Patents by Inventor Toru Ando

Toru Ando 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: 12263751
    Abstract: A display device is configured to display a screen showing, on the same graph in which an axis indicates time, a predicted transition of a first parameter relating to a remaining charge of a power storage device and a predicted transition of a second parameter relating to an amount of reward for energy management under an assumption that charge and discharge control is executed on the power storage device in response to a request for the energy management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kentaro Munemoto, Kenji Nakao, Toru Ando, Yoshiyuki Tsuchiya, Shigeki Kinomura, Yuya Aoki
  • Publication number: 20250074239
    Abstract: EVSE (electric equipment) externally feeds the power of the battery to the electric load. EVSE externally charges the power of the power grid to the battery. The vehicle-side ECU and ECU are connected by a CPLT signal line. When a short circuit occurs EVSE of the charger/discharger during external power supply or external charge, ECU identifies a short circuit location based on the detected current sensor. Also, from ECU to ECU of the vehicle, information on the point of short circuit is communicated using CPLT signal line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2024
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuya AOKI, Toru ANDO
  • Publication number: 20250016294
    Abstract: A maintenance method for a device including a light source, the maintenance method including: (a) a step of predicting timing for maintenance for the device based on at least one of a temporal change in an output of the light source or a usage condition of the device; (b) a step of detecting luminance of light output from the light source; and (c) a step of updating the timing for maintenance predicted in (a), based on a detection result in (b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventors: Shinji KAWASAKI, Toru ANDO, Keiji MAEDA, Takeshi NAKAYAMA, Daisuke YAEO
  • Patent number: 12175491
    Abstract: A server manages power adjustment resources electrically connected to a power network. The power adjustment resources include power equipment installed in a facility and configured to supply power from a vehicle to the power network and charge power from the power network to the vehicle. When reservation information for using the facility is received from a user, the server predicts a power supply-demand balance in the power network on a reserved date and time of use of the facility. When a DR for adjusting the power supply-demand balance is predicted to be performed on the reserved date and time of use, the server prepares a use plan for the facility so as to include the vehicle participating in the DR using the power equipment. The server gives an incentive to the user when the user accepts the use plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu Yumita, Yoichi Onishi, Toru Ando, Ikuma Suzuki, Yu Nagata
  • Patent number: 12157388
    Abstract: A control device that is mounted on a vehicle including a power storage device, the control device includes a processor. The processor is configured to, when external charging and update of software used in the vehicle are executed in parallel, reduce charging power in the external charging such that a predicted update time needed for the update of the software is less than a predicted charging time needed for the external charging in a case where a time condition is satisfied in which the predicted update time is equal to or longer than the predicted charging time, the external charging being charging of the power storage device using power from an external power source that is provided outside of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toru Ando
  • Publication number: 20240396104
    Abstract: A power storage system includes: a power storage device mounted on a vehicle; a heat source configured to be capable of heating the power storage device with electric power; and a control device configured to control the heat source. The control device is configured to detect supply power that is supplied to the vehicle from a power-supplying facility provided outside the vehicle, determine a first target temperature by using the detected supply power, and control the heat source to cause a temperature of the power storage device to approach the first target temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jumpei HOSOI, Masashi KOBAYASHI, Toru ANDO
  • Patent number: 12142956
    Abstract: A portable charger includes: an AC input unit; a DC output unit; a power conversion circuit; and a controller. The DC output unit includes a start switch. When the start switch is operated by a user, the start switch instructs the controller to control the power conversion circuit such that the DC output unit outputs DC power. However, when at least one of the AC input unit and the DC output unit is unconnected, the start switch is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yamato Niwa, Tomoya Ono, Toru Ando
  • Patent number: 12128777
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a first power receiving port, a first lid provided at the first power receiving port, a first lid lock device configured to switch the first lid between locked and unlocked states, and a controller configured to control the first lid lock device to a locked or unlocked state. When an entry door of the vehicle is locked while the first lid is open, the controller is configured to set the first lid lock device to the unlocked state until the first external charging is started, set the first lid lock device to the locked state when the first external charging is started, and set the first lid lock device to the unlocked state when the first external charging completes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuya Aoki, Toru Ando
  • Patent number: 12118347
    Abstract: An update ECU performs processing including obtaining an OTA-target ECU when an OTA request has been issued, requesting a target ECU to perform update processing when the target ECU falls under an ECU that operates during traveling and when an electrically powered vehicle is being externally charged, and requesting a target ECU to perform update processing when the target ECU falls under an ECU that operates during external charging and when the electrically powered vehicle is traveling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toru Ando
  • Publication number: 20240246431
    Abstract: An ECU performs processing including: a step of obtaining a pilot signal CPLT and a connector connection signal PISW; a step of determining, when a connector is attached, a type of the connector; a step of controlling, when there is a function corresponding to the type of the attached connector, the connector to be set to a lock state; a step of performing control corresponding to the attached connector; and a step of maintaining, when there is no function corresponding to the type of the attached connector, an unlock state of the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2024
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toru Ando, Yoshiyuki Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 12012011
    Abstract: An ECU of a vehicle has a first mode and a second mode as an operation mode of a locking device. The first mode is a mode of bringing the locking device into a locked state when a charging connector is connected to an inlet. The second mode is a mode of maintaining the locking device in an unlocked state when the charging connector is connected to the inlet. The ECU of the vehicle determines whether or not the charging connector is connected to the inlet. The ECU does not permit a setting change of the operation mode of the locking device when the charging connector is connected to the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toru Ando
  • Patent number: 11970070
    Abstract: An ECU performs processing including: a step of obtaining a pilot signal CPLT and a connector connection signal PISW; a step of determining, when a connector is attached, a type of the connector; a step of controlling, when there is a function corresponding to the type of the attached connector, the connector to be set to a lock state; a step of performing control corresponding to the attached connector; and a step of maintaining, when there is no function corresponding to the type of the attached connector, an unlock state of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toru Ando, Yoshiyuki Tsuchiya
  • Publication number: 20240075840
    Abstract: A VGI system includes a plurality of BEVs, a plurality of pieces of EVSE, and a server. The server determines whether the BEV exchanges electric power with a power grid with the use of second EVSE provided in a second area, the second area being different in manner of management of power supply by the power grid from a first area where predetermined first EVSE is provided, the first EVSE being normally used by the BEV. When the server determines that the BEV exchanges electric power with the use of the second EVSE and when the second area is higher than the first area in contribution to DR in exchange of electric power by the BEV, the server grants an incentive higher than in exchange of electric power with the power grid with the use of the first EVSE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu YUMITA, Yoichi ONISHI, Toru ANDO, Ikuma SUZUKI, Yu NAGATA
  • Publication number: 20240070718
    Abstract: A server includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire information on power control including at least one of power supply from an electrified vehicle to an electric power system and charge from the electric power system to the electrified vehicle, and a control unit configured to control display during use of an Internet service with a terminal owned by a user of the electrified vehicle. The control unit is configured to, when the electrified vehicle accedes to a request to perform the power control, generate a program command to reduce display of advertisements on the terminal as compared to when the electrified vehicle does not accede to the request to perform the power control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu YUMITA, Yoichi Onishi, Toru Ando, Ikuma Suzuki, Yu Nagata
  • Publication number: 20240067039
    Abstract: An operation management server manages a vehicle equipped with a battery able to store regenerated electric power. The operation management server includes: a processor that generates a message to be transmitted to the vehicle; and a storage that stores traveling histories of a plurality of vehicles. The processor estimates a transition in a power storage amount of the battery on a planned travel route of the vehicle based on a travel plan of the vehicle and the travel histories of the vehicles. The processor generates the message for proposing execution of external power supply from the battery to an outside of the vehicle before the power storage amount reaches a predetermined amount, when an estimation is made that the power storage amount will exceed the predetermined amount on the planned travel route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu YUMITA, Yoichi ONISHI, Toru ANDO, Ikuma SUZUKI, Yu NAGATA
  • Publication number: 20240067028
    Abstract: A power management apparatus includes a communication unit (acquisition unit) that acquires information about supply and demand of electric power for a power bank (power storage device), and a processor (controller) that controls electric power received by an electric vehicle from the power bank. The processor sets a power exchange ratio of electric power received from the power bank to electric power supplied to the power bank, depending on the supply and demand of electric power. The processor determines an amount of electric power to be received by the electric vehicle from the power bank, based on an amount of electric power supplied from the electric vehicle to the power bank, and the power exchange ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu YUMITA, Yoichi ONISHI, Toru ANDO, Ikuma SUZUKI, Yu NAGATA
  • Publication number: 20240042889
    Abstract: A server includes a communication unit (first acquisition unit) that acquires information about a status of use of an EVSE by a user (first user) who uses the EVSE (power control device) in a normal state. Further, the server includes a processor (controller) that performs, based on the information about the status of use, control for lending the EVSE to a user (second user) different from the foregoing user in a time period in which the foregoing user does not use the EVSE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu YUMITA, Yoichi ONISHI, Toru ANDO, Ikuma SUZUKI, Yu NAGATA
  • Publication number: 20240037597
    Abstract: A server manages power adjustment resources electrically connected to a power network. The power adjustment resources include power equipment installed in a facility and configured to supply power from a vehicle to the power network and charge power from the power network to the vehicle. When reservation information for using the facility is received from a user, the server predicts a power supply-demand balance in the power network on a reserved date and time of use of the facility. When a DR for adjusting the power supply-demand balance is predicted to be performed on the reserved date and time of use, the server prepares a use plan for the facility so as to include the vehicle participating in the DR using the power equipment. The server gives an incentive to the user when the user accepts the use plan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu YUMITA, Yoichi ONISHI, Toru ANDO, Ikuma SUZUKI, Yu NAGATA
  • Publication number: 20240025288
    Abstract: A server manages power balancing resources electrically connected to a power network. The server includes a processor. In response to receipt of input of a travel schedule including a date and time of travel, a departure point, and a destination point from a user of the vehicle, the processor predicts a power supply and demand balance on the power network for the date and time of travel, based on power supply and demand performance information of the power network. In response to prediction that the power supply and demand balance is going to be adjusted on the date and time of travel, the processor provides the user suggestion to keep the vehicle connected to the power equipment on the date and time of travel and a reward for the vehicle responding to a request to adjust the power supply and demand balance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu YUMITA, Yoichi ONISHI, Toru ANDO, Ikuma SUZUKI, Yu NAGATA
  • Patent number: 11858371
    Abstract: A power management apparatus includes a selector that selects a target number of electrically powered vehicles from a vehicle group including a plurality of electrically powered vehicles and a request processor that can issue to each electrically powered vehicle selected by the selector, a request for at least one of charging of a power storage with electric power from a power grid and power feed to the power grid. The selector obtains a temperature and an SOC of the power storage of each electrically powered vehicle included in the vehicle group and makes selection in accordance with a priority predetermined based on the temperature of the power storage and the SOC of the power storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toru Ando, Shigeki Kinomura