DESC:SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING STATUS OF SIGNALLING DEVICES OF VEHICLE
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims priority from Indian Provisional Patent Application No. 202221062151 filed on 01/11/2022, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by a reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
Generally, the present disclosure relates to a system and a method for detecting a status of signalling devices of an automobile. In particular, the present disclosure relates to the system and the method that automatically detects a status of the signalling devices of the automobile during the operation of the signalling devices.
BACKGROUND
Many vehicles lack various signals in order to understand the intention of other drivers during driving of the vehicle which results in serious safety risk to both the drivers of such vehicles and other drivers on the road. Though hand signals may be used to indicate a driver's intentions, such signals are not a complete solution since the hand signals are not effective during low visibility. Additionally, these signals are not readily understood by today's drivers.
In order to overcome the safety risk, an automobile includes several signalling devices such as indicators, brake lights, hazard warning lights, headlights, reversing lights and a horn. These signalling devices are used by drivers to communicate with other drivers on the road about their next actions. These signalling devices are used to provide signals such as a warning to other drivers on the road that the driver intends to make a manoeuvre. Giving appropriate signals at the correct time and place and correctly interpreting the signals of drivers on the road is important for the safety of all the drivers on the road.
At present during driving of the automobile when the rider of the automobile presses a button related to one of the signalling devices, the rider gets an indication on the display screen of the automobile related to the turn-on of the corresponding signalling device. During the failure of one of the signalling devices, the rider of the automobile generates the turn-on instruction for the signalling device. However, there is no definite way to determine whether the signalling device is functioning properly or not while driving the vehicle. In order to detect the failure of one of the signalling devices, the driver of the automobile has to manually check the failure of one of the signalling devices which is not possible while driving the vehicle. Such a situation can create a safety risk for the driver and the other drivers travelling on the road.
Therefore, there exists a need for a mechanism to automatically detect the status of signalling devices that overcomes one or more problems associated as set forth above.
SUMMARY
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for detecting a status of at least one signalling device of a vehicle.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for detecting a status of at least one signalling device of a vehicle.
In accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a system for detecting a status of at least one signalling device of a vehicle. The system comprises a control unit communicably coupled to the at least one signalling device. The control unit is configured to identify a turn-on instruction of the at least one signalling device, calculate a theoretical value of an electrical signal at the at least one signalling device, detect and measure an actual value of the electrical signal at the at least one signalling device, compare the theoretical value and the actual value of the electrical signal at the at least one signalling device, and detect the status of the at least one signalling device based on the comparison of the theoretical value and the actual value of the electrical signal at the at least one signalling device.
The present disclosure provides a system for detecting a status of at least one signalling device of a vehicle. The system, as disclosed in the present disclosure, is advantageous in terms of automatically detecting the status of at least one signalling device of an automobile to enhance the rider's safety. Further, the system, as disclosed in the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of minimizing false detection of the status of signalling devices. Furthermore, the system, as disclosed in the present disclosure eliminates the manual operation of detecting the status of the signalling devices.
In accordance with the second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of determining actual energy consumption for an electric vehicle. The method comprises receiving a visual data in vicinity of the electric vehicle, receiving a plurality of parameters associated with electric vehicle travel conditions, receiving a location of the electric vehicle, receiving a state of charge of a powerpack of the electric vehicle, and correlating the received visual data, the plurality of parameters, and the location with the state of charge of the powerpack, to determine the actual energy consumption.
Additional aspects, advantages, features, and objects of the present disclosure would be made apparent from the drawings and the detailed description of the illustrative embodiments constructed in conjunction with the appended claims that follow.
It will be appreciated that features of the present disclosure are susceptible to being combined in various combinations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers.
Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system for detecting a status of at least one signalling device of a vehicle, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of a method for detecting a status of at least one signalling device of a vehicle, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure.
In the accompanying drawings, an underlined number is employed to represent an item over which the underlined number is positioned or an item to which the underlined number is adjacent. A non-underlined number relates to an item identified by a line linking the non-underlined number to the item. When a number is non-underlined and accompanied by an associated arrow, the non-underlined number is used to identify a general item at which the arrow is pointing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure and ways in which they can be implemented. Although some modes of carrying out the present disclosure have been disclosed, those skilled in the art would recognize that other embodiments for carrying out or practising the present disclosure are also possible.
