Field of the Invention:
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for generating an accident alert signal in a
two-wheeler vehicle for sending to one or more remote devices.
Background of the Invention:
Automotive accidents are a leading cause of death. Several options for accident alert systems
are available, but in most cases, the accident alert systems are developed taking into
consideration a four-wheeled vehicle and hence, do not provide satisfactory working results
when used in a two-wheeler vehicle. Additionally, since the accident alert systems are
developed for four-wheeled vehicle, the costs of such systems are high.
Thus, there is an imminent need for an accident alert system which is specifically designed
for use in a two-wheeler vehicle. In particular, there is an imminent need to develop a low
cost accident alert system which can detect different physical conditions experienced by a
two-wheeler vehicle, intelligently detect an accident scenario from the detected physical
conditions, and allow for an accident alert signal to be sent to one or more remotely located
devices.
Summary of the Invention:
The present invention provides a method for generating an accident alert signal in a twowheeler
vehicle for sending to one or more remote devices, said method comprising the steps
of: receiving, by a receiving unit from an accelerometer sensor provided in the two-wheeler
vehicle, acceleration related data; comparing, by a processing unit, the acceleration related
data with a corresponding threshold limit, the threshold limit being in respect of at least one
direction; detecting, by the processing unit, that an accident has occurred based on the
comparing; generating, by the processing unit, an accident alert signal in response to
detecting the occurrence of accident; and providing, by the processing unit, the accident alert
signal to a telemetric unit carried by the two-wheeler vehicle for sending the accident alert
signal to one or more remote devices.
The present invention further provides an apparatus for generating an accident alert signal in
a vehicle for sending to one or more remote devices, said apparatus comprising a receiving
unit configured to receive from an accelerometer sensor provided on the two-wheeler,
acceleration related data; and a processor unit being in operational interconnection with the
receiving unit. The processor unit is configured to: compare the acceleration related data with
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a corresponding threshold limit, the threshold limit being in respect of at least one direction;
detect that an accident has occurred based on the comparing; generate an accident alert signal
in response to detecting occurrence of accident; and provide, the accident alert signal to a
telemetric unit carried by the vehicle for sending the accident alert signal to one or more
remote devices.
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 figures. It is appreciated that these figures 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 figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES:
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 figures in which like characters represent like parts throughout the figures,
wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates a flow chart of a method for generating an accident alert signal in a
vehicle for sending to one or more remote devices in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention; and
Figure 2, illustrates block diagram of an apparatus for generating an accident alert signal in a
vehicle for sending to one or more remote devices in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures 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
figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that
are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure
the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having
benefit of the description herein.
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Detailed Description:
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference
will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures 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.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the
following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not
intended to be restrictive thereof.
Reference throughout this specification to “an aspect”, “another aspect” or similar language
means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,
appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar
language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same
embodiment.
The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a
non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not
include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such
process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or
components proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the
existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other
components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or
additional structures or additional components.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same
meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention
belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not
intended to be limiting.
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Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the
accompanying figures.
Referring to figure 1, there is illustrated a flow chart of a method (100) for generating an
accident alert signal in a vehicle for sending to one or more remote devices. The method
(100) comprises receiving (101), by a receiving unit from an accelerometer sensor provided
in the two-wheeler vehicle, acceleration related data. The method further comprises
comparing (102), by a processing unit, the acceleration related data with a corresponding
threshold limit, the threshold limit being in respect of at least one direction. The method
further comprises detecting (103), by the processing unit, that an accident has occurred based
on the comparing. The method further comprises generating (104), by the processing unit, an
accident alert signal in response to detecting occurrence of accident and providing (105) the
accident alert signal to a telemetric unit carried by the two-wheeler vehicle for sending the
accident alert signal to one or more remote devices.
In an embodiment of the invention, in addition to receiving the acceleration related data, the
method may be configured to receive (106) a RPM indicating data from a crank position
sensor provided in the two-wheeler vehicle.
In another embodiment of the invention, in addition to receiving the acceleration related data,
the method may be configured to receive (107) a speed related data from a speed sensor
provided in the two-wheeler vehicle. The speed related data can alternatively be obtained
from a Global Positioning System (GPS) incorporated in the telemetric unit.
In case the RPM indicating data and/or the speed related data is received, in addition to
comparing (102) the acceleration related data with a corresponding threshold limit, the
method may include an additional step of comparing (108) at least one of the RPM indicating
data and the speed related data with a respective threshold limit.
By way of an example, the step of comparing may comprise:
• comparing, by the processing unit, the acceleration related data with a
corresponding threshold limit, the threshold limit being in respect of at least one
direction; and
• comparing, by the processing unit, the RPM indicating data with a corresponding
threshold limit.
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By way of another example, the step of comparing may comprise:
• comparing, by the processing unit, the acceleration related data with a
corresponding threshold limit, the threshold limit being in respect of at least one
direction; and
• comparing, by the processing unit, the speed related data with a corresponding
threshold limit.
By way of still another example, the step of comparing may comprise:
• comparing, by the processing unit, the acceleration related data with a
corresponding threshold limit, the threshold limit being in respect of at least one
direction;
• comparing, by the processing unit, the speed related data with a corresponding
threshold limit; and
• comparing, by the processing unit, the RPM indicating data with a corresponding
threshold limit.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the step of detecting (103) that an accident has
occurred may be conditioned upon receiving (109) the acceleration related data (having a
value in excess of the corresponding threshold limit) for a time period in excess of a predefined
threshold time limit.
Although not illustrated in figure 1, the step of detecting (103) that an accident has occurred
may be conditioned upon the speed data and/or the RPM indicating data undergoing a
substantial change and the acceleration related data has a value in excess of the corresponding
threshold limit either prior to or during or immediately after such speed / RPM change.
By way of example, the step of detecting (103) that an accident has occurred may be
conditioned upon the speed data decreasing by, say more than 10 KMPH, and the
acceleration related data has a value in excess of the corresponding threshold limit prior to
such speed change. By way of another example, the step of detecting (103) that an accident
has occurred may be conditioned upon the speed data decreasing by, say more than 10
KMPH, and the acceleration related data has a value in excess of the corresponding threshold
limit during such speed change. By way of yet another example, the step of detecting (103)
that an accident has occurred may be conditioned upon the speed data decreasing by, say
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more than 10 KMPH, and the acceleration related data has a value in excess of the
corresponding threshold limit immediately after such speed change.
By way of still another example, the step of detecting (103) that an accident has occurred
may be conditioned upon the RPM indicating data decreasing by, say more than 100 RPM,
and the acceleration related data has a value in excess of the corresponding threshold limit
prior to or during or immediately after such RPM change.
By way of a further another example, the step of detecting (103) that an accident has occurred
may be conditioned upon (a) the RPM indicating data decreasing by, say more than 100
RPM, (b) the speed data decreasing by, say more than 10 KMPH and (c) the acceleration
related data has a value in excess of the corresponding threshold limit prior to or during or
immediately after such RPM change and speed change.
Now referring to figure 2, there is illustrated block diagram of an apparatus (200) for
generating and sending an accident alert signal from a vehicle to one or more remote devices
in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The apparatus (200) comprises a
receiving unit (201) configured to receive from an accelerometer sensor provided on the twowheeler,
acceleration related data; and a processing unit being in operational interconnection
with the receiving unit. The processing unit (202) is configured to compare the acceleration
related data with a corresponding threshold limit, the threshold limit being in respect of at
least one direction; detect occurrence of an accident based on the comparing; generate an
accident alert signal in response to detecting occurrence of accident; and provide, the accident
alert signal to a telemetric unit (203) carried by the vehicle for sending the accident alert
signal to one or more remote devices.
In another embodiment, the receiving unit (201) may be adapted to receive a RPM indicating
data from a crank position sensor provided in the two-wheeler vehicle. Alternatively, the
RPM indicating data may be received by a further receiving unit (not shown).
In yet another embodiment, the receiving unit (201) may be adapted to receive a speed related
data from a speed sensor provided in the two-wheeler vehicle. Alternatively, the speed related
data may be received by a further receiving unit (not shown).
In case the receiving unit (201) or the further receiving unit (as described above and not
shown in figure 2) is adapted to receive the RPM indicating data and/or the speed related
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data, the processing unit (202) in addition to comparing the acceleration related data with a
corresponding threshold limit, is further configured to compare at least one of the RPM
indicating data and the speed related data with a respective threshold limit.
In an embodiment of the invention, the processing unit (202) may be configured to detect that
an accident has occurred if the acceleration related data (having a value in excess of the
corresponding threshold limit) is received for a time period in excess of a pre-defined
threshold time limit. Thus, the apparatus (200) may further comprise a timer (204) which can
be used for checking whether the acceleration related data (having a value in excess of the
corresponding threshold limit) is received for a time period in excess of a pre-defined
threshold time limit.
In another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus (200) may further include a memory
unit (205) for storing the threshold limit corresponding to the acceleration related data. The
memory unit (205) may be further adapted to store the threshold limit corresponding to the
RPM indicating data. The memory unit (205) may be furthermore adapted to store the
threshold limit corresponding to the speed related data. The memory unit (205) may be
further adapted to store the threshold time limit corresponding to the acceleration related data.
In a furthermore embodiment of the invention, the processing unit (202) may be adapted to
generate the accident signal upon receiving at least one further signal from a sensor located in
the vehicle. By way of a non-limiting example, the processing unit (202) may be adapted to
generate the accident signal upon receiving a brake applied signal, which is generally
detected by a brake sensor provided in the vehicle.
The telemetric unit (203) may be pre-fed with details of the one or more remote devices to
which the accident alert message is to be sent. The telemetric unit (203) may send the
accident alert signal via any of the telecommunication systems available, such as, using a 2G
based telecommunication system or a 3G based telecommunication system or a 4G based
telecommunication system, etc.
While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on
account of the same 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.
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The figures and the forgoing 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.
For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the
manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be
implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed.
Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the
other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.
Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences
in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of embodiments is at
least as broad as given by the following claims.

WE CLAIM:
1. A method for generating an accident alert signal in a two-wheeler vehicle for sending
to one or more remote devices, said method comprising the steps of:
receiving, by a receiving unit from an accelerometer sensor provided in the
two-wheeler vehicle, acceleration related data;
comparing, by a processing unit, the acceleration related data with a
corresponding threshold limit, the threshold limit being in respect of at least one
direction;
detecting, by the processing unit, occurrence of an accident based on the
comparing;
generating, by the processing unit, an accident alert signal in response to
detecting occurrence of accident; and
providing, by the processing unit, the accident alert signal to a telemetric unit
carried by the two-wheeler vehicle for sending to one or more remote devices.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises receiving,
by the receiving unit from a crank position sensor provided in the two-wheeler
vehicle, a RPM indicating data.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises receiving,
by the receiving unit from a speed sensor provided in the two-wheeler vehicle, a
speed related data.
4. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 or 3, wherein the processing unit is
further adapted to compare at least one of the RPM indicating data and the speed
related data with a respective threshold limit.
5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the step of comparing comprises:
• comparing, by the processing unit, the acceleration related data with a
corresponding threshold limit,the threshold limit being in respect of at least one
direction; and
• comparing, by the processing unit, the RPM indicating data with a corresponding
threshold limit.
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6. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the step of comparing comprises:
• comparing, by the processing unit, the acceleration related data with a
corresponding threshold limit,the threshold limit being in respect of at least one
direction; and
• comparing, by the processing unit, the speed related data with a corresponding
threshold limit.
7. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the step of comparing comprises:
• comparing, by the processing unit, the acceleration related data with a
corresponding threshold limit,the threshold limit being in respect of at least one
direction;
• comparing, by the processing unit, the speed related data with a corresponding
threshold limit; and
• comparing, by the processing unit, the RPM indicating data with a corresponding
threshold limit.
8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of detecting that an accident
hasoccurredmay be conditioned upon receiving the acceleration related data for a time
period in excess of a pre-defined threshold time limit.
9. The method as claimed in any of claims 2 or 3, wherein the step of detecting that an
accident hasoccurredmay be conditioned upon the speed data and/or the RPM
indicating data undergoing a substantial change and the acceleration related data
having a value in excess of the corresponding threshold limit either prior to or during
or immediately after such speed / RPM change.
10. An apparatusforgenerating an emergency alert signal in a vehicle for sending to one
or more remote devices, said apparatus comprising:
a receiving unit configured to receive from an accelerometer sensor provided
on the two-wheeler, acceleration related data; and
a processor unit being in operational interconnection with the receiving unit
and being configured to:
compare the acceleration related data with a corresponding threshold
limit, the threshold limit being in respect of at least one direction;
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determine that an emergency event hasoccurred based on the
comparing;
generate an emergency alert signal in response to determining the
emergency event; and
provide, the emergency alert signal to a telemetric unit carried by the
vehicle for sending to one or more remote devices.
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the apparatus is further configured to
receive from a crank position sensor provided on the two-wheeler receiving, a RPM
indicating data, the RPM indicating data being received by the receiving unit adapted
to receive the acceleration related data or by a further receiving unit.
12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the apparatus is further configured to
receive, from a speed sensor provided on the two-wheeler receiving, a speed related
data, the speed related data being received by the receiving unit adapted to receive the
acceleration related data or by a further receiving unit.
13. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 9 or 10, wherein the processing unit is
further adapted to compare at least one of the RPM indicating data and the speed
related data with a respective threshold limit.
14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the processing unit is further adapted to
detect occurrence of an accident upon receiving the acceleration related data for a
time period in excess of a pre-defined threshold time limit.
15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a timer being in operational
interconnection with the processing unit for enabling the processing unit to check
whether the acceleration related data having a value in excess of the corresponding
threshold limit is received for a time period in excess of a pre-defined threshold time
limit.
16. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 8 to 15, further comprising at least one
memory unit adapted to:
• store the threshold limit corresponding to the acceleration related data;
• store the threshold limit corresponding to the RPM indicating data;