Abstract: An axis-misalignment estimation device estimates an axis-misalignment angle of a radar device mounted to a moving object. The axis-misalignment estimation device estimates the axis-misalignment angle using a plurality of different axis-misalignment angle estimation methods based on detection results of the radar device. The axis-misalignment estimation device determines whether a predefined employment condition is met, based on a plurality of axis-misalignment angle estimates estimated using respective ones of the plurality of axis-misalignment angle estimation methods. In response to determining that the employment condition is met, the axis-misalignment estimation device employs at least one of the plurality of axis-misalignment angle estimates.

Abstract: An axial displacement estimation device estimates an axial displacement angle of a radar apparatus mounted on a mobile body. The axial displacement estimation device uses a plurality of detection values acquired by mutually different plurality of modulation methods to estimate an axial displacement angle for each of the plurality of modulation methods. The axial displacement estimation device determines whether a predetermined allowable condition is met based on a plurality of axial displacement angle estimation results estimated using a plurality of detection values corresponding to respective plurality of modulation methods. The axial displacement estimation device utilizes at least one of a plurality of axial displacement angle estimation results when determined that the predetermined allowable condition is met.

Abstract: An axial displacement angle estimation device repeatedly calculates an axial displacement angle based on the detection result of the radar apparatus. The axial displacement angle estimation device extracts the axial displacement angle included in a predetermined extraction angle range among a plurality of axial displacement angles, and calculate an average value of the extracted plurality of axial displacement angles to be an axial displacement angle average value. The axial displacement angle estimation device determines, based on the axial displacement angle average value, whether a predetermined allowable condition is met. The axial displacement angle estimation device utilizes, when determined that the predetermined allowable condition is met, the axial displacement angle average value as an estimation result of the axial displacement angle.

Abstract: An axial displacement angle estimation device repeatedly calculates an axial displacement angle based on the detection result of the radar apparatus. The axial displacement angle estimation device extracts the axial displacement angle included in a predetermined extraction angle range among a plurality of axial displacement angles, and calculate an average value and a median value of the extracted plurality of axial displacement angles to be an axial displacement angle average value and an axial displacement median value. The axial displacement angle estimation device determines, based on the axial displacement angle average value and the axial displacement angle median value, whether a predetermined allowable condition is met. The axial displacement angle estimation device utilizes, when determined that the predetermined allowable condition is met, the axial displacement angle average value as an estimation result of the axial displacement angle.

Abstract: A radar apparatus generates a spectrum distribution where frequencies in a beat signal are associated with intensities of respective frequency components. Based on a plurality of spectrum distributions generated over a predetermined number of measurement cycles prescribed in advance, the radar apparatus generates a reflection intensity distribution where frequencies are associated with road surface reflection intensities of the radar wave from a road surface at each frequency. In the reflection intensity distribution, the radar apparatus detects an intensity peak indicating a frequency that maximizes the road surface reflection intensity. Based on the detected intensity peak, the radar apparatus determines at least whether or not the radar apparatus is in an axis deviation state that is taken as a state where a reference axis of the radar apparatus has an inclination of not less than a prescribed angle in a vehicle height direction relative to a horizontal axis prescribed to a vehicle.

Abstract: A radar apparatus generates a spectrum distribution where frequencies in a beat signal are associated with intensities of respective frequency components. Based on a plurality of spectrum distributions generated over a predetermined number of measurement cycles prescribed in advance, the radar apparatus generates a reflection intensity distribution where frequencies are associated with road surface reflection intensities of the radar wave from a road surface at each frequency. In the reflection intensity distribution, the radar apparatus detects an intensity peak indicating a frequency that maximizes the road surface reflection intensity. Based on the detected intensity peak, the radar apparatus determines at least whether or not the radar apparatus is in an axis deviation state that is taken as a state where a reference axis of the radar apparatus has an inclination of not less than a prescribed angle in a vehicle height direction relative to a horizontal axis prescribed to a vehicle.

Abstract: A visual ability improvement device installed in a vehicle includes a noise generator, a surrounding situation detector, a driver status detector, a vehicle status detector, an operation switch, and a noise output device. A controller of the noise generator determines an optimum strength based on the surrounding situation from the surrounding situation detector, the driver's status from the driver status detector, the vehicle's status from the vehicle status detector, and the correspondence of the optimum representative noise to the above situation and statuses from the correspondence memory. Then the controller generates a noise with the determined the optimum representative noise strength, and outputs to the noise output device such as passenger compartment light a control signal which depends on the generated noise.

Abstract: A living body information display apparatus, together with a sleeping posture and position detection apparatus, is used to correctly and suitably capture an abnormal condition in a living body while the living body is sleeping/lying on a bed or on the apparatus. Living body information and sleeping posture/position are captured by pressure sensors placed under a sleeper. The living body information includes, for example, respiratory information, body movement information, and sleeping posture. The information of the sleeper is represented in color-coded time chart, in writing and in a rough image based on the sensor signals. By using this apparatus, a user can readily understands the position, posture and respiratory information of the sleeper.

Abstract: A visual ability improvement supporting device includes a noise outputting device and a noise generating device. The noise generating device generates noise with intensity which is optimum to a threshold intensity of visibility. The optimum intensity is optimum to induce stochastic resonance (SR). The noise outputting device includes a room lighting device, which illuminates a surrounding area when a lighting switch is turned on, and outputs the visual noise according to the generated noise even when the lighting switch is turned off not to illuminate the surrounding area.

Abstract: A visual ability improvement device installed in a vehicle includes a noise generator, a surrounding situation detector, a driver status detector, a vehicle status detector, an operation switch, and a noise output device. A controller of the noise generator determines an optimum strength based on the surrounding situation from the surrounding situation detector, the driver's status from the driver status detector, the vehicle's status from the vehicle status detector, and the correspondence of the optimum representative noise to the above situation and statuses from the correspondence memory. Then the controller generates a noise with the determined the optimum representative noise strength, and outputs to the noise output device such as passenger compartment light a control signal which depends on the generated noise.

Abstract: A visual recognition support system includes a noise area determination function for determining a noise area where a visual noise is output to improve sensitivity of visual recognition of an object in need of attention of an operator of a vehicle. The intensity of the visual noise is determined based on a threshold of the visual perception.

Abstract: A breath monitor includes: a plurality of sensors for detecting a load derived from a human lying on a bed and for outputting a sensor signal corresponding to the load; and breath signal computation means. The sensors are disposed under the human with a predetermined arrangement. The breath signal computation means converts each sensor signal to a frequency domain so that a spectrum of each sensor signal is obtained, selects the sensors on the basis of the converted sensor signals, and computes a breath signal on the basis of the sensor signals outputted from the selected sensors.

Abstract: A visual recognition improvement system includes a visual noise generation device for generating and emitting noise ridden light at a predetermined intensity for an improvement of visual recognition; and a reflective device for reflectively redirecting the noise ridden light emitted from the visual noise generation device. The noise ridden light is projected toward an eye of an operator of a moving mechanism at work by using the reflective device from a plurality of directions in an eyesight of the operator.

Abstract: A visual ability improvement supporting device includes a noise outputting device and a noise generating device. The noise generating device generates noise with intensity which is optimum to a threshold intensity of visibility. The optimum intensity is optimum to induce stochastic resonance (SR). The noise outputting device includes a room lighting device, which illuminates a surrounding area when a lighting switch is turned on, and outputs the visual noise according to the generated noise even when the lighting switch is turned off not to illuminate the surrounding area.

Abstract: A noise generator includes a noise intensity storage means for storing a noise intensity threshold of a noise, a noise intensity setting means for setting an optimum noise intensity based on the noise intensity threshold, a noise generation means for generating the noise based on the optimum noise intensity, and a noise output means for outputting the noise generated by the noise generation means. The noise generator determines the noise intensity threshold based on perception of the noise by a driver of an automotive vehicle.

Abstract: A visual recognition support system includes a noise area determination function for determining a noise area where a visual noise is outputted to improve sensitivity of visual recognition of an object in need of attention of an operator of a vehicle. The intensity of the visual noise is determined based on a threshold of the visual perception.

Abstract: The input/output system of the present invention includes a sheet-like input/output unit that includes wiring and a connection box that is attached to an edge of the sheet-like input/output unit. The connection box includes a housing that is attached so as to sandwich the sheet-like input/output unit and internally encloses a circuit board that is connected to the wiring. The housing includes a slit through which the sheet-like input/output unit passes and whose upper and lower edges are curved and means for fixing the sheet-like input/output unit that is disposed inside to the slit. Since the means for fixing the sheet-like input/output unit is disposed inside to the slit, the edges of the slit are narrow but formed with large radii of curvature, so that the sheet-like input/output unit is not folded over at the slit part. The slit can also be sealed by attaching packing to the edge of the slit.

Abstract: A microcomputer included in a respiratory monitoring system selects sensors that have output signals related to respiration of a person from sensors detecting forces applied by the person. To select the sensors, levels of the signals are compared between a respiratory frequency band and another frequency band. If the level of the signal in the respiratory frequency band is predetermined times higher than that of the signal in the other frequency band, the sensor is selected. The respiratory curve is produced based on weight signals outputted from the selected sensors.

Abstract: A breath monitor includes: a plurality of sensors for detecting a load derived from a human lying on a bed and for outputting a sensor signal corresponding to the load; and breath signal computation means. The sensors are disposed under the human with a predetermined arrangement. The breath signal computation means converts each sensor signal to a frequency domain so that a spectrum of each sensor signal is obtained, selects the sensors on the basis of the converted sensor signals, and computes a breath signal on the basis of the sensor signals outputted from the selected sensors.

Abstract: A living body information display apparatus, together with a sleeping posture and position detection apparatus, is used to correctly and suitably capture an abnormal condition in a living body while the living body is sleeping/lying on a bed or on the apparatus. Living body information and sleeping posture/position are captured by pressure sensors placed under a sleeper. The living body information includes, for example, respiratory information, body movement information, and sleeping posture. The information of the sleeper is represented in color-coded time chart, in writing and in a rough image based on the sensor signals. By using this apparatus, a user can readily understands the position, posture and respiratory information of the sleeper.