Devices, systems and methods for prohibition of acceleration for cooperative speed control system

• US 7,653,472 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2005
• Issued: 01/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America Incorporated (Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kawazoe, Hiroshi, Tsuda, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Black; Thomas G
• Assistant Examiner(s): LOUIE, WAE LENNY
• Application Number:
  US11/140,253
• Publication Number:
  US 20060271265A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,701 Days
• Field of Search: 701/48, 701/93, 701/96, 180/169, 180/170, 180/179
• US Class Current: 701/93
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2555/20 Ambient conditions, e.g. wind or rain
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2555/60 Traffic rules, e.g. speed limits or right of way
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/146 Speed limiting

Abstract

A device for automatically controlling vehicle speed, including a processor. In one embodiment, the processor includes logic to automatically determine whether a first local required speed is greater than a second local required speed, and only if the first local required speed is greater than the second local required speed, automatically initiate output of a signal to a vehicle speed controller to change vehicle speed to a new set vehicle speed. In another embodiment, the processor includes logic to automatically determine a new set vehicle speed based at least on a change in local required speed and a current set vehicle speed, and only if the current set vehicle speed is greater than the determined new set vehicle speed, automatically initiate output of a signal to a vehicle speed controller to change vehicle speed to the determined new set vehicle speed.

Claims

1. A device adapted to automatically control vehicle speed, comprising:

a processor adapted to receive at least a first signal indicative of a first local required speed for a first portion of a roadway system and a second signal indicative of a second local required speed for a second portion of the roadway system different from the first portion of the roadway system received after the first signal;

wherein the processor includes logic to;

automatically determine whether the first local required speed is greater than the second local required speed;

and

only if the first local required speed is at least one of (i) greater than or (ii) equal to the second local required speed, automatically initiate output of a signal to a vehicle speed controller to change vehicle speed to a new set vehicle speed.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the processor includes logic to output a signal to activate an indicator to indicate information to a driver that the second local required speed is greater than the first local required speed.

3. A vehicle, comprising:

a body, and

a device according to claim 1.

4. A device adapted to automatically control vehicle speed, comprising:

a processor adapted to receive at least a first signal indicative of a first local required speed and a second signal indicative of a second local required speed received after the first signal;

wherein the processor includes logic to;

automatically determine whether the first local required speed is greater than the second local required speed;

and

only if the first local required speed is at least one of (i) greater than or (ii) equal to the second local required speed, automatically initiate output of a signal to a vehicle speed controller to change vehicle speed to a new set vehicle speed,

wherein the processor is adapted to receive a third signal indicative of a value of a current set vehicle speed, and wherein the processor further includes logic to automatically determine the new set vehicle speed based at least on the first local required speed, the second local required speed, and the current set vehicle speed.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the first local required speed is for a first portion of a roadway system and the second local required speed is for a second portion of the roadway system different from the first portion of the roadway system.

6. A device adapted to automatically control vehicle speed, comprising:

a processor adapted to receive at least a first signal indicative of a current set vehicle speed and a second signal indicative of a change in local required speed;

wherein the processor includes logic to;

automatically determine a new set vehicle speed based at least on the change in local required speed and the current set vehicle speed; and

only if the current set vehicle speed is at least one of (i) greater than or (ii) equal to the determined new set vehicle speed, automatically initiate output of a signal to a vehicle speed controller to change vehicle speed to the determined new set vehicle speed.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the processor includes logic to output a signal to activate an indicator to indicate information to a driver that the determined new set vehicle speed is greater than the current set vehicle speed.

8. A vehicle, comprising:

a body, and

a device according to claim 6.

9. The device according to claim 6, wherein the change in local required speed is determined based on a comparison of information contained in at least a signal indicative of a first local required speed for a first portion of a roadway system received by the processor and a signal indicative of a second local required speed for a second portion of the roadway system different from the first portion of the roadway system received by the processor after the first signal.

10. A device adapted to automatically control vehicle speed, comprising:

a processor adapted to receive at least a first signal indicative of a first local required speed for a first portion of a roadway system, a second signal indicative of a second local required speed for a second portion of the roadway system different from the first portion of the roadway system received after the first signal, and a third signal indicative of a value of a current set vehicle speed;

wherein the processor includes logic to;

automatically determine a new set vehicle speed based at least on the first local required speed, the second local required speed, and the current set vehicle speed;

automatically initiate output of a signal to a vehicle speed controller to change vehicle speed to the new set vehicle speed; and

output a signal to activate an indicator to indicate information to a driver indicative of at least one of (i) that the second local required speed is greater than the first local required speed and (ii) that the determined new set vehicle speed is greater than the current set vehicle speed.

11. A device adapted to automatically control vehicle speed, comprising:

a processor adapted to receive input indicative of a current state of environment around a vehicle and automatically output a signal to control a vehicle speed controller to at least automatically increase vehicle speed to a determined new set vehicle speed in response to a change in local required speed determined based on a comparison of information contained in at least a signal indicative of a first local required speed for a first portion of a roadway system received by the processor and a signal indicative of a second local required speed for a second portion of the roadway system different from the first portion of the roadway system received by the processor after the first signal, wherein the processor includes logic to;

automatically analyze the input to determine a current state of environment around the vehicle; and

if the determined current state of the environment around the vehicle is indicative of at least one predetermined environment, automatically prohibit the vehicle speed controller from increasing vehicle speed.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the processor includes logic to:

automatically analyze the input and determine that the input is indicative of a current state of environment around the vehicle such that there is an increased chance of a need to reduce vehicle speed; and

only if the determined current state of the environment around the vehicle is such that there is an increased chance of a need to reduce vehicle speed, automatically prohibit an increase in vehicle speed to the determined new set vehicle speed.

13. The device according to claim 11, wherein the processor includes logic to:

automatically analyze the input and determine that the input is indicative of a current state of environment around the vehicle that includes at least one of;

(a) the vehicle is driving around a corner,

(b) the vehicle is approaching a corner,

(c) the vehicle is passing through an intersection,

(d) the vehicle is approaching an intersection,

(e) the vehicle is approaching or on an on-ramp,

(f) the vehicle is approaching or on an off-ramp,

(g) the vehicle is driving on a congested road,

(h) the vehicle is approaching a work zone,

(i) the vehicle is driving in a work zone,

(j) the vehicle is approaching a traffic light, and

(k) the vehicle is driving in a residential area; and

only if the determined current state of the environment around the vehicle is indicative of at least one predetermined environment that includes at least one of;

(aa) the vehicle is driving around a corner,

(bb) the vehicle is approaching a corner,

(cc) the vehicle is passing through an intersection,

(dd) the vehicle is approaching an intersection,

(ee) the vehicle is approaching or on an on-ramp,

(ff) the vehicle is approaching or on an off-ramp,

(gg) the vehicle is driving on a congested road,

(hh) the vehicle is approaching a work zone,

(ii) the vehicle is driving in a work zone,

(jj) the vehicle is approaching a traffic light, and

(kk) the vehicle is driving in a residential area, automatically prohibit an increase in vehicle speed to the determined new set vehicle speed.

14. The device according to claim 11, wherein the processor includes logic to:

automatically analyze the input and determine that the input is indicative of a current state of environment around the vehicle such that there is an increased chance of reduced driver control of the vehicle; and

only if the determined current state of the environment around the vehicle is such that there is an increased chance of reduced driver control of the vehicle, automatically prohibit an increase in vehicle speed to the determined new set vehicle speed.

15. The device according to claim 11, wherein the processor includes logic to:

automatically analyze the input and determine that the input is indicative of a current state of environment around the vehicle that includes at least one of;

(a) the vehicle is driving on a surface with a low coefficient of friction,

(b) the vehicle is driving in rain,

(c) the vehicle is driving in snow,

(d) the vehicle is driving in icy conditions, and

(e) the vehicle is driving in low visibility conditions; and

only if the determined current state of the environment around the vehicle is indicative of at least one predetermined environment that includes at least one of;

(aa) the vehicle is driving on a surface with a low coefficient of friction,

(bb) the vehicle is driving in rain,

(cc) the vehicle is driving in snow,

(dd) the vehicle is driving in icy conditions, and

(ee) the vehicle is driving in low visibility conditions, automatically prohibit an increase in vehicle speed to the determined new set vehicle speed.

16. A device adapted to automatically control vehicle speed, comprising:

a processor adapted to receive at least a first signal indicative of a first local required speed for a first portion of a roadway system, a second signal indicative of a second local required speed for a second portion of the roadway system different from the first portion of the roadway system received after the first signal, a third signal indicative of a value of a current set vehicle speed and an input indicative of a current state of environment around the vehicle;

wherein the processor includes logic to;

automatically determine a new set vehicle speed based at least on the first local required speed, the second local required speed, and the current set vehicle speed;

automatically determine at least one of (i) whether the first local required speed is less than the second local required speed and (ii) whether the current set vehicle speed is less than the determined new set vehicle speed;

automatically analyze the input to determine the current state of environment around the vehicle; and

if the determined current state of the environment around the vehicle is indicative of at least one predetermined environment, and if (i) the first local required speed is less than the second local required speed or (ii) the current set vehicle speed is less than the new set vehicle speed, automatically prohibit a vehicle speed controller from changing a vehicle speed to the determined new set vehicle speed.

