Cruise control alert

• US 6,335,681 B1
• Filed: 02/08/2001
• Issued: 01/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ruben Ontiveros, Teofilo Ontiveros
• Original Assignee: Ruben Ontiveros, Teofilo Ontiveros
• Inventors: Ontiveros, Ruben, Ontiveros, Teofilo
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Application Number:
  US09/778,834
• Time in Patent Office: 327 Days
• Field of Search: 340/463-468, 340/470-472, 340/457, 340/691.6
• US Class Current: 340/466
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/18 including a device to audibly, visibly, or otherwise signal the existence of unusual or unintended speed to the driver of the vehicle devices primarily intended for indicating speed to other traffic B60Q1/54
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/503 using luminous text or symbol displays in or on the vehicle, e.g. static text
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/507 specific to autonomous vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/54 for indicating speed outside of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/543 for indicating other states or conditions of the vehicle indicating taxis' state of hire or fare G07B13/045
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 Display means

Abstract

A cruise control alert system that both visually alerts drivers in other vehicles that a cruise control is operating and the specific speed the cruise control is set. A voice chip within the vehicle informs the driver to set the cruise control at a given preset speed to prevent speeding. The display may be operator controlled or may be tied in to the cruise control to automatically display the notice the cruise control is operating and the speed at which set.

Claims

1. A cruise control alert system for a vehicle comprising:

a first vehicle having a cruise control system for maintaining the vehicle at a set speed;

a visual display mounted to said first vehicle to indicate to occupants of a second vehicle that the cruise control is activated; and

a voice chip mounted on said first vehicle to alert the operator to set the cruise control system at a preselected speed.

2. The cruise control alert system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said visual display is illuminated by an internal electrically operated light source, said display having indicia to indicate a notice that the cruise control is operating and the specific speed at which the cruise control is set.

3. The cruise control alert systems claimed in claim 2, wherein

said voice chip is internal of said first vehicle and after alerting the operator operator to set the cruise control system, requires action to actuate the cruise control system to set the operative speed of the first vehicle.

4. The cruise control alert system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said visual display is mounted within the first vehicle adjacent a rear window of the first vehicle.

5. The cruise control alert system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said visual display is mounted outside of and on said first vehicle, said visual display being electrically connected to an internal power source of the first vehicle.