Patents by Inventor Toshiharu Sugawara

Toshiharu Sugawara 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: 12012112
    Abstract: A vehicle control system capable of ensuring safety at a low cost even when a control device fails, includes a first control device that implements at least two automatic driving-related functions based on information from external sensors and/or information from a map database, a second control device that implements fewer automatic driving-related functions than the first control device based on the information from the sensors and/or the map database, and a vehicle motion control device that automatically controls a driving state of a host vehicle based on a function planned by the first or second control device including: a backup determination unit that determines whether the future function planned by the first or second control device is backed up by the second control device; and an interface that notifies a driver that system responsibility is switched to the driver, when the backup is not available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiharu Sugawara, Ryoh Inaba, Hidehiro Toyoda
  • Patent number: 11904896
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle control device that can ensure riding comfort or safety. A vehicle control device includes a driving plan calculation unit that calculates a drivable area, which is a space in which an own vehicle is safely drivable, based on a driving environment around the own vehicle and a destination of the own vehicle; and a vehicle motion control unit that calculates a target track including a route and a velocity satisfying a predetermined riding comfort condition in the drivable area calculated by the driving plan calculation unit and controls the own vehicle so as to follow the target track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryoh Inaba, Toshiharu Sugawara, Hidehiro Toyoda
  • Publication number: 20220178717
    Abstract: An object is to provide a self-position estimation device capable of highly accurately estimating self-location and attitudes on a map containing information such as lane centerlines, stop lines, and traffic rules. A representative self-position estimation device according to the present invention includes a self-position estimation portion that estimates a self-location and attitude on a high-precision map from measurement results of a sensor to measure objects around a vehicle; a low-precision section detection portion that detects a low-precision section indicating low estimation accuracy based on the self-location and attitude estimated by the self-position estimation portion; and a self-map generation portion that generates a self-generated map saving a position and type of the object on the high-precision map in the low-precision section detected by the low-precision section detection portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyuki KUME, Alex Masuo KANEKO, Toshiharu SUGAWARA, Akira KURIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20220001895
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle control device that can ensure riding comfort or safety. A vehicle control device includes a driving plan calculation unit that calculates a drivable area, which is a space in which an own vehicle is safely drivable, based on a driving environment around the own vehicle and a destination of the own vehicle; and a vehicle motion control unit that calculates a target track including a route and a velocity satisfying a predetermined riding comfort condition in the drivable area calculated by the driving plan calculation unit and controls the own vehicle so as to follow the target track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryoh INABA, Toshiharu SUGAWARA, Hidehiro TOYODA
  • Publication number: 20210387632
    Abstract: A vehicle control system capable of ensuring safety at a low cost even when a control device fails, includes a first control device that implements at least two automatic driving-related functions based on information from external sensors and/or information from a map database, a second control device that implements fewer automatic driving-related functions than the first control device based on the information from the sensors and/or the map database, and a vehicle motion control device that automatically controls a driving state of a host vehicle based on a function planned by the first or second control device including: a backup determination unit that determines whether the future function planned by the first or second control device is backed up by the second control device; and an interface that notifies a driver that system responsibility is switched to the driver, when the backup is not available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Applicant: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiharu SUGAWARA, Ryoh INABA, Hidehiro TOYODA
  • Patent number: 10663971
    Abstract: A lane change system that ensures safety is provided. This lane change system changes lanes by controlling steering in accordance with a path moving from a first lane in which the host vehicle is traveling to a second lane different from the lane in which the host vehicle is traveling, wherein the lane changing is stopped when there are any peripheral vehicles at high risk for collision in the second lane during a lane change from the first lane to the second lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiharu Sugawara, Masato Imai, Kiyoshi Yorozuya
  • Patent number: 10501084
    Abstract: A vehicle control system includes an external recognition means, a limit-distance calculation means, a relative-speed calculation means, and a required detection distance calculation means. When it is determined that the detectable limit distance is smaller than the required detection distance, the driver is notified that the lane change cannot be performed. When it is determined that the detectable limit distance is larger than the required detection distance, an automatic lane change of the vehicle is performed. The limit-distance calculation means detects a plurality of objects, which are sequentially detectable from the vehicle, and, based on the objects, the detectable limit distance is set in a vicinity of a farthest object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiharu Sugawara, Taisetsu Tanimichi
  • Patent number: 10032375
    Abstract: The invention is to specify a poor visibility portion by using only a sensor standardly mounted on a connected car without any special measurement device or equipment and provide information thereon to a driver or an automatic driving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Muto, Ichiro Kataoka, Takashi Okada, Toshiharu Sugawara, Atsushi Katou, Katsuhiro Samizo
  • Publication number: 20180188735
    Abstract: A lane change system that ensures safety is provided. This lane change system changes lanes by controlling steering in accordance with a path moving from a first lane in which the host vehicle is traveling to a second lane different from the lane in which the host vehicle is traveling, wherein the lane changing is stopped when there are any peripheral vehicles at high risk for collision in the second lane during a lane change from the first lane to the second lane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiharu SUGAWARA, Masato IMAI, Kiyoshi YOROZUYA
  • Publication number: 20170341652
    Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem that a host vehicle changes lanes and comes into contact with a following vehicle or causes the following vehicle to rapidly decelerate when the other vehicle rapidly approaches the host vehicle from outside a recognizable zone in the presence of another vehicle traveling in the lane to which the host vehicle is about to travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Toshiharu SUGAWARA, Taisetsu TANIMICHI
  • Publication number: 20170116856
    Abstract: The invention is to specify a poor visibility portion by using only a sensor standardly mounted on a connected car without any special measurement device or equipment and provide information thereon to a driver or an automatic driving device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Kazuo MUTO, Ichiro KATAOKA, Takashi OKADA, Toshiharu SUGAWARA, Atsushi KATOU, Katsuhiro SAMIZO
  • Patent number: 8849514
    Abstract: A conventional brake control can generate only a small yaw moment compared with a steering control, so that reliable avoidance of obstacles cannot be obtained. With a steering control, the driver gets behind the wheel every time when crossing a lane and has an uncomfortable feeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiharu Sugawara, Atsushi Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 8682533
    Abstract: A lane departure prevention device includes departure prevention control means that performs control to prevent deviation from a lane based on a result of detection means such as sensors and a camera, driver's intention determination means that determines driver's steering intention and actuator activation limiting means that limits activation of an actuator based on the driver's steering intention from the driver's intention determination means. The driver's intention determination means calculates a variation ?Th in the steering torque detected and a variation ?Ts in the control command value to a steering actuator, and determines that, when |?Th|?|?Ts| is a threshold or more, driver's operational intention is present and limits the activation of the departure prevention control. This can avoid the interruption of departure prevention control in response to activation of an actuator for lane departure avoidance that a driver does not intend because of erroneous detection that a driver intends as such.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Kojima, Toshiharu Sugawara
  • Patent number: 8662602
    Abstract: A brake control apparatus for a vehicle includes: a master cylinder for raising a wheel cylinder pressure according to operation of a brake pedal; a booster for raising the wheel cylinder pressure by operating the master cylinder independently of operation of the brake pedal; a pressure regulator provided with a hydraulic pump for raising the wheel cylinder pressure independently of operation of the master cylinder; and a control section including: a first controller for controlling the booster; and a second controller for controlling the pressure regulator. The control section detects that at least one of the booster and the first controller is in a state of malfunction; selects one of backup modes according to the state of malfunction, wherein the backup modes restrict operation of at least one of the booster and the pressure regulator in different manners; and controls the wheel cylinder pressure in the selected backup mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimio Nishino, Toshiyuki Innami, Kenichiro Matsubara, Toshiharu Sugawara
  • Patent number: 8600657
    Abstract: According to conventional art, if there is an obstacle on the left of a vehicle, a control threshold value is set so as to avoid the obstacle. If the control threshold value is exceeded, the vehicle is controlled in accordance with a deviation quantity so as to return to a position where the control threshold avoids being exceeded. However, even if a risky oncoming vehicle is approaching the vehicle on the right, the vehicle is controllably moved toward the oncoming vehicle. Thus, disadvantageously, a driver has a sense of fear or discomfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinjiro Saito, Atsushi Yokoyama, Toshiharu Sugawara, Tatsuya Yoshida, Akira Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8348352
    Abstract: A brake control system includes a master cylinder to produce a master cylinder pressure, a brake booster to assist the master cylinder, a first control unit to control the booster, a hydraulic modulator to supply a wheel cylinder pressure to a wheel cylinder, and a second control unit to control the hydraulic modulator. The hydraulic modulator includes a pressure source, such as a pump, to increase the wheel cylinder pressure. The first and second control units are connected together by a communication line. The brake control system may further include a boost condition transmitting section to transmit, through the communicating line, a condition of a boost system formed by the brake booster and the first control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimio Nishino, Toshiyuki Innami, Kenichiro Matsubara, Toshiharu Sugawara
  • Publication number: 20120239255
    Abstract: A lane departure prevention device includes departure prevention control means that performs control to prevent deviation from a lane based on a result of detection means such as sensors and a camera, driver's intention determination means that determines driver's steering intention and actuator activation limiting means that limits activation of an actuator based on the driver's steering intention from the driver's intention determination means. The driver's intention determination means calculates a variation ?Th in the steering torque detected and a variation ?Ts in the control command value to a steering actuator, and determines that, when |?Th|?|?Ts| is a threshold or more, driver's operational intention is present and limits the activation of the departure prevention control. This can avoid the interruption of departure prevention control in response to activation of an actuator for lane departure avoidance that a driver does not intend because of erroneous detection that a driver intends as such.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Kojima, Toshiharu Sugawara
  • Patent number: 8167383
    Abstract: A brake control apparatus for a vehicle includes: a master cylinder for raising a wheel cylinder pressure according to operation of a brake pedal; a booster for raising the wheel cylinder pressure by operating the master cylinder independently of operation of the brake pedal; a pressure regulator provided with a hydraulic pump for raising the wheel cylinder pressure independently of operation of the master cylinder; and a control section including: a first controller for controlling the booster; and a second controller for controlling the pressure regulator. The control section detects that at least one of the booster and the first controller is in a state of malfunction; selects one of backup modes according to the state of malfunction, wherein the backup modes restrict operation of at least one of the booster and the pressure regulator in different manners; and controls the wheel cylinder pressure in the selected backup mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimio Nishino, Toshiyuki Innami, Kenichiro Matsubara, Toshiharu Sugawara
  • Patent number: 8165776
    Abstract: A drive assist system includes an assist starting part starting assist, a detection part detecting relative distances and speeds between a vehicles, a calculation part calculating collision risks when changing a lane by the basis of the relative distances and speeds, a first judgment part judging whether the lane can be changed by the relative distances, speeds and the collision risks, a decision part deciding a target space for lane change by the relative distances and speeds when the lane cannot be changed, a second judgment part judging whether a lane changeable space is in the target space, a setting part setting a target speed for the vehicle go to a lane change waiting position when no space and to setting a target speed the vehicle enters a lane changeable position when there is the space, and a control part controlling a speed of the vehicle reaches the target speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiharu Sugawara, Atsushi Yokoyama, Takaomi Nishigaito, Masatoshi Hoshino, Tatsuya Yoshida, Jun Kubo, Shinjiro Saito
  • Publication number: 20120091787
    Abstract: A brake control apparatus for a vehicle includes: a master cylinder for raising a wheel cylinder pressure according to operation of a brake pedal; a booster for raising the wheel cylinder pressure by operating the master cylinder independently of operation of the brake pedal; a pressure regulator provided with a hydraulic pump for raising the wheel cylinder pressure independently of operation of the master cylinder; and a control section including: a first controller for controlling the booster; and a second controller for controlling the pressure regulator. The control section detects that at least one of the booster and the first controller is in a state of malfunction; selects one of backup modes according to the state of malfunction, wherein the backup modes restrict operation of at least one of the booster and the pressure regulator in different manners; and controls the wheel cylinder pressure in the selected backup mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Kimio NISHINO, Toshiyuki Innami, Kenichiro Matsubara, Toshiharu Sugawara