Claims:We claim:
1. A powered object control system (100) comprising:
a display unit (104) disposed on a powered object (not shown) wherein said display unit (104) includes a first communication module (203);
a wearable device (103), in possession of a user of said powered object (not shown), wherein said wearable device (103) includes a second communication module (203);
a smart device (102) communicatively coupled with said wearable device (103); and
a server (101) to communicate with said smart device (102);
said smart device (102) is communicatively coupled to said server (101) through a first communication link (107) for receiving a first information from the server (101) and for synchronizing a plurality of information to the server (101) and
said first communication module (303) of said display unit (104) is communicatively coupled with said second communication module (203) of the wearable device (103) through a second communication link (108) for processing a second information, comprising the first information, received from the wearable device (103) and controlling the powered object (not shown) based on the processed second information.
2. The powered object control system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first information includes updates, and an electronic authorization key of the powered object.
3. The powered object control system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second information includes the powered object input information, and the powered object status information.
4. The powered object control system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of information includes the powered object status information configured to be stored in the server (101) from said display unit (104) via the wearable device (103) and the smart device (102).
5. The powered object control system (100) as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the display unit (104) processes the second information received from the wearable device (103) by:
analysing the first information to determine a controller (307) of the powered object for which the update is available;
determining the current version of said controller (307) of the powered object;
receiving and storing the available update;
transmitting the available update to said controller (307) of the powered object.
6. The powered object control system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first information is in encrypted form and is decrypted by said smart device (102).
7. The powered object control system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first communication link (107) is a long-distance wireless communication, and said second communication link (108) is a short distance wireless communication.
8. The powered object control system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a strength and a direction of the second communication link (108) generates a position information to locate or operate the powered object by the wearable device (103).
9. The powered object control system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wearable device (103) includes a gesture recognition module (207), to detect one or more gesture made by the user for controlling the powered object.
10. The powered object control system (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said gesture recognition module (207) is trained on different gestures by means of the first user application (105) of said smart device (102).
11. The powered object control system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a display and touch interface (208) of said wearable device (103) facilitates configuration of a use mode/theme of a second user application (106) in the display unit (104).
12. The powered object control system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wearable device (103) tracks the state of the user based on the user’s biometric information and generates the second information on the second user application (106) in the display unit (104).
13. The powered object control system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said powered object (100) is a mobility powered object.
14. A method for controlling a powered object (not shown), said method implemented by a control system (100), said method comprising the steps of:
determining (step 401), availability of a first information on a server (101) for one or more electronic components (not shown) of said powered object (not shown) by a smart device (102);
receiving and de-crypting (step 402) said first information by said smart device (102) via a first communication link (107), wherein the first information is in encrypted form;
storing locally and transmitting said decrypted first information by said smart device (102), to said wearable device (103) (step 403);
determining the availability of the powered object in proximity of said wearable device (103) based on a position information generated by said wearable device (103) (step 404 & at 405);
transmitting a second information comprising the first information to a display unit (104) by said wearable device (103) via a second communication link (108), based on said determined availability of the powered object in proximity (step 406); and
processing the second information received from the wearable device (103) and controlling the powered object based on the processed second information (step 407 & 408).
15. The method for controlling the powered object as claimed in claim 13, wherein the method comprises:
storing the processed second information in an internal memory (305) of the powered object, by the display unit (104);
flashing the update to the processor of a powered object ECU (307) by the display unit (104).
16. The method for controlling the powered object as claimed in claim 13, wherein said first information includes updates, and electronic authorization key for the powered object, and said second information includes the powered object input information, and the powered object status information, said plurality of information includes the powered object status information configured to be stored in the server (101) from said display unit (104) via the wearable device (103) and the smart device (102).
17. The method for controlling the powered object as claimed in claim 13, wherein the display unit (104) processes the second information received from the wearable device (103) by:
analysing the first information to determine a controller (307) of the powered object for which the update is available;
determining the current version of said controller (307) of the powered object;
receiving and storing the available update;
transmitting the available update to said controller (307) of the powered object.
