Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a vehicle driving operation support system. The vehicle driving operation support system senses an environment surrounding the motor vehicle; senses a traveling condition of the motor vehicle; calculates a risk potential of the motor vehicle on a basis of the sensed environment and the sensed traveling condition; controls the motor vehicle on a basis of a control setpoint. The vehicle driving operation support system sets on a basis of the calculated risk potential the control setpoint to a provisional setpoint effective for reducing the risk potential; senses driver's operation in reaction to the controlling operation with the control setpoint set to the provisional setpoint; and sets the control setpoint to a normal setpoint on a basis of the sensed driver's operation.

Abstract: A method and a device for driver assistance in which the warning threshold at which the driver is warned for example of a departure from the lane is adaptively adjusted as a function of the driver's state and/or the driving situation.

Abstract: A driver assistance or collision avoidance system is adapted for use with trailing and preceding host vehicles, and in a preferred embodiment includes a preceding vehicle speed sensor for determining the current speed of the preceding vehicle at a point; a vehicle-to-vehicle communication sub-system; a normal speed determining sub-system operable to determine the normally expected speed of the preceding vehicle at the point, and including an exterior remote vehicle sensor or digital map-indicia database; and a controller configured to compare the current and normally expected speeds, and the discrepancy there-between to a threshold, and cause an alert to be generated only when the discrepancy exceeds the threshold or an otherwise stalled condition is determined.

Abstract: A mobile device is associated with navigational information of a client vehicle and provides the navigational information of the client vehicle to an emergency vehicle notification service. The mobile also receives an emergency vehicle message from the emergency vehicle notification service, where the emergency vehicle message includes navigational information of an emergency responder vehicle. The mobile device determines updated navigational information of the client vehicle, and identifies a projected intersection between a path of the emergency responder vehicle and a path of the client vehicle based on the emergency vehicle message and the updated navigational information of the client vehicle. The mobile device generates an alert signal to a user of the mobile device based on the identification of the projected intersection.

Abstract: A vehicle to vehicle warning system comprises a transmitter associated with a primary vehicle alerting one or more secondary vehicles of its proximity through a receiver. The transmitter may emit a radio frequency signal which activates radio frequency receivers in surrounding vehicles. When in appropriate proximity, the signal is configured to initiate a warning at the secondary vehicle, such as light from a light-emitting device or sound from a sound-generating device. In another form, the primary vehicle includes a passive transmitter and the secondary vehicle includes a multi-frequency resonance tag/circuit having distinct frequencies for detection and discrimination. The passive transmitter creates electromagnetic waves which are generated as it passes by the secondary vehicle housing the multi-frequency resonance tag, setting off the secondary vehicle alarm system.

Abstract: A driver more reliably becomes aware, on a vehicle glass, of near-vehicle object information of which the driver should be aware. A vehicle information display system 10 is equipped with awareness information detecting unit 1 that detects information of an awareness object of which a driver should be aware near a host vehicle, eye position detecting unit 2 that detects the position of the eyes of the driver, and display unit 3 that displays on vehicle glasses 11, 12 and 13 at least one of the information of the awareness object that has been detected by the awareness information detecting unit 1 and an emphatic display.

Abstract: When a lane-width-direction lateral position (X2obst+X0) of a vehicle (MM) reaches a predetermined control start position (60) being a lane-width-direction lateral position (X2obst+X0) serving as an approach prevention indicator for the vehicle (MM), a control start is determined and a yaw moment (Ms) toward the center of a vehicle traveling lane (200) is applied to the vehicle (MM) to control the vehicle (MM). Then, when the lane-width-direction lateral position (X2obst+X0) of the vehicle (MM) moves from the outside to the inside of the control start position (60), the determination of control start is suppressed for a predetermined period, compared to a period before the movement to the inside of the control start position (60).

Abstract: A manner of creating an electronic device directory containing the identity of electronic devices that registered in an area associated with a plurality of events, which events are similar in certain respects. The directory is useful, for example, investigating criminal cases. When such an event occurs, an application server is notified and generates one or more device registration capture requests to determine which electronic devices are registered in the area and at approximately the same time at which the event occurs. The device registration capture associated with this event is compared with other device registration captures associated with other, similar events to create the electronic device directory. The electronic device directory entries are preferable filtered to select the devices most likely to be associated with the actual events in question.

Abstract: A method for displaying images of a camera associated with a vehicle includes the steps of displaying the images in a first mode if a first condition is satisfied, and displaying the images in a second mode if a second condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A road shape recognition device includes: distance and height detecting means for detecting distance data having a distance and height in real space regarding a road surface where a vehicle is traveling at multiple mutually different points; approximation line calculating means for dividing the plurality of distance data into near and far groups as viewed from the vehicle to calculate an approximation line of the distance data for each group each time the distance data of the boundary portion between the two groups is transferred from one of the groups to the other; statistics calculating means for calculating statistics from the corresponding approximation line for each group where the distance data is transferred; and road shape model generating means for selecting one out of combinations of the approximation lines to generate a road shape model using the selected combination.

Abstract: A vehicle detection system for detecting the presence of at least part of a vehicle in image data, the system comprising: an interface configured to receive image data; an identifier module configured to identify a plurality of linear regions in an image represented by the image data; a comparator configured to compare at least one of the number, cumulative size, and density of the linear regions with a respective threshold value; and an output configured to issue a signal indicating the detection of a vehicle based on the results of the comparison.

Abstract: A collision warning device for motor vehicles includes a locating sensor, a lane recognition module for detecting the number of traffic lanes in the road on which the vehicle is traveling, and a decision unit to output a warning signal if a danger parameter (ttc) determined using the data from the locating sensor exceeds a threshold value, the threshold value being variable depending on the number of traffic lanes in such a way that the warning signal is issued earlier when the number of lanes is greater.

Abstract: A method for issuing warnings in vehicles about hazardous situations as a function of their location. A position of the first vehicle is transmitted as first information and actuated warning signal of the first vehicle are transmitted as second information to surrounding vehicles. The information is received by the surrounding vehicles and the first information is compared and evaluated with information relating to a position of the surrounding vehicles. In the event of a hazardous situation for the surrounding vehicles, corresponding measures for minimizing the hazardous situations are initiated in the surrounding vehicles.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for recognizing a parking area are disclosed. The parking area recognizing apparatus includes: a signal transmitter transmitting a signal using a sensor; an echo signal receiver receiving an echo signal for the signal; a multiple signal generator generating a multiple echo signal using the echo signal based on first and second preset thresholds; and a parking area recognizer recognizing a parking area by calculating a round trip time and a duration time for the multiple echo signal and selecting an available echo signal based on at least one of the round trip time and the duration time. Accordingly, a precision in recognition of a parking area is enhanced by reducing a measurement error by processing an echo signal received after it is reflected on an object with a multiple echo signal in recognition of the parking area using a sensor such as an ultrasonic sensor or a radar sensor.

Abstract: A system for alerting a user in a safety zone adjacent a stationary vehicle includes one or more sensors configured to generate a sensor signal in response to a detected location and/or trajectory of a moving vehicle in an encroachment zone and/or the safety zone. The encroachment zone is a region adjacent the safety zone in which vehicles are at risk of entering the safety zone. A control unit is configured to receive the signal from the one or more sensors and to determine, responsive to the sensor signals, a likelihood of the moving vehicle entering the safety zone. The control unit is further configured to generate a trigger signal if the likelihood of the moving vehicle entering the safety zone is greater than a predetermined threshold. An alarm unit is configured to receive the trigger signal from the control unit and to automatically trigger an alarm protocol when the trigger signal is received to alert the user in the safety zone.

Abstract: A method is provided for rapidly identifying potential collision threats between communicating vehicles in a vehicle communication network for actuating a vehicle control action to mitigate potential collisions between the communicating vehicles. Vehicle boundaries and trajectory path boundaries are constructed for the communicating vehicles for efficiently identifying a potential collision. Prioritized assessments are performed to determine which respective boundaries intersect one another. Based on whether respective boundaries that intersect one another will determine if a control vehicle control action is initiated and which control action is imitated. Once the intersecting boundaries are identified, a location of the potential collision can be rapidly identified by a technique that subdivides and regenerates the intersecting trajectory path boundaries of the vehicles.

Abstract: A method for the driver of an automotive vehicle to avoid distraction from the task of driving, but yet to preserve and later recover legal evidence of events, objects, or conditions that may be encountered during the driving of the vehicle, by utilizing a perimeter optical viewing system in conjunction with a central digital recording system to record and subsequently retrieve images of those events, objects, or conditions.

Abstract: A parking assist system which, after a vehicle has passed the side of a parking area formed between parked vehicles, assists parking of the vehicle from a stopped position of the vehicle to the parking area, the parking assist system comprising: a distance sensor that emits radio waves or ultrasonic waves and detects the distance to the parked vehicles on the basis of the reflected waves; parking area detecting apparatus that measures, when the vehicle passes the parked vehicles and the side of the parking area, the distance to the parked vehicles with the distance sensor and detects, after the vehicle has passed the side of the parking area, the parking area on the basis of the measurement result; parking target position calculating apparatus that calculates a parking target position of the vehicle on the basis of the parking area that has been detected by the parking area detecting apparatus; and vehicle trajectory calculating apparatus that calculates, on the basis of the parking target position of the veh

Abstract: One embodiment of such a method of assisting a driver of a vehicle comprises receiving a command from the driver attesting that the driver has performed one of a plurality of driving requisites; in response to receipt of the command, presenting an audible cue commending the driver for performing one of the plurality of driving requisites; tracking an amount of time that elapses before the command attesting to performance of a respective driving requisite is received; and in response to the amount of time exceeding a threshold for the respective driving requisite, presenting an audible cue intending to remind the driver about the respective driving requisite being tracked that has exceeded the respective threshold.

Abstract: A method is provided for efficiently processing messages staged for authentication in a security layer of a protocol stack in a wireless vehicle-to-vehicle communication system. The vehicle-to-vehicle communication system includes a host vehicle receiver for receiving messages transmitted by one or more remote vehicles. The host receiver is configured to authenticate received messages in a security layer of a protocol stack. A wireless message broadcast by a remote vehicle is received. The wireless message contains characteristic data of the remote vehicle. The characteristic data is analyzed for determining whether the wireless message is in compliance with a predetermined parameter of the host vehicle. The wireless message is discarded prior to a transfer of the wireless message to the security layer in response to a determination that the wireless message is not in compliance with the predetermined parameter of the host vehicle. Otherwise, the wireless message is transferred to the security layer.

Abstract: This invention concerns the control of rotating excavation machinery, for instance to avoid collisions with obstacles. In a first aspect the invention is a control system for autonomous path planning in excavation machinery, comprising: A map generation subsystem to receive data from an array of disparate and complementary sensors to generate a 3-Dimensional digital terrain and obstacle map referenced to a coordinate frame related to the machine's geometry, during normal operation of the machine. An obstacle detection subsystem to find and identify obstacles in the digital terrain and obstacle map, and then to refine the map by identifying exclusion zones that are within reach of the machine during operation. A collision detection subsystem that uses knowledge of the machine's position and movements, as well as the digital terrain and obstacle map, to identify and predict possible collisions with itself or other obstacles, and then uses a forward motion planner to predict collisions in a planned path.

Abstract: A horn system for a vehicle is provided including a piezoelectric device, a loudspeaker, and a controller. The piezoelectric device is located in a horn pad of a steering wheel. The piezoelectric device produces a variable voltage due to varying pressure exerted on the horn pad. The piezoelectric device produces a first voltage signal and a second voltage signal. The first voltage signal is less than the second voltage signal. The loudspeaker is for emitting an audio signal. The controller is in communication with the piezoelectric device and the loudspeaker, and has a memory for storing at least a first audio file and a second audio file.

Abstract: A vehicular collision warning system comprises at least one image capture device capturing images of blind spots, a processing unit receiving the images of blind spots from the image capture device, and at least one alert device. The processing unit identifies at least one barrier from the images and calculates the speed and transverse displacement of the barrier according to the positional change with respect to time. The processing unit presets at least one attention area on the image, estimates whether the barrier will appear in the attention area, sends out an alert-triggering signal to trigger the alert devices to generate sound, light, or pictures to warn the driver early. Cooperating with the speed sensor, brake system and turn light system, the vehicular collision warning system can trigger different alert signals according to the grading of danger to actively warn the driver early.

Abstract: An object classification method in which a vehicle moves toward an object includes: (a) ascertaining a first characteristic quantity from the variation of a first signal received by a distance-measuring sensor; (b) ascertaining an additional characteristic quantity from the variation of a second signal received by the distance-measuring sensor; (c) ascertaining a distance traveled by the vehicle between step (a) and step (b); (d) ascertaining a predictive quantity associated with the distance ascertained in step (c); (e) comparing the predictive quantity with the additional characteristic quantity; and (f) generating an object classification signal.

