Method for the open-loop and closed-loop control of traffic flow

• US 8,583,341 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2009
• Issued: 11/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Sthlin, Ulrich, Swoboda, Adam, Grotendorst, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): ALHARBI, ADAM MOHAMED
• Application Number:
  US12/867,089
• Publication Number:
  US 20110022247A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,735 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 701/75
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/65 Data transmitted between vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/12 Lane keeping
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/16 Control of distance between vehicles, e.g. keeping a distance to preceding vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096725 where the received information generates an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096741 where the source of the transmitted information selects which information to transmit to each vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096775 where the origin of the information is a central station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096783 where the origin of the information is a roadside individual element
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection

Abstract

A method for the open-loop and closed-loop control of traffic flow by means of the automatic takeover of the longitudinal control a vehicle by a driver assistance system. First, the method detects the occurrence of a special situation. Then, a driver assistance system automatically takes over the longitudinal control of the vehicle. When the special situation ends, the driver regains the control over the vehicle, which he had before the activation of the driver assistance system.

Claims

1. A method for the open-loop and closed-loop control of traffic flow by way of the automatic takeover of at least one of a longitudinal and a lateral control of a vehicle by a driver assistance system in the vehicle, comprising:

detecting an occurrence of a special situation when the driver assistance system is deactivated and the at least one of the longitudinal and the lateral control is being manually controlled by a driver of the vehicle;

automatically activating the driver assistance system to take over the at least one of the longitudinal and the lateral control of the vehicle in response to detecting the occurrence of the special condition; and

automatically deactivating the driver assisatance system in response to detecting that the special situation has ended such that the driver regains the manual control over the at least one of the longitudinal and the lateral control of the vehicle.

2. The method as claimed according to claim 1, wherein the special situations are determined from digital map information and/or dynamic information and/or surroundings sensors and/or car-to-X communication and/or a mobile radio communication link.

3. The method as claimed according to claim 2, wherein a mobile radio communication link is implemented by means of 2G and/or 2.5G and/or 3G and/or 4G mobile radio networks.

4. The method as claimed according to claim 1, wherein detecting the occurrence of a special situation and activating the driver assistance system are carried out by means of a traffic light phase assistant.

5. The method as claimed according to claim 1, wherein detecting the occurrence of a special situation and activating the driver assistance system are carried out by means of an overtaking assistant.

6. The method as claimed according to claim 1, wherein detecting the occurrence of a special situation and activating the driver assistance system are carried out by means of a roadworks assistant.