This application is based on and derives the benefit of Indian Provisional Applications 202111051613 and 202111051625, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] Embodiments disclosed herein relate to signaling devices in vehicles and more particularly to methods and systems for operating a blinker in the vehicle, wherein the system comprises a winker relay and the relay does not require higher power for operating the blinker in the vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[002] With a vehicle (such as a car, bus, truck or tractor), a plurality of blinkers are used for driving a winker relay to provide a turn signal to other drivers by operation of a blinker switch. Also, a hazard mechanism is provided to simultaneously flash the front and rear left and right blinkers (indicators) to enable other vehicles to recognize the state of the vehicle during a hazardous situation. However, the power generation capabilities in a vehicle are limited. Hence, vehicle systems (such as use of the blinkers in the vehicle to indicate a hazard mechanism) should use minimal power. Existing bulbs used in blinkers are 21W, which have higher power requirements and have high costs.
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for a system which does not require higher power for operation of the blinker in the vehicle. Further, there exists a need for a system which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of embodiments herein is to disclose methods and systems for operating a blinker in the vehicle.

[005] Another object of the embodiments herein is to disclose a winker relay, wherein the winker relay enables the operation of blinkers present in a vehicle with a lower power consumption from the vehicle at a lower cost.
[006] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating at least one embodiment and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[007] Embodiments herein are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, through out which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[008] FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram depicting the operation of blinkers in a vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[009] FIG. 2 depicts an example placement of the system 100 in a tractor, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0010] FIGs. 3A, 3B and 3C depict example scenarios of the operation of blinkers in a vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting the process of the operation of the blinkers in a vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;

[0012] FIGs. 5A, and 3B depict example scenarios of providing an alert to a user of the vehicle, when one of the blinkers is not operational, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting the process of providing an alert to other users on the road about an issue with the vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0014] FIG. 7 depicts the winker relay, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0016] The embodiments herein achieve methods and systems for operating a blinker in the vehicle, wherein the system comprises a winker relay, wherein the winker relay enables the operation of blinkers present in a vehicle with a lower power consumption from the vehicle at a lower cost. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 7, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0017] FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram depicting the operation of blinkers in a vehicle. A system 100, as depicted in FIG. 1, comprises of a switch 101, a first wiring harness 102, a winker relay 103, a second wiring harness 104, a right blinker 105R, and a left blinker 105L. The system 100 further comprises an instrument cluster 106, wherein the instrument cluster 106 is present in the cabin of the vehicle and is in line of sight of one or more users of the vehicle. The switch 101 can be located in a location, so as to enable a user of the vehicle to operate switch with either his left hand or left hand. In an example herein, the switch 101 can be mounted on a handlebar present in the cockpit of the vehicle, so as to enable a user of the vehicle to operate switch with either his left hand or left hand. In an example herein, the switch 101 can be mounted on a lever present in the cockpit of the vehicle, so as to enable a user of the vehicle to operate switch

with either his left hand or left hand. The instrument cluster 106 can comprise of a right indicator 106R and a left indicator 106L, wherein these indicators can be used to provide an alert about the operation of the blinkers 105R, 105L. FIG. 2 depicts an example placement of the system 100 in a tractor (wherein the tractor is an example of the vehicle).
[0018] The switch 101 can have at least one of a neutral position, a first position, or a second position. Continuing the example of the switch 101 mounted on the handlebar present in the cockpit of the vehicle, the first position can be a left position and the second position can be a right position. If the switch 101 is in the neutral position, none of the blinkers 105R, 105L are in operation (as depicted in an example scenario in FIG. 3A). If the switch 101 is in the first position, the left blinker 105L is in operation and the right blinker 105R is not in operation (as depicted in an example scenario in FIG. 3B). If the switch 101 is in the second position, the left blinker 105L is not in operation and the right blinker 105R is in operation (as depicted in an example scenario in FIG. 3C).
[0019] In an embodiment herein, the right blinker 105R can be a bidirectional 10W bulb. The right blinker 105R can blink at one or more pre-defined flash rates, based on inputs from the winker relay 103. In an example, the right blinker 105R can blink at a flash rate of 85C/M±10c/m. In an example, the right blinker 105R can blink at a flash rate of 140C/M±10c/m.
[0020] In an embodiment herein, the left blinker 105L can be a bidirectional 10W bulb. The left blinker 105L can blink at one or more pre-defined flash rates, based on inputs from the winker relay 103. In an example, the left blinker 105L can blink at a flash rate of 85C/M±10c/m. In an example, the left blinker 105L can blink at a flash rate of 140C/M±10c/m.
[0021] In an embodiment herein, the left blinker 105L and the right blinker 105R can be bi-directional; i.e., the blinkers 105L, 105R are mounted in a manner so as to be visible to users and/or vehicles in the front