Abstract: A warning system for conveying alerts and information relating to a vehicle blind spot and objects detected therein, is disclosed. The system conveys an assortment of information through a single light emitting indicator. Also disclosed are various methods of indicating the advisability of lane changes, and modes of configuring the indicator and an associated sensing system and controller.

Abstract: A mirror reflective element sub-assembly includes a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate and a signal indicator. The mirror back plate includes (i) a generally planar portion and (ii) an indicator receiving portion. The indicator receiving portion has a wall structure extending at an angle from the generally planar portion adjacent to an aperture established through the mirror back plate. The signal indicator has a light source disposed at a circuit element and a housing substantially encases the circuit element therein. An electrical connector protrudes from the circuit element and is accessible at a connector portion of the housing for connecting to electrical wiring of the vehicle. The signal indicator includes an indicia element at a forward end thereof. When the light source is activated, light emitted by the light source emanates through the aperture and through the mirror reflective element and is transmitted through the indicia element.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a composite-image parking-assistant system, which is installed in a vehicle. When a driver drives his vehicle to passes at least one parking space, the system of the present invention uses camera devices to capture images involving the parking space. A processing unit converts the images into bird's eye view images and integrates the bird's eye view images into a composite bird's eye view surrounding map via the common characteristics thereof. A display device presents the surrounding map to the driver. The processing unit adjusts the coverage the vision field of the surrounding map according the relative position of the vehicle and the parking space to make the magnification of the vision field inverse proportional to the relative position. Thereby, the driver can park his vehicle efficiently and avoid collision.

Abstract: A cruise control system comprises a passing detection module and a speed regulator module. The passing detection module selectively detects execution of a passing maneuver based on an accelerator pedal position (APP) measured by an APP sensor and actuation of a Set/Coast input to the cruise control system when a vehicle speed is greater than a target speed. The speed regulator module regulates the vehicle speed based on the target speed and updates the target speed to the vehicle speed when the passing maneuver is detected.

Abstract: A method is described for providing assistance during a parking maneuver of a vehicle, in particular of a motor vehicle, into a parking space, the parking space and a boundary object located in the area of the parking space being detected by a sensor array while the vehicle is driving by the parking space. To further simplify the parking maneuver, a boundary object type is assigned to the detected boundary object, and parking information relating to the feasibility of a parking maneuver into the parking space is generated as a function of the assigned boundary object type and as a function of the position of the boundary object in the area of the parking space.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assistance system for motor vehicles (20), said system having a distance detection system (4) and a warning system (6), wherein provision is made of an evaluation unit (18) which combines items of information (12, 14, 16) obtained by the distance detection system (4) and by the warning system (6). The invention also relates to a method for operating an assistance system (2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for reducing the number of packets in a vehicle-to-vehicle multi-hop broadcast communication. The method determines a position data comprising a position, a velocity and a direction of a receiving vehicle (1, 2, 3, 4), receives a position data comprising position, velocity and direction from sending vehicles (1, 2, 3, 4), and calculates a relative position between the receiving vehicle (1, 2, 3, 4) and the sending vehicle (1, 2, 3, 4). Next, a density of vehicles is calculated from the calculated relative positions. The position data of the receiving vehicle (1, 2, 3, 4) is periodically sent, and the time for periodically sending the position data of the receiving vehicle (1, 2, 3, 4) is set in accordance with the calculated density of vehicles.

Abstract: A method and device for assisting in driving a vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle, having a surroundings detector for detecting at least a partial area of the surroundings of the vehicle, an output device for the output of information concerning the vehicle surroundings obtained from the surroundings detection to a driver, and an evaluation unit for determining a risk level based on the vehicle-surroundings information. To facilitate driving of the vehicle, it is provided that at least a portion of the vehicle-surroundings information provided for determining the risk level, and the risk level determined by the evaluation unit are output continuously by the output device to the driver during operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A substantially transparent windscreen head up display includes one of light emitting particles or microstructures over a predefined region of the windscreen permitting luminescent display while permitting vision through the windscreen. A method to display a graphic describing traffic information based upon vehicle-to-vehicle communication upon the substantially transparent windscreen head up display of a host vehicle includes monitoring the vehicle-to-vehicle communication, determining the traffic information based upon the vehicle-to-vehicle communication, determining the graphic describing the traffic information for display upon the substantially transparent windscreen head up display, and displaying the graphic upon the substantially transparent windscreen head up display.

Abstract: A vehicle may include a driver interface and at least once controller operatively arranged with the interface. The at least one controller may be configured to categorize a driver's dynamic control of the vehicle by type, determine a target speed of a road curvature, and determine a speed of the vehicle. The at least one controller may be further configured to determine a threshold distance based on the type, determine a distance between the vehicle and the curvature, and generate an alert for the driver if the distance is less than the threshold and the speed is greater than the target.

Abstract: The emergency vehicle alarm system and method allows a user to select an emergency vehicle alert as a telematics service in a mobile vehicle. Once the user selects the alert service, a telematics operations center determines a service fee, bills the user, and debits the user's account accordingly. The emergency vehicle alert telematics service warns a civilian vehicle of an approaching emergency vehicle. The system includes a transmitter located in the emergency vehicle that transmits a signal adapted for reception by a receiving module of a telematics system located in the civilian vehicle. When the emergency vehicle signal is received by the receiving module in the civilian vehicle, an audio and/or visual alert is generated to alert the occupants of the civilian vehicle that an emergency vehicle is nearby. The civilian vehicle's telematics system may also display relative positioning of the emergency vehicle and the civilian vehicle.

Abstract: A warning apparatus for installation on a vehicle is disclosed. The warning apparatus may include a detector for detecting a road hazard and a display that is activated to transmit an alert in response to detection of the hazard.

Abstract: A method for driver assistance by generating lane information for supporting or for replacing lane information of a video-based lane information device includes: generating the lateral lane information based on the video-based lane information device of the vehicle; ascertaining at least one reliability parameter of the lateral lane information received from the lane information device; receiving navigation system-based lateral lane information from at least one other vehicle via a vehicle-to-vehicle communication device; and supporting or replacing the lateral lane information received from the lane information device based on the received navigation system-based lateral lane information as a function of the ascertained reliability parameter.

Abstract: In a driving lane deviation detection and warning system, a deviation detection ECU suppress a warning unit to supply a warning when an obstacle placed in a front of a vehicle is detected, and the driver's operation allows the vehicle to deviate from a driving lane. That is, when the driver's operation allows the vehicle to deviate from the driving lane in order to escape any collision with an obstacle, the deviation detection ECU instructs the warning unit to prevent the supply of a warning to the driver. This prevents the warning unit to provide an unnecessary warning to the driver even if the driver intends for the vehicle to deviate from the current driving lane of the vehicle. That is, it is possible to reliably instruct the warning unit to supply the warning to the driver when the vehicle deviates from the current driving lane against the driver's will.

Abstract: An system has a sensing device for detecting a signal and logic configured to assess a timestamp to at least one data point contained in the signal prior to transmitting data indicative of the data point to a controller.

Abstract: A surrounding recognition support system includes a distance marker display section displaying a distance marker on a monitor for a user to identify the distance marker, which indicates a distance from the user to a predetermined area and allows the user to visually sense the distance when the user looks at the monitor, and a sound output section emitting a special sound corresponding to the distance indicated by the distance marker when the distance marker is displayed on the monitor by the distance marker display section. The sound output section emits the special sound in response to a result of detection of an object detection portion detecting the object existing around the user within the predetermined area defined by the distance indicated by the distance marker.

Abstract: A vehicle presence alert apparatus for alerting a target object to a presence of the vehicle via an alert sound with a frequency in an audible range is disclosed. The vehicle presence alert apparatus includes: a sound emitter configured to (i) cause a carrier wave with a frequency in an ultrasonic range to carry the alert sound, and (ii) emit the carrier wave carrying the alert sound as a radiation wave toward the target object; a sound receiver configured to receive a reflected wave, the reflected wave being generated due to reflection of the radiation wave by the target object; and relative velocity calculation means for calculating a relative velocity of the target object with respect to the vehicle based on a frequency of the radiation wave and a frequency of the reflected wave.

Abstract: A method of quantifying a host vehicle's collision risk with a foreign object includes the steps of collecting and preserving a short-term history of range and azimuth data on the object and identifying leading edges of the foreign object. The leading edges are linked to previous detected leading edges in the short term history storage data to define a trajectory for the object, and to calculate range and azimuth velocities and accelerations of leading edges of the foreign object based on the leading edge trajectory. A collision risk P is then calculated for the foreign object using the range and azimuth velocities and accelerations according to a predetermined formula. If the collision risk P falls below a pre-set value, the methods of the present invention calculate an evasive maneuver for the host vehicle based on a vector sum of high risk leading edge risks and locations.

Abstract: Presented is a communication system in a motor vehicle which is designed to participate in a chain-like ad-hoc radio network comprising a number of traveling motor vehicles. The system includes a control unit, a transmission/reception unit in communication with the control unit, and an orientation unit configured to determine an orientation of the motor vehicle relative to a reference direction, the orientation unit being in communication with the control unit. The control unit is configured to determine the orientation of the motor vehicle with respect to an orientation of at least one other motor vehicle which is received by the transmission/reception unit.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for warning of emergency vehicles in emergency service. The emergency vehicles use vehicle-to-vehicle communication to transmit warning messages which are received by other vehicles and are indicated to the driver of the receiving vehicle. In order to allow rapid orientation of the driver, provision is made for the warning message from the emergency vehicle to have a position statement for the emergency vehicle and for the position statement to be evaluated in the vehicle which receives the warning message, wherein the position of the emergency vehicle is indicated relative to the position of the receiving vehicle.

Abstract: A steering assist system includes traffic-line detecting means for detecting right and left traffic lines marked on a road, preceding-vehicle detecting means for detecting a preceding vehicle traveling ahead of a subject vehicle, traveling-target-point setting means for setting a traveling target point for traveling of the subject vehicle at a predetermined position in the preceding vehicle when the preceding vehicle is not within predetermined ranges from the right and left traffic lines, and for setting the traveling target point at a position offset from the predetermined position in the preceding vehicle toward the center of a traveling lane of the subject vehicle when the preceding vehicle is within the predetermined range of any one of the right and left traffic lines, and steering control means for controlling steering so that the subject vehicle passes over the traveling target point.

Abstract: A driver information and dialog system disposed in a vehicle and relating to driver behavior data and driver condition data, having a data acquisition device and an input/output device, the output device informing the driver about a collecting, storage, use, processing, and or transmission of driver behavior data and driver condition data, and the input device allowing the driver to transmit his decision consenting to or denying the collecting, storage, use, processing, and/or transmission of driver behavior data and driver condition data. Furthermore, a method for informing the driver and for dialog with the driver regarding driver behavior data and driver condition data collected in a vehicle, the driver being informed about the collecting, storage, use, processing, and/or transmission of driver behavior data and driver condition data, and the driver making decisions about the collecting, storage, use, processing, and/or transmission of driver behavior data and driver condition data.

Abstract: A method for regulating the velocity of a motor vehicle in a complex traffic situation is presented. The motor vehicle is equipped with a sensor system for recording the environment. In order to regulate the velocity, an at least partially covered object and/or at least one object on an adjacent lane is viewed.

Abstract: An alarm sound according to the distance of a dangerous object exiting around a vehicle is created. A reference sound which enables a driver to recognize the distance of the dangerous object when the driver hears the alarm sound, comparing with the reference sound, is created. The alarm sound and the reference sound are generated at the same time or a different timing. It is preferable that the sound volume of the alarm sound be greater than that of the reference sound. Accordingly, the driver can be warned precisely of the distance of the dangerous object from the vehicle with the sound.

Abstract: A vehicle presence notification apparatus generates a notice sound by emitting an ultrasonic wave in mid air based on an ultrasonic signal modulated according to an audible sound. During proceeding in mid air, the modulated ultrasonic wave is self-demodulating to become an audible sound. The audible sound posterior to the self-demodulation has a significant directionality like the ultrasonic wave. The notice sound is thus conveyed mainly to a pedestrian who is present in a dangerous area range where a danger needs to be taught. In addition, the vehicle presence notification apparatus includes a sensor-use ultrasonic transducer device having a transducers. The transducer device serves as a vehicle velocity sensor by transmitting an ultrasonic wave towards a road surface based on an ultrasonic wave signal or modulated ultrasonic wave, thereby enabling the vehicle presence notification apparatus to acquire vehicle velocity information by itself.

Abstract: In a cruise control system for a vehicle, a cruise ECU calculates a cornering resistance applied to the vehicle based upon a steering angle, when a vehicle turns. The cruise ECU calculates a speed reduction amount as a correction vehicle speed based upon the cornering resistance. The cruise ECU subtracts the correction vehicle speed from a set vehicle speed to set a target vehicle speed so that the vehicle speed becomes lower as the cornering resistance is larger. The cruise ECU controls the vehicle speed to be within a permissible speed range of the target vehicle speed.