Patents by Inventor Soichiro Yokota

Soichiro Yokota 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: 20240127471
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure processes information about a position of an object moved by a mobile object, and includes an output unit configured to output the information about the position of the object. The information about the position of the object is obtained based on holding information indicating whether the object is held or not held by the mobile object and information about a position of the mobile object. The information about the position of the mobile object is obtained based on a captured image captured by an imaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Toshihiro OKAMOTO, Shin AOKI, Sukehiro KIMURA, Kenji NAGASHIMA, Toshiyuki IKEOH, Soichiro YOKOTA
  • Patent number: 11520019
    Abstract: A light signal detection device includes a light receiving optical system configured to receive a reflection signal reflected from an object when irradiation light emitted from an irradiation unit hits the object and reflects from the object; and circuitry configured to binarize the received reflection signal using a first threshold value, based on a determination of whether the reflection signal is equal to or greater than the first threshold value; binarize the received reflection signal using a second threshold value set with a given value similar to a noise signal value, based on a determination of whether the reflection signal is equal to or greater than the second threshold value; and measure a time difference between a time of emitting the irradiation light from the irradiation unit and a time of receiving a reflection signal equal to or greater than the first threshold value or the second threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuma Matsuura, Yuuta Yoshino, Takefumi Takizawa, Soichiro Yokota, Jun Kishiwada, Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi, Tadashi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11391840
    Abstract: A distance-measuring apparatus, a mobile object, a distance-measuring method, and a distance-measuring system. The distance-measuring apparatus and the distance-measuring method include performing matching for a plurality of images obtained by a plurality of imaging devices to convert the plurality of images into first distance information on a pixel-by-pixel basis, emitting a laser beam where at least one of a laser-beam resolution in a horizontal direction and a laser-beam resolution in a vertical direction exceeds two degrees, obtaining a reflected signal obtained when the laser beam is reflected by an object, detecting a peak that corresponds to reflection from the object from the reflected signal, calculating second distance information based on a length of time taken to observe the peak after the laser beam is emitted in the emitting, and integrating the first distance information and the second distance information with each other. The mobile object includes the distance-measuring apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi, Jun Kishiwada, Soichiro Yokota, Tadashi Nakamura, Seiya Amano, Kazuma Matsuura
  • Patent number: 11054245
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes processing circuitry configured to generate a first map formed of pixels that are associated with x coordinate information, distance information, and frequency values; search for a target pixel satisfying a predetermined condition among the pixels in the first map, the searching being performed from the pixels that are near towards the pixels that are far away as indicated by the distance information; and validate pixels surrounding the target pixel in the first map, together with the target pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Sadao Takahashi, Seiya Amano, Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi, Soichiro Yokota, Yuu Yamada, Shinichi Sumiyoshi
  • Patent number: 11039120
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a plurality of imaging bodies and an imaging control unit. Each of the imaging bodies includes a first optical element capable of imaging a range including a hemisphere that is centered at an optical axis and oriented in a first direction of the optical axis, and a second optical element capable of imaging a range including a hemisphere that is centered at the optical axis and oriented in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The imaging bodies are arrayed in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The imaging control unit causes the plurality of imaging bodies to perform imaging in a synchronous manner, and acquires a captured image from each of the imaging bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Soichiro Yokota, Hirokazu Takenaka, Tamon Sadasue
  • Patent number: 10992879
    Abstract: An imaging system includes a plurality of imaging bodies, a moving part, and an imaging control unit. Each of the imaging bodies includes a first optical element that images a range containing a hemisphere that is centered at an optical axis and oriented in a first direction of the optical axis, and a second optical element that images a range containing a hemisphere that is centered at the optical axis and oriented in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The imaging bodies is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis. The moving part moves the imaging bodies on a straight line. The imaging control unit is configured to cause the imaging bodies to perform imaging in synchronization with each other, and acquire a taken image from each of the imaging bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Soichiro Yokota, Hirokazu Takenaka, Tamon Sadasue, Keita Katagiri
  • Patent number: 10984509
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing apparatus that includes one or more processors; and a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: generate distribution data indicating a frequency distribution of horizontal distance values of a range image based on the range image having pixel values according to distance of an object in a plurality of captured images; detect an object based on the distribution data with respect to a range image; predict a predicted position of the object in a current frame based on the distribution data with respect to range images of a plurality of previous frames; and integrate a plurality of objects detected by the detector based on the predicted position to track an integrated object in subsequent frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Genki Watanabe, Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi, Soichiro Yokota, Seiya Amano, Yuu Yamada, Keito Sawada
  • Patent number: 10937181
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a calculating unit and a discarding unit. The calculating unit is configured to calculate a distance between two objects, detected based on distance information on the objects that are overlapped in detection areas of the objects, in a depth direction in the detection areas. The discarding unit is configured to determine whether each of the two objects in the detection areas is to be discarded by using a method that corresponds to the distance calculated by the calculating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Seiya Amano, Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi, Soichiro Yokota
  • Patent number: 10891751
    Abstract: An image processing method of generating a range image is provided. The method includes a step of detecting a distance to the object as a measured distance, by a distance measurement unit; a step of performing, by an image processing unit, integration of the distance with a matching evaluation value of a pixel in a stereogram corresponding to a location on the object of which the distance is detected by the distance measurement unit, among a plurality of pixels in the stereogram each including a corresponding matching evaluation value; and a step of generating a range image based on a result of the integration. The generating step is performed after the integration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi, Soichiro Yokota, Kenichiroh Saisho
  • Patent number: 10853963
    Abstract: An object detection device includes a map generator configured to generate, based on a distance image that includes distance information for each coordinate, a first map in which the coordinate in a horizontal direction of the distance image is associated with the distance information, and a second map in which the coordinate in the horizontal direction of the distance image is associated with the distance information, the second map having a lower resolution than the first map; and an object detector configured to detect an object based on the first map when a distance represented by the distance information is within a first range, and to detect an object based on the second map when a distance represented by the distance information is within a second range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sadao Takahashi, Yuji Takahashi, Shinichi Sumiyoshi, Yuu Yamada, Seiya Amano, Soichiro Yokota, Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 10832431
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image processing apparatus includes a first extracting unit, a second extracting unit, and a detecting unit. The first extracting unit is configured to extract a first region in which an object is represented, from a distance image that is drawn using distance information, based on the distance information of the object calculated from an image of the object captured by an image capturing unit. The second extracting unit is configured to extract a contour direction that is a direction along which pixels forming a contour of the first region are arrayed. The detecting unit is configured to detect a first surface facing the image capturing unit from the first region, based on the contour direction extracted by the second extracting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Seiya Amano, Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi, Soichiro Yokota
  • Publication number: 20200300984
    Abstract: A light signal detection device includes a light receiving optical system configured to receive a reflection signal reflected from an object when irradiation light emitted from an irradiation unit hits the object and reflects from the object; and circuitry configured to binarize the received reflection signal using a first threshold value, based on a determination of whether the reflection signal is equal to or greater than the first threshold value; binarize the received reflection signal using a second threshold value set with a given value similar to a noise signal value, based on a determination of whether the reflection signal is equal to or greater than the second threshold value; and measure a time difference between a time of emitting the irradiation light from the irradiation unit and a time of receiving a reflection signal equal to or greater than the first threshold value or the second threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: KAZUMA MATSUURA, YUUTA YOSHINO, TAKEFUMI TAKIZAWA, SOICHIRO YOKOTA, JUN KISHIWADA, HIROYOSHI SEKIGUCHI, TADASHI NAKAMURA
  • Patent number: 10776637
    Abstract: An image processing device includes a first extracting unit, a second extracting unit, a face detecting unit, a first apex detecting unit, and a decider. The first extracting unit is configured to extract, based on distance information regarding an object, a first area representing the object. The second extracting unit is configured to extract contour directions of a contour of the first area. The face detecting unit is configured to detect a first face in the first area, based on the contour directions extracted by the second extracting unit. The first apex detecting unit is configured to detect a first apex indicating a boundary of the first face. The decider is configured to decide on a principal face of the object represented by the first area, based on at least the first face and the first apex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Seiya Amano, Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi, Soichiro Yokota
  • Patent number: 10776946
    Abstract: An image processing device includes: a predicting unit configured to, from a position of an object in a previous frame with respect to a current frame, predict a position of the object in the current frame and identify a prediction area; a first matching unit configured to perform template matching in the prediction area in the current frame using a first template regarding the object in the previous frame, to detect the object, when the object is present in a first distance area; and a second matching unit configured to perform template matching in the prediction area in the current frame using a second template which is different than the first template and which is regarding the object in the previous frame, to detect the object, when the object is present in a second distance area which is farther than the first distance area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Soichiro Yokota, Seiya Amano, Yuu Yamada
  • Patent number: 10755116
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes processing circuitry configured to obtain a range image having pixel values corresponding to a distance of an object in a plurality of captured images obtained by capturing the object on a road surface so as to extract pixel values from the range image, generate vertical direction distribution data indicating a frequency distribution of distance values in a vertical direction of the range image based on the extracted pixel values, calculate a height of the road surface in the range image before generation of the vertical direction distribution data is completed, and generate horizontal direction distribution data indicating a frequency distribution of distance values in a horizontal direction of the range image based on the extracted pixel values and the calculated height of the road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Otoichi Nakata, Shinichi Sumiyoshi, Naoki Motohashi, Sadao Takahashi, Soichiro Yokota, Toshifumi Yamaai
  • Patent number: 10748014
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a processing device includes a generating unit, a detecting unit, and a determining unit. The generating unit is configured to generate two-dimensional distribution information of an object, the two-dimensional distribution information associating between at least a lateral direction distance and a depth direction distance of the object. The detecting unit is configured to detect a continuous area having continuity in a depth direction in the two-dimensional distribution information. The determining unit is configured to determine whether the continuous area represents a detection target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuu Yamada, Soichiro Yokota, Sadao Takahashi, Shinichi Sumiyoshi
  • Patent number: 10733459
    Abstract: An image processing device includes: a generating unit that generates, based on a distance image, two-dimensional distribution information indicating a two-dimensional distribution of an object, in which a distance in a horizontal direction, a distance in a depth direction, and a frequency value corresponding to the distances are related; and a labeling unit that conducts a labeling process by conducting search on the two-dimensional distribution information multiple times, detecting a pixel having the frequency value that is more than a predetermined threshold during each search, and assigning a label that is different in each times of search, wherein the labeling unit conducts a first labeling process by selecting a pixel having the frequency value that is more than the threshold from pixels that abut a pixel being searched in a search direction and assigning the label when the label is not assigned to the pixel selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuu Yamada, Soichiro Yokota, Sadao Takahashi, Shinichi Sumiyoshi
  • Patent number: 10670726
    Abstract: A distance measuring device includes a plurality of image taking parts, a first distance information acquisition part that acquires distance information of an object for distance measuring from taken images that are taken by the plurality of image taking parts, an electromagnetic wave emission part that emits an electromagnetic wave, a reflected-wave receiving part that receives a reflected wave of an electromagnetic wave emitted from the electromagnetic wave emission part, and a second distance information acquisition part that acquires distance information of the object for distance measuring from a reflected wave received by the reflected-wave receiving part, wherein irradiation with an electromagnetic wave emitted from the electromagnetic wave emission part is executed under optical axes of the plurality of image taking parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shuichi Suzuki, Mitsuru Nakajima, Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi, Haike Guan, Soichiro Yokota
  • Publication number: 20200074212
    Abstract: An information processing device includes: a first generation unit configured to generate first information in which a horizontal direction position and a depth direction position of an object are associated with each other from information in which a vertical direction position, the horizontal direction position, and the depth direction position of the object are associated with each other; a first detection unit configured to detect one region indicating the object based on the first information; a second generation unit configured to generate, from the information in which the vertical direction position, the horizontal direction position, and the depth direction position of the object are associated with each other, second information having separation performance higher than separation performance of the first information in which the horizontal direction position and the depth direction position of the object are associated with each other; a second detection unit configured to detect a plurality of reg
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2017
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Seiya AMANO, Soichiro YOKOTA, Sukehiro KIMURA, Jun YOSHIDA, Yohichiroh OHBAYASHI, Shintaroh KIDA, Hiroki KUBOZONO, Daisuke OKADA, Tabito SUZUKI, Sadao TAKAHASHI
  • Patent number: 10546383
    Abstract: An image processing device includes: a first generating unit configured to generate, based on a distance image generated from a plurality of taken images imaged by a plurality of imaging units in a travelling direction, and made from distance values corresponding to the travelling direction, a first image indicating a frequency distribution associating actual distances in a direction orthogonal to the travelling direction with the distance values; a second generating unit configured to generate, based on the distance image, a second image indicating a frequency distribution associating a horizontal direction of the distance image with the distance values; a first processing unit configured to detect a face of an object represented by the first image, using at least the first image; and a second processing unit configured to identify a type of the face of the object using at least the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Seiya Amano, Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi, Soichiro Yokota