Patents by Inventor Toshimichi Minowa

Toshimichi Minowa 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: 9898011
    Abstract: Provided is a technology that, when an unmanned haulage vehicle and a manned haulage vehicle are allowed to exist together and are subjected to fleet operations management, can provide driving assistance to an operator of the manned vehicle by using control data similar to those to be transmitted to the unmanned haulage vehicle. To this end, the manned vehicle is provided with a terminal-side communication control unit, a control command value conversion unit and a control command value providing unit. The terminal-side communication control unit receives, from a fleet operations management server that performs operations management of the unmanned haulage vehicle, a control command value for allowing the unmanned haulage vehicle to travel autonomously. The control command value conversion unit converts contents of the control command value to perceivable information. The control command value providing unit provides the perceivable information to the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Tomoyuki Hamada, Hidefumi Ishimoto
  • Patent number: 9650038
    Abstract: A vehicle control system which can ensure high reliability, real-time processing, and expandability with a simplified ECU configuration and a low cost by backing up an error through coordination in the entire system without increasing a degree of redundancy of individual controllers beyond the least necessary level. The vehicle control system comprises a sensor controller for taking in sensor signals indicating a status variable of a vehicle and an operation amount applied from a driver, a command controller for generating a control target value based on the sensor signals taken in by the sensor controller, and an actuator controller for receiving the control target value from the command controller and operating an actuator to control the vehicle, those three controller being interconnected via a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Yoshimura, Kohei Sakurai, Nobuyasu Kanekawa, Yuichiro Morita, Yoshiaki Takahashi, Kenichi Kurosawa, Toshimichi Minowa, Masatoshi Hoshino, Yasuhiro Nakatsuka, Kotaro Shimamura, Kunihiko Tsunedomi, Shoji Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20170068249
    Abstract: Provided is a technology that, when an unmanned haulage vehicle and a manned haulage vehicle are allowed to exist together and are subjected to fleet operations management, can provide driving assistance to an operator of the manned vehicle by using control data similar to those to be transmitted to the unmanned haulage vehicle. To this end, the manned vehicle is provided with a terminal-side communication control unit, a control command value conversion unit and a control command value providing unit. The terminal-side communication control unit receives, from a fleet operations management server that performs operations management of the unmanned haulage vehicle, a control command value for allowing the unmanned haulage vehicle to travel autonomously. The control command value conversion unit converts contents of the control command value to perceivable information. The control command value providing unit provides the perceivable information to the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Toshimichi MINOWA, Tomoyuki HAMADA, Hidefumi ISHIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20150100207
    Abstract: A vehicle control system which can ensure high reliability, real-time processing, and expandability with a simplified ECU configuration and a low cost by backing up an error through coordination in the entire system without increasing a degree of redundancy of individual controllers beyond the least necessary level. The vehicle control system comprises a sensor controller for taking in sensor signals indicating a status variable of a vehicle and an operation amount applied from a driver, a command controller for generating a control target value based on the sensor signals taken in by the sensor controller, and an actuator controller for receiving the control target value from the command controller and operating an actuator to control the vehicle, those three controller being interconnected via a network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Kentaro YOSHIMURA, Kohei SAKURAI, Nobuyasu KANEKAWA, Yuichiro MORITA, Yoshiaki TAKAHASHI, Kenichi KUROSAWA, Toshimichi MINOWA, Masatoshi HOSHINO, Yasuhiro NAKATSUKA, Kotaro SHIMAMURA, Kunihiko TSUNEDOMI, Shoji SASAKI
  • Publication number: 20140188343
    Abstract: A vehicle control system which can ensure high reliability, real-time processing, and expandability with a simplified ECU configuration and a low cost by backing up an error through coordination in the entire system without increasing a degree of redundancy of individual controllers beyond the least necessary level. The vehicle control system comprises a sensor controller for taking in sensor signals indicating a status variable of a vehicle and an operation amount applied from a driver, a command controller for generating a control target value based on the sensor signals taken in by the sensor controller, and an actuator controller for receiving the control target value from the command controller and operating an actuator to control the vehicle, those three controller being interconnected via a network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Kentaro YOSHIMURA, Kohei SAKURAI, Nobuyasu KANEKAWA, Yuichiro MORITA, Yoshiaki TAKAHASHI, Kenichi KUROSAWA, Toshimichi MINOWA, Masatoshi HOSHINO, Yasuhiro NAKATSUKA, Kotaro SHIMAMURA, Kunihiko TSUNEDOMI, Shoji SASAKI
  • Patent number: 8645022