18. The method for controlling the powered object as claimed in claim 13, wherein said first communication link (107) is a long-distance wireless communication, and said second communication link (108) is a short distance wireless communication.
19. The method for controlling the powered object as claimed in claim 13, wherein a position information of the powered object is detected, based on the strength and direction of the second communication link (108) between the first communication module (303) of the display unit (104) and the second communication module (203) of the wearable device (103).
20. The method for controlling the powered object as claimed in claim 13, wherein said wearable device (103) includes a gesture recognition module (207), to detect the gesture made by the user for responding to notifications and based on said gesture, communicate the action to be performed, to the display unit (104).
21. The method for controlling the powered object as claimed in claim 19, wherein said gesture recognition module (207) is trained on different gestures by means of the first user application (105) of said smart device (102).
22. The method for controlling the powered object as claimed in claim 13, wherein said wearable device (103) is configured with a use mode/theme of a second user application (106) in the display unit (104).
23. The method for controlling the powered object as claimed in claim 13, wherein said wearable device (103) tracks the state of the user based on the user’s biometric information and give alerts and notifications on the first user application (105) in the display unit (104).
24. The method for controlling the powered object as claimed in claim 13, wherein authorizing access to said powered object to said user-based user’s biometric information includes heart rate of the users. , Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a powered object. More particularly but not exclusively the present subject matter relates to a powered object control system and method thereof.
BACKGROUND
[0002] With the advancement in technology, demand of connected powered object has increased and in order to fulfil that the powered object manufacturers have started installing a number of electronic components for connectivity. Said electronic components utilized for connected powered objects, work basically on wired or wireless communication through a control command and is provided with a required software working in conjunction with the related system. The electronic components require system and software upgrade frequently with latest version in required time span, so that the customer can experience smooth operation of the powered object, without worrying about any faults in the powered object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] The details are described with reference to an embodiment implemented in a powered object along with the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference similar features and components. Figure 1 exemplarily illustrates a block diagram for a powered object control system.
[0004] Figure 2 exemplarily illustrates a block diagram of the wearable device.
[0005] Figure 3 exemplarily illustrates a block diagram of a powered object module.
[0006] Figure 4 exemplarily illustrates a flowchart for powered object employing over the air update.
[0007] Figure 5 exemplarily illustrates a flowchart for Indoor positioning of the powered object.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0001] Powered objects having electronic components for connectivity needs a control system as a control command for carrying out other control functionalities of the powered object. One of the control functionalities of the powered object includes the process of updating the electronic components, requires an expert handling, which mandates the powered object user to take his/her powered object to the service centre physically. Often, there are many critical updates, maintenance or calibration requirements that are critical for the electronic components to function satisfactorily, securely as well as safely without any undesirable breakdown of the system. Such periodic requirements need to be addressed within essential time span. Many a times, it is observed that the powered object is taken to the service centre after the stipulated time span has lapsed, thus compromising the functionality, life, and security of said component. Apart from above mentioned problems, the power consumption by the process of controlling and updating the electronic component is also a critical criteria to be kept in mind, as it affects the life of the battery. In addition to this, a physical key used for accessing the powered object may possess threat, in case the key is lost as there is a constant threat that the keys may be in hands of some unauthorised person, compromising the powered object security. While prior arts have attempted to address some of the above problems, they do it albeit at a trade-off with some of the above cited aspects and functionalities, which leaves known solutions undesirable.
[0002] Therefore, there exists a need for a mechanism that can provide a hassle-free control and update for the electronic components in the required span of time without requiring an expert handling, a system which is reliable, smart, has less power requirement, is safe and is easy to operate. So, there is a need to cater to the various requirements of the electronic components while overcoming all above problems as well as other problems of known art.
[0003] An objective of the present subject matter is to provide an improved system and a method for an Over the Air (OTA) control of the powered object within stipulated time to update the components, perform other control functionalities and thus facilitating the user a hassle-free operation. The present subject is applicable to any type of powered object, with required changes and without deviating from the scope of invention. In the present subject matter, a powered object control system comprises a display unit disposed on the powered object wherein said display unit includes a first communication module, a wearable device in possession of a user of said powered object wherein said wearable device includes a second communication module, a smart device communicatively coupled with said wearable device, and a server to communicate with said smart device. The smart device is communicatively coupled to said server through a first communication link for receiving a first information from the server and for synchronizing a plurality of information to the server. The first communication module of said display unit is communicatively coupled with said second communication module of the wearable device, through a second communication link for processing a second information, comprising the first information, received from the wearable device, and controlling the powered object based on the processed second information.
[0004] As per an aspect of the present subject matter, the first information includes updates, and electronic authorisation key for the powered object. The second information includes the powered object input information, and the powered object status information. The plurality of information includes the powered object status information configured to be stored in the server from the display unit via the wearable device and the smart device.
[0005] As per an aspect of the present subject matter, the display unit processes the second information received from the wearable device, by analysing the first information, to determine a controller of powered object for which the update is available, determining the current version of said controller of the powered object, receiving and storing the available update, and transmitting the available update to said controller of the powered object.
[0006] As per another aspect of the present subject matter, the first information is in encrypted form and is decrypted by said smart device.
[0007] As per another aspect of the present subject matter, the first communication link is a long-distance wireless communication, and said second communication link is a short distance wireless communication. A strength and a direction of the second communication link generates a position information to locate the powered object by the wearable device.
[0008] As per another aspect of the present subject matter, the wearable device includes a gesture recognition module, to detect one or more gesture made by the user for controlling the powered object. The gesture recognition module is trained on different gestures by means of the first user application of said smart device.
[0009] As per another aspect of the present subject matter, a display and touch interface of said wearable device facilitates configuration of a use mode/theme of a second user application in the display unit. The wearable device tracks the state of the user based on the user’s biometric information and generates the second information on the second user application in the display unit.
[00010] As per another aspect of the present subject matter, the powered object is a mobility powered object.
[00011] As per another embodiment of the present subject matter, a method for controlling a powered object, said method implemented by the powered object control system, the method comprises the steps of determining, availability of a first information on a server for one or more electronic components of said powered object by a smart device; receiving and de-crypting said first information by said smart device via a first communication link, wherein the first information is in encrypted form; storing locally and transmitting said decrypted first information by said smart device, to said wearable device; determining the availability of the powered object in proximity of said wearable device based on a position information generated by said wearable device transmitting a second information comprising the first information to a display unit by said wearable device via a second communication link, based on said determined availability of the powered object in proximity; and processing the second information received from the wearable device and controlling the powered object based on the processed second information.
[00012] As per an aspect of present subject matter, the method for controlling the powered object, wherein the method comprises storing the processed second information in an internal memory of the powered object, by the display unit, flashing the update to the processor of a powered object ECU by the display unit.
[00013] As per an aspect of present subject matter, the first information includes updates, and electronic authorization key for the powered object. The second information includes the powered object input information, and the powered object status information. The plurality of information includes the powered object status information configured to be stored in the server from said display unit via the wearable device and the smart device.
[00014] As per an aspect of present subject matter, the display unit processes the second information received from the wearable device by analysing the first information to determine a controller of the powered object for which the update is available; determining the current version of said controller of the powered object; receiving and storing the available update; transmitting the available update to said controller of the powered object.
[00015] As per an aspect of present subject matter, the first communication link is a long-distance wireless communication. The second communication link is a short distance wireless communication.
[00016] As per an aspect of present subject matter, a position information of the powered object is detected, based on the strength and direction of the second communication link between the first communication module of the display unit and the second communication module of the wearable device.
[00017] As per an aspect of present subject matter, the wearable device includes a gesture recognition module, to detect the gesture made by the user for responding to notifications and based on said gesture, communicates the action to be performed, to the display unit. The gesture recognition module is trained on different gestures by means of the first user application of said smart device. The wearable device is configured with a use mode/theme of a second user application in the display unit.
