Method of, and apparatus for, operating a vehicle
First Claim
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1. A method of operating a vehicle having a reverse gear, wherein the method comprises:
- determining, using a distance sensor, the distance between a part of the vehicle and an object and implementing a speed control procedure when the distance detected by the distance sensor of the part of the vehicle and the object falls below a predetermined value, characterized in that the method further comprises monitoring the engagement of the reverse gear and during a predetermined period of time immediately following detection of the disengagement of the reverse gear, determining using the distance sensor the distance between the part of the vehicle and the object and, when the determined distance falls below a predetermined value, implementing a speed control procedure.
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Abstract
A method of operating a vehicle wherein the method comprises using a distance sensor to determine the distance between a part of the vehicle and an object, and implementing a speed control procedure if the distance detected by the distance sensor falls below a predetermined value, characterized in that the method is implemented only while the vehicle is in reverse gear and for a period of time immediately following disengagement of the reverse gear.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of operating a vehicle having a reverse gear, wherein the method comprises:
- determining, using a distance sensor, the distance between a part of the vehicle and an object and implementing a speed control procedure when the distance detected by the distance sensor of the part of the vehicle and the object falls below a predetermined value, characterized in that the method further comprises monitoring the engagement of the reverse gear and during a predetermined period of time immediately following detection of the disengagement of the reverse gear, determining using the distance sensor the distance between the part of the vehicle and the object and, when the determined distance falls below a predetermined value, implementing a speed control procedure.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
- 6. A control apparatus for controlling a vehicle having a reverse gear, the apparatus including a distance sensor which when supplied with electrical power determines the distance between itself and an object, and which is connected to a controller, the controller being programmed to monitor the engagement of the reverse gear and, during a predetermined time following detection of disengagement of the reverse gear, to determine using the distance sensor the distance between the distance sensor and an object and when the distance determined by the distance sensor falls below a predetermined value, to implement a speed control procedure.
- 9. A vehicle having a reverse gear and comprising a control apparatus including a distance sensor which, when supplied with electrical power, determines the distance between itself and an object, and which is connected to a controller, the controller being programmed to monitor the engagement of the reverse gear and, during a predetermined time following detection of disengagement of the reverse gear, to determine using the distance sensor the distance between the distance sensor and an object and, when the distance detected by the distance sensor falls below a predetermined value, to implement a speed control procedure.
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12. A method of operating a vehicle wherein the method comprises:
monitoring the engagement of the reverse gear using a distance sensor to determine the distance between a part of the vehicle and an object when the vehicle is not in reverse gear and implementing a speed control procedure when the distance detected by the distance sensor falls below a predetermined value, characterised in that the method is implemented immediately following detection of the disengagement of the reverse gear until the speed of the vehicle falls below a predetermined level. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
- 17. A control apparatus for controlling a vehicle having a reverse gear, the apparatus including a distance sensor which, when supplied with electrical power, determines the distance between itself and an object, and which is connected to a controller, the controller being programmed to monitor engagement of the reverse gear and, after detection of disengagement of the reverse gear until the speed of the vehicle falls below a predetermined level, to use the distance sensor to determine the distance between the distance sensor and an object and, when the distance detected by the distance sensor falls below a predetermined value, to implement a speed control procedure.
- 20. A vehicle having a reverse gear and comprising a control apparatus including a distance sensor which, when supplied with electrical power, determines the distance between itself and an object and which is connected to a controller, the controller being programmed to monitor engagement of the reverse gear and, after detection of disengagement of the reverse gear until the speed of the vehicle falls below a predetermined level, to use the distance sensor to determine the distance between the distance sensor and an object and, when the distance detected by the distance sensor falls below a predetermined value, to implement a speed control procedure.
Specification