Centralized control and management system for automobiles

• US 20060267929A1
• Filed: 05/02/2006
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michael L. Obradovich
• Original Assignee: Michael L. Obradovich
• Inventors: Obradovich, Michael L.
• Application Number:
  US11/416,611
• Publication Number:
  US 20060267929A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0231 Circuits relating to the driving or the functioning of the vehicle monitoring tyres B60C23/00; indicating overspeed B60K31/00; for dash boards B60K37/00, B60Q3/10; for indicating emergencies B60Q1/52; brake control systems B60T; registering or indicating the working of vehicles G07C5/00; measuring distance G01C, e.g. combinations of speed and distance G01C23/00; engine indicators G01L; measuring speed or acceleration G01P
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0315 using multiplexing techniques multiplexing for transmission of signals G08C15/00; multiplexing for electrical communication in general H04J
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2081 combined with personal settings of other vehicle devices, e.g. mirrors, seats, steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/241 whereby access privileges are related to the identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/06 Automatic manoeuvring for parking
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3694 Output thereof on a road map
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0969 having a display in the form of a map
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/47 for recognising genres
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/51 of receiving stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 367/909 Collision avoidance
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/97 Instrumentation and component modelling, e.g. interactive control panel

Abstract

In a control and management system for automobiles, a central processor in the system connects traditionally unrelated vehicle subsystems together to realize synergistic functions such as smart driving, automatic parking, etc. A master interface having a display is employed in the system to help a user control and manage the vehicle functions.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A system for use in a vehicle, the vehicle moving in a first direction, the system comprising:

an interface for allowing a user to initiate a turn signal indicating a second direction in which the vehicle is about to turn;

a device responsive to an initiation of the turn signal for providing information about the second direction indicated by the turn signal;

a processor responsive to the information for causing a sensor to detect an object in the second direction in which the vehicle is about to turn; and

a display for showing thereon any detected object in the second direction.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein an alert is provided when an object is detected in the second direction.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the alert includes a warning of a potential hazard caused by the detected object.

24. The system of claim 22 wherein the alert includes a verbal warning.

25. The system of claim 22 wherein the alert includes a visual warning.

26. The system of claim 21 wherein the detected object is hidden from the user'"'"'s view.

27. The system of claim 21 further comprising a mechanism for causing the vehicle to controllably avoid the detected object.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein the mechanism causes the vehicle to stop moving in the second direction.

29. The system of claim 21 wherein the sensor incorporates radar technology.

30. The system of claim 21 wherein the sensor includes an infrared sensor.

31. The system of claim 21 wherein the object includes an obstacle.

32. A method for use in a system in a vehicle, the system including a display, the vehicle moving in a first direction, the method comprising:

allowing a user to initiate a turn signal indicating a second direction in which the vehicle is about to turn;

in response to an initiation of the turn signal, providing information about the second direction indicated by the turn signal;

based on the information, causing a sensor to detect an object in the second direction in which the vehicle is about to turn; and

showing on the display any detected object in the second direction.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein an alert is provided when an object is detected in the second direction.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein the alert includes a warning of a potential hazard caused by the detected object.

35. The method of claim 33 wherein the alert includes a verbal warning.

36. The method of claim 33 wherein the alert includes a visual warning.

37. The method of claim 32 wherein the detected object is hidden from the user'"'"'s view.

38. The method of claim 32 further comprising causing the vehicle to controllably avoid the detected object.

39. The method of claim 38 further comprising causing the vehicle to stop moving in the second direction.

40. The method of claim 32 wherein the sensor incorporates radar technology.

41. The method of claim 32 wherein the sensor includes an infrared sensor.

42. The method of claim 32 wherein the object includes an obstacle.