    Abstract: A vehicle control system which can ensure high reliability, real-time processing, and expandability with a simplified ECU configuration and a low cost by backing up an error through coordination in the entire system without increasing a degree of redundancy of individual controllers beyond the least necessary level. The vehicle control system comprises a sensor controller for taking in sensor signals indicating a status variable of a vehicle and an operation amount applied from a driver, a command controller for generating a control target value based on the sensor signals taken in by the sensor controller, and an actuator controller for receiving the control target value from the command controller and operating an actuator to control the vehicle, those three controller being interconnected via a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Yoshimura, Kohei Sakurai, Nobuyasu Kanekawa, Yuichiro Morita, Yoshiaki Takahashi, Kenichi Kurosawa, Toshimichi Minowa, Masatoshi Hoshino, Yasuhiro Nakatsuka, Kotaro Shimamura, Kunihiko Tsunedomi, Shoji Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20110010068
    Abstract: A vehicle speed control system includes: a unit for computing a first target velocity based on map information; a unit for computing a second target velocity based on a road profile obtained from other information than the map information (such as lane recognition using a camera); a unit for comparing the first target velocity and the second target velocity; a unit for selecting a lower target velocity therefrom; and a unit for controlling a vehicle velocity in accordance with the selected target velocity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: Xanavi Informatics Corporation
    Inventors: Masato IMAI, Hiroshi Sakamoto, Tatsuya Ochi, Takashi Okada, Toshimichi Minowa, Masao Sakata
  • Patent number: 7831366
    Abstract: A vehicle speed control system includes: a unit for computing a first target velocity based on map information; a unit for computing a second target velocity based on a road profile obtained from other information than the map information (such as lane recognition using a camera); a unit for comparing the first target velocity and the second target velocity; a unit for selecting a lower target velocity therefrom; and a unit for controlling a vehicle velocity in accordance with the selected target velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Xanavi Informatics Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Imai, Hiroshi Sakamoto, Tatsuya Ochi, Takashi Okada, Toshimichi Minowa, Masao Sakata
  • Patent number: 7684921
    Abstract: The present invention can realize a vehicle running control apparatus including ACC function and map information data recording medium to obtain effective information for safety driving capable for running control meeting a driver's feeling. The first running speed is decided on the basis of the distance between the vehicles and the relative speed. The position detecting means detects the position of own vehicle on a map. The map information getting means gets road information, the width of the road, the radius of curvature, and slope on the basis of the map information. The visible distance estimating means estimates the visible distance on the basis of the map information, deciding the second running safety speed with the estimated visible distance. The running control means decides the object running speed of smallest one of the set speed, the first running speed, and the second running speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Kojima, Tokuji Yoshikawa, Kazuhiko Satou, Satoru Kuragaki, Shiho Izumi, Toshimichi Minowa
  • Publication number: 20100030421
    Abstract: A vehicle control system which can ensure high reliability, real-time processing, and expandability with a simplified ECU configuration and a low cost by backing up an error through coordination in the entire system without increasing a degree of redundancy of individual controllers beyond the least necessary level. The vehicle control system comprises a sensor controller for taking in sensor signals indicating a status variable of a vehicle and an operation amount applied from a driver, a command controller for generating a control target value based on the sensor signals taken in by the sensor controller, and an actuator controller for receiving the control target value from the command controller and operating an actuator to control the vehicle, those three controller being interconnected via a network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Kentaro YOSHIMURA, Kohei Sakurai, Nobuyasu Kanekawa, Yuichiro Morita, Yoshiaki Takahashi, Kenichi Kurosawa, Toshimichi Minowa, Masatoshi Hoshino, Yasuhiro Nakatsuka, Kotaro Shimamura, Kunihiko Tsunedomi, Shoji Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7653462
    Abstract: A vehicle control unit includes interface software memory means storing an interface software program for connecting an application software program with an OS (operating system) in an internal ROM, a CPU (central processing unit) for performing computation for the application software program and the interface software program, a RAM (erasable memory) storing data such as the result of computation, an I/O unit for extending the control unit, and extending means for communicating memory data through a bus or a LAN. A single-chip micro-computer used in vehicle control permits an increase in input/output points or the addition of functionality, in which case an application software program can continue to be used simply by rewriting the interface software program, without further remanufacturing of the core unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Yoshiyuki Yoshida, Junichi Ishii, Shigeki Morinaga, Hiroshi Katayama, Mitsuo Kayano, Kenichiro Kurata
  • Patent number: 7630807
    Abstract: A vehicle control system which can ensure high reliability, real-time processing, and expandability with a simplified ECU configuration and a low cost by backing up an error through coordination in the entire system without increasing a degree of redundancy of individual controllers beyond the least necessary level. The vehicle control system comprises a sensor controller for taking in sensor signals indicating a status variable of a vehicle and an operation amount applied from a driver, a command controller for generating a control target value based on the sensor signals taken in by the sensor controller, and an actuator controller for receiving the control target value from the command controller and operating an actuator to control the vehicle, those three controller being interconnected via a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Yoshimura, Kohei Sakurai, Nobuyasu Kanekawa, Yuichiro Morita, Yoshiaki Takahashi, Kenichi Kurosawa, Toshimichi Minowa, Masatoshi Hoshino, Yasuhiro Nakatsuka, Kotaro Shimamura, Kunihiko Tsunedomi, Shoji Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7571711
