Abstract: An anti-drowsing device includes: an ECU that outputs a warning via a buzzer when a collision possibility between a preceding object and the vehicle is detected; a warning control ECU that establishes an early-warning mode in which a warning is output earlier from that used in a normal mode; and a driver monitor camera and a driver monitor ECU that monitors a driver's eyes. The warning control ECU establishes the early-warning mode when the eye-closing period of the driver becomes equal to or greater than a first threshold value, and thereafter maintains the early-warning mode until the eye-closing period of the driver falls below a second threshold value.

Abstract: An awake state estimation portion calculates an average steering angle, an average steering angular speed and a corrective steering angle on the basis of the steering angle acquired from a steering angle detection portion. The awake state estimation portion acquires the traveling speed of the vehicle from a vehicle speed detection portion. The awake state estimation portion corrects the calculated corrective steering angle by a correction value commensurate with the type of the traveling path on which the vehicle is traveling, and estimates the degree of the awake state of the driver on the basis of the post-correction corrective steering angle. Besides, the awake state estimation portion specifically determines the correction value commensurate with the type of the traveling path on which the vehicle is traveling, on the basis of at least one of the steering angle, the average steering angular speed and the traveling speed.

Abstract: A blink detection section generates an eye-closure signal indicating the duration of a period for which the driver closes his/her eyes. An eye-closure count section calculates the respective occurrence frequencies of single eye closures in a prescribed measurement period for a first eye-closure period threshold and a second eye-closure period threshold, based on the eye-closure signal and the respective eye-closure period thresholds. A drowsy state determination section compares the respective occurrence frequencies with the first eye-closure frequency threshold and the second eye-closure frequency threshold to determine which of the drowsiness levels corresponding to the respective thresholds the drowsiness level of the driver is at.

Abstract: An anti-drowsing device includes: an ECU that outputs a warning via a buzzer when a collision possibility between a preceding object and the vehicle is detected; a warning control ECU that establishes an early-warning mode in which a warning is output earlier from that used in a normal mode; and a driver monitor camera and a driver monitor ECU that monitors a driver's eyes. The warning control ECU establishes the early-warning mode when the eye-closing period of the driver becomes equal to or greater than a first threshold value, and thereafter maintains the early-warning mode until the eye-closing period of the driver falls below a second threshold value.

Abstract: An awake state estimation portion calculates an average steering angle, an average steering angular speed and a corrective steering angle on the basis of the steering angle acquired from a steering angle detection portion. The awake state estimation portion acquires the traveling speed of the vehicle from a vehicle speed detection portion. The awake state estimation portion corrects the calculated corrective steering angle by a correction value commensurate with the type of the traveling path on which the vehicle is traveling, and estimates the degree of the awake state of the driver on the basis of the post-correction corrective steering angle. Besides, the awake state estimation portion specifically determines the correction value commensurate with the type of the traveling path on which the vehicle is traveling, on the basis of at least one of the steering angle, the average steering angular speed and the traveling speed.

Abstract: A blink detection section generates an eye-closure signal indicating the duration of a period for which the driver closes his/her eyes. An eye-closure count section calculates the respective occurrence frequencies of single eye closures in a prescribed measurement period for a first eye-closure period threshold and a second eye-closure period threshold, based on the eye-closure signal and the respective eye-closure period thresholds. A drowsy state determination section compares the respective occurrence frequencies with the first eye-closure frequency threshold and the second eye-closure frequency threshold to determine which of the drowsiness levels corresponding to the respective thresholds the drowsiness level of the driver is at.

Abstract: In a vehicle information notification device, a crossing form information acquisition unit acquires crossing form information related to a geometric form of a crossing. A safe-condition check operation detection unit detects a right-and-left safe-condition check operation of a driver on an automotive vehicle. A safe-condition check state evaluation unit evaluates a safe-condition check state of the driver before entering the crossing based on both the crossing form information and the safe-condition check operation. Given information for supporting running of the vehicle in the crossing is notified to the driver based on an evaluation result from the safe-condition check state evaluation unit.

Abstract: A carbon fiber woven fabric constituted by carbon fibers having a thermal conductivity of at least 400 W/m.multidot.K in the fiber axial direction, which has a FAW (weight per unit area of fabric) of at lest 400 g/m.sup.2.

Abstract: A pitch based carbon fiber, having a thermal conductivity in the direction of the fiber axis of from 500 to 1,500 W/m.multidot.K, a tensile modulus of at least 85 ton/mm.sup.2, a compression strength of at least 35 kg/mm.sup.2, a laminated layer thickness, Lc, of graphite crystallites of from 30 to 50 nm, and a ratio thereto of a spread, La, of graphite crystallites in the direction of the layer plane, of at least 1.5, has high thermal conductivity, excellent compression strength and an excellent tensile modulus of elasticity. When a cross section of said fiber in the direction of the fiber axis is observed by a polarization microscope with 1,000 X magnifications, the domain size as observed is at most 500 nm.

Abstract: A process for producing carbon fibers having high strand strength, which comprises subjecting pitch fibers obtained by melt-spinning pitch, followed by gathering, to infusible treatment to obtain infusible fibers, followed by carbonization treatment, and if necessary, graphitization treatment, to obtain carbon fibers, wherein the infusible fibers or the carbon fibers are heat-treated in an atmosphere containing steam or carbon dioxide at a temperature of from 500.degree. to 1,800.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for producing pitch-type carbon fibers, which comprises melt-spinning pitch material in a gaseous atmosphere to form pitch fibers, gathering the pitch fibers in the presence of an oiling agent into a tow, followed by infusible treatment, carbonization treatment and, if necessary, graphitization treatment, of the tow of pitch fibers, characterized in that the tow of pitch fibers is brought in contact with a washing liquid to wash the surface of the pitch fibers prior to the infusible treatment.