System and method for intelligent cruise control using standard engine control modes

A method for controlling vehicle speed in a vehicle with an engine controlled by an electronic control module having a plurality of standard engine control modes selectable via a communications interface and a sensor in communication with the electronic control module for sensing distance between the vehicle and at least one forward object, the method comprising:

• detecting the at least one forward object and determining the distance relative to the vehicle;
• selecting at least one device for effecting a change in the vehicle speed based on the determined distance and a desired following distance;
• determining a desired vehicle parameter value based on the determined distance and the desired following distance;
• selecting one of the plurality of standard engine control modes via the communications interface;
• and
• communicating the desired vehicle parameter value to the electronic control module via the communications interface to control the vehicle speed;
• wherein the plurality of engine control modes includes an engine speed and torque limit control mode and wherein the step of selecting one of the plurality of engine control modes includes selecting the engine speed and torque limit control mode.

A method for controlling vehicle speed in a vehicle with an engine controlled by an electronic control module having a plurality of standard engine control modes selectable via a communications interface and a sensor in communication with the electronic control module for sensing distance between the vehicle and at least one forward object, the method comprising:

• detecting the at least one forward object and determining the distance relative to the vehicle;
• selecting at least one device for effecting a change in the vehicle speed based on the determined distance and a desired following distance;
• determining a desired vehicle parameter value based on the determined distance and the desired following distance;
• selecting one of the plurality of standard engine control modes via the communications interface;
• and
• communicating the desired vehicle parameter value to the electronic control module via the communications interface to control the vehicle speed;
• wherein the step of selecting one of the plurality of engine control modes comprises selecting one of the plurality of engine control modes based on a predetermined time interval so as to periodically switch between at least two of the plurality of engine control modes.

A method for controlling vehicle speed in a vehicle with an engine controlled by an engine control module having a plurality of selectable standard engine control modes, a transmission controlled by a transmission control module in communication with the engine control module, and a sensor for sensing distance between the vehicle and at least one forward object, the sensor communicating with at least one of the engine and transmission control modules, the method comprising:

• detecting the at least one forward object and determining the distance relative to the vehicle;
• selecting one of the plurality of standard engine control modes;
• determining a vehicle parameter corresponding to the selected standard engine control mode and determining a desired value for the parameter based on the determined distance and a desired following distance;
• and
• communicating the desired vehicle parameter value to the engine control module directly or via the transmission control module to control the vehicle speed.

A method for controlling vehicle speed in a vehicle with an engine controlled by an engine control module having a plurality of selectable standard engine control modes, a transmission controlled by a transmission control module in communication with the engine control module, and a sensor for sensing distance between the vehicle and at least one forward object, the sensor communicating with at least one of the engine and transmission control modules, the method comprising:

• detecting the at least one forward object and determining the distance relative to the vehicle;
• determining a desired vehicle parameter value based on the determined distance and a desired following distance;
• selecting one of the plurality of standard engine control modes;
• and
• communicating the desired vehicle parameter value to the engine control module directly or via the transmission control module to control the vehicle speed;
• wherein the steps of determining a desired vehicle parameter value and selecting one of the plurality of standard engine control modes are performed by the transmission control module.