Patent ID: 8364367

Claim:
A method for providing a smooth exit from a panic braking assist algorithm in a vehicle having a braking system with a brake pedal, the method comprising the steps of: measuring a force applied to the brake pedal; measuring a movement of the brake pedal; applying a first level of braking during a panic braking event when the force applied to the brake pedal is greater than a predetermined force calibration value; determining a pedal travel starting point corresponding to the predetermined force calibration value; determining a pedal travel ending point corresponding to a termination of the panic braking event; and applying a variable level of braking during an exit of the panic braking event based on a relative proximity of the movement of the brake pedal to the pedal travel starting point versus the pedal travel ending point, based on an interpolation between the pedal travel starting point and the pedal travel ending point, when the force applied to the brake pedal is less than the predetermined force calibration value and the movement of the brake pedal is greater than the pedal travel ending point.