TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present subject matter relates to a vehicle, more particularly, an alert system for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

[002] In recent times, a vehicle has become an integral part of human lives for overcoming transportation hurdles. However, safety of a rider and the vehicle still tantamount to an everyday problem. Hence, an efficient vehicle alert system is required for providing rider safety and provide safety of incoming vehicles in a traffic condition.

[003] In conventional vehicles, a plurality of vehicle safety component is provided for indicating safety parameters to a rider of the vehicle. One of such vehicle safety components is a turn signal lamp indicator. The turn signal lamp (TSL) is conventionally provided on a left side and a right side of the vehicle to denote the intention of the rider to take a turn to incoming vehicles.

[004] In a busy traffic condition, or when the vehicle is operating at a high speed, the rider is often forgetful to turn off the TSL after the rider has taken a turn. Thereby the TSL keeps on glowing and indicating to an incoming vehicle that the rider intends to take a turn. This often causes confusion to the incoming vehicles about the riding pattern of the rider, and the incoming vehicle riders may interpret that the rider wants to take a turn when he is in fact driving at a straight road ahead. Thus, such incidents may lead to a traffic congestion or may cause unwanted accidents.

[005] In order to avoid such accidents, an alert means to inform the rider to switch off the TSL is known. In a known art, the vehicle is equipped with one or more sensors which determines when the TSL has been turned on by the rider to take a turn. Thereafter, the vehicle is equipped with a control unit to determine if the TSL has not been turned off and thereby generate an alert signal on a display panel of the vehicle in the form of glowing lights. In this configuration, the rider may miss the light indication on the display panel and may be forgetful to switch off the TSL. [006] In another known art, the vehicle is equipped with a control unit to determine when the TSL has not been turned off and thereby generates an audio alert signal to alert the rider to switch off the TSL. In this configuration, the audio alert signal provides an indication to nearby vehicles and most often the rider misses such audio signals while travelling in heavy traffic congestion or while riding the vehicle at high speeds.

[007] Further, prolonged switched-on state of the TSL also draws higher amount of power from the battery and thereby unnecessarily depletes the charge of the battery. This in turn affects critical vehicle components such as a horn, a headlamp, and a vehicle ignition system, which in turn affects the overall efficiency and functioning of the vehicle.

[008] In another known art, the vehicle is configured to generate an audio alert signal at a predetermined frequency only. However, such an audio alert signal will not be audible to the rider at a high-speed operation of the vehicle and thereby defeats the purpose of alerting the rider to switch off the TSL.

[009] Hence, it is an object of the present invention to overcome all the above stated and other related problems existing in the known arts, with respect to an alert system to intimate the rider to switch off a TSL after a turn has been taken.

[010] It is further an object of the present invention to provide an alert system capable of producing an audio alert signal and informing the user about TSL status. [OH] It is further an object of the present invention to provide an alert system with active noise cancellation techniques to provide clear audio output alerts.

[012] It is further an object of the present invention to reduce unnecessary confusion to incoming vehicles regarding driving path to be taken by the rider.

[013] It is further an object of the present invention to provide an improved audio alert system capable of interfacing with a protective gear and the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPT ION OF THE DRAWINGS

[014] The present invention is described with reference to figures, flow charts and block diagrams. This invention is implementable in two-wheeled and threewheeled vehicles. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components. Further, the inventive features of the invention are outlined in the appended claims.

[015] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of an alert system for a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[016] Figure 2a illustrates a block diagram of the alert system comprising noise cancellation techniques, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[017] Figure 2b illustrates a block diagram of the alert system comprising one or more communication means, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[018] Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart of alert generating method by the alert system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[019] Figure 4 illustrates a flowchart of an audio alert generating method by the alert system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

SUMMARY

[020] The present subject matter provides an alert system of a vehicle. The alert system comprising a plurality of turn signal lamps, an instrument cluster being communicatively coupled to the plurality of turn signal lamps. The instrument cluster further comprising a cluster controller for generating alert information indicative of a state of at least one of the pluralities of turn signal lamps, based on at least one of vehicle status data and navigation information. The at least one vehicle wireless transceiver for communicating the generated alert information to an audio system, wherein the audio system is disposed proximal to a head of a rider, for playing the alert information to alert the rider of the vehicle.

[021] As per an aspect of the present invention an alert system of a vehicle comprising a plurality of turn signal indicators disposed in the vehicle, and an instrument cluster being communicatively connected to the plurality of turn signal indicators. The instrument cluster comprising a cluster controller for generating alert information indicative of a state of the plurality of turn signal indicators based on at least one of a vehicle status data and navigation information. The cluster controller receives the vehicle status data and the navigation information through one or more communication media. A wireless transceiver of the instrument cluster communicates the generated alert information to an audio system, and the audio system is disposed proximal to a head of a rider for playing the alert information to alert the rider of the vehicle.

[022] As per an embodiment, the instrument cluster comprising a voice assistant embodied within the instrument cluster to generate the alert information. Further, the audio system is disposed proximal to the head of the rider and disposed proximal to an inner surface of a protective gear worn by the rider directly over his head.

[023] As per another embodiment, the alert information comprising at least one of a customizable chimes and voice outputs to be played in the audio system. Further, the alert information is received from the instrument cluster by a wireless transceiver of the audio system and the alert information is played in one of the speakers of the audio system.

[024] As per another embodiment, the vehicle status data comprising at least one of a degree of rotation of a steering means of the vehicle, a status of a turn signal indicator and an ignition status of an engine of the vehicle. Further, the navigation information comprising a current location of the vehicle, an origin of a trip, a destination of the trip, a previous turn data, a next closest turn data, and environmental conditions of the surrounding during navigation of the vehicle.

[025] As per another embodiment, the cluster controller determines at least one of the plurality of turn signal indicators remaining ON for one of a second predetermined time and a second predetermined distance after communication of the alert information. The cluster controller also determines one of changes in a type of the alert information, and the cluster controller in turn to increase at least one of a volume, a frequency, and a duration of the alert information in response to the determination to draw attention of the rider and enable the rider to turn off at least one of the plurality of turn signal indicators.

[026] As per another embodiment, the cluster controller generates and communicates the alert information continuously after one of the predetermined time and the predefined distance and after the turn taken, until at least one of the plurality of turn signal indicators is turned OFF. Further, the audio system uses active noise cancellation techniques based on environmental conditions in the vehicle for navigating and communicating the alert information to the rider. Further, the instrument cluster of a user device of the rider controls playing of the alert information in the audio system.

[027] As per another embodiment, the plurality of turn signal indicators is connected to the instrument cluster through a communication bus in the vehicle. The audio system wirelessly communicates with the user device and the instrument cluster of the vehicle.

[028] As per another aspect of the present invention, a method for generating alert information in a vehicle and the method is implemented by an alert system of the vehicle. The method comprising the following steps. Firstly, receiving a vehicle status data, by a cluster controller of the alert system, from at least one of a plurality of turn signal indicators and a vehicle control unit of the vehicle. Secondly, receiving a navigation information, by the cluster controller, from a navigation system of the vehicle. Thirdly, generating an alert information by the cluster controller, the alert information being indicative of a state of at least one of the plurality of turn signal indicators, based on at least one of the vehicle status data and the navigation information.

[029] As per an embodiment, the cluster controller communicates the generated alert information to an audio system, and the audio system is disposed proximal to a head of a rider for playing the alert information to alert the rider of the vehicle. Further, the alert information is generated after the cluster controller determines at least one of the plurality of turn signal indicators being ON for one of a first predetermined time and a first predefined distance after a turn, and the cluster controller generating and communicating the alert information, the turn being determined from at least one of the vehicle status data and the navigation information.

[030] As per another embodiment, the cluster controller determining at least one of the plurality of turn signal indicators remaining ON for one of a second predetermined time and a second predetermined distance after the communication of the alert information; and upon changing of one of a type of the alert information, the cluster controller increasing at least one of volume, frequency, and duration of the alert information to immediately draw attention of the rider to enable him to switch off at least one of the plurality of turn signal indicator.

[031] As per another embodiment, the cluster controller generating and communicating the alert information continuously after one of the first predetermined time and the first predefined distance and after the turn, until at least one the plurality of turn signal indicators is turned OFF.

[032] The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.

[033] In accordance with the present configuration, one of the advantages is that the turn signal indicators are not kept switched ON for prolonged time, and thereby reduces power consumption from the battery required to run the turn signal indicators.

[034] In accordance with the present configuration, one of the advantages is that the feature of alerting the rider through an audio system inbuilt inside a protective gear prevents dissipation of the alert noise and thereby informs the rider to control the turn signal indicators.

[035] In accordance with the present configuration, one of the advantages is that the rider is made aware to turn off the turn signal indicator after the turn has been taken and thereby avoids unnecessary confusion to incoming riders on the road.

[036] In accordance with the present configuration, one of the advantages is that the noise cancellation feature inbuilt inside the audio system enables the rider to clearly listen to the warning signal without any interference from outside environment. [037] The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms or particular fields of use disclosed. As such, it is contemplated that various alternate embodiments and/or modifications to the present disclosure, whether explicitly described or implied herein, are possible in light of the disclosure. Having thus described embodiments of the present disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is limited only by the claims.

[038] Additionally, all numerical terms, such as, but not limited to, “first”, “second”, “third”, “primary”, “secondary”, “main” or any other ordinary and/or numerical terms, should also be taken only as identifiers, to assist the reader's understanding of the various elements, embodiments, variations and/or modifications of the present disclosure, and may not create any limitations, particularly as to the order, or preference, of any element, embodiment, variation and/or modification relative to, or over, another element, embodiment, variation and/or modification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[039] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[040] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of an alert system for a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. A vehicle (104) is configured to have one or more turn signal lamps (TSL) or turn signal indicators (105) for intimating an incoming vehicle about the intention of a rider to take a turn. The vehicle (104) comprises of an instrument cluster (101) for displaying one or more vehicle information to the rider. The instrument cluster (101) is configured to have a cluster controller (101a) which is configured to electronically control and perform display functions on the instrument cluster (101). The instrument cluster

(101) is configured to have a vehicle wireless transceiver (101b) which can communicate wirelessly with a protective gear (103) through a wireless network

(102). In one embodiment, the wireless communication being through Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. In another embodiment, the protective gear (103) being a smart helmet. The cluster controller (101a) is further configured to electronically control the functioning of the plurality of TSL (105).

[041] The cluster controller (101a) is further configured to receive one or more navigation inputs from a user device (106). The navigation inputs being pre fed in a user application (106a) of the user device (106). The navigation information which is provided to the cluster controller (101a) are a current location of said vehicle ( 104), an origin of a trip, a destination of said trip, a previous turn data, a next closest turn data, and environmental conditions during navigation of said vehicle (104).

[042] In a further embodiment, the user device (106) is further configured to inform the rider regarding one or more vehicle status data such as side stand down alert signal, an engine temperature value, through a voice assist control. In another embodiment, the one or more vehicle status data comprising a degree of rotation of a steering means of the vehicle (104) which is determined by a yaw sensor of the vehicle (104), a status of the turn signal indicator (105), the turn signal indicator being ON and OFF, and an ignition status of an engine of the vehicle (104). The ignition status of the vehicle being the ignition key of the vehicle (104) being ON and OFF.

[043] In one embodiment, the cluster controller (101a) is enabled to display a message on the display panel of the instrument cluster (101) during an input received from the rider to change a riding mode of the vehicle. The ride mode change logic involves the check for ride mode error by the cluster controller (101a) in a vehicle control unit and sends the ride mode details over CAN if there is no error to the instrument cluster (101). The instrument cluster (101) displays a 'Close throttle' message and then checks if the conditions are met in the vehicle control unit. If the conditions are met, the vehicle control unit adapts to new ride mode and sends corresponding feedback to the instrument cluster (101) which then changes the layout accordingly. If there is any error or if conditions are not met within a predetermined time, the previous mode will be retained. A delay of predefined time is also incorporated during feedback check in the vehicle control unit. If the previous mode cannot be retained within a preset number of times, a default mode is set without any check for errors. During standstill condition, the instrument cluster (101) displays last mode layout and then sends ride mode details over CAN and above- mentioned logic is implemented.

[044] In a further embodiment, the change in ride mode of the vehicle (104) is determined through a communication between an engine control unit and an anti- lock braking controller of the vehicle (104). The anti-lock braking controller produce output in terms of speed and engine electronic control unit accepts input in terms of torque, hence the vehicle control unit requests and send operating torque to the engine control unit and the engine control unit thereby operates on set torque value during a change in ride mode.

