Abstract: The current sensor has a conductive member through which a current to be measured flows in a predetermined direction, and a magneto electric converter facing and spaced apart from the conductive member in an intersecting direction intersecting the predetermined direction. An opposing portion of the conductive member facing the magneto electric converter has an annular shape in which two tip surfaces face each other via a gap around the predetermined direction. The magneto electric converter is opposed to the hollow portion, arranged in the opposing portion having an annular shape, in the intersecting direction via the gap.

Abstract: The current sensor has a conductive member through which a current to be measured flows in a predetermined direction, and a magneto electric converter facing and spaced apart from the conductive member in an intersecting direction intersecting the predetermined direction. An opposing portion of the conductive member facing the magneto electric converter has an annular shape in which two tip surfaces face each other via a gap around the predetermined direction. The magneto electric converter is opposed to the hollow portion, arranged in the opposing portion having an annular shape, in the intersecting direction via the gap.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes a light-emission unit, a controller, a light-reception unit that receives a first reflected light which is reflected at the transparent plate and a second reflected light that is reflected at an external object outside of the transparent plate, a calculator that, based on the light received by the light-reception unit, calculates whether an adhered substance is adhered to the transparent plate, and calculates a relative position of the external object, and a fixing portion that fixes the light-emission unit and the light-reception unit with respect to the transparent plate, wherein the calculator calculates whether the adhered substance is adhered to the transparent plate and calculates the relative position of the external object based on the light received by the light-reception unit.

Abstract: In a light sensor, an operational determination circuit determines based on first and second intensity signals respectively indicative of intensities of light irradiated from above and ahead of a vehicle whether the vehicle is positioned under a shield structure, determines whether it is necessary to turn on a light in the vehicle for the shield structure, and outputs a result of determination as a determination signal. A communication output circuit receives the first intensity signal and the determination signal, and outputs information to a control unit whether it is necessary to turn on the light for the shield structure when the vehicle is positioned under the shield structure.

Abstract: In a light sensor, an operational determination circuit determines based on first and second intensity signals respectively indicative of intensities of light irradiated from above and ahead of a vehicle whether the vehicle is positioned under a shield structure, determines whether it is necessary to turn on a light in the vehicle for the shield structure, and outputs a result of determination as a determination signal. A communication output circuit receives the first intensity signal and the determination signal, and outputs information to a control unit whether it is necessary to turn on the light for the shield structure when the vehicle is positioned under the shield structure.

Abstract: An optical sensor has a semiconductor substrate, an insulation film formed on the semiconductor substrate, a light receiving part formed on the semiconductor substrate, and an electrode formed on the semiconductor substrate through the insulation film. The light receiving part has a light receiving element which changes light into electric charge, and a reset element which discharges the electric charge accumulated in the light receiving element. The electrode has a first electrode applying a control voltage to the reset element. The first electrode has a light shielding property. The first electrode defines a shape of a light receiving surface of the light receiving element.

Abstract: An optical sensor has a semiconductor substrate, an insulation film formed on the semiconductor substrate, a light receiving part formed on the semiconductor substrate, and an electrode formed on the semiconductor substrate through the insulation film. The light receiving part has a light receiving element which changes light into electric charge, and a reset element which discharges the electric charge accumulated in the light receiving element. The electrode has a first electrode applying a control voltage to the reset element. The first electrode has a light shielding property. The first electrode defines a shape of a light receiving surface of the light receiving element.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes: first and second light receiving elements on a semiconductor substrate; a light blocking film over the semiconductor substrate via a light transmitting film; and first and second openings corresponding to the light receiving elements and disposed in the light blocking film. First and second virtual lines are defined to extend from the centers of the first and second light receiving elements and pass through the centers of the first and second openings, respectively. At least one of elevation angles and left-right angles of the first and second virtual lines are different. The photosensitive area of the first light receiving element is larger than the aperture area of the first opening. The photosensitive area of the second light receiving element is larger than the aperture area of the second opening.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes: first and second light receiving elements on a semiconductor substrate; a light blocking film over the semiconductor substrate via a light transmitting film; and first and second openings corresponding to the light receiving elements and disposed in the light blocking film. First and second virtual lines are defined to extend from the centers of the first and second light receiving elements and pass through the centers of the first and second openings, respectively. At least one of elevation angles and left-right angles of the first and second virtual lines are different. The photosensitive area of the first light receiving element is larger than the aperture area of the first opening. The photosensitive area of the second light receiving element is larger than the aperture area of the second opening.

