTYLE PRODUCTS & SERVICES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirokazu IZAWA, Yuuki MARUTANI, Kota WATANABE, Kazuhiro FURUTA
  • Publication number: 20170215672
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner main body includes a main body case, a camera provided in the main body case and that can perform imaging at a given angle of view, a driving wheel that allows the main body case to travel, and a controller. The controller includes at least a traveling mode and an imaging mode. In the traveling mode, the controller controls the drive of the driving wheel to allow the main body case to travel autonomously. In the imaging mode, the controller controls the main body case to autonomously travel to a given imaging position so that the camera sequentially images still images in a plurality of adjacent directions at an angle equal to or smaller than the angle of view. The vacuum cleaner main body can securely image, with the camera, a wide range without any blind spots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: TOSHIBA LIFESTYLE PRODUCTS & SERVICES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kota WATANABE, Hirokazu IZAWA, Kazuhiro FURUTA, Yuuki MARUTANI
  • Publication number: 20170187992
    Abstract: A camera device for use in a storage unit includes a case configured to be detachably installable inside the storage unit to a holder unit configured to hold the case inside the storage unit, an image capturing element provided inside the case and configured to capture an image inside the storage unit where the case is installed, an image capture window provided on a first surface portion of the case and configured for capturing the image inside the storage unit by the image capturing element, and a preventing element configured to prevent the case from being attached to the holder unit in an orientation other than a predetermined orientation. The image capture window is configured for capturing image inside the storage unit by the image capturing element. The holder unit holds the case inside the storage unit. The image capturing element captures the image inside the storage unit with the case being installed in the predetermined orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Applicant: Toshiba Lifestyle Products & Services Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu IZAWA, Kazuhiro FURUTA, Yuuki MARUTANI, Kota WATANABE
  • Patent number: 9661281
    Abstract: A camera device for use in a storage unit includes a case configured to be detachably installable inside the storage unit to a holder unit configured to hold the case inside the storage unit, an image capturing element provided inside the case and configured to capture an image inside the storage unit where the case is installed, an image capture window provided on a first surface portion of the case and configured for capturing the image inside the storage unit by the image capturing element, and a preventing element configured to prevent the case from being attached to the holder unit in an orientation other than a predetermined orientation. The image capture window is configured for capturing image inside the storage unit by the image capturing element. The holder unit holds the case inside the storage unit. The image capturing element captures the image inside the storage unit with the case being installed in the predetermined orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: TOSHIBA LIFESTYLE PRODUCTS & SERVICES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirokazu Izawa, Kazuhiro Furuta, Yuuki Marutani, Kota Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20160216349
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a magnetostatic field magnet, a gradient coil, and a bore tube. The magnetostatic field magnet is formed to have a cylindrical shape. The gradient coil is formed to have a cylindrical shape, on the inside of the magnetostatic field magnet. The bore tube is formed to have a cylindrical shape, on the inside of the gradient coil. A first space between the gradient coil and the bore tube is configured to be kept in a vacuum state while a second space between the gradient coil and the magnetostatic field magnet is configured to be kept in a state not being a vacuum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromitsu TAKAMORI, Kota WATANABE
  • Publication number: 20160182868
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a camera device for use in a storage is provided with a case configured to be installable inside a storage; an image capturing element provided inside the case; and an image capture window provided on a first surface portion of the case and configured for capturing image inside the storage by the image capturing element. The image capturing element is configured to capture image inside the storage where the case is installed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Hirokazu IZAWA, Kazuhiro FURUTA, Yuuki MARUTANI, Kota WATANABE
  • Publication number: 20160182864
    Abstract: One embodiment of a camera system is provided with a camera device serving as an image capturing unit; a communication unit configured to transmit image information captured by the camera device to an external device; and a display terminal configured to display image information captured by the camera device, the display terminal being configured to display at least either of image information captured by the camera device according to prescribed conditions and image information captured according to user instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Hirokazu IZAWA, Kazuhiro FURUTA, Yuuki MARUTANI, Kota WATANABE, Yuki TAKAHASHI, Ryo KAWADA
  • Publication number: 20160169577
    Abstract: A power consumption output device is provided with a power consumption information acquiring unit and an output unit. The power consumption information acquiring unit is configured to acquire power consumption information indicating power consumption of a home appliance. The output unit is configured to output the power consumption of the home appliances along with a reference value. The power consumption of the home appliance is obtained based on the power consumption information acquired by the power consumption information acquiring unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Kota WATANABE, Kazuhiro FURUTA, Yuki TAKAHASHI, Yuuki MARUTANI
  • Publication number: 20160173830
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an image capturing system is configured so that a device for capturing images is communicable with an external device through a communication unit. The image capturing system is provided with an operating unit configured to make settings pertaining to image capturing, an image capturing device serving as the device for capturing images and being configured to produce image data by periodically capturing images based on the settings made to the operating unit and a display unit configured to produce a display output based on the image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Kota WATANABE, Hirokazu IZAWA, Kazuhiro FURUTA, Yuuki MARUTANI
  • Publication number: 20160134811
    Abstract: A camera device of one embodiment is provided with an image capturing unit configured to capture image of a room interior; a receiving unit configured to receive an image capturing instruction for capturing image of the room interior by way of a home appliance; and a camera-side controller being configured to standby in a low-power mode consuming relatively less electric power compared to a normal-operation mode and being configured to capture image of the room interior through the image capturing unit by returning to the normal-operation mode when the receiving unit receives the image capturing instruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Kota WATANABE, Hirokazu IZAWA, Kazuhiro FURUTA, Yuuki MURUTANI
