US5808561A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drive assist system for a vehicle and the method thereof
Assignee: Subaru Corp
•
Filing: 1997-03-17
•
Granted: 1998-09-15
•
Expires: 2017-03-17
Abstract
Abstract In a drive assist system of a vehicle having a function of detecting an inter-vehicle distance between vehicles and a warning is given to a driver for preventing a collision, disclosed are an apparatus for detecting a deceleration of a preceding vehicle based on a vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle, an apparatus for establishing a safe inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle based on the deceleration of the preceding vehicle, and an apparatus for comparing the inter-vehicle distance with the safe inter-vehicle distance and for outputting a warning signal when the inter-vehicle distance is smaller than the safe inter-vehicle distance. Thus, when the deceleration of the preceding vehicle is small, the warning is not issued until the inter-vehicle distance becomes small, whereby the driver's intention can be reflected on the drive assist system.
Inventors
- 👤 Masahiro Kinoshita
- 👤 Atsushi Ikeda
- 👤 Kazumasa Arai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 05:00
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S11/00; G01S11/12; B; B60; B60K; B60K31/00; B60K31/0008; G01C; G01C3/00; G01C3/02; G01C3/06; G01C3/08; G01P; G01P3/00; G01P3/64; G01P3/68
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
A drive assist system for a vehicle having inter-vehicle distance calculating means for detecting a preceding vehicle running ahead of the vehicle and for calculating an inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle, vehicle speed calculating means for calculating a vehicle speed of the vehicle, preceding vehicle speed calculating means for calculating a vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle based on the inter-vehicle, distance and the vehicle speed of the vehicle and collision preventing means for preventing a collision of the vehicle with the preceding vehicle, said drive assist system comprising: preceding vehicle deceleration calculating means for calculating a deceleration of the preceding vehicle based on the vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle; leeway time calculating means responsive to said deceleration of the preceding vehicle for calculating a leeway time; safe inter-vehicle distance establishing means responsive to said leeway time and the vehicle speed for establishing a safe inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle at least based on a multiplication of said leeway time and the vehicle speed of the vehicle; inter-vehicle distance comparing means for comparing the inter-vehicle distance with said safe inter-vehicle distance and for outputting a signal when the inter-vehicle distance is smaller than said safe inter-vehicle distance; and outputting means responsive to said signal for outputting an operation signal so as to operate the collision preventing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
A drive assist system for a vehicle having inter-vehicle distance calculating means for detecting a preceding vehicle running ahead of the vehicle and for calculating an inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle, vehicle speed calculating means for calculating a vehicle speed of the vehicle, preceding vehicle speed calculating means for calculating a vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle based on the inter-vehicle, distance and the vehicle speed of the vehicle and collision preventing means for preventing a collision of the vehicle with the preceding vehicle, said drive assist system comprising: preceding vehicle deceleration calculating means for calculating a deceleration of the preceding vehicle based on the vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle; leeway time calculating means responsive to said deceleration of the preceding vehicle for calculating a leeway time; safe inter-vehicle distance establishing means responsive to said leeway time and the vehicle speed for establishing a safe inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle at least based on a multiplication of said leeway time and the vehicle speed of the vehicle; inter-vehicle distance comparing means for comparing the inter-vehicle distance with said safe inter-vehicle distance and for outputting a signal when the inter-vehicle distance is smaller than said safe inter-vehicle distance; and outputting means responsive to said signal for outputting an operation signal so as to operate the collision preventing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
250 words
A drive assist system for a vehicle having inter-vehicle distance calculating means for detecting a preceding vehicle running ahead of the vehicle and for calculating an inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle, vehicle speed calculating means for calculating a vehicle speed of the vehicle, preceding vehicle speed calculating means for calculating a vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle based on the inter-vehicle distance and the vehicle speed of the vehicle, and collision preventing means for preventing a collision of the vehicle with the preceding vehicle, said drive assist system comprising: preceding vehicle deceleration calculating means for calculating a deceleration of the preceding vehicle based on the vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle; preceding vehicle deceleration judging means for making a judgment of whether or not said deceleration of the preceding vehicle is larger than a specified reference value; leeway time calculating means responsive to said judgment for altering leeway time to increase when said deceleration is larger than said specified reference value; safe inter-vehicle distance establishing means for establishing a safe inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle at least based on a multiplication of said leeway time and the vehicle speed of the vehicle; inter-vehicle distance comparing means for comparing the inter-vehicle distance with said safe inter-vehicle distance and for outputting a signal when the inter-vehicle distance is smaller than said safe inter-vehicle distance; and outputting means responsive to said signal for outputting an operation signal so as to operate the collision preventing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
250 words
A drive assist system for a vehicle having inter-vehicle distance calculating means for detecting a preceding vehicle running ahead of the vehicle and for calculating an inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle, vehicle speed calculating means for calculating a vehicle speed of the vehicle, preceding vehicle speed calculating means for calculating a vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle based on the inter-vehicle distance and the vehicle speed of the vehicle, and collision preventing means for preventing a collision of the vehicle with the preceding vehicle, said drive assist system comprising: preceding vehicle deceleration calculating means for calculating a deceleration of the preceding vehicle based on the vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle; preceding vehicle deceleration judging means for making a judgment of whether or not said deceleration of the preceding vehicle is larger than a specified reference value; leeway time calculating means responsive to said judgment for altering leeway time to increase when said deceleration is larger than said specified reference value; safe inter-vehicle distance establishing means for establishing a safe inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle at least based on a multiplication of said leeway time and the vehicle speed of the vehicle; inter-vehicle distance comparing means for comparing the inter-vehicle distance with said safe inter-vehicle distance and for outputting a signal when the inter-vehicle distance is smaller than said safe inter-vehicle distance; and outputting means responsive to said signal for outputting an operation signal so as to operate the collision preventing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
238 words
A drive assist system for a vehicle having inter-vehicle distance calculating means for detecting a preceding vehicle running ahead of the vehicle and for calculating an inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle, vehicle speed calculating means for calculating a vehicle speed of the vehicle, preceding vehicle speed calculating means for calculating a vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle based on the inter-vehicle distance and the vehicle speed of the vehicle, and collision preventing means for preventing a collision of the vehicle with the preceding-vehicle, said drive assist system comprising: preceding vehicle deceleration calculating means for calculating a deceleration of the preceding vehicle based on the vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle; preceding vehicle deceleration judging means for making a judgment of whether or not said deceleration of the preceding vehicle is larger than a specified reference value; leeway time calculating means for calculating a leeway time based on said judgment; safe inter-vehicle distance establishing means for establishing a safe inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle at least based on a multiplication of said leeway time and the vehicle speed of the vehicle; inter-vehicle distance comparing means for comparing the inter-vehicle distance with said safe inter-vehicle distance and for outputting a signal when the inter-vehicle distance is smaller than said safe inter-vehicle distance; and outputting means responsive to said signal for outputting an operation signal so as to operate the collision preventing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
238 words
A drive assist system for a vehicle having inter-vehicle distance calculating means for detecting a preceding vehicle running ahead of the vehicle and for calculating an inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle, vehicle speed calculating means for calculating a vehicle speed of the vehicle, preceding vehicle speed calculating means for calculating a vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle based on the inter-vehicle distance and the vehicle speed of the vehicle, and collision preventing means for preventing a collision of the vehicle with the preceding-vehicle, said drive assist system comprising: preceding vehicle deceleration calculating means for calculating a deceleration of the preceding vehicle based on the vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle; preceding vehicle deceleration judging means for making a judgment of whether or not said deceleration of the preceding vehicle is larger than a specified reference value; leeway time calculating means for calculating a leeway time based on said judgment; safe inter-vehicle distance establishing means for establishing a safe inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle at least based on a multiplication of said leeway time and the vehicle speed of the vehicle; inter-vehicle distance comparing means for comparing the inter-vehicle distance with said safe inter-vehicle distance and for outputting a signal when the inter-vehicle distance is smaller than said safe inter-vehicle distance; and outputting means responsive to said signal for outputting an operation signal so as to operate the collision preventing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
196 words
A drive assist method for a vehicle having an inter-vehicle distance calculating apparatus for detecting a preceding vehicle running ahead of the vehicle and for calculating an inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle, a vehicle speed calculating apparatus for calculating a vehicle speed of the vehicle, a preceding vehicle speed calculating apparatus for calculating a vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle based on the inter-vehicle distance and the vehicle speed of the vehicle, and a collision preventing apparatus for preventing a collision of the vehicle with the preceding vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: calculating a deceleration of the preceding vehicle based on the vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle; calculating a leeway time responsive to said deceleration of the preceding vehicle; establishing a safe inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle at least based on a multiplication of said leeway time and the vehicle speed of the vehicle; comparing the inter-vehicle distance with said safe inter-vehicle distance; outputting a signal when the inter-vehicle distance is smaller than said safe inter-vehicle distance; and outputting an operation signal in accordance with said signal so as to operate the collision preventing apparatus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
196 words
A drive assist method for a vehicle having an inter-vehicle distance calculating apparatus for detecting a preceding vehicle running ahead of the vehicle and for calculating an inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle, a vehicle speed calculating apparatus for calculating a vehicle speed of the vehicle, a preceding vehicle speed calculating apparatus for calculating a vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle based on the inter-vehicle distance and the vehicle speed of the vehicle, and a collision preventing apparatus for preventing a collision of the vehicle with the preceding vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: calculating a deceleration of the preceding vehicle based on the vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle; calculating a leeway time responsive to said deceleration of the preceding vehicle; establishing a safe inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle at least based on a multiplication of said leeway time and the vehicle speed of the vehicle; comparing the inter-vehicle distance with said safe inter-vehicle distance; outputting a signal when the inter-vehicle distance is smaller than said safe inter-vehicle distance; and outputting an operation signal in accordance with said signal so as to operate the collision preventing apparatus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
213 words
A drive assist method for a vehicle having an inter-vehicle distance calculating apparatus for detecting a preceding vehicle running ahead of the vehicle and for calculating an inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle, a vehicle speed calculating apparatus for calculating a vehicle speed of the vehicle, a preceding vehicle speed calculating apparatus for calculating a vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle based on the inter-vehicle distance and the vehicle speed of the vehicle, and a collision preventing apparatus for preventing a collision of the vehicle with the preceding vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: calculating a deceleration of the preceding vehicle based on the vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle; making a judgment of whether or not said deceleration of the preceding vehicle is larger than a specified reference value; calculating a leeway time in accordance with said judgment; establishing a safe inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle at least based on a multiplication of said leeway time and the vehicle speed of the vehicle; comparing the inter-vehicle distance with said safe inter-vehicle distance; outputting a signal when the inter-vehicle distance is smaller than said safe inter-vehicle distance; and outputting an operation signal in accordance with said signal so as to operate the collision preventing apparatus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
213 words
A drive assist method for a vehicle having an inter-vehicle distance calculating apparatus for detecting a preceding vehicle running ahead of the vehicle and for calculating an inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle, a vehicle speed calculating apparatus for calculating a vehicle speed of the vehicle, a preceding vehicle speed calculating apparatus for calculating a vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle based on the inter-vehicle distance and the vehicle speed of the vehicle, and a collision preventing apparatus for preventing a collision of the vehicle with the preceding vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: calculating a deceleration of the preceding vehicle based on the vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle; making a judgment of whether or not said deceleration of the preceding vehicle is larger than a specified reference value; calculating a leeway time in accordance with said judgment; establishing a safe inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle at least based on a multiplication of said leeway time and the vehicle speed of the vehicle; comparing the inter-vehicle distance with said safe inter-vehicle distance; outputting a signal when the inter-vehicle distance is smaller than said safe inter-vehicle distance; and outputting an operation signal in accordance with said signal so as to operate the collision preventing apparatus.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5626669A
Cited
US5594645A
Cited
US5612686A
Cited
US5612686C1
Cited
US5635922A
Cited
US5631639A
Cited
US5594414A
Cited
US5642093A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-09-14 | 2002-03-16 | 2002-09-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-09-14 | 2006-03-16 | 2006-09-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-09-14 | 2010-03-16 | 2010-09-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |