Patents by Inventor Junichiro KUWAHARA

Junichiro KUWAHARA 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: 12172674
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes a circuitry capable of controlling a vehicle. The circuitry is configured to estimate a traffic risk score, a travel risk score, and a driving ability score. The circuitry is configured to change a first threshold, with which automated vehicle attitude stability control is initiated, so as to promptly execute the automated vehicle attitude stability control when a travel risk is not avoided by the driving ability, change a second threshold, with which automatic entry avoidance control is initiated, so as to promptly execute the automatic entry avoidance control when the traffic risk is not avoided by the driving ability, and control the vehicle to travel on a target travel route when the traffic risk and the travel risk are not avoided by the driving ability or when the driving ability is lower than a specified level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoko Hoshino, Shimpei Kusumoto, Junichiro Kuwahara, Megumi Nakano
  • Patent number: 11603104
    Abstract: [Solution] A driver abnormality determination system includes circuitry configured to detect a driving operation of a driver, detect behavior of the driver's head and motion of eyeballs and/or movement of a sightline of the driver, recognize a driving scene in which the vehicle is driven; a memory that stores a sensor table of a relationship between the driving scene and detected values to be used to determine a driver abnormality; and determine the driver abnormality based on the sensor table, the driving scene, the driving operation and the behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Iwase, Makoto Yoshida, Junichiro Kuwahara, Yohei Iwashita
  • Publication number: 20220371601
    Abstract: A vehicle driving support system evaluates the ability of a driver based on the driving operation of the driver for each of a plurality of driving-related functions possessed by the driver to drive the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle driving support system determines whether the ability of the driver is less than a predetermined standard for each of the driving-related functions and is not improved from then on, based on the past evaluation result of the ability of the driver. When determining that the ability of the driver is less than the predetermined standard for at least a part of the driving-related functions and is not improved from then on, the vehicle driving support system performs substitution control that causes a vehicle to perform the part of the driving-related functions instead so as to perform driving even if the driver does not exert the ability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Junichiro KUWAHARA, Yoko HOSHINO, Michio TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20220371623
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes a circuitry capable of controlling a vehicle. The circuitry is configured to estimate a traffic risk score, a travel risk score, and a driving ability score. The circuitry is configured to change a first threshold, with which automated vehicle attitude stability control is initiated, so as to promptly execute the automated vehicle attitude stability control when a travel risk is not avoided by the driving ability, change a second threshold, with which automatic entry avoidance control is initiated, so as to promptly execute the automatic entry avoidance control when the traffic risk is not avoided by the driving ability, and control the vehicle to travel on a target travel route when the traffic risk and the travel risk are not avoided by the driving ability or when the driving ability is lower than a specified level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yoko HOSHINO, Shimpei KUSUMOTO, Junichiro KUWAHARA, Megumi NAKANO
  • Publication number: 20220371600
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus including circuitry configured to set a driving performance request in the given environments; determine whether driving performance of each of plural driving functions of a driver satisfies the driving performance request; and identify the driver's driving function that does not satisfy the driving performance request. On condition that an insufficient function is identified or the driving performance request is not satisfied, to realize the driving performance request, the circuitry is configured to perform at least one of controlling the vehicle such that the vehicle performs the identified insufficient function instead and providing the driver with an appropriate information so that the identified insufficient function close to a level of the driving performance request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yoko HOSHINO, Megumi NAKANO, Junichiro KUWAHARA, Shimpei KUSUMOTO
  • Publication number: 20210316736
    Abstract: The driver abnormality determination apparatus includes circuitry configured to detect a driver state of a driver of a vehicle, recognize a driving scene of the vehicle based on external environment information, and detect a state of an involuntary function of the driver, detect a state of a base function that serves as the basis of a driving operation by the driver, detect a state of a predictive driving function of the driver, and detect an abnormality of the driver based on the states each of the involuntary function, the base function, the predictive function, and a determination function based on a detection target item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicant: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Koji IWASE, Makoto YOSHIDA, Junichiro KUWAHARA, Yohei IWASHITA
