DESC:FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0001] The present invention relates to navigation system of a vehicle, and more particularly, to navigation system of a saddle riding type vehicle.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Generally, a navigation system is provided in a vehicle to assist the users of the vehicle. Oftentimes, the navigation system is provided integrally with the dashboard of the vehicle. However, in some vehicles such as a two-wheeled vehicle, there is limitation in terms of the hardware and the space available to accommodate the navigation system. To address this concern, some of the two-wheeled vehicles are provided with a system which uses navigation program of a mobile device of the user and provides the same navigation route map into a display unit provided on the dashboard of the vehicle. However, such system requires additional hardware and a strong processing unit to provide the complete map into the display unit which increases the cost.

SUMMARY

[0003] In an embodiment, a navigation system of a saddle riding type vehicle is provided. The navigation system comprises a communication module, a control unit and a display unit. The communication module is configured to communicate with a mobile device to receive navigation information from the mobile device. The control unit is electronically coupled to the communication module, and the control unit is configured to process the navigation information received from the mobile device. The display unit is electronically coupled to the control unit and is controlled by the control unit. The display unit is configured to display the processed navigation information.
[0004] In an embodiment, a navigation system of a saddle riding type vehicle is provided. The navigation system comprises a communication module, a microphone, a control unit and a display unit. The communication module is configured to communicate with a mobile device to receive navigation information from the mobile device. The microphone is configured to receive a voice command of an operator of the saddle riding type vehicle. The control unit is electronically coupled to the communication module. The control unit is configured to send a signal to the mobile device to provide the navigation information in response to the voice command received by the microphone, and process the navigation information received from the mobile device. The control unit is further configured to cause the display unit electronically coupled to the control unit to display the processed navigation information.
[0005] In an embodiment, the processed navigation information comprises one or more route symbols. The one or more route symbols comprise one of a straight route symbol, a left directional symbol for a left turn and a right directional symbol for a right turn.
[0006] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to enable the display unit to display the left directional symbol or the right directional symbol in a first colour when the saddle riding type vehicle reaches a first predetermined distance before a manoeuvre point. Further, the control unit is configured to enable the display unit to display the left directional symbol or the right directional symbol in a second colour when the saddle riding type vehicle reaches a second predetermined distance before a manoeuvre point. In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to enable a blinking display of the left directional symbol or the right directional symbol in the display unit when the saddle riding type vehicle reaches the second predetermined distance before the manoeuvre point.
[0007] In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to change a size of the left directional symbol or the right directional symbol as the saddle riding type vehicle approaches the manoeuvre point.
[0008] In an embodiment, the processed navigation information comprises a distance information and a time information corresponding to a manoeuvre point.
[0009] In an embodiment, the communication network is a short range wireless network. In another embodiment, the communication network is a wired network.
[0010] In an embodiment, a method for providing navigation in a saddle riding type vehicle comprises establishing communication between a communication module and a mobile device for receiving a navigation information from the mobile device. The method also comprises processing the navigation information to generate processed navigation information by a control unit. Further, the method comprises displaying the processed navigation information at a display unit by the control unit.
[0011] In an embodiment, the communication is established between the communication module and the mobile device based on a voice command of an operator received by a microphone in the saddle riding type vehicle. In an embodiment, the method further comprises providing a voice alert corresponding to the processed navigation information by a loudspeaker.
[0012] In an embodiment, a saddle riding type vehicle comprises a console unit and a navigation system mounted to the console unit. The navigation system comprises a communication module, a control unit and a display unit. The communication module is configured to communicate with a mobile device to receive navigation information from the mobile device. The control unit is electronically coupled to the communication module, and the control unit is configured to process the navigation information received from the mobile device. The display unit is electronically coupled to the control unit and is controlled by the control unit. The display unit is configured to display the processed navigation information.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] 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 accompanying drawing wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
[0014] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a two-wheeled vehicle, according to an embodiment;
[0015] Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of the navigation system of a saddle riding type vehicle, according to an embodiment.
[0016] Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart outlining working of the navigation system of the two-wheeled vehicle, according to an embodiment.
[0017] Figure 4A illustrates an example of processed navigation information displayed in a display unit of the navigation system, according to an embodiment;
[0018] Figure 4B illustrates another example of processed navigation information displayed in the display unit of the navigation system, according to an embodiment;
[0019] Figure 4C illustrates yet another example of processed navigation information displayed in the display unit of the navigation system, according to an embodiment; and
[0020] Figure 5 illustrates a block diagram of a navigation system of a saddle riding type vehicle, according to another embodiment.
[0021] The drawings referred to in this description are not to be understood as being drawn to scale except if specifically noted, and such drawings are only exemplary in nature.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawing and will be described below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the invention.
[0023] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, 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, 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 apparatus.
[0024] The terms “vehicle”, “two-wheeled vehicle”, “straddle-ride type vehicle”, “saddle riding type vehicle” and “motorcycle” may have been interchangeably used throughout the description. The term “two wheeled vehicle” includes vehicles such as motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, mopeds, scooter type vehicle, all terrain vehicles (ATV) and the like. The invention is not limited to a particular type of vehicle and it can be implemented in any vehicle.
[0025] The “control unit” as described in the description, can take form of either a microprocessor or any similar programmable devices. For example, the “Control unit” may be embodied as one or more of various processing devices, such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processing circuitry with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other processing devices including integrated circuits such as, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, or the like. The “control unit” can comprise either single control unit or multiple control units as each of the control units being electronically connected with each other using serial bus to transmit the data there between.
[0026] Various embodiments of a navigation system are described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 5. For better understanding of this invention, reference would now be made to the embodiments in the accompanying figures and description below, further, in the following figures, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same components in various views.
[0027] Figure 1 illustrates side view of a saddle riding type vehicle for example a two-wheeled vehicle (100) (hereinafter interchangeably referred to as ‘vehicle (100)’) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) comprises, inter-alia, a front fork (121), a head pipe (122), a console unit (120), a front fender (172), a front wheel (123), a headlight (128), a steering handlebar (124), a fuel tank (125), an engine unit (126), a rear suspension (129), a swing arm (173), an indicator (118), a dress guard (111), a rear wheel (127), a rear fender (116), a tail light (117) and a seat (130). It may be noted that the two-wheeled vehicle (100) is shown to have include above stated parts, however, those ordinarily skilled in the art would appreciate that the two-wheeled vehicle (100) includes other parts which may not be relevant for explaining embodiments of the present invention and hence are not shown and described.
[0028] As depicted in Figure 1, the body frame of the two-wheeled vehicle (100) comprises a main frame (102), the head pipe (122), a pair of seat rail members comprising a left seat rail member (103) and a right seat rail member (not visible in Figures), a pair of sub-frame members comprising a left sub-frame member (109) and a right sub-frame member (not visible in Figures), a down frame member (105) and one or more brackets. The main frame (102) comprises a front portion (102a) that extends obliquely in the rearward and downward direction from the head pipe (122) and a rear portion (102b) changing the direction and thereafter extending further downward. The pair of seat rails comprising the left seat rail member (103) and the right seat rail member (not visible in drawings) extends from a rear end of the front portion (102a) of the main frame (102). The down frame member (105) obliquely extends in the downward direction from the lower portion of the head pipe (122). The left sub-frame member (109) and the right sub-frame member connect the rear portion (102b) of the main frame (102) and the respective seat-rail, for example, the left seat-rail (103) or the right seat-rail, through a bracket.
[0029] As illustrated in Figure 1, the front fork (121) is rotatably attached to the head pipe (122) enabling free steering. The front fork (121) supports the front wheel (123) at lower end thereof and the steering handlebar (124) at upper end thereof. A front fender (172) is provided above to the rear of the front wheel (123) for shielding the operator from mud.
[0030] The left seat rail member (103) and the right seat rail member primarily intended to support the seat (130) for a rider and/or pillion, are disposed above the rear wheel (127). The dress guard (111) is connected to the left seat rail member (103), and the dress guard (111) is intended to cover the left side of the rear wheel (127). The rear wheel (127) is covered from above by the rear fender (116) which is mounted onto the rear end portions of the left seat rail member (103) and the right seat rail member. The rear wheel suspension section includes the swing arm (173) supporting the rear wheel (127) and at least one rear suspension (129) attached between the swing arm (173) and the left seat rail member (103) or the right seat rail member. The tail light (117) is mounted on the rear fender (116).
[0031] The console unit (120) is mounted to a front cowl structure of the two-wheeled vehicle (100) and is utilized to accommodate therein a speedometer, a tachometer, a fuel gauge, and the like device. In a non-limiting embodiment, a navigation system (200) or a navigation system (500) described in Figures 1 and 5, respectively may be mounted to the console unit (120).
[0032] Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of a navigation system (200) for a saddle riding type vehicle such as the two-wheeled vehicle (100), according to an embodiment. The navigation system (200) comprises a communication module (206), a display unit (202) and a control unit (204). The navigation system (200) is configured to connect to a mobile device (212) through a communication network (214). For instance, the communication module (206) has communication interfaces to establish communication with the mobile device (212) through the communication network (214). In an embodiment, the communication module (206) is configured to establish a wireless communication with the mobile device (212) to receive navigation information from the mobile device (212). The control unit (204) is electronically coupled to the communication module (206). The display unit (202) is electronically coupled to the control unit (204) and its display is controlled by the control unit (204). In an embodiment, the display unit (202) includes a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display or a field emitting display (FED). The mobile device (212) has a navigation program running thereon. Examples of the navigation program may be any suitable navigation program (e.g., Google map, Here® map, etc.) running on mobile operating systems such as iOS®, AndroidTM OS, Windows ® Phone OS, Blackberry® OS and mobile versions of Linux OS. In an embodiment, the mobile device (212) includes a mobile phone, a tablet, smart phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable communication device or even a navigation device capable of executing navigation program.
[0033] In an embodiment, the communication network (214) includes a short range wireless network implemented according to a telecommunication standard such as a BluetoothTM, infrared network, and any other wireless network. In an embodiment, the communication network (214) includes a wired network. The navigation system (200) is connected to a power source (210) of the vehicle (100) In an embodiment, the navigation system (200) is connected to the power source (210) of the vehicle (100) through an ignition switch and a regulating means of the vehicle (100) such that the navigation system (200) is powered by the power source (210) when the ignition switch is in ‘ON’ state. The regulating means is in-built in the navigation system (200). In an embodiment, the navigation system (200) is integral part of a console unit for example, the console unit (120) of the vehicle (100). In yet another embodiment, the navigation system (200) is a standalone system mounted on the vehicle (100) at a position such that the rider can easily visualize the display unit (202) of the navigation system (200).
[0034] Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart of a process (300) outlining working of the navigation system (200), according to an embodiment. At step 302, the mobile device (212) is instructed by a user (e.g., operator of the vehicle (100)) to run a navigation program (e.g., a navigation application) installed in the mobile device (212). In step 304, a destination location is selected within the navigation application by the user in the mobile device (212). In step 306, a communication is established between the mobile device (212) and the communication module (206) via the communication network (214), and the mobile device (212) starts communicating with the navigation system (200). In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, a navigation system (e.g., a navigation system 500) is provided with a first indicator (502) and a second indicator (504). The first indicator (502) turns ‘ON’ upon establishing the communication network (214) between the navigation system and the mobile device (212). Also, the second indicator (504) turns ‘ON’ when the navigation system starts communicating with the mobile device (212).
[0035] In step 308, the navigation information is received by the communication module (206) from the mobile device (212). In an embodiment, the navigation information includes a serial data. The serial data is communicated to the communication module (206) over a short range wireless communication protocol. In an embodiment, the short range wireless communication protocol includes a Serial Port Profile (SPP). In an embodiment, the protocol format is a 16 byte of data packet including a 1 byte of direction character, 5 byte of distance data and 4 byte of time data. In step 310, the received navigation information is processed by the control unit (204). In an embodiment, the received navigation information (e.g., in form of serial data) is processed by the control unit (204) to generate one or more route symbols and analogous data such as distance information and time information. In step 312, the processed navigation information is displayed on the display unit (202). In an embodiment, one or more route symbols, the distance and time data are displayed on the display unit (202). Some example of the route symbols, distance and time information are explained with reference to Figures 4A, 4B and 4C.
[0036] Examples of the one or more route symbols may be configured to any suitable route symbols that can be easily recognized by the operator for the directional navigation purposes. For example, for a straight route (where there is no need to turn left or right), straight route symbol such as a straight arrow or a straight line can be displayed. Further, for indicating a manoeuvre point requiring left turn, a left directional symbol such as a left arrow or a left curve can be displayed; and similarly for indicating a manoeuvre point requiring right turn, a right directional symbol such as a right arrow or a right curve can be displayed. In some example embodiments, the straight route symbol may not be displayed at all, or may be displayed at intermittent intervals, and in such situations, it will be understood to the operator that he/she needs to ride the vehicle (100) without taking any left or right turn.
[0037] In an embodiment, as shown in Figures 4A, 4B and 4C, the navigation information is processed by the control unit (204) to generate the route symbol indicative of a direction and analogous data. In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 4A, the route symbol is a straight route symbol (e.g., a straight arrow) if there is no need to turn the vehicle (100) in the navigation route. The straight route symbol changes as soon as the vehicle (100) reaches near a manoeuvre point requiring a left or right turn. For example, the straight route symbol changes to a directional route symbol before a first predetermined distance or a predetermined time of the manoeuvre point. For example, if the first predetermined distance is set as 80 meters, and the next manoeuvre point relates to a right turn, the directional route symbol for the right turn (e.g., right arrow) is displayed on the display unit (202) when the vehicle (100) reaches a distance of about 80 meters from the manoeuvre point (i.e. actual right turn). Additional or optionally, in an embodiment, the directional arrows for a particular turn starts blinking on the display unit (202) before a second predetermined distance (e.g., 50 meters) before the manoeuvre point. For example, as shown in Figure 4B, the right arrow for the right turn starts blinking on the display unit (202) at a distance of 50 meters before the actual right turn. It is noted that the second predetermined distance is less than the first predetermined distance.
[0038] Similarly, if the first predetermined distance is set as 80 meters, and the manoeuvre point relates to a left turn, the directional route symbol for the left turn (e.g., left arrow) is displayed on the display unit (202) when the vehicle (100) is at a distance of about 80 meters from the manoeuvre point (i.e. actual left turn). Additional or optionally, in an embodiment, the directional arrows for the left turn starts blinking on the display unit (202) before the second predetermined distance (e.g., 50 meters) before the manoeuvre point. For example, as shown in Figure 4C, the left arrow for the left turn starts blinking on the display unit (202) at a distance of 50 meters before the actual left turn.
[0039] Additionally or optionally, in yet another embodiment, the control unit (204) is configured to change the colour of directional route symbol for a particular turn on the display unit (202) at the second predetermined distance (e.g., 50 meters) or at a third predetermined distance (e.g., 20 meters) before the manoeuvre point. For example, firstly, a directional arrow of green colour is displayed in the display unit (202) at 50 meters distance before the manoeuvre point such as left turn, and then the colour of directional arrow changes from green to red when the vehicle (100) reaches a distance of 20 meters before the left turn. In yet another embodiment, an audio indication is provided to the user at the first predetermined distance and/or the second or third predetermined distance before the manoeuvre point. It should be noted that Figures 4A, 4B and 4C are just an example of the various route symbols used for display in the display unit (202). However, the present invention is not limited to the route symbols as illustrated in the Figures 4A, 4B and 4C, and that the route symbols and analogous information may be configured a variety of ways that can be perceived by the operator of the vehicle (100).
[0040] In an additional embodiment, the control unit (204) is also configured to change a size of the left directional symbol or the right directional symbol as the saddle riding type vehicle approaches the manoeuvre point. For examples, the route symbols (e.g., the directional route symbols, and optionally the time and distance related data) may be displayed initially in normal size; and as the vehicle (100) approaches the actual turn, sizes of the displayed route symbols on the display unit (202) increase in a gradual manner till optimum sizes of the route symbols are displayed on the display unit (102).
[0041] The present invention may have one or more variations, for example, a navigation system (500) as shown in Figure 5. The navigation system (500), in addition to the components of the navigation system (200), comprises a voice sensor for example a microphone (506) and a loudspeaker such as a directional loudspeaker (508).
[0042] Upon turning ON an ignition switch (510) of the vehicle (100), the microphone (506) is configured to detect voice inputs of the operator of the vehicle (100). The control unit (204) is configured to receive electrical signal in response to the voice inputs from the microphone (506). In this embodiment, there is a two-way communication between the control unit (204) and the mobile device (212).
[0043] In this embodiment, when the control unit (204) detects the presence of the operator based on the receipt of the electrical signal from the microphone (506), the control unit (204) sends a signal to the mobile device (212) to automatically launch the navigation program in the mobile device (212), and the operator may provide destination details to the mobile device (212) inform of voice inputs. For example, once the mobile device (212) initiates the navigation program, the mobile device (212) can ask the operator to provide the destination details using the voice commands. It should be noted that the mobile device (212) may be configured in suitable mode (e.g., a driving mode) in which the mobile device (212) can be configured to receive inputs form the communication module (206) as initiated by the control unit (204). Hence, in the driving mode, the operator can simply provide voice commands to the navigation system (500) to initiate the navigation program on the mobile device (212).
[0044] In another embodiment, the control unit (204) may also decipher the destination details based on the inputs from the microphone, if the operator provides a preset voice commands for the destination details. For instance, the operator may provide preset voice commands like ‘launch the navigation’ and ‘my destination is XYZ’. Such voice commands are received by the microphone (506), and corresponding electrical signals are provided to the control unit (204). Based on the inputs received from the microphone (506), the control unit (204) is configured to send signals to the mobile device (212) to launch the navigation program with the destination details.
[0045] In one example embodiment, the mobile device (212) may also receive navigation details from a remote location, for example, from another device of an acquaintance of the operator of the vehicle (100). In this embodiment, the mobile device (212) may receive the navigation details, for example, a destination address from the remote device, and will automatically launch the navigation by interacting with the control unit (204) via the communication module (206).
[0046] While the route symbols, along with distances are displayed on the display unit (202), the loudspeaker (508) may also be configured to provide voice alert (or voice assistance) to the operator. For example, the control unit (204) may configure the loudspeaker (508) to provide preset voice alerts like ‘turn right after 20 meters’, ‘turn left after 20 meters’, ‘turn right’ etc.
[0047] While few embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the above embodiments and modifications may be appropriately made thereto within the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0048] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this invention, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other modifications in the nature of the invention or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A navigation system (200) of a saddle riding type vehicle (100), comprising:
a communication module (206) configured to communicate with a mobile device (212) to receive navigation information from the mobile device (212);
a control unit (204) electronically coupled to the communication module (206), the control unit (204) configured to process the navigation information received from the mobile device (212); and
a display unit (202) electronically coupled to the control unit (204) and controlled by the control unit (204), the display unit (202) configured to display the processed navigation information.

2. The navigation system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processed navigation information comprises one or more route symbols.

3. The navigation system (200) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the one or more route symbols comprise one of a straight route symbol, a left directional symbol for a left turn and a right directional symbol for a right turn.

4. The navigation system (200) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the control unit (204) is configured to enable the display unit (202) to display the left directional symbol or the right directional symbol in a first colour when the saddle riding type vehicle (100) reaches a first predetermined distance before a manoeuvre point.

5. The navigation system (200) as claimed in claims 3 or 4, wherein the control unit (204) is configured to enable the display unit (202) to display the left directional symbol or the right directional symbol in a second colour when the saddle riding type vehicle (100) reaches a second predetermined distance before a manoeuvre point.

6. The navigation system (200) as claimed in any of the claims 3 to 5, wherein the control unit (204) is configured to enable a blinking display of the left directional symbol or the right directional symbol in the display unit (202) when the saddle riding type vehicle (100) reaches a second predetermined distance before a manoeuvre point.

7. The navigation system (200) as claimed in claim any of the claims 4 to 6, wherein the control unit (204) is configured to change a size of the left directional symbol or the right directional symbol as the saddle riding type vehicle (100) approaches the manoeuvre point.

8. The navigation system (200) as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the processed navigation information comprises a distance information and a time information corresponding to a manoeuvre point.

9. The navigation system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication network (214) is a short range wireless network.

10. A navigation system (500) of a saddle riding type vehicle (100), comprising:
a communication module (206) configured to communicate with a mobile device (212) to receive navigation information from the mobile device (212);
a microphone (506) configured to receive a voice command of an operator of the vehicle (100);
a control unit (204) electronically coupled to the communication module (206), the control unit (204) configured to:
send a signal to the mobile device (212) to provide the navigation information in response to the voice command received by the microphone (506);
process the navigation information received from the mobile device (212); and
a display unit (202) electronically coupled to the control unit (204) and controlled by the control unit (204), the display unit (202) configured to display the processed navigation information.

11. The navigation system (500) as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a loudspeaker (508) to provide voice alert to the operator based on input received from the control unit (204).

12. The navigation system (500) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the processed navigation information comprises at least one of one or more route symbols, a distance information and a time information corresponding to a manoeuvre point.

13. The navigation system (500) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the communication network (214) is one of a short range wireless network.

14. A method (300) for providing navigation in a vehicle (100) comprising:
establishing communication between a communication module (206) and a mobile device (212) for receiving a navigation information from the mobile device (212);
processing, by a control unit (204), the navigation information to generate a processed navigation information; and
displaying, at a display unit (202) by the control unit (204), the processed navigation information.

15. The method (300) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the communication is established between the communication module (206) and the mobile device (212) based on a voice command of an operator received by a microphone (506).

16. The method (300) as claimed in claim 14, further comprising providing a voice alert corresponding to the processed navigation information by a loudspeaker (508).

17. A vehicle (100) comprising:
a console unit (120); and
a navigation system (200) mounted to the console unit (120), the navigation system (200) comprising:
a communication module (206) configured to communicate with a mobile device (212) to receive navigation information from the mobile device (212);
a control unit (204) electronically coupled to the communication module (206), the control unit (204) configured to process the navigation information received from the mobile device (212); and
a display unit (202) electronically coupled to the control unit (204) and controlled by the control unit (204), the display unit (202) configured to display the processed navigation information.