GB2500574A

GB2500574A - Efficient vehicle stopping

Info

Publication number: GB2500574A
Application number: GB1204801.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rosie Joy Roberts
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-03-19
Filing date: 2012-03-19
Publication date: 2013-10-02
Also published as: GB201204801D0

Abstract

A stopping location projector apparatus is operable to determine a projected stopping location 210 for a vehicle moving on a surface in the absence of braking. The projected stopping location is provided as an indication of a location on a map based on a current speed of the vehicle 202, current location of the vehicle 204, a current route of the vehicle 206 and a calculated stopping distance for the vehicle 208. The projected stopping location informs driving decisions such that energy wasted during braking is reduced. Determining the projected stopping distance may take into account factors such as coefficient of friction between the vehicle and the surface and inclination of the surface and vehicle speed and location may be determined via GPS. A plurality of stopping locations may be determined where a map indicates a plurality of possible routes from the current location.

Description

Efficient Vehicle Stopping

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to projeoting a stopping location of a vehiole. In particular, it relates to projecting a stopping location of a vehicle in the absence of braking.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vehicle braking is used to slow vehicles down from a travelling speed to a lower speed. Energy used to travel at a travelling speed is normally converted to heat when vehicle brakes are used to slow a vehicle. This is because most brakes rely on friction to slow a vehicle.

Sometimes this energy can be captured and stored, suoh as by converting the kinetic energy into eleotrioal energy in order to avoid energy waste as heat, but often the amount of braking reguired to slow a vehicle such as a oar will involve friction and heat.

It is important that cars use less energy. Energy is in short supply and is becoming very expensive. A vehicle such as a car may use energy stored in chemicals such as petrol and diesel, or electrical energy stored in batteries, to power an engine. Converting energy to heat when braking is therefore wasteful.

It would be helpful to provide facilities that allow a vehicle to be driven such that energy is not consumed that will subsequently be wasted.

S SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention accordingly provides a method for determining a projected stopping location for a vehicle moving on a surface in the absence of braking, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a speed of the vehicle; receiving current and historical location information for the vehicle as indications of locations in a map; determining a current route of the vehicle on the map based on the historical location information; calculating a stopping distance for the vehicle without braking; determining the projected stopping location as an indication of a location on the map based on the current location, current route and calculated stopping distance.

In a second aspect, the present invention accordingly provides a stopping location projector apparatus for a vehicle moving on a surface in the absence of braking, the apparatus comprising: a speed receiver for receiving a speed of the vehicle; a location receiver for receiving current and historical location information for the vehicle as indications of locations in a map; a route determiner for determining a current route of the vehicle on the map based on the historical location information; a stopping distance calculator for calculating a stopping distance for the vehicle without braking; a projector for determining the projected stopping location as an indication of a location on the map based on the current location, current route and calculated stopping distance.

In a third aspect, the present invention accordingly provides a computer program element comprising computer program code to, when loaded into a computer system and executed thereon, cause the computer to perform the steps of a method described above.

Thus, the stopping location projector apparatus and method identifies a location on a map at which a moving vehicle will come to a stop without the use of braking by a driver of the vehicle. By employing the projected location of the stopping location projector, a driver can control speeds of the vehicle such that desired or required stopping can he achieved with minimal or no use of braking of the vehicle. Reduced braking corresponds to a reduction of energy consumed by a braking process that is superfluous to the needs of the vehicle to achieve travel along a desired route. Thus, the reduced braking afforded by the stopping location projector apparatus and method in accordance with the present invention reduces energywaste.

The use of the projected stopping location to determine where the vehicle is projected to stop without the application of braking informs not only the driving behaviour of the driver in respect of the use of the brakes, but also the driving behaviour in respect of the use of the accelerator. As a vehicle reaches higher speeds, the indication of the projected stopping location will become more distant relative to the vehicle, so likely necessitating the use of brakes. In contrast, maintaining manageable lower speeds offers increased opportunity for a driver to enjoy the benefits of natural stopping without the use of brakes. Accordingly, the stopping location projector apparatus provides for the reduction cf energy consumed by unnecessary acceleration and the reduction of energy wasted by braking when coming to a stop.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure ía is a block diagram of a component arrangement suitable for the implementation of embodiments of the present invention; Figure lb is a block diagram of a stopping location projector apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a flowchart of a method in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 illustrates a vehicle moving on a surface with which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented; Figure 4 illustrates a vehicle moving on an inclined surface with which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented; and Figure 5 illustrates a notification means for notifying a driver of a vehicle of a projected stopping location in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in hardware, firmware or software within a dedioated or general purpose logical device. Figure la is a block diagram of a component arrangement suitable for the implementation of embodiments of the present invention. A oentral processing unit (CPU) 102 such as a microprocessor or a series of cooperating microprocessors is communicatively connected with a memory 104 and input/output (I/O) facilities 106 via a communication channel 108 such as a bus. Memory 104 can be any volatile or non-volatile store suitable for the storage of physical or logical instructions such as firmware, hardware or software instructions. Further, memory 104 can be suitable for the storage of information such as data. For example, memory 104 is a read-only memory (RUM) or a random-access memory (RAM), a disk or tape storage device, flash memory or any other suitable memory. I/O facilities 106 are means suitable for the input or output of data and/or instructions to the memory 104 and CPU 102 via the communications channel 108. Such i/O facilities can include user I/O devices such as keyboard, mouse, display, speaker, touch-screen, printer, microphone and other such similar devices as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Additionally or alternatively, such I/O facilities 106 can include facilities for communicatively connecting the CPU 102 and memory 104 to other devices. For example, i/o facilities 106 can include wired or wireless network communication means such as wired ethernet or wireless network adapters.

Alternatively, i/o facilities 106 can include radio communication means or global positioning system (cOPS) receiving means. While the components of figure 1 are illustrated in proximity, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the components of figure 1 could egually be remote from each other, connected using suitable communication means such as a wired or wireless network.

Figure lb is a block diagram of a stopping location projector apparatus 110 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The stopping location projector 110 is preferably implemented as a dedicated or generalised machine suitable for carrying out the methods described below. For example, the stopping location projector 110 is implemented in a gerieralised processing apparatus such as is generally illustrated with respect to Figure la, such as a computer.

The stopping location projector 110 is operable to determine a projected stopping location of a vehicle moving on a surface in the absence of driver initiated braking. Driver initiated braking is the application by a driver of the vehicle of proactive means to slow the vehicle, such as frictional, magnetic or other braking means that are selectively errployed by the driver to cause the vehicle to lose speed. A driver of the vehicle can be a person or alternatively can be a logical component operable to control the vehicle in accordance with rules, such as a software driver controlling the vehicle.

The stopping location projector 110 includes a speed receiver 112 as a hardware or software component for receiving an indication of a speed of the vehicle. For example, in a preferred embodiment the speed receiver 112 is operable to receive an indication of speed from a vehicle speedometer. Alternatively, the speed receiver 112 is operable to determine a vehicle speed by inclusion of a suitably configured speedometer. In a further alternative embodiment, the speed receiver 112 is operable to determine a vehicle speed using a global positioning system (OPS) comniunicatively connected to the speed receiver 112, such that the a GPS receiver system or the speed receiver 112 can calculate a speed of the vehicle using GPO data received over time from GPO satellites.

The stopping location projector 110 further includes a location receiver 114. The location receiver 114 is a hardware or software component for receiving an indication of current and historical locations of the vehicle. The locations are indicated as a locations in a map 122 stored in a memory 104 of the stopping location projector 110. The locations are preferably coordinate references including latitude and longitude or any other suitable coordinate system. The location receiver 114 receives location information for the vehicle at regular time periods, such as twice a second. The receipt, by the location receiver 114, of regular location information allows the location receiver 114 to store historical location information for some predefined period, such as the last 60 seconds of historical location information.

Preferably, the location receiver 114 receives location information from a GPO system. Alternatively, base-station, cell-tower, triangulation or other means for identifying the location of the vehicle could also be employed.

The historical location information stored by the location receiver 114 is received by a route determiner 116 to use, in conjunction with the map 122, to determine a current route of the vehicle on the map 122. The route determiner 116 is a hardware or software component operable to infer, from historical location information, a route or path along which the vehicle is moving, including the direction of movement. For example, the route determiner 116 can be operable to determine a road in the map 122 along which the vehicle is moving, including the direction of travel, based on the historical location information for the vehicle. In this way, the route determiner 116 identifies the direction of travel of the vehicle and the location receiver 114 identifies the current location of the vehicle.

