Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a smart communication system for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] With the advancement in vehicle technologies, there is greater focus on enhancement of driver assistance, and on improving the overall driving experience. To this end, there is an increased usage of devices such as smart helmets by the riders of the vehicle which allow the rider to access a mobile device for either navigation or communication. In these scenarios, a smart communication helmet module supports the customer by providing appropriate voice outputs. Conventionally, to mount the smart communication helmet module on the helmet, there are two types of clamping, namely a clamp with a fastener or a clamp with a sticker.
[003] In conventional smart helmets, when the helmet is not in use, typically, the rider disconnects the module by removing the connector cable and then removes the module from the clamp. The conventional clamps are fixed rigid on the helmet body. While the connector cable routed to the module has connection port, but the connection port has no permanent fix when connector cable is unused, that is under conditions when module is disconnected and removed.
[004] While the connector cable is not in use, the connection port does not have any proper provision to hold the connector cable and the connector cable is left to hang from the device. Whenever these scenarios prevail, the connector cable is not routed and left hanging which in turn causes damage in the cable. This eventually results in functionality loss, wear and tear and also potential breakage at prolonged time.
[005] While existing prior arts have aimed to provide a solution for routing of the connecting wires while the wires are in a used state, i.e. connected to the modules, or prevention of misalignment of connector cables, or in relation to the mounting of the microphone and the other modules, or propose a magnetic clamp and the module being mounted on the magnetic clamp, the existing prior arts do not provide a solution for routing of the connector cable when the cable is in an unused state, specifically with the view of preventing premature damage to the connector cables.
[006] Thus, there is a need in the art for a smart communication system for a vehicle which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[007] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a smart communication system for a vehicle. The smart communication system includes a wearable device configured to be worn by a rider of the vehicle. The system further has one or more rider communication modules provided on an inner surface of the wearable device. The one or more rider communication modules are configured to receive at least a voice input from the rider, and to provide at least one of an audio output and an audio-visual output to the rider. The system further has one or more electronic modules provided on an outer surface of the wearable device. The one or more electronic modules are in communication with the one or more rider communication modules and the one or more electronic modules are in communication with an external device. The system further has a bracket for securely holding the one or more electronic modules on the outer surface of the wearable device. A connector cable extends from the one or more rider communication modules and is configured to detachably connect the one or more rider communication modules to the one or more electronic modules. Further, a holder is provided on the bracket. The holder securely holds the connector cable on the bracket, thereby fixing a position of the connector cable on the bracket.
[008] In an embodiment of the invention, the holder is configured to receive the one or more electronic modules, thereby mounting the one or more electronic modules on the bracket. The holder is also configured to receive the connector cable extending from the one or more rider communication modules and being configured to detachably connect the one or more rider communication modules (to the one or more electronic modules.
[009] In a further embodiment of the invention, the holder securely holds the connector cable on the bracket for fixing the position of the connector cable on the bracket, when the connector cable is not connected to the one or more electronic modules.
[010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the holder is configured to receive the wire clip. The holder securely holds the wire clip and the connector cable, thereby fixing the position of the connector cable on the bracket.
[011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the holder has one or more receptacles for receiving the one or more electronic modules in a front portion of the holder. The one or more receptacles are provided with a securing means for detachably securing the one or more electronic modules. The holder further has one or more mounting provisions provided at a rear portion of the holder that are configured to allow the fastening units to securely mount the holder to the bracket. Further, a routing provision is provided at a bottom portion of the holder for securely positioning the one or more wire clips. Herein, the wire clips route the connector cable as the connector cable detachably attaches to a connection port provided on one or more electronic modules.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[012] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 illustrates a layout of a smart communication system for a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the smart communication system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the smart communication system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[013] The present invention relates to a smart communication system for a vehicle.
[014] In conventional smart helmets, typically one device is provided on the inner side of the helmet and the module is provided on the outer side of the helmet. A connector cable is required to connect the device on the inner side of the helmet to the module on the outer side of the helmet. When the helmet is not in use, typically, the rider disconnects the module by removing the connector cable and then removes the module from the clamp. The conventional clamps are fixed rigid on the helmet body. While the connector cable routed to the module has connection port, but the connection port has no permanent fix when connector cable is unused, that is under conditions when module is disconnected and removed.
[015] During module on used condition, the connector cable is aligned with module and perfectly fitted but while the connector cable is not in use, the connection port does not have any proper provision to hold the connector cable and the connector cable is left to hang from the device. Whenever these scenarios prevail, the connector cable is not routed and left hanging which in turn causes damage in the cable. This eventually results in functionality loss, wear and tear and also potential breakage at prolonged time.
[016] Figure 1 illustrates a layout of a smart communication system 100 for a vehicle. As illustrated in Figure 1, the smart communication system 100 comprises a wearable device 110 configured to be worn by a rider of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the wearable device 110 includes a helmet configured to be worn by the rider of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the wearable device 110 includes any other wearable device such as a smart jacket or any other wearable known in the art. The system 100 further has one or more rider communication modules 120 provided on an inner surface of the wearable device 110. Herein the one or more rider communication modules 120 are configured to receive at least a voice input from the rider, and to provide at least one of an audio output and an audio-visual output to the rider. Thus, during operation, a rider can give voice commands which are received by the one or more rider communication module 120, and the processed output is communicated to the rider by the one or more rider communication module 120 in at least one of the form of audio or visual or audio-visual outputs. These outputs are then perceived by the rider, based on which the rider performs required actions.
