Patents by Inventor Tsuyoshi Kanuma
Tsuyoshi Kanuma 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).
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Patent number: 9725034Abstract: A method of emanating a sound from a vehicle comprising detecting an accelerator state, a brake state, and a transmission state of the vehicle, and emanating a take-off sound. The take-off sound includes changing emanation of a sound profile from a first sound pressure level to a second sound pressure level that is greater than the first sound pressure level, upon first detecting the accelerator state transitioned from an accelerator released state to an accelerator depressed state while the brake state indicates the brake released state and the transmission state indicates a motive state.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2015Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Heather Konet, Tsuyoshi Kanuma, Manabu Sato, Toshiyuki Tabata, Andy Christensen
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Patent number: 9725035Abstract: A method of emanating a sound from a vehicle comprising detecting a speed of the vehicle, and emanating a speed sound, including emanating a sound profile and changing at least one of a sound pressure level and a pitch of the sound profile in relation to the speed of the vehicle changing. The method further comprises ceasing emanation of the speed sound upon the speed of the vehicle increasing from below a first threshold to above the first threshold, and resuming emanation of the speed sound upon the speed of the vehicle decreasing from above a second threshold to below the second threshold, the second threshold being less than the first threshold.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2015Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Heather Konet, Tsuyoshi Kanuma, Manabu Sato, Toshiyuki Tabata, Andy Christensen
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Publication number: 20160023595Abstract: A method of emanating a sound from a vehicle comprising detecting an accelerator state, a brake state, and a transmission state of the vehicle, and emanating a take-off sound. The take-off sound includes changing emanation of a sound profile from a first sound pressure level to a second sound pressure level that is greater than the first sound pressure level, upon first detecting the accelerator state transitioned from an accelerator released state to an accelerator depressed state while the brake state indicates the brake released state and the transmission state indicates a motive state.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2015Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventors: Heather Konet, Tsuyoshi Kanuma, Manabu Sato, Toshiyuki Tabata, Andy Christensen
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Publication number: 20160023596Abstract: A method of emanating a sound from a vehicle comprising detecting a speed of the vehicle, and emanating a speed sound, including emanating a sound profile and changing at least one of a sound pressure level and a pitch of the sound profile in relation to the speed of the vehicle changing. The method further comprises ceasing emanation of the speed sound upon the speed of the vehicle increasing from below a first threshold to above the first threshold, and resuming emanation of the speed sound upon the speed of the vehicle decreasing from above a second threshold to below the second threshold, the second threshold being less than the first threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2015Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventors: Heather Konet, Tsuyoshi Kanuma, Manabu Sato, Toshiyuki Tabata, Andy Christensen
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Patent number: 9180813Abstract: A vehicle notification sound emitting apparatus is basically provided with a first sound emitting device, a second sound emitting device and a notification sound control device. The first sound emitting device emits a first intermittent notification sound inside a cabin interior of a vehicle. The second sound emitting device emits a second intermittent notification sound outside of the cabin interior of the vehicle. The notification sound control device operates the first and second sound emitting devices to separately emit the first and second intermittent notification sounds in at least a partially overlapping pattern in response to occurrence of a vehicle condition to convey a same type of vehicle information to both inside and outside of the cabin interior of the vehicle. The notification sound control device includes a cabin interior-exterior notification sound synchronizing section that is configured to synchronize the first and second intermittent notification sounds.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2011Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hironori Saito, Katsumi Kimura, Tsuyoshi Kanuma, Hideo Yoshino, Yuji Watanabe, Toshiyuki Yamamoto
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Patent number: 9150153Abstract: A method of emanating a sound from a vehicle includes detecting a transmission state and a brake state of the vehicle and determining whether a vehicle movement state indicates intent to move the vehicle from a stationary state based on the transmission state and the brake state. The method further includes emanating the sound when the vehicle movement state indicates intent to move the vehicle, and refraining from emanating the sound when the vehicle is in the stationary state and the vehicle movement state fails to indicate intent to move the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2012Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Heather Konet, Tsuyoshi Kanuma, Manabu Sato, Toshiyuki Tabata, Andy Christensen
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Patent number: 8773253Abstract: A vehicle notification sound emitting apparatus is basically provided with a sound emitting device and a notification sound control device. The sound emitting device emits a movement notification sound to outside of a vehicle to inform a person in an area surrounding the vehicle that the vehicle is moving at a low speed. The notification sound control device operates the sound emitting device to selectively emit the movement notification sound. The notification sound control device includes a notification sound prohibiting section and a prohibition cancelling section. The notification sound prohibiting section prohibits an emission of the movement notification sound by the sound emitting device. The prohibition cancelling section cancels a notification sound emission prohibition imposed by the notification sound prohibiting section either upon a vehicle speed of the vehicle exceeding a prescribed vehicle speed or based on position information of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2011Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideo Yoshino, Tsuyoshi Kanuma, Yoshiro Tateishi, Hironori Saito, Katsumi Kimura
