Abstract: An information providing device includes: a vehicle condition detector for detecting a vehicle condition; a support information generating element for generating support information for a driver; and a tactile sensibility notification element in a steering wheel for notifying the support information to the driver. The steering wheel includes a wheel element having a base, a movable portion and a driving unit. The movable portion is relatively movable with respect to the base. The driving unit drives the movable portion according to the support information. The movable portion and the driving unit provide the tactile sensibility notification element. Movement of the movable portion provides notification of the support information.

Abstract: An information presentation device includes: a directional information obtaining element for obtaining directional information based on a signal from an enhancement device for safety or comfort of a passenger of a vehicle; an information presentation controller for generating a driving signal based on the directional information; and a stimulation element including multiple vibrators for generating a traveling wave of vibration in an in-vehicle element. A directionality of the traveling wave corresponds to the directional information. The stimulation element transmits the traveling wave to the passenger so that the passenger perceives the directionality of the traveling wave.

Abstract: A touch operation unit has a manipulated surface accepting a touch operation. An operation detection unit detects a touch operation on the manipulated surface. A moving unit moves the touch operation unit. A movement control unit drives the moving unit to control a movement of the touch operation unit, when the operation detection unit detects a touch operation, to satisfy a predetermined stimulable condition enabling stimulation of a skin sensory receptor. The stimulable condition is a condition of a movement quantity of the touch operation unit and a moving speed of the touch operation unit or a condition of the movement quantity of the touch operation unit and an acceleration of the touch operation unit.

Abstract: A signal transmission circuit is capable of reducing distortion that occurs during signal transmission. A digital output signal is transmitted from a terminal to a signal line via an output buffer circuit and an output impedance unit. The terminal is connected to an impedance variation unit via an impedance control unit. The impedance variation unit designates an impedance for terminating the signal line when the output data is changed from a high level H to a low level. A reflection occurring on the signal line can be prevented and a waveform distortion can be suppressed.

Abstract: A driving assistance apparatus mounted to a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus determines whether an amount of change in tire wheel speed of each tire wheel of the vehicle exceeds a threshold. The apparatus specifies a tire wheel crossing order, which is an order in which the tire wheels of the vehicle cross over a level difference between a road and a parking lot when the vehicle crosses over the level difference. The apparatus determines whether or not the vehicle has crossed over the level difference between the road and the parking lot, based on whether a threshold-exceeding order is identical to the specified tire wheel crossing order. The threshold-exceeding order is an order in which the amounts of change in the tire wheel speed of the respective tire wheels exceed the threshold.

Abstract: An information presentation apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a stimulator device located on a steering wheel of the vehicle and configured to generate stimulation at multiple sites on the steering wheel to provide skin sensation to a driver gripping the steering wheel; a direction information acquisition device configured to acquire direction information; and a controller configured to cause, in accordance with the acquired direction information, the stimulator device to successively generate the stimulation through the plurality of sites on the steering wheel to invoke an apparent movement that appears to the driver as if the skin sensation moves in a way indicative of a direction according to the direction information.

Abstract: A detection device for side collision of a vehicle includes: an outer plate of a vehicle side door; an inner plate of the side door arranged separately from the outer plate; a reinforcing member arranged between the outer plate and the inner plate and having a bending rigidity higher than a bending rigidity of the outer plate; a detection subject member provided by at least one of the inner plate and a member fixed to the inner plate; a sensor detecting a separate distance between the detection subject member and the reinforcing member; and a determination element determining that the vehicle collides with an object based on an output value of the sensor.

Abstract: An information providing device includes: a vehicle condition detector for detecting a vehicle condition; a support information generating element for generating support information for a driver; and a tactile sensibility notification element in a steering wheel for notifying the support information to the driver. The steering wheel includes a wheel element having a base, a movable portion and a driving unit. The movable portion is relatively movable with respect to the base. The driving unit drives the movable portion according to the support information. The movable portion and the driving unit provide the tactile sensibility notification element. Movement of the movable portion provides notification of the support information.

Abstract: An electromagnetic impedance sensor detects an object made of conducting material or soft magnetic material with contact-free. The sensor includes: a detection coil; and a detection circuit for supplying electricity to the coil and for measuring electromagnetic impedance change in the coil. The detection coil includes multiple coil portions provided by one wire. One coil portion has a side adjacent to a corresponding side of another coil portion. The side and the corresponding side extend along with a direction, and the side has a current flowing direction, which is the same as the corresponding side.

Abstract: An information presentation device includes: a directional information obtaining element for obtaining directional information based on a signal from an enhancement device for safety or comfort of a passenger of a vehicle; an information presentation controller for generating a driving signal based on the directional information; and a stimulation element including multiple vibrators for generating a traveling wave of vibration in an in-vehicle element. A directionality of the traveling wave corresponds to the directional information. The stimulation element transmits the traveling wave to the passenger so that the passenger perceives the directionality of the traveling wave.

Abstract: A collision detection device is provided with a coil which is arranged at an inner side of an outer panel of a body portion of a vehicle and faces the outer panel to generate a magnetic field in a direction toward the outer panel, and a collision determining unit for determining a collision with the body portion of the vehicle based on a variation of an inductance of the coil. The collision determining unit includes a resonance circuit which is constructed of the coil. When there occurs a collision with the vehicle body portion, a distance between the outer panel and the coil will decrease so that an inductance of the coil can instantly decrease. Therefore, a resonance frequency of the resonance circuit will increase and be detected, thus shortening the response time.

Abstract: A signal transmission circuit is capable of reducing distortion that occurs during signal transmission. A digital output signal is transmitted from a terminal to a signal line via an output buffer circuit and an output impedance unit. The terminal is connected to an impedance variation unit via an impedance control unit. The impedance variation unit designates an impedance for terminating the signal line when the output data is changed from a high level H to a low level. A reflection occurring on the signal line can be prevented and a waveform distortion can be suppressed.

Abstract: A detection device for side collision of a vehicle includes: an outer plate of a vehicle side door; an inner plate of the side door arranged separately from the outer plate; a reinforcing member arranged between the outer plate and the inner plate and having a bending rigidity higher than a bending rigidity of the outer plate; a detection subject member provided by at least one of the inner plate and a member fixed to the inner plate; a sensor detecting a separate distance between the detection subject member and the reinforcing member; and a determination element determining that the vehicle collides with an object based on an output value of the sensor.

Abstract: A collision detector includes a deformable portion and a planar sensor accompanied by a process circuit and a collision determination unit. The deformable portion is configured to be deformed on a collision on an object. The planar sensor has a planar coil formed as a planar winding of winding wire to be deformed along the deformation of the deformable portion. The process circuit generates an electric signal that is in proportion to a self inductance Ls of the planar coil. The collision determination unit determines whether the object collided with the deformable member based on the change of the electric signal.

Abstract: An electromagnetic impedance sensor detects an object made of conducting material or soft magnetic material with contact-free. The sensor includes: a detection coil; and a detection circuit for supplying electricity to the coil and for measuring electromagnetic impedance change in the coil. The detection coil includes multiple coil portions provided by one wire. One coil portion has a side adjacent to a corresponding side of another coil portion. The side and the corresponding side extend along with a direction, and the side has a current flowing direction, which is the same as the corresponding side.

Abstract: A drive-assist information providing system is installed beforehand in a vehicle. The system provides drive-assist information to the driver when the vehicle is running, or temporarily halting, on one lane of a road within a predetermined assist zone. The system includes a first obtaining unit for obtaining a current position and behavior of the vehicle, and a second obtaining unit for obtaining a current position and behavior of an object around the vehicle. The system includes an identifying unit for identifying current circumstances of the vehicle and therearound based on the current position and behavior of the vehicle and on the current position and behavior of the object around the vehicle. The system includes a control unit for controlling how to provide the drive-assist information to the driver of the vehicle depending on the identified current circumstances of the vehicle and therearound.

Abstract: A collision detection device is provided with a coil which is arranged at an inner side of an outer panel of a body portion of a vehicle and faces the outer panel to generate a magnetic field in a direction toward the outer panel, and a collision determining unit for determining a collision with the body portion of the vehicle based on a variation of an inductance of the coil. The collision determining unit includes a resonance circuit which is constructed of the coil. When there occurs a collision with the vehicle body portion, a distance between the outer panel and the coil will decrease so that an inductance of the coil can instantly decrease. Therefore, a resonance frequency of the resonance circuit will increase and be detected, thus shortening the response time.

Abstract: When a map screen is displayed in a navigation system of a subject vehicle, a position of any other vehicle is estimated and is displayed in the map screen. Influence of delay due to the following is eliminated or reduced: time consumed in processing in a navigation system of the other vehicle; time consumed in communication between the navigation system of the other vehicle and the navigation system of the subject vehicle; time from when the navigation system of the subject vehicle receives communication information to when it generates information to be notified; and the like. In cases where the influence of delay is taken into account, as mentioned above, accuracy of a notified position of the other vehicle is enhanced. Thus, an accurate operation support system is provided to minimize occurrence of errors.

Abstract: A detection apparatus determines the type of an object approaching a vehicle. The detection apparatus is provided on a bumper of the vehicle, and comprises a coil as well as electrode lines to serve as the electrodes of a capacitor for detecting a human body. The detection apparatus is capable of differentiating a metallic body and a human body from each other based on variations in output voltage, which are caused by changes in their impedance.

Abstract: A detection apparatus determines the type of an object approaching a vehicle. The detection apparatus is provided on a bumper of the vehicle, and comprises a coil as well as electrode lines to serve as the electrodes of a capacitor for detecting a human body. The detection apparatus is capable of differentiating a metallic body and a human body from each other based on variations in output voltage, which are caused by changes in their impedance.