Abstract: An automatic analyzer is capable of transporting a sample at an optimum timing and a method of transporting the sample. An automatic analyzer includes an analysis unit which measures a sample, a transport unit which transports the sample to the analysis unit, and a control unit which controls the analysis unit and the transport unit. A sample is transported to the analysis unit by a time of starting an aspirating operation on the sample by allowing the analysis unit to perform a pre-measurement operation for each measuring method which needs to be performed before aspirating the sample even when the sample is still in the transport unit.

Abstract: A traffic sign displaying device comprises a processor including a traffic sign recognizing section recognizing first traffic sign information on a traffic sign included in an image of an area ahead of a vehicle, a traffic sign information obtaining section obtaining from map information second traffic sign information on a traffic sign of a road based on position information on the vehicle, a traffic sign display portion displaying traffic sign information and a traffic sign display control section for controlling the traffic sign display portion, wherein if the first traffic sign information does not match the second traffic sign information, the traffic sign display control section stops displaying traffic sign information after the vehicle runs a predetermined distance or over a predetermined time with the traffic sign display control section displaying on the traffic sign display portion either the first traffic sign information or the second traffic sign information.

Abstract: A traffic sign displaying device comprises a processor including a traffic sign recognizing section recognizing first traffic sign information on a traffic sign included in an image of an area ahead of a vehicle, a traffic sign information obtaining section obtaining from map information second traffic sign information on a traffic sign of a road based on position information on the vehicle, a traffic sign display portion displaying traffic sign information and a traffic sign display control section for controlling the traffic sign display portion, wherein if the first traffic sign information does not match the second traffic sign information, the traffic sign display control section stops displaying traffic sign information after the vehicle runs a predetermined distance or over a predetermined time with the traffic sign display control section displaying on the traffic sign display portion either the first traffic sign information or the second traffic sign information.

Abstract: A surrounding area monitoring apparatus for vehicle includes an infrared camera mounted on a vehicle for capturing images of surrounding area around the vehicle, a unit for generating and displaying images based on image data captured by the camera, and a controller for calibrating output of the camera with respect to a relation between pixels, based on image data produced by imaging a surface of a shutter that opens and closes an aperture introducing a light to the camera, The controller estimates whether a temperature of the camera is stable, based on an operation state of the vehicle, and determines a possibility that a driver is looking at the unit, based on a behavior of the vehicle. When the temperature of the camera is estimated stable and the possibility that the driver is looking at the unit is determined to be low, the means for calibrating executes the calibration.

Abstract: Construction is achieved wherein a steering wheel can displace smoothly in the forward direction during a secondary collision, even when an electric motor 13a of an electric power steering apparatus protrudes to the side. The distances from the center axis of the steering column 6c to the connecting sections between the installation plate sections 17e, 17f and a portion 34 fastened to the vehicle body are different from each other on both sides of the steering column 6c, such that the distance Le for the installation plate section 17e located on the side where the electric motor 13a is located is shorter than the distance Lf for the installation plate section 17f that is located on the opposite side from the electric motor 13a. The ratio of a separation load that is applied to the installation plate section 17e on the side where the electric motor 13a is located is made to be large.

Abstract: Construction is achieved wherein the rear section of a steering column 6a can be prevented from displacing upward regardless of the occurrence of a secondary collision, and thus can effectively protect the driver. Capsules 28 are supported by a bracket on the vehicle body side. An installation plate section 14b of a bracket 13 on the housing side is held between a top plate section 29 and bottom plate section 30 of each of the capsules 28 so that the installation plate section 14b can displace in the forward direction during a secondary collision. The top and bottom plate sections 29, 30 extend forward to a position where they can support the installation plate section 14b even when the bracket 13 on the housing side has displaced in the forward direction due to a secondary collision. Alternatively, a suspended arm that functions in the same way is provided on the bracket on the vehicle body side.

Abstract: Construction is achieved wherein a steering wheel can displace smoothly in the forward direction during a secondary collision, even when an electric motor 13a of an electric power steering apparatus protrudes to the side. Members are located between a pair of left and right installation plate sections 17c, which are provided on a bracket 10c on the column side that is supported by a steering column 6c, and a portion that is fastened to the vehicle body, and connected and fastened to both of these; and by making the rigidity or friction coefficient of these members different from each other, the load required for the installation plate sections 17c to drop away toward the front from the portion fastened to the vehicle body is made to be large on the side far from the electric motor 13a and less on the side near to the electric motor 13a.

Abstract: A surrounding area monitoring apparatus for vehicle includes an infrared camera mounted on a vehicle for capturing images of surrounding area around the vehicle, a unit for generating and displaying images based on image data captured by the camera, and a controller for calibrating output of the camera with respect to a relation between pixels, based on image data produced by imaging a surface of a shutter that opens and closes an aperture introducing a light to the camera. The controller estimates whether a temperature of the camera is stable, based on an operation state of the vehicle, and determines a possibility that a driver is looking at the unit, based on a behavior of the vehicle. When the temperature of the camera is estimated stable and the possibility that the driver is looking at the unit is determined to be low, the means for calibrating executes the calibration.

Abstract: Construction is achieved wherein a steering wheel can displace smoothly in the forward direction during a secondary collision, even when an electric motor 13a of an electric power steering apparatus protrudes to the side. The distances from the center axis of the steering column 6c to the connecting sections between the installation plate sections 17e, 17f and a portion 34 fastened to the vehicle body are different from each other on both sides of the steering column 6c, such that the distance Le for the installation plate section 17e located on the side where the electric motor 13a is located is shorter than the distance Lf for the installation plate section 17f that is located on the opposite side from the electric motor 13a. The ratio of a separation load that is applied to the installation plate section 17e on the side where the electric motor 13a is located is made to be large.

Abstract: Construction is achieved wherein the rear section of a steering column 6a can be prevented from displacing upward regardless of the occurrence of a secondary collision, and thus can effectively protect the driver. Capsules 28 are supported by a bracket on the vehicle body side. An installation plate section 14b of a bracket 13 on the housing side is held between a top plate section 29 and bottom plate section 30 of each of the capsules 28 so that the installation plate section 14b can displace in the forward direction during a secondary collision. The top and bottom plate sections 29, 30 extend forward to a position where they can support the installation plate section 14b even when the bracket 13 on the housing side has displaced in the forward direction due to a secondary collision. Alternatively, a suspended arm that functions in the same way is provided on the bracket on the vehicle body side.

Abstract: Construction is achieved wherein a steering wheel can displace smoothly in the forward direction during a secondary collision, even when an electric motor 13a of an electric power steering apparatus protrudes to the side. Members are located between a pair of left and right installation plate sections 17c, which are provided on a bracket 10c on the column side that is supported by a steering column 6c, and a portion that is fastened to the vehicle body, and connected and fastened to both of these; and by making the rigidity or friction coefficient of these members different from each other, the load required for the installation plate sections 17c to drop away toward the front from the portion fastened to the vehicle body is made to be large on the side far from the electric motor 13a and less on the side near to the electric motor 13a.

Abstract: A vehicle vicinity monitoring apparatus detects a bicycle rider from infrared images. The vehicle vicinity monitoring apparatus converts the infrared images into binarized images, and calculates correlated errors of areas from a reference template. The vehicle vicinity monitoring apparatus judges an object of interest as the bicycle rider when the amplitude of the correlated errors changes periodically.