FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a battery charger unit for two wheelers and
more particular to the battery charger unit integrated with a vehicle information
display instrument buill-in with a thin film transistor.
BACKGROTJNT) OF THE INVENTION
The statements in this section merely provide background information related
to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art(s).
Generally, the automotive vehicles are equipped with various kind of vehicle
information display instruments that are uniquely provided with.audio/visual warning
indicators comprising information such as speed, the fuel level, telephone, bluetooth,
rpm of the engine, tell tale symbols, turn signal indicator, hazard warning indicator
and / or other indicators. In particular, a mechanical type vehicle information display
instrument discloses the transmission of the rotation of a wheel of the vehicle or of a
drive component of the transmission as a torsional impulse on a cable. This rotation
of the wheel may be facilitated by a straight type movement or an angular type
movement which becomes a part of a 'Movement Assembly' along with other
components such as numbering wheels, gears, and the like. Parallely, the electronic
type vehicle information display instrument discloses the above mentioned
transmission by means of plurality of sensors, a microcontroller and multiple light
emitting diodes that are represented on a liquid crystal display on the vehicle
information display instrument of the vehicles. The vehicle information display
instrument is provided with various other advanced features such as tell tale
indicators on the liquid crystal display of the ,vehicle information display instrument,
audiblelvisible warning indicators, colorful background and texts, three-dimensional
dial plate, and many more. The vehicle information display instrument is also
provided with a universal serial bus port for charging the portable devices such as but
not restricted to mobile, tablets, laptop, and the like by a compatible charger during
the ride of the two wheelers.
However, the universal serial bus port provided on the vehicle information
display instrument is fitted to function with the display on the liquid crystal display
on the vehicle information display instrument. However, the usage of liquid crystal
display in such arrangement makes it slightly difficult for the operator to read the
status of the charge in the said portable devices, the instantaneous speed of the
vehicle, warning indicators especially during daytime. Additionally, the application
of liquid crystal display in displaying the information restricts the number of features
t that c,an be cuvered undor infotainment ~ystci11 Sur vcliicles. Nonerheless, even if
multiple liquid crystal display devices are used to convey multiple warning indicators,
the overall cost exceeds the limit, which has to be finally borne by the consumers.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an advanced
vehicle information display instrument which does not suffer from the foregoing
drawbacks. Further, there is an urgent need for an improved method of display of
warning indicators in the vehlcle information display instrument where information
are clearly visible to the operator of the'vehicle without any complex optical and light
transmission mechanism, especially during day time. Therefore, we need an advanced
vehicle information display instrument without losing the basic requirements of
reliability, safety, less extra cost, customers' satisfaction and the like.
BRIEF SUNIlMARY AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION I
The present subject matter relates to a vehicle information display instrument
that includes an Universal Serial Bus port provided with the vehicle information I
I
display instrument for charging portable devices by a compatible charger and an ,
active matrix thin film transistor screen for displaying the status of the Universal
Serial Bus port. The vehicle information display instrument is operated by an
electronic circuit structure governing the operation and display of the Universal Serial
Bus port of the vehicle. This electronic circuit structure includes an AC to DC
converter for feeding the required power supply to a Universal Serial Bus port
Controller via an interface, a microcontroller that receive signals from the Universal
Serial Bus port Controller to decide the instruction received from the USB port and
port to identify the correct in.struction received. In an uniquc cmbodimeilt of the
present subject matter, the status of the Universal Serial Bus port are transmitted to
get visible on the active matrix thin film transistor screen in the vehicle information
display instrument of the vehicle.
An objective of the present subject matter is to apply the present s11hjec.t
matter to the portable devices that are mechanical, 'electrical, electronic such as
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mobiles,tablets, power banks, laptop, and the like.
Another objective of the present subject matter is to provide a telltale symbol
visible on the active matrix TFT as an indication of the charging status of the portable
devices.
Another objective of the present subject matter is to provide an USB
protective cover on the universal serial bus port to protect the universal serial bus port
from the outside temperature, water, dirt, and the like.
Another objective of the present subject matter is to provide a mobile stand on
the vehicle information display instrument to hold the mobile or similar portable
device for charging the same during the travel of the operator.
Yet another objective of the present subject matter is to mold, attached,
connect, the' mobile stand with a connector of the vehicle information display
instrument of the vehicle.
Yet another embodiment of the present subject matter is to provide a
provision of detecting any fault during power supply being supplied to the
microcontroller.
Another objective of the present subject matter is to highli.ght the status of the
operation of the USB port on the active matrix TFT in the form of message such as ~ ERROR, CHARGING, CHARGED, USB NOT DETECTED, and the like.
