GB2528079A

GB2528079A - Vehicle route optimisation

Info

Publication number: GB2528079A
Application number: GB1412160.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Zhou Xu; Sean Emson
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2014-07-08
Filing date: 2014-07-08
Publication date: 2016-01-13
Also published as: GB201412160D0

Abstract

Based on information of previous journeys of a vehicle 1, together with positional information from a GPS module 5, the most likely destination of the vehicle is predicted, and this is used to provide the driver with information of alternative routes which could be taken to the destination. The information includes an estimate of the time taken by each route and the estimated fuel consumption and resulting carbon dioxide emission levels. An optimal route for the predicted destination is also determined, and this information is also provided to the driver. The level of the fuel supply 15 is also used to determine the optimal route, to ensure that there is sufficient fuel throughout the journey. This is achieved by selecting a route which passes a refuelling station within the range of the available fuel. A diary or calendar containing scheduled events of the driver may also be used in the destination prediction.

Description

VEHICLE ROUTE OPTIMISATION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to vehicle route optimisation.

BACKGROUND

The use of satellite navigation systems is well known in road vehicles. With such systems, the user typically enters a desired destination, in the form of an address, a postcode or a zipcode, on a keyboard displayed on a screen, and the quickest route to the destination is determined algorithmically. This route is then communicated to the driver, usually in the form of a series of voiced commands which specify the direction the vehicle must take at each road intersection.

However, such systems are not often used by drivers travelling to routine destinations which they use frequently, such as a workplace, their home or a shopping centre, since they assume that they are aware of the quickest route. In such cases, the effort involved in entering the destination information for such a journey would not appear to the driver to be worthwhile, since it would only be in the event of unusually high traffic density or another cause of delay along their normal route when the system might be able to advise a better alternative route.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a system which attempts to overcome or mitigate this disadvantage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for providing optimal routing information to a driver of a vehicle, the system comprising: means for predicting a vehicle destination; means for performing a calculation of at least one parameter of at least two different routes which the vehicle can take to the predicted destination; and means for providing the driver with information based on the calculation, thereby to enable the driver to follow an optimal route.

By predicting the destination of the vehicle, the effort of entering destination information is removed, and the user can therefore make use of the system for routine journeys.

The system may comprise means for determining an optimal route from the calculation, and wherein the information provided to the driver comprises this determined optimal route. In this way, the driver is provided with a recommended route which is based on the calculation of the parameters associated with at least two different routes.

Alternatively, or in addition, the system may be arranged to display or otherwise communicate to the driver a representation of the parameters calculated in respect of at least one of the different routes, in which case the driver is then able to determine an optimal route based on this information.

The predicting means may be arranged to predict the destination based on data of previous journeys.

In one embodiment, the data of previous journeys includes the route or routes used by the driver on such journeys.

With such an arrangement, data relating to the routes used on previous journeys is stored, and a prediction is made on the basis of the initial part or parts of the journey. It will be appreciated that there may be many possible destinations for which the initial part of the journey will be the same. In this case, the system could provide to the driver, either visually or audibly, all possible destinations, and the driver could then select the correct one, at which point the optimal route could then be determined and communicated to the driver.

If the driver fails to select a destination, the system would continue to make predictions based on the current route taken by the vehicle, in which case the number of possible destinations would reduce monotonicaly as the journey proceeds, since previously predicted destinations which are incorrect would become incompatible with the current route. Thus the driver would be provided with a constantly decreasing list of possible destinations until only a single destination is displayed, at which point the optimal route could then be determined and communicated to the driver.

In another embodiment, destination prediction is based on the time of day, the time of the month, or the time of the year of the start of the journey, and this information may be combined with information from the initial part of the route to generate a more reliable prediction of the likely intended destination.

Alternatively, or in addition, the predicting means may be arranged to predict the destination based on data acquired from a database comprising information relating to the driver, such as a diary or calendar containing scheduled events for the driver.

Indeed, the wording, "predicting a destination" as used herein is intended to mean determining a destination based on any information received by the system other than by the driver entering this specific information.

In one embodiment, one of the compared routes to the predicted destinaton is a route previously used by the driver, and the system comprises means for providing an indication to the driver when the determined optimal route is different from the previously used route. In this case, it would be possible for the system to remain silent, or to provide no display, in the event that the determined optima route is the previously used route. The very absence of a positive indication in this case would still constitute provision of information to the driver, but without disturbing the driver.

The at least one parameter may comprise one or more of: (a) a predicted time taken for each route; (b) a predicted value of fuel consumption for each route; and (c) a predicted level of CO2 emission and/or other pollutants for each route. Such predictions could be made on the basis of semi-permanent information such as speed limits along the routes and the condition of road surfaces, and current information relating to traffic density, temporary speed restrictions and road closures or blockages or other causes of delay.

In particular, the predicted value of fuel consumption may be based not simply on the expected distance to the predicted destination, but also on the condition of the vehicle, the driving style, the road surface condition and the expected level of traffic at the time of travelling. Thus, the predicted value is based on usage pattern and is therefore personalised and more accurate.

In one embodiment, the calculated values of one or more of the parameters are displayed or otherwise communicated to the driver, to enable the driver to decide on an optimal route.

In a further embodiment, the system comprises means for determining if the level of fuel in the vehicle is insufficient for the vehicle to reach the predicted destination, and the at least one parameter comprises the presence or absence along the route of a refuelling station, the arrangement being such that, in the event of a determination of insufficient fuel, the optimal route to the predicted destination is determined as one which passes a refuelling station before the fuel supply is exhausted.

With such an arrangement, when there is inadequate fuel for the vehicle to reach the predicted destination along an otherwise-optimal route, the driver is advised to follow a route which passes a refuelling station.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for providing optimal routing information to a driver of a vehicle, the system comprising: a vehicle destination predictor; a calculator for performing a calculation of at least one parameter of at least two different routes which the vehicle can take to the predicted destination; and an information provider for providing to the driver information based on the calculation, thereby to enable the driver to follow an optimal route.

The system may comprise an optimal route determiner for determining an optimal route from the calculation, and wherein the information comprises the optimal route.

Alternatively, or in addition, the information may comprise a representation of the parameters calculated in respect of at least one of the different routes.

The vehicle destination predictor may be arranged to predict the destination based on data of previous journeys.

Alternatively, or in addition, the vehicle destination predictor may be arranged to predict the destination based on data acquired from a database comprising information relating to the driver.

In this case, the database may comprise a diary containing scheduled events for the driver.

One of the compared routes to the predicted destination may be a route previously used by the driver, and the system may comprise an information provider for providing an indication to the driver when the determined optimal route is different from the previously used route.

The at least one parameter may comprise one or more of: (a) a predicted time taken for each route; (b) a predicted value of fuel consumption for each route; and (c) a predicted level of emission of pollutants for each route.

The system may comprise a fuel level determinator for determining if the level of fuel in the vehicle is insufficient for the vehicle to reach the predicted destination, and wherein the at least one parameter comprises the presence or absence along the route of a refuelling station, the arrangement being such that, in the event of a determination of insufficient fuel, the optimal route to the predicted destination is determined as one which passes a refuelling station before the fuel supply is exhausted.

The present invention extends to a vehicle comprising a system as described above.

The present invention extends to a method for providing optimal routing information to a driver of a vehicle, the method comprising: predicting a destination of the vehicle; comparing at least one parameter of at least two different routes which the vehicle can take to the predicted destination to determine an optimal route for the vehicle; and providing information to the driver relating to the determined optimal route.

The method may comprise determining an optimal route from the calculation, in which case the information comprises the optimal route.

The information may comprise a representation of the parameters calculated in respect of at least one of the different routes.

The predicting of a destination may be based on data of previous journeys.

Alternatively, or in addition, the predicting of a destination may be based on data acquired from a database comprising information relating to the driver.

One of the compared routes to the predicted destination may be a route previously used by the driver, in which case the method comprises providing an indcation to the driver when the determined optimal route is different from the previously used route.

The at least one parameter may comprise a predicted time taken for each route.

Alternatively, or in addition, the at least one parameter comprises a predicted value of fuel consumption for each route.

Alternatively, or in addition, the at least one parameter comprises a predicted level of emission of pollutants for each route.

The method may comprise determining if the level of fuel in the vehicle s insufficient for the vehicle to reach the predicted destination, in which case the at least one parameter comprises the presence or absence along the route of a refuelling station, the arrangement being such that, in the event of a determination of insufficient fuel, the optimal route to the predicted destination is determined as one which passes a refuelling station before the fuel supply is exhausted.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the system of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is an example of information displayed to a driver in an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the method of an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to Figure 1, which illustrates the overall system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Information relating to the vehicle usage history, i.e. previous journeys of the vehicle 1, the calendar or diary of the driver 2 and the driver's identity 3 is supplied to a memory 4.

The memory 4 supplies this information, together with information of the current geographical position of the vehicle derived from a satellite navigation system in the form of a GPS module 5 to a destination prediction module 6. Thus, from all of the received information, the destination prediction module 6 calculates the most likely intended destination of the driver.

