Abstract: The deterioration of receiving environment of a reflected signal from a preceding vehicle in an auto-cruise control is immediately detected, so that the distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle detected by a distance sensor comprising a laser radar, is maintained constant. On the basis of data of the magnitude of received signals, which are detected by the distance sensor and accumulated over a predetermined time, a standard deviation (or a dispersion) and an average value of the magnitude of the received signal are calculated. If the standard deviation is equal to or larger than a reference value or the average value is equal to or smaller than a reference value when the distance sensor has not detected a reflected signal, it is determined that the environment of reception of the reflected signal from the preceding vehicle has deteriorated, whereby the auto-cruise control is discontinued, or the deterioration of the receiving environment is informed to a driver by an informing device.

Abstract: This application of a law in physics discloses relatively uncomplicated techniques for reducing the impact of auto collisions on our highways by providing aid to the motorist in slowing down his vehicle in time to avoid a hard collision, if such is to occur. The vehicle slows down from the blasts of high pressure air emitted from air valves in the auto's front end, producing a reaction of slowing down the vehicle. The blasts of air also aid in pushing the other vehicle out of the way so that the impact if any, would be less severe. The air valves in the auto's front end can be remotely swivable, servo driven, enabling the motorist to direct the air blasts in the direction of the menacing vehicle. The air blasts can be produced automatically from a simple calculation, providing the time in seconds for a collision to occur. If the time is less than a predetermined set value, then the air blasts are automatically turned on.

Abstract: Described herein is a run environment recognizing apparatus. The run environment recognizing apparatus comprises an imaging device for sensing the direction of traveling of a host vehicle as imaging vision, a radar for detecting the direction of traveling of the host vehicle as a detection range, an image processing device for recognizing traveling lanes, leading vehicles and stationary objects located ahead of the host vehicle, based on the image information sensed by the imaging device and the result of detection by the radar, and a display for displaying the results of recognition by the image processing device. The image processing device includes means for setting vehicle regions indicative of the leading vehicles within the image information, based on the result of detection by the radar. Thus, the influence of the leading vehicles in the process for recognizing the traveling lanes within the image information is eliminated by the vehicle regions.

Abstract: A radar output control system to ensure that the output from a radar device is prohibited when a vehicle is stopped or traveling at a low speed, to thereby prevent a laser beam from entering human eyes. A control system for controlling the output from a radar device which transmits a laser beam for detecting an object ahead of the vehicle in a traveling direction, permits the transmission of the laser beam, when both of a driven wheel speed detected by a driven wheel speed detecting device and a follower wheel speed detected by a follower wheel speed detecting device are equal to or greater than reference values. Thus, when the vehicle is mounted on a chassis dynamo device, and driven wheels are rotated, while follower wheels are stopped, the transmission of the laser beam can be reliably prohibited, because the follower wheel speed is lower than the reference value, even if the driven wheel speed is equal to or greater than the reference value.

Abstract: A system for controlling steering of a vehicle, including a steering device such as a steering wheel with an electric motor which assists steering of driven wheels of the vehicle, first steering control unit for controlling the motor, a CCD camera for detecting a lane condition of a road on which the vehicle travels, a yaw rate sensor for detecting motion of the vehicle, steering assist torque calculating unit for calculating a steering assist torque necessary for holding the lane, a torque sensor for detecting an actual steering torque manually applied to the steering device by the driver, and second steering control unit for calculating a torque command to be output to the first steering control unit based on the steering assist torque calculated by the steering assist torque calculating unit and the detected steering torque to control the actuator such that the torque command decreases.

Abstract: A sensor system for detecting impacts to a vehicle, allowing for actuation decisions of passive restraint devices. The sensor system includes one or more piezoelectric sensor assemblies (42), each including a coaxial piezoelectric cable (44) contained within a tube housing (54), which is mounted to a structural member of the vehicle. The sensor system may also include accelerometers (36, 38) that are also in communication with the restraints control module (40) and employed in combination with one or more piezoelectric sensor assemblies (42). Further, the sensor system may include diagnostics for monitoring one or more of the sensor assemblies (42) in order to detect a sensor failure, while not interfering with the impact signals from the sensor assemblies (42).

