Abstract: Disclosed is a method for assisting the parking of a vehicle. The method includes determining a vehicle position relative to an obstacle. When the relative position meets a first set of criteria, a first torque pulse is delivered to the steering wheel in the first direction to cue an operator of the vehicle to turn the steering wheel in the first direction. When the relative position meets a second set of criteria, a second torque pulse is delivered to the steering wheel in the second direction, opposite to the first direction to cue the operator to turn the steering wheel in the second direction. A system for assisting the parking of a vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for steering a vehicle that is to be backed into a parking space. Starting from an initial position outside the parking space, a reverse trajectory that is to be traveled to attain the parked position is determined. The vehicle reverses through five curve sections, and steering of the vehicle during the reversing procedure is controlled by an electronic control system in accordance with the reverse trajectory. When viewed from the driving direction, the second curve section represents a clothoid section, the third represents an arc section, the fourth represents an additional clothoid section and the fifth represents an additional arc section. In its initial position, the vehicle is at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the parking space and the first curve section, through which the vehicle reverses and which lies between the initial position and the start of the second curve section, is represented by a different geometrical function than the second curve section.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of sub-systems and corresponding controllers for effecting normal control thereover. The vehicle further includes a vehicle dynamics controller for providing high-priority sub-system commands for sub-system control to effect vehicle dynamics enhancements. The vehicle dynamics controller includes a plurality of independently decomposable and recomposable software components or layers and accessible inter-layer bus structure.

Abstract: A steering control apparatus for an automotive vehicle is provided with s steering control system 41 that comprises a detected steering angle calculating section for calculating a detected steering angle ?j based on a variation of a motor rotational angle detected by a motor rotational angle sensor 25. An electric motor 19 is connected to a steering wheel 33 through a reduction mechanism. As the motor rotational angle sensor 25 is provided on the the electric motor 19, resolution of the detected steering angle ?j calculated based on the variation of the motor rotational angle becomes higher than that in the prior art, and thereby it becomes possible that the steered wheels are steered under the stable positioning control. Further, as the motor rotational angle sensor 25 is originally provided on the electric motor 19, the size and cost of the apparatus is restrained from being large and high.

Abstract: A steering ratio control system of a vehicle includes a variable steering ratio mechanism variably adjusting a steering ratio of a steer angle at left and right steered road wheels to a steering-wheel rotation angle, and a braking/driving force control unit individually controlling braking force and/or driving force of the left and right steered wheels. A steering ratio control unit determines a reference steering ratio based on a vehicle's driving state. The steering ratio control unit calculates a steering-ratio correction value needed for canceling torque steer resulting from a difference in braking force and/or driving force between the left and right steered wheels. A final steering ratio is determined based on both of the reference steering ratio and the steering-ratio correction value to drive the variable steering ratio mechanism responsively to the final steering ratio reflecting the steering-ratio correction value.

Abstract: An automatic parking control is cancelled when a motor current has not yet reached a maximum current value Imax with a steering angle deviation exceeding a deviation threshold value. In addition, the automatic parking control is cancelled when a steering speed has not yet reached a maximum steering speed with a state where the motor current has reached and remains at the maximum steering speed continuing over a first time period. On the other hand, when a state where the steering speed has reached and remains at the maximum steering speed continues over a second time period, it is determined that there occurs an output shortage of a steering actuator, an automatic parking condition is recalculated, so as to allow the automatic parking continue to continue.

Abstract: In deviation prevention support ECU 10 in driving operation support system 1, an applied torque by steering torque applier 17 is set based on a vehicle speed of a vehicle. The applied torque is set to increase with increase of the vehicle speed. An upper limit according to the vehicle speed is set for this applied torque. Furthermore, in a Start interval in application of the applied torque, a rate of increasing to reach a maximum is determined according to the maximum of the applied torque. In a Close interval, the applied torque is decreased at a rate different from that in the Start interval, and the absolute rate of increasing the torque in the Start interval is set to be larger than the absolute rate of decreasing the torque in the Close interval.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for steering a vehicle to be parked in reverse into a parking gap where a nominal parking trajectory of the vehicle is determined by a control unit and where a steering angle of the steered wheels of the vehicle that must be set for negotiating the parking gap is determined on the basis of the nominal parking trajectory. The nominal parking trajectory (yB (x)) is determined on the basis of a position of the vehicle from two reference trajectories (yLower (x); yUpper (x)), and the reference trajectories (yLower (x); yUpper (x)) represent parking trajectories for parking, starting from different start points.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for steering a vehicle are disclosed. A vehicle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is capable of operating in a first steering mode and a second steering mode. The vehicle may comprise an input device capable of providing an input signal indicating that operation in the second steering mode is desired. The vehicle may comprise an electronic control unit (ECU) capable of providing an enabling signal when the ECU determines that operation in the second steering mode is appropriate for the present riding conditions.

Abstract: A receiver capable of receiving a remote vehicle stop request signal is mounted to a commercial vehicle and connected to the vehicle antilock braking ECU by a vehicle communication bus. The receiver may also be capable of transmitting a signal, thereby allowing the desired vehicle to be isolated. Furthermore, a user input device may be mounted to the vehicle that allows manual input of a park signal. When the park signal has been received by the vehicle ECU, the vehicle braking system is employed, thereby preventing the movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling an automotive vehicle includes determining a steering wheel angle, determining a steering wheel direction, determining a steering wheel angular rate and applying brake-steer as a function of steering wheel angle, steering wheel angular rate and steering wheel direction.

Abstract: A method for controlling a robot wherein a procedure is carried out with the robot while maintaining the robot immobile in axes that are not required to carry out the procedure.

Abstract: A driving assist apparatus for a vehicle which calculates a path by an algorithm suitable for real-time path calculation in a vehicle-installed computing device is provided. A basic path that changes the deflection angle of the vehicle to 0 is computed from an initial vehicle position. From the basic path, a target path is computed, for example, by adding straight-line paths to the two opposite ends of the basic path. On the basis of the target path, a driving assist is performed. During the driving assist, a basic path is re-calculated. If it is determined that a similarity-enlarged path obtained through similarity enlargement of the basic path can be used to reach the target position point, a target path is re-set on the basis of the similarity-enlarged path. Then a driving assist is performed on the basis of the re-set target path.

Abstract: In a parking assist apparatus that assists with moving, by automatic steering, a vehicle from an arbitrary stopping position to a target parking position set by the driver, a setting portion (i.e., a parking assist ECU) sets both a path from the stopping position to the target parking position and a steering operation necessary to bring the vehicle along that path. When this path cannot be set with the steering angle in the stopping position set as the initial steering angle, and when the path can be set with another steering angle as the initial steering angle, an instruction portion (i.e., a monitor or a speaker) instructs the driver to turn the steering wheel to this other steering angle.

Abstract: A method of automatic location of the right and left wheels of a motor vehicle of the type comprising a step of automatic measurement of the centripetal acceleration of a wheel, the method being characterized in that it consists in comparing the theoretical centripetal acceleration (Ai) of a wheel in a straight line with the measured centripetal acceleration (Aiv) of this same wheel when cornering for a given vehicle speed (V), and for a given steering wheel angle (T), so as to determine whether the wheel is on the right or on the left of the vehicle.

Abstract: A steering assistance controller for the generation of a compensating torque which assists the driver in overcoming the tendency of a vehicle to oversteer by encouraging the driver to steer the vehicle back to a non-steering condition through the application of said compensating torque which is based substantially upon an estimate of magnitude of oversteer.

Abstract: An electric vehicle steering/drive control method and apparatus having predetermined steering modes defining composite patterns of individual wheel travel paths, whereby the vehicle wheels are controlled independently. The steering modes are determined by different condition equations related to each composite pattern. A steering mode select signal is generated based on a mode selection by a vehicle driver. The steering mode select signal is received by a wheel steering angle computer and a wheel rotation speed computer. Based in part on the steering mode select signal, the wheel steering angle computer generates a signal that is received by a steering motor controller, which in turn controls motors that change the steering angle of the wheels. An actual angle sensor generates a signal based on the actual angle of the wheels and a steering angle comparator receives the actual angle sensor signal.

Abstract: A parking assisting device provides parking assisting information consisting of a first intermittent sound of a tone (A) indicating that a vehicle is approaching a target stop position, a continuous sound of a tone (B) indicating that a position of a vehicle coincides with a target stop position and a second intermittent sound of a tone (C) indicating that a vehicle has gone beyond a target stop position. An intermittent period of the first intermittent sound changes to be shorter as the vehicle approaches a target stop position closer and an intermittent period of the second intermittent sound changes to be longer as the vehicle goes beyond the target stop position farther.

Abstract: A system for calculating the actual steering angle position based upon signals received from a relative position steering angle sensor and other vehicle sensors. The system involves calculating a steering angle value based upon a plurality of vehicle models and then weighting and combining the values to determine a steering angle reference value which is used to calculate an offset value which can be applied to the relative position steering angle sensor value to provide a true steering angle value. The vehicle models include a yaw rate model, a lateral acceleration model, a front axle model and a rear axle model. An uncertainty factor is calculated and used to filter the offset value. The data used to determine the offset value may be obtained when the vehicle is driving forward and also when driving rearwardly and relatively straight.

Abstract: A parking assistance device capable of performing an easy operation for parking a driver's own vehicle along a parking course up to a parking target position. A parking course in which the driver's own vehicle reaches a parking target position indicated by a marker of a screen of a display of the driver's own vehicle is calculated up (S16). If a steering operation of the driver's own vehicle is performed, in the case that the current rudder angle changes towards a target rudder angle in order to move the driver's own vehicle along a parking course, the steering assistant power of the driver's own vehicle is increased (S21) and thus the steering operation of the driver's own vehicle is performed by a relatively small operational power.

Abstract: A lane-keep control system for a host-vehicle is arranged to detect a traveling condition of the host-vehicle, to detect a tendency of a lane deviation of the host-vehicle on the basis of the traveling condition, to calculate a driving/braking force controlled variable of each wheel according to the traveling condition so as to generate a yawing moment directed toward a direction of preventing the lane deviation when the tendency of the lane deviation is detected, to control a driving/braking force according to the driving/braking force controlled variable, to detect a steering state quantity indicative of a quantity of state of a steering wheel, and to correct the driving/braking force controlled variable on the basis of the steering state quantity.

Abstract: A system for operating a vehicle includes a motor control and a parking logic that is operatively associated with the motor control. The parking logic is configured to be remotely controlled to maneuver the vehicle, which is placed in alignment with a parking space and the steering of which is locked, into the parking space under a maximum speed along a straight line.

Abstract: A method and a device for slot parking of a mobile vehicle (1), the slot parking (15) includes positioning (19,22), locking (23,25), unlocking (26,27) and realigning (28,29) phases, the method using elements to evaluate available parking space relative to immediate surroundings. The method consists in: retrieving quantitative input values from sensors, which are transformed or not into gradual qualitative input values; determining on the basis of qualitative rules operating instructions which supply gradual qualitative output data and quantitative output data, which are transformed into quantitative output data to control the vehicle actuators. The invention is useful for parking any type of powered vehicles whereof the wheel can be locked on a common axle, and can be used on public roads, private parking lots or production sites of companies.

Abstract: A tracking and driving speed regulating device for motor vehicles, having a sensor device for detecting lane tracking, a steering regulator for evaluating signals from sensor device and for issuing steering commands to a steering actuator, and a speed regulator, acting upon the driving system of the vehicle, which may be switched to an operating state by a main switch and may be activated in the operating state by an actuation signal generated by an operating element, wherein the steering regulator may be switched to the operating state by a separate main switch independent of the speed regulator, and may be activated in the operating state by the same actuation signal as the speed regulator.

Abstract: A parking operation aiding system includes a display for displaying parking-aiding information including a target parking position and a vehicle position. The system also includes a locus calculating means for calculating an expected movement locus for a subject vehicle in accordance with a distance of movement of the vehicle and a steering angle, an interference determining means for determining whether the expected movement locus will interfere with the target parking position, and an information determining means for determining subsequent parking operation aiding information based on the presence or absence the interference.

Abstract: A wheelchair having a speed and direction control touchpad. The touchpad comprises two separated semi-conductive film layers, one measuring an X coordinate and one measuring a Y coordinate. When pressure is applied to the layers bringing them into contact with each other, an X, Y coordinate location is produced and the wheelchair is moved in a direction and speed analagous to the location of the pressure applied to the touchpad. A change in location of the pressure will result in a corresponding change in direction and speed. The touchpad also has a neutral or no movement activation point.

