TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present disclosure relates to the field of motor vehicles and more particularly for starting an engine of a vehicle only on all the doors of the vehicle being in closed position.
BACKGROUND 5
[002] Generally, the user of a vehicle ensures that doors of the vehicle are properly closed before starting the vehicle. However, sometimes the driver may forget to ensure that the doors are closed. That may result in serious damage to the vehicle to the driver, public and other vehicles too. Due to this reason, most existing vehicles are equipped with alerting systems to indicate to the driver that 10 the doors of the vehicle are not properly closed. However, if the driver of the vehicle unaware of the alert and/or ignores the alert indicating that the door is open, then that may result in accidents due to improperly closed doors.
OBJECTS
[003] The principal object of the embodiments herein is to disclose 15 methods and systems for relaying a signal to an ignition relay unit to start an engine of a vehicle, if all doors of a vehicle are closed.
[004] The other object of the embodiments herein is to disclose methods and systems for blocking relaying the signal to the ignition relay unit to avoid starting the engine of the vehicle, if at least one door of the vehicle is in open 20 position.
[005] The other object of the embodiments herein is to disclose methods and systems for relaying the signal to the ignition relay unit to start the engine of the vehicle, if all doors of the vehicle are in closed position and clutch pedal switch of the vehicle is pressed state. 25
[006] The other object of the embodiments herein is to disclose methods and systems for blocking relaying of the signal to the ignition relay unit to avoid starting the engine of the vehicle, if at least one door of the vehicle is open position or the clutch pedal switch of the vehicle is in released state.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[007] Embodiments herein are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which: 5
[008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating various units of a system to starting an engine of a vehicle by ensuring all doors of the vehicle are in closed position, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[009] FIG. 2a is a flowchart illustrating a method for safely starting an engine of an automatic transmission vehicle by ensuring all doors of the vehicle 10 are in closed position, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[010] FIG.2b is a flowchart illustrating a method for safely starting an engine of a manual transmission vehicle on ensuring all the doors of the vehicle are closed, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[011] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating door status information (i.e., 15 open or closed) of a vehicle, wherein a rear right door of the vehicle is in open position and remaining doors are in closed positions, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[012] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating door status information (i.e., open or closed) of a vehicle, wherein all the doors of the vehicle are in closed 20 position, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[013] The example embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and 5 processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The description herein is intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the example embodiments herein can be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the example embodiments herein. Accordingly, this disclosure should not be construed as limiting the scope 10 of the example embodiments herein.
[014] The embodiments herein achieve methods and systems for starting an engine of a vehicle. A method includes determining door status information of all doors present in the vehicle, wherein the door status information includes, one of an open position and a closed position. Further, the method includes relaying a 15 signal to an ignition relay unit to start the engine of the vehicle, if the determined door status information of all the doors of the vehicle is in closed position. Further, the method includes blocking relaying the signal to the ignition relay unit to avoid starting the engine of the vehicle, if the determined door status information of at least one door of the vehicle is in open position. In an 20 embodiment, the method includes determining a clutch pedal switch status of the vehicle based on a received clutch pedal switch status of the vehicle from a clutch pedal status relay unit, wherein the clutch pedal switch status includes one of pressed and released state. Further, the method includes relaying the signal to the ignition relay unit to start the engine of the vehicle, if the determined door status 25 information of all the doors of the vehicle are in closed position and the clutch pedal switch of the vehicle is in pressed state. In an embodiment, the method includes blocking relaying of the signal to the ignition relay unit to avoid starting the engine of the vehicle, if the determined door status information of the at least one door of the vehicle is in open position or the clutch pedal switch of the vehicle 30 is in released state. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS.
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1 through 4, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown example embodiments.
[015] Doors as referred to herein can be any open able section of the vehicle. Examples of the doors can be, but not limited to, doors to access the cabin of the vehicle, hatches, boots, bonnet, and so on. 5
[016] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating various units of a system 100 to safely start an engine of the vehicle on ensuring all doors of the vehicle are in closed position, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.
