Abstract: An image filter 1 produces an emphasized output in response to a brightness change between a dark portion and a bright portion of a picked-up image, with a sign of the emphasized output reversing according to a transitional direction of the brightness change between the dark portion and the bright portion. An image filter 2 produces an output representing an angular momentum of respective pixels about a central pixel in a predetermined processing zone set on the picked-up image. The angular momentum is defined by vectorial quantities of pixel values. An image filter 3 produces an output representing an accumulative absolute value of the respective pixels in the predetermined processing zone. An output difference between the image filters 2 and 3 is obtained as an index representing a lane mark.

Abstract: A lane mark recognition apparatus for a vehicle is provided which recognizes a lane mark printed on a road using an image of a frontal view captured by a CCD camera. The apparatus identifies a location in the image on which a string model construct converges as a location of the lane mark. The string model utilizes a string construct that is made up of a plurality of node-type string components and lines connecting adjacent string components. The string components are movable within the image by an attractive force produced based on a measure of a picture property of the lane mark. Each of the connecting lines is modeled as an elastic member, which produces a reactive force against deformation of the string model so as to maintain geometry of the whole of the string model.

Abstract: A dehumidifying apparatus with an electronic refrigeration unit includes a thermoelectric unit, a DC power source, and absorbing and liberating heat exchangers. The thermoelectric unit includes a plurality of N-type thermoelectric elements, heat absorbing electrodes, P-type thermoelectric elements, and heat liberating electrodes electrically connected in series. The DC power source supplies DC current to the N-type and P-type thermoelectric elements serially connected through the heat absorbing and heat liberating electrodes. The absorbing and liberating heat exchanger are integrated with the heat absorbing and liberating electrodes, respectively. A heat liberating surface of the liberating heat exchanger is formed at a position different from the absorbing heat exchanger. The absorbing and liberating heat exchangers include heat absorbing and liberating fins, respectively. A notch is formed in one side of each of the heat liberating fins so that a part of a heat absorbing fin fits the notch.

Abstract: A thermoelectric transducer apparatus comprises a group of thermoelectric elements having N-type elements and P-type elements alternately arranged in a single line and a number of alternately arranged heat-absorbing-type and heat-liberating-type plate electrodes to electrically and serially connect said N- and P-type elements.