Patents Assigned to Alpine Electronics, Inc
  • Patent number: 10250478
    Abstract: There are provided a first communication time ascertaining unit that ascertains with a ping command communication delay time in communication with a smartphone, a communication state determining unit that determines whether a communication state is satisfactory in the communication with the smartphone based on the ascertained communication delay time, and a communication switching unit that switches a communication channel used for the communication with the smartphone, from one communication channel to another communication channel when the communication state in the communication with the smartphone is determined to be unsatisfactory. Therefore, the switching of the communication channel is performed only when it is ascertained that the communication state with the smartphone is unsatisfactory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Shunichi Suto
  • Patent number: 10250860
    Abstract: A vehicle-mounted apparatus includes a cluster display unit attached to an instrument panel and a HUD. The vehicle-mounted apparatus determines a running state of the vehicle and adjusts the focal length in the HUD such that the position of a virtual image of a projected image is near the cluster display unit or is a forward position on the windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Takeshi Kurosawa
  • Patent number: 10222801
    Abstract: A movement route generating apparatus includes an angle calculating unit calculating an angle formed by a vehicle travel direction at a target position compared with that at the current position, a graph generating unit generating a graph that has most gentle inclinations by plotting the curvature of a travel trajectory matching the steering angle of the vehicle and a distance traveled on two axes, under the condition that the area of a graph generated in correspondence to a travel trajectory from the current position to the target position is equal to the angle and other conditions, and a route setting unit setting a travel trajectory represented by the graph as the movement route of the vehicle. Accordingly, a travel trajectory with the smallest degree of change in curvature per unit distance traveled, that is, a low horizontal angular velocity caused by vehicle steering, can be set as a movement route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroki Oba, Kosuke Munakata, Tetsuro Yabe
  • Patent number: 10204277
    Abstract: An electronic device having a function of identifying a lane on which a vehicle is traveling based on imaging data includes a white line recognition unit for recognizing a white line based on imaging data taken by a rear camera, a lane width detection unit for detecting a lane width by measuring distances from the vehicle to the right white line and to the left white line, a lane change detection unit for detecting a lane change based on the detection result by the lane width detection unit, a lane number increase detection unit for detection an increase in the number of lanes based on the detection result by the lane width detection unit, and a traveling lane identifying unit for identifying a lane on which the vehicle is traveling based on the detection results of the lane width detection unit and the lane number increase detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Toshio Kushida, Tomohiro Hakozaki, Shuichi Suto
  • Patent number: 10191349
    Abstract: A reflective display apparatus includes an image display panel including a liquid crystal panel and a backlight unit, a half mirror, and an electrochromic panel arranged in a layered manner. When the image display panel stops operating and power supply to the electrochromic panel is stopped, the half mirror reflects light coming from the rear of a vehicle and the reflected light is directed rearward. The reflected light enables a driver to check a situation behind the vehicle under such conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi Yasumoto
  • Patent number: 10189501
    Abstract: A parking assist apparatus includes a parking range identification unit that identifies a current parking range using vehicle speed information and steering angle information acquired from a vehicle along with movement of the vehicle, a display control unit that causes an image indicating the identified current parking range to be displayed in such a manner as to be superimposed on a vehicle-surroundings image, an estimated movement range calculation unit that, when no vehicle speed information can be acquired in a process of a gradual reduction in vehicle speed, calculates an estimated movement range of the vehicle using deceleration of the vehicle based on vehicle speed information acquired before a time when no vehicle speed information can be acquired, and the steering angle information, and an estimated movement range display unit that displays, around the image indicating the current parking range, an image indicating the calculated estimated movement range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryohei Suda, Kosuke Munakata
  • Publication number: 20190025577
    Abstract: Implementations of an in-vehicle display system may include: a first display device configured to irradiate a first area of a windshield of a vehicle with a first light constituting a first image and to display the first image as a virtual image of the first image in front of the first area; a second display device configured to display a second image as a real image in a second area of the windshield that is wider than the first area; and a control device configured to control the first display device and the second display device based on a travel state of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Applicant: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Wataru Tamura, Tsuyoshi Kimura, Kenji Shida, Yu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10165278
    Abstract: An image compression device includes a basic unit setting unit configured to set a basic unit of compression by using each of a plurality of color elements forming colors of pixels of image data independently or combining the plurality of color elements arbitrarily and a compression process unit configured to compress a value of the set basic unit according to an encoding process base on a predetermined rule. A complex process is not executed differently from a video codec or a still image codec according to the related art and the compression is performed by a simple process for encoding values of basic units set for the plurality of color elements forming the colors of the individual pixels, on the basis of the predetermined rule. As a result, a process load of the extension can be reduced as compared with the related art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Hideyuki Hatakeyama
  • Patent number: 10146497
    Abstract: A two-layer image display device includes a back side LCD, a transparent screen, and a lower side LCD. The back side LCD displays an image on a display screen. The transparent screen is disposed on a front side of the display screen of an image display device. The lower side LCD projects an image from a lower position of the transparent screen. The transparent screen reflects, with directivity, light incident at a predetermined angle and includes an anisotropic optical film which transmits light incident at an angle other than the predetermined incident angle. The lower side LCD is disposed at a position where the image incident at the predetermined angle is projected and reflected on the transparent screen. The back side LCD is disposed at a position where incident light from an image displayed on the display screen transmits through the transparent screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Shunichi Imanishi
  • Patent number: 10149059
    Abstract: A speaker device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a magnetic circuit having a magnetic gap, a ribbon-like diaphragm disposed in a magnetic field in the magnetic gap, a plurality of parallel conductors provided on the diaphragm and extending in a direction orthogonal to a direction of the magnetic field, and a driving unit that supplies driving currents in the same direction to the plurality of parallel conductors. Both end portions of the diaphragm are continuous via a pivoting board disposed so as to bypass the magnetic gap, and connection conductors for spirally connecting the plurality of parallel conductors are provided on the pivoting board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Maeda
  • Patent number: 10139883
    Abstract: A power system includes a voltage detection IC which outputs a reset signal to a microcomputer when an input voltage is equal to or lower than a reset release voltage, releases outputting of the reset signal when the input voltage exceeds the reset release voltage, and outputs the reset signal to the microcomputer again after the input voltage exceeds the reset release voltage when the input voltage is equal to or lower than a reset detection voltage which is lower than the reset release voltage and a voltage conversion circuit which sets a first voltage associated with a change of a power voltage as the input voltage before start of operation of the microcomputer and sets a second voltage which is associated with a change of the power voltage and is lower than the first voltage as the input voltage after the start of operation the microcomputer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Hideaki Sato
  • Patent number: 10127193
    Abstract: A text display control apparatus includes a text determination unit that determines whether an input text can be displayed within the width of a text display area, a space selection unit that, if the text cannot be displayed within the width of the text display area, sequentially selects spaces from an end of the text to a beginning, a partial text determination unit that determines whether a part of the text before a selected space can be displayed within the width of the text display area, and a newline insertion unit that, if the part of the text before the space can be displayed within the width of the text display area, inserts a newline character into the text at the space. If the input text cannot be displayed within the width of the text display area, a new line automatically starts in the text at the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Tomomi Kajimoto
  • Patent number: 10109295
    Abstract: An upper limit of a frequency range of audio indicated by input audio data is detected. A representative point extraction unit downsamples the input audio data to a sampling rate set to be less than or equal to twice the detected upper limit to obtain representative-point audio data. An interpolation processing unit upsamples the representative-point audio data by using a fractal interpolation function (FIF) that uses a mapping function calculated by a mapping function calculation unit, while using the input audio data, if necessary, to generate high-frequency interpolated audio data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryosuke Tachi
  • Patent number: 10081334
    Abstract: A method and system for unlocking a reserved vehicle designed to encode an access code assigned by a remote server to a Morse code or pattern by a control box or a head unit provided in the reserved vehicle. The Morse code or pattern is generated in a form of a sound signal or a light signal with use of a vehicle horn or headlight. The Morse code or pattern in sound or light is detected by a pre-existing mobile device, typically, a smartphone of a user without requiring any specific access card or reader. The detected Morse code or pattern is decoded back to the access code or converted an FFT signal by the mobile device and is sent to the server for verification. When successfully verified, the server sends an unlock command to the reserved vehicle so that the user can gain access to the reserved vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Qijun Chen, Ben Cannon
  • Patent number: 10075824
    Abstract: An in-vehicle device is capable of coupling to a portable terminal, receives content data played by the portable terminal that has been coupled, and outputs the content data that has been received. While music is being played back by the portable terminal, the in-vehicle device estimates a remaining battery level of the portable terminal after playback of the music to be next played back finishes, and provides, when the estimated value is a threshold value or less, notification of the remaining battery level before the playback of music starts and/or after the playback finishes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Masaki Mori
  • Patent number: 10070541
    Abstract: A display device includes a display module, a rear cover that covers the rear surface of the display module, a main circuit board placed in an internal space formed between the rear cover and the rear surface of the display module, flexible wiring members that mutually connects the display module and the main circuit board, and a male screw having a head exposed to the outside of the rear cover, the male screw passing through the rear cover and engaging a female screw formed in the main circuit board. The main circuit board is fixed to the rear cover with the male screw in a state in which the main circuit board is not fixed to the display module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuki Oda, Shinobu Kida
  • Patent number: 10061505
    Abstract: An in-vehicle device includes an operation screen display unit that displays a specific operation screen containing an operation key for causing the in-vehicle device to perform a specific action, an operation key moving unit that moves the operation key in a predetermined direction, a camera and a movement recognition unit that detect a movement of part of a body of a user or a movement of an operation member held by the user, and an operation selection unit that, when a movement direction of the operation key matches a direction of the detected movement of the user, selects the operation key moved by the operation key moving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Takao Sato, Shizuo Kanbayashi, Fumiaki Hoki, Rintaro Kuroda, Takashi Jogataki, Naoki Saegusa, Haruhiko Nakatsuji, Hai Lin
  • Patent number: 10061146
    Abstract: A front panel, a touchpad, and a display cell are adhered and fixed, and these and a back light are held by a bracket to construct a display body unit. When the display body unit is mounted on a support, the front panel is fixed to the support with an adhesive layer therebetween. In this state, each of mounting portions has position adjustability in the vertical direction (Z direction). In the state having position adjustability, the mounting portion is fixed to the support by a fixing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Shinobu Kida, Kenji Matsumoto, Takashi Nitsuma
  • Patent number: D827386
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi Ichikawa
  • Patent number: D838713
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Masatada Muramoto