DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to automotive lighting and more particularly, to a lamp assembly of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

With the ever-growing traffic on roads, it is relevant to ensure safe driving conditions. In fact, in the recent past, a significant growth and development is witnessed in the automotive industry focusing on safety of the drivers. Lamps, of course, play a major role in providing visibility to a vehicle on road, particularly, during the night. Various types of lamps are nowadays available in the market for different vehicles.

Conventional lamps for two-wheelers are generally formed by assembling one or more light sources, such as small capacity bulbs, on a panel. When a lamp is switched-on, all the light sources are activated to illuminate. Similarly, when the lamp is switched-off, all the light sources are simultaneously deactivated. In certain circumstances, such lamps hold more significance when used as a rear-lamp of a two-wheeler as they ensure that the two-wheeler is visible to vehicles approaching from behind.

Currently, notifications or indications that can be provided to other drivers on the road by using the existing lamps are limited. Therefore, the light sources can be used to indicate few signs to the other drivers. For example, such lamps are adapted to illuminate only when brakes of the vehicle are applied, for example, to display “STOP” function. Therefore, such lamps are not developed to be used as a taillight for a vehicle.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a lamp assembly of a vehicle is disclosed. The lamp assembly includes a High Definition (HD) screen, a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), and a controller in communication with the HD screen and the plurality of LEDs. The controller is adapted to receive a user input indicative of selection of a pattern to be displayed. The pattern is selected from one of a predefined plurality of patterns. The controller is adapted to activate at least one of the HD screen and the plurality of LEDs to display the pattern.

To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram depicting operation of a lamp assembly of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 2 illustrates a flow chart depicting the operation of the lamp assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

For example, the term “some” as used herein may be understood as “none” or “one” or “more than one” or “all.” Therefore, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would fall under the definition of “some.” It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and therefore, should not be construed to limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents in any way.

For example, any terms used herein such as, “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and similar grammatical variants do not specify an exact limitation or restriction, and certainly do not exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated. Further, such terms must not be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated, for example, by using the limiting language including, but not limited to, “must comprise” or “needs to include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language including, but not limited to, “there needs to be one or more...” or “one or more element is required.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of explaining one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the attached claims fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms including, but not limited to, “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or other variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or in the context of more than one embodiment, or in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should not necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the attached claims. The attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context of embodiments other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The present disclosure provides a High-Definition (HD) screen-equipped lamp assembly including an HD screen and a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) disposed around the HD screen. In an embodiment, the HD screen-equipped lamp assembly may be implemented as a tail or rear light of a two-wheeler vehicle. The LEDs and the HD screen together may act as a light source of the HD screen-equipped lamp assembly.

Further, a user may control operations of the HD screen-equipped lamp assembly through an application installed in a smart device, for example, a smartphone. The application may be connected to a microcontroller of the HD screen-equipped lamp assembly through a wireless technology, such as Bluetooth®. In an embodiment, the user may select a pattern to be displayed on the HD screen-equipped lamp assembly by using the application. Accordingly, the microcontroller may control activation of the HD screen to display the selected pattern. In an embodiment, the user may select the pattern based on his/her mood.

Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram depicting operation of a High-Definition (HD) screen-equipped lamp assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The HD screen-equipped lamp assembly 100 is hereinafter referred to as the lamp assembly 100. In an embodiment, the lamp assembly 100 may be implemented as a tail or rear light of a two-wheeler vehicle.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lamp assembly 100 may include, but is not limited to, a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) 102, an HD screen 104, and a controller 108 in communication with the LEDs 102 and the HD screen 104. The controller 108 may be a microcontroller and may therefore be referred to as the microcontroller 108, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The controller 108 may be adapted to receive a user input indicative of selection of a pattern to be displayed. The pattern may be selected from one of a predefined plurality of patterns. Further, based on the user input, the controller 108 may be adapted to activate at least one of the HD screen 104 and the LEDs 102 to display the pattern.

In an embodiment, the lamp assembly 100 may also include an Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) - Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) filter 106, a pattern selector switch 110, a speed sensor 112, and an application 114 to instruct the microcontroller 108 for operating the HD screen 104. The pattern selector switch 110, the speed sensor 112, and the application 114 may be in communication with the controller 108.

In an embodiment, a constant power supply is ensured for the components of the lamp assembly 100. The power supply to the lamp assembly 100 may be provided with a reverse polarity protection and a transient voltage protection. Further, the EMI-EMC filter 106 may be adapted to filter the power supplied to the lamp assembly 100 to eliminate any interfering electromagnetic noise.

In an embodiment, the LEDs 102 may be positioned to surround the HD screen 104. The LEDs 102 and the HD screen 104 may act as a light source for the lamp assembly 100. In an embodiment, the LEDs 102 and the HD screen 104 may be operated in conjunction with each other to express emotions of a driver of the vehicle. For example, the LEDs 102 may operate whenever the HD screen 104 is activated. In another example, the LEDs 102 may be activated for the entire duration of operation of the vehicle, regardless of the activation of the HD screen 104.

In an embodiment, the driver may select a pattern to be displayed on the HD screen 104. In an embodiment, the driver may select the pattern through the pattern selector switch 110, for example, a push-type button. Therefore, the pattern selector switch 110 may be adapted to be operated by the user for selecting the pattern. In an embodiment, the pattern selector switch 110 may be provided at a handle of the two-wheeler vehicle.

Similarly, in another embodiment, the driver may select the pattern by using the application 114. The application 114 may be installed in a communication device, for example, a smartphone of the driver. The application 114 may be adapted to receive the user input indicative of the pattern to be displayed. The application 114 may allow the driver to select one of a plurality of patterns that can be displayed by activating the HD screen 104.

In an embodiment, the pattern selector switch 110 and the application 114 may be in communication with the microcontroller 108. In an embodiment, the application 114 may connect with the microcontroller 108 through wireless communication. In an embodiment, the wireless communication may be established over one of Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi. Based on the pattern selected by the driver by using either the pattern selector switch 110 or the application 114, the microcontroller 108 may control operation of the HD screen 104 to display the pattern for displaying the desired content. In an embodiment, the pattern may indicate a specific message to the fellow drivers, for example, “STOP”, “SLOWING DOWN”, and “TURN”.

In an embodiment, the sensing unit 112 may be adapted to detect at least one driving characteristic of the vehicle. The driving characteristic may be indicative of one of a speed of the vehicle, braking of the vehicle, and an operational mode of the vehicle. Based on the driving characteristic, the controller 108 may be adapted to activate at least one of the HD screen 104 and the LEDs 102 to display the pattern.

In an embodiment, the sensing unit 112 may detect details pertaining to the speed of the vehicle and share the details with the microcontroller 108. The pattern can be selected only when the vehicle is stationary. Therefore, based on the details received from the sensing unit 112, if the microcontroller 108 determines that the vehicle is in motion, the microcontroller 108 may not allow the user to select a pattern. It would ensure that the driver is not distracted in an attempt to select a pattern while riding the vehicle. In an embodiment, the pattern selector switch 110 may be deactivated when the vehicle is detected to be in motion. In an embodiment, the controller 108 may be adapted to receive the user input indicative of the selection of a new pattern, when the vehicle is stationary. Moreover, in an embodiment, the last selected pattern remains active unless changed by a user input.

In another embodiment, the lamp assembly 100 may be adapted to operate to display different patterns, based on different operational modes of the two-wheeler vehicle. For example, in a first operational mode of the two-wheeler vehicle, the lamp assembly 100 may be adapted to display a first pattern. Similarly, in a second operational mode, the lamp assembly 100 may be adapted to display a second pattern. Further, the lamp assembly 100 may derive the power from a battery of the two-wheeler.

Figure 2 illustrates a flow chart depicting a method 200 of operation of the lamp assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, constructional and operational details of the lamp assembly 100 that are already explained in the description of Figure 1 are not explained in the description of Figure 2.

At a block 202, the method 200 includes determining whether the IGNITION of the vehicle is ON. In an embodiment, when it is determined that the IGNITION is not ON, the method 200 branches to a block 204. At the block 204, the lamp assembly 100 is kept in a non-operating state. In another embodiment, when it is determined that the IGNITION is ON, the method 200 branches to a block 206. At the block 206, an existing pattern displayed on the lamp assembly 100 is indicated to the user. In an embodiment, the existing pattern may be indicated on a speedometer display of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the existing pattern may be indicated on the communication device of the user. In yet another embodiment, the existing pattern may be indicated on any other display of the vehicle.

When it is determined that the IGNITION is ON, in another embodiment, the method 200 branches to a block 208. At the block 208, the LEDs 102 of the lamp assembly 100 are switched ON.

When it is determined that the IGNITION is ON, in yet another embodiment, the method 200 branches to a block 210. At the block 210, an operational state of the vehicle is determined. In an embodiment, when it is determined that the vehicle is in running condition, the method 200 branches to a block 212. At the block 212, an existing pattern is displayed on the lamp assembly 100.

In another embodiment, at the block 210, when it is determined that the vehicle is stationary, the method 200 branches to a block 214 and a block 216. At the block 214 and the block 216, the method 200 includes monitoring the pattern selector switch 100 by detecting an input signal received from the pattern selector switch 100. In an embodiment, when no change is detected in the input signal, the method 200 branches to the block 212, where the existing pattern is displayed by the lamp assembly 100.

In another embodiment, when a state change is detected in the input signal, the method 200 branches to a block 218. At the block 218, a new pattern as indicated by the change in the input signal is displayed through the lamp assembly 100.

In the present disclosure, the lamp assembly 100 is explained with respect to implementation as the rear light of a two-wheeler vehicle. However, it should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the lamp assembly 100 can be used for other lights of the vehicle, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in an embodiment, the lamp assembly 100 may be used as a front position lamp (White or amber). Also, the lamp assembly 100 can be used for vehicles other that two-wheelers as well by making minor modification to the construction of the lamp assembly 100, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

As would be gathered, the lamp assembly 100 of the present disclosure allows for displaying of multiple patterns to express emotions of the driver or any operational detail of the vehicle, for example, the operational status, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Further, the lamp assembly 100 of the present disclosure offers flexibility to the driver in terms of the expression or emotion that he/she wants to convey to fellow drivers in the traffic. By using the HD screen 104, options to express the emotion are increased significantly. Further, since the existing pattern cannot be changed while the vehicle is in the running condition, it ensures that the user’s attention is not diverted while driving. Therefore, the present disclosure takes into consideration the safety of the user as well. Further, it allows the user to operate the lamp assembly 100 with a pattern that will draw minimum power from the battery, in case the battery is not healthy. Moreover, the user can switch between the patterns, based on his/her mood. Therefore, an overall operational cost of the vehicle may also be reduced.

While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.

,CLAIMS:1. A lamp assembly (100) of a vehicle comprising:
a High Definition (HD) screen (104);
a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) (102); and
a controller (108) in communication with the HD screen (104) and the plurality of LEDs (102), the controller (108) is adapted to:
receive a user input indicative of selection of a pattern to be displayed, wherein the pattern is selected from one of a predefined plurality of patterns; and
activate at least one of the HD screen (104) and the plurality of LEDs (102) to display the pattern.

2. The lamp assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a pattern selector switch (110) in communication with the controller (108) and adapted to be operated by a user for selecting the pattern.

3. The lamp assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising an application (114) installed in a communication device and in communication with the controller (108), the application (114) adapted to receive the user input indicative of the pattern to be displayed.

4. The lamp assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the application (114) is connected to the controller (108) through wireless communication

5. The lamp assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the wireless communication is established over one of Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi.

6. The lamp assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
a sensing unit (112) adapted to detect at least one driving characteristic of the vehicle, wherein the at least one driving characteristic is indicative of one of a speed of the vehicle, braking of the vehicle, and an operational mode of the vehicle; and
the controller (108) in communication with the sensing unit (112) and adapted to activate at least one of the HD screen (104) and the plurality of LEDs (102) to display the pattern, based on the at least one driving characteristic.

7. The lamp assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the controller (108) is adapted to receive the user input indicative of selection of a new pattern, when the vehicle is stationary.

8. The lamp assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pattern selector switch (110) is deactivated when the vehicle is detected to be in motion.

9. The lamp assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the last selected pattern remains active unless changed by a user input.

10. The lamp assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of LEDs (102) is positioned to surround the HD screen (104).