AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES

• US 20180345850A1
• Filed: 08/10/2018
• Published: 12/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autosignal, LLC
• Original Assignee: Anita Au, Gerald Chan
• Inventors: AU, Anita, CHAN, Gerald
• Granted Patent: US 10,293,743 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/34 for indicating change of drive direction B60Q1/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/343 Manually actuated switching arrangements therefor hand actuated multifunction switches B60Q1/1461; B60Q1/40 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/346 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/40 having mechanical, electric or electronic automatic return to inoperative position
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/30 Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions

Abstract

An apparatus for use with a car includes: an input configured to receive data from a laser device; a processing unit configured to process the data from the laser device, and to determine a control signal for controlling a component of the car; and an output for providing the control signal for controlling the component of the car.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use with a car, comprising:

an input configured to receive data from a laser device;

a processing unit configured to process the data from the laser device, and to determine a control signal for controlling a component of the car; and

an output for providing the control signal for controlling the component of the car.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is configured to process the data from the laser device to determine a spatial relationship between the car and an environment in which the car is traveling.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control signal is for controlling a signaling system of the car.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is configured to process the data from the laser device to identify an intersection.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is configured to process the data from the laser device to identify a road sign.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is configured to process the data from the laser device to identify a traffic light.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is configured to process the data from the laser device to identify a pedestrian curb.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is configured to process the data from the laser device to identify a pedestrian.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is configured to process the data from the laser device to identify a vehicle.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is also configured to receive information from a wireless network.

11. An apparatus for use with a car, comprising:

a processing unit configured to receive data from a laser device, the processing unit configured to automatically activate a turn signal light of the car based on the received data to thereby obviate a need for manual activation of the turn signal light.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processing unit is configured to operate independent of a turning angle of a wheel of the car.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising the laser device.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processing unit is configured to identify a portion of a lane in which the car is traveling.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processing unit is configured to automatically activate the turn signal light of the car that corresponds with a lane change direction.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processing unit is configured to identify an intersection, a road sign, a traffic light, a pedestrian curb, or any combination of the foregoing, based on the data from the laser device.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processing unit is configured to process the data from the laser device to identify a pedestrian.

18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processing unit is configured to process the data from the laser device to identify a vehicle.