FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a navigational system for automotive vehicles
and in particular to a compass in a vehicle information display instrument for small
automotive vehicles such as cars and motor cycles without global positioning system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The statements in this section merely provide background information related
to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art(s).
Recently, there has been a growing trend and interest among users to
incorporate a navigational system in their automotive vehicles. These navigational
system may include global positioning system enabled in a computerized
arrangement or a smartphone so that the operator may utilize the same for selecting a
desired destination. Further, the system may offer alternative and shorter routes to
that destination and may, at times, determine the best route for the user to follow
from his present location to his desired destination. The user, sometimes also uses the
computerized arrangement in tandem with the smartphone to get frequent automatic
updates on the smartphone about the direction towards the destination.
However, one of the major limitations of using such navigational system is
the requirement of a separate computerized arrangement or the smartphone or both.
Thus, the user _must have a 2G, 3G, 4G, or Wi-Fi network connection to enable the
smartphone for activating the navigational system, unless the navigation system uses
offline maps which is rare atleast in India. This problem further swells if the user
encounters rural and remote areas (during the journey) that are outside smartphone's
tower range. The remote areas may be any hilly regions where bikers generally go for
adventures, such as but not restricted to Leh, Ladakh, and the like. Further, these
smartphones are always prone to get crashed during the journeys and thus are
unreliable, inconsistent and week in performance. Additionally, these devices should
always be connected to a continuous battery support as these devices are battery hogs.
In other words, these devices requiring 3G or 4G to be active the entire time, drains
IPO DtLHI 25-Bl-201B 17
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the battery rather quickly. The charged percentage of battery further dips quickly if
the speakers of the navigation system are kept on ON condition. Furthermore, if the
smartphone is busy in locating the direction towards the destination, it becomes
impossible for a user to either make or receive calls during the journey. Moreover, the
usage of Apps on the navigation system invite extra costs leading to further load on
the user.
Various attempts have been made in prior arts to substitute the navigation
system as discussed above wherein the computerized arrangement or the smart phone
or both are not required. For instances, magnetic compasses ·are provided on the
motor cycles at a position where the rider can visually see the magnetic compass so
that the location can be traced by the said magnetic compass. The magnetic compass
is preferably positioned beside a vehicle information display instrument (also known
as speedometer). However, the position of the magnetic compass is not up to the
expectation of the rider as the rider need to have a look at the vehicle information
display instrument along-with magnetic compass. Additionally, there should be a
different mode apart from the standard representation of mechanical magnetic
compass in the vehicle information display instrument so that the attention of the
rider remains focused without getting distracted by multiple notices at a single time
during riding of the motor cycle.
Hence, there is an urgent need for a smart navigation system m vehicle
information display instrument that may overcome the above mentioned drawbacks
such as reliability, requirement of a continuous network connection, any smartphone,
need for a battery support for smartphone, Apps, extra cost; and many more.
Importantly, there is a demand for a smart navigation system which is customer's
friendly as well.
BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
The present subject matter relates to a vehicle information display instrument
for automotive vehicles that includes a compass provided in the vehicle information
display instrument, and an electronic circuit structure governing the operation of the
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compass. The electronic circuit structure is provided with a Magneto-Impedance
sensor to sense the position/location of the moving vehicle, a micro-controller to
receive the signals from the Magneto-Impedance sensor that decide the pattern of
display of the direction of the moving vehicle, a liquid crystal panel to display the
pattern decided by the microcontroller, The present subject matter discloses that the
direction of the moving vehicle is analogously and/or digitally displayed in the
vehicle information display instrument of the moving vehicle.
An object of the present subject matter is to locate the vehicle information
display instrument between the two handlebars ofthe two wheelers.
An object of the present subject matter is to provide the compass which is
capable of detecting the . direction of the terrestrial magnetic poles and also of
geographic ones.
An object of the present subject matter is to provide the compass with
magnetic declination correction so that compass knows the direction of the cardinal
points even in the absence of any valid satellite signals.
An object of the present subject matter is to detect the direction of the moving
vehicle by the MI sensor and then subsequently displaying the same in the vehicle
information display instrument.
