Method for actuating a traffic-adaptive assistance system which is located in a vehicle

1. A method for controlling a traffic-adaptive assistance system in a host vehicle based on at least one of speed-related and distance-related variables of the host vehicle and of a preceding vehicle; said method comprising:

using said at least one of speed-related and distance related variables to control acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle;

wherein, if one of an actual time interval and an actual distance between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle is greater than a predefinable respective lower limiting value and smaller than a predefinable upper limiting value the assistance system a controlled without reference to a target time interval.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the upper limiting value and the lower limiting value is predefinable as a constant.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the lower limiting value is predefinable as a function of at least one of speed of the host vehicle and speed of at least one further vehicle.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the upper limiting value is predefinable as a function of at least one of speed of the host vehicle and speed of at least one further vehicle.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4 , wherein at least one of the lower limiting value and the upper limiting value is predefinable as a function of a type of traffic state phase prevailing at the position of the host vehicle.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5 , wherein at least one of the lower and upper limiting values is predefinable as a function of chronological/spatial distribution of traffic in an area surrounding the host vehicle.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the assistance system is actuated using only a relative speed of the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7 , wherein, if the actual time interval or the actual distance between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle is smaller than the lower limiting value, the assistance system decelerates the vehicle.

9. The method as claimed in claim 7 , wherein, if the actual time interval or the actual distance between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle is greater than the upper limiting value, the assistance system accelerates the vehicle.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the assistance system is additionally controlled in response to distance from at least one further vehicle.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the assistance system is additionally controlled in response to speed of at least one further vehicle.

12. A computer program product comprising, on computer-readable medium, a program for carrying out the method as claimed in claim 1 , when the program product is run on a computer.

13. A method of operating a traffic-adaptive automotive cruise control system in a host vehicle, said method comprising:

controlling acceleration and deceleration of the host vehicle based on at least one of speed and distance related variables that characterize a relationship of the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle, said speed and distance related variables including at least one of a target time interval and a target distance interval between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle; and

suppressing application of said time or distance interval for controlling said acceleration and deceleration when one of an actual distance and an actual time interval between the host vehicle and the preceding interval is within predefinable upper and lower limits.

14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein said speed and distance related variables include a differential speed of the host vehicle relative to the preceding vehicle.

15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein, in said controlling step:

if the actual time or distance interval between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle is less than the predefinable lower limit the host vehicle is decelerated based on said at least one of a target time interval and a target distance interval; and

if the actual time or distance interval exceeds the predefinable upper limit, the host vehicle is accelerated based on said at least one of a target time interval and a target distance interval.

16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein at least one of said upper limit and said lower limit is predefinable as a function of host vehicle speed.