FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See section 10, rule 13)
“INFORMATION ASSISTANCE SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOBILES AND METHOD
THEREOF”
MINDA CORPORATION LIMITED, E-5/2, CHAKAN INDUSTRIAL AREA, PHASE-III M.I.D.C. NANEKARWADI, TAL.KHED, DIST. PUNE-410501
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
[0001] The present invention relates to field of automobiles. More particularly, the present
invention relates to a system and method for providing an information assistance for controlling the indictors of vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
[0002] Now a days, there exist numerous devices which may help a driver to identify the
correct route or navigation direction while driving a vehicle. These devices not only help in finding the correct route to the destination but also suggest the smallest route, nearby fuel stations, restaurants, hospitals, service centers etc. while moving towards the destination. However, all these devices suffer various limitations, such as some of these devices are not compatible with the screen mounted on the vehicles. Further, if these devices are compatible with the screen of the vehicle they do not monitor and control the vehicle driving parameters such as indicator/blinker etc., as a result the driver needs to keep a watch either on the device or the screen mounted on the vehicle which may lead to accidents.
[0003] Thus, there exist a need for a solution that meets the driving needs. In particular, a
system is required that may provide alert to the driver without looking into mobile screen while moving ahead towards destination. Accordingly, the present invention provides alert to the driver regarding the turns by switching on the corresponding indicator automatically so that the driver can take the necessary action based on the alert. In this way, looking in to the mobile/ device screen for the navigation directions can be avoided.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0004] Before the present system and method is described, it is to be understood that this
disclosure is not limited to the particular systems, and methodologies described, as there can be multiple possible embodiments of the present disclosure which are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosure. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0005] In an aspect, the present disclosure describes a method for information assistance.
The method, as discloses comprising step a. obtaining a route information from a navigation device. The method further discloses step b. analyzing said route information to detect a turn, wherein the turn is detected at a predetermined distance before said turn occurs. Step c. activating a flasher circuit to allow blinking of at least one indicator on analysing the turn, wherein the flasher circuit is configured to decide which indicator to blink based on direction of turn; and step d. deactivating the at least one indicator after completing the turn. The above mentioned preceding method steps b, c and d are repeated until a destination point on said route information is arrived.
[0006] In another aspect of the present disclosure, as disclosed, prior to obtaining route
information, the method comprises selecting a destination point on the navigation device and determining a route from a starting point to the destination point.
[0007] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, as disclosed, the method comprises
sending a feedback signal to turn off the blinking of at least one indicator.
[0008] In still another aspect of the present disclosure, as disclosed, the method comprises
sending a signal to turn on both the indicators when the destination point is arrived.
[0009] In another aspect of the present disclosure, as disclosed, the method comprises
displaying a point to point navigation with a point of interest.
[00010] In an aspect, the present disclosure describes a system for information assistance.
The system comprising a navigation device, a flasher circuit and a control unit. The control unit coupled to the flasher circuit and the navigation device and is configured to obtain a route information from the navigation device. The control unit further configured to analyse said route information to detect a turn, wherein the turn is detected at a predetermined distance before said turn occurs, activate the flasher circuit to allow blinking of at least one indicator on analysing the turn, wherein the flasher circuit is configured to decide which indicator to blink based on direction of turn; and deactivate the at least one indicator after completing the turn and the control unit is

configured to repeat the analyse, activate and deactivate until a destination point on a route information is arrived.
[00011] In another aspect of the present disclosure, as disclosed, prior to obtaining
destination point information, the control unit is coupled to the navigation device and configured to select a destination point on the navigation device and determine a route from a starting point to the destination point.
[00012] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, as disclosed, the flasher circuit is
configured to send a feedback signal to turn off the blinking of at least one indicator.
[00013] In still another aspect of the present disclosure, as disclosed, the control unit is
configured to send a signal to turn on both the indicators when the destination point is arrived.
[00014] In another aspect of the present disclosure, as disclosed, a display unit is configured
to display a point to point navigation with a point of interest.
[00015] In the above paragraphs, the most important features of the invention have been
outlined, in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures for carrying out the several purposes of the invention. It is important therefore that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions as do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:

