Claims:We claim:
1. A controller (110) for activation of a cruise control function in a vehicle, characterized in that, said controller (110) configured to,
detect an input gesture through an input means already existing in said vehicle, said input means is any one selected from a clutch lever (102), said clutch lever (102) and a brake lever (104), a start switch (106) and a kill switch (108), and
activate said cruise control function if said detected input gesture matches with a preset reference gesture corresponding to input means used.

2. The controller (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said preset reference gesture is selected from a group comprising at least two soft presses of said clutch lever (102) in a first predetermined time, at least two simultaneous soft press of both of said clutch lever (102) and said brake lever (104) in a second predetermined time, at least one press of said start switch (106) in a third predetermined time and at least one toggle of said kill switch (108) (from OFF to ON and then back to OFF) in a fourth predetermined time, wherein said first predetermined time, said second predetermined time, said third predetermined time and said fourth predetermined time are either same or different from each other.

3. The controller (110) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said soft press of said clutch lever (102) and said brake lever (104) is detected from respective limit switch without interference with operation of said clutch and said brake.

4. The controller (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said detected input gesture is considered after pre-requisite conditions (114) for said cruise control function is met, wherein said pre-requisite conditions (114) are ascertained with existing sensors in said vehicle.

5. The controller (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an intake conduit of said vehicle is fit with any one of a Mechanical Throttle Body (MTB) system and an Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system.

6. A method for activating a cruise control function in a vehicle, characterized by, said method comprising the steps of:
detecting an input gesture through an input means already existing in said vehicle, said input means is any one selected from a clutch lever (102), said clutch lever (102) and a brake lever (104), a start switch (106) and a kill switch (108), and
activating said cruise control function if said detected input gesture matches with a preset reference gesture corresponding to input means used.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said preset reference gesture is selected from a group comprising at least two soft presses of said clutch lever (102) in a first predetermined time, at least two simultaneous soft press of both of said clutch lever (102) and said brake lever (104) in a second predetermined time, at least one press of said start switch (106) in a third predetermined time and at least one toggle of said kill switch (108) (toggle from OFF to ON and then back to OFF) in a fourth predetermined time, wherein said first predetermined time, said second predetermined time, said third predetermined time and said fourth predetermined time are either same or different from each other.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said soft press of said clutch lever (102) and said brake lever (104) is detected from respective limit switch, without interfering with operation of clutch and brake.

9. The method as claimed in claim 6, comprises considering said input gesture after meeting pre-requisite conditions (114) for said cruise control function, wherein said pre-requisite conditions (114) are ascertained with existing sensors in said vehicle.

10. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein an intake conduit of said vehicle is fit with any one of a Mechanical Throttle Body (MTB) and an Electronic Throttle Control (ETC). , Description:Complete Specification:
The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

Field of the invention:
[0001] The present invention relates to a controller and method for activation of a cruise control function in a vehicle.

Background of the invention:
[0002] A Cruise control (CC) exists predominantly in premium segment two wheelers, which are equipped with Electronic Throttle Control (ETC systems). In ETC systems, the CC features can be activated/ deactivated/ changed via buttons (e.g. enable/ disable, mode selection, speed increment or decrement etc.) provided on the handlebar. In case of mechanical throttle control (MTB system), only limited feature can be achieved (for e.g. holding vehicle at set speed). This limited function will only be attractive to OEMs and end customers when the cost is justified/affordable.

[0003] A patent literature 2292/MUM/2010 discloses a cruise control device and methods thereof. The invention includes a rack having locking serrations for locking a fuel control lever. The rack is passed through a sleeve provided on a holding bracket which has provision at its top surface for fixing an actuator. The actuator acts as a locking device. On actuation of the actuator, a pin locks the fuel control lever. The actuation switch is fitted on the dash board in close proximity of the driver and is an automatic reset switch. It resets itself once the circuit is broken due to activation of brake or the clutch pedal. There is an electrical circuit which runs through the cruise activation switch, Brake pedal switch & the clutch switch to the actuator.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings:
[0004] An embodiment of the disclosure is described with reference to the following accompanying drawing,
[0005] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of controller for activation of cruise control function in a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention, and
[0006] Fig. 2 illustrates a method for activating cruise control function in the vehicle, according to the present invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments:
[0007] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of controller for activation of cruise control function in a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle comprises an engine, an intake conduit connected to the engine, a fuel supply device and ignition control system, characterized in that, the controller 110 configured to, detect an input gesture through an input means already existing in the vehicle. The input means is any one selected from a clutch lever 102, the clutch lever 102 and a brake lever 104, a start switch 106 and a kill switch 108. The controller 110 activates the cruise control function if the detected input gesture matches with the preset reference gesture corresponding to the input means used. The controller 110 is configurable with any one of the input means based on the availability of connection between the switches and the levers with the controller 110.