[017] The embodiments herein provide a system 100 for ensuring the doors of the vehicle are in closed position to start the engine to start the vehicle. 10 The system 100 includes the door sensor unit 102, an Electronic Controller Unit (ECU) 104, a clutch pedal status relay unit 106 and an ignition relay unit 108. The door sensor unit 102 and the clutch pedal status relay unit 106 can be connected with the ECU 104. The door sensor unit 102 can be configured to provide the door status information of all the doors of the vehicle to the ECU 104. In an 15 embodiment, the door status information includes one of an open position and a close position. The ECU 104 can be configured to determine the door status information of all the doors of the vehicle. Further, the ECU 104 can be configured to relay a signal to an ignition relay unit 108 to start the engine of the vehicle, if the determined door status information of all the doors of the vehicle is 20 in closed position. Further, the ECU 104 can be configured to block relaying the signal to the ignition relay unit (108) to avoid starting the engine of the vehicle, if the determined door status information of at least one door of the vehicle is in open position. This happens in case of automatic transmission vehicles to ensure all the doors of the vehicle are closed before starting the vehicle. However, in case 25 of manual transmission vehicles, the ECU 104 can be configured to determine a clutch pedal switch status of the vehicle based on a received clutch pedal switch status from the clutch pedal status relay unit 106, wherein the clutch pedal switch status includes one of pressed and released state. Based on the clutch pedal status, the ECU 104 determines whether the clutch pedal switch is in the pressed state or 30 in the released state. Further, the ECU 104 can be configured to relay the signal to
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the ignition relay unit 108 to start the engine of the vehicle, if the determined door status information of all the doors of the vehicle is in closed position and the clutch pedal switch of the vehicle is in pressed state. Thus, the system 100 ensures all the doors of the vehicle are closed before starting the vehicle. Further, the method includes blocking the relaying of the signal to the ignition relay unit 108 5 to avoid starting the engine of the vehicle, if the determined door status information of the at least one door of the vehicle is in the open position or the clutch pedal switch of the vehicle is in the released state.
[018] FIG. 1 shows exemplary units of the system 100, but it is to be understood that other embodiments are not limited thereon. In other embodiments, 10 the system 100 may include less or more number of units. Further, the labels or names of the units are used only for illustrative purpose and does not limit the scope of the embodiments herein. One or more units can be combined together to perform same or substantially similar function in the system 100.
[019] FIG. 2a is a flowchart 200a illustrating a method for safely starting 15 an engine of an automatic transmission vehicle on ensuring all the doors of the vehicle are closed, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.
[020] At step 202a, the method includes determining door status information of all doors present in the vehicle based on the received door status information of all the doors of the vehicle from door sensor unit(s) 102. The 20 method allows the ECU 104 to determine door status information of all the doors present in the vehicle based on the received door status information of all the doors of the vehicle from the door sensor unit(s) 102, wherein the door status information includes one of an open position and a close position.
[021] At step 204a, the method includes relaying a signal to an ignition 25 relay unit 108 to start the engine of the vehicle, if the determined door status information of all the doors of the vehicle is in closed position. The method allows the ECU 104 to relay the signal to an ignition relay unit 108 to start the engine of the vehicle, if the determined door status information of all the doors of the vehicle is in closed position. Thus, the system 100 ensures all the doors of the 30 vehicle are closed before starting the engine of the vehicle.
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[022] At step 206a, the method includes blocking the relaying of the signal to the ignition relay unit 108 to avoid starting the engine of the vehicle, if the determined door status information of at least one door of the vehicle is in open position. The method allows the ECU 104 block relaying the signal to the ignition relay unit 108 to avoid starting the engine of the vehicle, if the determined door 5 status information of the at least one door of the vehicle is in open position .
[023] The various actions, acts, blocks, steps, or the like in the method and the flow diagram 200a may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some of the actions, acts, blocks, steps, or the like may be omitted, added, modified, skipped, or the like 10 without departing from the scope of the invention.
[024] FIG.2b is a flowchart 200a illustrating a method for safely starting an engine of a manual transmission vehicle on ensuring all the doors of the vehicle are closed, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.
[025] At step 202b, the method includes determining door status 15 information of all doors present in the vehicle based on the received door status information of all the doors of the vehicle from the door sensor unit(s) 102. The method allows the ECU 104 to determine door status information of all the doors present in the vehicle based on the received door status information of all the doors of the vehicle from the door sensor unit(s) 102, wherein the door status 20 information includes one of an open position and a close position.
[026] At step 204b, the method includes determining a clutch pedal switch status of the vehicle based on a received clutch pedal switch status of the vehicle from the clutch pedal status relay unit 106. The method allows the ECU 104 to determine the clutch pedal switch status of the vehicle based on a received clutch 25 pedal switch status of the vehicle from a clutch pedal status relay unit 106.
[027] At step 206b, the method includes relaying a signal to the ignition relay unit 108 to initiate the engine of the vehicle, if the determined door status information of all the doors of the vehicle are in closed position and the clutch pedal switch of the vehicle is in pressed state. The method allows the ECU 104 to 30 relay the signal to the ignition relay unit to initiate the engine of the vehicle, if the
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determined door status information of all the doors of the vehicle are in closed position and the clutch pedal switch of the vehicle is in pressed state.
[028] At step 208b, the method includes blocking the relaying of the signal to the ignition relay unit 108 to avoid starting the engine of the vehicle, if the determined door status information of at least one door of the vehicle is in open 5 position or the clutch pedal switch of the vehicle is in released state. The method allows the electronic controller unit 104 to Block the relaying of the signal to the ignition relay unit to avoid starting the engine of the vehicle, if the determined door status information of the at least one door of the vehicle is in open position or the clutch pedal switch of the vehicle is in released state. 10
[029] The various actions, acts, blocks, steps, or the like in the method and the flow diagram 200b may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some of the actions, acts, blocks, steps, or the like may be omitted, added, modified, skipped, or the like without departing from the scope of the invention. 15
[030] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram 300 illustrating door status information (i.e., open or closed) of a vehicle, wherein a rear right door of the vehicle is in open position and remaining doors are in closed positions, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.
[031] The embodiments herein provide a system 100 for ensuring the 20 doors of the vehicle are in closed position to start the engine to start the vehicle. If at least one door of the vehicle is in open position, then the engine/motor of the vehicle may not start until all the doors are closed. The circuit diagram 300 represents the system 100, wherein the circuit 300 includes the door sensor unit 102, the ECU 104, the clutch pedal status relay unit 106 and the Ignition relay unit 25 108. The door sensor unit 102 and the clutch pedal status relay unit 106 can be connected with the ECU 104. The door sensor unit 102 can be configuring to relay the door status information of the doors of the vehicles to the ECU104. In an embodiment, the door status information includes one of an open position and close position. Similarly, the clutch pedal status relay unit 106 can be configured 30 to relay the clutch pedal switch status of the vehicle to the ECU 104. The clutch
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pedal switch status includes whether the clutch pedal switch is in pressed or released state. The circuit diagram 300 indicates a rear right door of the vehicle is in the open position and the other doors of the vehicle are in closed position, thus the door status of the vehicle is determined to be open. Further, the clutch pedal switch status of the vehicle is in the released state. Therefore, the ECU 104 blocks 5 relaying the signal to the ignition relay unit 108 to avoid starting the engine of the vehicle.
[032] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram 400 illustrating door status information (i.e., open or closed) of the vehicle, wherein all the doors of the vehicle are in closed position, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. 10
[033] The embodiments herein provide a system 100 for initiating the engine to start the vehicle only on ensuring all the doors of the vehicle are closed. If the doors of the vehicle is in closed position and the clutch pedal switch of the vehicle is pressed, then the ECU 104 can be configured to relay the signal to the ignition relay unit 108 to start the engine/motor to start the vehicle. The circuit 15 diagram 400 indicates all the doors of the vehicle are in the closed position and the clutch pedal switch status of the vehicle is in the pressed state. Therefore, the ECU 104 relays the signal to the ignition relay unit 108 to start the engine of the vehicle, if the determined door status information of all doors of the vehicle are in closed position and the clutch pedal switch of the vehicle is in pressed state. 20
[034] The embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented through at least one software program running on at least one hardware device and performing network management functions to control the elements. The elements shown in FIG. 1 can be at least one of a hardware device, or a combination of hardware device and software module. 25
[035] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended 30 within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to
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be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein. 5

I/We claim:
1.A method for starting an engine of a vehicle, the method comprising:
determining, by the electronic controller unit (ECU) (104), door status information of all doors present in the vehicle, wherein the door status information includes one of an open position and a closed position; and
relaying, by the (ECU) (104), a signal to an ignition relay unit (108) to start the engine of the vehicle, if the determined door status information of all the doors of the vehicle are in closed position.
2.The method of claim 1, wherein the method further includes blocking relaying, by the (ECU) (104), the signal to the ignition relay unit (108) to avoid starting the engine of the vehicle, if the determined door status information of at least one door of the vehicle is in open position.
3.The method of claim 1, wherein the method includes:
determining, by the (ECU) (104), a clutch pedal switch status of the vehicle based on a received clutch pedal switch status of the vehicle from a clutch pedal status relay unit (106), wherein the clutch pedal switch status includes one of pressed and released state; and
relaying, by the (ECU) (104), the signal to the ignition relay unit (108) to start the engine of the vehicle, if the determined door status information of all the doors of the vehicle are in closed position and the clutch pedal switch of the vehicle is in pressed state.
4.The method of claim 3, wherein the method includes blocking relaying, by the (ECU) (104), the signal to the ignition relay unit (108) to avoid starting the engine of the vehicle, if the determined door status information of the at least one door of the vehicle is in open position or the clutch pedal switch of the vehicle is in released state.
5.The method of claim 1, wherein determining, by the (ECU) (104), door status information of all the doors present in the vehicle includes:
receiving, by the ECU (104), the door status information of all the doors from the at least one door sensor unit (102); and
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determining, by the ECU (104), the door status information of all the doors present in the vehicle based on the received door status information.
6.A system (100) for starting an engine of a vehicle, the system (100) comprising:
an electronic controller unit (ECU) (104) in communication with a door sensor unit (102), a clutch pedal status relay unit (106) and an ignition relay unit (108), the ECU (104) configured to:
determine door status information of all doors present in the vehicle, wherein the door status information includes one of an open position and a closed position; and
relay a signal to an ignition relay unit (108) to start the engine of the vehicle, if the determined door status information of all the doors of the vehicle are in closed position.
7.The system (100) of claim 6, wherein the ECU (104) further configured to block relaying the signal to the ignition relay unit (108) to avoid starting the engine of the vehicle, if the determined door status information of the at least one door of the vehicle is in open position.
8.The system (100) of claim 6, wherein the ECU (104) further configured to:
determine a clutch pedal switch status of the vehicle based on a received clutch pedal switch status of the vehicle from a clutch pedal status relay unit (106), wherein the clutch pedal switch status includes one of pressed and released state; and
relay the signal to the ignition relay unit (108) to start the engine of the vehicle, if the determined door status information of all the doors of the vehicle are in closed position and the clutch pedal switch of the vehicle is in pressed state.
9.The system (100) of claim 8, wherein the ECU (104) further configured to block the signal to the ignition relay unit (108) to avoid starting the engine of the vehicle, if the determined door status information of the at least one door of the vehicle is in open position or the clutch pedal switch of the vehicle is in released state.
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10. The system (100) of claim 6, wherein the ECU (104) configured to determine door status information of all the doors present in the vehicle by
receiving the door status information of the of all the doors from the at least one door sensor unit (102); and
determining the door status information of all the doors present in the vehicle1 based on the received door status information.