[045] In another embodiment, the vehicle (104) is configured to be started by an ISG controller. When the ISG controller receives an input for cranking the vehicle (104), then it will crank the vehicle (104) at a particular rpm. To improve the battery life without compromising the startability of the vehicle (104) a throttle value of the vehicle (104) is checked before cranking the vehicle (104). Further, if the throttle value is below predefined threshold, then the ISG controller cranks the vehicle (104) at a first predetermined rpm and if it is unable to overcome a compression load, then it cranks the vehicle (104) at a second predetermined rpm, when the first predetermined rpm is less than the second predetermined rpm. If the first predetermined rpm is greater than the second predetermined rpm, then the throttle opening is above a predefined threshold, and the ISG controller cranks the vehicle (104) at the second predetermined rpm.

[046] In another embodiment, a beeper producing a beeping sound is provided with the plurality of TSL (105), and the beeper produces the beeping sound when at least one of the pluralities of TSL (105) is activated. The beeper is mounted through one or more fasteners in an integrated mounting bracket, and the integrated mounting bracket being disposed in a headlamp assembly of the vehicle.

[047] In another embodiment, the beeper may be coupled to an air filter of an induction system of the vehicle (104) and is configured to produce a beeping sound when air fuel ratio exceeds a threshold value, and the same alert is also displayed on the instrument cluster (101). In a further embodiment, an ignition coil of the vehicle (104) is in a space surrounded by the air filter and a rear fender of the vehicle (104). [048] In an embodiment, the ignition unit of the vehicle (104) is configured to be initiated when a pairing key is authenticated by the cluster controller (101a), and the pairing key being received from the user device (106). If the pairing happens within a finite duration, the cluster controller (101a) commands the ignition unit to continue ignition. In case if the authentication does not happen in the finite duration, the ignition unit does not get the authentication signal from the cluster controller (101a) and then stops the ignition.

[049] In another embodiment, the cluster controller (101a) is powered by a vehicle battery, and the vehicle battery is designed to collect all analog voltage and temperature signals from the vehicle (104) and thereby provide the voltage and temperature signals to a battery control unit through one or more connectors to regulate the amount of power supply to be provided by the battery to the vehicle components.

[050] In a further embodiment, when the vehicle (104) is stopped due to ISS and the throttle position value is above a predetermined threshold, considering the safety of the rider, the ISS is kept enabled and thereby provide safety to the rider. In another embodiment, the vehicle control unit is configured to process one of the following three signals at once for providing throttle control to the vehicle (104). The three signals being a throttle input provided by the rider, a traction control input and a cruise control input provided by the engine control unit of the vehicle (104).

[051] In another embodiment, one or more vehicle relays for regulating the passage of information from the instrument cluster (101) is located on one side, between one or more cross tubes of a seat rail of the vehicle (104). In a further embodiment, the anti-theft control unit of the vehicle (104) is mounted between a cylinder head of an engine and a fuel tank of the vehicle (104) and is mounted on an intermediate tube connecting a main tube and a down tube of a frame assembly of the vehicle (104). In a further embodiment, a throttle control unit of the vehicle (104) is mounted on a bracket on the main tube of the frame assembly of the vehicle ( 104) . [052] In a further embodiment, a speed sensor of the vehicle (104) is mounted on a speed sensor mounting bracket with a C-shaped clamp. The C-shaped clamp is configured to hold an air filter pipe to restrict free movement of the air filter pipe during motion of the vehicle (104). Further, a high-tension wire of the speed sensor is fixed on the frame assembly with one or more clamps and thereby prevents the high-tension wire from falling into an exhaust system. Whenever there is excess oil in the air filter, the excess oil accumulates in the air filter pipe. The routing of the air filter pipe through the C-shaped clamp on the speed sensor bracket enables a service technician to see the oil level at the time of serviceability of the vehicle (104), without removing any of the vehicle parts.

[053] In a further embodiment, the vehicle control unit is configured to be mounted on a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is fixedly attached on the frame assembly of the vehicle (104). The mounting bracket is configured to hold the vehicle control unit on one side and additional electric components such as relays and sensors on another side and on the outer periphery of the mounting bracket. This leads to effective space utilization and provides a common location for mounting of all the electrical and electronic components in the vehicle (104).

[054] Figure 2a illustrates a block diagram of the alert system comprising noise cancellation techniques, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Figure 2b illustrates a block diagram of the alert system comprising one or more communication means, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. For brevity figures 2a and 2b will be discussed together. The vehicle (104) is configured to have an alert system (100). The alert system (100) comprising the protective gear (103), the instrument cluster (101) of the vehicle (104) and the plurality of TSL lamps (105) being received from the vehicle (104). The protective gear (103) is configured to have an audio system (103). The audio system (103) having at least one speaker with active noise filtration and thereby enables to provide an audio alert signal directly to the rider without noise interference from the surroundings. The noise cancellation technique is a combination of electronic components such as resistors and transistors being arranged in a series and parallel electronic circuit generating a low frequency wave which cancels out the surrounding noise and thereby provides a clear alert information to the rider. The audio alert information or signal is directly sent from the instrument cluster (101) through a wireless transceiver of the audio system (103b). [055] The audio system (103b) is disposed proximal to a head of the rider and the audio system (103b) is disposed proximal to an inner surface (402a) of a protective gear (103) worn by the rider, directly over his head.

[056] In one embodiment, the plurality of TSL (105) communicates with the instrument cluster (104), particularly with the cluster controller (101a) through a CAN communication (302). Further, the cluster controller (101a) communicates with the protective gear (103) and the user device (106) through a wireless communication (304). The wireless communication being a Bluetooth communication in a preferred embodiment.

[057] Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart of alert generating method by the alert system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. A method (400) of alert generation by the alert system (100) comprising of the following steps. The cluster controller ( 10 la) is configured to receive a status of one of the pluralities of TSL (105) being ON as shown in step (402). Once, the cluster controller (101a) receives the ON status, it further receives a navigation information from the vehicle

(104) which is pre fed in the vehicle (104) through the user device (106) as shown in step (404).

[058] Further, the cluster controller (101a) determines if the vehicle (104) has taken the turn and whether one of the pluralities of TSL (105) is still being ON for a predetermined time and a predefined distance as shown in step (406). If the TSL

(105) is OFF, then no alert signal is triggered by the alert system (100) as shown in step (410). However, if the cluster controller (101a) determines that the TSL (105) is still ON after the cluster controller (101a) determines that the turn has already been taken or the predefined distance at which the turn has to be taken is already covered, or the predetermined time for the TSL (105) to be ON has already lapsed, then the cluster controller (101a) triggers the alert signal or alert information to the protective gear (103). The protective gear (103) triggers an alert signal indicating the TSL being ON and motivating the rider to switch off the TSL (105) as shown in step (408). In a preferred embodiment, the alert signal being an audio alert signal with a chime sound and voice outputs. [059] Figure 4 illustrates a flowchart of an audio alert generating method by the alert system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. A method (500) of producing an audio alert signal by the alert system (100) comprising the following steps. The cluster controller (101a) communicates with the wireless transceiver (103a) of the protective gear (103) and selects the sound warning feature in the audio system (103b) of the alert system (100) as shown in step (502).

[060] The cluster controller (101a) further checks if the sound warning features has been enabled in the alert system as shown in step (504). If the sound warning feature has not been enabled, then the cluster controller (101a) waits for a predetermined time to select the sound warning feature in the alert system (100). If the sound warning feature has been enabled, then the sound or the chiming sound is played in the audio system of the protective gear (103) to indicate that one of the pluralities of the TSL (105) is ON as shown in step (506).

[061] The cluster controller (101a) further determines whether at least one of the plurality of turn signal indicators (105) remains ON for one of a second predetermined time and a second predetermined distance after communication of the alert information. The cluster controller (101a) further determines one of changes in a type of the alert information. The cluster controller (101a) being configured to increase at least one of a volume, a frequency, and a duration of the alert information in response to the above determination to draw attention of the rider. Thereafter, the cluster controller (101a) switches off the alert audio sound in the protective gear (103) when the rider manually has turned off the TSL (105) as shown in step (508). [062] While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes in form, connection, and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Reference Numerals:

100 alert system

101 instrument cluster 101a cluster controller

101b vehicle wireless transceiver

102 wireless network

103 protective gear

103a audio system 103b wireless transceiver

104 vehicle

105 plurality of TSL

106 user device

106a user application