An object of the present subject matter is to lit the compass in a way that
when light is introduced into the compass bowl through the glass from the lamp
provided with the vehicle information display instrument.
An object of the present subject matter is to shape the compass in a circular
and/or semi-circular pattern.
An object of the present subject matter is to highlight the direction of the
vehicle it is moving analogously and digitally.
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IPO D~LHl 25-0l-2818 17 43
An object of the present subject matter is to indicate the said direction in a
single text indicator such as 'N'.
An object of the present subject matter is to indicate all the possible directions
(East, North-East, North, North-West, West, South-West, South, South-East) on the
panel of the liquid crystal display.
An object of the present subject matter is to provide the Magneto-Impedance
sensor with an MI element which is structured with a special amorphous wire.
Another object of the present subject matter is to capture the signals related to
the direction by the MI sensor in analog form which is subsequently converted to
digital form by the Analog to Digital Converter.
Yet another object of the present subject matter is to decide the pattern of the
display of the direction of the moving vehicle by the micro-controller.
Yet another object of the present subject matter is to advantageously
facilitates a hassle free travel (even in remote areas) without the requirement of
cellphone, tower, network, battery issues, internet connection, and the like.
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 shows a perspective view of a two wheeler in an embodiment of the present
subject matter.
FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of a veh.icle information display instrument in
the two wheeler that is provided with a circular compass in an embodiment of the
present subject matter.
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LPO D~LH~ 25-0l-2018 17:~3
FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle information display instrument in
the two wheeler that is provided with a semi-circular compass in an embodiment of
the present subject matter._
FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle information display instrument in
the two wheeler that is provided with a direction indicator in text displayed on a
liquid crystal display in an embodiment of the present subject matter.
FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle information display instrument in
the two wheeler that is provided with a direction indicator in text displayed on a
liquid crystal display in another embodiment of the present subject matter.
FIG. 4 illustrates an electronic circuit structure governing the operation of the
compass in the vehicle information display instrument in an embodiment of the
present subject matter.
FIG. 5 illustrates an MI element provided with a Magnetic-Impedance sensor in an
embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The embodiments of the present subject matter are described in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings. However, 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 drawings are not necessarily drawn to the scale, and in
some instances the drawings have been exaggerated and/or simplified in places for
illustrative purposes only.
The present invention relates to a navigational system for automotive vehicles
0 •
and in particular to a compass in a vehicle information display instrument for small
automotive vehicles such as cars and motor cycles without global positioning system.
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
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LPO DELHI 25-Dl-2818 17 4-3
described in detail below as applied to a motor cycle. However, the principles of the
present invention are also applicable in other automotive vehicles such as three
wheelers, four wheelers, ships, airplanes, and other automobiles. 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 motor cycle.
FIG. 1 illustrates a two wheeler 100 that may inclucl~ ~'~ fuel tank and an
engine mounted ahead of a rider's seat on a frame and two relatively large sized
wheels on which the frame rides. The structure is necessarily provided with a pair of
left and right front fork members rotatably supported by a head pipe 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 102 secured to an upper portion
of the front fork member, and the front and rear portion of the handle bar 102 is
covered with a handle cover which is further divided into forward and backward
portions. The two wheeler 100 is further provided with the intelligent vehicle
information display instrument 104 (as shown in FIG. 2) (also known as a
speedometer) located between the handle bars 102 of the two wheeler 100. The
vehicle information display instrument 104 may be viewable by the rider of the motor
cycle 100 when the rider is seated in the seat and operating the vehicle 100. The
vehicle information display instrument 104 may be disposed generally in front of the
rider so that the rider can inspect or view a variety of information that form part of
the vehicle information display instrument 104, which information may indicate an
operating condition or conditions of the vehicle. The vehicle information display
instrument 104 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 I or other indicators.
FIG. 1 further shows a headlight 200 provided, as an attachment to the top middle of
the handlebar of the motor cycle 100, to light the road ahead.
