Abstract: In an electronic apparatus, a first microcomputer is monitored by a second microcomputer, which periodically transmits data relating to a main function to the first microcomputer to be processed. The first microcomputer periodically updates a variable value, performs a predetermined calculation operation whose final result should be a specific fixed value, adds that final result to the updated variable value to obtain a sum value, and transmits the sum value and updated variable value concurrently to the second microcomputer. The second microcomputer determines that the first microcomputer is operating abnormally if the difference between the received sum value and variable value is not equal to the specific fixed value.

Abstract: An on-board camera is disposed, behind a neighboring member that is located above a steering column, on the steering column that can move forward at the time of a collision of a vehicle in which the on-board camera is installed. The on-board camera includes: a camera portion; and a support mechanism. The support mechanism supports the camera portion in such a manner that the camera portion can move in a direction away from the neighboring member when the neighboring member and the camera portion are brought into contact with each other because of a forward movement of the steering column at the time of the collision.

Abstract: An on-board camera is disposed, behind a neighboring member that is located above a steering column, on the steering column that can move forward at the time of a collision of a vehicle in which the on-board camera is installed. The on-board camera includes: a camera portion; and a support mechanism. The support mechanism supports the camera portion in such a manner that the camera portion can move in a direction away from the neighboring member when the neighboring member and the camera portion are brought into contact with each other because of a forward movement of the steering column at the time of the collision.

Abstract: A facial image photographic device for vehicle mounting includes a facial image photographic camera which photographs the face of a driver of a vehicle while the vehicle is running, and a changeover device. The changeover device changes over a utilization environment of the facial image photographic camera between a position in which, when performing photography, the facial image photographic camera can be exposed to direct insolation by sunlight, and a position in which, when not performing photography, at least a part of the facial image photographic camera is not to be exposed to direct insolation by sunlight than when performing photography.

Abstract: In an electronic apparatus, a first microcomputer is monitored by a second microcomputer, which periodically transmits data relating to a main function to the first microcomputer to be processed. The first microcomputer periodically updates a variable value, performs a predetermined calculation operation whose final result should be a specific fixed value, adds that final result to the updated variable value to obtain a sum value, and transmits the sum value and updated variable value concurrently to the second microcomputer. The second microcomputer determines that the first microcomputer is operating abnormally if the difference between the received sum value and variable value is not equal to the specific fixed value.

Abstract: A vehicle imaging system includes an imaging device that images at least a part of an area around a vehicle; and a visible light attenuation device that attenuates part of visible light that enters the imaging device. The imaging device includes an imaging element that converts both of the infrared light and an infrared ray to electric signals. The imaging device outputs both of image data produced based on the electric signal to which the visible light, which has entered the imaging device without passing through the visible light attenuation device, has been converted, and image data produced based on the electric signal to which the infrared ray, which has passed through the visible light attenuation device, has been converted.

Abstract: A camera [[17]] captures an image by applying for every frame camera control values that are computed for a white line detection, and captures the image by applying for every frame camera control values that are computed for a three-dimensional object detection. The captured frame is transmitted to a stereo ECU [[20]] by adding thereto a frame counter value and the camera control values that were applied when capturing the image, and the stereo ECU [[20]] distinguishes the frame for white line from the frame for three-dimensional object depending on the added frame counter value. Based on the distinguished frame, the stereo ECU [[20]] carries out the white line detection or the three-dimensional object detection, computes the camera control values for the white line or the camera control values for the three-dimensional object, and transmits the computed camera control values to the camera [[17]].

Abstract: A vehicle traveling control system and a vehicle control device whereby markers are detected with reliability and information about a local vehicle is transmitted to a succeeding vehicle. Information collecting unit of a preceding vehicle acquires information about the traveling state of the local vehicle associated therewith and supplies the acquired information to modulating unit. The modulating unit modulates the information supplied thereto and supplies the modulated information to blinking unit. The blinking unit causes the markers to blink in accordance with the information supplied thereto. Imaging unit of the succeeding vehicle acquires images of the markers and supplies the acquired images to specifying unit. The specifying unit specifies the marker images from within the image data output from the imaging unit. Validity determining unit determines validity of the specified marker images. Using the marker images, distance measuring unit measures a distance to the preceding vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle traveling control system and a vehicle control device whereby markers are detected with reliability and information about a local vehicle is transmitted to a succeeding vehicle. Information collecting unit of a preceding vehicle acquires information about the traveling state of the local vehicle associated therewith and supplies the acquired information to modulating unit. The modulating unit modulates the information supplied thereto and supplies the modulated information to blinking unit. The blinking unit causes the markers to blink in accordance with the information supplied thereto. Imaging unit of the succeeding vehicle acquires images of the markers and supplies the acquired images to specifying unit. The specifying unit specifies the marker images from within the image data output from the imaging unit. Validity determining unit determines validity of the specified marker images. Using the marker images, distance measuring unit measures a distance to the preceding vehicle.

Abstract: An automatic travel controlling device capable of reliably guiding a vehicle along a lane even if the white lane lines cannot be detected. A laser radar device for detecting the distance to a side wall of the lane is provided to the left and right in addition to a CCD camera for detecting the white lane lines. An image from the CCD camera is supplied to a image processor ECU, and an extracted white line is supplied to a vehicle controlling ECU. A vehicle controlling ECU drives a steering actuator to perform steering control based on two white lines of the lane when detected. However, when the white lines cannot be detected, steering control based on the distances to the side walls is performed. If an obstacle is detected ahead by the laser radar device, the vehicle position is detected based on the distances to the side walls and a lane change is performed to evade the obstacle.

Abstract: A locking device for a detachable panel fitted in a roof opening of automobiles comprises a pivotable lever mounted to the panel, a stationary body fixed to the vehicle roof, and a link mechanism securely fixed to the lever while pivoted to the stationary body. The link mechanism includes a pair of links each provided with a recess while the stationary body includes a pair of arms each provided with a pin resiliently urged to fit in the recess to lock the position of the panel at the partially open state. The recess includes two lateral edges one of which extends higher than the other other to act as the stopper of the pin, to thereby limit excessive rotational movement of the panel with respect to the stationary body.

Abstract: A locking device comprises a lever pivotally mounted to a panel which is detachably fitted in a roof opening of automotive vehicles, a stationary body fixed to the vehicle roof and provided with a pair of parallel arms each having a hole therein, and a link mechanism including a stationary bracket fixed to the lever, a pair of links pivoted to the bracket and each having a pin for fitting in the hole in the arm and a spring interposed between the links to urge the links to move in opposite directions. The resilient engagement of the pins of the mechanism with the holes in the arms of the stationary body will avoid any rattle caused between the detachable panel and the vehicle roof.