BR102016010677A2 - methods, control unit, and computing unit to reduce power consumption in a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

methods (400, 600), control unit (500), and compute unit (700) to create a probability map of geographic positions for which speed reduction is expected, to assist a driver in reducing power consumption in a vehicle (100). method (400) comprises determining (401) geographical position of vehicle (100); determining (402) a vehicle related data set comprising the geographical position; determining (403) driving direction (105) of the vehicle (100); storing (404) the vehicle related data set and the determined driving direction (105) (403) associated with the determined geographical position (401) of the vehicle (100) in a database (350, 525); and establishing (405) the probability map of geographic positions for which a speed reduction is expected, based on the vehicle-related data set associated with the vehicle's determined geographical position (401) and vehicle-related data. previously stored associated with the same geographical position.

Description

“METHODS, CONTROL UNIT AND COMPUTER UNIT TO REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN A VEHICLE” TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This document reveals methods, a control unit and a computing unit for reducing energy consumption in a vehicle. More particularly, methods, a control unit and a computing unit for describing a probability map of geographical positions for which a reduction in speed is expected, to assist a driver in reducing energy consumption in a vehicle, are described.

GROUNDS

[0002] Reduction of energy consumption and other maintenance costs, etc. Associated with vehicle transportation is important for the vehicle owner. Reduced energy consumption also results in reduced environmental impact.

Driver support systems are known to aim to enhance, intensify and maintain good driving behavior while still reducing the energy consumption and wear of supported vehicles. These systems can assess how the driver is handling the vehicle in different situations that may affect the power consumption, or wear and tear of the vehicle. Driver behavior in a given situation can be fed back through grids, and recommendations can be provided to the driver. These grids and recommendations are however based on detailed map data in combination with a positioning unit. These well-known driver and support systems are primarily dedicated to long distance haul drivers.

[0004] However, it is difficult or, with previously known technology, impossible to know the driver's intentions, or why he is behaving in a certain way in a particular situation. This makes it difficult to provide proper feedback.

Additionally, there are requirements to provide driver support also when detailed map data is missing. Additionally, there are requirements to provide driver support for any type of vehicle, not just Long Haul Trucks.

Yet another problem of previously known technology is that there are only limited solutions for adapting a vehicle's cruise control functionality to speed limitations or traffic regulation structures such as traffic lights, detours, road bumps, road intersections. , etc.

Document US2012022781 describes a method for determining a vehicle travel route based on associated vehicle cost value. Factors such as road elevation, road repair condition, road friction coefficient, etc. They are measured for different road segments and stored in a database associated with the respective road segment. A user can then select from different alternate roads to the same destination based on an estimate of the predicted fuel consumption of the respective alternative.

Document US2008208451 describes a map information update system for use with a navigation system in a vehicle to calculate fuel consumption in a vehicle. Data associated with a vehicle's fuel consumption on different roads is stored in a database. The driver can then use this stored data to select the road to a destination.

Document EP1973078 discloses a method for improving steering efficiency of a vehicle. Various vehicle indications are collected and presented to the driver, reflecting the efficiency of his driving. Such indications are based on a comparison of currently recorded parameters and parameters recorded during previous driving of the same route or with parameters recorded by similar systems of other vehicles.

Document US2013245943 relates to a method of creating longitudinal velocity profile data for digital maps used to display road or path information and used, for example, by navigation systems involving associating longitudinal velocity profiles with segment road and store longitudinal velocity profiles on digital media.

However, none of these documents describe a mechanism for providing driver direction recommendations when relevant map data is not available.

As these described scenarios, and similar variants of them, will lead to higher energy consumption, or higher maintenance costs, it is desirable to find a solution.

SUMMARY

It is therefore an object of this invention to solve at least some of the above problems and to reduce the energy consumption in a vehicle.

According to a first aspect of the invention, this objective is achieved by a method for creating a probability map of geographical positions for which a reduction in speed is expected, to assist a driver in reducing energy consumption by one. vehicle. The method comprises determining the geographical position of the vehicle. Additionally, the method also comprises determining a vehicle related data set comprising vehicle speed at the determined geographical position. The method also comprises determining the driving direction of the vehicle. Moreover, the method also comprises storing the determined vehicle related data set comprising the vehicle speed and the determined driving direction associated with the determined geographical position of the vehicle in a database. Additionally, the method also comprises establishing the probability map of geographic positions for which a speed reduction is expected based on the stored set of vehicle related data associated with the determined geographical position of the vehicle and associated previously stored vehicle related data. with the same geographical position.

In a first possible implementation of the method according to the first aspect, the steps of determining and storing the vehicle related data set may further comprise acceleration, selected gear, vehicle weight, engine load, road inclination, vehicle type, date, day of the week, time of day, above or below zero, or other similar parameters.

In a second possible implementation of the method according to the first aspect, or according to the first possible implementation thereof, the probability map may be established based on the computation of the maximum value, minimum value, mean value and / or variance of vehicle speeds stored in at least some geographical locations.

According to a second aspect of the invention, this objective is achieved by a control unit, configured to create a probability map of geographic positions for which a speed reduction is expected, to assist a driver in reducing fuel consumption. of energy in a vehicle. The control unit is configured to determine the geographical position of the vehicle. Also, the control unit is configured to determine a vehicle related data set comprising vehicle speed at the given geographical position. Additionally, the control unit is additionally configured to store the determined set of vehicle related data associated with the determined geographical position of the vehicle in a database. In addition, the control unit is configured to establish the probability map of geographic positions for which speed reduction is expected, based on the stored vehicle-related data associated with the vehicle's determined geographic position and vehicle-related data. previously stored vehicle associated with the same geographical position.

In a first possible implementation of the control unit according to the second aspect, the steps of determining and storing the vehicle related data set may additionally comprise acceleration, selected gear, vehicle weight, engine load, inclination of the vehicle. road, vehicle type, date, day of the week, time of day, above or below zero, or other similar parameters.

In a second possible implementation of the control unit according to the second aspect, or according to the first possible implementation thereof, the probability map may be established based on the computation of the maximum value, minimum value, average value. and / or variance of vehicle speeds stored in at least some geographical locations.

According to a third aspect of the invention, this object is achieved by a computer program comprising program code for performing a method according to the first aspect, or any possible implementation thereof, when the computer program is executed. on the control unit according to the second aspect.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, this objective is achieved by a method of assisting a driver of a vehicle in reducing energy consumption using a probability map of geographical positions for which a reduction in speed is expected. The method comprises determining the geographical position of the vehicle. Additionally, the method also comprises determining a vehicle related data set comprising vehicle speed at the given geographical position. The method further comprises determining the driving direction of the vehicle. Also, the method further comprises extracting a stored geographical position from the probability map into a database for which a speed reduction in the given driving direction is expected. The method further comprises calculating a delay distance to reduce the determined vehicle speed to the expected reduced speed in the extracted geographical position.

In a first possible implementation of the method according to the fourth aspect, the method further comprises providing an instruction to the driver to release the accelerator when the vehicle is positioned at the calculated delay distance from the extracted geographical position to arrive at said one. geographical position at the expected reduced speed of the vehicle.

In a second possible implementation of the method according to the fourth aspect, or the first possible implementation thereof, the step of determining the vehicle related data set comprises: vehicle speed, acceleration, selected gear, vehicle weight , engine load, road slope, vehicle type, date, day of week, time of day, above or below zero, or similar parameter, and use the given set of parameters to filter when extracting the stored geographical position the probability map in the database, for which a speed reduction in the given driving direction is expected.

In a third possible implementation of the method according to the fourth aspect, or according to any possible prior implementation thereof, the driving direction of the vehicle is determined based on navigation data fed by the driver.

In a fourth possible implementation of the method according to the fourth aspect, or according to any possible prior implementation thereof, the method further comprises releasing the accelerator when the vehicle is positioned within the calculated delay distance of the extracted geographical position, to reach said geographical position at the expected reduced speed of the vehicle autonomously, when the driver has activated a cruise control on the vehicle.

In a fifth possible implementation of the method according to the fourth aspect, or according to any possible prior implementation thereof, the method further comprises providing feedback to the driver based on the driver's adaptation to the instructions given for releasing the accelerator. .

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, this objective is achieved by a computing unit configured to assist a driver of a vehicle in reducing energy consumption using a probability map of geographic positions for which a speed reduction. The computing unit is configured to determine the geographical position of the vehicle. Also, the computing unit is configured to determine a vehicle related data set comprising vehicle speed at the given geographical position. The computing unit is also configured to determine the driving direction of the vehicle. In addition, the computing unit is configured to extract a stored geographical position from the probability map into a database for which a speed reduction in the given driving direction is expected. Additionally, the computing unit is configured to calculate a delay distance to reduce the vehicle speed determined to the expected reduced speed at the extracted geographical position. The computing unit is further configured to provide an instruction to the driver via an interface to release the accelerator when the vehicle is positioned at the calculated delay distance of the second extracted geographical position to reach the second geographical position at reduced speed. expected from the vehicle.

In a first possible implementation of the computing unit according to the fifth aspect, the interface comprises any of a vehicle monitor, a portable electronic device, a vehicle browser, a speaker, or a tactile device.

In a second possible implementation of the computing unit according to the fifth aspect, or the first possible implementation thereof, the computing unit is further configured to determine the vehicle related data set comprising: vehicle speed, acceleration , selected gear, vehicle weight, engine load, road slope, vehicle type, date, day of the week, time of day, above or below zero degree, or similar parameter, and use the given set of parameters to filter when extracting the stored geographical position from the probability map in the database, for which a speed reduction in the given driving direction is expected.

In a third possible implementation of the computing unit according to the fifth aspect, or according to any possible prior implementation thereof, the computing unit is further configured to determine the driving direction of the vehicle based on data from navigation powered by the driver.

In a fourth possible implementation of the computing unit according to the fifth aspect, or according to any possible prior implementation thereof, the computing unit is further configured to release the accelerator when the vehicle is positioned at the delay distance. calculated from the extracted geographical position to arrive at said geographical position at the expected reduced speed of the vehicle autonomously when the driver has activated a cruise control on the vehicle.

In a fifth possible implementation of the computing unit according to the fifth aspect, or according to any possible prior implementation thereof, the computing unit is further configured to provide driver feedback based on the driver's adaptation to instructions presented for releasing the throttle.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, this objective is achieved by a computer program comprising program code for performing a method according to the fourth aspect, or any possible implementation thereof, when the computer program is executed. in the computing unit according to the fifth aspect.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, this object is achieved by a vehicle comprising a control unit according to the second aspect, or a computing unit according to the fifth aspect.

Thanks to the described aspects, by collecting and storing parameters related to vehicle speed and geographical positions and establishing a probability map, it is possible to predict when a vehicle will stop or slow down the vehicle. Additionally, it can be calculated when the vehicle driver will have to release the throttle in order to ride to the expected stop. Through this, energy is saved in the vehicle and the driver is given a tool to assist him in saving energy. An advantage with the solution provided is that it can be used by any type of vehicle, also distribution trucks, city buses or private vehicles, in any type of environment, also comprising urban environment.

Other additional unpublished advantages and features will become apparent from the following detailed description.

FIGURES

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 illustrates a vehicle driving along a route according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3A illustrates a vehicle interior according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3B illustrates a vehicle interior according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a first method;

Figure 5 is an illustration depicting a control unit according to one embodiment;

Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a second method; Figure 7 is an illustration depicting a computing unit according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Modalities of the invention described herein are defined as methods, a control unit and a computing unit, which may be practiced in the embodiments described below. Such embodiments may, however, be exemplified and conceived in many different forms and should not be limited to the examples set forth herein; instead, these illustrative examples of embodiments are provided such that this disclosure is complete and complete.

Still other objectives and features may become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the drawings are made for illustration purposes only and not as a definition of the limits of the embodiments disclosed herein, to which reference is made to the appended claims. Additionally, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and unless otherwise indicated, are intended merely to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein.

[0040] Figure 1 illustrates a scenario with a vehicle 100 driving in a driving direction 105 on a highway 110.

Vehicle 100 may comprise, for example, a truck, a bus, a car, a motorcycle or any similar vehicle or other transfer device.

Vehicle 100 may be driver-controlled or autonomously-controlled vehicles without driver in different modes. However, for clarity, vehicle 100 is subsequently described with a driver.

The depicted vehicle 100 is approaching a stop signal 120 at a road intersection 130.

According to some embodiments, the vehicle's energy consumption and behavior while driving on a route with vehicle 100 are measured and stored in a database. Vehicle behavior may comprise vehicle-related data such as, for example, vehicle speed, acceleration, selected gear, vehicle weight 100, engine load, road slope, vehicle type, date, day of the week, time of day. day, above or below zero degree, or other similar parameters. Also, the geographical position of vehicle 100 is determined. In some embodiments, geographical positioning may be done, for example, by a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver on vehicle 100. The determined vehicle related data is then stored in the database along with the determined geographical position of vehicle 100. This methodology is repeated, for example, at certain periodic time intervals, or in certain traffic situations, such as before road junctions 130, hills, traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, etc.

Stored vehicle related data associated with geographic locations is stored in the database to establish a geographical position probability map where a speed reduction is expected.

When the probability map is established, it can be used by any vehicle 100, driving in the same geographical position in the same direction 105, to determine where a speed reduction is expected for vehicle 100 and a calculation can be made to compute a delay distance to the geographical position where speed reduction is expected for vehicle 100. Then, an instruction may be transmitted to the driver of vehicle 100 to release the accelerator when vehicle 100 is approaching the position delay distance. where speed reduction is expected.

The retrieved driving instructions may be given by displaying previously stored data associated with a geographical position when vehicle 100 reaches that geographical position.

Through this, the driver will have learned to adapt steering to reduce energy consumption, thereby adapting to eco-driving behavior.

In some embodiments, saved vehicle related data may also be used by another similar vehicle and thus may be used for knowledge transfer. Through this, an inexperienced driver could quickly learn and adapt to an energy-saving driving style by copying the steering commands of more experienced drivers, which reduces the time it takes to become a skilled driver.

Additionally, the collected and stored data may be transmitted to the vehicle producer in some modalities so that engineers have a deeper understanding of how customers use their vehicles 100. The support the customer then receives would be more customized when it is more precisely known how customers use their 100 vehicles.

Not only would the energy consumption be reduced, but also the wear on vehicle 100 could be reduced and possibly optimized for the most common route.

[0052] Still an advantage is that the disclosed method can be applied also in environments where detailed map data is not available, or only limited map data exists.

In addition, the disclosed method is applicable for any type of vehicle, such as city buses, distribution trucks and private cars, for example. This is a clear difference compared to previously known solutions that are dedicated to long distance transport.

[0054] Figure 2 illustrates vehicle 100 approaching road intersection 130, viewed from a perspective from above. As vehicle 100 is approaching road intersection 130, vehicle speed 100 and possibly also other vehicle related data is measured at certain positions A, B and C which may be positions in time (i.e. , vehicle speed 100 is measured and stored at a certain time interval, such as every second, every three seconds, etc.), or distance positions (ie vehicle speed 100 is measured and stored in a certain length range such as every 10 meters in a non-limiting example), or predetermined geographical positions in different embodiments, or a combination thereof.

The measured velocity data is thus associated with the respective positions A, B, C where the measurement was taken and then stored in a database.

In some embodiments, the database may be located on vehicle 100, and only vehicle-related data from vehicle 100 itself is then stored in the database, each time 1.2 ..... n the vehicle 100 passes through its positions A, B, C, where n is an arbitrary integer.

However, in other embodiments, the database may be external to vehicle 100, and vehicle-related data of any vehicle 100 passing its respective positions A, B, C may be stored, associated with respective vehicle-related data. vehicle measured.

The data stored in the database can then be analyzed and a probability for a certain vehicle speed at a certain position A, B, C can be estimated. Thus, a probability map for velocities at certain positions A, B, C, or at least some of them, can be made.

In the case illustrated in Figure 2, the probability of driving at zero km / h in position A is very high, for example. Based on this information, a delay distance for vehicle 100 can be computed starting from position A and back against driving direction 105. This can determine when the driver of vehicle 100 has to release the accelerator and let vehicle 100 rotate to reach position A at zero km / h without having to expend any energy. Then, the moment the vehicle 100 passes through the discussed positions A, B, C, an instruction may be presented to the driver encouraging him to release the accelerator.

[0060] The speed determined on the established speed probability map, established on the basis of recorded and stored data, does not have to be zero km / h, it may be reduced speed, for example on detours, ramps, access roads, steep turns, etc., where it is often necessary to drive at a lower speed than is actually allowed by traffic regulations because of vehicle restrictions 100.

Thanks to the disclosed method, a preferred energy saving strategy of vehicle 100 can be extracted regardless of how the driver can perceive the traffic ahead.

In some embodiments, energy can also be saved when the driver is using a vehicle 100 cruise control feature. Thus, cruise control can adapt vehicle 100 speed, for example when vehicle 100 reaches a road junction 130, or go through a detour.

[0063] Figure 3A illustrates an example of how the previous scenario in figure 1 or figure 2 can be perceived by the driver of vehicle 100.

Vehicle 100 may comprise, or be associated with a monitor 310, where, for example, instructions may be displayed. The monitor 310 may be integrated into the vehicle dashboard 100, or comprise a separate unit in different embodiments such as, for example, a mobile device, a mobile phone, as will be further illustrated in an example in Figure 3B. The monitor 310 may also, or alternatively, comprise a speaker or tactile device in some embodiments, or be integrated into a vehicle positioning unit 330.

The positioning unit 330 may be based on a satellite navigation system such as Navigation Timing and Ranging Signal (Navstar) Global Positioning System (GPS), Differential GPS (DGPS), Galileo, GLONASS, or the like. . Thus, positioning unit 330 may comprise a GPS receiver.

The geographical position of the vehicle 100 may be determined continuously or at certain predetermined or configurable time intervals according to various embodiments.

Satellite navigation positioning is based on distance measurement using triangulation of various satellites 340-1, 340-2, 340-3, 340-4. Satellites 340-1, 340-2, 340-3, 340-4 continuously transmit information about time and date (for example, in coded form), identity (which satellite 340-1, 340-2, 340-3 , 340-4 transmitting), state, and where the satellite 340-1, 340-2, 340-3, 340-4 is located at any given time. GPS satellites 340-1, 340-2, 340-3, 340-4 transmit information encoded with different codes, for example, but not necessarily based on Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). This allows information from one individual satellite 340-1, 340-2, 340-3, 340-4 to be distinct from information from another, based on a unique code for each respective satellite 340-1, 340-2, 340- 3,340-4. This information may then be transmitted to be received by the suitably adapted positioning unit 330 in vehicle 100.

Distance measurement may, according to some embodiments, comprise measuring the difference in time taken for each respective satellite signal transmitted by the respective satellites 340-1, 340-2, 340-3, 340-4 to reach positioning unit 330. As radio signals travel at the speed of light, the distance from the respective satellite 340-1, 340-2, 340-3, 340-4 can be computed by measuring the signal propagation time.

The positions of satellites 340-1, 340-2, 340-3, 340-4 are known as they are continuously monitored at approximately 15-30 earth stations located mainly along and near the Earth's equator. By this, the geographical position, i.e. latitude and longitude, of vehicle 100 can be calculated by determining the distance to at least three satellites 340-1, 340-2, 340-3, 340-4 by triangulation. For altitude determination, signals from four satellites 340-1, 340-2, 340-3, 340-4 may be used according to some embodiments.

In the illustrated embodiment, vehicle 100 may also comprise a control unit 500 in some embodiments. Control unit 500 is configured to collect and store a set of vehicle related parameters such as, for example, vehicle speed while driving. Control unit 500 may in some embodiments be external to vehicle 100.

Having determined the geographical position of vehicle 100 by means of positioning unit 330, and also determining driving direction 105 of vehicle 100, control unit 500 may collect the set of vehicle-related parameters of vehicle 100, during driving in the driving direction 105 at certain geographic positions A, B, C of vehicle 100. Vehicle related parameters, or data, can then be stored associated with the determined geographical position A, B, C in a memory or database. 350. The memory or database 350 may be located on vehicle 100 in some embodiments, as illustrated in the embodiment shown in Figure 3A. However, in other embodiments, the collected parameter data may be stored in a database 350 external to vehicle 100, as illustrated in Figure 3B.

Additionally, vehicle 100 may comprise a computing unit 700. The computing unit 700 may also be connected to database 350.

In some embodiments, vehicle related data including vehicle speed, etc. in geographical position are detected and stored in database 350, associated with driving direction 105 of vehicle 100 and geographical position. The collected data is then used to establish a probability map of geographical positions where a reduction in speed is expected, for example a vehicle stop. This geographical position probability map can then be used the moment after vehicle 100 passes the same geographical position; or any other vehicle passing through the same geographical position in different ways. Using the vehicle's current geographical position and driving direction 105 as input values, a stored geographical position can be extracted from the probability map in database 350, where a speed reduction is expected. Additionally, a delay distance can be calculated to reduce the vehicle speed to the expected reduced speed in the extracted geographical position. When vehicle 100 is at the calculated delay distance, an instruction may be displayed to the driver on monitor 310.

Figure 3B further illustrates an example of how the previous scenario in Figure 1 or Figure 2 may be perceived by the driver of the vehicle 100.

The embodiment illustrated is similar to the configuration illustrated in Figure 3A, but with the main difference that the control unit 500 and database 350 are external to vehicle 100 and comprise, for example, a server or a solution based on clouds.

The computing unit 700 is meanwhile situated in vehicle 100 and can communicate via a transceiver 360 with the control unit 500 via a wireless communication interface.

The mentioned wireless communication may be based on, or at least inspired by, wireless communication technology, such as, for example, the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced, Vehicle communication. (V2V), Wi-Fi, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Bluetooth (BT), or infrared transmission to name just a few possible examples of wireless communications.

In an illustrative example, vehicle 100 may determine the geographical position using positioning unit 330 and driving direction 105 of vehicle 100 at the geographical position.

[0079] The determined geographical position and driving direction 105 may be used as input values to extract instructions from database 350 associated with that geographical position and driving direction 105 of vehicle 100.

Additionally, a delay distance can be calculated by the calculation unit 500 to reduce the vehicle speed to the expected reduced speed in the extracted geographical position. When vehicle 100 is at the calculated delay distance, an instruction may be displayed to the driver on monitor 310.

Figure 4 illustrates an example of a method 400 according to one embodiment. The flowchart in figure 4 shows method 400 for creating a probability map of geographic positions for which a reduction in speed is expected to assist a driver in reducing energy consumption in a vehicle 100.

Vehicle 100 can be any arbitrary type of transfer device, such as a truck, bus, car, or motorcycle.

[0083] In order to correctly allow collection and storage of parameters, method 400 may comprise several steps 401-405. Some of the steps described can be performed in several different variants. Additionally, the steps described 401-405 may be performed in a slightly different chronological order than the numbering suggests. For example, step 403 may be performed prior to step 401 or step 402. Method 400 may comprise subsequent steps: Step 401 comprises determining the geographical position of vehicle 100.

The geographical position can be determined based on GPS positioning in some modalities, for example at certain time intervals continuously triggered by some driver action such as vehicle speed change, vehicle deceleration 100, etc. ., or mediation requested by the driver. The geographical position of vehicle 100 may, in some alternative arrangements, be indicated by the driver.

Step 402 comprises determining a vehicle related data set comprising vehicle speed at the determined geographical position.

The determined vehicle related data set comprising vehicle speed may additionally comprise acceleration, selected gear, vehicle weight 100, engine load, road inclination, vehicle type, date, day of the week, time of day, above or below zero degree, or other similar parameters.

Step 403 comprises determining driving direction 105 of vehicle 100.

The driving direction 105 of the vehicle 100 may be determined based on the location of the journey's destination, or by extrapolating the driving direction based on predetermined geographical positions 401 and possibly knowledge of the direction of the road, for example from of stored map data.

Step 404 comprises storing the determined vehicle-related data set 402 comprising the vehicle speed and the determined driving direction 105 associated with the determined geographical position 401 of the vehicle 100 in a database 350, or data memory.

The stored vehicle related data set comprising vehicle speed may additionally comprise acceleration, selected gear, vehicle weight 100, engine load, road slope, vehicle type, date, day of the week, time of day, above or below zero degree, or other similar parameters.

Step 405 comprises establishing the probability map of geographic positions for which a speed reduction is expected, based on the stored set 404 of vehicle related data associated with the determined geographical position 401 of vehicle 100 and vehicle related data. previously stored associated with the same geographical position.

The probability map may be established based on the computation of the maximum value, minimum value, mean value and / or variance of stored vehicle speeds 404 in at least some geographical positions.

[0094] Figure 5 illustrates one embodiment of a control unit 500 configured to create a probability map of geographic positions for which speed reduction is expected to assist a driver in reducing energy consumption in a vehicle 100.

Control unit 500 may be located on vehicle 100 in some embodiments (see Figure 3A) or alternatively be external to vehicle 100 in other embodiments (see Figure 3B).

Control unit 500 is configured to perform at least some of steps 401-405 according to method 400 to create a probability map of geographic positions for which a speed reduction is expected to assist a driver in Reduction of vehicle energy consumption 100.

The control unit 500 is configured to determine the geographical position of vehicle 100. The control unit 500 is also configured to determine a vehicle related data set comprising vehicle speed at the given geographical position. Furthermore, the control unit 500 is further configured to store the determined set of vehicle related data associated with the determined geographical position of the vehicle 100 in a database 350, or in a memory 525.

Control unit 500 is also configured to establish the probability map of geographic positions for which a speed reduction is expected, based on the stored set of vehicle related data associated with the determined geographical position of vehicle 100 and previously stored set of vehicle related data associated with the same geographical position.

Control unit 500 may comprise a receiving circuit 510 configured to receive a signal from a positioning unit 330, or from a communication unit 360.

Control unit 500 may also comprise a processor 520 configured to perform at least some of the calculation or computation of control unit 500. Thus, processor 520 may be configured to perform at least some of steps 401-405 according to with method 400 to create a probability map of geographic positions for which a reduction in speed is expected, to assist a driver in reducing energy consumption in vehicle 100.

Such a processor 520 may comprise one or more instances of a processing circuit, that is, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a processing unit, a processing circuit, a processor, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit ( ASIC), a microprocessor, or other processing logic that can interpret and execute instructions. The term "processor" used herein may thus represent a processing circuit system comprising a plurality of processing circuits, such as, for example, any, some or all of the above.

In addition, the control unit 500 may comprise a memory 525 in some embodiments. Optional memory 525 may comprise a physical device used to store data or programs, that is, sequence of instructions, either temporarily or permanently. According to some embodiments, memory 525 may comprise integrated circuits comprising silicon-based transistors, memory 525 may comprise, for example, a memory card, a flash memory, a USB memory, a hard disk, or another unit. similar volatile or nonvolatile storage for storing data, such as ROM (Read Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable PROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable PROM), etc. in different modalities.

Additionally, the control unit 500 may comprise a signal transmitter 530. The signal transmitter 530 may be configured to transmit a control signal through a wired or wireless interface to be received by monitor 310 in vehicle 100, or by database 350.

[0104] The previously described steps 401-405 to be performed on the control unit 500 may be implemented through one or more processors 520 on the control unit 500, along with a computer program product to perform at least some of the functions of steps 401. -405. Thus, a computer program product comprising instructions for performing steps 401-405 on control unit 500 may perform method 400 according to at least some of steps 401-405 to create a probability map of geographic positions for which a speed reduction is expected to assist a driver in reducing power consumption in a vehicle 100 when the computer program is loaded into one or more processors 520 of the control unit 500.

The above-mentioned computer program product may be provided, for example, in the form of a data bearer carrying a computer program code to perform at least some of steps 401-405 according to some embodiments when it is loaded into one or more processors 520 of the control unit 500. The data bearer may be, for example, a hard disk, a CD ROM disk, a memory stick, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device or any other appropriate media such as a disk or tape that may contain non-transient machine-readable data. The computer program product may furthermore be provided as computer program code on a server and transferred to the control unit 500 remotely, for example, over an Internet or intranet connection.

Additionally, some embodiments may comprise a vehicle 100 comprising a control unit 500 as illustrated in Figure 3A.

Some embodiments may comprise a structure external to the vehicle comprising a control unit 500 as illustrated in Figure 3B.

Figure 6 illustrates an example of a method 600 according to one embodiment. The flow chart in figure 6 shows the method 600 for assisting a driver of a vehicle 100 in reducing energy consumption using a probability map of geographical positions for which a reduction in speed is expected.

[0109] Vehicle 100 can be any arbitrary type of transfer device, such as a truck, bus, car, or motorcycle.

In order to correctly collect and store the parameters, method 600 may comprise several steps 601-607. However, some of these steps 601-607 can be performed in different alternative ways. Additionally, steps 601-607 can be performed in a slightly different chronological order than numbering suggests. Step 606 and step 607 can only be performed in some alternative modalities. For example, step 603 may be performed prior to step 601 or step 602. Method 600 may comprise subsequent steps: Step 601 comprises determining the geographical position of vehicle 100.

[0112] Geographic position can be determined based on GPS positioning in some modalities, for example at certain time intervals continuously triggered by some driver action such as vehicle speed change, vehicle deceleration 100, etc. ., or upon request by the driver. The geographical position of vehicle 100 may in some alternative embodiments be indicated by the driver.

Step 602 comprises determining a vehicle related data set comprising vehicle speed at the determined geographical position 601.

The determined vehicle related data set comprising vehicle speed may additionally comprise, for example, acceleration, selected gear, vehicle weight 100, engine load, road slope, vehicle type, date, day of the week, time of day, above or below zero degree, or other similar parameters.

[0115] Step 603 comprises determining the driving direction 105 of vehicle 100.

[0116] Driving direction 105 of vehicle 100 can be determined based on the location of the journey's destination, or by extrapolating driving direction based on predetermined geographical positions 601 and possibly knowledge of the direction of the road, for example from of stored map data.

[0117] The driving direction 105 of vehicle 100 may in some embodiments be determined based on navigation data fed by the driver.

Step 604 comprises extracting a stored geographical position from the probability map into a database 350 or memory, for which a speed reduction in the determined driving direction 105 is expected 603.

[0119] The set 602 of vehicle related data, or parameters, may be used to filter when extracting the stored geographical position from the probability map in database 350 or memory for which a speed reduction is expected in the direction. driving distance 105 determined 603.

Step 605 comprises calculating a delay distance to reduce the determined vehicle speed 602 to the expected reduced speed at the extracted geographical position 604.

[0121] Step 606 can be understood only in some embodiments. Optional step 606 may comprise providing an instruction to the driver to release the accelerator when the vehicle 100 is positioned at the calculated delay distance 605 from the extracted geographical position 604 to arrive at said geographic position with the expected reduced speed of the vehicle 100.

According to some embodiments, feedback may be provided to the driver based on the driver's adaptation to the instructions given 606 for releasing the accelerator.

[0123] Step 607 can be understood only in some modes. Optional step 607 may comprise releasing the accelerator when vehicle 100 is positioned at the calculated delay distance 605 from the extracted geographical position 604 to arrive at said geographic position with the expected reduced speed of vehicle 100 autonomously when the driver has activated a control. vehicle cruise liner 100.

Figure 7 illustrates one embodiment of a computing unit 700 configured to assist a driver of a vehicle 100 in reducing power consumption using a probability map of geographical positions for which a reduction in speed is expected. Computing unit 700 is configured to perform at least some of steps 601-607 according to the above-described method 600 to assist a driver of a vehicle 100 in reducing power consumption using a probability map of geographic locations for which it is intended. expect a speed reduction.

The computing unit 700 is configured to determine the geographical position of the vehicle 100. Additionally, the computing unit 700 is additionally configured to determine a vehicle related data set comprising vehicle speed at the determined geographical position. In addition, computing unit 700 is also configured to determine driving direction 105 of vehicle 100. Computing unit 700 is additionally configured to extract a stored geographical position from the probability map in a database 350 or memory to which a speed reduction is expected in the determined driving direction 105. Also, the computing unit 700 is configured to calculate a delay distance to reduce the determined vehicle speed to the expected reduced speed in the extracted geographical position. In addition, the computing unit 700 is configured to present a driver instruction via an interface 310 to release the accelerator when the vehicle 100 is positioned at the calculated delay distance of the second extracted geographical position to arrive at the second geographical position. with the expected reduced speed of vehicle 100.

Interface 310 may comprise any of a vehicle monitor 100, a portable electronic device, a vehicle navigator 320, a speaker, a tactile device or similar device.

Computing unit 700 may comprise a receiving circuit 710 configured to receive a signal from one or more sensors in vehicle 100, a positioning unit 330 or a database 350.

Computing unit 700 may also comprise a 720 processor configured to perform at least some of the computation or computation of computing unit 700. Thus, processor 720 may be configured to perform at least some of steps 601-607 according to with the above-described method 600 for assisting a driver of a vehicle 100 in reducing energy consumption using a probability map of geographic positions for which a reduction in speed is expected.

Such a processor 720 may comprise one or more instances of a processing circuit, that is, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a processing unit, a processing circuit, a processor, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit ( ASIC), a microprocessor, or other processing logic that can interpret and execute instructions. The term used herein "processor" may thus represent a system of processing circuits comprising a plurality of processing circuits, such as, for example, any or all of the above.

In addition, computing unit 700 may comprise a memory 725 in some embodiments. Optional memory 725 may comprise a physical device used to store data or programs, that is, instructional sequences, either temporarily or permanently. In some embodiments, memory 725 may comprise integrated circuits comprising silicon-based transistors. Memory 725 may comprise, for example, a memory card, flash memory, USB memory, hard disk, or other similar volatile or non-volatile storage unit for storing data such as ROM (Memory Only). Read), PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable PROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable PROM), etc. in different modalities.

Additionally, computing unit 700 may comprise a signal transmitter 730. Signal transmitter 730 may be configured to transmit a control signal through a wired or wireless interface to be received by interface 310, i.e. monitor 320 on vehicle 100.

The previously described steps 601-607 to be performed on compute unit 700 may be implemented through one or more processors 720 on compute unit 700, together with the computer program product to perform at least some of the functions of steps 601 -607. Thus, a computer program product comprising instructions for performing steps 601-607 on computing unit 700 may perform method 600 comprising at least some of steps 601-607 for assisting a driver of a vehicle 100 in reducing power consumption. using a probability map of geographic positions for which speed reduction is expected when the computer program is loaded on one or more processors 720 of compute unit 700.

The above-mentioned computer program product may be provided, for example, in the form of a data bearer carrying computer program code to perform at least some of steps 601-607 according to some embodiments when it is loaded into a computer. or more processors 720 of compute 700. The data bearer may be, for example, a hard disk, a CD ROM disk, a memory stick, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any other media. such as a disk or tape that may contain non-transient machine-readable data. The computer program product may further be provided as computer program code on a server and transferred to computing unit 700 remotely, for example, over an Internet or intranet connection.

Additionally, some embodiments may comprise a vehicle 100 comprising a computing unit 700 and optionally a control unit 500 as illustrated in figures 1,2, 3A and / or 3B.

As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any or all combinations of one or more of the associated items listed. The term “or” as used herein is to be interpreted as a mathematical OU, that is, as an inclusive disjunction; not as a mathematical exclusive OR (XOR) unless expressly stated otherwise. Moreover, the singular forms 'one', 'one' and 'the', 'a' should be interpreted as they should be interpreted as 'at least one', thus possibly also comprising a plurality of entities of the same type unless expressly stated otherwise. It is further understood that the terms "includes", "comprises", "including" and / or "comprising" specify the presence of declared resources, actions, whole parts, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not eliminate the presence or adding one or more other features, actions, whole parts, steps, operations, elements, components, or groups thereof. A single unit such as, for example, a processor may fulfill the functions of various items cited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are cited in different mutually dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. A computer program may be stored / distributed on suitable media, such as optical storage media or solid state media supplied with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms such as via Internet or other wired or wireless communication system.

