DESC:METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATED OPERATION OF BLINKERS
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims priority from Indian Provisional Patent Application No. 202321020835 filed on 24/03/2023, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by a reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure generally relates to operation of blinkers of a vehicle. The present disclosure particularly relates to a system for operation of blinkers of a vehicle. Furthermore, the present disclosure particularly relates to a method of operation of blinkers of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
Traditionally, hand signals have been used to indicate a driver's intentions, however, such signals are not a complete solution since the hand signals are not effective during low visibility. Additionally, these signals are not readily understood by today's drivers. Therefore, the vehicles comprise various signals to indicate the intention of the driver.
The various signalling devices include devices such as blinkers, brake lights, hazard warning lights, headlights, reversing lights and a horn. These signalling devices are used by drivers to communicate with other drivers on the road about their next actions. These signalling devices are used to provide signals such as a warning to other drivers on the road that the driver intends to make a manoeuvre. Giving appropriate signals at the correct time and place and correctly interpreting the signals of drivers on the road is important for the safety of all the drivers on the road.
At present during driving of the automobile when the driver of the vehicle presses a button related to one of the signalling devices, the signalling device becomes active and performs the intended function such as blinkers would start indicating the direction of turn to be taken, horn would start making sound signal to alert other drivers on the road. Particularly, the blinkers are an important signalling device as they indicate the direction of movement of the vehicle such as a left turn or a right turn or a lane change. Generally, the drivers operate the blinker switch to activate or deactivate blinkers based on the his/her intended direction of movement. However, it is important to activate the blinkers as failure to do so might lead to fatal accidents due to collision between vehicles. The present manual operation of blinkers poses human error risk wherein the driver might fail to turn on the blinker during the driving. Moreover, such manual operation of the blinkers adds to the driver’s workload while taking a turn or changing the lane during driving of the electric vehicle.
To overcome the above issues, the automated turn signalling systems exist in the art. However, the present automated turn signalling systems rely on the movement of the steering system of the vehicle. Such systems activate the turn signalling after the vehicle has started to take the turn or change the lane. Such scenarios may be dangerous for other drivers on the road as the other drivers may not get enough time to react to the change in movement of the particular vehicle.
Therefore, there exists a need for an improved mechanism to operate blinkers of the vehicles that overcomes one or more problems associated as set forth above.
SUMMARY
An object of the present disclosure is to provide system for operation of at least one blinker of a vehicle.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method of operation of at least one blinker of a vehicle.
In accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a system for operation of at least one blinker of a vehicle. The system comprises a processing unit configured to identify a turn to be taken based on a route selected on a navigation map and a location of the vehicle; activate the at least one blinker corresponding to the turn to be taken, at a pre-defined distance from the turn to be taken; validate the turn taken by the vehicle based on the navigation map and the location of the vehicle on the navigation map; and de-activate the activated at least one blinker.
The system as disclosed in the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of providing automated operation of blinkers of the vehicle. Furthermore, the system as disclosed in the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of reducing the driver’s workload during driving the vehicle. Furthermore, the system as disclosed in the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of activating the blinkers to indicate a turn to be taken before the driver start turning the vehicle. Furthermore, the system as disclosed in the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of automatically de-activating the blinkers after completion of the turning activity of the vehicle. Moreover, the system as disclosed in the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of improving the safety of the vehicle. Beneficially, the system is capable of identifying the turn taken by the vehicle and subsequently activate the at least one blinker before the vehicle starts turning.
In accordance with the second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided method of operation of at least one blinker of a vehicle. The method comprises identifying a turn to be taken based on a route selected on a navigation map and a location of the vehicle; activating the at least one blinker corresponding to the turn to be taken, at a pre-defined distance from the turn to be taken; validating the turn taken by the vehicle based on the navigation map and the location of the vehicle on the navigation map; and de-activating the activated at least one blinker.
Additional aspects, advantages, features, and objects of the present disclosure would be made apparent from the drawings and the detailed description of the illustrative embodiments constructed in conjunction with the appended claims that follow.
It will be appreciated that features of the present disclosure are susceptible to being combined in various combinations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers.
Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of system for operation of at least one blinker of a vehicle, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.
Figure 2 illustrates a flow chart of a method of operation of at least one blinker of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
In the accompanying drawings, an underlined number is employed to represent an item over which the underlined number is positioned or an item to which the underlined number is adjacent. A non-underlined number relates to an item identified by a line linking the non-underlined number to the item. When a number is non-underlined and accompanied by an associated arrow, the non-underlined number is used to identify a general item at which the arrow is pointing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure and ways in which they can be implemented. Although some modes of carrying out the present disclosure have been disclosed, those skilled in the art would recognize that other embodiments for carrying out or practicing the present disclosure are also possible.
