Express Mail Label No. EL 349 964 153US
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`~ UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION TRANSMITTAL
`w
`(Small Entity)
`UI
`(Only for new nonprovisional applications under 37 CFR 1.53(b))
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`Total Pages in this Submission
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`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:
`
`CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR
`
`C. KUMAR N. PATEL
`
`.
`
`a CONTINUATION APPLICATION, check appropriate box and supply the requisite information:
`Continuation 0 Divisional 0 Continuation-in-part (CIP) of prior application No.:
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`Application Elements
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`2. ~ Specification having
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`a. ~ Descriptive Title of the Invention
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`b. (gj Cross References to Related Applications (if applicable)
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`Abstract of the Disclosure
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`P01USMUREV03
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`Honda Ex. 1003
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`AMH00270
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`

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`UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION TRANSMITTAL
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`Page 2 of3
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`P01 USMUREV03
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`UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION TRANSMITTAL
`(Small Entity)
`(Only for new nonprovisional applications under 37 CFR 1.53(b))
`
`Docket No.
`P0742750
`
`I
`Total Pages in this Submission
`23
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`I
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`Accompanying Application Parts (Continued)
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`,
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`::
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`::rQtal Claims
`, ".,
`,:;5
`l,~dep. Claims
`:~~~
`
`36
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`10
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`- 20 =
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`- 3 =
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`16
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`TOTAL FILING FEE
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`pursuant to 37 C.F.R. 1.311 (b).
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`Dated: May 12, 1999
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`cc:
`
`~ ~ Michael L. Crapenhoft
`
`Registration No. 37,115
`PRETTY, SCHROEDER & POPLAWSKI, P.e.
`444 South Flower Street - 19th Floor
`Los Angeles, CA 90071-2919
`Ofc: 213/622-7700
`Fax: 213/489-4210
`
`Page 3 of3
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`APPLICATION
`
`OF
`
`C. KUMARN. PATEL
`
`FOR
`
`~TEDSTATESLETTERSPATENT
`
`ON
`
`CRmSE CONTROL INDICATOR
`
`Docket No. P07 42750
`
`Sheets of Drawings: 4
`
`Attorneys
`
`PRETTY, SCHROEDER, & POPLAWSKI, P.C.
`444 South Flower Street, 19th Floor
`Los Angeles, California 90071-2909
`(213) 622-7700
`
`CERTIFICATE OF MAIUNG BY "EXPRESS MAIL"
`
`"EXPRESS MAIL" MAIUNG LABEL NUMBER:--El=...:3:...!:49~9::.:;64:..:...=:153=-:;L::!:,TS,--___ _ _
`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 CFR 1-10 ON
`THE DATE INDICATED ABOVE AND IS ADDRESSED TO BOX NEW PATENT APPUCATION, THE
`ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS, WASHINGTON, D. C. 20231.
`
`AMH00273
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`

`

`CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR
`
`This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.
`
`601085,183, filed on May 12, 1998.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`This invention relates to cruise control systems and more particularly to
`
`automotive cmise 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 cmise control feature offers the
`
`10
`
`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
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`cmise control systems require the operator to (1) tum on the cmise control system (by
`
`depressing or rocking a button on the steering wheel or dashboard), (2) achieve the desired
`
`cruising speed (by controlling the deflection ofthe accelerator), and then (3) engage, or set,
`
`15
`
`the cmise control (by pressing another button typically located on the steering wheel or
`
`cmise 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 cmise control function. However, re-engaging the cruise
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`20
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`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 cmising speed
`
`and continues at that speed. In fact, the preset, memorized speed is typically canceled only
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`25
`
`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
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`anyone 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
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`manually; (3) system on and engaged at a set speed- the car's speed is automatically
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`controlled at the memorized speed; (4) system on and engaged at a set speed but the
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`accelerator is depressed thus increasing the speed of the car - the car's speed is no longer
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`controlled automatically. However, the moment the speed of the vehicle drops to the set
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`speed due to the operator releasing the accelerator, the system jumps back to mode 3; and
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`5
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`(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
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`automatic mode 3 upon depressing the "resume" button. It is also apparent that the system
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`is dynamic in that it can jump from mode to mode based on human or machine intervention.
