Patents by Inventor Kazuo Watabe

Kazuo Watabe 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).

  • DETERIORATION DIAGNOSIS METHOD, A DETERIORATION DIAGNOSIS SYSTEM, AND A SENSOR
    Publication number: 20180217103
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method is used for diagnosing a deterioration of a utility pole having at least one bolt and a plurality of holes provided for attaching the bolt. In the method, an impact is applied to the bolt. Elastic waves generated due to the impact are detected by a sensor shaped like a bolt. The sensor is attached to at least one of the holes. A propagation situation of the elastic waves in the utility pole is derived, based on the elastic waves detected, and each position of the bolt and the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Keiichiro SOMEDA, Kazuo WATABE, Osamu NISHIMURA, Michihiko INUKAI
  • Detection system and detection method
    Patent number: 10018597
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a detection system detects deterioration of a rope through at least one sheave. The system includes a plurality of sensors and a calculator. The sensors are configured to detect an elastic wave generated from the rope and convert the elastic wave into a detection signal. At least one of the sensors is installed near an end portion of the rope. At least one of the sensors is installed at the sheave. The calculator is configured to calculate a position of the rope where the elastic wave has been generated, based on a propagating speed of the elastic wave, time difference information of a plurality of detected times of the elastic waves detected by the respective sensors, and positional information indicating positions of the respective sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Junko Hirokawa, Kazuo Watabe, Takahiro Omori, Takashi Usui, Osamu Nishimura, Akihiro Kasahara
  • Detection system and detection method
    Patent number: 9921188
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a detection system includes a plurality of sensor nodes and a sensor module. The plurality of sensor nodes detects sound waves generated from a prestressed concrete and converts the detected sound waves into detection signals. The sensor module is connected to the plurality of sensor nodes and receives the detection signals. The plurality of sensor nodes includes the sensor nodes in an operating state and the sensor nodes in a dormant state in which power consumption is held down as compared to the operating state. When magnitude of the detection signals is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, the sensor module switches the sensor node in the dormant state to the operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hidefumi Takamine, Kazuo Watabe, Takahiro Omori, Takashi Usui, Junko Hirokawa, Akihiro Kasahara
  • Structure Evaluation System, Structure Evaluation Apparatus, and Structure Evaluation Method
    Publication number: 20170363586
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a structure evaluation system includes a plurality of AE sensors, a signal processor, a position locator, and an evaluator. The AE sensors detect an elastic wave generated from a structure. The signal processor performs signal processing on the elastic wave detected by the AE sensors and outputs an AE signal including information on the elastic wave. The position locator derives a source distribution indicating the distribution of sources of the elastic wave generated in the structure, using an AE signal caused by an impact on the structure. The evaluator evaluates a state of deterioration of a predetermined region of the structure from a density of the sources of the elastic wave obtained on the basis of the source distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Kyoto University
    Inventors: Hidefumi TAKAMINE, Kazuo WATABE, Tomoki SHIOTANI
  • STRUCTURE EVALUATION SYSTEM, STRUCTURE EVALUATION APPARATUS, AND STRUCTURE EVALUATION METHOD
    Publication number: 20170336365
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a structure evaluation system includes a plurality of sensors, a position locator, a velocity calculator, and an evaluator. The sensors detect an elastic wave generated from a structure. The position locator derives a wave source distribution of the elastic waves generated from the structure, on the basis of the elastic waves. The velocity calculator derives a propagation velocity of the elastic wave generated from the structure, on the basis of the elastic waves. The evaluator evaluates the soundness of the structure on the basis of the wave source distribution and the propagation velocity of the elastic waves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, Kyoto University
    Inventors: Kazuo WATABE, Hidefumi TAKAMINE, Tomoki SHIOTANI
  • Structure Evaluation System, Structure Evaluation Apparatus, and Structure Evaluation Method
    Publication number: 20170336364
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a structure evaluation system includes a plurality of AE sensors, a signal processor, a position locator, a velocity calculator, and an evaluator. The AE sensors detect an elastic wave generated from a structure. The signal processor extracts an AE signal including information on the elastic wave by performing signal processing on the elastic wave detected by the AE sensor. The position locator derives a wave source distribution indicating a distribution of sources of the elastic waves generated in the structure on the basis of the AE signals. The velocity calculator derives a propagation velocity of the elastic wave generated in the structure on the basis of the AE signal. The evaluator evaluates the soundness of the structure on the basis of the wave source distributions and the propagation velocity of the elastic waves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Kyoto University
    Inventors: Kazuo WATABE, Hidefumi TAKAMINE, Tomoki SHIOTANI
  • STRUCTURE EVALUATION APPARATUS, STRUCTURE EVALUATION SYSTEM, AND STRUCTURE EVALUATION METHOD
    Publication number: 20170269204
    Abstract: A structure evaluation apparatus has an acquisitor and an evaluator. The acquisitor acquires a distribution that represents a distribution of strength of a reflected wave obtained by an electromagnetic radar scan to a reinforced concrete which comprises concrete and a material other than concrete. The evaluator calculates similarity, with reference to a reference region including the material in the distribution, of other regions including the material than the reference region in the distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Kyoto University
