FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a handlebar mounted display unit for automotive vehicles. In particular, the present invention relates to display unit which is an integral part of control switches mounted on handlebar of vehicles for displaying information such as vehicle functioning related information, environmental condition related information, electrical and/or electronic device operation related information, date and time related information, vehicle movement related information etc.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A motorized vehicle comes with one or more display devices which provide to the user vehicle functioning related information, environmental condition related information, electrical and/or electronic device operation related information, date and time related information, vehicle movement related information etc.
By way of example, vehicle functioning related information can include one or more of speed, distance, trip distance, RPM, fuel level, engine temperature, oil level, gear position, system error messages, battery level, etc. By way of example, environmental condition related information includes the temperature, the humidity level, etc. Electrical and/or electronic device operation related information by way of example includes details of operation of radio, the radio station being currently played etc.
It is conventional to provide a multi functional display unit so as to display one or more of the above described information. In a four wheeled vehicle such as a car, a multi functional display unit is conventionally located on a dashboard wherein the user can easily view the same. In a two or three wheeler vehicle such as motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles ("ATVs"), personal watercraft, snowmobiles, or other smaller vehicles, a large dashboard is not available for locating such multi functional display units.
Conventional display units addressed this problem by providing a single display (such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or light emitting diode (LED) display) in the instrument panel located in the space between the handlebars of the vehicles. The operator of such conventional devices must "scroll" through various indication modes shown on the display until the desired indication mode is displayed. To enable such scrolling, the instrument panel houses an adjustment button for navigating from one indicator mode to another. It has been

found that to actuate such adjustment button housed in the instrument panel located between the handlebars of the vehicle, the rider of the vehicle would necessarily have to release one of the handlebars to scroll and/or reset the instrument panel, leaving only one hand to steer the vehicle. Furthermore, to check whether the display unit displays the desired indication mode, the vehicle rider has to substantially bend down his head. This is also found to be not advisable.
Therefore, there is a need to provide a multi functional display unit which addresses one or more of the above described advantages. In this regard, to the best of the Applicant's knowledge, no multi functional display unit is available which can be mounted on the handlebar of the two or three wheeled vehicle and which forms an integral part of control switches on the handlebar of the automotive vehicles.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a display unit as an integrated part of control switches on the handlebar of an automotive vehicle.
Another object of the present invention is to enhance the rider's convenience by displaying information related to vehicle functionality and usability on the handlebar of the vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention relates to a multi functional display unit for use in a two or three wheeled vehicle, comprising a lower case mounted on the handlebar of the vehicle, said lower case comprising at least one control switch for controlling operation of an electronic and/or electrical appliance; a first controller configured to receive information and control a display means so as to display the information thereupon; an user interface operatively connected to the first controller for enabling user interaction therewith, and an uppercase operatively coupled to the lower case, said upper case comprising the display means for displaying the information.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features of the present invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, together with further features and attended advantages, will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with

the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments of the present invention are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanied drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of multi functional display unit according to first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a front perspective view of a multi functional display unit mounted on a handlebar of a vehicle in an open condition in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a rear perspective view of the display unit mounted on the handlebar of the vehicle in closed condition accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates various perspective views of the multi functional display unit mounted on the handlebar of the vehicle in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of multi functional display unit according to third embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 illustrates the display on a LCD screen in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention.
Figure 7 and 8 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the LCD screen in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention.
Figure 9 illustrates a block diagram of a system for displaying operating conditions of the vehicle according to the embodiments of the present invention.
Figure 10 illustrates a detailed block diagram of a system for displaying operating conditions of the vehicle according to the embodiments of the present invention.
Figure 11 illustrates a flowchart showing the functioning of LCD function control switches

