Patents by Inventor Shunichiroh SAWAI

Shunichiroh SAWAI 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: 11919522
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining a state includes a processor configured to, when a movement area in which movement values indicating looking directions or face orientations of a driver of a vehicle are distributed is included in a predetermined area, determine that the driver is in a state of careless driving, and enlarge the predetermined area in accordance with a road condition around the vehicle. A method for determining a state includes, when a movement area in which movement values indicating looking directions or face orientations of a driver of a vehicle are distributed is included in a predetermined area, determining that the driver is in a state of careless driving, and enlarging the predetermined area in accordance with a road condition around the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichiro Yamauchi, Shunichiroh Sawai, Takuya Sakata, Masataka Sano
  • Publication number: 20230373508
    Abstract: A monitoring device has a processor configured to detect surrounding objects of specified types present within a predetermined region around a vehicle, decide a level of monitoring of surroundings by a driver, set an inattention threshold to a first value as a reference for the level of monitoring of the surroundings by the driver when the number of surrounding objects is less than an object number threshold, and set the inattention threshold to a second value that is smaller than the first value when the number of surrounding objects is equal to or greater than the object number threshold, determine whether or not the level of monitoring of the surroundings has exceeded the inattention threshold, and give the driver a warning to direct the driver's attention to the vehicle surroundings when the level of monitoring of the surroundings has exceeded the inattention threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuki EGASHIRA, Shunichiroh Sawai
  • Patent number: 11807277
    Abstract: Provided is a driving assistance apparatus (a control unit (100)) for a vehicle capable of hands-off driving that lets a driver take his or her hands off the steering wheel. The driving assistance apparatus includes a processor (10) configured to determine, on the basis of sensor information indicating a state of the driver, whether or not the driver is in a state unsuitable for the surrounding monitoring of the vehicle during the hands-off driving, warn the driver through a notification device when it is determined that the driver is in a state unsuitable for the surrounding monitoring, and notify the driver, through the notification device, of a request for holding the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenichiroh Hara, Naruhisa Yoshida, Kazuhiro Tomosue, Shunichiroh Sawai, Naoki Nishimura, Takanori Kusakabe, Tomoyuki Yoshida, Shogo Konishi, Hirofumi Mori
  • Patent number: 11738780
    Abstract: Provided is a driving assistance apparatus (a control unit (100)) for a vehicle capable of hands-off driving that lets a driver take his or her hands off the steering wheel. The driving assistance apparatus includes a processor (10) configured to determine, on the basis of sensor information indicating a state of the driver, whether or not the driver is in a state unsuitable for the surrounding monitoring of the vehicle during the hands-off driving, warn the driver through a notification device when it is determined that the driver is in a state unsuitable for the surrounding monitoring, and notify the driver, through the notification device, of a request for holding the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenichiroh Hara, Naruhisa Yoshida, Kazuhiro Tomosue, Shunichiroh Sawai, Naoki Nishimura, Takanori Kusakabe, Tomoyuki Yoshida, Shogo Konishi, Hirofumi Mori
  • Publication number: 20230186653
    Abstract: A monitoring device comprises a processor configured to estimate whether or not a non-stimulating environment has appeared in front of a driver which may cause the driver to have a lower alertness level or to engage in unfocused driving, based on multiple images taken of an environment ahead of a vehicle across a predetermined time period, and to act on the driver via a notification unit to increase a level of contribution to driving when the non-stimulating environment has appeared ahead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shunichiroh SAWAI
  • Publication number: 20230174135
    Abstract: An assessment device has a processor configured to determine that the driver is in control of the steering wheel when an operation signal from an operating unit that can be operated by a hand of the driver that is holding the steering wheel has been input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoru KAWAKAMI, Jiro FUJINO, Shunichiroh SAWAI
  • Patent number: 11636749
    Abstract: A drowsiness sign notification system applied to a vehicle includes a driver monitor and a controller. The driver monitor detects a driver state being a state of a driver of the vehicle. The controller executes a drowsiness sign determination process that determines whether or not the driver shows a drowsiness sign based on the driver state. When it is determined that the driver shows the drowsiness sign, the controller executes a first drowsiness sign notification process that gives a first drowsiness sign notice to the driver through display or vibration without using audio. When it is determined again that the driver shows the drowsiness sign after the first drowsiness sign notification process, the controller executes a second drowsiness sign notification process that gives a second drowsiness sign notice to the driver through audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichiro Yamauchi, Shunichiroh Sawai, Masataka Sano, Takuya Sakata, Hiromi Nemoto
  • Patent number: 11485367
