Control unit for performing at least one function based on the vehicle location

Abstract

The control unit 10 identifies a location of interest when the vehicle 12 is in an operating state and determines a distance between the current location of the vehicle 12 and the identified location of interest. The control unit 10 triggers at least one function if the determined distance is within a predetermined distance.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a control unit for performing at least one function based on the vehicle location. State of the art

[0002] As technology advances, the goal of a fully autonomous vehicle capable of navigating the roads is within reach. Autonomous vehicles may need to consider a variety of factors and make appropriate decisions based on these factors to reach a specific destination safely and accurately.

[0003] A patent US8635020 discloses a method for automatically entering favorite locations into a navigation system. According to one embodiment, the method comprises receiving information regarding a location from an object in a vehicle using a navigation system. An identifier of the information, and the information and the identifier, are stored in the navigation system. The user can retrieve the information from the navigation system using the identifier. The object information can be received in various wireless formats, including RFID, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. Brief description of the attached drawings Fig. 1 shows a control unit in a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of the embodiments

[0004] Fig.1 shows a control unit 10 in a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention. The control unit 10 identifies a location of interest when the vehicle 12 is in an operating state and determines a distance between the current location of the vehicle 12 and the identified location of interest. The control unit 10 triggers at least one function if the determined distance is within a predefined distance.

[0005] Furthermore, the design of the control unit and the components associated with the control unit are explained in detail. The control unit comprises logic circuits and software programs implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuits, and / or any component that operates on signals based on operating instructions. Modern vehicles may include multiple control units, such as the airbag control unit, transmission control unit, preheat control unit, heater control unit, vehicle charging communication unit, engine control unit, vehicle control unit, steering control unit, and the like. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the control unit could be a vehicle control unit.

[0006] The control unit 10 includes a memory for storing information regarding a plurality of points of interest and an interface 14 for inputting the point of interest. The point of interest is input into the control unit 10 using several methods. Some such methods practiced are manual input, where the user of the vehicle 10 inputs the point of interest of their choice, and when the vehicle 10 is detected near or within the predefined distance range, a specific function is performed. In another way, the point of interest is automatically input based on the current / past requirements of the user of the vehicle 10. One such point of interest is a shopping center, a resort, or the like. In this case, the vehicle control unit 10 automatically records or updates the list of points of interest in the memory 16 of the control unit 14.In yet another way of entering the location of interest, the vehicle's travel history is considered, and the control unit stores the required locations in memory 14. The location of interest is selected from a group of locations that includes a home, a nearby charging station, and an office.

[0007] The at least one function is selected from a group of functions including battery discharge, preparing a battery for thermal charging, enhanced regenerative braking, and regulating AdBlue dosing. According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one function to be executed is mapped to the identified location of interest in a memory 16 of the control unit 10. Multiple locations of interest are mapped to multiple functions to be executed in the vehicle. One such case is that battery discharge is mapped to a charging station in the memory 16 of the control unit 10.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one function to be performed is based on a type of vehicle 12. The type of vehicle 12 is selected from the group of vehicles comprising a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, a hybrid vehicle, and an electric vehicle. Optimizations in executing the functions in the vehicle 12 are location-specific. For example, if the type of vehicle 12 is a vehicle with an internal combustion engine and the vehicle 12 is approaching the type of home or office where the vehicle 12 is to be turned off, it is good for exhaust components to prevent regeneration. In another case, if the vehicle 12 is a hybrid vehicle and the hybrid vehicle is near a location close to home (or any other regular parking location where charging occurs), it is optimal to bring the battery to the lowest temperature possible to use the battery and charge it when parked.In yet another example, when the type of vehicle 12 is an electric vehicle and when the electric vehicle approaches a charging location, such as home or a regular charging station, it is good to thermally prepare the battery to enable efficient and rapid charging.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the predefined distance or the distance between the current location of the vehicle 12 and the location of interest is divided into multiple phases. That is, depending on the determined distance, the functions to be performed in the vehicle 12 are caused to change. The control unit 10 performs at least one function based on a distance difference between the current location of the vehicle 12 and the location of interest. In an exemplary embodiment, multiple functions are performed at once or simultaneously when the vehicle 12 is close to the location of interest. When the distance is close to the location of interest and is within the predefined distance range, the vehicle control unit 10 begins to perform the functions in the vehicle 12 one after the other.

