IP Library Granted Patent US 8,712,674
Granted Patent B2
US 8,712,674 · App. 12/339,149 · Granted Apr 29, 2014

Vehicle running control system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,712,674
App. No.
12/339,149
Granted
Apr 29, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

At least a follow-up target inter-vehicle distance is set on the basis of information about a preceding vehicle recognized by a forward-environment recognition device mounted in a subject vehicle and including a stereo camera, and it is determined whether or not the preceding vehicle is making a right/left turn. When a right/left turn of the preceding vehicle is detected, the follow-up target inter-vehicle distance is multiplied by a correction coefficient so as to set a different follow-up target inter-vehicle distance for the right/left turn.

Claims (14)

1. A vehicle running control system comprising:

front-environment recognition means mounted in a subject vehicle, the front-environment recognition means recognizing at least a preceding vehicle, and an inter-vehicle distance between the preceding vehicle and the subject vehicle;

right/left turn judging means for judging a right or left turn of the preceding vehicle on the basis of information about the preceding vehicle recognized by the front-environment recognition means; and

target inter-vehicle distance setting means for setting a target inter-vehicle distance between the subject vehicle and the preceding vehicle on the basis of one of a vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle calculated from the information about the preceding vehicle recognized by the front-environment recognition means and a speed of the subject vehicle, wherein

the target inter-vehicle distance is a target distance established for comparison with the recognized inter-vehicle distance,

the target inter-vehicle distance includes a first target inter-vehicle distance set when the right/left turn judging means determines that the preceding vehicle is making a right or left turn, and a second target inter-vehicle distance set when the preceding vehicle is traveling straight ahead, and

the first target inter-vehicle distance is shorter than the second target inter-vehicle distance.

2. The vehicle running control system according to claim 1 , wherein, when the right/left turn judging means determines that the preceding vehicle is making the right or left turn, the target inter-vehicle distance setting means sets the first target inter-vehicle distance by correcting the second target inter-vehicle distance.

3. The vehicle running control system according to claim 2 , wherein

a time taken until an inter-vehicle distance between the preceding vehicle and the subject vehicle becomes zero is estimated based on the recognized inter-vehicle distance,

a correction value for correcting the second target inter-vehicle distance is set on the basis of the sum of the estimated time and an allowance time, and

the first target inter-vehicle distance is set by multiplying the second target inter-vehicle distance by the correction value.

4. The vehicle running control system according to claim 2 , wherein a time taken until the preceding vehicle moves out of a traveling lane in front of the subject vehicle is estimated, and a correction value for correcting the second target inter-vehicle distance is set on the basis of the estimated time.

5. The vehicle running control system according to claim 2 , wherein a width of the subject vehicle and a lap ratio in a lateral direction of the preceding vehicle with respect to the width of the subject vehicle are calculated, a time taken until the lap ratio becomes zero is estimated, and a correction value for correcting the second target inter-vehicle distance is set on the basis of the estimated time.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 12, 2017
From: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
To: SUBARU CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 042624/0886 →
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Oct 15, 2014
From: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
To: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 033989/0220 →