17976064. PRECEDING VEHICLE SELECTION DEVICE, PRECEDING VEHICLE SELECTION METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY RECORDING MEDIUM simplified abstract (TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA)

PRECEDING VEHICLE SELECTION DEVICE, PRECEDING VEHICLE SELECTION METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY RECORDING MEDIUM

Organization Name

TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA

Inventor(s)

Sui Kurihashi of Sunto-gun (JP)

PRECEDING VEHICLE SELECTION DEVICE, PRECEDING VEHICLE SELECTION METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY RECORDING MEDIUM - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 17976064 titled 'PRECEDING VEHICLE SELECTION DEVICE, PRECEDING VEHICLE SELECTION METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY RECORDING MEDIUM

Simplified Explanation

The patent application describes a device that helps a host vehicle select the most suitable preceding vehicle to follow based on various information about the surrounding vehicles. Here are the key points:

• The device estimates the continuous running distance of each surrounding vehicle from the present time.
• It also estimates the followable distance, which is the distance the host vehicle can safely follow the surrounding vehicle.
• The device then selects the preceding vehicle from the surrounding vehicles based on the followable distance.
• The information about the surrounding vehicle includes its state of charge (SOC) or remaining fuel, as well as its continuous running time or distance up to the present time.

Potential Applications

This technology can have several potential applications, including:

• Autonomous driving systems: The device can assist autonomous vehicles in selecting the most suitable preceding vehicle to follow, ensuring safe and efficient driving.
• Adaptive cruise control: The device can enhance adaptive cruise control systems by considering additional factors like SOC and remaining fuel of the preceding vehicle.
• Traffic management: By selecting the preceding vehicle based on its continuous running distance, the device can help optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion.

Problems Solved

The device addresses the following problems:

• Selecting the most appropriate preceding vehicle to follow can be challenging, especially when considering factors like SOC and remaining fuel.
• Without accurate estimation of the continuous running distance, it is difficult to determine the followable distance and ensure safe following.
• Existing systems may not consider the continuous running time or distance of the surrounding vehicles, leading to suboptimal selection.

Benefits

This technology offers several benefits:

• Improved safety: By considering various factors and accurately estimating the followable distance, the device helps ensure safe following of the preceding vehicle.
• Enhanced efficiency: Selecting the most suitable preceding vehicle based on continuous running distance can optimize fuel consumption and traffic flow.
• Better decision-making: The device provides valuable information about the surrounding vehicles, enabling the host vehicle to make informed decisions in real-time.

Original Abstract Submitted

The preceding vehicle selection device includes a processor configured to estimate a continuous running distance from a present time of a surrounding vehicle based on information relating to the surrounding vehicle for each of a plurality of surrounding vehicles, estimate a followable distance when the host vehicle follows the surrounding vehicle based on the continuous running distance from the present time of the surrounding vehicle for each of the plurality of surrounding vehicles, and select the preceding vehicle from among the plurality of surrounding vehicles based on the followable distance. The information relating to the surrounding vehicle includes at least one of an SOC or an amount of remaining fuel of the surrounding vehicle, and a continuous running time or a continuous running distance up to the present time of the surrounding vehicle.