Travel control device
AssigneeToyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorsKeitaro Niki, Mitsuhisa Shida, Tomoyuki Doi, Kunihito Sato
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Information for generating a target speed pattern is computed from information acquired from various sensors and a running mode input switch, so as to generate the target speed pattern (S16). A process for determining whether to form a vehicle group or not calculates the difference between the target vehicle pattern of the own vehicle and a target speed pattern of another vehicle or vehicle group obtained through inter-vehicle communication, so as to determine whether to form the vehicle group or not (S22, S28, S32). This can determine whether to run solo or form a vehicle group according to a driver's demand.
Claims5
A running control apparatus for forming a vehicle group constituted by a plurality of vehicles, the apparatus comprising:
- an action plan generating unit for generating a target speed pattern according to a running mode required by a driver, the running mode being selected from a travel time preference mode and a traffic flow coordination preference mode;
- a vehicle group forming unit for determining whether or not to form the vehicle group constituted by the plurality of vehicles by comparing respective target speed patterns of vehicles to a predetermined point;
- and
- a determining unit that determines whether or not a specific demand for the vehicle can be satisfied even when the vehicle group is formed.
A vehicle group forming system for forming a vehicle group with a plurality of vehicles, the system comprising:
- an action plan generating unit for generating a target speed pattern according to a running mode required by a driver, the running mode being selected from a travel time preference mode and a traffic flow coordination preference mode;
- a running control apparatus configured to form the vehicle group by comparing respective action target speed patterns of vehicles or vehicle groups to a predetermined point;
- and
- a determining unit that determines whether or not a specific demand for the vehicle can be satisfied even when the vehicle group is formed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.