The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of certain embodiments of a system for detecting a status of at least one signalling device of a vehicle and is not intended to represent the only forms that may be developed or utilized. The description sets forth the various structures and/or functions in connection with the illustrated embodiments; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.
The terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “include(s)”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, or system that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or system. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus preceded by “comprises... a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which are shown by way of illustration-specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practised. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
The present disclosure will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the description with unnecessary detail.
As used herein, the terms “at least one signalling device” and “signalling devices” are used interchangeably and refer to devices that allow drivers to communicate with other road users. They are used to indicate the driver's intentions, such as turning, changing lanes, or stopping. Signalling devices can be visual, audible, or both. The signalling device may include turn signals, brake lights, hazard lights, headlights, tail lights, fog lights, horns, backup alarms, high beams, daytime running lights, cargo limits, puddle lights and so forth.
As used herein, the terms “output device”, “instrument cluster” “display interface”, and “display unit” are used interchangeably and refer to a digital display, analog display, or a combination thereof capable of displaying various information related to the vehicle. The display interface also allows the driver to interact with the vehicle's information and entertainment system. The display interface may display information about at least one of: vehicle speed, RPM of the powertrain, fuel level, odometer, navigation maps, audio, and climate control settings, warning messages, and so forth. The display interface may comprise an input mechanism such as a touchscreen. The display interface may be capable of presenting information including text, two-dimensional visual images, and/or three-dimensional visual images. Additionally, the display interface may present information in the form of audio and haptics. The display interface may include but is not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, and a plasma display. Alternatively, the display interface may utilize other display technologies.
As used herein, the terms “control unit”, ‘processing unit and ‘processor’ are used interchangeably and refer to a computational element that is operable to respond to and process image signals and generate responsive commands to control other sub-systems in a system. Optionally, the processing unit includes but is not limited to, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an image signal processor, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the term “processor” may refer to one or more individual processors, processing devices, and various elements associated with a processing device that may be shared by other processing devices. Furthermore, the processing unit may comprise ARM Cortex-M series processors, such as the Cortex-M4 or Cortex-M7, or any similar processor designed to handle real-time tasks with high performance and low power consumption. Furthermore, the processing unit may comprise custom and/or proprietary processors.
As used herein, the term “user” refers to a person operating an electric vehicle.
As used herein, the term “communicably coupled” refers to a bi-directional connection between the various components of the system and entities outside the system. The bi-directional connection between the various components of the system enables the exchange of data between two or more components of the system. Similarly, the bi-directional connection between the system and other elements/modules enables the exchange of data between the system and the other elements/modules.
Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment, describes a system 100 for detecting a status of at least one signalling device 102 of a vehicle. The system 100 comprises a control unit 104 communicably coupled to the at least one signalling device 102. The control unit 104 is configured to identify a turn-on instruction of the at least one signalling device 102, calculate a theoretical value of an electrical signal at the at least one signalling device 102, detect and measure an actual value of the electrical signal at the at least one signalling device 102, compare the theoretical value and the actual value of the electrical signal at the at least one signalling device 102, and detect the status of the at least one signalling device 102 based on the comparison of the theoretical value and the actual value of the electrical signal at the at least one signalling device 102.
The present disclosure provides a system 100 for detecting a status of at least one signalling device 102 of a vehicle. The system 100 is advantageous in terms of automatically detecting the status of at least one signalling device 102 of an automobile to enhance the driver’s safety. Furthermore, the system 100 is advantageous in terms of minimizing false detection of the status of signalling devices 102. Furthermore, the system 100 eliminates the manual operation of detecting the status of the signalling devices 102.
It is to be understood that the vehicle may be, for example, an automobile, four-wheel wheeler, three-wheel vehicle, two-wheel vehicle or any other vehicle which uses the signalling devices. Additionally, the vehicle may be, for example, electric, hybrid, hybrid electric, fuel cell vehicles, and so forth.
In an embodiment, the turn-on instruction of the at least one signalling device 102 is generated by a switch dedicated to turn-on the particular signalling device 102. Beneficially, the control unit 104 is communicably coupled to the switches corresponding to the signalling devices 102. It is to be understood that the switch is operated by the user to generate the turn-on instruction of the at least one signalling device 102. Beneficially, the generate the turn-on instruction of the at least one signalling device 102 is also sent to the control unit 104.
In an embodiment, the electrical signal comprises at least one of: an actual current, an actual voltage, an RMS value of current, a peak value of current or a standard deviation value of current. Beneficially, the system 100 is capable of selecting an appropriate electrical signal for detecting the status of the signalling device 102.
In an embodiment, the theoretical value of the actual current, the actual voltage, the RMS value of current, the peak value of current or the standard deviation value of current is compared with the actual value of the actual current, the actual voltage, the RMS value of current, the peak value of current or the standard deviation value of current, respectively. It is to be understood that similar types of electrical signal values are compared by the control unit 104 to detect the status of the at least one signalling device 102.
In an embodiment, the status of the at least one signalling device 102 is detected as healthy if a difference in the actual value and the theoretical value of the electrical signal within a threshold range. Beneficially, the control unit 104 detects the status of the at least one signalling device 102 each time the turn-on signal is generated to turn on the particular signalling device 102.
In an embodiment, the status of the at least one signalling device 102 is detected as faulty if the difference in the actual value and the theoretical value of the electrical signal exceeds the threshold range. Beneficially, the automatic fault detection of the signalling device 102 by the system 100 eliminates the need for manual inspection of the signalling device 102.
In an embodiment, the system 100 comprises an output device 106 communicably coupled with the control unit 104, wherein the control unit 104 is configured to communicate the detected status of the at least one signalling device 102 to the output device 106. Beneficially, the output device 106 provides the status of the at least one signalling device 102 to the user. Beneficially, providing such information to the user enables the user to take corrective actions in a timely manner.
In an embodiment, the output device 106 is an instrument cluster of the vehicle. Beneficially, the status of the at least one signalling device 102 is readily available to the user on the instrument cluster of the vehicle.
In an embodiment, when the at least one signalling device 102 is replaced with a new signalling device, a first actual value of the electrical signal is considered as a theoretical value of the electrical signal. Beneficially, the system 100 is robust enough to accommodate the situation of replacement of signalling device 102.
In an embodiment, the system 100 comprises a control unit 104 communicably coupled to the at least one signalling device 102. The control unit 104 is configured to identify a turn-on instruction of the at least one signalling device 102, calculate a theoretical value of an electrical signal at the at least one signalling device 102, detect and measure an actual value of the electrical signal at the at least one signalling device 102, compare the theoretical value and the actual value of the electrical signal at the at least one signalling device 102, and detect the status of the at least one signalling device 102 based on the comparison of the theoretical value and the actual value of the electrical signal at the at least one signalling device 102. In an embodiment, the turn-on instruction of the at least one signalling device 102 is generated by a switch dedicated to turn-on the particular signalling device 102. Furthermore, the electrical signal comprises at least one of: an actual current, an actual voltage, an RMS value of current, a peak value of current or a standard deviation value of current. Furthermore, the theoretical value of the actual current, the actual voltage, the rms value of current, the peak value of current or the standard deviation value of current is compared with the actual value of the actual current, the actual voltage, the rms value of current, the peak value of current or the standard deviation value of current, respectively. Furthermore, the status of the at least one signalling device 102 is detected as healthy if a difference in the actual value and the theoretical value of the electrical signal within a threshold range. Furthermore, the status of the at least one signalling device 102 is detected as faulty if the difference in the actual value and the theoretical value of the electrical signal exceeds the threshold range. Furthermore, the system 100 comprises an output device 106 communicably coupled with the control unit 104, wherein the control unit 104 is configured to communicate the detected status of the at least one signalling device 102 to the output device 106. Furthermore, the output device 106 is an instrument cluster of the vehicle.
Figure 2, describes method 200 for detecting a status of at least one signalling device 102 of a vehicle. The method 200 starts at step 202 and finishes at step 210. At step 202, the method 200 comprises identifying a turn-on instruction of the at least one signalling device 102. At step 204, the method 200 comprises calculating a theoretical value of an electrical signal at the at least one signalling device 102. At step 206, the method 200 comprises detecting and measuring an actual value of the electrical signal at the at least one signalling device 102. At step 208, the method 200 comprises comparing the theoretical value and the actual value of the electrical signal at the at least one signalling device 102. At step 210, the method 200 comprises detecting the status of the at least one signalling device 102 based on the comparison of the theoretical value and the actual value of the electrical signal at the at least one signalling device 102.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises detecting the status of the at least one signalling device 102 as healthy if a difference in the actual value and the theoretical value of the electrical signal within a threshold range.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises detecting the status of the at least one signalling device 102 as faulty if the difference in the actual value and the theoretical value of the electrical signal exceeds the threshold range.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises communicating the detected status of the at least one signalling device 102 to an output device 106.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises identifying a turn-on instruction of the at least one signalling device 102. The method 200 comprises calculating a theoretical value of an electrical signal at the at least one signalling device 102. The method 200 comprises detecting and measuring an actual value of the electrical signal at the at least one signalling device 102. The method 200 comprises comparing the theoretical value and the actual value of the electrical signal at the at least one signalling device 102. The method 200 comprises detecting the status of the at least one signalling device 102 based on the comparison of the theoretical value and the actual value of the electrical signal at the at least one signalling device 102. Furthermore, the method 200 comprises detecting the status of the at least one signalling device 102 as healthy if a difference in the actual value and the theoretical value of the electrical signal within a threshold range. Furthermore, the method 200 comprises detecting the status of the at least one signalling device 102 as faulty if the difference in the actual value and the theoretical value of the electrical signal exceeds the threshold range. Furthermore, the method 200 comprises communicating the detected status of the at least one signalling device 102 to an output device 106.
It would be appreciated that all the explanations and embodiments of the system 100 also apply mutatis-mutandis to the method 200.
In the description of the present invention, it is also to be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified or limited, the terms “disposed”, “mounted,” and “connected” are to be construed broadly, and may for example be fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally connected, either mechanically or electrically. They may be connected directly or indirectly through intervening media, or they may be interconnected between two elements. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present invention can be understood in specific cases to those skilled in the art.
Modifications to embodiments and combinations of different embodiments of the present disclosure described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as “including”, “comprising”, “incorporating”, “have”, and “is” used to describe and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural where appropriate.
Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the present disclosure, the drawings, and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A system (100) for detecting a status of at least one signalling device (102) of a vehicle, wherein the system (100) comprises a control unit (104) communicably coupled to the at least one signalling device (102) and configured to:
- identify a turn-on instruction of the at least one signalling device (102);
- calculate a theoretical value of an electrical signal at the at least one signalling device (102);
- detect and measure an actual value of the electrical signal at the at least one signalling device (102);
- compare the theoretical value and the actual value of the electrical signal at the at least one signalling device (102); and
- detect the status of the at least one signalling device (102) based on the comparison of the theoretical value and the actual value of the electrical signal at the at least one signalling device (102).
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the turn-on instruction of the at least one signalling device (102) is generated by a switch dedicated to turn-on the particular signalling device (102).
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrical signal comprises at least one of: an actual current, an actual voltage, an RMS value of current, a peak value of current or a standard deviation value of current.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the theoretical value of the actual current, the actual voltage, the RMS value of current, the peak value of current or the standard deviation value of current is compared with the actual value of the actual current, the actual voltage, the RMS value of current, the peak value of current or the standard deviation value of current, respectively.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the status of the at least one signalling device (102) is detected as healthy if a difference in the actual value and the theoretical value of the electrical signal within a threshold range.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the status of the at least one signalling device (102) is detected as faulty if the difference in the actual value and the theoretical value of the electrical signal exceeds the threshold range.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system (100) comprises an output device (106) communicably coupled with the control unit (104), wherein the control unit (104) is configured to communicate the detected status of the at least one signalling device (102) to the output device (106).
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the output device (106) is an instrument cluster of the vehicle.
9. A method (200) for detecting a status of at least one signalling device (102) of a vehicle, the method (200) comprises:
- identifying a turn-on instruction of the at least one signalling device (102);
- calculating a theoretical value of an electrical signal at the at least one signalling device (102);
- detecting and measuring an actual value of the electrical signal at the at least one signalling device (102);
- comparing the theoretical value and the actual value of the electrical signal at the at least one signalling device (102); and
- detecting the status of the at least one signalling device (102) based on the comparison of the theoretical value and the actual value of the electrical signal at the at least one signalling device (102).
10. The method (200) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the method (200) comprises detecting the status of the at least one signalling device (102) as healthy if a difference in the actual value and the theoretical value of the electrical signal within a threshold range.
11. The method (200) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the method (200) comprises detecting the status of the at least one signalling device (102) as faulty if the difference in the actual value and the theoretical value of the electrical signal exceeds the threshold range.
12. The method (200) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the method (200) comprises communicating the detected status of the at least one signalling device (102) to an output device (106).

Dated 31 October 2023 Kumar Tushar Srivastava
IN/PA- 3973
Agent for the Applicant