Patents by Inventor Norikazu Ikoma

Norikazu Ikoma 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).

  • Publication number: 20230417895
    Abstract: A target object is tracked based on dimensional information of an observation space including a relative velocity of the target object with respect to a sensing device for observing a reflection wave from the target object. An estimation state is acquired by estimating a state of the target object at a specific time. A reflection source of the reflection wave that gives an observation point observed at the specific time is assumed with respect to the estimation state. A state validity of the estimation state is acquired. The estimation state is updated based on the state validity expressed including a difference between dimensional information of the reflection source projected onto the observation space in the estimation state and the observation information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Koichiro SUZUKI, Chiharu YAMANO, Toshiyuki MIYAZAKI, Norikazu IKOMA
  • Patent number: 11574221
    Abstract: Provided is a state determination apparatus that appropriately performs pattern classification processing and/or pattern determination processing even when a map generated by the SOM technique includes discontinuous image regions. In the state determination apparatus, the matching processing unit obtains adaptability data indicating a correlation degree between template data indicating a state and the SOM output data. The state determination unit obtains a state evaluation value based on an activity value obtained by the activity value obtaining unit and the adaptability value. The time series estimation unit determines a state of an input data based on the state evaluation value and state transition probability between states. This allows for appropriately performing pattern classification processing and/or pattern determination processing even when a map generated by the SOM technique includes discontinuous image regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignees: MEGACHIPS CORPORATION, KYUSHU INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Norikazu Ikoma, Hiromu Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20220236401
    Abstract: A tracking apparatus which tracks a target includes a predilection unit, correction unit, and updating unit. The prediction unit predicts the state distribution of the target at a specific time. The correction unit, for at least one observation point of the target, that is observed at the specific time, uses a likelihood function to define a degree of certainty of the state distribution predicted by the prediction unit, and corrects the likelihood function depending on the number of observation points. The updating unit updates the state distribution at the specific time based on the likelihood function corrected by the correction unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Mitsutoshi MORINAGA, Koichiro SUZUKI, Chiharu YAMANO, Norikazu IKOMA
  • Patent number: 10902610
    Abstract: The position of a moving object is estimated with high accuracy using landmark information, and highly accurate state estimation is performed appropriately at high speed. A landmark detection unit obtains a distance between the moving object and each of two or more landmarks as landmark distance information based on observation data obtained by an observation obtaining unit. A candidate area obtaining unit determines a candidate area for a position of the moving object based on the landmark distance information obtained by the landmark detection unit, and obtains candidate area information indicating the determined candidate area. A state estimation unit estimates an internal state of the moving object based on the observation data, the landmark distance information, and the candidate area information to obtain moving object internal state estimation data, and estimates the environmental map based on the candidate area information and the landmark distance information to obtain environmental map data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignees: MEGACHIPS CORPORATION, KYUSHU INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Kenta Nagamine, Norikazu Ikoma, Fumiya Shingu, Hiromu Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 10375360
    Abstract: A state estimation apparatus obtains observation data sets for a tracking target object, and estimates an internal state of the object using likelihoods obtained from the observation data sets and the reliability of each observation data set. A first observation obtaining unit obtains first observation data. A second observation obtaining unit obtains second observation data. A first likelihood obtaining unit obtains a first likelihood based on the first observation data. A second likelihood obtaining unit obtains a second likelihood based on the second observation data. A likelihood combining unit obtains a combined likelihood based on the first and second likelihoods, first reliability data indicating the reliability of the first observation data, and second reliability data indicating the reliability of the second observation data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignees: MEGACHIPS CORPORATION, KYUSHU INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hiromu Hasegawa, Norikazu Ikoma
  • Publication number: 20190122371
    Abstract: The position of a moving object is estimated with high accuracy based on landmark information, and highly accurate state estimation is performed appropriately at high speed. A landmark detection unit obtains a distance between the moving object and each of two or more landmarks as landmark distance information based on observation data obtained by an observation obtaining unit. A candidate area obtaining unit determines a candidate area for a position of the moving object based on the landmark distance information obtained by the landmark detection unit, and obtains candidate area information indicating the determined candidate area. A state estimation unit estimates an internal state of the moving object based on the observation data, the landmark distance information, and the candidate area information to obtain moving object internal state estimation data, and estimates the environmental map based on the candidate area information and the landmark distance information to obtain environmental map data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicants: MegaChips Corporation, Kyushu Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Kenta NAGAMINE, Norikazu IKOMA, Fumiya SHINGU, Hiromu HASEGAWA
  • Patent number: 10248131
    Abstract: The position of a moving object is estimated with high accuracy based on landmark information, and highly accurate state estimation is performed appropriately at high speed. A landmark detection unit obtains a distance between the moving object and each of two or more landmarks as landmark distance information based on observation data obtained by an observation obtaining unit. A candidate area obtaining unit determines a candidate area for a position of the moving object based on the landmark distance information obtained by the landmark detection unit, and obtains candidate area information indicating the determined candidate area. A state estimation unit estimates an internal state of the moving object based on the observation data, the landmark distance information, and the candidate area information to obtain moving object internal state estimation data, and estimates the environmental map based on the candidate area information and the landmark distance information to obtain environmental map data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignees: MEGACHIPS CORPORATION, KYUSHU INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Kenta Nagamine, Norikazu Ikoma, Fumiya Shingu, Hiromu Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 9958868
    Abstract: A moving object controller efficiently generates an environmental map and performs highly accurate state estimation in a short time to appropriately control a moving object. An observation obtaining unit obtains observation data from an observable event. A landmark prediction unit generates a landmark prediction signal including predictive information about a landmark at a current time. A landmark detection unit detects information about the landmark at the current time, and generates a landmark detection signal indicating the detection result. A state estimation unit estimates an internal state of the moving object to obtain data indicating an estimated internal state of the moving object at the current time, and estimates the environmental map based on the landmark detection signal to obtain data indicating an estimated environmental map at the current time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignees: MegaChips Corporation, KYUSHU INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Fumiya Shingu, Norikazu Ikoma, Kenta Nagamine, Hiromu Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 9911191
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a state estimation apparatus that appropriately estimates the internal state of an observation target by determining likelihoods from a plurality of observations. An observation obtaining unit of the state estimation system obtains, at given time intervals, a plurality of observation data obtained from an observable event. The observation selecting unit selects a piece of observation data from the plurality of pieces of observation data obtained by the observation obtaining unit based on a posterior probability distribution data obtained at a preceding time t?1. The likelihood obtaining unit obtains likelihood data based on the observation data selected by the observation selecting unit and predicted probability distribution data obtained through prediction processing using the posterior probability distribution data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignees: MegaChips Corporation, KYUSHU INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Norikazu Ikoma, Hiromu Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20170316332
    Abstract: Provided is a state determination apparatus that appropriately performs pattern classification processing and/or pattern determination processing even when a map generated by the SOM technique includes discontinuous image regions. In the state determination apparatus, the matching processing unit obtains adaptability data indicating a correlation degree between template data indicating a state and the SOM output data. The state determination unit obtains a state evaluation value based on an activity value obtained by the activity value obtaining unit and the adaptability value. The time series estimation unit determines a state of an input data based on the state evaluation value and state transition probability between states. This allows for appropriately performing pattern classification processing and/or pattern determination processing even when a map generated by the SOM technique includes discontinuous image regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicants: MegaChips Corporation, Kyushu Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Norikazu IKOMA, Hiromu HASEGAWA
  • Patent number: 9805285
    Abstract: Provided is a state estimation apparatus that enables more accurate and robust detection and tracking of an object by obtaining a plurality of sets of observation data for a tracking target object and estimating the internal state of the object using a plurality of likelihoods calculated from the obtained sets of observation data. The state estimation apparatus obtains first observation data and second observation data, each of which is composed of a plurality of pieces of observation data, and obtains possibility measurement data and necessity measurement data from the obtained plurality of pieces of observation data. In the state estimation apparatus, a likelihood obtaining unit obtains a first likelihood wp and a second likelihood wn from the possibility measurement data and the necessity measurement data. Using the obtained first likelihood wp and second likelihood wn enables the internal state of the object to be estimated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignees: MegaChips Corporation, Kyushu Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Norikazu Ikoma, Hiromu Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20170069106
    Abstract: Provided is a state estimation apparatus that enables more accurate and robust detection and tracking of an object by obtaining a plurality of sets of observation data for a tracking target object and estimating the internal state of the object using a plurality of likelihoods calculated from the obtained sets of observation data. The state estimation apparatus obtains first observation data and second observation data, each of which is composed of a plurality of pieces of observation data, and obtains possibility measurement data and necessity measurement data from the obtained plurality of pieces of observation data. In the state estimation apparatus, a likelihood obtaining unit obtains a first likelihood wp and a second likelihood wn from the possibility measurement data and the necessity measurement data. Using the obtained first likelihood wp and second likelihood wn enables the internal state of the object to be estimated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicants: MegaChips Corporation, Kyushu Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Norikazu IKOMA, Hiromu HASEGAWA
  • Publication number: 20160282875
    Abstract: The position of a moving object is estimated with high accuracy based on landmark information, and highly accurate state estimation is performed appropriately at high speed. A landmark detection unit obtains a distance between the moving object and each of two or more landmarks as landmark distance information based on observation data obtained by an observation obtaining unit. A candidate area obtaining unit determines a candidate area for a position of the moving object based on the landmark distance information obtained by the landmark detection unit, and obtains candidate area information indicating the determined candidate area. A state estimation unit estimates an internal state of the moving object based on the observation data, the landmark distance information, and the candidate area information to obtain moving object internal state estimation data, and estimates the environmental map based on the candidate area information and the landmark distance information to obtain environmental map data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicants: MegaChips Corporation, Kyushu Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Kenta NAGAMINE, Norikazu IKOMA, Fumiya SHINGU, Hiromu HASEGAWA
  • Publication number: 20160282876
    Abstract: A moving object controller efficiently generates an environmental map and performs highly accurate state estimation in a short time to appropriately control a moving object. An observation obtaining unit obtains observation data from an observable event. A landmark prediction unit generates a landmark prediction signal including predictive information about a landmark at a current time. A landmark detection unit detects information about the landmark at the current time, and generates a landmark detection signal indicating the detection result. A state estimation unit estimates an internal state of the moving object to obtain data indicating an estimated internal state of the moving object at the current time, and estimates the environmental map based on the landmark detection signal to obtain data indicating an estimated environmental map at the current time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicants: MegaChips Corporation, Kyushu Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Fumiya SHINGU, Norikazu IKOMA, Kenta NAGAMINE, Hiromu HASEGAWA
  • Publication number: 20160171717
    Abstract: A state estimation apparatus obtains observation data sets for a tracking target object, and estimates an internal state of the object using likelihoods obtained from the observation data sets and the reliability of each observation data set. A first observation obtaining unit obtains first observation data. A second observation obtaining unit obtains second observation data. A first likelihood obtaining unit obtains a first likelihood based on the first observation data. A second likelihood obtaining unit obtains a second likelihood based on the second observation data. A likelihood combining unit obtains a combined likelihood based on the first and second likelihoods, first reliability data indicating the reliability of the first observation data, and second reliability data indicating the reliability of the second observation data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicants: MegaChips Corporation, Kyushu Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Hiromu HASEGAWA, Norikazu Ikoma
  • Publication number: 20160035098
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a state estimation apparatus that appropriately estimates the internal state of an observation target by determining likelihoods from a plurality of observations. An observation obtaining unit of the state estimation system obtains, at given time intervals, a plurality of observation data obtained from an observable event. The observation selecting unit selects a piece of observation data from the plurality of pieces of observation data obtained by the observation obtaining unit based on a posterior probability distribution data obtained at a preceding time t?1. The likelihood obtaining unit obtains likelihood data based on the observation data selected by the observation selecting unit and predicted probability distribution data obtained through prediction processing using the posterior probability distribution data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicants: MegaChips Corporation, Kyushu Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Norikazu IKOMA, Hiromu HASEGAWA
  • Patent number: 8395665
    Abstract: A method of automatic tracking of a target is disclosed. This method includes a light spot detecting step of detecting a light spot from a target supported on a moving object, a step of taking a moving image of the target and the moving object, a step of target tracking based on the detection of the light spot, a step of performing image tracking based on the moving image in parallel to the target tracking, a step of comparing a position of the target obtained by the target tracking with a position of the image obtained by the image tracking, and a step of tracking the target based on a result of the target tracking in case where the target position and the image position are within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventors: Hitoshi Otani, Takahiro Komeichi, Norikazu Ikoma, Kazuhiko Kawamoto
  • Publication number: 20100245587
    Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic tracking method, comprising a light spot detecting step of detecting a light spot 37 from a target 31 supported on a moving object 30, a step of taking a moving image of the target and the moving object, a step of tracking based on the detection of the light spot, a step of performing image tracking based on the moving image in parallel to the tracking, a step of comparing a position of the target obtained by the tracking with a position of the image obtained by the image tracking, and a step of tracking based on a result of the tracking in case where the target position and the image position are within a predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventors: Hitoshi Otani, Takahiro Komeichi, Norikazu Ikoma, Kazuhiko Kawamoto