CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY
The present application claims priority from provisional patent application having application no. 201711029230 and filed on August 17th, 2017.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present subject matter described herein, in general, relates to a system for controlling headlamp beam of a vehicle and a method thereof.
BACKGROUND
Automobiles use Headlamps for illumination of roads when running in dark. Headlamps have two beams i.e. “High” beam and “Low” beam. High beam position gives more illumination and gives light at upper part of the road ahead i.e. illumination of objects at height (say 3 meters) along with illumination of road. Low beam illuminates relatively lower height objects (say up to 1 meter). 15 High beam has a disadvantage that it causes glare to other road user’s i.e. pedestrian, cyclist, vehicle users and other road users. High beam glare causes damage to eyes of other road users and also leads to road accidents. So, use of “High Beam” is not allowed when you encounter other vehicles or other road users like pedestrian, cyclist, motorist, toll plaza employees etc. Use of high beam 20 is restricted in certain specified geographical area irrespective of presence or absence of vehicles/persons.
Many countries challan vehicle drivers using “High Beam”. So “High Beam” is allowed only on freeways where there are no other road users coming from opposite side or other areas/roads permitted by traffic authorities of the area. As 25 the vehicle driver encounters other road users, driver is supposed to shift the beam from “High” to “Low”.
A mechanical switch/lever is available near steering of car. This switch/lever has two positions “High” and “Low”. Driver can use “High” position to keep the
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headlight beam in high position. Driver can use “Low” positioning switch/lever to keep the headlight beam in “Low Beam” position. A visual notification of the same is available on instrument cluster to indicate whether the vehicle beam is in “High” position or “Low” position.
Next improvement was in name of “Auto Dipper”. Auto dipper is a device used to 5 dip the beam from “High” to “Low” automatically i.e. without driver effort. Auto dipper uses light from vehicle coming from opposite direction to activate photo sensor (say LDR) which further operate the relay to switch on “Low” beam circuit of vehicle.
Further, high beam should be switched to low beam as and vehicle enters into area 10 where use of high beam is restricted due to population density, road width, speed limit, toll plaza or any other rule by local transport authorities. Use of low beam is enforced by authorities to reduce headlamp’s glare to road users which is one of the main causes of accidents at night. Auto dipper does not take care of the aspect i.e. operating in restricted area. 15
Major problem with auto dipper is that it is activated by headlight of vehicle from opposite direction. Auto dipper does not work when vehicle enters a populated area/restricted area and no vehicle is coming from opposite side. When a vehicle with auto dipper enters a turn on road, vehicle beam will remain in “High beam” position till it encounters another vehicle with its Headlamp in ON position. Even 20 if it encounters another vehicle, the beam will temporarily shift to “Low” and will come back to “High” position as opposite vehicle crosses the given vehicle. So, again vehicle beam is in “High” position. This vehicle is bound to attract punishable action as it is in a town (i.e. populated area) and use of HIGH beam is punishable offence. 25
The legal requirement in most of the countries is that Headlight beam should be in “Low beam” position till vehicle moves in populated area (say a town) so that there is no inconvenience to other road users. So, vehicle drivers still use manual
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switch/lever to shift the beam from “High” to “Low” as they enter a populated area.
Secondly, drivers are sometimes not aware of local/regional law regarding restrictions on the use of “High beam” in given area. Sometimes, local traffic laws demand “LOW beam” when speed limit in restricted area is below certain value 5 (say 60 km/hr) or road width is below certain value (say 30 feet) or under certain other rules/laws.
Auto dipper won’t work if there is no vehicle with headlamps ON from opposite direction. Auto dipper does not give any notification to driver/user that they have entered or about to enter an area where use of “High beam” is restricted due to 10 population density, width of road or speed limit or due some other reason mentioned in local traffic laws.
Headlight glare leads to three major problems. First, headlight glare causes temporary blinding effect to oncoming road users and leads to accidents at night. As per data, 18% of accidents in India at night are due to headlight glare. Second, 15 long exposure of headlight glare to drivers causes fatigue which further leads to accidents and poor quality of life. Third, prolonged exposure of headlight glare for years leads to weakening of eyesight of road users forever.
So, the problem caused in all the above cases should be solved so that other road user’s i.e. pedestrian, cyclist etc can be saved from bad effects of headlight glare 20 in the area.
In view of the above, it can be concluded that there is a long-felt need to have a system and a method to give information to the driver/user that he has entered in the area where use of high beam is restricted, and he should switch over to low beam position. There is also a need to notify the user/driver about different 25 parameters such as speed limit laws, traffic rules, geographical area etc. and instructing the user for switching/controlling headlamp of vehicle based upon such parameters. Further, there should be a provision to control the status of the headlamps automatically if the user fails to operate a switch manually.
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SUMMARY
This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a system for controlling headlamps of a vehicle and a method thereof and the concepts are further 5 described in the detail description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor it is intended to use in determining or limiting the scope of claimed subject matter.
In one implementation, the invention discloses a system for controlling headlamps 10 of a vehicle. The system may comprise a signal processing unit, a relay circuit capable to perform action based on the signal from the signal processing unit, a switch and a user device. The user device may further comprise a Global Positioning System (GPS) tracker capable to receive signals, an output unit a processor and a memory coupled with the processor. The system may comprise 15 comparing one or more parameters with the predefined threshold value based upon traffic management guidelines and motor vehicle guidelines associated with the received signals. The system may further comprise notifying information based upon the one or more parameters. Further, the system may comprise instructing the user to change the status of the headlamp using the switch based 20 upon the comparison of the one or more parameters with the predefined threshold value. The system may further comprise controlling the status of the headlamps upon receiving command by the user based upon the instructions or automatically operating the relay circuit based upon the received signals.
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In another implementation, the invention discloses a method for controlling headlamps of automobile. The method may comprise comparing, via a processor, one or more parameters with the predefined threshold value based upon traffic management guidelines and motor vehicle guidelines associated with the received signals. The method may further comprise notifying, via the processor, 30 information based upon the one or more parameters. The method may comprise
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instructing, via the processor, the user to change the status of the headlamp using the switch based upon the comparison of the one or more parameters with the predefined threshold value. The method may further comprise controlling, via the processor, the status of the headlamps upon receiving command by the user based upon the instructions or automatically operating the relay circuit based upon the 5 received signals.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying Figures. 10 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 drawings to refer like features and components.
Figure 1 illustrates a pictorial view 100 of glare caused by vehicle headlight to 15 other individuals, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter.
Figure 2 illustrates a pictorial view 200 of headlight beam in “LOW” position with reduced light in the eyes of other individuals, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter. 20
Figure 3A illustrates a circuit diagram to show working of manual “High to Low/Low to High” switch where high beam filament is ON, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter.
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Figure 3B illustrates a circuit diagram to show working of manual “High to Low /Low to High” switch where low beam filament is ON, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter.
Figure 4A illustrates a simplified circuit diagram with “HIGH” beam filament 30 ON, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter.
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Figure 4B illustrates a simplified circuit diagram with “LOW” beam filament ON, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter.
Figure 5A illustrates a simplified diagram of system 500 including transmitter and 5 receiver block diagram, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter.
Figure 5B illustrates a simplified diagram with detailed transmitter and receiver block diagram, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter. 10
Figure 6 illustrates a circuit design of a RF transmitter, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter.
Figure 7 illustrates a circuit design of a RF receiver, in accordance with an 15 embodiment of a present subject matter.
Figure 8 illustrates an architecture of computing system for implementing the present invention, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter.
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Figure 9A illustrates a pictorial view of the map of on road scenario along with the vehicle when vehicle is entering in a geographical area, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter.
Figure 9B illustrates a pictorial view of the map of on road scenario along with 25 the vehicle where the vehicle is going through the geographical area, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter.
Figure 9C illustrates a pictorial view of the map of on road scenario along with the vehicle where the vehicle exiting the geographical area, in accordance with an 30 embodiment of a present subject matter.
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Figure 10 illustrates a decision-making process and a user interface display in a user device, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter.
Figure 11 illustrates flowchart to depict the decision-making process in the user 5 device, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter.
Figure 12A – 12H illustrates a user interfaces for different scenarios, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment 15 is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment” in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more 20 embodiments.
Objective of the invention is to give audio/visual notification to a user that vehicle has entered into a restricted area where use of high beam is restricted due to population density, road width, toll plaza, speed limit or any other 25 reason/instructions given by local authority. Another objective is to have a switching device which will switch a beam from high to low and vice versa if the user fails to take corrective action after the notification given to the user. Further another objective of the invention is to inform the user about presence of toll plaza and traffic as the traffic display boards mounted at heights along the road are not 30 easily readable at night due to shifting of beam from high to low. Further, another
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objective of the invention is to inform the user about fine or charges dur to over speeding in an area, presence of blind spot in the area to warn the user and the like.
Referring to figure 1, illustrates a pictorial view 100 of glare caused by vehicle 5 headlight to other individuals, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter. A vehicle 101 is having its headlight beam 102A in “high” position. High position headlight beam may cause glare in eyes of users i.e. a pedestrian 103, a cyclist 104, other vehicle drivers 105, toll plaza person 106 sitting inside the operating room and other user present in a restricted 10 geographical area. The restricted geographical area may be the area where use of high beam is not allowed as per local traffic laws/rules. E.g. high beam use restriction may be due to speed limits, road width, cars at toll plaza in same direction, municipal limits of a city/town or any other reason.
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Referring to figure 2, illustrates a pictorial view 200 of headlight beam in “low” position with reduced light in the eyes of other individuals, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter. All the components are same as that of figure 1, except a headlight beam 102B which is now in “Low” position. In low position of the headlight beam 102B, there may be reduced or no glare in eyes of 20 the users i.e. the pedestrian 103, the cyclist 104, toll plaza person 106 sitting inside the operating room or the vehicle driver 105.
Referring to figure 3A, illustrates a circuit diagram to show working of manual “High to Low/Low to High” switch where a high beam filament is ON, in 25 accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter. A battery 301 may be used to supply electric energy to headlight filaments which may be either the high beam filament 305 or a low beam filament 306. A switch 302 may be used to switch on the high beam filament 305 or the low beam filament 306. The switch 302 may be in contact with the high beam filament’s 305 contact terminal 303 to 30
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allow flow of current through the high beam filament 305 which may give light in a high Beam 102A.
Referring to figure 3B, a circuit diagram to show working of manual “High to Low/Low to High” switch where a low beam filament is ON. The battery 301 5 may be used to supply electric energy to headlight filament. The switch 302 may be used to switch on the high beam filament 305 or the low beam filament 306. The switch 302 may be in contact with the low beam filament 306 contact terminal 304 to allow flow of current through the low beam filament lamp 306 which gives light in a low beam 102B. 10
Referring to figure 4A and 4B, illustrates a simplified circuit diagram with the high beam filament is ‘ON’ and the low beam filament is ‘ON’, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter. Figure 4A may comprise a user device 407, an output unit 409, a communication link 410, the switch 302, a relay 15 circuit 401, a photo sensor 411 and a connecting wire 412 to activate the relay circuit 401. The user device 407 may further comprise a GPS tracker 408-A, a processor 408-B and a memory 408-C. The relay circuit 401 may further comprise a relay contact point 402 and two or more contact points 403 and 404. The relay contact point 402 and the contact point 403 may be used to get the high beam 20 filament 305 ‘ON’, whereas the relay contact point 402 and the contact point 404 may be used to get the low beam filament 306 ‘ON’. A satellite or a mobile tower 405 may be used to operate the GPS tracker 408-A in the user device 407 through a communication network 406. The output unit 409 may be inside the user device 407 or may be externally attached to the user device 407. The output unit 409 may 25 provide output in different forms such as audio output and/or video output. Any audio notification/advisory/warning is given by the user device 407 through the output unit 409. The communication link 410 may be used by the user device 407 in order to activate or deactivate the relay circuit 401. The switch 302 has two contact points i.e. a high beam filament contact point 303 and a low beam 30 filament contact point 304. The switch 302 keeps the beam in high position (high
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beam 102A) when it is at the high beam filament contact point 303 and in low position (low beam 102B) when it is the low beam filament contact point 304.
