Patent US5955941A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5955941A
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Method and device for controlling a velocity of a motor vehicle
Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
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Filing: 1998-10-05
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Granted: 1999-09-21
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Expires: 2018-10-05
Abstract
Abstract A method and a device for adjusting the velocity of a motor vehicle to a programmable target velocity, with a current velocity of the controlled vehicle being measured. A distance sensor measures at least one distance to a vehicle or another obstacle in front of the controlled vehicle. The controlled vehicle is accelerated or decelerated as a function of at least the measured distance and the measured instantaneous velocity. A positive acceleration of the controlled vehicle ceases or is reduced, or the instantaneous velocity of the controlled vehicle is reduced, if a blinding sensor is used to determine that the driver of the controlled vehicle is being blinded by the light of oncoming traffic.
Inventors
- 👤 Achim Pruksch
- 👤 Alain Gaillard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 12:57
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60W; B60W30/00; B60W30/14; B60W30/16; B60K; B60K31/00; B60K31/0008; B60W2520/00; B60W2520/10; B60W2540/00; B60W2540/26; B60W2554/00; B60W2554/40; B60W2554/404; B60W2554/4048; B60W2554/80; B60W2554/802; B60W2720/00; B60W2720/10; B60W2720/106
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for adjusting a velocity of a motor vehicle to a programmable target velocity, comprising the steps of: measuring an instantaneous velocity of the motor vehicle; measuring, using a distance sensor, at least one distance from the motor vehicle to an object which is in front of the motor vehicle, the object being one of a further vehicle and an obstacle; accelerating or decelerating the motor vehicle as a function of at least the measured at least one distance and the measured instantaneous velocity; and if a blinding sensor determines that a driver of the motor vehicle is blinded by a light of oncoming traffic, performing one of the following: reducing or eliminating a positive acceleration of the motor vehicle, and reducing the instantaneous velocity of the motor vehicle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for adjusting a velocity of a motor vehicle to a programmable target velocity, comprising the steps of: measuring an instantaneous velocity of the motor vehicle; measuring, using a distance sensor, at least one distance from the motor vehicle to an object which is in front of the motor vehicle, the object being one of a further vehicle and an obstacle; accelerating or decelerating the motor vehicle as a function of at least the measured at least one distance and the measured instantaneous velocity; and if a blinding sensor determines that a driver of the motor vehicle is blinded by a light of oncoming traffic, performing one of the following: reducing or eliminating a positive acceleration of the motor vehicle, and reducing the instantaneous velocity of the motor vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the blinding sensor determines that the driver is blinded by determining that a light intensity of the light exceeds a predetermined maximum value, the predetermined maximum value being in one of a spatial range and an angular range which is relevant for the driver.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined maximum value is an absolute maximum value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined maximum value is a relative maximum value corresponding to an ambient luminosity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the velocity of the motor vehicle is controlled in a closed loop.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
165 words
A device for controlling a velocity of a motor vehicle, comprising: a distance sensor determining at least one distance between the motor vehicle and an object in front of the motor vehicle, the object being one of a further vehicle and an obstacle; a velocity measuring arrangement measuring an instantaneous velocity of the motor vehicle; a control unit determining at least one control quantity as a function of the measured at least one distance and the measured instantaneous velocity; a plurality of actuators controlling at least one of a motor controller functional unit, a transmission controller functional unit and a brake controller functional unit as a function of the at least one control quantity; a blinding detection arrangement detecting a driver blinding condition for a driver of the motor vehicle; and a controlling arrangement performing one of the following: preventing or reducing an acceleration of the motor vehicle, and reducing the instantaneous velocity of the motor vehicle as a function of the driver blinding condition.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
165 words
A device for controlling a velocity of a motor vehicle, comprising: a distance sensor determining at least one distance between the motor vehicle and an object in front of the motor vehicle, the object being one of a further vehicle and an obstacle; a velocity measuring arrangement measuring an instantaneous velocity of the motor vehicle; a control unit determining at least one control quantity as a function of the measured at least one distance and the measured instantaneous velocity; a plurality of actuators controlling at least one of a motor controller functional unit, a transmission controller functional unit and a brake controller functional unit as a function of the at least one control quantity; a blinding detection arrangement detecting a driver blinding condition for a driver of the motor vehicle; and a controlling arrangement performing one of the following: preventing or reducing an acceleration of the motor vehicle, and reducing the instantaneous velocity of the motor vehicle as a function of the driver blinding condition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device according to claim 6, wherein the blinding detection arrangement includes an at least one-dimensional array of light-sensitive elements for assigning a detected incoming light beam to one of a spatial range and an angular range which is relevant for the driver.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-09-20 | 2003-03-22 | 2003-09-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-09-20 | 2007-03-22 | 2007-09-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-09-20 | 2011-03-22 | 2011-09-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |