Patents by Inventor Munetaka KOWA

Munetaka KOWA 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: 12151593
    Abstract: To provide a seat system that allows the information of the user seated in the seat to be acquired by another user, a seat system includes: a seat main body; at least one sensor provided in the seat main body; a control device for processing a signal from the sensor; and a first user interface communicating with the control device and notifying information based on a signal from the control device. Preferably, the sensor acquires information obtained from a seated person who is seated on the seat main body. Preferably, the seat system includes a camera for capturing an image of the seated person who is seated on the seat main body, and the control device causes the first user interface to display the image captured by the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kaku, Atsushi Kusano, Munetaka Kowa
  • Publication number: 20240367039
    Abstract: A seat experience system that allows an occupant to grasp the state of the system and feel secure about using the system is provided. In the seat experience system, a seat includes a seat body, and a sensor provided at the seat body and configured to acquire a measurement value for detection of a motion of the occupant seated on the seat body. A controller is connected to the sensor and capable of acquiring the measurement value from the sensor, and a seat experience device is connected to the controller and operable based on the measurement value. The seat experience device may be capable of communicating with a server. If the seat experience device detects a malfunction of the seat experience system, the seat experience device notifies the occupant of the malfunction and limits at least a subset of functions of the seat experience system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2024
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KAKU, Atsushi KUSANO, Akira MIYOSHI, Satoshi SUZUKI, Munetaka KOWA, Yousuke HIGASHI, Yoshikazu ITO
  • Publication number: 20240367556
    Abstract: To provide a sensor unit that can be easily attached to and detached from a seat in which a seated occupant is seated, and a seat equipped with a sensor unit. A sensor unit includes a sensor module including a biological sensor that detects a biological signal of a seated occupant, and a wireless communication unit that is connected to the biological sensor to wirelessly transmit the detected biological signal to an outside; and a sensor holder that holds the sensor module. The sensor holder includes a seat attachment portion detachably attached to an attached portion that is provided in a front surface of a seat cushion at a position at which the seated occupant is abuttable against the attached portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2024
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KAKU, Ryuichiro HIROSE, Atsushi KUSANO, Munetaka KOWA
  • Publication number: 20240359597
    Abstract: Increased versatility of a seat with a sensor provided therein is sought for. Disclosed is an in-seat experience system (SYS) including: a seat which includes a seat body (S0), a sensor (pressure sensor PS) provided in the seat body (S0), and a seat controller (100) connected to the sensor and thereby allowed to acquire a measurement value from the sensor; an experience instruction device (smartphone SP) connected to the seat controller (100), configured to notify an occupant seated on the seat body a motion instruction and to store user identification information for use in identifying the occupant; and a server (300) capable of communicating with the experience instruction device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KAKU, Satoru KANEDA, Munetaka KOWA, Hiroyuki NUMAJIRI, Satoshi FUJITA, Takako MIYOSHI, Atsushi KUSANO, Ryuichiro HIROSE, Yoshikazu ITO, Yousuke HIGASHI, Satoshi SUZUKI, Ryosuke SATO, Kento UETAKE
  • Patent number: 12076639
    Abstract: A seat experience system that allows an occupant to grasp the state of the system and feel secure about using the system is provided. In the seat experience system, a seat includes a seat body, and a sensor provided at the seat body and configured to acquire a measurement value for detection of a motion of the occupant seated on the seat body. A controller is connected to the sensor and capable of acquiring the measurement value from the sensor, and a seat experience device is connected to the controller and operable based on the measurement value. The seat experience device may be capable of communicating with a server. If the seat experience device detects a malfunction of the seat experience system, the seat experience device notifies the occupant of the malfunction and limits at least a subset of functions of the seat experience system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kaku, Atsushi Kusano, Akira Miyoshi, Satoshi Suzuki, Munetaka Kowa, Yousuke Higashi, Yoshikazu Ito
  • Patent number: 12071043
    Abstract: To provide a sensor unit that can be easily attached to and detached from a seat in which a seated occupant is seated, and a seat equipped with a sensor unit. A sensor unit includes a sensor module including a biological sensor that detects a biological signal of a seated occupant, and a wireless communication unit that is connected to the biological sensor to wirelessly transmit the detected biological signal to an outside; and a sensor holder that holds the sensor module. The sensor holder includes a seat attachment portion detachably attached to an attached portion that is provided in a front surface of a seat cushion at a position at which the seated occupant is abuttable against the attached portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kaku, Ryuichiro Hirose, Atsushi Kusano, Munetaka Kowa
  • Patent number: 12059976
    Abstract: An in-seat experience system includes: a seat which includes a seat body, a sensor, and a seat controller allowed to acquire a measurement value from the sensor; an experience instruction device connected to the seat controller, configured to notify an occupant seated on the seat body a motion instruction and to store user identification information; and a server capable of communicating with the experience instruction device. The experience instruction device makes a determination based upon a measurement value of the sensor as to whether or not a first condition is satisfied, and to transmit a result of the determination to the server when at least the first condition is satisfied, and the server is allowed to increase a point score stored for the corresponding user identification information with a condition that the result of the determination that the first condition is satisfied is received from the experience instruction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kaku, Satoru Kaneda, Munetaka Kowa, Hiroyuki Numajiri, Satoshi Fujita, Takako Miyoshi, Atsushi Kusano, Ryuichiro Hirose, Yoshikazu Ito, Yousuke Higashi, Satoshi Suzuki, Ryosuke Sato, Kento Uetake
  • Publication number: 20240262257
    Abstract: To propose a new value for a seat, a seat system which can make notification of advertising information fit for an occupant seated on the seat with a sensor included therein is provided. The seat system includes: a seat which includes a seat body, and a sensor provided in the seat body and configured to acquire information for use in identifying a physical state of an occupant seated on the seat body; a server having pieces of advertising information stored therein; and a terminal capable of acquiring the information from the sensor and communicating with the server. The terminal or the server is configured to choose, based on the information or an evaluation value based on the information, a piece of advertising information related to the information or the evaluation value from among the pieces of advertising information, and notify the occupant of the piece of advertising information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2024
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KAKU, Atsushi KUSANO, Satoru KANEDA, Satoshi SUZUKI, Munetaka KOWA, Yoshikazu ITO, Yasuharu OTSUKA
  • Publication number: 20240226660
    Abstract: A service providing apparatus includes a detector provided on a seat and configured to detect a motion of a user seated on the seat; a control device including a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, having a plurality of service functions and configured to determine a service content in the plurality of service functions based on the motion detected by the detector and a presentation unit configured to present the service content determined by the control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KAKU, Munetaka KOWA, Akira MIYOSHI, Michinobu WAKU
  • Publication number: 20240208369
    Abstract: A seat includes a seat body and a sensor configured to acquired information on an occupant seated on the seat body. The seat includes a coating as a location marker that marks a location of the sensor to render the location visually recognizable from outside the seat body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2024
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KAKU, Ryuichiro HIROSE, Hiroyuki NUMAJIRI, Satoshi FUJITA, Takako MIYOSHI, Munetaka KOWA, Atsushi KUSANO, Yoshikazu ITO, Yousuke HIGASHI, Satoshi SUZUKI, Ryosuke SATO, Kento UETAKE, Yasuharu OTSUKA, Satoru KANEDA
  • Patent number: 12005811
    Abstract: To propose a new value for a seat, a seat system which can make notification of advertising information fit for an occupant seated on the seat with a sensor included therein is provided. The seat system includes: a seat which includes a seat body, and a sensor provided in the seat body and configured to acquire information for use in identifying a physical state of an occupant seated on the seat body; a server having pieces of advertising information stored therein; and a terminal capable of acquiring the information from the sensor and communicating with the server. The terminal or the server is configured to choose, based on the information or an evaluation value based on the information, a piece of advertising information related to the information or the evaluation value from among the pieces of advertising information, and notify the occupant of the piece of advertising information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kaku, Atsushi Kusano, Satoru Kaneda, Satoshi Suzuki, Munetaka Kowa, Yoshikazu Ito, Yasuharu Otsuka
  • Publication number: 20240149773
    Abstract: Disclosed is a seat including: sensors which includes a first cushion sensor provided at a seat cushion in a position corresponding to buttocks of an occupant, a second cushion sensor provided at the seat cushion and located farther frontward than the first cushion sensor, a first back sensor provided at a seat back and located in a lower position thereof, and a second back sensor provided at the seat back and located above the first back sensor; and a controller connected to the sensors and thereby allowed to acquire pressure values from the respective sensors. The controller is configured to identify the motion of the occupant based on outputs of at least two sensors of the first cushion sensor, the second cushion sensor, the first back sensor, and the second back sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2024
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KAKU, Atsushi KUSANO, Hiroyuki NUMAJIRI, Satoshi FUJITA, Takako MIYOSHI, Munetaka KOWA, Ryuichiro HIROSE, Yoshikazu ITO, Yosuke HIGASHI, Satoshi SUZUKI, Ryosuke SATO, Kento UETAKE, Yasuharu OTSUKA, Satoru KANEDA
  • Publication number: 20240131397
    Abstract: A service providing apparatus includes a detector provided on a seat and configured to detect a motion of a user seated on the seat; a control device including a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, having a plurality of service functions and configured to determine a service content in the plurality of service functions based on the motion detected by the detector and a presentation unit configured to present the service content determined by the control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KAKU, Munetaka KOWA, Akira MIYOSHI, Michinobu WAKU
  • Patent number: 11958385
