Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention generally relates to a system and a method for recording event information for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] With the advancement in vehicle technologies, there is greater focus laid on advancement of rider security, and on improving the overall riding experience of the rider. In a time when newer line up of the vehicles are coming up with multiple safety features, to make the rider feel safer on the road, there is also an increased requirement of providing advanced security features in the vehicle of upcoming times.
[003] In existing vehicles , the security features lack reading and analysing important inputs of the vehicle like angular velocity and lean angle of the vehicle and generate alerts regarding possibility of crash of the vehicle. In the current scenario, users mainly rely on the instincts for realising if the vehicle would crash due to excessive lean angle of the vehicle. The two- wheeler or three wheeler segment being a highly price sensitive segment, bringing in different types of crash alert systems for different models also increase the pricing of the vehicle, because procurement and maintenance of high number of crash alert is expensive and difficult.
[004] Further, conventionally, there are no video recording facilities provided for in conventional vehicles, wherein the video recording facilities record the surroundings of the vehicle and store the video recordings. The video recordings can be used at a later stage to ascertain the cause of an accident, and used as evidence for settlement of insurance claims. However, one major roadblock in provision of these video recording facilities is that when these facilities record the videos and store them locally, the same would require bulky storage facilities which is expensive and is associated with higher hardware requirements. Provision of a large hard drive like system is not practically viable, especially with the special constraints of two-wheeled vehicles. Further, provision of bulky storage systems would also be detrimental to modularity of any such video recording facility to be accommodated in different vehicle models.
[005] Thus, there is a need in the art for a system and a method for recording event information for a vehicle which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] In one aspect, the present invention is directed towards a system for recording event information for a vehicle. The system has at least one or more camera units which are configured on the vehicle. The system has at least one or more vehicle sensors. The sensors are configured to sense at least one or more vehicle parameters including a first set of vehicle parameters and a second set of vehicle parameters. The system also has a control unit configured to be in communication with the camera units and the sensors. Wherein, the control unit is configured to receive the first set of vehicle parameters from the sensors. Further, the control unit determines whether the set of vehicle parameters exceed a first predetermined value. The control unit is also configured to switch ON the camera unit to record visuals, if the first set of vehicle parameters exceed the first predetermined value. Also, the control unit detects an event if the second set of vehicle parameters exceed the second predetermined value. Further, the control unit is configured for overwriting of the visual recording of the camera unit if an event is not detected, and further, storing the recorded visuals of the camera unit in at least an onboard memory, if an event is detected, by the control unit.
[007] In an embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured to determine whether the second set of vehicle parameters lie between a predetermined value and a second predetermined value. Herein, the third predetermined value is lesser than the second predetermined value. Further, the control unit generate alerts for a rider of the vehicle if the second set of vehicle parameters lie between the third predetermined value and the second predetermined value. Herein, the alerts are communicated to the rider by at least an instrument cluster.
[008] In an embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured to keep the one or more camera units switched ON for a time period which is already determined, in case an event is detected.
[009] In an embodiment of the invention, the one or more camera unit has a front camera unit disposed on a front end of the vehicle, a rear camera unit. The one or more camera unit also has a pair of side camera units which is disposed on the left and right side of the vehicle. The control unit is configured to store the recording data of any one of the one or more camera units in case an event is detected.
[010] In an embodiment of the invention, one or more sensors include a vehicle speed sensor and the first set of vehicle parameters include at least a speed of the vehicle.
[011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the one or more vehicle sensors include a vehicle lean angle sensor and the second set of vehicle parameters include at least a lean angle of the vehicle.
[012] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for recording event information for a vehicle. The method has steps of receiving, whether the first set of vehicle parameters from one or more vehicle sensors; determining, whether the first set of vehicle parameters exceed a first predetermined value; switching ON one or more camera units to record visuals, if the first set of vehicle parameters exceed the first predetermined value; receiving a second set of parameters from the one or more vehicle sensors; determining, whether the second set of vehicle parameters exceed a second predetermined value; detecting an event if the second set of vehicle parameters exceed the second predetermined value; overwriting the visual recording of the one or more camera units if an event is not detected; and storing the visual recording of the one or more camera units in at least an onboard memory, if an event is detected.
