Patent ID: 6543567
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: B60T,B60W

Abstract:
A securely stopped motor vehicle comprising:a braking controller for engaging a vehicle brake for reducing vehicle speed in response to a braking input from an operator of the vehicle; a secure stop controller coupled to said braking controller for generating a secure stopped signal in response to the vehicle coming to a complete stop, wherein said braking controller maintains the vehicle brake engagement in response to the secure stop signal; an acceleration controller for generating an acceleration signal for causing the vehicle to accelerate in response to an acceleration input from the operator, wherein said secure stop controller is further coupled to said acceleration controller for terminating the secure stop signal in response to the acceleration signal, thereby disengaging the vehicle brake in response to the acceleration signal; and a fault detector for detecting a fault, wherein said secure stop controller is further coupled to said fault detector and the secure stop signal is maintained upon detection of the fault, thereby maintaining activation of the vehicle brake in response to the fault wherein said braking controller further engages the vehicle brake in response to the secure stop signal and gradually disengages the vehicle brake during a disengagement time and further engages the vehicle brake in response to a termination of the acceleration signal during the disengagement time.