In one embodiment, it may be understood that the system may also be implemented in a variety of the user devices 407, such as a but are not limited to, 5 a portable computer, a personal digital assistant, a handheld device, a mobile, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a notebook, a workstation, a mainframe computer, and the like.
In one embodiment, the communication network 406/communication link 410 10 may be a wireless network, a wired network or a combination thereof. The communication network 406/communication link 410 may be accessed by the user device 407 using wired or wireless network connectivity means including updated communications technology.
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In one embodiment, signal from the user device 407 may shift the beam from high to low as the relay contact point 402 may shift from the contact point 403 to another contact point 404. When there is no high beam command from the user device 407, when the switch 302 is in low beam filament contact point 304, the relay circuit 401 contact are between the relay contact point 402 and the contact 20 point 403. In such position, beam is in low position (low beam 102B). The user device 407 may give audio/video advisory/warning to shift back from low beam 102B to high beam 102A. Photons from source of light from opposite vehicle 413 or another source hit the photo sensor 411. The photo sensor 411 may use the connecting wire 412 to activate the relay circuit 401. 25
Referring figure 5A, illustrates a simplified diagram of system 500 including transmitter and receiver block diagram, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter. The system 500 for controlling headlamps of the vehicle is shown. The system 500 may comprise the user device 407, the output unit 409, 30 the switch 302, a relay circuit 401, a signal processing unit 509 and the

WE CLAIM:
1. A system for controlling headlamp beam of a vehicle, the system 500 comprising:
a signal processing unit 509;
a relay circuit 401 capable to perform action based on the signal from the signal processing unit;
a switch 302;
a user device 407 further comprising:
a Global Positioning System (GPS) 408-A tracker capable to receive signals;
an output unit;
a processor 408-B; and
a memory 408-C coupled with the processor 408-A, wherein the processor 408-A is capable of executing programmed instructions stored in the memory 408-C for:
comparing one or more parameters with the predefined threshold value based upon traffic management guidelines and motor vehicle guidelines associated with the received signals; 5
notifying information based upon the one or more parameters;
instructing the user to change the status of the headlamp using the switch 302 based upon the comparison of the one or more parameters with the predefined threshold value;
controlling the status of the headlamps upon receiving command 10 by the user based upon the instructions or automatically operating the relay circuit 401 based upon the received signals.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal processing unit 509 comprises an encoder 501, a RF transmitter 502, one or more antenna (503, 505), a RF receiver 506, a decoder 507 and a signal manipulator 508.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the signal processing unit 509 is capable to process the signals received from the GPS tracker 408-A of the user device 407 through a communication medium.
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4. The system of claim 1, the output unit of the user device 407 is capable to provide output in various forms such as audio output, video output or the like.
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5. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal received by the GPS tracker 408-A are associated with the geographical area, road width, traffic on the geographical area, toll plaza situated on the geographical area and the like.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more parameters that are compared with the predefined threshold value based upon the traffic management guidelines and the motor vehicle guidelines comprises at least one of speed limit of vehicle in the geographical area, traffic rules, turning point, blind spot, municipal limits of the geographical area, headlamp dipping rules, penalty for violating the rules and the like.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein upon receiving inputs for enabling or disabling one or more parameters from the user, the processor 408-B is configured to enable or disable the notification for the one or more parameters.
8. A method for controlling headlamp beam of automobile, the method comprising:
comparing, via a processor 408-B, one or more parameters with the predefined threshold value based upon traffic management guidelines and motor vehicle guidelines associated with the received signals; 5
notifying, via the processor 408-B, information based upon the one or more parameters;
instructing, via the processor 408-B, the user to change the status of the headlamp using the switch based upon the comparison of the one or more parameters with the predefined threshold value; 10
controlling, via the processor 408-B, the status of the headlamps upon receiving command by the user based upon the instructions or automatically operating the relay circuit 401 based upon the received signals.