Abstract: A transmission and reception device is located at a predetermined height on a movable object and directed toward an outside. The transmission and reception device includes a transmission unit for repeatedly transmitting sensing waves at a predetermined interval and a reception unit for receiving reflective waves of the sensing waves from a detected object. A peak value detecting unit detects peak values of the received reflective waves and stores the detected peak values. A difference arithmetic unit calculates a difference in the detected peak values with movement of the movable object closer to the detected object. An object determination unit determines the detected object to be a near-road-surface obstacle, which is close to a road surface, when the difference is a negative value. The object determination unit determines the detected object to be an other obstacle than the near-road-surface obstacle when the difference is a positive value.

Abstract: In an obstacle detection system, a wave transmitted by a transmitting element and received by receiving elements as a receiving wave includes extraneous waves, which are reflection waves from other than an obstacle, and obstacle reflection waves from an obstacle. It is determined that, an obstacle is present, if the reflection waves are detected as having an amplitude (voltage) greater than a threshold level and a reception time difference between time points at which the amplitude exceeds threshold level at the receiving elements is less than a predetermined time.

Abstract: A washer nozzle-equipped camera apparatus includes a camera and a washer nozzle. The washer nozzle has a window spray outlet for spraying a washer fluid, supplied from a supply unit such as a pump, on a window of a vehicle. The washer nozzle further has a window duct for carrying the washer fluid to the window spray outlet. The washer nozzle further has a camera spray outlet for spraying the washer fluid on a lens of the camera. The washer nozzle further has a camera duct for carrying the washer fluid to the camera spray outlet.