Abstract: A vehicle driving assist system comprises a travel situation detection device that detects a vehicle condition and a traveling environment around a subject vehicle; a risk potential calculation device that calculates a risk potential around the subject vehicle based upon detection results of the traveling situation detection device; an accelerator pedal reaction force calculation device that calculates an accelerator pedal reaction force command value based upon the risk potential which is calculated by the risk potential calculation device; an accelerator pedal reaction force generation device that generates an actuation reaction force for an accelerator pedal, according to the accelerator pedal reaction force command value which is calculated by the accelerator pedal reaction force calculation device; a driving intention detection device that detects a driving intention of an operator of the subject vehicle; and an accelerator pedal reaction force modification device that adjusts the actuation reaction forc

Abstract: A control system 20 for an automotive vehicle 22, such as an adaptive cruise control (ACC) system, is provided including a controller 24. The controller 24 is electrically coupled to a radar system and a navigation system. The detection system 28 detects an object and generates an object profile. The navigation system 34 generates a navigation signal. The controller 24 in response to the object profile and the navigation signal, generates a predicted future path profile and inhibits resume speed of the vehicle 22 in response to the predicted future path profile. An additional feature of the invention is that the controller 24 may also be electrically coupled to a yaw rate sensor 30. The yaw rate sensor 30 senses the yaw rate of the vehicle 22 and generates a yaw rate signal. The controller 24 in response to the yaw rate signal inhibits resume speed of the vehicle 22.

Abstract: An engine and transmission control system is responsive to manipulation of manually operated control devices which can cause actions which result in increased load on the vehicle engine, before the engine actually begins to be effected by the load increase. The control system monitors manipulation of control devices and engine load, and when engine load decreases, the system stores the identity and displacement direction of the manipulated control device. When the same control device is then manipulated in the opposite direction, the control system will begin to temporarily boost or raise engine rpm and decrease the transmission ratio in anticipation of the expected load. After the control system has boosted the engine rpm, it monitors whether or not the engine speed was boosted high enough to prevent the engine speed from dropping below a threshold.

Abstract: There is provided a control system for a vehicle, which is capable of increasing the service life of a transmission belt while preventing slippage thereof, and at the same time improving fuel economy and drivability. The control system for a vehicle sets a transmission transfer torque to be transmitted from a drive pulley of a continuously variable transmission to a driven pulley of the same, and a clutch transfer torque to be transferred by a clutch. When it is determined that the vehicle is traveling on a bad road, the clutch transfer torque is reduced, and the transmission transfer torque is set to a larger value as the clutch transfer torque is larger.

Abstract: A driving force control apparatus for a vehicle includes an accelerator opening sensor that detects an accelerator opening for a vehicle, and an automatic transmission control device that controls an automatic transmission based on road information and the accelerator opening. The automatic transmission control device, in an interval prior to a deceleration required interval, controls an automatic transmission so as to ease a shifting operation that corresponds to a decrease in the accelerator opening.

Abstract: A method for operating an electronically actuated drive train in a motor vehicle includes the steps of determining drive control signals for actuating a drive unit and gearbox control signals for actuating a manual gearbox from a power request of the driver of the vehicle, providing a predefined or predefinable driving style which can be selected from a range from minimum energy or fuel consumption up to maximum power output, taking the driving style into account in the determination of the drive control signals and the gearbox control signals, taking the local position of the motor vehicle into account in the determination of the drive control signals and the gearbox control signals.

Abstract: The shift control method of an automatic transmission calculates a shift-pattern-adjusting coefficient using a modular neural network. The shift-pattern adjusting coefficient is based on a plurality of input signals input from a plurality of detectors. It is then determined if shifting is required based on an adjusted shift-pattern. The adjusted shift-pattern being adjusted based on the shift-pattern adjusting coefficient. A target shift-speed when shifting is required is calculated based on the adjusted shift-pattern. Finally, a shifting signal for shifting to the target shift-speed is generated.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle in which a rechargeable battery is discharged to drive an electric motor to cause the hybrid electric vehicle to travel, and the rechargeable battery is charged with regenerative electric power from the electric motor. The apparatus comprises a car navigation apparatus for outputting route information on a route to a destination of the vehicle including height information, and a control section for controlling charging and discharging of the rechargeable battery. The control section controls high discharge without power assist limit to the vehicle in the route before a downhill travel path of the route based on the route information output from the car navigation apparatus.

Abstract: A vehicular automatic shift control unit for executing a cooperative shift control (an upshift inhibition and a downshift) of an automatic transmission based on an information associated with a road condition around a vehicle or a road condition in front of the vehicle, is provided with judging means for judging whether a vehicle exists in a predetermined area including a branch point of the road during execution of the cooperative shift control, and gear ratio maintaining control means for maintaining a gear ratio of the automatic transmission if it is judged that the vehicle exists in the predetermined area.

Abstract: A non-linear region controller 45 calculates a standard yaw rate from an actual steering angle &thgr;r of steerable wheels detected by a steering angle sensor 10, a deviation from the standard yaw rate, of a yaw rate &ggr;r detected by a yaw rate sensor 23, and a rate of change of the yaw rate deviation. Based upon calculated results, the non-linear region controller 45 determines whether tires of a traveling vehicle are in a non-linear region of tire characteristic, and if determining so, exercises a steering amount reduction control to reduce an actual steering angle &thgr;r of the steerable wheels. The determination of linearity of tire characteristic can be made with comparative ease utilizing a commonly available sensor, and the vehicle is controlled using the determination result.

Abstract: A control apparatus and method for a hybrid vehicle that judges whether the vehicle is running on a congested road based on an output from a sensor, causes a take-off from a first state where a gear ratio of an automatic transmission is large at a time of taking-off when running on a congested road, causes the take-off from a second state where the gear ratio of the automatic transmission is small at the time of taking-off when not running on the congested road and replenishes, by driving a motor/generator, a part of an under torque of the driving source created by taking-off from a state where the gear ratio of the automatic transmission is large, when a temporary high acceleration take-off request is made while a judgment of congested road running is maintained.

Abstract: A method directed to improving the stability of a motor vehicle having front and rear steering capabilities includes determining a coefficient of friction of the road surface with which the motor vehicle is engaged and adjusting a phase gain function of a rear steering mechanism to compensate for the steerability of the motor vehicle over the road surface. A system for improving the stability of a motor vehicle having front and rear steering capabilities includes a control unit, a front steering mechanism in informational communication with the control unit, and a rear steering mechanism in informational communication with the control unit. The rear steering mechanism is responsive through the control unit to road conditions of the road surface.

Abstract: A method for control of an automatic transmission for a motor vehicle equipped with cruise control consists in that during cruise control of the transmission control changes to a separate driving program which is function of external influences, especially of the road inclination. This driving program is updated according to external influences. In the “set” state, change is made to the separate driving program and in the “restore” state the control can be adjusted so that the separate driving program be activated immediately or not until reaching the “set” control state.

Abstract: Grade resistance Ri is calculated based on a driving force, an acceleration degree and rolling/air resistance. When a brake switch is OFF, a down-slope is judged using the grade resistance Ri directly as a value Rif for down-slope judgment. On the contrary, when braking is performed where the brake switch is ON, a minimum value of the grade resistance Ri is peak held, to set the peak held value as the value Rif for down-slope judgment.

Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus including an automatic transmission which changes a speed of rotation of an input shaft drivingly connected to a driving source and outputs the rotation of the input shaft to an output shaft, and a shift execution device that executes shifting of the automatic transmission, including a shift control device that calculates a predetermined target input shaft rotation number based on road information and vehicle state information, and controls an input shaft rotation number such that the input shaft rotation number becomes equal to the predetermined target input shaft rotation number, by executing shifting of the shift execution device; and a shifting speed setting device that sets a shifting speed, when control based on the road information begins after switching from control based on the vehicle state information by the shift control device, to a predetermined shifting speed such that shifting is executed rapidly, and sets the shifting speed, when shifting needs to be executed durin

Abstract: A decision is made as to whether a vehicle is traveling in an uphill traveling mode or in a downhill traveling mode with reference to an incremental running resistance &Dgr;R determined on the basis of a running resistance that will act on the vehicle while the vehicle is traveling in a flat road traveling mode. A desired traction Fd for a full-open throttle state in which a throttle valve is fully open is set if the vehicle is in the uphill traveling mode by using the incremental running resistance &Dgr;R, and a desired traction Fd for a full-closed throttle state in which the throttle valve is fully closed is set if the vehicle is in the downhill traveling mode by using the incremental running resistance &Dgr;R. The desired traction Fd and an achieved traction F(t) in the full-open throttle state at a present traveling speed V are compared if the vehicle is in the uphill traveling mode.

Abstract: If oil temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature and if accelerator opening change rate is equal to or higher than a predetermined change rate upon detection of a downshift instruction, an ECT-ECU sets modes corresponding to conditions for determination period calculation processings, hydraulic-pressure temporal change rate calculation processings, and torque adjustment amount calculation processings, respectively. By performing downshift on the basis of a determination period, a hydraulic-pressure temporal change rate, and a torque adjustment amount corresponding to a set mode, the ECT-ECU improves gear-shift responsive characteristics and restrains the occurrence of a gear-shift shock.

Abstract: A system for controlling an engine in a fuel efficient manner includes a memory having stored therein an engine output characteristics map bounded by a maximum engine output curve. The map defines a region of undesirable operation having a first border defined as a function of engine speed and intersecting the maximum engine output curve. A control computer is configured to control engine operation in a fuel efficient manner by limiting engine operation within the map to the first border while also allowing the engine to operate anywhere on the maximum engine output curve. The control computer may be configured to so limit engine operation to the first border only if an engine or vehicle acceleration value is outside of an acceleration range, and further only if an engine work value is greater than an engine work threshold, and otherwise to allow engine operation anywhere on or within the map.

Abstract: A control system for an automatic transmission includes a torque converter which hydraulically transmits rotation of the driving power source to the speed change gear unit, a first friction engagement element, a second friction engagement element, a third friction engagement element, a vehicle stopping detecting mechanism for detecting a vehicle stopped condition when a forward driving range is selected, a vehicle weight detector, and a controller. The controller controls the disengagement of the first and second friction engagement elements and the engagement of the third friction engagement element with an engaging force in response to the vehicle weight when the vehicle stopped condition is detected while the forward driving range is selected.

Abstract: A method for preventing a vehicle from deviating from a lane is provided, in which precise determinations of whether a vehicle is deviating from a lane may also be made when driving on curved sections of a road. Using DSRC, which is a system enabling communications between a vehicle and roadside equipment, information of road curvature and lane width is received. This road information and setting information of a camera mounted to the vehicle are then used to determine a lane deviation determination standard angle, which is used in curved sections of the road. A difference between the standard angle and a center value of left and right lane marker angles is compared with a critical value to determine whether the vehicle is deviating from the lane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adapting powertrain braking to mass, grade, and brake temperature. Vehicle mass is determined using a vehicle speed sensor and an tractive effort model based on engine-torque delivered, torque converter multiplications, and transmission ratio and tire rolling radius effects. Road grade is continuously calculated and altitude change is calculated based on grade and distance traveled. To achieve an ideal amount of powertrain braking, powertrain braking is directed towards a designed coast performance target based on deceleration as a function of vehicle speed. Fuzzy logic is used to evaluate driver intentions, grade load conditions, terrain conditions, brake conditions and other vehicle information to determine the actual, optimal powertrain braking control. A real time brake thermal model is developed to provide increased powertrain under extreme brake conditions. The powertrain braking efforts are limited when restricted by available tractive efforts.

Abstract: The trunnion (23) of a vehicle toroidal continuously variable transmission is displaced by a step motor (52) via a control valve (56) and oil pressure servo cylinder (50) in order to vary a speed ratio of the transmission. A controller (80) calculates a target value (z*) of a control variable (z) based on an accelerator pedal depression amount (APS) and output disk rotation speed (&ohgr;co) (S5). Further, a time-variant coefficient (f) showing the relation between the trunnion displacement (y) and variation rate ({dot over (&phgr;)}) of the gyration angle (&phgr;) of the power roller, is calculated (S10). The error between the speed change response of the transmission and a target linear characteristic can be decreased by determining a command value (u) to the step motor (52) under a control gain determined based on a time differential ({dot over (f)}) of the coefficient (f) (S20).

Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus including an automatic transmission which changes a speed of rotation of an input shaft drivingly connected to a driving source and outputs the rotation of the input shaft to an output shaft, and a shift execution device that executes shifting of the automatic transmission, including a shift control device that calculates a predetermined target input shaft rotation number based on road information and vehicle state information, and controls an input shaft rotation number such that the input shaft rotation number becomes equal to the predetermined target input shaft rotation number, by executing shifting of the shift execution device; and a shifting speed setting device that sets a shifting speed, when control based on the road information begins after switching from control based on the vehicle state information by the shift control device, to a predetermined shifting speed such that shifting is executed rapidly, and sets the shifting speed, when shifting needs to be executed durin

Abstract: A driving force control apparatus for a vehicle includes an accelerator opening sensor that detects an accelerator opening for a vehicle, and an automatic transmission control device that controls an automatic transmission based on road information and the accelerator opening. The automatic transmission control device, in an interval prior to a deceleration required interval, controls an automatic transmission so as to ease a shifting operation that corresponds to a decrease in the accelerator opening.

Abstract: Grade resistance Ri is calculated based on a driving force, an acceleration degree and rolling/air resistance. When a brake switch is OFF, a down-slope is judged using the grade resistance Ri directly as a value Rif for down-slope judgment. On the contrary, when braking is performed where the brake switch is ON, a minimum value of the grade resistance Ri is peak held, to set the peak held value as the value Rif for down-slope judgment.

Abstract: A method of distributing an error correction term over four grid points used in a normalized 3D lookup routine circulates a change in output of the normalized 3D lookup routine at a given position by a fixed error correction amount at a plurality of points related in proximity to an input value point. The magnitude of change for a given one of the plurality of break points is proportional to the slope change of the grid point from a read point. The proportional reverse interpolation process is particularly well adapted for use with a proportional-integral controller as may be used in the air/fuel ratio control system generating a fuel multiplier control signal in response to variations between an exhaust gas oxygen sensor signal and a command signal for the air/fuel ratio.

Abstract: A method for operating an electronically actuated drive train in a motor vehicle includes the steps of determining drive control signals for actuating a drive unit and gearbox control signals for actuating a manual gearbox from a power request of the driver of the vehicle, providing a predefined or predefinable driving style which can be selected from a range from minimum energy or fuel consumption up to maximum power output, taking the driving style into account in the determination of the drive control signals and the gearbox control signals, taking the local position of the motor vehicle into account in the determination of the drive control signals and the gearbox control signals.

Abstract: A system for controlling an automatic transmission of a vehicle which determines a downgrade or upgrade parameter based on the vehicle acceleration and selects one from among a plurality of shift programs based on the determined grade parameter to determine a gear ratio based on the selected shift program. The system includes a navigation system which determines the instantaneous vehicle position and outputs road information including upgrade/downgrade condition of road including the determined instantaneous vehicle position. In the system, the grade parameter is corrected based on the navigation information and the grade parameter such that the one from among a plurality of shift programs is selected based on the corrected grade parameter, thereby enhancing drivability during downgrade running, without being affected even if the navigation information is temporarily invalid.

Abstract: An altitude calculation unit 44 estimates an inclination of a road from vehicle speed and vehicle drive torque, and calculates altitude of a vehicle. A battery management unit 43 calculate difference between average altitude determined from the past altitude history and the present altitude and varies a target value of battery charging rate or upper and lower limit values thereof in response to the difference. Charging and discharging command value is calculated in response to difference between charging rate detection value and the target value or the upper and lower limit values. An integrated control unit 22 sets output share between an engine and a motor based on vehicle target drive torque calculated by a target toque determination unit 21 and charging and discharging command from the battery management unit 43, determines an optimum operation point of the engine and issues a control command to the engine and the motor.

Abstract: An apparatus for alarming decrease in tire air-pressure which detects the decrease in internal pressure of the tire based on wheel speed information obtained from wheels of a vehicle and accordingly alarms a driver. The apparatus comprises: a wheel speed information detecting means, a memory means for storing the wheel speed information of the respective tires, a calculating means for calculating a judged value based on a vehicle velocity and wheel speed information, and a judging means for determining a decrease in tire air-pressure based on correlation of the vehicle velocity and an outer diameter of the tire at the time of performing high-speed running. It is possible to determine a decompression of a tire based on the correlation also in case the judged value will not become large owing to increased influence of centrifugal force during high-speed running even though a tire is in a decompressed condition.

Abstract: When a starter clutch slips, a wheel driving force is calculated based on a transmitting torque of the clutch obtained from not an engine torque but the clutch pressure (engagement force) of the starter clutch (S21-12), whereby a road gradient is calculated using the driving force so calculated and an acceleration of a vehicle.

Abstract: A shift control method for an automatic transmission while a vehicle runs up a slope while towing a trailer includes the steps of determining if present shift lever position indicates a driving range 2, calculating weight-slope resistance if the shift lever position indicates the driving range 2, determining if the weight-slope resistance is greater than a threshold weight-slope resistance, measuring time duration during which the weight-slope resistance is maintained over the threshold value if the weight-slope resistance is greater than the threshold weight-slope resistance, determining if the time duration is longer than a threshold time, converting a present normal shift pattern into a trailer-towing shift pattern if the time duration is longer than a threshold time, and returning the trailer-towing shift pattern to the normal shift pattern if the weight-slope resistance becomes equal to or less than the threshold weight-slope resistance and this condition is maintained over a second threshold time.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement having a unit which exhibits specific mechanical characteristics to be detected, for example, via mechanical parameters. Furthermore, a data carrier for storing these characteristics is provided which is connected to the unit or is a part of the unit. The essence of the invention is that the data carrier is so configured that the characteristics are stored so that they are readable optically and/or mechanically and/or magnetically.

Abstract: A driving state monitoring apparatus for a vehicle, for monitoring the driving state of the driver of the vehicle is disclosed. A behavior parameter indicative of an amount of lateral movement of the vehicle and the speed of the vehicle is detected. A simple regression line is obtained according to changes in the behavior parameter and the simple regression line is set as a behavior reference. A lateral deviation behavior quantity of the vehicle is calculated according to the behavior parameter, the behavior reference, and the vehicle speed. It is determined according to the lateral deviation behavior quantity whether or not the driving state of the driver is proper. The shape of a road on which the vehicle is running is determined. When the road shape is determined to be substantially straight or curved with a substantially constant radius of curvature, and the driving state of the driver is not determined to be proper, it is determined that the driving state of the driver is abnormal.

Abstract: In the transmission and air conditioning control system having an air conditioner provided with a compressor driven by an engine and an evaporator for cooling a passenger room, and a transmission connected between the engine and a wheel, an electronically control device controls the transmission ratio to a reference value to be decided by the operating condition of the vehicle and also to a final value, which is higher than the reference value, when a degree of cooling demand is greater than a predetermined value. As a result, the revolution of the engine is more increased so that the revolution of compressor may be more increased to improve the cool down performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a high-temperature operating mode of an automatic transmission wherein at least one value of an actual engine (CMO) or transmission (CGT) temperature is continuously measured. In the electronic control unit several gear shift control programs are stored and are accessed at normal operating temperatures according to an evaluation counter provided with a driving activity characteristic. It is proposed that the evaluation counter be provided with a high-temperature operating value (MAX(UDCHMMO, UDCHMGT)) with which is associated a gear shift program which also has temperature-lowering properties when the actual temperature value (CMO, CGT) is higher than a first limit value (MOMIN, GTMIN).

Abstract: In an advanced-cruise-assist highway system, an AHS center facility, which is an upper facility for on-road facilities, periodically receives diagnostic information from the on-road facilities, and when it is determined that any on-road facility is in the faulty state, communicates the information that the on-road facility is in the faulty state to on-road facilities upstream from the faulty on-road facility, and the on-road facilities having received the information on the fault in the downstream on-road facility communicates the information that the downstream on-road facility is in the faulty state via a road-to-vehicle communication facility to AHS vehicles having the possibility of entering a zone under control by the faulty on-road facility. Further the information that the downstream on-road facility is in the faulty state is displayed on information board which can be recognize by vehicles having the possibility of entering a zone under control by the faulty on-road facility.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling an automatic transmission is disclosed. The method and system include obtaining positioning data using a global positioning satellite (GPS) and monitoring the automatic transmission to obtain transmission data. The method and system also include learning whether performance of the automatic transmission can be improved utilizing the positioning data and the transmission data. Moreover, the method and system include adjusting a shift threshold for the positioning data for the automatic transmission if it is determined that the performance of the automatic transmission can be improved.

Abstract: An electrically controlled braking system for a vehicle is proposed, in which at least one actuating variable for the service brake and one actuating variable for a parking-brake request are received by a central control unit, the variables, or variables derived therefrom, being transmitted separately via a communication system to wheel modules actuating at least one wheel brake.

Abstract: In an adaptive speed control system for a vehicle, a method and system for automatically adjusting a selected following interval for the vehicle based on driving conditions is provided. The method includes determining a driving surface coefficient of friction based on a driven wheel speed of the vehicle, and adjusting the selected following interval for the vehicle based on the driving surface coefficient of friction. The system includes a receiver capable of receiving a signal indicative of a driven wheel speed of the vehicle, and a controller capable of determining a driving surface coefficient of friction based on the driven wheel speed, and capable of adjusting the selected following interval for the vehicle based on the driving surface coefficient of friction.

Abstract: An apparatus for alarming decrease in tire air-pressure based on rotational information obtained from tires, comprising a rotational information detecting means for detecting rotational information of each tire, a steering angle detecting means, a memory means for storing the rotational information of each tire and the steering angle, a turning radius calculating and processing means, a judged value calculating and processing means, and a correction means for correcting the turning radius. It is possible to obtain an accurate turning radius also in case any tire of the following wheels is decompressed by correcting the turning radius obtained on the basis of rotational information by using the steering angle information, thereby the DEL value might be obtained in a more accurate manner than compared to conventional arrangements.

Abstract: A control system for an engine-CVT powertrain controls the target driving force during traveling on a ramp to meet operator power demand and/or the target input speed of the CVT to accomplish the ramp target window during traveling on the ramp to meet operator deceleration command.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a sensor circuit for measuring a physical amount such as pressure, a voltage detector for detecting a voltage actually supplied to the sensor circuit, and an oscillator for generating an oscillating signal when the voltage detector finds the voltage supplied to the sensor circuit is abnormally low. The sensor signal and the oscillating signal are selectively supplied to a controller. The controller controls various devices connected thereto based on the sensor signal, while it detects a malfunction of the sensor device based on either a high level signal or a low level signal in the oscillating signal. Thus, the malfunction of the sensor device is automatically detected without fail.

Abstract: To provide an engine power-train control apparatus and method for securing both operability and safety by controlling an actual acceleration/deceleration to a target acceleration/deceleration requested by a driver under an undangerous traveling condition and changing the target acceleration/deceleration so as to take precedence of safety traveling if the driver encounters a dangerous traveling condition. To achieve the above mentioned: the control is performed in which acceleration/deceleration and speed of a motor vehicle are detected; a target acceleration/deceleration is operated; a road condition such as a road gradient or presence or absence of a forward motor vehicle is detected to decide whether the road condition is dangerous; and the target acceleration is changed if the condition is decided to be dangerous.

Abstract: A vehicle dynamic control system includes: (a) a running condition detecting system for detecting running conditions of a vehicle; (b) a road data detecting system for detecting road data relating to a road in front of the vehicle; (c) a permissible speed calculating system for calculating a permissible speed for passing through a curve based on the running conditions and the road data; (d) an equivalent linear distance calculating system for calculating an equivalent linear distance as a distance for performing a deceleration operation by shortening a distance from a point of operation to the curve in front of the vehicle based on a permissible deceleration at a winding part of the road and a curvature of the winding part between the point of operation and the curve so as to consider a permissible deceleration applicable at the winding part of the road; (e) a passing judgement system for judging a possibility of the vehicle passing through the curve by a parameter based on at least the equivalent linear dist

Abstract: An electronic vehicle system monitors vehicle parameters and calculates variables such as acceleration to determine when the vehicle is cresting a hill. An action is taken to alter operation of the cruise control to avoid expending excess fuel or braking as the vehicle descends the downward grade. In one implementation, a message is displayed to a driver indicating the driver should reset the cruise set speed. In another implementation, the system automatically resets the cruise set speed without driver intervention. In yet another implementation, the system automatically resets the cruise set speed and automatically increases the set speed as the vehicle accelerates. An exemplary embodiment employs variable smoothing and a fuzzy logic system with a degree of confidence variable and an increase-in-acceleration rule.

Abstract: A vehicular automatic shift control unit for executing a cooperative shift control (an upshift inhibition and a downshift) of an automatic transmission based on an information associated with a road condition around a vehicle or a road condition in front of the vehicle, is provided with judging means for judging whether a vehicle exists in a predetermined area including a branch point of the road during execution of the cooperative shift control, and gear ratio maintaining control means for maintaining a gear ratio of the automatic transmission if it is judged that the vehicle exists in the predetermined area.

Abstract: Disclosed a vehicle speed control system using wireless communications, the system including a driving state detecting unit for detecting a driving state and outputting corresponding signals; a transmitter/receiver for outputting low-strength signals; an electronic control unit for receiving the signals of the transmitter/receiver and establishing an ISA mode if necessary, determining if a present driving state corresponds to a first driving state, determining if the driver has performed deceleration operations and performing control into the first driving state if needed; an engine control unit for outputting signals for control of the throttle valve opening; a throttle valve electronic control unit for outputting electrical signals to a throttle valve to control the same; and a display for displaying a present mode and a vehicle state.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a transmission with an automatic operating mode in which the transmission ratio is changed automatically by a control device and a manual operating mode in which the transmission ratio is changed by the driver by means of a ratio-selector device. The control device automatically switches from the manual to the automatic mode, e.g., when the driver makes or answers a call on a mobile telephone.

Abstract: An information system of a vehicle has a controller which is arranged to decide a danger point on a traveling road according to a traveling circumstance of the vehicle and to store the danger point for the next travel. The information system informs a driver that the vehicle approaches the danger point stored. Therefore, the information system can provide optimum information according to driver's driving skill to the driver.