    Abstract: A driver monitoring system includes an automated driving controller that allows hands-off operation in which a driver releases hands from a steering wheel of a vehicle, and controls an automated steering driving in which the vehicle is automatically steered, and a request notification controller that notifies a hands-on request for prompting the driver of the vehicle to perform a hands-on operation to hold the steering wheel, or a surrounding confirmation request for prompting the driver to perform a surrounding confirmation operation to confirm a surrounding condition. During the automated steering driving, the request notification controller is configured to notify the hands-on request or the surrounding confirmation request again when an elapsed time from notification of the hands-on request or the surrounding confirmation request exceeds a criterion time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Yoshida, Takanori Kusakabe, Kenichiroh Hara, Naoki Nishimura, Shunichiroh Sawai
  • Patent number: 11325560
    Abstract: An attention calling device is configured to call attention of a driver of a vehicle with a drive mode switchable among manual driving, drive assist, and driver-centered automated driving. The attention calling device includes: a drive mode recognition unit configured to recognize the drive mode being executed; a driver state recognition unit configured to recognize a driver state based on a captured image from a driver monitor camera provided in the vehicle; a determination unit configured to determine based on the driver state whether it is necessary to call the attention; and a control unit configured to control a stimulus application device of the vehicle so as to apply a stimulus at an intensity that matches the drive mode being executed to the driver to direct the attention of the driver to driving of the vehicle when the determination unit determines that it is necessary to call the attention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Shunichiroh Sawai, Toshihiro Tsutsui
  • Publication number: 20220066551
    Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining facial information obtains facial information indicating the state of the face of a driver of a vehicle from each of face images of the driver's face, causes a display mounted on the vehicle to show a screen including an input section for receiving input of information from the driver, and obtains correction information for correcting the facial information from a face image, of the face images, generated while the screen is displayed on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Satoru Taniguchi, Shunichiroh Sawai
  • Publication number: 20220000394
    Abstract: A drowsiness sign notification system that gives a drowsiness sign notice to a driver that shows a drowsiness sign includes a driver monitor and a controller. The driver monitor detects the driver state being a state of the driver. The controller executes a drowsiness level estimation process in which a drowsiness level of the driver from a plurality of drowsiness levels based on the driver state. And, the controller executes an accumulation process in which a drowsiness point that is numerical value corresponding to the drowsiness level estimated in the drowsiness level estimation process is accumulated. Then, when an accumulation value of the drowsiness point calculated in the accumulation process exceeds a predetermined threshold, the controller determines that the driver shows the drowsiness sign.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Takuya SAKATA, Koichiro YAMAUCHI, Masataka SANO, Hiromi NEMOTO, Shunichiroh SAWAI
  • Publication number: 20220001874
    Abstract: A driver monitoring system includes an automated driving controller that allows hands-off operation in which a driver releases hands from a steering wheel of a vehicle, and controls an automated steering driving in which the vehicle is automatically steered, and a request notification controller that notifies a hands-on request for prompting the driver of the vehicle to perform a hands-on operation to hold the steering wheel, or a surrounding confirmation request for prompting the driver to perform a surrounding confirmation operation to confirm a surrounding condition. During the automated steering driving, the request notification controller is configured to notify the hands-on request or the surrounding confirmation request again when an elapsed time from notification of the hands-on request or the surrounding confirmation request exceeds a criterion time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Tomoyuki YOSHIDA, Takanori KUSAKABE, Kenichiroh HARA, Naoki NISHIMURA, Shunichiroh SAWAI
  • Publication number: 20220005339
    Abstract: A drowsiness sign notification system applied to a vehicle includes a driver monitor and a controller. The driver monitor detects a driver state being a state of a driver of the vehicle. The controller executes a drowsiness sign determination process that determines whether or not the driver shows a drowsiness sign based on the driver state. When it is determined that the driver shows the drowsiness sign, the controller executes a first drowsiness sign notification process that gives a first drowsiness sign notice to the driver through display or vibration without using audio. When it is determined again that the driver shows the drowsiness sign after the first drowsiness sign notification process, the controller executes a second drowsiness sign notification process that gives a second drowsiness sign notice to the driver through audio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Koichiro YAMAUCHI, Shunichiroh SAWAI, Masataka SANO, Takuya SAKATA, Hiromi NEMOTO
  • Publication number: 20210370956
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining a state includes a processor configured to, when a movement area in which movement values indicating looking directions or face orientations of a driver of a vehicle are distributed is included in a predetermined area, determine that the driver is in a state of careless driving, and enlarge the predetermined area in accordance with a road condition around the vehicle. A method for determining a state includes, when a movement area in which movement values indicating looking directions or face orientations of a driver of a vehicle are distributed is included in a predetermined area, determining that the driver is in a state of careless driving, and enlarging the predetermined area in accordance with a road condition around the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Koichiro YAMAUCHI, Shunichiroh SAWAI, Takuya SAKATA, Masataka SANO
  • Publication number: 20210300403
    Abstract: The vehicle controller is configured to have a transition request notification unit which, when a first condition is satisfied, notifies a driver, by a first aspect, of a request of a driving transition from an autonomous driving mode in which operation by the driver during traveling is not necessary to a manual driving mode in which operation by the driver during traveling is necessary, and when a second condition, which has an urgency lower than the first condition, is satisfied, notifies the driver, by a second aspect having a lower strength than the first aspect, of the request of the driving transition, and when the driving transition has not been performed after a second aspect notification period has elapsed from the notification by the second aspect, notifies the request of the driving transition by the first aspect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Takahiko KUWABARA, Kiyotoshi SEKINE, Shunichiroh SAWAI
  • Patent number: 11048951
    Abstract: An occupant state recognition apparatus including an eyelid opening recognition unit configured to recognize an eyelid opening of a driver and maximum and minimum values of the eyelid opening; an eye state determination unit configured to determine that the eye is in an eye open state if the eyelid opening becomes greater than or equal to a preset threshold value, and to determine that the eye is in an eye closed state if the eyelid opening becomes less than the threshold value; and a threshold value resetting unit configured to reset the threshold value to a value between the maximum value and the minimum value of the eyelid opening, if the maximum value (or the minimum value) has not become greater (or less) than or equal to the threshold value for a predetermined period or a period corresponding to a predetermined number of times of eyelid opening and closing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoki Nishimura, Shunichiroh Sawai, Kenichiroh Hara, Koichiro Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 10946830
    Abstract: A seatbelt control device comprises a kinesthetic warning control part that is provided with a fitting operation part performing a fitting operation controlling a time for making the motor operate forward based on a motor current value when making the motor operate forward and controlling a belt tightness to an initial belt tightness, and a kinesthetic warning operation part performing a kinesthetic warning operation making the tightness of the seatbelt rise in stages from the initial belt tightness by repeating a forward operation making the motor operate forward and at least one operation of a braking operation short-circuiting the terminals of the motor to render the motor a short brake state or a reverse operation making the motor operate in reverse and k configured to perform the fitting operation before performing the kinesthetic warning operation on the seated passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shunichiroh Sawai, Takeshi Matsumura, Jun Sato
  • Publication number: 20200189518
    Abstract: An attention calling device is configured to call attention of a driver of a vehicle with a drive mode switchable among manual driving, drive assist, and driver-centered automated driving. The attention calling device includes: a drive mode recognition unit configured to recognize the drive mode being executed; a driver state recognition unit configured to recognize a driver state based on a captured image from a driver monitor camera provided in the vehicle; a determination unit configured to determine based on the driver state whether it is necessary to call the attention; and a control unit configured to control a stimulus application device of the vehicle so as to apply a stimulus at an intensity that matches the drive mode being executed to the driver to direct the attention of the driver to driving of the vehicle when the determination unit determines that it is necessary to call the attention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Shunichiroh Sawai, Toshihiro Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 10686975
    Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus including an acquisition unit configured to acquire activity information associated with a user situation; and a control unit configured to control a capture angle of an image based on the activity information associated with the user situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shunichiroh Sawai, Toru Amano, Yuya Hirano, Yasuyuki Koga, Satoshi Suzuno, Miki Tokitake
  • Publication number: 20200023810
    Abstract: A seatbelt control device comprises a kinesthetic warning control part changing a tightness of a seatbelt against a seated passenger to kinesthetically warn the seated passenger. The kinesthetic warning control part is provided with a fitting operation part performing a fitting operation controlling a time for making the motor operate forward based on a motor current value when making the motor operate forward and controlling a belt tightness to an initial belt tightness, and a kinesthetic warning operation part performing a kinesthetic warning operation making the tightness of the seatbelt rise in stages from the initial belt tightness by repeating a forward operation making the motor operate forward and at least one operation of a braking operation short-circuiting the terminals of the motor to render the motor a short brake state or a reverse operation making the motor operate in reverse and is configured to perform the fitting operation before performing the kinesthetic warning operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shunichiroh Sawai, Takeshi Matsumura, Jun Sato