FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system for generating a speed alert for the
operator of a vehicle and more particular in providing the operator of the vehicle with
an automatic speed alert indicator on a thin film transistor visible in a vehicle
information display instrument of the vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE IhVENTION
The statements in this section merely provide background information related
to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art(s).
Generally, the accidents (especially on highways) and subsequent deaths are
consequent cause of excessive vehicular speed. The operator of the vehicle many a
times forgets to keep a control on the speed of the vehicle if there is less traffic on the
roads. This invites casual driving and over speeding of the vehicles leading to
accidents and thus deaths. Although vehicles are equipped with various kind of
vehicle information display instruments that are uniquely provided with audio/visual
warning indicators comprising information such as speed (also fuel level, telephone,
bluetooth, rpm of the engine, tell tale symbols, turn signal indicator, hazard warning
indicator and / or other indicators), however the operator rarely keep a look on the
constantly increasing speed display in the vehicle information display instrument.
In the past, there have been many devices and methods proposed to keep a
track on the over speed of the vehicles within a permissible limit. One such device
includes employing the automotive vehicles with a liquid crystal display device to
communicate any type of information with warning indicators. However, the usage of
liquid crystal display makes it slightly difficult for the operator to read the speed,
warning indicators especially during daytime. Secondly, the vehicle may also be
provided with a manually~adjustablec ruise control device that automatically control
the speed of the vehicles once the speed limit is defined. In accordance with one
aspect of itssintended use, the driver would set the indicator to the speed limit posted
on the highway on which he is driving. If the speed of his vehicle exceeded the preset
speed, a buzzer would sound alerting the driver to the fact that his vehicular speed
was excessive. However, this manually adjustable cruise control device is sometimes
irritating and inconvenient for the operator of the vehicle as he has to reset the same
always depending on his travel on highway and inside the city where the speed limit
is to be strictly kept under control. Other operators simply pre-set the indicator at or
near the maximum indicated limit on their vehicle information display instrument,
there-by -ren-deri ng - the device - virtually useless - - as a vehicle - speed alarm. - - - -
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an advanced
vehicle speed alert indicator which does not suffer from the foregoing drawbacks. It
is a'further object of the invention to provide a smart vehicle speed indicator which
does not have to be pre-set for each posted speed limit Further, there is an urgent
need for an improved method of display of speed alert in the vehicle information
display instrument where data are clearly visible to the operator without any,complex
optical and light transmission mechanism, especially during day time. Therefore, we
need an advanced vehicle information display instrument without losing the basic
requirements of reliability, safety, less extra cost, customers' satisfaction and the like.
BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
The present' subject matter relates to an automatic speed alert indicator in a
vehicle information display instrument that mainly includes an active matrix thin film
transistor screen for displaying the instantaneous speed of the vehicle and an
electronic circuit structure governing the display of instantaneous speed of the vehicle.
The electronic circuit structure is provided with a Controller Area Xetwork to
communicate signals of instantaneous speed of the vehicle via a Controller Area
Xetwork transmission receiver , a microcontroller that receive signals from the
Controller Area Xetwork transmitter receiver to program the size, color and the
pattern of the fonts of instantaneous speed indicator wherein the size, color and the
pattern of the fonts of instantaneous speed indicator changes with respect to the
instantaneous speed of the moving vehicle. The present subject matter discloses that
the highlighted fonts of the instantaneous speed indicator are transmitted to get
visible on the active matrix thin film transistor screen in the vehicle information
display instrument of the vehicle. Also, the displayed fonts may blink if the
revolution-per-minute exceed the pre-defined limit. Additionally, the subject matter
explains the possibility of an audible buzzer if the speed exceeds the pre-defined
permissible limit.
An objective of the present subject matter is to enable the automatic speed
alert indicator wherein the size of the fonts displaying the instantaneous speed of the
vehicle increases with the increase of the instantaneous speed.
Another objective of the present subject matter is to represent the fonts
displaying the instantaneous speed of the vehicle in three different colors that
depends on the three primary colors i.e. Red, green and blue and their combinations
together.
Another objective of the present subject matter is to provide the vehicle
information display instrument with a dial plate to designate other information
conveyed by the vehicle information display instrument such as warning indicators,
telltales, and the like.
Another objective of the present subject matter is to provide the electronic
circuit structure with an interface that refine and supply a voltage of 5 V (from the
battery supplying a voltage of 13 V) to a microcontroller provided with the vehicle
information display instrument.
Yet another objective of the present subject matter is to display the colored
rpm graduation, gear indicator in motion of the vehicle, fuel level indication, engine
temperature, and the like on the active matrix thin film transistor screen.
Ye1 ariolher objective of the present subject matter is to blink the displayed
fonts if the revolution-per-minute exceed the pre-defined limit.
Yet another objective of the present subject matter is to provide an audible
alarm during if the revolution-per-minute exceed the pre-defined limit.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide an easy, compact,
less costly and automatic speed alert indicator for vehicles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The summary narrated above and the following detailed description of the
invention can be understood with the drawings appended' to this claim. The
illustrations provide the details of the invention. However, it should be understood
that the invention is not limited to the arrangements shown. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 show a perspective view of a two wheeler in an embodiment of the present
subject matter.
FIG. 2A shows a front view of a vehicle information display instrument (nonworking)
provided with an active matrix thin film transistor in an embodiment of the
present subject matter.
FIG. 2B to 2D show various view of front of a vehicle information display
instrument (working) provided with an active matrix thin film transistor in an
embodiment of the present subject matter.
FIG. 3 shows an electronic 'circuit structure governing the smart tacho-indicator for
vehicles in an embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCKIPTIOS OF THE IXVEKTIOX
The embodiments of the present subject matter are described in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings. Mowever,'the present subject matter is not
limited to these embodiments which are only provided to explain more clearly the
present subject matter to the ordinarily skilled in the art of the present disclosure. In
the accompanying drawings, like reference alphabets and numerals are used to
indicate like components.
The present invention relates to a system for generating a speed alert for the
operator of a vehicle and more particular in providing the operator of the vehicle with
an automatic speed alert indicator on a thin film transistor in the vehicle information
display instrument of the vehicles. The following description is merely exemplary in
nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. The
present invention will hereinafter be described in detail below as applied to a motor
cycle 100. However, the principles of the present invention are also applicable to
other two wheelers and vehicles 100 such as three wheelers, four wheelers, and the
like. Upward, lower, front and rear directions (see the directions indicated by the
arrows in FIG. 1) will be described with respect to directions as seated by the rider
on the motorcycle 100. i
FIG. 1 illustrates a two wheeler 100 that may include a fuel tank 102 and an i
I
engine mounted ahead of a rider's seat'l04, a frarne.106 and two relatively large sized
wheels 108, on which the frame 106 rides. The structure is necessarily provided with a
pair of left and right front fork members rotatably supported by a head pipe 110 on
the front end of the vehicle frame. The steering of the two wheelers 100 is possible
via a front wheel which is mounted on the front fork member whereas the rear wheel
(drive wheel) is at the rear end. FIG. 1 shows a handlebar 112 secured to an upper
portion of the front fork member, and the front and rear portion of the handle bar 112
is covered with a handle cover which is further divided into forward and backward
portions. The two wheeler 100 are also provided with various lights mounted
externally on the vehicle to indicate certain information about the vehicle to other
drivers and pedestrians. These lights mainly include brake lights and tail lights
besides indicator light bulbs which are provided to indicate the driving direction of
the two wheelers. The two wheeler 100 is further provided with the intelligent vehicle
information display instrument 114 (as shown in FIG. 2 later) (also known as a
speedometer) located between the handle bars 112 of the two wheeler 100. The
vehicle information display instrument 114 may be viewable by the rider of the motor
cycle 100 when the rider is seated on the seat 104 and operating the vehicle 100. The
vehicle information display instrument 114 may be disposed generally in front of the
I rider so that the rider can inspect or view a variety of information that form part of
the vehicle information display instrument 114, which information may indicate an
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1 operating condition or conditions of the vehicle. The vehicle information display
instrument 114 may be provided with audio/visual warning indicators comprising
information such as speed, the fuel level, telephone, bluetooth, rpm of the engine, tell
tale symbols, turn signal indicator, hazard warning indicator and / or other indicators.