    Abstract: A seat includes a seat body and a sensor configured to acquired information on an occupant seated on the seat body. The seat includes a coating as a location marker that marks a location of the sensor to render the location visually recognizable from outside the seat body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kaku, Ryuichiro Hirose, Hiroyuki Numajiri, Satoshi Fujita, Takako Miyoshi, Munetaka Kowa, Atsushi Kusano, Yoshikazu Ito, Yousuke Higashi, Satoshi Suzuki, Ryosuke Sato, Kento Uetake, Yasuharu Otsuka, Satoru Kaneda
  • Patent number: 11932147
    Abstract: Disclosed is a seat including: sensors which includes a first cushion sensor provided at a seat cushion in a position corresponding to buttocks of an occupant, a second cushion sensor provided at the seat cushion and located farther frontward than the first cushion sensor, a first back sensor provided at a seat back and located in a lower position thereof, and a second back sensor provided at the seat back and located above the first back sensor; and a controller connected to the sensors and thereby allowed to acquire pressure values from the respective sensors. The controller is configured to identify the motion of the occupant based on outputs of at least two sensors of the first cushion sensor, the second cushion sensor, the first back sensor, and the second back sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kaku, Atsushi Kusano, Hiroyuki Numajiri, Satoshi Fujita, Takako Miyoshi, Munetaka Kowa, Ryuichiro Hirose, Yoshikazu Ito, Yosuke Higashi, Satoshi Suzuki, Ryosuke Sato, Kento Uetake, Yasuharu Otsuka, Satoru Kaneda
  • Patent number: 11904749
    Abstract: Disclosed is a seat including: sensors which includes a first cushion sensor provided at a seat cushion in a position corresponding to buttocks of an occupant, a second cushion sensor provided at the seat cushion and located farther frontward than the first cushion sensor, a first back sensor provided at a seat back and located in a lower position thereof, and a second back sensor provided at the seat back and located above the first back sensor; and a controller connected to the sensors and thereby allowed to acquire pressure values from the respective sensors. The controller is configured to identify the motion of the occupant based on outputs of at least two sensors of the first cushion sensor, the second cushion sensor, the first back sensor, and the second back sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kaku, Atsushi Kusano, Hiroyuki Numajiri, Satoshi Fujita, Takako Miyoshi, Munetaka Kowa, Ryuichiro Hirose, Yoshikazu Ito, Yosuke Higashi, Satoshi Suzuki, Ryosuke Sato, Kento Uetake, Yasuharu Otsuka, Satoru Kaneda
  • Publication number: 20240010111
    Abstract: A conveyance seat includes a seat cushion having a urethane pad member, a bead foam molding member harder than the urethane pad member, a skin material, and a seating sensor sensing a seated occupant's seating load, in which the urethane pad member is formed with a first through hole penetrating the urethane pad member in a height direction, the bead foam molding member is formed with a second through hole penetrating the bead foam molding member in the height direction and at least a part of the second through hole is at a position overlapping the first through hole in a top view, the seating sensor includes at least a sensor main body portion and a cable portion energizing the sensor main body portion or transmitting a signal of the sensor main body portion, and the cable portion is inserted through the first through hole and the second through hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2021
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Akira MIYOSHI, Munetaka KOWA, Yoichi TACHIKAWA, Kohei TAGUCHI, Tomoyuki KURIMOTO, Hiroaki HASHIZUME, Keisuke MIZUNO, Hiroyuki KAKU
  • Publication number: 20230256328
    Abstract: A seat system includes a seat, a controller, and a terminal. The seat includes a seat body, and a plurality of sensors configured to acquire information for use in detecting a motion of a user seated on the seat body. The controller is configured to acquire the information from the sensors. The terminal comprises a screen. The controller is configured to cause an object operated by the user to move based on the information acquired from the sensors, and to cause a movable object on the screen to move according to a motion of the object operated by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KAKU, Takako MIYOSHI, Michinobu WAKU, Marie SOMA, Atsushi KUSANO, Satoru KANEDA, Munetaka KOWA, Yosuke HIGASHI, Ryuichiro HIROSE, Ryosuke SATO
  • Patent number: 11607142
    Abstract: Disclosed is a biosensor arrangement structure, including: a plurality of biosensors that is disposed in a seat for supporting an occupant and that measures a health condition of the occupant. The seat includes: a seat body for holding the occupant; and an auxiliary supporter for supporting a body part of the occupant except for a torso and thighs. At least one of the plurality of biosensors is disposed at the auxiliary supporter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Ozawa, Takayoshi Ito, Kazuyuki Takasawa, Akira Miyoshi, Munetaka Kowa
  • Publication number: 20230016690
    Abstract: A seat system includes a seat including a sensor configured to acquire information for detection of a motion of an occupant seated on a seat body, a terminal device configured to acquire the information from the sensor, and a server capable of communicating with the terminal device. The terminal device executes a game using the sensor based on the information, and acquires an execution result corresponding to the occupant for a game played by the occupant. The server generates integrated data by integrating execution results of the game acquired from another terminal device, and computes a reference value for execution results of the game based on the integrated data. The terminal device or the server assigns a difficulty level of the game for the terminal device based on the execution result corresponding to the occupant and the reference value. The terminal device reflects the difficulty level on the game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KAKU, Hiroyuki NUMAJIRI, Takako MIYOSHI, Munetaka KOWA, Atsushi KUSANO, Ryuichiro HIROSE, Yoshikazu ITO, Yosuke HIGASHI, Satoshi SUZUKI, Ryosuke SATO, Satoru KANEDA