FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a two wheeler and more particularly to a system for controlling access and for limiting the speed of a vehicle based on access type.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Most families in developing countries such as India use a single motorcycle that is shared by all members of the family. There is a need felt that the speed of the vehicle should be limited depending on the person driving it. If the young college going children are riding the vehicle, then the vehicle speed needs to be limited so that there is less probability of rash driving and road accidents.

[0003] Korean patent publication KR20020096240 discloses a method and device for limiting the speed of a vehicle with audio password wherein the audio adjustment button can be used to enter a password, and if the password authentication is successful, then a speed limit can be entered. The fuel injection quantity will be controlled to limit the vehicle speed within set value. But such a system requires adjustment buttons on the vehicle which is difficult in a two- wheeled vehicle due to space and ergonomics constraints.

[0004] CN 103456056 B titled D Vehicle anti-theft system and a vehicle anti-theft system working methodsW discloses a vehicle anti-theft system comprising an intelligent key using which a password can be set, and the vehicle can be unlocked by wireless means if the correct password is entered. But such a system requires an intelligent key with inbuilt buttons and processing devices increasing the cost of the vehicle including the intelligent key. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.

[0006] Figure 1 shows the system components.

[0007] Figure 2 shows the process through the application.

[0008] Figure 3 shows the process through vehicle electronic control unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] The present invention includes an advanced security system in a connected two-wheeler. A passcode from a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) is sent to the connected vehicle to unlock the two-wheeler. The connection between the PDA and the vehicle will be wired or wireless Bluetooth / Wi-Fi. The passcode from the PDA is decoded by a vehicle-mounted electronic control unit, and the passcode undergoes a verification process for authentication of the user. Each user in a group sharing the same vehicle has a unique and individual passcode. After the authentication of the rider, the electronic control unit sets the two-wheeler speed limit. The prime mover of the vehicle is controlled in order to maintain vehicle speed within the set limit.

[00010] The design improves rider safety, and users feel more secure with a passcode lock. The concept can be applied to any two-wheeled or three-wheeled automobiles. The electronic control unit can be a speedometer or an engine control unit or a motor controller.

[00011] Figure 1 shows the system that includes a connected vehicle which has a Human Machine Interface (HMI) display 1, a Bluetooth 3 communication with a Personal digital assistant (PDA) 2. The application which runs on the PDA 2 prompts the user to enter a passcode 5 to unlock the two-wheeler. The user enters the passcode, and the PDA 2 application authenticates the passcode. If the passcode authentication is successful, then the PDA 2 will send encrypted data 14 to unlock the vehicle 15 and to set a specific speed limit dependent on the passcode. If the passcode authentication fails, the PDA 2 will send encrypted data to lock the vehicle.

[00012] An electronic control unit mounted on the vehicle receives the data 16 sent by the PDA 2 and decrypts the data 17 to either enable or disable vehicle operation. If the vehicle is powered by an internal combustion engine, ignition is enabled or disabled based on the encrypted data. Preferably, the electronic control unit is a speedometer mounted on the vehicle and based on the decrypted message from the PDA 2, the speedometer sends appropriate signals to an engine control unit to enable or disable ignition. If the data received is to unlock the vehicle, it also contains information to set a specific speed limit 10, 11, 12, 13. The speedometer will send appropriate signals to the engine control unit so that ignition will be disabled if the specific speed limit is exceeded 21, 22, 23, 24. If the vehicle is powered by an electric motor, then the speedometer communicates with a motor controller to control motor operation.

[00013] Since the passcode can be entered in the PDA 2 owned by the user, additional buttons need not be provided on the vehicle.

[00014] The Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) 2 can be a Smartphone or a tablet PC. The communication between the PDA 2 and the electronic control unit mounted on the vehicle can be through the wireless communication protocol such as Bluetooth 3 or Wi-Fi or wired communication protocol such as USB. The above-mentioned and other modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Since the passcode can be entered in the PDA 2 owned by the user, additional buttons need not be provided on the vehicle.

[00015] Figure 2 shows the process by a dedicated software application on PDA 2 is used to control the vehicle speed limit. A PDA 2 is connected to the two-wheeler via any wireless or wired communication via the commands sent by the software application 4. Once a passcode is entered by the user 5, the data is verified for authentication of the right user. A defined speed limitation data is stored in the application database for each passcode 6, 7, 8, 9. If the passcode matches with any one of the authenticated passcode, corresponding speed limitation data is fetched 10, 11, 12, 13. The fetched data thereby encrypted 14 and sent to the two-wheeler 15. The data also includes information on authentication.

[00016] Figure 3 shows process at an electronic control unit checks for the data received from the external PDA 16 for authentication of right PDA device and user. Once the user is verified the received data undergoes decryption process to check the passcode 17. After the successful decryption of data 9, 18, 19, 20 this dedicated controller shall command the engine control unit to set a speed saturation value 10a,lla, 12a, 13a. The speed control of the vehicle can be in any method. The supply to TCI is regulated at an upper value of 21, 22, 23 & 24 to maintain the vehicle upper speed to values 10, 11, 12 & 13 once the vehicle speed reaches the assigned speed values 10, 11, 12 & 13. Hence, in spite of the user demand of higher speed, the TCI controls the upper vehicle speed value assigned to each user.