Abstract: A power conversion device includes an input current sensor, an input voltage sensor, a power converter, an output voltage sensor for detecting an output voltage from the power converter, an output current sensor for detecting an output current value from the power converter, and a controller for controlling the power converter. The controller obtains an allowable current value that can be accepted from an external alternating current power source, and, controls the power converter so that the input current value does not exceed the allowable current value based on an input current value detected by the input current sensor. The controller detects an abnormality in the power conversion device based on the input current value, the input voltage, the output current value, the output voltage, and power conversion efficiency of the power converter.

Abstract: An in-vehicle charging apparatus (100) has: a charge control ECU (10), which operates with power supplied from a low-voltage battery (16), and which controls charging; an S2 switch, which is on/off controlled by means of the charge control ECU (10), and which reduces a voltage of the pulse signals when the switch is in the on-state; and a switch (SW1), which is controlled to be in an on-state by means of units other than the charge control ECU (10), and which reduces the voltage of the pulse signals when the switch is in the on-state. In the cases where the switch (SW1) is turned on, power from a charging cable (200) is supplied to the low-voltage battery (16) or the charge control ECU (10).

Abstract: A power conversion device includes an input current sensor, an input voltage sensor, a power converter, an output voltage sensor for detecting an output voltage from the power converter, an output current sensor for detecting an output current value from the power converter, and a controller for controlling the power converter. The controller obtains an allowable current value that can be accepted from an external alternating current power source, and, controls the power converter so that the input current value does not exceed the allowable current value based on an input current value detected by the input current sensor. The controller detects an abnormality in the power conversion device based on the input current value, the input voltage, the output current value, the output voltage, and power conversion efficiency of the power converter.

Abstract: In relay weld diagnostic device, a threshold value determination unit (104) determines a threshold value on the basis of a resistance value that is set for each of a P-pole-side resistor (24) and an N-pole-side resistor (23) provided to charging equipment. A peak value measuring unit (110) measures the peak value of a voltage supplied to a voltage line by an alternating-current signal output circuit (112). A comparison diagnosis unit (111) assesses the state of a relay (14) on the P-pole side and a relay (15) on the N-pole side by comparing the peak value and the threshold value, and makes a diagnosis as to whether the relays (14), (15) are welded on the basis of the assessed state of the relays (14), (15) and the state in which the relays (14), (15) are controlled.

Abstract: An in-vehicle charging apparatus (100) has: a charge control ECU (10), which operates with power supplied from a low-voltage battery (16), and which controls charging; an S2 switch, which is on/off controlled by means of the charge control ECU (10), and which reduces a voltage of the pulse signals when the switch is in the on-state; and a switch (SW1), which is controlled to be in an on-state by means of units other than the charge control ECU (10), and which reduces the voltage of the pulse signals when the switch is in the on-state. In the cases where the switch (SW1) is turned on, power from a charging cable (200) is supplied to the low-voltage battery (16) or the charge control ECU (10).

Abstract: In relay weld diagnostic device, a threshold value determination unit (104) determines a threshold value on the basis of a resistance value that is set for each of a P-pole-side resistor (24) and an N-pole-side resistor (23) provided to charging equipment. A peak value measuring unit (110) measures the peak value of a voltage supplied to a voltage line by an alternating-current signal output circuit (112). A comparison diagnosis unit (111) assesses the state of a relay (14) on the P-pole side and a relay (15) on the N-pole side by comparing the peak value and the threshold value, and makes a diagnosis as to whether the relays (14), (15) are welded on the basis of the assessed state of the relays (14), (15) and the state in which the relays (14), (15) are controlled.

Abstract: A camera for taking a state behind a vehicle is installed in a position laterally shifted from the rear center of the vehicle. An image processing unit generates a rear image from a camera image by shifting merely a rectangular area of the camera image so that a vertical center line thereof can substantially accord with the center line along the lengthwise direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, processing for correcting lens distortion may be performed. As a result, when the vehicle is moved straight backward, an object present on the center line of the vehicle moves vertically in substantially the center of the screen, so that a user can be prevented from having an odd feeling to see the image.

Abstract: A camera for taking a state behind a vehicle is installed in a position laterally shifted from the rear center of the vehicle. An image processing unit generates a rear image from a camera image by shifting merely a rectangular area of the camera image so that a vertical center line thereof can substantially accord with the center line along the lengthwise direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, processing for correcting lens distortion may be performed. As a result, when the vehicle is moved straight backward, an object present on the center line of the vehicle moves vertically in substantially the center of the screen, so that a user can be prevented from having an odd feeling to see the image.

Abstract: Character information recognition means extracts, through a character recognition process, character information from a selection button included in an index image. Based on text data having been outputted from the character information recognition means, index dictionary creation means creates an index dictionary usable for a speech recognition process performed by speech recognition means. The speech recognition means performs the speech recognition process by using speech data retrieved through an ADC and the index dictionary stored in storage means. Based on a result of the speech recognition process performed by the speech recognition means, reproduction control means performs reproduction control of a chapter. Thus, a desired button can be selected by speech, from chapter selection buttons displayed on a chapter selection image of a DVD video.

Abstract: A user interface system having an improved usability is provided.

Abstract: A camera for taking a state behind a vehicle is installed in a position laterally shifted from the rear center of the vehicle. An image processing unit generates a rear image from a camera image by shifting merely a rectangular area of the camera image so that a vertical center line thereof can substantially accord with the center line along the lengthwise direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, processing for correcting lens distortion may be performed. As a result, when the vehicle is moved straight backward, an object present on the center line of the vehicle moves vertically in substantially the center of the screen, so that a user can be prevented from having an odd feeling to see the image.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an image output device capable of performing a screen switching without causing a user to feel discomfort or anxiety. An in-vehicle image output device 101 receives moving image data from a content storing section 110 via a communication section 102, and the received moving image data is decoded in a decoding section 103. An effect processing controlling section 106 calculates, as an effect processing execution time, a time period required from when an instruction to reproduce the moving image data is received to when the reproduction of the moving image data starts, and causes an effect processed image generating section 107 to generate an image in which a current screen is shifted to a subsequent screen. After displaying the effect processed image, the control section 105 changes an output so as to display an image of the moving image data.

Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle surroundings monitoring system for synthesizing and displaying images captured by a plurality of cameras to provide images that, near the border between partial images, are more accurate and more readily understood by the user than has been the case conventionally. In the synthesized image, a partial image captured by a first camera and a partial image captured by a second camera are adjacent to one another at their border. Near this border, the capturing directions of the first and the second cameras both substantially match the direction of the border. Consequently, images of objects near the border extend along the border, and thus do not disappear on the synthesized image.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a track ball device capable of storing information in a ball. In a track ball device 1, a ball section 12 has embedded therein at least one non-contact IC chip capable of storing various types of information. In a case 19 of the track ball device 1, at least one reader 21 is provided. The reader 21 communicates with the non-contact IC chip 17 and reads information stored therein.

Abstract: Character information recognition means (101) extracts, through a character recognition process, character information from a selection button included in an index image. Based on text data having been outputted from the character information recognition means (101), index dictionary creation means (102) creates an index dictionary usable for a speech recognition process performed by speech recognition means (104). The speech recognition means (104) performs the speech recognition process by using speech data (D1) retrieved through an ADC (7) and the index dictionary stored in storage means (107). Based on a result of the speech recognition process performed by the speech recognition means (104), reproduction control means (105) performs reproduction control of a chapter. Thus, a desired button can be selected by speech, from chapter selection buttons displayed on a chapter selection image of a DVD video.

Abstract: A user interface system having an improved usability is provided.

Abstract: In a rendering device Urnd1, a processor 1 receives a front-left image Sfl and a front-right image Sfr at regular intervals, and therefrom, cuts out a partial front-left image and a partial front-right image for overlay onto a mask image. The processor 1 then overlays, with a predetermined timing, any one of vehicle model images varying in size onto the mask image. Here, the vehicle model image is overlaid in such manner as to create a moving picture as if the vehicle model image is moving forward. With such vehicle model image, a driver of a vehicle can instantaneously recognize that a drive assistant device is now showing the front side of the vehicle.

Abstract: An operation touch pad (4) is disposed near the hand of a user. On a display (2), there is displayed one or more GUI parts (3) for the user to input a desired instruction or information. When the user touches the touch pad (4) by a hand (6) so as to select the GUI parts (3), the touch pad (4) outputs contact position data indicating the area of contact with the hand (6). An image (7) of a hand shape model is generated from the contact position data outputted from the touch pad (4) and is displayed on the display (2). In view of the image (7) displayed on the display (2), the user moves the hand (6) so that the finger tip of the model may come to over the desired GUI parts (3), and then pushes the touch pad (4).

Abstract: In a position estimation apparatus, an information acquisition/storage section 3 acquires, when a receiver 1 can track an artificial satellite, a current position obtained from the receiver 1 and an output value from each of pressure sensors 2R and 2L, and then stores at least a travel speed and a travel direction for a user and the obtained output value. Also, when the receiver 1 cannot track the artificial satellite, a locator 4 in the position estimation apparatus retrieves, from the information acquisition/storage section 3, a travel speed and a travel direction of the user based on the output value acquired from each of the sensors 2R and 2L and the output value stored in the information acquisition/storage section 3. Thereafter, the locator 4 estimates a current position of the user based on the retrieved travel speed and travel direction.

Abstract: For supporting a complicated driving operation, a synthesized image is presented to the driver. The driver can view this image and thus drive with a sense of security. The synthesized image may include an image of at least one tire and may have an enlargement/reduction ratio that is relatively higher in a nearby area of the vehicle, including a grounding portion of at least one tire of the vehicle, as compared with a peripheral area of the vehicle.