Turn signal monitor circuit

• US 5,414,407 A
• Filed: 05/10/1993
• Issued: 05/09/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Galen N. Cameron, James A. Truc, Robert Mccarthy, Turn Signal Co.
• Original Assignee: Turn Signal
• Inventors: Gerrans, A. Wilbur, Cameron, Galen N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US08/059,778
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 340/457, 340/475, 340/776, 340/477, 307/141.1
• US Class Current: 340/475
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/38 using immovably-mounted light sources, e.g. fixed flashing lamps

Abstract

An indicating circuit provides an indication that a turn signal in a vehicle is activated. A timer receives an activation signal representative of the turn signal. The timer provides a reminder output signal based on the activation signal. The timer provides the reminder output signal during reminder periods which are spaced by delay time periods. The delay time periods are variable in length depending on operation of the vehicle. An indicator is coupled to the timer for providing an operator indication, based on the activation signal, indicating that the turn signal in the vehicle is activated.

Claims

1. A non-obtrusive turn signal monitor and reminder circuit for monitoring a turn signal in a vehicle and reminding an operator after a set time period, the turn signal monitor and reminder circuit comprising:

a turn signal circuit activated to provide a pulsating signal;

a converter coupled to the turn signal circuit for converting the pulsating signal into a direct current output signal while the turn signal is activated;

a first timer coupled to the converter for providing a first timer output signal wherein the first timer is powered by the converter output signal, the first timer comprising;

first adjustable delay means for providing a delay time period before providing the first timer output signal; and

resetting means for suspending the first adjustable delay means upon the occurrence of a specified event;

a second timer directly coupled to the first timer for providing an intermittent alarm driver signal in response to the first timer output signal, the intermittent driver signal having an on time and an off time independent of the frequency of the turn signal circuit pulsating signal, the second timer comprising;

a first timing portion for adjustably setting the off time period of the alarm driver signal; and

a second timing portion for setting the duration of the on time of the alarm driver signal; and

an audible alarm coupled to the second timer for providing an audible tone in response to the on time of the alarm driver signal.

2. The turn signal monitor and reminder circuit of claim 1 wherein the converter includes a post-installation, operator controlled calibration system for calibrating the turn signal circuit.

3. The turn signal monitor and reminder circuit of claim 2 wherein the calibration system comprises an operator visible light-emitting diode and operator accessible adjustment knob.

4. The turn signal monitor and reminder circuit of claim 1 further comprising optical coupling means for directly coupling the first timer to the second timer.

5. The turn signal monitor and reminder circuit of claim 1 wherein the first adjustable delay means comprises a potentiometer coupled to a capacitor.

6. The turn signal monitor and reminder circuit of claim 1 wherein the first adjustable delay time period is approximately 8 seconds.

7. The turn signal monitor and reminder circuit of claim 1 wherein the vehicle has a brake and a brake circuit that operates a brake light in response to activation of the brake and wherein the resetting means of the first timer is coupled to the brake circuit and wherein the specified event of the resetting means is the activation of the brake, the first adjustable delay means being restarted upon deactivation of the brake.

8. The turn signal monitor and reminder circuit of claim 1 wherein the first timing portion includes a potentiometer coupled to a capacitor.

9. The turn signal monitor and reminder circuit of claim 1 wherein the off time of the intermittent alarm driver signal is approximately 14 seconds.

10. The turn signal monitor and reminder circuit of claim 1 wherein the second timing portion includes a resistor and capacitor network.

11. The turn signal monitor anal reminder circuit of claim 1 wherein the on time of the intermittent alarm driver signal is approximately 1 second.

12. The turn signal monitor and reminder circuit of claim 1 wherein the first timing portion of the second timer is an astable oscillator and the second timing portion of the second timer is a monostable multivibrator.

13. The turn signal monitor and reminder circuit of claim 1 wherein the off time is substantially longer than the on time.

14. The turn signal monitor and reminder circuit of claim 1 wherein the off time is approximately 14 times greater than the on time.