In an embodiment of the present subject matter, FIG. 2A discloses a
perspective view of the vehicle information display instrument 114 provided with the
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IPU DtLH~ 25-01-2DlB 17 43
motor cycles 100. It will be appreciated that the Vehicle Information Display·
Instrument 104 may also include additional components such as but not restricted to,
lights, circuit boards, multiple warning indicators, fasteners, etc, and that may not be
shown or described. The Vehicle Information Display Instrument 104 is also
provided with a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred as LCD) structured with an
LCD panel as will be discussed later, in a preferred embodiment of the present
subject matter. ln a preferred embodiment of the present subject matter, the vehicle
information display instrument vehicle information display instrument 104 is
provided with a compass 106 (specifically a magnetic compass as hereinafter referred
as also) capable of detecting the direction of the terrestrial magnetic poles and,
through suitable adjustments, also ofthe geographic ones. The compass 106 generally
consists of a small, lightweight magnet balanced on a nearly friction-less pivot point.
The magnet is generally called a needle. One end of the needle is often marked "N,"
for north, or colored in some way to indicate that it points toward north. The compass
106 may also be provided with magnetic declination correction so that compass
knows the direction of the cardinal points even in the absence of any valid satellite
signals. In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the compass 106 is provided
to detect the direction of the moving motor cycle 100. For instance, if the motor cycle
100 is moving in North direction, then a pointer 108 provided in the compass.106 will
point towards the north direction (N) and so on. In an embodiment of the present
subject matter, the compass is arranged in a way that when light is introduced into a
compass bowl 120 throt:gh the glass from the lamp provided with the vehicle
information display instrument 104, said compass 106 gets completely illuminated
and is clearly visible at night thereby enabling reading of the compass 106 more
readily. In this embodiment of the present subject matter, the compass 106 is
circularly shaped and is located at a position easily viewable by the rider of the motor
cycle 100. In another embodiment of the present subject matter, the compass 106 may
also be semi-circularly shaped as shown in FIG. 2B.
In another embodiment of the present subject matter, the moving direction of
the motor cycle 100 (or any vehicle) may also be represented on a panel- 110 of the
liquid crystal display in a way that the direction of the moving motor cycle 100 is
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IPO DELHI 25-Dl-2DlB 17 43
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easily highlighted on the panel of the liquid crystal display as shown in FIG. 3A. In
another embodiment of the present subject matter, the indication of the direction may
also be displayed with the option of all the possible directions (East, North-East,
North, North-West, West, South-West,. South, South-East) on the liquid crystal
display, as evident from FIG. 3B. Functionally, if the vehicle 100 is moving towards
North direction, the indicator of N will get displayed on the liquid crystal panel 110
in the vehicle information display instrument 104 of the vehicles 100. Subsequently,
if the vehicle 100 is moving in South direction, the indicator of S gets displayed on
the liquid crystal panel110, and so on in other directions.
FIG. 4 illustrates an electronic circuit structure that operates the functioning
of the compass 106 and the display of the position/direction of the motor cycle 100,
in an embodiment of the present subject matter. The electronic circuit structure
illustrates a battery powered ignition switch which when turned therein with an
ignition key (not shown) activates an engine (not shown) of the motor cycle 100. The
electronic circuit structure is provided with an interface that refine and supply a
regulated voltage of 5 V (from the battery supplying a voltage of 13 V) to a
microcontroller 112 provided with the electronic circuit structure of the vehicle
information display instrument 104 in the vehicles 100. The electronic circuit
structure receives signals from a magneto-impedance sensor 114 (hereinafter may be
referred as MI sensor) to capture the position and/or direction of the motor cycle 100
in analog form, in an embodiment of the present subject matter. The magnetoimpedance
sensor 114 is a next generation geometric sensor that adopt an MI element
116 (please refer FIG. 5) using a special amorphous wire 118. The MI element 116 is
provided with a front end that integrates a high accuracy Analog to Digital converter
that limits the effects of noise to one-seventh of the level of conventional sources, in
an embodiment of the present subject matter. This reduces the azimuth detection
accuracy error to less than± 0.3%. In other words, the analog signals as received by
the magneto-impedance sensor 114 are converted into digital form (by an Analog to
Digital converter) that are subsequently fed to the microcontroller 112, in an
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IPD D~LHI 25-Dl-2818 17 43
embodiment of the present subject matter. Thereafter, the microcontroller 112 decides
the pattern of the display of the position/direction ofthe motor cycle 100.
Operationally, if the vehicle is moving in South direction, the MI sensor 114
senses the direction towards which the vehicle 100 is moving and subsequently
convey the same to the micro-controller 112. The microcontroller 112 decides the
pattern (circularly shaped compass, semi-circularly shaped compass, single alphabetic
indication in LCD, or multiple alphabetic indication in LCD) of the display of the
direction of the moving vehicle, in a preferred embodiment of the present subject
matter. The same direction is displayed on the vehicle information display instrument
104 accordingly.
The vehicle information display instrument provided with the compass
according to the present subject matter advantageously facilitates the provision of the
magnetic compass in the vehicle information display instrument of the vehicles. The
presence of such magnetic compass diminishes the unnecessary requirements of
networks such as 3G, 4G, WiFi and the like to be enabled for the its navigation
system to work. Similarly, there is no compulsory requirement of tower range for any
cellphone for said device also. Therefore, the compass in the vehicle information
display instrument is Gomparatively safer if its crash during the journey is concerned.
Moreover, one does not need the compass provided with the vehicle information
display instrument to be powered with regular electric charge. In a unique advantage
of the present subject matter, the compass in the vehicle information display
instrument is provided with MI sensors that possesses increased sensitivities by over
one million times as compared to the conventional geometric sensors. Additionally,
the presence of the said MI element reduces the azimuth detection accuracy error to
less than ± 0.3%. The said MI element ensures superior accuracy, even with fewer
sensing operations, enabling a significant reduction in the amount of power required
for processing the operation. Also, the compass in the vehicle information display
instrument is located at a position comfortable to the rider also. Thus, the overall
arrangement is less costly too. In other words, the rider can enjoy a hassle-free travel
even in remote areas without the requirement of cellphone, tower, network, internet
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LPD DtLHL 25-Bl-2016 17 43
connection, etc with the advantages of reliability, less cost, customer's satisfaction,
and the like.
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. A vehicle information display instrument 104 for automotive vehicles 100
compnsmg:
a compass 106 provided in the vehicle information display instrument 104;
uri electronic circuit structure governing the. operation of the compass 106
compnsmg:
a Magneto-Impedance sensor 114 to sense the position/location of the
moving vehicle 100;
·a micro-controller 112 to receive the signals from the MagnetoImpedance
sensor 114 to decide the pattern of display of the direction
of the moving vehicle 100;
a liquid crystal panel 110 to display the pattern decided by the
microcontroller 112;
wherein the direction of the movmg vehicle 100 is analogously and/or
digitally displayed in the vehicle information display instrument 104 of the
moving vehicle 100.
2. The vehicle information display instrument 104 for automotive vehicles 100 as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the analogous compass 106 is illuminated by a light
introduced into a compass bowl 120 through the lamp provided in the ~ehicle
information display instrument 104 of the vehicles 100.
3. The vehicle information display instrument 104 for automotive vehicles 100 as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the compass 106 is circularly and semi-circularly
shaped.
4. The vehicle information display instrument 104 for automotive vehicles 100 as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the direction of the moving vehicle 100 is displayed
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LPO DELHL 25-81-2018 17 43
in· a single alphabetic indicating panel 110 (E or W or N or S) of the liquid
crystal display.
5. The vehicle information display instrument 104 for automotive vehicles as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the direction of the moving vehicle 100 is displayed
in a multiple alphabetic indicating panel 110 (E and NE and W and NW and N
and SE and S and SW) of the liquicl ~ryst(ll display in the vehicle information
display instrument 104.
6. The vehicle information display instrument 104 for automotive vehicles 100 as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the Magneto-Impedance sensor 114 senses the
direction of the moving vehicle 100 in analog form which is converted to digital
form by a Analog to Digital converter.
7. The vehicle information display instrument 104 for automotive vehicles 100 as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the Magneto-Impedance sensor 114 includes an MI
element 116 that reduces the azimuth detection accuracy error to less than ±
0.3%.
8. The vehicle information display instrument 104 for automotive vehicles 100 as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the MI element 116 is provided with a high sensitive
amorphous wire 118.