Patents by Inventor Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi

Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi 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).

  • Publication number: 20240402343
    Abstract: A light projecting-and-receiving apparatus includes a first light emitter to emit first light, and second light in a quantum entangled state with the first light, a second light emitter to emitter third light of classical light, and a light receiver to receive a first reflection light and a second reflection light. The first reflection light is a reflection of at least one of the first light or the second light from an object, and the second reflection light is a reflection of the third light from the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi SEKIGUCHI, Naoki SHINODA
  • Publication number: 20240402308
    Abstract: A distance measuring system includes circuitry configured to calculate quantum correlation information based on first light and second light quantum-entangled with the first light, perform inference based on the quantum correlation information to obtain inference results, and output the inference results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi, Naoki Shinoda
  • Publication number: 20240129630
    Abstract: An image-capturing system includes circuitry to receive multiple phase images for each of multiple phases. The multiple phase images include multiple first phase images captured under a first condition and one or more second phase images captured under a second condition different from the first condition, and the multiple first phase images are greater in number than the one or more second phase images. The circuitry calculates, for each of the multiple phases, a motion amount, at least, among the multiple first phase images of a same phase; performs correction on the multiple first phase images of the same phase based on the motion amount; and performs addition processing on the multiple first phase images of the same phase, so as to generate a summed phase image for each of the multiple phases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyoshi SEKIGUCHI
  • Patent number: 11520019
    Abstract: A light signal detection device includes a light receiving optical system configured to receive a reflection signal reflected from an object when irradiation light emitted from an irradiation unit hits the object and reflects from the object; and circuitry configured to binarize the received reflection signal using a first threshold value, based on a determination of whether the reflection signal is equal to or greater than the first threshold value; binarize the received reflection signal using a second threshold value set with a given value similar to a noise signal value, based on a determination of whether the reflection signal is equal to or greater than the second threshold value; and measure a time difference between a time of emitting the irradiation light from the irradiation unit and a time of receiving a reflection signal equal to or greater than the first threshold value or the second threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuma Matsuura, Yuuta Yoshino, Takefumi Takizawa, Soichiro Yokota, Jun Kishiwada, Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi, Tadashi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11391840
    Abstract: A distance-measuring apparatus, a mobile object, a distance-measuring method, and a distance-measuring system. The distance-measuring apparatus and the distance-measuring method include performing matching for a plurality of images obtained by a plurality of imaging devices to convert the plurality of images into first distance information on a pixel-by-pixel basis, emitting a laser beam where at least one of a laser-beam resolution in a horizontal direction and a laser-beam resolution in a vertical direction exceeds two degrees, obtaining a reflected signal obtained when the laser beam is reflected by an object, detecting a peak that corresponds to reflection from the object from the reflected signal, calculating second distance information based on a length of time taken to observe the peak after the laser beam is emitted in the emitting, and integrating the first distance information and the second distance information with each other. The mobile object includes the distance-measuring apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi, Jun Kishiwada, Soichiro Yokota, Tadashi Nakamura, Seiya Amano, Kazuma Matsuura
  • Patent number: 11366229
    Abstract: A method of finding a range to a target object includes extracting a signal component from a beat signal obtained by synthesizing a transmission wave irradiated onto the target object and a reflection wave reflected and received from the target object, generating a matching evaluation value of a plurality of image data of the target object captured by an imaging device, fusing the signal component and the matching evaluation value before generating a distance image from the matching evaluation value, and setting distance information for each pixel of the image data of the target object based on the signal component and the matching evaluation value fused together to generate a distance image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi, Hidetaka Miyajima, Shigeru Ouchida
  • Patent number: 11054245
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes processing circuitry configured to generate a first map formed of pixels that are associated with x coordinate information, distance information, and frequency values; search for a target pixel satisfying a predetermined condition among the pixels in the first map, the searching being performed from the pixels that are near towards the pixels that are far away as indicated by the distance information; and validate pixels surrounding the target pixel in the first map, together with the target pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Sadao Takahashi, Seiya Amano, Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi, Soichiro Yokota, Yuu Yamada, Shinichi Sumiyoshi
  • Patent number: 11004215
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing apparatus that includes one or more processors; and a memory, the memory storing instructions. When executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: generate distribution data indicating a frequency distribution of horizontal distance values of a range image based on the range image having pixel values according to distance of an object in a plurality of captured images; predict a predicted position of the object in the distribution data with respect to a range image of a current frame, based on the distribution data with respect to range images of a plurality of previous frames; and continue tracking of the object, based on a similarity between a region of the object in a previous frame and a region in the current frame with respect to the predicted position of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Genki Watanabe, Keito Sawada, Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 10984509
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing apparatus that includes one or more processors; and a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: generate distribution data indicating a frequency distribution of horizontal distance values of a range image based on the range image having pixel values according to distance of an object in a plurality of captured images; detect an object based on the distribution data with respect to a range image; predict a predicted position of the object in a current frame based on the distribution data with respect to range images of a plurality of previous frames; and integrate a plurality of objects detected by the detector based on the predicted position to track an integrated object in subsequent frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Genki Watanabe, Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi, Soichiro Yokota, Seiya Amano, Yuu Yamada, Keito Sawada
  • Patent number: 10937181
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a calculating unit and a discarding unit. The calculating unit is configured to calculate a distance between two objects, detected based on distance information on the objects that are overlapped in detection areas of the objects, in a depth direction in the detection areas. The discarding unit is configured to determine whether each of the two objects in the detection areas is to be discarded by using a method that corresponds to the distance calculated by the calculating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Seiya Amano, Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi, Soichiro Yokota
  • Patent number: 10891751
    Abstract: An image processing method of generating a range image is provided. The method includes a step of detecting a distance to the object as a measured distance, by a distance measurement unit; a step of performing, by an image processing unit, integration of the distance with a matching evaluation value of a pixel in a stereogram corresponding to a location on the object of which the distance is detected by the distance measurement unit, among a plurality of pixels in the stereogram each including a corresponding matching evaluation value; and a step of generating a range image based on a result of the integration. The generating step is performed after the integration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi, Soichiro Yokota, Kenichiroh Saisho
  • Patent number: 10853963
    Abstract: An object detection device includes a map generator configured to generate, based on a distance image that includes distance information for each coordinate, a first map in which the coordinate in a horizontal direction of the distance image is associated with the distance information, and a second map in which the coordinate in the horizontal direction of the distance image is associated with the distance information, the second map having a lower resolution than the first map; and an object detector configured to detect an object based on the first map when a distance represented by the distance information is within a first range, and to detect an object based on the second map when a distance represented by the distance information is within a second range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sadao Takahashi, Yuji Takahashi, Shinichi Sumiyoshi, Yuu Yamada, Seiya Amano, Soichiro Yokota, Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 10832431
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image processing apparatus includes a first extracting unit, a second extracting unit, and a detecting unit. The first extracting unit is configured to extract a first region in which an object is represented, from a distance image that is drawn using distance information, based on the distance information of the object calculated from an image of the object captured by an image capturing unit. The second extracting unit is configured to extract a contour direction that is a direction along which pixels forming a contour of the first region are arrayed. The detecting unit is configured to detect a first surface facing the image capturing unit from the first region, based on the contour direction extracted by the second extracting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Seiya Amano, Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi, Soichiro Yokota
  • Publication number: 20200300984
    Abstract: A light signal detection device includes a light receiving optical system configured to receive a reflection signal reflected from an object when irradiation light emitted from an irradiation unit hits the object and reflects from the object; and circuitry configured to binarize the received reflection signal using a first threshold value, based on a determination of whether the reflection signal is equal to or greater than the first threshold value; binarize the received reflection signal using a second threshold value set with a given value similar to a noise signal value, based on a determination of whether the reflection signal is equal to or greater than the second threshold value; and measure a time difference between a time of emitting the irradiation light from the irradiation unit and a time of receiving a reflection signal equal to or greater than the first threshold value or the second threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: KAZUMA MATSUURA, YUUTA YOSHINO, TAKEFUMI TAKIZAWA, SOICHIRO YOKOTA, JUN KISHIWADA, HIROYOSHI SEKIGUCHI, TADASHI NAKAMURA
  • Patent number: 10776637
    Abstract: An image processing device includes a first extracting unit, a second extracting unit, a face detecting unit, a first apex detecting unit, and a decider. The first extracting unit is configured to extract, based on distance information regarding an object, a first area representing the object. The second extracting unit is configured to extract contour directions of a contour of the first area. The face detecting unit is configured to detect a first face in the first area, based on the contour directions extracted by the second extracting unit. The first apex detecting unit is configured to detect a first apex indicating a boundary of the first face. The decider is configured to decide on a principal face of the object represented by the first area, based on at least the first face and the first apex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Seiya Amano, Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi, Soichiro Yokota
  • Publication number: 20200233087
    Abstract: A method of finding a range to a target object includes extracting a signal component from a beat signal obtained by synthesizing a transmission wave irradiated onto the target object and a reflection wave reflected and received from the target object, generating a matching evaluation value of a plurality of image data of the target object captured by an imaging device, fusing the signal component and the matching evaluation value before generating a distance image from the matching evaluation value, and setting distance information for each pixel of the image data of the target object based on the signal component and the matching evaluation value fused together to generate a distance image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi SEKIGUCHI, Hidetaka MIYAJIMA, Shigeru OUCHIDA
  • Patent number: 10679388
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes processing circuitry configured to generate a map formed of pixels that indicate information including left and right position information, distance information, and frequency values associated with the pixels; detect a pixel block formed of a plurality of the pixels having a common feature amount in the map; and generate a detection frame defining a search target region used for detecting a body from the distance information, based on the information indicated by the pixels forming the detected pixel block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Sadao Takahashi, Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 10670726
    Abstract: A distance measuring device includes a plurality of image taking parts, a first distance information acquisition part that acquires distance information of an object for distance measuring from taken images that are taken by the plurality of image taking parts, an electromagnetic wave emission part that emits an electromagnetic wave, a reflected-wave receiving part that receives a reflected wave of an electromagnetic wave emitted from the electromagnetic wave emission part, and a second distance information acquisition part that acquires distance information of the object for distance measuring from a reflected wave received by the reflected-wave receiving part, wherein irradiation with an electromagnetic wave emitted from the electromagnetic wave emission part is executed under optical axes of the plurality of image taking parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shuichi Suzuki, Mitsuru Nakajima, Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi, Haike Guan, Soichiro Yokota
  • Patent number: 10546383
    Abstract: An image processing device includes: a first generating unit configured to generate, based on a distance image generated from a plurality of taken images imaged by a plurality of imaging units in a travelling direction, and made from distance values corresponding to the travelling direction, a first image indicating a frequency distribution associating actual distances in a direction orthogonal to the travelling direction with the distance values; a second generating unit configured to generate, based on the distance image, a second image indicating a frequency distribution associating a horizontal direction of the distance image with the distance values; a first processing unit configured to detect a face of an object represented by the first image, using at least the first image; and a second processing unit configured to identify a type of the face of the object using at least the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Seiya Amano, Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi, Soichiro Yokota
  • Patent number: 10520309
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, an object recognition device for performing recognition processing on a distance image to recognize an object includes a determination unit, a changing unit, and a recognition processor. The determination unit is configured to determine a valid distance pixel forming the distance image and an invalid distance pixel not forming the distance image, based on a feature value of each pixel in a captured image. The changing unit is configured to change the invalid distance pixel near the valid distance pixel to a valid distance pixel. The recognition processor is configured to perform recognition processing on the distance image formed by the valid distance pixel determined by the determination unit and the valid distance pixel obtained by the changing unit to recognize the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Sadao Takahashi, Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi