Patent ID: 6076622
Filing Date: 2000-06-20
Classification: B60K,B60W,B60Y,F16H,G01S

Abstract:
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;selecting one of the plurality of standard engine control modes via the communications interfacedetermining a vehicle parameter associated with the selected standard engine control mode;determining a desired value for the vehicle parameter associated with the selected standard engine control mode based on the determined distance and the desired following distance; andcommunicating the desired value to the electronic control module via the communications interface to control the vehicle speed.