FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10; rule 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION GEAR UPSHIFT DOWNSHIFT INDICATION SYSTEM
APPLICANTS
TATA MOTORS LIMITED,
an Indian company
having its registered office at Bombay House,
24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk,
Mumbai 400 001 Maharashtra, India
INVENTORS
Mr. Dattatray Rajaram Katkar, Mr. Deepak Suryakant Kulkarni, Mr. Rajesh Vilaslal
Bhandari, Mr. Anil Kumar Dwivedi, Mr. Chetan Padamsing Shevgan, Mr. Kanishk
Rajesh Mishra all are Indian nationals
of TATA MOTORS LIMITED,
an Indian company having its registered office
at Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk,
Mumbai 400 001 Maharashtra, India
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which
it is to be performed

FIELD OF INVENTION:
The present invention relates to gear upshift downshift indicating device for vehicles. More particularly, it relates a device that indicates downshifting to prevent valve train failure. It also incorporates an LED indication mechanism for giving signal to the driver for optimum downshift, thus providing a mechanism for engine protection.
BACKGROUND:
With the advent of the 20r century, the transportation and logistics requirements have been increasing at a whirlwind pace. This has led to an ever increasing number of vehicles plying on the road. The increased vehicle density, leads to congestion on the roads and hence the number of gearshifts increase for a particular journey.
The timing and the choice of the correct gear for an optimum engine and vehicle speed is decided mostly as per the experience of the driver. If the gearshift, particularly downshift, is not timed properly, this can lead to the damage of the valve-train components and consequentially damage to the engine. Gearshift indicator is the user informative interface system between the driver and the vehicle. Typically, gearshift indicator system assists the driver by indicating current gear used and also recommends gearshift (upshift/downshift) based on powertrain and vehicle running data. The vehicle gear downshift results in increase in engine speed. At times, the engine downshift is also used while braking. In such a case, if the gear downshift happens early, the engine speed may exceed fly-up speed and even cross the safe operating speed for the valve train. In such a case, a valve train failure may occur resulting in costly engine repairs / replacement.
One Prior art discloses a digital control system for an automatic transmission and, especially to provide for better matching of gear changing to actual operating condition of the entire drivetrain, or drive system, and preferably additionally permitting matching of the control system to specific engines and transmissions without essential difficulty. Briefly, the system comprises a memory, which stores gear change characteristics functions relating output speed of the transmission and loading on the engine to suitable gear selection in the transmission. A digital logic circuit is

connected to the memory, which compares actual sensed operating data with the characteristics stored in the memory and, upon sensing that a position is reached when gear changing should be initiated, triggers a controller to effect such gear changing. The system permits storing the characteristics in the memory which permit optimum gear changing, so that the transmission will change gears actually under optimum conditions. The specific load-speed characteristics of the motor which are stored in the memory can be matched to the particular motor with which the system is used. Changing the memory, or re-programming the memory, permits changing the characteristics which are stored and on which the operating comparisons are based, so that the system can readily be matched to any desired engine. The system can be instrumented as a microprocessor having a data processing system including a control unit, a logic unit, a data exchange unit, and buffer storage means. Protective and safety devices and systems can be provided which permit or ensure operation of the system even if portions of the electronic control systems have failed.
Another prior art, discloses to a method and an apparatus designed to assist the driver of a motor vehicle. The apparatus includes a calculator which is connected to an engine speed sensor, an engine fuel flow sensor, and a transmission speed sensor. The output of the calculator is displayed on an audio/visual display panel. The said apparatus defines the operating range of the engine on the load/speed diagram; it also indicates shifting to a different gear, whenever desirable, in order to minimize the vehicle's fuel consumption. The purpose of the invention is to provide a method and an apparatus which provides the required information by comparing the actual operating conditions of the engine with the desirable operating conditions, and indicates the action required to bring the engine back to the desirable operating conditions. Accordingly, the method designed to assist the driver of a motor vehicle, specifically includes the following operations: it measures the engine speed and load; it defines the operating range of the engine on the load/speed diagram; it defines the various possible positions of the operating range with reference to the areas of equal fuel consumption on the load/speed diagram, and it also indicates the possibility of using other gear-ratios. The method may also suggest switching gears and indicate the recommended gearratio.
According to another aspect of the prior art, no indication appears whenever the actual operating range of the engine is optimized. If another operating range is more desirable, a light and/or a

sound warning is activated to indicate that a gear shift is desirable and, in this case, an indication is given recommending the use of a higher gear or a lower gear. Also the prior art deals with indications control and automatic system built in the transmission. The said apparatus required for the implementation of the invented method of prior art, specifically includes engine speed and fuel flow sensors, a transmission speed sensor, a calculator for the processing of the data supplied by the sensors, and an audio/visual display. The sensor used to measure the engine speed is a tachometric alternator driven by the camshaft of the engine.
According to another variation of the prior art, the fuel flow and engine speed sensors consist of only an injection pressure sensor which is connected to a fuel injection pump.
Another prior art discloses a hybrid vehicle with fuel cells and an engine mounted thereon as energy output sources. The technique of the prior art adequately changes a working energy output source according to a driving state of the hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle has the engine and a motor, both enabling power to be output to an axle. The hybrid vehicle also has fuel cells as a main electric power supply for driving the motor. The technique of the said prior art changes the working energy output source between the fuel cells and the engine, in order to reduce the output of the fuel cells with consumption of a fuel for the fuel cells. With a decrease in remaining quantity of the fuel, the said technique narrows a specific driving range, in which the motor is used as the power source. The technique also causes the engine to drive the motor as a generator and charges a battery not with electric power of the fuel cells but with electric power generated by the motor. This arrangement effectively prevents the fuel for the fuel cells from being excessively consumed in one driving mode. The fuel cells can thus be used preferentially in a specific driving state of the hybrid vehicle where the fuel cells have a high efficiency.
Another Patent application discloses a data storage device which provides records of vehicle operation data suited to give more precise instructions for safety operation by means of measures against sudden acceleration and deceleration. A shift position detection means detects the shift positions of the transmission of a vehicle. A write means, by which vehicle speed data obtained from measurements made at every fixed interval and converted into digital data are written into a storage means 4, writes shift information in time series in the storage means, the shift information showing the shift positions detected by the shift position detection means. Alternately,

if a second gear start detection means detects the start of the vehicle while a second gear shift position detection means detects a second gear shift position, the write means writes the time of the start at the second gear or the number of times of the start at the second gear in the storage means. Fig 1 shows a conventional speedometer in instrument cluster on a vehicle. The main function of the instrument cluster is to inform the driver about the operating conditions pertaining to the vehicle and the engine. Instrument cluster behaves as the single point of contact between the vehicle and the driver. Information such as malfunction in the engine, engine overheat, odometer, fuel left, coolant level, battery condition etc. is provided by the cluster.
The conventional cluster is analog indication of vehicle speed in km/h to the driver. The instrument cluster receives vehicle speed signal from vehicle speed sensor fitted on gear box. The instrument cluster is having vehicle speed range from 0 to 100 km/h with interval of lOkm/h. The gear shift depends mainly upon the following parameters: -
1. Engine speed; and
2. Vehicle speed.
In case of ECU controlled engines, these inputs are available through EMS system sensors. For non-ECU engines, the required inputs of engine speed, accelerator pedal position etc. is not available. In conventional instrument cluster, there is no provision provided for gear shift indication for non-ECU engines. Hence, there is requirement to introduce such a system which can indicate gear shifting for non-ECU engines as well. The present invention provides a gearshift indication system for non-ECU controlled vehicles, but not limited to non-ECU controlled engines only.
OBJECT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION:
The main object of the present invention is to obviate at least one of the above mentioned
drawbacks.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for indicating gear shift in the
vehicle.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device for indicating appropriate gear
downshift in the vehicle to prevent damage to valve train.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device for indicating gear shift in the
vehicle via LED mechanism for giving signal to driver for optimum downshift, thereby providing a
mechanism for engine protection.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that compares the gear currently
engaged with a gear better suited for use based on vehicle speed in line with the vehicle
manufacturers' recommendations.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device to preempt better gear usage that
can be retrofitted in in-use vehicles.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a simple and cost effective device to
provide the indication to the vehicle driver regarding the appropriate gear to be used at all the
times.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for indicating gear downshift in the
vehicle to prevent damage to valve train where the vehicle may be an ECU controlled vehicle or
non ECU controlled vehicle.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION:
The present invention relates to a gear upshift downshift indication system and method for operating the same. The method for indicating gearshift comprises steps of (a) receiving input for current vehicle speed; (b) receiving input for current engine speed (Ev); (c) calculating gear ratio based upon current vehicle and engine speeds; (d) comparing the vehicle and engine speeds with a predetermined speed; and (e) generating visual signals based upon the above comparison.
The system comprises a micro-controller (33) coupled to speedometer (34) and alternator (32) so as to receive input parameters. The said system require current vehicle speed and engine speed (Ev) as input parameters. The speedometer provides current vehicle speed input parameter and the alternator provides current engine speed (Ev) parameter. The micro-controller (33) comprises a memory and a processor. The memory is provided with predetermined data or recommended data for engine speeds, vehicle speeds corresponding to each gear shift. The memory also provided with a predetermined data for critical engine speed (Ec), safe operating speed limit for valve train (Es) such that Es>Ec.