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Patent number: 8730020Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle to emanate an audible alert. The method includes determining when the vehicle is operating, and controlling a speaker system in the vehicle to emanate the audible alert outside of the vehicle for a period of time when the vehicle is operating. The audible alert has a sound profile that includes a simultaneous emanation of a first audible frequency component at a first sound pressure level and a second audible frequency component at a second sound pressure level, with the first and second sound pressure levels being greater than a sound pressure level of the sound profile at all other frequencies. The method further includes modulating the first sound pressure level of the first audible frequency component.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Heather Konet, Tsuyoshi Kanuma, Manabu Sato, Toshiyuki Tabata
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Patent number: 8730027Abstract: A vehicle notification sound emitting apparatus is basically provided with a sound emitting device and a notification sound control device. The sound emitting device emits a starting movement notification sound to outside of a vehicle to inform a person in an outside area surrounding the vehicle that the vehicle will transition from a stopped state to a moving state, and emits a moving notification sound to outside of the vehicle to inform a person in the outside area surrounding the vehicle that the vehicle is moving. The notification sound control device operates the sound emitting device to selectively emit the starting movement notification sound. The notification sound control device includes a notification sound emission timing section that sets a start timing of the starting movement notification sound in response to a shift operation having been performed and an additional start movement preparation operation of the vehicle having been performed.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hironori Saito, Katsumi Kimura, Tsuyoshi Kanuma, Hideo Yoshino, Yuji Watanabe, Toshiyuki Yamamoto
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Patent number: 8669858Abstract: A vehicle notification sound emitting apparatus is basically provided with a sound emitting device and a notification sound control device. The sound emitting device is configured to emit a movement notification sound to an outside of a vehicle to inform a person in an area surrounding the vehicle that the vehicle will move. The notification sound control device is configured to operate the sound emitting device in response to occurrence of a vehicle condition. The notification sound control device setting the movement notification sound of the sound emitting device to a frequency in a range of 1.5 kHz to 6 kHz.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2011Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Nissan Motor Co, Ltd.Inventors: Hideo Yoshino, Tsuyoshi Kanuma, Hironori Saito, Katsumi Kimura, Yuji Watanabe, Toshiyuki Yamamoto
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Patent number: 8665081Abstract: A vehicle notification sound emitting apparatus is basically provided with a sound emitting device and a notification sound control device. The sound emitting device emits forward and reverse advancement notification sounds outside of a vehicle to inform a person in an area surrounding the vehicle that the vehicle will move. The notification sound control device operates the sound emitting device to selectively emit the forward and reverse movement notifications. The notification sound control device includes forward and reverse advancement notification sound emission timing sections. A start timing of the forward advancement notification sound is set in response to both a forward movement shift operation having been performed and an additional start movement preparation operation of the vehicle having been performed. A start timing of the reverse movement notification sound is set to be emitted immediately in response to the reverse movement shift operation having been performed.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2011Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideo Yoshino, Tsuyoshi Kanuma, Hironori Saito, Katsumi Kimura, Yuji Watanabe, Toshiyuki Yamamoto
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Patent number: 8599006Abstract: A vehicle notification sound emitting apparatus is basically provided with a sound emitting device and a notification sound control device. The sound emitting device is configured to emit a movement notification sound to outside of a vehicle to inform a person in an area surrounding the vehicle that the vehicle will move. The notification sound control device is configured to operate the sound emitting device to emit a movement notification during a period from when a vehicle speed becomes equal to or smaller than a prescribed value until a prescribed amount of time has elapsed in a situation where the vehicle speed becomes equal to or smaller than the prescribed value while the forward movement notification sound is being emitted.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2011Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hironori Saito, Katsumi Kimura, Tsuyoshi Kanuma, Hideo Yoshino, Yuji Watanabe, Toshiyuki Yamamoto
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Publication number: 20130214920Abstract: A method of emanating a sound from a vehicle includes detecting a transmission state and a brake state of the vehicle and determining whether a vehicle movement state indicates intent to move the vehicle from a stationary state based on the transmission state and the brake state. The method further includes emanating the sound when the vehicle movement state indicates intent to move the vehicle, and refraining from emanating the sound when the vehicle is in the stationary state and the vehicle movement state fails to indicate intent to move the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2012Publication date: August 22, 2013Applicant: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Heather Konet, Tsuyoshi Kanuma, Manabu Sato, Toshiyuki Tabata, Andy Christensen
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Publication number: 20130009769Abstract: A vehicle notification sound emitting apparatus is basically provided with a sound emitting device and a notification sound control device. The sound emitting device is configured to emit a movement notification sound to outside of a vehicle to inform a person in an area surrounding the vehicle that the vehicle will move. The notification sound control device is configured to operate the sound emitting device to emit a movement notification during a period from when a vehicle speed becomes equal to or smaller than a prescribed value until a prescribed amount of time has elapsed in a situation where the vehicle speed becomes equal to or smaller than the prescribed value while the forward movement notification sound is being emitted.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2011Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Hironori Saito, Katsumi Kimura, Tsuyoshi Kanuma, Hideo Yoshino, Yuji Watanabe, Toshiyuki Yamamoto
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Publication number: 20120299718Abstract: A vehicle notification sound emitting apparatus is basically provided with a sound emitting device and a notification sound control device. The sound emitting device emits a movement notification sound to outside of a vehicle to inform a person in an area surrounding the vehicle that the vehicle is moving at a low speed. The notification sound control device operates the sound emitting device to selectively emit the movement notification sound. The notification sound control device includes a notification sound prohibiting section and a prohibition cancelling section. The notification sound prohibiting section prohibits an emission of the movement notification sound by the sound emitting device. The prohibition cancelling section cancels a notification sound emission prohibition imposed by the notification sound prohibiting section either upon a vehicle speed of the vehicle exceeding a prescribed vehicle speed or based on position information of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2011Publication date: November 29, 2012Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Hideo Yoshino, Tsuyoshi Kanuma, Yoshiro Tateishi, Hironori Saito, Katsumi Kimura
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Publication number: 20120299716Abstract: A vehicle notification sound emitting apparatus is basically provided with a sound emitting device and a notification sound control device. The sound emitting device emits forward and reverse advancement notification sounds outside of a vehicle to inform a person in an area surrounding the vehicle that the vehicle will move. The notification sound control device operates the sound emitting device to selectively emit the forward and reverse movement notifications. The notification sound control device includes forward and reverse advancement notification sound emission timing sections. A start timing of the forward advancement notification sound is set in response to both a forward movement shift operation having been performed and an additional start movement preparation operation of the vehicle having been performed. A start timing of the reverse movement notification sound is set to be emitted immediately in response to the reverse movement shift operation having been performed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2011Publication date: November 29, 2012Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Hideo Yoshino, Tsuyoshi Kanuma, Hironori Saito, Katsumi Kimura, Yuji Watanabe, Toshiyuki Yamamoto
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Publication number: 20120299717Abstract: A vehicle notification sound emitting apparatus is basically provided with a sound emitting device and a notification sound control device. The sound emitting device is configured to emit a movement notification sound to an outside of a vehicle to inform a person in an area surrounding the vehicle that the vehicle will move. The notification sound control device is configured to operate the sound emitting device in response to occurrence of a vehicle condition. The notification sound control device setting the movement notification sound of the sound emitting device to a frequency in a range of 1.5 kHz to 6 kHz.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2011Publication date: November 29, 2012Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Hideo Yoshino, Tsuyoshi Kanuma, Hironori Saito, Katsumi Kimura, Yuji Watanabe, Toshiyuki Yamamoto
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Publication number: 20120293318Abstract: A vehicle notification sound emitting apparatus is basically provided with a sound emitting device and a notification sound control device. The sound emitting device emits a starting movement notification sound to outside of a vehicle to inform a person in an outside area surrounding the vehicle that the vehicle will transition from a stopped state to a moving state, and emits a moving notification sound to outside of the vehicle to inform a person in the outside area surrounding the vehicle that the vehicle is moving. The notification sound control device operates the sound emitting device to selectively emit the starting movement notification sound. The notification sound control device includes a notification sound emission timing section that sets a start timing of the starting movement notification sound in response to a shift operation having been performed and an additional start movement preparation operation of the vehicle having been performed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2011Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Hironori Saito, Katsumi Kimura, Tsuyoshi Kanuma, Hideo Yoshino, Yuji Watanabe, Toshiyuki Yamamoto
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Publication number: 20120296520Abstract: A vehicle notification sound emitting apparatus is basically provided with a first sound emitting device, a second sound emitting device and a notification sound control device. The first sound emitting device emits a first intermittent notification sound inside a cabin interior of a vehicle. The second sound emitting device emits a second intermittent notification sound outside of the cabin interior of the vehicle. The notification sound control device operates the first and second sound emitting devices to separately emit the first and second intermittent notification sounds in at least a partially overlapping pattern in response to occurrence of a vehicle condition to convey a same type of vehicle information to both inside and outside of the cabin interior of the vehicle. The notification sound control device includes a cabin interior-exterior notification sound synchronizing section that is configured to synchronize the first and second intermittent notification sounds.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2011Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Hironori Saito, Katsumi Kimura, Tsuyoshi Kanuma, Hideo Yoshino, Yuji Watanabe, Toshiyuki Yamamoto
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Patent number: 8299904Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle to emanate an audible alert including determining when the vehicle is operating, and controlling a speaker system in the vehicle to emanate the audible alert outside of the vehicle when the vehicle is operating based on stored information representative of an internal combustion engine (ICE) noise profile. The audible alert has a sound profile including a simultaneous emanation of first, second and third audible frequency components having first, second and third frequencies, respectively, with the first and second frequencies emanating at first and second sound pressure levels greater than first and second representative sound pressure levels of the ICE noise profile at the first and second frequencies, respectively, and the third frequency emanating at a third sound pressure level less than a third representative sound pressure level of the ICE noise profile at the third frequency.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2010Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Heather Konet, Tsuyoshi Kanuma, Manabu Sato, Toshiyuki Tabata