Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] Present invention relates to an alerting system and a method for a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention provides the alerting system and the method to alert user and users of neighbouring vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Existing warning alert system on a vehicle includes a display unit consisting of a graphics display and Light Emitting Diodes (LED) light system on the vehicle. When a warning is detected, the system alerts the user by activating the display or LEDs. However, the user may miss the warning when it is not in user’s peripheral vision and due to environmental conditions, distractions, and traffic conditions. Further, the warning is just intended to warn the user. The warning intensity is only given by the frequency change user may not give attention for the priority warnings. During rainy and low light conditions, it is difficult for the user to estimate the oncoming vehicles and their edges. This is applicable during high beam conditions as well. All the warning solutions currently available only aim at warning the user.
[003] Prior arts use LED mirror arrangement to warn the user. The obstacle vehicle which is in the blind spot will not be alerted in this case. There is a possibility where the user may miss the warning alert and changes lane, which may lead to come and collide with the obstacle vehicle. If both the user and rear vehicle(s) are alerted, the collision can be avoided. The warning intensity is only given by the frequency change and thus the user may not give attention for the priority warnings. In some cases, the user does not know the edge of the upcoming vehicle due to rain/low light scenarios and during high beam.
[004] Thus, there is a need in the art to overcome the aforesaid problems by providing an alerting system and a method for a vehicle that addresses these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[005] In one aspect, the present invention is directed to an alerting system. The alerting system comprises an exterior component and an illuminating assembly. The illuminating assembly is disposed at one or more locations on the exterior component. The illuminating assembly is configured to provide a lighting alert to a user of the vehicle and/or another user of one or more vehicles or subjects proximal to the vehicle.
[006] In an embodiment, the illuminating assembly comprises an array of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). The array of LEDs comprising a first set of LED strip, a second set of LED strip and a third set of LED strip.
[007] In a further embodiment, the first set of LED strip is at the exterior component of a vehicle. The exterior component is anyone of a mirror, a throttle member, a handle grip, a brake lever, a turn signal lamp, a fender, a front Dera, side glass, and a hood and is placed interiorly to the exterior component such that the first set of LED strip is disposed closer to the user.
[008] In a further embodiment, the second set of LED strip is at the exterior component of the vehicle and is placed at an edge of the exterior component.
[009] In a further embodiment, the first set of LED strip and the second set of LED strip faces the user of the vehicle and are configured to be activated by a control unit of the vehicle based on the input signal received from one or more sensing devices of the vehicle. The input signal is indicative of the warning condition based on presence of the one or more vehicles or the subjects at a blind spot of the vehicle or proximal to the vehicle during which the user of the vehicle manoeuvres the vehicle to lane change, whereby the illuminating assembly in the exterior component provides the lighting alert to the user of the vehicle.
[010] In a further embodiment, the third set of LEDs are disposed on the exterior component and opposite to face of another vehicle or the subject. The third set of LEDs is activated by the control unit based on the input signal received from one or more sensing devices disposed in the vehicle. The input signal is indicative of the warning condition based on one or more vehicles approaching the front of the vehicle which are at a high speed or subjects proximal to the vehicle, whereby the users of the one or more other vehicles approaching the vehicle or the subjects proximal to the vehicle are alerted of the vehicle.
[011] In a further embodiment, the one or more sensing devices disposed at the vehicle comprises a RADAR sensor unit. The RADAR sensor unit is in communication with the control unit though a Controller Area Network (CAN) and is configured to detect possible collision event and alerts the user by warnings.
[012] In a further embodiment, the RADAR sensor of the vehicle is configured to receive one or more inputs from the other vehicle, the one or more inputs being indicative of a speed of the other vehicle through one or more sensing devices mounted in the other vehicle.
[013] In a further embodiment, the illuminating assembly being set with a pre-defined intensity based on the user’s preference, ambient light intensity, and weather conditions.
[014] In a further embodiment, the LEDs of the illuminating assembly is set with a higher frequency for a high priority alert.
[015] In a further embodiment, the LEDs of the illuminating assembly is configured to illuminate in yellow color for a low priority alert and in red color for the high priority alert.
