Patents by Inventor Genpei Naito

Genpei Naito 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: 7236870
    Abstract: In lane keep control apparatus and method for an automotive vehicle, a deceleration controlled variable is calculated on the basis of a state of a tendency of a vehicular deviation from a traffic lane on which the vehicle is traveling and a braking force acted upon each of driven wheels of the vehicle is controlled on the basis of the calculated deceleration controlled variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Tange, Genpei Naito, Shinji Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7228233
    Abstract: A driving assistance system for regulating an operation of a vehicle in a discrete manner according to different ranges of risk potentials associated with the vehicle, such that different risk potentials in different ranges are conveyed to the driver in a different and discrete manner. The system includes a device for calculating a risk potential associated with the vehicle, and a data processor for regulating an operation of the vehicle, such as a reaction force applied to the acceleration pedal, based on a control parameter assuming one of a plurality of values according to the calculated risk potential associated with the vehicle, wherein each of the values is assigned to one of a plurality of predetermined ranges of risk potentials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kimura, Genpei Naito
  • Publication number: 20070030132
    Abstract: A vehicle driving assist system has a controller configured to calculate a risk potential indicative of the degree of convergence between a host vehicle in which the system is installed and a preceding obstacle. Then, the controller performs a driver notification controlling operation that produces a driver notification stimulus based on the risk potential. Considering the acceleration of the preceding obstacle, the speed of the host vehicle, and the following distance between the host vehicle and the preceding obstacle, the controller calculates a threshold value for determining when to commence the control of the driver notification controlling operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yousuke Kobayashi, Genpei Naito, Takeshi Kimura, Hiroyuki Yoshizawa
  • Publication number: 20070012499
    Abstract: A vehicle driving assist system executes an actuation reaction force control of accelerator pedal, a driving force control or a braking force control in a manner that is appropriate in consideration of the traffic situation in which the vehicle is being driven. The vehicle driving assist system calculates a risk potential that indicates the degree of convergence between the vehicle and an obstacle existing in front of the vehicle based on a prescribed control pattern. Then, based on the risk potential, the accelerator pedal actuation reaction, the host vehicle driving force and/or the host vehicle braking force are controlled. The intent of the driver regarding acceleration and deceleration based on the actuation state of the accelerator pedal is preferably used in controlling one or all of the accelerator pedal actuation reaction, the host vehicle driving force and the host vehicle braking force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yousuke Kobayashi, Genpei Naito, Takeshi Kimura, Hiroyuki Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 7155342
    Abstract: A vehicle driving assist system calculates a risk potential of the subject vehicle with respect to a front obstacle by estimating a compression amount of a vertical resilient member which is imaginary provided at the front of the subject vehicle when the subject vehicle approaches the front obstacle. The correction amounts of drive force and braking force and the correction amount of reaction force are calculated based upon the calculated risk potential so as to perform drive force/braking force correction control and reaction force control simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosuke Kobayashi, Genpei Naito, Takeshi Kimura
  • Patent number: 7155341
    Abstract: An information system for a host vehicle is comprised of an accelerator manipulation detecting device that detects an accelerator manipulation quantity of an accelerator according to which a driver demand driving force is generated by an internal combustion engine, an object detecting unit that detects an object ahead of the host vehicle; and a controller which is connected to the accelerator manipulation detecting device and the object detecting unit. The controller determines a contact possibility that the host vehicle will contact with an object ahead of the host vehicle, on the basis of information from the objecting detecting unit, and corrects a driving-force relationship between the driver demand driving force and the accelerator manipulation quantity according to the contact possibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kimura, Tatsuya Suzuki, Genpei Naito
  • Patent number: 7117076
    Abstract: In lane keep control apparatus and method for an automotive vehicle, a traveling state of the vehicle is detected, a determination is made on whether the vehicle has a tendency of a deviation from the traveling traffic lane according to the detected traveling state, a deviation avoidance control is executed for the vehicle in a direction to avoid the deviation according to the traveling state, steering angles before and after a start of the deviation avoidance control are detected, and a controlled variable of the deviation avoidance control is detected on the basis of a deviation between a steering angle before the start of deviation avoidance control and that after the start of deviation avoidance control when a determination is made that the vehicle has the tendency of the deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayasu Shimakage, Shinji Matsumoto, Satoshi Tange, Genpei Naito
  • Patent number: 7107137
    Abstract: An automotive lane deviation prevention apparatus sets and determines a yaw moment allotted amount corresponding to a yaw-moment-control lane-deviation-avoidance (LDA) controlled variable used to avoid a host vehicle's lane deviation by yaw moment control and a deceleration rate allotted amount corresponding to a deceleration-control LDA controlled variable used to avoid the host vehicle's lane deviation by deceleration control, based on a host vehicle's yaw angle, when the host vehicle has a tendency to deviate from a driving lane. A desired yaw moment is calculated based on the yaw moment allotted amount so that a yaw moment is produced in a direction in which the host vehicle's lane-deviation tendency is avoided. A controlled variable for deceleration control is calculated based on the deceleration rate allotted amount. A braking force of each individual road wheel is controlled based on the desired yaw moment and the controlled variable for deceleration control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Tange, Genpei Naito, Shinji Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20060195245
    Abstract: A system for assisting an operator in driving a vehicle. The system calculates risk potential associated with the vehicle. Responsive to an acceleration command issued by the operator via an operator-controlled input device to perform an intended acceleration operation, the system conveys information related to the calculated risk potential by modifying a relationship of an amount of acceleration corresponding to an operation amount of the operator-controlled input device, based on the calculated risk potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Inventors: Yosuke Kobayashi, Takeshi Kimura, Genpei Naito
  • Patent number: 7058494
    Abstract: In a vehicle dynamics control apparatus enabling vehicle dynamics control and lane deviation prevention control, a processor of a control unit is programmed for determining a driving stability including a vehicle driveability and a vehicle stability, based on at least a steer angle, and for executing the vehicle dynamics control by producing a yaw moment corresponding to a controlled variable of the vehicle dynamics control when the driving stability is deteriorated, and for executing the lane deviation prevention control by producing a yaw moment corresponding to a controlled variable of the lane deviation prevention control when there is a possibility of lane deviation. The processor is further programmed for softening a criterion, which is used to determine the driving stability, based on the controlled variable of the lane deviation prevention control, only when the vehicle dynamics control is inoperative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Matsumoto, Genpei Naito, Satoshi Tange
  • Patent number: 6993425
    Abstract: A lane deviation avoidance system for an adaptive cruise control system equipped vehicle includes an electronic control unit that executes a host vehicle's lane deviation avoidance control in which a change in vehicle dynamic behavior occurs in a direction that avoids the host vehicle from deviating from a driving lane when there is a possibility of the host vehicle's lane deviation from the driving lane. The control unit puts a priority on the lane deviation avoidance control by limiting a driving force acting on the host vehicle, when there is the possibility of the host vehicle's lane deviation from the driving lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Tange, Genpei Naito, Shinji Matsumoto, Hiroyuki Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 6989738
    Abstract: In a warning apparatus for a vehicle, a primary controller (5) calculates a collision time (TTC) according to the distance between the vehicle and an object that is present in front of the vehicle and a relative speed between the vehicle and the front object. According to the collision time, the primary controller sets a correction value (Fc) for at least one of the driving force and braking force of the vehicle and provides a contact possibility warning by applying a negative acceleration to the vehicle according to the correction value. The correction value is set according to comparison between the collision time and a threshold and according to the collision time. A resilient coefficient (k—TTC) of a virtual spring (502) is increased so that the correction value may increase as the speed of the vehicle increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Suzuki, Takeshi Kimura, Genpei Naito, Naotaka Usui
  • Publication number: 20050288844
    Abstract: A driving assistance system for regulating an operation of a vehicle in a discrete manner according to different ranges of risk potentials associated with the vehicle, such that different risk potentials in different ranges are conveyed to the driver in a different and discrete manner. The system includes a device for calculating a risk potential associated with the vehicle, and a data processor for regulating an operation of the vehicle, such as a reaction force applied to the acceleration pedal, based on a control parameter assuming one of a plurality of values according to the calculated risk potential associated with the vehicle, wherein each of the values is assigned to one of a plurality of predetermined ranges of risk potentials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: Takeshi Kimura, Genpei Naito