FIG. 1 further shows a headlight 116 provided, as an attachment to the top middle of
the handlebar of the motor cycle, to light the road ahead.
In an embodiment of the present subject matter, FIG. 2A discloses a front
perspective view of the vehicle information display instrument 114 of the vehicle. In
a unique embodiment of the present subject matter, information such as vehicle speed,
rpm, gear indicator, and the like are represented on an Active Matrix Thin Film
transistor (often and hereinafter also referred as active matrix TFT). Generally, a
display is composed of a grid (or matrix) of picture elements ("pixels"). Thousands or
millions of these pixels together create an image on the display. Thin-film transistors
(TFTs) act as switches to individually turn each pixel "ON" (light) or "OFF" (dark).
These TFTs are the active control elements, arranged in a matrix, on the display.
Thus, these are termed as "active-matrix TFT". By principle, a back light (which is
normally comprised of a number of flourescent tubes) is used for emitting any color
out of the pixels present in the matrix as disclosed above. In order to light a single
pixel, all that needs to be done is for a small 'door' or 'shutter' to open to let the light
pass through. However, since the liquid crystals can change their molecular structure
and therefore may allow varying levels of light to pass through them (or they can
block the light), therefore two polarizer filters, color filters and two alignment layers
determine exactly how much light is allowed to pass and which colors are created.
The layers are positioned between the two glass panels. A specific voltage is applied
to the alignment layer, creating an electric field - which then aligns the liquid crystals.
Each dot on the screen (pixel) therefore requires three components, one for red, grecn
and blue - just as for the tubes within cathode ray tube devices. In a similar way,
these dots on the screen can even display a combination of these three primary colors
also, thus providing a desired pattern on the "active-matrix TFT" in the vehicle
information display instrument of the vehicles.
In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the "active-matrix TFT" in
the vehicle information display instrument 114 is qualified to indicate the speed of
the moving vehicle in fonts. In a unique embodiment of the present subject matter,
the fonts displaying the speed of the moving vehicle 100 are programmed to vary in
size on the basis of the instantaneous speed of the vehicle 100. For instance, various
instantaneous speeds are evident in FIG. 2B to FIG. 2E which illustrates that the font
size of the displaying instantaneous speed increases with the increase of the
instantaneous speed of the vehicle 100, in an embodiment of the present subject
matter. This enlarged font sizes of the instantaneous speed at high speed of the .
moving vehicle draws an instant attention of the operator of the vehicle 100 and
would alert the operator to slow down the speed of the over speeding vehicle. In
another embodiment of the present subject matter, the fonts are in various colors by
virtue of the "active-matrix TFT". The colors of the fonts may be selected on the
basis of the speed of the moving vehicles. The colors of the fonts displaying the
instantaneous speed of the vehicle 100 may be selected from the three primary colors
i.e. ~ e dg,re en and blue and their combinations together. In an embodiment of the
present subject matter, the "active-matrix TFT" in the vehicle information display
instrument 114 is arranged to represent rpm-graduations 118 (generally provided to
convey the range of the speed of the travelling vehicle in kilometer per hour or miles
per hour) in colored segments. In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the
blinking colored segments in graduations may be provided with an audible buzzer to
further inform the operator of the vehicle about the exceeding speed of the vehicle. In
an embodiment of the present subject matter, the vehicle information display
instrument 114 is provided with a dial plate (not shown) to designate other
information conveyed by the vehicle information display instrument 114 such as
warning indicators, telltales, and the like. The position of the speed indicator on the
"active-matrix TFT" in the vehicle information display instrument 114 is not relevant
and thus not discussed with respect to the present subject matter.
FIG. 3 discloses an electronic circuit structure 200 that governs the operation
of the varying font size for the digital display of instantaneous speed of the vehicle in
an embodiment of the present subject matter. The electronic circuit structure 200
illustrates a battery powered ignition switch 202 which when turned therein with an
ignition key (not shown) activates an engine (not shown) of the motor cycle 100. The
electronic circuit structure 200 is provided with an interface that refine and supply- a
voltage of 5 V (from the battcry supplying a voltagc of 13 V) to a microcontroller 204
provided with the vehicle information display instrument 114. The electronic circuit
structure 200 is also designed with a Controller Area Network (CAN) that
communicates between various signals received via engine 'management systems,
active, suspension, ABS, gear control, lighting 'control, air conditioning, airbags,
central locking or the like embedded in the vehicle. The Controller Area Network
(CAV) comprises of two signal lines of the bus i.e. CANH (CAN High) and CANL
(CAN Low) which are passively biased to approximately 2.5 Volts. The dominant
state of CANH approximately ranges in the range of 1 Volt to 3.5 Volt and that in
CANL ranges in the range of 1 Volt to 1.5 Volt. The electronic circuit structure 200
further discloses a Controller Area Network transmission receiver 206 that receives
all the signals transmitted by the vehicle 100. In an embodiment of the present subject
matter, the Controller Area Network transmission receiver 206 receives the signals of
the instantaneous speed of the moving vehicle 100 which are subsequently fed to the
microcontroller 204. The microcontroller 204, based on the input of the instantaneous
speed received, decides the size of the font for displaying the instantaneous speed of
the vehicle in an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment of the
present subject matter, the fonts may also be colored in a pre-defined pattern to
further highlight the said instantaneous speed of the moving vehicle. In another
exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, the microcontroller 204 is
programmed to further highlight and blink the rpm graduations 118 in case if the
vehicle exceeds a pre-determined rpm (and thus speed) limit. For instance, if the
instantaneous speed of the moving vehicle goes from 0 krnlh (FIG. 2A) to 40 kmlh
(FIG. 2B), the font size of the display of the instantaneous speed starts changing and
further if the speed goes beyond 40 km/h and reaches (say) 80 krn/h (FIG. 2C), the
font size starts visibly increasing, thus drawing the attention of the operator of the
vehicle. The speeding vehicle, when reaches the speed of 120 km/h and 150 krnlh
projects a vibrant and larger sized font of the display of the speed of the moving
vehicle, as evident from FIG. 2D and FIG. 2E respectively. On a similar note, if the
rpm of the vehicle increases beyond a limit of 4500 rpm, the rpm graduations 118 and
its border starts blinking in a pre-defined color, thus also highlighting the over-speed
of the vehicle 100 to its operator, in an embodiment of the present subject matter. The
predefined font size of the speed display, and function (color changing and/or
blinking) are subsequently transmitted and represented on the "active-matrix TFT"
screen 208 displaying varying font size of the speed display as well as variety of
required colors, in an embodiment of the present subject matter.
Operationally, the Controller. Area Network (CAY) receives the signals in
terms of the instantaneous speed of the moving vehicle 100 as the ignition of the
vehicle is powered. Those signals are subsequently fed to the microcontroller 204 to
decide the font size, pattern, and the like of display of the instantaneous speed on the
"active-matrix TFT" screen 208. Suppose, if the the instantaneous speed of the
moving vehicle is to be displayed in a particular font size or in any particular color,
the same parameters would be programmed in the microcontroller 204 accordingly.
Thus, on receiving the apt input via the Controller Area Network (CAN), the
microcontroller 204 directs the corresponding color segments to get illuminated for
displaying the pre-defined font size and pattern of the the instantaneous speed on the
"active-matrix TFT" screen 208. Apart from the features such as required font size of
the display of instantaneous speed, the "active-matrix TFT" screen 208 may also
display the segmented color display of rpm graduations 118 based on the speed of the
moving vehicle 100 and the blinking of rpm graduation 118 and its border in case of
over speed, gear indicator. in motion of the vehicle 100, and the like in an
embodiment of the present subject matter. Further, the "active-matrix TFT" may also
highlight other important parameters in the vehicle information display instrument
such as, but 'not restricted to, fuel level indication, engine temperature, and the like.
