Cruise control indicator

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.

A cruise control system for a variable speed vehicle controlled by a human operator, comprising:

• (a) a speed controller for automatically maintaining the vehicle at a substantially constant cruising speed selected by the operator;
• (b) a cruise control enable switch associated with the controller for enabling and disabling the controller;
• (c) a operator-controlled, set speed input in communication with the controller for selecting the cruising speed of the vehicle when the controller is enabled;
• (d) an analog speedometer having a speed dial with speed markers and a rotating speed indicating needle on the dial;
• and
• (e) a feedback system that detects the position of the speed indicating needle when the cruising speed of the vehicle is selected and that substantially continuously communicates the position of the needle corresponding to that cruising speed until either the operator selects a new cruising speed or the controller is disabled.

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.

A method for indicating to a human operator of a vehicle having a cruise control system a preset speed for which the cruise control system is set, the method comprising:

• setting the preset speed;
• displaying to the operator a symbol indicative of the preset speed;
• maintaining the display of the symbol indicative of the preset speed;
• and
• discontinuing display of the symbol indicative of the preset when the cruise control system is deactivated or a new preset speed is selected.

A method for indicating to a human operator of a vehicle having a cruise control system a preset speed for which the cruise control system is set, the method comprising:

• setting the preset speed;
• displaying to the operator a symbol indicative of the preset speed while maintaining the vehicle speed at substantially the preset speed;
• maintaining the display of the symbol indicative of the preset speed;
• braking the vehicle;
• upon braking the vehicle, discontinuing maintaining the vehicle speed at substantially the preset speed while keeping data corresponding to the preset speed in a memory device;
• and
• at a time after braking and during which time the vehicle is not being maintained at substantially the preset speed, displaying to the operator a symbol indicative of the preset speed.

A method for indicating to a human operator of a vehicle having a cruise control system a preset speed for which the cruise control system is set, the method comprising:

• engaging the cruise control system;
• setting the preset speed;
• displaying to the operator a symbol indicative of the preset speed;
• maintaining the display of the symbol indicative of the preset speed;
• discontinuing display of the symbol indicative of the preset speed after the cruise control system is deactivated or a new preset speed is selected;
• and
• after the cruise control system is deactivated, displaying a symbol indicative of an unset state of the preset speed.

A method for indicating to a human operator of a vehicle having a cruise control system a preset speed for which the cruise control system is set, the method comprising:

• setting the preset speed;
• displaying to the operator a symbol indicative of the preset speed;
• accelerating the vehicle to a speed above the preset speed;
• and
• maintaining the display of the symbol indicative of the preset speed while the vehicle is at the speed above the preset speed.

A cruise control system for a variable speed vehicle controlled by a human operator, comprising:

• a speed controller for automatically maintaining the vehicle at a substantially constant preset speed;
• a set speed input in communication with the controller for selecting the preset speed;
• a memory device operable to store information representative of the preset speed;
• first visual display apparatus operable to display the indicative of the actual speed of the vehicle;
• and
• second visual display apparatus operable to display the visual information indicative of an operation status of the speed controller, wherein the visual information displayable by the second visual display apparatus includes visual information indicative of the preset speed.

A method for providing an operator of a vehicle equipped with a cruise control device with information reflecting the operating status of the cruise control device, comprising:

• providing a cruise control device including:
• (a) a speed controller for automatically maintaining the vehicle at a substantially constant preset speed;
• (b) a set speed input in communication with the controller for selecting the preset speed;
• (c) a memory device operable to store information representative of the preset speed;
• (d) first visual display apparatus operable to display the indicative of the actual speed of the vehicle;
• and
• (e) second visual display apparatus operable to display the visual information indicative of an operation status of the speed controller, wherein the visual information displayable by the second visual display apparatus includes visual information indicative of the preset speed;
• activating the cruise control device;
• and
• operating the second visual display apparatus to indicate the active status of the cruise control device.