FOREIGN MATTER DETECTOR, FOREIGN MATTER DETECTING PROGRAM, FOREIGN MATTER REMOVING DEVICE, AND ON-VEHICLE COMMUNICATIONS APPARATUS

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect the adhesion state of a foreign matter in a foreign matter detector for detecting that the foreign matter is adhered to a light pervious material such as front glass or the like. SOLUTION: In a foreign matter detecting system, the image taken by a camera 11 is obtained in foreign matter detecting treatment (S110) and the foreign matter region being the region relatively low in brightness in the obtained image is extracted (S120). Further, the physical quantity related to the foreign matter region is detected (S130) and the adhesion state of the foreign matter is determined on the basis of the detection result of the physical quantity (S150). Then, in a case that the foreign matter is detected, a means having a foreign matter removing function is operated (S160). Accordingly, since the physical quantity related to the foreign matter region in the obtained image is detected, the adhesion state of the foreign matter can be determined on the basis of the physical quantity. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT