Electronic intelligent turn signal control system

• US 20040100373A1
• Filed: 11/25/2002
• Published: 05/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Richard L. Ponziani
• Original Assignee: Richard L. Ponziani
• Inventors: Ponziani, Richard L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,876,300 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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, which includes:

sensors for providing differential wheel movement signals on the vehicle;

a computer operably disposed on a vehicle and connected to the turn signal control 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, said computer operably connected to said sensors and having software for determining when a turn-signal is activated, and for manipulating sensed differential wheel movement signals to determine when a predetermined differential wheel movement has occurred indicating a completed turn.

2. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said software determines said predetermined differential wheel movement as a function of vehicle yaw rotation.

3. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said software determines said predetermined differential wheel movement as a function of steering wheel angle.

4. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said software determines 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 connectable to a cruise control of the vehicle and said software monitors whether cruise control to determine turn signal completion.

6. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said software includes means for preventing a premature shut off of said turn signal.

7. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said software includes means for determining a situation-appropriate shut off of the turn signal.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said software determines said turn-off signal based upon a logic in said software which adapts and adjusts shut off points based upon a driver'"'"'s recent historical driving habits.

11. 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.

12. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said software includes means for automatically transmitting a turn-on signal to said turn signal indicator in a flashing sequence to indicate four way hazard flasher upon sensing a hazardous condition.

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

14. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 13, wherein said software includes means for automatically transmitting 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 condition in said wheels.

15. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 14, wherein said software includes means for automatically transmitting 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 software includes means for automatically compensating for variation in effective wheel diameter.

17. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 1, wherein said software includes means for automatically monitor and diagnose said turn signal system, wherein said computer can transmit a signal indicative of condition of connection thereto.

18. A method of controlling a vehicle'"'"'s left and right turn signal on/off status which comprises the steps of:

operably associating a computer based device on a vehicle; and

using said computer to compare differential wheel movement data from at least two wheels of the vehicle.

19. An intelligent turn signal control system for turning on and off vehicle left and right turn signal and turn related indicator lamps, which includes:

a computer operably disposed on a vehicle and having software to control turn signal on/off status;

at least two sensors for providing differential wheel movement signals to said computer;

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

a circuit to receive computer signals indicative of one of turning on and off the turn signal indicator and turn related indicator lamps and subsequently drive vehicle turn signal and turn-related lamp loads.

20. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 19, wherein vehicle yaw rotation and yaw rate are determined by said software as a function of conditionally computed wheel differential data.

21. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 19, wherein steering wheel position and steering system position and movement are determined by said software as a function of conditionally computed wheel differential data.

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

23. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 19, 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.

24. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 19, wherein said software includes means for preventing a premature shut off of said turn signal.

25. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 19, wherein said software includes means for determining a situation-appropriate shut off of said turn signal.

26. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 19, 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.

27. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 19, wherein said computer transmits a turn-signal-on command in response to a corresponding like-command from the driver interface assembly.

28. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 19, wherein said computer transmits a turn-signal-off or cancel command in response to a corresponding like-command from the driver interface assembly.

29. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 19, wherein said software determines 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.

30. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 19, wherein all turn signal functions are reset to off upon vehicle ignition shut-off.

31. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 19, wherein the driver interface includes redundant turn signal actuation controls on the steering wheel.

32. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 19, 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.

33. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 19, wherein said software includes means for automatically compensating for variation in effective wheel diameter between two or more vehicle wheels.

34. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 19, 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.

35. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 19, wherein said computer is the anti-lock brake computer in a vehicle.

36. The intelligent turn signal control system of claim 35, 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.