(12) United States Patent
`US 6,324,463 B1
`(10) Patent N0.:
`Patel
`
`(45) Date of Patent: Nov. 27, 2001
`
`US006324463B1
`
`(54) CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR
`
`Associates; San Jose; CA; San Jose State University; CA;
`posted at least as early as Jul. 30; 1996.
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: C. Kumar N. Patel, 1171 Roberts La.,
`Los Angeles; CA (US) 90077
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/310,527
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`May 12, 1999
`
`(60)
`
`Related US. Application Data
`Provisional application No. 60/085,183, filed on May 12,
`1998.
`
`Int. Cl.7 ............................... G06F 7/00; B60K 31/00
`(51)
`(52) US. Cl.
`.............................. 701/93; 701/70; 180/170;
`362/459; 362/489
`(58) Field of Search .................................. 701/93, 96, 70,
`701/301; 340/438, 441; 815.4; 180/170;
`345/30; 362/23; 482, 489, 459
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1/1979 Tomecek .............................. 180/179
`4,132,284 *
`
`5,376,917 * 12/1994 Yoshimoto et a1.
`..
`340/438
`5,949,346 *
`9/1999 Suzuki et a1.
`................... 340/815.45
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`World Wide Web document: Andre; Anthony and Asaf
`Degani; “Do You Know What Mode You’re In? An Analysis
`of Mode Error In Everyday Things,” Interface Analysis
`
`Primary Examiner—William A. Cuchlinski; Jr.
`Assistant Examiner—Yonel Beaulieu
`
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Sidley Austin Brown &
`Wood
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A system for indicating the operational status and param-
`eters 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 speed-
`ometers. 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.
`
`36 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`MAIN DISPLAY
`
`PRESET SPEED DISPLAY
`
`MECHANISM
`
`CLOCKING
`
`AMH00001
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`Honda Ex. 1001
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`Honda Ex. 1001
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`AMH00001
`
`

`

`US. Patent
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`Nov. 27, 2001
`
`Sheet 1 013
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`US 6,324,463 B1
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`F/G.
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`7
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`MAIN DISPLAY
`
`PRESET SPEED DISPLAY
`
`
`
`110
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`90
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`100
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`AMH00002
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`AMH00002
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`

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`US. Patent
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`Nov. 27, 2001
`
`Sheet 2 0f3
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`US 6,324,463 B1
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`F/G. 3
`46'
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`F/G. 5
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`AMH00003
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`AMH00003
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`

`

`US. Patent
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`NOV.27,2001
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`Sheet 3 0f 3
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`US 6,324,463 B1
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`F/G. 4
`
`700
`
`cc OFF
`TURN ON GO
`
`MANUAL CONTROL—-
`
`102
`
`cc ON BANK
`OF LEDS BLINK
`
`704
`
`NO; MANUAL CONTROL—-
`
`APPLY BREAK
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`110
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`-195
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`106
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`YES
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`AUTOMOBILE SPEED
`UNDER CC; LED
`CORRESPONDING TO
`
`JET SPEED LET
`
`PRESS ’R/A’
`.12£
`
`125
`
`PRESS ACCELERATOR
`
`.115
`
`
`
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`CC ENGAGED PRESET
`
`
`AUTOMOBILE SPEED
`
`
`INCREASES; LED
`
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`REMAINS LIT.
`
`
`
`CC ENGAGED,
`AUTOMOBILE
`ACCELERATES
`TO A SPEED
`
`
`
`
`
`RELEASE ’R/Afi
`cc ENGAGED,
`AUTOMOBILE
`OPERATES AT
`mENm
`
`HIGHER SPEED
`
` PRESS ’SET’,
`
`128
`
`
`
` SPEED MEMORY,
`
`
`CC DISENGAGED.
`PRESET SPEED
`
`STORED, AUTOMOBILE
`SLOWS DOWN;
`LED BLINKS
`
`PRESS
`’SETfi
`CC ENGAGED
`AT A LOWER
`SPEED
`
`”4
`
`PRESS
`lR/Al,
`AUTOMOBILE
`ACCELERATES
`TO PRESET
`SPEED
`
`AUTOMOBILE AT
`
`
`
`A HIGHER SPEED,
`CC ENGAGED
`
`
`
` RELEASE ACCELERATOR,
`
`122
`
`AUTOMOBILE SLOWS DOWN
`
`TO PRESET SPEED,
`
`CC ENGAGED
`
`
`172
`
`AMH00004
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`AMH00004
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`

`

`US 6,324,463 B1
`
`1
`CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR
`
`This application claims the benefit of US. Provisional
`Application No. 60/085,183, filed on May 12, 1998.
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates to cruise control systems and more
`particularly to automotive cruise control systems which
`display preset speed information.
`
`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 pro-
`vided 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, memo-
`rized 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.
`
`the conventional cruise control system can be
`Thus,
`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 manually; (3) system on and
`engaged at a set speed—the car’s speed is automatically
`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 automati-
`cally 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,
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`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 memory 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, expect-
`ing 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 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.
`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 accom-
`plished by equipping the vehicle with a visual feedback
`system that continuously provides the preset speed memo-
`rized 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 main-
`tains the vehicle speed at a desired preset speed, an enable
`switch that enables the system, a set speed input in com-
`munication 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 display-
`ing 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 speed-
`ometer 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 illu-
`minates and remains lit (or blinks) for the benefit of the
`operator.
`
`AMH00005
`
`AMH00005
`
`

`

`US 6,324,463 B1
`
`3
`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 prin-
`ciples of the invention.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is schematic of a digital speed display of one
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a plan view of another embodiment of the
`present invention, wherein an analog speedometer incorpo-
`rating 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 further 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 imple-
`mentation 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 pre-
`ferred specific implementation of an improved cruise control
`system for an automobile, namely, one that provides con-
`tinuous 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 pro-
`vides cruise control speed-indicating solutions for both types
`of displays. The digital display embodiment is described
`first.
`
`the speed
`For vehicles having digital speed displays,
`information is already in digitized form, such as binary
`coded decimal (BCD). As shown in the schematic of FIG. 1,
`a main speed display 3 displays in digital format the current
`speed at which the vehicle is operating. A clocking mecha-
`nism 10, such as an array of logic gates, is provided to write
`the digitized information regarding the speed 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. In the preferred embodiment, the
`present speed remains continuously lit on the second display
`16 from the moment the cruise control is engaged until it is
`either overridden or shut off. When the cruise control is
`
`disengaged by stepping on the brake, for example, to tem-
`porarily slow down the vehicle to accommodate a heavy
`traffic load or a reduced highway speed, the preset display
`retains the present speed information and blinks at fixed
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`intervals, say, twice per second. This gives the operator a
`clear indication of the speed to which the vehicle will return
`when the command to resume speed is applied.
`the
`When the cruise control system is first activated,
`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 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 infor-
`mation 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, correspond-
`ing 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 reduc-
`
`AMH00006
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`AMH00006
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`

`

`US 6,324,463 B1
`
`5
`tion 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.
`
`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 opera-
`tor 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 depress-
`ing 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 speed-
`ometer 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
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`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.
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. 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.
`2. 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.
`
`3. The cruise control system of claim 2, wherein the
`feedback system includes a digital display.
`4. 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.
`
`5. The cruise control system of claim 3, wherein the
`digital display displays information indicative of the
`selected cruising speed of the vehicle.
`6. 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 communica-
`tion 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.
`
`AMH00007
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`AMH00007
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`

`

`US 6,324,463 B1
`
`7
`7. 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.
`8. 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.
`9. 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.
`10. The cruise control system of claim 8 wherein the bank
`of light emiting diodes is activated when the enable switch
`is initially enabled.
`11. 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.
`
`12. 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.
`13. 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 compris-
`ing:
`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
`indicative of the
`discontinuing display of the symbol
`preset when the cruise control system is deactivated or
`a new preset speed is selected.
`14. 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.
`15. 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.
`16. The method of claim 15,
`wherein indicating the unset status of the preset speed
`includes displaying a visual symbol to the operator.
`17. The method of claim 16,
`wherein the visual symbol indicating the unset status of
`the preset speed comprises a blinking “0”.
`
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`18. 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 compris-
`1ng:
`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.
`19. The method of claim 18, wherein the symbol indica-
`tive 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.
`20. The method of claim 19, wherein the symbol indica-
`tive 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.
`
`21. 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 compris-
`ing:
`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;
`indicative of the
`discontinuing display of the symbol
`preset speed after the cruise control system is deacti-
`vated 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.
`22. The method of claim 21, wherein the symbol indica-
`tive of the unset state of the preset speed is a “0”.
`23. The method of claim 21, wherein the symbol indica-
`tive of the unset state of the preset speed is a blinking
`numerical indicator.
`
`24. The method of claim 22, wherein the “0” is a blinking
`“0”.
`
`25. 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 compris-
`ing:
`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.
`
`AMH00008
`
`AMH00008
`
`

`

`US 6,324,463 B1
`
`10
`a memory device operable to store information indicative
`of the position of the speed indicator at the predeter-
`mined time.
`
`33. The cruise control system of claim 32, further com-
`prising:
`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.
`
`34. 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 con-
`troller 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 indic