Vehicle signal system with audio visual control and method

• US 7,876,209 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2008
• Issued: 01/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Wang, Tony, Kracker, Thomas, Tobin, William, Adelman, Derek
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Tai T
• Application Number:
  US12/142,285
• Publication Number:
  US 20090167519A1
• Time in Patent Office: 950 Days
• Field of Search: 340/475, 340/476, 340/465, 340/433, 340/463, 340/474, 340/384.1
• US Class Current: 340/475
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 5/00 Arrangement or adaptation of acoustic signal devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling

Abstract

An audio visual turn/hazard signaling system in a vehicle can include an electronic user-selectable sound file, a control circuitry containing a solid state relay, a sensor, and an amplifier. The signal system of the invention provides a customizable signal system including a sound file where the operator can choose the volume and frequency to play when turn signal is activated. The signal system of the invention also provides an automatic volume adjuster wherein the safety of the operator while operating a vehicle is enhanced.

Claims

1. A vehicle turn signal indicating system comprising:

an electronic user-selectable sound file;

a volume controller for selecting and adjusting at least one of a volume and a frequency;

a control circuitry for activating and deactivating the electronic user-selectable sound file and the selected at least one of volume and frequency upon actuation of or after receiving a signal from a signal selector;

a sound emitting device for emitting the selected sound file and the at least one volume and frequency a sensor operatively interconnected to the control circuitry, the sensor detecting an ambient sound level; and

an amplifier operatively interconnected to the control circuitry and the sound emitting device.

2. The vehicle turn signal indicating system of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry includes one of an electronic solid state relay and an intelligent power device.

3. The vehicle turn signal indicating system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is an ambient sensor.

4. The vehicle turn signal indicating system of claim 1, wherein the volume controller receives user input from a vehicle graphical user interface.

5. The vehicle turn signal indicating system of claim 1, wherein the at least one of volume and frequency is manually selected by a user.

6. The vehicle turn signal indicating system of claim 1, wherein the at least one of volume and frequency is based upon input from the sensor.

7. The vehicle turn signal indicating system of claim 1, wherein said system operates when a vehicle ignition is in the on or off position.

8. The vehicle turn signal indicating system of claim 1, wherein sound emitting device is a vehicle sound system including at least one vehicle speaker.

9. A method of controlling a volume of a vehicle turn signal indicating system, comprising:

selecting at least one of a volume and a frequency;

selecting an electronic sound file;

retrieving the selected electronic sound file upon actuation of or after receiving a signal from a signal selector;

generating a sound based upon the selected sound file and the selected at least one volume and frequency measuring an ambient noise; and

adjusting the sound automatically based upon the measured ambient noise.

10. A vehicle signal system for providing a customized audio signal to indicate when an indicator turn signal light is activated comprising:

one or more sound files wherein a sound is captured and stored in an electronic format;

a control circuitry for activating and deactivating said one or more sound files upon actuation of or after receiving a signal from a signal selector;

an ambient noise sensor operatively interconnected to the control circuitry;

an amplifier operatively interconnected to the control circuitry and sensor;

a volume controller operatively interconnected to the amplifier; and

a sound emitter device.

11. The vehicle signal system of claim 10, wherein the one or more sound files are selected from a clicking sound, a beeping sound, a buzzing sound, and a user-recorded sound.

12. The vehicle signal system of claim 10, wherein the electronic format is selected from a .wav file, a MP3 file, a .wma file, an .ogg file, a .aif file, an .aifc file, an .au file, and an .ea file.

13. The vehicle signal system of claim 11, wherein the volume and frequency of said one or more sound files can be manually adjusted by an operator.

14. A vehicle signal system for providing a customized audio signal, comprising:

means for storing an electronic user-selectable sound file;

means for selecting and adjusting at least one of a volume and a frequency;

means for activating and deactivating the electronic user-selectable sound file and the selected at least one of volume and frequency upon actuation of or after receiving a signal from a signal selector;

means for emitting the selected sound file and the at least one volume and frequency;

means for detecting an ambient sound level; and

means for amplifying the volume operatively interconnected to the means for activating and deactivating and the means for emitting.