Abstract: In a vehicle backward movement assisting apparatus for in-line parking, at a stop position of a vehicle, a seesaw switch is manipulated until an in-line guide line is superimposed on a target point which is a corner of a frame of a parking space, and a steering wheel is turned until the vehicle space mark is superimposed on the parking space, and the vehicle is moved backward while the steering angle of the steering wheel is held. When an eye mark is superimposed on the parking space, the vehicle is stopped, and the steering angle of the steering wheel is made maximum and the vehicle is moved backward, to thereby complete the in-line parking at the parking space.

Abstract: A nontrack-bound vehicle with arbitrarily steerable front wheels includes an additional rear-wheel steering system that operates automatically or may be switched to automatic operation and controls or regulates the steering angle of the rear wheels as a function of the steering angle of the front wheels and of further parameters. The additional rear-wheel steering system switches in a parameter-dependent manner between a drive-away mode and a normal mode to improve maneuverability and to reduce the swinging out of the rear during the drive-away mode. In the drive-away mode, the steering angle of the rear wheels is controlled or regulated so that the rear wheels are not adjusted beyond a steering angle assumed when the vehicle last halted.

Abstract: A steering assist apparatus includes a camera for picking up the rear side of a vehicle, a monitor disposed in a driver's compartment of the vehicle, a steering angle sensor for detecting a steering angle of a steering wheel, and a display controlling unit for displaying on the monitor an image through said camera when the vehicle reverses and for superimposing and displaying on said monitor a guide display for assisting the drive of the vehicle when the vehicle is to be parked. The guide display includes a steering start guide line fixedly displayed in a predetermined position of an image field of the monitor for guiding a steering start position for parking, and a steering amount guide mark moved and displayed along the steering start guide line on the image field of the monitor in correspondence with a steering angle of the steering wheel detected by the steering angle sensor.

Abstract: In a parking assist apparatus that assists with moving, by automatic steering, a vehicle from an arbitrary stopping position to a target parking position set by the driver, a setting portion (i.e., a parking assist ECU) sets both a path from the stopping position to the target parking position and a steering operation necessary to bring the vehicle along that path. When this path cannot be set with the steering angle in the stopping position set as the initial steering angle, and when the path can be set with another steering angle as the initial steering angle, an instruction portion (i.e., a monitor or a speaker) instructs the driver to turn the steering wheel to this other steering angle.

Abstract: A parking assisting device provides parking assisting information consisting of a first intermittent sound of a tone (A) indicating that a vehicle is approaching a target stop position, a continuous sound of a tone (B) indicating that a position of a vehicle coincides with a target stop position and a second intermittent sound of a tone (C) indicating that a vehicle has gone beyond a target stop position. An intermittent period of the first intermittent sound changes to be shorter as the vehicle approaches a target stop position closer and an intermittent period of the second intermittent sound changes to be longer as the vehicle goes beyond the target stop position farther.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a method for torque control of a PM synchronous machine. The method includes obtaining a torque command signal and a machine speed and determining an operating mode in response to the torque command signal and the machine speed. The operating mode includes a first operating mode and a second operating mode. In the first operating mode, a stator phase voltage magnitude is computed and an angle between the stator phase voltage and a stator phase back emf is determined in response to the stator phase voltage magnitude. In the second operating mode, the stator phase voltage is set to a predetermined magnitude and the angle between the stator phase voltage and the stator phase back emf is determined in response to the predetermined magnitude.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a first actuating system having an automatic steering actuator to bring the front wheel steer angle to a calculated target front wheel steer angle for lane keeping, and a second actuating system such as a front and rear roll stiffness distribution control system, a front and rear driving force distribution control system, a rear wheel steering system, and a differential limiting force control system. By controlling the second actuating system in accordance with the automatic steering operation, a control unit adjusts the steering characteristic of the vehicle in a direction to improve the yawing response or in a direction to improve the running stability.

Abstract: Unless the steering operation quantity detected by a steering quantity detection unit indicates that the vehicle is advancing almost rectilinearly, an approach disallowed area present toward the outer side of the turning vehicle relative to the front of the vehicle along the advancing direction, such as a road boundary, a blocking wall or a white line, is detected by an approach disallowed area detection unit. A mode judging unit judges that a steering angle limit mode is set if an approach disallowed area has been detected. An &agr; calculating unit calculates an angle &agr; formed by the orientation of the approach disallowed area boundary and the orientation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A swathing guidance system includes a controller storing data defining a desired vehicle path, a position detector subsystem such as a differential GPS receiver, and a display to graphically display current spatial parameters and corrective steering actions to place the vehicle on the desired path or to maintain it on the path. The controller periodically selects a future intercept point on the path and calculates a steering correction angle to point the vehicle toward the intercept point. The display includes a steering guide which displays the steering correction angle relative to the current heading and the current track error or distance from the desired path. The steering correction angle can alternatively be applied to an automatic steering mechanism to automatically maintain the vehicle on the desired path. In agricultural applications, the system is applicable to both parallel and contour cultivation modes.

Abstract: A parking aid system having a driver initially stop the subject vehicle alongside a target parking position so that a mark provided inside a door coincides with the central line of the target parking position when assisting the driver with left reverse parking. The subject vehicle is a predetermined distance away from an entrance of the target parking position, when the driver turns the operation switch ON. A display unit then displays the target parking position, the subject vehicle position, and an expected parking position. The expected parking position is set at a position that the subject vehicle reaches when reversing with the steering wheel turned fully to the left.

Abstract: A system for operating a vehicle includes a motor control and a parking logic that is operatively associated with the motor control. The parking logic is configured to be remotely controlled to maneuver the vehicle, which is placed in alignment with a parking space and the steering of which is locked, into the parking space under a maximum speed along a straight line.

Abstract: A steering system for a motor vehicle having at least one steerable wheel, an actuator and a superposing gear assembly. The steering movement, which is initiated by the driver of the vehicle, and the movement, which is initiated by the actuator, are superposed by the superposing gear assembly for generating a steering movement of the steerable wheel within pregiven steering stops. The essence of the invention is that the movement, which is initiated by the actuator, is at least reduced before reaching the steering stop. According to the invention, one arrives at a superposed steering with which the steering stops are considered so as to provide increased safety and increased comfort.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for assisting steering at the time of parking which allows the driver to easily ascertain the steering timing and steering amount at the time of parking.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an innovative one-wheel trailer device with an included motor that is designed to be attached to a bicycle. The present invention assists a rider in the propulsion of the bicycle. The components of the present invention are to be physically located on a separate trailer which is attached to the bike, thereby reducing the weight and bulk attached to the bicycle. The present invention comprises a frame, upon which the motor, drive train and wheel are attached. The framework is designed to attach to the bicycle at each side of the rear wheel, and to the top of the seat post. The component connecting to the seat post would have a special plastic fitting that would not only prevent damage to the bicycle's frame, but would also adjust to allow for dimension variations from one bicycle to another.

Abstract: An automatic steering system for a vehicle is provided which includes a memory section for storing data for a steering angle of a wheel with respect to a distance of movement of a vehicle in correspondence to four parking modes. If a desired parking mode is selected by a mode selecting switch and the vehicle is moved at a creep while depressing a brake pedal, a control section controls the operation of a steering actuator to perform automatic parking control. At this time, an object detector continuously detects the position of an object around or in the vicinity of the subject vehicle, and when there is an obstacle already existing within a locus of movement of the subject vehicle, or when there is a possibility that a moving obstacle may enter into the locus of movement of the subject vehicle, a warning is provided to a driver, and an automatic brake is operated. Thus, it is possible to reliably perform the automatic parking control when there is an obstacle.

Abstract: Even when a vehicle is rapidly decelerated, an electric power steering apparatus can provide a steering torque corresponding to such a deceleration of the vehicle, so that the vehicle can be steered in a stable manner without a steering wheel being adversely influenced by road surface irregularities.

Abstract: A four-wheel vehicle equipped with a space saving, relatively simple turning mechanism capable of turning a vehicle body with a sufficiently reduced turning radius. One of front and rear pairs of left and right wheels, to which a running torque produced by a driving force is not transmitted, are arranged for rotation concerning respective axes perpendicular to the ground. For turning the vehicle body, the one pair of left and right wheels are fixed at respective angular positions along tangential directions of an arc which passes the axes perpendicular to the ground of the one pair of left and right wheels and has the center near the center point of a rotating axle for running the vehicle of the other pair of left and right wheels.

