Having Inter-vehicle Distance Or Speed Control Patents (Class 701/96)
  • Patent number: 8823504
    Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a forward vehicle sensor transmitting a forward vehicle message based on a distance to a forward vehicle. An adaptive cruise controller receives the forward vehicle message and receives at least one additional message indicating a respective status of the vehicle, the adaptive cruise controller sets a braking pressure for an adaptive cruise controller braking event above a default braking pressure if the adaptive cruise controller determines, based on the at least one of the additional messages, that the vehicle will maintain stability during the adaptive cruise controller braking event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Custer, Charles E. Ross, Srikiran Kosanam, William P. Amato
  • Patent number: 8825258
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate switching between autonomous and manual driving modes. In order to do so, the vehicle's computer may conduct a series of environmental, system, and driver checks to identify certain conditions. The computer may correct some of these conditions and also provide a driver with a checklist of tasks for completion. Once the tasks have been completed and the conditions are changed, the computer may allow the driver to switch from the manual to the autonomous driving mode. The computer may also make a determination, under certain conditions, that it would be detrimental to the driver's safety or comfort to make a switch from the autonomous driving mode to the manual driving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Cullinane, Philip Nemec, Manuel Christian Clement, Robertus Christianus Elisabeth Mariet, Lilli Ing-Marie Jonsson
  • Publication number: 20140244130
    Abstract: Vehicle apparatus adjusts a vehicle powertrain of the vehicle in response to a speed setpoint. An optimizer selects a control policy to periodically generate speed adjustments for applying to the speed setpoint to operate at increased efficiency. The control policy is based on a value function providing an optimized solution for a cost model and a transition probability model. The transition probability model corresponds to a driving state defined according to a plurality of dimensions including a time-of-day dimension and a geographic region dimension. The transition probability model and the control policy have inputs based on road grade and speed. The optimizer collects road grade data during routine driving of the vehicle to construct a observed transition probability model and uses divergence between the observed transition probability model and a set of predetermined transition probability models to identify a control policy for use during the routine driving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicants: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dimitar P. Filev, Ilya Kolmanovsky, Kevin McDonough, Steven J. Szwabowski, John O. Michelini, Diana Yanakiev, Mahmoud Abou-Nasr
  • Patent number: 8818680
    Abstract: A vehicle behavior control device for controlling acceleration/deceleration includes: a velocity acquisition device; a current position acquisition device; a preceding vehicle determination device; a following distance detection device; a preceding vehicle information acquisition device; a relative velocity calculation device of a preceding vehicle; a first evaluation index calculation device of a first evaluation index indicating an approaching/separating state to the preceding vehicle in view of the preceding vehicle velocity; a first deceleration target determination device for determining whether the first evaluation index exceeds a first deceleration threshold; and a following deceleration calculation device for calculating a first required deceleration when the first evaluation index exceeds the first deceleration threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Isaji, Naohiko Tsuru
  • Patent number: 8818608
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate switching between autonomous and manual driving modes. In order to do so, the vehicle's computer may conduct a series of environmental, system, and driver checks to identify certain conditions. The computer may correct some of these conditions and also provide a driver with a checklist of tasks for completion. Once the tasks have been completed and the conditions are changed, the computer may allow the driver to switch from the manual to the autonomous driving mode. The computer may also make a determination, under certain conditions, that it would be detrimental to the driver's safety or comfort to make a switch from the autonomous driving mode to the manual driving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Cullinane, Philip Nemec, Manuel Christian Clement, Robertus Christianus Elisabeth Mariet, Lilli Ing-Marie Jonsson
  • Patent number: 8818679
    Abstract: A vehicle control device for controlling the driving force and braking force that is applies to a vehicle to maintain a target wheel speed includes: a plurality of determination parts each of which determines the wheel speed of a corresponding one of a plurality of wheels of the vehicle; a calculation part that calculates the wheel speed validity threshold for each wheel based on the determined wheel speeds; a decision part that decides whether the wheel speed validity threshold calculated for each wheel is below a specific threshold speed; a setting part that resets the target wheel speed depending on the result of the decision by the decision part; and an estimation part that estimates the vehicle speed based on the determined wheel speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Gen Inoue, Yasuhito Ishida
  • Patent number: 8818682
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle detects a tailgating vehicle and uses various response mechanisms. For example, a vehicle is identified as a tailgater based on whether its characteristics meet a variable threshold. When the autonomous vehicle is traveling at slower speeds, the threshold is defined in distance. When the autonomous vehicle is traveling at faster speeds, the threshold is defined in time. The autonomous vehicle may respond to the tailgater by modifying its driving behavior. In one example, the autonomous vehicle adjusts a headway buffer (defined in time) from another vehicle in front of the autonomous vehicle. For example, if the tailgater is T seconds too close to the autonomous vehicle, the autonomous vehicle increases the headway buffer to the vehicle in front of it by some amount relative to T.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Dmitri A. Dolgov, Philip Nemec, Anne Aula
  • Patent number: 8818681
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle detects a tailgating vehicle and uses various response mechanisms. For example, a vehicle is identified as a tailgater based on whether its characteristics meet a variable threshold. For example, when the autonomous vehicle is traveling at slower speeds, the threshold is defined in distance. When the autonomous vehicle is traveling at faster speeds, the threshold is defined in time. The autonomous vehicle may respond to the tailgater by modifying its driving behavior. In one example, the autonomous vehicle adjusts a headway buffer (defined in time) from another vehicle in front of the autonomous vehicle. For example, if the tailgater is T seconds too close to the autonomous vehicle, the autonomous vehicle increases the headway buffer to the vehicle in front of it by some amount relative to T.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Dmitri A. Dolgov, Philip Nemec, Anne Aula
  • Publication number: 20140236449
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for reducing traffic flow instabilities and increasing vehicle throughput by monitoring the distances and velocities of motor vehicles leading and following a center vehicle and controlling the velocities of the vehicles to maintain a steady relative distance between the center vehicle and the leading and following vehicles. Using distance and speed information derived from both leading and following vehicles reduces the loop gain of feedback needed below one (1) and diminishes traffic instabilities caused by “car following.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventor: Berthold K.P. Horn
  • Patent number: 8804461
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide a buoy and system for monitoring divers and other underwater objects. In many embodiments, the buoy has capabilities to monitor a diver, obtain position information about the diver and use that information to move itself to an effective range for continued monitoring. The buoy can connect and communicate with a communication device attached to a diver to communicate, position, biometric and other data. In one embodiment, the buoy comprises a propulsion system for propelling the buoy, an acoustic communication module for communicating with the diver and a propulsion controller for controlling the propulsion system to move to the effective range. Other embodiments provide a power generation system using a power generating buoy comprising an inertial weight, an energy converter and a connecting linkage. The system may comprise a single or multiple buoys and can include an electrical storage such as an electrical battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: InCube Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Mir Imran
  • Patent number: 8798867
    Abstract: A method for operating a pedestrian protection system in a motor vehicle for reducing the severity of an accident in a frontal collision with pedestrians includes evaluating the measurement data from at least one detection device depending on at least one trigger condition, wherein the trigger condition includes a height criterion evaluating whether a height of a collision object determined from measurement data from an optical detection device exceeds a height threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Johann Stoll, Franz Roth, Carlos Garcia de Caceres, Verena Horz
  • Publication number: 20140207358
    Abstract: A control device for a vehicle executes an adaptive cruise control and an idle stop control. The control device automatically starts an internal combustion engine when an operation amount of a start operating member different from a brake pedal is larger than or equal to a predetermined amount while the idle stop control is being executed. The control device sets the predetermined amount to a first predetermined amount when the adaptive cruise control is not executed. The control device sets the predetermined amount to a second predetermined amount smaller than the first predetermined amount when the adaptive cruise control is being executed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroaki Seguchi
  • Publication number: 20140207338
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques are provided for customization a vehicle and the interior thereof. The customization can be based at least on customization themes associated with an occupant of the vehicle and/or the vehicle. In addition or in the alternative, the customization can be based at least on vehicular context of the occupants and the vehicle. A specific customization can be effected in response to a change in context of vehicle, and thus the vehicle can be dynamically customized in response to a specific vehicular context as the context is realized. The customization themes can integrate with an in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) system and/or one or more of in-cabin lighting, projection or other rendering features, or data streams. Customization can be accomplished via configuration of one or more customization components comprising sensors, rendering units, lighting fixtures, or control components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Jennifer A. Healey, Alexandra C. Zafiroglu, Victoria S. Fang
  • Patent number: 8788176
    Abstract: A driver assistance system for a motor vehicle monitors approaching objects around the vehicle in order to take a driver assistance action in response to a predicted impact with an approaching object according to a time-to-impact threshold. the time-to-impact threshold includes a nominal or default value that is adjusted according to several different measures of vehicle and driving conditions. Respective offsets determined by a load monitor, a braking monitor, and a steering monitor are added to the threshold in response to measured vehicle performance parameters being different from expected values. The driver assistance action may be a perceptible warning for a forward collision warning system, a speed reduction in an adaptive cruise control system, or a braking action in a brake-steer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Wilford Trent Yopp
  • Patent number: 8788175
    Abstract: A method of controlling the speed and/or the distance for motor vehicles having distance-controlled cruise control systems is provided in which a sensor unit determines relevant data of a vehicle driving ahead. In the event of a detection of a target object driving ahead, desired acceleration values and/or desired deceleration values for reaching a predetermined desired distance to the target object are determined and outputted. While considering the relevant data of the target object, a swinging-out probability of the target object is determined and, as a function of the determined swinging-out probability, an adaptation of the desired distance to the target object is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Walter Kagerer, Maria-Christina Laiou, Torsten Seyffarth
  • Publication number: 20140200789
    Abstract: The following description relates to systems and methods for adjusting vehicle response parameters in response to indications of vehicle operator preferences. In one example approach, a method comprises, during a cruise control mode of operation, adjusting a vehicle response parameter from a default set-point based on an indication of vehicle operator preference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Pietron, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Hong Jiang, Bradley Dean Riedle, Diana Yanakiev, Joseph F. Kucharski
  • Patent number: 8781706
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring one or more target objects in an environment external to a host vehicle by means of at least one sensor, the apparatus being arranged to trigger at least one action responsive to the detection of prescribed relative movement between the host vehicle and the one or more target objects. The apparatus is arranged to determine whether the at least one sensor is correctly aligned with respect to the host vehicle whereby, when the apparatus commences monitoring of the environment, the apparatus is arranged not to trigger the at least one action until the apparatus has determined that the at least one sensor is correctly aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Mark Cund, Paul Widdowson, Alain Dunoyer, Adrie Breugelmans
  • Patent number: 8781707
    Abstract: The amount of traffic on the road is greatly affected by both an inter-vehicle distance and a vehicle speed. When the amount of traffic increases and is more than a threshold value, an ECU 20 and an ACC 30 control the inter-vehicle distance and the vehicle speed such that the amount of traffic is a predetermined value equal to or more than the threshold value. In this way, it is possible to effectively suppress traffic congestion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazunori Kagawa, Masayoshi Hoshino
  • Patent number: 8775060
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for lateral control of a host vehicle (F) during travel in a vehicle platoon. The apparatus and method include acquiring a control signal u and a lateral error ? relative to a target vehicle (L) of a preceding vehicle (T) travelling in the vehicle platoon, filtering the received lateral error ?, filtering the received control signal u, and executing via a processor a control algorithm for actuating lateral control of the host vehicle (F).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Stefan Solyom, Badr Bin Salamah, Arash Idelchi
  • Patent number: 8775063
    Abstract: A method for estimating a projected path of travel for a vehicle on a road includes monitoring a plurality of sensor inputs, determining a road geometry in front of the vehicle based upon the monitored sensor inputs, determining a vehicle position in relation to the road geometry based upon the monitored sensor inputs, determining a plurality of particle points in front of the vehicle representing a potential path of travel from the road geometry and the vehicle position, and utilizing iteratively determined ones of the plurality of particle points to navigate the vehicle including omitting ones of the plurality of particle points passed by the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Shuqing Zeng
  • Patent number: 8775061
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes: a road-to-vehicle communication device which acquires information regarding the volume of traffic in a predetermined section on a road where a vehicle travels and which transmits the traffic volume information to a determination section; a deceleration acquisition section which acquires deceleration of a vehicle in front in the predetermined section and transmits information regarding the deceleration to the determination section; the determination section which determines whether or not a lane change is necessary on the basis of the traffic volume information acquired by the road-to-vehicle communication device and the deceleration acquired by the deceleration acquisition section; and an instruction section which instructs at least either the host vehicle or a vehicle behind to change lane when the determination section determines that a lane change is necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kunihito Sato
  • Patent number: 8774994
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a drivetrain of a vehicle which includes a prime mover operatively connected to at least one tractive element. The method includes: (a) determining the vehicle's total weight; and (b) using an electronic controller carried by the vehicle, causing the prime mover to apply power to the tractive element so as to propel the vehicle, the magnitude of the power being a function of the vehicle's total weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Henry Todd Young, Ajith Kumar
  • Publication number: 20140188366
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing crash prevention control functionality to a vehicle includes: a dangerous situation determining unit determining whether a dangerous situation is developing with respect to a side approaching vehicle based on information relating to the vehicle approaching from a side direction; a lane keeping assist system (LKAS) control area calculation unit calculating a control area to apply to a LKAS so as to avoid the approaching vehicle when the approaching vehicle is causing a dangerous situation; a smart cruise control (SCC) control value calculation unit calculating a control value to apply to an SCC system so as to avoid the approaching vehicle when the approaching vehicle is causing a dangerous situation; and a drive control unit configured to output a control signal to at least one of the LKAS and the SCC system according to the calculation results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Min Yong SHIN, Si Hyoung LEE
  • Patent number: 8768597
    Abstract: A navigation system acquired information relating to a point, such as a sag where a decrease in vehicle speed is induced in front of a system-mounted vehicle. When the system-mounted vehicle has reached a predetermined distance from the sag concerning the information acquired by the navigation system or when a predetermined time has come before reaching the sag, an ECU and an ACC controls the traveling of the system-mounted vehicle such that the inter-vehicle distance from an ordinary vehicle behind the system-mounted vehicle increases. Therefore, even when a vehicle control device is not mounted in an ordinary vehicle behind the system-mounted vehicle, it becomes possible to prevent a decrease in the speed of the ordinary vehicle behind the system-mounted vehicle, thereby more effectively suppressing congestion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazunori Kagawa
  • Patent number: 8762023
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle comprising an adaptive cruise control system and an engine control module is provided. The engine control module is coupled to the adaptive cruise control system. The method comprises issuing a speed reduction signal from the adaptive cruise control system, verifying a speed reduction with a first sensor using the adaptive cruise control system, verifying the speed reduction with a second sensor using the engine control module, thereafter, receiving a resume signal from an operator input device, and executing a speed increase of the vehicle with the engine control module in response to receiving the resume signal with the engine control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Pamela L. Labuhn, Patrick J. O'Leary, Barbara A. Shuler, James Heath Holbrook
  • Patent number: 8762042
    Abstract: A periphery vehicle determination apparatus disposed in a host vehicle includes a behavior obtaining section obtaining a behavior related information of an immediately adjacent object, a vehicle-to-vehicle communication device, an information obtaining section obtaining vehicle information sets from periphery vehicles, a specifying section specifying a vehicle information set from an immediately adjacent vehicle based on the behavior related information, a transceiving section transmits and receives an immediately adjacent information, and an anteroposterior relation determination section specifying an anteroposterior relation of the periphery vehicles in a one-dimensional direction by correlating the immediately adjacent informations transmitted from the periphery vehicles based on a repeated identification information included in at least two of the immediately adjacent informations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Junichiro Funabashi
  • Patent number: 8757921
    Abstract: A transit system has an elevated controlled roadway system, a plurality of powered transport vehicles with steerable front wheels having a common width dimension, and both manual controls and an on-board computer (OBC) system for control on the elevated roadway, a master computer system communicating with the OBCs, enabled thereby to determine location of transport vehicles and to control velocity of the transport vehicles, and outwardly-angled guide curbs along opposite sides of the roadway surface, and spaced apart at a dimension larger than the common width dimension. The front wheels of the transport vehicles, by virtue of the angle of the guide curbs, provide a region of contact to vehicle wheels only at a relatively thin line near the outside diameter of each wheel, and wherein the guide curbs or the front wheels at the region of contact, or both, are surfaced with a low-friction material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventor: Homer T. McCrary
  • Publication number: 20140172266
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle comprising an adaptive cruise control system and an engine control module is provided. The engine control module is coupled to the adaptive cruise control system. The method comprises issuing a speed reduction signal from the adaptive cruise control system, verifying a speed reduction with a first sensor using the adaptive cruise control system, verifying the speed reduction with a second sensor using the engine control module, thereafter, receiving a resume signal from an operator input device, and executing a speed increase of the vehicle with the engine control module in response to receiving the resume signal with the engine control module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Pamela I. LABUHN, Patrick J. O'LEARY, Barbara A. SHULER, James HEATH HOLBROOK
  • Publication number: 20140172265
    Abstract: A vehicle-to-vehicle communication device mounted to a subject vehicle with a traveling control device is provided. The vehicle-to-vehicle communication device includes a communication portion, a connection transmission process portion, a connection control signal obtain portion, a connection signal obtain portion, and a connection control signal transmission process portion. The communication portion receives and transmits a signal between the subject vehicle and a preceding vehicle, and between the subject vehicle and a follower vehicle. The connection transmission process portion transmits a connection request signal. The connection control signal obtain portion obtains a connection control signal. A convoy travel control device includes the vehicle-to-vehicle communication device and the traveling control device. The traveling control device periodically outputs a first instruction and a second instruction to the vehicle-to-vehicle communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Junichiro Funabashi
  • Patent number: 8755976
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for steering a second agricultural machine which can be steered over a field relative to a first agricultural machine. The device includes a distance meter mounted on one of the machines and operable for recording measured values with regard to direction and distance of objects adjacent to the distance meter over a horizontal region. The device also includes an evaluating means which is connected to the distance meter and is designed to output a steering signal for causing guidance of the second machine relative to the first machine on the basis of the measured values of the distance meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Ole Peters, Nicolai Tarasinski, Klaus Hahn, Peter Pickel
  • Patent number: 8756012
    Abstract: A display system and method is provided for deployment on board a vehicle and includes a data source that provides the display system with data indicative of at least time, position, and velocity of the vehicle. The system comprises a monitor, a display included within the monitor for displaying range data indicative of a specific distance and time data indicative of time it takes to travel the specific distance, an input device, and a processor coupled to the monitor and to the input device and configured to (1) render symbology on the display visually representative of the time data and the range data, and (2) update the range data, and correspondingly change the time data in response to the change in range data made via the input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Gang He, Thea L. Feyereisen
  • Patent number: 8751134
    Abstract: For regulating the speed of a motor vehicle, a control apparatus is equipped with an object detection system, and the reference speed is determined as a function of at least one preceding vehicle in the evaluation region of the object detection system, such that upon recognition of an imminent lane change by the regulated vehicle, vehicles in the adjacent destination lane are additionally taken into consideration for calculation of the reference speed by expanding the evaluation region in the direction of the destination lane, and consideration is given only to vehicles in the destination lane whose distance from the regulated vehicle is less than a predetermined distance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Dorenkamp, Thomas Gruber, Werner Urban, Juergen Boecker
  • Patent number: 8751128
    Abstract: Disclosed is a driving assistance device capable of appropriately performing deceleration control in a moving vehicle having a variable wheelbase length. A driving assistance device 1 includes a wheelbase length detection sensor 11 which detects the wheelbase length of a moving vehicle X having a variable wheelbase length, a laser radar 10 which detects an obstacle in front of the moving vehicle X, and an ECU 15. In the driving assistance device 1, when an obstacle is detected by the laser radar 10, deceleration control of the moving vehicle X is performed depending on the wheelbase length detected by the wheelbase length detection sensor 11. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the disturbance of the behavior of the moving vehicle X due to the wheelbase length when deceleration control is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Morita
  • Publication number: 20140156164
    Abstract: Method for operating a longitudinal driver assistance system (2) of a motor vehicle (1), which controls, in a pure follow mode, the speed of the motor vehicle (1) such that a distance to a vehicle in front as the control object remains constant, and which, in a free travel mode, controls the speed to a desired speed, a likelihood of the vehicle (14) in front of pulling out being determined depending on sensor data of at least one ambient sensor. The control with respect to the vehicle (14) in front and/or the control in the free travel mode is modified or ended directly after termination of the follow mode depending on the pulling-out likelihood.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Stefan Schuberth, Ralf Held
  • Patent number: 8744670
    Abstract: A method for quickly calculating mileage includes the steps: A, receiving report data from a vehicular terminal and updating data center according to the report data; B, receiving an inquiry request which includes a vehicle number, a first time point which is earlier than a second time point and the second time point which are requested to inquire; C, inquiring the data center to acquire a first total mileage value to which the time point that is proximate to the first time point corresponds and a second total mileage value to which the time point that is proximate to the second time point corresponds; D, obtaining a running mileage L from the first time point to the second time point by subtracting the first total mileage value from the second total mileage value. A system for quickly calculating mileage quickly is also proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: ChinaGps Co., Ltd (Shenzhen)
    Inventors: Jie Zhu, Jialiang Chu, Decheng Huang, Youwen Zhang
  • Patent number: 8744720
    Abstract: The vehicle comprising a rear vehicle speed dependent ideal distance maintaining implementer, a front vehicle speed dependent ideal distance maintaining implementer, an inter-vehicle middle point maintaining implementer, a front vehicle activity notifying implementer, and a past accident occurred spot auto speed decreasing implementer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventor: Iwao Fujisaki
  • Patent number: 8744718
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle's speed includes adopting a desired speed vset for the vehicle; determining by means of map data and location data a horizon for the intended itinerary which is made up of route segments with at least one characteristic for each segment; effecting the following during each of a number of simulation cycles (s) each comprising a number N of simulation steps conducted at a predetermined frequency f: making a first prediction of the vehicle's speed vpred—cc along the horizon with conventional cruise control when vset is presented as reference speed, which prediction depends on the characteristics of said segment; comparing the predicted vehicle speed vpred—cc with vmin and vmax, which demarcate a range within which the vehicle's speed is intended to be; making a second prediction of the vehicle's speed vpred—Tnew along the horizon when the vehicle's engine torque T is a value which depends on the result of said comparison in the latest preceding simulation cycle (s?1); determini
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Oskar Johansson, Maria Södergren, Fredrik Roos
  • Patent number: 8744719
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle running control device that controls the speed of a vehicle on the basis of the information of a set inter-vehicle distance or a set vehicle speed according to the detection state of a vehicle in front. When an accelerator pedal or a brake pedal of the vehicle is operated and the vehicle in front of the vehicle is present, the set inter-vehicle distance is updated. When the pedal of the vehicle is operated and the vehicle in front of the vehicle is absent, the set vehicle speed is updated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kuze
  • Patent number: 8744700
    Abstract: A device comprising a processor that detects an autonomously sensed change in a vehicle's operational state from an initial state characterized by a sensed vehicle speed equal to about 0; to an immediately succeeding vehicle state characterized by sensed vehicle speed being greater than about 0 and, verification from a reverse operating mode sensor that longitudinal vehicle speed is in a reverse direction; and presumptively signals the thusly detected change of vehicle operational state as an instance of reverse operation of the associated vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventors: Darren Beams, Neil Cawse
  • Publication number: 20140148995
    Abstract: A technique for assisting driving a vehicle and for learning at least one distance between first and second distinctive marks on or at a road is disclosed. In method aspects, a first method comprises the steps of identifying the first distinctive mark on or at a road on which the vehicle is travelling, retrieving, from a database, a distance between the first distinctive mark and the second distinctive mark, calculating, based on a location of the vehicle relative to the first distinctive mark, the relative distance of the vehicle to the second distinctive mark taking into account the distance between the first and second distinctive marks, and assisting the driving of the vehicle based on the calculated relative distance. A second method comprises the steps of identifying the first and second distinctive marks, calculating the distance between the first and second distinctive marks, and storing the distance between the first and second distinctive marks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: ELEKTROBIT AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Florian Bartels
  • Patent number: 8738267
    Abstract: A vehicular travel control device according to the invention includes an inter-vehicle distance measuring section that is mounted on a subject vehicle and measures an inter-vehicle distance between the subject vehicle and a preceding vehicle, a target inter-vehicle distance setting section that sets a target inter-vehicle distance, a following travel control section that performs a travel control so as to make the inter-vehicle distance become equal to the target inter-vehicle distance and stops the subject vehicle while following a stopping of the preceding vehicle, a gradient acquiring section that acquires a gradient of a road being traveled of the subject vehicle, and a vehicle speed sensor that measures a travel speed of the subject vehicle. The target inter-vehicle distance setting section sets the target inter-vehicle distance based on the gradient and the travel speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Arai, Tadayoshi Okada
  • Patent number: 8738319
    Abstract: A sensor system for a host vehicle may detect whether another in-path vehicle is turning. The sensor system may include a transmitter, a receiver and a controller. Signals may be emitted by the transmitter over a detection area. The emitted signals may reflect off an object vehicle in the detection area and be received by the receiver. The receiver may include a number of channels, each corresponding to a different region of the detection area. The sensor system may determine whether the in-path vehicle is turning and in what direction based on the reflected signals received at each channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Wilford Trent Yopp, Peter Gyumyeong Joh
  • Patent number: 8738264