A first LED set is connected with the micro-controller so as to provide output signal to the driver. The first LED set comprises three LEDs of different colors i.e. Green, Yellow and Red. The Green LED indicates the current engine speed Ev of the vehicle is within the recommended critical engine speed i.e. EvEc, but lesser than the safe operating speed limit for valve train, i.e. EvEs. After three successful drive cycle, if the Red LED stops to illuminate, then it indicates the valve train is operable and valve train failure not occurred. However, if the Red LED continues to illuminate even after three drive cycles, then it indicates the valve train failure occurred. The memory stores the data for engine speed that whether the current engine speed exceeds the recommended safe operating speed limit for valve train i.e. Ev>Es. The memory also stores distance travelled by the vehicle. Such data helps in warranty claim settlement for the vehicle.
A second LED set is provided on the speedometer on instrument cluster to indicate correct/incorrect gear shifts. The second LED set comprises two LEDs of different colors i.e. Green and Red.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The present invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Figure 1 shows a conventional speedometer of vehicle of prior art.
Figure 2 shows schematic diagram of the gear upshift downshift indication system coupled with the vehicle speedometer and alternator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 shows gear downshift indication for wrong gear shifting i.e. from 4th gear to 2nd gear, in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 shows Flow chart for gear shift indication, in accordance with another embodiment of the
present invention.
Figure 5 shows various conditions depicting respective indications on the cluster for an exemplary
illustration of the embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION:
The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the present invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the present invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the present invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention.
Referring to the drawings wherein the descriptions are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting the same.
Accordingly the present invention provides a method and a system for the indication of the correct gear required on a particular speed while driving especially during downshifts of gear. The said system for indicating gearshift in a vehicle comprising a microcontroller (33) coupled to receive input signal at least for current vehicle speed and engine speed (Ev) captured from an engine with or without ECU, the said micro-controller comprises a memory and a processor to calculate gear ratio based on current engine speed (Ev) and vehicle speed and to compare the current engine

speed (Ev) with predetermined engine speed for a safe operating speed limit for valve-train
corresponding to a gearshift, and sends output signal based upon the above comparison; a first
LED set coupled with microcontroller so as to receive output signal from microcontroller to
generate a visual signal, and a second LED set coupled with micro-controller so as to indicate
correct / incorrect gear shift of the vehicle.
In one aspect of the present invention, the microcontroller is coupled to receive input signal for
vehicle speed from the speedometer of the instrument cluster and to receive input signal for engine
speed from alternator coupled with the engine of the vehicle.
In one more aspect of the present invention, the memory is provided with the predetermined data
related to the vehicle speeds and engine speeds for safe operating speeds limit for valve-train
corresponding to plurality of gearshifts and the memory stores the data.
In another aspect of the present invention, the first LED set comprises one or more LEDs of different colors located on the instrument cluster thereby providing visual signals to indicate whether the engine speed is within predetermined engine speed for the safe operating speed of the valve-train.
In still another aspect of the present invention, at least one LED is provided in first LED set to indicate whether the valve-train failure occurred.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, the second LED set comprises one or more LEDs of different colors located on the speedometer thereby providing visual signals to indicate correct or incorrect gearshift.
In further aspect of the present invention, a method for indicating gearshift comprises steps of receiving input for current vehicle speed; receiving input for current engine speed (Ev); comparing the current vehicle and engine speeds with a predetermined speed; calculating gear ratio based upon current vehicle and engine speeds; generating visual signals based upon the above comparison.
In furthermore aspect of the present invention, the input for current vehicle speed is received from speedometer and the input for engine speed (Ev) is received from alternator coupled with the engine of the vehicle.