Yet another objective of the present subject matter is to provide assent to the
USB port to exchange data with an external device, accessing and editing the data
present in the portable devices, listening music, and the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The summary narrated above and the following detailed description of the
invention can be understood with the drawings appended to this claim. The
illustrations provide the dctslils of the invent,inn. T-Tnwcvel-, i t .shn~~lih-el ~rr!rlrisstood
that the invention is not limited to the arrangements shown. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 show a perspective view of a two wheeler in an embodiment of the present
subject matter.
FIG. 2 shows a front view of an active matrix thin film transistor screen provided
with an Universal Serial Bus charging telltale displayed on an active matrix thin film
transistor in an embodiment of the present subject matter.
FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of a vehicle information display instrument provided
with an Universal Serial Bus port in an embodiment of the present subject matter.
FIG. 4 shows a front view of a vehicle information display instrument provided with
a mobile stand in an embodiment of the present subject matter.
FIG. 5 shows an electronic circuit structure governing the advanced vehicle
information display instrument in an embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The embodiments of the present subject matter are described in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present subject matter is not
limited to these embodiments which are only provided to explain more clearly the
present subject matter to the ordinarily skilled in the art of the present disclosure. In
the accompanying drawings, like reference alphabets and numerals are used to
indicate like components.
The present invention relates to a battery charger unit for two wheelers and
more particular to the battery charger unit integrated wit.h a vehicle information
display instrument built-in with a thin film transistor. The following description is
merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure,
application, or uses. The present invention will hereinafer he described in detail
below as applied to a motor cycle 100. However, the principles of the present
invention are also applicable to othcr two whcelers and veliicltjs 100 such as scooters,
scooty, and the like. Upward, lower, front and rear directions (see the directinns
indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1) will be described with respect to directions as
seated by the rider on the motorcycle 100.
FIG. 1 illustrates a two wheeler 100 that may include a fuel tank 102 and an
engine mounted ahead of a rider's seat 104, a frame 106 and two relatiyely large sized
wheels 108 on which the frame 106 rides. The structure is necessarily provided with a
pair of ieft and right front fork members rotatably supported by a head pipe 110 on
the front end of the vehicle frame. The steering of the two wheelers 100 is possible
via a front wheel which is mounted on the front fork member whereas the rear wheel
(drive wheel) is at the rear end. FIG. 1 shows a handlebar 112 secured to an upper
portion of the front fork member, and the front and rear portion of the handle bar 112
is covered with a handle cover which is further divided into forward and backward
portions. The two wheeler 100 are also provided with various lights mounted
externally on the vehicle to indicate certain information about the vehicle t,o other
drivers and pedestrians. These lights mainly include brake lights and tail lights
besides indicator light bulbs which are provided to indicate the driving direction of
the two wheelers. The two wheeler 100 is further provided with the intelligent vehicle
information display instrument 114 (as shown in FIG. 3 later) (also known as a
speedometer) located between the handle bars 112 of the two wheeler 100. The
'vehicle information display instrument 114 may be viewable by the rider of the motor
cycle' 100 when tht: rider is seated on the seat 104 and operating the vehicle 100. The
vehicle information display instrument 114 may be disposed generally in front of the
rider so that the rider can inspect or view a variety of information that form part of
the vehicle information display instrument 114, which information may indicate a11
operating condition or conditions of the vehicle. The vehicle information display
instrumen't 114 may be provided with audio/visual warning indicators comprising
information such as speed, the fuel level, telephone, bluetooth, rpm of the engine, tell
tale symbols, turn signal indicator, hazard warning indicator and / or othcr indicators.
FIG. 1 further shows a headlight provided, as an attachment to the top middle of the
handlebar of the motor cycle, to light the ruad ahead.
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In an embodiment of the present subject matter, FIG. 3 discloses a front
perspective view of the vehicle information display instrument 114 of the vehicle. In
a unique embodiment of the present subject matter, the vehicle information display
instrument 114 is provided with a universal serial bus (hereinafter may be referred as
USB) port 116 connected to a connector 130 of the vehicle information display
instrument 114 for enabling the charging of the portable electronic devices 118 as
shown in FIG. 4. In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the portable
devices 118 (mechanical, electrical and/or electronic) may includes, but not restricted
to, mobiles, tablets, power banks, laptops, and the like. In an exemplary embodiment
of the present subject matter, the status of the charging of the portable devices 118 is
also evident on an Active Matrix Thin Film transistor (often and hereinafter also
referred as active matrix TFT) screen 120 as shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, a tell
tale symbol 122 may also be visible on the active matrix TFT screen 120 as an
indication of the charging status of the said portable device 118. In another
embodiment of the present subject matter, the universal serial bus port 116 is
protected from the outside atmosphere, dust, water, etc by a USB protective cover
12'4. In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the position of the universal
serial bus port 116 does not limit the scope of the present subject matter. Thus, the
universal serial bus port 116 may be positioned on and around any feasible location
of the vehicle information display instrument 114 of the motor cycle 100.
Generally, a display is composed of a grid (or matrix) of picture elements
("pixels"). Thousands or millions of these pixels together create an image on the
display.. ~hin-film transistors (TFTs) act as switches to individually turn each pixel
"ON" (light) or "OFF" (dark). These TFTs are the active control elements, arranged
in a matrix, on the display. ~ h u s ,th ese are termed as "active-matrix TFT". By
principle, a back light (which is normally comprised of a number of flourescent tubes)
is used for emitting any color out of the pixels present in the matrix as disclosed
above. In order to light a single pixel, all that needs to be done is for a small 'door' or
'shutter' to open to let the light pass through. However, since the liquid crystals can
change their moleculm structure and therefoie rrlay allvw varying levels of light to
pass through them (or t.h.ey can block the light), therefore two polarizer filtcrs, color
filters and two alignment layers determine exactly how much light is allowed to pass
and which colors are created. The layers are positioned between the two glass panels.
A specific voltage is applied to the alignment layer, .creating an electric field - which
then aligns the liquid crystals. Each, dot on the screen (pixel) therefore requires three
components, one for red, green and blue -just as for the tubes within cathode ray tube
devices. In a similai- way, these dots on the screen can even display a combination of
these three primary colors also, thus providing a desired pattern on the "active-matrix
TFT" in the vehicle information display instrument 114 of the vehicles 100.
The "active-matrix TFT" in the vehicle information display instrument 114,
according to the present subject matter, is qualified to indicate various kind of textual
information on the."active-matrix TFT" screen 120. In a unique embodiment of the
present subject matter, the "active-matrix TFT" provided with the vehicle information
display instrument 114 that displays all the textual warning indicators and
' information such as, but not restricted to, distance traveled after each trip, average
fuel consumption, trip time, audio songs being played during the travel, wireless
devices (Wifi, bluetooth, etc), ambient temperature and pressure, time, and the like.
In another embodiment of the present subject matter, the "active-matrix TFT" screen
120 also shows the first and last name of the caller along with the call duration and
the call status of the call.
Additionally, the "active-matrix TFT" is also characterized to illustrate the
speed in terms of the rpm on the colored segments so that the operator of the vehicle
can easily identify the speed of the moving vehicle without deeply looking the
instantaneous speed of the vehicle. The colored segments in graduations may be
provided with an audible buzzer to further inform the operator of the vehicle ah01.1t
the exceeding speed of the vehicle. Furthermore, the fonts displaying the speed of the
moving vehicle 100 are also programmed to vary in size on the basis of the
instantaneous speed of the vehicle 100. This enlarged font sizes of the instantaneous
speed at high speed of the moving vehicle draws an instant attention of the operator
of the vehicle 100 and would alert the opcrsltor to slow down the speed uf the over
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speeding - - vehicle. In another - e-m bodiment nf the present s ~ b j e c t m a et~he, fonts are -
in various colors by virtue of the "active-matrix TFT". The colors of the fonts may be
selected on the basis of the speed of the moving vehicles. The colors of the fonts
displaying the instantaneous speed of the vehicle 100 may be selected from the three
primary colors i.e. Red, green and blue and their combinations together. In an
embodiment of the present subject matter, the vehicle information display instrument
114 is provided with a dial plate (not shown) to designate other information conveyed
by the vehicle information display instrument 114 such as warning symbols, telltales,
and the like. The position of the speed indicator on the "active-matrix TFT" in the
vehicle information display instrument 114 is not relevant and thus not discussed with
respect to the present subject matter. In a unique embodiment of the present subject
matter, the vehicle information display instrument 114 is also provided with a mobile
stand 126 to hold the chargeable portable devices 118, as shown in FIG. 3, or
similarly sized portable devices for charging the same during the travel of the
operator. The said mobile stand 126 may be integrally molded to the vehicle
information display instrument 114. In another embodiment of the present subject
matter, the mobile stand 126 may be connected or attached to the vehicle information
display instrument 114.
FIG. 5 discloses an electronic circuit structure 200 that governs the operation
of the vehicle information display instrument of the vehicle in an embodiment of the
present subject matter. The electronic circuit structure 200 illustrates a battery
powered ignition switch 202 which when turned therein with an ignition key (not
shown) activates an engine (not shown) of the motor cycle 100. The electronic circuit
structure 200 is provided with a lMOSFET 204 that refine and supply a voltage of 3.3
V (from the battery supplying a voltage of 13 V) after the input altcmating cui-reat is
converted to direct current by an AC to DC converter 206, in an embodiment of the
present subject matter. The filtered input signals are fed to an USB port controller
208 that receives pre-prngra-med signals from a microcontrollcr 210. The preprogrammed
signals includes the enablement of USB port 116, USB charging status,
USB commuilicatillg paarnelers, and the like in an embodiment of the present
subject matter. The USB port controller 208 further receive<-input signals fiom an
USB port 116 which communicates with an USB-UART module 212 which acts as a
communication protocol between the microcontroller 210 and the USB port 116 in a
unique embodiment of the present subject matter. Thus, on receiving the appropriate
instruction from the USB port 116, the USB port controller 208 compares the signals
received from the microcontroller 211) and the USB port 116 via the USB-UART
module 212 and activates the corresponding instruction that are subsequently
displayed on the "active-matrix TFT" screen 120 in an embodiment of the present
subject matter. In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the instructions may
include exchanging data with en external device, accessing and editing the data
present in the portable devices, listening music, and the like. In an exemplary
embodiment of the present subject matter, the electronic circuit structure 200 is
further provided with a provision of detecting any possible fault in the power supply
that is being supplied to the microcontroller 210. For instances, if the power being
supplied through the AC to DC converter 206 is more or less than the required power
supply, the fault detecting circuit send the corresponding signals to the
microcontroller 210 to subsequently indicate the further operation of the vehicle
information display instrument 114 of the vehicle 100.
The vehicle information display instrument 114 according to the present
subject matter advantageously facilitates the provision of USB port on the vehicle
information display instrument, thus providing an option of charging the portable
devices such as but not restricted to mobile, tablets, laptop, and the like by a
compatible charger during the ride of the two.wheelers. The present subject matter
also provides the option of a mobile stand for holding the mobilc or any similar
device for charging the same during the travel of the vehiclc. Moreover, the
advanced infotainment vehicle information display instrument with the integral
"active-matrix TFT" according to the present subject matter enhances the visibility of
the data to the operator withnlit any complex optical and light transa~issiurl
mechanism. The advanced infotainment vehicle information display instrument
provided with thc "active-nlalrix TFT" screen is furnished with the possibility of
display of - multipl_lew~ing - information in the vehicle informatinn display instrument - -
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at a single time. Additionally, the application of active matrix thin film transistor
discourages the costly requirement of LEDs for signaling and indicating the
indicators such as high revolution-per-minutes, warning indicators, tell-tale indicators,
and the like. Furthermore, the present subject matter discloses an improved, advanced,
reliable, customers' friendly and automatic speed alert indicator in the vchicle
information display instrument for vehicles.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to
the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept
thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as
illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the
appended claims rather than by the foregoing description and all variations,
substitutions and changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency
of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

WE CLAIM:
1. A vehicle information display instrument 114 comprising:
an Universal Serial Bus port provided with a connector of the vehicle
information display instrument for charging portable dcviccs by a compatible
charger;
an active matrix thin film transistor screen 208 for displaying the status of the
Universal Serial Bus port:
an electronic circuit structure 200 governing the operation and display of the
Universal Serial Bus port of the vehicle comprising;
an AC to DC converter for feeding the required power supply to a Universal
Serial Bus port Controller via an interface;
a microcontroller 204 that receive signals from the Universal Serial Bus port
Controller to decide .the instruction received from the USB port;
an USB-UART module that communicates between the microcontroller and
the USB port to identify the correct instruction received;
the status of the Universal Serial Bus port are transmitted to get visible on the
active matrix thin film transistor screen 208 in the vehicle information display
instrument 114 of the vehicle 100.
2. The vehicle information display instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
portable devices (mechanical, electrical and/or electronic) may includes, but not
restricted to, mobiles, tablets, power banks, laptops, and the like.
3. The vehicle information display instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein a tell
tale symbol may also be visible on the active matrix TFT as an indication of the
charging status of the said portable device.
4. The vehicle information display instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein an
USB protective cover is provided on the the universal serial bus port to protect
the universal serial bus port from the outside atmosphere, dust, water, etc.
5. The vehicle information display instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
"active-matrix TFT" provided with the vehicle information display instrument
displays all the textual warning indicators and information such as, but not
restricted to, distance traveled after each trip, average fuel consumption, trip time,
audio songs being played during the travel, wireless devices (Wifi, bluetooth,
etc), ambient temperature and pressure, time, and the like.
6. The vehicle information display instrument as claimed in claim 1 is provided
with a mobile stand to hold the mobile or similar portable devices for charging
the same during the travel of the operator.
7. The vehicle information display instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
mobile stand may be molded, attached andlor connected to the vehicle
information display instrument.
8. The vehicle information display instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
electronic circuit structure is provided with a provision of detecting any possible
fault in the power supply that is being supplied to the microcontroller.
9. The vehicle information display instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
possible fault in U.SB detection such as ERROR, CHARGING, CHARGED,
USB NOT DETECTED, and the like are displayed on the active matrix thin film
transistor screen.
10. The vehicle information display instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
instructions may include exchanging data with an external device, accessing and
editing the data present in the portable devices, listening music, and the like.