Abstract: An adaptive cruise controller having dynamics matching as a function of the situation includes an identification device for identifying various predefined categories of single-file driving situations, and for selecting a dynamic profile matched to the situation identified.

Abstract: A cruise control system includes: a traffic condition acquisition unit that acquires a traffic condition that includes a vehicle density on a road on which a vehicle runs; and a cruise control unit that performs cruise control on the vehicle so that a following distance has a less tendency to decrease as the road gets busier.

Abstract: When it is judged that a possible collision of the own vehicle with a preceding vehicle is avoidable by operation of either one of the brake pedal and steering wheel, a first grade braking force is automatically produced. While, when it is judged that the possible collision is unavoidable by operation of either of the brake pedal and steering wheel, a second grade braking force is automatically produced, which is greater than the first grade braking force.

Abstract: A vehicle information processing system 100 conducts wireless communications between a preceding vehicle 200 and a succeeding vehicle 201, and exhibits information on a winker operation of the preceding vehicle 200 to a driver of the succeeding vehicle 201, and includes vehicle-mounted apparatuses 1 in the preceding and succeeding vehicles, of which one 1 in the preceding vehicle 200 wirelessly transmits information on a winker operation of the preceding vehicle, and the other 1 in the succeed vehicle 201 receives the wirelessly transmitted information on the winker state, and exhibits same to a driver of the succeeding vehicle 201, while the apparatus 1 in the succeeding vehicle 201 estimates a relationship between the preceding vehicle 200 and the succeeding vehicle 201, judges whether an exhibition liming of the information on the winker state is to be hastened or delayed based on an estimation result, and exhibits the information on the winker state at the judged timing.

Abstract: A vehicle distance measuring safety warning system and method is disclosed having one or more distance measurement sensors measuring the distance from the driver's vehicle to a second vehicle immediately in front. A vehicle distance alarm alerts the driver when the distance between the driver's vehicle and the second vehicle is less than a configured minimum distance, indicating an unsafe driving condition. An event record display device displays the time/date or the last twenty occurrences of the distance warning alarm. When an alarm is generated, a throttle set-back actuator operates to gently and automatically slow the car and increase vehicle to vehicle distance. Vehicle brakes may be automatically applied by the system to further slow the vehicle. The vehicle distance measuring safety warning system provides an additional margin of safety for a driver who may be distracted while driving.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that includes a haptic actuator operatively associated with a pedal assembly of the vehicle, a human-machine interface (HMI) for enabling the driver to select between a plurality of fuel savings settings, and a controller coupled to a data interface in the vehicle and the HMI interface for causing the haptic actuator to provide feedback to the driver when an aspect of vehicle operation crosses at least one of a plurality of speed and acceleration thresholds responsive to the HMI setting. Additionally, a coaching method provides haptic-based feedback that will not interfere with the operation of the vehicle. This method of closed-loop feedback provides a timely signal to the driver in a way that will encourage a change in driver style over time, such as backing off the accelerator pedal to accelerate at a lower rate and braking earlier with less intensity.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to an adaptive cruise control system for a host vehicle, comprising a long-range sensor configured to determine a location of objects positioned ahead of the host vehicle, at least one short-range sensor configured to determine the location of objects in close proximity ahead of the host vehicle, and a controller configured to receive information from the long-range sensor and from the at least one short-range sensor and to control the speed of the host vehicle based at least in part thereon, wherein the controller is configured to operate the at least one short-range sensor in a plurality of operating modes, and to select a short-range sensor operating mode at least in part in response to the location of any objects detected by the long-range sensor.

Abstract: When a preceding vehicle moves away during follow-up running control, it is determined whether or not a forward obstacle is recognized. When a forward obstacle is recognized, it is determined whether or not the forward obstacle satisfies any of obstacle specifying conditions corresponding to a plurality of preset types. A basic threshold value set corresponding to the satisfied type is corrected by three correction values so as to set first to third estimated-collision-time determining values. The estimated-collision-time determining values are compared with an estimated collision time of a subject vehicle with respect to the forward obstacle, and acceleration control on the subject vehicle is limited stepwise in accordance with the comparison values.

