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`PATENT DATE
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`•••'••
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`PATENT NUMBER •
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`PREPARED AND APPROVED FOR ISSUE
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`CLAIMS ALLOWED
`Print Claim for O.G.
`Total Claims
`
`NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE MAILED
`IT
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`I
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`(Date)
`
`• a) The term of this patent
`subsequent to
`has been disclaimed. .
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`(Assistant Examiner)
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`D b) The term of this patent shall
`not extend beyond the expiration date
`. WILLIAM A. CUCHLIMSKI, JR.
`of U.S Patent. No.
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`' SUPERVISORY PATENT EXAMINER
`TECHNOLOGY CENTER 3600
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`WARNING:
`The information disclosed herein may be restricted. Unauthorized disclosure may be prohibited by the United States Code Title 35, Sections 122, 181 and 368.
`Possession outside the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office is restricted to authorized employees and contractors only.
`
`Form PTO-436A
`(Rev. 6/98)
`
`Formal Drawings {
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`COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
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`www,uspto,gov
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`CONFIRMATION NO. 8951
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`SERIAL NUMBER
`09/310,527
`
`FILING DATE
`05/12/1999
`RULE
`
`APPLICANTS
`C. KUMAR N. PATEL, LOS ANGELES, CA;
`
`CLASS
`701
`
`GROUP ART UNIT
`3661
`
`ATTORNEY
`DOCKET NO.
`P0742750
`
`** CONTINUING DATA
`THIS APPLN CLAIMS BENEFIT OF 60/085,183 05/12/1998
`
`*************************
`
`** FOREIGN APPLICATIONS ********************
`
`;
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`I
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`11
`
`Q Met after
`
`STATE OR
`COUNTRY
`CA
`
`Examiner's Signature
`
`Initials
`
`IF REQUIRED, FOREIGN FILING LICENSE GRANTED
`** 06/04/1999
`Q yes Q
`Foreign Priority claimed
`no
`35 USC 119 (a-d) conditions Q
`yes Q
`no
`met
`Allowance
`Verified and
`Acknowledged
`ABB'RESS
`EDWARD G. POPLAWSKI, ESQ.
`SIDLEYJ AUSTIN, G>iouyn Vwloej
`555 WEST FIFTH STREET
`
`I w m LOS ANGELES, ,CA 90013-1010
`ft
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`TITLE
`CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR
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`No.
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`SERIAL NUMBER
`09/310,527
`
`FILING DATE
`05/12/99
`
`CLASS
`70i
`
`GROUP ART UNIT
`3661
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`Pt)-M27fe0
`
`z C.KURMAN N. PATEL, LOS ANGELES, CA.
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`**CONTINUING DOMESTIC
`VERIFIED
`fvpfl
`**371 (NAT'L STAGE) DATA*********************
`VERIFIED
`""
`
`**F0REIGN APPLICATiONS************
`VERIFIED
`
`IF REQUIRED, FOREIGN FILING LICENSE GRANTED 06/04/99
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`1MM
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`PRETTY SCHROEDER & POPLAWSKI PC
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`^ LOS ANGELES CA 90071-2909
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`FEES: Alithof-ity has beeh given ih Paper
`No.
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`NO.
`for the following:
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`• 1.16 f^eSs (Filing)
`J 1.17 fees (Processing Ext, of time)
`• 1.18 Fees (Issue)
`• Other
`• Credit
`
`

`

`Express M'ail Label No. EL 349 964
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`LFll
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`$ UTILfTY PATENT APPLICATION TRANSMITTAL
`at
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`cz at
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`3
`
`Docket No.
`P07 42750
`
`Total Pages in this Submission
`23
`
`TO THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`Box Patent Application
`Washington, D.C. 20231
`Transmitted herewith for filing under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) and 37 C.F.R. 1.53(b) is a new utility patent application for an
`invention entitled:
`
`and invented by:
`
`CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR
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`Application Elements
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`2. IS Specification having
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`a. IS Descriptive Title of the Invention
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`b. (8 Cross References to Related Applications (if applicable)
`
`c. • Statement Regarding Federally-sponsored Research/Development (if applicable)
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`d. • Reference to Microfiche Appendix (if applicable)
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`f. S Brief Summary of the Invention
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`Page 1 of 3
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`P01USMUREV03
`
`

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`
`Docket No.
`P07 42750
`
`Total Pages in this Submission
`23
`
`fir
`
`Application Elements (Continued)
`
`3. IS Drawing(s) (when necessary as prescribed by 35 USC 113)
`
`a. • Formal
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`b. IS
`
`Informal
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`4
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`
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`Signed statement attached deleting inventor(s) named in the prior application,
`see 37 C.F.R. 1.63(d)(2) and 1.33(b).
`
`P
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`y, 5. • incorporation By Reference (usable if Box 4b is checked)
`The entire disclosure of the prior application, from which a copy of the oath or declaration is supplied
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`iv
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`Sl
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`6. • Computer Program in Microfiche
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`7. • Genetic Sequence Submission (if applicable, all must be included)
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`a. • Paper Copy
`
`b. • Computer Readable Copy
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`c. • Statement Verifying Identical Paper and Computer Readable Copy
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`Accompanying Application Parts
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`8; • Assignment Papers (cover sheet & documents)
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`P01USMUREV03
`
`

`

`UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION TRANSMITTAL
`(Small Entity)
`(Only for new nonprovisional applications under 37 CFR 1.53(b))
`
`Docket No.
`P07 42750
`
`Total Pages in this Submission
`23
`
`Accompanying Application Parts (Continued)
`
`15. • Certified Copy of Priority Documents) (if foreign priority is claimed)
`
`16. • Small Entity Statements) - Specify Number of Statements Submitted:
`
`17. • Additional Enclosures (please identify below):
`
`Fee Calculation and Transmittal
`
`For
`
`#Filed
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`#Allowed
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`#Extra
`
`CLAIMS AS FILED
`
`36
`
`1 0
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`- 3 =
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`Rate
`
`$9.00
`
`$39.00
`
`BASIC FEE
`
`TOTAL FILING FEE
`
`Fee
`
`$144.00
`
`$273.00
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`$0.00
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`$380.00
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`$0.00
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`$797.00
`
`to cover the filing fee is enclosed.
`• A check in the amount of
`• The Commissioner is hereby authorized to charge and credit Deposit Account No.
`as described below. A duplicate copy of this sheet is enclosed.
`• Charge the amount of
`as filing fee.
`• Credit any overpayment.
`• Charge any additional filing fees required under 37 C.F.R. 1.16 and 1.17.
`• Charge the issue fee set in 37 C.F.R. 1.18 at the mailing of the Notice of Allowance,
`pursuant to 37 C.F.R. 1.311(b).
`
`Dated: Mav 12.1999
`
`cc:
`
`/ppldi
`
`'
`
`Signature
`Michael L. Crapenhoft
`Registration No. 37,115
`PRETTY, SCHROEDER & POPLAWSKI, P.C.
`444 South Flower Street - 19th Floor
`Los Angeles, CA 90071-2919
`Ofc: 213/622-7700
`Fax: 213/489-4210
`
`Page 3 of 3
`
`P01USML/REV03
`
`

`

`A P P L I C A T I O N
`
`O F
`
`C. KUMAR N. PATEL
`
`FOR
`
`UNITED STATES LETTERS PATENT
`
`ON
`
`CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR
`
`Attorneys
`
`PRETTY, SCHROEDER, & POPLAWSKI, P.C.
`444 South Flower Street, 19th Floor
`Los Angeles, California 90071-2909
`(213) 622-7700
`
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`Docket No. P07 42750
`
`Sheets of Drawings: 4
`
`CERTIFICATE OF MAILING BY "EXPRESS MAIL"
`
`EI 349 964 153 US
`"EXPRESS MAIL" MAILING LABEL NUMBER
`DATE OF DEPOSIT
`MAY 7, 1999
`
`I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PAPER OR FEE IS BEING DEPOSITED WITH THE UNITED STATES
`POSTAL SERVICE "EXPRESS MAIL POST OFFICE TO ADDRESSEE" SERVICE UNDER 37 CER 1-10 ON
`THE DATE INDICATED ABOVE AND IS ADDRESSED TO BOX NEW PATENT APPLICATION, THE
`ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS, WASHINGTON, D. C. 20231.
`
`JOHN TRWINO
`(TYPED OR PRINTED^AMEQB^PERSON MAILING PAPER OR FEE)
`
`(SIGN A'
`
`OF PERSON MAILING PAPER OR FEE)
`
`

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`CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR
`
`This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.
`60/085,183, filed on May 12,1998.
`
`5
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates to cruise control systems and more particularly to
`automotive cruise control systems which display preset speed information.
`
`"ST
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The cruise control accessory found in many automobiles today can be
`characterized as a human-machine system. That is, while the cruise control feature offers the
`operator of a vehicle the benefit of speed control (machine) automation, it also requires
`significant human interface for its proper and safe operation. In particular, conventional
`cruise control systems require the operator to (1) turn on the cruise control system (by
`depressing or rocking a button on the steering wheel or dashboard), (2) achieve the desired
`cruising speed (by controlling the deflection of the accelerator), and then (3) engage, or set,
`the cruise control (by pressing another button typically located on the steering wheel or
`cruise control stalk shift).
`Further, the conventional cruise control system is provided with a memory
`function that stores the set control speed. Thus, applying the brakes to temporarily slow
`down temporarily disengages the cruise control function. However, re-engaging the cruise
`control by depressing the "resume" button returns the automobile to the preset, memorized
`speed. Similarly, temporarily accelerating while the cruise control is engaged, as is done, for
`example, when passing other vehicles, does not disengage the system. Rather, when the
`accelerator is released, the automobile slows down until it returns to its set cruising speed
`and continues at that speed. In fact, the preset, memorized speed is typically canceled only
`if the cruise control system is turned off (by either depressing the system button or turning
`off the automobile) or if another speed is set into the memory.
`Thus, the conventional cruise control system can be characterized as existing in
`any one of five modes. Those modes are: (1) cruise control system off - the car's speed is
`controlled manually; (2) system on, but not engaged - the car's speed is still controlled
`30 manually; (3) system on and engaged at a set speed- the car's speed is automatically
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
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`25
`
`A:\0002605.01
`
`Attorney Docket No. P07 42750
`
`- Page 1 -
`
`

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`controlled at the memorized speed; (4) system on and engaged at a set speed but the
`accelerator is depressed thus increasing the speed of the car - the car's speed is no longer
`controlled automatically. However, the moment the speed of the vehicle drops to the set
`speed due to the operator releasing the accelerator, the system jumps back to mode 3; and
`(5) system on and engaged but the brakes are depressed - the car's speed is no longer
`controlled automatically but the set speed is still stored in memory and will re-engage to
`automatic mode 3 upon depressing the "resume" button. It is also apparent that the system
`is dynamic in that it can jump from mode to mode based on human or machine intervention.
`The operator may know which mode the automobile is in at any given moment,
`but this may not always be the case. While most systems provide visual feedback indicating
`whether the cruise control system is enabled (identifying if it is in mode 1), typically via a
`light located within the cruise control button or on the dashboard, this information is of some
`but minimal value to the operator. They do not, however, inform the operator which mode
`the automobile is in when the system is enabled (i.e. mode 2, 3, 4, or 5). While no feedback
`is obviously needed to identify when the system is in mode 3 because the cruise control is
`automatically controlling the speed, conventional systems do not inform the operator whether
`they are in fully manual mode 2 or in one of the temporarily manual modes 4 or 5. The
`operator must rely on his or her memoiy to know whether the speed at which the vehicle is
`traveling is only a temporary override of the automatic speed control to be resumed upon
`releasing the accelerator or depressing the resume button, as the case may be, or is a function
`of being in fully manual mode 2.
`Lacking this knowledge poses potential safety hazards. This can be illustrated
`by way of several examples. Example 1: The operator was on fully automatic cruise (mode
`3) at 60 miles per hour (mph), but then accelerated to 75 mph (mode 4) and kept his/her foot
`on the accelerator to maintain this speed for several miles. Then, the operator had a need to
`gradually slow the vehicle down to below 60 mph, say 40 mph, because of a new driving
`condition, such as heavy traffic, reduced speed limit or exiting the highway. However, by this
`time, the operator forgot that cruise control was still set for 60 mph, and merely released the
`accelerator, expecting the vehicle to continue to slow down to 40 mph. This, course, did not
`happen. The operator's momentary lack of speed control could lead to an accident. Example
`2: The operator was in fully automatic cruise control mode (mode 3) but had to step on the
`brakes to temporarily slow down, thereby disengaging the cruise control (mode 5). Some
`time elapsed and the operator forgot the preset speed before pressing the resume button. The
`
`5
`
`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`3 0
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`A:\0002605.01
`
`Attorney Docket No. P07 42750
`
`- Page 2-
`
`

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`acceleration to the preset speed may come as a surprise and lead to another hazardous
`situation.
`
`In sum, there is a definite safety driven need to provide useful, visual feedback
`to operators of automobiles with cruise control of the preset speeds at which they are set.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention addresses this need by providing the operator of a vehicle
`with information about the preset speed of an enabled cruise control system. This is
`accomplished by equipping the vehicle with a visual feedback system that continuously
`provides the preset speed memorized by the cruise control system. This invention will tend
`to enhance the safe operation of a vehicle under cruise control conditions.
`In particular, a cruise control system for a vehicle is provided with a speed
`controller that automatically maintains the vehicle speed at a desired preset speed, an enable
`switch that enables the system, a set speed input in communication with the controller to
`manually set the speed of the vehicle to that at which it is traveling at the moment of input,
`a memory for temporarily storing the speed of the vehicle at the set speed, and a feedback
`system for displaying the set speed information to the operator of the vehicle until a new set
`speed is input or the system is disabled.
`In one more detailed aspect of the invention, the feedback system of a vehicle
`designed with a digital speed display, or speedometer, is a second digital display that provides
`the preset cruise control speed, when the cruise control is enabled and active. In another
`more detailed embodiment, the feedback system of a vehicle having an analog speedometer
`includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED's) located at various speed intervals on the
`speedometer dial. The LED corresponding to the speed at which the vehicle was traveling
`when the cruise control system was set illuminates and remains lit (or blinks) for the benefit
`of the operator.
`Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent
`from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
`drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
`
`30
`
`invention;
`
`A:\0002605.01
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is schematic of a digital speed display of one embodiment of the present
`
`- Page 3 -
`l~1
`
`Attorney Docket No. P07 42 750
`
`

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`FIG. 2 is a plan view of another embodiment of the present invention, wherein
`an analog speedometer incorporating a bank of LED detector assemblies is shown;
`
`FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the analog speedometer taken along line 3-3 of
`FIG. 2, wherein an LED detector assembly and speedometer needle are farther illustrated;
`FIG. 4 is a flow chart detailing the various operations of the analog cruise control
`feedback system shown in FIG. 2; and
`FIG. 5 is a schematic of the LED detector assembly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`The invention summarized above and defined by the enumerated claims may be
`better understood by referring to the following detailed description, which should be read in
`conjunction with the accompanying drawings. This detailed description of a particular
`preferred embodiment, set out below to enable one to build and use one particular
`implementation of the invention, is not intended to limit the enumerated claims, but to serve
`as a particular example thereof. The particular example set out below is one preferred
`specific implementation of an improved cruise control system for an automobile, namely, one
`that provides continuous visual feedback of the preset speed of the system for the
`convenience of the operator and for improved safety. The invention, however, may also be
`applied to other types of transportation means that could utilize a cruise control system.
`Automobiles currently provide one of two types of speed displays, namely, the
`analog display, typically in the form of the traditional speedometer, and the digital display.
`Accordingly, as detailed below, the present invention provides cruise control speed-indicating
`solutions for both types of displays. The digital display embodiment is described first.
`For vehicles having digital speed displays, the speed information is already in
`>\
`digitized form, such as binaAcoded decimal (BCD). As shown in the schematic of FIG. 1,
`. a main speed display 8 displays in digital format the current speed at which the vehicle is
`operating. A clocking mechanism 10, such as an array of logic gates, is provided to write the
`digitized information regarding the imeed at which the vehicle is traveling when the set button
`is pressed, that is, when the cruise control is engaged, into a digital memory 12, such as a
`DRAM. Output lines 14 from the memory 12 activate a second smaller and distinctive digital
`display 16 indicating the preset speed. Intthe preferred embodiment, the preset speed remains
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`continuously lit on the second display 16 from the momeniJfee^uise control is engaged until
`it is either overridden or shut off. Whentij&^rtCtSecontrol is disengaged by stepping on the
`brake, for example, to tempor^jaJ^slow down the vehicle to accommodate a heavy traffic
`load or a reduced Mgb^y speed, the preset display retains the preset speed information and
`blinks atfj^etfmtervals, say, twice per second. This gives the operator a clear indication of
`thcSpeed to which the vehicle will return when the command to resume speed is applied.
`When the cruise control system is first activated, the preset display 16 will blink
`the number zero indicating an "unset" state of cruise control. Further, if in the engaged state,
`the operator steps on the accelerator to momentarily (or longer) increase vehicular speed (for
`passing another vehicle or any other reason), the cruise control will remain engaged as is true
`of all systems today. However, the operator will always have a clear indication of the speed
`to which the vehicle will return upon removing the foot from the accelerator, obviating the
`need to rely on the memory of the operator to know the cruise control speed.
`Referring now to automobiles with analog speed displays, since digitized speed
`.
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`information is not typically available for easy storage, as was described above, a very
`different approach is used to achieve the same results as in the digital embodiment. As shown
`in FIG. 2, the preset speed information is displayed right on the analog speed dial, or
`speedometer 40, itself. In particular, the analog dial 40 which has speed markings thereon,
`is also provided with a bank 44 of individual light emitting diode (LED) assemblies 45
`embedded at the periphery of the dial at every 1 mile per hour (mph) interval. It is
`understood that other intervals may be used if desired. The bank 44 extends for a portion
`of the dial corresponding to an expected potential range of cruising speeds, such as from 40
`mph to 80 or 90 mph. Referring momentarily to FIG. 3, each LED assembly 45 is comprised
`of an LED 46 and a detector 48. These assemblies 45, assembled individually or as an entire
`bank 44, can be easily fabricated on a few semiconductor chips.
`The operation of the analog embodiment of the present invention is now
`illustrated with reference to the flow chart shown in Fig. 4, in conjunction with FIGS. 2, 3
`and 5.
`
`When the operator starts the vehicle and commences driving, the cruise control
`(indicated as "CC" in Fig. 4) is off and the automobile is under manual control. When the
`operator turns on the cruise control in step 100, all of the detectors 48 are off, and the display
`of the entire bank of LEDs 44 simultaneously blink once (or a small number of present times)
`to inform the operator that the cruise control is now enabled, step 102. Further, the LED 50,
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`corresponding to the 0 mph mark, remains lit to indicate the cruise control status (i.e.
`"system on"). At this point, the driver can either continue to operate the automobile under
`manual control or press the "set speed" button when the desired automobile speed is reached.
`Pressing the "set speed" button, step 104, activates all of the detectors and all of the LED's
`momentarily light up. Referring again to Figs. 2 and 3, the back side of the speed indicator
`needle 42 is partially reflective for the portion of the needle that sweeps over the bank of
`LED assemblies 44. Thus, the momentary activation of all LED's results in the LED light
`reflected back into only that detector 48 over which the partially reflecting needle 42 is
`located, and only this detector is activated. As shown in Fig. 5, the electrical signal from this
`detector is then used to activate the corresponding LED which remains lit as long as the
`cruise control is engaged, step 106. The electronic circuitry needed to maintain the LED lit
`after the momentary firing of LED and activation of the corresponding detector by a pulse
`of light is well understood in the art. The vehicle is now operating at a speed controlled by
`the cruise control.
`At this point, there are at least three scenarios that obtain. The first is that the
`operator steps on the brake, step 108. When the operator steps on the brake for temporary
`reduction of the vehicular speed on the highway, the cruise control disengages, step 110, and
`the LED indicating the previously set speed point goes into a blinking mode. This will assure
`that the operator has the full knowledge of the status of the cruise control, in particular, that
`it is on but disengaged, with the potential to return the vehicle's speed to the preset speed
`corresponding to the blinking LED on the dial 40. The operator may continue to drive the
`vehicle under complete manual control while the preset speed is stored in the cruise control
`and as indicated by the blinking LED. When the operator presses the "Resume/Accelerate
`(R/A)" button, step 112, he or she knows the speed to which the vehicle will return. At this
`point, of course, cruise control is engaged, the LED is steadily lit, and the automobile
`accelerates to the preset speed.
`Alternatively, as shown in step 114, the operator may choose to continue to
`travel at the new (and now slower) speed. In this case, he or she may press the SET button
`to re-engage the cruise control. All of the LED's will blink momentarily, all the detectors
`will be turned on, and only the detector under the new position of the speedometer needle
`having received the reflected light will be activated. The LED corresponding to the new
`cruising speed will now remain lit as described earlier.
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`The second scenario entails the operator stepping on the accelerator, step 116,
`to increase the vehicular speed in order to pass another vehicle (or any other reason). As
`shown in step 118, the LED remains lit continuously to indicate the speed to which the
`vehicle will return once the operator takes her/his foot off the accelerator, as in step 120. For
`the operator to be able to see the set speed when cruise control is engaged and when the
`vehicle is moving at the preset speed, this embodiment includes a speedometer indicator
`needle which is semitransparent over the region where the bank of LED assemblies 44 are
`located. Thus, the operator can see the continuously lit LED and know that the cruise
`control is engaged.
`Alternatively, as-shown in step 122, if desired, the operator can select a new,
`higher cruising speed by pressing the "set speed" button. In this case, the earlier sequence
`will repeat, a new LED will be lit, and the automobile speed will be set at a higher speed.
`Finally,
`the
`third scenario envisions
`the operator depressing
`the
`"Reset/Accelerate" or "R/A" button in step 124 to accelerate the vehicle via the cruise
`control system, step 126. Following the earlier sequences, the new speed will be set to that
`which the vehicle was traveling when the "R/A" button was released. This will sequence all
`of the LED's to blink, all detectors to be activated, and then the LED under the needle to
`stay lit to indicate the new higher cruising speed, as shown in step 128.
`As shown, deployment of the present invention in all vehicles equipped with
`cruise control will tend to contribute significantly towards safer driving.
`Having thus described the basic principles and exemplary embodiments of the
`invention, it will be apparent that further variations, alterations, modifications, and
`improvements will also occur to those skilled in the art. For example, it is understood that
`a vehicle equipped with an analog speedometer may be designed with a digital preset speed
`indicator. Further, it will be apparent that the present invention is not limited to use in
`automobiles. It is applicable to any operator-controlled vehicle that may use a human-
`machine, mobile cruise control system, such as motorcycles, trolleys, water vehicles, etc.
`Such alterations, modifications, and improvements, though not expressly described or
`mentioned above, are nonetheless intended and implied to be within the spirit and scope of
`the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing discussion is intended to be illustrative only; the
`invention is limited and defined only by the various following claims and equivalents thereto.
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`What is claimed is:
`
`1.
`comprising:
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`A cruise\control system for a vehicle having a human operator,
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`a speed controller that automaticallyjnaintains the vehicle speed at a preset speed;
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`an enable switch associated with said controller for enabling the system;
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`a set speed input in communication with said controller for manually setting the
`speed of the vehicle at said presei speed, thereby engaging the system;
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`a memory which stores information indicative of said preset speed; and
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`a feedback system for communicating said information in said memory to the
`operator of the vehicle.
`\
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`A cruise control system for a variable speed vehicle controlled by a human
`2.
`operator, comprising:
`\
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`(a) a speed controller capable of automatically maintaining the vehicle at a
`substantially constant cruising speed selected by the operator;
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`(b) a cruise control enable switch associated with the controller for enabling and
`disabling the controller;
`v
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`(c) a set speed input in communication with the controller for selecting the
`cruising speed of the vehicle when the controlfer is enabled;
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`(d) a memory that stores information representative of the selected cruising speed;
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`(e) a feedback system!that substantially continuously communicates the selected
`cruising speed information to me operator of the vehicle until either the operator selects a
`subsequent cruising speed or the controller is disabled.
`
`The cruise control ^ystem of claim 2, wherein the feedback system includes
`3.
`a digital display.
`
`The cruise control system of claim 3, wherein the digital display displays a
`4.
`predetermined signal when the controller is initially enabled to indicate the state of the
`controller.
`
`The cruise control system\of claim 3, wherein the digital display displays
`5.
`information indicative of the selected cruising speed of the vehicle.
`
`A cruise control system for a Variable speed vehicle controlled by a human
`6.
`operator, comprising:
`\
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`(a) a speed controller capable of automatically maintaining the vehicle at a
`r~"-
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`substantially constant cruising speed selected by me operator;
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`(b) a cruise control enable switch associated with the controller for enabling and
`disabling the controller;
`\
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`(c) an operator-controlled, set speed input