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle braking system and method for controlling the same. The system includes an electronic controller communicatively coupled to a vehicle braking system and a vehicle motion detection device. The braking system is configured to be automatically activated in response to detection of an object in a path of the vehicle. Once activated, the braking system is deactivated either by the driver or a pre-determined time period after detection that motion of the vehicle has stopped. Prior to deactivation of the vehicle braking system an HMI message is activated indicating imminent deactivation of the vehicle braking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Wilford Trent Yopp, Wangdong Luo, Stephen Varghese Samuel
  • Publication number: 20140142809
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera having a field of view in a forward direction of travel of the vehicle. The camera has a two-dimensional array of photosensing elements that includes photosensing elements arranged in a matrix array of rows and columns. A control includes an image processor that processes image data captured by the camera to detect objects of interest located within the field of view of the camera. The image processor processes captured image data to detect lane markers on the road being driven by the vehicle and located within the field of view of the camera. The vision system, responsive to processing of captured image data, automatically recognizes whether the vehicle is being driven on a road of a left hand drive road system or on a road of a right hand drive road system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 8731788
    Abstract: A velocity profile can be used in conjunction with vehicle operating condition data to determine a gear shift schedule that mitigates the amount of service brake effort required to slow a vehicle by making optimal use of engine speed, friction and engine brakes. The gear shift point drives the engine to a higher operating speed and greater frictional torque, slowing the vehicle, which can then coast to a desired speed. The gear shift point can be timed to minimize fuel consumption during the maneuver. Thus, a vehicle downshift event is created based on the transmission gear recommendation. The benefit is increased freight efficiency in transporting cargo from source to destination by minimizing fuel consumption and maintaining drivability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek A. Sujan, Phani Vajapeyazula, Kenneth Follen, An Wu, Barty L. Moffett, Howard R. Frost
  • Publication number: 20140136073
    Abstract: A method of managing speed regulation of a vehicle including at least one regulating system, the method including: receiving a signal originating from a device for tracking white lines, the signal corresponding to an item of information as to overstepping of a marking line on the ground by the vehicle, and managing the regulation as a function of the signal received from the device for tracking white lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: RENAULT s.a.s
    Inventor: Christian Chabanon
  • Patent number: 8718898
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stand (10) for holding at least one medical device (W1 to W3), which encompasses a stand foot (6) having multiple casters (16) for displacement of the stand (10). The stand (10) has a sensor unit (22) for ascertaining a displacement motion of the stand (10), a drive unit (18) for driving at least one of the casters (16), and a control unit (20) for controlling the drive unit (18). The control unit (20) applies control to the drive unit (18) in such a way that the latter assistively drives the at least one caster (16) only when the sensor unit (22) detects a displacement motion of the stand (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) AG
    Inventor: Joachim Schaible
  • Patent number: 8718919
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for lane recognition for a vehicle that is equipped with an adaptive distance and speed control system are provided, the adaptive distance and speed controller having conveyed to it, using an object detection system, the relative speed of detected objects, a variable for determining the lateral offset of the detected objects with respect to the longitudinal vehicle axis, and the speed of the host vehicle. From the relative speed of the objects and the host-vehicle speed, a determination is made as to whether an object is oncoming, stationary, or moving in the same direction as the host vehicle. In combination with the calculated lateral offset of the detected object with respect to the longitudinal vehicle axis, the number of lanes present and the lane currently being traveled in by the host vehicle are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thilo Leineweber, Werner Urban, Ruediger-Walter Henn, Goetz Braeuchle, Martin Heinebrodt
  • Patent number: 8718918
    Abstract: A signal detecting unit configured to be associated with a first vehicle includes one or more signal sensors and one or more processors and is configured to receive one or more signals from one or more signal sources is associated with a second vehicle. A set of time values is determined based on arrival times of the signal(s), and a set of distance expressions is generated. A set of distance equations is generated based on the set of time values and the set of distance expressions, and the set of distance equations is solved to determine one or more positions associated with the first vehicle or the one or more signal sources within a defined coordinate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: Richard D. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8718891
    Abstract: Methods and systems employing the same for controlling braking characteristics of a vehicle are provided. Expected braking characteristics of the vehicle are received and driving condition data is continuously received. A determination as to whether the expected braking characteristics can be safely applied in view of the driving condition data is continuously made and the expected braking characteristics are applied when they can be applied safely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: David S. DeWitt, Naoya Miyamoto, Ryan Douglas Roy Harty, Robert M. Uyeki