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`The operator may know which mode the automobile is in at any given moment,
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`10
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`but this may not always be the case. While most systems provide visual feedback indicating
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`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
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`the automobile is in when the system is enabled (i.e. mode 2, 3, 4, or 5). While no feedback
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`15
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`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
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`operator must rely on his or her memory to know whether the speed at which the vehicle is
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`traveling is only a temporary override of the automatic speed control to be resumed upon
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`20
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`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 hislher foot
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`25
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`on the accelerator to maintain this speed for several miles. Then, the operator had a need to
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`gradually slow the vehicle down to below 60 mph, say 40 mph, because of a new driving
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`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
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`accelerator, expecting the vehicle to continue to slow down to 40 mph. This, course, did not
`
`30
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`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
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`acceleration to the preset speed may come as a surprise and lead to another hazardous
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`situation.
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`In sum, there is a definite safety driven need to provide useful, visual feedback
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`to operators of automobiles with cruise control of the preset speeds at which they are set.
`
`5
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`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
`
`10
`
`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
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`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,
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`15
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`a memory for temporarily storing the speed of the vehicle at the set speed, and a feedback
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`system for displaying the set speed information to the operator of the vehicle until a new set
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`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
`
`20
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`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 oflight 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
`
`25
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`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
`
`FIG. 1 is schematic of a digital speed display of one embodiment of the present
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`invention;
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`FIG. 2 is a plan view of another embodiment of the present invention, wherein
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`an analog speedometer incorporating a bank of LED detector assemblies is shown;
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`FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the analog speedometer taken along line 3-3 of
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`5
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`FIG. 2, wherein an LED detector assembly and speedometer needle are further illustrated;
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`FIG. 4 is a flow chart detailing the various operations ofthe analog cruise control
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`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
`
`10
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`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
`
`15
`
`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.
`
`20
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`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
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`25
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`digitized form, such as binary coded 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
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`operating. A clocking mechanism 10, such as an array oflogic gates, is provided to write the
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`digitized information regarding the speed at which the vehicle is traveling when the set button
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`is pressed, that is, when the cruise control is engaged, into a digital memory 12, such as a
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`30
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`DRAM. Output lines 14 from the memory 12 activate a second smaller and distinctive digital
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`display 16 indicating the preset speed. In the preferred embodiment, the preset speed remains
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`continuously lit on the second display 16 from the moment the cruise control is engaged until
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`it is either overridden or shut off. When the cruise control is disengaged by stepping on the
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`brake, for example, to temporarily slow down the vehicle to accommodate a heavy traffic
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`load or a reduced highway speed, the preset display retains the preset speed information and
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`5
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`blinks at fixed intervals, say, twice per second. This gives the operator a clear indication of
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`the speed to which the vehicle will return when the command to resume speed is applied.
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`When the cruise control system is first activated, the preset display 16 will blink
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`the number zero indicating an "unset" state of cruise control. Further, if in the engaged state,
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`the operator steps on the accelerator to momentarily (or longer) increase vehicular speed (for
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`10
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`passing another vehicle or any other reason), the cruise control will remain engaged as is true
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`of all systems today. However, the operator will always have a clear indication of the speed
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`to which the vehicle will return upon removing the foot from the accelerator, obviating the
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`need to rely on the memory of the operator to know the cruise control speed.
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`Referring now to automobiles with analog speed displays, since digitized speed
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`15
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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
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`speedometer 40, itself. In particular, the analog dial 40 which has speed markings thereon,
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`is also provided with a bank 44 of individual light emitting diode (LED) assemblies 45
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`20
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`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
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`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
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`25
`
`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
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`30
`
`(indicated as "CC" in Fig. 4) is off and the automobile is under manual control. When the
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`operator turns on the cruise control in step 100, all of the detectors 48 are off, and the display
`
`of the entire bank ofLEDs 44 simultaneously blink once (or a small number of present times)
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`to infOlID 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.
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`"system on"). At this point, the driver can either continue to operate the automobile under
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`manual control or press the "set speed" button when the desired automobile speed is reached.
