Electronic intelligent turn signal control system

• US 6,876,300 B2
• Filed: 11/25/2002
• Issued: 04/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Richard L. Ponziani
• Original Assignee: Richard L. Ponziani
• Inventors: Ponziani, Richard L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): Walk, Samuel J.
• Application Number:
  US10/303,574
• Publication Number:
  US 20040100373A1
• Time in Patent Office: 862 Days
• Field of Search: 340/475, 340/476, 362/498, 116/36, 701/36, 701/41, 701/42
• US Class Current: 340/476
• 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

Abstract

An intelligent turn signal control system for turning on and off left and right turn signals in a vehicle includes a computer, such as an antilock braking system computer, with programmed software operably disposed on a vehicle, a driver interface switch assembly as input to the computer. Two or more wheel speed sensors transmit differential wheel movement data as input to the computer, a circuit drives turn signal indicator lamps from conditionally computed output data from the computer to turn on and off turn signals in a situation-appropriate manner. Upon turn signal indication intent data input from the driver, extensive travel and turn data is computed, including yaw rotation and steering system position to turn off or cancel the turn signal at the appropriate point.

Claims

1. An intelligent turn signal control system for turning off a turn-signal left on in a vehicle having turn-signal control and turn signal indicator, said control system comprising:

sensors for providing differential wheel movement signals on the vehicle; and

a computer operably disposed on the vehicle and connected to the turn signal control, wherein said computer is configured to receive a signal indicating that a turn-signal has been activated and transmit a turn-off signal to the turn-signal indicator upon having determined a turn completion, wherein said computer is operably connected to said sensors and is programmed to;

determine when the turn-signal is activated,

manipulate sensed differential wheel movement signals to determine when a predetermined differential wheel movement has occurred indicating a completed turn, and

prevent a premature shut off of the turn signal.

2. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said computer is further programmed to determine said predetermined differential wheel movement as a function of vehicle yaw rotation.

3. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said computer is further programmed to determine said predetermined differential wheel movement as a function of steering wheel angle.

4. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said computer is further programmed to determine said predetermined differential wheel movement as a function of a predetermined time.

5. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said computer is operably connected to a cruise control of the vehicle and said computer is programmed to monitor cruise control function to determine turn signal completion.

6. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said computer is programmed to determine a situation-appropriate shut off of said turn signal.

7. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said computer is operably connected to a four way hazard flasher control to receive a signal indicating activation of four way hazard flasher and for transmitting a turn on signal to said turn signal indicator in a predetermined flash sequence.

8. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said computer transmits a turn on signal to said turn signal indicator in response to said received signal from said turn signal control.

9. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said computer is further programmed to determine said turn-off signal such that it adapts and adjusts shut off points based upon a driver'"'"'s recent historical driving habits.

10. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said computer is configured to receive deactivation signal from said turn signal control and transmit a turn-off signal to the turn signal indicator.

11. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said computer is further programmed to automatically transmit a turn-on signal to said turn signal indicator in a flashing sequence to indicate four way hazard flasher upon sensing a hazardous condition.

12. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said computer comprises an ABS computer.

13. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said computer is further programmed to automatically monitor and diagnose said turn signal system, and wherein said computer can transmit a signal indicative of condition of connection thereto.

14. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 12, wherein said computer is further programmed to automatically transmit a turn-on signal to said turn signal indicator in a flashing sequence to indicate four way hazard flasher upon sensing an anti-lock brake unsafe skidding condition in said wheels.

15. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 14, wherein said computer is further programmed to automatically transmit a turn-off signal to said turn signal indicator after sensing an anti-lock brake safe condition in said wheels.

16. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said computer is further programmed to automatically compensate for variation in effective wheel diameter differential.

17. An intelligent turn signal control system comprising:

a computer operably disposed on a vehicle, said computer being programmed to control turn signal on/off status, wherein at least a portion of said programming is attributable to control software;

at least two sensors configured to provide differential wheel sensor data to said computer, wherein said differential wheel sensor data comprises pulse count data, rolling distance data, or combinations thereof, attributable to left and right turning wheels of said vehicle, respectively;

a turn signal driver interface assembly configured to send driver intent inputs to said computer; and

a circuit configured to convert signals from said computer to signals sufficient to power vehicle turn signal lamps, wherein said computer is configured to determine vehicle yaw rate or cumulative yaw rotation as a function of wheel differential data and generate said signals as a function of said determined cumulative yaw rotation.

18. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 17, wherein steering wheel position and steering system position and movement are determined by said software as a function of wheel differential data.

19. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 17, wherein curved or straight line distance traveled are determined by said software as a function of wheel differential data.

20. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 17, wherein said computer is operably connected to the cruise control system of the vehicle and said software monitors cruise control on/off status to control turn signal on/off status.

21. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 17, wherein said software includes means for preventing a premature shut off of said turn signal.

22. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 17, wherein said software includes means for determining a situation-appropriate shut off of said turn signal.

23. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 17, wherein said computer is operably connected to a driver interface four way hazard flasher switch to receive on/off signals and for transmitting simultaneous left and right turn signals on/off to emulate four way hazard function on a vehicle.

24. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 17, wherein said computer transmits a turn-signal-on command in response to a corresponding like-command from the driver interface assembly.

25. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 17, wherein said computer transmits a turn-signal-off or cancel command in response to a corresponding like-command from the driver interface assembly.

26. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 17, wherein said computer is further programmed to determine turn signal on/off function and modes based upon logic in said software which adapts and adjusts based upon a driver'"'"'s recent historical driving habits.

27. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 17, wherein all turn signal functions are reset to off upon vehicle ignition shut-off, such that the turn signal remain off when ignition is re-energized.

28. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 17, wherein the driver interface includes redundant turn signal actuation controls on the steering wheel.

29. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 17, wherein the driver interface assembly comprise bi-modal functions of “

lane change” and

“

automatic shut off”

modes as a function of momentary switch actuation duration.

30. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 17, wherein said software includes means for automatically compensating for variation in effective wheel diameter between two or more vehicle wheels.

31. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 17, wherein said software includes means for automatic monitor and diagnosis of said turn signal system components, wherein said computer can transmit a signal indicative of failed component.

32. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 17, wherein said computer is the anti-lock brake computer in a vehicle.

33. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 31, wherein said software includes means for controlling left and right on/off turn signals simultaneously at standard or high frequency flash rates, emulating a four-way flasher upon the commencement of an antilock braking event of the antilock braking computer.

34. An intelligent turn signal system comprising:

a computer operably disposed on a vehicle, said computer being programmed to control turn signal on/off status;

at least two sensors configured to provide differential wheel data attributable to left and right turning wheels of said vehicle;

a turn signal driver interface assembly to send driver intent inputs to said computer, and

a circuit configured to convert signals from said computer to signals sufficient to power vehicle turn signal lamps, wherein said computer is configured to determine a value representing vehicle steering wheel excursion as a function of wheel differential data and generate said signals for powering said turn signal lamps as a function of said differential wheel data and said driver intent inputs.