Cruise control device and method for controlling the running of a vehicle

1. A cruise control device for controlling operation of a vehicle, comprising:

a speed detector configured to detect a speed of the vehicle;

an operating member configured to set a speed setting of the vehicle by an operation performed by the driver;

a speed limit acquisition device configured to acquire a speed limit for a road on which the vehicle is traveling; and

a controller configured to control the vehicle such that the speed detected by the speed detector matches the speed setting, wherein the controller includes a speed setting changing device configured to selectively suppress a change in the speed setting from a first speed limit to a second speed limit responsive to the speed limit changing from the first speed limit to the second speed limit if a driver operates the operating member to change the speed setting before the speed setting changes to the second speed limit, wherein the speed setting changing device is configured to suppress the change of the speed setting to the second speed limit for a prescribed time after the driver operates the operating member to change the speed setting.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the prescribed time is a period of vehicle travel for a prescribed distance after the driver operates the operating member to change the speed setting.

3. The device according to claim 1 wherein the speed setting changing device is further configured to prohibit the change of the speed setting to the second speed limit.

4. The device according to claim 1 wherein the speed setting changing device is further configured to reduce an amount of change per unit time when the speed setting is changed to the second speed limit.

5. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

an instructing member configured to enable the driver to give a permission instruction regarding operation of the speed setting changing device; and wherein

the speed setting changing device is configured to suppress the change of the speed setting to the second speed limit only when the driver gives permission with the instructing member.

6. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a notifying device configured to notify the driver that the speed limit is changing from the first speed limit to the second speed limit.

7. A controller for a cruise control device for controlling operation of a vehicle including a speed sensor that detects a speed of the vehicle, an operating member configured to set a speed setting of the vehicle responsive to an operation performed by the driver, a speed limit acquisition device configured to acquire a speed limit of a road on which the vehicle is traveling, the controller comprising:

means for controlling the vehicle such that the detected speed matches the speed setting;

means for acquiring a speed limit change for a road on which the vehicle is traveling from the first speed limit to the second speed limit; and

means for selectively suppressing a change in the speed setting from a first speed limit to a second speed limit responsive to the speed limit change from the first speed limit to the second speed limit if a driver operates the operating member to change the speed setting before the speed setting changes to the second speed limit, wherein the means for selectively suppressing the change is configured to suppress the change of the speed setting to the second speed limit for a prescribed time after the driver operates the operating member to change the speed setting.

8. A method for controlling a vehicle wherein a speed of the vehicle is made to match a speed setting, the method comprising:

acquiring a speed limit for a road on which the vehicle is traveling; and

when the speed limit changes from a first speed limit to a second speed limit, selectively suppressing a change in the speed setting to the second speed limit if the driver changes the speed setting before a change to the second speed limit, wherein selectively suppressing the change in the speed setting further comprises suppressing the change of the speed setting to the second speed limit for a prescribed time after the driver operates the operating member to change the speed setting.

9. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising:

reducing an amount of change per unit time when the speed setting is changed to the second speed limit.

10. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising:

notifying the driver that the speed limit is changing from the first speed limit to the second speed limit.

11. The method according to claim 8 wherein the prescribed time is a period of vehicle travel for a prescribed distance after the driver operates the operating member to change the speed setting.

12. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising:

reducing an amount of change per unit time when the speed setting is changed to the second speed limit.

13. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising:

notifying the driver that the speed limit is changing from the first speed limit to the second speed limit.

14. The method according to claim 8 wherein selectively suppressing the change in the speed setting further comprises prohibiting the change of the speed setting to the second speed limit.

15. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising:

notifying the driver that the speed limit is changing from the first speed limit to the second speed limit.

16. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising:

reducing an amount of change per unit time when the speed setting is changed to the second speed limit.

17. The method according to claim 8 wherein selectively suppressing the change in the speed setting further comprises suppressing the change of the speed setting to the second speed limit only when the driver gives permission through an operation.

18. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising:

notifying the driver that the speed limit is changing from the first speed limit to the second speed limit.