US6259985B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for indicating vehicle braking in an adaptive speed control system
Assignee: SEESAW FOUNDATION
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Filing: 1999-12-22
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Granted: 2001-07-10
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Expires: 2019-12-22
Abstract
Abstract In an adaptive speed control system for a vehicle, a method and system for indicating a vehicle braking event to an operator of the vehicle. The method includes determining the occurrence of a vehicle braking event commanded by the adaptive speed control system, and activating a vehicle braking indicator in response to the occurrence of the vehicle baking event, where the vehicle braking indicator is perceptible by the vehicle operator. The system includes a vehicle braking indicator perceptible by the vehicle operator, and a controller capable of determining the occurrence of a vehicle braking event commanded by the adaptive speed control system and generating a vehicle braking event signal in response to the occurrence of the vehicle braking event, where the vehicle braking event signal is operative to activate the vehicle braking indicator.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald L. Sielagoski
- 👤 Mark Peter Friedrich
- 👤 Sam G. Rahaim
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:01
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60W; B60W30/00; B60W30/14; B60W30/16; B60K; B60K31/00; B60K31/0008; B60K31/18; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/30; B60Q1/302; B60T; B60T2201/00; B60T2201/02; B60W2520/00; B60W2520/14; B60W2540/00; B60W2540/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
In an adaptive speed control system for a vehicle, a method for indicating a vehicle braking event to an operator of the vehicle, the method comprising: determining the occurrence of a vehicle braking event commanded by the adaptive speed control system, the vehicle braking event having a duration commencing when the adaptive speed control system first commands vehicle braking; and activating a vehicle braking indicator in response to the occurrence of the vehicle baking event, wherein the vehicle braking indicator is perceptible by the vehicle operator and remains activated for the duration of the vehicle braking event.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
In an adaptive speed control system for a vehicle, a method for indicating a vehicle braking event to an operator of the vehicle, the method comprising: determining the occurrence of a vehicle braking event commanded by the adaptive speed control system, the vehicle braking event having a duration commencing when the adaptive speed control system first commands vehicle braking; and activating a vehicle braking indicator in response to the occurrence of the vehicle baking event, wherein the vehicle braking indicator is perceptible by the vehicle operator and remains activated for the duration of the vehicle braking event.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein determining the occurrence of a vehicle braking event includes monitoring a brake actuator for operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein determining the occurrence of a vehicle braking event includes monitoring the adaptive cruise control system for the generation of a brake actuator control signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 wherein activating a vehicle brake indicator comprises activating a visual indicator, the visual indicator indicating to the vehicle operator the occurrence of the vehicle braking event commanded by the adaptive speed control system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 4 wherein activating a visual indicator comprises activating a light emitting diode located in a vehicle headliner.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 4 wherein activating a visual indicator comprises a activating a light located in a center high mounted stop light housing that is visible to the vehicle operator in a rearview mirror.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 4 wherein activating the visual indicator comprises activating a light located in a vehicle instrument display.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 4 wherein activating the visual indicator comprises activating a heads-up display.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
112 words
In an adaptive speed control system for a vehicle, a system for indicating a vehicle braking event to an operator of the vehicle, the system comprising: a vehicle braking indicator perceptible by the vehicle operator; and a controller capable of determining the occurrence of a vehicle braking event commanded by the adaptive speed control system, the vehicle braking event having a duration commencing when the adaptive speed control system first commands vehicle braking, and generating a vehicle braking event signal in response to the occurrence of the vehicle braking event, wherein the vehicle braking event signal is operative to activate the vehicle braking indicator for the duration of the vehicle braking event.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
112 words
In an adaptive speed control system for a vehicle, a system for indicating a vehicle braking event to an operator of the vehicle, the system comprising: a vehicle braking indicator perceptible by the vehicle operator; and a controller capable of determining the occurrence of a vehicle braking event commanded by the adaptive speed control system, the vehicle braking event having a duration commencing when the adaptive speed control system first commands vehicle braking, and generating a vehicle braking event signal in response to the occurrence of the vehicle braking event, wherein the vehicle braking event signal is operative to activate the vehicle braking indicator for the duration of the vehicle braking event.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 9 wherein, to determine the occurrence of a vehicle braking event, the controller is capable of monitoring a brake actuator for operation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 9 wherein, to determine the occurrence of a vehicle braking event, the controller is capable of monitoring the adaptive cruise control system for the generation of a brake actuator control signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 9 wherein the vehicle braking indicator comprises a visual indicator, the visual indicator indicating to the vehicle operator the occurrence of the vehicle braking event commanded by the adaptive speed control system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 12 wherein the visual indicator comprises a light emitting diode located in a vehicle headliner.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 12 wherein the visual indicator comprises a light located in a center high mounted stop light housing that is visible to the vehicle operator in a rearview mirror.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 12 wherein the visual indicator comprises a light located in a vehicle instrument display.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 12 wherein the visual indicator comprises a heads-up display.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-07-09 | 2005-01-08 | 2005-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-07-09 | 2009-01-08 | 2009-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-07-09 | 2013-01-08 | 2013-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |