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US4982359A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

System and method for recognizing vehicle position on elevated freeway

Assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1989-11-13
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Granted: 1991-01-01
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Expires: 2009-11-13
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Abstract

Abstract A system and method for recognizing an elevated vehicle running environment are disclosed in which, when a detected vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined speed and is continued for a predetermined time, the system and method determine that a predetermined running condition is satisfied, then, the system and method detect the steering angle of the steering wheel of the vehicle and determine whether the accumulated value of the steering angle data exceeds a predetermined value, if yes, the system and method determine that the vehicle is running on an elevated freeway. Thus the reliability of recognition for elevated running environments can be remarkably improved for vehicular navigation systems.

Inventors

  • 👤 Hiroshi Kamiyama
  • 👤 Makoto Kimura

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 04:34
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C21/00; G01C21/26

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 119 words
A system for recognizing an elevated vehicle running environment, comprising: (a) first means for detecting a speed of a vehicle and determining that a predetermined running condition is satisfied when the detected vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined speed for a predetermined time; (b) second means for detecting a steering angle of a steering wheel when the predetermined running condition is satisfied; (c) third means for accumulating the steering angle data detected by the second means; (d) fourth means for determining whether the accumulated steering angle data exceeds a predetermined value; and (e) fifth means for determining that the vehicle runs on an elevated freeway when the fourth means determines that the accumulated steering angle data exceeds the predetermined value.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 119 words
A system for recognizing an elevated vehicle running environment, comprising: (a) first means for detecting a speed of a vehicle and determining that a predetermined running condition is satisfied when the detected vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined speed for a predetermined time; (b) second means for detecting a steering angle of a steering wheel when the predetermined running condition is satisfied; (c) third means for accumulating the steering angle data detected by the second means; (d) fourth means for determining whether the accumulated steering angle data exceeds a predetermined value; and (e) fifth means for determining that the vehicle runs on an elevated freeway when the fourth means determines that the accumulated steering angle data exceeds the predetermined value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 35 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, which further comprises sixth means for providing control for a navigation system mounted in a vehicle during the run of said vehicle on said elevated running environment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 39 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fifth means determines that the vehicle is running on a ground level road when the fourth means determines that the accumulated steering angle does not exceed the predetermined value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 26 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the predetermined speed is set to a value slightly below a statutory maximum speed for freeway driving.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 14 words
A system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the predetermined-speed is 80 Km/h.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 39 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is set to a value larger than a time during which the vehicle could run at a speed exceeding the predetermined speed under ground level driving conditions.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 107 words
A method for recognizing an elevated running environment comprising the steps of: (a) detecting a speed of a vehicle and determining that a predetermined running condition is satisfied when the detected vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined speed and is continued for a predetermined time; (b) detecting the steering angle of a steering wheel when the predetermined running condition is satisfied; (c) accumulating the steering angle data detected in step b; (d) determining whether the accumulated steering angle data exceeds a predetermined value; and (e) determining the vehicle runs on an elevated freeway by determining that the accumulated steering angle data exceeds the predetermined value in step (d).
Claim 9
Independent Claim 107 words
A method for recognizing an elevated running environment comprising the steps of: (a) detecting a speed of a vehicle and determining that a predetermined running condition is satisfied when the detected vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined speed and is continued for a predetermined time; (b) detecting the steering angle of a steering wheel when the predetermined running condition is satisfied; (c) accumulating the steering angle data detected in step b; (d) determining whether the accumulated steering angle data exceeds a predetermined value; and (e) determining the vehicle runs on an elevated freeway by determining that the accumulated steering angle data exceeds the predetermined value in step (d).

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4442609A Cited
US4642776A Cited
US4757455A Cited
JPS63109319A Cited
US4882689A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1993-12-31 1994-07-02 1995-01-01 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1997-12-31 1998-07-02 1999-01-01 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2001-12-31 2002-07-02 2003-01-01 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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