Field of the Invention:
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for generating an alert signal in a twowheeler
vehicle for sending to one or more remote devices. The invention furthermore
provides a two-wheeler vehicle adapted to send an alert signal to one or more remote devices.
Background of the Invention:
Motor vehicles especially two-wheelers are frequently the target of theft because of their high
value and utility. Such thefts occur in many fashions, the most dangerous of which is high
jacking.
In such a scenario, the thief sits behind the driver of the vehicle i.e. in the pillion rider’s seat
and the driver has a weapon pointed at him. In many such incidents, the rider is injured, and
even some times killed. The need in such cases is to send an alert signal without the
knowledge of the thief (who is sitting in the pillion rider’s seat). Till date, there is no system
which allows the owner / rider to send such an alert signal.
Thus, there is a need to provide a method and a system by which a rider of the vehicle is in a
position to send an alarm signal without coming into attention.
Summary of the Invention:
The present invention provides a method for generating an alert signal in a vehicle for
sending to one or more remote devices, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) receiving, by a receiving unit from at least one user activate-able device, at least one
user activated signal, wherein the at least one user activate-able device is configured
to generate the at least one user activated signal when the vehicle is in a first state and
bring the vehicle to the first state, if the vehicle is not in the first state;
(b) receiving, by the receiving unit from a sensor carried by the vehicle, a signal
indicating that the vehicle is in the first state;
(c) generating, by a processing unit, an alert signal upon receiving the at least one user
activated signal from at least one user activate-able device and the signal indicating
that the vehicle is in the first state; and
(d) providing, by the processing unit, the alert signal to a telemetric unit carried by the
vehicle for sending to one or more remote devices.
3
More particularly, the invention provides a method for generating and sending an alert signal
from a two-wheeled vehicle to one or more remote devices, said method comprising the steps
of:
(a) detecting, by a detecting unit, pressing of a self-switch;
(b) detecting, by the detecting unit, an input from a crank shaft position sensor;
(c) generating, by a processing unit, an alert signal if input from the crank shaft sensor is
detected and pressing of the self-switch is detected; and
(d) providing, by the processing unit, the alert signal to a telemetric unit carried by the
vehicle for sending to one or more remote devices.
The invention further provides an apparatus for generating and sending an alert signal from a
vehicle to one or more remote devices, said device comprising:
a receiving unit for receiving, from at least one user activate-able device, at least one
user activated signal, wherein the at least one user activate-able device is configured to
generate the at least one user activated signal when the vehicle is in a first state and bring the
vehicle to the first state, if the vehicle is not in the first state; the receiving unit being further
configured to receiving, from a sensor carried by the vehicle, a signal indicating that the
vehicle is in the first state; and
a processing unit being in operational interconnection with the receiving unit for
receiving the at least one user activated signal and the signal indicating that the vehicle is in
the first state, the processing unit being further adapted to generating an alert signal and
providing the alert signal to a telemetric unit carried by the vehicle for sending to one or more
remote devices.
The invention furthermore provides a two-wheeled vehicle device adapted to send an alert
signal to one or more remote devices, said two-wheeled vehicle comprising: an engine, a
handle bar mounted switch console, said handle bar mounted switch console including a selfswitch;
an crank shaft position sensor configured to provide a crank position indicative input;
and an alert signal generating device for generating the alert signal; and a telemetric unit
being in operational interconnection with the alert signal generating device for sending the
alert signal to one or more remote devices; wherein the alert signal generating device
comprises: a detecting unit adapted to detect pressing of the self-switch, the detecting unit
being further adapted to detect an input from a crank shaft position sensor; and a processing
4
unit being in operational interconnection with the detecting unit, the processing unit being
adapted to generate an alert signal if crank position indicative input from the crank shaft
position sensor is detected and pressing of the self-switch is detected and provide the alert
signal to the telemetric unit carried by the vehicle for sending 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 block diagram of a method for generating an emergency alert signal in a
two-wheeler vehicle for sending to one or more remote devices in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 illustrates a detailed block diagram of a method for generating an emergency alert
signal in a two-wheeler vehicle for sending to one or more remote devices in accordance with
another embodiment of the invention;
Figure 3, illustrates block diagram of an apparatus for generating an emergency alert signal in
a two-wheeler vehicle for sending to one or more remote devices in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention;
Figure 4, illustrates block diagram of yet another apparatus for generating an emergency alert
signal in a two-wheeler vehicle for sending to one or more remote devices in accordance with
another embodiment of the invention; and
Figure 5, illustrates schematic diagram of a vehicle adapted to send an alert signal 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
5
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.
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.
6
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.
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 alert
signal in a vehicle for sending to one or more remote devices. The method (100) comprises
receiving (101), by a receiving unit from at least one user activate-able device, at least one
user activated signal, wherein the at least one user activate-able device is configured to
generate the at least one user activated signal when the vehicle is in a first state and bring the
vehicle to the first state, if the vehicle is not in the first state; and receiving (102), by the
receiving unit from a sensor carried by the vehicle, a signal indicating that the vehicle is in
the first state. It may be noted that the steps receiving (101) the at least one user activated
signal and receiving (102) the signal indicating that the vehicle is in the first state can be
performed in the reverse manner.
The method (100) further comprises generating (103), by a processing unit, an alert signal
upon receiving the at least one user activated signal from at least one user activate-able
device and the signal indicating that the vehicle is in the first state. The method (100)
furthermore comprises providing (104), by the processing unit, the alert signal to a telemetric
unit carried by the vehicle for sending to one or more remote devices.
In an embodiment of the invention, the first state is an engine “ON” state.
In another embodiment of the invention, the user activate-able device is a self-switch.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the sensor carried by the vehicle providing the
signal indicating that the vehicle is in the first state is a crank shaft position sensor.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the step of generating (103) the alert signal is
conditioned upon receiving the at least one user activated signal for at a time period in excess
of a pre-defined threshold time limit.
7
In a further embodiment of the invention, the step of generating (103) the alert signal is
conditioned upon receiving plurality of user activated signals from said user activate-able
device.
In a furthermore embodiment of the invention, the step of generating (103) the alert signal is
conditioned upon receiving more than “n” number of user activated signals from said user
activate-able device, wherein “n” is an integer having a predefined value greater than or equal
to 2.
In a furthermore embodiment of the invention, the step of generating (103) the alert signal is
conditioned upon receiving at least one user activated signals from a first user activate-able
device and receiving at least one further signal from a further user activate-able device,
wherein the first user activate-able device is configured to generate the at least one user
activated signal when the vehicle is in a first state and bring the vehicle to the first state, if the
vehicle is not in the first state, while the second user activate-able device is configured to
perform a different functionality associated with the two-wheeler vehicle.
Referring to figure 2, there is illustrated a flow chart of an alternative method (200) for
generating an alert signal in a vehicle for sending to one or more remote devices. The method
(200) comprises detecting (201), by a detecting unit, pressing of a self-switch; and detecting
(202), by the detecting unit, an input from a crank shaft position sensor. It may be noted that
the steps detecting (201) pressing of the self-switch and detecting (102) the input from the
crank shaft position sensor can be performed in the reverse manner.
The method (100) further comprises generating (203), by a processing unit, an alert signal if
input from the crank shaft sensor is detected and pressing of the self-switch is detected. The
method (100) furthermore comprises providing (204), by the processing unit, the alert signal
to a telemetric unit carried by the vehicle for sending to one or more remote devices.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the step of generating (203) the alert signal is
conditioned upon detecting pressing of the self-switch for at a time period in excess of a predefined
threshold time limit.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the step of generating (203) the alert signal is
conditioned upon detecting pressing of the self-switch for multiple number of times.
8
In a furthermore embodiment of the invention, the step of generating (203) the alert signal is
conditioned upon detecting pressing of the self-switch for than “n” number times, wherein
“n” is an integer having a predefined value greater than or equal to 2.
In a furthermore embodiment of the invention, the step of generating (203) the alert signal is
conditioned upon detecting pressing of the self-switch and detecting at least one further
signal from a user activate-able device, wherein the user activate-able device is different from
the self-switch.
Now referring to figure 3, there is illustrated block diagram of an apparatus (300) for
generating and sending an alert signal from a vehicle to one or more remote devices in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The apparatus (300) comprises a receiving
unit (301) for receiving, from at least one user activate-able device, at least one user activated
signal, wherein the at least one user activate-able device is configured to generate the at least
one user activated signal when the vehicle is in a first state and bring the vehicle to the first
state, if the vehicle is not in the first state; the receiving unit being further configured to
receiving, from a sensor carried by the vehicle, a signal indicating that the vehicle is in the
first state. The apparatus further comprises a processing unit (302) being in operational
interconnection with the receiving unit for receiving the at least one user activated signal and
the signal indicating that the vehicle is in the first state, the processing unit being further
adapted to generating an alert signal and providing the alert signal to a telemetric unit (303)
carried by the vehicle for sending to one or more remote devices.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the processing unit (302) may be adapted to
generate the alert signal upon receiving the at least one user activated signal for at a time
period in excess of a pre-defined threshold time limit. Thus, the apparatus (300) may further
comprise a timer (304) which can be used for checking whether the least one user activated
signal has been received for a time period in excess of the pre-defined threshold time limit. In
this regard, the apparatus (300) may further include a memory unit (305) for storing the predefined
threshold time limit.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the processing unit (302) may be adapted to
generate the alert signal upon receiving more than “n” number of user activated signals from
said user activate-able device, wherein “n” is an integer having a predefined value greater
9
than or equal to 2. Thus, the apparatus (300) may further comprise a counter (306) which can
be used for keeping a count of the number of times the user activated signals is received. In
such a case, the memory unit (305) may be adapted for storing the value of “n”.
In a furthermore embodiment of the invention, the processing unit (302) may be adapted to
generate the alert signal upon receiving at least one user activated signals from a first user
activate-able device and receiving at least one further signal from a further user activate-able
device, wherein the first user activate-able device is configured to generate the at least one
user activated signal when the vehicle is in a first state and bring the vehicle to the first state,
if the vehicle is not in the first state, while the second user activate-able device is configured
to perform a different functionality associated with the two-wheeler vehicle. Thus, in this
case, either the receiving unit (301) is adapted to receive the at least one further signal from
the further user activate-able device or alternatively, a further receiving unit (not illustrated)
may be provided.
Now referring to figure 4, there is illustrated block diagram of an apparatus (400) for
generating and sending an alert signal from a vehicle to one or more remote devices in
accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The apparatus (400) comprises a
detecting unit (401) adapted to detect pressing of a self-switch. The detecting unit (401) is
further adapted to detect an input from a crank shaft position sensor. The apparatus (400)
further comprises a processing unit (402) being in operational interconnection with the
detecting unit (401), the processing unit (402) being adapted to generate an alert signal if
input from the crank shaft position sensor is detected and pressing of the self-switch is
detected and provide the alert signal to a telemetric unit (403) carried by the vehicle for
sending to one or more remote devices.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the processing unit (402) may be adapted to
generate the alert signal upon detecting pressing of the self-switch for at a time period in
excess of a pre-defined threshold time limit. Thus, the apparatus (400) may further comprise
a timer (404) which can be used for checking whether the self-switch has been pressed for a
time period in excess of the pre-defined threshold time limit. In this regard, the apparatus
(400) may further include a memory unit (405) for storing the pre-defined threshold time
limit.
10
In still another embodiment of the invention, the processing unit (402) may be adapted to
generate the alert signal upon detecting pressing of the self-switch for multiple number of
times and more particular upon detecting pressing of the self-switch for than “n” number
times, wherein “n” is an integer having a predefined value greater than or equal to 2. Thus,
the apparatus (400) may further comprise a counter (404) which can be used for checking
whether the self-switch has been pressed for more than “n” number of times. In this regard,
the memory unit (405) for may be adapted for storing the value of “n”.
In a furthermore embodiment of the invention, the processing unit (402) may be adapted to
generate the alert signal upon detecting pressing of the self-switch and detecting at least one
further signal from a user activate-able device, wherein the user activate-able device is
different from the self-switch. Thus, in this case, either the receiving unit (401) is adapted to
receive the at least one further signal from the further user activate-able device or
alternatively, a further receiving unit (not illustrated) may be provided.
Now referring to figure 5(a), there is illustrated a side view of a two-wheeler vehicle (500).
Among other parts, the two wheeler vehicle is shown to comprise an engine (501) and a
handle-bar (502). Referring to figure 5(b), there is illustrated a top view of the two-wheeler
vehicle (500), wherein the handlebar is further shown to include a throttle grip (503) and a
handle-bar mounted switch console (504). Referring to figure 5(c), which is an enlarged
view, there is illustrated the throttle grip (503) and the handle-bar mounted switch console
(504). The handle-bar mounted switch console includes plurality of switches. A person
skilled in the art would easily understand that handle-bar mounted switch console includes a
self-switch (505), which is operable by a thumb of a driver. The handle-bar mounted switch
console (504) may further include other switches, such as a head-light ON-OFF switch (506)
and an engine “KILL/RUN” switch (507).
It has been observed that the self-switch (505) is not only easily accessible by the driver, but
also a pillion rider may not observe accessing of the self-switch (505). Thus, the act of
pressing the self-switch (505) is less likely to be detected by a pillion rider. It is also a
common practice that once the engine is in “ON” state, pressing of the self-switch (505) does
not produce any detectable output. This is an important aspect as the rider who is under
threat, would not like to a detectable output to be produced upon pressing of the switch. As
pressing of the self-switch (505) does not produce any detectable output, it can be easily
configured to produce the alert signal as per the method described above.
11
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.
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 alert signal in a vehicle for sending to one or more remote
devices, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) receiving, by a receiving unit from at least one user activate-able device, at
least one user activated signal, wherein the at least one user activate-able
device is configured to generate the at least one user activated signal when the
vehicle is in a first state and bring the vehicle to the first state, if the vehicle is
not in the first state;
(b) receiving, by the receiving unit from a sensor carried by the vehicle, a signal
indicating that the vehicle is in the first state;
(c) generating, by a processing unit, an alert signal upon receiving the at least one
user activated signal from at least one user activate-able device and the signal
indicating that the vehicle is in the first state; and
(d) providing, by the processing unit, the alert signal to a telemetric unit carried by
the vehicle for sending to one or more remote devices.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first state is an engine “ON” state.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user activate-able device is a selfswitch.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor carried by the vehicle providing
the signal indicating that the vehicle is in the first state is a crank shaft position
sensor.
5. A method for generating and sending an alert signal from a two-wheeled vehicle to
one or more remote devices, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) detecting, by a detecting unit, pressing of a self-switch;
(b) detecting, by the detecting unit, an input from a crank shaft position sensor;
(c) generating, by a processing unit, an alert signal if input from the crank shaft
sensor is detected and pressing of the self-switch is detected; and
(d) providing, by the processing unit, the alert signal to a telemetric unit carried by
the vehicle for sending to one or more remote devices.
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6. An apparatus for generating and sending an alert signal from a vehicle to one or more
remote devices, said device comprising:
a receiving unit for receiving, from at least one user activate-able device, at
least one user activated signal, wherein the at least one user activate-able device is
configured to generate the at least one user activated signal when the vehicle is in a
first state and bring the vehicle to the first state, if the vehicle is not in the first state;
the receiving unit being further configured to receiving, from a sensor carried by the
vehicle, a signal indicating that the vehicle is in the first state; and
a processing unit being in operational interconnection with the receiving unit
for receiving the at least one user activated signal and the signal indicating that the
vehicle is in the first state, the processing unit being further adapted to generating an
alert signal and providing the alert signal to a telemetric unit carried by the vehicle for
sending to one or more remote devices.
7. An apparatus for generating and sending an alert signal from a two-wheeled vehicle to
one or more remote devices, said device comprising:
a detecting unit adapted to detect pressing of an self-switch, the detecting unit
being further adapted to detect an input from a crank shaft position sensor; and
a processing unit being in operational interconnection with the detecting unit,
the processing unit being adapted to generate an alert signal if input from the crank
shaft position sensor is detected and pressing of the self-switch is detected and
provide the alert signal to a telemetric unit carried by the vehicle for sending to one or
more remote devices.
8. A two-wheeled vehicle device adapted to send an alert signal to one or more remote
devices, said two-wheeled vehicle comprising:
an engine,
a handle bar mounted switch console, said handle bar mounted switch console
including an self-switch;
an crank shaft position sensor configured to provide a crank position
indicative input; and
an alert signal generating device for generating the alert signal; and
a telemetric unit being in operational interconnection with the alert signal
generating device for sending the alert signal to one or more remote devices;
14
wherein the alert signal generating device comprises:
a detecting unit adapted to detect pressing of the self-switch, the
detecting unit being further adapted to detect an input from a crank shaft
position sensor; and
a processing unit being in operational interconnection with the
detecting unit, the processing unit being adapted to generate an alert signal if
crank position indicative input from the crank shaft position sensor is detected
and pressing of the self-switch is detected and provide the alert signal to the
telemetric unit carried by the vehicle for sending to one or more remote
devices.