Abstract: A biological information detector detects biological information of an object person. The biological information detector includes a reception antenna that receives radio waves transmitted from a transmission antenna through the object person, and a signal acquisition unit that acquires a reception signal corresponding to a radio wave received by the reception antenna when the radio waves are transmitted from the transmission antenna. The biological information detector further includes a calculation unit that calculates the biological information based on the received signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit. The calculation unit extracts a signal component generated due to movement of a heart of the object person based on the received signal, and calculates a blood pressure of the object person as the biological information based on the signal component.

Abstract: An actuator device includes an actuator member, a drive subject, a first drive device and a second drive device. The actuator member is configured to be deformed in response to application of energy to the actuator member from an outside. The drive subject is coupled to the actuator member. The first drive device is configured to apply the energy to the actuator member and thereby displace the drive subject in a deforming direction of the actuator member. The second drive device is configured to displace the drive subject in a different direction that is different from the deforming direction of the actuator member.

Abstract: An actuator device includes an actuator member, a drive subject, a drive device, and a tension applicator. The actuator member is configured to be deformed in response to application of energy to the actuator member from an outside of the actuator member. The drive subject is coupled to the actuator member. The drive device is configured to apply the energy to the actuator member and thereby displace the drive subject in a deforming direction of the actuator member. The tension applicator is configured to apply the actuator member a tension, which enables correction of a tension change generated by at least one of elongation and contraction of the actuator member that is induced by natural deformation of the actuator member.

Abstract: An actuator that comprises a deformable material, an energy input part, and a characteristics change detection unit. The deformable material is configured with a polymer fiber and, by deforming in response to energy input from the outside, outputs motive power. The energy input part inputs energy to the deformable material. The characteristics change detection unit detects when the deformation characteristic of the deformable material has changed. The actuator also comprises a drive control unit that, by controlling the above-described energy, controls the output of the deformable material. When the characteristic change detection unit detects a change in the deformation characteristic, the drive control unit controls the energy in accordance with the change in the deformation characteristic.

Abstract: An occupant detection system may detect a state of an occupant in a vehicle compartment. The occupant detection system may photograph the vehicle compartment and generate an image. The occupant detection system may change an attitude in order to change a position of an imaging region within the vehicle compartment. The occupant detection system may estimate the attitude based on information included in the image and control an operation based on the estimated attitude. The sensor may be provided by an infrared temperature sensor. The image may be provided by a thermal image showing a temperature distribution of the vehicle compartment. The occupant detection system may store a correspondence relationship between a position of a specific temperature boundary included in the thermal image and the attitude. The occupant detection system may estimate the attitude based on the correspondence relationship.

Abstract: An occupant detection system includes a state detection unit that detects a state of an object, a detection position changing unit that changes a position of a detection region, the detection region being a region in which state is detected by the state detection unit, and a controller that controls an operation of the detection position changing unit. In this occupant detection system, a position of the detection region is set to a predetermined initial position during a period of time from when a start switch provided in the vehicle is turned off until when the start switch is turned on.

Abstract: An occupant detection system may detect a state of an occupant in a vehicle compartment. The occupant detection system may photograph the vehicle compartment and generate an image. The occupant detection system may change an attitude in order to change a position of an imaging region within the vehicle compartment. The occupant detection system may estimate the attitude based on information included in the image and control an operation based on the estimated attitude. The sensor may be provided by an infrared temperature sensor. The image may be provided by a thermal image showing a temperature distribution of the vehicle compartment. The occupant detection system may store a correspondence relationship between a position of a specific temperature boundary included in the thermal image and the attitude. The occupant detection system may estimate the attitude based on the correspondence relationship.

Abstract: An actuator that comprises a deformable material, an energy input part, and a characteristics change detection unit. The deformable material is configured with a polymer fiber and, by deforming in response to energy input from the outside, outputs motive power. The energy input part inputs energy to the deformable material. The characteristics change detection unit detects when the deformation characteristic of the deformable material has changed. The actuator also comprises a drive control unit that, by controlling the above-described energy, controls the output of the deformable material. When the characteristic change detection unit detects a change in the deformation characteristic, the drive control unit controls the energy in accordance with the change in the deformation characteristic.

Abstract: An actuator device includes an actuator member, a drive subject, a drive device, and a tension applicator. The actuator member is configured to be deformed in response to application of energy to the actuator member from an outside of the actuator member. The drive subject is coupled to the actuator member. The drive device is configured to apply the energy to the actuator member and thereby displace the drive subject in a deforming direction of the actuator member. The tension applicator is configured to apply the actuator member a tension, which enables correction of a tension change generated by at least one of elongation and contraction of the actuator member that is induced by natural deformation of the actuator member.

Abstract: An actuator device includes an actuator member, a drive subject, a first drive device and a second drive device. The actuator member is configured to be deformed in response to application of energy to the actuator member from an outside. The drive subject is coupled to the actuator member. The first drive device is configured to apply the energy to the actuator member and thereby displace the drive subject in a deforming direction of the actuator member. The second drive device is configured to displace the drive subject in a different direction that is different from the deforming direction of the actuator member.

Abstract: An occupant detection system includes a state detection unit that detects a state of an object, a detection position changing unit that changes a position of a detection region, the detection region being a region in which state is detected by the state detection unit, and a controller that controls an operation of the detection position changing unit. In this occupant detection system, a position of the detection region is set to a predetermined initial position during a period of time from when a start switch provided in the vehicle is turned off until when the start switch is turned on.

Abstract: An air bag device of the present invention includes squibs and a capacitor, an electric discharge circuit as well as a backup power supply, a voltage stabilizer and ignition circuits. The voltage stabilizer converts the voltage of the backup power supply to the predetermined target voltage, and the converted voltage is supplied for the ignition circuit. The capacitor removes a noise emitted by the ignition circuit. The electric discharge circuit discharges electricity accumulated in the capacitor right after the supply of an ignition current from the ignition circuit has ended. In this manner, a voltage rise of the capacitor occurring after the end of the supply of the ignition current can be resolved immediately, thereby enabling a supply of a stable ignition current for the squibs.

Abstract: A drive circuit is provided for driving a voltage-driven semiconductor element by producing a drive signal depending upon an input signal. The drive circuit comprises an output stage and a current-suppressing circuit. The output stage includes two semiconductor elements connected in series. The voltage-driven semiconductor element is connected to a common connection point of the two semiconductor elements. The current-suppressing circuit controls one of the two semiconductor elements to provide an output current flowing through either one of the two semiconductor elements if a voltage applied to the voltage-driven semiconductor element reaches a limit level, which is in excess of a level for conducting the voltage-driven semiconductor element by a predetermined voltage.

Abstract: An air bag device of the present invention includes squibs and a capacitor, an electric discharge circuit as well as a backup power supply, a voltage stabilizer and ignition circuits. The voltage stabilizer converts the voltage of the backup power supply to the predetermined target voltage, and the converted voltage is supplied for the ignition circuit. The capacitor removes a noise emitted by the ignition circuit. The electric discharge circuit discharges electricity accumulated in the capacitor right after the supply of an ignition current from the ignition circuit has ended. In this manner, a voltage rise of the capacitor occurring after the end of the supply of the ignition current can be resolved immediately, thereby enabling a supply of a stable ignition current for the squibs.

Abstract: A drive circuit is provided for driving a voltage-driven semiconductor element by producing a drive signal depending upon an input signal. The drive circuit comprises an output stage and a current-suppressing circuit. The output stage includes two semiconductor elements connected in series. The voltage-driven semiconductor element is connected to a common connection point of the two semiconductor elements. The current-suppressing circuit controls one of the two semiconductor elements to provide an output current flowing through either one of the two semiconductor elements if a voltage applied to the voltage-driven semiconductor element reaches a limit level, which is in excess of a level for conducting the voltage-driven semiconductor element by a predetermined voltage.

Abstract: In a frequency modulation type switching regulator for producing an output voltage to a load, an error amplifier produces an error voltage indicative of a difference between the output voltage and a reference voltage. A switching device is turned on and off at a switching frequency corresponding to the error voltage. A voltage-frequency modulation circuit monitors an operation condition of the load. The modulation circuit generates a varying voltage, which varies around the error voltage, when the monitored operation condition is substantially unchanged. The switching frequency is switched to another frequency corresponding to the varying voltage, so that noise level may be reduced.

Abstract: When power is turned on, dummy output information stored in a non-volatile memory is issued to the digital signal processing circuit. In a dummy data processing block, and in a line memory holding data in the horizontal direction, dummy data inputted from outside is inserted into a one-line video data processed at an input signal processing block, based on the dummy output information. In this way, the video data is revised into data that is appropriate for each display, based on the dummy output information. Then the one-line video data including the dummy data is inputted into the output signal processing block, and is latched by the output signal processing block, and outputted to each of the data drivers as a data driver output signal, at the same time.

Abstract: A subfield coding circuit which subfield-converts R, G, and B image data for producing subfield-converted image data, includes (a) a multiplexer which multiplexes R, G, and B image data, (b) a memory such as a static random access memory (SRAM), including a single lookup table through which the R, G, and B image data is converted into subfield-coded data in time-division, and (c) a demultiplexer which demultiplexes the subfield-coded data to output subfield-coded R, G, and B image data.

Abstract: In a frequency modulation type switching regulator for producing an output voltage to a load, an error amplifier produces an error voltage indicative of a difference between the output voltage and a reference voltage. A switching device is turned on and off at a switching frequency corresponding to the error voltage. A voltage-frequency modulation circuit monitors an operation condition of the load. The modulation circuit generates a varying voltage, which varies around the error voltage, when the monitored operation condition is substantially unchanged. The switching frequency is switched to another frequency corresponding to the varying voltage, so that noise level may be reduced.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device for a power source capable of being expanded to cope with an increase or decrease in the load includes an outer transistor attached to the outer side of an IC, and a transistor incorporated thereon simultaneously operated to enhance the current output capability of a linear regulator when a load is great. A control circuit controls the transistor to produce a constant voltage, and controls the outer transistor to control the current ratio of the current flowing into the transistor and the current flowing into the outer transistor. An over-current detecting circuit detects, at one time, the collector currents of the transistors flowing into the output line, and executes an over-current protection control based on the detected values.