Having Inter-vehicle Distance Or Speed Control Patents (Class 701/96)
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Patent number: 9183745Abstract: A method for regulating a distance of a vehicle from a preceding vehicle (vehicle ahead) based on available information for the subject vehicle's speed, for the distance and for the speed of the vehicle ahead and on data regarding route information includes determining a fuel-saving situation for a fuel saving momentum utilization phase, and precomputing a consumption optimal speed profile for undisturbed travel. The method further precomputes an additional separation requirement to the vehicle ahead that is required to be able to fully implement the momentum utilization phase, and builds up the required additional separation prior to the fuel-saving situation, wherein the additional separation is built up, preferably substantially uniformly, over a separation build-up distance that is longer than the precomputed momentum utilization phase distance and/or is built up with a driver-acceptable, convoy-stabilizing, defined small speed reduction relative to the current speed of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2014Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: MAN TRUCK & BUS AGInventors: Martin Huber, Karlheinz Doerner, Daniel Heyes, Stefan Jerg, Peter Drimml, Andreas Zimmermann
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Patent number: 9174643Abstract: When a preceding vehicle in front of a host vehicle reduces speed, other vehicles between the preceding vehicle and a system-mounted vehicle successively reduces speed. An ECU and an ACC control the traveling of the system-mounted vehicle on the basis of prediction information of speed reduction propagation when the system-mounted vehicle reduces speed such that the system-mounted vehicle and an ordinary vehicle immediately in front of the system-mounted vehicle have a predetermined relative positional relationship. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the speed reduction propagation between the preceding vehicle and the system-mounted vehicle in advance, making it possible to more effectively suppress congestion.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2009Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Makoto Aso
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Patent number: 9169922Abstract: A controller for a vehicle may include communication channels and control logic. The communication channels may be configured to receive distance data from a proximity sensor disposed on a vehicle and to send shift commands to a transmission. The control logic may be configured to respond to distance data indicating a second vehicle disposed at a distance closer than a threshold distance while the vehicle is moving at or below a threshold speed by sending a shift command to the transmission.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2014Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Enrique Remes
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Patent number: 9168924Abstract: A lane controller system installed on a vehicle may include components for self-diagnosing malfunctions on the vehicle. The system may include a desired path generator for generating a desired path that keeps the vehicle within a road lane; a steering controller for providing steering a steering correction to keep the vehicle within the road lane; a vehicle state estimator for estimating the state of the vehicle; a lane marking detector for detecting position of road lane markings; a path predictor for predicting a path actively followed by the vehicle; a virtual dynamics module for modeling the anticipated path of the vehicle following input of the steering controller; a comparer that compares the results of actual steering corrections applied with those predicted by the virtual dynamics module, and a diagnostic system that determines a root cause of malfunctions, based on the comparison by the comparer.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2012Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Jin-Woo Lee, Bakhtiar Brian Litkouhi
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Patent number: 9168868Abstract: A method of estimating a time to collision (TTC) of a vehicle with an object comprising: acquiring a plurality of images of the object; and determining a TTC from the images that is responsive to a relative velocity and relative acceleration between the vehicle and the object.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2013Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: MOBILEYE VISION TECHNOLOGIES LTD.Inventors: Gideon Stein, Erez Dagan, Ofer Mano, Amnon Shashua
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Patent number: 9157382Abstract: An idle reduction control device mounted on a vehicle equipped with an engine and a brake including: a detector that detects a parameter having a positive correlation to an amount of brake operation; and an engine controller that controls a start and a stop of the engine. The engine controller stops the engine after a stop of the vehicle, when a change of the parameter caused by a release of the brake is equal to or greater than a predetermined value during a deceleration period before the stop of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masaki Matsunaga, Junichi Morimura, Yasunari Kido
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Patent number: 9159227Abstract: A traffic congestion detection apparatus includes a traveling information acquisition unit for acquiring traveling information relating to a traveling state of a vehicle, and a traveling zone determination unit for determining which one of at least three zones including a central zone of a congestion area the vehicle is traveling in, based on current traveling information acquired by the traveling information acquisition unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2012Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kunihito Sato
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Patent number: 9139089Abstract: The vehicle comprising a rear vehicle speed dependent ideal distance maintaining implementer, a front vehicle speed dependent ideal distance maintaining implementer, and an inter-vehicle middle point maintaining implementer.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2014Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Inventor: Iwao Fujisaki
