US6324463B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cruise control indicator
Assignee: CRUISE CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
•
Filing: 1999-05-12
•
Granted: 2001-11-27
•
Expires: 2019-05-12
Abstract
Abstract A system for indicating the operational status and parameters of a cruise control system for use in a human operated vehicle. The system includes apparatus for storing and recalling a preset speed for the cruise control system. The system further includes apparatus for indicating this preset speed to the operator, along with apparatus configured to indicate to the user whether or not the cruise control system is engaged. One embodiment is a system for use with vehicles with digital speedometers. In this embodiment, the system includes digital memory for storing the preset speed, and a digital display configured to show the preset speed and the operational status of the cruise control system. Another embodiment is for use with vehicles having analog speedometers. The analog system includes an array of LEDs and detectors arranged around a speed indicating dial and under the speedometer needle. The LEDs and detectors are arranged so that a preset speed may be stored into the system by detection of light reflected from one of the LEDs off a reflective surface on the back side of the needle, and onto one of the detectors. The LEDs of the analog system are further configured to indicate the preset speed and the operational status of the system.
Inventors
- 👤 C. Kumar N. Patel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 06:56
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K31/00; B60K31/18; B60K31/185
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A cruise control system for vehicle having a human operator, comprising: a speed controller that automatically maintains the vehicle speed at a preset speed; an enable switch associated with said controller for enabling the system; a set speed input in communication with said controller for manually setting the speed of the vehicle at said preset speed, thereby engaging the system; a memory which stores information indicative of said preset speed; and a feedback system for communicating said information in said memory to the operator of the vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A cruise control system for vehicle having a human operator, comprising: a speed controller that automatically maintains the vehicle speed at a preset speed; an enable switch associated with said controller for enabling the system; a set speed input in communication with said controller for manually setting the speed of the vehicle at said preset speed, thereby engaging the system; a memory which stores information indicative of said preset speed; and a feedback system for communicating said information in said memory to the operator of the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
119 words
A cruise control system for a variable speed vehicle controlled by a human operator, comprising: (a) a speed controller for automatically maintaining the vehicle at a substantially constant cruising speed selected by the operator; (b) a cruise control enable switch associated with the controller for enabling and disabling the controller; (c) a set speed input in communication with the controller for selecting the cruising speed of the vehicle when the controller is enabled; (d) a memory that stores information representative of the selected cruising speed; and (e) a feedback system that substantially continuously communicates the selected cruising speed information to the operator of the vehicle until either the operator selects a subsequent cruising speed or the controller is disabled.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
119 words
A cruise control system for a variable speed vehicle controlled by a human operator, comprising: (a) a speed controller for automatically maintaining the vehicle at a substantially constant cruising speed selected by the operator; (b) a cruise control enable switch associated with the controller for enabling and disabling the controller; (c) a set speed input in communication with the controller for selecting the cruising speed of the vehicle when the controller is enabled; (d) a memory that stores information representative of the selected cruising speed; and (e) a feedback system that substantially continuously communicates the selected cruising speed information to the operator of the vehicle until either the operator selects a subsequent cruising speed or the controller is disabled.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cruise control system of claim 2 , wherein the feedback system includes a digital display.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The cruise control system of claim 3 , wherein the digital display displays a predetermined signal when the controller is initially enabled to indicate the state of the controller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cruise control system of claim 3 , wherein the digital display displays information indicative of the selected cruising speed of the vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
146 words
A cruise control system for a variable speed vehicle controlled by a human operator, comprising: (a) a speed controller for automatically maintaining the vehicle at a substantially constant cruising speed selected by the operator; (b) a cruise control enable switch associated with the controller for enabling and disabling the controller; (c) a operator-controlled, set speed input in communication with the controller for selecting the cruising speed of the vehicle when the controller is enabled; (d) an analog speedometer having a speed dial with speed markers and a rotating speed indicating needle on the dial; and (e) a feedback system that detects the position of the speed indicating needle when the cruising speed of the vehicle is selected and that substantially continuously communicates the position of the needle corresponding to that cruising speed until either the operator selects a new cruising speed or the controller is disabled.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
146 words
A cruise control system for a variable speed vehicle controlled by a human operator, comprising: (a) a speed controller for automatically maintaining the vehicle at a substantially constant cruising speed selected by the operator; (b) a cruise control enable switch associated with the controller for enabling and disabling the controller; (c) a operator-controlled, set speed input in communication with the controller for selecting the cruising speed of the vehicle when the controller is enabled; (d) an analog speedometer having a speed dial with speed markers and a rotating speed indicating needle on the dial; and (e) a feedback system that detects the position of the speed indicating needle when the cruising speed of the vehicle is selected and that substantially continuously communicates the position of the needle corresponding to that cruising speed until either the operator selects a new cruising speed or the controller is disabled.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The cruise control system of claim 6 , wherein the feedback system further comprises a bank of light emitting diodes arranged along a portion of the speed dial, each diode positioned to correspond to a given speed indication on the dial, and wherein one of the diodes in the bank emits light corresponding to the selected cruising speed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
