Systems and methods to enable eco-driving

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9361271-B2
Application number	US-201313850954-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 26, 2013
Priority date	Sep 27, 2011
Publication date	Jun 7, 2016
Grant date	Jun 7, 2016

Abstract

Systems and methods for enabling eco-driving are herein provided. Systems and methods in accordance with the present disclosure allow for real-time monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions and other variables that influence the environmental friendliness of vehicle operation. Systems and methods in accordance with the present disclosure also provide analytical tools for quantifying the environmental friendliness of vehicle operation and driving patterns.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A computer-implemented method for enabling eco-driving, comprising:
identifying, using at least one sensor, a driver of a vehicle;
associating, using at least one processor, a driver profile with the driver, wherein the driver profile include at least one of: driver identifiers, driving history, driving pattern, accidents involving the driver, insurance claims, traffic violations, vehicles driven, and greenhouse as emissions produced;
determining, using the at least one processor, one or more vehicle condition parameters of the vehicle, wherein the one or more vehicle condition parameters include at least one of: total mileage, tire condition, fuel quality, emission level, brake system condition, clutch system condition, engine system condition, gear system condition, and exhaust system condition;
determining, using the at least one processor, one or more driving condition parameters, wherein the one or more driving condition parameters include at least one of: one or more terrain parameters, one or more weather parameters, and one or more traffic parameters;
determining, using the at least one processor, one or more driving pattern parameters based on the driver's driving pattern, wherein the one or more driving pattern parameters include at least one of: accelerator operation, break operation, gear operation, clutch operation, engine idling, frequency of start-stop, air drag, window control, HVAC usage, tire pressure, vehicle loading, and driving mode selection;
calculating, using the at least one processor, an EcoIndex measuring the real-time environmental impact of the vehicle's operation based on the one or more vehicle condition parameters, the one or more driving condition parameters, and the one or more driving pattern parameters;
comparing the EcoIndex to a predetermined threshold; and
providing, via a user interface, analytical information for controlling vehicle greenhouse gas emissions including at least one alternative route that is calculated, based on the comparison of the EcoIndex to the predetermined threshold and the driver profile associated with the driver, to produce lower emissions.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein calculating the EcoIndex comprises:
calculating a vehicle condition index based on the one or more vehicle condition parameters;
calculating a driving condition index based on the one or more driving condition parameters;
calculating a driving pattern index based on the one or more driving pattern parameters; and
calculating the EcoIndex based on the vehicle condition index, the driving condition index, and the driving pattern index.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the EcoIndex is calculated as a linear combination of the vehicle condition index, the driving condition index, and the driving pattern index.

4. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the EcoIndex is calculated as a non-linear polynomial function of the vehicle condition index, the driving condition index, and the driving pattern index.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein identifying the driver comprises:
determining one or more driver identifiers, wherein the one or more driver identifiers include at least one of: a user ID, a password, a finger print, and a retinal scan; and
authenticating the driver based on the one or more driver identifiers.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein providing analytical information comprises providing real-time information including at least one of:
providing one or more real-time parameters, wherein the one or more real-time parameters include at least one of: one or more vehicle condition parameters, one or more driving condition parameters; one or more driving pattern parameters, or the EcoIndex; or
providing a notification or alert to the driver.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein providing analytical information comprises providing non-real-time information including at least one of:
a reward points estimation; and
a carbon credits estimation.

8. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
identifying all possible routes to a destination;
determining emissions estimates for each of the possible routes using information from third party sources;
determining a current route; and
identifying at least one alternative route from the possible routes that is calculated to produce lower emissions than the current route.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein providing analytical information further comprises providing non-real-time information including at least one of:
a summary of the vehicle's operation over the course of a trip;
an EcoIndex for one or more specified vehicles;
an emission density map; and
a forecast of usage for one or more specified vehicles.

Assignees

• Mukhopadhyay Jaydip
• Ghosh Sudipta
• Kulkarni Prakash Rao
• Wipro Ltd

Inventors

• Mukhopadhyay Jaydip
• Ghosh Sudipta
• Kulkarni Prakash Rao

Classifications

• B60W2540/043

  Identity of occupants · CPC title

• B60W40/09 Primary

  Driving style or behaviour · CPC title

• B60W2530/20

  Tyre data · CPC title

• G06F17/00 Primary

  Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions (information retrieval, database structures or file system structures therefor G06F16/00) · CPC title

• B60R16/03

  for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems {or for (circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00)} · CPC title