METHOD AND DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY SETTING A SPEED-CONTROL OR PROXIMITY-CONTROL SYSTEM OF A TWO-WHEELED MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

A method for automatically setting a speed-control or proximity-control system of a two-wheeled motor vehicle. In the method, it is ascertained if the two-wheeled motor vehicle is on a group ride with at least one other two-wheeled motor vehicle; and in the event of a group ride, the speed-control or proximity-control system is switched to a special operating mode.

Claims

1-7. (canceled)

8. A method for automatically setting a speed-control or proximity-control system of a two-wheeled motor vehicle, comprising the following steps: ascertaining if the two-wheeled motor vehicle is on a group ride with at least one other two-wheeled motor vehicle; and based on ascertaining the two-wheeled motor vehicle is on a group ride, switching a speed-control system or proximity-control system a special operating mode.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein a group ride is ascertained as present when presence of a vehicle traveling ahead is ascertained, the vehicle traveling ahead is a second two-wheeled motor vehicle, and the second two-wheeled motor vehicle has a lateral offset with respect to the two-wheeled motor vehicle, the lateral offset exceeding a predefined threshold value.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the lateral offset may be an offset in a direction of a right edge of a roadway or an offset in a direction of a left edge of the roadway.

11. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the two-wheeled motor vehicle includes a video sensor system, and a determination as to whether the vehicle traveling ahead is a second two-wheeled motor vehicle is made by evaluating output signals of the video sensor system.

12. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein in the special operating mode, a shorter distance from a second two-wheeled motor vehicle is allowed.

13. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the two-wheeled motor vehicle is a motorcycle.

14. An apparatus configured to automatically set a speed-control or proximity-control system of a two-wheeled motor vehicle, the apparatus configured to: ascertain if the two-wheeled motor vehicle is on a group ride with at least one other two-wheeled motor vehicle; and based on ascertaining the two-wheeled motor vehicle is on a group ride, switch a speed-control system or proximity-control system a special operating mode.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIGS. 1a-1d show different scenarios in the case of a two-wheeled motor vehicle traveling ahead.

[0016] FIGS. 2a-2c show different scenarios in the case of a four-wheeled motor vehicle traveling ahead.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0017] The present invention relates to automatically setting a group-ride mode of a speed-control or proximity-control system of a two-wheeled motor vehicle. Such a system controls the vehicle speed, as well as the distance from the vehicle traveling ahead. The presence of a group ride is based on a classification of the vehicle traveling ahead. For example, a video or camera system reveals if the vehicle traveling ahead is a two-wheeled motor vehicle, in particular, a motorcycle, or another type of vehicle. In addition, the positioning of the vehicle traveling ahead on the roadway, in particular, its lateral offset from the two-wheeled motor vehicle, has an influence on the determination as to whether a group ride is present.

[0018] To that end, FIGS. 1a-1d and 2a-2c show, in each instance, a top view of a road, which includes a centerline, and in the right lane of which the vehicles move from left to right. Two-wheeled motor vehicle 100 includes a speed-control or proximity-control system, which may be set to a group-ride mode and, in this case, allows individual group members to ride more closely together. In FIGS. 1a-1d and in FIG. 2a-2d, the vehicle traveling ahead is a two-wheeled motor vehicle and a passenger car, respectively.

[0019] From top to bottom, FIGS. 1a-1d show 4 different scenarios, which are labeled a) through d).

[0020] In scenario 1a), vehicle 100 follows vehicle 101 traveling ahead without any considerable offset. This is the most common riding situation and is, therefore, also not recognized as a group ride.

[0021] In scenario 1b), vehicle 101 traveling ahead has a large lateral offset x to the right, and in scenario 1c), a large lateral offset x to the left. Therefore, the presence of a group ride is detected in both cases. The longitudinal distance may now be adjusted by vehicle 100 to a lower value, as there is also no risk of collision due to the considerable lateral offset.

[0022] In scenario 1d), as well, the presence of a group ride is detected as a result of the lateral offset of two-wheeled motor vehicle 101 traveling ahead. In this context, two-wheeled vehicle 102 further away from motor vehicle 100 in the longitudinal direction is not relevant.

[0023] In FIGS. 2a-2c, motor vehicle 103 traveling ahead is a passenger car in each of scenarios a) through c). Its lateral offset from two-wheeled motor vehicle 100 is very small in scenario 2a).

[0024] Scenario 2b) shows a considerable offset to the right, and scenario 2c) shows a considerable offset to the left. Since vehicle 103 traveling ahead is never a two-wheeled motor vehicle, it is concluded that in all three scenarios, a group ride is not present.