Patents by Inventor Masafumi Higashiyama

Masafumi Higashiyama 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: 11458841
    Abstract: A display control apparatus comprises: a detection unit configured to analyze a line of sight of a driver of a vehicle, and detect a viewpoint of the driver in a visual field region of the driver that is obtained as a result of the analysis; a display control unit configured to display an image such that the image is superimposed on the visual field region, based on a result of the detection by the detection unit; and a transmission control unit configured to, if a condition is satisfied, transmit related information that is related to information represented by the image to an external terminal, in addition to or instead of the display control unit displaying the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masafumi Higashiyama, Shinji Kawakami
  • Patent number: 11428931
    Abstract: A display device includes: a light projection device configured to project light including an image; an optical mechanism provided on a path of the light and configured to be capable of adjusting a distance from a predetermined position to a position at which the light is formed as a virtual image; and a control device configured to control the light projection device. The control device corrects a position of an image formed based on an external environment of a vehicle when a distance between a gazing point of an occupant of the vehicle and a vanishing point of a travel lane of the vehicle is less than a predetermined distance, and suppresses the correction of the position of the image when the distance between the gazing point and the vanishing point is equal to or greater than the predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masafumi Higashiyama, Takuya Kimura, Shinji Kawakami, Tatsuya Iwasa, Yuji Kawashima
  • Patent number: 11294176
    Abstract: A display device includes a light projector configured to project light including an image, an optical mechanism provided on a path of the light and capable of adjusting a distance from a predetermined position to a position where the light is formed as a virtual image, a concave mirror configured to reflect light passing through the optical mechanism toward a reflector, a first actuator configured to adjust the distance in the optical mechanism, and a controller configured to control the light projector and the first actuator. The controller causes the first actuator to change the distance and causes the light projector to project light including an opening image, at a time of an operation start of the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masafumi Higashiyama, Takuya Kimura, Shinji Kawakami, Tatsuya Iwasa, Yuji Kuwashima
  • Publication number: 20210291653
    Abstract: A display control apparatus comprises: a detection unit configured to analyze a line of sight of a driver of a vehicle, and detect a viewpoint of the driver in a visual field region of the driver that is obtained as a result of the analysis; a display control unit configured to display an image such that the image is superimposed on the visual field region, based on a result of the detection by the detection unit; and a transmission control unit configured to, if a condition is satisfied, transmit related information that is related to information represented by the image to an external terminal, in addition to or instead of the display control unit displaying the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Masafumi HIGASHIYAMA, Shinji KAWAKAMI
  • Publication number: 20210291736
    Abstract: A display control apparatus comprising: a display control unit configured to display an image such that the image is superimposed on a visual field region of a driver of a vehicle; and a detection unit configured to analyze a line of sight of the driver and detect a viewpoint of the driver in the visual field region that is obtained as a result of the analysis, wherein the display control unit subjects a predetermined region in the visual field region to display control, and based on a result of determination of overlapping between the predetermined region in the visual field region and the viewpoint of the driver detected by the detection unit, if the overlapping satisfies a condition, the display control unit changes a mode of the display of the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Masafumi HIGASHIYAMA, Shinji KAWAKAMI
  • Patent number: 11011137
    Abstract: A display device includes a light projection device which projects light including an image onto a reflector reflecting incident light to allow an observer to visually recognize the image included in the light reflected by the reflector as a virtual image, and a control device which causes the light projection device to output first light including a first image in a first case where a surrounding brightness is equal to or greater than a threshold value and causes the light projection device to output second light including a second image in a second case where the surrounding brightness is less than the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masafumi Higashiyama, Takuya Kimura, Shinji Kawakami, Tatsuya Iwasa, Yuji Kuwashima
  • Patent number: 11009702
    Abstract: A display device includes a controller configured to cause the image generator to generate a virtual image on the basis of at least a state of a vehicle and to adjust the depression angle on the basis of a reception result of a first receptor configured to receive adjustment of the depression angle of the position at which the virtual image is visually recognized by the viewer, wherein, when the depression angle has been adjusted on the basis of a reception result of the first receptor in a case in which the virtual image visual recognition distance is not a predetermined distance, the controller is configured to set the adjusted depression angle as a minimum depression angle and is configured to cause the image generator to generate a virtual image such that the depression angle does not become less than the set minimum depression angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masafumi Higashiyama, Takuya Kimura, Tatsuya Iwasa, Shinji Kawakami, Yuji Kuwashima
  • Patent number: 10996479
    Abstract: A display device includes: a light projection device configured to project light; an optical mechanism configured to be able to adjust an optical distance to a virtual image; a concave mirror configured to reflect light toward a reflector; a first actuator configured to adjust the optical distance; a second actuator configured to adjust a reflection angle of the concave mirror; and a control device configured to determine a target optical distance and a target reflection angle based on a vehicle state or a situation around a vehicle, control the first actuator such that the optical distance approaches the target optical distance, and control the second actuator such that the reflection angle approaches the target reflection angle. The control device performs predetermined control such that the virtual image becoming a double image when the target optical distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance is curbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masafumi Higashiyama, Takuya Kimura, Shinji Kawakami, Tatsuya Iwasa, Yuji Kuwashima
  • Patent number: 10971116
    Abstract: A display device includes a light projection device which projects light including an image, an optical mechanism which is capable of adjusting a distance from a predetermined position to a position where the light is formed as a virtual image, a concave mirror which reflects light toward a reflector, a concave mirror actuator which adjusts a reflection angle of the concave mirror, and a control device which controls the light projection device and the concave mirror actuator, in which the control device adjusts a projection position on a projection surface of the light projected from the light projection device having an angle formed by a horizontal surface passing through a predetermined position on an image and a segment from the predetermined position to a position where the light is formed as a virtual image so as to curb fluctuation occurring due to movement of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masafumi Higashiyama, Takuya Kimura, Shinji Kawakami, Tatsuya Iwasa, Yuji Kuwashima
  • Patent number: 10937345
    Abstract: A video display system according to an embodiment includes a display unit, a projection unit, and a display control unit. The display unit displays an image thereon. The projection unit projects a virtual image corresponding to the image onto a target space with outgoing light of the display unit. The display control unit is able to change a projection distance from a viewpoint of a user, who is viewing the virtual image, to the virtual image projected onto the target space. The display control unit changes the projection distance in a change pattern. The change pattern varies according to situation information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignees: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Funabiki, Koji Taniguchi, Hiroaki Okayama, Masafumi Higashiyama, Yosuke Shibazaki
  • Patent number: 10928632
    Abstract: A display device mounted in a vehicle includes a light projecting device configured to project light including an image, an optical mechanism provided on a path of the light, an actuator configured to drive the optical mechanism to adjust a distance from a predetermined position to a position where the light is formed as a virtual image, and a control device configured to control the light projecting device and the actuator, wherein the control device is configured to drive the actuator on the basis of a speed of the vehicle to adjust a projection position on a projection surface of the light projected from the light projecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masafumi Higashiyama, Takuya Kimura, Shinji Kawakami, Yuji Kuwashima, Tatsuya Iwasa
  • Patent number: 10921604
    Abstract: A video display system includes a display unit, a projection unit, and a display control unit. The display unit displays an image. The projection unit projects a virtual image onto a target space with outgoing light of the display unit. The display control unit shifts a projection position of the virtual image by changing at least one of a projection distance or an angle of depression. The projection distance is a distance from a viewpoint to the virtual image. The angle of depression is an angle from which the virtual image is viewed from the user's viewpoint. The display control unit changes the projection distance of the virtual image in accordance with a distance instruction and changes at least one of the projection distance or the angle of depression such that the virtual image is projected onto a displayable region of the target space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignees: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Funabiki, Koji Taniguchi, Hiroaki Okayama, Masafumi Higashiyama, Yosuke Shibazaki
  • Patent number: 10916223
    Abstract: A display device includes an image generator configured to generate a service image to be visually recognized by an observer by outputting light for forming an image toward a reflector reflecting incident light toward the observer's eyes and superimposing the light on a scene, a receiver configured to receive the observer's operation of reducing a visibility of the image, and a controller configured to control a visibility of the service image in accordance with the operation performed on the receiver, and the controller is configured to cause the image generator to generate a warning image in a case in which the operation of reducing the visibility to a predetermined degree is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masafumi Higashiyama, Takuya Kimura, Shinji Kawakami, Tatsuya Iwasa, Yuji Kuwashima
  • Patent number: 10914948
    Abstract: A display device includes an image generation device configured to superimpose an image on a landscape and allow a viewer to visually recognize the image, a control device configured to control the image generation device, and an operation unit configured to receive an operation related to display of the image. The image generation device generates a first image constantly displayed and a second image displayed on the basis of occurrence of a predetermined event, and the control device changes a display mode of one or both of the first image and the second image output by the image generation device on the basis of a content of the image generated by the image generation device and an operation content by the operation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masafumi Higashiyama, Takuya Kimura, Shinji Kawakami, Tatsuya Iwasa, Yuji Kuwashima
  • Patent number: 10795167
    Abstract: A video display system according to an embodiment includes a display unit, a projection unit, and a display control unit. The display unit displays an image thereon. The projection unit projects a virtual image, corresponding to the image, onto a target space with outgoing light of the display unit. The display control unit performs change processing of changing, in accordance with at least one of a projection distance or an angle of depression, specifics of sway correction for correcting sway of the virtual image with respect to the target space. The projection distance is a distance from a viewpoint of a user, who is viewing the virtual image projected onto the target space, to the virtual image. The angle of depression is an angle from which the virtual image is viewed from the user's viewpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignees: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Funabiki, Koji Taniguchi, Hiroaki Okayama, Masafumi Higashiyama, Yosuke Shibazaki
  • Patent number: 10703298
    Abstract: A display device includes an image generation device configured to allow a viewer to recognize the image, a control device configured to control the image generation device, a light projector configured to output the image as light, an optical mechanism capable of adjusting a distance from a predetermined position to a position at which the light is formed as a virtual image, a concave mirror configured to reflect light passing through the optical mechanism toward a reflector, a first actuator configured to adjust the distance in the optical mechanism, and a second actuator configured to adjust a reflection angle of the concave mirror. The control device estimates a temperature of the light projector, and in a case in which the estimated temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined upper limit temperature, the control device causes the first actuator to reduce the distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masafumi Higashiyama, Takuya Kimura, Shinji Kawakami, Tatsuya Iwasa, Yuji Kuwashima
  • Publication number: 20200124851
    Abstract: A display device mounted in a vehicle includes a light projecting device configured to project light including an image, an optical mechanism provided on a path of the light, an actuator configured to drive the optical mechanism to adjust a distance from a predetermined position to a position where the light is formed as a virtual image, and a control device configured to control the light projecting device and the actuator, wherein the control device is configured to drive the actuator on the basis of a speed of the vehicle to adjust a projection position on a projection surface of the light projected from the light projecting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Masafumi Higashiyama, Takuya Kimura, Shinji Kawakami, Yuji Kuwashima, Tatsuya Iwasa
  • Publication number: 20200124846
    Abstract: A display device includes a light projection device configured to project light including an image, an optical member provided on a path of the light, and a concave mirror configured to reflect light passing through the optical member toward a reflector having optical transparency, wherein in an optical system including the optical member, the concave mirror, and the reflector, a focal length in a vertical direction is shorter than a focal length in a horizontal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Masafumi Higashiyama, Takuya Kimura, Shinji Kawakami, Tatsuya Iwasa, Yuji Kuwashima
  • Publication number: 20200103665
    Abstract: A display device includes: a light projection device configured to project light; an optical mechanism configured to be able to adjust an optical distance to a virtual image; a concave mirror configured to reflect light toward a reflector; a first actuator configured to adjust the optical distance; a second actuator configured to adjust a reflection angle of the concave mirror; and a control device configured to determine a target optical distance and a target reflection angle based on a vehicle state or a situation around a vehicle, control the first actuator such that the optical distance approaches the target optical distance, and control the second actuator such that the reflection angle approaches the target reflection angle. The control device performs predetermined control such that the virtual image becoming a double image when the target optical distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance is curbed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Masafumi Higashiyama, Takuya Kimura, Shinji Kawakami, Tatsuya Iwasa, Yuji Kuwashima
  • Publication number: 20200103649
    Abstract: A display device includes: a light projection device configured to project light including an image; an optical mechanism provided on a path of the light and configured to be capable of adjusting a distance from a predetermined position to a position at which the light is formed as a virtual image; and a control device configured to control the light projection device. The control device corrects a position of an image formed based on an external environment of a vehicle when a distance between a gazing point of an occupant of the vehicle and a vanishing point of a travel lane of the vehicle is less than a predetermined distance, and suppresses the correction of the position of the image when the distance between the gazing point and the vanishing point is equal to or greater than the predetermined distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Masafumi Higashiyama, Takuya Kimura, Shinji Kawakami, Tatsuya Iwasa, Yuji Kawashima