The map 122 includes an indication of the routes along which the vehicle can travel, such as a model of roads, freeways, highways, motorways, tunnels, junctions, roundabouts etc. Most preferably, the map 122 further includes topographical information, such as inclinations for roads or road sections, such that an angle of a vehicle incline or decline can be determined in addition to a route.

The stopping location projection 110 further includes a stopping distance calculator 118. Stopping distance calculator 118 is a hardware or software component operable to calculate a stopping distance for the vehicle without braking. Thus, the stopping distance calculator 118 calculates how much distance will be travelled by the vehicle before the vehicle comes to a stop without brakes being applied to the vehicle.

The stopping distanoe calculator 118 calculates stopping distances using mathematical models and formulae known in the art. For example, for a speed v, a vehicle travelling on a flat surface where the coefficient of friction S between the vehicle and the surface is p has a stopping distance a that can be calculated as:

V S = 2pg

(where g is the acceleration due to gravity, approximately 9.81 m/s2) . Similarly, on an incline of angle 9, the stopping distance s can be calculated as:

V -S =

2 x (in 0-p x cos 0) x g Notably, the coefficient of friction p must be chosen to account for the fact that the vehicle is not braking, and so reflects the coefficient of rolling friction of the wheels of the vehicle on the surface. Further notably, these calculations can be adapted to incorporate the effects of gears and transmission systems of the vehicle that may have a frictional effect.

Preferably, the map 122 includes topographical information. Using topographical information in the map 122, an indication of an inclination of the surface relative to horizontal can be determined and stopping distances can be calculated using the indication of inclination.

In a preferred embodiment, the stopping distance calculator 118 further receives an identification of a material of the surface along which the vehicle is moving. Different surfaces may provide different stopping distances, and calculating a stopping distance can use a coefficient of friction for the vehicle moving on the materiai.

The stopping location projector 110 further includes a projector 120 as a hardware or software component for determining the projected stopping iocation of the vehicle as an indication of a location on the map 122.

The projector 120 uses the current location identified by the location receiver 114, the current route identified by the route determiner 116 and the calculated stopping distance identified by the stopping distance calculator 118 to determine the projected stopping location. The projected stopping location will be a location on the map 122 that is a distance identified by the stopping distance calculator 118 along the route identified by the route determiner 116 from the current location identified by the location receiver 114.

Thus, in use, the stopping location projector 110 identifies a location on the map 122 at which a moving vehicle will come to a stop without the use of braking by a driver of the vehicle. Thus, by employing the identified location of the stopping location projector 110, the driver can control speeds of the vehicle such that desired or reguired stopping can be achieved with minimal cr no use of braking of the vehicle. Reduced braking corresponds to a reduction of energy consumed by a braking process that Is superfluous to the needs of the vehicle to achieve travel along a desired route. :hus, the reduced braking afforded by the stopping location projector 110 of the present Invention reduces energy waste.

Figure 2 is a flowchart of a method for determining a projected stopping looaticn for a vehicle moving on a surface without braking in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. At step 202, the method receives a current speed of the vehiole via the speed receiver 112. Subsequently, at step 204, the method receives vehicle location information via the location receiver 114. The vehicle location information includes a current locatinn and historical location information as indications of locations in a map 122. Preferably, the location information is obtained using a GPS system.

Subsequently, at step 206, the method determines a current route of the vehicle on the map using the historical location information. The route determination is made by the route determiner 116 and includes route and direction information. For example, the method determines a road on the map along which the vehicle is travelling and a direction on such road that the vehicle is travelling in. Subsequently, at step 208, the stopping distance calculator 118 calculates a stopping distance for the vehicle without braking applied by a driver of the vehicle. At step 210, the projector 120 determines the projected stopping location for the vehicle as an indication of a location on the map based on the current location, current route and calculated stopping distance.

