Abstract: An in-vehicle lighting apparatus includes a lighting device attached to an instrument panel at a lower part of a vehicle A-pillar in an interior compartment of a subject vehicle. The in-vehicle lighting apparatus has a vehicle information obtainer for obtaining information about a state of the vehicle, and a light controller for controlling the lighting device based on the vehicle information obtained by the vehicle information obtainer. The lighting device includes an indirect lighting part that directs light from a light source toward a surface of the A-pillar, for enabling an effective notification of vehicle information and events to a driver of the subject vehicle.

Abstract: An in-vehicle lighting apparatus includes a lighting device attached to an instrument panel at a lower part of a vehicle A-pillar in an interior compartment of a subject vehicle. The in-vehicle lighting apparatus has a vehicle information obtainer for obtaining information about a state of the vehicle, and a light controller for controlling the lighting device based on the vehicle information obtained by the vehicle information obtainer. The lighting device includes an indirect lighting part that directs light from a light source toward a surface of the A-pillar, for enabling an effective notification of vehicle information and events to a driver of the subject vehicle.

Abstract: A fiber optical light guide for transmits a light emitted from a light source in a light transmitting direction. The fiber optical light guide has an inlet-side end, an outlet side end, a plurality of core members, and an outer clad member. The light from the light source enters into the inlet-side end, and is emitted from the outlet-side end. The core members extend in the light transmitting direction. The outer clad member is positioned around the core members and provides an outer wall of the core members. The outer clad member has light diffusionability.

Abstract: A fiber optical light guide for transmits a light emitted from a light source in a light transmitting direction. The fiber optical light guide has an inlet-side end, an outlet side end, a plurality of core members, and an outer clad member. The light from the light source enters into the inlet-side end, and is emitted from the outlet-side end. The core members extend in the light transmitting direction. The outer clad member is positioned around the core members and provides an outer wall of the core members. The outer clad member has light diffusionability.

Abstract: A driver assistance device to be disposed in a vehicle includes a traffic signal information acquiring section, an intersection distance acquiring section, a target speed calculating section, and an outputting section. The traffic signal information acquiring section acquires traffic signal information that includes current and future lighting colors and lighting times of respective lighting colors of a traffic signal located in a traveling direction of the vehicle. The intersection distance acquiring section acquires an intersection distance between the vehicle and an intersection at which the traffic signal is located. The target speed calculating section calculates a target speed range to enable the vehicle to enter the intersection in a state where the lighting color of the traffic signal is green. The outputting section outputs the target speed range.

Abstract: A communication system for transmitting and receiving communication data together with signature data attached thereto for verifying the communication data. A transmission-side in-vehicle device of the system generates the signature data for each unit of communication data consisting of M×N (M>=N>=2) pieces of communication data, and repeatedly transmits M pieces of divided signature data in N rounds, attached to M×N corresponding pieces of communication data. A reception-side in-vehicle device of the system reconstitutes the unit of communication data from M×N pieces of received communication data, reconstitutes the signature data from M pieces of received divided signature data, and then verifies the reconstituted unit of communication data with the reconstituted signature data. This can prevent data missing of the signature data due to communication errors to thereby reliably verify the communication data.

Abstract: A communication system for transmitting and receiving communication data together with signature data attached thereto for verifying the communication data. A transmission-side in-vehicle device of the system generates the signature data for each unit of communication data consisting of M pieces of communication data, and transmits the M pieces of divided signature data, attached to M corresponding pieces of communication data. A reception-side in-vehicle device of the system reconstitutes each unit of communication data from M pieces of received communication data, reconstitutes the signature data from M pieces of received divided signature data, and verifies the reconstituted unit of communication data with the reconstituted signature data. This can prevent significant increase in data amount of additional data in each communication frame for verifying the communication data.

Abstract: A roadside communicator in a roadside around an intersection transmits, to vehicles around the intersection, traffic light information on traffic light at the intersection and mobile object information on vehicles and pedestrians around the intersection. An in-vehicle communicator mounted in a subject vehicle acquires the traffic light information and the mobile object information. An in-vehicle engine start determination section mounted in the subject vehicle determines a permission or prohibition of a start of an engine of the subject vehicle based on the traffic light information and mobile object information. The engine start determination section determines an engine start time in consideration of a display of the traffic light, and states of mobile objects that pass through the intersection. An in-vehicle engine control section in the subject vehicle starts the engine when the engine start determination section permits the start of the engine.

Abstract: In inter-vehicle communication, a communication apparatus may not normally receive a packet having a sufficient reception power level. Under such circumstances, a control circuit in the apparatus determines that the received packet has collided with other packet if a condition is met that a time period for a receiver circuit to receive a packet having a reception power level of equal to or more than a set value is longer than a time period required for the receiver circuit to receive a packet having a predetermined packet length.

Abstract: A driving assist apparatus for an own vehicle is disclosed. The driving assist apparatus acquires light color change information and traffic light location information from at least one of the own vehicle and a different vehicle. The light color change information is information indicative of a change in light color of a traffic light. The traffic light location information is information indicative of location of the traffic light. The driving assist apparatus prediction device predicts a traffic light color change time, based on the light color change information and the traffic light location information. The driving assist apparatus assists a driver in driving the own vehicle in accordance with the light color change time.

Abstract: A roadside communicator in a roadside around an intersection transmits, to vehicles around the intersection, traffic light information on traffic light at the intersection and mobile object information on vehicles and pedestrians around the intersection. An in-vehicle communicator mounted in a subject vehicle acquires the traffic light information and the mobile object information. An in-vehicle engine start determination section mounted in the subject vehicle determines a permission or prohibition of a start of an engine of the subject vehicle based on the traffic light information and mobile object information. The engine start determination section determines an engine start time in consideration of a display of the traffic light, and states of mobile objects that pass through the intersection. An in-vehicle engine control section in the subject vehicle starts the engine when the engine start determination section permits the start of the engine.

Abstract: An on-vehicle apparatus adapted to estimate a location of a subject vehicle, in which the apparatus acquires vehicle-information including a location, a velocity and a running direction of the subject vehicle at a reference time and a factor that changes the velocity of the subject vehicle.

Abstract: A driver assistance device to be disposed in a vehicle includes a traffic signal information acquiring section, an intersection distance acquiring section, a target speed calculating section, and an outputting section. The traffic signal information acquiring section acquires traffic signal information that includes current and future lighting colors and lighting times of respective lighting colors of a traffic signal located in a traveling direction of the vehicle. The intersection distance acquiring section acquires an intersection distance between the vehicle and an intersection at which the traffic signal is located. The target speed calculating section calculates a target speed range to enable the vehicle to enter the intersection in a state where the lighting color of the traffic signal is green. The outputting section outputs the target speed range.

Abstract: A communication system for transmitting and receiving communication data together with signature data attached thereto for verifying the communication data. A transmission-side in-vehicle device of the system generates the signature data for each unit of communication data consisting of M pieces of communication data, and transmits the M pieces of divided signature data, attached to M corresponding pieces of communication data. A reception-side in-vehicle device of the system reconstitutes each unit of communication data from M pieces of received communication data, reconstitutes the signature data from M pieces of received divided signature data, and verifies the reconstituted unit of communication data with the reconstituted signature data. This can prevent significant increase in data amount of additional data in each communication frame for verifying the communication data.

Abstract: A communication system for transmitting and receiving communication data together with signature data attached thereto for verifying the communication data. A transmission-side in-vehicle device of the system generates the signature data for each unit of communication data consisting of M×N (M>=N>=2) pieces of communication data, and repeatedly transmits M pieces of divided signature data in N rounds, attached to M×N corresponding pieces of communication data. A reception-side in-vehicle device of the system reconstitutes the unit of communication data from M×N pieces of received communication data, reconstitutes the signature data from M pieces of received divided signature data, and then verifies the reconstituted unit of communication data with the reconstituted signature data. This can prevent data missing of the signature data due to communication errors to thereby reliably verify the communication data.

Abstract: In inter-vehicle communication, a communication apparatus may not normally receive a packet having a sufficient reception power level. Under such circumstances, a control circuit in the apparatus determines that the received packet has collided with other packet if a condition is met that a time period for a receiver circuit to receive a packet having a reception power level of equal to or more than a set value is longer than a time period required for the receiver circuit to receive a packet having a predetermined packet length.

Abstract: In inter-vehicle communication, a communication apparatus may not normally receive a packet having a sufficient reception power level. Under such circumstances, a control circuit in the apparatus determines that the received packet has collided with other packet if a condition is met that a time period for a receiver circuit to receive a packet having a reception power level of equal to or more than a set value is longer than a time period required for the receiver circuit to receive a packet having a predetermined packet length.

Abstract: In inter-vehicle communication, a communication apparatus may not normally receive a packet having a sufficient reception power level. Under such circumstances, a control circuit in the apparatus determines that the received packet has collided with other packet if a condition is met that a time period for a receiver circuit to receive a packet having a reception power level of equal to or more than a set value is longer than a time period required for the receiver circuit to receive a packet having a predetermined packet length.

Abstract: A class of a vehicle (VHC) is judged from distance data obtained by scanning on a lane with at least a laser beam in the longitudinal direction LD of the lane, wherein the scanning line may be inclined. Distance data may be further obtained in the width direction to provide more accurate judgement. The LD measurement unit may be swinged with the VHC position in the width direction. The outline of the VHC is detected by obtaining characteristic points from the distance data. The number of axles may be detected by slantwise scanning from an upper right or left position above the lane. Successive partial distance images with offsets can be combined to provide combined outline of the VHC to detect the class. A communication (COMM) unit may be provided to receive ID data, class data of VHC, owner data from the removable VHC COMM unit mounted on the VHC.

Abstract: A response unit located on a vehicle performs transmission operations for transmitting signals including a pilot response signal responsive to receipt of a pilot signal from a fixed transceiver. The transceiver uses a highly directive transmission antenna to transmit a beam-shaped signal containing a pilot signal to a communication zone set with respect to a lane along which the vehicle travels. The fixed transceiver also performs data transmission/reception operations with the response unit when it receives a pilot response signal therefrom. The beam-shaped signal is set to have a radiation area smaller than the area of the communication zone and is electronically scanned within the communication zone in a direction orthogonal to the movement direction of the vehicle by a scanner in the transceiver. The scan patterns of beams from transceivers corresponding to adjacent lanes are synchronized so that the scan areas of signals from adjacent transmission antennas do not overlap.