Proximity-based engine control system
A vehicle and methods of proximity-based engine control for a vehicle as automatically implemented by a computing device are disclosed. One method includes determining a distance between the vehicle and a preceding obstacle. If the distance between the vehicle and the preceding obstacle is below a threshold distance, the method further includes determining whether a vehicle brake is being applied. If the vehicle brake is not being applied, the method further includes detecting a throttle position for an engine throttle. If the throttle position is above a threshold throttle position, the method further includes sending a command to modify the throttle position to a restricted throttle position. If the throttle position is above the threshold throttle position, the method can optionally include sending a command to modify ignition timing for a vehicle engine or sending a command to apply the vehicle brake.
1. A method of proximity-based engine control for a vehicle that does not require direct interaction with a driver interface, the method comprising:
determining a distance between the vehicle and a preceding obstacle;
if the distance between the vehicle and the preceding obstacle is below a threshold distance, communicate with a brake controller to determine whether a vehicle brake is being applied;
if the vehicle brake is not being applied, detecting a throttle position for an engine throttle; and
if the throttle position is above a threshold throttle position, sending a command to modify the throttle position to a restricted throttle position without input from the driver.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the threshold distance is based on at least one of a speed of the vehicle and a speed of the preceding obstacle.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining whether the vehicle brake is being applied includes at least one of determining a lack of input to a brake pedal and determining a brake switch status.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the threshold throttle position is based on at least one of a speed of the vehicle and a speed of the preceding obstacle.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the restricted throttle position is configured to reduce acceleration of the vehicle.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
if the throttle position is above the threshold throttle position, sending a command to modify ignition timing for a vehicle engine to reduce acceleration of the vehicle.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
if the throttle position is above the threshold throttle position, sending a command to apply the vehicle brake.
8. A computing device, comprising:
one or more processors for controlling operations of the computing device; and
a memory for storing data and program instructions used by the one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to:
determine a distance between a vehicle and a preceding obstacle;
if the distance between the vehicle and the preceding obstacle is below a threshold distance, communicate with a brake controller to determine whether a vehicle brake is being applied;
if the vehicle brake is not being applied, detect a throttle position for an engine throttle; and
if the throttle position is above a threshold throttle position, send a command to modify the throttle position to a restricted throttle position without input from the driver.
9. The computing device of claim 8 , wherein the threshold distance is based on at least one of a speed of the vehicle and a speed of the preceding obstacle.
10. The computing device of claim 8 , wherein determining whether the vehicle brake is being applied includes at least one of determining a lack of input to a brake pedal and determining a brake switch status.
11. The computing device of claim 8 , wherein the threshold throttle position is based on at least one of a speed of the vehicle and a speed of the preceding obstacle.
12. The computing device of claim 8 , wherein the restricted throttle position is configured to reduce acceleration of the vehicle.
13. The computing device of claim 8 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
if the throttle position is above the threshold throttle position, send a command to modify ignition timing for a vehicle engine to reduce acceleration of the vehicle.
14. The computing device of claim 8 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
if the throttle position is above the threshold throttle position, send a command to apply the vehicle brake.
15. A vehicle, comprising:
an engine throttle;
a vehicle brake; and
a computing device in communication with the engine throttle and the vehicle brake, comprising:
one or more processors for controlling operations of the computing device; and
a memory for storing data and program instructions used by the one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to:
determine a distance between the vehicle and a preceding obstacle;
if the distance between the vehicle and the preceding obstacle is below a threshold distance, communicate with a brake controller to determine whether the vehicle brake is being applied;
if the vehicle brake is not being applied, detect a throttle position for the engine throttle; and
if the throttle position is above a threshold throttle position, send a command to modify the throttle position to a restricted throttle position without input from the driver.
16. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the threshold distance is based on at least one of a speed of the vehicle and a speed of the preceding obstacle.
17. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the threshold throttle position is based on at least one of a speed of the vehicle and a speed of the preceding obstacle.
18. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the restricted throttle position is configured to reduce acceleration of the vehicle.
19. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
if the throttle position is above the threshold throttle position, send a command to modify ignition timing for a vehicle engine to reduce acceleration of the vehicle.
20. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
if the throttle position is above the threshold throttle position, send a command to apply the vehicle brake.