Abstract: A motor vehicle object-detecting arrangement includes a distance controller having a distance-sensing device for emitting and receiving object-reflected measuring beams in different directions and having an evaluation unit. The measuring beams received by the distance-sensing device are appraised as a function of the geometry of the road on which the vehicle is being driven. For this purpose an appraisal device receives information from the distance sensing device and from a transmitter unit which supplies information on the road geometry of the road. The appraisal device appraises the measuring beams reflected from different directions as a function of the information on the road geometry.

Abstract: The avoidance of an obstacle by a vehicle is enhanced by effective balancing an automatic braking operation and a turnability increasing control operation assisting in a steering operation of the vehicle whereby the obstacle avoiding capability is enhanced to the maximum. If a vehicle is being automatically controlled and the steering operation is carried out by the driver and if it is determined an obstacle can be avoided by a turnability increasing control operation, and if an avoiding space exists in a direction of turning of the vehicle, the turnability increasing control operation is carried out to perform the avoidance of the obstacle by the steering operation. If no avoiding space exists in the direction of turning of the vehicle, the avoidance of the obstacle by the steering operation is not performed, and a stability increasing control operation is carried out to effectively perform the avoidance of the obstacle by the automatic braking operation.

Abstract: Adding a quantity of metallic shot or particles of other materials having a high dielectric constant to the thermoplastic paint in the mixing pot of ordinary roadway marker fixation equipment, which extrudes the paint and applies same to the roadway surface, enhances the MMW radiometric visibility of the marker without adverse effect to the affixation equipment. Vehicles containing MMW radiometers directed down toward the roadway surface moves along the roadway surface is able to automatically sense microwave/millimeter wave energy from a marker in the vehicles path. In one system, the sensed energy is used in conjunction with other apparatus to assist to guide the vehicle within a traffic lane. In another system, the sensed energy is decoded and displayed as pertinent information for the vehicle's driver.

Abstract: A driver alertness monitoring system for motor vehicles which issues visual or audible signals to the driver, and which monitors visual, audible or mechanical responses received from the driver to determine driver alertness. An electronic control unit, preferably incorporated in the circuitry of existent vehicle safety systems, controls the activation of these visual or audible signals and determines appropriate actions based on the response of the driver. The system includes auxiliary sensors which can be used to control and modify the function of the system to reduce unnecessary activation.

Abstract: A system for controlling behavior of a vehicle having a laser radar for detecting an obstacle present on a road on which the vehicle is traveling and operating the brake automatically to avoid contact with the obstacle, and having a power-assist steering actuator including an electric motor installed in the steering system. In the system, it is determined whether the vehicle is steered by the steering wheel as manipulated by the vehicle operator or the vehicle is steered by a force generated by the interplay between the tire and road due to the automatic braking and, when vehicle is steered by the force generated by the tire/road interplay, the electric motor of the steering actuator is controlled to drive in the direction to cancel the force, thereby preventing the vehicle behavior from degrading to deviate from the desired course of travel and preventing various disadvantages such as failure to achieve the desired obstacle detection necessary for an effective obstacle avoidance control.

Abstract: A light transmitting lens includes in a portion thereof a diffusion element constituted by a number of small prisms. The small prisms have the same height and different pitches depending on distances from an optical axis. Accordingly, the small prisms have different apical angles depending on the distances from the optical axis. The light transmitting lens has a function for collimating lights incident on the small prisms with the same apical angle. Light beams passed through the region of the diffusion element of the light transmitting lens are deflected at predetermined angles depending on the positions, however, the light beams passed through the other region of the light transmitting lens are collimated without deflection.

Abstract: An automatic travel controlling device capable of reliably guiding a vehicle along a lane even if the white lane lines cannot be detected. A laser radar device for detecting the distance to a side wall of the lane is provided to the left and right in addition to a CCD camera for detecting the white lane lines. An image from the CCD camera is supplied to a image processor ECU, and an extracted white line is supplied to a vehicle controlling ECU. A vehicle controlling ECU drives a steering actuator to perform steering control based on two white lines of the lane when detected. However, when the white lines cannot be detected, steering control based on the distances to the side walls is performed. If an obstacle is detected ahead by the laser radar device, the vehicle position is detected based on the distances to the side walls and a lane change is performed to evade the obstacle.