    Inventors: Hidefumi TAKAMINE, Kazuo WATABE, Tomoki SHIOTANI
  • Gripping device and method for taking out an article
    Patent number: 9757858
    Abstract: An article handling device includes: a gripper that grips an article; a driver that moves the gripper; an article recognition unit that recognizes a state of the article; a gripping recognition unit that recognizes a gripping state of the gripper; a determination unit that determines whether the gripping state is stable or unstable based on a recognition result of the gripping recognition unit; and a controller that controls a first gripping operation in which the gripper grips the article by a gripping position determined based on the recognition result of the article recognition unit, and, when the gripping state is determined as unstable, controls a second gripping operation in which the gripping position is changed and the gripper re-grips the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Haruna Eto, Hideichi Nakamoto, Akihito Ogawa, Takafumi Sonoura, Junya Tanaka, Kazuo Watabe
  • Recording/reproducing apparatus
    Patent number: 9672860
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a recording/reproducing apparatus includes a diffraction grating and a light-receiving element. The diffraction grating divides return light from the guide layer in accordance with areas. The areas include a first area and a second area that does not overlap the first area. The light-receiving element includes (i) a first detecting cell group which receives a zero-order beam to which astigmatism is imparted, (ii) a second detecting cell group which receives at least one of a positive and negative first-order beam, which passes the first area and made astigmatic, and (iii) a third detecting cell group which receives at least one of a positive and negative first-order beam, which passes the second area and made astigmatic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hideaki Okano, Kazuo Watabe, Akihito Ogawa, Takashi Usui
  • DETECTION DEVICE, DETECTION SYSTEM, AND DETECTION METHOD
    Publication number: 20170138910
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a detection device is provided in a structure. The structure is constituted of: a first member; a second member provided on an opposite side of the first member; and a welded portion that is provided along an end of the second member facing the first member and fixes the first member and the second member. The detection device include: a plurality of acoustic emission sensors that are disposed so as to be separated from each other in a direction in which the welded portion extends and are configured to detect an elastic wave transmitted to the second member, each acoustic emission sensor being attached to the second member; and an outputter that outputs information, obtained from outputs of the plurality of the acoustic emission sensors, to an outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Takashi USUI, Kazuo WATABE, Takahiro OMORI, Hidefumi TAKAMINE, Akihiro KASAHARA
  • SENSOR
    Publication number: 20170003313
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a structure body, a first flexible unit, and a first sensing unit. The structure body includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is linked to the first portion. The first portion is displaced along a first direction intersecting a direction connecting the first portion and the second portion. The second portion is displaced along a second direction according to the displacement of the first portion. The second direction intersects the first direction. The first flexible unit deforms along the second direction according to the displacement of the second portion along the second direction. The first sensing unit senses the deformation of the first flexible unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Takahiro OMORI, Kazuo WATABE, Osamu NISHIMURA, Akihiro KASAHARA
  • DETECTION SYSTEM AND DETECTION METHOD
    Publication number: 20160282311
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a detection system detects deterioration of a rope through at least one sheave. The system includes a plurality of sensors and a calculator. The sensors are configured to detect an elastic wave generated from the rope and convert the elastic wave into a detection signal. At least one of the sensors is installed near an end portion of the rope. At least one of the sensors is installed at the sheave. The calculator is configured to calculate a position of the rope where the elastic wave has been generated, based on a propagating speed of the elastic wave, time difference information of a plurality of detected times of the elastic waves detected by the respective sensors, and positional information indicating positions of the respective sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Junko HIROKAWA, Kazuo WATABE, Takahiro OMORI, Takashi USUI, Osamu NISHIMURA, Akihiro KASAHARA
  • DETECTION SYSTEM AND DETECTION METHOD
    Publication number: 20160282310
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a detection system includes a plurality of first sensors, a second sensor, a first calculator, and a second calculator. Each of the first sensors is configured to detect an elastic wave generated from a structure, and convert the elastic wave into a detection signal. The second sensor is configured to detect a noise propagating from surroundings, and convert the noise into a reference signal. The first calculator is configured to calculate a plurality of difference detection signals based on the respective detection signals and the reference signal. The second calculator is configured to calculate a position of a generation source of the elastic wave from the plurality of difference detection signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Takashi USUI, Kazuo Watabe
  • ARTICLE HANDLING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20160207195
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an article handling device includes the following elements. The gripper grips an article. The driver moves the gripper. The article recognition unit recognizes a state of the article. The gripping recognition unit recognizes a gripping state of the gripper. The determination unit determines whether the gripping state is stable or unstable based on a recognition result of the gripping recognition unit. The controller controls a first gripping operation where the gripper grips the article by a gripping position determined based on the recognition result of the article recognition unit, and, when the gripping state is determined as unstable, controls a second gripping operation where the gripping position is changed and the gripper re-grips the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Haruna ETO, Hideichi NAKAMOTO, Akihito OGAWA, Takafumi SONOURA, Junya TANAKA, Kazuo WATABE
  • RECORDING/REPRODUCING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20160171997
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a recording/reproducing apparatus includes a diffraction grating and a light-receiving element. The diffraction grating divides return light from the guide layer in accordance with areas. The areas include a first area and a second area that does not overlap the first area. The light-receiving element includes (i) a first detecting cell group which receives a zero-order beam to which astigmatism is imparted, (ii) a second detecting cell group which receives at least one of a positive and negative first-order beam, which passes the first area and made astigmatic, and (iii) a third detecting cell group which receives at least one of a positive and negative first-order beam, which passes the second area and made astigmatic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hideaki OKANO, Kazuo WATABE, Akihito OGAWA, Takashi USUI
  • SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS, SERVER, DETECTION SYSTEM, AND SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD
    Publication number: 20160139084
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a signal processing apparatus includes a receiver, a time information generator, a processor, and a communicator. The receiver receives a voltage signal from a sensor that detects an elastic wave generated from a structure. The time information generator generates time information having a bit length based on a measurement continuing time period of the structure, a propagation velocity of the elastic wave, and a position identification accuracy of a generation source of the elastic wave. The processor generates detection information in which feature amount information that indicates a feature of the voltage signal and the time information that indicates a reception time of the voltage signal are in association with each other. The communicator transmits the detection information to a server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Takashi USUI, Kazuo Watabe, Akihiro Kasahara, Takahiro Omori
  • TRANSFER APPARATUS AND ARTICLE TAKING-OUT METHOD
    Publication number: 20160137435
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a transfer apparatus includes a gripper, a first driving mechanism, an elastic passive joint part, a conveyor, a second driving mechanism, and base. The gripper grips an article. The first driving mechanism linearly moves the gripper in at least two directions including a first direction and a second direction intersecting with the first direction. The elastic passive joint part is interposed between the gripper and the first driving mechanism, and operates in accordance with an operation of the gripper. The conveyor conveys the article. The second driving mechanism linearly moves the conveyor in the at least two directions, and is connected to the conveyor. The base supports the first driving mechanism and the second driving mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Junya TANAKA, Kazuo WATABE, Akihito OGAWA, Hideichi NAKAMOTO, Takafumi SONOURA, Haruna ETO
  • DETECTION SYSTEM AND DETECTION METHOD
    Publication number: 20160084803
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a detection system includes a plurality of sensor nodes and a sensor module. The plurality of sensor nodes detects sound waves generated from a prestressed concrete and converts the detected sound waves into detection signals. The sensor module is connected to the plurality of sensor nodes and receives the detection signals. The plurality of sensor nodes includes the sensor nodes in an operating state and the sensor nodes in a dormant state in which power consumption is held down as compared to the operating state. When magnitude of the detection signals is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, the sensor module switches the sensor node in the dormant state to the operating state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Hidefumi TAKAMINE, Kazuo WATABE, Takahiro OMORI, Takashi USUI, Junko HIROKAWA, Akihiro KASAHARA
  • Information recording medium, information reproducing apparatus, management information reproducing method, information recording/reproducing apparatus and identification information reproducing/recording method
    Patent number: 9087523
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, in an information recording medium including a plurality of data layers, at least one pre-format area is provided on each of the data layers and is circumferentially divided into a plurality of segments. Management information including data layer identification information for identifying the data layers is recorded in at least one of the segments in each of the data layers, using the marks include BCA marks extending radially uniformly. On adjacent ones of the data layers, the BCA marks associated with the management information are recorded in differently positioned segments which are not opposed to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Akihito Ogawa, Kazuo Watabe, Hideaki Okano, Takashi Usui, Hidefumi Takamine, Kazuaki Doi, Masahiro Saito
  • Writable information recording and reproducing apparatus
    Patent number: 9064506
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information recording and reproducing apparatus including, a focus control module, an objective lens control module, a calculation module, and a tracking control module. If, detection the recording marks line, to focus a laser light of a second wavelength to the recording layer through an objective lens and to operation a recording layer tracking control using a tracking error signal taken out from a second reflected light and a laser light of a first wavelength to a track groove through the objective lens and to operation a guide layer tracking control to control the objective lens using a tracking error signal taken out from a first reflected light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hideaki Okano, Kazuo Watabe, Chikara Tanioka, Akihito Ogawa, Takashi Usui, Kazuaki Doi