[013] In an embodiment of the invention, the method further has steps of determining whether the second set of vehicle parameters lie between a third predetermined value and a second predetermined value, wherein the third predetermined value is lesser than the second predetermined value; generating alerts for a rider of the vehicle of the second set of vehicle parameters lie in between the third predetermined value and the second predetermined value; and communicating, by at least an instrument cluster, the generated alerts to the rider of the vehicle.
[014] In an embodiment of the invention, the method has a step of keeping the one or more camera units switched ON, for predetermined time, in case if an event is detected.
[015] In an embodiment of the invention, the first set of vehicle parameters include at least a speed of the vehicle.
[016] In an embodiment of the invention, the second set of vehicle parameters include at least a lean angle of the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[017] 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 system for recording event information for a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates method steps involved in a method for recording event information for a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates further method steps involved in the method for recording event information for a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[018] The present invention relates to a system and a method for recording event information for a vehicle.
[019] Figure 1 illustrates a system 100 for recording event information for a vehicle. As illustrated, the system 100 has one or more camera units 130 provided on the vehicle. The one or more camera units 130 are configured to record the surrounding of the vehicle. Further, the system 100 has one or more vehicle sensors 120 provided on the vehicle. Herein, the one or more vehicle sensors 120 are configured to sense one or more vehicle parameters. The one or more vehicle parameters includes a first set of vehicle parameters and a second set of parameters.
[020] Further, as illustrated in the Figure 1, the system has a control unit 110. The control unit 110 is in communication with the one or more camera unit 130. Further, the control unit 110 is also in communication with one or more vehicle sensors 120. In an embodiment, the control unit 110 communicates with the one or more camera unit 130 and the one or more sensors 120 using the Controller Area Network (CAN), ETHERNET and USB. The control unit 110 is configured to receive the first set of vehicle parameters from the one or more vehicle sensors 120. Thereafter, the control unit 110 is configured to determine whether the first set of vehicle parameters exceed a first predetermined value. If the first set of vehicle parameters exceed the first predetermined value, the control unit 110 is configured to switch ON the one or more camera units 130 to record visuals of the vehicle. Thus, the one or more camera units 130 are switched ON only after the first set of vehicle parameters exceed the first predetermined value, which saves on power since the one or more camera units 130 are not needlessly operating all the time.
[021] The control unit 110 is further configured to receive the second set of vehicle parameters from the one or more vehicle sensors 120. Thereafter, the control unit 110 determines whether the second set of vehicle parameters exceed a second predetermined value. The control unit 110 is configured to detect an event, for example a crash event, if the second set of vehicle parameters exceed the second predetermined value. Once the one or more camera units 130 are switched ON, the one or more camera units 130 keep recording. To ensure that a large storage space is not required for storing the visual recording of the one or more camera units 130, the control unit 110 selectively stores the visual recording, while overwriting the visual recordings that are not required to be stored. In that, the control unit 110 is configured to overwrite the visual recording of the one or more camera units 130 if an event is not detected, thus not storing visual recordings that are not required. The control unit 110 is further configured to store the visual recording of the one or more camera units 130 in at least an onboard memory, if an event is detected.
[022] In a working example, the control unit 110 first determines whether the one or more camera units 130 are to be switched ON based on the first vehicle parameters exceeding the first predetermined value. Thereafter the one or more camera units 130 keep recording as long as the first vehicle parameters exceed the first predetermined value. Thereafter, the control unit 110 detects whether an event like a crash or collision or accident has taken place based on the second vehicle parameters exceeding the second predetermined value. If an event is detected, the overwriting of the visual recording is stopped and the visual recording is stored in the onboard memory, otherwise the visual recording is overwritten. Storing the visual recording only when the event has been detected thus lowers the storage requirements for the visual recording. In an embodiment, the stored visual recording is also communicated with a remote server and stored in a remote server in addition to the onboard memory.
[023] In a further embodiment of the invention, the control unit 110 determines whether the second set of vehicle parameters lie in between a third predetermined value and a second predetermined value. Herein, the third predetermined value is lesser than the second predetermined value. The control unit 110 generates alerts for a rider of the vehicle, when the second set of the vehicle parameters lie between the third predetermined value and the second predetermined value. Herein, the alerts are communicated to the rider by at least an instrument cluster 160. As a result, in operation, only alerts are generated for the rider that the event is likely to happen if the second set of vehicle parameters exceed the third predetermined value but do not exceed the second predetermined value. Thereafter, if the second set of vehicle parameters further exceed the second predetermined value, the event is detected, and the visual recording is stored. This visual recording can then be used for the ascertaining cause of the event or for other purposes as required.
[024] In a further embodiment, the control unit 110 is configured to keep the one or more camera units 130 switched ON for a predetermined time, if an event is detected. For example, after the event has been detected, the control unit 110 is configured to keep the camera units 130 switched on for the predetermined time after the event, after which the camera units 130 are switched off. Herein, the predetermined time ranges between 3 seconds and 600 seconds depending on the requirement. In an embodiment, the predetermined time is decided based on the state of charge of a battery 150 of the vehicle.
[025] Furthermore, in an embodiment as illustrated in the Figure 1, the one or more camera units 130 have a front camera unit 132 unit which is located on a front end of the vehicle, a rear camera unit 134 located on a rear end of the vehicle, and a pair of side camera units 136 located on the left side and right side of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the control unit 110 is configured to store the recording data of any one of the one or more camera units 130 if an event is detected. For example, if the event of a crash from the front side is detected by the control unit 110, the control unit 110 is configured for store the visual recording or recording data of only the front camera 132, thereby further optimising the use of the storage space in the onboard memory.
[026] The one or more camera unit 130 comprises one of but not limited to a compact camera, medium format camera, point and shoot camera, rugged camera, and an action camera. Additionally, in alternative embodiment, the vehicle is capable of having a single camera unit 130 configured on it. The single camera unit 130 is capable of capturing complete surrounding of the vehicle and the single camera unit 130 is capable of orienting itself in any vehicle direction based on the detection of the event. The single camera unit 130 mounted on the vehicle one of but not limited to a 360 degree camera or an action camera capable of rotating lens unit in 360 degrees and record the surrounding completely.
[027] In an embodiment, the one or more vehicle sensors 120 comprise sensors such as lean angle sensor, vehicle speed sensor, sensor for engine motor status, GPS sensor etc. Specifically, in an embodiment, the one or more sensors 120 comprise a vehicle speed sensor 122 and the first set of vehicle parameters comprise at least a speed of the vehicle. Herein, the first predetermined value ranges from 10 Km/hr to 50 Km/hr. Thus, in operation, if the speed of the vehicle exceeds the first predetermined value say 40 Km/hr, where the likelihood of the event such as a crash is high, the control unit 110 is configured to switch ON the one or more camera units 130. When the speed of the vehicle is below 40Km/hr, where the likelihood of the event such as a crash is very low, the one or more camera units 130 are kept switched OFF, thus saving on power.
[028] In a further embodiment, the one or more vehicle sensors 120 comprise a vehicle lean angle sensor 124 and the second set of vehicle parameters comprise at least a lean angle of the vehicle. Herein, in an embodiment the second predetermined value ranges from 31 degrees to 40 degrees, and the third predetermined value ranges from 20 degrees to 30 degrees. The second and third predetermined values vary depending upon variable such as weight of the vehicle. Thus, in operation, once the camera units 130 are switched ON, if the lean angle exceeds, say 30 degrees, alerts are generated for the rider which are communicated to the rider through the instrument cluster 160, thereby alerting the rider that the event such as a crash may occur. Further, if the lean angle further exceeds, say 35 degrees, the crash is detected, and the overwriting of the visual recording is stopped and the visual recording of the camera units 130 is stored in the onboard memory.
[029] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method 200 for recording event information for a vehicle. As referenced in Figure 2, at step 202, a first set of vehicle parameters are received by a control unit 110 from one or more vehicle sensors 120. At step 204, whether the first set of vehicle parameters exceed a first predetermined value is determined by the control unit 110. At step 206, if the first set of the vehicle parameters exceed the first predetermined value, one or more camera units 130 are switched ON by the control unit 110 to record the surroundings of the vehicle. At step 208, a second set of vehicle parameters are received by the control unit 110 from the one or more vehicle sensors 120. At step 210, the control unit 110 determines whether the second set of vehicle parameters exceed the second predetermined values. If at step 210, the second set of vehicle parameters do not exceed the second predetermined value, the method moves to step 212 wherein an event is not detected and at step 214, the visual recording of the one or more camera units 130 is overwritten. If at step 210, the second set of vehicle parameters exceed the second predetermined value, the method 200 moves to step 214 wherein an event is detected, and the visual recording of the one or more camera units 130 is saved in at least an onboard memory.
[030] In another embodiment, as referenced in Figure 3, At step 302, the control unit 110 of the vehicle receives the second set of vehicle parameters. At step 304, the control unit 110 determines whether second set of vehicle parameter lie in between the second predetermined value and a third predetermined value. At step 304, if the second set of vehicle parameters lie between the second predetermined value and the third predetermined value, the method 300 moves to step 306. At step 306, alerts are generated by the control unit 110 for a rider of the vehicle. The generated alerts are then communicated to the rider of the vehicle by at least an instrument cluster 160.
[031] At step 304, if the second set of vehicle parameters do not lie between the second predetermined value and the third predetermined value, the method 300 moves to step 308. At step 308, the control unit 110 detects if the second set of the vehicle parameters exceed the second predetermined value. If at step 308, the second set of vehicle parameters do not exceed the second predetermined value, the method 300 moves to step 310, and the visual recording of the one or more camera units 130 is overwritten at step 308.
[032] If at step 308, the second set of vehicle parameters exceed the second predetermined value, the method moves to step 312, wherein the one or more camera units 130 continue to record for predetermined time period and the control unit 110 stores visual recording. Finally, at step 314, the control unit 110 stops recording and stops power supply to one or more camera units 130 after the predetermined time period.
[033] In another embodiment, the first set of the vehicle parameters comprise a speed of the vehicle and the second set of the vehicle parameter comprise lean angle of the vehicle, as explained hereinbefore.
[034] Advantageously, the present invention provides a system and a method by which the information of the event is recorded, and thus the vehicle also generates alerts based on the inputs received by the control unit from one or more sensors provided on the vehicle body. The generation of the alerts generated by the control unit based on the inputs received from the one or more sensors provided on the vehicle suggests the rider a possibility of crash and indicate the rider to drive safely. The present invention also assists the rider in course correction in their riding as and when necessary.
[035] Further, the present invention allows for storing of visual recording of the one or more camera units only when an event like a crash is detected, and overwriting of the visual recording when the event is not detected, which provides for substantial saving on the required storage capabilities. The stored visual recording can then be used for ascertaining cause of the event, settlement of insurance claims, police records, emergency agencies. Furthermore, the present invention allows for switching ON of the one or more camera units only when the likelihood of a crash like event is high, thus saving on the power required by the vehicle.
[036] 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: A System for recording event information for a vehicle.
110: Control Unit
120: One or more Vehicle Sensors
122: Speed Sensor
124: Lean Angle Sensor
130: One or More Camera Units
132: Front camera
134: Rear camera
136: Side camera
150: Battery
160: Instrument cluster
200: Method for recording event information for a vehicle.
300: Method for recording event information for a vehicle.
, Claims:1. A system (100) for recording event information for a vehicle, the system (100) comprising:
one or more camera units (130) provided on the vehicle;
one or more vehicle sensors (120) provided on the vehicle, the one or more vehicle sensors (120) configured to sense one or more vehicle parameters including a first set of vehicle parameters and a second set of vehicle parameters;
a control unit (110) being in communication with the one or more camera units (130) and the one or more vehicle sensors (120), the control unit (110) being configured to:
receive the first set of vehicle parameters from the one or more vehicle sensors (120);
determine whether the first set of vehicle parameters exceed a first predetermined value;
switch ON the one or more camera units (130) to record visuals, if the first set of vehicle parameters exceed the first predetermined value;
receive the second set of vehicle parameters from the one or more vehicle sensors (120);
determine whether the second set of vehicle parameters exceed a second predetermined value;
detect an event if the second set of vehicle parameters exceed the second predetermined value;
overwrite the visual recording of the one or more camera units (130) if an event is not detected; and
store the visual recording of the one or more camera units (130) in at least an onboard memory, if an event is detected.

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (110) is configured to:
determine whether the second set of vehicle parameters lie between a third predetermined value and a second predetermined value, wherein the third predetermined value is lesser than the second predetermined value; and
generate alerts for a rider of the vehicle, if the second set of vehicle parameters lie between the third predetermined value and the second predetermined value, wherein the alerts are communicated to the rider by at least an instrument cluster (160).

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (110) is configured to:
keep the one or more camera units (130) switched ON for a predetermined time, if an event is detected.

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more camera units (130) comprise a front camera unit (132) disposed on a front end of the vehicle, a rear camera unit (134) disposed on a rear end of the vehicle, and a pair of side camera units (136) disposed on the left side and right side of the vehicle, wherein the control unit (110) is configured to store the recording data of any one of the one or more camera units (130) if an event is detected.

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors (120) comprise a vehicle speed sensor (122) and the first set of vehicle parameters comprise at least a speed of the vehicle.

6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more vehicle sensors (120) comprise a vehicle lean angle sensor (124) and the second set of vehicle parameters comprise at least a lean angle of the vehicle.

7. A method (200) for recording event information for a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving, by a control unit (110), a first set of vehicle parameters from one or more vehicle sensors;
determining, by the control unit (110), whether the first set of vehicle parameters exceed a first predetermined value;
switching ON, by the control unit (110), one or more camera units (132) to record visuals, if the first set of vehicle parameters exceed the first predetermined value;
receiving, by the control unit (110), a second set of vehicle parameters from the one or more vehicle sensors (120);
determining, by the control unit (110), whether the second set of vehicle parameters exceed a second predetermined value;
detecting, by the control unit (110), an event if the second set of vehicle parameters exceed the second predetermined value;
overwriting, by the control unit (110), the visual recording of the one or more camera units (130) if an event is not detected; and
storing, by the control unit (110), the visual recording of the one or more camera units (130) in at least an onboard memory, if an event is detected.

8. The method (200) as claimed in claim 7, comprising the steps of:
determining, by the control unit (110), whether the second set of vehicle parameters lie between a third predetermined value and a second predetermined value, wherein the third predetermined value is lesser than the second predetermined value;
generating, by the control unit (110), alerts for a rider of the vehicle if the second set of vehicle parameters lie between the third predetermined value and the second predetermined value; and
communicating, by at least an instrument cluster (160), the generated alerts to the rider of the vehicle.

9. The method (200) as claimed in claim 7, comprising the steps of:
keeping the one or more camera units (130) switched ON, by the control unit (110), for a predetermined time, if an event is detected.

10. The method (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first set of vehicle parameters comprise at least a speed of the vehicle.

11. The method (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second set of vehicle parameters comprise at least a lean angle of the vehicle.