The cruise control system of claim 7 , wherein the feedback system further includes one light emitting diode detector arranged adjacent to each diode in the bank of light emitting diodes, and a light reflective surface on a portion of the side of the speed indicating needle that faces the bank of diodes and that sweeps over the bank of diodes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The cruise control system of claim 8 , wherein said feedback system determines the relative position of the speed indicating needle when the cruising speed is selected by detecting reflections from one of the light emitting diodes off the reflective surface of the needle received by an adjacent light emitting diode detector.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cruise control system of claim 8 wherein the bank of light emiting diodes is activated when the enable switch is initially enabled.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The cruise control system of claim 9 wherein the feedback system activates one of the light emitting diodes closest to the needle when said enable switch is enabled.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for visually communicating to the human operator of a vehicle having a cruise control system a cruising speed at which the vehicle is set, comprising: determining the speed at which the vehicle is traveling; activating the cruise control system at a desired cruising speed; displaying a symbol indicative of the speed at which the cruise control system is activated; maintaining the activated cruise control speed symbol upon temporary acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle; removing said symbol when the cruise control system is deactivated or a new cruising speed is selected.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for visually communicating to the human operator of a vehicle having a cruise control system a cruising speed at which the vehicle is set, comprising: determining the speed at which the vehicle is traveling; activating the cruise control system at a desired cruising speed; displaying a symbol indicative of the speed at which the cruise control system is activated; maintaining the activated cruise control speed symbol upon temporary acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle; removing said symbol when the cruise control system is deactivated or a new cruising speed is selected.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for indicating to a human operator of a vehicle having a cruise control system a preset speed for which the cruise control system is set, the method comprising: setting the preset speed; displaying to the operator a symbol indicative of the preset speed; maintaining the display of the symbol indicative of the preset speed; and discontinuing display of the symbol indicative of the preset when the cruise control system is deactivated or a new preset speed is selected.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for indicating to a human operator of a vehicle having a cruise control system a preset speed for which the cruise control system is set, the method comprising: setting the preset speed; displaying to the operator a symbol indicative of the preset speed; maintaining the display of the symbol indicative of the preset speed; and discontinuing display of the symbol indicative of the preset when the cruise control system is deactivated or a new preset speed is selected.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 13 , further comprising: displaying a second symbol upon the selection of a new preset speed, said second symbol indicative of the new preset speed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 13 , further comprising: before setting the preset speed, activating the cruise control system; and after activating the cruise control system, but before setting the preset speed, indicating to the operator the unset status of the preset speed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein indicating the unset status of the preset speed includes displaying a visual symbol to the operator.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 16 , wherein the visual symbol indicating the unset status of the preset speed comprises a blinking “0”.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for indicating to a human operator of a vehicle having a cruise control system a preset speed for which the cruise control system is set, the method comprising: setting the preset speed; displaying to the operator a symbol indicative of the preset speed while maintaining the vehicle speed at substantially the preset speed; maintaining the display of the symbol indicative of the preset speed; braking the vehicle; upon braking the vehicle, discontinuing maintaining the vehicle speed at substantially the preset speed while keeping data corresponding to the preset speed in a memory device; and at a time after braking and during which time the vehicle is not being maintained at substantially the preset speed, displaying to the operator a symbol indicative of the preset speed.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for indicating to a human operator of a vehicle having a cruise control system a preset speed for which the cruise control system is set, the method comprising: setting the preset speed; displaying to the operator a symbol indicative of the preset speed while maintaining the vehicle speed at substantially the preset speed; maintaining the display of the symbol indicative of the preset speed; braking the vehicle; upon braking the vehicle, discontinuing maintaining the vehicle speed at substantially the preset speed while keeping data corresponding to the preset speed in a memory device; and at a time after braking and during which time the vehicle is not being maintained at substantially the preset speed, displaying to the operator a symbol indicative of the preset speed.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the symbol indicative of the preset speed displayed at the time after braking and during which time the vehicle is not being maintained at substantially the preset speed, is distinguishable by the operator from the symbol indicative of the preset speed while the vehicle is being maintained at substantially the preset speed.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein the symbol indicative of the preset speed displayed at the time after braking and during which time the vehicle is not being maintained at substantially the preset speed is in the form of a blinking numerical indicator.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for indicating to a human operator of a vehicle having a cruise control system a preset speed for which the cruise control system is set, the method comprising: engaging the cruise control system; setting the preset speed; displaying to the operator a symbol indicative of the preset speed; maintaining the display of the symbol indicative of the preset speed; discontinuing display of the symbol indicative of the preset speed after the cruise control system is deactivated or a new preset speed is selected; and after the cruise control system is deactivated, displaying a symbol indicative of an unset state of the preset speed.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for indicating to a human operator of a vehicle having a cruise control system a preset speed for which the cruise control system is set, the method comprising: engaging the cruise control system; setting the preset speed; displaying to the operator a symbol indicative of the preset speed; maintaining the display of the symbol indicative of the preset speed; discontinuing display of the symbol indicative of the preset speed after the cruise control system is deactivated or a new preset speed is selected; and after the cruise control system is deactivated, displaying a symbol indicative of an unset state of the preset speed.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 21 , wherein the symbol indicative of the unset state of the preset speed is a “0”.