Abstract: A control apparatus for increasing the reliability of the range shifting of the transmission based on the operation of a shift lever. Only when a shift permission switch is operated by a driver and the shift lever is operated does a determination circuit validate the operation of the shift lever. When the shift permission switch is not operated, the determination circuit does not shift the range of the transmission even when the shift lever is moved.

Abstract: A vehicular remote control apparatus warns a driver when the driver moves from the inside of a vehicle to the outside of the vehicle while an engine is operating. The vehicular remote control apparatus is located inside the vehicle and includes a transmitter-receiver for generating a first request signal and a portable device for generating a transmission signal in response to the first request signal and transmitting the transmission signal to the transmitter-receiver. The first request signal is transmitted to outside the vehicle. The transmitter-receiver includes a determining device for determining whether the engine is operating and a warning signal transmission device for generating a first warning signal if the engine is operating when receiving the transmission signal and transmitting the first warning signal to the portable device located outside the vehicle. The portable device includes a warning device for giving a warning when the portable device receives the first warning signal.

Abstract: A display system featuring improved operability when plural screens are displayed on a display and when many functions are provided, and a method of display for the display system. A screen is selected from plural screens displayed on a display portion 20A of a display 20. The selected screen is displayed on an entire surface of the display portion 20A together with an operation menu corresponding to the selected screen.

Abstract: An input device for use in a vehicle for inputting settings pertaining to a driver's intention of acceleration and deceleration includes a running mode selection switch and an acceleration/deceleration switch. A plurality of modes, for example, a manual speed change mode, an automatic speed change mode, a speed setting mode, and a distance-between-cars setting mode, are selectively set in the running mode selection switch. The acceleration/deceleration switch allows an accelerating or decelerating operation in correspondence to the selected mode. Operation switches which have been conventionally provided separately for each of functions are integrated into two parts, that is, the running mode selection switch and the acceleration/deceleration switch. After a desired mode has been selected, a desired function can be realized only by operation corresponding to a driver's intention of acceleration or deceleration.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device that can automatically open/close an electric garage door by remote control without manual operation and that can prevent erroneous opening/closing of the electric garage door. A navigation device 10 can be connected to a wireless garage door opener transmitter 50. The navigation device 10 transmits an open signal to the wireless garage door opener transmitter 50 when a vehicle position calculated by a GPS receiver 24 and an orientation detected by a gyro sensor 40 are within a predetermined range that respectively includes a preset electric garage door open instruction position and orientation, and a vehicle speed detected by a vehicle speed sensor 38 is no greater than a predetermined value. Thus, erroneous opening of the electric garage door when the vehicle approaches the electric garage with an object other than entering the electric garage can be prevented.

Abstract: A shift device is located on an installing portion in the passenger compartment of a vehicle for selecting the connection state of the gear train of the transmission. The shift device includes a case, manipulation body, and a first detecting member. The manipulation body is manipulated to select the connection state of the transmission. The manipulation body is arranged to be selectively projected from the case. The first detecting member detects the connection state selected by the manipulation body.

Abstract: A voice guidance switching device for use in a car navigation device. When a navigation control section receives a signal from one of a controller and a controller, the navigation control section determines whether the signal is a first signal or a second signal. When the signal is determined to be the first signal, the navigation control section reads a voice guidance switching program from a storage medium and determines whether the signal has been transmitted from the controller or from the controller. The navigation control section also determines whether or not the vehicle is travelling at the time on the basis of a signal from a speed sensor, and then switches a voice guidance generating program between an operable state and an inoperable state on the basis of these determination results.

Abstract: A shift device that enables optimally operation. The shift device is provided in a vehicle including a transmission and shifts a shift range of the transmission. The shift device includes a shift operation unit, a controller, and a light emitting device. The shift operation unit is connected to the transmission of the vehicle and shifts the shift range of the transmission. The controller determines whether the shift range of the transmission should be shifted in accordance with a driving environment and generates a shift instruction signal when determining that the shift range of the transmission should be shifted. The light emitting device gives a notification for operation of the shift operation unit in accordance with the shift instruction signal.

Abstract: A transmission control device of a vehicle has a shifting body and detects the operating state of the shifting body. The transmission control device shifts the connecting state of the transmission based on the detection result. A parking lock state releasing apparatus for the vehicle includes a releasing switch, which is located in a passenger compartment. An ignition drive device generates gas by causing ignition in response to operation of the releasing switch. The parking lock state of the transmission is changed to the release state using the pressure of the gas.

Abstract: A control apparatus for increasing the reliability of the range shifting of the transmission based on the operation of a shift lever. Only when a shift permission switch is operated by a driver and the shift lever is operated does a determination circuit validate the operation of the shift lever. When the shift permission switch is not operated, the determination circuit does not shift the range of the transmission even when the shift lever is moved.

Abstract: A shift device that prevents an operator from unintentionally operating the shift lever. The shift device has a plurality of shift ranges and sets a predetermined range from the plurality of shift ranges. The shift device includes a shift lever for setting the predetermined shift range, a control circuit, and a notification device. The control circuit determines whether an operator has unintentionally operated the shift lever. The notification device notifies the operator that the operator has unintentionally operated the shift lever in accordance with the determination of the control circuit.

