F O R M 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
The patent Rule, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
“A CONTROL SYSTEM FOR HIGH BEAM FLASHING OF HEADLAMPS OF A
VEHICLE AND METHOD THEREOF”
Name, Address and Nationality of the applicant:
MINDA INSTRUMENTS LTD., an Indian company, of Gut No. 287, 291-295, 298, 285/1, 286/1 Nanekarwadi Chakan, Taluka - Khed, Pune-410501, Maharashtra, India
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
[001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle light warning system. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates a control system for high beam flashing of headlamps of a vehicle and a method of operation thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
[002] High-beam flashing has become standard practice for drivers to alert other drivers in various conditions. For example, when a vehicle is passing by another vehicle, the driver of the vehicle passing by turns on car’s headlamp (daytime) or flashes headlamps from low beam to high beam (nighttime) to provide alert for the driver of another vehicle that it is safe to return to the right-hand lane. More commonly high-beam flashing is activated during sudden over taking, demanding “right of the way” from upcoming traffic or cautioning a vehicle aggressively approaching towards one’s vehicle from opposite side etc. Mostly such flashing is activated under panic circumstances. It is activated by repeatedly operating high-beam command lever available on “turn-signal stalk” mounted on the steering column.
[003] Further, repeated “pulling and releasing” of the high- beam command lever may distract/dilute attention of the driver during a panic situation impacting the vehicle and driver safety. Therefore, there is a need of technique for providing automatic operation of high-beam flashing of headlamps which reduces driver’s distraction during the panic situation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[004] The present disclosure overcomes one or more shortcomings of the prior art and provides additional advantages discussed throughout the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

[005] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described below may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.
[006] In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a control system for high beam flashing of headlamps of a vehicle is provided. Said control system comprises a detection unit configured to detect actuation of a hazard switch of the vehicle, wherein the hazard switch is actuated for flashing of side indicators of the vehicle and detect a position of a headlamp controlling lever, wherein the headlamp controlling lever configured to control a lighting mode of the headlamps of the vehicle, the headlamp controlling lever being movable in a first direction from a neutral low beam position to a latched high beam position and in a second direction from the neutral low beam position to a non-latched high beam flash position. Further, the system includes an activation unit configured to activate high beam flashing of the headlamps of the vehicle, upon detecting that the hazard switch being actuated and the headlamp controlling lever being positioned in the on-latched high beam flash position for at least a predetermined period of time.
[007] In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the system includes a synchronizing unit configured to synchronize the flashing of side indicators with the high beam flashing of the headlamps of the vehicle.
[008] In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the system includes a receiving unit configured to receive one or more inputs from a user via at least one of the headlamp controlling lever or the hazard switch to deactivate the high beam flashing.
[009] In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for high beam flashing of headlamps of a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes detecting an actuation of a hazard switch of the vehicle, wherein the hazard switch is actuated for flashing of side indicators of the vehicle. The method also includes detecting a position of a headlamp controlling lever configured to control a lighting mode of the headlamps of the vehicle, the

headlamp controlling lever being movable in a first direction from a neutral low beam position to a latched high beam position and in a second direction from the neutral low beam position to a non-latched high beam flash position and upon determining the hazard switch being actuated and the headlamp controlling lever being positioned in the non-latched high beam flash position for at least a predetermined period of time, activating high beam flashing of the headlamps of the vehicle.
[010] In yet another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the method also includes synchronizing the flashing of the side indicators with the high beam flashing of the headlamps of the vehicle.
[011] In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the method further includes receiving one or more inputs from a user, via at least one of hazard switch or the headlamp controlling lever, to deactivate the high beam flashing of the headlamps.
[012] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[013] The main objective of the present invention is to provide a control system for controlling headlamp of vehicle in high-beam flashing mode so as to reduce driver’s distraction.
[014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cost effective and efficient control system for high-beam flashing of headlamps of the vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:

[015] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed embodiments. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system and/or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[016] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a control system for high beam flashing of headlamps of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[017] Figure 2 discloses flowchart of a method for high beam flashing of headlamps of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of present disclosure.
[018] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative systems embodying the principles of the present subject matter. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transition diagrams, pseudo code, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
[019] Referring now to the drawings, there is shown an illustrative embodiment of the disclosure “a control system for high beam flashing of headlamps of a vehicle and method thereof”. It is understood that the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms; specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It will be appreciated as the description proceeds that the disclosure may be realized in different embodiments.

[020] In the present document, the word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration”. Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
[021] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.
[022] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “include(s)”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, system or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or system or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
[023] According to an aspect, the present disclosure provides a technique for controlling high beam flashing of headlamps of a vehicle and a control system for implementing the same. The technique includes detecting an actuation of a hazard switch, configured to activate flashing of side indicators. The technique further includes detecting a position of headlamp controlling lever configured to control a lighting mode of the headlamps of the vehicle. Upon determining the hazard switch being actuated and the headlamp controlling lever being positioned in the non-latched high beam flash position for at least a predetermined period of time, activating high beam flashing of the headlamps of the vehicle. Thus, present disclosure enables effective actuation of high beam flashing of headlamps and prevents repeatedly “pulling and releasing” of the command lever which may distract/dilute attention during a panic situation impacting the vehicle and driver safety. Therefore, the

present disclosure enhances the safety of the user by providing a cost effective and simple technique for actuation of high-beam flashing of headlamps of the vehicle.
[024] In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[025] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a control system 100 for high beam flashing of headlamps of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The control system 100 includes a hazard switch 102, a headlamp controlling lever switch 104, a detection unit 106, an activation unit 108, a synchronizing unit 110, a side indicators lamps 112, and a headlamps 114. While the illustrated embodiment, disclose the hazard switch 102, headlamp controlling lever switch 104, side indicators lamps 112 and head lamps 114 as a part of the control system 100, embodiment intend to cover said components being external to the control system 100. In said embodiment, the detection unit 106, the activation unit 108, the synchronizing unit 110 may form the control system100. Further, in said embodiment, the hazard switch 102, headlamp controlling lever switch 104, side indicators lamps 112 and headlamps 114 may be connected to the control system 100 by any suitable means such as, cables, connectors and so forth. In an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle may include, but not limited, a car, a bus, a van, or so forth.
[026] The hazard switch 102 may be a push button installed on a dashboard of the vehicle. The hazard switch 102 may be configured to actuate flashing of side indicators of the vehicle. The hazard switch 102 may be manually operated by a user of the vehicle based on the requirement. Alternatively, the hazard switch 102 may be configured to be automatically actuated based on pre-defined conditions. For example, during a vehicle breakdown, or during reverse motion of the vehicle and so forth.

[027] The headlamp controlling lever switch 104 may be configured to control a lighting mode of the headlamps 114 of the vehicle. The headlamp controlling lever switch 104 being movable in a first direction from a neutral low beam position to a latched high beam position and in a second direction from the neutral low beam position to a non-latched high beam flash position. For example, the headlamp controlling lever switch 104 may be at a first latched position configured to permanently turn ON high beam of the head lamps 114 and at a second non-latched position configured to perform high beam flashing of the head lamps 114. In an exemplary embodiment, the headlamp controlling lever switch 104 may be positioned on the steering of the vehicle.
[028] The control system 100 further includes the detection unit 106. The detection unit 106 may be operatively coupled with the hazard switch 102 and the headlamp controlling lever switch 104. The detection unit 106 is configured to detect actuation of the hazard switch 102. Further, the detection unit 106 is configured to detect a position of the handlamp controlling lever switch 104. The detection unit 106 may include any suitable processing unit such as, a processor, a controller and so forth, to detect actuation of the hazard switch 102 and the position of the headlamp controlling lever switch 104. In some embodiments, the detection unit 106 may include one or more sensors configured to detect actuation of the hazard switch 102 and the position of the headlamp controlling lever switch 104.
[029] The control system 100 also includes the activation unit 108 communicably coupled to the detection unit 106. The activation unit 108 configured to activate high beam flashing of the headlamps 114 of the vehicle, upon detecting that the hazard switch 102 being actuated and the handlamp controlling lever switch 104 being positioned in the non-latched high beam flash position for at least a predetermined period. In an exemplary embodiment, the predetermine period may be defined within a range of 3 - 8 sec. The activation unit 108 may include any suitable processing unit such as, but not limited to, a processor, a controller, a microcontroller and so forth, to detect actuation of the hazard switch 102 and the position of the headlamp controlling lever switch 104. In an embodiment, the activation unit 108 may perform automatic activation of high beam flashing of headlamps 114 and prevent distraction of the driver in distress conditions.

[030] The control system 100 further includes the synchronizing unit 110. The synchronizing unit 110 may be configured to synchronize the flashing of side indicators with the high beam flashing of the headlamps of the vehicle. The synchronizing unit 110 may be configured to synchronize time and frequency of flashing of the side indicators lamps 112 and the headlamps 114. In an embodiment, the synchronizing unit 110 may be directly coupled to the side indicators lamps 112 and headlamps 114 to synchronize the flashing of said lamps. In alternative embodiment, the synchronizing unit 110 may be coupled to the activation unit 108 and configured to transmit a synchronizing signal to enable the activation unit 108 to synchronize flashing of the side indicators lamps 112 and head lamps 114. The synchronized flashing of the side indicators lamps 112 and headlamps 114 may enable effective communication of the desired signal of the driver of the vehicle to a driver of another vehicle.
[031] The side indicators lamps 112 and the head lamps 114 may be any conventional indicator lamps and head lamps, respectively, as used in vehicles. The side indicators lamps 112 and head lamps 114 may be operatively coupled to the one or more components of the control system 100 to enable desired functionality of the control system 100.
[032] In an illustrative embodiment, all the components have been illustrated as a part of the control system 100. Alternatively, the components may be disposed inside or outside the control system 100 based on requirement. Further, the detection unit 106, the activation unit 108 and the synchronizing unit 110 may form integral part of the control system 100. In some embodiments, the functions of the detection unit 106, the activation unit 108 and the synchronizing unit 110 may be performed by the processing unit. Alternatively, the detection unit 106, the activation unit 108 and the synchronizing unit 110 may be implemented in a hardware unit or provided by a collection of interoperative hardware units, including one or more processors, in conjunction with suitable software and/or firmware.
[033] In some embodiments, the control system 100 may include a receiving unit (now shown) configured to receive one or more inputs from a user via at least one of the headlamp

