Automatic signaling systems for vehicles

• US 20050200467A1
• Filed: 01/28/2005
• Published: 09/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autosignal, LLC
• Original Assignee: Anita Au, Gerald Chan
• Inventors: Au, Anita, Chan, Gerald
• Granted Patent: US 7,482,916 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/465
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/34 for indicating change of drive direction B60Q1/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/343 Manually actuated switching arrangements therefor hand actuated multifunction switches B60Q1/1461; B60Q1/40 takes precedence
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/30 Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions

Abstract

An automatic signaling system includes a processor having an input for receiving a signal from a sensor, and an output configured to be coupled to a signaling system of a vehicle, the signaling system having a turn signal light, wherein the processor is configured to automatically activate the turn signal light based at least in part on the signal received from the sensor. A method for activating a turn signal light of a vehicle includes receiving a signal from a sensor, and automatically activating the turn signal light of the vehicle based at least in part on the received signal.

Claims

1. An automatic signaling system, comprising:

a processor having an input for receiving a signal from a sensor, and an output configured to be coupled to a signaling system of a vehicle, the signaling system having a turn signal light;

wherein the processor is configured to automatically activate the turn signal light based at least in part on the signal received from the sensor.

2. The automatic signaling system of claim 1, wherein the processor operates independent of an angle of a turning wheel of the vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising the sensor.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the sensor comprises an image sensor configured for sensing at least a portion of a lane.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the sensor comprises a signal receiver configured to receive information regarding a position of the vehicle.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured for identifying a lane boundary based at least in part on the signal received from the sensor.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine a spatial relationship between the vehicle and the lane based at least in part on the signal received from the sensor.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to determine an orientation of the vehicle relative to a lane based at least in part on the signal received from the sensor.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is coupled to an additional sensor selected from the group consisting of a speed sensor, a light sensor, and a moisture sensor.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to activate the turn signal light when the vehicle is traveling above a prescribed speed.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a reader for reading data from a key-memory, wherein the processor is configured to activate the turn signal light based at least in part on the data.

12. A method for activating a turn signal light of a vehicle, comprising:

receiving a signal from a sensor; and

automatically activating the turn signal light of the vehicle based at least in part on the received signal.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of automatically activating is performed independent of an angle of a turning wheel of the vehicle.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the sensor comprises an image sensor, and the method further comprises determining a distance between the vehicle and a boundary of a lane based on an image signal generated by the image sensor.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the turn signal light is automatically activated when the vehicle is within a prescribed distance from a boundary of a lane.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the turn signal light is automatically activated when the vehicle is moving above a prescribed speed and when the vehicle is within a prescribed distance from a boundary of a lane.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the sensor is configured to receive information associated with a position of the vehicle.

18. A computer program product for use with an automatic signaling system of a vehicle, the computer program product having a set of instruction, the execution of which causes a process to be performed, the process comprising automatically activating a turn signal light of the vehicle based at least in part on a signal received from a sensor.

19. A control for use with an automatic signaling system of a vehicle, comprising:

a lever for activating a turn signal light of a vehicle, the lever having a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first and the second ends; and

a switch located on the lever, the switch operable to activate or deactivate the automatic signaling system of the vehicle.

20. A control for use with an automatic signaling system of a vehicle, comprising:

a lever for activating a turn signal light of a vehicle, the lever having a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first and the second ends, the first end being movable in a first direction to activate the automatic signaling system of the vehicle.