[016] In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of alerting. The method comprises generating an input signal by one or more sensing devices of the vehicle. The input signal is indicative of presence of one or more vehicles or a subject proximal to the vehicle. The method further comprises receiving, by a control unit of a vehicle, the input from one or more sensing devices of the vehicle. The method further comprises determining, by the control unit, based on the received input, a possibility of collision with the one or more vehicles or the subject. The method further comprises activating, by the control unit, an illuminating assembly, whereby the illuminating assembly in an exterior component provides a lighting alert to the user of the vehicle and/or another user of one or more vehicles or subjects proximal to the vehicle.
[017] In an embodiment, the method comprises setting the illuminating assembly with a pre-defined intensity based on the user’s preference, ambient light intensity, and weather conditions.
[018] In a further embodiment, the method comprises setting a higher frequency for Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) of the illuminating assembly for a high priority alert.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[019] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary vehicle comprising an alerting system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 2A and 2B shows a front view of an exterior component connected with an illuminating assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 shows a block diagram of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 shows a flowchart of alerting method, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 5 and 6 show schematic diagrams of alerting system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 show a method flowchart, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[020] Various features and embodiments of the present invention here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder.
[021] Present invention relates to an alerting system and a method of a vehicle.
[022] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary vehicle 10 comprising an alerting system 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle 10 is a two-wheeled scooter type vehicle. However, the illustrated two-wheeled scooter type vehicle should not be meant to be limiting the scope of the present invention. It may be contemplated that the vehicle 10 may also be a motorcycle or motorbike. Further, the vehicle may also comprise any other kinds of vehicle like a three-wheeled vehicle (for example: an Auto Rickshaw) or a four-wheeled vehicle or a multi-wheeled vehicle. Thus, the illustrated example of the scooter type two-wheeled vehicle is only an exemplary in nature. The present invention of alerting system 100 may finds it application in any other kinds of vehicles. The vehicle 10 includes one or more components. The one or more components of the vehicle 10 are connected to a frame member 12 (schematically illustrated with a phantom line in Figure 1) which extends from a vehicle front-rear direction (F-R). The frame member 12 may also be referred as a “chassis”. In some embodiments, the frame member 12 may include one or more sub-frame members (not shown) like a headtube and a downtube, which may be connected to the frame member 12 for connecting one or more components of the vehicle 10.
[023] In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 1, the alerting system 100 of the vehicle 10 comprises an exterior component 16. In an embodiment, the exterior component is anyone of a rear-view mirror 16A, a throttle member 20A, a handle grip 20B, a brake lever 20C, a turn signal lamp (not shown), a fender (not shown), side glass (not shown), and a hood (not shown). In some embodiments, the exterior component 16 can be supported directly by the frame member 12 or indirectly supported by the frame member 12 through the subframe member of the vehicle 10. The alerting system 100 further comprises an illuminating assembly 102.
[024] Referring further to Figure 1 in conjunction with the Figures 2 and 3, it illustrates the illuminating assembly 102 which is disposed at one or more locations on the exterior component 16. In the illustrated embodiments of Figures 2 and 3, the exterior component 16 is a rear-view mirror 16A. It should be understood that the example of rear-view mirror 16A for the exterior component 16 should not be meant to be limiting the scope of the present invention. The illuminating assembly 102 may be provided at any other suitable exterior component 16 of the vehicle 10 apart from the rear-view mirror 16A. Thus, the exterior component 16 being the rear-view mirror 16A is exemplary only. The illuminating assembly 102 is configured to provide a lighting alert to a user of the vehicle 10 and/or another user of one or more vehicles (other vehicle) or subjects proximal to the vehicle 10. The term vehicle 10 as user herein is a vehicle 10 in which the user is riding. In some context, the vehicle 10 may also be termed as a host vehicle. The terms “one or more vehicles” and “other vehicle” as used herein refers to any other vehicle apart from the host vehicle which may be approaching the vehicle 10 or may be passing by the vehicle 10 in a predetermined distance from the vehicle 10. The term “subjects” may be interchangeably used by term “objects”. The terms “subjects” or “objects” as used herein refers to any external entity, including, but not limited to, a pedestrian (an impaired person, children, adult), a pet animal, a parked or breakdown vehicle, a construction vehicle, a deviation signage, or a traffic signage. It may be contemplated that the examples of “subjects” or “objects” may further include any other obstacle that may be confronted by the user of the vehicle 10 during travel. Thus, the examples mentioned in this disclosure, should not be meant to limit the scope of the present invention only to these possible “subjects” or “objects”.
[025] The illuminating assembly 102 comprises an array of light source. In an exemplary embodiment, the light source is Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). The array of LEDs as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 comprises a first set of LED strip 102A and a second set of LED strip 102B. Further, the array of LEDs as illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a third set of LED strip 102C. It may be contemplated that the LED strips 102A, 102B, 102C may include one or more LEDs. The illustrated number of LEDs should not be meant to be limiting the scope of the present invention.
[026] In an embodiment, the first set of LED strip 102A is at the exterior component 16 of the rear-view mirror 16A of the vehicle 10 and the second set of LED strip 102B is at the exterior component 16 of the rear-view mirror 16A of the vehicle 10. In an embodiment, the first set of LED strip 102A at the exterior component 16 is placed interiorly to the exterior component 16 such that the first set of LED strip 102A is disposed closer to the user. The second set of LED strip 102B is placed at an edge 16E of the rear-view mirror 16A. In some exemplary embodiment, the first set of LED strip 102A and the second set of LED strip 102B are affixed onto an external surface of the rear-view mirror. In some other embodiment, the first set of LED strip 102A and the second set of LED strip 102B are disposed behind the rear-view mirror such that the first set of LED strip 102A and the second set of LED strip 102B are concealed within the rear -view mirror 16A and is not exposed to outside environment. The first set of LED strip 102A and the second set of LED strip 102B are supplied with electric power through a battery (not shown) of the vehicle 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the first set of LED strip 102A and the second set of LED strip 102B faces the user of the vehicle 10 and are configured to be activated by a control unit 104 of the vehicle 10 based on an input signal received from one or more sensing devices 18 of the vehicle 10. The input signal is indicative of the warning condition based on presence of the one or more vehicles or the subjects at a blind spot of the vehicle 10 or proximal to the vehicle 10 during which the user of the vehicle manoeuvres the vehicle to lane change, whereby the illuminating assembly 102 in the exterior component 16 provides the lighting alert to the user of the vehicle 10. The term “blind spot” is a region which is unviewable through the rear-view mirror of the vehicle. The rear-view mirror is used for viewing the rear and/or side of the vehicle for presence of any trailing or following vehicle.
[027] In some embodiments, the control unit 104 may include one or more additional components such as, but not limited to, a memory unit (not shown), an input/output module, a pre-processing module etc. In another embodiment, the vehicle 10 may include more than one of same or similar control unit 104. In another embodiment, the control unit 104 may include only a processor which may be required to process the received instructions / signals from one or more inputs device like the one or more sensing devices 18 and process the same. In yet another embodiment, the control unit 104 may be in communication with an analytic module (not shown) which is configured to perform additional analysis of the communication information received from the one or more sensing devices 18 of the vehicle 10.
[028] In some embodiments, the memory unit in communication with the control unit 104 is capable of storing machine executable instructions. Further, the control unit 104 is capable of executing the machine executable instructions to perform the functions described herein. The control unit 104 is in communication with components such as the pre-processing module and the analytic module. In another embodiment, the control unit 104 is embodied as a multi-core processor, a single core processor, or a combination of one or more multi-core processors and one or more single core processors. For example, the control unit 104 is embodied as one or more of various processing devices, such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processing circuitry with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other processing devices including integrated circuits such as, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, or the like. In yet another embodiment, the control unit 104 is configured to execute hard-coded functionality. In still another embodiment, the control unit 104 is embodied as an executor of instructions, where the instructions are specifically configured to the control unit 104 to perform the steps or operations described herein for alerting the user of the vehicle 10 during any possible collision with another vehicle or the objects nearby.