15. A non-obtrusive turn signal monitor and reminder circuit for monitoring a turn signal in a vehicle and reminding an operator after a set time period, the turn signal monitor and reminder circuit comprising:

a turn signal circuit activated to provide a pulsating signal;

a converter coupled to the turn signal circuit for converting the pulsating signal into a direct current output signal while the turn signal is activated, wherein the converter has a post-installation, operator controlled calibration circuit to calibrate the turn signal and reminder circuit;

a first timer for providing a first timer output signal wherein the first timer is coupled to the converter and wherein the first timer is powered by the converter output signal, the first timer comprising;

a first adjustable delay circuit for providing a delay time period before providing the timer output signal; and

a reset circuit for suspending the first adjustable delay circuit upon the occurrence of a specified event;

a second timer directly coupled to the first timer for providing an intermittent alarm driver signal in response to the first timer output signal, the intermittent driver signal having an on time and an off time independent of the frequency of the turn signal circuit pulsating signal, the second timer comprising;

a first timing portion for adjustably setting the off time period of the alarm driver signal; and

a second timing portion for setting the duration of the on time of the alarm driver signal; and

an audible alarm coupled to the second timer for providing an audible tone in response to the on time of the alarm driver signal.

16. The turn signal monitor and reminder circuit of claim 15 wherein the calibration circuit comprises a light emitting diode and a potentiometer.

17. The turn signal monitor and reminder circuit of claim 15 further comprising an optical coupler for directly coupling the first timer to the second timer.

18. The turn signal monitor and reminder circuit of claim 15 wherein the first adjustable delay circuit comprises a potentiometer coupled to a capacitor.

19. The turn signal monitor and reminder circuit of claim 15 wherein the first adjustable delay time period is approximately 8 seconds.

20. The turn signal monitor and reminder circuit of claim 15 wherein the vehicle has a brake and a brake circuit that operates a brake light in response to activation of the brake and wherein the resetting circuit of the first timer is coupled to the brake circuit and wherein the specified event of the resetting circuit is the activation of the brake, the first adjustable delay circuit being restarted upon deactivation of the brake.

21. The turn signal monitor and reminder circuit of claim 15 wherein the first timing portion includes a potentiometer coupled to a capacitor.

22. The turn signal monitor and reminder circuit of claim 15 wherein the off time of the intermittent alarm driver signal is approximately 14 seconds.

23. The turn signal monitor and reminder circuit of claim 15 wherein the second timing portion includes a resistor and capacitor.

24. The turn signal monitor and reminder circuit of claim 15 wherein the on time of the intermittent alarm driver signal is approximately 1 second.

25. The turn signal monitor and reminder circuit of claim 15 wherein the first timing portion of the second timer is an astable oscillator and the second timing portion of the second timer is a monostable multivibrator.

26. The turn signal monitor and reminder circuit of claim 15 wherein the off time is substantially longer than the on time.

27. The turn signal monitor and reminder circuit of claim 15 wherein the off time is approximately 14 times greater than the on time.

28. A method of monitoring a turn signal in a vehicle and audibly reminding an operator after a set period of time the method comprising:

(a) providing a turn signal monitoring circuit comprising;

a turn signal circuit activated to provide a pulsating signal;

a converter coupled to the turn signal circuit wherein the converter has a post-installation, operator controlled calibration circuit having a light-emitting diode and an operator accessible potentiometer;

a first timer coupled to the converter for providing a first timer output signal, the first timer having a first adjustable delay circuit for setting a first adjustable delay time period and a resetting circuit;

a second timer directly coupled to the first timer for providing an intermittent alarm driver signal, the second timer having a first timing portion for setting an off time period of the alarm driver signal and a seconal timing portion for setting an alarm duration on time period;

an audible alarm coupled to the second timer;

(b) providing a pulsating signal from the turn signal circuit while the turn signal is activated;

(c) converting the pulsating signal into a direct current output signal;

(d) coupling the converter output signal to the first timer means;

(e) powering the first timer with the converter output signal;

(f) waiting for the completion of the first adjustable delay time period;

(g) resetting the first adjustable delay time period upon the occurrence of a specified event;

(h) outputting the first timer output signal at the completion of the first adjustable delay time period;

(i) directly coupling the first timer output signal to the second timer;

(j) sounding the audible alarm for the alarm duration on time period in response to the first timer output signal;

(k) disabling the audible alarm at the end of the alarm duration on time;

(l) waiting for the completion of the first timing portion off time period which is substantially longer than the on time period;

(m) sounding the audible alarm for the alarm duration on time period upon the completion of the first timing portion off time period; and

(n) repeating the steps (k)-(n) until the turn signal circuit is deactivated.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the vehicle has a brake and a brake circuit that operates a brake light in response to activation of the brake and wherein the resetting circuit of the first timer is coupled to the brake circuit and wherein the specified event is the activation of the brake.