Abstract: A device includes an external sensor to scan an environment so as to periodically output scan data, a storage to store an environmental map, and a location estimation device to match the sensor data against the environmental map read from the storage so as to estimate a location and an attitude of the vehicle. The location estimation device determines predicted values of a current location and a current estimation of the vehicle in accordance with a history of estimated locations and estimated attitudes of the vehicle, and performs the matching by using the predicted values.

Abstract: A location estimation device includes an external sensor, a storage to store partial environmental maps including first and second partial environmental maps linked to each other based on a coordinate transformation relationship, and a location estimator to match scan data received from the external sensor against the partial environmental map so as to estimate the location and attitude of the vehicle.

Abstract: A location estimation system includes a processor and a memory to store a computer program to operate the processor. The processor performs acquiring scan data from an external sensor so as to generate a reference map from the scan data, executing matching of newly acquired latest scan data against the reference map so as to estimate a location and an attitude on the reference map and add the latest scan data to the reference map so that the reference map is updated, removing, from the reference map that has been updated a plurality of times, a portion thereof other than a portion including the latest scan data so as to reset the reference map, and updating an environmental map in accordance with the reference map before being reset.

Abstract: A device includes an external sensor to scan an environment so as to periodically output scan data, a storage to store an environmental map, and a location estimation device to match the sensor data against the environmental map read from the storage so as to estimate a location and an attitude of the vehicle. The location estimation device determines predicted values of a current location and a current estimation of the vehicle in accordance with a history of estimated locations and estimated attitudes of the vehicle, and performs the matching by using the predicted values.

Abstract: A device that processes map data used in self-position estimation of a mobile body including an external sensor, includes a processor and a memory that stores a computer program executable by the processor. The processor reads data from a storage device storing data of a two-dimensional map including a point cloud or occupied grids is stored according to a command of the computer program, extracts from the two-dimensional map one or more line segments defined by the point cloud or the occupied points on the two-dimensional map, selects at least one specific region from at least one region included in one or more line segments or at least one region defined by at least one pair of line segments, and associates additional data indicating a position of a specific region on the two-dimensional map with the data.

Abstract: An optical pickup device is provided. In an optical pickup device, a light receiving element has light receiving regions for focusing as part of the plurality of light receiving regions. A diffraction element has diffraction regions for focusing as part of the plurality of diffraction regions. A part of division lines which define the diffraction region for focusing is formed in a shape which is convex from the outer side toward the inner side with respect to the center of the incidence range on the diffraction element where a returning light beam enters. The part of the division lines formed in the shape which is convex from the outer side toward the inner side divides an incidence range on the diffraction element where a returning light beam enters, regardless of whether or not there is a focus error.

Abstract: A device for exciting surface plasmons includes a light illuminating source, a transparent substrate having a ridge, a metal layer covering side surfaces of the ridge and their neighboring region, and a thin metal film formed on a top face of the ridge. Evanescent waves caused by light emitted from the light illuminating source and transmitted through the transparent substrate and the thin metal film can excite surface plasmons in the thin metal film.

Abstract: A holographic recording/reproducing apparatus controls a position and an area size of a signal light and/or a reference light in a holographic recording medium by a spatial light amplitude modulator. Thus, the holographic recording/reproducing apparatus can set the position and the area size of the signal light and/or the reference light arbitrarily by using a spatial light amplitude modulator of high resolution as the spatial light amplitude modulator. Further, by controlling the position of the reference light by the spatial light amplitude modulator, the holographic recording/reproducing apparatus can change the incident angle on the holographic recording medium. Angle multiplex recording can thus be realized.

Abstract: A device for exciting surface plasmons includes a light illuminating source, a transparent substrate having a ridge, a metal layer covering side surfaces of the ridge and their neighboring region, and a thin metal film formed on a top face of the ridge. Evanescent waves caused by light emitted from the light illuminating source and transmitted through the transparent substrate and the thin metal film can excite surface plasmons in the thin metal film.

Abstract: An optical pickup apparatus includes a light source and a light detector provided on a stem for detecting source emitted light reflected by an optical recording medium; and a light separating device, having first and second areas, for separating light incident thereon into a plurality of light components respectively directed in prescribed directions. The light detector includes a light receiver, divided into first and second light receiving regions for receiving the light components detected by those first and second areas. The first and second light receiving regions are located in a predetermined orientation determined in part by a light emitting point of the light source and a focal point on the light detector. The stem material and the wavelength emitted by the light source are selected to limit movement of that focal point in that orientation in response to temperature change of the apparatus.

Abstract: There can be obtained a miniaturized, 3-beam optical pickup device using a polarization separating prism of an inexpensive material and capable of reliably detecting light of a signal. The present pickup device includes an optical element having the first, second and third members, and having a first boundary surface receiving light from a semiconductor laser and reflecting and directing it toward a collimator lens, and also transmitting light reflected by an MO disc and directing it toward a photodetector, and a second boundary surface separating polarized light of light transmitted through the first boundary surface.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an optical diffraction element capable of obtaining optimum diffraction efficiency ratios through a plurality of respective diffraction elements, a method of fabricating the optical diffraction element through one process, and an optical pickup apparatus by using the optical diffraction element. The optical diffraction element comprises a first diffraction element and a second diffraction element of which a pitch is smaller than that of the first diffraction element, a duty of the first diffraction element is smaller than that of the second diffraction element.

Abstract: There can be obtained a miniaturized, 3-beam optical pickup device using a polarization separating prism of an inexpensive material and capable of reliably detecting light of a signal. The present pickup device includes an optical element having the first, second and third members, and having a first boundary surface receiving light from a semiconductor laser and reflecting and directing it toward a collimator lens, and also transmitting light reflected by an MO disc and directing it toward a photodetector, and a second boundary surface separating polarized light of light transmitted through the first boundary surface.

Abstract: An optical pickup apparatus includes a light source and a light detector provided on a stem for detecting source emitted light reflected by an optical recording medium; and a light separating device, having first and second areas, for separating light incident thereon into a plurality of light components respectively directed in prescribed directions. The light detector includes a light receiver, divided into first and second light receiving regions for receiving the light components detected by those first and second areas. The first and second light receiving regions are located in a predetermined orientation determined in part by a light emitting point of the light source and a focal point on the light detector. The stem material and the wavelength emitted by the light source are selected to limit movement of that focal point in that orientation in response to temperature change of the apparatus.

Abstract: A magnetic disk cartridge includes a write/protect tab adapted to prevent erasure of information recorded in a magnetic disk inserted in a case, and a peripheral wall defined in inner surfaces of corner portions of a pair of case members consisting of a case bottom member and a case cover member, for slidably receiving said write/protect tab therein;said write/protect tab being provided with a pair of arm portions extending along both sides of a body portion thereof, each of said arm portions being provided with an outwardly projecting portion formed on a tip thereof;the peripheral wall formed on said case bottom member being provided with two pairs of receiving projecting portions formed on opposite side wall portions in a sliding direction of said write/protect tab and adapted to receive end portions of said one pair of projecting portions, each of said side wall portions being provided with a wall surface formed between said two receiving projecting portions and curved in the reversal direction relative to