Patent ID: 7889065

Claim:
A system for automating automobile turn and lane change signaling comprising: means for receiving vehicle dynamics inputs including one or more of vehicle position, velocity and acceleration; means for receiving driver control inputs, including one or more of pedal position, throttle position, gear shift position, and steering wheel position; means for retrieving stored vehicle path data; vehicle path estimator, coupled to the means for receiving vehicle dynamics inputs and means for receiving driver control inputs, comparing the vehicle dynamic inputs and driver control inputs to stored vehicle path data to determine a probability that the vehicle is following at least a portion of a stored vehicle path; and turn signal decision estimator, coupled to the vehicle path estimator and means for receiving vehicle dynamics inputs and means for receiving driver control inputs, for determining probability that at least one of a turn or lane change is to occur, and if the probability exceeds a predetermined probability threshold, outputting an output signal that a turn signal should be activated, in advance of the at least one of a turn or lane change.