Claims:
1. A smart seat belt system for a vehicle, the seat belt system comprising:
a seat belt assembly configured with a seat of the vehicle, seat belt assembly
comprises a seat belt retractor, a belt strap, a tongue; and a seat belt buckle;
a set of sensors configured with the seat belt assembly, the set of sensors configured to sense one or more parameters of the seat belt assembly, a user associated with the seat and the vehicle, and generate one or more signals based on the sensed one or more parameters; and
a processor coupled with a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to:
extract the one or more parameters from the generated one or more signals; and
compare the extracted one or more parameters with a set of pre-defined parameter values stored in a database, wherein based on comparison generate, when the extracted one or more parameters are more than the set of predefined values, any or a combination of one or more alert signals and one or more control signals;
a control unit operatively coupled to the processor, and configured to control one or more vehicular parameters of the vehicle based on the generated control signals; and
a notification unit operatively coupled to the processor, and configured to generate any or a combination of a visual alert or an audio alert based on the generated one or more alert signals to alert the user for improving safety of the user.
2. The seat belt system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the set of sensors comprising:
a pressure sensor or tension sensor configured with the pre-tensioner element or seat belt buckle to detect presence and movement of the tongue in the seat belt buckle;
a seat belt tension checking element coupled with retractor to monitor tension in the seat belt to ensure proper wearing of seat belt by the user;
a heartbeat monitoring sensor coupled with the seat belt strap to monitor in real time heartbeat of the user; and
a heat sensor coupled with the seat belt strap to detect if an occupant of the seat is either luggage or a person;
3. The seat belt system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the set of sensors comprises an alcohol detecting sensor coupled with the seat belt strap sensor to monitor in real time, alcohol content in breath of the user.
4. The seat belt system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more parameters are any or a combination of a pressure of the seat belt buckle, percentage of alcohol in breath of the user, tension in the seat belt strap, heart rate of the user, heat energy of the occupant, speed of the vehicle, and position of the vehicle.
5. The seat belt system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more vehicular parameters comprises any or a combination of a speed of the vehicle, lightening of the vehicle, and power of the vehicle.
6. The seat belt system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit is operatively coupled to any or a combination of an engine control unit (ECU) and a transmission control unit (TCU) of the vehicle to control any or a combination of an ignition unit, a gear box unit, speed governor, and a lightening unit of the vehicle based on the generated one or more control signals.
7. The seat belt system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to provide a delay of a predefined period of time to initiate control action by the control unit.
8. The seat belt system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the set of sensors comprises a GPS sensor and a speed sensor, wherein the GPS sensor is configured to monitor in real time position of the vehicle, and wherein the speed sensor is configured to sense speed of the vehicle.
9. The seat belt system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat belt system comprises an emergency communication unit operatively coupled to the processor to send one or more emergency signals to a computing device located at a remote location based on the generated any or a combination of the one or more alert signals and the one or more control signals, and wherein the one or more emergency signals are selected from any of a call, text message, data message, and real time location of the user.
10. A method comprising steps of:
generating, by a set of sensors, one or more signals based on sensed one or more parameters of a seat belt assembly associated with a seat of a vehicle, a user associated with the seat, and the vehicle, wherein the set of sensors are configured with the seat belt assembly;
extracting, by a processor, the one or more parameters from the generated one or more first signals;
comparing, by the processor, the extracted one or more parameters with a set of pre-defined parameter values stored in a database, and generating any or a combination of one or more alert signals and one or more control signals, based on comparison, when the extracted one or more parameters are more than the set of predefined values;
controlling, by a control unit, one or more vehicular parameters of vehicle based on the generated control signals;
generating, by a notification unit, any or a combination of a visual alert or an audio alert based on the generated one or more alert signals to alert the user; and
sending, by an emergency communication unit, one or more emergency signals to a computing device located at a remote location based on the generated any or combination of the one or more control signals and the one or more alert signals, wherein the one or more emergency signals are selected from any of a call, message a, data message, and real time location of the user.
, Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of safety in automobiles. In particular, the present disclosure pertains to an improved smart seat belt system for a vehicle to enhance safety of occupants in the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Generally, vehicles such as, but not limited to, cars are provided with many numbers of safety feature systems. With the advancement of technology, vehicle manufacturers are focusing on better efficiency and occupants comfort with higher safety. As a result, the vehicles came with many safety features. But now in fastest moving world vehicle driver/occupants may not use the safety features and follow the safety rules and regulations. Sometimes these small careless mistakes of the vehicle driver/occupants may lead to serious injuries or sometimes death.
[0004] A seat belt (also referred to as a safety belt hereinafter) is a vehicle safety device designed to secure the occupant of the vehicle against harmful movement that may result during a collision/traffic collision or a sudden stop or roll over. In early 90’s two-point seat belts used; this belt is used to cover only waist of the occupants. It was not that effective for the high-speed automobiles. To overcome this ineffectiveness people have come up with three-point seat belt which is also referred as Y-shaped seat belt. This seat belt covers waist as well as chest and provides good stability to the occupants and hence used in every automobile now-a-days. Many occupants wear seat belt for their own safety and some avoid wearing it. Wearing a seat belt prevents passenger ejection during a severe accident and the chances of surviving in this type of accident may increase.
[0005] Still, few vehicle driver/occupants while travelling after small distance tend to remove their seat belts. Sometime the vehicle driver/occupants avoid wearing the seat belt, especially when driving in short distances or when the traffic is visibly light, and tends to forget to wear the seat belt, especially when they are in rush. Major causes of death of the occupants in vehicle accidents are due to carelessness in safety while driving. The government has also tried to make seat belt buckling a law to make all occupants wear their seat belts when riding in the vehicle. Still, vehicle driver/occupants do not like wearing the seat belts and try to ride without obeying these laws.
[0006] However, a conventional seat belt system may not detect these activities. Therefore, it becomes a major problem to provide a seat belt technology that includes the laws related to the seat belt and enables the occupants to obey the laws.
[0007] Efforts have been made in the past to solve the above illustrated problem. For example a patent document number US4569536A discloses as eat belt system including: a seat belt device including at least one seat belt and at least one seat belt drive device thereof; two electrodes; a heartbeat calculating circuit for receiving signals detected at the electrodes and calculating a heartbeat in response to signals from the electrodes; and a control circuit for outputting a control signal to the seat belt drive device to wind or unwind the seat belt in response to the heart beat signal from the heart beat calculating circuit.
[0008] Patent document number US20040012242A1 discloses a four-point seat belt system includes a first seat belt and a second seat belt, each anchored at two points. A first retractor is coupled to the first seat belt proximate one of the anchor points and a second retractor is coupled to the second seat belt proximate one of the anchor points. A buckle releasably couples the first and second seat belts and the first and second retractors automatically retract the first and second seat belts to position the buckle at a point cantered on a seat occupant's torso. The four-point seat belt system can be operated using only one hand similar to a three-point seat belt system.
[0009] Patent document number US20050012605A1 discloses a seat belt alarm apparatus according to the present invention executes a weak alarm pattern in which an alarm lamp is blinked and lighted repeatedly when a seat belt switch is turned on and a seat belt is unfastened, and a vehicle speed is equal to or less than a buzzer sound starts vehicle speed. When the vehicle speed is more than the buzzer sound start vehicle speed, the seat belt alarm apparatus executes a strong alarm pattern in which the alarm lamp is blinked and lighted repeatedly as well as a buzzer is sounded in synchronism with the blinking of the alarm lamp, and the alarm operation is continued until the seat belt switch is turned off and the seat belt is fastened.
[0010] Patent document numberUS3748639A discloses a motor vehicle seat belt alarm system includes a body structure and a seat belt assembly. Transmitter and receiver devices are attached to the body structure and to a portion of the seat belt assembly to determine if the latter passes in front of a passenger in the vehicle. Electrical circuitry energizes an alarm when the seat belt assembly is not fastened or properly positioned. The transmitter device may produce an ultrasonic signal.
[0011] Patent document number US6924742B2 discloses a seat belt alarm system activates an alarm when a child is buckled in a car seat and when the car key is removed from the ignition. The seat belt alarm system includes a belt buckle having a belt-buckled sensor and a transmitter that transmits a belt-buckled signal when the belt is buckled. A remote key module includes a key-removed sensor that senses when the key is not in a keyhole. The key module further includes a receiver and an alarm device that is activated when the key is not in the keyhole and the belt-buckled signal is received from the transmitter. In another variation, a controller is provided. The controller may be coupled to various components including the belt-buckled sensor, a key-removed sensor, a transmitter and additional devices such as a horn, air conditioning, etc. The controller instructs the transmitter to send an activate-alarm signal to a receiver in the key module when a belt-buckled signal and a key-removed signal are input to the controller. The alarm device may provide a sound, vibration, light, or another indicator. Another variation includes a removable baby seat with a seat belt alarm system. Still another variation includes an automobile having a seat belt alarm system.
[0012] Patent document number CN103507636A discloses a drunk driving preventing system arranged in an automobile. The drunk driving preventing system comprises an ethyl alcohol detecting instrument, a single-chip microcomputer, a displayer, a GPS module, a voice call system and an alarm device. The single-chip microcomputer is connected with the ethyl alcohol detecting instrument, the displayer, the GPS module and the alarm device. The voice call system is connected with the GPS module. The drunk driving preventing system can achieve control over drunk driving fundamentally, has the advantages of being high in performance cost ratio, high in intelligent degree, and stable and reliable in working, and has the very good promotional value in the practical application.
[0013] Patent document number US20100010689A1 discloses a drunken driving prevention device having an alcohol sensor and being mounted on a vehicle including an automobile includes a judging element for judging whether inspection for detecting alcohol via the alcohol sensor should be performed or not based on predetermined conditions when the vehicle is started. The drunken driving prevention device further includes an element for performing the inspection via the alcohol sensor when the judging element judges to perform inspection, and a control element for disabling operation of the vehicle if alcohol is detected as a result of the inspection.
[0014] The cited prior art documents disclose different type of safety arrangements and seat belt systems to improve safety of driver/occupants in a vehicle. However, there is a possibility in the art using other technique to provide a more efficient, and cost-effective system for vehicles to solve the above illustrated problem.
[0015] There is, therefore, a need in the art, for a simple, cost-effective and efficient seat belt system for a vehicle to enhance safety of occupants in the vehicle.
[0016] Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art through comparison of described systems with some aspects of the present disclosure, as set forth in the remainder of the present application and with reference to the drawings.
[0017] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities or dimensions of items, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
[0018] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0019] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0020] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0021] A general object of the present disclosure is to provide an improved smart seat belt system for a vehicle to enhance safety of occupants in the vehicle.
[0022] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a smart seat belt system for a vehicle which ensures that a driver has full consciousness.
[0023] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a smart seat belt system for a vehicle which ensures that every occupants of the vehicle has worn the seat belt while travelling.
[0024] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a smart seat belt system for a vehicle which gradually decreases speed of the vehicle if any occupant of the vehicle removes a seat belt while travelling, and notifying them to wear the seat belt back.
[0025] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a smart seat belt system for a vehicle which monitors health of occupants of the vehicle while travelling.

SUMMARY
[0026] The present invention relates to safety in automobiles. In particular, the present disclosure pertains to an improved smart seat belt system for a vehicle to enhance safety of occupants in the vehicle.
[0027] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a smart seat belt system for a vehicle, the seat belt system comprising a seat belt assembly configured with a seat of the vehicle, seat belt assembly comprises a seat belt retractor, a belt strap, a tongue; and a seat belt buckle; a set of sensors configured with the seat belt assembly, the set of sensors configured to sense one or more parameters of the seat belt assembly, a user associated with the seat and the vehicle, and generate one or more signals based on the sensed one or more parameters; and a processor coupled with a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to: extract the one or more parameters from the generated one or more signals; and compare the extracted one or more parameters with a set of pre-defined parameter values stored in a database, wherein based on comparison generate, when the extracted one or more parameters are more than the set of predefined values, any or a combination of one or more alert signals and one or more control signals; a control unit operatively coupled to the processor, and configured to control one or more vehicular parameters of the vehicle based on the generated control signals; and a notification unit operatively coupled to the processor, and configured to generate any or a combination of a visual alert or an audio alert based on the generated one or more alert signals to alert the user as well as surrounding for improving safety of the user.
[0028] In an embodiment, the set of sensors includes a pressure sensor or tension sensor configured with the pre-tensioner element or seat belt buckle to detect presence and movement of the tongue in the seat belt buckle; a seat belt tension checking element coupled with retractor to monitor tension in the seat belt to ensure proper wearing of seat belt by the user; a heartbeat monitoring sensor coupled with the seat belt strap to monitor in real time heartbeat of the user; and a heat sensor coupled with the seat belt strap to detect if an occupant of the seat is either luggage or a person.
[0029] In an embodiment, the set of sensors can include an alcohol detecting sensor coupled with the seat belt strap sensor to monitor in real time, alcohol content in breath of the user. In an embodiment the alcohol detecting sensor can be configured only in the seat belt strap associated with a driver seat, and all other sensors are common for each seat belt strap.
[0030] In an embodiment, the one or more parameters can be any or a combination of a pressure of the seat belt buckle, percentage of alcohol in breath of the user, tension in the seat belt strap, heart rate of the user, and heat energy of the occupant associated with the seat, speed of the vehicle, position of the vehicle in real time and the like.
[0031] In an embodiment, the one or more vehicular parameters comprises any or a combination of a speed of the vehicle, lightening of the vehicle and power of the vehicle.
[0032] In an embodiment, the control unit is operatively coupled to any or a combination of an engine control unit (ECU) and a transmission control unit (TCU) of the vehicle to control any or a combination of an ignition unit, a gear box unit, speed governor, and a lightening unit of the vehicle based on the generated one or more control signals.
