Patents by Inventor Hitoshi Niwa

Hitoshi Niwa 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: 12351165
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a level difference detector and a running controller. The level difference detector is configured to detect a level difference. The running controller is configured to perform in parallel level-difference override suppression control to suppress erroneous start for override of the level difference and level-difference override support control to support override of the level difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hitoshi Niwa
  • Publication number: 20250131744
    Abstract: A lane-dividing line recognition apparatus for a vehicle includes a processor that calculates relative coordinates of a tentative complementary point extracted from data on a lane-dividing line recognized in each predetermined cycle, based on image of a traveling environment in front of the vehicle, calculates a first lane-dividing line complementary point, based on the relative coordinates and traveling information on the vehicle, and calculates a second lane-dividing line complementary point, based on the relative coordinates and absolute position data on the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2024
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Applicant: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryo NOTO, Kentaro Nozu, Hitoshi Niwa
  • Publication number: 20250026266
    Abstract: A vehicle drive assist apparatus for a vehicle includes: a forward environment recognition device configured to acquire forward environment information of the vehicle; a lateral environment recognition device configured to acquire lateral environment information of the vehicle; an alarm device configured to alert a driver who drives the vehicle through at least an alarm or a warning display; and a control unit configured to receive surrounding environment information including the forward environment information and the lateral environment information and activate the alarm device. The control unit is configured to compute a cognitive load value of the driver based on an object detected within a cognitive field-of-view area of the driver extracted from the surrounding environment information, and, in accordance with the cognitive load value, variably set a warning level of the alarm device to be activated upon detection of a potential collision object in the lateral environment information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Inventors: Hitoshi NIWA, Kentaro NOZU
  • Publication number: 20250018934
    Abstract: An automated parking control device includes: a surrounding environment recognition device that acquires surrounding environment information of a vehicle; a parking controller that searches for an available parking area, generate a target route to the available parking area, and control the vehicle to move along the target route; an image processor that estimate a distance to a three-dimensional object and a slippage level of a road surface; an image map generator that generate a road a slippage level map; a wheel selector that predicts routes of vehicle's wheels, superimposes the routes on the map, and selects a wheel expected to pass through a route where the wheel is most unlikely to slip; and a movement amount calculator that acquires a wheel speed pulse of the selected wheel and calculates a movement amount of a reference position of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2024
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Inventors: Hitoshi NIWA, Kentaro NOZU, Koyu TANI, Ryo NOTO, Naoki MIZUSAKA
  • Publication number: 20240005669
    Abstract: A contact object detection apparatus includes an on-road static object detector, a sonar sensor, a position estimator, a corrector, and a contact object determination unit. The on-road static object detector detects an on-road static object from an image of an environment behind a vehicle to calculate a position of the object. When the object is no longer detectable, the position estimator estimates a current position of the object based on the last position detected by the on-road static object detector, traveling speed data, and steering angle data, to calculate an angle between a center axis of the sonar sensor and the estimated current position. The corrector corrects a decrease in a sensor output value of the sonar sensor based on the calculated angle. The contact object determination unit determines whether the object has a possibility of contact with the vehicle, based on the corrected sensor output value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventor: Hitoshi NIWA
  • Patent number: 11835035
    Abstract: A rectifying device includes an air flow generator. The air flow generator is disposed at an exterior member of a vehicle. The exterior member is adjacent to a detector of a sensor that is disposed such that at least a portion of a detection range of the detector includes a rear region behind a plane in a traveling direction of the vehicle. The plane is parallel to a width direction and a vertical direction of the vehicle. The air flow generator is configured to generate an air flow that separates, from the detector of the sensor, travelling wind that accompanies travel of the vehicle. The air flow generator includes a plasma actuator that includes at least a pair of electrodes and a power source that is configured to apply an alternating current voltage to the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hitoshi Niwa
  • Publication number: 20230100646
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a level difference detector and a running controller. The level difference detector is configured to detect a level difference. The running controller is configured to perform in parallel level-difference override suppression control to suppress erroneous start for override of the level difference and level-difference override support control to support override of the level difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hitoshi NIWA
  • Publication number: 20210355923
    Abstract: A rectifying device includes an air flow generator. The air flow generator is disposed at an exterior member of a vehicle. The exterior member is adjacent to a detector of a sensor that is disposed such that at least a portion of a detection range of the detector includes a rear region behind a plane in a traveling direction of the vehicle. The plane is parallel to a width direction and a vertical direction of the vehicle. The air flow generator is configured to generate an air flow that separates, from the detector of the sensor, travelling wind that accompanies travel of the vehicle. The air flow generator includes a plasma actuator that includes at least a pair of electrodes and a power source that is configured to apply an alternating current voltage to the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventor: Hitoshi NIWA
  • Patent number: 7700352
    Abstract: The invention aims to proliferate or establish undifferentiated pluripotent stem cells that retain their differentiation potency by culturing pluripotent stem cells in a medium free of a feeder cell, or a serum. The aim is attained by using a culture medium for pluripotent stem cells comprising the known ingredients, which is supplemented with an inhibitor of an adenylate cyclase activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Riken
    Inventors: Hitoshi Niwa, Kazuya Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20060127370
    Abstract: The invention aims to proliferate or establish undifferentiated pluripotent stem cells that retain their differentiation potency by culturing pluripotent stem cells in a medium free of a feeder cell, or a serum. The aim is attained by using a culture medium for pluripotent stem cells comprising the known ingredients, which is supplemented with an inhibitor of an adenylate cyclase activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Applicants: RIKEN, Hitoshi NIWA
    Inventors: Hitoshi Niwa, Kazuya Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20020146689
    Abstract: A method of expression DNA in a cell comprises, in a cell that expresses a replication VpA factor, transfecting the cell with a vector, wherein (i) the vector contains a DNA, or is adapted to receive a DNA, in operative combination with a promoter for expression of the DNA; and (ii) extrachromosomal replication of the vector is dependent upon presence within the cell of the replication factor. Stable El maintenance of the vector and expression of the DNA is thereby achieved. Vectors for expression of DNA are provided as are assays for the effect of expression of DNAs in cells, the DNAs being H expressed from the vectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: CATHERINE CLARE BLACKBURN, IAN PAUL CHAMBERS, ALEXANDER L. MEDVINSKY, HITOSHI NIWA, AUSTIN G. SMITH
  • Patent number: 5957840
    Abstract: A pinch device for detecting a biomedical signal which pinches a measuring site of a living body in order to detect a biomedical signal, includes a pair of body members which are opposed to each other, said body members being rotatably coupled to each other via a shaft portion, a movable member mounted to a tip end of one of said paired body members so as to be rotatable, and said movable member having a contact face opposed to another contact face which is formed at a tip end of another one of said paired body members, and a spring member urging said contact face of said movable member and said other contact face of said body member which is opposed to said movable member, in an approaching direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Nihon Kohden Corporation
    Inventors: Harutoshi Terasawa, Hitoshi Niwa
  • Patent number: 5728591
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a light valve device comprises forming a transparent insulating thin film layer on a surface of a semiconductor substrate, and forming a single crystal semiconductor thin film on a surface of the transparent insulating thin film layer. A portion of the single crystal semiconductor thin film is then removed and at least one pixel electrode is formed on the transparent insulating thin film layer at a region where the single crystal semiconductor thin film has been removed. A driving unit is then formed in the single crystal semiconductor thin film. Thereafter, a carrier substrate is laminated using an adhesive on the surface of the semiconductor substrate at a region corresponding to the pixel electrode and the driving unit. The semiconductor substrate is then removed to expose a surface of the transparent insulating thin film layer and through-holes and a metal film are formed on the exposed surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Kunihiro Takahashi, Yoshikazu Kojima, Hiroaki Takasu, Nobuyoshi Matsuyama, Hitoshi Niwa, Tomoyuki Yoshino, Tsuneo Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 5618739
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises forming an SOI substrate by depositing an insulating film of silicon dioxide on a surface of a temporary silicon substrate, thermally bonding a semiconductor substrate of single crystal silicon on a surface of the insulating film, and polishing the semiconductor substrate to form a single crystal semiconductor thin film. A semiconductor integrated circuit is then formed in the single crystal semiconductor thin film. Thereafter, a support substrate is fixedly adhered in face-to-face relation to a surface of the semiconductor integrated circuit opposite to the temporary substrate. The temporary substrate is then removed to expose a surface of the insulating film. The exposed surface of the insulating film is then subjected to a treatment including at least forming an electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Kunihiro Takahashi, Yoshikazu Kojima, Hiroaki Takasu, Nobuyoshi Matsuyama, Hitoshi Niwa, Tomoyuki Yoshino, Tsuneo Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 5585304
