Apparatus and method for providing an advised driving speed

• US 10,024,685 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2015
• Issued: 07/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bridgestone Mobility Solutions BV (Bridgestone Corporation), TomTom Telematics BV (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Original Assignee: TomTom Telematics BV (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Inventors: Verheijen, Paul Roeland, Pauwelussen, Jasper Johannes Anthonius, Ebert, Christoph, Orlowsky, Steffen, Leupold, Marco, Oesterreich, Markus
• Primary Examiner(s): Garcia, Santiago
• Application Number:
  US15/525,335
• Publication Number:
  US 20170322047A1
• Time in Patent Office: 964 Days
• Field of Search: 340905
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/172 Driving mode indication
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/174 Economic driving
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/00 Vehicle fittings, acting on a single sub-unit only, for automatically controlling vehicle speed, i.e. preventing speed from exceeding an arbitrarily established velocity or maintaining speed at a particular velocity, as selected by the vehicle operator fittings acting on two or more sub-units B60W30/14; speedometers G01P; systems or devices for controlling speed in general G05D13/00 ; in traffic anti-collision system for road vehicles G08G1/16
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0236 for economical driving
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2030/18081 With torque flow from driveshaft to engine, i.e. engine being driven by vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2030/1809 Without torque flow between driveshaft and engine, e.g. with clutch disengaged or transmission in neutral
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0075 Automatic parameter input, automatic initialising or calibrating means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0623 Fuel flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0638 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0642 Idle condition
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0647 Coasting condition
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/1005 Transmission ratio engaged
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/105 Longitudinal acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2530/213 Fuel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2552/00 Input parameters relating to infrastructure
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2552/05 Type of road, e.g. motorways, local streets, paved or unpaved roads
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/00 Input parameters relating to objects
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/10 Historical data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 : of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0655 : Coasting condition
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18 : Propelling the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18072 : Coasting
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18109 : Braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18136 : Engine braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/09 : Driving style or behaviour
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 : Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/52 : Engine fuel consumption
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/366 : Engine or motor speed
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/0218 : Calculation or estimation of the available ratio range, i.e. possible gear ratios, e.g. for prompting a driver with a display
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2063/426 : with means for advising the driver for proper shift action, e.g. prompting the driver with allowable selection range of ratios
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/44 : dependent on machine speed of the machine, e.g. the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/46 : dependent on a comparison between speeds
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/70 : dependent on the ratio established
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/0213 : characterised by the method for generating shift signals
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/0246 : characterised by initiating reverse gearshift
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 63/42 : Ratio indicator devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3632 : Guidance using simplified or iconic instructions, e.g. using arrows G01C21/365 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3673 : Labelling using text of road map data items, e.g. road names, POI names
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3697 : Output of additional, non-guidance related information, e.g. low fuel level G01C21/3679 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/06 : Indicating or recording devices, e.g. for remote indication indicating or recording in general G01D; registering or indicating working conditions of vehicles G07C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/004 : Indicating the operating range of the engine economical driving B60R16/0236, F02B77/084; measuring liquid fuel of an engine G01F9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 : communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/02 : Registering or indicating driving, working, idle, or waiting time only apparatus forming part of taximeters G07B13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/06 : in graphical form
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0816 : Indicating performance data, e.g. occurrence of a malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0825 : using optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0841 : Registering performance data recording measured values G01D; information storage G11B
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 : using electronic data carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0112 : from the vehicle, e.g. floating car data [FCD]
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0129 : for creating historical data or processing based on historical data
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0137 : for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0141 : for traffic information dissemination
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/052 : with provision for determining speed or overspeed speed measuring in general G01P
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09626 : where the origin of the information is within the own vehicle, e.g. a local storage device, digital map
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0967 : Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle G08G1/0968
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 : where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096741 : where the source of the transmitted information selects which information to transmit to each vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096775 : where the origin of the information is a central station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096827 : where the route is computed onboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09685 : where the complete route is computed only once and not updated
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096861 : where the immediate route instructions are output to the driver, e.g. arrow signs for next turn
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/60 : Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/84 : Data processing systems or methods, management, administration

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing an advised driving speed to a driver of a vehicle travelling on a road network is disclosed. The method comprises determining an advised driving speed of a vehicle for a portion of the road network currently being traversed, determining a current speed of the vehicle on the portion of the road network, and determining a speed limit and/or an expected driving speed for the portion of the road network. An indication of the advised driving speed is then provided to the driver of the vehicle when: (i) the current speed of the vehicle is greater than a first threshold value based on the advised driving speed; and (ii) the speed limit and/or the expected driving speed is greater than a second threshold value. A method and apparatus is also disclosed for determining a score indicative of the compliance of a driver of a vehicle to an advised driving speed during a journey on a road network.

Claims

1. A method of providing an advised driving speed to a driver of a vehicle travelling on a road network, comprising:

determining an advised driving speed of a vehicle for a portion of the road network currently being traversed;

determining a current speed of the vehicle on the portion of the road network;

determining a speed limit and/or an expected driving speed for the portion of the road network; and

providing an indication of the advised driving speed to the driver of the vehicle when;

(i) the current speed of the vehicle is greater than a first threshold value based on the advised driving speed; and

(ii) the speed limit and/or the expected driving speed is greater than a second threshold value, wherein the second threshold value is a speed limit or expected speed for portions of the road network below which the indication of the advised driving speed is not to be displayed.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising:

continually determining the advised driving speed, the current speed of the vehicle and the speed limit and/or expected driving speed as the vehicle travels along the road network; and

stopping the provision of the advised driving speed when at least one of;

(i) the current speed of the vehicle is less than the first threshold value; and

(ii) the speed limit and/or the expected driving speed is less than the second threshold value.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein providing an indication of the advised driving speed to the driver comprises displaying a graphical indication of the advised driving speed on a display device within the vehicle.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the determined advised driving speed is displayed on the display device in combination with at least one of:

the current speed of the vehicle; and

the speed limit for the portion of the road network being traversed.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising triggering a determination of the advised driving speed when there is change in the speed limit and/or expected driving speed for the portion of the road network being traversed.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the determination of the advised driving speed is triggered when the change in the speed limit and/or expected driving speed is more than a predetermined threshold.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first threshold value based on the advised driving speed comprises a predetermined percentage of the advised driving speed.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the determination of the advised driving speed comprises subtracting a predetermined value from determined speed limit.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the determination of the advised driving speed comprises:

accessing first predetermined data indicative of the variation in average fuel consumption for the vehicle with speed of the vehicle;

using the first predetermined data to determine data indicative of average fuel consumption for the vehicle for a plurality of speeds within a range based on a speed limit for the portion of the road network being traversed; and

evaluating the advised driving speed based at least in part on the determined data indicative of average fuel consumption for the vehicle for the range of speeds.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the vehicle is a geared vehicle, and wherein the determination of the advised driving speed further comprises:

accessing second predetermined data indicative of the variation in a likelihood of the vehicle being in the highest gear with speed of the vehicle; and

using the second predetermined data to determine data indicative of a likelihood of the vehicle being in the highest gear for the plurality of speeds within the range based on a speed limit for the portion of the road network being traversed, and

wherein said evaluating the advised driving speed of the vehicle is further based on the determined data indicative of a likelihood of the vehicle being in the highest gear for the range of speeds.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the determination of the advised driving speed further comprises:

determining a score value for each of the plurality of speeds within the range based on a speed limit for the portion of the road network being traversed, said score value being determined using the first predetermined data and the second predetermined data; and

setting the advised driving speed of the vehicle as a speed from the plurality of speeds within the range based on the determined score values.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the road network is represented by an electronic map comprising a plurality of segments, each segment representing a portion of the road network, and each segment having associated therewith a speed limit and/or an expected driving speed for the portion of the road network represented by that segment, and wherein the determination of the speed limit and/or the expected driving speed for the portion of the road network comprises retrieving the respective stored speed limit and/or expected driving speed associated with the segment of the electronic map that represents the portion of the road network currently being traversed.

23. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of an apparatus comprising at least one processor, cause the apparatus to operate according to the method of claim 1.

13. A method of determining a score indicative of the compliance of a driver of a vehicle to an advised driving speed during a journey on a road network, comprising:

determining a first time indicative of the total driving time of the vehicle during the journey when an advised driving speed was provided to the driver of the vehicle, wherein an advised driving speed is provided to the driver of the vehicle when;

(i) a current speed of the vehicle is greater than a first threshold value based on a determined advised driving speed; and

(ii) a speed limit and/or an expected driving speed for the portion of the road network being traversed is greater than a second threshold value, wherein the second threshold value is a speed limit or expected speed for portions of the road network below which the indication of the advised driving speed is not to be displayed;

determining a second time indicative of the driving time during the journey when the speed of the vehicle was less than a threshold based on the advised driving speed provided to the driver;

determining the score indicative of the compliance of the driver to the advised driving speed based on the first and second times; and

transmitting the determined score for display on a remote device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the determination of the score is based on a ratio of the second time to the first time.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein determining the second time comprises determining the driving time during the journey when the speed of the vehicle was less than or equal to the advised driving speed provided to the driver.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein determining the first and/or second time comprises:

receiving the location of the vehicle at a plurality of times during the journey;

determining an advised driving speed for the vehicle at each of the received locations; and

determining a speed limit and/or an expected driving speed for the portion of the road network for each of the received locations.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein determining the first and/or second time comprises:

receiving the location of the vehicle and the associated advised driving speed for each location at a plurality of times during the journey; and

determining a speed limit and/or an expected driving speed for the portion of the road network for each of the received locations.

18. An apparatus for providing an advised driving speed to a driver of a vehicle travelling on a road network, comprising at least one processor and a memory containing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:

determine an advised driving speed of a vehicle for a portion of the road network currently being traversed;

determine a current speed of the vehicle on the portion of the road network;

determine a speed limit and/or an expected driving speed for the portion of the road network; and

provide an indication of the advised driving speed to the driver of the vehicle when;

(i) the current speed of the vehicle is greater than a first threshold value based on the advised driving speed; and

(ii) the speed limit and/or the expected driving speed is greater than a second threshold value, wherein the second threshold value is a speed limit or expected speed for portions of the road network below which the indication of the advised driving speed is not to be displayed.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a display device, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to display a graphical indication of the advised driving speed on the display device.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatus comprises a portable navigation device or a navigation device integrated in the vehicle.

21. An apparatus for determining a score indicative of the compliance of a driver of a vehicle to an advised driving speed during a journey on a road network, comprising at least one processor and a memory containing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:

determine a first time indicative of the total driving time of the vehicle during the journey when an advised driving speed was provided to the driver of the vehicle, wherein an advised driving speed is provided to the driver of the vehicle when;

(i) a current speed of the vehicle is greater than a first threshold value based on a determined advised driving speed; and

(ii) a speed limit and/or an expected driving speed for the portion of the road network being traversed is greater than a second threshold value, wherein the second threshold value is a speed limit or expected speed for portions of the road network below which the indication of the advised driving speed is not to be displayed;

determine a second time indicative of the driving time during the journey when the speed of the vehicle was less than a threshold based on the advised driving speed provided to the driver; and

determine the score indicative of the compliance of the driver to the advised driving speed based on the first and second times.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the apparatus comprises a server arranged to receive the location of the vehicle at a plurality of times during the journey.