Abstract: A vehicle speed setting of cruise control is changed based on an operation by a driver. At this time, it is determined whether the vehicle is traveling in a passing lane or a traveling lane (S202). If the vehicle is traveling in a passing lane, the speed at which the vehicle speed setting is changed is increased (S206). If a blinker on the passing lane side of the vehicle is on (S205), the speed at which the vehicle speed setting is changed is also increased (S206) even if the vehicle is traveling in the traveling lane.

Abstract: A transmitter at a lead vehicle transmits a first transmission signal toward a first beacon and a second beacon associated with a following vehicle. A data processor or estimator determines a first propagation time associated with the first transmission and the first beacon and a second propagation time associated with the first transmission and the second beacon. A vehicle controller controls a heading of the following vehicle to maintain a first distance substantially equal to a second distance (i.e., first propagation time substantially equal to a second propagation time) or a first distance that deviates from the second distance by a predetermined maximum amount.

Abstract: A method as well as a device for the lane allocation of consecutive vehicles, the lane allocation being carried out in a model-based manner via a frequency distribution of the lateral displacements of detected radar objects. The method is additionally used for detecting the misalignment of the sensor.

Abstract: In a vehicle running control system, when an estimated collision time taken until a subject vehicle collides with a target object is shorter than a set threshold value, the target object is regarded as a preceding vehicle, and the subject vehicle is caused to follow the target object. Even in a case in which the estimated collision time is longer than or equal to the threshold value, when the target object is present on a subject-vehicle traveling lane or when the subject-vehicle traveling lane is not recognized, if an overlapping ratio between the subject vehicle and the target object is more than or equal to an overlapping-ratio determining threshold value, the target object is regarded as a preceding vehicle, and the subject vehicle is caused to follow the target object.

Abstract: A driver model with higher precision is created as an evaluation standard for a driving condition in a normal condition. Further, a driving action is estimated using a driver model which can be created easily and can represent driving characteristics of a driver more precisely. By detecting biometric information of a driver, whether a driver is in a usual condition or not is recognized. Then, data of driving conditions (own vehicle information such as, for example, operation amounts of accelerator, brake, and steering wheel, vehicle speed, inter-vehicle distance, acceleration, and the like) are collected while the driver is driving, and from the driving condition data, a part indicating that the driver operates in a usual condition is extracted to create a driver model. Thus, without making the driver aware, a driver model for normal times can be created automatically.

Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus (1) provided with an automatic cruise apparatus (30) that automatically moves a vehicle, and a pre-crash brake apparatus (40) that automatically applies a brake to the vehicle when an obstacle is detected, includes cruising output value setting means (15) for making a cruising output value, which should be achieved using the automatic cruise apparatus (1), smaller than a regular cruising output value used in normal times, when the obstacle is detected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling speed and/or distance in motor vehicles having distance-related longitudinal control systems, wherein during clear driving, a clear drive acceleration value is set to reach a preset speed, and while following a detected target object, a following acceleration value is set to maintain a preset distance from the target object, and wherein if the target object is lost during a following drive operation, a transition acceleration value is set. According to the invention, the transition acceleration value is set for the duration of a time interval, which is dependent on the speed at the time of the target object loss.

Abstract: A cruise control device and an obstacle detection device are provided which achieve a safe and appropriate tracking control by avoiding a sudden recognition of a short following distance when a preceding vehicle is found in an uphill or downhill gradient, in a curve, or at an intersection, or by reducing the damage of a crash when the crash cannot be avoided. An obstacle determination process section is provided which receives information from a sensor which detects an obstacle, receives terrain information of the position of the host vehicle from a navigation device, and determines the presence of the obstacle when a predetermined condition is satisfied after the sensor detects the obstacle. The predetermined condition to determine the presence of the obstacle is changed based on the terrain information of the position of the host vehicle received from the navigation device.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed. The control system includes a first set of operator input devices and a laser target located on a first machine. The control system also includes a first laser measurement system located on a second machine and configured to measure a distance to the laser target. The control system further includes a communications system configured to selectively communicate a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. In the first mode of operation, the second machine follows the first machine based on the measured distance. In the second mode of operation, the second machine moves based on a signal from the first set of operator input devices.