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer is comprised of a transparent layer interposed between a thin silicon layer and a thick silicon layer. Silicon islands are formed from the thin silicon layer on the transparent layer. Device elements are formed in the silicon islands. Thereafter, the thick silicon layer which is a support layer is etched away to form a transparent region on the wafer. The wafer is constructed to avoid elimination or destruction of the transparent layer during the course of formation of the silicon islands and during the course of etching of the rear thick silicon plate. The transparent layer is comprised of a silicon nitride film or a silicon carbide film. Alternatively, the transparent layer is comprised of a silicon oxide film covered by a silicon nitride film or a silicon carbide film on one or both of the upper and lower faces of the silicon oxide film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignees: Agency Industrial Science, Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Yutaka Hayashi, Kunihiro Takahashi, Hiroaki Takasu, Yoshikazu Kojima, Hitoshi Niwa, Nobuyoshi Matsuyama, Yomoyuki Yoshino, Masaaki Kamiya
  • Patent number: 5572045
    Abstract: Herein disclosed are a semiconductor device having a double-side wiring structure, in which a single crystal semiconductor thin film formed integrally with transistor elements is laminated on an insulating thin film and is formed with through holes and in which the insulating thin film is formed on its back with electrodes and a shielding film, and a light valve device using the semiconductor device. Over the single crystal semiconductor thin film, there are formed switching elements of transistors, pixel electrodes connected electrically with the switching elements, and drive circuits for scanning and driving the switching elements. Also disclosed is a miniature highly dense light valve device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Kunihiro Takahashi, Yoshikazu Kojima, Hiroaki Takasu, Nobuyoshi Matsuyama, Hitoshi Niwa, Tomoyuki Yoshino, Tsuneo Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 5486708
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a double-side wiring structure, in which a single crystal semiconductor thin film is formed integrally with transistor elements and is laminated on an insulating thin film. The single crystal semiconductor thin film is formed with through-holes and the insulating thin film is formed on its back side with electrodes and a shielding film. A light valve device using the semiconductor device is also disclosed. Over the single crystal semiconductor thin film, there are formed switching elements of transistors, pixel electrodes connected electrically with the switching elements, and drive circuits for scanning and driving the switching elements. Also disclosed is a miniature highly dense light valve device. In this light valve device, an electrooptical substance is arranged between a multi-layer substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Kunihiro Takahashi, Yoshikazu Kojima, Hiroaki Takasu, Nobuyoshi Matsuyama, Hitoshi Niwa, Tomoyuki Yoshino, Tsuneo Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 5347154
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a double-side wiring structure, in which a single crystal semiconductor thin film is formed integrally with transistor elements and is laminated on an insulating thin film. The single crystal semiconductor thin film is formed with through-holes and the insulating thin film is formed on its back side with electrodes and a shielding film. A light valve device using the semiconductor device is also disclosed. Over the single crystal semiconductor thin film, there are formed switching elements of transistors, pixel electrodes connected electrically with the switching elements, and drive circuits for scanning and driving the switching elements. Also disclosed is a miniature highly dense light valve device. In this light valve device, an electrooptical substance is arranged between a multi-layer substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Kunihiro Takahashi, Yoshikazu Kojima, Hiroaki Takasu, Nobuyoshi Matsuyama, Hitoshi Niwa, Tomoyuki Yoshino, Tsuneo Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 5132582
    Abstract: A transfer apparatus for transferring a sheet-like medium has a vibrational element or elements which vibrate under control of electrical energy to move the sheet-like medium along a transfer medium. The vibrational element has a tubular hexagonal body with piezoelectric elements on its faces other then the upper and lower face. The lower face is fixed and the upper face has a projection in the shape of a ball which engages the bottom surface of the sheet-like medium during vibration of the vibrational element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignees: Nihon Kohden Corporation, Teru Hayashi
    Inventors: Teru Hayashi, Hitoshi Niwa
  • Patent number: 4990324
    Abstract: Aqueous titanium tetrachloride solution and aqueous zirconium nitrate solution of components except zirconium, for forming lead zirconate-tinatate in which part of the lead is substituted for any of the lanthanide elements are mixed, and the mixture is hydrolyzed to form sol. This sol is cleaned, dried, and calcined at 1100.degree. C. to form modified powder. The compounds of the remaining component of lead zirconate-titanate, such as TiO.sub.2 powder, PbO powder and Sm.sub.2 O.sub.3 powder, are mixed with the modified powder, and the resultant mixture is calcined at 750.degree. C. for 1 hour to produce the lead zirconate-titanate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignees: Nippondenso Co., Ltd., Science and Technology Agency Natl. Institute for Research in Inorganic Materials
    Inventors: Masahiro Tomita, Akira Fujii, Naoto Niwa, Hitoshi Niwa, Shin-ichi Shirasaki