The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of certain embodiments of method and system for operation of at least one blinker of a vehicle and is not intended to represent the only forms that may be developed or utilized. The description sets forth the various structures and/or functions in connection with the illustrated embodiments; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
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.
The terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “include(s)”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, or system 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 system. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus preceded by “comprises... a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which are shown by way of illustration-specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
The present disclosure will be described herein below 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.
As used herein, the terms “processing unit”, “microcontroller” and ‘processor’ are used interchangeably and refer to a computational element that is operable to respond to and process instructions that operationalize the system for operation of at least one blinker of a vehicle. Optionally, the processing unit may be a micro-controller, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, or any other type of processing unit. Furthermore, the term “processor” may refer to one or more individual processors, processing devices, and various elements associated with a processing device that may be shared by other processing devices. Furthermore, the processing unit comprises a software module residing in the control unit and executed by the microcontroller to control the operation of at least one blinker. It is to be understood that the software module may comprise algorithms and control instructions to control the operation of the at least one blinker. It is to be understood that the processing unit controls electronics such body control unit to operate at least one blinker.
As used herein, the term “navigation unit” refers to computing unit in the vehicle that helps drivers find their way and get to their destination. The navigation unit may comprise a positioning technology signal receiver and digital maps. The positioning technology signal receiver may receive signals from positioning technologies such as Global Positioning System (GPS) which uses signals from satellites to pinpoint the vehicle's location on Earth. Furthermore, the digital maps may be electronic maps stored in the navigation unit and show the road network, points of interest (POIs), and other relevant information. The navigation unit may be capable of displaying the vehicle's current location on the map, calculate the best route to a chosen destination, provide turn-by-turn instructions to guide the driver along the route, and additional features such as traffic updates, alternative routes, and point-of-interest search. The navigation unit may be integrated to the vehicle instrument cluster.
As used herein, the terms “control unit” and “body control unit” are used interchangeably and refer to an electronic control unit capable of controlling electronic components of the vehicle. The body control unit may control signalling devices such as horn, indicators, lights and so on along with comfort and convenience features present in the vehicle. The body control unit receives input from a user or other control units and accordingly control the electronic components of the vehicle.
As used herein, the terms “blinker”, “at least one blinker” and “turn signal” are used interchangeably and refer to signalling device present in the vehicles that indicate a turn to be taken to other drivers on the road.
As used herein, the terms “inertial measurement unit”, and “IMU sensor” are used interchangeably and refer to an electronic device that tracks an object's motion and orientation using a combination of internal sensors. The IMU sensor may comprise a combination of accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetometers to determine the motion and orientation of the vehicle.
As used herein, the term “navigation map” refers to electronic map received by the navigation unit and/or stored in the navigation unit of the vehicle.
As used herein, the term “location of the vehicle” refers to refers to physical location of the vehicle represented on the navigation map.
As used herein, the term “communicably coupled” refers to a bi-directional connection between the various components of the system. The bi-directional connection between the various components of the system enables exchange of data between two or more components of the system. Similarly, bi-directional connection between the system and other elements/modules enables exchange of data between system and the other elements/modules.
As used herein, the term “communication module” relates to an arrangement of interconnected programmable and/or non-programmable components that are configured to facilitate data communication between one or more electronic devices and/or databases, whether available or known at the time of filing or as later developed. Furthermore, the communication module may utilise, but is not limited to, a public network such as the global computer network known as the Internet, a private network, Wi-Fi, a cellular network including 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G LTE etc. and any other communication system or systems at one or more locations. Additionally, the communication module utilise wired or wireless communication that can be carried out via any number of known protocols, including, but not limited to, Internet Protocol (IP), Wireless Access Protocol (WAP), Frame Relay, or Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM). Moreover, any other suitable protocols using voice, video, data, or combinations thereof, can also be employed. Moreover, although the communication module described herein as being implemented with TCP/IP communications protocols, the communication module may also be implemented using IPX, Appletalk, IP-6, NetBIOS, OSI, any tunnelling protocol (e.g., IPsec, SSH), or any number of existing or future protocols. It would be appreciated that internal components of the portable device would utilise communication methods including Controller Area Network, Local Interconnect Network, FlexRay, Ethernet, Modbus, Profibus, DeviceNet, Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP/IP, Profinet and so forth, via the communication module. Similarly, it would be appreciated that the system would utilise communication methods including Wi-Fi, cellular network, Bluetooth for communication with external modules/units/components, via the communication module.
As used herein, the term “server arrangement, and “server”” are used interchangeably and refer to a remote computing unit with organization of one or more CPUs, memory, databases, network interfaces etc. to provide required information via network-based communication.
As used herein, the term “user” refers to a driver or rider of the vehicle.
Figure 1, in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, describes a system 100 for operation of at least one blinker 108 of a vehicle. The system 100 comprises a processing unit 102. The processing unit 102 is configured to identify a turn to be taken based on a route selected on a navigation map and a location of the vehicle. The processing unit 102 is configured to activate the at least one blinker 108 corresponding to the turn to be taken, at a pre-defined distance from the turn to be taken. The processing unit 102 is configured to validate the turn taken by the vehicle based on the navigation map and the location of the vehicle on the navigation map. The processing unit 102 is configured to de-activate the activated at least one blinker 108.
The system 100 as disclosed in the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of providing automated operation of blinkers 108 of the vehicle. Furthermore, the system 100 as disclosed in the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of reducing the driver’s workload during driving the vehicle. Furthermore, the system 100 as disclosed in the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of activating the blinkers 108 to indicate a turn to be taken before the driver start turning the vehicle. Furthermore, the system 100 as disclosed in the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of automatically de-activating the blinkers 100 after completion of the turning activity of the vehicle. Moreover, the system 100 as disclosed in the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of improving the safety of the vehicle. Beneficially, the system 100 is capable of identifying the turn taken by the vehicle and subsequently activate the at least one blinker 108 before the vehicle starts turning.
In an embodiment, the processing unit 102 is communicably coupled to a navigation unit 104, and wherein the processing unit 102 is configured to receive the navigation map and the location of the vehicle on the received navigation map from the navigation unit 104. Beneficially, the navigation unit 104, may download the navigation map from a server arrangement. Furthermore, the navigation unit 104, may be communicably coupled to a communication module to communicate with the server arrangement.
In an embodiment, the processing unit 102 is configured to validate the turn taken by the vehicle based on the navigation map and the location of the vehicle on the navigation map. Beneficially, the processing unit 102 may validate the turn taken by the vehicle based on an updated location of the vehicle on the navigation map.
In an embodiment, the processing unit 102 is communicably coupled to a control unit 106, and wherein the processing unit 102 is configured to instruct the control unit 106 to activate the at least one blinker 108 corresponding to the turn to be taken, at a pre-defined distance from the turn to be taken. Beneficially, the processing unit 102 may send an instruction to the control unit 106. Beneficially, the instruction may cause the control unit 106 to analyze which blinker of the at least one blinker 108 is required to be activated corresponding to the turn to be taken and the control unit 106 may send activation signal to the particular blinker of the at least one blinker 108.
In an embodiment, the processing unit 102 is configured to instruct the control unit 106 to de-activate the activated at least one blinker 108, once the turn taken by the vehicle is validated. Beneficially, the processing unit 102 may send an instruction to the control unit 106 to de-activate the activated at least one blinker 108, once the processing unit 102 validates the turn to be taken based on the updated location of the vehicle on the navigation map.
In an embodiment, the processing unit 102 is communicably coupled to an inertial measurement unit sensor 110, wherein the processing unit 102 is configured to validate the turn taken by the vehicle based on an input received from the inertial measurement unit sensor 110. Beneficially, the inertial measurement unit sensor 110 may determine the motion and orientation of the vehicle and sends the input to the processing unit 102, to validate the turn to be taken by the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the processing unit 102 may be communicably coupled to an imaging sensor, wherein the processing unit 102 is configured to validate the turn taken by the vehicle based on an input received from the imaging sensor.
In an embodiment, there is disclosed a system 100 for operation of at least one blinker 108 of a vehicle. The system 100 comprises a processing unit 102. The processing unit 102 is configured to identify a turn to be taken based on a route selected on a navigation map and a location of the vehicle. The processing unit 102 is configured to activate the at least one blinker 108 corresponding to the turn to be taken, at a pre-defined distance from the turn to be taken. The processing unit 102 is configured to validate the turn taken by the vehicle based on the navigation map and the location of the vehicle on the navigation map. The processing unit 102 is configured to de-activate the activated at least one blinker 108. Furthermore, the processing unit 102 is communicably coupled to a navigation unit 104, and wherein the processing unit 102 is configured to receive the navigation map and the location of the vehicle on the received navigation map from the navigation unit 104. Furthermore, the processing unit 102 is configured to validate the turn taken by the vehicle based on the navigation map and the location of the vehicle on the navigation map. Furthermore, the processing unit 102 is communicably coupled to a control unit 106, and wherein the processing unit 102 is configured to instruct the control unit 106 to activate the at least one blinker 108 corresponding to the turn to be taken, at a pre-defined distance from the turn to be taken. Furthermore, the processing unit 102 is configured to instruct the control unit 106 to de-activate the activated at least one blinker 108, once the turn taken by the vehicle is validated. Furthermore, the processing unit 102 is communicably coupled to an inertial measurement unit sensor 110, wherein the processing unit 102 is configured to validate the turn taken by the vehicle based on an input received from the inertial measurement unit sensor 110.
Figure 2, in accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, describes a method 200 of operation of at least one blinker 108 of a vehicle. The method 200 starts at step 202 and finishes at step 208. At step 202, the method 200 comprises identifying a turn to be taken based on a route selected on a navigation map and a location of the vehicle. At step 204, the method 200 comprises activating the at least one blinker 108 corresponding to the turn to be taken, at a pre-defined distance from the turn to be taken. At step 206, the method 200 comprises validating the turn taken by the vehicle based on the navigation map and the location of the vehicle on the navigation map. At step 208, the method 200 comprises de-activating the activated at least one blinker 108.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises validating the turn taken by the vehicle based on the navigation map and the location of the vehicle on the navigation map.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises instructing a control unit 106 to activate the at least one blinker 108 corresponding to the turn to be taken, at a pre-defined distance from the turn to be taken and instructing the control unit 106 to de-activate the activated at least one blinker 108, once the turn taken by the vehicle is validated.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises validating the turn taken by the vehicle based on an input received from an inertial measurement unit sensor 110.
It would be appreciated that all the explanations and embodiments of the system 100 also applies mutatis-mutandis to the method 200.
In the description of the present invention, it is also to be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified or limited, the terms “disposed,” “mounted,” and “connected” are to be construed broadly, and may for example be fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally connected, either mechanically or electrically. They may be connected directly or indirectly through intervening media, or they may be interconnected between two elements. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present invention can be understood in specific cases to those skilled in the art.
Modifications to embodiments and combinations of different embodiments of the present disclosure described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as “including”, “comprising”, “incorporating”, “have”, and “is” used to describe and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural where appropriate.
Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the present disclosure, the drawings, and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A system (100) for operation of at least one blinker (108) of a vehicle, wherein the system (100) comprises a processing unit (102) configured to:
- identify a turn to be taken based on a route selected on a navigation map and a location of the vehicle;
- activate the at least one blinker (108) corresponding to the turn to be taken, at a pre-defined distance from the turn to be taken;
- validate the turn taken by the vehicle based on the navigation map and the location of the vehicle on the navigation map; and
- de-activate the activated at least one blinker (108).
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit (102) is communicably coupled to a navigation unit (104), and wherein the processing unit (102) is configured to receive the navigation map and the location of the vehicle on the received navigation map from the navigation unit (104).
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit (102) is configured to validate the turn taken by the vehicle based on the navigation map and the location of the vehicle on the navigation map.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit (102) is communicably coupled to a control unit (106), and wherein the processing unit (102) is configured to instruct the control unit (106) to activate the at least one blinker (108) corresponding to the turn to be taken, at a pre-defined distance from the turn to be taken.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit (102) is configured to instruct the control unit (106) to de-activate the activated at least one blinker (108), once the turn taken by the vehicle is validated.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit (102) is communicably coupled to an inertial measurement unit sensor (110), wherein the processing unit (102) is configured to validate the turn taken by the vehicle based on an input received from the inertial measurement unit sensor (110).
7. A method (200) of operation of at least one blinker (108) of a vehicle, wherein the method (200) comprises:
- identifying a turn to be taken based on a route selected on a navigation map and a location of the vehicle;
- activating the at least one blinker (108) corresponding to the turn to be taken, at a pre-defined distance from the turn to be taken;
- validating the turn taken by the vehicle based on the navigation map and the location of the vehicle on the navigation map; and
- de-activating the activated at least one blinker (108).
8. The method (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the method (200) comprises validating the turn taken by the vehicle based on the navigation map and the location of the vehicle on the navigation map.
9. The method (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the method (200) comprises instructing a control unit (106) to activate the at least one blinker (108) corresponding to the turn to be taken, at a pre-defined distance from the turn to be taken and instructing the control unit (106) to de-activate the activated at least one blinker (108), once the turn taken by the vehicle is validated.
10. The method (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the method (200) comprises validating the turn taken by the vehicle based on an input received from an inertial measurement unit sensor (110).