17. A device adapted to automatically control vehicle speed, comprising:

a processor adapted to receive input indicative of a current state of environment around the vehicle and automatically output a signal to control a vehicle speed controller to at least automatically increase vehicle speed to a determined new set vehicle speed in response to a change in local required speed determined based on a comparison of information contained in at least a signal indicative of a first local required speed for a first portion of a roadway system received by the processor and a signal indicative of a second local required speed for a second portion of the roadway system different from the first portion of the roadway system received by the processor after the first signal, wherein the processor includes logic to;

automatically analyze the input to determine a current state of environment around the vehicle; and

only if the current state of the environment around the vehicle is indicative of at least one predetermined environment, automatically initiate output of a signal to the vehicle speed controller to change vehicle speed to the new set vehicle speed.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein the processor includes logic to:

automatically analyze the input and determine that the input is indicative of a current state of environment around the vehicle such that there is at least one of a reduced chance and a normal chance of a need to reduce vehicle speed; and

only if the determined current state of the environment around the vehicle is such that there is at least one of a reduced chance and a normal chance of a need to reduce vehicle speed, automatically initiate output of a signal to the vehicle speed controller to change vehicle speed to the determined new set vehicle speed.

19. The device according to claim 17, wherein the processor includes logic to:

automatically analyze the input and determine that the input is indicative of a current state of environment around the vehicle that includes at least one of;

(a) the vehicle is driving on a straight segment of road; and

(b) the vehicle is driving on a non-congested road; and

only if the determined current state of the environment around the vehicle is indicative of at least one predetermined environment that includes at least one of;

(aa) the vehicle is driving on a straight segment of road; and

(bb) the vehicle is driving on a non-congested road, automatically initiate output of a signal to the vehicle speed controller to change vehicle speed to the determined new set vehicle speed.

20. The device according to claim 17, wherein the processor includes logic to:

automatically analyze the input and determine that the input is indicative of a current state of environment around the vehicle such that there is at least one of a reduced chance and a normal chance of reduced driver control of the vehicle; and

only if the determined current state of the environment around the vehicle is such that there is at least one of a reduced chance and a normal chance of reduced driver control of the vehicle, automatically initiate output of a signal to the vehicle speed controller to change vehicle speed to the determined new set vehicle speed.

21. The device according to claim 17, wherein the processor includes logic to:

automatically analyze the input and determine that the input is indicative of a current state of environment around the vehicle that includes at least one of;

(a) the vehicle is driving on a surface with a normal coefficient of friction,

(b) the vehicle is driving in clear conditions,

(c) the vehicle is driving in above-freezing conditions,

(d) the vehicle is driving in normal visibility conditions; and

only if the determined current state of the environment around the vehicle is indicative of at least one predetermined environment that includes at least one of;

(aa) the vehicle is driving on a surface with a normal coefficient of friction,

(bb) the vehicle is driving in clear conditions,

(cc) the vehicle is driving in above-freezing conditions,

(dd) the vehicle is driving in normal visibility conditions, automatically initiate output of a signal to the vehicle speed controller to change vehicle speed to the determined new set vehicle speed.

22. A device adapted to automatically control vehicle speed, comprising:

a processor adapted to receive at least a first signal indicative of a first local required speed for a first portion of a roadway system, a second signal indicative of a second local required speed for a second portion of the roadway system different from the first portion of the roadway system received after the first signal, a third signal indicative of a value of a current set vehicle speed and an input indicative of a current state of environment around the vehicle;

wherein the processor includes logic to;

automatically determine a new set vehicle speed based at least on the first local required speed, the second local required speed, and the current set vehicle speed;

automatically determine at least one of (i) whether the first local required speed is less than the second local required speed and (ii) whether the current set vehicle speed is less than the determined new set vehicle speed; and

if

(A) the current state of the environment around the vehicle is indicative of at least one predetermined environment and at least one of (iii) the first local required speed is less than the second local required speed and (iv) the current set vehicle speed is less than the determined new set vehicle speed;

or

(B) at least one of (v) the first local required speed is greater than or equal to the second local required speed and (vi) the current set vehicle speed is greater than or equal to the determined new set vehicle speed,

automatically initiate output of a signal to a vehicle speed controller to change vehicle speed to the new set vehicle speed.

23. A device adapted to automatically control vehicle speed, comprising:

a processor adapted to receive input indicative of a current state of a driver of the vehicle and automatically output a signal to control a vehicle speed controller to at least automatically increase vehicle speed to a determined new set vehicle speed in response to a change in local required speed determined based on a comparison of information contained in at least a signal indicative of a first local required speed for a first portion of a roadway system received by the processor and a signal indicative of a second local required speed for a second portion of the roadway system different from the first portion of the roadway system received by the processor after the first signal, wherein the processor includes logic to;

determine whether the current state of a driver meets at least one predetermined requirement, and

if the current state of a driver of the vehicle meets at least one predetermined requirement, automatically prohibit the vehicle speed controller from increasing vehicle speed.

24. The device according to claim 23, wherein the processor includes logic to:

automatically analyze the input and determine that the input is indicative of a current state of a driver of the vehicle such that there is an increased chance of diminished driver reaction time; and

only if the determined current state of the driver of the vehicle is such that there is an increased chance of diminished driver reaction time, automatically prohibit an increase in vehicle speed to the determined new set vehicle speed.

25. The device according to claim 23, wherein the processor includes logic to:

automatically analyze the input and determine that the input is indicative of a current state of the driver of the vehicle that includes at least one of;

(a) the driver is drowsy,

(b) the driver is distracted,

(c) the driver is inattentive,

(d) the driver is looking away from a direction ahead of the vehicle, and

(e) the driver is multitasking; and

only if the determined current state of the driver of the vehicle is indicative of at least one predetermined state that includes at least one of;

(aa) the driver is drowsy,

(bb) the driver is distracted,

(cc) the driver is inattentive,

(dd) the driver is looking away from a direction ahead of the vehicle, and

(ee) the driver is multitasking, automatically prohibit an increase in vehicle speed to the determined new set vehicle speed.

26. A device adapted to automatically control vehicle speed, comprising:

a processor adapted to receive at least a first signal indicative of a first local required speed for a first portion of a roadway system, a second signal indicative of a second local required speed for a second portion of the roadway system different from the first portion of the roadway system received after the first signal, a third signal indicative of a value of a current set vehicle speed and an input indicative of a current state of a driver of the vehicle;

wherein the processor includes logic to;

automatically determine a new set vehicle speed based at least on the first local required speed, the second local required speed, and the current set vehicle speed;

automatically determine at least one of (i) whether the first local required speed is less than the second local required speed and (ii) whether the current set vehicle speed is less than the determined new set vehicle speed; and

if the current state of a driver of the vehicle meets at least one predetermined requirement, and if (i) the first local required speed is less than the second local required speed or (ii) the current set vehicle speed is less than the new set vehicle speed, automatically prohibit a vehicle speed controller from changing a vehicle speed to the determined new set vehicle speed.

27. A device adapted to automatically control vehicle speed, comprising:

a processor adapted to receive input indicative of a current state of a driver of the vehicle and automatically output a signal to control a vehicle speed controller to at least automatically increase vehicle speed to a determined new set vehicle speed in response to a change in local required speed determined based on a comparison of information contained in at least a signal indicative of a first local required speed for a first portion of a roadway system received by the processor and a signal indicative of a second local required speed for a second portion of the roadway system different from the first portion of the roadway system received by the processor after the first signal, wherein the processor includes logic to;

determine whether the current state of a driver meets at least one predetermined requirement, and

only if the current state of a driver of the vehicle meets at least one predetermined requirement, automatically initiate output of a signal to a vehicle speed controller to change vehicle speed to the new set vehicle speed.

28. The device according to claim 27, wherein the processor includes logic to:

automatically analyze the input and determine that the input is indicative of a current state of a driver of the vehicle such that there is at least one of a reduced chance and a normal chance of diminished driver reaction time; and

only if the determined current state of the driver of the vehicle is such that there is at least one of a reduced chance and a normal chance of diminished driver reaction time, automatically initiate output of a signal to a vehicle speed controller to change vehicle speed to the new set vehicle speed.

29. A device adapted to automatically control vehicle speed, comprising:

a processor adapted to receive at least a first signal indicative of a first local required speed for a first portion of a roadway system, a second signal indicative of a second local required speed for a second portion of the roadway system different from the first portion of the roadway system received after the first signal, a third signal indicative of a value of a current set vehicle speed and an input indicative of a current state of a driver of the vehicle;

wherein the processor includes logic to;

automatically determine a new set vehicle speed based at least on the first local required speed, the second local required speed, and the current set vehicle speed;

automatically determine at least one of (i) whether the first local required speed is less than the second local required speed and (ii) whether the current set vehicle speed is less than the determined new set vehicle speed; and

if;

(A) the current state of a driver of the vehicle meets at least one predetermined requirement and at least one of (iii) the first local required speed is less than the second local required speed and (iv) the current set vehicle speed is less than the determined new set vehicle speed;

or

(B) at least one of (v) the first local required speed is greater than or equal to the second local required speed and (vi) the current set vehicle speed is greater than or equal to the determined new set vehicle speed,

automatically initiate output of a signal to a vehicle speed controller to change vehicle speed to the new set vehicle speed.