Patents by Inventor Tetsuya Taira

Tetsuya Taira 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: 20220203553
    Abstract: A robot control system according to a present embodiment is a robot control system for controlling a mobile robot that is configured to autonomously within a facility. When it is detected that one or more used trays, among a plurality of trays used for meal service within the facility, are returned to a first prescribed place, the system instructs the mobile robot to collect the trays returned to the first prescribed place and deliver the trays to a second prescribed place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Shiro Oda, Tetsuya Taira, Satoshi Toyoshima, Yuta Watanabe, Takeshi Matsui, Takayoshi Nasu, Kei Yoshikawa, Yusuke Ota, Yutaro Ishida, Yuji Onuma, Kyosuke Arai
  • Publication number: 20220194737
    Abstract: An autonomous mobile method for an autonomous mobile device according to the present embodiment is an autonomous mobile method for an autonomous mobile device that autonomously moves in a facility provided with an elevator. When the total number of the autonomous mobile devices including other autonomous mobile devices in a car of the elevator is larger than a threshold that is a plural number, an operation mode of the car is switched from a general mode in which a human is allowed to enter the car to a dedicated mode in which the human is prohibited from entering the car.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shiro Oda, Tetsuya Taira, Satoshi Toyoshima, Yuta Watanabe, Takeshi Matsui, Takayoshi Nasu, Kei Yoshikawa, Yusuke Ota, Yutaro Ishida, Yuji Onuma, Kyosuke Arai
  • Publication number: 20220197275
    Abstract: A transport system transports a transported object using an autonomously moveable mobile robot. The transport system stores management information including a use start time, a use end time, and a use location for each equipment to be lent that is transported as the transported object by the mobile robot. The transport system executes a determination process for determining whether an interval from the use end time to a next use start time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time for each equipment based on the management information. The transport system transports the equipment to its storage location after an end of use of the equipment when the interval is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, and transports the equipment to a next use location of the equipment after the end of the use of the equipment when the interval is shorter than the predetermined time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shiro Oda, Tetsuya Taira, Satoshi Toyoshima, Yuta Watanabe, Takeshi Matsui, Takayoshi Nasu, Kei Yoshikawa, Yusuke Ota, Yutaro Ishida, Yuji Onuma, Kyosuke Arai
  • Patent number: 11353880
    Abstract: Provided is an autonomous moving body configured to move along a planned movement path, including: an external sensor configured to recognize another autonomous moving body and an operation state of the another autonomous moving body; a movement determination unit configured to determine, when it is predicted by the external sensor that the another autonomous moving body is positioned at a via point or a destination point of the own autonomous moving body at the same time that the own autonomous moving body is, whether to continue or suspend movement based on whether a task of the another autonomous moving body estimated from the operation state or a task of the own autonomous moving body has a higher priority; and a movement control unit configured to control a moving unit based on the determination of the movement determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daisaku Honda, Tetsuya Taira
  • Patent number: 11345032
    Abstract: An autonomous moving body capable of appropriately avoiding an approaching autonomous moving body and efficiently executing a given task even when the autonomous moving bodies are not controlled by a single system or without intercommunication between them and a control program for the autonomous moving body are provided. An autonomous moving body moves along a planned moving path in order to execute a given task, and includes an external sensor that recognizes another autonomous moving body given another task and an operation state thereof, an avoidance determination unit that determines, when it predicts that the autonomous moving body and the another autonomous moving body recognized by the external sensor may come into contact with each other as they approach each other, whether to avoid the another autonomous moving body, and a movement control unit that controls a movement unit based on the determination of the avoidance determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuya Taira, Daisaku Honda
  • Publication number: 20220066455
    Abstract: To effectively prevent an autonomous mobile robot from interfering with the flow of people, an autonomous mobile robot control system includes an autonomous mobile robot, a host management device that manages the autonomous mobile robot on the basis of a route plan defining a moving route of the autonomous mobile robot, and a plurality of environmental cameras that capture images of a moving range of the autonomous mobile robot and transmit the captured images to the host management device. The host management device estimates transition of a degree of congestion in a period later than present time in each of a plurality of management areas defined by dividing an operating range of the autonomous mobile robot on the basis of environmental information acquired using the plurality of environmental cameras, and updates the route plan on the basis of an estimated result of transition of the degree of congestion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohisa TAKAI, Yuhei YAMAGUCHI, Satoshi TOYOSHIMA, Yuta WATANABE, Tetsuya TAIRA, Mikio HONDA, Shiro ODA, Nobuhisa OTSUKI
  • Publication number: 20220066454
    Abstract: To effectively enhance the operation efficiency of an autonomous mobile robot, an autonomous mobile robot control system includes a host management device, and a plurality of environmental cameras, wherein the host management device performs moving body detection processing that detects in the moving range, moving body path estimation processing that estimates a moving route of each of the plurality of moving bodies on the basis of characteristics of each of the detected moving bodies, avoidance procedure generation processing that sets a plurality of moving bodies whose moving routes overlap among the detected moving bodies as avoidance processing target moving bodies, and generates an avoidance procedure for the avoidance processing target moving bodies so as not to interfere with each other's motion, and robot control processing that gives an instruction to perform avoidance behavior to the avoidance processing target moving bodies on the basis of the generated avoidance procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohisa TAKAI, Yuhei YAMAGUCHI, Satoshi TOYOSHIMA, Yuta WATANABE, Tetsuya TAIRA, Mikio HONDA, Shiro ODA, Nobuhisa OTSUKI
  • Patent number: 11241790
    Abstract: Provided is an autonomous moving body configured to move along a planned movement path to execute a given task, including: an external sensor configured to recognize another autonomous moving body given another task and an operation state of the another autonomous moving body; an overtaking determination unit configured to determine, when it is recognized by the external sensor that the another autonomous moving body moves along the movement path, whether to overtake the another autonomous moving body; and a movement control unit configured to control a moving unit based on the determination of the overtaking determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuya Taira, Daisaku Honda, Shohei Yanagimura
  • Publication number: 20210356960
    Abstract: When an autonomous mobile robot is acquires enters a stuck state in which the autonomous mobile robot cannot autonomosly move, an autonomous mobile apparatus control system according to the present disclosure transmits an autonomous cancel notification for notifying the higher-level management apparatus that the autonomous mobile robot cannot autonomosly move, waits for an operation instruction from the higher-level management apparatus after the transmission of the autonomous cancel notification. The higher-level management apparatus gives an operation instruction to the autonomous mobile robot in response to receiving the autonomous cancel notification based on information acquired from at least one of the plurality of environment cameras. The autonomous mobile robot is configured to resume autonomous driving in response to safety confirmation based on a proximity sensor provided in the autonomous mobile robot after operating in accordance with the operation instruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohisa TAKAI, Yuhei YAMAGUCHI, Satoshi TOYOSHIMA, Yuta WATANABE, Tetsuya TAIRA, Mikio HONDA, Shiro ODA, Nobuhisa OTSUKI
  • Publication number: 20210154857
    Abstract: A management system is for managing a mobile robot as an autonomous moving apparatus and includes a cleanliness level setting unit, an instruction reception unit, a storage unit, and a control unit. The cleanliness level setting unit sets a cleanliness level of the autonomous moving apparatus. The instruction reception unit receives an instruction for a task the autonomous moving apparatus executes. The storage unit stores a database associating information about at least an operator or a destination of the autonomous moving apparatus, a place which the autonomous moving apparatus passes through, and an object to be conveyed by the autonomous moving apparatus, which are included in the task, with the cleanliness level of the autonomous moving apparatus. The control unit controls the setting of the cleanliness level of the autonomous moving apparatus or processing for the instruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohisa TAKAI, Yuhei YAMAGUCHI, Satoshi TOYOSHIMA, Yuta WATANABE, Mikio HONDA, Shiro ODA, Tetsuya TAIRA, Nobuhisa OTSUKI
  • Publication number: 20210157318
    Abstract: A control system controls an operation mode of a mobile robot that autonomously moves in a predetermined area, and includes a feature detection unit, a classifying unit, and a system controller. The feature detection unit detects features of a person who is present in the vicinity of the mobile robot. The classifying unit classifies the person into a predetermined first group or a predetermined second group based on the features. The system controller selects a first operation mode when the person who belongs to the first group is present in the vicinity of the mobile robot and selects a second operation mode that is different from the first operation mode when the person who belongs to the first group is not present in the vicinity of the mobile robot, thereby controlling the mobile robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohisa TAKAI, Yuhei YAMAGUCHI, Satoshi TOYOSHIMA, Yuta WATANABE, Tetsuya TAIRA, Mikio HONDA, Shiro ODA, Nobuhisa OTSUKI
  • Publication number: 20210155410
    Abstract: A conveyance system includes a plurality of conveyance robots, a storage unit, a stability information acquisition unit, a selection unit, and a system controller, which serves as a controller. The plurality of conveyance robots convey a wagon that accommodates a conveyed object. The storage unit stores robot information regarding features that the plurality of respective conveyance robots include. The stability information acquisition unit acquires stability information regarding stability when the conveyed object is conveyed. The selection unit selects one of the plurality of conveyance robots based on the robot information and the stability information that have been acquired. The system controller instructs the one conveyance robot that has been selected to convey the conveyed object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohisa TAKAI, Yuhei YAMAGUCHI, Satoshi TOYOSHIMA, Yuta WATANABE, Tetsuya TAIRA, Mikio HONDA, Shiro ODA, Nobuhisa OTSUKI
  • Publication number: 20210157317
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a conveyance control system and the like that enable a scheduled recipient of a conveyance object to reliably receive the conveyance object even when a destination of a conveyance robot is changed for any reason. The conveyance control system is a conveyance control system configured to control a conveyance robot to autonomously move and convey a conveyance object to a destination, including: a change unit configured to change the destination after the conveyance robot starts conveying the conveyance object; and a notification unit configured to notify an information terminal of a scheduled recipient of the conveyance object about destination information regarding the destination that has been changed by the change unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohisa TAKAI, Yuhei YAMAGUCHI, Satoshi TOYOSHIMA, Yuta WATANABE, Mikio HONDA, Shiro ODA, Tetsuya TAIRA, Nobuhisa OTSUKI
  • Publication number: 20210157300
    Abstract: A conveyance control system according to the present disclosure is a conveyance control system configured to control a conveyance robot to autonomously move and convey a conveyance object to a destination, the conveyance control system including: a reception unit configured to receive, from a scheduled recipient of the conveyance object, a request signal for requesting a third party to collect the conveyance object halfway through conveyance of the conveyance object; and an issuance unit configured to issue, to a terminal of the third party, a temporary electronic key for enabling the conveyance object to be taken out from the conveyance robot based on a set condition when the reception unit receives the request signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohisa TAKAI, Yuhei YAMAGUCHI, Satoshi TOYOSHIMA, Yuta WATANABE, Mikio HONDA, Shiro ODA, Tetsuya TAIRA, Nobuhisa OTSUKI
  • Publication number: 20210154856
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a conveyance system and the like capable of preferably conveying a conveyed object in accordance with a state of the conveyed object. The conveyance system includes a conveyance robot, a drive controller, which is a controller, an image data acquisition unit, and a setting unit. The conveyance robot conveys the conveyed object. The drive controller controls an operation of the conveyance robot. The image data acquisition unit acquires image data obtained by capturing images of the conveyed object. The setting unit sets an operation parameter of the conveyance robot in the drive controller based on the acquired image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohisa TAKAI, Yuhei YAMAGUCHI, Satoshi TOYOSHIMA, Yuta WATANABE, Tetsuya TAIRA, Mikio HONDA, Shiro ODA, Nobuhisa OTSUKI
  • Publication number: 20210155464
    Abstract: A conveyance system and the like capable of preferably conveying a conveyed object is provided. The conveyance system includes a conveyance robot, which is a conveyance apparatus, a drive controller, which is a controller, an information accepting unit, and a setting unit. The conveyance robot conveys the conveyed object. The drive controller controls an operation of the conveyance robot. The information accepting unit accepts an input from a user regarding information indicating stability of the conveyed object in a conveyance state. The setting unit sets an operation parameter of the conveyance apparatus in the drive controller based on the accepted information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohisa TAKAI, Yuhei YAMAGUCHI, Satoshi TOYOSHIMA, Yuta WATANABE, Tetsuya TAIRA, Mikio HONDA, Shiro ODA, Nobuhisa OTSUKI
  • Publication number: 20210157326
    Abstract: An autonomous mobile body system including an autonomous mobile body configured to move autonomously, includes a detection unit configured to detect an obstacle around the autonomous mobile body itself, a movement control unit configured to stop a movement of the autonomous mobile body itself when the detection unit detects an obstacle that enters an entry prohibited space set around the autonomous mobile body itself, and an illumination unit configured to illuminate a moving surface so as to indicate an entry prohibited area, the moving surface being a surface on which the autonomous mobile body itself moves, and the entry prohibited area being an area on the moving surface onto which at least a part of the entry prohibited space is projected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohisa TAKAI, Yuhei YAMAGUCHI, Satoshi TOYOSHIMA, Yuta WATANABE, Mikio HONDA, Shiro ODA, Tetsuya TAIRA, Nobuhisa OTSUKI
  • Publication number: 20210154848
    Abstract: A conveyance control system according to the present disclosure is a conveyance control system configured to control a conveyance robot to autonomously move and convey a conveyance object to a destination, including: a reception unit configured to receive, from a scheduled recipient of the conveyance object, an instruction that the conveyance object is to be collected halfway through conveyance of the conveyance object; and an execution unit configured to execute a predetermined process for enabling collection of the conveyance object halfway through conveyance of the conveyance object when the reception unit receives the instruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohisa TAKAI, Yuhei YAMAGUCHI, Satoshi TOYOSHIMA, Yuta WATANABE, Mikio HONDA, Shiro ODA, Tetsuya TAIRA, Nobuhisa OTSUKI
  • Publication number: 20210114810
    Abstract: A robot system includes a robot control device to link a plurality of transport robots having a function of traveling with a package being loaded. A task acquisition unit acquires a task to be performed. A notification unit notifies the transport robot of action details which are assigned regarding the task. The transport robot takes an action in link with another transport robot according to the notified action details.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohito MATSUOKA, Nobuyuki TOMATSU, Yasutaka ETOU, Masanobu OHMI, Manabu YAMAMOTO, Seiichi TSUNODA, Keima FUKUNAGA, Takuya WATABE, Makoto KAKUCHI, Kunihiro IWAMOTO, Daisuke SATO, Shunji INOUE, Kenta MIYAHARA, Satoshi OKAMOTO, Jiro GOTO, Terumi UKAI, Tetsuya TAIRA, Daisaku HONDA, Masato ENDO, Takashi HAYASHI, Suguru WATANABE, Yohei TANIGAWA
  • Publication number: 20210107159
    Abstract: In a robot utilization system using a plurality of transport robots, the transport robot includes a traveling mechanism having a traveling function, a main body supported by the traveling mechanism and configured to receive products, and a specifying unit configured to specify the products received by the main body. The transport robots include a transport robot that performs a purchase process of the products received by the main body, and a transport robot that performs a return process of the products received by the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jiro Goto, Satoshi Okamoto, Terumi Ukai, Tetsuya Taira, Daisaku Honda, Masato Endo, Takashi Hayashi