[0033] In an embodiment, the processor is configured to provide a delay of a predefined period of time to initiate control action by the control unit and the notification unit, and the notification unit.
[0034] In an embodiment, the set of sensors comprises a GPS sensor and a speed sensor, wherein the GPS sensor is configured to monitor in real time position of the vehicle, and wherein the speed sensor is configured to sense speed of the vehicle.
[0035] In an embodiment, the seat belt system includes an emergency communication unit operatively coupled to the processor to send one or more emergency signals to one or more computing devices located at remote locations based on the generated any or a combination of the one or more alert signals and the one or more control signals. The one or more emergency signals are selected from any of a call, text message, data message, and real time location of the user.
[0036] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a working method of the proposed smart seat belt system, the method comprising steps of: generating, by a set of sensors, one or more signals based on sensed one or more parameters of a seat belt assembly associated with a seat of a vehicle, a user associated with the seat and the vehicle, wherein the set of sensors are configured with the seat belt assembly; extracting, by a processor, the one or more parameters from the generated one or more first signals; comparing, by the processor, the extracted one or more parameters with a set of pre-defined parameter values stored in a database, wherein based on comparison generate, when the extracted one or more parameters are more than the set of predefined values, any or a combination of one or more alert signals and one or more control signals; controlling, by a control unit, one or more vehicular parameters of vehicle based on the generated control signals; generating, by a notification unit, any or a combination of a visual alert or an audio alert based on the generated one or more alert signals to alert the user; and sending, by an emergency communication unit, one or more emergency signals to a computing device located at a remote location based on the generated any or a combination of the one or more alert signals and the one or more control signals, wherein the one or more emergency signals are selected from any of a call, text message, a data message, and real time location of the user.
[0037] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like features.
[0038] Within the scope of this application it is expressly envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0039] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary modules diagram of the proposed smart seat belt system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of working of the proposed smart seat belt system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0042] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary representation of a seat belt assembly of the proposed smart seat belt system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0043] FIGs. 4A and 4B illustrate exemplary representation of a seat belt retractor and a seat belt buckle of the proposed smart seat belt system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0044] FIGs. 5A and 5B illustrate exemplary representation of implementations of the proposed smart seat belt system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0045] FIG. 6 illustrates a computer system utilized for implementation of the proposed smart seat belt system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0046] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0047] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0048] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. This disclosure may however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the disclosure, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure).
[0049] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.
[0050] Embodiments explained herein relate to safety in automobiles. In particular, the present disclosure pertains to an improved smart seat belt system for a vehicle to enhance safety of occupants in the vehicle. Implementation of the smart seat belt system in vehicles can reduce accident death causes due to seat belt, in simple term it can also indirectly saves the human life from death who are victims in other vehicles in many accidents when such accidents occur pertaining to reasons where the driver loses control of the vehicle due to heart strikes or under alcohol influence.
[0051] In an embodiment, the disclosed seat belt system can include a seat belt assembly configured with a seat of the vehicle, seat belt assembly comprises a seat belt retractor, a belt strap, a tongue; and a seat belt buckle; a set of sensors configured with the seat belt assembly, the set of sensors configured to sense one or more parameters of the seat belt assembly, a user associated with the seat and the vehicle, and generate one or more signals based on the sensed one or more parameters; and a processor coupled with a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to: extract the one or more parameters from the generated one or more signals; and compare the extracted one or more parameters with a set of pre-defined parameter values stored in a database, wherein based on comparison generate, when the extracted one or more parameters are more than the set of predefined values, any or a combination of one or more alert signals and one or more control signals; a control unit operatively coupled to the processor, and configured to control one or more vehicular parameters of the vehicle based on the generated control signals; and a notification unit operatively coupled to the processor, and configured to generate any or a combination of a visual alert or an audio alert based on the generated one or more alert signals to alert the user and the surrounding for improving safety of the user.
[0052] In an embodiment, the set of sensors are operatively coupled to the processor. In an embodiment, the set of sensors includes a pressure sensor or tension sensor configured with the pre-tensioner element or seat belt buckle to detect presence and movement of the tongue in the seat belt buckle; a seat belt tension checking element coupled with retractor to monitor tension in the seat belt to ensure proper wearing of seat belt by the user; a heartbeat monitoring sensor coupled with the seat belt strap to monitor in real time heartbeat of the user and the like.
[0053] In an embodiment, the set of sensors can include a heat sensor coupled with the seat belt strap to detect an occupant of the seat is either luggage or a person, if the occupant is a luggage the seat belt is optional, and if the occupant is a person then the occupant/user must wear the seat belt for starting or to allow working of ignition unit of the vehicle or to travel at higher speeds than allowed by the system.
[0054] In an embodiment, the control unit can be operatively coupled to any or a combination of an engine control unit (ECU) and a transmission control unit (TCU) of the vehicle to control any or a combination of an ignition unit, a gear box unit, a speed governor and a lightening unit of the vehicle based on the generated one or more control signals.
[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, the control unit can be configured to lock gear shifter lever of the vehicle and slow down speed of the vehicle, and the notification unit also turns ON the automobile safety alarm/alert whenever the set of sensors sense that the driver/user has not worn the seat belt while driving the vehicle.
[0056] In an exemplary embodiment, when the seat belt strap tongue is fastened with buckle, the pressure sensor of the buckle of seat belt detects the seat belt strap tongue fastened with buckle, and sends signals to the processor and thus notification unit stop the alarm, and the control unit unlocks the gear shifter lever. The system gets activated automatically at some point of time, when the driver of the vehicle has not worn or removed the seat belt while travelling after giving notification to the driver for a specified time interval slowing down the throttle / speed of the vehicle automatically to a minimum speed until the seat belt is worn again.
[0057] In an exemplary embodiment, the control unit, while decelerating the vehicle, switches on parking lights of the vehicle which alerts surrounding vehicles’ drivers that the vehicle is going to slow down.
[0058] In an exemplary embodiment, the seat belt sensors can detect, monitor and conform the driver/occupant uses the seat belt strap. When the user/driver doses not use the seat belt strap while travelling, the notification unit generated one or more alert signals to use the seat belt and to notify surrounding, and the control unit gradually decreased speed of the vehicle. While driving if the user/driver removes the seat belt strap then the control unit gradually decreases speed of the vehicle through governor of the vehicle, and the notification unit notifying them to wear the seat belts strap again.
[0059] In an embodiment, the smart seat belt system also facilitates to ensure that driver had not over drunk while driving. In an embodiment, the set of sensors can include an alcohol detecting sensor coupled with the seat belt strap sensor to monitor in real time, alcohol content in breath of the user. In an embodiment, the control unit can be configured to unlock the gear unit, and the ignition unit of the vehicle to function properly only when the driver has not taken the alcohol or the alcohol content taken by the driver is within a pre-determined limit detected by the alcohol detecting sensor.
[0060] In an embodiment, the set of sensors can include a GPS sensor and a speed sensor, wherein the GPS sensor is configured to monitor in real time position of the vehicle, and wherein the speed sensor is configured to sense speed of the vehicle.
[0061] In an embodiment, the seat belt system can include an emergency communication unit operatively coupled to the processor to send one or more emergency signals to a computing device located at a remote location based on the generated one or more alert signals and one or more control signals. In an embodiment, the one or more emergency signals can be selected from any of a call, a text message, a data message, real time location of the user and the like.
[0062] In an exemplary embodiment, emergency communication unit can be configured to make contact on a pre-determined emergency numbers if any damage or injury is happened to the occupant/driver while traveling.
[0063] In an exemplary embodiment, the emergency communication unit can send the emergency signals to any or combination of the computing device of relative member of the driver/occupant, or nearby hospital, whenever there is chances of risk, accidents, abnormal pulse rate, cardiac arrest / heart attack, and the like.
[0064] In an embodiment, the smart seat belt system can include a manual mode which give flexibility to the driver/occupant, and also overcomes few reasons of not wearing seat belt.
[0065] In an embodiment, the processor can be configured to provide a delay of a predefined period of time to initiate control action by the control unit and the notification unit. In an exemplary embodiment, the delay can be about 60 - 300 seconds. Hence it gives time to the driver to take decision and doesn’t abruptly takeover the control.
[0066] In an embodiment, the disclosed seat belt system can include a troubleshooting which displays the instructions and have backup for any failure of the system.
[0067] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary modules diagram of the proposed smart seat belt system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The proposed seat belt system (also referred to as system hereinafter) 100 can include one or more processor(s) 102 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate data based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the one or more processor(s) 102 are configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory 104 of the system 100. The memory 104 may store one or more computer-readable instructions or routines, which may be fetched and executed to create or share the data units over a network service. The memory 104 may comprise any non-transitory storage device including, for example, volatile memory such as RAM, or non-volatile memory such as EPROM, flash memory, and the like.
[0068] In an embodiment, the system 100 can include sensors 106 operatively coupled to the processors 102. The sensors 106 can be configured with a seat belt assembly of the vehicle. The seat belt assembly is configured with a seat of the vehicle and can include a seat belt retractor, a belt strap, a tongue; and a seat belt buckle.
[0069] In an embodiment, the system 100 can include a parameter extraction module 108, a comparison module 110, a notification unit 112, a control unit 114, an emergency communication unit 116, and a data base 118. In an embodiment, the parameter extraction module 108, the comparison module 110, the notification module 112, the control unit 114, an emergency communication unit 116, and the data base 118 are operatively coupled to the processors 102.
[0070] It would be appreciated that modules being described are only exemplary modules and any other module or sub-module may be included as part of the system 100. These modules too may be merged or divided into super-modules or sub-modules as may be configured.
[0071] In an embodiment, the sensors 106 can be configured to sense one or more parameters of the seat belt assembly, a user/driver/occupant associated with the seat and the vehicle, and generate one or more signals based on the sensed one or more parameters.
[0072] In an embodiment, the sensors 106 can include a pressure sensor configured with the seat belt buckle to detect presence and movement of the tongue in the seat belt buckle; a seat belt tension checking element coupled with retractor to monitor tension in the seat belt to ensure proper wearing of seat belt by the user; a heartbeat monitoring sensor coupled with the seat belt strap to monitor in real time heartbeat of the user and the like.
[0073] In an embodiment, the sensors 106 can include a heat sensor coupled with the seat belt strap to detect an occupant of the seat is either luggage or a person, if the occupant is a luggage the seat belt is optional, and if the occupant is a person then the occupant/user must wear the seat belt strap allow turning on of the vehicle engine by the control unit 114.
[0074] In an embodiment, sensors 16 can include an alcohol detecting sensor coupled with the seat belt strap sensor to monitor in real time, alcohol content in breath of the user. In an embodiment the alcohol detecting sensor can be configured only in the seat belt strap associated with a driver seat. In an embodiment, other sensors are common for all seat belts for all occupants in the vehicle.
[0075] In an embodiment, the sensors 106 can also include a GPS sensor and a speedo meter sensor. The GPS sensor is configured to monitor in real time position of the vehicle, and wherein the speedo meter sensor is configured to sense speed of the vehicle.
[0076] In an embodiment, wherein the one or more parameters sensed by the sensors 106 can be any or a combination of a pressure of the seat belt buckle, percentage of alcohol in breath of the user, tension in the seat belt strap, heart rate of the user, heat energy of the occupant, position of the vehicle, speed of the vehicle and the like. The amount of load on the seat predetermines the level of extension for the seat belt upon getting buckled up and hence if the seat belt is simply buckled up the extent of tension shall monitor the improper activity.
[0077] In an embodiment, the memory 104 storing instructions executable by the one or more processors 102 to extract the one or more parameters from the generated one or more signals by the sensors 106 using the parameter extraction module 108, and compare the extracted one or more parameters with a set of pre-defined parameter values stored in the database 118 using the comparison module 110.
[0078] In an embodiment, the comparison module 110 can be configured to generate any or a combination of one or more alert signals and one or more control signals based on comparison, when the extracted one or more parameters are more than the set of predefined values/signals in the database 118.
[0079] In an embodiment, the notification unit 112 can be configured to generate any or a combination of a visual alert or an audio alert based on the generated one or more alert signals to alert the user for improving safety of the user.
[0080] In an exemplary embodiment, the notification unit 112 can generate safety visual alert or an audio alert whenever the sensors 106 sense that the driver/user has not worn the seat belt while driving the vehicle to notify/alert the user for wearing the seat belt strap.
[0081] In an exemplary embodiment, when the seat belt strap tongue is fastened with buckle, the pressure sensor of the buckle of seat belt detects the seat belt strap tongue fastened with buckle, and sends signals to the notification unit 112 and thus the notification unit 112 stop the visual alert and the audio alert.
[0082] In an exemplary embodiment, the notification unit 112 can stop generating alarm signals when the notification unit 112 stop receiving the alert signals.
[0083] In an embodiment, the control unit 114 can be configured to control one or more vehicular parameters of the vehicle based on the generated control signals. The one or more vehicular parameters comprises any or a combination of a speed of the vehicle, lightening of the vehicle, and power of the vehicle.
[0084] In an embodiment, the control unit114 can be operatively coupled to any or a combination of an engine control unit (ECU) and a transmission control unit (TCU) of the vehicle to control any or a combination of an ignition unit, a gear box unit, and a lightening unit of the vehicle based on the generated one or more control signals.
[0085] In an embodiment, if the sensors 106 senses that the driver has not worn the seat belt strap, or has consumed alcohol content above a predetermined limit or the health of the driver is not normal at a time to start the vehicle for driving, the control unit 114 can lock the gear unit, and prevent functioning of the ignition unit of the vehicle.
[0086] In an exemplary embodiment, the control unit 114 can only allow normal functioning of the vehicle when the control unit 114 stop receiving control signals.
[0087] In an exemplary embodiment, the control unit114 can lock gear shifter lever of the gear unit and also slow down the speed of the vehicle whenever the sensors 106 sense that the driver/user has not worn the seat belt while driving the vehicle.
[0088] In an exemplary embodiment, when the seat belt strap tongue is fastened with buckle, the pressure sensor of the buckle of seat belt detects the seat belt strap tongue fastened with buckle, and sends signals to the control unit114 and thus the control unit114 unlocks gear shifter lever of the gear unit, and allow to increase speed of the vehicle
[0089] In an exemplary embodiment, the control unit 114 can, while decelerating the vehicle, switches on parking lights of the lighting unit which alerts surrounding vehicle’s driver that the vehicle is going to slow down.
[0090] In an embodiment, the vehicle gear unit lock can be unlocked only when the alcohol content taken by the driver is within the pre-determined limit.
[0091] In an embodiment, the emergency communication unit 116 can be configured to send one or more emergency signals to a computing device located at a remote location based on any or combination of the generated one or more alert signals and the one or more control signals.
[0092] In an embodiment, the one or more emergency signals can be selected from any of a voice call, video call, message a, data message, real time location of the user, and the like.
[0093] In an embodiment, the computing device can include, but are not limited to, a portable computer, a personal digital assistant, a handheld device, and a workstation and the like. The computing. In a preferred embodiment, the computing device can be mobile phones of family member of the driver, and phone of a nearby hospital, and the like.
[0094] In an exemplary embodiment, the emergency communication unit 116 can send the emergency signals to any or combination of the computing device of relative member of the driver/occupant, or nearby hospital, whenever there is chances of risk, accidents, abnormal pulse rate, cardiac arrest heart attack, and the like.
[0095] In an embodiment, the smart seat belt system 100 can include a manual mode which give flexibility to the driver/occupant, and also overcomes few reasons of not wearing seat belt.
[0096] In an embodiment, the processor 102 can be configured to provide a delay of a predefined period of time to initiate control action by the control unit 114 and the notification unit 112. In an exemplary embodiment, the delay can be about 60 seconds. Hence it gives time to the driver to take decision and doesn’t abruptly takeover the control.
[0097] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of working method of the proposed smart seat belt system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The proposed method 200 comprises at a step 202, generating, by a set of sensors, one or more signals based on sensed one or more parameters of a seat belt assembly associated with a seat of a vehicle, a user associated with the seat, and the vehicle, the set of sensors are configured with the seat belt assembly; and at a step 204, extracting, by a parameter extraction module, the one or more parameters from the generated one or more first signals.
[0098] In an embodiment, the method 200 can include at a step 206, comparing, by a comparison module, the extracted one or more parameters with a set of pre-defined parameter values stored in a database, and generating any or a combination of one or more alert signals and one or more control signals based on comparison when the extracted one or more parameters are more than the set of predefined values.
[0099] In an embodiment, the method 200 can include at a step 208, controlling, by a control unit, one or more vehicular parameters of vehicle based on the generated control signals.
[00100] In an embodiment, the method 200 can include at a step 210, generating, by a notification unit, any or a combination of a visual alert or an audio alert based on the generated one or more alert signals to alert the user.
[00101] In an embodiment, the method 200 can include at a step 212, sending, by an emergency communication unit, one or more emergency signals to a computing device located at a remote location based on the generated one or more alert signals. The one or more emergency signals are selected from any of a call, message a, data message, and real time location of the user.
[00102] In another embodiment, at a step 212, the emergency communication unit can send one or more emergency signals to the computing device based on the generated any or combination of the one or more control signals and the one or more alert signals.
[00103] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary representation of a seat belt assembly of the proposed smart seat belt system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the seat belt assembly 300 can include a belt strap 302 having a lap section and a diagonal section. The lap section extends across the hips of a user and the diagonal section extends diagonally across the chest of the user. A seat belt retractor 304configured at one end of the strap 302, an anchor point 306 coupled at other end of the strap 202, a tongue 308 solidly configured with the strap 302, and a seat belt buckle 310 configured to enable locking of the tongue 308.
[00104] In an exemplary embodiment, electronic elements or hardware components of the disclosed system are configured with the retractor 304. An alcohol sensor 312and heart pulse sensors are coupled to the belt strap 302 to keep the alcohol sensor and heart pulse sensors near to mouth and chest, respectively, of the user.
[00105] FIGs. 4A and 5B illustrate exemplary representation of a seat belt retractor and a seat belt buckle of the proposed smart seat belt system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The retractor 304 includes fixing edge plate 402 to fix the retractor 304 within the vehicle, and a box 404 to store seat belt strap 302. In an exemplary embodiment, the retractor 304 can be configured to support the control unit, the notification unit, the processor and other electronic components of the disclosed seat belt system.
[00106] In an embodiment, the buckle 310 can include a seat belt tongue locking point 406 for locking the tongue 308, a bolt lock hole 408 to fix the buckle 310 within the vehicle, and sensors and control elements 410 and 412 to identify the seat belt removing actions in-between traveling.
[00107] Referring to FIG. 5A illustrates exemplary representation implementations of the proposed smart seat belt system with a vehicle seat, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown the smart seat belt system is configured with a seat 502 of a vehicle.
[00108] Referring to FIG. 5B illustrates exemplary representation implementations of the proposed smart seat belt system with the vehicle seat occupied by a user, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown the vehicle seat 502 is occupied by a user 504 user/occupant using the seat belt assembly 300. The alcohol sensor 312 and heart pulse sensors are coupled to the belt strap 302 to keep the alcohol sensor and heart pulse sensors near to mouth and chest, respectively, of the user.
[00109] FIG. 6 illustrates a computer system in which or with which embodiments of the present invention can be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00110] As shown in FIG. 6, computer system includes an external storage device 610, a bus 620, a main memory 630, a read only memory 640, a mass storage device 650, communication port 660, and a processor 670. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that computer system may include more than one processor and communication ports. Examples of processor 670 include, but are not limited to, an Intel® Itanium® or Itanium 2 processor(s), or AMD® Opteron® or Athlon MP® processor(s), Motorola® lines of processors, FortiSOC™ system on a chip processors or other future processors. Processor 670 may include various modules associated with embodiments of the present invention. Communication port 660 can be any of an RS-232 port for use with a modem-based dialup connection, a 10/100 Ethernet port, a Gigabit or 10 Gigabit port using copper or fibre, a serial port, a parallel port, or other existing or future ports. Communication port 660 may be chosen depending on a network, such a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), or any network to which computer system connects.
[00111] Memory 630 can be Random Access Memory (RAM), or any other dynamic storage device commonly known in the art. Read only memory 640 can be any static storage device(s) e.g., but not limited to, a Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM) chips for storing static information e.g., start-up or BIOS instructions for processor 670. Mass storage 650 may be any current or future mass storage solution, which can be used to store information and/or instructions. Exemplary mass storage solutions include, but are not limited to, Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment (PATA) or Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) hard disk drives or solid-state drives (internal or external, e.g., having Universal Serial Bus (USB) and/or Firewire interfaces), e.g. those available from Seagate (e.g., the Seagate Barracuda 7200 family) or Hitachi (e.g., the Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000), one or more optical discs, Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) storage, e.g. an array of disks (e.g., SATA arrays), available from various vendors including Dot Hill Systems Corp., LaCie, Nexsan Technologies, Inc. and Enhance Technology, Inc.
[00112] Bus 620 communicatively couples processor(s) 670 with the other memory, storage and communication blocks. Bus 620 can be, e.g. a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) / PCI Extended (PCI-X) bus, Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), USB or the like, for connecting expansion cards, drives and other subsystems as well as other buses, such a front side bus (FSB), which connects processor 670 to software system.
[00113] Optionally, operator and administrative interfaces, e.g. a display, keyboard, and a cursor control device, may also be coupled to bus 620 to support direct operator interaction with computer system. Other operator and administrative interfaces can be provided through network connections connected through communication port 660. External storage device 610 can be any kind of external hard-drives, floppy drives, IOMEGA® Zip Drives, Compact Disc - Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), Compact Disc - Re-Writable (CD-RW), Digital Video Disk - Read Only Memory (DVD-ROM). Components described above are meant only to exemplify various possibilities. In no way should the aforementioned exemplary computer system limit the scope of the present disclosure.
[00114] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive patient matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “includes” and “including” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C ….and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc. 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 within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to 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 preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practised with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[00115] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES
[00116] The present disclosure provides an improved smart seat belt system for a vehicle to enhance safety of occupants in the vehicle.
[00117] The present disclosure provides a smart seat belt system for a vehicle which ensures that a driver has full consciousness.
[00118] The present disclosure provides a smart seat belt system for a vehicle which ensures that every occupants of the vehicle has worn the seat belt in proper method while travelling.
[00119] The present disclosure provides a smart seat belt system for a vehicle which gradually degreases speed of the vehicle if any occupant of the vehicle removes a seat belt while travelling, and notifying them to wear the seat belt back.
[00120] The present disclosure provides a smart seat belt system for a vehicle which monitors health of occupants of the vehicle while travelling.