Patents by Inventor Satoru Niwa
Satoru Niwa 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).
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Patent number: 7692534Abstract: In deviation prevention support ECU 10 in driving operation support system 1, an applied torque by steering torque applier 17 is set based on a vehicle speed of a vehicle. The applied torque is set to increase with increase of the vehicle speed. An upper limit according to the vehicle speed is set for this applied torque. Furthermore, in a Start interval in application of the applied torque, a rate of increasing to reach a maximum is determined according to the maximum of the applied torque. In a close interval, the applied torque is decreased at a rate different from that in the Start interval, and the absolute rate of increasing the torque in the Start interval is set to be larger than the absolute rate of decreasing the torque in the close interval.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2008Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroaki Kataoka, Seiji Kawakami, Satoru Niwa, Katsuhiko Iwazaki, Chumsamutr Rattapon
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Patent number: 7542840Abstract: A driving control apparatus of the present invention has a driving road keeping device for providing a torque to a steering mechanism so as to keep a vehicle traveling at a predetermined position on a driving road; a driving road departure warning device for issuing a warning of a departure from the driving road on the basis of a position of the vehicle relative to the driving road; and a setting device for setting a need or no need for execution of a control of the driving road keeping device or the driving road departure warning device. Where the setting device sets a need for execution of the control, the control of the driving road keeping device is executed when an activation condition of the driving road keeping device is met and when a cruise control device is active.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2005Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Seiji Kawakami, Satoru Niwa, Katsuhiko Iwazaki, Hiroaki Kataoka, Chumsamutr Rattapon
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Patent number: 7509211Abstract: An apparatus for warning deviation from a lane has a deviation evaluation ECU 1. The deviation evaluation ECU 1 has a deviation evaluator 14 for performing an evaluation on a deviation by comparing a future position of a host vehicle with a lane future position. Before this deviation evaluation, a mask processor 13 determines whether a yaw angle of the host vehicle and a lateral position of the vehicle relative to a driving lane exceed their respective thresholds preliminarily determined. When either one or the both are not more than the thresholds, the mask processor 13 performs a mask process, without performing the deviation evaluation. A deviation evaluator 14 performs the deviation evaluation when the yaw angle and the lateral position relative to the driving lane both exceed their respective thresholds.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2005Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Satoru Niwa, Katsuhiko Iwazaki, Seiji Kawakami, Hiroaki Kataoka, Chumsamutr Rattapon
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Patent number: 7454291Abstract: A driving control apparatus of the present invention has a driving road keeping device for providing a torque to a steering mechanism so as to keep a vehicle traveling at a predetermined position on a driving road, a setting device for setting a need or no need for execution of a control of the driving road keeping device, and a cruise control device for controlling a driving force or speed of the vehicle so as to keep the vehicle in a predetermined driving state. A need or no need for execution of the control of the driving road keeping device is determined based on a setting state of the setting device and a control state of the cruise control device. A display indicating that the control of the driving road keeping device is ready is presented when the control of the driving road keeping device is in an executable state upon a state change of either the setting state of the setting device or the control state of the cruise control device.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2005Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Seiji Kawakami, Satoru Niwa, Katsuhiko Iwazaki, Hiroaki Kataoka, Chumsamutr Rattapon
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Patent number: 7391304Abstract: In deviation prevention support ECU 10 in driving operation support system 1, an applied torque by steering torque applier 17 is set based on a vehicle speed of a vehicle. The applied torque is set to increase with increase of the vehicle speed. An upper limit according to the vehicle speed is set for this applied torque. Furthermore, in a Start interval in application of the applied torque, a rate of increasing to reach a maximum is determined according to the maximum of the applied torque. In a Close interval, the applied torque is decreased at a rate different from that in the Start interval, and the absolute rate of increasing the torque in the Start interval is set to be larger than the absolute rate of decreasing the torque in the Close interval.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2005Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroaki Kataoka, Seiji Kawakami, Satoru Niwa, Katsuhiko Iwazaki, Chumsamutr Rattapon
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Patent number: 7389167Abstract: A driving support system according to the present invention is provided with an actuator for steering steered wheels of a vehicle and is used for supporting driving of the vehicle by making use of steering by means of the actuator. The driving support system has an image taking device for taking a forward image ahead the vehicle, a determiner for determining a controlled variable of the actuator on the basis of the forward image acquired by the image taking device, a limiter for limiting the controlled variable when a time change of the controlled variable of the actuator determined by the determiner is off a predetermined range, and a controller for controlling the actuator. The limiter sets a limit value for limiting the time change of the controlled variable of the actuator so that the limit value at a start (or at an end) of the driving support control is different from the limit value in continuation of the driving support control.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2005Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Katsuhiko Iwazaki, Seiji Kawakami, Satoru Niwa, Hiroaki Kataoka, Chumsamutr Rattapon
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Publication number: 20080117033Abstract: In deviation prevention support ECU 10 in driving operation support system 1, an applied torque by steering torque applier 17 is set based on a vehicle speed of a vehicle. The applied torque is set to increase with increase of the vehicle speed. An upper limit according to the vehicle speed is set for this applied torque. Furthermore, in a Start interval in application of the applied torque, a rate of increasing to reach a maximum is determined according to the maximum of the applied torque. In a close interval, the applied torque is decreased at a rate different from that in the Start interval, and the absolute rate of increasing the torque in the Start interval is set to be larger than the absolute rate of decreasing the torque in the close interval.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2008Publication date: May 22, 2008Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroaki Kataoka, Seiji Kawakami, Satoru Niwa, Katsuhiko Iwazaki
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Patent number: 7373230Abstract: Characteristic lines A to D of lateral acceleration G-required torque T in determination of required torque T are used as switched according to increase/decrease of the absolute value of the lateral acceleration, and the direction thereof. The lines A, C used in increase of the absolute value of the lateral acceleration G are so set that the absolute value of required torque T becomes larger at the same lateral acceleration G (G?0) than that with the lines B, D used in decrease of the absolute value of the lateral acceleration G. The difference between line A and line B (the difference between line C and line D as well) at the same lateral acceleration G is so set that the difference near the lateral acceleration of 0 is smaller than that in the other regions. Particularly, it is preferable to set the required torque T to 0 at the lateral acceleration G of 0.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2005Date of Patent: May 13, 2008Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Chumsamutr Rattapon, Seiji Kawakami, Satoru Niwa, Katsuhiko Iwazaki, Hiroaki Kataoka
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Patent number: 7069129Abstract: A driving support system according to the present invention is provided with an actuator for steering steered wheels and performs a driving support control of a vehicle to apply an additional torque to a steering mechanism incorporating the steered wheels, by means of the actuator to steer the steered wheels. The driving support system has an image taking device for taking a forward image ahead the vehicle, a controller for driving the actuator to generate the torque on the steering mechanism on the basis of the forward image acquired by the image taking device, to perform the driving support control, a steering wheel torque detector for detecting a steering wheel torque on a steering wheel, and a control suppressor for prioritizing a steering operation by a driver to the driving support control when a magnitude of the steering wheel torque is not less than a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2005Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Katsuhiko Iwazaki, Seiji Kawakami, Satoru Niwa, Hiroaki Kataoka, Chumsamutr Rattapon
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Publication number: 20050278096Abstract: A driving support system according to the present invention is provided with an actuator for steering steered wheels of a vehicle and is used for supporting driving of the vehicle by making use of steering by means of the actuator. The driving support system has an image taking device for taking a forward image ahead the vehicle, a determiner for determining a controlled variable of the actuator on the basis of the forward image acquired by the image taking device, a limiter for limiting the controlled variable when a time change of the controlled variable of the actuator determined by the determiner is off a predetermined range, and a controller for controlling the actuator. The limiter sets a limit value for limiting the time change of the controlled variable of the actuator so that the limit value at a start (or at an end) of the driving support control is different from the limit value in continuation of the driving support control.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2005Publication date: December 15, 2005Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Katsuhiko Iwazaki, Seiji Kawakami, Satoru Niwa, Hiroaki Kataoka, Chumsamutr Rattapon
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Publication number: 20050273262Abstract: A driving control apparatus of the present invention has a driving road keeping device for providing a torque to a steering mechanism so as to keep a vehicle traveling at a predetermined position on a driving road; a driving road departure warning device for issuing a warning of a departure from the driving road on the basis of a position of the vehicle relative to the driving road; and a setting device for setting a need or no need for execution of a control of the driving road keeping device or the driving road departure warning device. Where the setting device sets a need for execution of the control, the control of the driving road keeping device is executed when an activation condition of the driving road keeping device is met and when a cruise control device is active.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2005Publication date: December 8, 2005Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Seiji Kawakami, Satoru Niwa, Katsuhiko Iwazaki, Hiroaki Kataoka, Chumsamutr Rattapon
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Publication number: 20050273261Abstract: An apparatus for warning deviation from a lane has a deviation evaluation ECU 1. The deviation evaluation ECU 1 has a deviation evaluator 14 for performing an evaluation on a deviation by comparing a future position of a host vehicle with a lane future position. Before this deviation evaluation, a mask processor 13 determines whether a yaw angle of the host vehicle and a lateral position of the vehicle relative to a driving lane exceed their respective thresholds preliminarily determined. When either one or the both are not more than the thresholds, the mask processor 13 performs a mask process, without performing the deviation evaluation. A deviation evaluator 14 performs the deviation evaluation when the yaw angle and the lateral position relative to the driving lane both exceed their respective thresholds.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2005Publication date: December 8, 2005Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Satoru Niwa, Katsuhiko Iwazaki, Seiji Kawakami, Hiroaki Kataoka, Chumsamutr Rattapon
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Publication number: 20050270145Abstract: In deviation prevention support ECU 10 in driving operation support system 1, an applied torque by steering torque applier 17 is set based on a vehicle speed of a vehicle. The applied torque is set to increase with increase of the vehicle speed. An upper limit according to the vehicle speed is set for this applied torque. Furthermore, in a Start interval in application of the applied torque, a rate of increasing to reach a maximum is determined according to the maximum of the applied torque. In a Close interval, the applied torque is decreased at a rate different from that in the Start interval, and the absolute rate of increasing the torque in the Start interval is set to be larger than the absolute rate of decreasing the torque in the Close interval.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2005Publication date: December 8, 2005Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroaki Kataoka, Seiji Kawakami, Satoru Niwa, Katsuhiko Iwazaki, Chumsamutr Rattapon
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Publication number: 20050273234Abstract: Characteristic lines A to D of lateral acceleration G-required torque T in determination of required torque T are used as switched according to increase/decrease of the absolute value of the lateral acceleration, and the direction thereof. The lines A, C used in increase of the absolute value of the lateral acceleration G are so set that the absolute value of required torque T becomes larger at the same lateral acceleration G (G?0) than that with the lines B, D used in decrease of the absolute value of the lateral acceleration G. The difference between line A and line B (the difference between line C and line D as well) at the same lateral acceleration G is so set that the difference near the lateral acceleration of 0 is smaller than that in the other regions. Particularly, it is preferable to set the required torque T to 0 at the lateral acceleration G of 0.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2005Publication date: December 8, 2005Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Chumsamutr Rattapon, Seiji Kawakami, Satoru Niwa, Katsuhiko Iwazaki, Hiroaki Kataoka
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Publication number: 20050267661Abstract: A driving support system according to the present invention is provided with an actuator for steering steered wheels and performs a driving support control of a vehicle to apply an additional torque to a steering mechanism incorporating the steered wheels, by means of the actuator to steer the steered wheels. The driving support system has an image taking device for taking a forward image ahead the vehicle, a controller for driving the actuator to generate the torque on the steering mechanism on the basis of the forward image acquired by the image taking device, to perform the driving support control, a steering wheel torque detector for detecting a steering wheel torque on a steering wheel, and a control suppressor for prioritizing a steering operation by a driver to the driving support control when a magnitude of the steering wheel torque is not less than a predetermined value.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2005Publication date: December 1, 2005Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Katsuhiko Iwazaki, Seiji Kawakami, Satoru Niwa, Hiroaki Kataoka, Chumsamutr Rattapon
