Patents by Inventor Hitoshi Sasaki

Hitoshi Sasaki 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: 20230073325
    Abstract: There is provided a technology capable of, when a remote operation target through a remote operation apparatus is switched from one work machine to another work machine, making it easy for an operator to respond to an environmental change of the remote operation target. A first work environment image based on first picked-up image data acquired through a work machine image-pickup device 412 of a first work machine which is a current remote operation target of a remote operation apparatus 20 is outputted on a remote output interface 220. In addition, a second work environment image based on second picked-up image data acquired through a work machine image pickup apparatus of a second work machine which is the next remote operation target of the remote operation apparatus 20 is outputted on the remote output interface 220.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Hitoshi SASAKI, Seiji SAIKI, Yoichiro YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20230043651
    Abstract: A remote control system 1 having a function as an inspection system includes a plurality of cameras 25, 60 which are located in a location environment of a construction machine 10, a captured image processing unit 50a configured to cause a display unit 45 to display captured images, and a camera selection unit 50b configured to select an inspection camera from the plurality of cameras 25, 60 at a time of inspection of the construction machine 10. The captured image processing unit 50a is configured to receive an image captured by the selected inspection camera to include an image of a portion to be inspected and cause the display unit 45 to display the captured image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Hitoshi SASAKI, Yoichiro YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20230033706
    Abstract: A work support server 10 according to the present invention supports work in such a manner that a plurality of work machines 40 to be operated can be selectively remotely operated in response to an operation to be performed for a remote operation apparatus 20 including an image output device 221. A first support processing element 121 in the work support server 10 recognizes a position of each of the work machines 40, and a second support processing element 122 displays, when an operation target of the remote operation apparatus 20 is switched from a first work machine 40a to a second work machine 40b, an image including respective positions of the first work machine 40a and the second work machine 40b simultaneously captured on the image output device 221.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Hitoshi SASAKI, Seiji SAIKI, Yoichiro YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20230023778
    Abstract: There is provided a server and a system capable of enabling an operator of a remote operating device to recognize which remote operating device remotely operates a work machine displayed on an output interface constituting the remote operating device. For example, a first work environment image indicating a situation of a work site acquired through an image pickup device 412 loaded on a work machine 40 is outputted on an output interface 220 constituting each of a plurality of remote operating devices 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Hitoshi SASAKI, Yoichiro YAMAZAKI
  • Patent number: 11557465
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electrostatic chuck includes a ceramic dielectric substrate, a base plate, and first and second electrode layers. The ceramic dielectric substrate includes first and second major surfaces. The first and second electrode layers are provided inside the ceramic dielectric substrate. The second electrode layer is provided between the first electrode layer and the first major surface. The first electrode layer includes first and second portions. The first portion is positioned more centrally of the ceramic dielectric substrate than is the second portion. The first portion includes first and second surfaces. The second portion includes third and fourth surfaces. The third surface is positioned between the first surface and the second electrode layer. An electrical resistance of the first surface is less than an average electrical resistance of the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Momiyama, Minoru Suzuki, Hitoshi Sasaki, Tsukasa Shigezumi
  • Patent number: 11557467
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electrostatic chuck includes a ceramic dielectric substrate, a base plate, and first and second electrode layers. The ceramic dielectric substrate includes first and second major surfaces. The first and second electrode layers are provided inside the ceramic dielectric substrate. The second electrode layer is provided between the first electrode layer and the first major surface. The first electrode layer includes first and second portions. The first portion is positioned more centrally of the ceramic dielectric substrate than is the second portion. The first portion includes first and second surfaces. The second portion includes third and fourth surfaces. The third surface is positioned between the first surface and the second electrode layer. An electrical resistance of the first surface is greater than an average electrical resistance of the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Momiyama, Minoru Suzuki, Hitoshi Sasaki, Tsukasa Shigezumi
  • Publication number: 20220412049
    Abstract: A work assisting server 10 includes a first assisting process element 121 and a second assisting process element 122 and communicates with a plurality of facility cameras 30 when an operator OP remotely operates a work machine 40 while viewing a captured image displayed on an image output device 221. The first assisting process element 121 extracts, as candidates, the facility cameras 30 including the work machine 40 in imaging ranges. The second assisting process element 122 selects the facility camera 30 that is able to obtain the imaging range including an optimal direction or size on the basis of movement of the work machine 40 and causes the selected facility camera 30 to output a captured image to the image output device 221.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Hitoshi SASAKI, Seiji SAIKI, Yoichiro YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20220412048