  • Publication number: 20210316738
    Abstract: [Solution] A driver abnormality determination system includes circuitry configured to detect a driving operation of a driver, detect behavior of the driver's head and motion of eyeballs and/or movement of a sightline of the driver, recognize a driving scene in which the vehicle is driven; a memory that stores a sensor table of a relationship between the driving scene and detected values to be used to determine a driver abnormality; and determine the driver abnormality based on the sensor table, the driving scene, the driving operation and the behavior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicant: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Koji IWASE, Makoto YOSHIDA, Junichiro KUWAHARA, Yohei IWASHITA
  • Publication number: 20210316737
    Abstract: A driver abnormality determination apparatus includes circuitry configured to detect a driver state of a driver of a vehicle, detect a driving operation of the driver, detect an exertion level of an involuntary function of the driver based on the driver state, detect an exertion level of a driving function of the driver based on the driving operation; and determine driver abnormality based on the execution level of the involuntary function and the execution level of the driving function. On condition that a function level of one of the execution level of the involuntary function and the execution level of the driving function is equal to or lower than a specified determination criterion, the circuitry is configured to relax a determination criterion for the other function level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicant: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Koji IWASE, Makoto YOSHIDA, Junichiro KUWAHARA, Yohei IWASHITA
  • Patent number: 10588549
    Abstract: A driver's physical condition detection device for detecting a physical condition of a driver driving a vehicle includes a vehicle detector configured to detect a change in motion of the vehicle during driving, a driver detector configured to detect a change in motion of a head of the driver, and a physical condition determination portion configured to perform a determination process of determining whether or not the physical condition of the driver is deteriorated, based on the change in motion of the head of the driver with respect to the change in motion of the vehicle during driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Youichiro Nakahata, Yohei Iwashita, Junichiro Kuwahara, Ryohei Hisamitsu
  • Patent number: 10561356
    Abstract: A driver's physical condition detection device for detecting a physical condition of a driver driving a vehicle, includes: a vehicle detector configured to detect a change in motion of the vehicle during driving; a driver detector configured to detect a change in motion of the driver; a calculator configured to calculate a follow-up degree of the change in motion of the driver with respect to the change in motion of the vehicle during driving; and a physical condition determination portion configured to perform a determination process of determining whether or not the physical condition of the driver is deteriorated, based on the follow-up degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Youichiro Nakahata, Yohei Iwashita, Junichiro Kuwahara, Ryohei Hisamitsu
  • Patent number: 10338583
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a technique for providing driving assistance for a driver in such a way as to increase the driver's degree of internal focus on driving if his or her degree of internal focus on driving is estimated to be low when deactivation of autonomous driving is predicted. Examples of such driving assistance include boosting the moving vehicle noise to be heard inside the vehicle's cabin, increasing sensitivity to a change in the vehicle's state responsive to driving operations, providing navigation to a road with features that would entertain the driver through driving, and giving guidance in exemplary driving operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junichiro Kuwahara, Yohei Iwashita, Yoko Hoshino, Ryohei Hisamitsu, Hitomi Nakazato
  • Publication number: 20180275652
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a technique for providing driving assistance for a driver in such a way as to increase the driver's degree of internal focus on driving if his or her degree of internal focus on driving is estimated to be low when deactivation of autonomous driving is predicted. Examples of such driving assistance include boosting the moving vehicle noise to be heard inside the vehicle's cabin, increasing sensitivity to a change in the vehicle's state responsive to driving operations, providing navigation to a road with features that would entertain the driver through driving, and giving guidance in exemplary driving operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junichiro KUWAHARA, Yohei IWASHITA, Yoko HOSHINO, Ryohei HISAMITSU, Hitomi NAKAZATO
  • Publication number: 20180055438
    Abstract: A driver's physical condition detection device for detecting a physical condition of a driver driving a vehicle, includes: a vehicle detector configured to detect a change in motion of the vehicle during driving; a driver detector configured to detect a change in motion of the driver; a calculator configured to calculate a follow-up degree of the change in motion of the driver with respect to the change in motion of the vehicle during driving; and a physical condition determination portion configured to perform a determination process of determining whether or not the physical condition of the driver is deteriorated, based on the follow-up degree.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Youichiro NAKAHATA, Yohei IWASHITA, Junichiro KUWAHARA, Ryohei HISAMITSU
  • Publication number: 20180056863
    Abstract: A driver's physical condition detection device for detecting a physical condition of a driver driving a vehicle includes a vehicle detector configured to detect a change in motion of the vehicle during driving, a driver detector configured to detect a change in motion of a head of the driver, and a physical condition determination portion configured to perform a determination process of determining whether or not the physical condition of the driver is deteriorated, based on the change in motion of the head of the driver with respect to the change in motion of the vehicle during driving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Youichiro NAKAHATA, Yohei IWASHITA, Junichiro KUWAHARA, Ryohei HISAMITSU
  • Patent number: 9855892
    Abstract: When finding the driver distracted from driving (such as looking aside), this system provides driving assistance that enhances his or her motivation to drive by encouraging him or her to drive actively and thereby increase his or her internal focus on driving. Examples of specific driving assistance include giving exemplary driving instructions to the driver, providing him or her with navigation to a road with features that would entertain him or her through driving, and improving sensitivity to any change in the vehicle's state responsive to driving operations. If dangerous driving is sensed while the driving assistance is being provided, driving control may be performed to increase the driver's tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junichiro Kuwahara, Hitomi Nakazato
  • Patent number: 9849833
    Abstract: When finding the driver distracted from driving (such as looking aside), this system first alerts him or her to the fact to prompt him or her to focus on driving. However, if the driver is still distracted from driving even when alerted, driving assistance are provided for him or her to enhance his or her motivation to drive by encouraging him or her to drive actively and thereby increase his or her internal focus on driving. Examples of specific driving assistance include giving exemplary driving instructions to the driver, providing him or her with navigation to a road with features that would entertain him or her through driving, and improving sensitivity to any change in the vehicle's state responsive to driving operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junichiro Kuwahara, Hitomi Nakazato
  • Publication number: 20170203688
    Abstract: When finding the driver distracted from driving (such as looking aside), this system first alerts him or her to the fact to prompt him or her to focus on driving. However, if the driver is still distracted from driving even when alerted, driving assistance are provided for him or her to enhance his or her motivation to drive by encouraging him or her to drive actively and thereby increase his or her internal focus on driving. Examples of specific driving assistance include giving exemplary driving instructions to the driver, providing him or her with navigation to a road with features that would entertain him or her through driving, and improving sensitivity to any change in the vehicle's state responsive to driving operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junichiro KUWAHARA, Hitomi NAKAZATO
  • Publication number: 20170203689
    Abstract: When finding the driver distracted from driving (such as looking aside), this system provides driving assistance that enhances his or her motivation to drive by encouraging him or her to drive actively and thereby increase his or her internal focus on driving. Examples of specific driving assistance include giving exemplary driving instructions to the driver, providing him or her with navigation to a road with features that would entertain him or her through driving, and improving sensitivity to any change in the vehicle's state responsive to driving operations. If dangerous driving is sensed while the driving assistance is being provided, driving control may be performed to increase the driver's tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junichiro KUWAHARA, Hitomi NAKAZATO
  • Publication number: 20170202501
    Abstract: When finding the driver tensed by his or her increased external focus on driving, this system provides driving assistance that enhances his or her motivation to drive by encouraging him or her to drive actively and increase his or her internal focus on driving. The driving assistance may be provided when he or she has high driving skills, when there are no traffic jams, or when he or she is in good health. Examples of specific driving assistance include giving exemplary driving instructions to the driver, providing him or her with navigation to a road with features that would entertain him or her through driving, and improving sensitivity to any change in the vehicle's state responsive to driving operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junichiro KUWAHARA, Hitomi NAKAZATO