and the rear of the vehicle, and the blinkers 105L, 105R can serve as alerts for vehicles/users in the front of the vehicle and the rear of the vehicle.
[0022] Consider that the switch 101 is in the neutral position (as in the example scenario, depicted in FIG. 3 A). When the switch 101 is moved to the first position, a first signal is provided to the winker relay 103 via the first wiring harness 102. On receiving the first signal from the switch 101, the winker relay will operate the left blinker 105L at a first predefined flash rate (as in the example scenario, depicted in FIG. 3B) via the second wiring relay 104. In an example herein, the winker relay can operate the left blinker 105L at a flash rate of 85C/M±10c/m.
[0023] Consider that the switch 101 is in the neutral position (as in the example scenario, depicted in FIG. 3 A). When the switch 101 is moved to the second position, a second signal is provided to the winker relay 103 via the first wiring harness 102. On receiving the second signal from the switch 101, the winker relay will operate the right blinker 105R at the first predefined flash rate (as in the example scenario, depicted in FIG. 3C) via the second wiring relay 104. In an example herein, the winker relay can operate the right blinker 105R at a flash rate of 85C/M±10c/m.
[0024] In a scenario, wherein at least one of the blinkers (i.e., the right blinker 105R or the left blinker 105L) fails, on execution of the blinker switch 101, the winker relay 103 will provide a third signal to a corresponding indicator 106R1, 106R. This will enable the driver and the other users on the road to understand that there is an issue with the vehicle.
[0025] In an example scenario, consider that the right blinker 105R has failed. On execution of the right blinker switch 101, the winker relay 103 provides a third signal to the right indicator 106R to flash at a second pre-determined rate (as in the example scenario depicted in FIG. 4A). Continuing the example, the winker relay 103 provides a third signal to the right indicator 106R to flash at a flash rate of 140C/M±10c/m.
[0026] In an example scenario, consider that the left blinker 105L has failed. On execution of the left blinker switch 101, The winker relay

103 provides a third signal to the left indicator 106L to flash at a second pre-determined rate (as in the example scenario depicted in FIG. 4B). Continuing the example, the winker relay 103 provides a third signal to the left indicator 106L to flash at a flash rate of 140C/M±10c/m.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a flowchart depicting the process of the operation of the blinkers in a vehicle. In step 501, the switch 101 is in the neutral position (as in the example scenario, depicted in FIG. 3 A). When the switch 101 is moved to the first position (step 502), in step 503, the switch 101 provides a first signal to the winker relay 103 via the first wiring harness 102. On receiving the first signal from the switch 101, in step 504, the winker relay operates the left blinker 105L at the first predefined flash rate (as in the example scenario, depicted in FIG. 3B) via the second wiring relay 104.
[0028] When the switch 101 is moved to the second position (step 505), in step 506, the switch 101 provides a second signal to the winker relay 103 via the first wiring harness 102. On receiving the second signal from the switch 101, in step 507, the winker relay operates the right blinker 105R at the first predefined flash rate (as in the example scenario, depicted in FIG. 3C) via the second wiring relay 104.
[0029] The various actions in method 500 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 5 may be omitted.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting the process of providing an alert to other users on the road about an issue with the vehicle. In step 601, at least one of the blinkers (i.e., the right blinker 105R or the left blinker 105L) fails, in step 602, the winker relay 103 provides a third signal to the corresponding indicator 106, after receiving the signal from the blinker switch, to flash at a second pre-determined rate. This will enable the driver and other users on the road to understand that there is an issue with the vehicle. The various actions in method 600 may be performed in the order

presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 6 may be omitted.
[0031] FIG. 7 depicts the winker relay. The winker relay 103 comprises a microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor is used for operating one or more loads at a time. The load can be either the left blinker 105L and/or the right blinker 105R. The winker relay 103 can be operated via the switch 101 and a battery 701 can be used to provide power the winker relay 103. In an embodiment herein, the battery 701 can be a battery present in the vehicle and powers one or more other functions in the vehicle. In an embodiment herein, the battery 701 can be a dedicated battery present in the vehicle.
[0032] Embodiments herein reduce the power usage from the vehicle for operation of the blinkers. Embodiments herein disclose a winker relay which enables operation of the blinkers at a lower cost, as compared to existing blinkers. Embodiments herein enable avoiding of undesirable inconvenience to user(s) during blinker operation.
[0033] The embodiment disclosed herein describes a winker relay, wherein the winker relay enables operation of blinkers present in a vehicle with a lower power consumption from the vehicle at a lower cost. Therefore, it is understood that the scope of the protection is extended to such a program and in addition to a computer readable means having a message therein, such computer readable storage means contain program code means for implementation of one or more steps of the method, when the program runs on a server or mobile device or any suitable programmable device. The method is implemented in at least one embodiment through or together with a software program written in e.g. Very high speed integrated circuit Hardware Description Language (VHDL) another programming language, or implemented by one or more VHDL or several software modules being executed on at least one hardware device. The hardware device can be any kind of portable device that can be programmed. The device may also include means which could

be e.g. hardware means like e.g. an ASIC, or a combination of hardware and software means, e.g. an ASIC and an FPGA, or at least one microprocessor and at least one memory with software modules located therein. The method embodiments described herein could be implemented partly in hardware and partly in software. Alternatively, the invention may be implemented on different hardware devices, e.g. using a plurality of CPUs.
[0034] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments and examples, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments and examples disclosed herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

STATEMENT OF CLAIMS
We claim:

1. A system (100) in a vehicle comprising
a switch (101);
a winker relay (103), wherein the winker relay (103) is connected to the switch (101) using a first wiring harness (102);
a right blinker (105R); and
a left blinker (105L);
wherein the winker relay (103) is configured to
operate the left blinker (105L) via a second wiring harness (104) at a first flash rate, if the switch (101) is in a first position; and
operate the right blinker (105R) via the second wiring harness (104) at the first flash rate, if the switch (101) is in a second position.
2. The system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch (101) provides a first signal to the winker relay (103) on determining that the switch (101) is in the first position.
3. The system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch (101) provides a second signal to the winker relay (103) on determining that the switch (101) is in the second position.
4. The system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the right blinker (105R) and the left blinker (105L) are bi-directional 10W bulbs.
5. The system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first flash rate is 85C/M±10c/m.
6. The system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the winker relay (103) comprises a single microprocessor.

7. The system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the winker relay (103) is configured to provide a third signal to an indicator (106R, 106L) to flash at a second pre-determined rate, on detecting that a corresponding blinker (105R, 105L) has failed.
8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the winker relay (103) is configured to provide the third signal to the indicator (106R, 106L), on receiving the signal from the switch (101) to operate the corresponding blinker (105R, 105L).
9. The system, as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second pre-determined rate is 140C/M±10c/m.
10. A method (400) for operating blinkers (105R, 105L) in a vehicle, the
method comprises:
operating (404), by a winker relay (103), a left blinker (105L) via a second wiring harness (104) at a first flash rate, on receiving a first signal from a switch (101); and
operating (407), by the winker relay (103), a right blinker (105R) via the second wiring harness (104) at the first flash rate, on receiving a second signal from the switch (101).
11. The method, as claimed in claim 10, wherein the method further
comprises
providing (402), by the switch (101), the first signal to the winker relay (103) via a first wiring harness (102), on determining that the switch (101) is in a first position; and
providing (405), by the switch (101), the second signal to the winker relay (103) via the first wiring harness (102), on determining that the switch (101) is in a second position.

12. The method, as claimed in claim 10, wherein the right blinker (105R) and the left blinker (105L) are bi-directional 10W bulbs.
13. The method, as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first flash rate is 85C/M±10c/m.
14. A method (500) for operating blinkers (105R, 105L) in a vehicle, the method comprises:
providing (502), by a winker relay (103), a third signal to an indicator (106R, 106L) to flash at a second pre-determined rate, on detecting that a corresponding blinker (105R, 105L) has failed.
15. The method, as claimed in claim 14, wherein the method comprises providing (502), by the winker relay (103) the third signal to the indicator (106R, 106L), on receiving a signal from a switch (101) to operate the corresponding blinker.
16. The method, as claimed in claim 14, wherein the second pre¬determined rate is 140C/M±10c/m.
17. The method, as claimed in claim 14, wherein the blinkers (105R, 105L) are bi-directional 10W bulbs.
18. A winker relay (103) in a vehicle as claimed in 1-17, the winker relay (103) comprises a single microprocessor.