[00016] The main object, of the present invention is to provide an alert to the driver of the
vehicle regarding the navigation directions by automatically turning ON/OFF the indicators of the vehicle.
[00017] Another main object, of the present invention, is to provide cost effective, reliable
navigation information to the user without viewing at the mobile phone’s screen.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
[00018] Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood
from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views. The figures together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate the aspects and explain various principles and advantages, in accordance with the present invention wherein:
[00019] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of an indicator control system
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[00020] Figure 2 illustrates flowchart diagram illustrating a method for operating the
information assistance system, according to an embodiment of present invention.
[00021] Figure 3 illustrates flowchart diagram illustrating a method according to an
embodiment of present invention.
[00022] Figure 4 illustrates block diagram illustrating disabling of indicators through
flasher circuit.
[00023] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms,
specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary,

the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention.
[00024] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for
simplicity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
[00025] The present invention will be described herein with reference to the accompanying
drawings. In the following description, well known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the description with unnecessary detail.
[00026] In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as
an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
[00027] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms,
specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.
[00028] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “include(s)”, or any other variations thereof,
are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, arrangement, unit, system or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or arrangement or unit or system or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus or unit or arrangement proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more

constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus or unit or arrangement.
[00029] The present invention relates to the system and method for providing navigational
details in real time on a vehicle and for controlling the indicators of the vehicle based on those navigation details. In particular, the present invention provides an accurate indication about the turn to be taken while moving ahead towards destination. The system receives inputs from the mobile device through a connecting medium i.e transmitting unit. Based on the input received from the mobile device, the control unit of the system may provide an input to a flasher circuit of the vehicle which as a result may turn on the respective indicator (Left/Right) and may turn off the indicator once the action is completed. The indicators may be turned off by providing a feedback from the Flasher circuit, if the user wants to stop the indicators or the user does not want to automatic turn on/off the indicators.
[00030] Figure 1 discloses a block diagram of a system for information assistance according
to one of the embodiments of the present invention. The system comprises a mobile device 101, information assistance system 102, a flasher circuit 108 and indicators 111 and 112. In an embodiment disclosed in the present invention, the mobile device 101 possess an application related to navigation service installed and enable on it. The mobile device 101 may also have a transmitting unit e.g. infrared, Bluetooth etc. for sending the navigation details to the information assistance system 102. The information assistance system 102 may have the same or complementary receiving unit available on it so as to receive the data sent through the mobile device 101. The information assistance system 102 may process the signals based on the navigation directions received from the mobile device 101and send the processed signals to the flasher circuit 103. In another embodiment, a separate navigation device 104 may send the navigation directions to the information assistance system 102. The navigation device 104 may communicate with the information assistance system 102 through wired medium or wirelessly (e.g Bluetooth, Infra-red or any other technology which is capable of transmitting the signals wirelessly). The navigation device 104 may be present inside the mobile device or it may be a standalone device. The flasher circuit 108 after receiving the signals from the control unit 107 may send the respective input to the indicators (111, 112) for blinking.

[00031] In particular, the navigation device 104 may take an input from a user for the
destination point. The navigation device 104 with the help of transceiver (TRX, 105) and antenna 106 may send the destination point details to the control unit 107 of the information assistance system 102. Based on the user input about the destination point and the starting point, the navigation device 104 may provide route information to the user. The same may be transmitted through the transceiver (TRX, 105) to the Control unit 107. In other words, the control unit 107 obtains route information from the navigation device 104. Based on the route information, the control unit 107 analyze when to take turn. The turn is detected at a predetermined distance before it actually occurs. In an exemplary embodiment, the predetermined distance may be taken as 100 meters. In another exemplary embodiment, the predetermined distance may be set by the user through any means such hard reset or by way of programming.
[00032] On detecting the turn before a predetermined distance, the control unit 107 activates
the flasher circuit 108 to allow blinking of respective indicators 111, 112. In a scenario, if the control unit 107 detects that a left turn is about to come at a predetermined distance, then the flasher circuit 108 may send a signal to the left indicator 111 to blink. In another scenario, if the control unit 107 detects that a right turn is about to come at a predetermined distance, then the flasher circuit 108 may send a signal to the right indicator 112 to blink. The flasher circuit 108 coupled to the control unit 107 may decide which indicator needs to blink and for what duration of time. In an embodiment, control unit 107 may also control the frequency of blinking of the indicators. Once the turn is taken, the control unit 107 deactivates the respective indicator 111, 112. In this way, the control unit 107 repeat analysis, activation and deactivation of indicators until a destination point is achieved. The flasher circuit 108 automatically turns on the left/right indicators on detection of turns across the route and automatically turns off the left/right indicators after taking the respective turn.
[00033] In an embodiment, Similar to the sending a signal to the flasher circuit 108 for
turning on/off of indicators automatically, the control unit 107 may also send a signal to the handlebars of the vehicle (specifically in two wheeler and three wheeler vehicle) to tun on/ off the vibrations in the handlebars. For example, when the control unit 107 analyses that a left turn is

