Patents by Inventor Toyoaki Kitano

Toyoaki Kitano 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: 8612141
    Abstract: A navigation system capable of enabling a user to use navigation functions such as route guidance without setting a destination. It includes an information recording unit for storing a driving history, a destination estimating unit for estimating a destination from the driving history stored in the information recording unit, a route computing unit for calculating a route to the destination estimated by the destination estimating unit, and an information display unit for causing the route calculated by the route computing unit to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Tadashi Miyahara, Toyoaki Kitano, Hideto Miyazaki, Tsutomu Matsubara, Kuniyo Ieda, Minoru Ozaki, Syoji Tanaka, Takashi Nakagawa, Tomohiro Shiino, Wataru Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8315796
    Abstract: A navigation device includes a map database 5 that holds map data; a location and direction measurement unit 4 that measures the current location and direction of a vehicle; a route calculation unit 12 that, based on map data read from the map database 5, calculates a route from the current location measured by the location and direction measurement unit to a destination; a camera 7 that captures video images ahead of the vehicle; a video image acquisition unit 8 that acquires the video images ahead of the vehicle captured by the camera; a road width acquisition unit 16 that, based on road width data included in the map data read from the map database, calculates the width of a road segment that enters last into an intersection to which the vehicle is to be guided from among road segments that make up the route calculated by the route calculation unit; a video image composition processing unit 14 that limits the length of a portion that indicates a turning direction of a route guide arrow to the road width ca
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Yamaguchi, Takashi Nakagawa, Toyoaki Kitano, Hideto Miyazaki, Tsutomu Matsubara, Katsuya Kawai
  • Publication number: 20120287279
    Abstract: A parking support apparatus includes: a vehicle position locating control unit for locating a present position; a parking support database in which a guideline to be displayed at parking is registered for each parking space; cameras for shooting surroundings; a parking support screen generating unit for acquiring, when parking in a parking space placed at the position located by the vehicle position locating control unit, the guideline corresponding to the parking space from the parking support database, and for generating a parking support screen by superposing the guideline upon an image or images taken with the cameras; and a display unit for displaying the parking support screen created by the parking support screen generating unit. Accordingly, it can offer a parking support apparatus capable of displaying the optimum parking support image corresponding to a parking space and improving convenience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shoji Tanaka, Takashi Sadahiro, Tsuyoshi Sempuku, Kuniyo Ieda, Hideto Miyazaki, Toyoaki Kitano
  • Publication number: 20120179365
    Abstract: A navigation system capable of enabling a user to use navigation functions such as route guidance without setting a destination. It includes an information recording unit for storing a driving history, a destination estimating unit for estimating a destination from the driving history stored in the information recording unit, a route computing unit for calculating a route to the destination estimated by the destination estimating unit, and an information display unit for causing the route calculated by the route computing unit to be displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Tadashi Miyahara, Toyoaki Kitano, Hideto Miyazaki, Tsutomu Matsubara, Kuniyo Ieda, Minoru Ozaki, Syoji Tanaka, Takashi Nakagawa, Tomohiro Shiino, Wataru Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20120173245
    Abstract: A navigation system is provided which facilitates discrimination between an icon of a facility associated with a route, along which the user is expected to move from now on, and an ordinary icon. To achieve this, it includes a destination estimating unit for acquiring information about a driving history and for estimating a destination from the information about the driving history acquired; a drawing decision changing unit for drawing a destination candidate estimated by the destination estimating unit in a form different from an icon of a non-destination candidate; and an information display unit for causing the icon drawn by the drawing decision changing unit to be displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Tadashi Miyahara, Toyoaki Kitano, Hideto Miyazaki, Tsutomu Matsubara, Kuniyo Ieda, Minoru Ozaki, Syoji Tanaka, Takashi Nakagawa, Tomohiro Shiino, Wataru Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20100253775
    Abstract: A navigation device includes a last shot determining unit 6 for, when a distance from the current position to a guidance object is equal to or shorter than a fixed distance and a distance from a current position calculated on the basis of map data to the guidance object is equal to or shorter than the fixed distance, determining to switch to a last shot mode, a video image storage unit 11 for storing, as a last shot video image, a video image acquired by a video image acquiring unit 10 at the time when it is determined to switch to the last shot mode, a video image composite processing unit 24 for superimposing a content existing in the stored last shot video image on the last shot video image to generate a composite video image, and a display unit 13 for displaying the composite video image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Yamaguchi, Takashi Nakagawa, Toyoaki Kitano, Hideto Miyazaki, Tsutomu Matsubara
  • Publication number: 20100256900
    Abstract: A navigation device includes a map database 5 that holds map data; a location and direction measurement unit 4 that measures the current location and direction of a vehicle; a route calculation unit 12 that, based on map data read from the map database 5, calculates a route from the current location measured by the location and direction measurement unit to a destination; a camera 7 that captures video images ahead of the vehicle; a video image acquisition unit 8 that acquires the video images ahead of the vehicle captured by the camera; a road width acquisition unit 16 that, based on road width data included in the map data read from the map database, calculates the width of a road segment that enters last into an intersection to which the vehicle is to be guided from among road segments that make up the route calculated by the route calculation unit; a video image composition processing unit 14 that limits the length of a portion that indicates a turning direction of a route guide arrow to the road width ca
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Yamaguchi, Takashi Nakagawa, Toyoaki Kitano, Hideto Miyazaki, Tsutomu Matsubara, Katsuya Kawai
  • Publication number: 20100250116
    Abstract: A navigation device includes: a map database 5 that holds map data; a location and heading measurement unit 4 that measures the current location and heading of a vehicle; a route calculation unit 12 that, based on the map data read from the map database, calculates a guidance route from the current location measured by the location and heading measurement unit to a destination; a camera 7 that captures video images ahead of the vehicle; a video image acquisition unit 8 that acquires the video images ahead of the vehicle captured by the camera; a side road acquisition unit 16 that acquires a side road connected at a location between the current location on the guidance route calculated by the route calculation unit and a guidance waypoint; a video image composition processing unit 14 that composes a picture representing the side road acquired by the side road acquisition unit onto the video images acquired by the video image acquisition unit; and a display unit 10 that displays the video image composed by the
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Yamaguchi, Takashi Nakagawa, Toyoaki Kitano, Hideto Miyazaki, Tsutomu Matsubara, Katsuya Kawai
  • Publication number: 20100245561
    Abstract: A navigation device includes: a map database 5 that holds map data; a location and direction measurement unit 4 that measures the current location and direction of a vehicle; a road data acquisition unit that 16 that acquires, from the map database, map data of the surroundings of the location measured by the location and direction measurement unit, and that gathers road data from the map data; a camera 7 that captures video images ahead of the vehicle; a video image acquisition unit 8 that acquires the video images ahead of the vehicle captured by the camera; a video image composition processing unit 14 that creates a video image in which a picture of a road denoted by road data gathered by the road data acquisition unit is superimposed on the video image acquired by the video image acquisition unit; and a display unit 10 that displays the video image created by the video image composition processing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Yamaguchi, Takashi Nakagawa, Toyoaki Kitano, Hideto Miyazaki, Tsutomu Matsubara
  • Patent number: 7742610
    Abstract: A control signal is generated by an operating means for being operated by a driver. In response to this control signal, an input signal to rear-seat headphones is temporarily attenuated or is replaced by another given signal or a transmission signal from the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Hibino, Toyoaki Kitano, Ikuo Saga
  • Publication number: 20100142734
    Abstract: In correspondence with the left and right external ears of a listener occupying a seat, a three dimensional sound field reproducing unit includes at least more than two speakers disposed on a headrest on the top of a backrest of the seat, and three dimensional signal processing means which converts an output signal from a sound source into a three dimensional sound field signal for supplying it to each of the speakers. Three dimensional sound field with high accuracy and fidelity is reproduced near the external ears of the listener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Daisuke ARAI, Fujio Hayakawa, Toyoaki Kitano, Yutaka Kotani, Yutaka Yamagishi, Masahiro Ieda
  • Patent number: 7684577
    Abstract: In correspondence with the left and right external ears of a listener occupying a seat, a three dimensional sound field reproducing unit includes at least more than two speakers disposed on a headrest on the top of a backrest of the seat, and three dimensional signal processing means which converts an output signal from a sound source into a three dimensional sound field signal for supplying it to each of the speakers. Three dimensional sound field with high accuracy and fidelity is reproduced near the external ears of the listener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Arai, Fujio Hayakawa, Toyoaki Kitano, Yutaka Kotani, Yutaka Yamagishi, Masahiro Ieda
  • Patent number: 7440578
