Abstract: A driving assist apparatus includes a subject vehicle information receiving unit receiving information from a subject vehicle that requires a lane change; a vicinity vehicle information receiving unit receiving information from a vicinity vehicle existing in the vicinity of the subject vehicle; a lane-change permission degree calculation unit calculating, based on information of the subject vehicle and information of the vicinity vehicle, a lane-change permission degree for respective travelling vehicles present in a destination lane, the lane-change permission degree being a degree of permission for the subject vehicle to perform a lane change to interrupt a space ahead of an object travelling vehicle in the destination lane; and a lane-change vehicle determination unit determining, based on the lane-change permission degree, the object travelling vehicle in front of which the subject vehicle interrupts an available space in the destination lane and notifies the subject vehicle about the object travelling ve

Abstract: A motorcycle-detecting device according to the present invention is mounted on an automotive vehicle. The device includes ultrasonic sensors for detecting objects around the vehicle, a device for predicting that a motorcycle is approaching the vehicle, and a device for adjusting a detection distance and a detection sensitivity of the ultrasonic sensors. When the predicting means predicts a motorcycle approach, the adjusting device makes the detection distance longer than a normal distance and the detection sensitivity higher than a normal sensitivity. Illuminating devices may be mounted on the vehicle to make the motorcycle passing by visible. A warning may be given to a driver when a motorcycle passing by is actually detected by the sensors. Information regarding the detected motorcycle may be given to other vehicles. According to the present invention, the motorcycle passing by the vehicle is surely and stably detected to thereby avoid any traffic accident with the motorcycle.

Abstract: A motorcycle-detecting device according to the present invention is mounted on an automotive vehicle. The device includes ultrasonic sensors for detecting objects around the vehicle, a device for predicting that a motorcycle is approaching the vehicle, and a device for adjusting a detection distance and a detection sensitivity of the ultrasonic sensors. When the predicting means predicts a motorcycle approach, the adjusting device makes the detection distance longer than a normal distance and the detection sensitivity higher than a normal sensitivity. Illuminating devices may be mounted on the vehicle to make the motorcycle passing by visible. A warning may be given to a driver when a motorcycle passing by is actually detected by the sensors. Information regarding the detected motorcycle may be given to other vehicles. According to the present invention, the motorcycle passing by the vehicle is surely and stably detected to thereby avoid any traffic accident with the motorcycle.

Abstract: A communication apparatus on a subject vehicle detects surrounding vehicles based on a detection result of a radar or the like for generating a subject device vehicle data list. Then, similar lists are acquired from other apparatuses for deleting co-existing vehicles from the subject device vehicle data list. Co-existing vehicles are also deleted from the subject device vehicle data list by receiving the similar lists from roadside devices. Then, the subject device vehicle data list is transmitted to other vehicles. In this manner, the total amount of communication data exchanged between apparatuses is reduced due to a reduction of duplicated vehicle information.

Abstract: A drive-assist information providing system is installed beforehand in a vehicle. The system provides drive-assist information to the driver when the vehicle is running, or temporarily halting, on one lane of a road within a predetermined assist zone. The system includes a first obtaining unit for obtaining a current position and behavior of the vehicle, and a second obtaining unit for obtaining a current position and behavior of an object around the vehicle. The system includes an identifying unit for identifying current circumstances of the vehicle and therearound based on the current position and behavior of the vehicle and on the current position and behavior of the object around the vehicle. The system includes a control unit for controlling how to provide the drive-assist information to the driver of the vehicle depending on the identified current circumstances of the vehicle and therearound.

Abstract: A vehicle-to-vehicle communication device installed on a subject vehicle includes a detection function, a transmission function, a report function and a signal-processing function to display position information of surrounding vehicles as well as the subject vehicle. In a process of displaying the position information of the vehicles, the device communicates with the devices installed on other vehicles within a reach of the communication function to reflect the position information of the surrounding vehicles including vehicles not equipped with the device.

Abstract: When a map screen is displayed in a navigation system of a subject vehicle, a position of any other vehicle is estimated and is displayed in the map screen. Influence of delay due to the following is eliminated or reduced: time consumed in processing in a navigation system of the other vehicle; time consumed in communication between the navigation system of the other vehicle and the navigation system of the subject vehicle; time from when the navigation system of the subject vehicle receives communication information to when it generates information to be notified; and the like. In cases where the influence of delay is taken into account, as mentioned above, accuracy of a notified position of the other vehicle is enhanced. Thus, an accurate operation support system is provided to minimize occurrence of errors.

Abstract: In a vehicle speed control system, each node existing ahead of a vehicle is detected, and a stable running speed at which the vehicle runs stably when the vehicle passes over each node, and a deceleration needed to accelerate/decelerate the vehicle so that the vehicle speed becomes the stable running speed at each node by the time when the vehicle arrives at the node are successively calculated. On the basis of the deceleration at each node, a point at which the maximum deceleration value is achieved is selected, and the vehicle is subjected to deceleration control so that the vehicle speed becomes the stable running speed at the point. When a point at which the curve degree is maximum is different from a point at which the deceleration value is maximum and also the point is located ahead of the vehicle, further necessary deceleration control is carried out.

Abstract: A vehicle-to-vehicle communication device installed on a subject vehicle includes a detection function, a transmission function, a report function and a signal-processing function to display position information of surrounding vehicles as well as the subject vehicle. In a process of displaying the position information of the vehicles, the device communicates with the devices installed on other vehicles within a reach of the communication function to reflect the position information of the surrounding vehicles including vehicles not equipped with the device.

Abstract: In a vehicle speed control system, each node existing ahead of a vehicle is detected, and a stable running speed at which the vehicle runs stably when the vehicle passes over each node, and a deceleration needed to accelerate/decelerate the vehicle so that the vehicle speed becomes the stable running speed at each node by the time when the vehicle arrives at the node are successively calculated. On the basis of the deceleration at each node, a point at which the maximum deceleration value is achieved is selected, and the vehicle is subjected to deceleration control so that the vehicle speed becomes the stable running speed at the point. When a point at which the curve degree is maximum is different from a point at which the deceleration value is maximum and also the point is located ahead of the vehicle, further necessary deceleration control is carried out.

Abstract: Carrier apparatus retains sheet-like microfilm to be positioned in an apparatus for projecting images for either viewing or copying. The carrier is moved in first and second orthogonal directions such that the microfilm can be positioned to align a specific frame at a projection station. The carrier is mounted on a support which includes a pair of spaced guide members along at least one of the directions and means mounted between the guide members in contacting relationship therewith. Each pair of guide members and the structure therebetween forms point contact support such that the carrier may be moved smoothly for accurate positioning of the microfilm for alignment of a specific frame thereon. In one embodiment the guide members each include a V-shaped groove and the structure therebetween includes a plurality of rollers mounted in point contacting relationship in the V-shaped grooves.