Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes: a first vibrator for transmitting an ultrasonic wave; multiple second vibrators for outputting a reception signal of a reflection wave; a casing having a bottom for accommodating the vibrators, an outer surface of the bottom providing a vibrating surface; and multiple tubes for guiding the ultrasonic wave. Each tube has a first opening coupled with an outside of a mobile body. An area of the first opening is smaller than an area of the vibrating surface. A distance between two adjacent first openings is smaller than a distance between two adjacent vibrating surfaces. The length of the tubes is determined to equalize a phase difference of the reflection waves at the first openings is equal to that at the vibrating surfaces.

Abstract: A driving-environment setup system has a plurality of portable devices, each of which transmits a feature identification information item used for identifying a physical feature of an associated user of the each of the plurality of portable devices and transmits an environment identification information item used for identifying a driving environment for the associated user. An in-vehicle device of the system detects a physical feature of a person sitting in a driver's seat and identifies one of the associated users as a driver when the physical feature identified based on the received feature identification information item of the one of the associated users corresponds to the detected physical feature. The in-vehicle device sets a driving environment for the driver based on the received environment identification information item.

Abstract: An information communication system includes a user-side apparatus that is associated with a user and a facility-side apparatus provided at a facility, which the user is capable of visiting. The user-side apparatus transmits to the facility-side apparatus a user identifying information item related to the user of the user-side apparatus. The user identifying information item is used for identifying an appearance characteristic of the user. The facility-side apparatus outputs the appearance characteristic of the user identified based on the user identifying information item received from the user-side apparatus.

Abstract: A driving support apparatus has a display mounted in a vehicle, a driving information receiving unit receiving a steering angle of a steering wheel of the vehicle, and a control unit. The control unit produces a vehicle figure imitating a shape of the vehicle and a tire figure imitating a shape of a tire of the vehicle in a bird's-eye view, calculates a predicted running locus of the vehicle, detects positions of portions of an obstacle facing the vehicle one after another, and controls the display to display a driving support image including the vehicle figure, the tire figure, the running locus and obstacle detecting marks indicating the positions of the obstacle while changing a direction of the tire figure with respect to the vehicle figure according to the steering angle. A driver recognizes a turning rate of the vehicle from the direction of the tire figure.

Abstract: A driving position adjusting system automatically adjusts a driving position in a second vehicle appropriately to a target user based on a driving position in a first vehicle adjusted by the target user. The driving position adjusting system includes a storage device, a detection device, an estimation device, a transmission device, and a control device. The storage device stores statistic data. The detection device detects a selected one of a plurality of divided range segments of the driving position in the first vehicle, the selected one being selected by the target user. The estimation device estimates an optimum one of the plurality of divided range segments in the second vehicle based on the statistic data and the selected one. The transmission device transmits to the second vehicle the optimum one in the second vehicle. The control device controls the driving position in the second vehicle correspondingly to the optimum one.

Abstract: A method of detecting a direction of a target object based on received signals from a receiver element section which receives reflected waves comprising probe waves reflected from said target object, wherein said receiver section comprises an array of four receiver elements with at least three of said receiver elements located at respective apexes of a square, said square having a side length that is equal to or greater than half of a wavelength of said probe waves, includes selecting a specific one of said candidate directions based upon respective phase differences of a plurality of pairs of said receiver elements, with said plurality of pairs comprising at least one pair that differs from each of said pairs of receiver elements utilized in deriving said plurality of candidate directions, and deriving said azimuth angle and said altitude angle of said target object.

Abstract: A portable information terminal stores first function list information indicating the contents of functions installed on a first vehicle. When a user carrying the terminal gets in a second vehicle before driving, the second vehicle acquires the first function list information from the terminal. The second vehicle compares the acquired first function list information with second function list information indicating the contents of functions installed on the second vehicle. The second vehicle acquires a functional difference between itself and the first vehicle and notifies the user of the difference.

Abstract: An automatic control system provides control of an automotive system in a vehicle based on at least one piece of control provision determination information. The automatic control system includes an information acquisition unit for acquiring the control provision determination information, and determines provision of the control for the automotive system based on predetermined criteria. The criteria defines when and how the query of control provision is conducted by the automatic control system.