Drive control system for automotive vehicle
First Claim
1. A drive control system for a subject vehicle for performing a speed control for controlling the subject vehicle so that the subject vehicle travels at a desired cruising speed and a distance control for controlling the subject vehicle so that the subject vehicle travels at a desired safe distance from a preceding object vehicle, said drive control system comprising:
- (a) a range finder which detects a distance between the subject vehicle and a preceding object vehicle running ahead and within sight of the range finder, and(b) control means for estimating an estimated speed of said preceding object vehicle after said range finder loses sight of the preceding object vehicle during said distance control corresponding to at least one actual driving condition of said preceding object vehicle before said range finder loses sight of said preceding object vehicle and a target cruising speed which the subject vehicle ought to attain according to the estimated speed of said preceding object vehicle, and controlling the subject vehicle so that it travels at said target cruising speed by causing said drive control system to perform said speed control.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle drive control system performs a speed control, in which the vehicle is controlled to travel at a desired cruising speed, and a distance control, in which the vehicle is controlled to keep a safe distance from a vehicle ahead of the vehicle with the drive control. The system is equipped with a feature in which a speed of the preceding vehicle is estimated when a range finder, which monitors a distance from the preceding vehicle, loses sight of the preceding vehicle during the distance control so as to establish a target cruising speed which the subject vehicle ought to attain according to the estimated speed of the preceding vehicle.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A drive control system for a subject vehicle for performing a speed control for controlling the subject vehicle so that the subject vehicle travels at a desired cruising speed and a distance control for controlling the subject vehicle so that the subject vehicle travels at a desired safe distance from a preceding object vehicle, said drive control system comprising:
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(a) a range finder which detects a distance between the subject vehicle and a preceding object vehicle running ahead and within sight of the range finder, and (b) control means for estimating an estimated speed of said preceding object vehicle after said range finder loses sight of the preceding object vehicle during said distance control corresponding to at least one actual driving condition of said preceding object vehicle before said range finder loses sight of said preceding object vehicle and a target cruising speed which the subject vehicle ought to attain according to the estimated speed of said preceding object vehicle, and controlling the subject vehicle so that it travels at said target cruising speed by causing said drive control system to perform said speed control. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A drive control system for a subject vehicle for performing a speed control for controlling the subject vehicle so that the subject vehicle travels at a desired cruising speed and a distance control for controlling the subject vehicle so that the subject vehicle travels at a desired safe distance from a preceding object vehicle, said drive control system comprising:
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(a) a range finder which detects a distance between the subject vehicle and the preceding object vehicle running ahead and within sight of the range finder; and (b) a control system for (1) detecting an actual relative speed between said subject vehicle and said preceding object vehicle, before said range finder loses sight of said preceding object vehicle, (2) establishing a target cruising speed which the subject vehicle ought to attain based on said relative speed when said range finder loses sight of the preceding object vehicle during said distance control, and (3) controlling the subject vehicle so that it travels at said target cruising speed by causing said drive control system to perform said speed control. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification