Patents by Inventor Hiroshi Higashide

Hiroshi Higashide 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: 11958490
    Abstract: An operation management apparatus includes a controller configured to determine, in a case in which a first vehicle that has been operated in accordance with a schedule specifying a point in time at which a circulating vehicle is to be replaced becomes inoperable, whether to operate a second vehicle that substitutes for the first vehicle until a replacement time specified by the schedule, the replacement time being a point in time at which the first vehicle is to be replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Higashide, Keiichi Uno
  • Patent number: 11961025
    Abstract: An automated driving vehicle includes: a communication device which receives a traveling plan from an operation management device provided outside an vehicle; and an automated driving controller which allows an vehicle the controller is associated with to travel autonomously along a traveling route on which a plurality of stations are set so as to fulfill the traveling plan, in which the automated driving controller has a standard plan which prescribes a standard operation schedule of the vehicle the controller is associated with, and the automated driving controller, in a case where the traveling plan has not arrived or is irregular, generates an interim plan on the basis of the standard plan, and allows the vehicle the controller is associated with to travel autonomously so as to fulfill the interim plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Okazaki, Hiroshi Higashide, Keiichi Uno
  • Patent number: 11941587
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus manages the operation of an alternative vehicle when a vehicle recovers from a failure. The information processing apparatus includes a controller. The controller is configured to determine, when it is judged that the vehicle is not operational due to failure of the vehicle, to introduce an alternative vehicle to replace the vehicle, and when recovery information indicating that the vehicle has recovered from the failure is acquired, maintain the determination to introduce the alternative vehicle or cancel the introduction of the alternative vehicle and redetermine the recovered vehicle as being operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Higashide, Keiichi Uno
  • Patent number: 11914396
    Abstract: When a non-operable notification is output from any of a plurality of operating vehicles, an operation schedule creator creates a substitute vehicle introduction operation schedule based on planned stopping times and a target velocity determined by a normal operation schedule, as an operation schedule to be provided, to each of operating vehicles other than a non-operable vehicle which has output the non-operable notification, when the operating vehicle passes an operation schedule updating location for a first time after the non-operable notification is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Higashide, Kenji Okazaki, Keiichi Uno
  • Publication number: 20230394891
    Abstract: An operation management method for managing a plurality of circulating buses, each circulating bus being introduced into a circulation route from a base and returning to the base to be switched with another circulating bus after traveling a specified number of laps, includes storing, by a server, an operation schedule of the plurality of circulating buses, judging, by the server, whether a predetermined condition is satisfied when a predetermined event not planned in the operation schedule occurs, and revising, by the server, the operation schedule to introduce an additional circulating bus into the circulation route from the base when it is judged that the predetermined condition is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi HIGASHIDE, Keiichi UNO
  • Publication number: 20230368674
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus encourages passengers to practice distributed boarding to enable smooth operation of vehicles. The information processing apparatus includes a controller. The controller is configured to acquire information indicating a boarding status of passengers at a stop when it is judged that a preceding vehicle has arrived at the stop, generate notification information to encourage passengers who have not boarded the preceding vehicle to practice distributed boarding onto a subsequent vehicle when it is judged that the boarding status satisfies a predetermined condition based on the acquired information, and provide the generated notification information to the preceding vehicle and/or the stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi HIGASHIDE, Keiichi UNO
  • Patent number: 11776324
    Abstract: An operation management method for managing a plurality of circulating buses, each circulating bus being introduced into a circulation route from a base and returning to the base to be switched with another circulating bus after traveling a specified number of laps, includes storing, by a server, an operation schedule of the plurality of circulating buses, judging, by the server, whether a predetermined condition is satisfied when a predetermined event not planned in the operation schedule occurs, and revising, by the server, the operation schedule to introduce an additional circulating bus into the circulation route from the base when it is judged that the predetermined condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Higashide, Keiichi Uno
  • Patent number: 11769089
    Abstract: An operation management apparatus includes: a plan generator that generates a travel plane for each of a plurality of vehicles which form a vehicle line and which travel autonomously along a prescribed travel path; a communication device that transmits the travel plan to a corresponding vehicle; and a judging unit that judges necessity of an addition of a vehicle to the vehicle line and an elimination of a vehicle from the vehicle line. When it is judged that the addition of the vehicle is necessary, the plan generator determines a position of addition of a new vehicle in the vehicle line based on at least one of travel information and passenger information transmitted from each of the plurality of vehicles, and generates a travel plan for adding the new vehicle at the position of addition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Okazaki, Hiroshi Higashide, Keiichi Uno
  • Patent number: 11756430
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus encourages passengers to practice distributed boarding to enable smooth operation of vehicles. The information processing apparatus includes a controller. The controller is configured to acquire information indicating a boarding status of passengers at a stop when it is judged that a preceding vehicle has arrived at the stop, generate notification information to encourage passengers who have not boarded the preceding vehicle to practice distributed boarding onto a subsequent vehicle when it is judged that the boarding status satisfies a predetermined condition based on the acquired information, and provide the generated notification information to the preceding vehicle and/or the stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Higashide, Keiichi Uno
  • Patent number: 11731660
    Abstract: An automatic running vehicle executes regular operation control based on an operation schedule provided from an operation management device. The automatic running vehicle includes an automatic running control unit. The automatic running control unit executes retreat control to move to a retreat position on the predetermined route and stop there upon receipt of a retreat instruction from the operation management device or an immediately following overtaking vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Higashide, Kenji Okazaki, Keiichi Uno
  • Patent number: 11727802
    Abstract: A transportation system includes a traveling route, vehicles, and a service management device. The service management device includes a timetable generator that generates a timetable for each of the vehicles, and a communication device that is configured to receive passenger information at least from the vehicles or stops. The timetable generator calculates a boarding and alighting time estimate of the vehicle at the stop based on at least the passenger information such that a higher average speed of the vehicle between the stops and a longer dwell time of the vehicle at the stop are set for a longer boarding and alighting time estimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Okazaki, Hiroshi Higashide, Keiichi Uno
  • Patent number: 11709060
    Abstract: An operation management device includes a plan generating section for generating a travel plan, for each of a plurality of vehicles traveling autonomously along a prescribed travel route on which are provided a plurality of stations, including at least departure timing at the stations, a communication device for transmitting to corresponding vehicles the travel plan generated by the plan generating section, and an operation monitoring section for obtaining a delay amount of the vehicles relative to the travel plan, wherein the plan generating section judges whether or not revision of the travel plan is necessary based on the delay amount obtained by the operation monitoring section, and revises and regenerates the travel plan if the revision is necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Okazaki, Hiroshi Higashide, Keiichi Uno
  • Patent number: 11676489
    Abstract: An operation schedule changer can execute, as a schedule change process for changing a normal operation schedule, an advancing change process, a delay change process, and a cut-in change process. The schedule changer executes one of the advancing change process, the delay change process, or the cut-in change process based on a boarding demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Higashide, Kenji Okazaki, Keiichi Uno
  • Patent number: 11604477
    Abstract: An operation management apparatus includes a plan generator configured to generate a travel plan for each of a plurality of vehicles that form a line of vehicles and that travel autonomously along a predetermined travel route; a communication device configured to transmit the travel plans to the respective vehicles and receive, from the vehicles, travel information that indicates travel status of the vehicles; and an operation monitor configured to detect, based on the travel information, whether or not overtaking and passing of the vehicles have occurred. In response to the overtaking and passing, the plan generator modifies the travel plans so as to keep the order as switched upon the overtaking and passing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Okazaki, Hiroshi Higashide, Keiichi Uno
  • Publication number: 20230010084
    Abstract: An operation management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a method, performed by an operation management apparatus, for managing operation of a plurality of vehicles for passenger transportation. The operation management method includes selecting, upon detecting an occurrence of a predetermined event, one vehicle from among the plurality of vehicles each traveling a predetermined first route, determining a second route different from the first route, and switching a route traveled by the selected vehicle from the first route to the second route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yu NAGATA, Hiroshi HIGASHIDE
  • Patent number: 11524699
    Abstract: An operating situation obtaining unit obtains the operating situation information of a plurality of operating vehicles along a predetermined route. A delayed vehicle extraction unit extracts a delayed vehicle that is delayed in actual operation relative to the operation schedule from among the plurality of operating vehicles, based on the operating situation information of the respective operating vehicles. An overtaking instruction unit outputs an overtaking instruction to overtake the delayed vehicle to a following vehicle that immediately follows the delayed vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Higashide, Kenji Okazaki, Keiichi Uno
  • Publication number: 20220392274
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a controller configured to acquire, when a suspension of operation occurs in an autonomous vehicle, positional information, vehicle information, a vehicle internal image, and a vehicle external image of the autonomous vehicle, and determine, in a case in which a suspension of operation occurs in a plurality of autonomous vehicles, an order of priority for a rescue team to go to the plurality of vehicles, based on the positional information, the vehicle information, the vehicle internal image, and the vehicle external image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yu NAGATA, Hiroshi HIGASHIDE
  • Publication number: 20220343246
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a controller that acquires, from vehicle dispatch centers that each manage an operation plan for a specific area, the operation plan for each area, determines, based on the acquired operation plans, whether a period of time exists, in non-adjacent first and second areas, during which there is a surplus of vehicles in the first area and a shortage of vehicles in the second area, and generates, when the period of time is determined to exist, a vehicle movement plan such that a surplus vehicle in the first area is lent to a vehicle dispatch center that manages an operation plan for an area between the first and second areas, and a vehicle dispatch center in the second area borrows a vehicle from the vehicle dispatch center that manages the operation plan for the area between the first and second areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi HIGASHIDE, Keiichi Uno
  • Publication number: 20220319256
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a first communication interface, a first memory, and a first controller. The first communication interface is configured to be able to acquire failure diagnosis information for a vehicle. The first memory stores information on a plurality of services. The first controller is configured to select one or more services from the plurality of services stored in the first memory, based on the failure diagnosis information and on a priority evaluation category indicating an evaluation category for the plurality of services that is prioritized by a user. The first controller is configured to transmit information on the selected one or more services via the first communication interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yu NAGATA, Hiroshi HIGASHIDE, Keiichi UNO
  • Patent number: 11461719
    Abstract: A schedule changer executes, as a schedule change process for changing a normal operation schedule, a cut-in change process in which a plurality of operating vehicles are divided into a sequence of an advanced vehicle line group for which a departure target time is advanced from a departure target time determined based on the normal operation schedule, and a sequence of a delayed vehicle line group for which the departure target time is delayed from the departure target time determined based on the normal operation schedule, and an inter-vehicle space between the advanced vehicle line group and the delayed vehicle line group is enlarged for an additional vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Higashide, Kenji Okazaki, Keiichi Uno