[0010] A method of operation of the control unit 10, which performs the functions in the vehicle 12 based on the location of interest, will be explained in detail. The location of interest is specific to or according to the request of the user of the vehicle 12. The location of interest is identified in the vehicle control unit 10 using GPS coordinates. The information is obtained from a navigation unit or GPS sensor in the vehicles, such as a public bus / school bus / taxi, or by means of a smart communication device (such as a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant) connected to or in communication with the vehicle 12. When the location of interest is identified, the corresponding action is triggered, such as long-distance parking, charging, extended regenerative braking, and the like.

[0011] The control unit 10 stores the location details in the memory 16. According to one embodiment of the invention, the location details can be stored in a cloud repository and are received when a signal is sent / transmitted by the control unit. Furthermore, the control unit 10 stores the regular locations / repeated locations. The control unit 10 includes a counter (not shown) for counting each time the vehicle 12 reaches this regular location.

[0012] When the vehicle 12 is in operational mode, the control unit 10 continuously monitors the current location with reference to these stored regular locations. GPS distance is used to determine proximity to the stored locations. When the vehicle approaches one of the stored locations of interest (distance decrease) and the current distance is less than the predetermined distance (e.g., 1 km), the control unit 10 triggers execution of certain corresponding functions in the control unit 10 to prepare the vehicle for necessary optimization. One of the methods used to determine the distance between the current location of the vehicle 12 and the location of interest is achieved using Haversine technology.However, it is not limited to the technique disclosed above, but may be any other technique used to determine the distance between two GPS coordinates / two locations.

[0013] The control unit 10 triggers at least one function when the vehicle 12 is closer to the stored "regular location" / location of interest. When the proximity trigger is activated by the control unit 10, the vehicle must be prepared for the optimization function associated with the location. For example, when approaching the regular charging location / location of interest and the battery level is low, it is most likely that the vehicle needs charging. For charging to be as efficient and fast as possible, it is necessary to maintain the battery temperature within a window. Once the proximity trigger is received, this thermal preparation of the battery 18 is activated. In another example, in the case of a normal internal combustion engine vehicle, diesel particulate regeneration can be stopped / disabled or AdBlue dosing can be stopped / reduced. The functions listed above are executed automatically.

[0014] The control unit 10 calculates and stores the benefits of this predictive function and informs the user of the vehicle 12. This ensures the effectiveness and benefits of executing the functions in advance for the user of the vehicle 12.

[0015] It should be understood that the embodiments explained in the above description are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Many such embodiments and other modifications and variations of the embodiment explained in the description are contemplated. The scope of the invention is limited only by the scope of the claims. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 8635020

[0003]

Claims

[1] Control unit (10) for performing at least one function based on the location of a vehicle (12), wherein the control unit (10) is designed to - identifying a location of interest when the vehicle (12) is in an operating state; - determining a distance between the current location of the vehicle (12) and the identified location of interest; - Triggering the at least one function when the specified distance is within a predefined distance. [2] The control unit (10) of claim 1, wherein the location of interest is input to the control unit via an interface (14) by any of the following means: a manual input, an automatic identification of the location of interest, a past history. [3] The control unit (10) of claim 1, wherein the location of interest is selected from a group of locations comprising a home, a nearby charging station, an office. [4] Control unit (10) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one function is selected from a group of functions comprising battery discharge, preparing a battery for thermal charging, extended regenerative braking, regulating AdBlue dosing. [5] Control unit (10) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one function to be executed is mapped to the identified location of interest in a memory (16) of the control unit (10). [6] Control unit (10) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one function to be performed is based on a type of vehicle (12). [7] Control unit (10) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (10) is designed to perform at least one function based on a distance difference between the current location of the vehicle (12) and the location of interest. [8] Control unit (10) according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of such functions are performed when the vehicle (12) is in the vicinity of the location of interest.

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