Patents by Inventor Toshihiro Takagi

Toshihiro Takagi 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: 9156462
    Abstract: A drive control apparatus for a vehicle includes: a control unit that controls drive force output from an engine in accordance with operation of an accelerator pedal; and a shift mechanism capable of selectively switching a shift position to a driving position or a non-driving position. The shift mechanism transmits the drive force to wheels when the shift position is in the driving position, and interrupts transmission of the drive force when the shift position is in the non-driving position. The control unit executes a drive force restriction process of reducing the drive force when the shift position is switched from the non-driving position to the driving position while the accelerator pedal is in an on state, and, when the switching is from a neutral position, the control unit changes a mode of reducing the drive force in accordance with a continuation time of the neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinya Kodama, Motonari Ohbayashi, Yuki Minase, Masashi Takagi, Toshihiro Takagi
  • Patent number: 9097189
    Abstract: When a driver attempts to hurriedly start driving a stopped vehicle, for example, the driver may, without realizing it, begin operating an accelerator pedal before shifting a shift lever from a non-drive position to a drive position. In such a situation, when the shift lever is shifted from a non-drive position to a drive position while the accelerator pedal is being operated, a drive power limiting process is implemented for limiting the drive power when the drive power is output from a drive source in accordance with the amount that the accelerator is being operated. As a result, when the shift lever is shifted from a non-drive position to a drive position in the abovementioned manner, it is possible to restrict starting of the vehicle, which is caused by the transmission of drive power from the drive source to the wheels. This reduces the strange sensation experienced by the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Motonari Ohbayashi, Yuki Minase, Shinya Kodama, Toshihiro Takagi, Masashi Takagi
  • Publication number: 20150112566
    Abstract: A drive support apparatus is disclosed, which includes a sonar sensor that transmits an ultrasonic wave to an object outside of a vehicle to obtain, based on a reflected wave thereof, object information related to a distance to the object; a controller that permits a first drive force limitation control when the distance to the object is longer than or equal to a predetermined distance, and permits at least one of a second drive force limitation control and an intervention brake control when the distance to the object is shorter than the predetermined distance, wherein a limitation level in the second drive force limitation control is higher than that in the first drive force limitation control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toshihiro TAKAGI
  • Patent number: 8972142
    Abstract: A travel support apparatus includes: a rear sensor that detects an obstacle behind a vehicle; and a rear contact prevention device that controls travel of the vehicle to prevent contact between the vehicle and the obstacle detected by the rear sensor as the vehicle backs up. The rear contact prevention device prevents contact between the vehicle and the obstacle detected by the rear sensor as the vehicle backs up, by performing first travel control to apply at least one of speed limitation and deceleration to the vehicle, without requiring an operation performed by a driver of the vehicle, and then performs second travel control to reduce an operation amount set in the first travel control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiro Takagi, Mitsuhiko Morita
  • Patent number: 8930100
    Abstract: A vehicle has a shift mechanism and a position detection device that detects an operation position of the shift mechanism. A transmission is brought to a power transmission state when an operation unit of the shift mechanism is operated to a driving position, and is brought to a power interrupt state when the operation unit is operated to a non-driving position. A driving force limitation process for reducing the driving force of an internal combustion engine is executed when it is determined that the non-driving position has been shifted to the driving position on the basis of the operation position of the operation unit as detected by the position detection device. The driving force limitation process is prohibited when it is determined that the vehicle is traveling and that the operation unit is not operated to any of the operation positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuki Minase, Masashi Takagi, Motonari Ohbayashi, Hiroshi Shimada, Toshihiro Takagi
  • Publication number: 20140330500
    Abstract: An electronic control unit reduces output of an engine using a detection value of an acceleration sensor such that acceleration of a vehicle does not exceed a predetermined threshold value. In a case where there is an abnormality in the acceleration sensor, the electronic control unit sets the acceleration threshold value to be greater than that in a case where there is no abnormality, and the electronic control unit limits the vehicle speed to a predetermined value or slower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki Minase, Masashi Takagi, Motonari Ohbayashi, Hiroshi Shimada, Toshihiro Takagi
  • Patent number: 8852055
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle drive control apparatus including a shift mechanism configured to be able to selectively switch its shift position to either a driving position or a non-driving position; and a controller configured to control the drive force output from a motor serving as a drive source of the vehicle according to operation of an accelerator, to transmit the drive force from the motor to wheels when the shift position is in the driving position, and to stop the transmission of the drive force from the motor to the wheels when the shift position is in the non-driving position. The controller also performs drive force suppression processing to control the drive force, when the shift position is switched from the non-driving position to the driving position with the accelerator turned ON, such that the acceleration of the vehicle does not exceed an upper limit of acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinya Kodama, Motonari Ohbayashi, Yuki Minase, Masashi Takagi, Toshihiro Takagi
  • Publication number: 20140297153
    Abstract: An electronic control unit adjusts drive force generated by an engine in accordance with the amount of manipulation of an accelerator pedal. When the manipulation amount of the accelerator pedal meets a predetermined condition, the electronic control unit executes drive force limiting control for limiting the drive force generated by the engine and changes the degree of limiting of the drive force during the execution of the drive force limiting process according the gradient of the road surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masashi Takagi, Motonari Ohbayashi, Yuki Minase, Shinya Kodama, Toshihiro Takagi
  • Patent number: 8838351
    Abstract: When a driver attempts to hurriedly start driving a stopped vehicle, for example, the driver may, without realizing it, begin operating an accelerator pedal before shifting a shift lever from a non-drive position to a drive position. In such a situation, when the shift lever is shifted from a non-drive position to a drive position while the accelerator pedal is being operated, a drive power limiting process is implemented for limiting the drive power when the drive power is output from a drive source in accordance with the amount that the accelerator is being operated. As a result, when the shift lever is shifted from a non-drive position to a drive position in the abovementioned manner, it is possible to restrict starting of the vehicle, which is caused by the transmission of drive power from the drive source to the wheels. This reduces the strange sensation experienced by the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Motonari Ohbayashi, Yuki Minase, Shinya Kodama, Toshihiro Takagi, Masashi Takagi
  • Patent number: 8751120
    Abstract: A system includes: a shift mechanism; and a position detecting device detecting an operating position of the shift mechanism on the basis of an output signal of a sensor attached to the shift mechanism. An execution mode of a driving force limiting process that limits driving force is set on the basis of the operating position that is detected by the position detecting device. The driving force limiting process is executed on the basis of the execution mode of the driving force limiting process and a vehicle operation state. When it is determined that there is an abnormality in the position detecting device in a state that the driving force limiting process is not executed, setting the execution mode on the basis of the operating position of the shift mechanism is prohibited, and execution of the driving force limiting process is allowed on the basis of the vehicle operation state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki
    Inventors: Yuki Minase, Masashi Takagi, Motonari Ohbayashi, Hiroshi Shimada, Toshihiro Takagi
  • Publication number: 20140136061
    Abstract: When a driver attempts to hurriedly start driving a stopped vehicle, for example, the driver may, without realizing it, begin operating an accelerator pedal before shifting a shift lever from a non-drive position to a drive position. In such a situation, when the shift lever is shifted from a non-drive position to a drive position while the accelerator pedal is being operated, a drive power limiting process is implemented for limiting the drive power when the drive power is output from a drive source in accordance with the amount that the accelerator is being operated. As a result, when the shift lever is shifted from a non-drive position to a drive position in the abovementioned manner, it is possible to restrict starting of the vehicle, which is caused by the transmission of drive power from the drive source to the wheels. This reduces the strange sensation experienced by the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Motonari Ohbayashi, Yuki Minase, Shinya Kodama, Toshihiro Takagi, Masashi Takagi
  • Publication number: 20140129098
    Abstract: When a driver attempts to hurriedly start driving a stopped vehicle, for example, the driver may, without realizing it, begin operating an accelerator pedal before shifting a shift lever from a non-drive position to a drive position. In such a situation, when the shift lever is shifted from a non-drive position to a drive position while the accelerator pedal is being operated, a drive power limiting process is implemented for limiting the drive power when the drive power is output from a drive source in accordance with the amount that the accelerator is being operated. As a result, when the shift lever is shifted from a non-drive position to a drive position in the abovementioned manner, it is possible to restrict starting of the vehicle, which is caused by the transmission of drive power from the drive source to the wheels. This reduces the strange sensation experienced by the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Motonari Ohbayashi, Yuki Minase, Shinya Kodama, Toshihiro Takagi, Masashi Takagi
  • Publication number: 20140107907
    Abstract: A vehicle is equipped with an auxiliary that is driven by the output of an internal combustion engine and which is capable of obtaining drive force by transmitting the output of the internal combustion engine to driving wheels. If an air conditioning compressor is being driven during engine idling of the internal combustion engine, an electronic control apparatus implements output-increase control for increasing the output of the internal combustion engine in comparison to when the air conditioning compressor is not being driven. If the force applied to the accelerator pedal (Pac) is equal to or more than a prescribed value (Pth), output-reduction control for reducing the output of the internal combustion engine by initiating engine idling of the internal combustion engine, and prohibiting the drive of the air conditioning compressor, is implemented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masashi Takagi, Motonari Ohabayashi, Yuki Minase, Shinya Kodama, Toshihiro Takagi
  • Patent number: 8666631
    Abstract: The vehicle travel control device according to the invention is a vehicle travel control device that controls the travel of a host vehicle based on any of inter-vehicle distance setting and vehicle speed setting that are setting information set in advance, in which the inter-vehicle distance setting and the vehicle speed setting can be updated individually in accordance with the operation of an accelerator pedal or a brake pedal in the host vehicle, and setting information to be updated are selected based on the changes in the travelling conditions of the host vehicle or a leading vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiro Takagi, Yasuhiro Kuze
  • Publication number: 20130297173
    Abstract: A travel support apparatus includes: a front sensor that detects an obstacle in front of a vehicle; a front contact prevention device that controls travel of the vehicle to prevent contact between the vehicle and the obstacle detected by the front sensor as the vehicle travels forward; a rear sensor that detects an obstacle behind the vehicle; and a rear contact prevention device that controls travel of the vehicle to prevent contact between the vehicle and the obstacle detected by the rear sensor as the vehicle backs up. The front sensor is a different kind of sensor from the rear sensor, and is able to detect the obstacle positioned at a great distance from the vehicle, as compared to the rear sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshihiro Takagi, Mitsuhiko Morita
  • Publication number: 20130282252
    Abstract: A travel support apparatus includes: a rear sensor that detects an obstacle behind a vehicle; and a rear contact prevention device that controls travel of the vehicle to prevent contact between the vehicle and the obstacle detected by the rear sensor as the vehicle backs up. The rear contact prevention device prevents contact between the vehicle and the obstacle detected by the rear sensor as the vehicle backs up, by performing first travel control to apply at least one of speed limitation and deceleration to the vehicle, without requiring an operation performed by a driver of the vehicle, and then performs second travel control to reduce an operation amount set in the first travel control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshihiro Takagi, Mitsuhiko Morita
  • Publication number: 20130166162
    Abstract: A system includes: a shift mechanism; and a position detecting device detecting an operating position of the shift mechanism on the basis of an output signal of a sensor attached to the shift mechanism. An execution mode of a driving force limiting process that limits driving force is set on the basis of the operating position that is detected by the position detecting device. The driving force limiting process is executed on the basis of the execution mode of the driving force limiting process and a vehicle operation state. When it is determined that there is an abnormality in the position detecting device in a state that the driving force limiting process is not executed, setting the execution mode on the basis of the operating position of the shift mechanism is prohibited, and execution of the driving force limiting process is allowed on the basis of the vehicle operation state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: Yuki Minase, Masashi Takagi, Motonari Ohbayashi, Hiroshi Shimada, Toshihiro Takagi
  • Publication number: 20130166161
    Abstract: A vehicle has a shift mechanism and a position detection device that detects an operation position of the shift mechanism. A transmission is brought to a power transmission state when an operation unit of the shift mechanism is operated to a driving position, and is brought to a power interrupt state when the operation unit is operated to a non-driving position. A driving force limitation process for reducing the driving force of an internal combustion engine is executed when it is determined that the non-driving position has been shifted to the driving position on the basis of the operation position of the operation unit as detected by the position detection device. The driving force limitation process is prohibited when it is determined that the vehicle is traveling and that the operation unit is not operated to any of the operation positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: Yuki Minase, Masashi Takagi, Motonari Ohbayashi, Hiroshi Shimada, Toshihiro Takagi
  • Publication number: 20130143716
    Abstract: A drive control apparatus for a vehicle includes: a control unit that controls drive force output from an engine in accordance with operation of an accelerator pedal; and a shift mechanism capable of selectively switching a shift position to a driving position or a non-driving position. The shift mechanism transmits the drive force to wheels when the shift position is in the driving position, and interrupts transmission of the drive force when the shift position is in the non-driving position. The control unit executes a drive force restriction process of reducing the drive force when the shift position is switched from the non-driving position to the driving position while the accelerator pedal is in an on state, and, when the switching is from a neutral position, the control unit changes a mode of reducing the drive force in accordance with a continuation time of the neutral position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: Shinya KODAMA, Motonari OHBAYASHI, Yuki MINASE, Masashi TAKAGI, Toshihiro TAKAGI
  • Publication number: 20130133455
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle drive control apparatus including a shift mechanism configured to be able to selectively switch its shift position to either a driving position or a non-driving position; and a controller configured to control the drive force output from a motor serving as a drive source of the vehicle according to operation of an accelerator, to transmit the drive force from the motor to wheels when the shift position is in the driving position, and to stop the transmission of the drive force from the motor to the wheels when the shift position is in the non-driving position. The controller also performs drive force suppression processing to control the drive force, when the shift position is switched from the non-driving position to the driving position with the accelerator turned ON, such that the acceleration of the vehicle does not exceed an upper limit of acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventors: Shinya KODAMA, Motonari OHBAYASHI, Yuki MINASE, Masashi TAKAGI, Toshihiro TAKAGI