Patents by Inventor Masaki Shitara

Masaki Shitara 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: 11884169
    Abstract: An exterior structure of a vehicle includes a charging port for external charging and a sensor unit for automated driving. The sensor unit is provided on at least one surface of a front surface, a back surface, and a side surface of the vehicle, and is provided to protrude outside the vehicle from the surface. The charging port is provided below the sensor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuchi Yamanouchi, Masaki Shitara, Ryo Hattori
  • Patent number: 11790307
    Abstract: An information processing device executes: identifying a first region where a predetermined module is insufficient in number, the predetermined module being a module that is attachable to and detachable from a movable object; identifying a second region where the predetermined module is superfluous in number; instructing a movable object equipped with the predetermined module in the second region to provide the superfluous predetermined module to a predetermined movable object; instructing the predetermined movable object to cause the predetermined module to be attached in the second region and transport the predetermined module to the first region; and instructing a movable object not equipped with the predetermined module in the first region to receive the predetermined module transported to the first region by the predetermined movable object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiromichi Dogishi, Masaki Shitara, Keiji Yamashita, Nozomi Kaneko, Naoki Yamamuro, Shunsuke Tanimori, Ryoichi Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 11731510
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle is provided with a touch panel that enables an operator to input vehicle speed control instructions during an automatic driving mode and a mechanical operation unit for inputting driving control instructions. The mechanical operation unit can be stored in a storage compartment covered with a lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KOJIMA INDUSTRIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaki Shitara, Yasukazu Honda, Masahiro Nakamura, Makoto Kato, Eiichi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11584211
    Abstract: An electric vehicle comprises: a main battery which is disposed under the floor of a vehicle interior; a front seat which is provided for a front part of the vehicle interior; a front housing chamber which is formed under a seating surface of the front seat; and an air-suspension device including an air spring which is made to expand and contract by air pressure, an air compressor which compresses air, and one or more first surge tanks which store high-pressure air or low-pressure air, in which the first surge tanks and the air compressor are disposed in a front housing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryo Hattori, Yuchi Yamanouchi, Masaki Shitara
  • Patent number: 11577607
    Abstract: An automatic driving vehicle includes a touch panel that displays various buttons. An operator can input a drive control instruction in relation to the automatic driving vehicle, with the buttons displayed on the touch panel. In addition to the touch panel, the automatic driving vehicle includes a mechanical door switch for opening and closing an automatic door and a mechanical ramp switch for extending and retracting an automatic ramp, both being disposed spaced apart from the touch panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirohito Ide, Yuchi Yamanouchi, Masaki Shitara, Ryo Hattori
  • Patent number: 11560157
    Abstract: A driving control device receives power supply from an accessory battery to operate, controls automatic driving, and outputs a control signal. A steering ECU, a power ECU and a brake ECU instruct a steering mechanism, a PCU and a brake to operate based on the control signal, respectively. An emergency stop switch is operated by an operator. In a case where the emergency stop switch is operated, an interface processing device cuts off a switch to stop the power supply, shuts down the driving control device, and outputs a control signal that causes the steering mechanism, the PCU and the brake to perform an emergency stop operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirohito Ide, Yuchi Yamanouchi, Masaki Shitara, Ryo Hattori, Satoshi Koganemaru, Takeshi Uraki, Shogo Nakata, Yasunori Imada
  • Patent number: 11529972
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle is provided with a touch panel that enables an operator to input vehicle speed control instructions during an automatic driving mode and a mechanical operation unit for inputting driving control instructions. When the driving mode of the autonomous vehicle is the automatic driving mode or a semi-automatic driving mode, a driving control unit of the autonomous vehicle prioritizes a vehicle speed control instruction input from the touch panel over a vehicle speed control instruction input from the mechanical operation unit and executes vehicle speed control for the autonomous vehicle based on the prioritized instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirohito Ide, Yuchi Yamanouchi, Masaki Shitara, Ryo Hattori
  • Patent number: 11507917
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a control unit configured to execute: acquiring information regarding a request of a user making a product while riding on a mobile object; acquiring information regarding an article used in making the product; acquiring information regarding a location of the article; and generating an operation command of the mobile object such that the mobile object carrying the user travels via the location of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiromichi Dogishi, Masaki Shitara, Keiji Yamashita, Nozomi Kaneko, Naoki Yamamuro, Shunsuke Tanimori, Ryoichi Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 11505039
    Abstract: A division bar that divides a front or rear windshield into an upper windshield and a lower windshield is provided, and the upper windshield is more fragile than the lower windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuchi Yamanouchi, Masaki Shitara, Ryo Hattori
  • Patent number: 11485386
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a control unit. The control unit is configured to execute: outputting, when detecting or estimating travel inability of an own vehicle, information regarding a request for receiving an article provided from another vehicle to avoid the travel inability. The control unit performs, when determining that a request vehicle outputs the information regarding the request, a prescribed process for providing an article corresponding to the request to the request vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nozomi Kaneko, Hiromichi Dogishi, Masaki Shitara, Keiji Yamashita, Naoki Yamamuro, Shunsuke Tanimori, Ryoichi Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 11460858
    Abstract: Provided is an information processing device including a controlling portion configured to execute: acquisition of information about a through-point corresponding to a selection object selected by a user terminal from among selection objects installable in a movable body in a base state; acquisition of information about a destination output from the user terminal as a point where a user observes the movable body in a state where the selection object selected by the user terminal is installed; and generation of a navigation command so as to move the movable body to the destination after the selection object selected by the user terminal is installed in the movable body by causing the movable body to drop in at the through-point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiromichi Dogishi, Masaki Shitara, Keiji Yamashita, Nozomi Kaneko, Naoki Yamamuro, Shunsuke Tanimori, Ryoichi Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 11400856
    Abstract: A sensor lamp unit is attached to an automatic drive vehicle. The sensor lamp unit includes a turn lamp portion in which a turn lamp is built in, a lidar portion in which a lidar which is an active type sensor device is built in, and a camera portion in which a camera which is a passive type sensor device is built in. The turn lamp portion, the lidar portion, and the camera portion are aligned in an up-and-down direction. The sensor lamp unit is attached on left and right side walls of the automatic drive vehicle, in an outward orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki Shitara, Yuchi Yamanouchi, Ryo Hattori
  • Patent number: 11392138
    Abstract: A vehicle that is able to travel autonomously includes a control unit configured to perform: stopping a first service and executing a second service of emergency support when the emergency has occurred during execution of the first service; and executing movement to a predetermined position associated with the second service. An information processing device includes a control unit configured to perform: detecting occurrence of an emergency; and instructing a vehicle, which is able to travel autonomously and which is located in a predetermined range including an area in which the emergency has occurred, to stop a first service which is being executed and to execute a second service of emergency support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki Shitara, Hiromichi Dogishi, Keiji Yamashita, Nozomi Kaneko, Naoki Yamamuro, Shunsuke Tanimori, Ryoichi Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 11390195
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is fixed to a B pillar disposed in front of a door provided on a side surface of a vehicle, and constructed to be foldable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuchi Yamanouchi, Masaki Shitara, Ryo Hattori
  • Patent number: 11383628
    Abstract: A vehicle cabin structure includes a pillar constituting a framework of a vehicle cabin, and a pillar trim which is an interior member arranged with a clearance from a vehicle cabin inside facing surface of the pillar and covering the vehicle cabin inside facing surface of the pillar. The pillar trim has, in its surface facing toward inside of the vehicle cabin, a slit extending along the pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki Shitara, Yasukazu Honda, Shingo Maeda, Takeshi Go, Yuchi Yamanouchi, Ryo Hattori
  • Patent number: 11370450
    Abstract: A vehicle starting mechanism includes a switch box and a power switch. The switch box is provided near an operation panel or a meter panel, and has a lid that can be opened and closed. The power switch is housed inside the switch box, and is capable of switching the vehicle between a state capable of traveling and a state incapable of traveling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuchi Yamanouchi, Masaki Shitara, Ryo Hattori
  • Patent number: 11351865
    Abstract: A vehicle start-up mechanism is provided in a vehicle configured to travel while occupants are boarded in a vehicle cabin. The vehicle start-up mechanism includes: a first vehicle start-up switch configured to switch the state of the vehicle between the start-up state and the halt state; and a switch box provided on an outer surface of the vehicle and having the first vehicle start-up switch. The vehicle has an autonomous driving function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuchi Yamanouchi, Masaki Shitara, Ryo Hattori
  • Patent number: 11327487
    Abstract: A touch panel of an automatic driving vehicle includes a SLOW DOWN button. An operator is able to operate the SLOW DOWN button while the vehicle is running in the automatic driving mode to apply different deceleration controls using a first operation, or a long press, and a second operation, or a short press. For example, when a long press is applied, the automatic driving vehicle completes deceleration at time t4, or a time immediately after time t3 at which the long press operation is completed. In contrast, when a short press is applied, the automatic driving vehicle completes deceleration after the elapse of a relatively long period after completion of the short press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirohito Ide, Yuchi Yamanouchi, Masaki Shitara, Ryo Hattori
  • Patent number: 11312419
    Abstract: A vehicle lower portion structure includes side rails respectively disposed on right and left sides and extending along a longitudinal direction, and further includes a cab mount bracket fixed to an outer side of each of the side rails in a vehicle width direction, in which a vehicle body is secured above the cab mount bracket. The vehicle lower portion structure further includes a connector disposed on an upper side of the cab mount bracket and configured to connect the cab mount bracket to the vehicle body, in which at least one of a wire harness and a brake pipe is arranged outside of at least one of the side rails in the vehicle width direction in a region located inward of the connector in the vehicle width direction and upward of the cab mount bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryo Hattori, Yuchi Yamanouchi, Masaki Shitara
  • Patent number: 11267515
    Abstract: A division bar that extends in a vehicle width direction and divides at least one of a vehicle front windshield and a vehicle rear windshield into an upper windshield and a lower windshield is included, and cameras and are arranged on the division bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki Shitara, Yuchi Yamanouchi, Ryo Hattori