Patents by Inventor Toshinori Aoki

Toshinori Aoki 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: 12344267
    Abstract: A display control device comprises a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to acquire positional information about a target based on detection information of a target detection section that detects the target in surroundings of a vehicle, set a virtual origin in an output range of an output section that outputs an image to a display area provided in a cabin of the vehicle, set a hypothetical line connecting the virtual origin to a position of the positional information, and generate, based on the hypothetical line, a mark that urges caution toward the target and that is overlay displayed on the display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norihisa Hotta, Toshinori Aoki, Takahiro Hirota
  • Publication number: 20240198800
    Abstract: A vehicle display control device including at least one processor, the at least one processor being configured to generate a linear superimposed image indicating a travel path of a vehicle by being drawn so as to be superimposed on a landscape at a vehicle front side and extend toward the vehicle front side, and carry out control so as to change a direction in which a leading end side of the superimposed image faces, according to a road curvature, based on road information for the vehicle front side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2023
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideki TSUDA, Toshinori AOKI
  • Publication number: 20240083248
    Abstract: Given that an intersection point of a straight line, which connects a relatively moving body and an eyeball reference position of a driver of a vehicle, and a virtual surface, which includes a virtual display region and is wider than the virtual display region, is defined as a first intersection point, and an intersection point between the virtual display region and a straight line, which connects the eyeball reference position and an AR image, is defined as a second intersection point, a position of the second intersection point is controlled such that a second distance, which is a distance between the first intersection point and the second intersection point, is longer when a first distance, which is a distance between the relatively moving body and the vehicle, is longer than a predetermined value, than when the first distance is the predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideki TSUDA, Toshinori AOKI
  • Publication number: 20240083247
    Abstract: A display control device installed to a vehicle that, while inter-vehicle distance control is being executed to maintain an inter-vehicle distance from a lead vehicle traveling on a road, forms an AR image corresponding to the lead vehicle in a hypothetical display area set ahead of a vehicle traveling on the road. The display control device acquires curvature information related to curvature of an extension direction of an area on the road between the vehicle and the lead vehicle, and forms the AR image in the hypothetical display area with a shape changed to match a curvature represented by the curvature information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideki TSUDA, Toshinori AOKI
  • Publication number: 20240083449
    Abstract: A display control device configured to include a processor coupled to a memory, the processor calculating, based on sets of sensing information acquired from plural sensors that sense objects in front of a vehicle, a position of a detection object in front of the vehicle and, when displaying a position image representing the position of the detection object so as to overlay the position image on a foreground in a display area in front of a driver's seat, deciding whether or not to display the position image based on reliabilities of the sets of sensing information acquired from the plural sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideki TSUDA, Toshinori AOKI
  • Publication number: 20240083246
    Abstract: A display control device installed in a vehicle and forming an AR image corresponding to a display target object at a position in front of the vehicle in a hypothetical display area set in front of the vehicle. The display control device causes the AR image to disappear from the hypothetical display area while being faded out when a first specific condition has been satisfied after the AR image was formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideki TSUDA, Toshinori AOKI
  • Publication number: 20240003701
    Abstract: A vehicle display that is configured to: acquire a position of a vehicle, via a sensor; correct a positional relationship of a vehicle on a pre-generated map to an actual positional relationship of the vehicle as derived from the acquired position of the vehicle; and based on a result of correction, cause display of a direction image indicating a heading direction of the vehicle at a display area provided at a windshield glass in front of an occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norihisa HOTTA, Toshinori AOKI
  • Publication number: 20240003699
    Abstract: A display control device for a vehicle, includes: an intersection information acquiring section that acquires, from a planned travel route of a vehicle that is set in advance, information of an intersection through which passage is planned; and an image display section that, if the intersection is not an intersection satisfying a predetermined condition, in a case in which the vehicle approaches the intersection, causes display of an animation that heads toward the intersection in a display region provided in front of a vehicle occupant and in a manner of being superposed on a foreground, and, if the intersection is an intersection satisfying the predetermined condition, does not cause display of the animation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norihisa HOTTA, Toshinori AOKI
  • Publication number: 20240003702
    Abstract: A vehicle display control device includes: a processor, the processor being configured to: acquire relay point information related to a plurality of relay points that have been set at intervals along a planned travel route of a vehicle; and display, so as to be superimposed on a foreground in a display region provided in front of an occupant, an image directed toward a planned path change point along an imaginary line connecting the relay points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Norihisa HOTTA, Toshinori AOKI
  • Publication number: 20240001762
    Abstract: A vehicle display control device includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to acquire an actual location of a vehicle, and change information displayed at a display region generated in front of an occupant, based on the actual location of the vehicle and based on a virtual location of the vehicle on a pre-generated map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norihisa HOTTA, Toshinori AOKI
  • Publication number: 20230406338
    Abstract: A display control device comprises a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to acquire positional information about a target based on detection information of a target detection section that detects the target in surroundings of a vehicle, set a virtual origin in an output range of an output section that outputs an image to a display area provided in a cabin of the vehicle, set a hypothetical line connecting the virtual origin to a position of the positional information, and generate, based on the hypothetical line, a mark that urges caution toward the target and that is overlay displayed on the display area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Norihisa HOTTA, Toshinori AOKI, Takahiro HIROTA
  • Publication number: 20230410383
    Abstract: A display control device comprises a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to acquire positional information related to a position of a target based on detection information of the target detected in surroundings of a vehicle, acquire velocity information related to a velocity of the vehicle, acquire an approach direction along which the target approaches the vehicle, offset the positional information in the approach direction based on the velocity information, and generate a mark urging caution with respect to the target for overlay display on a display area provided in a cabin of the vehicle based on the positional information that has been offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Toshinori AOKI, Norihisa HOTTA, Takahiro HIROTA
  • Patent number: 11133137
    Abstract: An operation device includes a scroll wheel, a portion of which projects from an opening of an operation surface. The scroll wheel is configured to be rotated by an operator. The scroll wheel includes a ring member that is formed by a light transmissive member, which is configured to transmit light. The operation device includes: a light source that is configured to generate light for nighttime illumination; a wheel illumination light guide member that is configured to guide the light, which is outputted from the light source, to the scroll wheel; and a metal film that is formed at an inner peripheral surface of the ring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yukihide Ota, Hiromune Wada, Toshinori Aoki, Takaaki Koyama, Masahiro Kasai
  • Publication number: 20200185170
    Abstract: An operation device includes a scroll wheel, a portion of which projects from an opening of an operation surface. The scroll wheel is configured to be rotated by an operator. The scroll wheel includes a ring member that is formed by a light transmissive member, which is configured to transmit light. The operation device includes: a light source that is configured to generate light for nighttime illumination; a wheel illumination light guide member that is configured to guide the light, which is outputted from the light source, to the scroll wheel; and a metal film that is formed at an inner peripheral surface of the ring member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Yukihide OTA, Hiromune WADA, Toshinori AOKI, Takaaki KOYAMA, Masahiro KASAI
  • Patent number: 10650775
    Abstract: A display control device includes an image creating unit, a display output unit, an update time measuring unit, and a blinking control unit. The blinking control unit determines a bright time and a dark time to be integral multiples of an update time so that a blinking frequency is within a tolerance frequency range. In a blinking control, the blinking control unit executes an on-display control to instruct the image creating unit to create a bright image for a number of times of a value obtained by dividing the bright time by the update time, and then executes an off-display control to instruct the image creating unit to create the dark image for a number of times of a value obtained by dividing the dark time by the update time, and repeats the on-display control and the off-display control until the blinking control ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kentaro Kajita, Hitoshi Hoshino, Toshinori Aoki, Takashi Yanatsubo, Norikatsu Mio
  • Publication number: 20190114988
    Abstract: A display control device includes an image creating unit, a display output unit, an update time measuring unit, and a blinking control unit. The blinking control unit determines a bright time and a dark time to be integral multiples of an update time so that a blinking frequency is within a tolerance frequency range. In a blinking control, the blinking control unit executes an on-display control to instruct the image creating unit to create a bright image for a number of times of a value obtained by dividing the bright time by the update time, and then executes an off-display control to instruct the image creating unit to create the dark image for a number of times of a value obtained by dividing the dark time by the update time, and repeats the on-display control and the off-display control until the blinking control ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Kentaro KAJITA, Hitoshi HOSHINO, Toshinori AOKI, Takashi YANATSUBO, Norikatsu MIO
  • Publication number: 20170206045
    Abstract: A first-screen is continuously displayed on a display according to contents of the first-screen, in a case where a first display request is cancelled before a continuous display time in which the first-screen based on the first display request has been continuously displayed on the display, reaches a predetermined reference time. Meanwhile, after display of the first-screen has been continued and before the continuous display time of the first-screen reaches the reference time, in a case where a second display request making an instruction for displaying a second-screen to be displayed at a highest priority occurs, the display is switched from the first-screen to the second-screen at a time when the second display request occurs, and, in a case where the second display request does not occur, the first-screen is displayed on the display until the continuous display time of the first-screen reaches the reference time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro MATSUKAWA, Toshinori AOKI
  • Patent number: 7161262
    Abstract: A start control apparatus has a steering lock mechanism, which includes a lock pin and a lock control unit. The lock pin is selectively engaged and disengaged from the steering shaft. The lock control unit controls the lock pin. The start control apparatus further includes a portable communication device, a verification control unit, which communicates with the portable communication device, a power source control unit, which control power supply, an engine control unit, which controls the engine, a lock state detecting switch, which detects an engaged state and a disengaged state of the lock pin. The lock control unit and the power source control unit monitor detection signals from the lock state detecting switch. The engine is permitted to be started on condition that the control units acknowledge that the lock bar is in the disengaged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Toshihiro Nagae, Masaki Yoshino, Hisashi Kato, Toru Maeda, Masaki Hayashi, Tomoyuki Funayama, Toshio Asahi, Tomoo Kakegawa, Toshinori Aoki
  • Patent number: 7034658
    Abstract: An engine starting controller for a vehicle provided with a smart ignition function. The controller communicates with a portable communicator including an emergency key. When the battery of the portable communicator is drained, the emergency key is used to open the door lock and start the engine. A seat for depositing the emergency key is provided in the passenger compartment. The starting of the engine is enabled when the emergency key is deposited on the seat. The seat is illuminated or moved to notify the driver where to deposit the key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Masaki Hayashi, Masaki Yoshino, Tomoyuki Funayama, Toshinori Aoki, Yoshinori Fukuoka
  • Patent number: 6900552
    Abstract: An engine start/stop control system for preventing an engine from stopping when a vehicle is traveling. The system includes an IG1 driver circuit arranged between a power supply control unit and an IG1 relay. The IG1 driver circuit is activated in accordance with an activation signal from the power supply control unit or an output signal of a latch circuit and includes an FET for activating a relay. The latch circuit keeps the FET ON and the relay activated unless the vehicle stops traveling and a start/stop switch is pushed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yuji Fukano, Hisashi Kato, Kenji Hidaka, Osamu Inagaki, Tomoyuki Funayama, Toshio Asahi, Toshinori Aoki, Koji Iwamoto