Abstract: An optical module inspection circuit on an optical platform includes an optical module carrier for precisely aligning optical devices with optical interfaces of inspection equipment located at fixed positions in the optical module inspection circuit. The module includes an apparatus for conveyance along a top surface of the optical platform. The module may be conveyed automatically to predetermined positions on the optical platform to automate alignment and positioning of optical devices with respect to optical inspection stations in the optical test circuit.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing speed of a vehicle to maintain a target vehicle speed include determining an actual vehicle speed, comparing the target vehicle speed to the actual vehicle speed to generate a speed error, determining a continuously variable braking torque as a function of the speed error when the actual vehicle speed exceeds the target vehicle speed, and applying the continuously variable braking torque to at least one wheel of the vehicle to reduce the speed error toward zero and control the speed of the vehicle. The present invention is applicable to vehicles powered by an internal combustion engine, electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, and hybrid vehicles. The continuously variable braking torque may be applied using regenerative braking to improve fuel efficiency. Friction brakes may also be utilized either alone, or in combination with regenerative braking, for vehicles capable of brake-by-wire control strategies.

Abstract: A plurality of pieces of detection data of a preceding vehicle, which have been collected in a straight line running state in which a self-vehicle and a preceding vehicle are running straight on the same straight line, are extracted as effective detection data. Setting of an inside parameter is automatically changed so that a center of the detection area can coincide with an average center of the preceding vehicle obtained by a statistical treatment of the plurality of pieces of detection data. The above automatic adjusting function is provided in a control circuit 7 of the range finder, and while the self-vehicle is stably running straight on the same straight line while chasing the preceding vehicle, and optical axis adjustment is conducted by operating the automatic adjusting function of the control circuit 7.

Abstract: An adaptive cruise control system 1 for a vehicle 3, is capable of operating in at least two modes, a Cruise mode in which the speed of the vehicle 3 is controlled to maintain a set speed, and a Follow mode in which the speed of the vehicle 3 is controlled to maintain a set distance from the preceding target vehicle 5. The system 1 includes means 7 to switch from Cruise mode to Follow mode if a target vehicle 5 is detected within a predetermined distance 9 of the vehicle 3, and a driver display interface 11 for displaying the mode of operation of the adaptive cruise control system 1. A change anticipation system 13 detects when the system operation is about to change mode from Cruise to Follow and causes the display interface 11 to display to the driver that the mode change is about to occur, prior to the system change to allow the driver to take avoiding action.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus based thereon are described for the automatic recognition of whether, in a traffic situation or in a traffic environment, vehicles are driving on the right or on the left. Said method is used in a motor vehicle as part of adaptive speed control. The prevailing direction of traffic flow is determined on the basis of other vehicles, which are traveling toward the cited vehicle. For this purpose, a frequency distribution is created as a function of a lateral, preferably directional distance y; a center of gravity S of this frequency is determined; and then it is determined on what side of the controlled vehicle this center of gravity S is located.

Abstract: A motorized wheel-chair is equipped with one or more sensors for detecting obstacles. The detection method may be either radar or sonar (or both). An on-board computer processes these echoes and presents a visual or auditory display. With the benefit of these displays, the user issues voice commands (or exerts manual pressure) to maneuver appropriately the motorized wheelchair. One or more microphones pick up the sounds of the user's voice and transmit them to a computer. The computer decodes the maneuvering commands by speech-recognition techniques and transmits these commands to the wheelchair to effect the desired motion. In addition to speech recognition for decoding commands, voice (speaker) recognition is employed to determine authorized users.

Abstract: Distance sensors are mounted on both ends of a vehicle and have light transmitting and receiving sections. A distance to an object is independently measured by alternately transmitting "one-side-only enlarged light beams" at a time interval and receiving corresponding reflected beams from the object. In an overlapped area of the "one-side-only enlarged light beams", the distance from the vehicle to the object, as well as the azimuth of the object, is measured by a triangulation distance measurement using an interval between the distance sensors as a baseline. The lengths of the "one-side-only enlarged light beams" in the running direction of the vehicle are about 50m and a width vertical to the running direction of the overlapped area is about 2m slightly greater than a width of the vehicle.

