US6032097A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle platoon control system
Assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1997-11-26
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Granted: 2000-02-29
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Expires: 2017-11-26
Abstract
Abstract A target motor vehicle is established for a platoon of motor vehicles running on a road, and motion information of the target motor vehicle is transmitted to the motor vehicles which follow the target motor vehicle through intervehicular communications. Each of the following motor vehicles controls itself to run in platoon based on the transmitted motion information.
Inventors
- 👤 Akira Iihoshi
- 👤 Sachio Kobayashi
- 👤 Yoshimi Furukawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:10
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/22; B; B60; B60W; B60W30/00; B60W30/14; B60W30/16; B60W30/165; G05; G05D; G05D1/00; G05D1/02; G05D1/021; G05D1/0287; G05D1/0291; G05D1/0293
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A vehicle platoon control system for controlling a platoon of motor vehicles, comprising: means for establishing a target motor vehicle for leading the platoon of motor vehicles; means for transmitting motion information including a position and a speed of the target motor vehicle to the motor vehicles which follow the target motor vehicle; and controlling means on each of the following motor vehicles, wherein the controlling means on a given motor vehicle selected from the following motor vehicles comprises a first control loop for controlling the given motor vehicle to follow the target vehicle, and a second control loop having a gain which is nonlinearly variable with respect to the intervehicular distance between the given motor vehicle and a motor vehicle within the platoon preceding the given motor vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A vehicle platoon control system for controlling a platoon of motor vehicles, comprising: means for establishing a target motor vehicle for leading the platoon of motor vehicles; means for transmitting motion information including a position and a speed of the target motor vehicle to the motor vehicles which follow the target motor vehicle; and controlling means on each of the following motor vehicles, wherein the controlling means on a given motor vehicle selected from the following motor vehicles comprises a first control loop for controlling the given motor vehicle to follow the target vehicle, and a second control loop having a gain which is nonlinearly variable with respect to the intervehicular distance between the given motor vehicle and a motor vehicle within the platoon preceding the given motor vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The vehicle platoon control system of claim 1, wherein the gain of the second control loop exponentially increases to exponentially increase the intervehicular distance if the intervehicular distance approaches a predetermined minimum intervehicular distance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The vehicle platoon control system of claim 1, wherein the controlling means on the given motor vehicle further comprises means for transmitting a target intervehicular distance from the target motor vehicle and a length of the given motor vehicle to a motor vehicle within the platoon following the given vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
126 words
A vehicle platoon control system for controlling a platoon of motor vehicles, comprising: means for establishing a hypothetical target motor vehicle for leading the platoon of motor vehicles; means for transmitting motion information of the hypothetical motor vehicle to the motor vehicles which follow the hypothetical target motor vehicle; and controlling means on each of the following motor vehicles, wherein the controlling means on a given motor vehicle selected from the following motor vehicles comprises a first control loop for controlling the given motor vehicle to follow the hypothetical target vehicle, and a second control loop having a gain which is nonlinearly variable with respect to the intervehicular distance between the given motor vehicle and a motor vehicle within the platoon preceding the given motor vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
126 words
A vehicle platoon control system for controlling a platoon of motor vehicles, comprising: means for establishing a hypothetical target motor vehicle for leading the platoon of motor vehicles; means for transmitting motion information of the hypothetical motor vehicle to the motor vehicles which follow the hypothetical target motor vehicle; and controlling means on each of the following motor vehicles, wherein the controlling means on a given motor vehicle selected from the following motor vehicles comprises a first control loop for controlling the given motor vehicle to follow the hypothetical target vehicle, and a second control loop having a gain which is nonlinearly variable with respect to the intervehicular distance between the given motor vehicle and a motor vehicle within the platoon preceding the given motor vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The vehicle platoon control system of claim 4, wherein the gain of the second control loop exponentially increases to exponentially increase the intervehicular distance if the intervehicular distance approaches a predetermined minimum intervehicular distance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The vehicle platoon control system of claim 5, wherein the controlling means on the given motor vehicle further comprises means for transmitting a target intervehicular distance from the hypothetical target motor vehicle and a length of the given motor vehicle to a motor vehicle within the platoon following the given vehicle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 2003-02-28 | 2003-08-30 | 2004-02-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-02-28 | 2007-08-30 | 2008-02-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-02-28 | 2011-08-30 | 2012-02-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |