Abstract: A method of cruise control and distance regulation in motor vehicles, in which the distance from a vehicle driving in front is measured, and at least two operating modes (e.g., ACC and stop and go) are provided for the distance regulation, these modes being activatable in different overlapping speed ranges, and in which it is possible to switch between these operating modes in at least one direction only by a command by the driver. The speed of the vehicle driving in front is extrapolated into the future on the basis of the speed of one's own vehicle and the measured distance data and/or the relative speed data, and a switch prompt is output to the driver when the extrapolated speed is outside the allowed range for the current mode, and the current speed is within the allowed range for the other mode.

Abstract: A device for the longitudinal guidance of a motor vehicle, having a sensor device for the location of objects in the nearfield of the vehicle, a controller which generates a reference variable for a motion variable of the vehicle for the regulation of the vehicle's speed, as a function of the location data of the sensor device, and an actuator which has an effect on the motion variable as a function of the reference variable, wherein a mathematical model of the actuator is stored in a memory, which describes the dynamic behavior of the actuator, that is, it produces a relationship between an input variable supplied to the actuator and an output variable of the actuator; and a compensating element is provided to convert the reference variable, by way of the model, into the input variable in such a way that the dynamic behavior of the actuator is compensated for.

Abstract: A cruise control system for motor vehicles is described, having a sensor device for measuring the vehicle's performance characteristics and for measuring the distance to a target object ahead of the vehicle, and a controller which is used to control the vehicle's speed or acceleration as a function of the measured performance characteristics and distance data and has a stop function for automatically braking the vehicle to a standstill as well as at least one standstill state in which the vehicle is held in a stationary position by automatic brake activation, and from which it may only drive off again via an operational command by the driver, the operational command becoming effective only when a confirmation signal is present in addition to the operational command.

Abstract: A speed controller for motor vehicles having an input device for the input of a desired speed Vset by the driver, and having a plurality of operating modes which are able to be activated in different speed ranges and differ in their functional scope. A change in the operating mode, which results in the loss of a safety-relevant function, is provided or enabled by a command of the driver, characterized by a decision unit, which, in the light of predefined criteria, determines whether a change in the desired speed Vset, which is input by the driver, is to be interpreted as a command for changing the operating mode.

Abstract: A method of cruise control and distance regulation in motor vehicles, in which the distance from a vehicle driving in front is measured, and at least two operating modes (e.g., ACC and stop and go) are provided for the distance regulation, these modes being activatable in different overlapping speed ranges, and in which it is possible to switch between these operating modes in at least one direction only by a command by the driver. The speed of the vehicle driving in front is extrapolated into the future on the basis of the speed of one's own vehicle and the measured distance data and/or the relative speed data, and a switch prompt is output to the driver when the extrapolated speed is outside the allowed range for the current mode, and the current speed is within the allowed range for the other mode.

Abstract: A method for signal evaluation, e.g. with pulse wheels, is described, in which the distance between predeterminable signal edges is determined in a microcontroller that has a CPU, timer, and memory, in that upon the occurrence of signal edges, an interrupt is triggered with which the existing timer values are stored. Based on the difference between predeterminable timer values, time intervals are determined which are inversely proportional to the velocity or speed. So that it is possible to use timers with a relatively low bit count, for example 16 bits, the numerical values obtained when there is a timer overflow are also determined and are taken into account in the determination of the distances. If drum stores are used, only four bits per drum store value are required, one check bit and three bits as an overflow counter.

Abstract: A method for detecting misalignment in a motor vehicle sensor system, in which signals are emitted, signals reflected by a stationary object are received, and a relative angle and a relative distance or a longitudinal displacement and a transverse displacement between the detected object and a reference axis of the motor vehicle as well as a relative velocity between the detected object and the motor vehicle are determined on the basis of the signals emitted and received. A correction value is determined for the relative angle on the basis of the relative angle, the relative distance, and a velocity of the vehicle in question or on the basis of the longitudinal displacement, the transverse displacement, and the vehicle's own velocity.

Abstract: A method for detecting misalignment in a motor vehicle sensor system, in which signals are emitted, signals reflected by a stationary object are received, and a relative angle and a relative distance or a longitudinal displacement and a transverse displacement between the detected object and a reference axis of the motor vehicle as well as a relative velocity between the detected object and the motor vehicle are determined on the basis of the signals emitted and received, a correction value being determined for the relative angle on the basis of the relative angle, the relative distance, and a velocity of the vehicle in question or on the basis of the longitudinal displacement, the transverse displacement, and the vehicle's own velocity.

Abstract: A method and a device for determining a future travel-course progression or travel-course range of a vehicle whose traveling speed is controllable as a function of a distance to preceding-traveling vehicles, the future course range being determined at least on the basis of a course progression of one preceding-traveling vehicle. Moreover, a lateral offset is determined for all detected preceding-traveling vehicles. The determined future course range is limited on the basis of detected stationary objects.

Abstract: The ABS described has phases of regulation to a setpoint slip value and phases of brake pressure control in the case of instabilities of the wheel. The setpoint slip is determined from a fixed maximum friction coefficient .mu.max and the brake pressure introduced is determined from the slip value when .mu.max occurs.

Abstract: Wheel speed (V.sub.R) and braking pressure (P.sub.B) applied to a wheel are continuously measured and utilized to estimated values from a mathematical system model, to obtain the physical values: coefficient of friction (.mu.), vehicle speed (V.sub.F), slope of a slip curve (d.mu./dS), slip (S), and coefficient of friction of a stationary-rotary brake couple structure. At least one of the physical values so obtained, and preferably the coefficient of friction (.mu.), vehicle speed, and slope of wheel slip curve are used to control braking pressure being applied to the wheel. Braking pressure can be controlled for example for braking in accordance with coefficient of friction and slope of the friction-slip curve, for example to operate the wheel just before the coefficient of friction drops as the wheel begins to slip. Spinning of a wheel can be avoided by controlling the braking pressure to be below slippage value.