Car interval control apparatus

A vehicle control apparatus comprising:

• a range finding device comprising:
• a pair of optical lenses, arranged in parallel reaction with each other, for receiving an image of an object directly in front of a vehicle;
• a pair of image sensors, each receiving the image from a respective one of said pair of optical lenses, for converting the image into digital information;
• first and second memory devices for respectively storing digital information concerning the image from one of said pair of image sensors;
• and
• a control device for successively shifting the digital information in said second memory and comparing such information with the digital information stored in said first memory, said control device producing a difference value for each successive shift and determining which of the successive shifts results in a minimum difference value, said control device calculating a first distance interval that is the distance between the vehicle and the object directly in front of the vehicle taking into account the difference value;
• a pair of observing devices, each located on either side of the vehicle, each for determining a second distance interval that is the distance between the vehicle and an object on either side of the vehicle;
• a brake actuation device for actuating a braking mechanism so as to reduce the speed of the vehicle;
• a warning device for indicating a potential danger;
• and
• a control unit, coupled to said range finding device, said pair of observing devices, said brake actuation device, and said warning device, for controlling the distance between the vehicle and an object in front thereof or on either side thereof, said control unit receiving information of the first distance interval between the vehicle and the object directly in front thereof, wherein said control unit enables said brake actuation device when the first distance interval is less than a safety distance interval, and wherein said control unit enables said warning device when the second distance interval is less than a dangerous distance interval.