Patents by Inventor Ichiro Sugioka
Ichiro Sugioka 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).
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Patent number: 10744906Abstract: Example embodiments presented herein are directed toward a seat assembly, and corresponding method, for seat retraction in a vehicle during an autonomous driving mode. Seat refraction is provided by detecting a user initiated input for the retraction. Thereafter, a front seat is refracted such that an occupant of the front seat is out of reach of at least one driving control input device, for example, a steering wheel, pedals or a gear shift, during an autonomous driving mode. Such seat retraction prevents the occupant from providing inadvertent driving inputs to the driving control input devices during the autonomous driving mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2015Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATIONInventors: Ichiro Sugioka, John Downs, Andreas Zinn, Douglas Hall Frasher
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Patent number: 10504052Abstract: Example embodiments presented herein are directed towards a navigation unit, and corresponding method therein, for providing navigation instructions for an autonomous vehicle configured to be in an autonomous driving mode while in a certified autonomous road. The navigation unit is first configured to determine the autonomous vehicle is driving in an unplanned route or that the autonomous vehicle is deviating from a planned route. Thereafter, a trigger for routing the autonomous vehicle to a certified autonomous road is identified. The trigger is based on at least one of a current location, a time and date, a driving history or a calendar event. After the determination and identification previously described is performed, the vehicle is navigated to the certified autonomous road. Upon entering the road, and therefore being in an autonomous driving mode, a display screen will engage the driver so that the driver may input route planning information.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2016Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: Volvo Car CorporationInventors: Ichiro Sugioka, Aric Dromi, Kari Kauppi
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Patent number: 10362068Abstract: A system, a multi-user scheduling unit comprised in the system, and corresponding methods are described for scheduling a video conference call for at least one autonomous vehicle. The system provides a means of scheduling such a call for various participants while minimizing driver interaction or need for attention while a vehicle is in a manual driving mode.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2016Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: Volvo Car CorporationInventors: Ichiro Sugioka, Matthew Lawler, Kari Kauppi, Aric Dromi, Nick Sakellariou
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Patent number: 9908440Abstract: Example embodiments presented herein are directed towards a seat assembly, and corresponding method and computer readable medium, for adjusting a seat in an autonomous vehicle. The adjustment is provided such that a seat occupant may control the adjustment may providing a natural pushing force once the vehicle is in an autonomous driving mode.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2016Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Volvo Car CorporationInventors: Ichiro Sugioka, Douglas Frasher, Stefan Norberg
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Patent number: 9783206Abstract: A control system and method in a vehicle are disclosed for controlling an autonomous drive related operation of the vehicle. The method may include detecting a pre-determined foot arrangement of an occupant in a front seat of the vehicle and controlling a state of the autonomous drive related operation, based on the detected pre-determined foot arrangement. The system may include at least one sensor configured to detect a pre-determined foot arrangement of an occupant in a front seat of the vehicle, and a control unit configured to control a state of the autonomous drive related operation, based on the detected pre-determined foot arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2015Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Volvo Car CorporationInventor: Ichiro Sugioka
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Patent number: 9764756Abstract: Example embodiments presented herein are directed toward a steering wheel assembly, and corresponding method, for retracting a steering wheel in a vehicle. In the steering wheel retraction, a steering column is configured to first pivot upwards about a horizontal axis directed along the vehicle's width via a pivoting member. Thereafter, the steering wheel column is configured to slide, via an actuating member, in a forward direction towards the instrument panel of the vehicle. Thus, before moving the steering column in a forward direction, the steering wheel is moved away from the driver's legs by the pivoting action. This helps reduce the likelihood of the steering wheel hitting the driver's legs during the retraction.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2016Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATIONInventors: Ichiro Sugioka, Douglas Hall Frasher, John Downs
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Patent number: 9638078Abstract: A vehicle ambient air purification arrangement, a vehicle, a vehicle fleet and a method for purifying air ambient to a vehicle are provided. The arrangement comprises an air conveying apparatus and a controller. The controller is arranged to control the air conveying apparatus to convey ambient air through ducts and filters of a vehicle exhaust gas treatment system in response to a determination that a combustion engine is inoperative and that a voltage supplied to the arrangement exceeds a threshold voltage.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATIONInventors: Hans Mathiasson, Ichiro Sugioka, Lena Lonnqvist
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Publication number: 20170101032Abstract: Example embodiments presented herein are directed towards a seat assembly, and corresponding method and computer readable medium, for adjusting a seat in an autonomous vehicle. The adjustment is provided such that a seat occupant may control the adjustment may providing a natural pushing force once the vehicle is in an autonomous driving mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2016Publication date: April 13, 2017Inventors: Ichiro Sugioka, Douglas Frasher, Stefan Norberg
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Publication number: 20160210590Abstract: A method performed by a parking assigning system is described for supporting delivery efficiency of delivered services to vehicles adapted for receipt of delivered services. The parking assigning system determines first vehicle condition data associated with a first vehicle adapted for receipt of a delivered service. The parking assigning system further determines at least a first suitable parking location based on the first vehicle condition data. The parking assigning system provides assigned parking information including the at least first suitable parking location to a vehicle user device associated with the first vehicle. A parking assigning system for performing the method is also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2016Publication date: July 21, 2016Inventors: Ichiro SUGIOKA, Aric DROMI, Kari KAUPPI
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Publication number: 20160200344Abstract: Example embodiments presented herein are directed toward a steering wheel assembly, and corresponding method, for retracting a steering wheel in a vehicle. In the steering wheel retraction, a steering column is configured to first pivot upwards about a horizontal axis directed along the vehicle's width via a pivoting member. Thereafter, the steering wheel column is configured to slide, via an actuating member, in a forward direction towards the instrument panel of the vehicle. Thus, before moving the steering column in a forward direction, the steering wheel is moved away from the driver's legs by the pivoting action. This helps reduce the likelihood of the steering wheel hitting the driver's legs during the retraction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2016Publication date: July 14, 2016Inventors: Ichiro Sugioka, Douglas Hall Frasher, John Downs
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Publication number: 20160205146Abstract: A system, a multi-user scheduling unit comprised in the system, and corresponding methods are described for scheduling a video conference call for at least one autonomous vehicle. The system provides a means of scheduling such a call for various participants while minimizing driver interaction or need for attention while a vehicle is in a manual driving mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2016Publication date: July 14, 2016Inventors: Ichiro SUGIOKA, Matthew LAWLER, Kari KAUPPI, Aric DROMI, Nick SAKELLARIOU
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Patent number: 9361575Abstract: A method is disclosed for programming a target neural network computer for use in cognitive computing systems in automotive safety applications. An observer neural network computer is integrated into active safety systems of a plurality of vehicles to observe signals. Each respective observer neural network computer is arranged to observe signals from a forward facing camera and signals from a driver action monitor of its respective vehicle, to process the observed signals from the forward facing camera of its respective vehicle and correlate them with the observed signals from the driver action monitor of its respective vehicle. The correlated signals from the plurality of observer neural network computers are combined, and the target neural network computer is programmed for use in cognitive computing systems in automotive safety applications based on said combined correlated signals.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2013Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Volvo Car CorporationInventor: Ichiro Sugioka
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Publication number: 20160082976Abstract: A control system and method in a vehicle are disclosed for controlling an autonomous drive related operation of the vehicle. The method may include detecting a pre-determined foot arrangement of an occupant in a front seat of the vehicle and controlling a state of the autonomous drive related operation, based on the detected pre-determined foot arrangement. The system may include at least one sensor configured to detect a pre-determined foot arrangement of an occupant in a front seat of the vehicle, and a control unit configured to control a state of the autonomous drive related operation, based on the detected pre-determined foot arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2015Publication date: March 24, 2016Inventor: Ichiro SUGIOKA
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Publication number: 20160082867Abstract: Example embodiments presented herein are directed toward a seat assembly, and corresponding method, for seat retraction in a vehicle during an autonomous driving mode. Seat refraction is provided by detecting a user initiated input for the retraction. Thereafter, a front seat is refracted such that an occupant of the front seat is out of reach of at least one driving control input device, for example, a steering wheel, pedals or a gear shift, during an autonomous driving mode. Such seat retraction prevents the occupant from providing inadvertent driving inputs to the driving control input devices during the autonomous driving mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2015Publication date: March 24, 2016Inventors: Ichiro SUGIOKA, John DOWNS, Andreas ZINN, Douglas Hall FRASHER
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Publication number: 20150285112Abstract: A vehicle ambient air purification arrangement, a vehicle, a vehicle fleet and a method for purifying air ambient to a vehicle are provided. The arrangement comprises an air conveying apparatus and a controller. The controller is arranged to control the air conveying apparatus to convey ambient air through ducts and filters of a vehicle exhaust gas treatment system in response to a determination that a combustion engine is inoperative and that a voltage supplied to the arrangement exceeds a threshold voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2015Publication date: October 8, 2015Inventors: Hans MATHIASSON, Ichiro SUGIOKA, Lena LONNQVIST
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Publication number: 20150161505Abstract: A method is disclosed for programming a target neural network computer for use in cognitive computing systems in automotive safety applications. An observer neural network computer is integrated into active safety systems of a plurality of vehicles to observe signals. Each respective observer neural network computer is arranged to observe signals from a forward facing camera and signals from a driver action monitor of its respective vehicle, to process the observed signals from the forward facing camera of its respective vehicle and correlate them with the observed signals from the driver action monitor of its respective vehicle. The correlated signals from the plurality of observer neural network computers are combined, and the target neural network computer is programmed for use in cognitive computing systems in automotive safety applications based on said combined correlated signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2013Publication date: June 11, 2015Applicant: Volvo Car CorporationInventor: Ichiro Sugioka
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Patent number: 6798556Abstract: The present invention is a reversible electrodeposition optical modulation device employing a segmented counter electrode that permits localized areas of a continuous optical modulation electrode to be switched independently of each other. Such devices can be configured to enable practically seamless switching over the entire device for smart window and adjustable mirror applications, or to minimize cross-talk and pixel overlap for display applications. Since the electrical contacts and switching circuitry are located on the counter electrode, more active area is available for optical modulation.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2003Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Rockwell Scientific Licensing, LLC.Inventors: D. Morgan Tench, Ichiro Sugioka
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Publication number: 20040150866Abstract: The present invention is a reversible electrodeposition optical modulation device employing a segmented counter electrode that permits localized areas of a continuous optical modulation electrode to be switched independently of each other. Such devices can be configured to enable practically seamless switching over the entire device for smart window and adjustable mirror applications, or to minimize cross-talk and pixel overlap for display applications. Since the electrical contacts and switching circuitry are located on the counter electrode, more active area is available for optical modulation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2003Publication date: August 5, 2004Applicant: Innovative Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: D. Morgan Tench, Ichiro Sugioka