In another aspect of the present invention, the comparison and calculation of gear ratio is performed by micro-controller, wherein the micro-controller stores the predetermined data related to vehicle speeds and engine speeds, compares predetermined speeds data with the current engine speed and vehicle speed data for vehicle whether the vehicle is operated at a recommended engine speed or beyond the recommended engine speed range, and calculates the gear ratio.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the microcontroller upon calculating the gear ratio for the current vehicle speed and engine speed provides output to generate visual signals.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a first LED set comprising a predetermined number and colors of LEDs illuminating to generate visual signals to indicate whether the engine speed is within predetermined critical engine speed or safe operating speed limit of the valve-train (Ec and Es).
In further aspect of the present invention, a first LED of first LED set illuminates if the current engine speed Ev is lesser than recommended critical engine speed Ec, a second LED illuminates if the current engine speed Ev is greater than recommended critical engine speed Ec and lesser than the safe operating speed for valve train Es and a third LED illuminates if the current engine speed Ev is greater than the safe operating speed for valve train Es.
In furthermore aspect of the present invention, the second LED of first LED set continue to illuminate for a predetermined successive drive cycles or downshifts and discontinue to illuminate after the predetermined successive drive cycles or downshifts if the engine speed Ev of the vehicle is operated within recommended critical engine speed Ec.
In another aspect of the present invention, the third LED of first LED set continues to illuminate for a predetermined successive drive cycles, which discontinues to illuminate after the predetermined successive drive cycles to indicate the valve-train is in operable condition and the LED continues to illuminate after the predetermined successive drive cycles to indicate the valve-train failure is occurred.
In still another aspect of the present invention, a second LED set comprising at least two LEDs illuminates to generate visual signals to indicate whether the gearshift is correct or incorrect.

The gear upshift downshift indication system of present invention at least depends upon the following inputs parameters :-
1. Engine speed; and
2. Vehicle speed.
It is noteworthy that even though the prior arts detect the gear engaged and predict the gear to be used but it does not take into account the running in period and gear shift recommendations during this period. The engine running in period is also important from reducing engine friction and the engine is likely to get damaged if the engine speeds are not maintained during this period. Also, the novelty of this patent lies in providing prediction for correct downshift so as to prevent the failure of the valvetrain. Further, the present invention is retrofittable. The system of present invention comprises a micro-controller. The said micro-controller is at least coupled to the speedometer in order to receive input parameter for vehicle speed. The micro-controller is also coupled to the alternator in order to receive input parameter for engine speed according to an embodiment of the present invention. The said micro-controller comprises a memory and a processor. The memory is provided as a provision to monitor the cumulative distance travelled which is stored in the memory. The memory is provided with a predetermined speed data corresponding to each gearshift. The processor compares the input parameters with the stored data and calculates the gear to be used based upon the current engine speed and vehicle speed. Thereafter, the micro-controller sends corresponding signal to a first LED set (35), connected with micro-controller to generate output signal for engine speed for a gear shift.
Fig 2 shows the schematic diagram of the system of the present invention. Referring to fig 2, the system comprises of a micro-controller (33) coupled with the speedometer (34) of the instrument cluster, alternator (32) and first LED set according to an embodiment of the present invention. The engine (31) of the vehicle drives the alternator (32) preferably through belt drive. The microcontroller (33) receives alternator frequency as input parameter so as to calculate the engine speed. The micro-controller (33) also receives vehicle speed as input parameter from the speedometer of the instrument cluster. Based on the vehicle speed and engine speed inputs, the micro-controller calculates the appropriate gear ratio to be used.

The micro-controller also checks for the optimum gear ratio which is in line with the manufacturer's recommendations (for example as depicted in Tables 1 and 2). The correct gear ratio is indicated to the driver via corresponding LED illumination on a second set of LED on the speedometer. The signal for engine speed for the correct gear ratio is indicated by the first LED set. The first LED set comprises three LEDs of different color i.e. Green, Yellow and Red. The numbers and color of LEDs incorporated herein are for the purpose of merely understanding the concept of the present invention. It may be contemplated that the number and color of LEDs are not limited as described herein, but can be changed as per the requirement. The first LED set is provided on the instrument cluster, below the speedometer according to an embodiment of the present invention. The first LED set is connected to the micro-controller to received signal for generating output or illuminating corresponding LED. Out of the three LEDs of first LED set, first LED i.e. Green LED represents the engine speed range up to the recommended fly up speed and gives information about the vehicle that the vehicle is operating in safe speed limit. Second LED of first LED set, i.e. Yellow LED indicates that the engine speed is above the recommended fly-up speed but below safe operating limit for valve train. Third LED of first LED set i.e. Red LED indicates the engine speeds above the safe operating limit for valve train.
The engine speeds up to fly-up are encountered within normal driving operation of the vehicle. The engine speeds above fly up speed are encountered when vehicle drives the engine (at a particular speed and suddenly) or a wrong gear downshift takes place. In other words, it can be said that the vehicle is being driven at normal speed but suddenly a gear downshift operation happens, then the engine speed may exceeds than the recommended fly up speed for that particular gear ratio. This can be better understand with the data provided in Table 1 and 2 which show exemplary recommendation for maximum vehicle speed pertaining to a particular gear ratio during vehicle operation. The data is divided into two parts,
i. Gear change during initial running in 1000 kms. (Table 1)
ii. Gear change during normal driving conditions. (Table 2)
The feature to note here is that the micro-controller takes into account the gear change for both, i.e. for the initial running in period and the period after that. This is an additional feature as the vehicle speed and hence the gear change for the running-in period is different viz a viz normal driving condition.

The below tables give information about maximum engine speed for each gear, which is used as an input for the micro-processor.

RUNNING - IN 1000 kms
GEAR
SPEED LIMIT km/hr 1 2 3 4

10 15 30 45
Table 1. Maximum Recommended Speed during Running in 1000 Kms

S.No. Gear Max Vehicle Speed (in Km/hr)
1 1st Gear to 2nd Gear 10
2 2nd Gear to 3rd Gear 20
3 3rd Gear to 4th Gear 38
Table 2. Maximum Recommended Speed for Gear Change
Referring to Fig 3, the speedometer is provided with plurality of LED. The speedometer in Fig 3 shows various slots defining speed limit for a particular gear ratio. Each slot comprises at least the second LED set. The second LED set comprises two LEDs of different colors i.e. Green and Red. The second LED set generates the signal for correct/incorrect gear ratio. As depicted in Fig 3, the speedometer shows / illustrates indication for wrong downshift of the gear. This Fig. 3 shows example for wrong downshift of the gear, as the vehicle is downshifted from 4th gear to directly 2nd gear due to which the engine speed rises suddenly. The microprocessor compares this current engine speed with the maximum engine speed stored therein for the 2nd gear. When the current engine speed crosses maximum engine speed limit for 2nd gear, the Red LED in 2nd gear slot gets illuminated. This gives information to the driver for wrong down shift of the gear. At the same

time Green LED in 3 rd gear slot get illuminated, which gives information to the driver that the appropriate gear ratio for the current speed is 3rd gear. Further, in this case, as the engine speed is above the recommended fly up speed, but within the safe operating limit for valve train, therefore the Yellow LED of first LED set also illuminates. The Yellow LED remain illuminated for three drive cycles according to an embodiment of the present invention. If driver successfully operates the vehicle in the range as recommended for the Green LED, for three consecutive drive cycles, then the Yellow LED stops to illuminate.
Fig 4 shows the flowchart for the gear upshift and downshift indication system. The algorithm incorporated in the controller calculates the gear ratio based on the engine speed and the vehicle speed. An indication for correct/incorrect gear is provided on the instrument cluster by the illumination of corresponding LED of second LED set. The correct gear shift is indicated by GREEN color LED and the wrong gear shift is indicated by RED color LED. Further, the algorithm also compares the vehicle engine speed (Ev) with respect to the engine speed limits i.e. critical engine RPM limit or fly up speed (Ec) and safe engine RPM limit or safe operating speed limit for valve train (Es) and illuminates the corresponding LED of first LED set i.e. Green/Yellow/ Red LED accordingly.
It is noteworthy to mention that the system of the present invention is provided with a memory in micro-controller for storing the engine speed data and the distance travelled by the vehicle. The memory stores the engine speed data such as, whether the vehicle is operated within the recommended engine speed zones, or how many times the vehicle is operated beyond the recommended engine speed. The memory store the distance travelled by the vehicle. Until the vehicle travels the recommended distance or Running in kilometers (for example 1000 Kms), the processor compares the engine speed data with the data recommended for this range of distance i.e. Running in condition. After completion of travel of the recommended distance or Running in kilometers, the processor compares the input parameters (i.e. engine and vehicle speed) with Normal Running conditions. Such stored data may be useful in warranty claim settlement for the vehicle.

Fig 5 shows various conditions depicting respective indications on the cluster for an exemplary illustration of the embodiments of the present invention. The various condition/case wise description is provided herebelow:
Case 1: In this case, the gear is downshifted from 3r gear to directly 1st gear with engine speed in critical zone i.e. Ev>Ec. The micro-controller compares the current engine speed with the maximum engine speed for 1st gear. According to the data stored in the micro-controller, the current vehicle speed is greater than the maximum engine speed recommended for the 1st gear but lesser than the maximum engine speed for the 2nd gear. Therefore, the second LED set gives indication for wrong downshift by illuminating Red LED in 1st gear slot and suggests 2nd gear as appropriate for the current vehicle speed by illuminating Green LED in 2n gear slot. This gives indication to the driver for appropriate gear for corresponding engine speed. Also, due to this inappropriate gear downshift, there is sudden rise in the engine speed (EcEs) for this gear downshift, therefore, the Red LED of the first LED set illuminates. The Red LED remain illuminated for three drive cycles according to an embodiment of the present invention. If driver successfully operates the vehicle in the range as recommended for the Green LED for three consecutive drive cycles, then the RED LED stops to illuminate. If the Red LED stops illuminating, this indicates the valve train is in operable condition. However, if the Red LED

continues to illuminates even after three cycles, this indicates the valve train failure occurred in the vehicle and the engine does not start. In such circumstances, the driver needs to go to the concerned authorized workshop/dealer for necessary repairing/maintenance of the vehicle. In this way, the data stored for the conditions which cause the Red LED illuminates, can be used as a tool for warranty claim settlement for the vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Case 3: In this case, the gear is downshifted from 4th gear to 3rd gear within the recommended engine speed. Therefore, this is an example of correct gear downshift. Since the gear shift is done correctly, only Green LED of second LED set in 3rd gear slot glows.
Case 4: In this case, the gear is downshifted from 4th gear to directly 2nd gear with engine speed in critical zone. The micro-controller compares the current engine speed with the maximum engine speed for 2nd gear.
According to the data stored in the micro-controller, the current vehicle speed is greater than the maximum engine speed recommended for the 2nd gear but lesser than the maximum engine speed for the 3 rd gear. Therefore, the second LED set gives indication for wrong downshift by illuminating Red LED in 2n gear slot and suggests 3 rd gear as appropriate for the current vehicle speed by illuminating Green LED in 3 rd gear slot. This gives indication to the driver for appropriate gear for corresponding engine speed.
Also, due to this inappropriate gear downshift, there is sudden rise in the engine speed (EcEs). The microcontroller compares the current engine speed with the maximum engine speed for 2n gear. According to the data stored in the micro-controller, the current vehicle speed is greater than the maximum engine speed recommended for the 2nd gear but lesser than the maximum engine speed

for the 3rd gear. Therefore, the second LED set gives indication for wrong downshift by illuminating Red LED in 2nd gear slot and suggests 3rd gear as appropriate for the current vehicle speed by illuminating Green LED in 3 rd gear slot. This gives indication to the driver for appropriate gear for corresponding engine speed.
As the engine speed is more than the safe operating limit for valve train (Ev>Es) for this gear downshift, therefore, the Red LED of the first LED set illuminates. The Red LED remain illuminated for three drive cycles similar to as described in case 2. The repetition of the matter is avoided here for the brevity of the description and to avoid the unnecessary repetition of the same description.
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the
0
indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number

(e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

We claim:
1. A system for indicating gearshift in a vehicle comprising:
a microcontroller (33) coupled to receive input signal at least for current vehicle
speed and engine speed (Ev) captured from an engine with or without ECU, the
said micro-controller comprises a memory and a processor to calculate gear ratio
based on current engine speed (Ev) and vehicle speed and to compare the current
engine speed (Ev) with predetermined engine speed for a safe operating speed
limit for valve-train corresponding to a gearshift, and sends output signal based
upon the above comparison;
a first LED set coupled with microcontroller so as to receive output signal from
microcontroller to generate a visual signal, and
a second LED set coupled with micro-controller so as to indicate correct /
incorrect gear shift of the vehicle.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is coupled to receive input signal for vehicle speed from the speedometer of the instrument cluster and to receive input signal for engine speed from alternator coupled with the engine of the vehicle.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the memory is provided with the predetermined data related to the vehicle speeds and engine speeds for safe operating speeds limit for valve-train corresponding to plurality of gearshifts and the memory stores the data.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first LED set comprises one or more LEDs of different colors located on the instrument cluster thereby providing visual signals to indicate whether the engine speed is within predetermined engine speed for the safe operating speed of the valve-train.
5. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least one LED is provided in first LED set to indicate whether the valve-train failure occurred.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second LED set comprises one or more LEDs of different colors located on the speedometer thereby providing visual signals to indicate correct or incorrect gearshift.

7. A method for indicating gearshift comprises steps of:
receiving input for current vehicle speed;
receiving input for current engine speed (Ev);
comparing the current vehicle and engine speeds with a predetermined speed;
calculating gear ratio based upon current vehicle and engine speeds;
generating visual signals based upon the above comparison.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the input for current vehicle speed is received from speedometer and the input for engine speed (Ev) is received from alternator coupled with the engine of the vehicle.
9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the comparison and calculation of gear ratio is performed by micro-controller, (a) the micro-controller stores the predetermined data related to vehicle speeds and engine speeds, compares predetermined speeds data with the current engine speed and vehicle speed data for vehicle whether the vehicle is operated at a recommended engine speed or beyond the recommended engine speed range, and (b) calculates the gear ratio.
10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the microcontroller upon calculating the gear ratio for the current vehicle speed and engine speed provides output to generate visual signals.
11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein a first LED set comprising a predetermined number and colors of LEDs illuminating to generate visual signals to indicate whether the engine speed is within predetermined critical engine speed or safe operating speed limit of the valve-train (Ec and Es).
12. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein a first LED of first LED set illuminates if the current engine speed Ev is lesser than recommended critical engine speed Ec, a second LED illuminates if the current engine speed Ev is greater than recommended critical engine speed Ec and lesser than the safe operating speed for valve train Es and a third LED illuminates if the current engine speed Ev is greater than the safe operating speed for valve train Es.
13. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the second LED of first LED set continue to illuminate for a predetermined successive drive cycles or downshifts and discontinue to

illuminate after the predetermined successive drive cycles or downshifts if the engine speed Ev of the vehicle is operated within recommended critical engine speed Ec.
14. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the third LED of first LED set continues to illuminate for a predetermined successive drive cycles, which discontinues to illuminate after the predetermined successive drive cycles to indicate the valve-train is in operable condition and the LED continues to illuminate after the predetermined successive drive cycles to indicate the valve-train failure is occurred.
15. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein a second LED set comprising at least two LEDs illuminates to generate visual signals to indicate whether the gearshift is correct or incorrect.