Abstract: A shift device is located on an installing portion in the passenger compartment of a vehicle for selecting the connection state of the gear train of the transmission. The shift device includes a case, manipulation body, and a first detecting member. The manipulation body is manipulated to select the connection state of the transmission. The manipulation body is arranged to be selectively projected from the case. The first detecting member detects the connection state selected by the manipulation body.

Abstract: A device controller is provided which allows a vehicle occupant to confirm a device to be operated without looking an operation section. When a controller of a microswitch indicates a device such as a window regulator or a sun roof, a control circuit feeds a motion confirmation signal to a corresponding device such as a right-hand front door ECU and a roof ECU. A door glass, a sliding roof or the like then reciprocate slightly (i.e., in an amount that is enough for the vehicle occupant to visually confirm the reciprocation) via a window regulator driving circuit, a sun roof driving circuit or the like. The vehicle occupant can thereby confirm a device to be operated by the operation section without looking an operation section.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission controller controls switching of the gear position of a transmission. The controller has a shift lever and an actuator. The shift lever is manipulated to select a gear position of the transmission. The actuator actuates the transmission to switch the gear position in accordance with a manipulation of the manipulator. The actuator switches the transmission to the gear position selected by the manipulator. The actuator switches the transmission to a predetermined gear position from the gear position selected by the manipulator when the vehicle satisfies predetermined conditions.

Abstract: A display operating system which can freely set numbers of rows and columns in an arrangement of selection buttons displayed on a monitoring screen with immediate selection of a desired selection button being made possible. A position corresponding to that of a fingertip interrupting two of a plurality of light beams projected in a lattice on a panel of a controller at an intersection thereof is set as a first-touch position, on the basis of which an active area is established. This makes, of a plurality of selection buttons, selection buttons in the active area become selectable. Further, when the active area is changed by changing the first-touch position with a change in fingertip position to change light beams that are interrupted, selection buttons in the changed active area become selectable.

Abstract: A voice guidance switching device for use in a car navigation device. When a navigation control section receives a signal from one of a controller and a controller, the navigation control section determines whether the signal is a first signal or a second signal. When the signal is determined to be the first signal, the navigation control section reads a voice guidance switching program from a storage medium and determines whether the signal has been transmitted from the controller or from the controller. The navigation control section also determines whether or not the vehicle is travelling at the time on the basis of a signal from a speed sensor, and then switches a voice guidance generating program between an operable state and an inoperable state on the basis of these determination results.

Abstract: An automatic control system is provided that allows a driver to decide whether some or all of an automatic control content for accessory devices for an automobile is to be executed. Trigger information for performing automatic control is detected by a detecting circuit such as a navigation system 12 and, on the basis of the detected trigger information, control contents are established at a control circuit 20, and the established control contents are announced to the driver through the navigation system 12 and an audio system 16. The driver replies to each of the corresponding announced contents (the contents to be automatically controlled) by operating an answer switch 100. At the control section 20, automatic control is performed in accordance with results of replies from the driver operating the answer switch 100.

Abstract: A display device is disposed in a car and a display screen is switched based upon coordinate data showing the touched position which is output from a touch tracer which is disposed where it can be accessed by a driver, and “on” data that shows that the touch tracer has been press-operated. The display device displays small button display portions to select a next display operation which is to be displayed on the map screen. The button display portions which are shown on the map screen in an input state of the coordinate data from the touch tracer are displayed in an expanded state. By so doing, the driver can easily confirm the display content of the button display portions so that it is possible to improve the operability of the touch tracer for the selection of the button display portions.

Abstract: A touch operation information output apparatus is provided in a position at which a driver can operate it, and detects a touched position with respect to the input pad and outputs its coordinate data to the display device. Here, protruding brackets are provided at 16 positions on the input pad. A first group of protruding brackets that are in 4 positions at a center of the input pad are formed in a “+” shape, a second group of protruding brackets that are in four corners of the input pad are formed in an “L” shape and a third group of protruding brackets are formed in a “T” shape. Because of this, the driver can recognize the touched position with respect to the touch operation information output apparatus and blind operation becomes possible.

Abstract: A vehicle seat having an occupant seat and a child seat, and being changeable as occasion demands between a state of use as the occupant seat and a state of use as the child seat. The occupant seat has a first seat cushion and a first seat back. The first seat cushion is foldable so that the first seat cushion and the first seat back are superposed. The child seat is comprised of a second seat cushion and a second seat back, and is built in a reverse surface of the first seat cushion. A front end portion of the first seat cushion is axially supported to a vehicle by a supporting device. By rotating the first seat cushion, the first seat cushion is upright and the first seat cushion and the first seat back are superposed. Further, when the vehicle seat is in the state of use as the occupant seat, the child seat is accommodated under the reverse surface of the first seat cushion which faces toward a bottom of the vehicle.