Abstract: A warning device for a distance between cars, for measuring a distance between a car and an object in front of the car, judging the possibility of danger on the basis of distance data thus obtained, and generating an alarm in the case where it is judged to be dangerous. The warning device provides a first alarm (a rear-end collision alarm) generated in a condition of alert which necessitates deceleration or braking, and a second alarm (an alarm for a distance between cars) generated in a condition of alert which does not necessitate deceleration nor braking, the first and second alarms, respectively, being judged by separate formulae for determining. Accordingly, it is possible to positively generate an alarm when deceleration or braking is necessitated. Further, the warning device discriminates a kind of an object being measured (a moving body, obstruction, guardrail or the like) to judge danger according to the kind of the discriminated object.

Abstract: The driverless vehicle system and method of control therefor includes a fixed camera fixedly mounted to a vehicle and a movable camera movably mounted to the vehicle. A control unit selectively inputs an image from one of the fixed camera and the movable camera, determines a trace angle based on the input image, and controls a steering angle of the vehicle based on the trace angle. The control unit also compares the trace angle to a first reference angle when the control unit inputs images from the fixed camera, and if the trace angle is greater than the first reference angle, the control means generates a desired angular position for the movable camera. A camera moving mechanism moves the movable camera to the desired angular position. Thereafter, the control means selects the movable camera from which to input images.

Abstract: A system which accurately detects a position of a vehicle on a road regardless of weather is disclosed. Radio wave reflecting bodies are placed on a road, and transmitter-receiver which can transmit and receive radio waves of wavelength is longer than a millimeter are placed on a vehicle. Based on a ratio of reception strength of the transmitter-receiver in the right and left of the vehicle, a displacement of the vehicle relative to the radio wave reflecting body is detected. The radio wave reflecting bodies have apertures or notches in a predetermined interval so that the radio wave signals reflected thereby has periodicity, and can be distinguished from other objects on the road.

Abstract: A method for implementing an intelligent cruise control using standard engine control modes includes determining the distance and closing rate relative to a forward object or vehicle and using this information to implement a distance control mode and a speed control mode. The distance control mode maintains a selectable headway range relative to a forward object or vehicle and may include accelerating the vehicle or decelerating the vehicle by defueling, engaging an engine brake, or downshifting the transmission when engine speed permits. The speed control mode maintains a selectable cruising speed if no target vehicle is detected. This cruising speed set point also functions as an upper limit while in the distance control mode. The system and method effect the intelligent cruise control functions utilizing control logic external to the electronic engine control module utilizing the engine speed control mode or engine speed and torque limiting control mode of SAE J1922 or SAE J1939 standards.

Abstract: A three phase control arrangement is employed after visual detection of a target at greater range than otherwise available. The first and last phases employ an optimization criterion for which errors do not vary with distance from a target; limiting the initial error and process error in an intermediate phase which controls approach trajectory to the intended docking location and yielding repeatable high accuracy docking. The three phase approach with different control criteria and control gain parameters makes feasible a docking maneuver that begins at a much greater range and potentially greater lateral separation from the destination than would otherwise be possible, while providing control of both the final location and final orientation of the vehicle. A preferred visual thresholding technique provides consistency of results over a wide range of illumination and contrast conditions while limiting the computation burden for target image acquisition and tracking.

Abstract: A system for monitoring operation and location of a moving first vehicle relative to a second vehicle. A minimum separation distance between the first and second vehicles is estimated, based on the first vehicle velocity, and optionally on the second vehicle velocity, using location determination (LD) signals received from satellite-based transmitters from GPS, GLONASS and LEO satellites, or from ground-based signal sources such as LORAN signal towers, and using ranging signals from SONAR, RADAR or a similar system. The minimum separation distance is compared with the actual separation distance at selected times, and a vehicle driver is advised if the actual separation distance is too small, if the separation distance is decreasing too quickly, or if the second vehicle velocity is decreasing too quickly. The second vehicle may travel in the same traffic lane, in an adjacent lane, or on a road that intersects the road used by the first vehicle.

Abstract: The detection region to which the electromagnetic wave from a vehicle is transmitted ahead in a direction of movement of the vehicle in order to detect an obstacle such as another vehicle in front or the like, is composed of a first detection region looking slightly upward with respect to the road surface and a second detection region looking slightly downward with respect to the road surface. Received signal strengths of reflected waves in the first and second detection regions are compared with each other. When the two received signal strengths are substantially equal to each other, the vertical angle of the object detecting apparatus is judged adequate. When the received signal strength of the reflected wave in the upper-side, first detection region is larger, the angle is judged downward.

Abstract: An automatic brake control system of a vehicle for automatically applying brake when said vehicle comes near to an obstacle ahead comprises an own vehicle speed detector for detecting a speed of the vehicle, a distance detector for detecting a distance between the own vehicle and the obstacle, an obstacle speed calculating device for calculating a speed of the obstacle based on the speed of the vehicle and the distance between the vehicle and the obstacle, a stop control judging device for making a comparison of the distance between the vehicle and the obstacle with a threshold distance, a target deceleration establishing apparatus based on the comparison for establishing a target deceleration to a first deceleration when the distance is smaller than the threshold distance and to a second deceleration when the distance is larger than the threshold distance and a brake drive controller for performing a deceleration control so as to generate a brake fluid pressure corresponding to the target deceleration in a b

Abstract: When material transport was automated on a building construction site, in a conventional travel tape guide system, it was necessary to replace the tape when it became soiled or when changes were made to a travel route. As a result, the usage efficiency of a material transport vehicle could not be improved on the site due to the fact that changes are made to work floors as demanded by construction schedules. According to this invention, there is provided a sign which is easy to move and which is installed at a turning point or an unloading point on a work floor transport route. An image of the sign is obtained by an imaging device on an autonomous guided vehicle and operating instructions are recognized by image processing. This makes it possible to automate the setting of routes and the control of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed to detect an obstacle in the path of a mobile machine. The present invention scans a field of interest by each of a plurality of obstacle sensor systems, weights the scanned data received from the obstacle sensor systems, and determines at least one characteristic of the obstacle as a function of the weighted scanned data.

Abstract: A device for measuring the speed of an object. The device includes a spatial filter scheme to provide quick-response photodetectors and an efficient use of light. The device projects light onto the object by a light source 1, and the light reflected by the object is received by a lens. This light passes through aperture stop 4 and strikes prism array 7, where it is split alternately into two paths at a fixed pitch with respect to the optical axis. The two split beams are received respectively by two photodetectors. The speed of the object moving relative to the measuring device can be calculated based on the data collected by photodetectors.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for fleet control when manned and unmanned vehicles travel together, and prevents mutual interference when manned vehicles simultaneously travel with unmanned vehicles on the same traveling course. To this end, in the apparatus, the unmanned vehicle includes an unmanned vehicle position detecting device, an unmanned vehicle transmitter/receiver, and an unmanned vehicle controller. The manned vehicle includes a manned vehicle position detecting device, a manned vehicle transmitter/receiver, a manned vehicle controller), and an alarm device. The manned vehicle controller compares unmanned vehicle position data and manned vehicle position data, and outputs an alarm signal for avoiding the unmanned vehicle when the unmanned vehicle travels ahead of the manned vehicle and the distance up to the unmanned vehicle is shorter than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A road for guiding an automatically driven vehicle comprises a train of N-polarity magnetic nails arranged along a main path, and a train of S-polarity magnetic nails arranged on a branching path. An automatically driven motor vehicle, including magnetic sensors, runs and is automatically steered by detecting the magnetic nails. The vehicle can be precisely controlled to follow a desired running direction by detecting the presence of magnetic nails with the magnetic sensors. More specifically, at an upstream side of a branch point, when the desired direction is along a main path direction, a driving (steering control) mode of the vehicle is selected in which the magnetic sensors detect N-polarity magnetic nails. Similarly, when the desired direction of travel is along a path which branches off from the main path, a driving (steering control) mode is selected in which the magnetic sensors detect S-polarity magnetic nails.

Abstract: A portable instrument combines an electronic distance or range finder with an electronic difference finder for vertical (i.e., elevational) angle mensuration in order to at least to determine or compute, from a remote distance away, a vertical clearance between a bridge overpass and an under-passing highway. The instrument is at least sighted manually on one of a bridge overpass or the under-passing highway, but instantaneously gives computed values once activated.

Abstract: In a method for determining the position of an object with reference to a measurement device having an optical transmitter which emits a light beam at a varying transmission angle, and having an angularly resolving optical receiver spaced away from the transmitter, a conclusion being drawn, from the respective transmission angle and from the respective angle at which the receiver receives radiation reflected from the object (reception angle), as to the resolution cell, defined by the angular resolution of the transmitter and the receiver, in which the object is located, the light beam emitted from the transmitter is modulated. The phase difference between the modulation of the transmitted light beam and the modulation of the received radiation is measured. From the phase difference, the position of the object within the respective resolution cell is calculated.

