Electronic intelligent turn signal control system
First Claim
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 a 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.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An intelligent turn signal control system for turning on and off left and right turn signals in a vehicle. The system includes a computer, such as an antilock braking system computer, with programmed software operably disposed on a vehicle, and a driver interface switch assembly as input to the computer. Sensors transmit angle, differential wheel movement or related data as input to the computer, while 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.
45 Citations
38 Claims
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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:
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sensors for providing differential wheel movement signals on the vehicle; and
a computer operably disposed on a 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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37. An intelligent turn signal control system comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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38. An intelligent turn signal system comprising:
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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.
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Specification