SMART CAR WITH AUTOMATIC SIGNALLING

• US 20140309855A1
• Filed: 04/12/2013
• Published: 10/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bao Tran
• Original Assignee: Bao Tran
• Inventors: Tran, Bao
• Application Number:
  US13/862,263
• Publication Number:
  US 20140309855A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/346 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/38 using immovably-mounted light sources, e.g. fixed flashing lamps

Abstract

An intelligent turn signaling system is disclosed which uses trip information and global positioning system data to automatically activate the turn lights for a vehicle. In one implementation, the system can optimize vehicular flow by receiving trip information from nearby vehicles and prepare the vehicle and driver accordingly. In other implementations, the system can also optimize insurance premium for drivers who allow the system to recommend conservative driving techniques.

Claims

1. An intelligent turn signal control system for a driver, comprising:

a processor;

a positioning system coupled to the processor to provide vehicle position and turn-by-turn command;

an accelerometer coupled to the processor to sense vehicle acceleration;

a turn signal driver interface switch assembly configured to receive driver input to the processor; and

a turn signal lamp actuation circuit configured to connect the processor to a plurality of turn signal lamps, wherein the processor selectively determines whether the turn signal lamp actuation circuit is turned on or off based at least on the positioning system turn-by-turn command and accelerometer output.

2. The system of claim 1, comprising a camera coupled to the processor to a capture street view.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the processor stores images captured by the camera and uploads the images and location data to a server collecting street view data from a collection of drivers, wherein the server runs code for crowd-sourcing the street views to generate a mapping system.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the processor detects driver drowsiness using a camera image of the driver.

5. The system of claim 1, comprising a radar coupled to the processor to detect nearby obstacles.

6. The system of claim 1, comprising a gyroscope or a magnetometer coupled to the processor.

7. The system of claim 1, comprising at least one vehicle speed sensor to measure wheel rotation, transmission rotation.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor simultaneously switches left and right turn signals on and off to emulate a hazard function.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer activates the turn signal lamp actuation circuit upon activation of a vehicle anti-lock braking system.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is programmed to monitor a vehicle cruise control function to determine turn signal operational status.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the driver interface switch assembly comprises at least one redundant turn signal actuation control disposed on a steering wheel.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor prepares vehicular brakes for a detected turn or an anticipated turn.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor receives travel mutes and sensor data from adjacent vehicles and preparing vehicular brakes for a detected turn or an anticipated turn from adjacent vehicles.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor receives travel routes and sensor data from adjacent vehicles and notifying the driver of a detected turn or an anticipated turn from adjacent vehicles.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor receives travel routes and sensor data from adjacent vehicles and optimizes group vehicular speed to improve fuel efficiency.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor receives travel routes and sensor data from adjacent vehicles and sequences red light(s) to optimize fuel efficiency.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor notifies the driver of driving behaviors from other drivers at a predetermined location.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor switches turn signals and brakes using a predetermined protocol to reduce insurance premium for the driver.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor warns the driver to avoid driving in a predetermined pattern, driving during a predetermined time, driving in a predetermined area, or parking in a predetermined area to reduce insurance premium for the driver.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor sends driver behavior data to an insurer, including at least one of:

vehicle speed, vehicle accelerations, vehicle location, seatbelt use, wireless device use, turn signal use, detection of alcohol vapor, driver drowsiness, and time.

21. The system of claim 1, comprising a car-to-car wireless network that communicates travel routes and vehicular data among vehicles traveling in a block.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the processor sends inter-vehicle driving behavior to the insurer, wherein the inter-vehicle driving behavior includes travel route, vehicle speed, vehicle accelerations, vehicle location, seatbelt use, telephone use, turn signal use, detection of alcohol vapor, driver drowsiness, and time.