Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates, in general, to automotive engineering. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to a method, system and a window safety switch for enhancing operational safety of windows in a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In the current scenario, vehicles have a centralized window locking mechanism that controls operation of all windows of the vehicle. However, when the driver enables the centralized window lock, local control switches associated with the windows get disabled and the passengers are prevented from operating the windows. This causes inconvenience to the passengers. For instance, when the centralized window lock is enabled, the passengers will not be able to operate the window even in case of an emergency.
[0003] On the other hand, when the driver disables the centralized window lock, all the windows get unlocked, and the windows can be operated using the respective local control switches. This implementation may lead to safety concerns, for example, considering a scenario in which a child is present in the vehicle.
[0004] Therefore, it is desirable to have a window control mechanism that addresses the above limitations without causing any inconvenience to the passengers.
[0005] The information disclosed in this background of the disclosure section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.
SUMMARY
[0006] Disclosed herein is a method of enhancing operational safety of a window in a vehicle. The method comprises determining, by a window control unit, a current mode of a window safety switch configured for one or more windows in the vehicle. The current mode of the window safety switch is at least one of a LOCK mode, an UNLOCK mode and an AUTO mode. Further, the method comprises performing one or more control operations based on the current mode of the window safety switch. The one or more control operations comprises deactivating each of one or more operations of each of the one or more windows when the current mode is the LOCK mode. Further, the one or more control operations comprises activating a local window control switch associated with the one or more windows for performing the one or more operations on the one or more windows when the current mode is the UNLOCK mode. Finally, the one or more control operations comprises activating the local window control switch and a central window control switch for performing the one or more operations on the one or more windows when the current mode is the AUTO mode.
[0007] Further, the present disclosure relates to a window control unit to enhance operational safety of a window in a vehicle. The window control unit is configured to determine a current mode of a window safety switch configured for one or more windows in the vehicle. The current mode of the window safety switch is at least one of a LOCK mode, an UNLOCK mode and an AUTO mode. Further, the window control unit is configured to perform one or more control operations based on the current mode of the window safety switch. The window control unit is configured to deactivate each of one or more operations of each of the one or more windows when the current mode is the LOCK mode. Further, the window control unit is configured to activate a local window control switch associated with the one or more windows for performing the one or more operations on the one or more windows when the current mode is the UNLOCK mode. Finally, the window control unit is configured to activate the local window control switch and a central window control switch for performing the one or more operations on the one or more windows when the current mode is the AUTO mode.
[0008] Further, the present disclosure relates to a window safety switch to enhance operational safety of a window in a vehicle. The window safety switch comprises a mode selection console for selecting a mode of the window safety switch. Further, the mode comprises at least one of a LOCK mode, an UNLOCK mode and an AUTO mode. In the LOCK mode, each of one or more operations of each of one or more windows of the vehicle is deactivated. Further, in the UNLOCK mode, a local window control switch associated with the one or more windows is activated for performing the one or more operations. Finally, in the AUTO mode the local window control switch and a central window control switch are activated for performing the one or more operations.
[0009] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, explain the disclosed principles. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system and/or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example only, and regarding the accompanying figures, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 shows an overview of functioning of the window control unit, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 2A shows a flowchart illustrating a method of enhancing operational safety of a window in a vehicle, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 2B shows a flowchart illustrating a method of determining a current mode of a window safety switch and performing one or more control operations, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary illustration of a window safety switch configured in a vehicle, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0015] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative systems embodying the principles of the present subject matter. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transition diagrams, pseudo code, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and executed by a computer or processor, whether such computer or processor is explicitly shown.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] 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.
[0017] 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 specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.
[0018] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device, 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 device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.
[0019] In an embodiment, the present disclosure proposes a method, a window control unit and a window safety switch for enhancing operational safety of a window in a vehicle. In an embodiment, the window control unit determines a current mode of the window safety switch configured for one or more windows in the vehicle. The current mode of the window safety switch is at least one of a LOCK mode, an UNLOCK mode and an AUTO mode. The present disclosure suggests performing one or more control operations based on the current mode of the window safety switch. The present disclosure discloses deactivating each of one or more operations of each of the one or more windows when the current mode is the LOCK mode. Further, the present disclosure discloses activating a local window control switch associated with the one or more windows for performing the one or more operations on the one or more windows when the current mode is the UNLOCK mode. Finally, the present disclosure discloses activating the local window control switch and a central window control switch for performing the one or more operations on the one or more windows when the current mode is the AUTO mode.
[0020] In other words, the present disclosure aims to provide individual or dedicated control switches (i.e., window safety switches) for all the windows in the vehicle, thereby enhancing convenience and improving safety of the passengers in the vehicle.