  • Publication number: 20050279554
    Abstract: An intelligent driving assistance system for used in a vehicle to convey information related to a future variation of a relative spatial relationship between the vehicle and an object, even before the actual variation occurs. The system includes a detector configured to detect a driving condition of the vehicle and a condition of an object in a field around the vehicle, and a data processor, in anticipation of a future decrease of a distance between the vehicle and the object, regulating a reaction force applied to a driver control device of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Yosuke Kobayashi, Genpei Naito, Takeshi Kimura, Yukinori Nishida
  • Patent number: 6970787
    Abstract: In an automotive lane deviation avoidance system that prevents a host vehicle from deviating from its driving lane by correcting the host vehicle's course in a direction that avoids the host vehicle's lane deviation in the presence of a possibility of the host vehicle's lane deviation, the system calculates a desired yawing moment needed to avoid the host vehicle's lane deviation from the driving lane. The system compensates for the desired yawing moment by a correction factor or a gain, which is determined based on a throttle opening of the host vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Matsumoto, Genpei Naito, Satoshi Tange
  • Publication number: 20050177308
    Abstract: A lane deviation avoidance system is arranged to execute a lane deviation avoidance control of controlling a vehicle behavior of the host vehicle so as to avoid the host vehicle from deviating from a traveling lane when the lane deviation tendency is detected, to suppress the driving force when the lane deviation tendency is detected, and to set a controlled variable of the lane deviation avoidance control according to a degree of the suppression of the driving force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Inventors: Satoshi Tange, Genpei Naito, Shinji Matsumoto, Masayasu Shimakage, Hidekazu Nakajima
  • Publication number: 20050107931
    Abstract: In lane keep control apparatus and method for an automotive vehicle, a traveling state of the vehicle is detected, a determination is made on whether the vehicle has a tendency of a deviation from the traveling traffic lane according to the detected traveling state, a deviation avoidance control is executed for the vehicle in a direction to avoid the deviation according to the traveling state, steering angles before and after a start of the deviation avoidance control are detected, and a controlled variable of the deviation avoidance control is detected on the basis of a deviation between a steering angle before the start of deviation avoidance control and that after the start of deviation avoidance control when a determination is made that the vehicle has the tendency of the deviation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Publication date: May 19, 2005
    Inventors: Masayasu Shimakage, Shinji Matsumoto, Satoshi Tange, Genpei Naito
  • Publication number: 20050090984
    Abstract: A vehicle driving assist system calculates a risk potential of the subject vehicle with respect to a front obstacle by estimating a compression amount of a vertical resilient member which is imaginary provided at the front of the subject vehicle when the subject vehicle approaches the front obstacle. The correction amounts of drive force and braking force and the correction amount of reaction force are calculated based upon the calculated risk potential so as to perform drive force/braking force correction control and reaction force control simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Publication date: April 28, 2005
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yosuke Kobayashi, Genpei Naito, Takeshi Kimura
  • Patent number: 6879890
    Abstract: In lane keep control apparatus and method for an automotive vehicle, such a determination is made as to whether a tendency of a divergence of the vehicle from a traffic lane on which the vehicle is traveling occurs according to a detected travel state of the vehicle, a driving force controlled variable for each road wheel to develop a yaw moment in a direction in which the divergence of the vehicle from the traffic lane is avoided is calculated in accordance with the detected travel state, the driving force controlled variable of each road wheel is corrected in such a manner that the yaw moment developed in a direction in which the divergence of the vehicle from the traffic lane is avoided is increased in accordance with a history of a control executed to avoid the divergence of the vehicle from the traffic lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Matsumoto, Genpei Naito, Satoshi Tange
  • Patent number: 6868324
    Abstract: A vehicle travel control system is arranged to obtain curve information as to a curve of a road ahead of the vehicle, to obtain a vehicle driving condition produced by a vehicle occupant, to obtain a curve entering degree of the vehicle into the curve on the basis of the driving condition, to obtain a vehicle speed, and to decelerate the vehicle on the basis of the curve information and the curve entering degree and the vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Matsumoto, Genpei Naito, Satoshi Tange