In one embodiment, a route along which the vehicle is travelling may lead to numerous alternative possible routes. Accordingly, any projection of a stopping location will depend on which of the alternative routes the vehicle is travelling along. In one alternative, a stopping location along all of the alternative routes can be determined. In a further alternative, a stopping location along a statistically most likely of the routes can be determined, or an assumed most likely route. Such a statistical or assumed determination can be based, for example, on the arrangement of the roads. For exanple, a vehicle moving along a main road with an adjoining side road might be assumed to remain on the main road, and a stopping location on the main road can be projected.

Changes to the vehicle speed might, however, suggest that the vehicle is preparing to join the adjoining road and a stopping location on the adjoining road can be projected.

In an alternative embodiment, a most likely route from a selection of routes can be identified based on statistics of past routes taken by the vehicle.

In yet a further alternative, route planning information from a planned route can be used to identify which of the alternative routes the vehicle is likely to travel along.

For example, where a driver is using a satellite navigation system, a planned route is a route to a predetermined destination defined in the satellite navigation system. The planned route can be used to inform the projector 120 as to which of the alternative possible routes a stopping location should be identified for.

In use, the stopping location projector apparatus 110 is preferably operable to inforir. a driver of the vehicle as to the projected stopping location to inform acceleration and braking decisions of the driver. In this way, the energy consumed during acceleration and wasted during braking can be minimised where possible. Where the driver is an automatic logic arrangement such as software, the projected stopping location can be communicated to the driver through a communication means, such as a network or interfaoe. Such interface can include an application programming interface (API) . Where the driver is a person, the projected stopping location can be communicated through a display, such as a screen or heads-up display of the vehicle. For example, a display of a satellite navigation system can be used to indicate the projected stopping location. Aiternativeiy, the projected stopping location can be communicated audibly such as through a speaker. The audible indication might include an indication of the distance or a description of the projected stopping location in a way that is meaningful to the driver.

Figure 3 illustrates a vehicle 302 moving on a surface 304 with which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented. The vehicle 302 of Figure 3 is moving on a flat (non-inclined) surface and the stopping distance s is calculated by the stopping location projector apparatus 110 based on the speed v, the aoceieration due to gravity g, and a coefficient of friction, suoh as a coefficient of rolling friction, for the vehicle 302. The formula provided above is an example of a formula suitable for calculating the stopping distance s on a flat surface.

Figure 4 illustrates a vehicle 402 moving on an inclined surface 404 with which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented. Surface 402 is inclined at an angle 0 to the horizontai. The vehicle 402 of Figure 4 is moving on an inclined surface which will affect the stopping distance of the vehicle. The stopping distance s is calcuiated by the stopping location projector apparatus 110 based on the speed v, the acceleration due to gravity g, and a coefficient of friction, such as a coefficient of rolling friction, for the vehicle 402. The formula provided above is an example of a formula suitable for calculating the stopping distance a on an inclined surface.

Figure 5 illustrates a notification means 502 for notifying a driver of a vehicle of a projected stopping location 506 in accordance with a preferred embodEment of the present invention. The notification means 502 includes a screen 518 displaying a map portion 516. The map portion 516 is a portion of an entire map 122. The map portion 516 is selected as a portion of the map 122 that is most relevant to the vehicle in the context of its current position and route. Thus, the map portion 516 changes as the vehicle moves to remain up-to-date in context. The map portion 516 reflects the environment in which the vehicle is being driven and is necessarily to scale such that a distance indicated on the map portion 516 can be related to a real-world distance.

An indication 510 of the vehicle travelling on a route 514 is provided on the map portion 516. The route 514 is a road leading to a roundabout. The notification means 502 is also indicating a planned route 504, such as a route planned using a satellite navigation system. Such a planned route can be used by the stopping location projector apparatus 110 to determine which of a number of possible routes 520, 522 and 524 the vehicle is likely to take when projecting a stopping location.

The notification means 502 includes an indication 508 of a stopping location 506 overlaid on the map portion 516.

The driver is thus able to relate the projected stopping location 506 to a real-world stopping location along a road. In this way, the driver is able determine where the vehicle is projected to stop without the application of braking. For a vehicle travelling at a slower speed, the stopping location 506 will be indicated as relatively close compared to a vehicle travelling at greater speed.