Abstract: A control information conveyance structure comprises: a cognition-system control platform which recognizes the circumstances of the surroundings of a vehicle and generates a control space; an operation-system control platform which recognizes the circumstances related to the movement of the vehicle body and generates a control space; and a determination-system control platform which generates a determination control space based on information from the cognition-system and operation-system control platforms. The conveyance structure is constituted so that sensors and individual control devices belong to either or both of the control platforms. This control information conveyance structure is adopted. Thus, control platforms of such a control structure that the individual control devices are managed at a higher level can be provided.

Abstract: A method for a driver assistance system of a motor vehicle includes the following steps: on the basis of a digital map of a navigation system, verifying whether there is a turn option, and, if there is a turn option, analyzing the dynamic data, measured by a locating system, of a preceding vehicle and calculating a turn probability for the preceding vehicle on the basis of these data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing corrected data in order to generate a model of a monitoring area which is located in the respective visual range of at least two opto-electronic sensors for determining the position of detected objects, based on the amounts of raw data elements corresponding to object points in said monitoring area, said amounts of raw data elements being respectively detected by one of the sensors when the visual range is sensed and associated therewith, and the amounts of raw data elements from various sensors which are temporally linked to each other forming a group. The raw data elements corresponding to said amounts respectively comprise at least the coordinates of object points detected by the associated sensor in relation to the position of the detecting sensor.

Abstract: A drive control apparatus for a vehicle includes: a follow-up control device; a stop hold device that is capable of holding the vehicle in a stopped state by controlling a brake pressure; and a driving operation detection device that detects at least one of a brake operation and a shift operation to a reverse or neutral position, wherein the follow-up control device cancels the holding of the vehicle in the stopped state by making the stop hold device cancel the holding of the vehicle in the stopped state after holding the vehicle in the stopped state for a predetermined time period or by making the stop hold device gradually reduce the brake pressure when the driving operation detection device detects at least one of the brake operation and the shift operation to the reverse or neutral position while the vehicle is held in the stopped state.

Abstract: A collision mitigation controller drives a target brake to be controlled for assisting driver's collision-avoidance operation when a calculated collision time is less than an automatic brake a1 judgment line which is determined in advance. The controller drives the automatic brake a1 in order to mitigate damage generated by a collision with an obstacle or another vehicle when the collision time is less than an automatic brake a2 judgment line which is also less than the automatic brake a1 judgment line. The controller decreases the braking force for the automatic brake a2 when judged that the automatic brake a1 is not driven, as compared with the judgment where the automatic brake a1 is driven. When the automatic brake a2 drives the target brake, it is possible to avoid a collision where own vehicle is struck from behind by the rear vehicle which runs on a same traffic lane.

Abstract: A method and a device for triggering emergency braking of a vehicle for avoiding a collision or for reducing the severity of a collision, the vehicle having at least one object detection sensor, an ascertainment being made as a function of the detected objects as to whether a collision with an object is imminent and a risk to one's own vehicle in the event of a triggering of emergency braking being ascertained as a function of the current surrounding situation, the triggering threshold for emergency braking being variable in such a way that the probability for a false triggering is increased if a calculated risk posed by emergency braking is low and the triggering threshold for emergency braking being variable in such a way that the probability for a false triggering is lowered if a calculated risk posed by emergency braking is higher.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the avoidance of a vehicle collision with an object includes the following steps: a) providing a neural network, b) evolving a good driver, c) evolving a crash predictor, and d) outputting a graded warning signal.

