patent

Did you know there are self-driving, driverless taxis?

While not in Japan, companies like Waymo—part of Alphabet Inc., the same parent company as Google—are actually operating self-driving taxi services in urban areas like San Francisco and Los Angeles in the United States. Just like Uber taxis, which are now widely used in Japan, you simply download the app, enter your pickup location and destination, and Waymo will come to pick you up just like a regular taxi. Since your credit card information is linked during app registration, payment is automatically processed after the ride, eliminating any hassle.

A friend recently rode one. They found it strange there was no one in the driver’s seat, but said it arrived safely at their destination just like a regular taxi. They also enjoyed the comfort of not needing to tip—a must in the US—and not having to worry about the driver. Differences from regular taxis include opening/closing doors via the app, the vehicle starting automatically once you fasten your seatbelt, being able to set your preferred music genre after boarding, and knowing the estimated arrival time, making it seem more convenient.

Waymo appears to be a global pioneer in autonomous driving, holding numerous patents including Japanese Patent Registration No. 7712751 (Thermal imaging for self-driving vehicles) and Japanese Patent Registration No. 6985523 (Determining and responding to internal conditions of a vehicle).

In Japan, test drives have begun in Tokyo. I think it would be convenient not only for tourist areas but also as taxis for the elderly in depopulated areas, or as privately owned vehicles that even people with limited mobility could drive, enabling their use for picking up and dropping off children. I look forward to the continued evolution of autonomous driving technology. (Chamomile)

Waymo – Self-Driving Cars – Autonomous Vehicles – Ride-Hail
https://waymo.com/intl/jp/waymo-in-japan/ (Japanese)

September 1st is Disaster Prevention Day. I maintain a rolling stock of food for disaster preparation, and I found bread at a store which the expiration date is over a month. It’s sold by Komo Co., Ltd., headquartered in Komaki City, Aichi Prefecture. Unusually for bread, it’s also sold in vending machines and can be purchased at stations and airports. I see Danish pastries most often, but croissants and pies are also available.

The reason for its long-term storage is reportedly the use of Panettone yeast, combined with minimizing moisture content to the absolute limit, which suppresses bacterial growth. I had assumed some additive was extending the shelf life, so learning it’s due to the yeast type makes me feel safe letting my kids eat it. When I actually gave it to my children, they said it tasted just as good as other bread with shorter shelf lives and ate several pieces.

Given its unique feature of an extended shelf life—something ordinary bread can’t achieve—I wondered if it held patents. Upon checking, I found it was indeed patented under Japanese Patent Numbers 1721291 and 2971634, though the patents have since expired.

Komo Co., Ltd. seems to be the pioneer and industry leader in long-life bread. As a local company, I want to keep buying their products to support them. Their goods are even being served at the ongoing Osaka-Kansai Expo! (Chamomile)

https://www.comoshop.jp/tokutyo/　（Japanese only）
https://www.atpress.ne.jp/news/437689 (Japanese only)

Recently, crimes involving illegal part-time jobs have become a serious social issue.

The Metropolitan Police Department has decided to implement a system that automatically detects illegal part-time job postings on social media using AI (reference site: Japanese only). Currently, police officers search social media posts and select those requiring warnings. However, under the new system, AI will automatically detect terms such as “short-term high-paying jobs” and classify risks into several categories.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2025-52899 (Applicant: SoftBank Group Corp.) discloses an invention for a system to prevent illegal part-time jobs using generative AI. In this invention, a data processing system performs the following processes, for example.

Step 1: The generative AI-based system for preventing illegal part-time jobs initiates chat-based communication with job seekers.
Step 2: A data collection module collects detailed information about illegal part-time work through interactions with job seekers.
Step 3: The collected information is reported to police authorities via a communication module to prevent incidents.

I hope that such technology will contribute to the realization of a safe and secure society free from crime. (Conan)

It’s Swimmer.
I went to “Natual History Mania” held at the Fukiage Hall in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. It was an event hosted by TV Aichi with a theme of natural science, featuring fun lectures on stage and over 100 booths displaying and selling various items.

As I walked around the venue, I came across a booth where patent numbers were displayed among fossils, minerals, various biological specimens, and mainly handmade items. There, various animals created using a patented 3D printing method were on display, making it a fascinating and intriguing shop.
I accidentally forgot to ask for permission to post this on my blog, so I’ll include the patent information here.
↓
Three dimensional shape data creation method for three dimensional model, three dimensional model manufacturing method, and three dimensional model
https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1801/PU/JP-7580688/15/en

As part of my job, I immediately looked up the patent information when I got home.

Natual History Mania Homepage (Japanese only)
https://tv-aichi.co.jp/hakubutsumania/
【Official】Natual History Mania SNS
@hakubutsumania

　Crème brûlée is a French dessert similar to pudding, with the name meaning “burnt cream.” The main difference from regular pudding is the hard caramelized crust on the surface.

　Ohayo Milk’s “BRULEE” is an ice cream with a crispy caramel layer on the surface, just like authentic crème brûlée.

　The patent number (Japanese Patent No. 6732945) was listed, so I looked it up. The invention is titled “Surface-Baked Food and Its Manufacturing Method,” and both the product and the method are patented. In the summary, the invention involves an ice cream (first food) and a caramel layer (a layer of heated sugar products) separated by a layer containing chocolate or other fats (second food), which helps maintain the crispy texture of the caramel layer. Looking at the ingredient list, “chocolate coating” was listed, so this is likely the “second food” referred to in the patent claims. Despite containing chocolate, it doesn’t taste like chocolate, remaining true to its “crème brûlée” flavor, which highlights the food processing technology. I savored the crispy, slightly bitter caramel.

　The price is a bit on the high side (around 400 yen at Seven-Eleven), but as the weather gets warmer, I look forward to enjoying it again as a special treat after a hard day’s work. (Marron)