[0008] The controller 110 comprises memory element 112 such as Random Access Memory (RAM) and/or Read Only Memory (ROM), Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) and vice-versa Digital-to-Analog Convertor (DAC), clocks, timers and at least one processor (capable of implementing machine learning) connected with the each other and to other components through communication bus channels. The memory element 112 is pre-stored with logics or instructions or programs or applications, preset reference gestures, predetermined time which is accessed by the processor as per the defined routines. The internal components of the controller 110 are not explained for being state of the art, and the same must not be understood in a limiting manner. The controller 110 may also comprise communication units to communicate with a server or cloud (not shown) through wireless or wired means such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), 3G, 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, serial networks, and the like. In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller 110 is the Engine Control Unit (ECU) or a Cluster Control Unit (CCU) or a Transmission Control Unit (TCU) or Body Control Unit (BCU) any existing control unit of the vehicle or a separate unit interfaced with the ECU or the CCU or the existing control unit.

[0009] In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle is preferably a two-wheeler such as a motorcycle, a scooter, a moped, etc. However, the controller 110 is equally adaptable to be used for three-wheelers such as auto-rickshaws, four wheelers such as cars and the other existing and new vehicles (even snow mobiles) where the cruise control features has been in use and possible to be used.

[0010] In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, the preset reference gesture is selected from a group comprising at least two soft presses of the clutch lever 102 in a first predetermined time, at least two simultaneous soft press of both of the clutch lever 102 and the brake lever 104 in a second predetermined time, at least one press of the start switch 106 in a third predetermined time and at least one toggle of the kill switch 108 (toggle from OFF to ON and then back to OFF) in the fourth predetermined time. The first predetermined time, the second predetermined time, the third predetermined time and the fourth predetermined time are either same of different from each other. The clutch lever 102 refers to the mechanical/manual lever in the handlebar to control clutch. The brake lever 104 refers to lever in any one of the handlebar or foot pedal to control brake. The start switch (or button) 106 refers to the button in the handlebar to start the vehicle using starter motor and the kill switch 108 refers to the button in the handlebar to kill the engine. Further, the soft press of the clutch lever 102 and the brake lever 104 is detected from respective limit switch without interference with operation of clutch and the brake. The press corresponds to flicks or tap or press and release in quick or instantaneous manner.

[0011] In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, an intake conduit of the vehicle is fit with any one of a Mechanical Throttle Body (MTB) system and an Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system. In case of MTB system, the vehicle is provided with an actuator 116 to only control a throttle valve for cruise control function. Thus, only during the cruise control functionality, the actuator 116 controls the throttle valve, whereas during the other conditions, a throttle grip is used to drive the vehicle. Other parts such as ignition, injection, etc., which are needed to maintain cruise control function are also controlled and not explained in detail for simplicity. The same must not be understood in a limiting manner.

[0012] In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, the detected input gesture is considered after pre-requisite conditions 114 for cruise control function is met. The pre-requisite conditions 114 are ascertained with existing sensors or signals in Controller Area Network (CAN) or both in the vehicle by the controller 110. Some non-limiting examples of the pre-requisite conditions 114 comprises ignition key should be ON, engine and vehicle speed should be within defined limits, brake and clutch pedal plausibility check completed, etc. The pre-requisite condition may vary from vehicle to vehicle, and the present invention is to limited by the same.

[0013] A working of the controller 110 is envisaged without limiting to the same. Consider the vehicle as motorcycle with MTB system. To activate cruise control function the rider need not press any dedicated cruise control button on the handlebar. Instead, after reaching the desired vehicle speed the rider activates cruise control by one of the following gestures, soft presses twice the clutch lever 102, simultaneously soft presses at least twice both of the clutch lever 102 and the brake lever 104 or at least one press/ activation of start switch 106 or kill switch 108 from OFF to ON and then back to OFF (kill switch cycle) at least once, all within the respective predetermined time. For the single vehicle, the controller 110 is configurable with either one of the input means or combination of input means to activate the cruise control function. Alternatively, based on the type of vehicle, the controller 110 is configured with the suitable input means for the activation of cruise control function. All the pre-requisite condition 114 (or enabling condition) can be same as an ETC system or different. The above gestures are chosen in such a way that neither they can happen by mistake nor the rider does such gestures for any reason during normal ride. Moreover, the disabling of cruise control function does not require any explicit button to be pressed, an increase in throttle or existing conditions of ETC system are applicable.

[0014] Fig. 2 illustrates a method for activating cruise control function in the vehicle, according to the present invention. The vehicle comprises the engine, the intake conduit connected to the engine, the fuel supply device and ignition control system, characterized by, the method comprising the steps of, a step 200 and a step 204. The step 200 comprises detecting the input gesture through the input means already existing in the vehicle. The input means is any one selected from the clutch lever 102, the clutch lever 102 and the brake lever 104, the start switch 106 and the kill switch 108. The step 204 comprises activating cruise control function if the detected input gesture matches with the preset reference gesture corresponding to input means used. The preset reference gesture is selected from the group comprising at least two soft presses of the clutch lever 102 in the first predetermined time, at least two simultaneous soft press of both of the clutch lever 102 and the brake lever 104 in the second predetermined time, at least one press of the start switch 106 in the third predetermined time and at least one toggle of the kill switch 108 from OFF to ON and then back to OFF in the fourth predetermined time. The first predetermined time, the second predetermined time, the third predetermined time and the fourth predetermined time are either same of different from each other. Further, the soft press of the clutch lever 102 and the brake lever 104 are detected from respective limit switch without interfering with operation of clutch and brake. The method comprises considering the input gesture after meeting pre-requisite conditions 114 for the cruise control function. The pre-requisite conditions 114 are ascertained with existing sensors or signals in CAN or both in the vehicle. The intake conduit of the vehicle is fit with any one of the Mechanical Throttle Body (MTB) and the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC).

[0015] The method is explained with additional blocks for better understanding and the same must not be understood in limiting sense. A block 202 corresponds to first input gesture involving only clutch lever 102. A block 206 corresponds to second gesture involving the combination of the clutch lever 102 and the brake lever 104. A block 208 corresponds to third input gesture involving the start switch 106. A block 210 corresponds to fourth gesture involving the kill switch 108. A step 212 comprises checking if pre-requisite conditions 114 have been met which is required before activating the cruise control function. If yes, then the step 204 is executed, else the step 200 is iterated. The step 204 comprises activating the cruise control function if the detect input gesture matches with the preset reference gesture. A step 214 defines the control of the actuator 116 for controlling the throttle valve to obtain the cruise control function or to complete the step 204. A step 216 comprises detecting exit conditions to come out of the cruise control function. If yes, then a step 218 comprises exiting from the cruise control function. If no, then the step 214 is rechecked.

[0016] In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, a smart cruise control activation strategy for vehicles irrespective to MTB system or ETC systems is provided. The controller 110 makes it possible to activate the cruise control function i.e. hold the vehicle at a set speed, by using combination of already available inputs means to either of the control units such as engine management system (EMS), BCU, TCU, etc. Thus, the need of any button or joy-stick or any other mechanical/ electrical inputs on the handle bar and any wiring associated with it, can be avoided reducing the cost of implementation, thereby making the activation mechanism affordable. The present invention can also be retrofit to existing vehicles. The cost of the cruise control function is reduced. In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, the use of start switch 106 is possible for an electric vehicle as well.

[0017] It should be understood that embodiments explained in the description above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this invention. Many such embodiments and other modifications and changes in the embodiment explained in the description are envisaged. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.