Abstract: A battery state monitoring portion intermittently monitors the low voltage battery for supplying power to electrical components arranged in a vehicle while the power supply to the low voltage system load other than a +B load is stopped, a DCDC converter is stopped, and a +B power supply mode in which the vehicle cannot travel is set. A charging control portion starts up the DCDC converter and charges the low voltage battery with the power of a high voltage battery as a power source of the vehicle through the DCDC converter when the voltage of the low voltage battery becomes lower than or equal to a charging start voltage when the +B power supply mode is set. The present invention can be applied to a charging device of a battery of an electric vehicle.

Abstract: A structure for installing a capacitance sensor which detects an object in vicinity of the capacitance sensor to a door of a vehicle, including a spacer disposed between the door and the capacitance sensor attached at a vehicle-inner side of an opening end of the door. A water-drop prevention portion is formed on an outer surface of the spacer for preventing water from flowing to the capacitance sensor from the door.

Abstract: A code-type sensor for detecting a change in capacitance includes a plurality of detection electrodes for detecting a change in capacitance, a shield electrode surrounding the plurality of detection electrodes so as to restrict a detection range of the capacitance and having an opening in a direction of detection, and a contact detecting electrode for detecting contact disposed along a longitudinal direction of the sensor. The detection electrodes are disposed at a position close to the opening in the shield electrode and at a position far from the opening in the shield electrode. The contact detecting electrode is disposed on a back side in the direction of detection of the shield electrode.

Abstract: A detector for detecting an object that may be feared to or about to be caught by a closing door such as a slide door of a vehicle incorporates a capacitance sensor with a directionality characteristic in the direction of its detection surface. The detector has a main body enclosing detection electrodes, an insulating material placed in between and a shield electrode serving to provide the directionality. A protective cover may cover the shield electrode and the detection electrodes. A water-repellant finish may be provided at least on a portion of the outer surface of the main body including the detection surface for preventing water drops from remaining or becoming larger. A plurality of mutually adjacent protrusions may be formed on the protective cover with thickness decreasing in the direction of protrusion for making it difficult for water drops to remain.

Abstract: An object detection sensor wherein a detection electrode (electrode connected with a detection circuit via a conductor) is not exposed from a surface and an input signal is scarcely reduced when a contact area is small, which is capable of reliably detecting a contact thereof with an object in a manner substantially the same as that in the case of a large contact area even when the contact area is small is provided.

Abstract: A detector for detecting an object that may be feared to or about to be caught by a closing door such as a slide door of a vehicle incorporates a capacitance sensor with a directionality characteristic in the direction of its detection surface. The detector has a main body enclosing detection electrodes, an insulating material placed in between and a shield electrode serving to provide the directionality. A protective cover may cover the shield electrode and the detection electrodes. A water-repellant finish may be provided at least on a portion of the outer surface of the main body including the detection surface for preventing water drops from remaining or becoming larger. A plurality of mutually adjacent protrusions may be formed on the protective cover with thickness decreasing in the direction of protrusion for making it difficult for water drops to remain.

Abstract: An object detection sensor wherein a detection electrode (electrode connected with a detection circuit via a conductor) is not exposed from a surface and an input signal is scarcely reduced when a contact area is small, which is capable of reliably detecting a contact thereof with an object in a manner substantially the same as that in the case of a large contact area even when the contact area is small is provided.

Abstract: A capacitance sensor with a directionality characteristic in the direction of its detection surface is incorporated in a detector for detecting an object that may be feared to or about to be caught by a closing door such as a slide door of a vehicle. The capacitance sensor has a main body enclosing detection electrodes, an insulating material placed in between and a shield electrode serving to provide the directionality. A water-repellant finish is provided at least on a portion of the outer surface of the main body including the detection surface for preventing water drops from remaining or becoming larger. The detection surface may be unevenly shaped with protrusions for making it difficult for water drops to remain attached.

Abstract: A fingerprint identification device judges that the input fingerprint is identical to the fingerprint in the database only when a the touch sensor detects the human finger and a the fingerprint processing unit detects that the input fingerprint is identical to a fingerprint in the database. The touch sensor includes an oscillator that outputs a high frequency signal. An electrode unit applies the high frequency signal to the human finger. A detector unit detects a variation of impedance values varied by the human finger contracting the electrode unit and outputs an output signal based on the variation of impedance values. A discriminator unit determines whether the human finger is in contact with the electrode unit by comparing the output signal from the detector unit with a predetermined reference value.

Abstract: Wrongful authentication process is prevented. A passive entry authenticating section compares an identification signal sent from a portable unit with an identification signal previously stored in a storage section. A biometrics authenticating section compares the biometrics information of a user inputted through a sensor section with the biometrics information registered in a biometrics database. A control section authenticates an authorized user when there is agreement in both the identification-signal comparison result and the biometrics-information comparison result, and controls a lock system to unlock the door lock of the automobile.

Abstract: This invention provides a switch adapted to close upon pressing by an actuator of a movable piece initially in an open switch position, the actuator being made of a material which melts at a predetermined temperature. The switch opens when melting of the actuator by the heat generated from an overcurrent allows the movable piece to return to its initial position. The movable piece is made of a material which fuses at a predetermined temperature, such that the switch opens upon fusion of the movable piece by the heat generated from the flow of an overcurrent through the movable piece.