However, other parameters such as warning indicators, telltale indicators may also be
information display instrument 114 in the vehicles 100. In an embodiment of the
present .subject matter, the displayed fonts may also blink if the revolution-per-minute
exceed the predefined limit.
The automatic speed alert indicator according to the present subject matter
advantageously facilitates an attentive display of the instantaneous speed of the
moving vehicle in terms of the varying font size of the display of the said
instantaneous speed of the vehicular. Further, the font size may be highlighted in
various colors (based on the combination of the primary colors) to further draw the
attention of the operator of the vehicle for alarming him to slow down the vehicle
before any possible danger. In other words, the enlarged and colorful font size of the
displayed speed of the moving vehicle in the vehicle information display instrument
drastically ;educes the casual driving, over speeding of the vehicles reducing the
chances of accidents and thus deaths. Additionally, the colorful display of the font
size of the instantaneous speed as well as that of various ranges of revolution-perminutes
in different colors (on the active matrix thin film transistor) can smartly
inform the operator of the vehicle to catch the speed of the moving vehicles without
concentrating much on a pointer in the vehicle information display instrument.
Additionally, the application of active matrix thin film transistor discourages the
costly requirement of LEDs for signaling and indicating the parameters such as high
revolution-per-minutes, warning indicators, tell-tale indicators, and the like.
Moreover, the automatic speed alert indicator according to the present subject matter
enhances the visibility of the data to the operator without any complex optical and
light transmission mechanism. Furthermore, the present subject matter discloses an
improved, advanced, reliable, customers' friendly and automatic speed alert indicator
in the vehicle information display instrument for vehicles.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to
the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept
thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as
illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the
appended claims rather than by the foregoing description and all variations,
substitutions and changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency
of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

WE CLAIM:
1. An automatic speed alert indicator in a vehicle information display instrument
114 comprising:
am active matrix thin film transistor screen 208 for displaying the
instantaneous speed of the vehicle:
an electronic circuit structure 200 governing the digital display of
instantaneous speed of the vehicle 100 comprising;
a Controller Area Network to communicate signals of instantaneous speed of
the vehicle via a Controller Area Network transmission receiver 206;
a microcontroller 204 that receive signals from the Controller Area Network
transmitter,receiver 206 to program the size, color and the pattern of the fonts
of instantaneous speed indicator;
the size, color and the pattern of the fonts of instantaneous speed indicator
changes with respect to the instantaneous speed of the moving vehicle 100;
the highlighted fonts of the instantaneous speed indicator are transmitted to
get visible on the active matrix thin film transistor screen 208 in the vehicle
information display instrument 114 of the vehicle 100.
2. The automatic speed alert indicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the size of the
fonts displaying the instantaneous speed of the vehicle 100 increases with the
increase of the instantaneous speed.
3. The automatic speed alert indicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fonts
displaying the instantaneous speed of the vehicle are represented in three
different colors that depends on the three primary colors i.e. Red, green and blue
and their combinations together.
4. The automatic speed alert indicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle
information display instrument 114 is provided with a dial plate to designate
other information conveyed by the vehicle information display instrument 114
such as warning indicators, telltales, and the like.
5. The automatic speed alert indicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic
circuit structure 200 is provided with an interface that refine and supply a voltage
of 5 V (from the battery supplying a voltage of 13 V) to a microcontroller 204
provided with the vehicle information display instrument 114.
6. The automatic speed alert indicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Controller
Area Network (CAN) comprises of two signal lines of the bus i.e. CANH (CAN
High) and CANL (CAN Low).
7. The automatic speed alert indicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the active
matrix thin film transistor screen 208' also displays the colored segments of rpm
graduations, gear indicator in motion of the vehicle, fuel level indication, engine
temperature, and the'like.
8. The automatic speed alert indicator as claimed in claim 1; wherein the displayed
fonts also blink if the revolution-per-minute exceed the pre-defined limit.
9. The automatic speed alert indicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the over
speeding vehicle is with an audible buzzer.