Patents by Inventor Seiichi Kato

Seiichi Kato 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: 20240381113
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus acquires a satellite image, estimates, in the satellite image, an open area with a spatial extent where base station placement for wireless communication is possible, calculates openness of the open area using rays virtually cast from a predetermined position in the open area, and determines, based on the openness, whether or not the open area is a site appropriate for base station placement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Applicant: Rakuten Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Ke TIAN, Julian ONYALI, Kiyohiko KANDO, Seiichi KATO, Zhiqing YI
  • Patent number: 12071131
    Abstract: A route planning apparatus configured to create a travel plan that includes a planned travel route for a leading vehicle to electronically tow a following vehicle using inter-vehicle communication, the route planning apparatus comprising: a receiving unit configured to receive a request to stop at a waypoint during traveling by the electronic towing, the stop-over request being input on a second information processing apparatus that is used by an occupant of the following vehicle: a searching unit configured to search, for a waypoint according to the request, the planned travel route and a surrounding region of the planned travel route; and a transmitting unit configured to transmit information regarding a found waypoint and a route to the waypoint to a first information processing apparatus that is used by an occupant of the leading vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Koike, Ryuichi Hata, Naoyuki Kubo, Takayuki Sakata, Masayasu Yoshida, Mitsuru Nonaka, Seiichi Kato, Masanori Yoshihira
  • Publication number: 20240078570
    Abstract: A reward providing device comprises an acquiring section that acquires, when charging of the battery by a charging device is completed, battery state-of-charge information concerning a battery state of charge that is a state of charge of a battery provided to a moving body, and a reward providing section that provides a reward to the user of the moving body when the battery state of charge is less than or equal to a recommended upper limit state of charge that is an upper limit of a recommended charge rate set to be lower than a full charge, serving as a state of charge that is recommended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Kei HIROHATA, Shinji YASUHARA, Yuichi NAKAMURA, Seiichi KATO
  • Publication number: 20230312020
    Abstract: A side sill structure with a side sill is provided. The side sill extends in a vehicle front-rear direction on an outer side in a vehicle width direction of a floor panel, and defines a closed cross-section by a combination of a sill inner member disposed on a vehicle inner side and a sill outer member disposed on a vehicle outer side. The side sill includes a plurality of partitioning members located in the closed cross-section, and a stiffener connecting the partitioning members to one another in a longitudinal direction of the side sill. In the side sill structure, the stiffener is arranged along a corner portion formed by an inner side wall and an upper wall on the vehicle inner side of the sill inner member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Yuki MURAMATSU, Kota FUJISAWA, Takafumi TAKAYAMA, Kenji INAGAKI, Seiichi KATO
  • Patent number: 11774518
    Abstract: Provided is a magnetic field measuring apparatus for: acquiring the measurement data measured by a magnetic sensor array that is configured by arraying the plurality of magnetic sensor cells to form a surface covering at least a part of a target object to be measured; performing signal separation on a magnetic field spatial distribution indicated by the measurement data based on a position and magnetic sensitivity of each magnetic sensor; generating a calibration magnetic field at a position on a straight line that can be drawn without crossing the plurality of magnetic sensor cells from the measurement space outside the measurement space; and calibrating a sensor error for the magnetic sensor based on a separation error in a case where signal separation has been performed on a spatial distribution of the calibration magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeki Okatake, Makoto Kataoka, Takenobu Nakamura, Seiichi Kato
  • Publication number: 20230202582
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle body side structure in which a center pillar (pillar) which extends upward from a side sill having a hollow cross section forms a closed cross section with a pillar inner thereof and a stiffener joined to an outer side in a vehicle-width direction of the pillar inner, and the stiffener has a protruding shape which protrudes outward in the vehicle-width direction, wherein the stiffener has an insertion portion into a cross section of the side sill, and has a fragile portion above the side sill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Kenji INAGAKI, Takafumi TAKAYAMA, Seiichi KATO
  • Patent number: 11667287
    Abstract: A control device of a vehicle is configured to control travelling of the vehicle such that the vehicle follows a preceding vehicle based on information received from the preceding vehicle, and determine, based on information regarding a cargo space of the preceding vehicle, an inter-vehicle distance to the preceding vehicle when the vehicles stop. Upon the preceding vehicle having stopped, the device stops the vehicle such that a distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle becomes the inter-vehicle distance determined by the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Koike, Ryuichi Hata, Naoyuki Kubo, Takayuki Sakata, Masayasu Yoshida, Mitsuru Nonaka, Seiichi Kato, Masanori Yoshihira