[0021] In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in 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.
[0022] FIG. 1 shows an overview of functioning of the window control unit in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0023] In an embodiment, a vehicle may be configured with a window control unit 101. The window control unit 101 may be configured for controlling operation of the windows of the vehicle and thereby enhance operational safety of the windows. As an example, the vehicle may be a passenger vehicle such as a car, a van, a bus and/or a commercial vehicle such as pick-up trucks. In an embodiment, the window control unit 101 may be a dedicated Electronic Control Unit (ECU) configured for controlling operations of the windows in the vehicle. In another embodiment, the window control unit 101 may be communicatively interfaced with an existing ECU and/or a window winding controller 109 of the vehicle through Controller Area Network (CAN) interface configured in the vehicle. The CAN may be used for exchanging any data/instructions between the ECU and/or the window winding controller 109 and the window control unit 101 during operation of the window control unit 101. In an embodiment, an existing ECU and/or the window winding controller 109 of the vehicles may be upgraded to perform functionalities of the window control unit 101, in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure. Alternatively, the window control unit 101 may be configured on a remote system, such that the window control unit 101 is communicatively connected to the vehicle (for example, via a wireless network and/or over Internet) for continuously monitoring and controlling operations of the windows in the vehicle.
[0024] In an embodiment, the window control unit 101 may be configured to determine a current mode of one or more window safety switches 1031 -103N (collectively referred to as window safety switch 103) configured for one or more windows in the vehicle. As an example, the window safety switches 1031 -103N may be configured on the front-side passenger door and the two rear-side passenger doors at the back of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the window safety switches 1031 -103N may be configured in any location in the vehicle based on the requirement for operation of the one or more windows. In an embodiment, the current mode of the window safety switch 103 is at least one of a LOCK mode, an UNLOCK mode and an AUTO mode. In an embodiment, the window control unit 101 may determine the current mode of the window safety switch 103 when the ignition of the vehicle is ON.
[0025] In an embodiment, after determining the current mode of the window safety switch 103, the window control unit 101 performs one or more control operations on the one or more windows of the vehicle based on the current mode of the window safety switch 103. In an embodiment, when the current mode of the window safety switch 103 is the LOCK mode, the window control unit 101 deactivates each of one or more operations of each of the one or more windows. As an example, the one or more operations may comprise, without limiting to, at least one of closing the one or more windows and opening the one or more windows. In an embodiment, if the window control unit 101 detects that the one or more windows are open during the LOCK mode, the window control unit 101 may automatically close the one or more open windows using a window winding controller 109 and a window winding motor 111 associated with each window to enhance the operational safety of the one or more windows. Further, in the LOCK mode, after closing all the open windows, the window winding controller 109 and/or the window winding motor 111 of each of the one or more windows may be disabled/deactivated, thereby preventing local window control switches 1051-105N of the one or more windows and a central window control switch 107 from performing any operation on the one or more windows. In an embodiment, the local window control switches 1051-105N (collectively referred to as the local window control switch 105) are the control switches located on each of the one or more windows, which allow the passengers to locally operate the one or more windows. The central window control switch 107 may be located on the driver-side door, which allows the driver to centrally operate/control each of the one or more windows in the vehicle. In an embodiment, disabling the operation of both the local window control switch 105 and the central window control switch 107 in the LOCK mode, the window control unit 101 enhances safety of the passengers, especially of the child passengers in the vehicle, since the passengers are prevented from accidentally opening/closing the windows.
[0026] In an embodiment, when the current mode of the window safety switch 103 is the UNLOCK mode, the window control unit 101 activates the local window control switches 1051 -105N associated with each of the one or more windows, thereby allowing the passengers to perform the one or more operations on the one or more windows. However, in the UNLOCK mode, the central window control switch 107 may still be disabled, thereby preventing the driver of the vehicle may from operating the one or more windows in the UNLOCK mode. In an embodiment, the restriction on the central window control switch 107 in the UNLOCK mode allows the passengers to control the opening/closing of the windows as per their convenience. This also enhances safety of the passengers as the passengers can easily control opening/closing of the windows during an emergency event, such as vehicle crash, without having to access the central window control switch 107.
[0027] In an embodiment, when the current mode is the AUTO mode, the window control unit 101 activates both the local window control switch 105 and the central window control switch 107 for performing the one or more operations on the one or more windows. That is, in the AUTO mode, the one or more windows may be operated by passengers using the local window control switches 1051 - 105N or the driver using the central window control switch 107.
[0028] In an embodiment, an override switch 113 may be provided with the central window control switch 107 for allowing the driver to set the current mode of the window safety switch 103 to the AUTO mode in case of the emergency events. As an example, consider the window safety switch 103 is in the LOCK mode, and when the driver presses the override switch 113, the current mode of the window safety switch 1031 -103N is set to the AUTO mode. In an embodiment, an emergency event detection module 115 detects an emergency event related to the vehicle. As an example, the emergency event may comprise, without limiting to vehicle crash, release of air bags, fire in the engine, smoke in the engine, smoke inside the vehicle and the like. When the emergency event is detected, the window control unit 101 may dynamically set the current mode of the window safety switch 103 to the AUTO mode. In an embodiment, both the emergency event detection module 115 and the override switch 113 automatically move the window safety switch 103 to the AUTO mode, thereby ensuring easy opening/closing of the windows.
[0029] Table A below summarizes various modes of the window safety switch 103 and the control operations associated with each mode.
Current mode of the window safety switch Operational state of
Local window control switch Central window control switch
LOCK Deactivated Deactivated
UNLOCK Activated Deactivated
AUTO Activated Activated
Override / Emergency event Activated Activated

[0030] In an embodiment, the current mode of each of the window safety switches 1031 -103N may be displayed on a display interface of an infotainment system of the vehicle, so that the passengers and the driver are notified about the current mode of each of the one or more windows. In an embodiment, an alert/warning may be generated when the override switch 113 is pressed when the vehicle is in motion.
[0031] FIG. 2A shows a flowchart illustrating a method of enhancing operational safety of a window in a vehicle, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0032] As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the method 200 may include one or more blocks illustrating a method of enhancing operational safety of a window in a vehicle. The method 200 may be described in the general context of computer executable instructions. Generally, computer executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, modules, and functions, which perform specific functions or implement specific abstract data types.
[0033] The order in which the method 200 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the methods without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.
[0034] At block 201, the method 200 includes determining, by a window control unit 101, a current mode of a window safety switches 1031 -103N configured for one or more windows in the vehicle. In an embodiment, the current mode of the window safety switches 1031 -103N is at least one of a LOCK mode, an UNLOCK mode and an AUTO mode.
[0035] At block 203, the method 200 includes performing, by the window control unit 101, one or more control operations based on the current mode of the window safety switch 103. In an embodiment, the current mode of the window safety switch 103 may be determined using a method illustrated in FIG. 2B. As shown in FIG. 2B, initially, the window control unit 101 checks if the ignition of the vehicle is ON (step 221). In an embodiment, if the ignition of the vehicle is ON, the window control unit 101 determines if the current mode of the window safety switch 103 is a LOCK mode (step 223). In an embodiment, if the current mode of the window safety switch 103 is the LOCK mode, the window control unit 101 deactivates each of one or more operations of each of the one or more windows (step 225). Otherwise, the window control unit 101 determines if the current mode of the window safety switch 103 is an UNLOCK mode (step 227). In an embodiment, if the current mode of the window safety switch 103 is an UNLOCK mode, the window control unit 101 activates a local window control switch 105 associated with the one or more windows for performing the one or more operations on the one or more windows (step 229). At step 231, the window control unit 101 determines if the current mode of the window safety switch 103 is an AUTO mode (step 231). In an embodiment, if the current mode of the window safety switch 103 is the AUTO mode, the window control unit 101 activates the local window control switch 105 and a central window control switch 107 for performing the one or more operations on the one or more windows (step 233). In an embodiment, the window control unit 101 checks if an override switch 113 is pressed (step 237). Upon determining that the override switch 113 is pressed, the window control unit 101 sets the current mode of the window safety switch 103 to the AUTO mode and activates the local window control switch 105 and the central window control switch 107 for performing the one or more operations on the one or more windows (step 233). In an embodiment, if the emergency event detection module 115 detects an emergency event (step 239), the window control unit 101 sets the current mode of the window safety switch 103 to the AUTO mode and activates the local window control switch 105 and the central window control switch 107 for performing the one or more operations on the one or more windows (step 233).
[0036] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary illustration of a window safety switch 103 configured in a vehicle, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0037] In an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the window safety switch 103 may be configured on a door of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the window safety switch 103 may comprise a mode selection console (i.e., a hardware toggle switch) for selecting a current mode of the window safety switch 103. In an embodiment, the current mode comprises at least one of a LOCK mode, an UNLOCK mode and an AUTO mode.
[0038] Advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated herein.
[0039] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a dedicated window safety switch to each window of the vehicle and thereby enhances the safety of the passengers in the vehicle.
[0040] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a dedicated window safety switch to each window of the vehicle and thereby overcomes inconvenience caused to the passengers due to the existing central locking mechanism.
[0041] In an embodiment, the window safety switch disclosed in the present disclosure can be configured on a vehicle with very minimal changes to existing configurations of the vehicle and thereby provides a cost-effective solution.
[0042] In an embodiment, according to the present disclosure, when an emergency event is detected, the window control switch is automatically set to the AUTO mode and both the local window control switch and the central window control switch are activated, thereby enhancing the safety of the passengers in the vehicle.
[0043] In light of the technical advancements provided by the disclosed method, the window control unit and the window control switch, the claimed steps, as discussed above, are not routine, conventional, or well-known aspects in the art, as the claimed steps provide the aforesaid solutions to the technical problems existing in the conventional technologies. Further, the claimed steps clearly bring an improvement in the functioning of the existing window operation mechanisms, as the claimed steps provide a technical solution to a technical problem.
[0044] The terms "an embodiment", "embodiment", "embodiments", "the embodiment", "the embodiments", "one or more embodiments", "some embodiments", and "one embodiment" mean "one or more (but not all) embodiments of the invention(s)" unless expressly specified otherwise.
[0045] The terms "including", "comprising", “having” and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to", unless expressly specified otherwise.
[0046] The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms "a", "an" and "the" mean "one or more", unless expressly specified otherwise.
[0047] A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the invention.
[0048] When a single device or article is described herein, it will be clear that more than one device/article (whether they cooperate) may be used in place of a single device/article. Similarly, where more than one device/article is described herein (whether they cooperate), it will be clear that a single device/article may be used in place of the more than one device/article or a different number of devices/articles may be used instead of the shown number of devices or programs. The functionality and/or features of a device may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices which are not explicitly described as having such functionality/features. Thus, other embodiments of invention need not include the device itself.
[0049] Finally, 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 invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based here on. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.
[0050] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Referral Numerals:
Reference Number Description
101 Window control unit
1031 -103N Window safety switch
1051 -105N Local window control switch
107 Central window control switch
109 Window winding controller
111 Window winding motor
113 Override switch
115 Emergency event detection module

, Claims:WE CLAIM:

1. A method of enhancing operational safety of a window in a vehicle, the method comprising:
determining, by a window control unit, a current mode of a window safety switch configured for one or more windows in the vehicle, wherein the current mode of the window safety switch is at least one of a LOCK mode, an UNLOCK mode and an AUTO mode;
performing, by the window control unit, one or more control operations based on the current mode of the window safety switch, the one or more control operations comprising:
deactivating each of one or more operations of each of the one or more windows when the current mode is the LOCK mode;
activating a local window control switch associated with the one or more windows for performing the one or more operations on the one or more windows when the current mode is the UNLOCK mode; and
activating the local window control switch and a central window control switch for performing the one or more operations on the one or more windows when the current mode is the AUTO mode.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more operations comprise at least one of closing the one or more windows and opening the one or more windows.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the current mode of the window safety switch is set to the AUTO mode upon detecting an emergency event.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the window safety switch is activated upon vehicle ignition.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprises setting the current mode of the window safety switch to the AUTO mode using an override switch associated with the central window control switch.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprises closing each of the one or more windows when the window safety switch is in the LOCK mode.

7. A window control unit to enhance operational safety of a window in a vehicle, the window control unit configured to:
determine a current mode of a window safety switch configured for one or more windows in the vehicle, wherein the current mode of the window safety switch is at least one of a LOCK mode, an UNLOCK mode and an AUTO mode;
perform one or more control operations based on the current mode of the window safety switch, the one or more control operations comprising:
deactivating each of one or more operations of each of the one or more windows when the current mode is the LOCK mode;
activating a local window control switch associated with the one or more windows for performing the one or more operations on the one or more windows when the current mode is the UNLOCK mode; and
activating the local window control switch and a central window control switch for performing the one or more operations on the one or more windows when the current mode is the AUTO mode.

8. The window control unit as claimed in claim 7, wherein the one or more operations comprise at least one of closing the one or more windows and opening the one or more windows.

9. The window control unit as claimed in claim 7, wherein the current mode of the window safety switch is set to the AUTO mode upon detecting an emergency event.

10. The window control unit as claimed in claim 7, wherein the window safety switch is activated upon vehicle ignition.

11. The window control unit as claimed in claim 7, wherein an override switch associated with the central window control switch is used for setting the current mode of the window safety switch to the AUTO mode.

12. The window control unit as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of the one or more windows are closed when the window safety switch is in the LOCK mode.

13. A window safety switch to enhance operational safety of a window in a vehicle, the window safety switch comprising:
a mode selection console for selecting a mode of the window safety switch,
wherein the mode comprises at least one of a LOCK mode, an UNLOCK mode and an AUTO mode,
wherein in the LOCK mode, each of one or more operations of each of one or more windows of the vehicle is deactivated,
wherein in the UNLOCK mode, a local window control switch associated with the one or more windows is activated for performing the one or more operations, and
wherein in the AUTO mode, the local window control switch and a central window control switch are activated for performing the one or more operations.