Navigation system controlled turn signals
First Claim
1. A turn signal control system for use with a right turn signal and a left turn signal of a motor vehicle and a vehicle navigation system, the turn signal control system comprising:
- a processor configured to be operably coupled to the vehicle navigation system, the processor configured to receive map data and route data from the vehicle navigation system, the map data including positions of side roads, the processor being configured to determine a turn zone of the vehicle based on a set of criteria, the set of criteria including the route data and the map data, wherein the turn zone is defined as a position in which the vehicle is approaching a turn, the turn zone having a first predetermined length when the side roads are closer to each other than a predetermined threshold distance, the turn zone having a second predetermined length when the side roads are farther apart than the predetermined threshold distance, the first and second predetermined lengths being unequal; and
a turn signal controller operably coupled to the processor and configured to activate one of the right and left turn signals when the vehicle is in the turn zone.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A turn signal control system for use with a right turn signal and a left turn signal of a motor vehicle and a vehicle navigation system is provided. The turn signal system includes a processor configured to be operably coupled to the vehicle navigation system. The processor is configured to receive map data and route data from the vehicle navigation system. The processor is configured to determine a turn zone of the vehicle based on a set of criteria. A turn signal controller is operably coupled to the processor and configured to activate one of the right and left turn signals when the vehicle is in the turn zone. A method of controlling a right and left turn signal is also provided.
29 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A turn signal control system for use with a right turn signal and a left turn signal of a motor vehicle and a vehicle navigation system, the turn signal control system comprising:
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a processor configured to be operably coupled to the vehicle navigation system, the processor configured to receive map data and route data from the vehicle navigation system, the map data including positions of side roads, the processor being configured to determine a turn zone of the vehicle based on a set of criteria, the set of criteria including the route data and the map data, wherein the turn zone is defined as a position in which the vehicle is approaching a turn, the turn zone having a first predetermined length when the side roads are closer to each other than a predetermined threshold distance, the turn zone having a second predetermined length when the side roads are farther apart than the predetermined threshold distance, the first and second predetermined lengths being unequal; and a turn signal controller operably coupled to the processor and configured to activate one of the right and left turn signals when the vehicle is in the turn zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8)
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7. A turn signal control system for use with a right turn signal and a left turn signal of a motor vehicle and a vehicle navigation system, the turn signal control system comprising:
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a processor configured to be operably coupled to the vehicle navigation system, the processor configured to receive map data and route data from the vehicle navigation system, the map data including positions of side roads, the processor being configured to determine a turn zone of the vehicle based on a set of criteria, the set of criteria including the route data and the map data, wherein the processor is configured to determine whether the vehicle is in a turn-only lane; and a turn signal controller operably coupled to the processor and configured to activate one of the right and left turn signals when the vehicle is in the turn zone, the turn signal controller being configured to activate one of the right and left turn signals when the vehicle is in the turn-only lane.
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9. A turn signal control system for use with a right turn signal and a left turn signal of a first motor vehicle and a vehicle navigation system, the turn signal control system comprising:
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a processor configured to be operably coupled to the vehicle navigation system, a vehicle speed data gatherer, a dynamic data gatherer, and an image-gathering device, the processor configured to receive map data and route data from the vehicle navigation system, the map data including positions of side roads, the processor configured to receive speed data from the speed data gatherer, the processor configured to receive general traffic information from the dynamic data gatherer, the processor configured to receive visible traffic information from the image-collecting device, and the processor configured to determine the proximity of a second vehicle to the first vehicle, the second vehicle being located behind the first vehicle, wherein the processor is configured to determine a turn zone of the vehicle based on a set of criteria, the set of criteria including the route data, the map data, the speed data, the general traffic information, the visible traffic information, and the proximity of the second vehicle to the first vehicle, wherein the turn zone is defined as a position in which the vehicle is approaching a turn or lane change, the turn zone having a first predetermined length when the side roads are closer to each other than a predetermined threshold distance, the turn zone having a second predetermined length when the side roads are farther apart than the predetermined threshold distance, the first and second predetermined lengths being unequal; and a turn signal controller operably coupled to the processor and configured to activate one of the right and left turn signals when the first vehicle is in the turn zone. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A turn signal control system for use with a right turn signal and a left turn signal of a motor vehicle, a vehicle navigation system, and a dynamic data gatherer, the turn signal control system comprising:
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a processor configured to be operably coupled to the vehicle navigation system and the dynamic data gatherer, the processor being configured to receive map data and route data from the vehicle navigation system and traffic information from the dynamic data gatherer, the processor being configured to determine a turn zone of the vehicle based on a set of criteria, the set of criteria including the route data, the map data, and the traffic data, wherein the map data includes positions of side roads, wherein the turn zone is defined as a position in which the vehicle is approaching a turn or lane change, the turn zone having a first predetermined length when the side roads are closer to each other than a predetermined threshold distance, the turn zone having a second predetermined length when the side roads are farther apart than the predetermined threshold distance, the first and second predetermined lengths being unequal; and a turn signal controller operably coupled to the processor and configured to activate one of the right and left turn signals when the vehicle is in the turn zone. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of controlling a right turn signal and a left turn signal of a motor vehicle including the use of a vehicle navigation system, the method comprising:
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receiving map data and route data from a vehicle navigation system, the map data including positions of side roads; determining by a processor a turn zone of the vehicle based on a set of criteria, the set of criteria including the route data and the map data, wherein the turn zone is defined as a position in which the vehicle is approaching a turn or lane change, the turn zone having a first predetermined length when the side roads are closer to each other than a predetermined threshold distance, the turn zone having a second predetermined length when the side roads are farther apart than the predetermined threshold distance, the first and second predetermined lengths being unequal; and activating one of the right and left turn signals when the vehicle is in the turn zone. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A method of controlling a right turn signal and a left turn signal of a motor vehicle including the use of a vehicle navigation system, the method comprising:
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receiving map data and route data from a vehicle navigation system, the map data including positions of side roads; determining by a processor a turn zone of the vehicle based on a set of criteria, the set of criteria including the route data and the map data; and activating one of the right and left turn signals when the vehicle is in the turn zone; and determining by the processor whether the vehicle is in a turn-only lane and activating one of the turn signals when the vehicle is in the turn-only lane. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A non-transitory machine-readable medium that provides instructions, which when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising:
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receiving map data and route data from a vehicle navigation system, the map data including positions of side roads; determining a turn zone of the vehicle based on a set of criteria, the set of criteria including the route data and the map data, wherein the turn zone is defined as a position in which the vehicle is approaching a turn or lane change, the turn zone having a first predetermined length when the side roads are closer to each other than a predetermined threshold distance, the turn zone having a second predetermined length when the side roads are farther apart than the predetermined threshold distance, the first and second predetermined lengths being unequal; and activating one of the right and left turn signals when the vehicle is in the turn zone.
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21. An emergency signal control system for use with a right turn signal and a left turn signal of a motor vehicle and a vehicle navigation system, the emergency signal control system comprising:
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a processor configured to be operably coupled to the vehicle navigation system, the processor configured to receive map data from the vehicle navigation system, the processor being configured to determine an emergency zone of the vehicle based on a set of criteria, the set of criteria including the map data, wherein the emergency zone is determined when the vehicle is located in a stationary position directly adjacent to a road; and an emergency signal controller operably coupled to the processor and configured to activate both of the right and left turn signals when the vehicle is in the emergency zone. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification