Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and a method for mobilization and immobilization of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] In modern era, safety of vehicle from unauthorized movement or theft is of utmost importance. In prior art, ignition lock/manual ignition key based mobilization and immobilization have been used which are low in costs. However, tampering of manual ignition keys and hot wiring are common practices in gaining unauthorized access over movement or mobilization of a vehicle. Thus, there is a requirement of double layer protection against unauthorized movement/mobilization of the vehicle.
[003] Cloud based or SIM based vehicle authentication systems are also known which protects the vehicle from unauthorized movement or theft but is a costly solution as an additional immobilizer unit is required to be disposed in the vehicle for communication with the Cloud or SIM. The complexity of the vehicle increases with increase in the number of components in the vehicle. Also, performance of cloud based or SIM based vehicle authentication system is greatly reduced in the areas of poor network. In other words, in areas of poor network, it may be difficult to mobilize or immobilize a vehicle or worse, mobilize an immobilized vehicle, which is undesirable.
[004] In view thereof, there is a need felt to overcome at least the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art and provide a system and a method for mobilization and immobilization of the vehicle, which is simple, reliable, effective, economical and cost effective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[005] In one aspect of the present invention, a system for mobilization and immobilization of a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a speedometer and a prime mover control unit. The prime mover control unit is configured to control operation of a prime mover of the vehicle. The prime mover of the vehicle can be an internal combustion engine and/or an electric motor. The speedometer is communicatively coupled to the prime mover control unit. The speedometer is configured to activate the prime mover control unit on satisfaction of a first set of pre-defined conditions. The speedometer is also configured to deactivate the prime mover control unit on satisfaction of a second set of pre-defined conditions. On activation of the prime mover control unit, the vehicle is configured to be mobilized. Also, on deactivation of the prime mover control unit, the vehicle is configured to be immobilized.
[006] In an embodiment, the speedometer includes a communication module. The communication module is configured to communicatively couple the speedometer of the vehicle with the personal digital assistant of the rider of the vehicle within a pairing range.
[007] In an embodiment, the speedometer is configured to reject immobilization inputs received from the personal digital assistant of the rider of the vehicle in a running state of the vehicle.
[008] In another aspect of the present invention, a method for mobilization and immobilization of the vehicle is disclosed. The method includes a step of detecting occurrence of a first set of pre-defined conditions or a second set of pre-defined conditions. The step of detection is performed by a speedometer disposed in the vehicle. The method further includes performing a step of activating a prime mover control unit on satisfaction of the first set of pre-defined conditions or a step of deactivating the prime mover control unit on satisfaction of the second set of pre-defined conditions. The prime mover control unit is configured to initiate a prime mover of the vehicle. The prime mover of the vehicle can be an internal combustion engine and/or an electric motor. It is to be understood that, on activation of the prime mover control unit, the vehicle is configured to be mobilized. Also, on deactivation of the prime mover control unit, the vehicle is configured to be immobilized. The step of activating and deactivating the prime mover control unit is performed by the speedometer.
[009] In an embodiment, the method step further includes a step of detecting a running state of the vehicle. The step of detecting is performed by the speedometer. Based on detection of the running state of the vehicle, the method includes rejecting one or more immobilization inputs received from the personal digital assistant of the rider of the vehicle. The step of rejecting the one or more immobilization inputs is also performed by the speedometer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[010] 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 is a block diagram illustrating a system for mobilization and immobilization of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for mobilization and immobilization of the vehicle based on a first and a second set of pre-defined conditions, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for mobilization and immobilization of the vehicle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[011] Various features and embodiments of the present invention here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder.
[012] One object of the present invention is to provide a double layer protection against unauthorized movement of the vehicle. Another object of the present invention is to provide the double layer protection in simple, reliable, effective and cost efficient manner.
[013] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system 100 for mobilization and immobilization of a vehicle 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[014] For the purpose of the present invention, the term “vehicle” comprises any vehicle provided with a speedometer and a prime mover control unit such as, not being limited to, scooters, motorcycles, rickshaws, cars, trucks, etc. The term “vehicle” also comprises, not being limited to, conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles. The prime mover in a vehicle can be an internal combustion engine and/or an electric motor. In one non-limiting example, the prime mover control unit is an ignition control unit for controlling the ignition of the internal combustion engine in the vehicle. The ignition control unit controls ignition timing of an internal combustion engine (not shown) disposed in the vehicle. Different types of ignition control units are known in the art and can be used for the purpose of the present invention. In another non-limiting example, the prime mover control unit controls the operation of the electric motor. In another non-limiting example, the prime mover control unit controls operation of both the internal combustion engine and the electric motor.
[015] As shown in Figure 1, the system 100 comprises the speedometer 106 and the prime mover control unit 104.
[016] In the present invention, the speedometer 106 is communicatively coupled to the prime mover control unit 104 and acts as a mobilization and immobilization unit of the vehicle 102. The speedometer 106 is configured to activate the prime mover control unit 104 on satisfaction of a first set of pre-defined conditions and deactivate the prime mover control unit 104 on satisfaction of a second set of pre-defined conditions. In an activated state of the prime mover control unit 104, the vehicle 102 is configured to be mobilized. In other words, the vehicle 102 is capable of being driven by the rider of the vehicle 102. In a deactivated state of the prime mover control unit 104, the vehicle 102 is configured to be immobilized. In other words, the internal combustion engine and/or electric motor of the vehicle 102 will not receive any input from the prime mover control unit and, therefore, will not operate.
[017] In an embodiment, the first set of pre-defined conditions includes that an ignition switch 110 of the vehicle 102 is in ON state and the speedometer 106 of the vehicle 102 is in receipt of a mobilization input from a personal digital assistant 108 of a rider of the vehicle 102. In one non-limiting example, an ignition key of the vehicle 102 is used to switch ON the ignition switch 110 of the vehicle 102. As shown in Figure 1, in an ignition switch ON state, a battery 112 of the vehicle 102 powers the speedometer 106 which awaits a mobilization input from the personal digital assistant 108 of the rider of the vehicle 102. On receiving such mobilization input, the speedometer 106 activates the prime mover control unit 104 of the vehicle 102. Similarly, the second set of pre-defined conditions includes one of the following conditions: (i) the ignition switch 110 of the vehicle 102 is in ON state, the vehicle 102 is in non-running state and the speedometer 106 is disconnected from the personal digital assistant 108 of the rider of the vehicle 102, and (ii) the ignition switch 110 of the vehicle 102 is in ON state, the vehicle 102 is in non-running state and the speedometer 106 of the vehicle 102 is in receipt of an immobilization input from the personal digital assistant 108 of the rider of the vehicle 102. In an ignition switch OFF state, the battery 112 of the vehicle 102 does not operate and, therefore, does not power the speedometer 106. In absence of any input from the speedometer 106, the prime mover control unit 104 remains in a deactivated state. When the ignition switch 110 of the vehicle 102 in ON state, the speedometer 106 is powered by the battery 112. However, in a non-running state of the vehicle 102, if the speedometer 106 is not able to establish connection with the personal digital assistant 108 of the rider of the vehicle 102, the speedometer 106 cannot not receive any input from the personal digital assistant 108 of the rider and, therefore, the prime mover control unit 104 remains in a deactivated state. Also, in a non-running state of the vehicle 102, if the speedometer 106 establishes a connection between the speedometer 106 and receives an immobilization input from the personal digital assistant 108 of the rider, the speedometer 106 is configured to deactivate or maintain the deactivated state of the prime mover control unit 104.
[018] It is to be understood that the speedometer 106 interacts with an application installed on the personal digital assistant 108 of the rider. The rider of the vehicle 102 can select to send either the mobilization input or immobilization input to the speedometer 106 of the vehicle 102.
[019] For the speedometer 106 to establish communication with the personal digital assistant 108 of the rider, a communication module (not shown) is provided in the speedometer 106. In one non-limiting example, a Bluetooth module is provided in the speedometer 106 which establishes connection between the speedometer 106 and personal digital assistant 108 within a pairing range. However, this should not be construed as limiting and other modes of now known or later developed communication modules may be provided in the speedometer 106 to establish communication with the personal digital assistant 108 of the rider of the vehicle 102. In another non-limiting example, a ZigBee module can be used as the communication module.
[020] For safety of the rider of the vehicle 102, the speedometer 106 is also configured to reject any immobilization inputs received from the personal digital assistant 108 of the rider in a running state of the vehicle 102. In other words, the speedometer 106 cannot immobilize the prime mover control unit 108 in the running state of the vehicle 102.
[021] Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method 200 for mobilization and immobilization of a vehicle 102, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[022] As shown, at step 201, the method comprises detecting an occurrence of a first set of pre-defined conditions or a second set of pre-defined conditions. The step 201 of detecting is performed by a speedometer 106 disposed in the vehicle 102. On detection of occurrence of the first set of pre-defined conditions, the method performs step 202. On detection of occurrence of second set of pre-defined conditions, the method performs step 203. It is to be understood that steps 202 and 203 are mutually exclusive steps and cannot be performed at the same point in time. At step 202, the method comprises activating a prime mover control unit 104. At step 203, the method comprises deactivating a prime mover control unit 104.
[023] In an embodiment, the first set of pre-defined conditions includes that an ignition switch 110 of the vehicle 102 is in ON state and the speedometer 106 of the vehicle 102 is in receipt of a mobilization input from a personal digital assistant 108 of a rider of the vehicle 102. In one non-limiting example, ignition key of the vehicle 102 is used to switch ON the ignition switch 110 of the vehicle 102. As shown in Figure 1, in an ignition switch ON state, the battery 112 of the vehicle 102 powers the speedometer 106 which awaits a mobilization input from the personal digital assistant 108 of the rider of the vehicle 102. On receiving such mobilization input, the speedometer 106 activates the prime mover control unit 104 of the vehicle 102. Similarly, the second set of pre-defined conditions includes one of the following conditions: (i) the ignition switch 110 of the vehicle 102 is in ON state, the vehicle 102 is in non-running state and the speedometer 106 is disconnected from the personal digital assistant 108 of the rider of the vehicle 102, and (ii) the ignition switch 110 of the vehicle 102 is in ON state, the vehicle 102 is in non-running state and the speedometer 106 of the vehicle 102 is in receipt of an immobilization input from the personal digital assistant 108 of the rider of the vehicle 102. In an ignition switch OFF state, the battery 112 of the vehicle 102 does not operate and, therefore, does not power the speedometer 106. In absence of any input from the speedometer 106, the prime mover control unit 104 remains in a deactivated state. When the ignition switch 110 of the vehicle 102 is in ON state, the speedometer 106 is powered by the battery 112. However, in a non-running state of the vehicle 102, if the speedometer 106 is not able to establish connection with the personal digital assistant 108 of the rider of the vehicle 102, the speedometer 106 cannot receive any input from the personal digital assistant 108 of the rider and, therefore, the prime mover control unit 104 remains in a deactivated state. Also, in a non-running state of the vehicle 102, if the speedometer 106 establishes a connection between the speedometer 106 and receives an immobilization input from the personal digital assistant 108 of the rider, the speedometer 106 is configured to deactivate or maintain the deactivated state of the prime mover control unit 104.
[024] In an embodiment, the method further comprises a step of detecting a running state of the vehicle 102. The step of detection is performed by the speedometer 106. Based on detection of the running state of the vehicle 102, the method further comprises rejecting one or more immobilization inputs received from the personal digital assistant 108 of the rider of the vehicle 102.
[025] Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method 300 for mobilization and immobilization of a vehicle 102, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
[026] At step 301, the method comprises determining a connection between the speedometer 106 and the personal digital assistant 108 of the rider of the vehicle 102. In case the connection is established, the method performs step 302, else the method returns to step 301.
[027] At step 302, the method comprises determining if a mobile application relevant for the purposes of the present invention is opened by the rider of the vehicle 102 in the personal digital assistant 108. In case the mobile application is opened by the rider, the method performs steps 303-305 and steps 306-308, else the method returns to step 302.
[028] At step 303, the rider of the vehicle 102 selects an option to mobilize the vehicle 102. At step 304, a mobilization input is transmitted to the speedometer 106 of the vehicle 102. At step 305, the speedometer 106 activates the prime mover control unit 104.
[029] At step 306, the rider of the vehicle 102 selects an option to immobilize the vehicle 102. At step 307, an immobilization input is transmitted to the speedometer 106 of the vehicle 102. At step 305, the speedometer 106 deactivates the prime mover control unit 104.
[030] It is to be understood that typical hardware configuration of the speedometer 106 and the personal digital assistant 108 disclosed in the present invention can include a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the speedometer 106 and the personal digital assistant 108 to perform the above-disclosed method.
[031] The speedometer 106 and the personal digital assistant 108 may include a processor which may be a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both. The processor may be one or more general processors, digital signal processors, application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, servers, networks, digital circuits, analog circuits, combinations thereof, or other now known or later developed devices for analysing and processing data. The processor may implement a software program, such as code generated manually i.e., programmed.
[032] The speedometer 106 and the personal digital assistant 108 may also comprise a storage unit which may include a memory. The memory may be a main memory, a static memory, or a dynamic memory. The memory may include but is not limited to computer readable storage media such as various types of volatile and non-volatile storage media, including but not limited to random access memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable read-only memory, flash memory, magnetic tape or disk, optical media and the like. The memory is operable to store instructions executable by the processor. The functions, acts or tasks illustrated in the figures or described may be performed by the programmed processor executing the instructions stored in the memory.
[033] The speedometer 106 and the personal digital assistant 108 may also include a disk or optical drive unit. The disk drive unit may include a computer-readable medium in which one or more sets of instructions, e.g., software, can be embedded. Further, the instructions may embody one or more of the methods or logic as described. In a particular example, the instructions may reside completely, or at least partially, within the memory or within the processor during execution by the telematics unit. The memory and the processor also may include computer-readable media as discussed above. The present invention contemplates a computer-readable medium that includes instructions or receives and executes instructions responsive to a propagated signal so that a device connected to a network can communicate data over the network. Further, the instructions may be transmitted or received over the network. The network includes wireless networks, Ethernet AVB networks, or combinations thereof. The wireless network may be a cellular telephone network. Further, the network may be a public network, such as the Internet, a private network, such as an intranet, or combinations thereof, and may utilize a variety of networking protocols now available or later developed.
[034] The speedometer 106 and the personal digital assistant 108 may accept incoming content and send content to connected components via a communication channel such as Controller Area Network (CAN), Local Interconnect Network (LIN) or Bluetooth.
[035] The claimed features/method steps of the present invention as discussed above are not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed features/steps enable the following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. Specifically, the technical problem associated with manual based key ignition systems and cloud or SIM based systems is solved by present invention.
[036] In the present invention, a double layer protection is provided to prevent unauthorized movement/theft of the vehicle 102. The vehicle 102 is mobilized only if the ignition switch 110 is ON and a mobilization input is received from the personal digital assistant 108 of the rider of the vehicle 102.
[037] In the present invention, speedometer 106 is used as a mobilization and immobilization device. No separate mobilization/immobilization device is disposed in the vehicle 102. The mobilization and immobilization function are performed by the speedometer 106 itself. In other words, no additional components are required which reduces system complexity as well as increases effectiveness of the existing components of the vehicle 102. Also, no separate process of assembling additional components is required which saves time as well as costs associated with assembly, serviceability and manufacturing of the vehicle 102.
[038] In the present invention, safety features are provided which prevent immobilization of the prime mover control unit 104 of the vehicle 102 in running state of the vehicle 102. In other words, even if immobilization inputs are received in running state of the vehicle 102, the speedometer 106 will not immobilize the prime mover control unit 104 of the vehicle 102.
[039] In the present invention, a Bluetooth module is used for establishing connection between the speedometer 106 and personal digital assistant 108, thereby removing the dependency of the present invention on the network. In other words, the present invention finds applicability in areas with no network or poor network.
[040] In the present invention, in case the rider forgets to immobilize the vehicle in a non-running state of the vehicle 102, the vehicle 102 will be immobilized automatically as soon as the speedometer 106 disconnects with the personal digital assistant 108 of the rider of the vehicle 102.
[041] 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- system
102- vehicle
104- prime mover control unit
106- speedometer
108- personal digital assistant
110- ignition switch
112-battery
, Claims:
1. A system (100) for mobilization and immobilization of a vehicle (102), the system (100) comprising:
- a prime mover control unit (104) disposed in the vehicle (102); and
- a speedometer (106) disposed in the vehicle (102), wherein the speedometer (106) being communicatively coupled to the prime mover control unit (104), and wherein the speedometer (106) being configured to:
• activate the prime mover control unit (104) on satisfaction of a first set of pre-defined conditions, wherein the vehicle (102) being configured to be mobilized in activated state of the prime mover control unit (104); and
• deactivate the prime mover control unit (104) on satisfaction of a second set of pre-defined conditions, wherein the vehicle (102) being configured to be immobilized in deactivated state of the prime mover control unit (104).

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first set of pre-defined conditions comprises:
- an ignition switch (110) of the vehicle (102) being in an ON state and the speedometer of the vehicle being in receipt of a mobilization input from the personal digital assistant.

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second set of pre-defined conditions comprises one of:
- the ignition switch (110) of the vehicle (102) being in an ON state, the vehicle (102) being in a non-running state and the speedometer (106) is disconnected with the of the personal digital assistant (108) of the rider; and
- the ignition switch (110) of the vehicle (102) being in an ON state, the vehicle (102) being in a non-running state and immobilization input being received by the speedometer (106) from the personal digital assistant (108) of the rider.

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the speedometer (106) comprises a communication module, the communication module configured for communicatively coupling the speedometer (106) with the personal digital assistant (108) of the rider when the speedometer (106) and the personal digital assistant (108) are within the pairing range.

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein, in a running state of the vehicle (102), the speedometer (106) being configured to reject one or more immobilization inputs received from the personal digital assistant (108) of the rider of the vehicle (102).

6. A method (200) for mobilization and immobilization of a vehicle (102), the method comprising:
- detecting (201), by a speedometer (106), occurrence of one of: a first set of pre-defined conditions and a second set of pre-defined conditions; and
- activating (202), by the speedometer (106), an prime mover control unit (104) on satisfaction of the first set of pre-defined conditions, wherein the speedometer (106) and the prime mover control unit (104) being disposed in the vehicle (102), and wherein the vehicle (102) being configured to be mobilized in activated state of the prime mover control unit (104); or
- deactivating, by the speedometer (106), the prime mover control unit (104) on satisfaction of the second set of pre-defined conditions, the vehicle (102) being configured to be immobilized in deactivated state of the prime mover control unit (104).

7. The method (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first set of pre-defined conditions comprise:
- an ignition switch (110) of the vehicle (102) being in an ON state; and
- the speedometer (106) of the vehicle (102) being in receipt of a mobilization input from the personal digital assistant (108).

8. The method (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second set of pre-defined conditions comprises one of:
- the ignition switch (110) of the vehicle (102) being in an ON state, the vehicle (102) being in a non-running state and the speedometer (106) being outside the pairing range of the personal digital assistant (108) of the rider; and
- the ignition switch (110) of the vehicle (102) being in an ON state, the vehicle (102) being in a non-running state and immobilization input being received by the speedometer (106) from the personal digital assistant (108) of the rider.

9. The method (200) as claimed in claim 8, comprising:
- detecting, by a speedometer (106), a running state of the vehicle (102);
- rejecting, by the speedometer (106), one or more immobilization inputs received from the personal digital assistant (108) of the rider in the running state of the vehicle (102).