    Abstract: A vehicle-mounted three dimensional sound signal reproducing•silencing unit includes at least two speakers disposed for each of seats to be occupied by listeners so as to generate a three dimensional sound field space in a region inclusive of left and right external ears of each of the listeners, and three dimensional signal processing means for converting an output signal from a sound source into a three dimensional sound field signal for supplying it to each of the speakers, thereby reproducing a three dimensional sound field with rich presence for each of the seats. The unit also includes antiphase signal generating means for supplying a silencing signal to the three dimensional signal processing means, thereby silencing sounds for each of the seats without giving an effect on the other seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Arai, Fujio Hayakawa, Toyoaki Kitano, Yutaka Kotani, Yutaka Yamagishi, Masahiro Ieda
  • Patent number: 7280166
    Abstract: In an integrated type video reproducing equipment having a reproducing unit for reproducing the video information, a display unit for displaying the reproduced video information, and a chassis for supporting them, the equipment is provided with supporting means for supporting the displacement of both the units, and fixing means for fixing the displacement so that both the units are able to displace in a predetermined direction and to fixe and house in a predetermined position. Thus, there is provided a small-sized video reproducing equipment which is superior in the operability and visibility when in use as well as in the housing efficiency when housed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeru Nagata, Toshiyuki Kuroda, Yasuo Komatsu, Toyoaki Kitano, Ikuo Saga
  • Patent number: 7084746
    Abstract: An obstacle detection device includes: a hyperboloidal mirror contained near a tip of a pole mounted at the corner of a vehicle; an image pickup unit for picking up an image shown in the hyperboloidal mirror; a signal processing circuit that performs an image signal processing for allowing easy viewability of the image picked up by the image pickup unit; and a display unit that is mounted in the vehicle compartment of the vehicle and displays the image signal processed by the signal processing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideto Miyazaki, Toyoaki Kitano
  • Patent number: 7015799
    Abstract: A device installation apparatus for a mobile body is disposed in a position sandwiched between a driver's seat 107a and a assistant driver's seat 197b in an automobile vehicle 100, and is constituted by a center console box 109, as an installing means, movable along a rail portion 110, in which a desired device such as a CD player 201, a cassette tape player 202, a DVD player 203 or the like can be installed. Having been constituted as above, it allows passengers seated other than in front seats an easy access to the desired device 200, remarkably improving the convenience of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toyoaki Kitano, Masahiro Ieda, Osamu Kono, Shimon Okada, Kei Kasuga, Shinichi Kato
  • Patent number: 6820004
    Abstract: In response to a voice request from a facility judgment means which judges the location of such a facility from the current position selected in advance based on the current position and map data, the voice guidance generated by guidance synchronizing means is converted by stereophonic or three dimensional signal processing means into a stereophonic or three dimensional sound field signal, and outputted to at least two or more speakers which generate a stereophonic or three dimensional sound field reproducing space corresponding to the left and right external ears of a listener. The distance to, and the direction of, the facility that has been selected in advance are informed by the movement of an image of a stereophonic or three dimensional sound with rich presence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Arai, Fujio Hayakawa, Toyoaki Kitano, Yutaka Kotani, Yutaka Yamagishi, Masahiro Ieda
  • Publication number: 20040201674
    Abstract: An obstacle detection device includes: a hyperboloidal mirror contained near a tip of a pole mounted at the corner of a vehicle; an image pickup unit for picking up an image shown in the hyperboloidal mirror; a signal processing circuit that performs an image signal processing for allowing easy viewability of the image picked up by the image pickup unit; and a display unit that is mounted in the vehicle compartment of the vehicle and displays the image signal processed by the signal processing circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideto Miyazaki, Toyoaki Kitano
  • Patent number: 6804593
    Abstract: A steering system for mobile unit has a steering section 200 for steering a mobile unit having an operation section 210 on a part thereof, and a control section 240 for enabling the mobile unit to be steered, when the steering section 200 is set at a first installed position, and enabling the operation section 210 to make an operation on the device, when the steering section 200 is set at a second installed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toyoaki Kitano, Masahiro Ieda, Osamu Kono, Yasuhisa Nakamura, Shimon Okada, Kei Kasuga, Shinichi Kato
  • Patent number: 6752444
    Abstract: A central console unit is disposed in a position between a driver's seat and a front-passenger's seat in a motor vehicle as a mobile body and disposes desired devices such as a CD player, a cassette tape player, a DVD player, or the like, is arranged to allow the central console unit to be positioned along a rail to a predetermined position corresponding to each of the seats in the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toyoaki Kitano, Masahiro Ieda, Osamu Kono, Yasuhisa Nakamura, Shimon Okada, Kei Kasuga, Shinichi Kato