Cell Phone as an Instrument Cluster

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to "Cell Phone as an Instrument Cluster". In particular this invention relates to cell phone as an instrument cluster for two or three wheeled vehicles.

Background of the Invention

Conventionally, two wheeled / three wheeled vehicles have an instrument cluster which is either analog or digital in nature. This instrument cluster receive signals from devices like engine speed sensor, vehicle speed sensor, fuel level sensor, turn signal indicators and electronic control unit (ECU) for indicating vehicle parameters such as vehicle speed, engine speed, fuel level and turn signal indicator status to the rider.

Generally, the digital instrument clusters have a signal conditioning unit, a microcontroller, an LCD driver and an LCD. The signal conditioning unit converts the sensor output signals into appropriate voltage levels for the microcontroller to process.

The microcontroller thereafter provides signals to the LCD driver for displaying the required vehicle parameters on the LCD.

A prior art patent KR20020071826 discloses a "Cellular Phone Fixer for Bicycle or Motorcycle" wherein a fixer is provided on the motorcycle handlebar for mounting a cell phone so that the rider can communicate through hands free earphone while riding the vehicle.

In another prior art patent US5897040, discloses "Cellular Telephone Motorcycle Mounting Apparatus" wherein a mounting apparatus for fixing cellular phone to a motorcycle gas tank is mentioned.

Accordingly it is desirable to design and develop a system compatible with cell phone that provides the required function of communicating vehicle related parameters.

Objective of the invention

The present invention has been devised in view of the above background and it is therefore an object of the present invention is to provide a two wheeled / three wheeled vehicle with a removable connection for a cell phone which functions as an instrument cluster.

Another object of the present invention is to substitute the conventional instrument cluster with cell phone thereby making the system cost effective.

Another object of the present invention is to establish two way communications between cell phone and electronic control unit of the two wheeled / three wheeled to vary various vehicle parameters.

Yet another object of the present invention is to utilize other various in build features of the cell phone such as navigation signals in conjunction with rest vehicle parameters.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide secure communication between the cell phone and electronic control unit of the two wheeled / three wheeled.

Further another object of the present invention is to enable the two wheeled / three wheeled vehicle such that it does not require a separate instrument cluster.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a protective covering for the cell phone in order to protect it from dust and rain.

Further object of the present invention is to provide a desired aesthetic appearance to the vehicle.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Brief description of the Drawings:

The invention in its preferred embodiments will be more particularly described by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are designated by the same numerals in the various figures and in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a motorcycle;

Fig. 2 shows block diagram according to the present invention.

Detail Description of the Drawings:

The present invention relates to "Cell phone as an Instrument Cluster" and more particularly this invention relates to cell phone as an instrument cluster for a two wheeled three wheeled vehicle.

For the purpose of illustration a motorcycle of the general type is illustrated for the application. Referring to Figure 1, a motorcycle comprises of a frame (101), front fork (102) attached to a pivot tube (103) of the vehicle frame, a front wheel (104) attached to these front forks (102), a handle bar (105) connected to the front forks (102), a fuel tank (106) attached so as to straddle an upper part of the vehicle frame, a seat (107) attached to the upper rear portion of the vehicle frame, an engine unit (108) attached to the lower front section of the vehicle frame, a swing arm (109) attached to a lower rear section of the vehicle frame, suspended by a rear shock absorber (not shown in the drawing) from the vehicle frame and a rear wheel (110) attached to a rear end of swing arm (109). The intake system of the engine comprises of a carburettor, intake duct and an air cleaner. The exhaust system of the engine comprises of exhaust pipe and a muffler. The motorcycle is also provided with a side cover (111) for covering a side section of the vehicle frame, a seat cover for covering a rear section of the vehicle frame below the seat, a front fender (112) for covering an upper part of the front wheel (104), and a rear fender (113) for covering an upper part of the rear wheel (110). The drive from the engine (108) is transmitted from the engine to the driven wheel sprocket mounted on the rear wheel hub mounted on the rear wheel assembly.

At the front end of the two wheeler and in between the handle bar (which is a conventional location for an instrument cluster) a rigid base (or cavity) is provided for mounting a removable cell phone (201). The said base is provided with a damping layer for reducing the effect of vehicle vibrations on the cell phone, when the said cell phone (201) is mounted on the base. The said cell phone (201) screen is clearly visible for a rider when mounted on the base. A transparent protective covering for

For the purpose of illustration a motorcycle of the general type is illustrated for the application. Referring to Figure 1, a motorcycle comprises of a frame (101), front fork (102) attached to a pivot tube (103) of the vehicle frame, a front wheel (104) attached to these front forks (102), a handle bar (105) connected to the front forks (102), a fuel tank (106) attached so as to straddle an upper part of the vehicle frame, a seat (107) attached to the upper rear portion of the vehicle frame, an engine unit (108) attached to the lower front section of the vehicle frame, a swing arm (109) attached to a lower rear section of the vehicle frame, suspended by a rear shock absorber (not shown in the drawing) from the vehicle frame and a rear wheel (110) attached to a rear end of swing arm (109). The intake system of the engine comprises of a carburettor, intake duct and an air cleaner. The exhaust system of the engine comprises of exhaust pipe and a muffler. The motorcycle is also provided with a side cover (111) for covering a side section of the vehicle frame, a seat cover for covering a rear section of the vehicle frame below the seat, a front fender (112) for covering an upper part of the front wheel (104), and a rear fender (113) for covering an upper part of the rear wheel (110). The drive from the engine (108) is transmitted from the engine to the driven wheel sprocket mounted on the rear wheel hub mounted on the rear wheel assembly.

At the front end of the two wheeler and in between the handle bar (which is a conventional location for an instrument cluster) a rigid base (or cavity) is provided for mounting a removable cell phone (201). The said base is provided with a damping layer for reducing the effect of vehicle vibrations on the cell phone, when the said cell phone (201) is mounted on the base. The said cell phone (201) screen is clearly visible for a rider when mounted on the base. A transparent protective covering for the said cell phone (201) is provided in the vehicle which can be adjusted to prevent water or dust from coming in contact with the said cell phone (201).

Referring to figure 2, the said cell phone (202) has a digital communication channel for connecting with an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) (202) in the vehicle. The said ECU (202) performs critical vehicle control functions like ignition timing control in case of spark ignition engine, or fuel injection control in case of vehicle with electronic fuel injection, or motor control in case of an electric vehicle. The communication channel to the said cell phone can be wired or wireless. In the case of a wired communication link between the ECU (202) and the cell phone (201), the wire is manually connected by the rider after mounting the cell phone to the base. And in the case of wireless communication link, there is a control switch to enable the communication channel. The said ECU (202) and the said cell phone (201), after establishing connection, exchange unique and dissimilar access codes (digital signals in predetermined order). The said ECU (202) sends the data of the vehicle parameters only if the said cell phone (201) access code is correct. The said cell phone (201) obeys the ECU (202) commands only if the ECU access code is correct. Based on the commands provided by the ECU (202), the said cell phone LCD displays the vehicle parameters for the rider.

The digital communication protocol between the ECU (202) and the said cell phone (201) can be CAN (Controller Area Network) or SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface).

The ECU (202) receives input signals from sensors like fuel level sensor, vehicle speed sensor, engine speed sensor and turn signal indicator switch. Based on the input signal received, the said ECU (202) calculates the vehicle parameters like fuel level, vehicle speed, engine speed and turn signal indicator status. The said ECU (202) then sends the output signal to the said cell phone through the communication channel. Whenever a change is required in the LCD display of the said cell phone, corresponding command signals are sent from the ECU (202) and the change is achieved. The refresh rate (frequency of change in parameters displayed on cell phone LCD) is determined by the capability of a cell phone controller (electronic controller within the cell phone) and LCD, the capability of the ECU (202) and the data transfer rate of the digital communication link.

The ECU (202) communicates with a controller present in the cell phone (201) to modify the LCD display. The ECU (202) utilizes the capability of the cell phone controller to calculate the date, time and image properties of the LCD.

The rider can mount the said cell phone on the base at the start of a journey and enable the communication link between the ECU (202) and the said cell phone (201) by connecting the wire in the case of wired communication link or by switching ON the enable switch in the case of wireless communication link. Thereafter, the LCD display of the said cell phone provides the vehicle parameters like engine speed, vehicle speed and fuel level to the rider. The ECU (202) is powered by the vehicle battery through an ignition switch. The communication between the ECU (202) and the said cell phone (201) is possible only when the ignition switch is in ON condition.

The said cell phone (201) with ECU (202) communication features are used by the rider for both communicating with other phones and for displaying the vehicle related parameters.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

We Claim:

1. A cell phone as an instrument cluster comprising:

a cavity formed in between the handle bar for receiving a cell phone;

a damping layer provided in the cavity;

a protective covering over the cavity; and

an ECU performing critical vehicle control functions;

wherein the cell phone is connected to the ECU through a digital communication channel and the display of cell phone is used for displaying vehicle related parameter.

2. The cell phone as an instrument cluster as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said cavity is formed on a rigid base.

3. The cell phone as an instrument cluster as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said protective covering is preferably transparent.

4. The cell phone as an instrument cluster as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said digital communication channel can be wired or wireless.

5. The cell phone as an instrument cluster as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said digital communication channel when wireless, a control switch is used to enable the communication channel.