Abstract: An automated transportation system includes a plurality of vehicles adapted to travel along a pathway, and a monitoring system located within each vehicle and adapted to monitor a location and a speed between an associated vehicle and the pathway. The automated transportation system also includes a transmitter located within each vehicle and adapted to transmit a signal that includes data on the location and the speed monitored, and a receiver located within each vehicle and adapted to receive the signal from each of the other vehicles. The automated transportation system further includes a controller located within each vehicle and adapted to interpret the signal received by the receiver and control the associated vehicle to provide proper spacing between the remaining vehicles to avoid collisions therebetween and maximize throughput of the vehicles along the pathway.

Abstract: A preceding-vehicle following control system for a host vehicle is comprised of a road information device (2, 3) for obtaining road information of a road ahead of the host vehicle, a preceding-vehicle detector (1) for obtaining preceding-vehicle information of a preceding vehicle ahead of the host vehicle and a controller (10) connected to the road information device and the preceding vehicle recognizing device. The controller is arranged to determine a road width of the road from the road information, to vary a condition for determining a control characteristic of a control system of a following control for following the preceding vehicle, and to execute the following control on the basis of the condition for determining the control characteristic and the preceding-vehicle information.

Abstract: A system and method for onboard train detection is disclosed. In some embodiments, the train detection function is segregated into a safety-critical head-of-train determination, a safety-critical end-of-train (or length-of-train) determination, and a safety-critical train integrity function. By supplementing the train detection and integrity functions with information on system latencies, guard zones, processing delays and a determination of safe braking distance, the method and system provides safety-critical onboard positive train separation information. This information is transmitted to a control center and used to determine safe separation distance between trains.

Abstract: A parking sensor apparatus has at least two ultrasonic sensors, and a method to decrease erroneous determinations of the parking sensor apparatus has a first detecting process and a second alternate process. In first detecting process, the two ultrasonic sensors are controlled to transmit and receive ultrasonic detecting signals. If a reflected ultrasonic signal is detected and an obstacle is determined to be existed according to the ultrasonic signal, the two ultrasonic sensors are controlled alternately in second alternate detecting process to further determine whether the obstacle is real or not. That is, the method and the parking sensor apparatus only requires two detecting cycles to determine the real obstacle, so the method and parking sensor apparatus have fast response whether any obstacle is close to the vehicle.

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 inter-vehicle distance maintenance supporting system may include an operational reactive force generating device that generates an operational reactive force on a driving operational equipment based on a first inter-vehicle distance threshold. A driving operational equipment state detector detects an operational state of the driving operational equipment and acceleration intent of the driver. An engine controller controls an engine torque corresponding to the operational state of the driving operational equipment. An engine torque correcting device decreases the engine torque before the operational reactive force is generated. The decrease correction is suppressed when the inter-vehicle distance is greater than a second inter-vehicle distance threshold that is larger than the first inter-vehicle distance, and the driving operational equipment state detector detects the acceleration intent of the driver.

Abstract: An adaptive cruise control system automatically sets a desired headway value upon system initiation. If a preceding vehicle is not detected the desired headway is established at a predetermined value. If a preceding vehicle is detected the control compares the actual headway to a predetermined minimum value and predetermined maximum value to select a desired headway. Following the desired headway value being established, the value is stored in the control and the adaptive cruise control system begins customary operations.

Abstract: A method for selecting the operating state of a cruise control system for motor vehicles having a distance sensor and automatic blindness detection, in which at least one additional condition is checked for automatic shutdown of the cruise control when blindness of the distance sensor is detected, and a shutdown is performed only when this additional condition is also met.

Abstract: An initial value ?0 of a vehicle deflection angle ? and an initial value L0 of a distance L are set, a normalized coefficient R is determined from the ratio of the vehicle deflection angle ? or the distance L to the initial value ?0 or the initial value L0 when vehicle stop control is started, and the target speed VREF of a body speed VL is determined by that coefficient R. Since the body speed V of the vehicle VL is very low when the vehicle VL arrives at a target parking position, the vehicle VL can be stopped precisely at the target parking position.

Abstract: An adaptive cruise control system and a method for controlling the speed of a vehicle are disclosed. The system generally includes a controller which determines a torque instruction associated with a limit speed of the vehicle which is less than a selected speed. The method generally includes determining a distance between the vehicle and an object detected in the path of the vehicles determining a torque instruction which is associated with a limit speed which is less than a selected speed from at least the distances and transmitting the torque instruction to an engine controller of the vehicle.

Abstract: In automatic steering control, when both a traveling lane and a preceding vehicle are detected, a target position on a first vehicle traveling path based on traveling lane information and a target position on a second vehicle traveling path based on preceding vehicle information are set as a first target position and a second target position, respectively. When the second target position is set farther than the first target position, the correction amount of the distance between the first target position and the second vehicle traveling path is set in accordance with the distance difference in the front-rear direction between the first and second target positions, and a third target position is set by correcting the first target position by the correction amount so as to become closer to the second vehicle traveling path. The steering control amount is calculated on the basis of the third target position.

Abstract: An adaptive cruise control system and a method for controlling the velocity of a host motor vehicle. An object detecting device is capable of simultaneously detecting several target objects. A separate control order is generated for each detected target object for influencing engine controls and brake controls of the host vehicle to control the velocity of the host vehicle. Control orders generated for several simultaneously detected target objects are then compared and the most restrictive control order among these is selected. At least one control signal based on the selected control order is then sent to at least one of the engine controls and the brake controls of the host vehicle to control the velocity of the host vehicle in accordance with the selected control order.

Abstract: A sensor system for impact detection is situated in the front region of the vehicle. The sensor system is able to detect kinematic variables in both the longitudinal and vertical directions of the vehicle. The sensor system is suited in particular for truck underride crashes.

Abstract: A headway distance maintenance supporting system may include a running controller for performing constant headway distance control, a deceleration controller for performing deceleration support control, a transitional state detector for detecting transitional states of said given vehicle based on the running environment of said given vehicle or the operations performed by the driver. The system controller is configured such that when said transitional state detector detects that the transitional state of said given vehicle is a prescribed transitional state, said running controller is controlled such that said constant headway distance control is released, and said deceleration controller is controlled such that said deceleration support control can be performed.

Abstract: A running control apparatus for controlling a running state of a vehicle by adjusting acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle releases the running control in case of a predetermined steering operation or more while the vehicle is stopped during the running control. This prevents the vehicle from running in a direction not intended by a driver at the time of starting, and the driver can be prevented from feeling a sense of discomfort at that time. Preventing the vehicle from starting in the direction not intended by the driver can also improve the running safety. This can restrain the vehicle from running in a way not intended by the driver upon a steering operation while the vehicle is stopped.

Abstract: A vehicle pre-collision countermeasure system is provided has a communication component, a rear collision predicting component and an acceleration countermeasure component. The communication component conducts a direct communications with other vehicles, including broadcasting vehicle parameter identifiers of a host vehicle equipped with the communication component and receiving vehicle parameter identifiers of a following vehicle. The rear collision predicting component predicts a likelihood of a potential rear collision event occurring in the host vehicle based on the vehicle parameter identifiers of the following vehicle. The acceleration countermeasure component accelerates the host vehicle in response to the rear collision predicting component predicting that the potential rear collision event is likely to occur with the following vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for transmitting measurement data between an object-detection device and an evaluation device are provided, the evaluation device sending to the object-detection device one or more data packets with the object identifiers relevant for the evaluation device, the object-detection device inserting the current measurement data of the detected objects into a fixed, predetermined number of data packets, the objects, which the evaluation device with the aid of the object identifiers marked as relevant, being entered preferentially, and the apparatus outputting the data packet to a data bus via the connector element to the data bus.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and programs display a virtual escort vehicle that appears to be driving ahead of a user's vehicle on at least one of a windshield of the user's vehicle and a display disposed in front of a driving seat of the user's vehicle and display a driving instruction for the user's vehicle based on actual driving condition information and standard driving condition information for a predetermined reference point located ahead of the current position of the user's vehicle.