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Patent number: 9117098Abstract: Traffic density is estimated around a host vehicle moving on a roadway. An object detection system remotely senses and identifies the positions of nearby vehicles. A controller a) predicts a path of a host lane being driven by the host vehicle, b) bins the nearby vehicles into a plurality of lanes including the host lane and one or more adjacent lanes flanking the predicted path, c) determines a host lane distance in response to a position of a farthest vehicle that is binned to the host lane, d) determines an adjacent lane distance in response to a difference between a closest position in an adjacent lane that is within the field of view and a position of a farthest vehicle binned to the adjacent lane, and e) indicates a traffic density in response to a ratio between a count of the binned vehicles and a sum of the distances.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2013Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Roger A. Trombley, Thomas E. Plutti, Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante
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Patent number: 9108639Abstract: A method for determination of at least one reference value for controlling a vehicle's speed is described. The method may entail making a first prediction vpred—Tnew—ret and a second prediction vpred—Tnew—acc of a vehicle speed along a horizon, said first prediction based on an engine torque Tret which retards the vehicle as compared with a conventional cruise control, and said second prediction based on an engine torque Tacc which accelerates the vehicle as compared with a conventional cruise control; comparing said respective first prediction vpred—Tnew—ret and second prediction vpred—Tnew—acc of the vehicle speed with a lower limit value vmin and/or an upper limit value vmax which delineate a range within which the vehicle's speed should be; and determining at least one reference value based on at least one of said respective comparisons and said first prediction vpred—Tnew—ret and second prediction vpred—Tnew—acc of the vehicle speed along the horizon.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: SCANIA CV ABInventors: Oskar Johansson, Maria Södergren, Fredrik Roos
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Patent number: 9073551Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes a target value determination unit to determine a target engine torque, a target value restriction unit to restrict a target engine torque such that an output torque becomes smaller than a load torque input from a torque transmission path to an engine when a rotation speed of the engine exceeds a threshold, and a restriction release unit to release a restriction on the target engine torque before an inertia phase is started during a gear change period.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2012Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinya Iizuka, Yasunori Murayama
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Patent number: 9074544Abstract: In a vehicle control apparatus that changes the travel characteristic of a vehicle on the basis of a change of the acceleration of the vehicle, when the travel characteristic is to be changed because the acceleration has changed, the amount of change of the travel characteristic to be changed is adjusted on the basis of the pre-change travel characteristic that is present immediately prior to the change of the acceleration.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2011Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shin Noumura, Ken Koibuchi, Kaiji Itabashi, Toshio Tanahashi, Keisuke Takeuchi
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Patent number: 9067603Abstract: An adaptive cruise control system for a motor vehicle includes a forward looking object detecting arrangement for simultaneously detecting several target objects moving in the predicted path and adjacent paths of the equipped vehicle. The detecting arrangement is arranged to continuously monitor velocity and distance to each of the target objects, and a processing arrangement processes signals from the detecting means to provide information of distance to and relative speed of vehicles travelling in front of the equipped vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2010Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar ABInventors: Peter Kollberg, Fredrik Sandblom
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Patent number: 9061630Abstract: A vehicle travel control device can accurately determine a driver's intention to adjust the vehicle speed. After applying attention attracting reaction force corresponding to outside circumstances and the like to an accelerator pedal through a reaction force application mechanism, a reaction force control unit outputs intention determining reaction force that is used to determine the driver's intention to adjust the vehicle speed and is smaller than the attention attracting reaction force, and determines the intention to adjust the vehicle speed on the basis of the accelerator pedal operation amount of the driver while the intention determining reaction force is being applied to the accelerator pedal through the reaction force application mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2011Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hirotaka Takiguchi, Go Suzaki, Yoichi Sugimoto
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Patent number: 9061590Abstract: A leading vehicle detecting apparatus judges whether or not a first vehicle is following a second vehicle. The apparatus includes a signal acquiring section, a storage section, and calculating section. The signal acquiring section acquires position signals outputted from a position detecting section that detects the position of the second vehicle, and detection signals outputted from a state detecting section that detects a state of a first vehicle cruising line. The storage section stores in advance a probability map showing the probability of the first vehicle following the second vehicle, based on a distance between an expected cruising line of the first vehicle and the position of the second vehicle. The calculating section calculates the expected cruising line based on the detection signals, and judges whether the first vehicle is following the second vehicle based on the expected cruising line, position signals, and probability map.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2012Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Jin Kurumisawa, Tatsuya Namikiri
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Patent number: 9057333Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an axle torque determination module, an engine torque determination module, and an engine torque control module. The axle torque determination module determines an axle torque request based on a driver input and a vehicle speed. The engine torque determination module determines an engine torque request based on the axle torque request and at least one of a turbine speed and whether a clutch of a torque converter is applied. The engine torque control module controls an amount of torque produced by an engine based on the engine torque request.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2013Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Roger A. Madsen, Richard B. Jess, Michael J. Pitsch, Michael L. Waterman, Ryan Z. Goode
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Patent number: 9058746Abstract: Provided are an information processing device and a processing method both of which are capable of executing processing in response to a traveling situation of a vehicle, thereby securing safety at the time of emergency while securing convenience.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2009Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Masayuki Takemura, Shoji Muramatsu, Tatsuhiko Monji
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Patent number: 9052997Abstract: A vehicle behavior prediction apparatus includes: a storage device that stores a plurality of pieces of behavior characteristic information associating a vehicle behavior with a characteristic of time series variation in travel condition information, the plurality of pieces of the behavior characteristic information being divided into a plurality of patterns corresponding to the different traffic conditions in a preceding location preceding a predetermined location; a selection unit that selects, as corresponding behavior characteristic information, the behavior characteristic information having a pattern corresponding to a current traffic condition from among the stored behavior characteristic information on the basis of the travel condition information obtained upon arrival of the vehicle in the preceding location; and a prediction unit that predicts the vehicle behavior in the predetermined location by comparing the corresponding behavior characteristic information with the time series variation in the curType: GrantFiled: June 26, 2013Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Sayaka Ono
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Publication number: 20150149059Abstract: Disclosed are an automatic speed controllable vehicle and a speed controlling method thereof. The vehicle collects vehicle information and transmitted collected vehicle information to an RSE, and the RSE receives vehicle information from each vehicle within a management section and transmits again, to each vehicle, information required for each vehicle to adjust a speed. The vehicle receiving information required to adjust the speed may adjust the speed of the vehicle based on the received information and may display a warning notification for a driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.Inventor: A Ra Choi
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Patent number: 9043116Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for performing driving assistance for a controlled vehicle, involving determining a first longitudinal acceleration target value on the basis of a lateral acceleration of the controlled vehicle, determining a second longitudinal acceleration target value on the basis of a target speed of the controlled vehicle, determining a third longitudinal acceleration target value based on a minimum value of the first longitudinal acceleration target value and the second longitudinal acceleration target value, and controlling a longitudinal acceleration of the controlled vehicle on the basis of the determined third longitudinal acceleration target value.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2014Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Junya Takahashi, Heiko Altmannshofer, Makoto Yamakado, Takao Kojima
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Patent number: 9043117Abstract: In the driver assistance system, a function module is provided for a speed limiting function by which certain conditions for exceeding a predefined maximum speed and for decelerating again down to the maximum speed are implemented. The function module generates signals for carrying out one or more measures to generate or increase the braking torque. The signal for carrying out the measures can be only a binary signal, or can correspond to a required braking torque progression in the form of a regulating step so as to reach the maximum speed within a predefined time period. In the second case, the predefined time period is preferably shorter than a defined time window during which a warning intervention of the speed limiting function is suppressed during an exception where the maximum speed is allowed to be exceeded.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2014Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Walter Kagerer, Thiemo Pasenau, Daniel Simmermacher