Abstract: An illumination control unit includes an automatic control function for automatically controlling the turning on and off of vehicle head lights depending on brightness of an environment around a vehicle. A sensitivity adjuster is installed on a lever extending from a steering column in a vehicle compartment. The sensitivity to the brightness of the environment around the vehicle at the time when the auto-on and auto-off state of the vehicle lights is changed can be adjusted with the sensitivity adjuster.

Abstract: A vehicle lighting control system is disclosed that includes a weather detecting device for detecting a weather condition and a degree thereof. The lighting control system also includes a control device for controlling the light emitting apparatus based on the weather condition and the degree of the weather condition.

Abstract: A raindrop sensor includes an image sensor and an image processor. The image sensor captures an image of a windshield from inside a vehicle. The image processor performs a frequency analysis of the image to detect a high-frequency component in the image. When the high-frequency component is detected, the image processor detects a width of a change region where a change in gradation of the image occurs. When the width of the change region is within a predetermined range corresponding to a diameter of a raindrop, the image processor determines that the raindrop is on the windshield. Even when a foreign matter such as a water stain appears as the high-frequency component as a result of the frequency analysis, the raindrop and the foreign matter can be distinguished from each other based on the width of the change region.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes a light receiving device disposed in a housing, an exterior filter rotatably mounted to an attachment surface of the housing, and a light intercepting member which rotates along with a rotation of the exterior filter to adjust an amount of light incident on a light receiving surface of the light receiving device. In this optical sensor, the light intercepting member has a rotary shaft fixed at its center, and has a light adjusting mechanism for adjusting the amount of light incident on the light receiving surface of the light receiving device in a range in a direction of rotation around the rotary shaft. Accordingly, the sensitivity of the optical sensor can be arbitrarily adjusted with a high accuracy.

Abstract: An illumination control unit includes an automatic control function for automatically controlling the turning on and off of vehicle head lights depending on brightness of an environment around a vehicle. A sensitivity adjuster is installed on a lever extending from a steering column in a vehicle compartment. The sensitivity to the brightness of the environment around the vehicle at the time when the auto-on and auto-off state of the vehicle lights is changed can be adjusted with the sensitivity adjuster.

Abstract: A raindrop sensor includes an image sensor and an image processor. The image sensor captures an image of a windshield from inside a vehicle. The image processor performs a frequency analysis of the image to detect a high-frequency component in the image. When the high-frequency component is detected, the image processor detects a width of a change region where a change in gradation of the image occurs. When the width of the change region is within a predetermined range corresponding to a diameter of a raindrop, the image processor determines that the raindrop is on the windshield. Even when a foreign matter such as a water stain appears as the high-frequency component as a result of the frequency analysis, the raindrop and the foreign matter can be distinguished from each other based on the width of the change region.

Abstract: A processor in a vehicle front environment detection apparatus processes an image from an imaging unit for detecting another vehicle based on the brightness of an environment of a traveling vehicle derived from the image. The detection result of the another vehicle is reflected to a control of at least one of headlamp selection and headlamp light distribution for the ease of headlamp control.

Abstract: A vehicle lighting control system is disclosed that includes a weather detecting device for detecting a weather condition and a degree thereof. The lighting control system also includes a control device for controlling the light emitting apparatus based on the weather condition and the degree of the weather condition.

Abstract: A wiper controller includes: a sensor for detecting a waterdrop on a windshield; a wiper for wiping the windshield; and control means for controlling operation of the wiper. The control means monitors a waterdrop reflection when the sensor detects the waterdrop. The waterdrop reflection is a diffuse reflection of light. The control means operates the wiper with an intermittent wiping operation having a time interval in such a manner that the time interval in a case where the control means decides nonexistence of the waterdrop reflection is set to be longer than the time interval in a case where the control means decides existence of the waterdrop reflection.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes a light receiving device disposed in a housing, an exterior filter rotatably mounted to an attachment surface of the housing, and a light intercepting member which rotates along with a rotation of the exterior filter to adjust an amount of light incident on a light receiving surface of the light receiving device. In this optical sensor, the light intercepting member has a rotary shaft fixed at its center, and has a light adjusting mechanism for adjusting the amount of light incident on the light receiving surface of the light receiving device in a range in a direction of rotation around the rotary shaft. Accordingly, the sensitivity of the optical sensor can be arbitrarily adjusted with a high accuracy.

Abstract: A wiper controller includes: a sensor for detecting a waterdrop on a windshield; a wiper for wiping the windshield; and control means for controlling operation of the wiper. The control means monitors a waterdrop reflection when the sensor detects the waterdrop. The waterdrop reflection is a diffuse reflection of light. The control means operates the wiper with an intermittent wiping operation having a time interval in such a manner that the time interval in a case where the control means decides nonexistence of the waterdrop reflection is set to be longer than the time interval in a case where the control means decides existence of the waterdrop reflection.