Abstract: A laser beam type distance measuring device comprising a laser beam emitter; a laser beam receiver having a going laser beam sensor and a returning laser beam sensor; an electrical signal processing circuit connected to the going and returning laser beam sensors; a returning laser beam guide way leading to the returning laser beam sensor; a polygon mirror for reflecting a going laser beam from the laser beam emitter toward a remote object and reflecting a returning laser beam from the object toward the returning laser beam guide way along which the returning laser beam travels to the returning laser beam sensor; and a reference optical track having one end directed to the laser beam emitter and the other end directed to the going laser beam sensor, so that a first part of the going laser beam from the laser beam emitter travels to the going laser beam sensor through the reference optical track.

Abstract: If a driver's sudden operation of a steering handle to avoid an obstacle is detected based on outputs from a steering speed sensor (S.sub.1), a steering torque sensor (S.sub.2) and/or a steering torque variation amount sensor (S.sub.7), a master cylinder produces a braking hydraulic pressure by a command from an electronic control unit without depression of brake pedal by a driver. A hydraulic pressure control device (4) transmits the braking hydraulic pressure to brake calipers of inner wheels during turning of the vehicle to brake the inner wheels. This causes a yaw moment to be generated so as to turn the direction of advancement of the vehicle to an inward in a turning direction. Thus, the steering operation can be assisted by such yaw moment to avoid the obstacle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determining the positions of fixed reference objects for use in controlling the movement of mobile surface transportation units over a surface. The method includes detecting bearings from a measuring point on a mobile apparatus to the reference objects at predetermined times associated with movement of the mobile apparatus over the surface, storing the bearings along with the predetermined time associated therewith, and continuously computing the position of the reference objects and the degree of uncertainty associated with those positions from the bearings whereby the degree of uncertainty is reduced as the mobile apparatus moves over the surface.

Abstract: A vehicle adaptive cruise control system having active deceleration control provides for appropriate decelerations consistent with the objectives of preventing the vehicle from violating a desired minimum distance from a preceding vehicle and efficient utilization of road space through minimization of inter-vehicle spacing.

Abstract: A programmable lawn mower assembly (10) including a carriage (12) supporting a mower central processing unit (CPU) (24) for controlling the drive motors (18) to control the direction of movement of the carriage (12). The assembly (10) includes first and second locating transmitters to be disposed on posts in spaced positions about the lawn with each locating transmitter simultaneously transmitting a radio frequency signal which travels at a first velocity and an audio signal which travels at a second velocity slower than said first velocity. A carriage receiver (50, 52) is disposed on the carriage (12) for receiving the radio and audio signals from the locating transmitters and for providing signals to the CPU (24) for determining the position of the carriage (12) relative to the locating transmitters by measuring the time between said radio and audio signals from each locating transmitter.

Abstract: A road lane recognizing apparatus can accurately recognize a road lane position from an image shown by an actual road surface image signal obtained by picturing a road surface in front of a vehicle by means of picturing means such as a television camera or the like mounted on the vehicle. Whether the vehicle exists on a straight part of road or not is discriminated in accordance with a vehicle-self position detected by vehicle detecting means. When the vehicle exists on the straight part, an attitude angle showing the direction of the vehicle for the road direction at the vehicle-self position is detected. When the attitude angle is detected, a predetermined ideal road surface image is inclined by only the attitude angle, thereby obtaining the corrected road surface image. The actual road surface image signal from the picturing means is compared with a signal of the corrected road surface image. An image difference is used as an offset amount.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle has a distance measuring sensor that periodically measures the distance to an object using a prescribed period and it's movement is controlled in accordance with the distance measured by the distance measuring sensor. A controller that controls the prescribed period based on the moving speed and the measured distance so that the prescribed period is made shorter as the moving speed increases and the distance to the object becomes shorter.

Abstract: A brake control system is comprised of a vehicle environment recognition device for obtaining vehicle environment including a road condition, an actuator for applying hydraulic pressure set at a target value to each wheel cylinder, and a controller for calculating the target value on the basis of the vehicle environment. The controller controls the wheel cylinder pressure by driving the actuator so as to adjusting the wheel cylinder pressure at the target value. Therefore, it becomes possible to ensure the same braking distance by the same depression degree of the brake even in various road conditions.

Abstract: A vehicle collision warning system converts collision threat messages from a predictive collision sensor into intuitive sounds which are perceived by the occupant to be directed from the direction of the potential collision. The type and volume of the sounds are dependent upon the estimated likelihood, severity, and commencement time of the collision. The types of sound are chosen to evoke the proper corrective action by the driver as necessary to avoid the collision or mitigate the effects thereof. Examples of the sounds include a horn, screeching tires, a siren, sounds of various types of vehicles and object, and voice commands. The sounds are stored monaurally and are converted to directional sounds using known techniques.

Abstract: A detecting apparatus which detects a quantity of various kinds of vehicle motion without using materials arranged on a road surface. The detecting apparatus is provided on a vehicle. A marking mechanism provides a mark on a road surface, the marking mechanism provided on the vehicle. An imaging device takes images of the road surface including the mark at a predetermined time interval. A quantity of vehicle motion is calculated by detecting a change in a position of the mark during the predetermined time interval based on a plurality of the images.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically adjusting the angle of a rotatable side view mirror of a vehicle having a trailer coupled thereto includes transducers attached to the vehicle for transmitting signals toward the trailer and for receiving signals reflected by the trailer. A control unit includes memory for storing dimensional information and a control circuit for generating a mirror control signal for controlling rotation of the rotatable side view mirror. The control circuit is operative to control at least one of the transducers to determine an angle between the vehicle and the trailer based on a time required for signals transmitted by the respective controlled at least one transducer to be reflected back to the respective at least one controlled transducer. The control circuit generates the mirror control signal based on the determined angle.

Abstract: An improved automated, self propelled lawn mower (14) utilizing a rotating directional loop antenna (36) that determines its position within the cutting area by measuring the angle between transmitters(20A, B, & C) placed in a known configuration beyond the cutting area, and by calculating the solution of simultaneous circle equations (96 & 98) defined by that configuration. Orientation is determined by comparing present and previous positions. Stored path information is compared with the calculated position to determine steering signals which direct the mower to move directly toward the next point in the desired path. When the mower reaches that point the next coordinates are retrieved from memory and the process is repeated similarly for all successive points in the path. The simplicity of programming the path makes this automated lawn mower very versatile and flexible.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method for spacing control for a motor vehicle, in which the current driving speed of the motor vehicle and the current spacing of the vehicle from an object in front of the vehicle are determined by sensor devices, and a spacing-dependent required acceleration is produced from the detected variables. For this purpose, a speed-dependent required acceleration is determined from a desired speed which is manually predetermined by the vehicle driver, and is compared with the spacing-dependent required acceleration. A manipulated variable for the driving engine and/or the braking system of the motor vehicle is then generated as a function of the required acceleration.

Abstract: A system for minimizing roadway vehicle damage and personal injury which includes a detection sensor unit, a computer processing unit (CPU), and energy absorbing inflation devices. The detection sensor unit, which is mounted on the roadway vehicle to detect the speed, distance and direction of a potential obstacle, includes a transmitter for transmitting signals and a directional receiver to receive signals reflected by the potential obstacle and generates an electronic signal in response thereto. The CPU, which receives information on the speed and direction of the roadway vehicle and receives signals from the detection sensor unit continuously processes the information and signals and calculates changes in the speed, distance and direction of the potential obstacle with respect to the roadway vehicle. The CPU generates a control signal upon calculation of an imminent collision situation, which calculation is based on a predetermined minimum allowable time window.

Abstract: A scan-type radar apparatus for a vehicle which determines whether an object detected by the radar exists in the lane in which the radar equipped vehicle is moving with a high accuracy while restricting an increase of the manufacturing cost of the radar apparatus. A scan-type radar detects objects existing in a detectable range, the scan-type radar apparatus assuming a vehicle moving lane area corresponding to a vehicle moving lane in which the vehicle is moving based on an operating condition of the vehicle, the vehicle moving lane area being assumed within the detectable range. An actual direction of each of the objects is detected by the scan-type radar with respect to the radar equipped vehicle.