Patent ID: 8311720
Filing Date: 2012-11-13
Classification: B60W

Abstract:
1. An adaptive cruise control system for a user vehicle, the system comprising: a timer set module, wherein the timer set module is operable to receive a value from a user within the user vehicle and, in response, to adjust the delay time based on the value; a target vehicle sensor operable to detect a target vehicle; and an adaptive cruise control unit coupled to the target vehicle sensor and including a timer module wherein the adaptive cruise control unit is operable to control a velocity of the user vehicle in at least a normal mode, a following mode, and a lost target mode, and in the normal mode, the adaptive cruise control unit outputs signals to control the velocity of the user vehicle to maintain a user-set velocity, in the following mode, the adaptive cruise control unit outputs signals to control the velocity of the user vehicle to maintain a particular distance from the target vehicle, and in the lost target mode, which is entered upon the adaptive cruise control unit no longer detecting the target vehicle, the adaptive cruise control unit maintains a current velocity level for the delay time using the timer module.