Patents by Inventor Kei Yoshikawa

Kei Yoshikawa 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: 11964402
    Abstract: In a robot control system, the operation of a mobile robot that moves autonomously inside a facility is controlled based at least on an image captured by a photographing device that photographs a blind area located at a blind angle to the mobile robot. When entry of the mobile robot into a predetermined area corresponding to the blind area is detected, the amount of information obtainable from an image captured by the photographing device is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shiro Oda, Tetsuya Taira, Satoshi Toyoshima, Yuta Watanabe, Takeshi Matsui, Takayoshi Nasu, Kei Yoshikawa, Yusuke Ota, Yutaro Ishida, Yuji Onuma, Kyosuke Arai
  • Patent number: 11926067
    Abstract: In a robot control system, the operation of a mobile robot that moves autonomously inside a facility is controlled based at least on an image captured by a photographing device that photographs a blind area located at a blind angle to the mobile robot. When entry of the mobile robot into a predetermined area corresponding to the blind area is detected, the amount of information obtainable from an image captured by the photographing device is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shiro Oda, Tetsuya Taira, Satoshi Toyoshima, Yuta Watanabe, Takeshi Matsui, Takayoshi Nasu, Kei Yoshikawa, Yusuke Ota, Yutaro Ishida, Yuji Onuma, Kyosuke Arai
  • Patent number: 11919168
    Abstract: A robot control system according to the present embodiment is a robot control system that controls a plurality of transport robots that is travelable autonomously in a facility. The robot control system: acquires error information indicating that an error has occurred in a first transport robot; acquires transported object information related to a transported object of the first transport robot; determines a second transport robot able to transport the transported object of the first transport robot among the transport robots based on the transported object information and the error information; and moves the second transport robot to a transfer location of the transported object of the first transport robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuya Taira, Shiro Oda, Satoshi Toyoshima, Yuta Watanabe, Takeshi Matsui, Takayoshi Nasu, Kei Yoshikawa, Yusuke Ota, Yutaro Ishida, Yuji Onuma
  • Patent number: 11914397
    Abstract: A robot control system according to the present embodiment is a robot control system that controls a plurality of mobile robots that can autonomously move in a facility. The robot control system acquires error information indicating that an error has occurred in a first transport robot, acquires transported object information related to a transported object of the first transport robot, determines a second transport robot able to transport the transported object of the first transport robot among the transport robots based on the transported object information and the error information, and moves the second transport robot to a transfer location of the transported object of the first transport robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shiro Oda, Tetsuya Taira, Satoshi Toyoshima, Yuta Watanabe, Takeshi Matsui, Takayoshi Nasu, Kei Yoshikawa, Yusuke Ota, Yutaro Ishida, Yuji Onuma, Kyosuke Arai
  • Patent number: 11915536
    Abstract: An anomaly determination apparatus for a vehicle that includes a transmission includes an execution device and a memory device. The memory device is configured to store map data that defines pre-trained map, which has been trained through machine learning. When a variable representing time-series data of a rotation speed of a gear is fed to the map as an input variable, the map outputs a state variable representing a state of the gear as an output variable. The execution device is configured to execute: an obtaining process that obtains the variable representing the time-series data as a value of the input variable; and a determination process that determines whether there is an anomaly in the transmission based on a value of the output variable that is output by the map when the value of the input variable is fed to the map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideaki Bunazawa, Tetsuya Yoshikawa, Kei Yuasa, Kenichi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 11914363
    Abstract: A mobile robot receives first transmission information transmitted from a server device to manage the mobile robot in a state where wireless communication with the server device is possible, directly executes wireless communication with another mobile robot among the mobile robots and executes a reception process of receiving the first transmission information transmitted from the server device to manage the mobile robot from the other mobile robot in a case where wireless communication with the server device is not possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shiro Oda, Tetsuya Taira, Satoshi Toyoshima, Yuta Watanabe, Takeshi Matsui, Takayoshi Nasu, Kei Yoshikawa, Yusuke Ota, Yutaro Ishida, Yuji Onuma, Kyosuke Arai
  • Patent number: 11906976
    Abstract: A robot control system is a robot control system that controls a plurality of mobile robots, in which: each of the mobile robots includes right and left wheels, and a sensor that detects actions of the right and left wheels; and the control system calculates abrasion degrees of right and left components for the right and left wheels, depending on a detection result of the sensor, and manages traveling of the plurality of mobile robots, depending on the abrasion degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shiro Oda, Tetsuya Taira, Satoshi Toyoshima, Yuta Watanabe, Takeshi Matsui, Takayoshi Nasu, Kei Yoshikawa, Yusuke Ota, Yutaro Ishida, Yuji Onuma, Kyosuke Arai
  • Publication number: 20230418296
    Abstract: An autonomous mobile robot control system includes: a host management device; and an autonomous mobile robot. The host management device includes a data collection unit that collects sunshine condition data corresponding to a sunshine condition within a movement range of the autonomous mobile robot, and a parameter calculation unit that calculates, based on the sunshine condition data, an optimum parameter that reduces an influence of the sunshine condition corresponding to the sunshine condition data. The autonomous mobile robot includes a parameter setting unit that sets the optimum parameter. The autonomous mobile robot control system executes a predetermined operation based on the optimum parameter set by the parameter setting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yusuke OTA, Shiro ODA, Masayoshi TSUCHINAGA, Kei YOSHIKAWA, Takeshi MATSUI
  • Publication number: 20230364784
    Abstract: A control system according to the present embodiment includes: a feature extraction unit that extracts a feature of a person in a captured image captured by a camera; a first determination unit that determines, based on a feature extraction result, whether the person included in the captured image is a device user who uses an assistive device for assisting movement; a second determination unit that determines, based on the feature extraction result, whether an assistant who assists movement of the device user is present; and a control unit that switches between a first mode and a second mode that executes a process with a lower load than a processing load in the first mode depending on whether the assistant is present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kei Yoshikawa, Shiro Oda, Susumu Shimizu, Takeshi Matsui
  • Publication number: 20230368517
    Abstract: A control system according to the present disclosure executes system control that controls a system including a mobile robot that autonomously moves. The control system executes a group classification process of recognizing a feature of a person present around the mobile robot and classifying, based on the feature, the person into a preset first group or second group. The control system above selects a first operation mode when the person belonging to the first group is present around the mobile robot and selects a second operation mode that is different from the first operation mode when the person belonging to the first group is not present around the mobile robot. The control system above controls, when the second operation mode is selected, the group classification process so as to execute a process with a smaller processing load than a processing load when the first operation mode is selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kei Yoshikawa, Shiro Oda, Susumu Shimizu, Takeshi Matsui
  • Patent number: 11782449
    Abstract: An autonomous mobile system according to the present embodiment is an autonomous mobile system that autonomously moves in a facility provided with a corner between aisles. When the autonomous mobile system turns at the corner, the autonomous mobile system calculates a magnitude of a corner radius of turning in a traveling path based on an obstacle captured in image data of a camera that captures an image of an exit of the corner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuya Taira, Shiro Oda, Satoshi Toyoshima, Yuta Watanabe, Takeshi Matsui, Takayoshi Nasu, Kei Yoshikawa, Yusuke Ota, Yutaro Ishida, Yuji Onuma
  • Patent number: 11776339
    Abstract: A control system that controls opening-closing of a security gate which is provided in a facility in which a plurality of mobile robots travels autonomously is provided. The control system performs: receiving a passing-through reservation signal for passing through the security gate; and allowing a plurality of mobile robots to consecutively pass through the security gate while the security gate opens its gate once when passing-through reservation signals are received from the plurality of mobile robots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shiro Oda, Tetsuya Taira, Satoshi Toyoshima, Yuta Watanabe, Takeshi Matsui, Takayoshi Nasu, Kei Yoshikawa, Yusuke Ota, Yutaro Ishida, Yuji Onuma, Kyosuke Arai
  • Patent number: 11755009
    Abstract: A transport system transports a transported object using an autonomously moveable mobile robot. The transport system stores management information including a use start time, a use end time, and a use location for each equipment to be lent that is transported as the transported object by the mobile robot. The transport system executes a determination process for determining whether an interval from the use end time to a next use start time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time for each equipment based on the management information. The transport system transports the equipment to its storage location after an end of use of the equipment when the interval is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, and transports the equipment to a next use location of the equipment after the end of the use of the equipment when the interval is shorter than the predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shiro Oda, Tetsuya Taira, Satoshi Toyoshima, Yuta Watanabe, Takeshi Matsui, Takayoshi Nasu, Kei Yoshikawa, Yusuke Ota, Yutaro Ishida, Yuji Onuma, Kyosuke Arai
  • Publication number: 20230236601
    Abstract: A control system is configured to control a system including a plurality of cameras installed in a facility, and perform a group classification process for recognizing a feature of a person photographed by the camera and classifying the person into a predetermined first or second group based on the feature. When there is or isn’t a person belonging to the first group, the control system selects a first operation mode and a second operation mode different from the first operation mode, respectively. When the control system selects the second operation mode, it performs the process so as to make either one of the number of cameras to be operated among the plurality of cameras and the number of cameras used as an information source in classification in the process among the plurality of cameras less than the number of cameras that are used when the first operation mode is selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kei YOSHIKAWA, Shiro ODA, Susumu SHIMIZU, Takeshi MATSUI
  • Publication number: 20230202046
    Abstract: A control system comprises one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to extract a feature of a person in an image captured by a camera, classify the person into a preset first group or a preset second group based on the feature, estimate a moving speed of the person belonging to the second group, and switch, based on the moving speed, a mode between a high-load mode for performing a high-load process and a low-load mode for performing a process with a load lower than a load in the high-load mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kei YOSHIKAWA, Shiro ODA, Susumu SHIMIZU, Takeshi MATSUI
  • Publication number: 20230152811
    Abstract: A robot control system according to an embodiment is configured to control a mobile robot configured to autonomously move by referring to a map, the robot control system being further configured to: acquire a distance to a nearby object measured by using a range sensor; specify a position of the nearby object on the map according to the distance from a position of the mobile robot to the nearby object; estimate a movement vector indicating a moving speed and a moving direction of the nearby object according to a change in the distance to the nearby object; add a cost for restricting a movement of the mobile robot on the map; and perform control so that the mobile robot moves according to the cost updated according to a result of measurement by the range sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuta WATANABE, Shiro ODA, Kei YOSHIKAWA, Yukinori KURAHASHI, Takeshi MATSUI
  • Publication number: 20230150132
    Abstract: A robot control system according to an embodiment is configured to control a mobile robot configured to autonomously move by referring to a map, the robot control system being further configured to: acquire a distance to a nearby object measured by using a range sensor; specify a position of the nearby object on the map according to the distance from a position of the mobile robot to the nearby object; estimate a moving direction of the nearby object in a lateral direction in accordance with a change of the distance to the nearby object, the lateral direction being a direction defined with reference to a traveling direction of the mobile robot; and change a route so that the mobile robot travels on a side opposite to the moving direction of the nearby object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuta WATANABE, Shiro ODA, Kei YOSHIKAWA, Yukinori KURAHASHI, Takeshi MATSUI
  • Publication number: 20230150130
    Abstract: A robot control system according to an embodiment is configured to control a mobile robot configured to autonomously move by referring to a map, the robot control system being further configured to: acquire a distance to a nearby object measured by using a range sensor; specify a position of the nearby object on the map according to the distance from a position of the mobile robot to the nearby object; estimate a movement vector indicating a moving speed and a moving direction of the nearby object according to a change in the distance to the nearby object; add a cost for restricting a movement of the mobile robot on the map; and perform control so that the mobile robot moves according to the cost updated according to a result of measurement by the range sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuta WATANABE, Shiro ODA, Kei YOSHIKAWA, Yukinori KURAHASHI
  • Patent number: 11636838
    Abstract: A soundproof member is mounted on a structure including a rotation body, covers at least a part of outer peripheral surfaces of the structure, includes an integral article of an elastic member, and has eccentrically located portions having at least a greater thickness or a greater density than the other portions. The eccentrically located portions may be thick wall portions having a greater thickness than the other portions. When the elastic member has a base material including polymer and a magnetic filler included in a state of being oriented in the base material, highly filled portions in which a content of the magnetic filler is greater than that of the other portions can be set as the eccentrically located portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Sumitomo Riko Company Limited
    Inventors: Kei Yoshikawa, Koji Tomiyama, Akio Yabu, Yasuo Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20230080133
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of estimating a 6D pose and shape of one or more objects from a 2D image, comprises the steps of: detecting, within the 2D image, one or more 2D regions of interest, each 2D region of interest containing a corresponding object among the one of more objects; cropping out a corresponding pixel value array, coordinate tensor , and feature map for each 2D region of interest; concatenating the corresponding pixel value array, coordinate tensor, and feature map for each 2D region of interest; and inferring, for each 2D region of interest, a 4D quaternion describing a rotation of the corresponding object in the 3D rotation group, a 2D centroid, which is a projection of a 3D translation of the corresponding object onto a plane of the 2D image given a camera matrix associated to the 2D, image, a distance from a viewpoint of the 2D image to the corresponding object a size and a class-specific latent shape vector of the corresponding object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Sven Meier, Norimasa Kobori, Luca Minciullo, Kei Yoshikawa, Fabian Manhardt, Manuel Nickel, Nassir Navab