Abstract: In a passenger restraint device for an automotive vehicle, when the relative speed of the vehicle with respect to a crash object changes as a result of a driving maneuver of the vehicle performed before a crash, the actual crash time deviates from an estimated crash time calculated from the distance and the relative speed of the vehicle and the crash object. To resolve this, the actuation timing, actuation rise time and seat belt tension of a seat belt reeling-in device are varied on the basis of information relating to a deceleration rate that is a rate of decrease of the relative speed.

Abstract: In an engine ignition system, an igniter for an ignition coil is connected to an ECU through a signal wire. The signal wire is grounded via the collector and the emitter of a bipolar transistor of an output circuit of the igniter. A constant current source outputs a current to the base of the bipolar transistor. Switching transistors are connected between the emitter and base of the bipolar transistor. When all the switching transistors are turned off, the bipolar transistor is turned on.

Abstract: A method for producing a range data includes: irradiating a pulse light toward an object during a first time period; receiving a reflected pulse light during the first time period and a second time period; calculating a ratio between a first or second received light amount and a total received light amount, wherein the first received light amount is a light amount received during the first time period, wherein the second received light amount is a light amount received during the second time period, and wherein the total received light amount is a sum of the first and second received light amounts; and producing the range data based on the ratio.

Abstract: A system for controlling behaviors of a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a first transmission device (for example, an ABS ECU), a second transmission device (for example, an engine ECU), and a reception/processing unit (i.e., a superior control unit). The first transmission device transmits a first time-dependent data to be used for controlling behaviors of the vehicle, while the second transmission device transmits a second time-dependent data to be used for controlling behaviors of the vehicle. The reception/processing unit receives both of the first and second time-dependent data and performs processing to ensure simultaneity between the first and second time-dependent data that have been received. The reception/processing unit also produces parameters for controlling the behaviors of the vehicle using both of the first and second time-dependent data which have been subjected to the simultaneity-ensuring processing.