controlling lever switch 104 or the hazard switch 102 to deactivate the high beam flashing of headlamps of the vehicle.
[034] FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of a method 200 for high beam flashing of headlamps of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of present disclosure. Fig. 2 is explained in conjunction with Fig. 1.
[035] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method at block 202 comprises detecting an actuation of the hazard switch 102 of the vehicle. The hazard switch 102 is actuated for flashing of side indicators lamps 112 of the vehicle.
[036] Further, the method at block 204 comprises detecting a position of the handlamp controlling lever switch 104 configured to control a lighting mode of the headlamps 114 of the vehicle. The headlamp controlling lever switch 104 being movable in a first direction from a neutral low beam position to a latched high beam position and in a second direction from the neutral low beam position to a non-latched high beam flash position.
[037] Furthermore, the method at block 206 comprises activating high beam flashing of the headlamps 114 of the vehicle upon determining the hazard switch being actuated and the handlamp controlling lever being positioned in the non-latched high beam flash position for at least a predetermined period of time.
[038] The above-mentioned steps of method 200, provides various technical effects or advantages such as to provide a cost effective and efficient control system for high-beam flashing of headlamps of the vehicle. Further, the control system for controlling headlamp of vehicle to operate in high-beam flashing mode while reducing the driver’s distraction.
[039] The illustrated steps are set out to explain the exemplary embodiments shown, and it should be anticipated that ongoing technological development will change the manner in which particular functions are performed. These examples are presented herein for purposes of illustration, and not limitation. Further, the boundaries of the functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternative

boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed.
[040] Alternatives (including equivalents, extensions, variations, deviations, etc., of those described herein) will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Such alternatives fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosed embodiments.
[041] Furthermore, one or more computer-readable storage media may be utilized in implementing embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. A computer-readable storage medium refers to any type of physical memory on which information or data readable by a processor may be stored. Thus, a computer-readable storage medium may store instructions for execution by one or more processors, including instructions for causing the processor(s) to perform steps or stages consistent with the embodiments described herein. The term “computer- readable medium” should be understood to include tangible items and exclude carrier waves and transient signals, i.e., are non-transitory. Examples include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), volatile memory, nonvolatile memory, hard drives, CD ROMs, DVDs, flash drives, disks, and any other known physical storage media.
[042] Suitable processors include, by way of example, a general-purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) circuits, any other type of integrated circuit (IC), and/or a state machine.
[043] Reference Numerals:

100 Control System
102 Hazard Switch
104 Headlamp controlling lever switch

106 Detection Unit
108 Activation Unit
110 Synchronizing Unit
112 Side indicators lamps
114 Headlamps
200 Method flowchart
202-206 Method steps

We Claim:
1. A control system for high beam flashing of headlamps of a vehicle, said control system
comprising:
a detection unit configured to:
detect actuation of a hazard switch of the vehicle, wherein the hazard switch is actuated for flashing of side indicators lamps of the vehicle; and
detect a position of a headlamp controlling lever switch, wherein the headlamp controlling lever switch is configured to control a lighting mode of the head lamps of the vehicle, the headlamp controlling lever switch being movable in a first direction from a neutral low beam position to a latched high beam position and in a second direction from the neutral low beam position to a non-latched high beam flash position; and an activation unit configured to:
activate high beam flashing of the headlamps of the vehicle, upon detecting that
the hazard switch being actuated and the headlamp controlling lever switch being
positioned in the non-latched high beam flash position for at least a predetermined period of time.
2. The control system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a synchronizing unit configured to synchronize the flashing of side indicators lamps with the high beam flashing of the head lamps of the vehicle.
3. The control system as claimed in claim 1, further include a receiving unit configured to receive one or more inputs from a user via at least one of the headlamp controlling lever switch or the hazard switch to deactivate the high beam flashing of headlamps of the vehicle.
4. A method for high beam flashing of headlamps of a vehicle, comprising:
detecting an actuation of a hazard switch of the vehicle, wherein the hazard switch is actuated for flashing of side indicators lamps of the vehicle;
detecting a position of a headlamp controlling lever switch configured to control a lighting mode of the headlamps of the vehicle, the headlamp controlling lever switch being movable in a

first direction from a neutral low beam position to a latched high beam position and in a second direction from the neutral low beam position to a non-latched high beam flash position; and
upon determining the hazard switch being actuated and the headlamp controlling lever switch being positioned in the non-latched high beam flash position for at least a predetermined period of time, activating high beam flashing of the headlamps of the vehicle.
5. The method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising synchronizing the flashing of the side indicators lamps with the high beam flashing of the headlamps of the vehicle.
6. The method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising receiving one or more inputs from a user, via at least one of hazard switch or the headlamp controlling lever switch, to deactivate the high beam flashing of the headlamps of the vehicle.