Patents by Inventor Koji Takao

Koji Takao 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: 11657717
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a memory configured to store information about mobile bodies, each of which forms a vehicle by being coupled with a main body unit and is capable of autonomous driving; and a processor configured to transmit a summon command to a first mobile body existing within a predetermined range, the summon command summoning the first mobile body to a predetermined assembly location, and cause a predetermined number of first mobile bodies assembled at the predetermined assembly location to carry one first main body unit that is larger or heavier than a main body unit that can be carried by one first mobile body, and to cause the predetermined number of first mobile bodies to move to a predetermined destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki Nakano, Masato Ura, Koji Takao, Hideyuki Sakurai, Keisuke Hotta, Rieko Masutani, Atsushi Hanawa, Masanobu Ohmi, Takashi Hayashi, Atsushi Nabata, Tetsuro Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 11643097
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a controller configured to execute the processing of finding, in connection with a first vehicle whose cabin unit and travel unit are separable from each other and that is scheduled to travel a first section of road in which travelling with a travel unit of a first type is suitable and provided with a travel unit of a second type different from the first type, a second vehicle that is scheduled to travel the first section in the direction opposite to the direction of travel of the first vehicle and finish travelling the first section and provided with a travel unit of the first type, and instructing the first vehicle and the second vehicle to exchange the travel unit of the first type and the travel unit of the second type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki Nakano, Masato Ura, Koji Takao, Hideyuki Sakurai, Keisuke Hotta, Rieko Masutani, Atsushi Hanawa, Masanobu Ohmi, Takashi Hayashi, Atsushi Nabata, Tetsuro Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 11618401
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle system including: a body unit; a traveling unit capable of traveling with the body unit being mounted thereon; coupling units configured to couple the body unit and the traveling unit; a sensor used for predicting a crash; a controller configured to execute causing coupling between the traveling unit and the body unit by the coupling units to be released when a crash is predicted based on a detection value of the sensor; an acting unit provided on one of the traveling unit and the body unit and configured to act so that a positional relationship between the body unit and the traveling unit is changed when the coupling is released; and an acted-upon unit provided on the other between the traveling unit and the body unit and configured to receive action of the acting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki Nakano, Masato Ura, Koji Takao, Hideyuki Sakurai, Keisuke Hotta, Rieko Masutani, Atsushi Hanawa, Masanobu Ohmi, Takashi Hayashi, Atsushi Nabata, Tetsuro Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 11172070
    Abstract: A system includes a traveling unit provided with a movement mechanism; a plurality of types of main body units equipped with different facilities, each main body unit being configured to form an emergency vehicle by being coupled with the traveling unit; and an information processing apparatus configured to manage the traveling unit and the plurality of types of main body units. The information processing apparatus includes a processor configured to analyze details of a first emergency call made to a fire-fighting organization, select a main body unit of a first type equipped with a facility matching the details of the first emergency call from the plurality of types of main body units, and dispatch an emergency vehicle coupling the main body unit of the first type and the traveling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki Nakano, Masato Ura, Koji Takao, Hideyuki Sakurai, Keisuke Hotta, Rieko Masutani, Atsushi Hanawa, Masanobu Ohmi, Takashi Hayashi, Atsushi Nabata, Tetsuro Sakaguchi
  • Publication number: 20210300229
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system including a vehicle including a collection and placement mechanism configured to collect and place a mailbox, a plurality of mailboxes that are capable of being transported, collected, and placed by the vehicle, and a controller. The controller causes the vehicle to execute being loaded with a first mailbox containing no posted matter, moving to a placement site of a second mailbox containing a posted matter in a state of being loaded with the first mailbox, and collecting the second mailbox and newly placing the first mailbox, at the placement site of the second mailbox by the collection and placement mechanism, to replace the mailboxes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki NAKANO, Masato URA, Koji TAKAO, Hideyuki SAKURAI, Keisuke HOTTA, Rieko MASUTANI, Atsushi HANAWA, Masanobu OHMI, Takashi HAYASHI, Atsushi NABATA, Tetsuro SAKAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20210284182
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a controller configured to execute the processing of finding, in connection with a first vehicle whose cabin unit and travel unit are separable from each other and that is scheduled to travel a first section of road in which travelling with a travel unit of a first type is suitable and provided with a travel unit of a second type different from the first type, a second vehicle that is scheduled to travel the first section in the direction opposite to the direction of travel of the first vehicle and finish travelling the first section and provided with a travel unit of the first type, and instructing the first vehicle and the second vehicle to exchange the travel unit of the first type and the travel unit of the second type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki NAKANO, Masato URA, Koji TAKAO, Hideyuki SAKURAI, Keisuke HOTTA, Rieko MASUTANI, Atsushi HANAWA, Masanobu OHMI, Takashi HAYASHI, Atsushi NABATA, Tetsuro SAKAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20210261153