Abstract: In a vehicle speed control system, a preset offset distance is taken as a zero value of an inter-vehicle distance in a brake discriminant. When the current value of a corrected distance condition evaluation index is higher than the brake discriminant, a value on the brake discriminant is set as a target value of the corrected distance condition evaluation index. Deceleration control is started to decelerate the subject vehicle so that the deceleration of the subject vehicle becomes equal to the target deceleration of the subject vehicle computed based on the target relative speed corresponding to the set target value and the actual relative speed.

Abstract: A drive assist system includes an assist starting part starting assist, a detection part detecting relative distances and speeds between a vehicles, a calculation part calculating collision risks when changing a lane by the basis of the relative distances and speeds, a first judgment part judging whether the lane can be changed by the relative distances, speeds and the collision risks, a decision part deciding a target space for lane change by the relative distances and speeds when the lane cannot be changed, a second judgment part judging whether a lane changeable space is in the target space, a setting part setting a target speed for the vehicle go to a lane change waiting position when no space and to setting a target speed the vehicle enters a lane changeable position when there is the space, and a control part controlling a speed of the vehicle reaches the target speed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for enabling a vehicle having adaptive cruise control to reduce its speed in a turn according to the vehicle's position within the turn as well as ignoring objects detected during the turn that are not in the vehicle's path. The method of the present invention includes the steps of operating the vehicle in an adaptive cruise control mode such that the vehicle is traveling at a set speed; determining whether the vehicle is in a turn in the vehicle's path by detecting change in the vehicle's lateral acceleration; and when the vehicle is determined to be in the turn, reducing the vehicle's speed according to the vehicle's position in the turn, monitoring for objects and maintaining the vehicle's speed if an object is positioned out of the path of the vehicle.

Abstract: In a method for automatically directing traffic on a site, information is received regarding a plurality of selected entities on the job site. An indication of a first priority assigned to a first of the plurality of selected entities is received. An indication of a second priority assigned to a second of the plurality of selected entities is received. It is then determined that the first of the plurality of selected entities has a right of way over the second of the plurality of selected entities based upon a comparison of the first priority and the second priority.

Abstract: A speed control system is for a vehicle having an engine including a carburetor with a throttle plate moveable between a minimum open position and a maximum open position. The speed control system includes a ground speed limiter mechanism operatively coupled with the throttle plate and configured to displace the plate toward the minimum position as ground speed of the vehicle approaches a predetermined maximum value. An engine speed limiter mechanism is operatively coupled with the throttle plate and is configured to displace the plate toward the minimum position as a speed of the engine approaches a predetermined maximum value. Preferably, a control linkage is connected with the throttle plate and is moveable between a first configuration, at which the throttle plate is disposed at the minimum position, and a second configuration at which the throttle plate is disposed at the maximum position, the two limiter mechanisms displacing the linkage.

Abstract: In order to be able to undertake a reliable prediction of a movement trajectory of an object moving in road traffic even for relatively long prediction periods, a method is proposed in which there is firstly determined (203) with the aid of an evaluation of a determined movement variable of the object a driving maneuver that is executed by the object. A model (2051; . . . ; 205N) of the movement of the object is then selected as a function of the determined driving maneuver, and the movement trajectory of the object is calculated with the aid of the selected model. There is also proposed an apparatus for predicting the movement trajectory of an object that is suitable for carrying out the method. The object can be both a motor vehicle and an object in the surroundings of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: When a detection unit (3) detects an approach of an object to a vehicle in which a vehicle safety apparatus is mounted, a main controller (2) determines whether a positional relationship between the vehicle and the detected object reaches a predetermined positional one. The main controller (2) can start a warning unit according to a determination result obtained thereby, and can issue a warning before the vehicle gets damaged.

Abstract: A method for balancing brake force is disclosed. The method includes determining whether a deceleration value reaches a first deceleration threshold in response to a braking event and determining brake condition and vehicle motion. Based on brake condition and vehicle motion determination and the first deceleration threshold determination, the method determines whether the deceleration value reaches a second deceleration threshold, and applies threshold balancing when the second deceleration threshold is reached.