Abstract: In a rendering device 10, ROM 4 stores a vehicle model. A rudder angle sensor 3 detects a rudder angle of the vehicle, and based thereon, CPU 6 calculates an estimated path for the vehicle. The CPU 6 receives captured images from cameras 21 to 2N. The CPU 6 generates a display image based on those captured images, the estimated path, and the vehicle model. This display image includes the vehicle model arranged on the estimated path, and displayed on a display device 8 placed in the vehicle. In this manner, the display image generated by the rendering device 10 is indicative and helpful for a driver of the vehicle to exactly figure out a parking space available for the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle position calculation unit (1) calculates a position of a vehicle on a plan view, and an estimate locus calculation unit (2) calculates an estimate movement locus of a vehicle body when the vehicle is moved at a maximum steering angle with respect to the vehicle position, and a display unit (3) displays the vehicle position calculated by the vehicle position calculation unit (1) together with the estimate locus of the vehicle body calculated by the estimate locus calculation unit (2). Thus, even a beginner driver of the vehicle can easily and quickly park the vehicle with accuracy and safety while monitoring the estimate movement locus of the vehicle on the display screen.

Abstract: In a four wheel steering vehicle, the rear wheels are steered so as to reduce a magnitude of the vehicle body side slip angular speed. Thus, whenever there is a rise in the vehicle body side slip angle which is directed outward with respect to the turning circle of the vehicle at an early stage of turning operation, the rear wheels are steered in opposite sense to the front wheel steering angle. Therefore, the vehicle body side slip angle is at least partly canceled, and this in turn increases the yaw moment and produces a sharp heading response. As the vehicle continues the turning operation, the rear wheels are steered in the same phase as the front wheels, thereby offsetting the tendency of the vehicle to go into a spin. When the vehicle is turning at a steady rate without incurring any change in the vehicle body side slip angle, the rear wheels are not steered, and the vehicle essentially behaves as if it were a front wheel steering vehicle.

Abstract: An automatic lane following system for a vehicle is adapted to control the direction of a moving vehicle along a predetermined path. An associated controller estimates the vehicle's lateral position in relation to the lane markings (usually the white painted lines). An optical sub-system or a video camera or equivalent sensor is mounted on a vehicle and used to detect the lane markings. An actuator coupled to the steering mechanism is used to control the steering position of the front road wheels in response to a steering signal from a controller. An interruption switch is closed to enable the steering system actuator. An interruption switch actuator is displaceable between a rest or stored position in which the interruption switch is open and an operable position in which the interruption switch is closed.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an electric power steering system ensures convergence of a yaw rate of a vehicle without discomforting a driver, thus improving steerage of the vehicle. The control apparatus controls a motor that provides a steering mechanism with a steering assist force based on a current control value. The current control value is computed from a steering assist command value, which is computed based on a steering torque generated on a steering shaft, and from a motor current value. In the control apparatus, a rate of change in the yaw rate of the vehicle is detected, based on which damping is applied on the yaw rate.

Abstract: If a driver starts an automatic parking control operation with a vehicle V stopped at a starting position, the vehicle V is guided from the starting position via a reversing position to a target position. Left and right markers are provided on the vehicle V. The vehicle V can be stopped at the starting position by aligning any of the markers with the center line of a parking position.

Abstract: An automatic steering system that can detect the steering operations of a driver during an automatic steering control operation in order to reliably discontinue the automatic steering control operation. The automatic steering control operation is discontinued if the driver spontaneously carries out a steering operation during an automatic steering control operation and if a steering torque equals to or is larger than a reference steering torque. When the steering torque equals to or is larger than the reference steering torque for at least a predetermined time, the automatic steering control operation is discontinued. Interruptions to the automatic operation by an instantaneous increase in steering torque due to a factor other than the steering operation provided by the driver, such as noise, can be eliminated.

Abstract: A process and product produced thereby which involves subjecting an egg white product to turbulent flow at an elevated temperature not to exceed 162.degree. F. for a period of time not to exceed one minute followed by immediate rapid cooling to a temperature of from 25.degree. F. to 40.degree. F. to improve refrigerated shelf life. The chilled product is then filled and sealed in sterilized containers under aseptic or near sterile conditions. The refrigerated shelf life may be enhanced by freezing the packaged product for a finite period of time prior to placing it in refrigerated storage.