Masaki Kitago

Title: Masaki Kitago: Inventor in Vehicle Positioning and Image Encoding

Introduction

Masaki Kitago is an inventor based in Kawasaki, Japan. His work includes vehicle-position estimation and image-processing technologies, and he is associated with Canon Kabushiki Kaisha and Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha. He is credited with 8 patents.

Latest Patents

One of Kitago’s latest patents is “Host Vehicle Position Estimation Device.” The invention describes a system that identifies a planar object in a captured image and obtains information about its center point. It calculates the object’s longitudinal distance from the host vehicle and uses that distance, together with the object’s mapped position, to estimate the vehicle’s location.

Another patent, “Image Encoding Apparatus, Image Decoding Apparatus, Methods of Controlling the Same, and Storage Medium,” addresses the efficient storage and management of light-field data. The encoding apparatus calculates average pixel values across corresponding pixels in multiple viewpoint images, creates an image focused at a predetermined focal position, and encodes difference information that can be used to derive the original pixel values.

Career Highlights

Kitago’s listed company affiliations connect his inventive work with Canon and Toyota. The patent subjects provided reflect applications in both imaging technology and vehicle positioning.

Collaborations

Kitago’s listed coworkers include Kojiro Tateishi and Hiroshi Oto.

Conclusion

Masaki Kitago’s patent portfolio spans image encoding and vehicle-position estimation, illustrating his contributions to technologies for managing visual data and locating vehicles.