The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 02, 2002
Filed:
Aug. 18, 2000
Naoki Maruko, Kanagawa, JP;
Minoru Tamura, Yokohama, JP;
Akihiko Kobayashi, Kanagawa, JP;
Hideaki Inoue, Yokohama, JP;
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Yokohama, JP;
Abstract
A method and apparatus for assisting operation by a vehicle operator for braking of a vehicle includes a detection system on the vehicle, which detects obstacles located in or near the direction of motion of the vehicle. Vehicle condition sensors on the vehicle provide characteristic parameters of the condition of the vehicle. Operator demand sensors, which are operatively associated with a brake pedal and an accelerator pedal, provide operator demands on the vehicle. A control unit determines whether or not braking action by the vehicle operator is needed from data concerning the obstacles, the characteristic parameters of vehicle condition and the operator demands on the vehicle and determines a target stand-by brake pressure. The control unit is operable to generate a command for adjustment of brake pressure to the determined stand-by brake pressure. A braking system on the vehicle is operable by the vehicle operator. The braking system is operable in response to the command to trigger stand-by brake pressure regulation upon determination that braking action by the vehicle operator is needed.