Patents by Inventor Naoki Kojo

Naoki Kojo 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: 9519290
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for associating passenger docking locations with destinations are disclosed. Associating passenger docking locations with destinations may include an autonomous vehicle identifying transportation network information representing a vehicle transportation network, including a primary destination, wherein identifying the transportation network information includes identifying the transportation network information such that the transportation network information includes docking location information representing a plurality of docking locations, wherein each docking location corresponds with a respective location in the vehicle transportation network, and such that at least one docking location from the plurality of docking locations is associated with the primary destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Naoki Kojo, Siddharth Kumar Thakur, Nicolas Meuleau, Daisuke Saito, Nikhil Lele
  • Patent number: 9448559
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for autonomous vehicle routing and navigation using passenger docking locations are disclosed. Autonomous vehicle routing and navigation using passenger docking locations may include an autonomous vehicle identifying vehicle transportation network information representing a vehicle transportation network, the vehicle transportation network including a primary destination, wherein identifying the vehicle transportation network information includes identifying the vehicle transportation network information such that it includes docking location information representing a plurality of docking locations, wherein each docking location corresponds with a respective location in the vehicle transportation network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Naoki Kojo, Siddharth Kumar Thakur, Nicolas Meuleau, Daisuke Saito, Nikhil Lele
  • Patent number: 9436183
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for associating passenger docking locations with destinations using vehicle transportation network partitioning are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Siddharth Kumar Thakur, Naoki Kojo, Nicolas Meuleau, Daisuke Saito, Nikhil Lele
  • Publication number: 20160209843
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for passenger docking location selection are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: NICOLAS MEULEAU, SIDDHARTH KUMAR THAKUR, NAOKI KOJO, DAISUKE SAITO, NIKHIL LELE
  • Publication number: 20160209848
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for associating passenger docking locations with destinations are disclosed. Associating passenger docking locations with destinations may include an autonomous vehicle identifying transportation network information representing a vehicle transportation network, including a primary destination, wherein identifying the transportation network information includes identifying the transportation network information such that the transportation network information includes docking location information representing a plurality of docking locations, wherein each docking location corresponds with a respective location in the vehicle transportation network, and such that at least one docking location from the plurality of docking locations is associated with the primary destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: NAOKI KOJO, SIDDHARTH KUMAR THAKUR, NICOLAS MEULEAU, DAISUKE SAITO, NIKHIL LELE
  • Publication number: 20160209845
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for autonomous vehicle routing and navigation using passenger docking locations are disclosed. Autonomous vehicle routing and navigation using passenger docking locations may include an autonomous vehicle identifying vehicle transportation network information representing a vehicle transportation network, the vehicle transportation network including a primary destination, wherein identifying the vehicle transportation network information includes identifying the vehicle transportation network information such that it includes docking location information representing a plurality of docking locations, wherein each docking location corresponds with a respective location in the vehicle transportation network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: NAOKI KOJO, SIDDHARTH KUMAR THAKUR, NICOLAS MEULEAU, DAISUKE SAITO, NIKHIL LELE
  • Publication number: 20160209842
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for associating passenger docking locations with destinations using vehicle transportation network partitioning are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: SIDDHARTH KUMAR THAKUR, NAOKI KOJO, NICOLAS MEULEAU, DAISUKE SAITO, NIKHIL LELE
  • Patent number: 9389093
    Abstract: A traffic signal recognition apparatus includes a control device that executes: a captured image acquisition function which acquires a captured image around an own vehicle; an own vehicle position acquisition function which acquires a current position of the own vehicle; a target traffic signal specifying function which refers to map information to specify a traffic signal to be targeted in a traveling link for the own vehicle, the traffic signal data including position information about the traffic signal related to the traveling link; a traffic signal image area extraction function which extracts an image area of the traffic signal on the basis of the position information about the traffic signal and image capturing property information about the camera; and a traffic signal content recognition function which recognizes a traffic signal content of the traffic signal on the basis of an image of the traffic signal in the image area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Kojo
  • Publication number: 20160178382
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for marker aided autonomous vehicle localization are disclosed. Marker aided autonomous vehicle localization may include an autonomous vehicle identifying transportation network information, identifying an origin, identifying a destination, generating a plurality of candidate routes from the origin to the destination based on the transportation network information, wherein each route from the plurality of routes indicates a distinct combination of road segments and lanes, generating an action cost probability distribution for each action in each candidate route, generating a route cost probability distribution based at least in part on the action cost probability distribution, identify an optimal route from the plurality of candidate routes based at least in part on the route cost probability distribution, and operate the autonomous vehicle to travel from the origin to the destination using the optimal route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: NAOKI KOJO, MAURO DELLA PENNA
  • Publication number: 20160054138
    Abstract: A traffic signal recognition apparatus includes a control device that executes: a captured image acquisition function which acquires a captured image around an own vehicle; an own vehicle position acquisition function which acquires a current position of the own vehicle; a target traffic signal specifying function which refers to map information to specify a traffic signal to be targeted in a traveling link for the own vehicle, the traffic signal data including position information about the traffic signal related to the traveling link; a traffic signal image area extraction function which extracts an image area of the traffic signal on the basis of the position information about the traffic signal and image capturing property information about the camera; and a traffic signal content recognition function which recognizes a traffic signal content of the traffic signal on the basis of an image of the traffic signal in the image area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventor: Naoki KOJO
  • Publication number: 20150294465
    Abstract: A system for calculating the sensitivity of a camera in a vehicle control system includes an internal parameter system, a controller, and a storage device. The internal parameter system is configured to determine an image coordinate of a first pixel in an image. The controller is configured to determine a point on the ground corresponding to the first pixel in the image based on external parameters. The controller is further configured to move the vehicle in a virtual world a predetermined distance, identify a second pixel in the image to which the point of the ground corresponds after the vehicle is moved in the virtual world, and calculate the sensitivity of the camera based on the distance between the position of the first pixel and the position of the second pixel. The storage device is configured to store the sensitivity of the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Naoki KOJO
  • Publication number: 20150292891
    Abstract: A system for determining a position of a vehicle includes a camera, a marker, a storage device, an external parameter system, and a controller. The camera is configured to capture an image of an area adjacent the vehicle, the image including an edge. The marker detection device is configured to detect a marker in the area adjacent the vehicle. The storage device is configured to store map data, the stored map data including edge data. The positioning system is configured to determine the location of the vehicle relative to the stored map data. The controller is configured to combine the marker detected by the marker detection device and the edge in the image captured by the camera, and compare the combined marker detected by the marker detection device and the edge in the image captured by the camera to the stored map data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: Nissan North America, Inc
    Inventor: Naoki KOJO
  • Patent number: 9151626
    Abstract: A system for determining a position of a vehicle includes a camera, a marker, a storage device, an external parameter system, and a controller. The camera is configured to capture an image of an area adjacent the vehicle, the image including an edge. The marker detection device is configured to detect a marker in the area adjacent the vehicle. The storage device is configured to store map data, the stored map data including edge data. The positioning system is configured to determine the location of the vehicle relative to the stored map data. The controller is configured to combine the marker detected by the marker detection device and the edge in the image captured by the camera, and compare the combined marker detected by the marker detection device and the edge in the image captured by the camera to the stored map data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Naoki Kojo
  • Patent number: 9151628
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for associating parking areas with destinations may include a vehicle identifying transportation network information including a primary destination and parking area information representing a plurality of parking areas, such that the parking area information includes automatically generated parking area association information describing an association between at least one parking area and the primary destination. The vehicle may determine a target parking area from the plurality of parking areas for the primary destination based on the transportation network information, and identify a route from an origin to the target parking area in the vehicle transportation network using the transportation network information. The vehicle may include a trajectory controller configured to operate the vehicle to travel from the origin to the target parking area using the route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Daisuke Saito, Naoki Kojo, Siddharth Kumar Thakur, Nikhil Lele
  • Patent number: 9046364
    Abstract: Based on an image imaged by an imaging unit (2), feature points of a plurality of objects present around a vehicle are detected by a feature point detecting unit (35). A first distance from the feature point to the imaging unit (2) is calculated based on a temporal change of the feature point. A second distance from a certain object included in the plurality of objects present in the image to the imaging unit is calculated using some pixels of the certain object. The first distance of the plurality of feature points, other than the certain feature point, simultaneously detected by the feature point detecting unit (35) is modified based on a ratio of the first distance and the second distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Kojo, Seigo Watanabe, Toshiyuki Andou
  • Publication number: 20150015702
    Abstract: A moving-object position/attitude estimation apparatus includes: an image-capturing unit configured to acquire a captured image; a comparative image acquiring unit configured to acquire a comparative image viewed from a predetermined position at a predetermined attitude angle; a likelihood setting unit configured to compare the captured image with the comparative image and to assigns a high attitude angle likelihood to the comparative image and to assigns a high position likelihood to the comparative image; a moving-object position/attitude estimation unit configured to estimate the attitude angle of the moving object based on the attitude angle of the comparative image assigned the high attitude angle likelihood and to estimate the position of the moving object based on the position of the comparative image assigned the high position likelihood.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Ichiro Yamaguchi, Naoki Kojo
  • Publication number: 20130182906
    Abstract: Based on an image imaged by an imaging unit (2), feature points of a plurality of objects present around a vehicle are detected by a feature point detecting unit (35). A first distance from the feature point to the imaging unit (2) is calculated based on a temporal change of the feature point. A second distance from a certain object included in the plurality of objects present in the image to the imaging unit is calculated using some pixels of the certain object. The first distance of the plurality of feature points, other than the certain feature point, simultaneously detected by the feature point detecting unit (35) is modified based on a ratio of the first distance and the second distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Kojo, Seigo Watanabe, Toshiyuki Andou