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus which controls a plurality of vehicle platforms which can be coupled to and separated from a predetermined vehicle interior unit, the information processing apparatus comprises a controller configured to execute: transmitting a first command to transport the vehicle interior unit to a first location and install the vehicle interior unit, to one of the plurality of vehicle platforms; and in a case where all people who are to be on board the vehicle interior unit and move are on board the installed vehicle interior unit, transmitting a second command to transport the vehicle interior unit to a second location which is a destination of the people, to one of the plurality of vehicle platforms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki NAKANO, Masato URA, Koji TAKAO, Hideyuki SAKURAI, Keisuke HOTTA, Rieko MASUTANI, Atsushi HANAWA, Masanobu OHMI, Takashi HAYASHI, Atsushi NABATA, Tetsuro SAKAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20210170973
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle system including: a body unit; a traveling unit capable of traveling with the body unit being mounted thereon; coupling units configured to couple the body unit and the traveling unit; a sensor used for predicting a crash; a controller configured to execute causing coupling between the traveling unit and the body unit by the coupling units to be released when a crash is predicted based on a detection value of the sensor; an acting unit provided on one of the traveling unit and the body unit and configured to act so that a positional relationship between the body unit and the traveling unit is changed when the coupling is released; and an acted-upon unit provided on the other between the traveling unit and the body unit and configured to receive action of the acting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki NAKANO, Masato URA, Koji TAKAO, Hideyuki SAKURAI, Keisuke HOTTA, Rieko MASUTANI, Atsushi HANAWA, Masanobu OHMI, Takashi HAYASHI, Atsushi NABATA, Tetsuro SAKAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20210160377
    Abstract: A system includes a traveling unit provided with a movement mechanism; a plurality of types of main body units equipped with different facilities, each main body unit being configured to form an emergency vehicle by being coupled with the traveling unit; and an information processing apparatus configured to manage the traveling unit and the plurality of types of main body units. The information processing apparatus includes a processor configured to analyze details of a first emergency call made to a fire-fighting organization, select a main body unit of a first type equipped with a facility matching the details of the first emergency call from the plurality of types of main body units, and dispatch an emergency vehicle coupling the main body unit of the first type and the traveling unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki NAKANO, Masato URA, Koji TAKAO, Hideyuki SAKURAI, Keisuke HOTTA, Rieko MASUTANI, Atsushi HANAWA, Masanobu OHMI, Takashi HAYASHI, Atsushi NABATA, Tetsuro SAKAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20210150907
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a memory configured to store information about mobile bodies, each of which forms a vehicle by being coupled with a main body unit and is capable of autonomous driving; and a processor configured to transmit a summon command to a first mobile body existing within a predetermined range, the summon command summoning the first mobile body to a predetermined assembly location, and cause a predetermined number of first mobile bodies assembled at the predetermined assembly location to carry one first main body unit that is larger or heavier than a main body unit that can be carried by one first mobile body, and to cause the predetermined number of first mobile bodies to move to a predetermined destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki NAKANO, Masato URA, Koji TAKAO, Hideyuki SAKURAI, Keisuke HOTTA, Rieko MASUTANI, Atsushi HANAWA, Masanobu OHMI, Takashi HAYASHI, Atsushi NABATA, Tetsuro SAKAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20210125299
    Abstract: To effectively utilize user's belongings that are not being used. The information processing apparatus includes a processor configured to: determine, when a use request is received from a second user for a room unit in which a first user stores at least one of the first user's belongings as a storeroom, a transport unit that connects to the room unit and transports the room unit to a designated place by the second user; and cause the transport unit connected to the room unit to move to the designated place by the second user and to separate from the room unit at the designated place by the second user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki NAKANO, Masato URA, Koji TAKAO, Hideyuki SAKURAI, Keisuke HOTTA, Rieko MASUTANI, Atsushi HANAWA, Masanobu OHMI, Takashi HAYASHI, Atsushi NABATA, Tetsuro SAKAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20210117892
    Abstract: Provided is the information processing apparatus that includes a processor configured to: when a rental request for a traveling unit that forms a vehicle by connecting to a body unit and information regarding a destination of move by the vehicle are received from a user terminal, acquire a route to the destination; when a road included in the route to the destination is a first road having a predetermined characteristic, determine a first traveling unit having a performance corresponding to the characteristic of the first road from a plurality of traveling units; and transmit information regarding the route to the destination and information regarding the first traveling unit to the user terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki NAKANO, Masato URA, Koji TAKAO, Hideyuki SAKURAI, Keisuke HOTTA, Rieko MASUTANI, Atsushi HANAWA, Masanobu OHMI, Takashi HAYASHI, Tetsuro SAKAGUCHI, Atsushi NABATA
  • Patent number: 9990858
    Abstract: Provided is a golf swing classification method that is capable of optimizing selection of a golf club. A golf swing classification method when a golf club hits a golf ball according to the present invention includes the steps of: acquiring acceleration in at least a single point on the golf club or in at least one point that follows the single point during the golf swing; and mapping a behavior of the golf club based on a time period from a time point when an absolute value of the acceleration is at a maximum to a time point when the golf club hits the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignees: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION, Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Senno, Koji Takao, Daisuke Kondo, Hideo Matsunaga, Hirotada Iwade
  • Publication number: 20160354632
    Abstract: A golf ball trajectory prediction method that can predict the trajectory of a golf ball with high accuracy is provided. The golf ball trajectory prediction method includes: a swing measurement step of measuring a golfer's swing using a test golf club; a head behavior prediction step of predicting a behavior of a head of a target golf club when using the target golf club, with a measurement value of the swing measured in the swing measurement step as input; a ball initial behavior calculation step of calculating an initial behavior of a golf ball after colliding with the head of the golf club, based on the behavior of the head predicted in the head behavior prediction step; and a ball trajectory prediction step of predicting a trajectory of the golf ball, from the initial behavior of the golf ball calculated in the ball initial behavior calculation step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Applicants: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION, Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke KONDO, Koji TAKAO, Tatsuya ISHIKAWA, Masataka KAI
  • Patent number: 9348953
    Abstract: Provided is a swing simulation system capable of simulating a swing without amplifying errors contained in measured values on three-dimensional coordinates of a grip during the swing. The simulation system according to the present invention includes: at least two imaging devices for imaging identification features capable of identifying a closed virtual plane that follows a grip of a golf club during a swing; and a simulation apparatus for simulating a behavior of the golf club during the swing, based on position information on the virtual plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignees: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION, Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Senno, Koji Takao, Takashi Saito, Hideo Matsunaga, Hirotada Iwade
  • Publication number: 20150038249
    Abstract: Provided is a system for measuring golf club deformation that can easily measure golf club deformation during a golfer's golf swing as usual. A measurement system (1) according to the present invention is provided with an image pickup apparatus (4), attached to a golf club (3) and facing a direction that includes at least one identifier attached to the golf club (3) for specification of a position on the golf club (3), and with a measurement apparatus (2) that measures the golf club deformation based on position information of the at least one identifier, the position information being acquired from an image of the golf club captured by the image pickup apparatus (4) during a swing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicants: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD., BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Takao, Hideo Matsunaga, Hirotada Iwade
  • Publication number: 20140357393
    Abstract: Provided is a golf swing classification method that is capable of optimizing selection of a golf club. A golf swing classification method when a golf club hits a golf ball according to the present invention includes the steps of: acquiring acceleration in at least a single point on the golf club or in at least one point that follows the single point during the golf swing; and mapping a behavior of the golf club based on a time period from a time point when an absolute value of the acceleration is at a maximum to a time point when the golf club hits the golf ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicants: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION, BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yoshikazu SENNO, Koji TAKAO, Daisuke KONDO, Hideo MATSUNAGA, Hirotada IWADE
  • Patent number: 8734264
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for measurement and analysis of a behavior of a golf club head. Specifically, the system comprises a measurement and analysis device having a marker recognition and positional information acquisition unit for recognizing the at least one marker and acquiring positional information of the recognized at least one marker, a vector calculation unit for calculating a first vector representing a direction of the head and a second vector representing a tangent vector of a trajectory of the head during the golf swing, and a vector angle change acquisition unit for calculating a vector angle between the first vector and the second vector and acquiring a time series change of the calculated vector angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignees: Bridgestone Corporation, Bridgstone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Saito, Koji Takao, Hideo Matsunaga, Hirotada Iwade
  • Patent number: 8690698
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf club classification method capable of classifying a golf swing precisely. Specifically, the present invention provides a classification method comprising steps of: partitioning the golf swing of the golfer into golf swing trajectories of a back swing, a down swing, and a follow through so as to determine a stable point in the golf swing trajectories as an origin for any two of the trajectories and to assign a two dimensional coordinate to the two golf swing trajectories; determining straight lines connecting each of one point selected within each of the two golf swing trajectories and the origin; calculating angles between each of the determined straight lines and the horizontal line respectively for the two golf swing trajectories; and classifying the golf swing based on a difference between the calculated angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignees: Bridgestone Corporation, Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Takashi Saito, Koji Takao, Hideo Matsunaga, Hirotada Iwade
  • Publication number: 20130305806
    Abstract: The system (1) for measuring a golf swing according to the present invention is provided with at least two image pickup apparatuses that each capture an image of a golf club (5) that includes at least one head identifier attached to the head and with a measurement apparatus that measures the force acting on the head of the golf club (5) based on position information of the at least one head identifier, the position information being acquired from the images of the golf club (5) captured during a swing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Takashi SAITO, Koji TAKAO, Hideo MATSUNAGA, Hirotada IWADE