  • Publication number: 20160057394
    Abstract: A refrigerator (1) is provided with an image capturing camera 18 (image capturing unit) configured to capture an image of an interior of a storage chamber (such as a refrigeration chamber 3); and a communication portion (52) (communication unit) configured to transmit image of the interior of the storage chamber captured by the image capturing camera (18) to an external device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Yuuki MARUTANI, Kazuhiro FURUTA, Hirokazu IZAWA, Kota WATANABE, Ryo KAWADA
  • Publication number: 20160047587
    Abstract: A refrigerator provided with an image capturing unit configured to capture an image of an interior of the refrigerator; a mist generator unit configured to spray; a spray port configured to feed the mist sprayed from the mist generator unit to the interior of the refrigerator. The image capturing unit is provided at a location not confronting the spray port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Hironori SASAKI, Kazuhiro FURUTA, Yuuki MARUTANI, Kota WATANABE, Hirokazu IZAWA
  • Publication number: 20160033194
    Abstract: A refrigerator (1) is provided with an image capturing camera 18 (image capturing unit) configured to capture an image of an interior of a storage chamber (such as a refrigeration chamber 3); a communication portion (52) (communication unit) configured to transmit image of the interior of the storage chamber captured by the image capturing camera (18) to an exterior device; wherein the image capturing unit is stored in a recess provided in the interior of the storage chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Katsushi SUMIHIRO, Yuuki MARUTANI, Kazuhiro FURUTA, Hirokazu IZAWA, Kota WATANABE, Ryo KAWADA
  • Publication number: 20150338481
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a gradient coil unit includes a tubular gradient coil and support structures. The tubular gradient coil is configured to apply a gradient magnetic field to an imaging region of magnetic resonance imaging. The support structures are fixed to plural positions of the gradient coil. The support structures are configured to hold the gradient coil on a tubular magnet by applying pressing forces on positions of an edge inside a wall forming the magnet. The pressing forces each has a component in a central axis direction of the magnet. Further, according to another embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes the above mentioned gradient coil unit, a static field magnet and at least one radio frequency coil configured to perform magnetic resonance imaging of an object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Kota WATANABE, Hiromitsu TAKAMORI, Yu UEDA
  • Publication number: 20150211783
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a storage compartment, a door opening and closing a front opening of the storage compartment, a terminal mounting part located on a front of the door so that a portable information terminal is detachably mounted thereon, and a terminal power supply part supplying power to the portable information terminal when the portable information terminal is mounted on the terminal mounting part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Yuuki MARUTANI, Kazuhiro FURUTA, Kenichi TSUKAMOTO, Takuya MASHIMO, Kota WATANABE
  • Publication number: 20150048827
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a gradient coil supporting implement includes three bearings and a mounting main body. At least one of the three bearings is a spherical bearing. Shafts of these bearings are fixed to a static magnetic field magnet of an MRI apparatus. One end side of the mounting main body is fixed to an outer periphery side of an end face of the static magnetic field magnet, at one position via one of the bearings. The other end side of the mounting main body is fixed to an inner periphery side of the end face of the static magnetic field magnet, at two positions via the other two bearings. The mounting main body supports the gradient magnetic field coil unit (installed inside the static magnetic field magnet) in the horizontal direction by being partially made in contact with the gradient magnetic field coil unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Kota WATANABE, Hiromitsu TAKAMORI
  • Publication number: 20140266204
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present embodiments comprises a gantry device, a front light source and an exterior casing of the gantry device. The gantry device has a bore serving as a space where a magnetic resonance image is captured, with the gantry device being configured to acquire, when a subject placed on a couchtop has been moved into the bore by a couch device configured to move the couchtop, a magnetic resonance signal from the subject. The front light source is provided in surroundings of a front opening, with the front opening being an opening of the bore positioned at front of the couch device. The exterior casing of the gantry device, with a portion of the exterior casing being illuminated by light emitted from the front light source, is made of a transparent or translucent material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kota WATANABE, Hiromitsu TAKAMORI
  • Publication number: 20130314089
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a static magnetic field magnet, a gradient coil, a bore tube and a sealed space forming unit. The gradient coil is formed to be approximately cylindrical, arranged in a cylinder of the static magnetic field magnet, and adds a gradient magnetic field to the static magnetic field. The bore tube is formed to be approximately cylindrical and arranged in the cylinder of the gradient coil. The sealed space forming unit forms a sealed space enclosing the gradient coil between an inner circumferential side of the static magnetic field magnet and an outer circumferential side of the bore tube. At least a part of at least one of the side ends of the gradient coil does not make contact with the sealed space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicants: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Ayumi KATSUNUMA, Masatoshi YAMASHITA, Hiromitsu TAKAMORI, Kota WATANABE, Hiroto ASAI
  • Publication number: 20130176037
    Abstract: An environmental information measurement device includes: a power source unit; an environmental information detector; a timer; and a controller. The power source unit generates, from an electromagnetic wave received, a power source voltage to be supplied to a load. The load includes the environmental information detector, the timer, and the controller. The environmental information detector includes a detector including a circuit element having an impedance or an electrostatic capacitance that varies according to a physical amount detected under an environment at a measurement target point, and outputs a signal that varies according to a response characteristic of the detector. The timer measures a duration from the time when measurement is initiated to the time when a voltage of the signal becomes a predetermined detection voltage. The controller controls an operation of the environmental information detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicants: EAST JAPAN RAILWAY COMPANY, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hiroshi Waki, Hajime Igarashi, Kota Watanabe, Hidetoshi Makimura