[029] Figure 3 shows a schematic block diagram of the vehicle 10 comprising the one or more sensing devices 18, the control unit 104 and the alerting system 100. The one or more sensing devices 18 are connected to the control unit 104 through a known means like wired or wireless through a Controller Area Network (CAN). The control unit 104 is further communicably connected to the alerting system 100 through a wired or a wireless means like the CAN. In an embodiment, the one or more sensing devices 18 comprises, but not limited to, a Radio Detection and Ranging (RADAR). In some other embodiments, the one or more sensing devices 18 may include, infrared sensors or thermal sensors, imaging sensors or cameras, ultrasonic sensors, ambient light sensors, proximity sensors, steering angle sensors, speed sensors and like
[030] Referring again to Figure 1, it illustrates the third set of LEDs 102C which is disposed on the exterior component 16 and opposite to face of another vehicle or the subject. The exterior component is the rear-view mirror 16A and the third set of LEDs 102C is provided onto a casing 16B of the rear-view mirror 16A such that the LEDs are visible to user of another vehicle or the subject apart from the user of the vehicle 10. In an embodiment, the third set of LEDs 102C is activated by the control unit 104 based on the input signal received from one or more sensing devices 18 disposed in the vehicle. The input signal is indicative of the warning condition based on one or more vehicles approaching the front of the vehicle 10 which are at a high speed or subjects proximal to the vehicle 10, whereby the users of the one or more other vehicles approaching the vehicle 10 or the subjects proximal to the vehicle 10 are alerted of the vehicle 10.
[031] In an embodiment, the one or more sensing devices 18 disposed at the vehicle 10 is RADAR sensor unit 18A. The RADAR sensor unit 18A is in communication with the control unit 104 through CAN and the control unit 104 is configured to detect possible collision event and alerts the user by warnings. In some embodiments, various types of warnings can be a haptic feedback warning, lighting alerts/warnings and audio warnings. In an embodiment, the RADAR sensor 18A of the vehicle 10 is configured to receive one or more inputs from the other vehicle. The one or more inputs being indicative of a speed of the other vehicle through one or more sensing devices mounted in the other vehicle.
[032] In an embodiment, the illuminating assembly 102 is set with a pre-defined intensity based on the user’s preference, ambient light intensity, and weather conditions. In some embodiments, the pre-defined intensity can be ranging 150 – 350 candela. Further, the LEDs of the illuminating assembly 102 is set with a higher frequency for a high priority alert. In some embodiments, the LEDs of the illuminating assembly 102 is configured to illuminate in yellow color for a low priority alert and in red color for the high priority alert.
[033] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method 400 of alerting as shown in Figure 4. The method 400 comprises at a step 402, generating an input signal by one or more sensing devices 18 of the vehicle 10. The input signal is indicative of presence of one or more vehicles or a subject proximal to the vehicle 10.
[034] At a step 404, the method comprises receiving, by the control unit 104 of the vehicle 10 the input from one or more sensing devices 18 of the vehicle 10.
[035] At a step 406, the method comprises determining, by the control unit 104, based on the received input, a possibility of collision with the one or more vehicles or the subject.
[036] At a step 408, the method 200 comprises activating, by the control unit 106, an illuminating assembly 102, whereby the illuminating assembly 102 in an exterior component 16 provides a lighting alert to the user of the vehicle 10.
[037] In an embodiment, the method 400 comprises a step 410 for setting the illuminating assembly 102 with a pre-defined intensity based on the user’s preference, ambient light intensity, and weather conditions.
[038] In an embodiment, the method 400 comprises a step 412 for setting a higher frequency for Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) of the illuminating assembly 102 for a high priority alert. In an embodiment, the LEDs of the illuminating assembly (102) being configured to illuminate in yellow color for a low priority alert and in red color for the high priority alert.
[039] Figure 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of the alerting system 100 in the vehicle 10 when the user of the vehicle 10 is manoeuvring to change lanes, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the user of the vehicle 10 is driving the vehicle 10 in lane 2 and the vehicle 10 comprises the alerting system 100. The alerting system 100 comprises the illuminating assembly 102 disposed onto the rear-view mirrors 16A. The illustration comprises two other lanes, i.e., lane 1 and lane 3 on either side of the lane 2. Further, the vehicle 10 has blind-spots at its rear left side and rear right side. In the illustrated embodiment, the blind-spot at the rear left side of the vehicle 10 is located with another vehicle.
[040] The one or more sensors 18 in the vehicle 10 keeps communicating the input signals to the control unit 104 of the vehicle 10 about the presence of another vehicle at the blind-spot at the left-rear side of the vehicle 10. In case the user of the vehicle 10 tries to manoeuvre the vehicle 10 to change lane from the lane 2 to the lane 1 by turning towards the left side, the control unit 104 in the vehicle 10 based on the input signal from the one or more sensing devices 18 activates the first set of LED strip 102A and the second set of LED strip 102B of the illuminating assembly 102 present in the rear-view mirrors 16A. Thus, the user is alerted by the lighting alert provided by the first set of LED strip 102A and the second set of LED strip 102B present at the left rear-view mirror 16A.