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Publication number: 20150142292Abstract: A vehicle travel control apparatus includes a utility function determination unit, which determines a utility function fu representing a relationship between the manipulated variable for vehicle speed control of an own vehicle and an effectiveness degree, a travel inhibition degree function determination unit, which determines a travel inhibition degree function fr representing a relationship between the manipulated variable for vehicle speed control and an estimated travel inhibition degree of the own vehicle, and an appropriateness function determination unit, which determines an appropriateness function fap combining both functions fu and fr. A driving/braking force of the own vehicle is manipulated according to the value of the manipulated variable for vehicle speed control corresponding to a highest appropriateness in the appropriateness function fap.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2012Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Robert Kastner, Marcus Kleinehagenbrock, Morimichi Nishigaki
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Patent number: 9037379Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 28, 2013Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANYInventors: Min Yong Shin, Si Hyoung Lee
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Publication number: 20150134225Abstract: A vehicle running control apparatus includes a following distance control unit for maintaining a following distance between an own vehicle on which the vehicle running control apparatus is mounted and a preceding vehicle, an accelerating unit for accelerating the own vehicle at a set acceleration so that a speed of the own vehicle reaches a set speed when the preceding vehicle is lost, and an acceleration suppressing unit configured to suppress acceleration of the own vehicle by the accelerating unit on condition that the preceding vehicle and the own vehicle are under an acceleration suppression condition that an allowance time to collision is smaller than a predetermine lower limit at a moment of loss of the preceding vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2014Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventors: Takaomi KINUGAWA, Toyohito NOZAWA, Jin KURUMISAWA
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Patent number: 9031727Abstract: A vehicle running control device in a vehicle includes a power connecting/disconnecting device interrupting power transmission between an engine and drive wheels, the vehicle running control device providing free-run control of interrupting the power transmission with the power connecting/disconnecting device and stopping the engine during inertia running, the vehicle running control device being configured to determine a target vehicle deceleration at the start of the free-run control based on a vehicle speed and to estimate an estimated vehicle deceleration when the free-run control is started, before starting the free-run control, and when the estimated vehicle deceleration is closer to the target vehicle deceleration at the start of the free-run control, the free-run control being more easily provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2014Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Terufumi Miyazaki, Yukihiko Ideshio, Toshihiko Kamiya, Shingo Eto, Hironori Asaoka, Yasuyuki Kato
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Patent number: 9031761Abstract: A driving assist apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a determination unit that determines a state of a traffic flow in a lane in which a ego-vehicle is driving, on the basis of acceleration of the ego-vehicle and inter-vehicle distances to other vehicles around the ego-vehicle. The apparatus also includes a drive control unit that controls a motion of the ego-vehicle and is capable of switching drive control according to a determination result by the determination unit. The drive control unit switches the drive control when the determination result indicates that the state of the traffic flow is a state of a critical region which is present in a transition period from a free-flow state to a mixed-flow state. Here, the free-flow state is a state in which the probability of occurrence of traffic congestion is low, and the mixed-flow state is a state in which a braking state and an acceleration state of a vehicle are mixed.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2011Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takamasa Koshizen
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Patent number: 9026333Abstract: A vehicle control device is provided that performs control to suppress a dangerous situation for a vehicle without causing a driver to experience discomfort when an accelerator is erroneously operated, by setting an abnormality judgment threshold for the accelerator operation to a value based on a degree of risk to the vehicle. An accelerator position judgment threshold is set to be lower when risk in the periphery of the vehicle is higher, intermediate when the risk is intermediate, and higher when the risk is lower. When the risk is higher, an abnormality judgment is made upon the accelerator being lightly stepped on, and control is performed to suppress a dangerous situation. As the risk changes to intermediate and lower, the abnormality judgment is made at a greater accelerator position.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2013Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Mitsuhiro Tokimasa, Masakazu Doi, Takumi Nagaya
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Patent number: 9020750Abstract: A drive assist device includes a light source that irradiates a detection target with light, a first lens having a first area through which the irradiated light from the light source passes, a second lens having a second area through which reflected light reflected from the detection target passes, and a light receiving element that receives the reflected light that passes the second lens. The first area and the second area are arranged to be in align with each other, in width direction of the drive assist device.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2014Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Mitsuru Nakajima, Shuichi Suzuki, Motoyasu Murai
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Patent number: 9020732Abstract: A vehicle may include a sensor configured to detect a rearward approaching object and at least one controller configured to cause the vehicle to accelerate in response to the sensor detecting a rearward approaching object while the vehicle is moving forward.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2011Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Edward Pilutti, Peter Gyumyeong Joh, Matthew Y. Rupp, Dorian Jack Spero, Aaron L. Mills
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Patent number: 9020749Abstract: A host-vehicle risk acquisition device includes a host-vehicle path acquisition portion that acquires a path of a host-vehicle, and an obstacle path acquisition portion that acquires a plurality of paths of an obstacle existing around the host-vehicle. A collision risk acquisition portion acquires an actual collision risk, which is a collision risk between the host-vehicle and the obstacle when the host-vehicle is in a travel state based on the path of the host-vehicle and the plurality of paths of the obstacle. An offset risk acquisition portion acquires an offset risk, which is a collision risk between the host-vehicle and the obstacle in an offset travel state, which is offset from the travel state of the host-vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2013Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuaki Aso, Toshiki Kindo, Masahiro Harada
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Patent number: 9014941Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 6, 2014Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Pamela I. Labuhn, Patrick J. O'Leary, Barbara A. Shuler, James Heath Holbrook
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Patent number: 9014915Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for controlling active safety functionality for a vehicle. The active safety functionality provides an action during a drive cycle of the vehicle based on a predetermined threshold. Data pertaining to driving conditions, usage conditions of the vehicle, or both, is obtained for a drive cycle of the vehicle. A risk factor grade is calculated using the data. The risk factor grade corresponds to a level of situational risk for the drive cycle. The predetermined threshold of the active safety system is adjusted based on the risk factor grade.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2011Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Aamrapali Chatterjee, Chad T. Zagorski, Paul R. Williams
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Patent number: 9008952Abstract: A system for managing vehicles on a road network includes a processor that performs operations including accessing a matrix of vehicle parameters of a plurality of communicating vehicles on the road network, and representing the plurality of communicating vehicles in a graph with a plurality of nodes corresponding to the plurality of communicating vehicles and with a plurality of edges corresponding to the vehicle parameters. The system can include partitioning, with the processor, the graph to reduce disruptions to the road network below a threshold level to support safe and efficient traffic flow, and assigning one or more exclusion zones within the road network to each partition of the graph by associating the vehicle parameters for each vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Sasha P. Caskey, Dimitri Kanevsky, James R. Kozloski, Tara N. Sainath
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Patent number: 9008940Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2006Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Mikio Ueyama, Tatsuya Yoshida, Kazuhiko Hanawa
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Publication number: 20150100217Abstract: A preceding vehicle selection apparatus estimates a curvature of a traveling road on which an own vehicle is traveling, detects an object ahead of the own vehicle, and determines a relative position in relation to the own vehicle, for each object ahead. Based on the estimated curvature and the determined relative position, an own vehicle lane probability instantaneous value for each object ahead is repeatedly determined. An own vehicle lane probability is determined by performing a filter calculation on the calculated own vehicle lane probability instantaneous value. Based on the determined own vehicle lane probability, a preceding vehicle is selected. Characteristics of the filter calculation are set such that an object ahead associated with a preceding vehicle selected in a previous processing cycle is relatively less affected by the own vehicle lane probability instantaneous value than an object ahead associated with an object other than the preceding vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2014Publication date: April 9, 2015Inventors: Takuma SUDOU, Jin KURUMISAWA, Toyohito NOZAWA, Tatsuya NAMIKIRI
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Publication number: 20150100216Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling the speed of a host vehicle during an on-ramp merging situation. One method includes identifying a position of an upcoming on-ramp merging with a lane where the host vehicle is currently traveling based on lane markings identified in an image captured by a forward-facing image sensor mounted on the host vehicle, detecting a merging vehicle on the upcoming on-ramp, and determining a speed of the merging vehicle. The method also includes automatically, at a control unit, adjusting a speed of the host vehicle based on the speed of the merging vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2013Publication date: April 9, 2015Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Freddy Rayes
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Patent number: 9002609Abstract: A vehicle brake control system includes a regenerative braking control component, a frictional braking control component, a calculating component and a controlling component. The regenerative braking control component controls a regenerative braking device to provide a regenerative braking torque. The frictional braking control component controls a frictional braking device to provide a frictional braking torque. The calculating component calculates a regenerative braking torque filter processing value based on a fluctuation frequency of the regenerative braking torque. The controlling component, during a first condition, operates a motorized power assist control device based on the regenerative braking torque filter processing value, instead of the regenerative braking torque, to moderate the frictional braking torque, such that the regenerative braking torque and the moderated frictional braking torque provide a target braking torque based on a braking operation.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2011Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kensuke Nakamura, Noriaki Fujiki, Keigo Ajiro
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Patent number: 9002614Abstract: An inter-vehicle distance control device is provided. In this control device, an inter-vehicle distance detecting section detects an inter-vehicle distance between an own vehicle and a preceding vehicle traveling in front of the own vehicle. A laterally adjacent vehicle detecting section detects another vehicle present beside the own vehicle. A cut-in detecting section judges whether or not a cut-in by the other vehicle detected by the laterally adjacent vehicle detecting section is likely to occur, before the other vehicle cuts in between the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle. An inter-vehicle distance adjusting section performs an inter-vehicle distance extension adjustment to increase the inter-vehicle distance when the cut-in detecting section judges that a cut-in is likely to occur. An inter-vehicle distance control section controls the inter-vehicle distance based on information from the inter-vehicle distance adjusting section.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2013Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.Inventors: Motonori Tominaga, Tomohiko Tsuruta, Yusuke Ueda, Takeshi Hatoh
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Patent number: 8995723Abstract: A computerized system mountable on a moving vehicle. The computerized system includes a camera. The camera captures in real time image frames of the environment in the field of view of the camera and transfers the image frames to an image processor. The image processor is programmed for performing traffic sign recognition and for performing another driver assistance function. Information is exchanged between the traffic sign recognition and the other driver assistance function.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2011Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Mobileye Vision Technologies Ltd.Inventors: Gideon P. Stein, Ori Shachar, Yoav Taieb, Uri Wolfovitz
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Patent number: 8996294Abstract: An inter-vehicle distance maintenance supporting system for a host vehicle can include an obstacle detector that detects the obstacle present ahead of the host vehicle, an inter-vehicle distance detector that detects the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and the obstacle, a confidence factor computing device that computes the confidence factor for taking the obstacle as a preceding vehicle ahead of the host vehicle based on the state of the obstacle detected by the obstacle detector, a confidence factor correcting part that corrects the confidence factor based on the relative-position relationship between the host vehicle and the obstacle, and a reaction force controller that applies a reaction force on the accelerator pedal based on the inter-vehicle distance and the confidence factor.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2008Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazunori Kurata, Nariaki Etori
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Patent number: 8996273Abstract: An anticipatory cruise control configured to automatically adjust travel speed responsively to upcoming changes in road conditions in a safe and comfortable manner.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Jin-Woo Lee, Shilpa Prabhuswamy
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Patent number: 8996274Abstract: Vehicle control includes: acquiring running information of a preceding vehicle that runs ahead of a host vehicle; controlling a running state of the host vehicle on the basis of the acquired running information; acquiring deceleration jerk information of the preceding vehicle; and changing a deceleration start timing, at which the host vehicle is decelerated in response to deceleration of the preceding vehicle, on the basis of the deceleration jerk information of the preceding vehicle. Alternatively, vehicle control includes: acquiring deceleration jerk information of a preceding vehicle that runs ahead of a host vehicle; and changing an inter-vehicle time or inter-vehicle distance between the preceding vehicle and the host vehicle on the basis of the deceleration jerk information of the preceding vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2011Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Mitsuhisa Shida
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Patent number: 8996276Abstract: When a stereo image recognition device detects a vehicle ahead, a driving support apparatus extracts the vehicle ahead as a vehicle against which control should be performed, and performs driving support control based upon the information from the stereo image recognition device. When the stereo image recognition device does not detect the vehicle ahead, the driving support apparatus sets either one of the distance from the driving lane on which the vehicle travels and a start point of a curve ahead according to the configuration of the road ahead and a detection limit distance of the information of the vehicle ahead by the stereo image recognition device (front recognition device) as a threshold value IVC_L. When the vehicle ahead is present distant by more than the threshold value IVC_L, the driving support apparatus performs driving support control based upon the information by the inter-vehicle communication from a communication device.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2010Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Atsuyoshi Takazawa, Norimasa Kaneko
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Patent number: 8996272Abstract: Provided is a cruise control system and method. A vehicle cruise control system collects state information of components inside and outside a vehicle, state information of a road on which the vehicle is provided, and drive pattern information of a driver of the vehicle, analyzes a mileage amount and an exhaust gas emission amount of the vehicle based on the collected state information of the components, the road state information, and the drive pattern information, calculates a cruise control speed based on the analysis result, and controls the vehicle to run at the cruise control speed.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2009Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research InstituteInventors: Do Hyun Kim, Jungsook Kim, Jae Han Lim, Kyeong Tae Kim, Byung Tae Jang, Jeong Dan Choi, Jaejun Yoo, Kyung Bok Sung, Jeong Ah Jang
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Patent number: 8996275Abstract: A first travel controller of a control device for a vehicle sets a first target drive force based on preceding vehicle information to control a power source when a follow-up system is in an active state. A second travel controller sets a second target drive force based on a driver's operation to control the power source when the follow-up system is in an inactive state. A third travel controller sets a third target drive force that changes from the first target drive force toward to the second target drive force to control the power source when the follow-up system is switched from the active state to the inactive state. The third travel controller makes a difference between a change rate of the third target drive force set after the cancel operation and a change rate of the third target drive force set after the brake operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2014Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Akihiro Nabeshima
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Publication number: 20150081189Abstract: A method of cruise control whereby a following vehicle can be caused to travel at a target speed, subject to maintaining a pre-determined distance from a leading vehicle in substantially straight travel, the method comprising: determining by means of measuring means a separation distance of the leading vehicle and following vehicle and maintaining the pre-determined separation distance from the leading vehicle; determining by means of deviation detection means a deviation of the leading vehicle from a substantially straight path and an instant location of the deviation; and preventing automatic acceleration of the following vehicle until reaching said instant location in dependence on the detection of a deviation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2013Publication date: March 19, 2015Inventors: Andrew Fairgrieve, James Kelly
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Patent number: 8982935Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided. The apparatus receives a first message from a first wireless communication device and a second message from a second wireless communication device, obtains information associated with a first processing delay with respect to the first message and a second processing delay with respect to the second message, and transmits a third message comprising an indication of the information associated with the first and second processing delays.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2013Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Sundar Subramanian, Venkatesan Nallampatti Ekambaram, Xinzhou Wu
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Patent number: 8983751Abstract: Provided are a control system and method for stopping a vehicle, which reduce jerk when a vehicle controlled by an SCC system is stopped by the SCC system without a driver's manipulation. A desired target stop distance between a controlled vehicle and a front vehicle is set. Proposed is a formula for calculating a target acceleration in which a jerk is not caused when the target stop distance is maintained and then the controlled vehicle stops. By controlling the stop of the controlled vehicle according to the acceleration that has been calculated with the formula, the controlled vehicle is stopped without the occurrence of a jerk.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2013Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jun Ho Ham
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Patent number: 8981964Abstract: In this driving supporting device, the light color change cycle of a prediction object traffic signal is acquired on the basis of the light color change cycle of a prediction basis traffic signal installed before the prediction object traffic signal, and the light color state of the prediction object traffic signal when the vehicle arrives at the prediction object traffic signal is predicted on the basis of the light color state of the prediction basis traffic signal and the light color change cycle of the prediction object traffic signal. Thus, since the light color change cycle of the prediction object traffic signal is acquired on the basis of the light color change cycle of the prediction basis traffic signal, it becomes possible to predict a light color state even in the case of a traffic signal which cannot transmit information indicating its light color change cycle.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2009Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takeshi Matsumura
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Patent number: 8983706Abstract: The application relates to a device and a method for increasing the safety of a motor vehicle. A first sensor unit (2) senses the surroundings, in particular in order to detect free spaces and objects (0), and the position and movement thereof. A second sensor unit (20) senses the state of the surroundings, a third sensor unit (30) senses the state of the vehicle, and a fourth sensor unit (40) senses the driver's commands. The data are merged and a driving safety coordinator (6) determines at least one reliable driving corridor (K1, K2, K3, K4 to Kn) predictively and situationally in order to determine the operational safety. The driver's command can be limited to the driving corridor (K1, K2, K3, K4 to Kn) by means of components (9) which can be actuated actively and/or the motor vehicle (1) can be kept in the driving corridor (K1, K2, K3, K4 to Kn) by means of the components (9) which can be actuated actively.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHGInventors: Bernd Hartmann, Peter Lauer, Thomas Raste