Abstract: An image processing device includes an onboard camera, an image recognition processor, an object recognition processor and an image-mode switching unit. The onboard camera captures an image ahead of a vehicle. The image recognition processor generates a distance image within an image recognition area on the basis of the captured image. The object recognition processor recognizes an object within the image recognition area and a distance to the object on the basis of the two kinds of images. The image-mode switching unit switches the image recognition area to be recognized by the object recognition processor. The image-mode switching unit checks whether a collision with a pedestrian is detected and an activation command signal is output to a pedestrian protection mechanism. When an output of the activation command signal is detected, the image-mode switching unit switches to a mode where an image area having no pedestrian protection mechanism is set as the image recognition area.

Abstract: An image processing device includes an onboard camera, an image recognition processor, an object recognition processor and an image-mode switching unit. The onboard camera captures an image ahead of a vehicle. The image recognition processor generates a distance image within an image recognition area on the basis of the captured image. The object recognition processor recognizes an object within the image recognition area and a distance to the object on the basis of the two kinds of images. The image-mode switching unit switches the image recognition area to be recognized by the object recognition processor. The image-mode switching unit checks whether a collision with a pedestrian is detected and an activation command signal is output to a pedestrian protection mechanism. When an output of the activation command signal is detected, the image-mode switching unit switches to a mode where an image area having no pedestrian protection mechanism is set as the image recognition area.

Abstract: An occupant protection apparatus for a vehicle includes a door sensor that detects a defamation of a side door in a side collision and an occupant position detection sensor that detects a lumbar position of the occupant. A pretensioner is activated when it is determined from detection by the door sensor and the occupant position detection sensor that an intruding-object collision rear-end position in the side door is located in front of the lumbar position, and the pretensioner is prohibited from activation when it is determined that the intruding-object collision rear-end position is not located in front of the lumbar position. When there is a possibility that a clearance between the lumbar of the occupant and the deformed side door is insufficient, the pretensioner is prohibited from activation to allow the occupant to move at the early stage of a collision.

Abstract: An occupant protection apparatus for a vehicle includes a door sensor that detects a defamation of a side door in a side collision and an occupant position detection sensor that detects a lumbar position of the occupant. A pretensioner is activated when it is determined from detection by the door sensor and the occupant position detection sensor that an intruding-object collision rear-end position in the side door is located in front of the lumbar position, and the pretensioner is prohibited from activation when it is determined that the intruding-object collision rear-end position is not located in front of the lumbar position. When there is a possibility that a clearance between the lumbar of the occupant and the deformed side door is insufficient, the pretensioner is prohibited from activation to allow the occupant to move at the early stage of a collision.

Abstract: A vehicle-occupant protection system in a vehicle has a first sensor and a second sensor on a lateral side closer to a seat of an occupant. The first sensor is either forward of or lateral to the seat of the occupant in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The second sensor is rearward of the first sensor. The system further includes a collision determination section, which concludes an occurrence of a collision when a signal of the first sensor exceeds a determination threshold value in a situation where a signal of the second sensor has not exceeded a determination threshold value. Upon concluding the occurrence of the collision, the collision determination section activates a movement restraint device to restrain the occupant from moving away from the seat.

Abstract: A vehicle-occupant protection system in a vehicle has a first sensor and a second sensor on a lateral side closer to a seat of an occupant. The first sensor is either forward of or lateral to the seat of the occupant in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The second sensor is rearward of the first sensor. The system further includes a collision determination section, which concludes an occurrence of a collision when a signal of the first sensor exceeds a determination threshold value in a situation where a signal of the second sensor has not exceeded a determination threshold value. Upon concluding the occurrence of the collision, the collision determination section activates a movement restraint device to restrain the occupant from moving away from the seat.