[00018] As per an aspect of present subject matter, the wearable device tracks the state of the user based on the user’s biometric information and gives alerts as well as notifications on the first user application in the display unit. The authorizing access to said powered object to said user-based user’s biometric information includes heart rate of the user. However, the present invention is not limited to the present embodiments. The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[00019] Fig.1 exemplarily illustrates a block diagram for a powered object control system 100. The powered object control system 100 includes a server 101, a smart device 102 configured with a first user application 105, a wearable device 103, a display unit 104 configured with a second user application 106. The powered object control system 100 includes the display unit 104 disposed on the powered object where the display unit 104 includes a first communication module 303 (shown in fig.3), the wearable device 103 in possession of a user of said powered object, where the wearable device 103 includes a second communication module 203 (shown in fig.2). The smart device 102 having the first user application 105 is configured to communicate with said wearable device 103, and the server 101. The server 101 is communicatively coupled to said smart device 102 through a first communication link 107 having a two-way communication. The smart device 102 receives a first information from the server 101 and synchronizes a plurality of information to the server. The server has updates for a plurality of electronic components of the powered object, powered object related data, critical alerts and electronic authorization key to the powered object. The above-mentioned updates, data, alerts, and the like are transmitted to the smart device 102 and then to the wearable device 103 by means of a second communication link 108. Further a second information comprising of the first information is transmitted to the display unit 104 by means of the second communication link 108.
[00020] In the present embodiment, the first communication link 107 is a GSM link of the smart device 102. However, any other communication network like CDMA, TDMA, EDGE, and the like, can be used. The smart device 102, said second communication module 203 of wearable device 103, and said first communication module 303 of display unit 104 are communicatively coupled with each other through a second communication link 108 having a two-way communication to transmit and install updates for a plurality of electronic components (not shown) of the powered object, and to sync a plurality of information. In the present embodiment, the second communication link 108 is a Bluetooth link. The Bluetooth consumes less power as compared to any other communication network, preserving the battery life of the powered object, which is an important parameter to be taken into consideration. Bluetooth link is more versatile as it is used to connect with many more devices. The Bluetooth link is a secure network as it uses a two-step authentication process. No separate chip is needed for the Bluetooth connectivity and can be integrated with an existing chip in the device, which further reduces the complexity, cost and space requirement. However, similar network having low power requirement, simple structure and secure network like BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), Zigbee. Z-Wave, 6LoWPAN, and the like, can be used, depending upon the requirement of the powered object. In the present embodiment, the smart device 102 is a smart phone having the first user application 105.
[00021] The powered object control system 100 includes the smart device 102 which communicates with the server 101 and the wearable device 103. The smart device 102 transmits powered object input information by means of the first user application 105 of the smart device 102 to the wearable device 103 and subsequently to the second user application 106 of the display unit 104. The smart device 102 receives the powered object status information from the display unit 104 through the wearable device 103. Powered object input information includes OTA (Over the Air) updates, authentication of the electronic authorization key for accessing the powered object, gestures recognised by the smart device 102, navigation details, destination input, servicing reminders, notifications, alerts. Powered object status information includes battery, tilt of the powered object, status of user, etc. The first user application 105 installed on the smart device 102 allows the user to grant permission to download OTA updates, status of OTA updates, version of the current software and the like. It also allows accessing of the powered object with fingerprint scanner on the smart device 102, pattern lock, etc.
[00022] The smart device 102 interacts with the wearable device 103 for pushing OTAs, electronic authorization key to the display unit 104. The wearable device 103 displays the status of the powered object parameters, servicing reminders, notifications, and alerts. The wearable device 103 can be a wrist band, a locket, a helmet, glasses, jacket, gloves, and the like, with GSM and Bluetooth capabilities for two-way communication with the server 101, the smart device 102, and the display unit 104. The wearable device 103 receives powered object status information and transmits the powered object input information, alerts (call, SMS, overspeed) in the form of vibration or any other means to the smart device 102. The display unit 104 communicates with the wearable device 103 bi-directionally by means of the Bluetooth link. The display unit 104 generates and transmits powered object status information to the wearable device 103 and receives the powered object input information from the wearable device 103. The second user application 106 on the display unit 104 conveys powered object status to the user. The powered object service-related reminders are communicated by the server 101 to the wearable device 103 through the smart device 102. The powered object control system 100 gives enhanced features to the user by using less number of hardware parts which lowers the cost as well as simplifies the structure. The system configured as per the present invention enables a safe, secure and timely update of the controller hardware on the powered device including its controller which is easy to operate, reliable and consumes less power.
[00023] Fig.2 exemplarily illustrates a block diagram 201 of the wearable device 103. The wearable device 103 acts as a bridge between the smart device 102 and the powered object. The wearable device 103 gathers the powered object related data and communicates it to the smart device 102 to further send it to the server 101, also the wearable device 103 collects the update from the server 101 via smart device 102 and send it to the powered object for further processing. The wearable device 103 works on the Bluetooth link, includes an antenna 202, a second communication module 203, a controller 204, a memory 205, a battery 206, a gesture recognition module 207, and a display and touch interface 208. The second communication module 203 is connected to the antenna 202, the memory 205 and the controller 204 bi-directionally. The controller 204 is further connected to the battery 206, display & touch interface 208 and to the gesture recognition module 207 bi-directionally. The second communication module 203 receives signal from the antenna 202 and transmits it to the controller 204 for further processing. The processed data from the controller 204 is either displayed on the display & touch interface 208 or a touch functionality is provided to the user to control other functionality of the system.
[00024] The gesture recognition module 207 is disposed in the wearable device 103 to receive a gesture made by the user of the powered object. The wearable device 103 detects the gestures made by the user for responding to any notifications (calls, messages, alerts, over tilting while turning alerts, any other indications) and communicates the signal to the display unit 104 / powered object second user application 106 to perform the action corresponding to the gesture. The wearable device 103 is used to choose user mode/theme of the powered object second user application 106 remotely. The gesture recognition module 207 of the wearable device 103 can be trained on different gestures using the first user application 105 on the smart device 102. The gestures could be blinking of eyes, winking, nodding of head, rotation of head to right/ left, movement of wrist/ arm to indicate right/ left, etc., based on the wearable device 103. The processor of the wearable device 103 processes the gestures and generates appropriate powered object input information to be transmitted to the powered object. The gesture-based powered object control eliminates the need of mechanical switches and facilitates ease of operation. The wearable device 103 facilitates the powered object access by authentication methods like finger print, number combination, gesture, heartbeat, etc. In an embodiment, the heart rate that is unique to the user can be used to access the powered object by means of the wearable device 103. The wearable device 103 also measures biometric and psychometric user data. Biometric data includes body measurements and calculations related to human characteristics like heart rate, blood pressure, skin temperature, steps count, etc. Based on these data, user’s mental state and fatigue level is decided and correspondingly alert is raised on the second user application 106 of the powered object, in critically unsafe condition.
[00025] Fig.3 exemplarily illustrates a block diagram 301 of a powered object module. The powered object module working on a Bluetooth link includes an antenna 302, a first communication module 303, a controller 304, a memory 305, a battery 306, a powered object Electronic Control Unit (ECU)/ any other controller 307. The first communication module 303 is connected to the antenna 302, the memory 305 and the controller 304 bi-directionally. The controller 304 is further connected to the battery 306, and to the powered object Electronic Control Unit (ECU)/ any other controller 307 bi-directionally. The controller 304 of the module is connected to the powered object Electronic Control Unit (ECU)/ any other controller 307 through a powered object CAN bus 308 for communication. The first communication module 303 receives signal from the antenna 302 and transmits it to the controller 304 for further processing. The processed data is transmitted to the powered object ECU/any other controller 307 of the powered object by means of the CAN bus for executing the over the air update or any other functioning. Apart from powered object updates, powered object related data is also collected from the ECU/ any other controller 307, etc. by the controller 304 via the powered object CAN bus 308. These data are analysed and critical warnings like low battery, overheat, part failure, and the like are transmitted to the wearable device 103 as an alert. The first communication link 107 (shown in fig.1) syncs all the service-related reminders which is notified on the smart device 102. However, these data and warnings can be communicated via the first communication link 107 (shown in fig.1) to the wearable device 103 as well. Also, as per an embodiment, while using, the user is notified by the wearable device 103 of any calls or messages and the user can decide whether to accept/decline the call to provide the user an enhanced usage experience. Functionalities like charge completion indication, low battery alert and the like are possible using the wearable device 103.
[00026] Fig.4 exemplarily illustrates a flowchart for powered object employing over the air update. The server 101 checks, at step 401, whether a new update is made available for any ECU or any other processor by the powered object /part manufacturer. If a new update is available, it is communicated to the first user application 105 of the smart device 102 by means of the first communication link 107, after encrypting the update. The smart device 102 stores the update in its memory 205 after decrypting the update at step 402. The smart device 102 further communicates the update to the wearable device 103 by means of the second communication link 108. The wearable device 103 stores the update at step 403, and checks if the wearable device 103 is in proximity of the powered object or not, at step 404. If the wearable device 103 is not in the proximity of the powered object, it will keep checking the status. As per an embodiment, and error may be indicated on the smart device about no proximity powered object after a predetermined number of checks. If the wearable device 103 is in proximity to the powered object, then the wearable device 103 transfers the update to the powered object processor by means of the second communication link 108, at step 406. The powered object stores the update in its internal memory 305 and waits for the further processing to be initiated, at step 407. The powered object, then flashes the update to the target processor, at step 408. Thus, this process facilitates over the air update of the electronic components of the powered object without taking the powered object to the service centre. The control system does not involve any extra hardware or expertise to run this update and thus eases the process.
[00027] Fig.5 exemplarily illustrates a flowchart for indoor positioning of the powered object. In this embodiment, a Bluetooth 5.1 version is employed to demonstrate the capability of Bluetooth to utilize it for obtaining the position information of the powered object. The second communication link 108 between the wearable device 103 and the display unit 104 is the Bluetooth link. This Bluetooth link is used to detect the position of the powered object based on the AOA (Angle of Arrival) and AOD (Angle of Departure) of the Bluetooth signal between the wearable device 103 and the display unit 104. The direction of the Bluetooth signal is seen in the first user application 105 of the smart device 102 to find the parking place of the powered object. The wearable device 103 receives a Bluetooth signal from the powered object, at step 501. Based on the direction in which the signal strength is more and based on the AOA (Angle of Arrival) and AOD (Angle of Departure) of the Bluetooth signal, the direction of the powered object is analysed, at step 502. Based on above calculation, the location of the powered object is indicated i.e. the direction in which the signal strength is maximum, at step 503. The indoor positioning system thus locates the powered object. The Bluetooth link utilizes very small amount of power from the wearable device 103 and the powered object, saving the battery and preserving the battery life, which is of utmost importance to the user of the powered object. Many other improvements and modifications may be incorporated herein without deviating from the scope of the invention.

List of Reference numerals
100: Powered object control system
101: Server of 100
102: Smart device of user
103: Wearable device of user
104: Display unit of powered object
105: First user application of 102
106: Second user application of 104
107: First communication link between 101 and 102
108: Second communication link between 102, 103 and 104
201: Block diagram of wearable device
202: Antenna of 103
203: Second communication module of 103
204: Controller of 103
205: Memory of 103
206: Battery of 103
207: Gesture recognition module of 103
208: Display & touch interface of 103
301: Block diagram of a powered object module of 104
302: antenna of 104
303: First communication module of 104
304: Controller of 104
305: Memory of 104
306: Battery of 104
307: Powered object ECU/controller of powered object
308: Powered object CAN bus