    Abstract: When a throttle is fully open, a maximum torque set value is corrected based on the ratio between the maximum air volume set value under fully-open throttle conditions and the actual maximum air volume detected by an intake air volume meter such as an air flow sensor. Based on the corrected maximum torque set value, both the relation between the degree of accelerator opening and target torque and the relation between the target torque (target air volume) and the degree target throttle opening are corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Sato, Shinji Nakagawa, Hiromu Kakuya, Toshimichi Minowa, Mamoru Nemoto
  • Patent number: 7369925
    Abstract: In order to estimate failure times of vehicles, the invention provides a vehicle failure diagnosis apparatus which receives records of learned values actually used in the past in vehicle control systems of vehicles as diagnosis targets from in-vehicle terminals via a communication part, estimates failure time of the vehicle control systems by comparing the received records of the learned values and the failure patterns readout from a failure pattern DB, and outputs the estimated failure time to the in-vehicle terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Morioka, Masami Nagano, Toshimichi Minowa
  • Patent number: 7354378
    Abstract: A large gearshift shock that occurs if a renewed gearshift operation is forcibly carried out in order to meet a new gearshift request made through a driver's operating an accelerator pedal or a signal from an operation lever during a current gearshift operation. Gearshift response lag occurs due to an attempt to avoid the large gearshift shock. To solve these problems, a control system for a gear type transmission is mounted. The control system is provided with a renewed gearshift disabling period, during which any renewed gearshift request to a third predetermined gearshift position made during a gearshift operation from a first predetermined gearshift position to a second predetermined gearshift position is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Ochi, Toshimichi Minowa, Takashi Okada, Hiroshi Sakamoto, Naoyuki Ozaki
  • Publication number: 20080066718
    Abstract: When a throttle is fully open, a maximum torque set value is corrected based on the ratio between the maximum air volume set value under fully-open throttle conditions and the actual maximum air volume detected by an intake air volume meter such as an air flow sensor. Based on the corrected maximum torque set value, both the relation between the degree of accelerator opening and target torque and the relation between the target torque (target air volume) and the degree target throttle opening are corrected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Sato, Shinji Nakagawa, Hiromu Kakuya, Toshimichi Minowa, Mamoru Nemoto
  • Publication number: 20080059036
    Abstract: A vehicle speed control system includes: a unit for computing a first target velocity based on map information; a unit for computing a second target velocity based on a road profile obtained from other information than the map information (such as lane recognition using a camera); a unit for comparing the first target velocity and the second target velocity; a unit for selecting a lower target velocity therefrom; and a unit for controlling a vehicle velocity in accordance with the selected target velocity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: Xanavi Informatics Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Imai, Hiroshi Sakamoto, Tatsuya Ochi, Takashi Okada, Toshimichi Minowa, Masao Sakata
  • Patent number: 7337046
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling an automotive vehicle are disclosed, in which a control amount for securing safety of the vehicle and the control amount for achieving a state intended for by the driver of the vehicle are switched in such a manner as to reduce the shock due to the change in the torque generated from the power train, thereby accomplishing both safety and maneuverability at the same time. A first target value is set for controlling at least selected one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate. A second target value is calculated in accordance with the drive mode intended for by the driver or the driving environment ahead of the vehicle. In the case where a deviation exceeding a predetermined value develops between the first target value and the second target value, the fluctuations of at least one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate are suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Tatsuya Ochi, Satoru Kuragaki, Mitsuo Kayano, Tokuji Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 7313473
    Abstract: At the time of the change-speed, by correcting the torque reducing portion of an output shaft during the change-speed, the revolution number of an input shaft is controlled on the basis of the corrected torque reduction correcting value. Also, the torque of said input shaft is adjusted at the end of the change-speed on the basis of said torque correcting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Toshimichi Minowa, Takashi Okada, Mitsuo Kayano, Tatsuya Ochi
  • Patent number: 7263423
    Abstract: At the time of the change-speed, by correcting the torque reducing portion of an output shaft during the change-speed, the revolution number of an input shaft is controlled on the basis of the corrected torque reduction correcting value. Also, the torque of said input shaft is adjusted at the end of the change-speed on the basis of said torque correcting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Toshimichi Minowa, Takashi Okada, Mitsuo Kayano, Tatsuya Ochi