Patent ID: 9421971
Filing Date: 2016-08-23
CPC Classification: B60T,B60W

Claim Text:
1. A method for a driver assistance system in a vehicle for controlling a distance from the vehicle to a further vehicle, the method comprising: determining a distance between the vehicle and the further vehicle; determining a relative speed between the vehicle and the further vehicle; determining whether the vehicle is approaching the further vehicle based on the relative speed; determining a target distance between the vehicle and the further vehicle based on a speed of the vehicle and the relative speed, which is a difference in speed of the vehicle from the further vehicle; when it is determined the vehicle approaches the further vehicle, operating the vehicle in an operating state selected from a plurality of prescribed operating states based on the distance, the target distance, and the relative speed; associating a respective activation distance range with each of the operating states of the plurality of prescribed operating states, wherein the respective activation distance range is determined based on the speed of the vehicle and the relative speed; associating a respective deactivation distance range with each of the operating states of the plurality of prescribed operating states, wherein the respective deactivation distance range is determined based on the speed of the vehicle and the relative speed; beginning operation of the vehicle in an operating state from the plurality of prescribed operating states when the vehicle approaches the further vehicle and the distance between the vehicle and the further vehicle is in the activation distance range associated with the operating state; and terminating operation of the vehicle in the previously begun operating state when the distance between the vehicle and the further vehicle leaves the deactivation distance range associated with the operating state.