Patents by Inventor Hiromitsu Kobayashi

Hiromitsu Kobayashi 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: 11465626
    Abstract: In an example, a method determines a reference vehicle traveling in a first lane. The first lane merges with a second lane at a merging point. The method can determine a merging plan for a merging vehicle traveling in the second lane to merge into the first lane based on a vehicle position, and in some cases the speed, of the reference vehicle in the first lane. The method can overlay, via a display device, a virtual target in a field of view of a roadway environment of a driver of the merging vehicle based on the merging plan of the merging vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ziran Wang, BaekGyu Kim, Hiromitsu Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20220315045
    Abstract: An autonomous driving device includes a plurality of driving function ECUs having a function to drive a vehicle in place of an occupant, and a driving function switch ECU is configured to individually change operating states of the driving function ECUs according to a route to a destination and remaining power. The driving function ECUs include an autonomous driving ECU configured to autonomously drive the vehicle, and a remote control ECU configured to operate the vehicle according to remote control from outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Urano, Sho Otaki, Takashi Suzuki, Toru Takashima, Hojung Jung, Hiromitsu Kobayashi, Satoru Niwa, Kosuke Akatsuka
  • Publication number: 20220306136
    Abstract: A vehicle is operated in accordance with a second operation amount corresponding to a first operation amount of a remote operation member by an operator. A first maximum operation range is a maximum operation range of the remote operation member. A second maximum operation range is a maximum operation range of an operation member of the vehicle. When the first maximum operation range is smaller than the second maximum operation range, a correspondence relationship between the first and second operation amounts is adjusted such that the second operation amount becomes larger than the first operation amount. When the first maximum operation range is larger than the second maximum operation range, an operable range of the remote operation member is restricted or the correspondence relationship is adjusted such that the second operation amount becomes smaller than the first operation amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Toru TAKASHIMA, Sho Otaki, Hiromitsu Urano, Hojung Jung, Hiromitsu Kobayashi, Satoru Niwa, Kosuke Akatsuka
  • Publication number: 20220297722
    Abstract: An autonomous driving device to be mounted on a vehicle includes a first ECU configured to autonomously drive the vehicle, and a second ECU configured to operate the vehicle under remote control from an outside. The first ECU is configured to keep an activated state while the second ECU is operating the vehicle. The second ECU is configured to keep a power saving state while the first ECU is autonomously driving the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Urano, Sho Otaki, Takashi Suzuki, Toru Takashima, Hojung Jung, Hiromitsu Kobayashi, Satoru Niwa, Kosuke Akatsuka
  • Publication number: 20220281487
    Abstract: In a vehicle control device for an autonomous driving vehicle that autonomously travels based on an operation command, a gesture image of a person around the autonomous driving vehicle is acquired, and a stored reference gesture image is collated with the acquired gesture image. At this time, when it is discriminated that the gesture of the person around the autonomous driving vehicle is a gesture requesting the autonomous driving vehicle to stop, it is determined whether a disaster has occurred. When it is determined that the disaster has occurred, the autonomous driving vehicle is caused to stop around the person requesting the autonomous driving vehicle to stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Kobayashi, Taizo Masuda, Yuta Kataoka, Miki Nomoto, Yoshiki Ueda, Satoshi Omi, Yuki Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20220284817
    Abstract: An infectious disease detection sensor for detecting whether a waiting passenger of a bus is suspected to be infected with an infectious disease is installed at a bus stop, and whether the waiting passenger of the bus is a suspected infected person who is suspected of being infected with the infectious disease is determined based on a detection result detected by the infectious disease detection sensor. When the waiting passenger of the bus is determined to be the suspected infected person, boarding of the suspected infected person to the bus is refused, and a dedicated vehicle for the suspected infected person is dispatched to the bus stop separately from the bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Miki NOMOTO, Taizo Masuda, Yuta Kataoka, Hiromitsu Kobayashi, Yoshiki Ueda, Satoshi Omi, Yuki Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20220262242
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a sensor that detects a traffic signal installed in a travel route of the own vehicle, another vehicle traveling around the own vehicle, and another mobile object around the own vehicle. After recognizing that the own vehicle has passed the traffic signal, the vehicle determines whether or not there are the other mobile object moving toward the traffic signal and the other vehicle moving beside the other mobile object toward the traffic signal. When determining that there are the other mobile object moving toward the traffic signal and the other vehicle moving beside the other mobile object toward the traffic signal, the vehicle controls the traffic signal based on a traveling state of the other vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Taizo MASUDA, Miki Nomoto, Yuta Kataoka, Hiromitsu Kobayashi, Yoshiki Ueda, Satoshi Omi, Yuki Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20220253053
    Abstract: A remote operating system is equipped with an automatically operated vehicle and a remote operating device. A first processor of the automatically operated vehicle calculates a target steering angle of a first steering unit on the vehicle side during the performance of automatic operation control. A first communication device transmits the target steering angle to the remote operating device. A second processor on the remote operating device side controls an electric motor in such a manner as to generate a driving torque for making a steering angle of a second steering unit coincident with the target steering angle, during the execution of a cooperative mode in which a turning actuator on the vehicle side is controlled through cooperation between remote operation control for controlling the turning actuator based on the steering angle of the second steering unit steered by an operator and the automatic operation control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoru Niwa, Toru Takashima, Takashi Suzuki, Rio Suda, Hiromitsu Urano, Sho Otaki, Hiromitsu Kobayashi, Hojung Jung, Kosuke Akatsuka
  • Publication number: 20220242421
    Abstract: A remote driving device configured to remotely operate a vehicle includes a remote operation device, a reaction force unit, a receiver, and a processor. The remote operation device is operated by an operator in order to remotely operate the vehicle. The reaction force unit is configured to generate an operation reaction force to be applied to the remote operation device. The receiver is configured to receive a parameter affecting vehicle characteristics of the vehicle from the vehicle. The processor is configured to control the reaction force unit so as to generate a magnitude of the operation reaction force according to the received parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Kosuke Akatsuka, Toru Takashima, Satoru Niwa, Takashi Suzuki, Rio Suda, Hiromitsu Urano, Sho Otaki, Hiromitsu Kobayashi, Hojung Jung
  • Publication number: 20220113737
    Abstract: A vehicle remote assistance system including: a remote assistance example database in which a past assistance request situation and a remote assistance content made by a remote operator are stored in association with each other, and a server. The server is configured to, upon receipt of a remote assistance request from an autonomous vehicle, determine whether or not a remote assistance request situation of the autonomous vehicle is similar to the past assistance request situation stored in the remote assistance example database, based on a position of the autonomous vehicle transmitting the remote assistance request and an external environment around the autonomous vehicle; and the server is configured to, when the server determines that the remote assistance request situation is similar to the past assistance request situation, transmit the remote assistance content corresponding to the past assistance request situation to the autonomous vehicle in substitution for the remote operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiromitsu KOBAYASHI, Hiromitsu URANO, Sho OTAKI
  • Patent number: 11214253
    Abstract: The disclosure includes embodiments for providing a lookup table to improve performance of a consensus mechanism used in Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) technologies. In some embodiments, a method for a connected vehicle includes building a lookup table that is populated with control gain values for a consensus mechanism. The control gain values are created based on a satisfaction of one or more driving constraints by the consensus mechanism. The method includes receiving data describing an initial vehicle state related to a flow of vehicles. The method includes searching the lookup table for a set of control gain values based on the initial vehicle state. The method includes implementing the consensus mechanism on the flow of vehicles based on the set of control gain values so that behavior of the flow of vehicles is coordinated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Inventors: Ziran Wang, Hiromitsu Kobayashi, Kyungtae Han, BaekGyu Kim
  • Patent number: 11176503
    Abstract: An example method may receive, from a requesting mobility provider (MP), request parameter(s) of a transportation request and vehicle movement requirement(s) of the requesting MP; select, from vehicle profiles of other MPs, first vehicle profile(s) of first MP(s) based on the request parameter(s) of the transportation request, the first vehicle profile(s) including a first vehicle profile representing a first vehicle of a first MP; receive, from the first MP, a mobility plan for the first vehicle to execute the transportation request, the mobility plan of the first vehicle being generated based on the request parameter(s) of the transportation request and an operational protocol of the first MP; determine that the first vehicle is qualified to execute the transportation request using the vehicle movement requirement(s) of the requesting MP and the mobility plan of the first vehicle; and provide the mobility plan of the first vehicle to the requesting MP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Kobayashi, Akihito Nakamura, BaekGyu Kim, Roger Melen
  • Patent number: 10969456
    Abstract: The disclosure describes embodiments for modifying an operation of a vehicle component based on a Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, by a V2X receiver, a V2X message including context data that describes a context of a V2X transmitter in an environment, wherein the V2X receiver is not sufficiently able to identify the V2X transmitter as an originator of the V2X message within the environment. The method includes determining, by the V2X receiver, digital data describing an identity of the V2X transmitter as the originator of the V2X message within the environment based on the context data. The method includes modifying the operation of the vehicle component of the V2X receiver based on the digital data describing the identity of the V2X transmitter. The vehicle component includes, for example, one or more of an autonomous driving system and an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS system).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Kobayashi, Zhihao Jiang
  • Patent number: 10932135
    Abstract: The disclosure includes embodiments for providing cyber-security for connected vehicles. In some embodiments, a method for an ego vehicle includes receiving Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) data transmitted by a remote vehicle. The V2X data includes context data and registration data of the remote vehicle. The method includes analyzing the V2X data to determine one or more abnormal activities associated with the remote vehicle based at least in part on the context data and the registration data of the remote vehicle. The method includes detecting an occurrence of a cyber-attack event based on the one or more abnormal activities. The method includes, responsive to detecting the occurrence of the cyber-attack event, modifying an operation of a vehicle control system of the ego vehicle to take one or more remedial actions to mitigate the cyber-attack event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Inventors: Kyungtae Han, Hiromitsu Kobayashi, Xiaowen Jiang
  • Publication number: 20200413264
    Abstract: The disclosure includes embodiments for providing cyber-security for connected vehicles. In some embodiments, a method for an ego vehicle includes receiving Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) data transmitted by a remote vehicle. The V2X data includes context data and registration data of the remote vehicle. The method includes analyzing the V2X data to determine one or more abnormal activities associated with the remote vehicle based at least in part on the context data and the registration data of the remote vehicle. The method includes detecting an occurrence of a cyber-attack event based on the one or more abnormal activities. The method includes, responsive to detecting the occurrence of the cyber-attack event, modifying an operation of a vehicle control system of the ego vehicle to take one or more remedial actions to mitigate the cyber-attack event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Kyungtae Han, Hiromitsu Kobayashi, Xiaowen Jiang
  • Publication number: 20200369273
    Abstract: The disclosure includes embodiments for providing a lookup table to improve performance of a consensus mechanism used in Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) technologies. In some embodiments, a method for a connected vehicle includes building a lookup table that is populated with control gain values for a consensus mechanism. The control gain values are created based on a satisfaction of one or more driving constraints by the consensus mechanism. The method includes receiving data describing an initial vehicle state related to a flow of vehicles. The method includes searching the lookup table for a set of control gain values based on the initial vehicle state. The method includes implementing the consensus mechanism on the flow of vehicles based on the set of control gain values so that behavior of the flow of vehicles is coordinated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Ziran Wang, Hiromitsu Kobayashi, Kyungtae Han, BaekGyu Kim
  • Publication number: 20200307580
    Abstract: The disclosure includes embodiments for identifying a transmitter of a Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) message. In some embodiments, a method for an ego vehicle includes modifying an operation of a communication unit of the ego vehicle to receive a V2X message that includes identification data of a transmitter of the V2X message. The method includes executing a proactive vehicle control operation on the ego vehicle to modify a distance between the ego vehicle and a preceding vehicle ahead of the ego vehicle so that the distance satisfies a distance threshold. The method includes determining whether the preceding vehicle is the transmitter based on the identification data so that a reliable determination is achieved to improve a driving safety of the ego vehicle responsive to the distance satisfying the distance threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Kobayashi, Kyungtae Han
  • Publication number: 20200286020
    Abstract: An example method may receive, from a requesting mobility provider (MP), request parameter(s) of a transportation request and vehicle movement requirement(s) of the requesting MP; select, from vehicle profiles of other MPs, first vehicle profile(s) of first MP(s) based on the request parameter(s) of the transportation request, the first vehicle profile(s) including a first vehicle profile representing a first vehicle of a first MP; receive, from the first MP, a mobility plan for the first vehicle to execute the transportation request, the mobility plan of the first vehicle being generated based on the request parameter(s) of the transportation request and an operational protocol of the first MP; determine that the first vehicle is qualified to execute the transportation request using the vehicle movement requirement(s) of the requesting MP and the mobility plan of the first vehicle; and provide the mobility plan of the first vehicle to the requesting MP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Kobayashi, Akihito Nakamura, BaekGyu Kim, Roger Melen
  • Publication number: 20200247412
    Abstract: In an example, a method determines a reference vehicle traveling in a first lane. The first lane merges with a second lane at a merging point. The method can determine a merging plan for a merging vehicle traveling in the second lane to merge into the first lane based on a vehicle position, and in some cases the speed, of the reference vehicle in the first lane. The method can overlay, via a display device, a virtual target in a field of view of a roadway environment of a driver of the merging vehicle based on the merging plan of the merging vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Ziran Wang, BaekGyu Kim, Hiromitsu Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20200096597
    Abstract: The disclosure describes embodiments for modifying an operation of a vehicle component based on a Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, by a remote vehicle, a request message inquiring what additional identifying information of an ego vehicle the remote vehicle requests so that the remote vehicle has a capacity to identify the ego vehicle as a transmitter of a V2X message. The method includes transmitting a response message including response data that describes the additional identifying information of the ego vehicle that provides the remote vehicle with the capacity to identify the ego vehicle as the transmitter of the V2X message when the ego vehicle is among a plurality of vehicles. The method includes receiving the V2X message that includes assistance data describing the additional identifying information. The method includes modifying the operation of the vehicle component of the remote vehicle based on the assistance data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Kobayashi, Zhihao Jiang, Roger Melen