  • Publication number: 20230126952
    Abstract: Provided are a surface stress sensor that enables deterioration in measurement precision to be suppressed and a method for manufacturing the same. A surface stress sensor includes: a membrane configured to be bent by applied surface stress; a frame member configured to surround the membrane with gaps interposed therebetween when viewed from the thickness direction of the membrane; at least a pair of coupling portions configured to couple the membrane and the frame member; a flexible resistor configured to be disposed on at least one of the coupling portions and have a resistance value that changes according to bending induced in the coupling portion; and a support base member configured to be connected to the frame member and overlap the frame member when viewed from the thickness direction of the membrane, in which a cavity portion is disposed between the membrane and the support base member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Applicant: ASAHI KASEI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takanori MURAKAMI, Hidenori MOCHIZUKI, Daiki HIRASHIMA, Seiichi KATO, Kazuma KOMATSU
  • Patent number: 11613267
    Abstract: A control device of a vehicle is provided. The device controls travelling of the vehicle such that the vehicle follows another vehicle based on information received from the other vehicle; and determines whether to allow the vehicle to start to follow another vehicle based on at least one of whether a user of the vehicle is inside the vehicle or an instruction from the user. The processor starts to follow another vehicle in a case where the travel control circuit is allowed to follow the other vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Koike, Ryuichi Hata, Naoyuki Kubo, Takayuki Sakata, Masayasu Yoshida, Mitsuru Nonaka, Seiichi Kato, Masanori Yoshihira
  • Patent number: 11573137
    Abstract: Provided are a surface stress sensor that enables deterioration in measurement precision to be suppressed and a method for manufacturing the same. A surface stress sensor includes: a membrane configured to be bent by applied surface stress; a frame member configured to surround the membrane with gaps interposed therebetween when viewed from the thickness direction of the membrane; at least a pair of coupling portions configured to couple the membrane and the frame member; a flexible resistor configured to be disposed on at least one of the coupling portions and have a resistance value that changes according to bending induced in the coupling portion; and a support base member configured to be connected to the frame member and overlap the frame member when viewed from the thickness direction of the membrane, in which a cavity portion is disposed between the membrane and the support base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takanori Murakami, Hidenori Mochizuki, Daiki Hirashima, Seiichi Kato, Kazuma Komatsu
  • Publication number: 20230023436
    Abstract: Provided is a magnetic field measuring apparatus for: acquiring the measurement data measured by a magnetic sensor array that is configured by arraying the plurality of magnetic sensor cells to form a surface covering at least a part of a target object to be measured; performing signal separation on a magnetic field spatial distribution indicated by the measurement data based on a position and magnetic sensitivity of each magnetic sensor; generating a calibration magnetic field at a position on a straight line that can be drawn without crossing the plurality of magnetic sensor cells from the measurement space outside the measurement space; and calibrating a sensor error for the magnetic sensor based on a separation error in a case where signal separation has been performed on a spatial distribution of the calibration magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Shigeki OKATAKE, Makoto KATAOKA, Takenobu NAKAMURA, Seiichi KATO
  • Publication number: 20220410897
    Abstract: A system designed such that a following vehicle performs following travel to follow a leading vehicle is provided. A departure point and a destination point desired by a user of the following vehicle is obtained. Search for the leading vehicle to be followed by the following vehicle is performed based on the departure point and the destination point. A travel plan including a section of the following travel as at least a part of travel between the departure point and the destination point is generated. Information representing the section of the following travel to a user of the leading vehicle is transmitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Satoshi KOIKE, Ryuichi HATA, Naoyuki KUBO, Takayuki SAKATA, Masayasu YOSHIDA, Mitsuru NONAKA, Seiichi KATO, Masanori YOSHIHIRA
  • Publication number: 20220402493
    Abstract: There is provided with a vehicle following travel system configured to cause a following vehicle to perform following travel following a leading vehicle. A departure point and a destination desired by a user of the following vehicle. Based on the departure point and the destination, for the leading vehicle that the following vehicle follows is searched. A travel plan that includes a section of the following travel in at least a part between the departure point and the destination. A reward to the leading vehicle for the following travel is calculated based on the travel plan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Satoshi KOIKE, Ryuichi HATA, Naoyuki KUBO, Takayuki SAKATA, Masayasu YOSHIDA, Mitsuru NONAKA, Seiichi KATO, Masanori YOSHIHIRA
  • Patent number: 11459036
