Abstract: A predicted course estimating apparatus for estimating a predicted course of the own vehicle, includes: a data acquiring means for acquiring turning data that indicates a turning direction of the own vehicle; a filtering means for removing a high-frequency component that is included in the turning data; a course predicting means for calculating an estimated value for course prediction of the own vehicle, based on the turning data that has been filtered and a speed of the own vehicle; a determining means for determining whether the own vehicle is traveling a part of a road where the shape changes; and a characteristics changing means for changing the extent of removing of the high-frequency component by the filtering means when it is determined that the own vehicle is traveling a part of the road where the shape changes.

Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus mounted to an own vehicle to control the own vehicle according to the position of other vehicle ahead of the own vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a setting means setting a parameter indicating whether the other vehicle is in the path of the own vehicle, based on the position of the other vehicle relative to the own vehicle in a lateral direction perpendicular to the path of the own vehicle, a determining means determining whether the other vehicle is in the path of the own vehicle, based on the parameter, an acquisition means acquiring a lane width that is the width of the lane the own vehicle is traveling, and an adjustment means changing the correspondence between the relative position and the parameter, based on the lane width.

Abstract: A cruise control apparatus controls travel of an own vehicle based on a predicted course which is a future travel course of the own vehicle. The cruise control apparatus includes a first predicted course calculating unit and a second predicted course calculating unit, as a plurality of course prediction means for calculating a predicted course, and is provided with a course change determination unit for determining whether a change in the course is to be performed and a prediction switching unit which performs switching to enable one of a first predicted course calculated by the first predicted course calculating unit and a second predicted course calculated by the second predicted course calculation unit, the switching being based on a result of determination made by the course change determination unit as to whether a change in the course is to be performed.

Abstract: A cruise control apparatus controls the traveling of an own vehicle on the basis of the predicted route which is a predicted value of the travel route of an own vehicle. The cruise control apparatus compares the moving locus of the preceding vehicle with the position of a stationary object provided along the road to determine whether or not a moving locus is along the shape of the road. The moving locus is validated when it is determined that the moving locus is along the shape of the road, and the moving locus is invalidated when it is determined that the moving locus is not along the shape of the road, and the predicted route of the vehicle is calculated on the basis of the validated moving locus.

Abstract: A cruise control apparatus, mounted to a vehicle, controls traveling of the own vehicle, based on a predicted course, which is a future course of the own vehicle. The cruise control apparatus includes a preceding vehicle position storage unit, a course prediction computation unit, and a cancellation determination section. The preceding vehicle position storage unit chronologically stores a preceding vehicle position, which is a position of a preceding vehicle traveling ahead of the own vehicle. The predicted course computation unit calculates a predicted course, based on the trajectory of the preceding vehicle position. The cancellation determination section cancels the preceding vehicle position stored in the preceding vehicle position storage unit when it has been determined that either the own vehicle or the preceding vehicle is in a situation where the own vehicle or the preceding vehicle is likely to depart from the current course.

Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus mounted to an own vehicle to control the own vehicle according to a position of other vehicle ahead of the own vehicle is provided. The device includes a setting means setting a parameter indicating a position of the other vehicle relative to the own vehicle in a lateral direction perpendicular to the path of the own vehicle, a determination means determining whether the other vehicle is in the path of the own vehicle based on the parameter, a detection means detecting whether a relative movement has been made in the lateral direction by at least one of the own vehicle and the other vehicle, and a correction means correcting the parameter when a relative movement has been made in the lateral direction.

Abstract: Provided is an object detection device (13) using a detection means (11) to transmit probe waves, receive reflected waves from an object (50) in a detection range, and acquire, as first detection information on the object, a position based on the reflected waves, to detect the object. The device includes an image information acquisition means, determination region setting means, and an object locating means. The image information acquisition means acquires, as second detection information on the object, a position based on an image of an area within the detection range, the image being captured by an image capturing means (12). The determination region setting means sets a determination region in the detection range. The object locating means locates the object, based on the first detection information, if pieces of the first and second detection information are present in the determination region.

Abstract: A road shape recognition apparatus is mounted in a vehicle. The road shape recognition apparatus acquires a road image, determines a road shape using the road image, recognizes the road shape based on the road image within a predetermined recognition range, and estimates the road shape outside of the recognition range based on the road shape within the recognition range. The road shape recognition apparatus estimates the road shape outside of the recognition range and within a first distance as a curved line of which a curvature change rate is constant, and the road shape farther than the first distance as a curved line of which a curvature is constant.

Abstract: A magnetic rotation detector includes a magnetic rotor having magnetic bodies, a detecting body that detects a change in magnetic flux that is caused by the magnetic bodies as the magnetic rotor rotates; and an abnormality determination portion that monitors an apparent fluctuation in rotational speed of the magnetic rotor based on a result detected by the detecting body and that determines that the magnetic rotor is in an abnormal state if the fluctuation occurs at a specific position of the magnetic rotor. The abnormality determination portion detects the occurrence of the fluctuation at the specific position of the magnetic rotor by making a determination on a distance between apparent positions of the magnetic bodies which correspond to the apparent fluctuation in rotational speed and calculates the distance on the basis of a product of an interval of generation of noise in an output signal detected by the detecting body and a rotational speed of the magnetic rotor at the time of generation of noise.

Abstract: In an instantaneous wire interruption detection system for a vehicle electrical system, a VSC-ECU includes an input processing circuit that processes electric signals transmitted from various sensors and an EFI-ECU by a signal wire (wire harness); a signal state determination circuit that determines whether the electric signals processed by the input processing circuit are normal or abnormal; a latch circuit that latches the determination result as a latch signal; and an output circuit that can output the latch signal. When a signal abnormality is detected by the signal state determination circuit, the latch circuit is able to generate the latch signal in synchronization therewith, and latch the latch signal for a predetermined time. Accordingly, for example, by connecting a tester device to the output circuit, and monitoring the latch signal, it is possible to detect instantaneous wire interruption of the electrical system.

Abstract: When a resistance value of a CAN bus main line is 60 ?, the CAN bus main line is in a normal state. However, the resistance value thereof differs depending on an abnormality portion when an abnormality such as disconnection, short circuit, or the like has occurred in it or a branch line. Therefore, the abnormality portion can be identified depending on the measured resistance value. In addition, a failure diagnosis portion of an ECU stores different diagnosis trouble codes in the memory for the following cases; when an abnormality has occurred in the CAN bus communication, when various sensors are malfunctioning, and when an abnormality such as disconnection has occurred in a communication line that is connected to the various sensors. Accordingly, the resistance value of the CAN bus main line is measured, and the abnormality portion can be identified by a combination of the resistance value and the diagnosis trouble code.

Abstract: As a magnetic rotor rotates, magnets disposed on an outer periphery of the magnetic rotor move, whereby a change in magnetic flux around a pick-up is caused. The pick-up then outputs a signal. If the signal output from the pick-up fluctuates due to a certain one of the magnets which is located at a specific position on the magnetic rotor, it is determined that the magnetic rotor is in an abnormal state such as adhesion of iron fragments to the magnets or the like.

Abstract: In an instantaneous wire interruption detection system for a vehicle electrical system, a VSC-ECU includes an input processing circuit that processes electric signals transmitted from various sensors and an EFI-ECU by a signal wire (wire harness); a signal state determination circuit that determines whether the electric signals processed by the input processing circuit are normal or abnormal; a latch circuit that latches the determination result as a latch signal; and an output circuit that can output the latch signal. When a signal abnormality is detected by the signal state determination circuit, the latch circuit is able to generate the latch signal in synchronization therewith, and latch the latch signal for a predetermined time. Accordingly, for example, by connecting a tester device to the output circuit, and monitoring the latch signal, it is possible to detect instantaneous wire interruption of the electrical system.

Abstract: When a resistance value of a CAN bus main line is 60 &OHgr;, the CAN bus main line is in a normal state. However, the resistance value thereof differs depending on an abnormality portion when an abnormality such as disconnection, short circuit, or the like has occurred in it or a branch line. Therefore, the abnormality portion can be identified depending on the measured resistance value.