[017] The smart communication system 100 further comprises of one or more electronic modules 130 provided on an outer surface of the wearable device 110. The one or more electronic modules 130 are not a general-purpose computer unit. The one or more electronic modules 130 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or codes that may be configured to perform logical operations on the one or more electronic modules 130 as explained hereinbelow. Herein, the one or more electronic modules 130 are in communication with the one or more rider communication modules 120. The one or more electronic modules 130 are also in communication with an external device 200. In an embodiment, the external device 200 comprises an electronic device of the rider, such as a smartphone. The electronic device is communicatively coupled with a vehicle telematics system of the vehicle. Thus, a communication link between the one or more rider communication module 120, the one or more electronic module 130 and the vehicle telematics system is established by means of the external device 200. In an embodiment, the one or more electronic modules 130 are directly communicatively coupled to the vehicle telematics system without requiring an additional external device.
[018] For provision of the one or more electronic modules 130 on the outer surface of the wearable device 110, the system 100 has a bracket 150 configured for securely holding the one or more electronic modules 130 on the outer surface of the wearable device 110. Further, for providing communication between the one or more rider communication modules 120 and the one or more electronic modules 130, the system 100 has a connector cable 140. The connector cable 140 extends from the one or more rider communication modules 120 and is configured to detachably connect the one or more rider communication modules 120 to the one or more electronic modules 130. In an embodiment, the connector cable 140 is permanently attached to the one or more rider communication modules 120 and is detachably attached to the one or more electronic modules 130.
[019] The one or more electronic modules 130 comprise a connection port for receiving the connector cable 140 to detachably connect the connector cable 140 to the one or more electronic modules 130. Thus, when the one or more electronic modules 130 is in use, the rider connects the connector cable 140 to the one or more electronic modules 130 and when the one or more electronic modules 130 is not in use, the rider disconnects the connector cable 140 from the one or more electronic modules 130, after which the one or more electronic modules 130 can be removed from the outer surface of the wearable device 110.
[020] Further, a holder 160 is provided on the bracket 150. The holder 160 is configured for securely holding the connector cable 140 on the bracket 150. The holder 160 thereby fixes a position of the connector cable 140 on the bracket 150. The provision of the holder 160 to fix the position of the connector cable 140 ensures that the connector cable 140 is not left hanging or unsupported under any operating conditions. Since position of the connector cable 140 is fixed when the connector cable 140 is connected to the one or more electronic modules 130, in particular, the holder 160 securely holds the connector cable 140 on the bracket 150, for fixing the position of the connector cable 140 on the bracket 150 when the connector cable 140 is not connected to the one or more electronic modules 130.
[021] Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the system 100 and in particular the holder 160, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed invention. Figure 3 illustrates the system 100 wherein the holder 160 receives the one or more electronic modules 130, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed invention. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 and Figure 3, the holder 160 is mounted on the bracket 150. In that, the system 100 has one or more fastening units 172 for mounting the holder 160 to the bracket 150. The holder 160 is configured to receive the one or more electronic modules 130, thereby mounting the one or more electronic modules 130 on the bracket 150. The holder 160 is further configured to receive the connector cable 140 that extending from the one or more rider communication modules 120, wherein the connector cable 140, as explained earlier, is also configured to detachably connect the one or more rider communication modules 120 to the one or more electronic modules 130.
[022] To prevent damage to the connector cable 140, in addition to fixing the position of the connector cable 140, there is also a requirement of the routing the connector cable 140 appropriately between the one or more rider communication modules 120 on the inner surface of the wearable device 110 and the one or more electronic modules 130 on the outer surface of the wearable device 110. To this regard, the system 100 comprises one or more wire clips 170 for securely routing the connector cable 140 between the one or more rider communication modules 120 provided on the inner surface of the wearable device 110 and the one or more electronic modules 130 provided on the outer surface of the wearable device 110. As referenced in Figure 3, the holder 160 is configured to receive the one or more wire clips 170, and thus and the holder 160 securely holds the one or more wire clip 170 and the connector cable 140. In this manner, the position of the connector cable 140 is fixed on the bracket 150 and the connector cable 140 is safely routed.
[023] Reference is made to Figure 2 and Figure 3, wherein as illustrated, in an embodiment, the holder 160 comprises one or more receptacles 162 for receiving the one or more electronic modules 130 in a front portion of the holder 160. Herein, the one or more receptacles 162 are provided with a securing means 164 for detachably securing the one or more electronic modules 130. Thus, the rider can attach the one or more electronic modules 130 to the holder 160, and thus the wearable device 110 when required, and can remove the one or more electronic modules 130 from the wearable device 110 when not in use. In an aspect, the securing means 164 is configured to effectively absorb vibrational energy the one or more electronic modules 130 is subjected to. Since the wearable device 110 such as a helmet is subject to high vibration levels during vehicle riding conditions, the securing means 164 ensures that the one or more electronic modules 130 can withstand the vibration without being detached from the holder 160.
[024] The holder 160 further comprises one or more mounting provisions 166 provided at a rear portion of the holder 160. The mounting provisions 166 are configured to allow the fastening units 172 to securely mount the holder 160 to the bracket 150. The mounting provisions 166 and the fastening units 172 ensure that the mounting of the holder 160 to the bracket 150 is capable of withstanding high vibrations. Further, to securely hold the one or more wire clips 170 on the holder 160, the holder 160 further comprises a routing provision 168 provided at a bottom portion of the holder 160. The routing provision 168 thus securely positions the one or more wire clips 170 and hence allows for routing the connector cable 140 as the connector cable 140 detachably attaches to the connection port provided on one or more electronic modules 130. Thereby, the routing of the connector cable 140 is secured.
[025] Advantageously, the present invention provides for a system in which the connector cable 140 is securely held and routed in all operating conditions. The present invention provides for a holder 160 wherein the one or more electronic module 130 is supported on the outer surface of the wearable device 110, the one or more rider communication module 120 is supported on the inner surface of the wearable device 110 and the connector cable 140 between the one or more electronic module 130 and the one or more rider communication module 120 is securely held and routed by the holder 160.
[026] Particularly, the present invention ensures the connector cable 140 is securely held and routed in conditions wherein the connector cable 140 is not connected to the one or more electronic modules 130. This ensures that the connector cable 140 is not left to hang or unsupported even when the connector cable 140 is not connected to the one or more electronic modules 130. This eliminates the damage or loss of function that may be caused in the connector cable and precludes the connector cable 140 from being subjected to environmental wear and tear of the connector cable 140 in its operational as well as non-operational environment. To this regard, the overall life cycle and durability of the connector cable is improved.
[027] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

List of Reference Numerals
100: Smart Communication System

110: Wearable Device
120: Rider Communication Module
130: Electronic Module
140: Connector Cable
150: Bracket
160: Holder
162: Receptacles
164: Securing Means
166: Mounting Provisions
168: Routing Provision
170: Wire Clips
172: Fastening Units
200: External Device
, Claims:1. A smart communication system (100) for a vehicle, the smart communication system (100) comprising:
a wearable device (110) configured to be worn by a rider of the vehicle;
one or more rider communication modules (120) provided on an inner surface of the wearable device (110), wherein the one or more rider communication modules (120) being configured to receive at least a voice input from the rider and provide at least one of an audio output and an audio-visual output to the rider;
one or more electronic modules (130) provided on an outer surface of the wearable device (110), wherein the one or more electronic modules (130) being in communication with the one or more rider communication modules (120) and wherein the one or more electronic modules (130) being in communication with an external device (200);
a bracket (150) for securely holding the one or more electronic modules (130) on the outer surface of the wearable device (110);
a connector cable (140) extending from the one or more rider communication modules (120) and being configured to detachably connect the one or more rider communication modules (120) to the one or more electronic modules (130); and
a holder (160) provided on the bracket (150), the holder (160) securely holding the connector cable (140) on the bracket (150), thereby fixing a position of the connector cable (140) on the bracket (150).

2. The smart communication system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder (160) is configured to:
receive the one or more electronic modules (130), thereby mounting the one or more electronic modules (130) on the bracket (150); and
receive the connector cable (140) extending from the one or more rider communication modules (120) and being configured to detachably connect the one or more rider communication modules (120) to the one or more electronic modules (130).

3. The smart communication system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wearable device (110) is a helmet configured to be worn by the rider of the vehicle.

4. The smart communication system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder (160) securely holds the connector cable (140) on the bracket (150) for fixing the position of the connector cable (140) on the bracket (150), when the connector cable (140) is not connected to the one or more electronic modules (130).

5. The smart communication system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising one or more wire clips (170) for securely routing the connector cable (140) between the one or more rider communication modules (120) provided on the inner surface of the wearable device (110) and the one or more electronic modules (130) provided on the outer surface of the wearable device (110).

6. The smart communication system (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the holder (160) is configured to receive the one or more wire clips (170), and wherein the holder (160) securely holds the one or more wire clips (170) and the connector cable (140), thereby fixing the position of the connector cable (140) on the bracket (150).

7. The smart communication system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising one or more fastening units (172) for mounting the holder (160) to the bracket (150).

8. The smart communication system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the external device (200) comprises an electronic device of the rider being communicatively coupled with a vehicle telematics system of the vehicle.

9. The smart communication system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder (160) comprises:
one or more receptacles (162) for receiving the one or more electronic modules (130) in a front portion of the holder (160),wherein the one or more receptacles are provided with a securing means (164) for detachably securing the one or more electronic modules (130);
one or more mounting provisions (166) provided at a rear portion of the holder (160) being configured to allow the fastening units (172) to securely mount the holder (160) to the bracket (150); and
a routing provision (168) provided at a bottom portion of the holder (160) for securely positioning the one or more wire clips (170) routing the connector cable (140) as the connector cable (140) detachably attaches to a connection port provided on one or more electronic modules (130).