controlling the display unit in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to a display unit on handlebar of automotive vehicles. In particular, the present invention relates to Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) unit which is an integral part of control switches mounted on handlebar of vehicles for displaying information related to vehicle functionality, usability and operating conditions.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a multi functional display unit for use in a two or three wheeled vehicle, comprises a lower case mounted on the handlebar of the vehicle, said lower case comprising at least one control switch for controlling operation of an electronic and/or electrical appliance ; a first controller configured to receive information and control a display means so as to display the information thereupon; an user interface operatively connected to the first microcontroller for enabling user interaction therewith, and an uppercase operatively coupled to the lower case, said uppercase comprising the display means for displaying the information.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the upper case and the lower case are connected to each other by way of a connecting mechanism such as hinge mechanism, snap-fit mechanism and so on.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the upper case is set at an extended position by rotating at a predetermined obtuse angle with respect to the lower case.
According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the upper case is pivoted so as to make a first predetermined obtuse angle above the horizontal axis of the handle bar and the lower case is pivoted so as to make a second predetermined acute angle below the horizontal axis of the handle bar.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the unit is mounted on the handlebar of the vehicle using a mounting means.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the first controller is operatively coupled to a second controller, said second controller being configured to receive

the information from one or more sensors and process and transmit the information to the first controller.
According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the first microcontroller and the second controller communicate with each other by means of a communication interface.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the display means is a liquid-crystal display (LCD) screen for displaying the information, said LCD screen is operatively coupled to a display driver for driving the LCD screen.
A two or three wheeler is provided with handle bars having right hand side, a central location and a left hand side. It can be observed, conventionally, the handle bars are provided with control switch module(s) on the right and/or the left hand side of the handle bars. Such a control switch module accommodates one or more control switches. A control switch thus contained in the control switch module is configured to operate one or more electrical / electronic / electro mechanical application provided in the vehicle such as a head light, a blinker (or turn indicator), a horn, a high/low beam position, a pass indicator, an ignition start, an ignition kill, etc.
The multi-functional display unit of the present invention is constructed such that it is mounted at about the right and/or left hand side of the handle bars. Furthermore, the multi-functional display unit of the present invention replaces the control switch module mounted on the right and/or left hand side of the handle bars. If the multi-functional display unit is mounted on the right hand side of the handle bars, the same replaces the right hand side control switch module. Thus, the multi-functional display unit will accommodate all of the control switch(es) originally accommodated by the right hand side control switch module. Similarly, if the multi-functional display unit is mounted on the left hand side of the handle bars, the same replaces the left hand side control switch module. Thus, the multi-functional display unit will accommodate all of the control switch(es) originally accommodated by the left hand side control switch module.
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of multi functional display unit according to first embodiment of the present invention.

Coming to the construction of the multi-functional display unit, Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment comprises a multi-functional display unit including a casing having means provided on a bottom surface for enabling the same to be mounted on the right/left hand side of the handle bar. The casing accommodates one or more control switches 1. The control switches 1 thus accommodated by the casing project partly outside and partly inside the casing. A top outer surface of the casing accommodates a display means 2. An interior portion of the casing accommodates a first controller (not shown in the figure). The casing further accommodates at least one user interface 3. The said user interface 3 is operative connected to the first controller and enables a user to interact with the first controller. The first controller is operatively connected to the display means 2 and is configured to receive information and provide the information to the display means for being displayed thereupon.
In this embodiment, it may be noted that a single casing accommodates all of the ingredients i.e. the display unit, the control switch(es), the controller and the user interface. However, the rider has to bend down his head a higher angle of inclination to view the display unit, thereby distracting the rider while driving the vehicle, which in turn can lead to accidents.
Figure 2 illustrates a front perspective view of a multi functional display unit mounted on a handlebar of a vehicle in an open condition in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
According to the second embodiment, a multi functional display unit is mounted on a handlebar 4 of a vehicle such that the display unit forms an integral part of the control switches of the vehicle. The display unit comprises of a upper case 5 and a lower case 6. The upper case 5 comprises of a display means 2 (also referred to as LCD screen) for displaying information to the rider of the vehicle. The information displayed to the rider of the vehicle includes vehicle functioning related information, environmental condition related information, electrical and/or electronic device operation related information, date and time related information, vehicle movement related information etc.
The lower case 6 accommodates one or more control switches 1 (such as horn, blinker, dipper, push release, pass etc) for controlling the functionality of the vehicle. The control switches 1 thus accommodated by the lower case 6 project partly outside the casing and partly inside. An interior portion of the lower case 6 accommodates a first controller (not

shown in the figure). The lower case further accommodates at least one user interface 3. The said user interface 3 is operatively connected to the first controller and enables a user to interact with display means 2 via the first controller. The first controller is operatively connected to the display means 2 and is configured to receive information, and provide the information to the display means 2 for being displayed thereupon. It may be noted that the display means 2 does not form part of the lower case 6 and distinctively forms part of an upper case 5.
The upper case 5 and the lower case 6 are connected to each other by way of a connecting mechanism such as hinge mechanism 7, snap-fit mechanism etc. The lower case 6 has a means provided on a bottom surface for enabling the same to be mounted on the right/left hand side of the handle bar 4. Further, a control lever 8 is integrated into the body of the display unit. In an operative state of the display unit, the lower and the upper case are joined to each other such that the upper case makes an obtuse angle with respect to the lower case. In a non-operative state, the lower case and the upper case can be non-connected to each other. Alternatively, in a non-operative state, the lower case and the upper case can be in a folded condition (i.e. the upper casing being folded and overlying upon the lower casing). Figure 3 illustrates a rear perspective view of the display unit mounted on the handlebar of the vehicle in closed condition accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.
In closed condition (non-operative state of the display unit), the LCD screen 2 on the upper case 5 of the display unit is folded and rests upon the case lower 6 of the display unit. The rear perspective view as shown in Fig 2 shows the control lever 8 integrated into the body of the display unit. The control lever 8 is covered by an integrated dust protection flap 9 for preventing direct entry of dust into the unit.
Figure 4 illustrates various perspective views of the multi functional display unit mounted on the handlebar of the vehicle in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.
The LCD screen 2 is attached on the upper case 5 of display unit using a flip/ hinge type opening mechanism. The display unit is shown in both open and closed conditions. The display unit is disposed on the handlebar 4 of the vehicle such that the upper case 5 is pivoted so as to make a first predetermined obtuse angle above the handle bar 4 and the lower case is

pivoted so as to make a second predetermined acute angle below the handle bar. An extended position of the upper case is reached by rotating the upper case 5 at a predetermined obtuse angle relative to the lower case 6. The inclination of upper and lower case is made to ensure that vehicle rider does not have to bend his head to view the display unit. Also, the rider can conveniently operate the switches on the lower case 6 when the said lower case is inclined at a predetermined angle.
Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of multi functional display unit according to third embodiment of the present invention.
According to the third embodiment of the present invention, the multi-functional display unit forms an integral part of the control switches and is mounted on a handlebar 4 of the vehicle, comprises of a lower case 5 and an upper case 6 ( similar to the upper and lower case of second embodiment). The lower case 5 and the upper case 6 are connected to each other by a snap-fit mechanism. The lower casing comprises a docking slot within which a protrusion of upper casing can be inserted. In a non-operative state of the display unit, the upper case can be removed from the lower case docking slot of the lower case and can be carried with the rider of the vehicle.
Figure 6 illustrates the display on a LCD screen in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention.
The LCD screen 2 used is multiple segment type (Alpha-numeric, numeric, bars and symbols). The screen comprises of different sections to display various signal outputs. On top left hand side, there are nine bars to display either one of the fuel level / battery level. The user can alternatively view the fuel level/ battery level using the toggle switch provided on the user interface. The bars are followed by date, day and month in the right direction and time in HH:MM format is displayed just below the date. Then on further right, the position of present gear is indicated. Below the gear indication, there is a direction sensor which shows the present direction of motion of the vehicle. There is space for Customized messages towards the left of the direction sensor. Below these customized messages, there is an indication of ambient temperature and Engine temperature in Bars (in 8 levels). The font size for characters is so selected that the rider of the vehicle can read the display effortlessly from driving position while driving the vehicle.

Figure 7 and 8 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the LCD screen in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention.
Figure 7 shows Ink print (Screen Printing) without segments. This printing layer is on the back side of the LCD screen 5 which prevents the screen from harsh environmental conditions as well as Ultra-violet (UV) protection. The printing can be done in any colour. By printing the fixed symbols on screen, the power usage and additional load on the processor is reduced.
Figure 8 shows a representation of actual display with active segments as visible to the rider while driving the vehicle. In the space for customized messages, the FM channel selected by the rider of the vehicle is displayed.
Figure 9 illustrates a block diagram of a system for displaying operating conditions of the vehicle according to the embodiments of the present invention.
In one embodiment, input from various switches and sensors (like temperature sensor, fuel level sensor, gear Switch, direction Sensor etc) are fed to a control unit 10. The control unit 10 comprises of a first and second controller (not shown in the figure). The second controller processes this input according to the pre-defined logic of circuits and programs. Further, the processed signal is given to the first controller which is responsible for the displaying it on LCD screen 2. This processed information is displayed on the LCD screen 2 through a LCD driver circuit. Power supply 11 is used for the operation of controller and various IC's.
Figure 10 illustrates a detailed block diagram of a system for displaying operating conditions of the vehicle according to the embodiments of the present invention.
In one embodiment, the system consists of a display unit, a second controller 12, a communication interface 13 and power supply 11. The display unit and other devices are operated using the power supply 11 from the vehicle. The display unit 1 comprises of a first controller 14, a LCD Driver 15, one or more switches and the LCD screen 2. The display unit 1 is an integral part of control switches mounted on handlebar of a vehicle. The first controller in the display unit and the second controller are connected to each other using the communication interface 13 (for example: a transceiver chip). The system further comprises

one or more sensors and switches including a Direction IC, an engine temperature sensor, gear indicator unit, real time clock (RTC), a battery etc. (hereinafter collectively referred to as 16).
The second controller 12 takes input from the various sensors/ switches 16 and processes the input. The input (like temperature, fuel level, gear indication, direction etc) in second controller 12 is processed according to the pre-defined logic of circuits and programs. The second controller 12 performs all the calculations and the processed signal is transmitted via the communication interface 13 to the first controller 14 which displays the signals on the LCD screen 2. The LCD driver 21 is used to drive the LCD screen 2.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the system is started, the system will initialize a clock in the second controller 12 which further initializes one or more ports and makes transmit 'ON' to the first controller 14 through the communication interface 13 so that the second controller 12 can communicate with display unit. Then, the second controller 12 will initialize all sensors (FM, Direction, Fuel, RTC, etc) and disable all interrupts in the beginning. The second controller 12 takes the minute, hour, day, date and month values form the RTC and pass through the communication interface 13 to the display unit for displaying on the LCD screen 2. Then, the second controller 12 takes the gear and direction value form the gear switch and direction switch respectively and passes these gear and direction values to the LCD screen 2 through the communication interface 13 for display. The second controller 12 further takes the analog value of fuel level, engine temperature, ambient temperature and battery from the respective sensors and converts these values into digital form. Then, these digital signals are manipulated in the form of digits and passed on to display unit. Once all the sensors are successfully integrated, the second controller 12 is set in read mode. For every change in the input value of the sensors, a corresponding change of value is observed in the second controller 12. This change is further transmitted to the display unit for display.
The first controller 14 inside display unit takes input from the second controller 12 and one or more control switches and gives the input to the LCD driver 15. In the display unit, the first controller 14 controls the signals and displays readings on LCD screen 2 through the LCD driver 15.

When the system is started, the system will initialize the clock in the first controller 14 which further initializes the all ports and the LCD Driver 15 and clears the whole screen of the LCD screen 2. Then, the system will display predefined messages (like DRIVE SAFE etc.) in the space provided for the customized message (message box) followed by the start-up animation. Further, the first controller 14 will make transmit 'ON' to the second controller 12 through the communication interface 13 so that the first controller 14 can communicate with the second controller 12. Once the communication between the first controller 14 and second controller 12 is properly established, the second controller 12 clears all the predefined messages from message block. Now the second controller 12 will check for any interrupts. If there is "no interrupt", the second controller 12 will go into infinite loop and if the "interrupt" occurs corresponding to any change in the sensor / switches value, the same change of value is observed by the first controller 14. This change is further transmitted to the LCD driver 15 for the display on the LCD screen 2. The display unit receives input of various sensors and processes the inputs before sending for display. If the processed value is found below or above a defined limit, a warning message will also be displayed on the message box along with a buzzer sound.
A pre-programmed controller is used in the invention for displaying various alerts related to vehicle functionality and usability. For Example: low fuel warning, high engine temperature warning, low battery warning, electrical malfunction indication, fuel cap opener indication, side stand indication, tyre pressure warning, distance/ time to empty and vehicle service reminders.
Figure 11 illustrates a flowchart showing the functioning of LCD function control switches controlling the display unit in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention.
Six switches (SW-1 to SW-6) are used to control various functions (like RTC - Time update, FM control, General purpose functions).
The following describes an exemplary embodiment of the working of the control switches:
For FM Mode:-
• SW 5:- On long press of the switch, FM is turned ON/OFF
• SW 1 and SW 3:- Used for FM tuning

o On short press of the switch SW1 and SW3, increment and decrement in
frequency by 0.1Hz respectively.
o On long press of the switch SW1 and SW3, increment and decrement of next available channel respectively.
• SW 2 and SW 4:- Used for volume increment and decrement respectively.
For RTC (TIME) Setting:-
• If user wants to set time, day, date and month, then FM should be OFF.
• SW 1:- Used for time setting
o On long press of the switch SW1, enter the time setting mode.
o On first short press of the switch SW1, jump from hour to minute, on second
short press of the switch SW1, jump from minute to date and so on.
• SW 2 and SW 4:- value increment and decrement for selected bit
• SW 3:- RTC (TIME) used as SAVE/EXIT
General Purpose Functions of Switch:-
• SW 5:- On short press of the switch SW5, stop the buzzer.
• SW 6:- Show battery level till switch SW6 is pressed, otherwise show the fuel level.
While the particular preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the teachings of the invention. It is therefore contemplates that the present invention cover any and all modifications, variations or equivalents that fall within the scope of the basic underlying principles disclosed above and claimed herein.
ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention has the following advantages:
1. The multi functional display unit of the present invention is mounted on the handlebar of the vehicle such that the driver reaches and operates the display unit easily and comfortably thus achieving an improvement in operability and visibility of the display unit.

2. The multi functional display unit of the present invention is constructed for easy operation since switches are set in position by which fingers of rider's hand can easily correspond while the vehicle is in transit.
3. The multi functional display unit of the present invention provides real time alerts to the rider about functionality, usability and operating conditions of the vehicle.
4. The multi functional display unit is an integral part of control switches on the handlebar of the automotive vehicles; hence no separate space is required for locating the unit. This is advantageous for vehicles which do not have large dashboard space for locating multiple instruments and indicators.
5. The multi functional display unit of the present invention is mounted on the handlebar of the vehicle, so the rider of the vehicle would not have to release one of the handlebars to scroll and/or reset the instrument panel.
6. The multi functional display unit of the present invention is provided with characteristics of visual display, precise value indication, high reliability and clarity, thus allowing safe driving.

We Claim:
1. A multi functional display unit for use in a two or three wheeled vehicle, comprising:
a lower case mounted on the handlebar of the vehicle, said lower case comprising:
at least one control switch for controlling operation of an electronic and/or
electrical appliance;
a first controller configured to receive information and control a display means
so as to display the information thereupon; an user interface operatively connected to the first microcontroller for enabling user
interaction therewith, and an uppercase operatively coupled to the lower case, said uppercase comprising the display means for displaying the information.
2. The multi-functional display unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper case and the lower case are connected to each other by way of a connecting mechanism such as hinge mechanism, snap-fit mechanism and so on.
3. The multi-functional display unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper case is set at an extended position by rotating at a predetermined obtuse angle with respect to the lower case.
4. The multi-functional display unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper case is pivoted so as to make a first predetermined obtuse angle above the horizontal axis of the handle bar and the lower case is pivoted so as to make a second predetermined acute angle below the horizontal axis of the handle bar.
5. The multi-functional display unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the unit is mounted on the handlebar of the vehicle using a mounting means.
6. The multi-functional display unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first controller is operatively coupled to a second controller, said second controller being configured to receive the information from one or more sensors and process and transmit the information to the first controller.


7. The multi-functional display unit as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first microcontroller and the second controller communicate with each other by means of a communication interface.
8. The multi-functional display unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display means is a liquid-crystal display (LCD) screen for displaying the information, said LCD screen is operatively coupled to a display driver for driving the LCD screen.
9. A multi-functional display unit mounted on handlebar of a vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.