[041] Figure 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of the alerting system 100 in the vehicle 10 when the user of the vehicle 10 is confronted with another vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[042] As illustrated, the user of the vehicle 10 is driving the vehicle 10 in a lane and the vehicle 10 comprises the alerting system 100. The alerting system 100 comprises the illuminating assembly 102 disposed onto the casing 16B of the rear-view mirrors 16A. The illustration comprises another vehicle being confronted by the vehicle 10 at its right side.
[043] The one or more sensors 18 in the vehicle 10 keeps communicating the input signals to the control unit 104 of the vehicle 10 about the presence of another vehicle at the front side of the vehicle 10. In an embodiment, the RADAR of the vehicle 10 is configured to send communications to the control unit 104 of the vehicle 10. When another vehicle approaching the vehicle 10 is at a high speed, the control unit 104 in the vehicle 10 based on the input signal from the one or more sensing devices 18 activates the third set of LED strip 102C disposed at the front side of the casing 16B of the rear-view mirror 16A. Thus, the user of the another vehicle is alerted by the lighting alert provided by the third set of LED strip 102C. In some embodiments, if Time to Collision (TTC) is high, low alerts / warnings can be given. If TTC is low, high alerts/warnings are provided.
[044] Simultaneously, the control unit 104 of the vehicle 10 is configured to receive the data indicative of speed, location of another vehicle through one or more sensor devices present in the obstacle vehicle or approaching vehicle and suitably alert the user of the vehicle 10 through warnings like sound or beeps through one or more sound generating devices disposed in the vehicle 10. Thus, the user of the vehicle 10 is also alerted about the approach of another vehicle in front of the vehicle 10 while travelling.
[045] Figure 7 illustrates a method 700 of alerting the user of the vehicle 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. After the start of the vehicle 10 at a step 702, the one or more sensing device 18 of the vehicle 10 detects presence of one or more vehicle or subjects proximal to or at blind spots of the vehicle 10 at a step 704. The signal indicative of the presence of the one or more vehicles or subjects present proximal or at the blind spots of the vehicle 10 is generated and communicated to the control unit 104. The control unit 104 upon receiving the signal determines a possibility of collision of the vehicle 10 with the one or more vehicles or subjects present proximally or at the blind spots at a step 706. If there is a possibility of a collision of the vehicle 10 with the one or more vehicles or subjects present proximally or at the blind spots, then the control unit 104 activates the illuminating device 102 of the system 100 to alert the user of the vehicle 10 at a step 708. In some exemplary embodiment, the control unit 104 receives a signal indicative of a speed of the vehicle 10 from a speed sensor (not shown) of the vehicle 10. The control unit 104 determines if the speed of the vehicle 10 is high, at a step 710. In an embodiment, if the speed of the vehicle 10 is high, then the control unit 104 communicates the signal to the illuminating device 102 to blink the LEDs at a high frequency at a step 712.
[046] Advantageously, the alerting system of the present invention provides, better handling of the vehicle, provides improved comfort, and improved safety since the LEDs are disposed on the mirror in a way to alert the user to avoid collision events. Further, the user can control the brightness of the LEDs and thus it reduces fatigue and distractions to the user. Due to the arrangement of LEDs to alert the vehicle which are approaching in the blind spot, the blind spot vehicle slows down or takes necessary action to avoid collision. The present invention having the LEDs alerts the oncoming vehicle in case of the frontal collision event when the front vehicle is coming in opposite direction. Further, by giving colour-based warning alerts, the user / rider is alerted for high priority warnings for taking immediate actions.
[047] In the present invention, the control unit is configured to control a LED module of the illuminating assembly for changing blink frequency, intensity and colour of the LEDs. The control unit also received information about the blind spots, front collision scenarios, low light conditions, rainy weather information and different riding conditions. The control unit received pre-defined parameters (ambient light, weather conditions etc).
[048] The alerting system with a blind spot detection through the one or more sensors provides alerts when there is an obstacle vehicle present in the blind spot of the vehicle. The control unit receives the signal from the sensors and activates the LEDs of the illuminating assembly.
[049] The first set of LED strips at the mirror is placed near the mirror to indicate the user about the blind spot. The second set of LED strips located at the edge of the mirror blink to alert the vehicle which is at the blind spot of the vehicle.
[050] During raining conditions and during low light conditions it is difficult for the user to estimate the edge of the vehicle coming towards the vehicle. A third set of LED strip at the casing (back case) of the rear-view mirror are blinked when the vehicle is approaching the obstacle vehicle to avoid front collisions.
[051] The first set of LED strip and the second set of LED strip placed near the side view mirror are used to warn the user on potential warning scenario. The intensity of the first set of LED strips and the second set of LED strips is less and it can be configured by the user or automatic intensity can be set based on the ambient light. Further, based on the warning intensity either yellow or red LEDs are blinked.
[052] The first set of LED strips, the second set of LED strips and the third set of LED strips are controlled by the control unit on the vehicle, which is taking one or more input from vehicle sensors for the warning scenarios. Blind spot detection systems are common in automotive industry, there are different type of Human Machine Interface (HMI) indications to alert the driver or user in case of a blind spot detected and when the user tries to change the lane. The HMI is mostly on the side view mirror and LEDs are mounted at the side view mirror and blink when there is a blind spot warning occurs. However, there are possibilities where the user may not pay attention to the warning and the rear vehicle is also not seeing that the user is changing the lane, which results in collision. To avoid this a set of LED arrays are given on the mirror, one is to alert the user, pointed towards the user.
[053] In some embodiments, the user / rider can select the intensity level of the mirror based on his preference. The intensity can also be adjusted based on ambient light value.
[054] A LED array at the edge of the mirrors, which is also enabled when blind spot warning occurs, can be seen by the rear vehicle and can be alerted that the front user is trying to change lane. The rear user can slowdown and collision can be avoided in this scenario.
[055] In case of single lane roads (Figure 6), the opposite direction vehicle also uses the same lane, where it may be difficult to estimate the edge of the vehicle during low light, rainy conditions or if the opposite vehicle is using high beam lights. There may be possibility of collision if the user mis calculate the edge and rides. The user can get panicked if he rides very close to the vehicle and realise the edge. To avoid this, the third set of LED strips are placed at the casing 16B of the vehicle, which will be activated when possible collision is detected by the front radar in single road conditions. So that the opposite vehicle user gets alerted, and collision will be avoided.
[056] Present invention provides a warning/ alerting system that is directing the warning to the user and also has a fallback solution to indicate the obstacle vehicle.
[057] Present invention provides advantages of collision avoidance, user distraction avoidance and intuitive alerts to user.
[058] The technical problem in the current vehicles is that it only warns the user for blind-spot detection when the other vehicle (obstacle vehicle) is in blind-spot. The existing solutions nowhere consider warning the approaching vehicles both coming from behind or coming towards the user. However, the present invention provides a technical solution to the above problem. The present invention alerts both the user and the obstacle vehicle user or driver. So that even if the user misses the alarm, the obstacle vehicle user will be alerted, and collision can be avoided. The user can be alerted based on the warning intensity, with yellow and Red LEDs on the mirror. The LEDs can also blink with higher frequency for high priority warnings.
[059] The RADAR sensor unit mounted at the vehicle is connected to the control unit via the CAN network. The RADAR sensor unit detects possible collision events and alerts the user by warnings. Generally, the warning unit is the cluster which displays the warning message and a LED mirror which will blink when there is a warning. In the present invention, the RADAR mounted at the front of the vehicle detects the front vehicles approaching towards the vehicle. The RADAR detects the position and speed of the front vehicle (obstacle vehicle).
[060] Further, with low light and raining conditions, it is difficult to estimate the edge of the vehicle(s) at the blind-spot or the approaching obstacle vehicle. Thus, there are possibilities that the vehicles can have a collision event. The front RADAR can detect this scenario with one or more input from other vehicle Control unit (Engine ECUs) through ABS and GPS etc. Thus, the present alerting system alerts the front vehicle by blinking the front LED. So that the vehicle approaching towards the vehicle can be alerted and take necessary action.
[061] Furthermore, the LEDs are controlled by the control unit, by communicating a signal to a LED module of the illuminating assembly. The LEDs are placed on the mirror to indicate the user, when there is a warning. The LED arrangement at the edge of the mirror, which is also controlled by the control unit, to alert the obstacle vehicle or nearby user. The LED blinking frequency is controlled by the control unit. The intensity of the LED arrays can be controlled/modified by the user. Both the LED arrays can be controlled by the ambient light sensor to provide optimal light intensity.