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle body front structure including a front hood (7) provided in a front part of a vehicle body (3), and a port device (30) mounted to the vehicle body and positioned under the front hood. The front hood includes an outer panel (7A) and an inner panel (7B) attached to a back side of the outer panel, the outer panel and the inner panel defining a port opening (21) facing the port device and passed through the outer panel and the inner panel in a thicknesswise direction thereof, and being welded to each other along a peripheral edge (22) of the port opening, and a garnish (23) is provided on an outer surface of a peripheral part of the outer panel surrounding the port opening, and a lid (58) for selectively closing the port opening is provided on the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukinobu Nakanishi, Daisuke Ebihara, Seiichi Kato
  • Patent number: 11454679
    Abstract: Provided is a magnetic field measuring apparatus for: acquiring the measurement data measured by a magnetic sensor array that is configured by arraying the plurality of magnetic sensor cells to form a surface covering at least a part of a target object to be measured; performing signal separation on a magnetic field spatial distribution indicated by the measurement data based on a position and magnetic sensitivity of each magnetic sensor; generating a calibration magnetic field at a position on a straight line that can be drawn without crossing the plurality of magnetic sensor cells from the measurement space outside the measurement space; and calibrating a sensor error for the magnetic sensor based on a separation error in a case where signal separation has been performed on a spatial distribution of the calibration magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeki Okatake, Makoto Kataoka, Takenobu Nakamura, Seiichi Kato
  • Patent number: 11393969
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a thermoelectric generation cell using a safe and inexpensive general-purpose thermoelectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: National Institute for Materials Science
    Inventors: Seisuke Nigo, Terumi Nakamura, Susumu Meguro, Seiichi Kato
  • Patent number: 11161549
    Abstract: A vehicle body rear structure includes: left and right rear side frames extending in a fore-and-aft direction in a rear part of a vehicle; a rear subframe attached to the rear side frames; left and right rear wheels supported by the rear subframe via respective suspensions; and a driving source mounted to the rear subframe. The driving source is arranged such that a center of gravity thereof is positioned more rearward than a rotation axis of the rear wheels. The rear subframe includes left and right rear subframe longitudinal members extending in the fore-and-aft direction and a rear subframe cross member extending laterally and joined to the rear subframe longitudinal members. The rear subframe cross member includes a protrusion that protrudes rearward at a laterally central part thereof. A rear end of the protrusion is positioned more rearward than a rear end of the driving source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Sakai, Kanji Kaneko, Takashi Yamada, Tadashi Hirakawa, Seiichi Kato
  • Publication number: 20210284156
    Abstract: A control device of a vehicle is provided. The device controls traveling of the vehicle such that the vehicle follows another vehicle based on information received from the other vehicle; and determines whether to allow the vehicle to start to follow another vehicle based on at least one of whether a user of the vehicle is inside the vehicle or an instruction from the user. The processor starts to follow another vehicle in a case where the travel control circuit is allowed to follow the other vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Koike, Ryuichi Hata, Naoyuki Kubo, Takayuki Sakata, Masayasu Yoshida, Mitsuru Nonaka, Seiichi Kato, Masanori Yoshihira
  • Publication number: 20210284155
    Abstract: A route planning apparatus configured to create a travel plan that includes a planned travel route for a leading vehicle to electronically tow a following vehicle using inter-vehicle communication, the route planning apparatus comprising: a receiving unit configured to receive a request to stop at a waypoint during traveling by the electronic towing, the stop-over request being input on a second information processing apparatus that is used by an occupant of the following vehicle; a searching unit configured to search, for a waypoint according to the request, the planned travel route and a surrounding region of the planned travel route; and a transmitting unit configured to transmit information regarding a found waypoint and a route to the waypoint to a first information processing apparatus that is used by an occupant of the leading vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Koike, Ryuichi Hata, Naoyuki Kubo, Takayuki Sakata, Masayasu Yoshida, Mitsuru Nonaka, Seiichi Kato, Masanori Yoshihira
  • Publication number: 20210284158
    Abstract: There is provided with an information processing method performed by a vehicle following travel system configured to cause a following vehicle to perform following travel following a leading vehicle. An information representing motion performance of each of the following vehicle and the leading vehicle is obtained. Based on the information representing the motion performance of each of the following vehicle and the leading vehicle, for the leading vehicle that the following vehicle follows is searched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Satoshi KOIKE, Ryuichi HATA, Naoyuki KUBO, Takayuki SAKATA, Masayasu YOSHIDA, Mitsuru NONAKA, Seiichi KATO, Masanori YOSHIHIRA