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`Pressing the "set speed" button, step 104, activates all of the detectors and all of the LED's
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`5
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`momentarily light up. Referring again to Figs. 2 and 3, the back side of the speed indicator
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`needle 42 is partially reflective for the portion of the needle that sweeps over the bank of
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`LED assemblies 44. Thus, the momentary activation of all LED's results in the LED light
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`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
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`10
`
`detector is then used to activate the corresponding LED which remains lit as long as the
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`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
`
`oflight is well understood in the art. The vehicle is now operating at a speed controlled by
`
`the cruise controL
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`15
`
`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
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`reduction of the vehicular speed on the highway, the cruise control disengages, step 110, and
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`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
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`20
`
`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
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`and as indicated by the blinking LED. When the operator presses the "Resume! Accelerate
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`(RIA)" button, step 112, he or she knows the speed to which the vehicle will return. At this
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`25
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`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
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`travel at the new (and now slower) speed. In this case, he or she may press the SET button
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`tq re-engage the cruise controL All of the LED's will blink momentarily, all the detectors
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`30
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`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
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`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,
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`to increase the vehicular speed in order to pass another vehicle (or any other reason). As
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`shown in step 118, the LED remains lit continuously to indicate the speed to which the
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`vehicle "Will return once the operator takes herlhis foot off the accelerator, as in step 120. For
`
`5
`
`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.
`
`10
`
`Alternatively, as shown in step 122, if desired, the operator can select a new,
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`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 \¥ill be set at a higher speed.
`
`Finally,
`
`the
`
`third scenario envisions
`
`the operator depressing
`
`the
`
`"Reset/Accelerate" or "RiA" button in step 124 to accelerate the vehicle via the cruise
`
`15
`
`control system, step 126. Following the earlier sequences, the new speed will be set to that
`
`which the vehicle was traveling when the fiR! 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
`
`20
`
`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
`
`25
`
`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(cid:173)
`
`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
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`30
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`the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing discussion is intended to be illustrative only; the
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`invention is limited and defined only by the various following claims and equivalents thereto.
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`A:\0002605.01
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`Attorney Docket No. P0742750
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`-Page 7-
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`AMH00280
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`What is claimed is:
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`1.
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`A cruise control system for a vehicle having a human operator,
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`comprising:
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`a speed controller that automatically maintains 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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`5
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`a set speed input in communication with said controller for manually setting the
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`speed of the vehicle at said preset 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
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`operator of the vehicle.
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`2.
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`A cruise control system for a variable speed vehicle controlled by a human
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`operator, comprising:
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`(a) a speed controller capable of automatically maintaining the vehicle at a
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`substantially constant cruising speed selected by the operator;
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`5
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`(b) a cruise control enable switch associated "With the controller for enabling and
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`disabling the controller;
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`( c) a set speed input in communication with the controller for selecting the
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`cruising speed of the vehicle when the controller is enabled;
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`(d) a memory that stores information representative of the selected cruising speed;
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`10
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`and
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`A:IO002605.01
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`-Page 8-
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`AMH00281
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`(e) a feedback system that substantially continuously communicates the selected
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`cruising speed information to the operator of the vehicle until either the operator selects a
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`subsequent cruising speed or the controller is disabled.
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`3.
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`The cruise control system of claim 2, wherein the feedback system includes
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`a digital display.
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`4.
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`The cruise control system of claim 3, wherein the digital display displays a
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`predetermined signal when the controller is initially enabled to indicate the state of the
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`controller.
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`5.
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`The cruise control system of claim 3, wherein the digital display displays
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`information indicative of the selected cruising speed ofthe vehicle.
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`6.
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`A cruise control system for a variable speed vehicle controlled by a human
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`operator, comprising:
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`(a) a speed controller capable of automatically maintaining the vehicle at a
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`substantially constant cruising speed selected by the operator;
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`5
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`(b) a cruise control enable switch associated with the controller for enabling and
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`disabling the controller;
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`( c) an operator-controlled, set speed input in communication with the controller
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`for selecting the cruising speed of the vehicle when the controller is enabled;
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`(d) an analog speedometer having a speed dial with speed markers and a rotating
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`10
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`speed indicating needle on the dial; and
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`( e) a feedback system that detects the position of the speed indicating needle when
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`the cruising speed of the vehicle is selected and that substantially continuously
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`communicates the position of the needle corresponding to that cruising speed until either
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`the operator selects a new cruising speed or the controller is disabled.
