Communications: electrical – Land vehicle alarms or indicators – External signal light system
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-03
2001-03-20
Pope, Daryl (Department: 2736)
Communications: electrical
Land vehicle alarms or indicators
External signal light system
C340S477000, C340S475000, C200S061270
Reexamination Certificate
active
06204759
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to electrical systems in vehicles and more particularly to turning off an inadvertently left on turn-signal.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Currently, the turn signal on a vehicle remains active until either the vehicle has made a turn or is disabled by the user. In many cases, such as when making a lane change on the highway, not enough of turn was made to cause the switch inside the vehicle to automatically turn-off the turn-signal; and if only to complicate matters, the user driving the vehicle oftentimes forgets to turn off the turn signal after changing lanes. The result is a turn signal left on when there is no intention on the drivers part to turn or to indicate another lane change is pending. Besides being embarrassing for the driver of the vehicle with the signal active, the active turn signal is potentially troublesome for other drivers as they then must decide for themselves if the car with an active turn signal is actually going to turn or to change lanes.
At some point in the mid 90's, a significant portion of the manufacturers of American made vehicles started installing anti-lock break systems (ABS) in all of their current and future stock of vehicles. In addition to providing braking without the risk of locking up the brakes, ABS systems on vehicles also already determine the distance traveled for updating the odometer, and send wheel speed information to the engine control unit.
In addition, with the majority of automotive control systems moving from mechanical to electrical systems, it is possible to add further intelligence to the electrical turn-signal control system without unduly burdening the cost of the system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The problem of the turn signal inadvertently remaining on is solved through the use of additional intelligence added on to the current turn-signal control system already existing within current late-model vehicles. The turn-control circuitry in a vehicle first sends a signal to the ABS system indicating to the ABS system that the turn signal has been turned on. The amount of distance traveled from a certain event, such as when the turn-signal is turned on, can be ascertained by the ABS system, as distance traveled for odometer purposes has always been a product of the ABS system. Therefore, when a predetermined distance has passed since the turn signal was activated, the ABS system, sends a signal back to the turn-signal control circuitry, instructing the turn-signal control circuitry to turn off the turn signal. Upon receiving this turn-off signal from the ABS system, the turn-signal control system logically “OR's” the ABS signal with it's own current turn signal disabling mechanism, such that the turn signal is cleared as a result.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4660020 (1987-04-01), Miyamaru et al.
patent: 4972174 (1990-11-01), Onan et al.
Brady III W. James
Hernandez Pedro P.
Pope Daryl
Telecky , Jr. Frederick J.
Texas Instruments Incorporated
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