Abstract: An operation control map of a white line detection apparatus, including a white line detection portion that detects a white line on a road based on a captured image of the road surface, that references the operation control map to determine whether to allow operation of the white line detection portion. The operation control map includes a region in which operation of the white line detection is allowed, and a region in which operation is not allowed, based on the gain of a road surface image signal and the temperature of a road surface imaging portion. The allowed region is set if the reduced accuracy of white line detection, due to the thermal noise generated in the solid-state imaging sensor, falls within an acceptable range, and the disallowed region is set if the reduced accuracy of white line detection falls outside of the acceptable range.

Abstract: A camera apparatus installated on a vehicle includes an image sensor having a RGB Bayer array of pixel sensors and a beam-splitting optical filter disposed between the camera lens assembly and the Bayer array. An incident light beam from a source such as a distant vehicle tail lamp becomes split into a plurality of light beams which become focused on respectively separate pixel sensors. Since the color of the light source is detected based on a plurality of pixel sensors, erroneous detection due to light falling on only a single R, G or B pixel sensor is prevented.

Abstract: An operation control map of a white line detection apparatus, including a white line detection portion that detects a white line on a road based on a captured image of the road surface, that references the operation control map to determine whether to allow operation of the white line detection portion. The operation control map includes a region in which operation of the white line detection is allowed, and a region in which operation is not allowed, based on the gain of a road surface image signal and the temperature of a road surface imaging portion. The allowed region is set if the reduced accuracy of white line detection, due to the thermal noise generated in the solid-state imaging sensor, falls within an acceptable range, and the disallowed region is set if the reduced accuracy of white line detection falls outside of the acceptable range.

Abstract: First, it is determined that a measurable distance of a laser radar device is a first threshold value being an extremely short measurable distance or below, because of dirt on a sensor or bad weather. A vehicle control using measured data of the device is thereby prohibited. Second, it is determined that the measurable distance is a second threshold value being a short measurable distance or below but greater than the first threshold value, because of dirt on a sensor or bad weather. A vehicle speed for allowing the vehicle control using the measured data of the device is restricted. Eventually, the vehicle control is executed under these individual conditions.

Abstract: A polygon mirror of an object detector of a vehicle includes first faces for projecting a laser to a first predetermined area and a second face for projecting the laser to a second predetermined area higher than the first predetermined area. The polygon mirror is rotated to project the laser to the first and second predetermined areas through a projection window. Thus, the laser can be projected not only to an area at normal height in front of the vehicle but also to an area higher than the normal height in front of the vehicle. Thus, even if a reflection object of an obstacle is positioned at a high position, probe light can be projected to the reflection object. As a result, object detection or distance measurement can be performed correctly.

Abstract: In a radar apparatus, a laser light generating device generates a laser light. An optical device reflects the laser light to output it in a predetermined direction. The optical device has at least two reflective surfaces with different reflectance to the laser light. A reflected light detecting device detects a reflected light when the laser light is reflected by an object. An object detecting device detects the object based on the reflected light. An intensity changing device changes an intensity of the outputted laser light by switching the reflective surfaces. Thus, it can be prevented that an intensity of the reflected light becomes too large and an accuracy of detection of the object can be improved.

Abstract: An object detecting apparatus for detecting an object or a distance with the object includes at least one light receiving element for detecting a light quantity entering from a sensor window portion for example, a projection window portion and an entrance window portion through which an electromagnetic wave from an electromagnetic wave generation portion toward an object and a reflected electromagnetic wave from the object pass. Furthermore, an irregularity determining portion determines a state of at least one of the projection window portion and the entrance window portion using at least the detected light quantity of the light receiving element. For example, the light receiving element includes a first light receiving portion and a second light receiving portion which receive the light quantities of direct current part of light entering from the first and second light receiving portions.

Abstract: An object detection apparatus for a vehicle includes a light emitter covered with an emission window, a light receptor covered with a reception window, a defect detection light emitter, a defect detection light receptor and a fracture detection circuit. The light emitter emits a light in front of the vehicle. The light receptor receives the light reflected by an object. The defect detection light emitter emits a detection light into one side of at least one of the emission and reception windows. The defect detection light receptor receives the detection light transmitted through the at least on emission and reception windows at another side. The fracture detection circuit determines whether either of the emission and reception windows are fractured based on the detection light received by the defect detection light receptors.

Abstract: An object detecting apparatus having a laser radar with a single light sensing element for foreign matter detection is disposed behind a front grille of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a projection window. The apparatus uses a laser beam for object detection. The laser beam includes a main portion, an upper scattered portion, and a lower scattered portion. The single light sensing element is so positioned that it collects reflection of the lower scattered portion of the laser beam reflected on the projection window and reflection of the upper scattered portion of the laser beam reflected on the front grille.

Abstract: An object detecting apparatus emits a detecting wave to the outside, and receives the detecting wave reflected from an object. The object detecting apparatus includes a case that accommodates a wave-emitting device, which emits the detecting wave, and a wave-receiving device, which receives the detecting wave reflected from the obstacle. A projection window and an entrance window, which are formed of a material transmitting the detecting wave, are provided to the case. The detecting wave emitted from the wave-emitting device passes through the projection window. The detecting wave is reflected from the obstacle, and is received by the wave-receiving device after passing through the entrance window. A reinforcing member, which is formed of a material that transmits the detecting wave, is arranged in front of the projection window and the entrance window.

Abstract: A polygon mirror of an object detector of a vehicle includes first faces for projecting a laser to a first predetermined area and a second face for projecting the laser to a second predetermined area higher than the first predetermined area. The polygon mirror is rotated to project the laser to the first and second predetermined areas through a projection window. Thus, the laser can be projected not only to an area at normal height in front of the vehicle but also to an area higher than the normal height in front of the vehicle. Thus, even if a reflection object of an obstacle is positioned at a high position, probe light can be projected to the reflection object. As a result, object detection or distance measurement can be performed correctly.

Abstract: First, it is determined that a measurable distance of a laser radar device is a first threshold value being an extremely short measurable distance or below, because of dirt on a sensor or bad weather. A vehicle control using measured data of the device is thereby prohibited. Second, it is determined that the measurable distance is a second threshold value being a short measurable distance or below but greater than the first threshold value, because of dirt on a sensor or bad weather. A vehicle speed for allowing the vehicle control using the measured data of the device is restricted. Eventually, the vehicle control is executed under these individual conditions.

Abstract: An object detecting apparatus for detecting an object or a distance with the object includes at least one light receiving element for detecting a light quantity entering from a sensor window portion for example, a projection window portion and an entrance window portion through which an electromagnetic wave from an electromagnetic wave generation portion toward an object and a reflected electromagnetic wave from the object pass. Furthermore, an irregularity determining portion determines a state of at least one of the projection window portion and the entrance window portion using at least the detected light quantity of the light receiving element. For example, the light receiving element includes a first light receiving portion and a second light receiving portion which receive the light quantities of direct current part of light entering from the first and second light receiving portions.

Abstract: In an object detecting apparatus, a light emission portion emits a light toward a front of the vehicle. A light detection portion detects the light reflected by an object. A housing locates therein the light emission portion and the light detection portion in a generally vertical direction and installed behind a covering portion at a front of the vehicle. The covering portion passes the light therethrough and gradually retracts in a fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle from a front of the light emission portion to a front of the light detection portion.

Abstract: An object detecting apparatus having a laser radar with a single light sensing element for foreign matter detection is disposed behind a front grille of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a projection window. The apparatus uses a laser beam for object detection. The laser beam includes a main portion, an upper scattered portion, and a lower scattered portion. The single light sensing element is so positioned that it collects reflection of the lower scattered portion of the laser beam reflected on the projection window and reflection of the upper scattered portion of the laser beam reflected on the front grille.

Abstract: An object detection apparatus for a vehicle includes a light emitter covered with an emission window, a light receptor covered with a reception window, a defect detection light emitter, a defect detection light receptor and a fracture detection circuit. The light emitter emits a light in front of the vehicle. The light receptor receives the light reflected by an object. The defect detection light emitter emits a detection light into one side of at least one of the emission and reception windows. The defect detection light receptor receives the detection light transmitted through the at least on emission and reception windows at another side. The fracture detection circuit determines whether either of the emission and reception windows are fractured based on the detection light received by the defect detection light receptors.

Abstract: In a radar apparatus, a laser light generating device generates a laser light. An optical device reflects the laser light to output it in a predetermined direction. The optical device has at least two reflective surfaces with different reflectance to the laser light. A reflected light detecting device detects a reflected light when the laser light is reflected by an object. An object detecting device detects the object based on the reflected light. An intensity changing device changes an intensity of the outputted laser light by switching the reflective surfaces. Thus, it can be prevented that an intensity of the reflected light becomes too large and an accuracy of detection of the object can be improved.

Abstract: A casing is provided for a reflection measurement device emitting a scanning beam and receiving an echo beam caused by reflection of the scanning beam at an object, and detecting a distance to the object in response to the received echo beam. The casing has a window for conducting a beam, and a protective member being transparent to the beam and covering the window from an inside. A predetermined range through which the beam passes is provided in the window. An interval between a lower edge of the beam pass range and a lower edge of the window is greater than an interval between opposing edges of the beam pass range and the window which differ from the lower edges thereof.

Abstract: A high power stripe-geometry heterojunction laser diode device is provided which may be employed in a radar system designed to measure the distance to a target. The laser diode device has an electric circuit path extending from a first electrode connected to a voltage source to a second electrode connected to ground and features addition of a resistance of 1 m&OHgr; or more to the electric circuit path to provide uniform current distribution in an active layer for emitting a high density laser beam.

Abstract: A reflection measuring apparatus such as a laser radar is provided which emits a laser beam using a scanner and receives a return of the laser beam from an object present in a scan range to obtain positional information about the object. The apparatus includes a stray light blocking plate which has a beam exit opening formed on an optical path along which the laser beam travels from a light source to the scanner. The stray light blocking plate has a barrier wall defined around the beam exit opening which works to interrupt traveling of the stray light produced optically upstream of the beam exist opening to the scanner. The barrier wall has a surface which tapers off in cross section thereof to the beam exist opening, thereby minimizing reflections of the stray light on an inner surface of the barrier wall defining the beam exit opening to the scanner.