about to come, then it may send a signal to vibrate the left handlebar so that a driver may get an alert that left turn is approaching. Similarly, when the control unit 107 analyses that a right turn is about to come, then it may send a signal to vibrate the right handlebar so that a driver may get an alert that right turn is approaching. In another embodiment, the control signal may send a signal to the speaker unit which may alert the driver through voice commands for the respective turns.
[00034] The information assistance system 102 may also have a provision of receiving a
feedback from the flasher circuit 108 in case a user wants to disable the signal receiving from it. In other words, if the user does not want to get the input or navigation directions from the navigation device 104 then he/she may disable the information assistance system 102 by activating the feedback signal from the flasher circuit 108 (as shown in figure 4). For example, a switch may be provided to send the feedback signal to the information assistance system 102. In another embodiment, the feedback signal may be provided by means such as voice commands, touch or any other physical limitations.
[00035] Once the destination point marked or provided on the navigation device is arrived,
then the control unit 107 may send a signal to the flasher circuit 108 to turn on the blinking of both of indicators i.e left and right. The information assistance system 102 also comprises a display 109 e.g a TFT or LED may be used for displaying the results of the connectivity. For example, the display may be in the form of screen 109 and used to display turn by turn navigation, mobile battery indication, mobile network indication, Tire pressure alert, Nearby fuel station, restaurants, hospitals, service stations, mobile phone call information or alert based on the requirement of the user. In an embodiment, the display screen 109 is used to display the navigation path/route and a point of interest selected by the user.
[00036] Figure 2 discloses a method for operating the system 100 according to one of the
embodiments of present invention. In step 201, connectivity between the mobile device 101 and the information assistance system 102 is established. For example, the Bluetooth of mobile device 101 get paired up with the Bluetooth low energy device of the information assistance system 102 and then selection for the destination is made on the mobile to start the journey. In an embodiment, the destination point may be selected through the navigation device 104. In step 202, the

information assistance system 102 starts receiving the navigation instructions through the mobile device 101. In step 203, the data coming from the transceiver(TRX) 105 of the mobile device 101 is received by the receiving unit (RCX) 110 and transferred to the control unit 107 of the information assistance system 102. In step 204, the control unit 107 of the information assistance system 102 process the data received by the receiving unit 110 and provide an input to the flasher circuit 108. In step 205, the flasher circuit 108 will determine either to turn on the indicator (111, 112) based on the input received from the control unit 107 or to send a feedback signal to the control unit of information assistance system 102 based on user input. In other words, when a predetermined distance is remaining before the left/right turn then a signal is transmitted from the control unit 107 of the information assistance system 102 to the flasher circuit 108 to turn on the respective indicator. For example, there is 100 meters remaining to take a left turn then the respective indicator will starts blinking on receiving the signal from the flasher unit 108. Further, if there is a user’s input available to stop the transmission of signal from the information assistance system 102 to the flasher circuit 108 then a feedback signal may be transmitted to the control unit 107 to stop transmitting the signals to the flasher circuit 108. In step 206, if the pre-determined distance reaches to 0 meter i.e. action is completed then the indicator gets turned off. These steps may get repeated until the destination is reached. In the last step 207, the control unit 107 may determine if the destination place has been arrived, a signal for both the indicators will be transmitted through the flasher circuit 108 and both the left and right indicators (111,112) start blinking.
[00037] Figure 3 discloses a method for information assistance according to one of the
embodiments of present invention. In step 302, the information assistance system obtains the rote information from a navigation device. In particular, before the start of the journey, the user has to set or select the destination point on a navigation device 104. The user can enter a start point and the destination point on the navigation device 104. In an embodiment, the current position of the user may be considered as a starting point. Based on the starting point and destination point the navigation device 104 may provide the route information to the user. The user based on the route options available may select one of the routes for his journey. In step 304, the control unit 107 analyse the route selected by the user for detection of a turn. When a turn is detected then before a predetermined distance e.g close to 100 meters, the control unit 107 may send a signal to the

flasher circuit 108. In step 306, the flasher circuit 107 may get activated through the signal received from the control unit 107 which may allow the blinking of at least one indicator. In particular, the flasher circuit may analyse the direction of the turn available to initialize the blinking of the indicator. In an exemplary embodiment, if the turn is detected as left then the flasher circuit 108 may send a signal to the left indicator 111 for blinking. In another embodiment, when a right indicator is detected then the flasher circuit 108 may send a signal to the right indicator 112 for blinking. Once the turn is taken by the vehicle, in step 308, the flasher circuit may deactivate the respective indicator after completing the turn. In this way till the destination is not arrived the control unit 107 may repeat the steps 304, 306 and 308. However, if the destination is arrived, the control unit 107 may send a signal to the flasher circuit 108 to turn both the left and right indicators.
[00038] In case the user wants to disable the automatic turning on/off the indicators then he
may send a signal to the control unit 107 through the flasher circuit 108 to disable the automation. In this scenario, the user operates the indicators manually.
[00039] In an embodiment of the present invention, the information assistance system 102
may display point to point navigation on the TFT screen with point of interest.
[00040] In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit may be considered as
microprocessor, controller, Application specific integrated circuit, Programmable gate array logic, field programmable gate array etc.
[00041] It would be appreciated that any of the foregoing may be implemented in the form
of software, hardware and/or firmware. Further, these functionalities may be implemented using a Controller, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that execute one or more software instructions and/or other suitable logic or components that provide the described functionality.
[00042] As would be apparent to those skilled in the art, the disclosed techniques can be
used with any type of communication. Further, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, the disclosed techniques are performed to provide an accurate estimation of drivable distance that

can be covered by a battery operated vehicle with the available battery capacity at a particular instant of time. This feature enables the driver of the battery-operated vehicle to well plan his journey.
[00043] The language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability
and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the disclosure be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the following claims. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope, which is set forth in the following claims.
[00044] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail regarding
figures and certain preferred embodiments thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.
[00045] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail regarding
figures and certain preferred embodiments thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.

We Claim:
1. A method for information assistance, the method comprising:
a. obtaining a route information from a navigation device;
b. analysing said route information to detect a turn, wherein the turn is detected at a
predetermined distance before said turn occurs;
c. activating a flasher circuit to allow blinking of at least one indicator on analysing the
turn, wherein the flasher circuit is configured to decide which indicator to blink based on direction
of turn; and
d. deactivating the at least one indicator after completing the turn;
repeating the preceding steps b, c and d until a destination point on said route information is arrived.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein prior to obtaining route information, the method
comprising:
selecting a destination point on the navigation device; and determining a route from a starting point to the destination point.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
sending a feedback signal to turn off the blinking of at least one indicator.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
sending a signal to turn on both the indicators when the destination point is arrived.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a point to point navigation with a point of interest.
6. A system for information assistance, the system comprising:
a navigation device;
a flasher circuit;
a control unit coupled to the flasher circuit and the navigation device and is configured to:
obtain a route information from the navigation device; and
analyse said route information to detect a turn, wherein the turn is detected at a predetermined distance before said turn occurs;
activate the flasher circuit to allow blinking of at least one indicator on analysing the turn, wherein the flasher circuit is configured to decide which indicator to blink based on direction of turn; and
deactivate the at least one indicator after completing the turn;
wherein the control unit is configured to repeat the analyse, activate and deactivate until a destination point on a route information is arrived.
7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein prior to obtaining destination point information, the
control unit is coupled to the navigation device and configured to:
select a destination point on the navigation device; determine a route from a starting point to the destination point.
8. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the flasher circuit is configured to:
send a feedback signal to turn off the blinking of at least one indicator.
9. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the control unit is configured to:
send a signal to turn on both the indicators when the destination point is arrived.

10. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein a display unit is configured to: display a point to point navigation with a point of interest.