Abstract: A LiDAR device is a light detection device including a light-emitting unit, a light-receiving unit, and an optical unit. In the light-emitting unit, a plurality of VCSEL elements respectively emitting a beam are arranged along a light source array direction. The light-receiving unit receives a reflected beam from a measurement area. The optical unit includes a first optical element and a second optical element, and forms a projected beam extending along the light source array direction. The first optical element has a negative power along a transmission direction of the beam on a main scanning plane that is orthogonal to the light source array direction. The second optical element is positioned behind the first optical element, and has a positive power along the transmission direction on the main scanning plane that is orthogonal to the light source array direction.

Abstract: An object detection apparatus that scans a detection range to detect an object is provided. The object detection apparatus includes a light emission unit that emits a pulse detection light; and a light reception unit having a plurality of light reception pixel groups, in which the plurality of light reception pixel groups include a reflected light reception pixel group that receives, at each scanning unit in a scanning operation, reflected light in response to an emission of the pulse detection light, and one or more visible light reception pixel groups corresponding to visible light components, receiving a visible light at each scanning unit in a scanning operation.

Abstract: In a ranging device for measuring a distance to an object, a distance image acquisition unit is configured to, using light reception signal, acquire a distance image that indicates, at each pixel, a distance to the object within a region illuminated with illumination light. A background light image acquisition unit is configured to, using the light reception signals, acquire a background light image that indicates an intensity of background light received at each pixel. An information acquirer is configured to acquire intensity-related information related to the intensity of the background light. A resolution controller is configured to control a resolution of the distance image and a resolution of the background light image by setting a size of pixel regions independently for each of the distance image and the background light image according to the intensity of the background light indicated by the intensity-related information.

Abstract: An optical ranging device includes a light emitting section provided with a semiconductor laser element having a light emitting region whose length in a first direction is more than that in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The device measures the distance to an object based on the time from light emission from the light emitting section to reception of the light by a light receiving section. A plurality of light emitting regions may be provided in the light emitting section such that they are separated in the second direction and abut or partially overlap each other in the first direction so that the light emitting regions are continuous in the first direction.

Abstract: An optical detector includes a light emitter having a light emitting window extended in an extension direction to emit a projection beam from the light emitting window toward a measurement area and to detect a return beam from the measurement area. The optical detector includes a scanning mirror that scans by reflecting the projection beam. The scanning mirror swings within a finite angular range around a rotation axis that is along a direction corresponding to the extension direction.

Abstract: The laser light for performing a detection for at least 2 pixel parts is scanned in a first direction, covering at least a predetermined angle of field range. A reflection body is driven to reflect the scanned laser light, to scan the laser light in a second direction, covering a predetermined external range. The reflected light from the object is turned towards a light receiving lens by a route changing unit. A light receiving unit provided with a light receiving element for at least 2 pixel parts detects a condensed reflected light from the object. The distance to the object is detected depending on a period from a time when the laser light is emitted to a time when the reflected light is received. The route changing unit is disposed allowing the laser light scanned in the first direction to pass therethrough to reach the reflection body.

Abstract: An optical detector is configured to project a projection beam toward a measurement area and detect a return beam from the measurement area. The optical detector includes: a projecting optical system that forms a projection optical axis to project the projection beam; a receiving optical system that forms a receiving optical axis to receive the return beam, and a housing having a housing chamber to house the projecting optical system and the receiving optical system, and an optical window for the projection beam and the return beam to travel between the housing chamber and the measurement area. The projection optical axis and the receiving optical axis are offset from each other to define an overlap region inside the housing chamber where footprints of the projection beam and the return beam overlap with each other.

Abstract: A light emitting element emits a modulated light modulated in a pattern having a repetitive period toward a space. A driving unit drives the light emitting element. A light receiving element distributes charges corresponding to an incident light containing a reflected light obtained by reflecting the modulated light on an object to storage capacitors and stores the distributed charges. A control unit controls an exposure of the light receiving element. A signal processing unit measures a distance to the object by using a value sampled by the light receiving element. The control unit controls the exposure of the light receiving element to give a sensitivity to at least one high-order harmonic. The signal processing unit linearly combines a component of a fundamental wave with a component of the at least one high-order harmonic to measure the distance to the object.

Abstract: A light emitting element emits a modulated light modulated in a pattern having a repetitive period toward a space. A driving unit drives the light emitting element. A light receiving element distributes charges corresponding to an incident light containing a reflected light obtained by reflecting the modulated light on an object to storage capacitors and stores the distributed charges. A control unit controls an exposure of the light receiving element. A signal processing unit measures a distance to the object by using a value sampled by the light receiving element. The control unit controls the exposure of the light receiving element to give a sensitivity to at least one high-order harmonic. The signal processing unit linearly combines a component of a fundamental wave with a component of the at least one high-order harmonic to measure the distance to the object.

Abstract: An absorption spectroscopy apparatus provides an apparatus for analyzing gaseous sample. A measuring section irradiates the gaseous sample with terahertz radiation. An analysis section calculates a concentration of a specific constituent based on a level of absorbance by the gaseous sample. Terahertz radiation at least contains frequency components where the specific constituent shows an absorbance larger than an absorbance by a background constituent. Terahertz radiation at least contains frequency components where a spectrum of absorbance by the background constituent shows relatively flat profile.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first insulating film over a semiconductor substrate, forming a trench in the first insulating film, forming a metal interconnect in the trench, exposing the surface of the metal interconnect to a silicon-containing gas, performing a plasma treatment of the surface of the metal interconnect after exposing to the silicon-containing gas, and forming a second insulating film over the metal interconnect.

Abstract: A signal-to-noise ratio and measurement precision is increased in electrode units disposed on the left and right sides of a steering wheel. A plurality of electrode units is disposed in the left and right handholds of a steering wheel. The contact impedances of all the electrode units are measured. A pair of left and right electrode units to be used to measure an electrocardiographic signal is designated from among the electrode units whose measured contact impedances are less than or equal to a first threshold. The results of measurement of an electrocardiographic signal by the designated electrode units are added in order to minimize noise. An electrode unit with high contact impedance is used to measure induction noise and remove the induction noise component from the electrocardiographic signal measurement result.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thin film transistor device formed on an insulating substrate of a liquid crystal display device and others, a method of manufacturing the same, and a liquid crystal display device. In structure, there are provided the steps of forming a negative photoresist film on a first insulating film for covering a first island-like semiconductor film, forming a resist mask that has an opening portion in an inner region with respect to a periphery of the first island-like semiconductor film by exposing/developing the negative photoresist film from a back surface side of a transparent substrate, etching the first insulating film in the opening portion of the resist mask, forming a second insulating film for covering the first insulating film and a conductive film thereon, and forming a first gate electrode and a second gate electrode by patterning the conductive film.

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: The present invention relates to a thin film transistor device formed on an insulating substrate of a liquid crystal display device and others, a method of manufacturing the same, and a liquid crystal display device. In structure, there are provided the steps of forming a negative photoresist film on a first insulating film for covering a first island-like semiconductor film, forming a resist mask that has an opening portion in an inner region with respect to a periphery of the first island-like semiconductor film by exposing/developing the negative photoresist film from a back surface side of a transparent substrate, etching the first insulating film in the opening portion of the resist mask, forming a second insulating film for covering the first insulating film and a conductive film thereon, and forming a first gate electrode and a second gate electrode by patterning the conductive film.

Abstract: A signal-to-noise ratio and measurement precision is increased in electrode units disposed on the left and right sides of a steering wheel. A plurality of electrode units is disposed in the left and right handholds of a steering wheel. The contact impedances of all the electrode units are measured. A pair of left and right electrode units to be used to measure an electrocardiographic signal is designated from among the electrode units whose measured contact impedances are less than or equal to a first threshold. The results of measurement of an electrocardiographic signal by the designated electrode units are added in order to minimize noise. An electrode unit with high contact impedance is used to measure induction noise and remove the induction noise component from the electrocardiographic signal measurement result.

Abstract: A signal detector detects biological signal associated with a driver using electrode devices and a pulse wave sensor built into a steering wheel. A pulse wave sensor is built into a spoke part of the steering wheel and electrode devices are built into a ring part joined with the left and right spoke parts. The electrode devices and the pulse wave sensor are built into the surface of the steering wheel through insertion into recesses in the steering wheel. The left and right electrode devices and the pulse wave sensor contact thumb bases of the palms of the driver.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first insulating film over a semiconductor substrate, forming a trench in the first insulating film, forming a metal interconnect in the trench, exposing the surface of the metal interconnect to a silicon-containing gas, performing a plasma treatment of the surface of the metal interconnect after exposing to the silicon-containing gas, and forming a second insulating film over the metal interconnect.

Abstract: The present invention provides a health care support system that can give appropriate advice depending on a situation. At first step, whether a driver is seated is checked using a signal from a pressure sensor. At second step, whether the driver is in a resting state is checked using heart rate and the like. At third step, physical information is acquired. At forth step, a health status is judged based on the measured pieces of physical information and the like. At fifth step, activity status information is acquired. At sixth step, an activity status is judged based on the activity status information. At seventh step, an appropriate piece of advice for the driver is selected based on a judgment result of the health status and a judgment result of the activity status. At eighth step, the selected piece of advice is displayed on a displaying section and audibly outputted.

Abstract: A drowsiness detecting apparatus has a pulse wave sensor and a determination circuit. The sensor is provided to a steering wheel to detect a pulse wave of a vehicle driver gripping the steering wheel. The determination circuit generates a thorax pressure signal indicative of the depth of breathing by envelope-detecting a pulse wave signal of the sensor and determines whether the driver is drowsy by comparing a pattern of the thorax pressure signal with a reference pattern. The display and the buzzer notify the driver and any other passengers in the vehicle of the drowsiness of the driver by a visual indication and buzzing sound, respectively. A body surface motion may be used as a signal that indicates the depth of breathing.