Abstract: In a remote-control apparatus, a receiver receives, from a vehicle, vehicle condition information representing a condition of the vehicle and a surrounding condition around the vehicle. An accepting unit presents the vehicle condition information to a remote operator, and accepts assistance information for remote assistance of the vehicle inputted by the remote operator. A determiner determines an expiration term of the assistance information. The expiration term of the assistance information is defined as an end time of an assistance-information valid period that has started since an input time of the assistance information. A sender sends, to the vehicle, the assistance information and the expiration term of the assistance information.

Abstract: An autonomous driving operation planning apparatus for generating an autonomous driving operation plan includes: an operation plan generator generating an operation plan by autonomous driving of the vehicle; a controller controlling the vehicle by autonomous driving based on the operation plan; a data receiver receiving support information for the autonomous driving from an external terminal by communication; and a delay time calculator calculating a delay time of the communication. If the calculated delay time is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold value, the operation plan generator sets a vehicle speed limit value indicating an upper limit of a speed of the vehicle in such a manner that the vehicle speed limit value becomes smaller as the delay time is longer and that the vehicle speed limit value becomes smaller with a larger change rate as the delay time is longer, and generates the operation plan.

Abstract: A warming article having a heat generating main body (4). The heat generating main body (4) is composed of a heat generating element (2) having water vapor generating capability and an air permeable holder (3) for holding the heat generating element (2). The heat generating main body (4) is configured to expand with heat generation of the heat generating element (2). The amount of water vapor generated from the warming article is preferably 1.0 to 100 mg/(cm2·10 min). The holder (3) preferably has a water vapor permeability of 1.5 to 10 kg/(m2·24 hr). The heat generating element (2) is preferably a sheet molded by papermaking and containing an oxidizable metal, a moisture-retaining agent, and a fibrous material.

Abstract: A compact gradient index rod lens that can be manufactured without decreasing the amount of incident light. The gradient index rod lens includes a lens body radially distributing refractive indexes. The lens body has a cross sectional outline formed by removing at least part of a peripheral portion of an original lens body.

Abstract: A rod lens for an optical communication module is not easily damaged. An input side end surface of the rod lens has an inclined surface. The inclined surface is inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to a central axis of the rod lens to reduce the reflection loss. A flat contact surface, which is perpendicular to the central axis, is formed on the distal end of the rod lens. By simply arranging two of the rod lenses to contact each other, the rod lenses are optically coupled in the optimum manner without being damaged.

Abstract: A rod lens for an optical communication module is not easily damaged An input side end surface of the rod lens has an inclined surface The inclined surface is inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to a central axis of the rod lens to reduce the reflection loss. A flat contact surface, which is perpendicular to the central axis, is formed on the distal end of the rod lens. By simply arranging two of the rod lenses to contact each other, the rod lenses are optically coupled in the optimum manner without being damaged.

Abstract: A compact refractive index distribution lens that can be manufactured without decreasing the amount of incident light. The refractive index distribution lens includes a lens body radially distributing refractive indexes. The lens body has a cross sectional outline formed by removing at least part of a peripheral portion of an original lens body.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector includes a plug having a ferrule adapted to be connected to a tip end of an optical fiber, a receptacle associated with a light-emitting element and having a ferrule insertion hole defined therein for receiving the plug therein, the ferrule insertion hole being held in light-transmitting communication with the light-emitting element, the receptacle being arranged such that the receptacle establishes an optical path between the light-emitting element and the optical fiber for optical coupling therebetween when the ferrule is inserted into the ferrule insertion hole, and a light blocking element for interrupting the optical path within the ferrule insertion hole in response to insertion of the ferrule into the ferrule insertion hole.