IP Library Granted Patent US 12,344,238
Granted Patent B2
US 12,344,238 · App. 18/043,065 · Granted Jul 1, 2025

Driving assistance method and driving assistance device

Inventors: Kibum Cho (Kanagawa, JP); Masahiro Kobayashi (Kanagawa, JP)
Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
B60W30/09B60W30/165B60W30/182B60W40/02G06V20/58B60W2420/403B60W2554/402B60W2556/50
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,344,238
App. No.
18/043,065
Granted
Jul 1, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A driving assistance device includes: a sensor (camera) configured to detect an object in front of a host vehicle; and a controller. The controller sets a detection range of the sensor (camera), and when the host vehicle is stopped, the controller extends the detection range in a vehicle width direction as compared with when the host vehicle is traveling following the preceding vehicle.

Claims (25)

1. A driving assistance method including a controller which controls a host vehicle such that the host vehicle automatically travels following a preceding vehicle which is in front of the host vehicle, the method comprising:

setting a detection range of a sensor for detecting an object in front of the host vehicle;

when the host vehicle is stopped, extending the detection range in a vehicle width direction as compared with when the host vehicle is traveling following the preceding vehicle; and

when an object other than another vehicle is detected in the detection range extended in the vehicle width direction, canceling a system in which the host vehicle departs following the preceding vehicle.

2. The driving assistance method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

acquiring position information of the host vehicle;

determining whether or not the host vehicle is traveling on a limited-access road based on the position information; and

when it is determined that the host vehicle is traveling on the limited-access road and in a case where the object other than the other vehicle is detected in a detection range extended in the vehicle width direction, prohibiting the host vehicle from departing following the preceding vehicle.

3. The driving assistance method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

setting a first mode which permits the host vehicle to depart following the preceding vehicle in a case where the preceding vehicle has departed before a first predetermined time elapses after the host vehicle has stopped;

setting a second mode which permits the host vehicle to depart following the preceding vehicle in a case where the preceding vehicle has departed before a second predetermined time longer than the first predetermined time elapses; and

extending the detection range in the vehicle width direction in the second mode.

4. The driving assistance method according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a camera, and an object detected by the camera is at least either one of a pedestrian and a bicycle.

5. The driving assistance method according to claim 4 , wherein a rear end of the preceding vehicle is captured by the camera, the method further comprising:

detecting the pedestrian or the bicycle based on a change in the rear end of the preceding vehicle shown in an image captured by the camera.

6. A driving assistance device which controls a host vehicle such that the host vehicle automatically travels following a preceding vehicle which is in front of the host vehicle, the device comprising:

a sensor configured to detect an object in front of the host vehicle; and

a controller configured to:

set a detection range of the sensor;

when the host vehicle is stopped, extend the detection range in a vehicle width direction as compared with when the host vehicle is traveling following the preceding vehicle; and

when an object other than vehicles is detected in the detection range extended in the vehicle width direction, cancel a system in which the host vehicle departs following the preceding vehicle.

7. A driving assistance method including a controller which controls a host vehicle such that the host vehicle automatically travels following a preceding vehicle which is in front of the host vehicle, the method comprising:

setting a detection range of a sensor for detecting an object in front of the host vehicle;

when the host vehicle is stopped, extending the detection range in a vehicle width direction as compared with when the host vehicle is traveling following the preceding vehicle; and

when a pedestrian is detected in the detection range extended in the vehicle width direction, canceling a system in which the host vehicle departs following the preceding vehicle.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 8, 2023
From: CHO, KIBUM; KOBAYASHI, MASAHIRO
To: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 062922/0258 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230303065A1 · Sep 28, 2023
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US 12,503,105