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 21 , wherein the symbol indicative of the unset state of the preset speed is a blinking numerical indicator.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein the “0” is a blinking “0”.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for indicating to a human operator of a vehicle having a cruise control system a preset speed for which the cruise control system is set, the method comprising: setting the preset speed; displaying to the operator a symbol indicative of the preset speed; accelerating the vehicle to a speed above the preset speed; and maintaining the display of the symbol indicative of the preset speed while the vehicle is at the speed above the preset speed.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for indicating to a human operator of a vehicle having a cruise control system a preset speed for which the cruise control system is set, the method comprising: setting the preset speed; displaying to the operator a symbol indicative of the preset speed; accelerating the vehicle to a speed above the preset speed; and maintaining the display of the symbol indicative of the preset speed while the vehicle is at the speed above the preset speed.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
110 words
A cruise control system for a variable speed vehicle controlled by a human operator, comprising: a speed controller for automatically maintaining the vehicle at a substantially constant preset speed; a set speed input in communication with the controller for selecting the preset speed; a memory device operable to store information representative of the preset speed; first visual display apparatus operable to display the indicative of the actual speed of the vehicle; and second visual display apparatus operable to display the visual information indicative of an operation status of the speed controller, wherein the visual information displayable by the second visual display apparatus includes visual information indicative of the preset speed.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
110 words
A cruise control system for a variable speed vehicle controlled by a human operator, comprising: a speed controller for automatically maintaining the vehicle at a substantially constant preset speed; a set speed input in communication with the controller for selecting the preset speed; a memory device operable to store information representative of the preset speed; first visual display apparatus operable to display the indicative of the actual speed of the vehicle; and second visual display apparatus operable to display the visual information indicative of an operation status of the speed controller, wherein the visual information displayable by the second visual display apparatus includes visual information indicative of the preset speed.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
43 words
The cruise control system of claim 26 , wherein the visual information displayed by the second visual display apparatus includes information reflecting whether the speed controller is operating to maintain the vehicle at the cruising speed at the time the display is made.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cruise control system of claim 26 , wherein the second visual display apparatus comprises a digital numerical indicator.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
74 words
The cruise control system of claim 26 , wherein the first visual display apparatus comprises an analog speedometer including a speed indicator operably disposed adjacent an indicator dial; and wherein the second visual display apparatus comprises a plurality of individual visual indicators, wherein each of said individual visual indicators is associated with a particular vehicle speed, and wherein each of said individual visual indicators is operable between and “on” condition and an “off” condition.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cruise control system of claim 29 , wherein the individual visual indicators include a plurality of LEDs.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cruise control system of claim 29 , wherein the individual visual indicators are disposed on the indicator dial of the analog speedometer.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
47 words
The cruise control system of claim 31 , further comprising: at least one detector operable to detect the position of the speed indicator at a predetermined time; and a memory device operable to store information indicative of the position of the speed indicator at the predetermined time.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
39 words
The cruise control system of claim 32 , further comprising: reflective material disposed on the speed indicator and configured to reflect light emitted by at least one of the individual visual indicators onto at least one of the detectors.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for providing an operator of a vehicle equipped with a cruise control device with information reflecting the operating status of the cruise control device, comprising: providing a cruise control device including: (a) a speed controller for automatically maintaining the vehicle at a substantially constant preset speed; (b) a set speed input in communication with the controller for selecting the preset speed; (c) a memory device operable to store information representative of the preset speed; (d) first visual display apparatus operable to display the indicative of the actual speed of the vehicle; and (e) second visual display apparatus operable to display the visual information indicative of an operation status of the speed controller, wherein the visual information displayable by the second visual display apparatus includes visual information indicative of the preset speed; activating the cruise control device; and operating the second visual display apparatus to indicate the active status of the cruise control device.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for providing an operator of a vehicle equipped with a cruise control device with information reflecting the operating status of the cruise control device, comprising: providing a cruise control device including: (a) a speed controller for automatically maintaining the vehicle at a substantially constant preset speed; (b) a set speed input in communication with the controller for selecting the preset speed; (c) a memory device operable to store information representative of the preset speed; (d) first visual display apparatus operable to display the indicative of the actual speed of the vehicle; and (e) second visual display apparatus operable to display the visual information indicative of an operation status of the speed controller, wherein the visual information displayable by the second visual display apparatus includes visual information indicative of the preset speed; activating the cruise control device; and operating the second visual display apparatus to indicate the active status of the cruise control device.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 34 , further comprising: operating the second visual display apparatus to display visual information indicative of the preset speed.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 35 , further comprising: operating the cruise control device to change the preset speed from a first preset speed to a second preset speed; operating the second visual display apparatus to display visual information indicative of the second preset speed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-11-26 | 2005-05-28 | 2005-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-11-26 | 2009-05-28 | 2009-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-11-26 | 2013-05-28 | 2013-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |