Abstract: An alarm device generates an alarm when a distance between a vehicle and an object that exists in a set region in front of the vehicle is smaller than a set distance. A controller of the alarm device determines a tentative set distance based on at least one of a running speed of the vehicle and a relative velocity between the vehicle and the object, and then corrects the tentative set distance based on at least a deceleration of the vehicle, so as to determine a final set distance.

Abstract: A running control apparatus and method control the state of running of a vehicle based on a relative positional relationship between the vehicle and a preceeding vehicle. In a case where a brake is actuated if the deceleration deviation obtained by subtracting an actual deceleration from a target deceleration is at least a third threshold &Dgr;&agr;s3, the brake is actuated provided that an object body detected by a laser radar device is a preceeding vehicle and that the same-lane probability that the preceeding vehicle is running in the same lane as the vehicle is at least a set probability. Thus, the brake is actuated when there is a high probability that braking is needed. Therefore, erroneous operation of the brake can be reduced.

Abstract: A vehicle operation control apparatus for controlling a running state of a vehicle based on a relative positional relationship between the vehicle and a preceding vehicle running in a predetermined area ahead of the vehicle. The vehicle operation control apparatus comprises a controller that determines a target deceleration of the vehicle based on the relative positional relationship between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle. The controller controls a deceleration of the vehicle so that the deceleration of the vehicle approaches the target deceleration and maintains the target deceleration until a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: In a vehicular braking control apparatus and method, the hydraulic pressure on a wheel cylinder is gradually reduced with a relatively gentle gradient of reduction (k3) at the time when a braking operation member, operated by an operating person of the vehicle, is detected to have been operated to a predetermined position. At the time when a state of the braking operation is detected to have reached a predetermined threshold, the hydraulic pressure on the wheel cylinder is reduced with a relatively great gradient of reduction (k2). Therefore, it is possible to reduce vibrations of a brake pedal or the change in deceleration while adopting a relatively simple construction.

Abstract: A brake control apparatus comprising a brake fluid pressure sensor for detecting the brake fluid pressure of the wheel cylinder for a braking system. That is, the brake fluid pressure sensor detects the condition of braking. The brake fluid pressure is controlled. The brake fluid pressure is increased based on a predetermined pressure increase gradient in the initial stage of the automatic braking, and is decreased based on a predetermined pressure decrease gradient in the latter stage of the automatic braking.

Abstract: An alarm device generates an alarm when a distance between a vehicle and an object that exists in a set region in front of the vehicle is smaller than a set distance. A controller of the alarm device determines a tentative set distance based on at least one of a running speed of the vehicle and a relative velocity between the vehicle and the object, and then corrects the tentative set distance based on at least a deceleration of the vehicle, so as to determine a final set distance.

Abstract: A vehicle operation control apparatus for controlling a running state of a vehicle based on a relative positional relationship between the vehicle and a preceding vehicle running in a predetermined area ahead of the vehicle. The vehicle operation control apparatus comprises a controller that determines a target deceleration of the vehicle based on the relative positional relationship between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle. The controller controls a deceleration of the vehicle so that the deceleration of the vehicle approaches the target deceleration and maintains the target deceleration until a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A running control apparatus and method control the state of running of a vehicle based on a relative positional relationship between the vehicle and a preceeding vehicle. In a case where a brake is actuated if the deceleration deviation obtained by subtracting an actual deceleration from a target deceleration is at least a third threshold &Dgr;&agr;s3, the brake is actuated provided that an object body detected by a laser radar device is a preceeding vehicle and that the same-lane probability that the preceeding vehicle is running in the same lane as the vehicle is at least a set probability. Thus, the brake is actuated when there is a high probability that braking is needed. Therefore, erroneous operation of the brake can be reduced.

Abstract: In a vehicular braking control apparatus and method, the hydraulic pressure on a wheel cylinder is gradually reduced with a relatively gentle gradient of reduction (k3) at the time when a braking operation member, operated by an operating person of the vehicle, is detected to have been operated to a predetermined position. At the time when a state of the braking operation is detected to have reached a predetermined threshold, the hydraulic pressure on the wheel cylinder is reduced with a relatively great gradient of reduction (k2). Therefore, it is possible to reduce vibrations of a brake pedal or the change in deceleration while adopting a relatively simple construction.