    Abstract: Provided is a server and a system that can assist an operator in recognizing whether or not a work machine in a work-site birds-eye image output on an output interface constituting a remote operation device is subject to remote operation by the remote operation device. According to the captured image acquired through the image pickup device C, when a work machine 40 is in the work-site birds-eye image that is output on an output interface 220 constituting a remote operation device 20, whether or not the work machine 40 is a connection-target work machine is determined. If the determination result is positive, a first sign image ID1 associated with an actual machine image Q2 that represents the work machine 40 in the work-site birds-eye image is displayed on the output interface 220 of the remote operation device 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Hitoshi SASAKI, Yoichiro YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20220412047
    Abstract: There is provided a system and the like capable of assisting remote operation of a work machine performed by a remote operator in such a way that contact between the work machine and an actual machine operator and other unfavorable situations can be avoided. Even in a situation in which a first evaluation result is affirmative and a work machine 40 can be remotely operated via a remote operation apparatus 20, but in a situation in which a second evaluation result is affirmative and it is highly probable that a worker carrying a portable terminal 60, such as an actual machine operator OP2, is so close to the work machine 40 or on the work machine 40 that short-range wireless communication between the work machine 40 and the portable terminal 60 is established, remote operation of the work machine 40 is inhibited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Ryota HAMA, Hitoshi SASAKI, Seiji SAIKI, Yoichiro YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20220412055
    Abstract: A purpose of the present invention is to provide a remote operation assistance system used for assisting an operator OP in remotely operating a work machine. In order to achieve this purpose, the remote operation assistance system of the present invention includes: a distance acquisition unit 201 that obtains information on a distance from the operator OP to a moving body M; an attribute acquisition unit 202 that obtains an attribute to which the moving body M belongs; an interference determination unit 203 that determines a level of likelihood of interference occurring with the remote operation, based on the distance obtained by the distance acquisition unit 201 and the attribute obtained by the attribute acquisition unit 202; and an assistance control unit 204 that performs control to assist in the remote operation according to a result of the determination by the interference determination unit 203.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Ryuichi HIROSE, Hitoshi SASAKI, Seiji SAIKI, Yoichiro YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20220409994
    Abstract: A display device 20 includes: a hinge 91; a first monitor device 21 including a first front surface 22; and a second monitor device 31 including a second front surface 32. Parallel planes from a virtual second front surface on a rear side by predetermined distances at a first angle a to a third angle c between the first front surface 22 and the virtual second front surface are defined as first to third virtual planes E to G. A rotation axis X1 of the hinge 91 is disposed on anyone of these three virtual planes or inside a space formed by the three virtual planes in a view in a direction parallel to the rotation axis X1, and the second front surface 32 is disposed at a position away from the rotation axis X1 on a front side of the second monitor device 31 by a predetermined distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Yusuke SAWADA, Hitoshi SASAKI, Masataka MATONO, Kenshiro OKUDA, Yoichiro YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20220403619
    Abstract: A remote control system 1 comprises a server 50 configured to acquire, for each of a plurality of construction machines 10, information indicating whether a predetermined event related to a machine control request timing which is a timing at which control of each of the plurality of construction machines 10 is to be started has occurred, and reporting devices 44, 45 configured to output report information to an operator according to an instruction from the server 50. With respect to any one of the plurality of construction machines 10, the server 50 is configured to, when acquiring information indicating occurrence of the predetermined event associated with the construction machine, output report information indicating the occurrence from the reporting devices 44, 45.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Hitoshi SASAKI, Seiji SAIKI, Yoichiro YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20220398512
    Abstract: Provided are a server and system which allow a plurality of people involved in work to share information about an object requiring attention in a work area. A work environment image, which indicates an extension mode of a target object in a real space in a target object image region R that is a part of a captured image obtained through an imaging device (e.g., an imaging device 612) of a first client (e.g., a worker terminal 60) and target object related information, is outputted to an output interface (e.g., a remote output interface 220) of a second client (e.g., a remote operation device 20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Yusuke SAWADA, Hitoshi SASAKI, Seiji SAIKI, Yoichiro YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20220391811
    Abstract: Provided are a server and a system which enable a worker of a work machine to intuitively recognize work contents and the like to be performed using the work machine in each of a plurality of work locations. In response to a first designated operation through a remote input interface 210 of a remote operation device 20, a remote output interface 220 of the remote operation device 20 outputs a work environment image showing positions of designated work locations Q1 and Q2, and information about at least one of a designated work period and a designated work content. The designated work location, the designated work period and the designated work content are included in designated work information that is work information fitting a designated position depending on the first designated operation among a plurality of pieces of work information registered in a database 102.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Yusuke SAWADA, Hitoshi SASAKI, Seiji SAIKI, Yoichiro YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20220389683
    Abstract: Provided are a server and a system which enable one operator driving or operating a work machine to intuitively recognize advice or instruction from another operator. A route guidance request from a first work machine 40 cooperating a first client (first remote operation device 20) is accepted. A guided route R extending between a first designated position P1 and a second designated position P2 may be designated through an input interface 210 of a second client (second remote operation device 20). Then, route guidance information depending on the guided route R is outputted to an output interface 220 of the first client.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Yusuke SAWADA, Hitoshi SASAKI, Seiji SAIKI, Yoichiro YAMAZAKI
  • Patent number: 11466431
    Abstract: A correction value for matching an operation characteristic of a slave operating device with an operation characteristic of a master operating device is registered in advance in a correction table for each combination of type information of a construction machine and type information of the slave operating device. A controller acquires, from correction information, a correction value corresponding to a combination of the type information of the construction machine and the type information of the slave operating device received by a communication unit, corrects an amount of operation accepted by an operating lever based on the acquired correction value, and transmits the corrected amount of operation to the communication unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Sasaki, Seiji Saiki, Yoichiro Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20220316180
    Abstract: A remote driving device (100) includes an operation lever (1) to be operated based on an operation command signal, and a first operation mechanism (30) which tilts the operation lever (1). The first operation mechanism (30) includes a first actuator (31) which generates a driving force to tilt the operation lever (1) based on the operation command signal, a first transmission device (41) which transmits the driving force of the first actuator (31), a first detector (61) which detects a tilting amount of the operation lever (1), and a first drive shaft (51). On the first drive shaft (51), a first rotation output part (52) is provided, and the first drive shaft rotates with the tilting of the operation lever (1). The first detector (61) detects the tilting amount of the operation lever (1) via the first rotation output part (52).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventor: Hitoshi SASAKI
  • Publication number: 20220316181
    Abstract: According to the remote operation system or a remote operation server 20 included in the remote operation system, a “communication resource allocation process” is performed according to the skill or the like of the operator to allocate communication resources to a plurality of remote operation devices 10. When the “environment information control process” is performed, a data amount of environment data is reduced such that a reduction in the information amount of one or a plurality of low environment information factors is greater than the reduction in the information amount of one or a plurality of high environment information factors (meaning the reduction in the information amount of the environment information due to a change in the environment information factor). The environment information control process is performed in different modes according to a difference in an allocation resource.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Yusuke FUNAHARA, Hitoshi SASAKI, Yoichiro YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20220316182
    Abstract: Provided is a remote operation apparatus which has an improved transportability and is excellent in stability and convenience. A remote operation apparatus 100 comprises a seat 10 including a seat part 11 on which an operator sits, a seat holding device 20 holding the seat 10, a drive device 30 configured to move the seat 10, and a plurality of housings 60 and 70 housing electronic equipment units including first and second arithmetic processing units 81 and 82, the plurality of housings 60 and 70 include a first housing 60 to which the seat holding device 20 is fixed, and a second housing 70 in contact with and fixed to a part of the first housing 60 in a front direction of the operator, and the drive device 30 and the first and second arithmetic processing units 81 and 82 are provided in the first housing 60.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Hitoshi SASAKI, Yusuke SAWADA
  • Patent number: 11443888
    Abstract: A coil component including a first conductive plate part formed with a first coil pattern having a first opening, and a second conductive plate part formed with a second coil pattern having a second opening and disposed at a predetermined interval in the laminating direction with respect to the first conductive plate part. The first conductive plate part and the second conductive plate part are made of the same single plate and are integrally formed by a bent joining segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Syun Ashizawa, Takahiro Banzai, Satoshi Sugimoto, Hitoshi Sasaki