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Publication number: 20050267684Abstract: A driving control apparatus of the present invention has a driving road keeping device for providing a torque to a steering mechanism so as to keep a vehicle traveling at a predetermined position on a driving road, a setting device for setting a need or no need for execution of a control of the driving road keeping device, and a cruise control device for controlling a driving force or speed of the vehicle so as to keep the vehicle in a predetermined driving state. A need or no need for execution of the control of the driving road keeping device is determined based on a setting state of the setting device and a control state of the cruise control device. A display indicating that the control of the driving road keeping device is ready is presented when the control of the driving road keeping device is in an executable state upon a state change of either the setting state of the setting device or the control state of the cruise control device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2005Publication date: December 1, 2005Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Seiji Kawakami, Satoru Niwa, Katsuhiko Iwazaki, Hiroaki Kataoka, Chumsamutr Rattapon
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Patent number: 6749269Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electrically controlled braking system including an electrically controlled brake for braking a vehicle wheel, an electric power source device, and a brake control apparatus for controlling an electric energy to be supplied from the electric power source device to the brake, for thereby controlling an operation of the brake, when a brake operating member is operated. A switching device is disposed between the electric power source device and the brake control apparatus. The switching device is turned on for connecting the electric power source device to the brake control apparatus, in response to an operation of the brake operating member.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2000Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Satoru Niwa
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Patent number: 6598945Abstract: A braking and driving force control apparatus and method are for a vehicle having a frictional braking device for applying a braking force individually to each wheel and a regenerative braking device for generating a common braking force to a plurality of wheels. A target braking force is calculated on the basis of a driver's braking operation or traction control. The regenerative braking device is controlled so as to achieve the smallest target braking force of the target braking forces of the plurality of wheels. The frictional braking device is controlled so as to achieve the target braking force of another wheel, different from the wheel having the smallest target braking force, in cooperation with the regenerative braking device. Thus, the efficiency of regenerating energy is enhanced.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2001Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Michihito Shimada, Satoru Niwa, Junichi Sakamoto, Masahiro Hara
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Patent number: 6476515Abstract: An electric control system for an automotive vehicle, including a peripheral control device for electrically controlling an actuator device, a central control device connected to the peripheral control device, and an input device, wherein the central control device and the peripheral control device cooperate with each other to control the actuator device on the basis of an output of the input device. The input device is connected to both of the central control device and the peripheral control device.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2000Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takayuki Yamamoto, Satoru Niwa, Naoki Sawada, Hiroaki Aizawa, Seiichi Kojima
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Patent number: 6454364Abstract: A braking force control apparatus and method control a braking force of a motor vehicle that has (a) regenerative braking devices for front wheels and rear wheels, respectively, and (b) a friction braking device for each of the front wheels and the rear wheels. A target braking force of the front wheels and a target braking force of the rear wheels are calculated, based on a braking requirement made by a driver of the vehicle and a ratio of braking forces of the front wheels and the rear wheels. Initially, the regenerative braking devices are controlled to generate regenerative braking forces at the front wheels and the rear wheels, and then, if necessary, the friction braking device is controlled to generate a friction braking force at each of the front wheels and rear wheels, so that a total braking force applied to the front wheels and a total braking force applied to the rear wheels are controlled to the front-wheel target braking force and the rear-wheel target braking force, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2001Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Satoru Niwa, Michihito Shimada, Junichi Sakamoto