Patents by Inventor Yukihisa Takaoka

Yukihisa Takaoka 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: 11920324
    Abstract: A first process acquires movement data including a position of a lead machine. A second process controls one or more work machines so that the one or more work machines follows the lead machine based on the movement data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventor: Yukihisa Takaoka
  • Patent number: 11899461
    Abstract: A system automatically controls a work machine including a work implement. The system includes a load sensor and a processor. The load sensor detects load data indicative of a load applied to the work implement. The processor acquires the load data. The processor executes a load reduction control in order to cause the work machine to operate so as to reduce the load based on the load applied to the work implement during digging. The processor records, as a reference position, a position of the work machine when the load applied to the work implement during the digging becomes a predetermined threshold or greater. The processor determines a next starting position based on the reference position. The processor controls the work machine to start next digging from the next starting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventor: Yukihisa Takaoka
  • Patent number: 11746504
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a work implement. A control system for the work vehicle includes a controller. The controller acquires an end position and a target distance of work performed by a work vehicle. The controller determines, as a start position, a position that is away from the end position by the target distance. The controller generates a command signal to start work from the start position toward the end position and to operate the work implement according to a target design topography. The controller modifies the target distance based on a result of the work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Yukihisa Takaoka, Kazuki Kure
  • Publication number: 20230183943
    Abstract: A system includes a plurality of work machines, a communication device, an operating device, and a controller. The plurality of work machines are able to operate automatically. The plurality of work machines include a first work machine and a second work machine. The communication device communicates wirelessly with the plurality of work machines. The operating device transmits an operation signal to the plurality of work machines via the communication device. The operating device is able to operate the plurality of work machines remotely and individually. The controller disables the operation of the operating device on the first work machine when the first work machine and the second work machine are operating automatically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Yuuichi KADONO, Yukihisa TAKAOKA
  • Patent number: 11598073
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a work implement. A control system for the work vehicle includes a controller. The controller acquires work range data indicative of a work range. The controller determines a division distance by dividing an entire length of the work range by a predetermined number of divisions. The controller determines a plurality of starting positions so that the distance between each starting position matches the division distance in the work range. The controller generates an instruction signal to actuate the work implement from the plurality of starting positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Yukihisa Takaoka, Kazuki Kure
  • Patent number: 11578473
    Abstract: At least a portion of a first target design topography is positioned below an actual topography. At least a portion of a second target design topography is positioned below the actual topography and is inclined with respect to the first target design topography. A controller generates a command signal to operate a work implement according to the first target design topography in an area where the first target design topography is positioned above the second target design topography. The controller generates a command signal to operate the work implement according to the second target design topography in an area where the second target design topography is positioned above the first target design topography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Yukihisa Takaoka, Kazuki Kure
  • Patent number: 11459734
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a work implement. A control system for the work vehicle includes a controller. The controller determines a target design terrain indicating a target trajectory of the work implement, and operates the work implement to dump materials on a current terrain sequentially from a nearer side to a farther side of the work vehicle in accordance with the target design terrain. At least a part of the target design terrain is located above the current terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Yukihisa Takaoka, Kazuki Kure
  • Patent number: 11447932
    Abstract: A work machine includes a work implement. A control system for the work machine includes a controller. The controller acquires cliff position data. The cliff position data indicates a position of a cliff included in an actual topography of a work site. The controller determines a target design topography located below the actual topography. The controller determines an end position of work by the work implement from the cliff position data. The controller generates a command signal to move a work implement according to the end position and the target design topography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventor: Yukihisa Takaoka
  • Patent number: 11447933
    Abstract: A control system for a work vehicle includes a controller. The controller determines a work zone at a work site. The controller determines a target design topography at least partially positioned below an actual topography at the work site. The controller specifies a non-work zone. The non-work zone is a portion in which the actual topography is positioned below the target design topography in the work zone. The controller modifies the work zone based on the non-work zone. The controller generates a command signal to operate a work implement of the work vehicle according to the modified work zone and the target design topography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Yukihisa Takaoka, Kazuki Kure
  • Patent number: 11414840
    Abstract: A controller acquires a size of a recess included in an actual topography within a work range. The controller determines whether the size of the recess is larger than a predetermined recess threshold. When the size of the recess is larger than the predetermined recess threshold, the controller determines a first area and a second area divided at a position of the recess in the work range. The controller determines a first target design topography indicative of a target trajectory of a work implement for the first area. The controller generates a command signal to operate the work implement according to the first target design topography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventor: Yukihisa Takaoka
  • Publication number: 20220195703
    Abstract: A controller is configured to determine a target excavation depth of a first pass based on a position of an excavation end, a target soil amount, and an excavation distance. The controller is configured to move a work implement to the target excavation depth of the first pass to execute an excavation of the first pass. The controller is configured to acquire an actual soil amount excavated in the first pass. The controller is configured to modify the target soil amount based on the actual soil amount. The controller is configured to determine the target excavation depth of a second pass based on the modified target soil amount. The controller is configured to move the work implement to the target excavation depth of the second pass to execute the excavation of the second pass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Yukihisa TAKAOKA, Kota BEPPU, Yuto FUJII, Toru KURAKANE
  • Publication number: 20220178107
    Abstract: One or more processors control a first work machine to work according to a first work lane. The one or more processors control a second work machine to work according to a second work lane. The one or more processors determine whether at least a part of the second work machine is located in a first work area. When at least a part of the second work machine is located in the first work area, the one or more processors control the first work machine to perform an interference avoidance operation with respect to the second work machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventor: Yukihisa TAKAOKA
  • Publication number: 20220106768
    Abstract: A system includes an input device, a display, and a processor that receives a signal indicative of operation of the input device and outputs a signal to display an image on the display. The processor acquires current terrain data and displays a site image indicative of at least a part of a work site on the display based on the current terrain data. The processor acquires area data including a position and size of a work area designated by the input device on the site image. The processor acquires work data indicative of a work direction in the work area. The processor determines an arrangement of a plurality of work lanes extending in the work direction in the work area based on the area data and the work data. The processor sends an automatic operation command to the work machine according to the arrangement of the work lanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventor: Yukihisa TAKAOKA
  • Publication number: 20220106769
    Abstract: A system controls a work machine at a work site. The system includes a machine position sensor that detects a position of the work machine, a shovel position sensor that detects a position of a shovel, and a controller that acquires machine position data indicative of the position of the work machine and shovel position data indicative of the position of the shovel. The controller determines a work area that includes a plurality of work lanes extending in a predetermined work direction at the work site. The controller allocates the work machine to the plurality of work lanes. The controller determines, as a work restricted area of the work machine, a predetermined range in which the position of the shovel is used as a reference at the work site. The controller controls the work machine so that automatic operation of the work machine in the work restricted area is restricted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventor: Yukihisa TAKAOKA
  • Publication number: 20220049473
    Abstract: A system controls a work machine including a work implement. The system includes a load sensor and a processor. The load sensor detects a load acting on the work implement. The processor controls the work machine to dig a digging wall formed between adjacent slots. The processor moves the work machine to either one of the adjacent slots adjacent to the digging wall when the load during digging the digging wall is equal to or greater than a first threshold. A method is executed by a processor to control the work machine. The method includes detecting a load acting on the work implement, controlling the work machine to dig the digging wall, and moving the work machine to one of the adjacent slots when the load during digging the digging wall is equal to or greater than a first threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventor: Yukihisa TAKAOKA
  • Publication number: 20220010533
    Abstract: A work machine includes a work implement. A control system for the work machine includes a processor. The processor acquires actual topography data indicative of an actual topography of a work site. The processor acquires work path data. The work path data indicates positions of a plurality of work paths aligned in a lateral direction in the actual topography. The processor determines a target trajectory for each of the plurality of work paths. Each target trajectory for the plurality of work paths is positioned on a same virtual horizontal surface in the lateral direction. The processor controls a work machine so that a work implement moves according to the target trajectory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventor: Yukihisa TAKAOKA
  • Publication number: 20220002966
    Abstract: A work machine includes a work implement. A control system for the work machine includes a processor. The processor acquires actual topography data indicative of an actual topography of a work site. The processor acquires work data including a width of a work implement. The processor generates work path data based on the actual topography data and the work data. The work path data indicates positions of a plurality of work paths aligned in a lateral direction. The processer determines a work order of the plurality of work paths based on the work path data. The processer controls a work machine to perform work according to the work paths in the work order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventor: Yukihisa TAKAOKA
  • Publication number: 20210395978
    Abstract: A first process acquires movement data including a position of a lead machine. A second process controls one or more work machines so that the one or more work machines follows the lead machine based on the movement data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventor: Yukihisa TAKAOKA
  • Patent number: 11149412
    Abstract: A controller for a work machine acquires current topography data indicating a current topography to be worked. The controller determines a target design topography based on the current topography. The target design topography indicates a target trajectory of a work implement. The controller generates a command signal to operate the work implement to excavate the current topography according to the target design topography. The controller acquires excavated topography data indicating a current topography that has been excavated. The controller modifies the target design topography to move the target design topography upwardly based on the excavated current topography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Yukihisa Takaoka, Kazuki Kure
  • Publication number: 20210317640
    Abstract: A system automatically controls a work machine including a work implement. The system includes a processor. The processor controls the work machine by selectively executing a normal digging mode in order to dig an actual topography at a work site, and a wall digging mode in order to dig a digging wall formed between a plurality of slots by digging the actual topography. When the wall digging mode is executed, the processor acquires starting edge position data indicative of a position of a starting edge of the digging wall. The processor determines a digging starting position based on the position of the starting edge of the digging wall. The processor controls the work machine to dig the digging wall from the digging starting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventor: Yukihisa TAKAOKA