This information, together with information stored in the memory 4, is supplied to a module 7 which determines relevant parameters associated with previously used routes to the predicted destination. Such parameters include the time taken for the journey, the distance to the destination, the fuel consumption and the CO2 emission levels, and these values are displayed to the driver on a first display 8.

Map information from a database 9 is supplied, together with current traffic information from a remote source 10, the predicted destination and information relating to previously driven routes, to a module 11 which calculates values of the same parameters as listed above, but for alternative routes to the predicted destination, and these parameters are displayed to the driver on a second display 12.

The caculated parameters for both the previously driven routes and for the alternative routes are also supplied to a processor module 13 which calculates an optimal route based on the values of the parameters for the different routes, and this calculated optimal route is communicated to the driver on a third display 14.

A signal from the fuel supply 15 indicating the level of fuel remaining is also supplied to the processor module 13. In the event that the fuel supply is insufficient for the vehicle to reach the predicted destination using one of the previous or alternative routes, and there is no refuelling station along that route which can be reached with the existing fuel supply, then the optimum route selected is one which does pass a suitable refuelling station. In this way, the optimal route determined by the factors described above is overridden by the requirement that there be sufficient fuel in the vehicle.

It will be appreciated that information from the calendar 2, the GPS module 5, the database 9 and the remote source 10 will be continuously updated, and indeed the predicted destination may also change along at least the initial stages of the route taken by the vehicle.

Although the first display 8, second display 12 and third display 14 are illustrated schematically as separate modules in the drawing, in practice, they will be integrated in a single display.

Thus, a typical display is illustrated in Figure 2, in which the parameters for two different routes to a predicted destination are compared. A first route via Sandy Lane is compared with a second route via West Hill, using a graphical representation in the form of ring diagrams. In the example illustrated, it can be seen that there is an insignificant time difference between the time taken along the two alternative routes, i.e. 23 minutes and 47 seconds when travelling via Sandy Lane, as compared with 23 minutes and 46 seconds when travelling via West Hill. However, there is significant difference in the cost of the fuel required for the two journeys, and hence also a significant difference in the CO2 emisson levels between the two routes. Thus the driver is informed that the alternative route via West Hill is the optimal route to the predicted destination.

Referring to Figure 3, the method of an embodiment of the present invention comprises: (a) predicting a vehicle destination 16; (b) calculating parameters of two different routes to the predicted destination 17; and (c) informing the driver of the results of the calculation 18.

The invention extends to the following numbered paragraphs: 1. A system for providing optimal routing information to a driver of a vehicle, the system comprising: a vehicle destination predctor; a calculator for performing a calculation of at least one parameter of at least two different routes which the vehicle can take to the predicted destination; and an information provider for providing to the driver information based on the calculation, thereby to enable the driver to follow an optimal route.

2. A system as claimed in paragraph 1, comprising an optimal route determiner for determining an optimal route from the calculation, and wherein the information comprises the optimal route.

3. A system as claimed in paragraph 1, wherein the information comprises a representation of the parameters calculated in respect of at least one of the different routes.

4. A system as claimed in paragraph 1, wherein the vehicle destination predictor is arranged to predict the destination based on data of previous journeys.

5. A system as claimed in paragraph 1, wherein the vehicle destination predictor is arranged to predict the destination based on data acquired from a database comprising information relating to the driver.

6. A system as claimed in paragraph 5, wherein the database comprises a diary containing scheduled events for the driver.

7. A system as claimed in paragraph 1, wherein one of the compared routes to the predicted destination is a route previously used by the driver, the system comprising an information provider for providing an indication to the driver when the determined optimal route is different from the previously used route.

8. A system as claimed in paragraph 1, wherein the at least one parameter comprises a predicted time taken for each route.

9. A system as claimed in paragraph 1, wherein the at least one parameter comprises a predicted value of fuel consumption for each route.

10. A system as claimed in paragraph 1, wherein the at least one parameter comprises a predicted level of emission of pollutants for each route.

11. A system as claimed in paragraph 1, comprising a fuel level determinator for determining if the level of fuel in the vehicle is insufficient for the vehicle to reach the predicted destination, and wherein the at least one parameter comprises the presence or absence along the route of a refuelling station, the arrangement being such that, in the event of a determination of insufficient fuel, the optimal route to the predicted destination is determined as one which passes a refuelling station before the fuel supply is exhausted.

12. A vehicle comprising a system as claimed in paragraph 1.

13. A method for providing optimal routing information to a driver of a vehicle, the method comprising: predicting a destination of the vehicle; performing a calculation of at least one parameter of at least two different routes which the vehicle can take to the predicted destination; and providing information to the driver based on the calculation, thereby to enable the driver to follow an optimal route.

14. A method as claimed in paragraph 13, comprising determining an optimal route from the calculation, and wherein the information comprises the optimal route.

15. A method as claimed in paragraph 13, wherein the information comprises a representation of the parameters calculated in respect of at least one of the different routes.

16. A method as claimed in paragraph 13, wherein the predicting of a destination is based on data of previous journeys.

17. A method as claimed in paragraph 13, wherein the predicting of a destination is based on data acquired from a database comprising information relating to the driver.

18. A method as claimed in paragraph 13, wherein the database comprises a diary containing scheduled events for the driver.

19. A method as claimed in paragraph 13, wherein one of the compared routes to the predicted destination is a route previously used by the driver, the method comprising providing an indication to the driver when the determined optimal route is different from the previously used route.

20. A method as claimed in paragraph 13, wherein the at least one parameter comprises a predicted time taken for each route.

21. A method as claimed in paragraph 13, wherein the at least one parameter comprises a predicted value of fuel consumption for each route.

22. A method as claimed in paragraph 13, wherein the at least one parameter comprises a predicted level of emission of pollutants for each route.

23. A method as claimed in paragraph 13, comprising determining if the level of fuel in the vehicle is insufficient for the vehicle to reach the predicted destination, and wherein the at least one parameter comprises the presence or absence along the route of a refuelling station, the arrangement being such that, in the event of a determination of insufficient fuel, the optimal route to the predicted destination is determined as one which passes a refuelling station before the fuel supply is exhausted.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system for providing optimal routing information to a driver of a vehicle, the system comprising: means for predicting a vehicle destination; means for performing a calculation of at least one parameter of at least two different routes which the vehicle can take to the predicted destination; and means for providing the driver with information based on the calculation, thereby to enable the driver to follow an optimal route.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1, comprising means for determining an optimal route from the calculation, and wherein the information comprises the optimal route.
3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the information comprises a representation of the parameters calculated in respect of at least one of the different routes.
4. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the predictng means is arranged to predict the destination based on data of previous journeys.
5. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the predictng means is arranged to predict the destination based on data acquired from a database comprising information relating to the driver.
6. A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the database comprises a diary containing scheduled events for the driver.
7. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one of the compared routes to the predicted destination is a route previously used by the driver, the system comprising means for providing an indication to the driver when the determined optimal route is different from the previously used route.
8. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one parameter comprises a predicted time taken for each route.
9. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one parameter comprises a predicted value of fuel consumption for each route.
10. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one parameter comprises a predicted level of emission of pollutants for each route.
11. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising means for determining if the level of fuel in the vehicle is insufficient for the vehicle to reach the predicted destination, and wherein the at least one parameter comprises the presence or absence along the route of a refuelling station, the arrangement being such that, in the event of a determination of insufficient fue, the optimal route to the predicted destination is determined as one which passes a refuelling station before the fuel supply is exhausted.
12. A vehicle comprising a system as claimed in any preceding claim.
13. A method for providing optimal routing information to a driver of a vehicle, the method comprising: predicting a vehicle destination; performing a calculation of at least one parameter of at least two different routes which the vehicle can take to the predicted destination; and providing the driver with information based on the calculation, thereby to enable the driver to follow an optimal route.
14. A method as claimed in claim 13, comprising determining an optimal route from the calculation, and wherein the information comprises the optimal route.
15. A method as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the information comprises a representation of the parameters calculated in respect of at least one of the different routes.
16. A method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the predicting of a destination is based on data of previous journeys.
17. A method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the predicting of a destination is based on data acquired from a database comprising information relating to the driver.
18. A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the database comprises a diary containing scheduled events for the driver.
19. A method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein one of the compared routes to the predicted destination is a route previously used by the driver, the method comprising providing an indication to the driver when the determined optimal route is different from the previously used route.
20. A method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein the at least one parameter comprises a predicted time taken for each route.
21. A method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 20, wherein the at least one parameter comprises a predicted value of fuel consumption for each route.
22. A method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 21, wherein the at least one parameter comprises a predicted level of emission of pollutants for each route.
23. A method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 22, comprising determining if the level of fuel in the vehicle is insufficient for the vehicle to reach the predicted destination, and wherein the at least one parameter comprises the presence or absence along the route of a refuelling station, the arrangement being such that, in the event of a determination of insufficient fue, the optimal route to the predicted destination is determined as one which passes a refuelling station before the fuel supply is exhausted.
24. A system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
25. A vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
26. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.