Claims (15)

Method (400) for creating a probability map of geographical positions for which a reduction in speed is expected to assist a driver in reducing energy consumption in a vehicle (100), characterized in that it comprises: determining (401) the geographical position of the vehicle (100); determining (402) a vehicle related data set comprising vehicle speed at the given geographical position (401); determining (403) the driving direction (105) of the vehicle (100); storing (404) the determined vehicle-related data set (402) comprising the vehicle speed and the determined driving direction (105) (403) associated with the determined geographical position (401) of the vehicle (100) in a database (350,525); and establishing (405) the probability map of geographic positions for which a speed reduction is expected, based on the stored set (404) of vehicle related data associated with the determined geographical position (401) of the vehicle (100) and previously stored vehicle related data associated with the same geographical position. Method (400) according to claim 1, characterized in that the steps of determining (402) and storing (404) the vehicle-related data set comprising vehicle speed further comprise acceleration, selected gear, vehicle weight vehicle (100), engine load, road slope, vehicle type, date, day of the week, time of day, above or below zero, or other similar parameters. Method (400) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the probability map is established (405) based on the computation of the maximum value, minimum value, mean value and / or variance of the velocities of the vehicle 404 stored in at least some geographical locations. 4. Control unit (500), configured to create a probability map of geographic positions for which speed reduction is expected, to assist a driver in reducing energy consumption in a vehicle (100), characterized by the fact that that the control unit (500) is configured to determine the geographical position of the vehicle (100); and also configured to determine a vehicle related data set comprising vehicle speed at the given geographical position; and further configured to store the determined set of vehicle related data associated with the determined geographical position of the vehicle (100) in a database (350, 525); and also configured to establish the probability map of geographic positions for which a speed reduction is expected, based on the stored vehicle-related data set associated with the vehicle's determined geographical position (100) and previously stored related data set. vehicle associated with the same geographical position. Computer program characterized in that it comprises program code for performing a method (400), of the type defined in any one of claims 1 to 3, when the computer program is executed in the control unit (500) of the type defined in claim 4. 6. Method (600) for assisting a driver of a vehicle (100) to reduce energy consumption using a probability map of geographical positions for which a reduction in speed is expected, method (600) characterized by the fact that comprises: determining (601) the geographical position of the vehicle (100); determining (602) a vehicle related data set comprising vehicle speed at the given geographical position (601); determining (603) the driving direction (105) of the vehicle (100); extracting (604) a stored geographical position from the probability map in a database (350, 725) for which a speed reduction in the determined driving direction (105) is expected (603); calculate (605) a delay distance to reduce the determined vehicle speed (602) to the expected reduced speed at the extracted geographical position (604). Method (600) according to claim 6, characterized in that it further comprises: providing (606) an instruction to the driver to release the accelerator when the vehicle (100) is positioned at the calculated delay distance (605) from the extracted geographical position (604) to arrive at said geographical position with the expected reduced speed of the vehicle (100). Method (600) according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the step of determining (602) the vehicle-related data set comprises: vehicle speed, acceleration, selected gear, vehicle weight (100). ), engine load, road slope, vehicle type, date, day of the week, time of day, above or below zero grade, or similar parameter, and using the given set (602) of parameters to filter when extracting (604) the stored geographical position of the probability map in the database (350, 725), for which a speed reduction in the determined driving direction (105) is expected (603). Method (600) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the driving direction (105) of the vehicle (100) is determined (603) based on navigation data fed by the driver. Method (600) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that it further comprises releasing (607) the accelerator when the vehicle (100) is positioned at the calculated delay distance (605) from the extracted geographical position. (604), to arrive at said geographical position with the expected reduced speed of the vehicle (100) autonomously, when the driver has activated a vehicle cruise control (100). Method (600) according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that it further comprises providing feedback to the driver based on the driver's adaptation to the instructions presented (606) for releasing the accelerator. 12. A computing unit (700), configured to assist a driver of a vehicle (100) in reducing power consumption using a probability map of geographic positions for which a reduction in speed is expected, characterized by the fact that the computing unit (700) is configured to determine the geographical position of the vehicle (100); and also configured to determine a vehicle related data set comprising vehicle speed at the given geographical position; and configured to determine the driving direction (105) of the vehicle (100); and further configured to extract a stored geographical position from the probability map into a database (350,725) for which a speed reduction in the given driving direction (105) is expected; and further configured to calculate a delay distance to reduce the vehicle speed determined to the expected reduced speed in the extracted geographical position; and configured to present an instruction to the driver via an interface (310) for releasing the accelerator when the vehicle (100) is positioned at the calculated delay distance of the second extracted geographical position to reach the second geographical position at reduced speed. expected from the vehicle (100). Computing unit (700) according to claim 12, characterized in that the interface (310) comprises any of a vehicle monitor (100), a portable electronic device, a vehicle navigator (320) ), a speaker, or a tactile device. Computer program characterized in that it comprises program code for performing a method (600) of the type defined in any one of claims 6 to 11 when the computer program is executed in the computing unit (700) of the type defined in claim 12 or 13. Vehicle (100) comprising a control unit (500) of the type defined in claim 4 or a computing unit (700) of the type defined in claim 12 or 13.