Method of Adaptive Cruise Control, Adaptive Cruise Control System and Vehicle Incorporating Such a System
First Claim
1. 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:
- transmitting a signal from the following vehicle to the leading vehicle;
receiving at the following vehicle a reflection of said signal from the leading vehicle;
determining from said reflection via a measuring apparatus, a separation distance of the leading vehicle and following vehicle and maintaining the pre-determined separation distance from the leading vehicle;
determining from said reflection via a deviation detection apparatus, 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.
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Accused Products
Abstract
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.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. 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:
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transmitting a signal from the following vehicle to the leading vehicle; receiving at the following vehicle a reflection of said signal from the leading vehicle; determining from said reflection via a measuring apparatus, a separation distance of the leading vehicle and following vehicle and maintaining the pre-determined separation distance from the leading vehicle; determining from said reflection via a deviation detection apparatus, 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 18)
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4. (canceled)
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6. (canceled)
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9-10. -10. (canceled)
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13. (canceled)
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16-17. -17. (canceled)
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19-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A cruise control system operable to cause a following vehicle to travel at a target speed subject to maintaining a pre-determined distance from a leading vehicle in substantially straight travel, the system comprising:
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a transmitter that transmits a signal from the following vehicle to the leading vehicle; a receiver that receives at the following vehicle a reflection of said signal from the leading vehicle; measuring apparatus for determining, from said reflection, a separation distance of the leading vehicle and following vehicle, the system being operable to cause the following vehicle to maintain the pre-determined separation distance from the leading vehicle; and deviation detection apparatus for detecting, from said reflection, a deviation of the leading vehicle from a substantially straight path and an instant location of the deviation, the system being operable to prevent automatic acceleration of the following vehicle until reaching said instant location in dependence on the detection of a deviation. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31)
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25. (canceled)
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29. (canceled)
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32. (canceled)
Specification