[062] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
List of Reference Numerals and Characters:
10: Vehicle
16: Exterior component
16A: Rear-view mirror
16B: Casing
16E: Edge
18: Sensing devices
18A: RADAR sensor unit
100: Alerting system
102: Illuminating assembly
102A: First set of LED strip
102B: Second set of LED strip
102C: Third set of LED strip
104: Control unit
400: Method
402 - 412: Steps
700: Method
702 – 712: Steps
, C , Claims:1. An alerting system (100) comprising:
an exterior component (16); and
an illuminating assembly (102), the illuminating assembly (102) being disposed at one or more locations on the exterior component (16), the illuminating assembly (102) being configured to provide a lighting alert to a user of the vehicle (10) and/or another user of one or more vehicles or subjects proximal to the vehicle (10).

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the illuminating assembly (102) comprises an array of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), the array of LEDs comprising a first set of LED strip (102A), a second set of LED strip (102B) and a third set of LED strip (102C).

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first set of LED strip (102A) is at the exterior component (16) of a vehicle (10) and is placed interiorly to the exterior component such that the first set of LED strip (102A) being disposed closer to the user.

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second set of LED strip (102B) is at the exterior component (16) of the vehicle (10) and is placed at an edge (16E) of the exterior component (16).
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first set of LED strip (102A) and the second set of LED strip (102B) faces the user of the vehicle (10) and being configured to be activated by a control unit (104) of the vehicle (10) based on the input signal received from one or more sensing devices of the vehicle (10), the input signal being indicative of the warning condition based on presence of the one or more vehicles or the subjects at a blind spot of the vehicle (10) or proximal to the vehicle (10) during which the user of the vehicle manoeuvres the vehicle to lane change, whereby the illuminating assembly (102) in the exterior component (16) provides the lighting alert to the user of the vehicle (10).

6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the third set of LEDs (102C) being disposed on the exterior component and opposite to face of another vehicle or the subject, the third set of LEDs (102C) being activated by the control unit (104) based on the input signal received from one or more sensing devices (18) being disposed in the vehicle (10), the input signal being indicative of the warning condition based on one or more vehicles approaching the front of the vehicle (10) which are at a high speed or subjects proximal to the vehicle (10), whereby the users of the one or more other vehicles approaching the vehicle (10) or the subjects proximal to the vehicle (10) are alerted of the vehicle (10).
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the one or more sensing devices (18) being disposed at the vehicle (10) comprises a RADAR sensor unit (18A), the RADAR sensor unit (18A) being in communication with the control unit (104) though a Controller Area Network (CAN) and being configured to detect possible collision event and alerts the user by warnings.

8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the RADAR sensor (18A) of the vehicle (10) being configured to receive one or more inputs from the other vehicle.

9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the illuminating assembly (102) being set with a pre-defined intensity based on the user’s preference, ambient light intensity, and weather conditions.

10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the LEDs of the illuminating assembly (102) being set with a higher frequency for a high priority alert.

11. The system (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the LEDs of the illuminating assembly (102) being configured to illuminate in yellow color for a low priority alert and in red color for the high priority alert.
12. A method (400) of alerting, the method (400) comprising:
generating (402) an input signal by one or more sensing devices (18) of the vehicle (10), the input signal being indicative of presence of one or more vehicles or a subject proximal to the vehicle (10);
receiving (404), by a control unit (104) of a vehicle (10), the input from one or more sensing devices (18) of the vehicle (10);
determining (406), by the control unit (104), based on the received input, a possibility of collision with the one or more vehicles or the subject; and
activating (408), by the control unit (106), an illuminating assembly (102), whereby the illuminating assembly (102) in an exterior component (16) provides a lighting alert to a user of the vehicle (10) and/or another user of one or more vehicles or subjects proximal to the vehicle (10).

13. The method (400) as claimed in claim 12 comprising setting (408) the illuminating assembly (102) with a pre-defined intensity based on the user’s preference, ambient light intensity, and weather conditions.

14. The method (400) as claimed in claim 13 comprising setting (410) a higher frequency for Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) of the illuminating assembly (102) for a high priority alert.

15. The method (400) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the LEDs of the illuminating assembly (102) being configured to illuminate in yellow color for a low priority alert and in red color for the high priority alert.