The use of the projected stopping location to determine where the vehicle is projected to stop without the application of braking informs not only the driving behaviour of the driver in respect of the use of the brakes, but also the driving behaviour in respect of the use of the accelerator. As a vehicle reaches higher speeds, the indication of the projected stopping location will become more distant, so likely necessitating the use of the brakes. In contrast, maintaining manageable lower speeds offers increased opportunity for the driver to enjoy the benefits of natural stopping without the use of brakes. Accordingly, the stopping location projector apparatus provides for the reduction of energy consumed by unnecessary acceleration and the reduction of energy wasted by braking when coming to a stop.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method for determining a projeoted stopping location for a vehicle moving on a surface in the absence of braking, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a speed of the vehicle; receiving current and historical location information for the vehicle as indications of locations in a map; determining a current route of the vehicle on the map based on the historical location information; calculating a stopping distance for the vehicle without braking; determining the projected stopping location as an indication of a location on the map based on the current location, current route and calculated stopping distance.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving an identification of a material of the surface, and wherein calculating the stopping distance uses a coefficient of friction for the vehicle moving on the material.
3. The method of any previous claim wherein the map includes topographical information such that an indication of an inclination of the surface relative to horizontal is determinable, and wherein calculating the stopping distance uses the indication of inclination.
4. The method of any previous claim wherein the current location is determined using a location detection apparatus such as global positioning system (GPS)
5. The method of any previous claim further comprising notifying the projected stopping location to a driver of the vehicle to inform acceleration and braking decisions of the driver.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the driver of the vehicle is an autcmatic driver such as a software component adapted to drive the vehicle.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein the notification is made via a display to the driver of the vehicle.
8. The method of claim 5 wherein the notification is made on a satellite navigation display of the vehicle.
9. The method of claim 5 wherein the notification is made audibly.
10. The method of any previous claim wherein determining the projected stopping location includes determining a plurality of stopping locations where the map indicates a plurality of possible routes from the current location.
11. The method of any of claims 1 to 9 further comprising receiving a planned route definition for the vehicle travelling on a planned route, wherein the determining the projected stopping location is based on the planned route such that a stopping location along the planned route is determined.
12. A stopping location projector apparatus for a vehicle moving on a surface in the absence of braking, the apparatus comprising: a speed receiver for receiving a speed of the vehicle; a location receiver for receiving current and historical location information for the vehicle as indications of locations in a map; a route determiner for determining a current route of the vehicle on the map based on the historical location information; a stopping distance calculator for calculating a stopping distance for the vehicle without braking; a projector for determining the projected stopping location as an indication of a location on the map based on the current location, current route and calculated stopping distance.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a material receiver for receiving an identification of a material of the surface, and wherein the stopping distance calculator calculates the stopping distance based on a coefficient of friction for the vehicle moving on the material.
14. The apparatus of any of claims 12 to 13 wherein the map includes topographical information such that an indication of an inclination of the surface relative to horizontal is determinable, and wherein the stopping distance calculator calculates the stopping distance based on the indication of inclination.
15. The apparatus of any of claims 12 to 14 wherein the location receiver receives the current and historical location information determined using a location detection apparatus such as global positioning system (GPS)
16. The apparatus of any of claims 12 to 15 further comprising a notification apparatus for notifying the projected stopping location to a driver of the vehicle to inform acceleration and braking decisions of the driver.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the driver of the vehicle is an automatic driver such as a software component adapted to drive the vehicle.
18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the notification apparatus is a display to the driver of the vehicle.
19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the notification apparatus is a satellite navigation display of the vehicle.
20. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the notification apparatus is operable to make audible notifications.
21. The apparatus of any of claims 12 to 20 whereIn the projector is further operable to determine a plurality of stopping locations where the map indicates a plurality of possible routes from the current location.
22. The apparatus of any of claims 12 to 20 further comprising a planned route receiver for receiving a planned route definition for the vehicle travelling on a planned route, wherein the projector is further operable to determine the projected stopping location based on the planned route such that a stopping location along the planned route is determined.
23. A computer program element comprising computer program code to, when loaded into a computer system and executed thereon, cause the computer tc perform the steps of a method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11.
24. A method as substantially described herein with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawings.
25. An apparatus as substantially described herein with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawings.