Patents by Inventor Akira Utida

Akira Utida 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).

  • Raindrop sensor for detecting rain on a vehicle windshield including an image sensor and processor for performing a frequency analysis of an image and wiper controller having the same
    Patent number: 7612356
    Abstract: A raindrop sensor includes an image sensor and an image processor. The image sensor captures an image of a windshield from inside a vehicle. The image processor performs a frequency analysis of the image to detect a high-frequency component in the image. When the high-frequency component is detected, the image processor detects a width of a change region where a change in gradation of the image occurs. When the width of the change region is within a predetermined range corresponding to a diameter of a raindrop, the image processor determines that the raindrop is on the windshield. Even when a foreign matter such as a water stain appears as the high-frequency component as a result of the frequency analysis, the raindrop and the foreign matter can be distinguished from each other based on the width of the change region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Utida, Masayuki Imanishi, Katsunori Michiyama, Atsushi Yamamoto
  • Raindrop sensor and wiper controller having the same
    Publication number: 20070272884
    Abstract: A raindrop sensor includes an image sensor and an image processor. The image sensor captures an image of a windshield from inside a vehicle. The image processor performs a frequency analysis of the image to detect a high-frequency component in the image. When the high-frequency component is detected, the image processor detects a width of a change region where a change in gradation of the image occurs. When the width of the change region is within a predetermined range corresponding to a diameter of a raindrop, the image processor determines that the raindrop is on the windshield. Even when a foreign matter such as a water stain appears as the high-frequency component as a result of the frequency analysis, the raindrop and the foreign matter can be distinguished from each other based on the width of the change region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicants: DENSO CORPORATION, NIPPON SOKEN, INC
    Inventors: Akira Utida, Masayuki Imanishi, Katsunori Michiyama, Atsushi Yamamoto
  • Vehicular front environment detection apparatus and vehicular front lighting apparatus
    Publication number: 20070253597
    Abstract: A processor in a vehicle front environment detection apparatus processes an image from an imaging unit for detecting another vehicle based on the brightness of an environment of a traveling vehicle derived from the image. The detection result of the another vehicle is reflected to a control of at least one of headlamp selection and headlamp light distribution for the ease of headlamp control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Applicants: DENSO CORPORATION, NIPPON SOKEN, INC.
    Inventors: Akira Utida, Masayuki Imanishi, Katsunori Michiyama, Atsushi Yamamoto