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`A:IO002605.01
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`Attorney Docket No. P0742750
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`-Page 9-
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`AMH00282
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`7.
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`The cruise control system of claim 6, wherein the feedback system further
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`comprises a bank of light emitting diodes arranged along a portion of the of the speed
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`dial, each diode positioned to correspond to a given speed indication on the dial, and
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`wherein one of the diodes in the bank emits light corresponding to the selected cruising
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`5
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`speed.
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`8.
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`The cruise control system of claim 7, wherein the feedback system further
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`includes one light emitting diode detector arranged adjacent to each diode in the bank of
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`light emitting diodes, and a light reflective surface on a portion of the side of the speed
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`indicating needle that faces the bank of diodes and that sweeps over the bank of diodes.
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`9.
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`The cruise control system of claim 8, wherein said feedback system
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`determines the relative position of the speed indicating needle when the cruising speed is
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`selected by detecting reflections from one of the light emitting diodes off the reflective
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`surface of the needle received by an adjacent light emitting diode detector.
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`10.
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`The cruise control system of claim 8 wherein the bank of light emitting
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`diodes is activated when the enable switch is initially enabled.
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`11.
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`The cruise control system of claim 9 wherein the feedback system activates
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`one of the light emitting diodes closest to the needle when said enable switch is enabled.
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`12.
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`A method for visually communicating to the human operator of a vehicle
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`having a cruise control system the cruising speed at which the vehicle is set, comprising:
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`determining the speed at which the vehicle is traveling;
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`activating the cruise control system at the desired cruising speed;
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`5
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`displaying a symbol indicative of the speed at which the cruise control system is
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`activated;
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`A: 10002605.01
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`Attorney Docket No. P0742750
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`AMH00283
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`maintaining the activated cruise control speed symbol upon temporary
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`acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle;
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`removing said symbol when the cruise control system is deactivated or a new
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`1 0
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`cruising speed is selected.
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`13.
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`A method for indicating to a human operator of a vehicle having a cruise
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`control system a preset speed for which the cruise control system is set, the method
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`comprising:
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`setting the preset speed;
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`5
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`displaying to the operator a symbol indicative of the preset speed;
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`maintaining the display of the symbol indicative of the preset speed; and
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`discontinuing display of the symbol indicative of the preset speed when the cruise
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`control system is deactivated or a new preset speed is selected.
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`14.
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`The method of claim 13, further comprising:
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`displaying a second symbol upon the selection of a new preset speed, said second
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`symbol indicative of the new preset speed.
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`15.
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`The method of claim 13, further comprising:
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`before setting the preset speed, activating the cruise control system; and
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`after activating the cruise control system, but before setting the preset speed,
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`indicating to the operator the unset status of the preset speed.
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`16.
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`The method of claim 15,
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`A:10002605.01
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`Attorney Docket No. P0742750
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`-Pagell-
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`AMH00284
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`wherein indicating the unset status of the preset speed includes displaying a visual
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`symbol to the operator.
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`17.
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`The method of claim 16,
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`wherein the visual symbol indicating the unset status of the preset speed comprises
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`a blinking "0".
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`18.
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`A method for indicating to a human operator of a vehicle having a cruise
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`control system a preset speed for which the cruise control system is set, the method
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`comprising:
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`setting the preset speed;
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`5
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`displaying to the operator a symbol indicative of the preset speed while
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`maintaining the vehicle speed at substantially the preset speed;
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`maintaining the display of the symbol indicative of the preset speed;
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`braking the vehicle;
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`upon braking the vehicle, discontinuing maintaining the vehicle speed at
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`1 0
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`substantially the preset speed while keeping data corresponding to the preset speed in a
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`memory device; and
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`at a time after braking and during which time the vehicle is not being maintained at
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`substantially the preset speed, displaying to the operator a symbol indicative of the preset
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`speed.
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`19.
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`The method of claim 18, wherein the symbol indicative of the preset speed
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`displayed at the time after braking and during which time the vehicle is not being
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`maintained at substantially the preset speed, is distinguishable by the operator from the
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`symbol indicative of the preset speed while the vehicle is being maintained