Control system for a vehicle

Abstract

A control system 10 for controlling a sensory stimulus module 40 and a heater-cooler 50 of a vehicle. The control system is configured to: receive data of an actual temperature 20 of a region within a

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a control system for a vehicle. Aspects of the invention relate to a control system, a vehicle, a method, and a non-transitory computer readable carrier medium. BACKGROUND Modern vehicles are capable of heating or cooling a vehicle cabin for the comfort of the vehicle’s occupants. Typically, such systems include heating, ventilation, cooling systems known in the art as HVACs. Such systems need power, typically electrical, to perform the necessary heating, ventilation, or cooling. HVAC systems consume a significant quantity of the power available to a vehicle and require big, heavy components. HVAC systems are also slow to change the temperature of the cabin and vehicle occupants often put the heating or cooling on the maximum setting to warm up / down faster, which uses more power than is necessary. Vehicle occupants also often overshoot the comfort range and turn the temperature up or down when they feel the opposite discomfort (they are too hot or cold) meaning they use more energy than is necessary and are thermally uncomfortable for longer. It is an aim of this invention to reduce the power consumed by a HVAC system and in doing so allow that power to be used in other vehicle systems, for example increasing the range of an electric vehicle. It also an aim of the invention to allow vehicle occupants to reach thermal comfort faster. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a control system, a system, a vehicle, a method, a computer program, and a non-transitory computer readable medium as claimed in the appended claims. According to an aspect of the invention there is a control system for controlling a sensory stimulus module and a heater-cooler apparatus of a vehicle, the control system comprising one or more controller, the control system configured to: receive data indicative of an actual temperature of a region within a vehicle cabin; receive data indicative of a user desired temperature of the region within the vehicle cabin; compare the actual temperature of the region to the user desired temperature of the region; and in dependence on the comparison: control the sensory stimulus module to provide a sensor stimulus dependent on the comparison of the actual temperature of the region with the user desired temperature of the region; and control the heater-cooler apparatus to provide an adjusted temperature of the region within the vehicle cabin, wherein the adjusted temperature of the region is offset from the user’s desired temperature of the region. Advantageously the provision of a stimulus creates a user feeling that a greater temperature change is being affected. This may be referred to as a thermal perception response. As a result, the heater-cooler system may be controlled to an adjusted temperature that is offset from the user desired temperature so less power is required to make the user comfortable. The vehicle occupant also reaches thermal comfort faster, improving the user experience. Humans are evolutionarily and behaviourally programmed to expect certain things to change their thermal state. Not only does the heat from an open fire cause a perception of warmth but also the expectation from glowing embers and crackling flames may enhance the perception of warmth. Typically, the only feedback stimulus that a user gets from a vehicle is thermal and so they only start to feel warm when the vehicle is actually getting warm. However, with the present invention, the combination of a change in temperature and a sensory stimulus may make the mind of the user expect to feel more thermally comfortable. Confirmation bias may skew perception to make a person thermally comfortable at a temperature at which they otherwise would not be. The human mind may not be able to distinguish between imagined stimulus and real stimulus, so that perceiving warmth from a visual or other cue may be effective in at least reinforcing actual warmth from an increase in temperature, and vice versa in respect of cooling. Optionally, the one or more controllers may collectively comprise: at least one electronic processor configured to access at least one electronic memory device and execute the instructions thereon so as to compare the actual temperature to the user desired temperature and select a sensory stimulus in dependence on the comparison; and an electrical output configured to output the sensory stimulus to the sensory stimulus module. In an embodiment, the control system is configured to receive data indicative of a user’s identification and set the offset in dependence on the identity of the user. Individual users may have different offsets and changing the offset in dependence on the identified person may minimise incidences of the user overriding the control system. Optionally the controller comprises a timer, where the controller sets a timer to a value and if the user changes the desired temperature before the timer has expired the control system may be configured to remove the offset. The use of the timer may allow the controller to determine if the user is satisfied with the offset because if the user tries to change the temperature within the timer value, the user is not satisfied and so the controller may be configured to remove or further adjust the offset. Optionally the offset is set in dependence on the difference between the actual temperature of the region and the user's desired temperature of the region. This provides the advantage that a larger offset can be applied when the difference between the user desired temperature and the actual temperature is large and smaller offsets for smaller differences. Having a larger offset gives a greater power saving. Optionally the relationship between the adjusted temperature and the user’s desired temperature is non-linear. This gives the advantage that for a small difference between the actual temperature and the user's desired temperature, a small offset can be applied, but when the difference is large, a much larger offset can be used than if a linear offset was to be used. In an embodiment the sensory stimulus module is configured by the control system to output a sensory stimulus comprising at least one of: an image, a video, a sound, a touch, a smell, an ambient light. The sensory stimulus is optionally selectable by the user, allowing the user to customise the feature should they wish. In an embodiment the control system is configured to provide a sensory stimulus indicative of heating if the user desires a temperature higher than the actual temperature of the region or provide a sensory stimulus indicative of cooling if the user desires a temperature lower than the actual temperature of the region. This provides the advantage of stimulating the user into thinking the temperature of the region is warmer or cooler than the actual temperature of the region. In an embodiment the means of adjusting the temperature of the region is provided by at least one of a HVAC unit, a steering wheel, a seat, and radiative panels. This provides the advantage where heating or cooling can be from one or more components. In an aspect of the invention there is a system comprising the control system, a vehicle cabin, a temperature sensor for measuring the actual temperature within the vehicle cabin; a means to select a user’s desired temperature; a sensory stimuli module; a timer, and a means to provide heating and / or cooling. In an embodiment the system comprises a user identification module. In an aspect of the invention there is the method for controlling a heater-cooler apparatus of a vehicle, the method comprising: determining an actual temperature of a region; determining a user’s desired temperature of a region; comparing the difference in the actual temperature of the region and the user’s desired temperature of the region; and in dependence on the comparison control a sensory stimuli module to provide a sensory stimulus to the user an control a heater-cooler apparatus. The method may comprise providing a sensory stimulus indicative of heating if the desired temperature of the region is greater than the actual temperature of the region or providing a sensory stimulus indicative of cooling if the desired temperature of the region is less than the actual temperature of the region. Optionally the method comprises offsetting the temperature of the heater-cooler apparatus to a value less than the user’s desired temperature of the region if the user’s desired temperature of the region is greater than the desired temperature of the region or offsetting the temperature of a heater-cooler apparatus to a value greater than the user’s desired temperature of the region if the user’s desired temperature of the region is less than the desired temperature of the region. In an embodiment the method comprises setting a timer to a set time period when the user selects a desired temperature of the region; setting the heater-cooler apparatus to the user selected desired temperature of a region if the user changes the desired temperature of the region within the set time period. Optionally the offset and / or the time period is set in dependence on an identified user. In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a control system for a vehicle which is configured to control a heater-cooler apparatus to an adjusted temperature value that is offset from a user desired temperature and which is configured to output a sensory stimulus within the vehicle in dependence on the desired and offset temperatures. In an aspect of the invention for which protection is sought there is provided a non-transitory computer readable carrier medium carrying a computer readable code for controlling a vehicle to carry out a method according to another aspect. In an aspect of the invention for which protection is sought there is provided a non-transitory computer readable carrier medium carrying computer readable code for controlling one or both of a vehicle-based and a server-based apparatus to carry out the method according to another aspect. In an aspect of the invention for which protection is sought there is provided a computer program product executable on a processor so as to implement the method of another aspect. In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle comprising the control system described herein. In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle comprising the system described herein. 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 Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a vehicle. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the vehicle comprising a controller or system according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 is a visualisation of a sensory stimulus module according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 4 is a schematic showing the controller and system with required inputs and outputs for an embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a schematic showing the controller and system with required inputs and outputs plus a timer according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure6 is a schematic showing the controller and system with required inputs and outputs with a timer; user identification module; various heating and cooling controllers and various sensory stimuli output controllers according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 is a flowchart showing a method to select an ambient temperature and sensory stimuli in dependence on a user’s desired ambient temperature; Figure 8 is a flowchart showing a method to provide stimuli indicative of heating if the user selects a temperature higher than the ambient temperature or to select stimuli indicative of cooling if the user selects a temperature lower than the ambient temperature; Figure 9 is a flowchart showing a method to provide stimuli indicative of heating if the user selects a temperature higher than the ambient temperature or to select stimuli indicative of cooling if the user selects a temperature lower than the ambient temperature and provide heating or cooling to the enclosure which may be offset from the user’s desired temperature; Figure 10 is a flowchart showing a method where the controller sets the ambient temperature to the user’s desired temperature if a timer has expired; Figure 11 is a flowchart showing a method where the ambient temperature is set in dependence on the identified user; and Figure 12 is a graph showing the impact a visual stimulus had on subjects at varying temperatures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figure 1 shows a vehicle 100 in the form of a car, which may comprise a control system according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 shows a control system 10 comprising one or more controllers (hereinafter referenced to as controller 10) in situ within the vehicle 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The controller is arranged to control a heating and / or cooling apparatus 50 and a sensory stimulus module 40. The controller also includes means for a user to set a desired ambient temperature 30 and means to measure the ambient temperature 20 of the vehicle cabin 60 as described in more detail with reference to Figures 4 to 11 below. Figure 3 shows the sensory stimulus module 40 outputting a sensory stimulus in the form of a moving image of a flickering log fire. This sensory stimulus may also be accompanied by other appropriate stimulus, e.g., the sound of the log burning. Figure 4 schematically shows the operation of the controller 10. A user of the vehicle 100 will typically want to set the cabin 60 or a specific region of the vehicle to a temperature that they will be comfortable with. The temperature of the cabin 60 may be set by a heater-cooler apparatus 50, a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning system (HVAC) as is known in the art, or a specific region may be selected to be cooled or heated, for example the vehicle may comprise a heated steering wheel (52, shown in Figure 6), a heated seat (53, shown in Figure 6) or a heated bezel (e.g. a heated frame around a screen of a display). The controller 10 may be configured to receive data indicative of the actual temperature 20 of the region and when a user sets a desired temperature for the region, the controller 10 makes a comparison of the actual and desired temperatures. The controller is configured to send a signal to the sensory stimulus control module 40 to set the sensory stimulus module 40 to output one or more stimuli such as, but not limited to, an image, a video, a sound, a touch, a smell and / or an ambient light. A separate control signal is configured to be sent from the controller 10 to control the heater-cooler apparatus 50 to adjust the temperate of a region in the cabin, the adjusted temperature being offset from the user desired temperature of the region. The degree of offset may depend on several factors. Firstly, it may depend on a particular user, as described further below. Secondly, it may depend on the difference between the actual and desired temperatures. If there is a large difference, the offset may be correspondingly larger than if there is a small difference. It may be that the correspondence between the offset and the difference is non-linear. For example, when the difference between the actual and desired temperatures is large, a much larger offset can be used than if a linear offset was to be used. The sensory stimulus may comprise an image, for example an image associated with warmth such as a still or moving image of a fire, a volcano, or a hot dessert. Alternatively, the image may be associated with a cold environment, such as a still or moving image of a mountain with snow on it, an ice cube, a snowman, or a snowflake, for example. The sensory stimulus may comprise a sound, for example the sound of a roaring fire or the sound of a howling wind. The sensory stimulus may comprise a smell, for example the smell of a burning fire or the smell of cooking. The sensory stimulus may comprise an ambient light, for example interior cabin lights may be set to display a shade of red or a shade of blue or other appropriate mood lighting It will be appreciated that the stimulus chosen should give the user the perception of heat or cold and that the above list is not an exhaustive list. The sensory stimuli may be output separately or in combination. In one example, when the user desired temperature is greater than the actual temperature (i.e., in a cold environment), the temperature of the cabin is raised to a value that is less than the desired temperature and a video is played of a scene that will elicit an empathetic warmth response, such as a log fire. In addition, an accompanying audio stimulus is output intended to make the experience more convincing and immersive, such as the sound of a log burning and the fire crackling. The cabin lighting may also be incorporated into the experience to provide ambiance, for example a low, warm light may be output. Additionally, radiant heating panels may be turned on to provide near instant heat. In addition to this, the heated seats may turn on providing more corroborating thermal input. The occupant of the vehicle may thus perceive that they are warmer than they would otherwise have perceived if only given the thermal stimulus, making the occupant potentially feel more thermally comfortable faster. The system according to embodiments of the present invention may therefore also reduce the energy consumption since less energy is required to maintain thermal comfort. The benefits of the system may lead to the HVAC being downsized as the same peak performance of the HVAC may not be required, resulting in a lighter vehicle. In another example, when the user desired temperature is less than the actual temperature (e.g., in a hot environment), the temperature of the cabin is lowered to a value that is greater than the desired temperature and a video or image is displayed that elicits an empathetic cold response, such as a snow scene. In addition, there may be an accompanying auditory stimulus intended to make the experience more convincing and immersive, such as a whistling wind. In addition, cabin lighting may be incorporated into the experience to provide ambience, such as lighting with a cool blue tint. In addition, cooled seats may be turned on providing more corroborating thermal input. The vehicle occupant perceives that they are cooler than they would have perceived if only given the thermal stimulus. This may make the occupant feel more comfortable faster. The system also potentially reduces energy consumption, since less energy is required to achieve and possibly maintain thermal comfort. This feature can also lead to the HVAC being downsized in view of the same peak performance not being required, resulting in a lighter vehicle. The system may for example be activated when the actual temperature differs from the desired temperature by a pre-determined offset. For example, if the sensory stimulus module is predicted to provide the user with thermal comfort at a temperature 2°C cooler / warmer than the desired temperature, then the system may activate (e.g., begin outputting sensory stimulus) when the temperature of the vehicle cabin is 2°C off (cooler / warmer) the desired temperature. If the desired temperature were for example 20°C, and the offset is 2°C, then, when the temperature reaches 18°C (or 22°C in the case of a cooling direction) the sensory stimulus system may turn on and the heating / cooling turn off, saving the energy used to change the temperature by a further 2°C. Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of the present invention in which a timer 70 is communicatively coupled to the controller 10. The remaining components shown in Figure 5 correspond to those of Figure 4 and like numerals denote like features. The timer 70 may be set to a value by the controller 10 whenever the user has selected a desired temperature 30. The controller 10 is configured to instruct the sensory stimuli module 40 and heater-cooler apparatus 50 as previously described. In an example, the heater-cooler apparatus is controlled to provide an adjusted temperature of the vehicle (in response to a user selecting a desired temperature of the vehicle), wherein the adjusted temperature is offset from the user’s desired temperature by a preliminary offset, and the sensory stimulus module is controlled to provide sensory stimuli. If the user adjusts the temperature of the vehicle again with a given time period or before a timer has expired (see also Figure 10 described further below), indicating that the current combination of stimuli and temperature are insufficient, the offset is adjusted such that the adjusted temperature is closer to the desired temperature of the vehicle. In another example, more intense stimuli are provided in response to the user adjusting the temperature again. For example, the sensory stimulus module outputs a crackling fire, rather than a newly lit fire. Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of the present invention where there is a user identification module 11. The remaining components shown in Figure 6 correspond to those of Figure 4 and Figure 5 and like numerals denote like features. The controller, as shown in Figure 6, sets the timer value 70 in dependence on the identified user. The use of the user identification module 11 allows the controller to set the timer 70 in dependence on the user as it is appreciated that different users may take different amounts of time to respond to sensory stimuli provided by the sensory stimuli module 40. In the event that the vehicle has multiple occupants then the timer value may for example be set in dependence on the user in the driver’s seat. The system may identify the specific user or a characteristic of the user (e.g., age and / or gender). For example, the system could be configured to recognise a key or mobile device associated with a particular user. Additionally, the controller in this embodiment may change the offset applied between the desired temperature and the actual temperature in dependence on the identified user. This is because some users may react more strongly to sensory stimuli and so a greater power saving may be achieved. The offset may be different if the desired temperature is higher than the actual temperature or if the desired temperature is lower than the desired temperature. The system may for example identify which users react more strongly to sensory stimuli using a learning function. If a user overrides the system, a different offset could be tried the next time the user controls the temperature in the vehicle until an offset level is determined that works for this user. The user identification module may identify users by receiving a signal from users’ phones and / or keys, for example via Bluetooth®. The user identification module may identify the driver, another primary user and / or frequent cabin occupant(s). The controller may adjust the offset dynamically based on the identity of the driver, primary user and / or frequent cabin occupant(s) using data related to the temperature offsets and stimuli these user(s) have previously tolerated without further adjusting the temperature (indicating they are satisfied with the temperature they are perceiving). Figure 6 also shows the sensory stimulus module 40 and heater / cooler apparatus 50, communicatively coupled to the controller 10. The heater / cooler apparatus may comprise an HVAC 51, a steering wheel 52 and / or a seat 53. The sensory stimulus module may for example include a display 80 configured to display a sensory stimulus in the form of an image or moving image on an in-vehicle display screen, a lighting system 81 configured, for example, to output sensory stimuli in the form of light at different brightnesses and colours, an audio system 82 configured to output sensory stimuli in the form of sound and / or an olfactory system 83 configured to output sensory stimuli in the form of smell. Figure 7 shows a method according to one aspect of the invention. The method starts at step 210 where an actual temperature of a region (e.g., of the vehicle) is measured. At step 220, a user selects their desired temperature and at step 230, the actual and desired temperatures are compared. At step 240 a sensory stimulus is selected based on the comparison at step 230. For example, if it is determined that the desired temperature is higher than the actual temperature, a moving image of a log fire may be selected, along with the sound of a crackling fire. If it is determined that the desired temperature is lower than the actual temperature, a snowy scene or moving image of water dripping down an ice cube may be selected. At step 250, the selection of sensory stimuli is sent to the sensory stimuli module 40 where it is output. Figure 8 shows a method 300 according to a further embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the invention provides sensory stimuli in dependence on the desired temperature. At step 310 an actual temperature of a region (e.g., a vehicle cabin) is measured and, at step 320, a user selects a desired temperature. The actual temperature and the user's desired temperature are compared at step 330 by the controller to determine the difference between the desired temperature and the actual temperature. At step 340, if the controller determines the desired temperature is higher than the actual temperature then, at step 350, stimuli indicative of heating is selected and at step 360 the sensory stimuli module 40 is controlled by the controller to output a stimulus. Such stimulus may be at least one of, but not limited to, a still or moving image of a fire, a volcano or a hot dessert, a sound of a roaring fire, the smell of a burning fire, the smell of cooking or an ambient light of a shade of red. If, at step 370, if it is determined that the desired temperature is lower than the actual temperature then, at step 380, a stimulus indicative of cooling is selected by the system or user, and at step 360 the controller is configured to control the sensory stimuli module 40 to output a stimulus. Such stimulus may be at least one of, but not limited to, a still or moving image of a mountain with snow on it, an ice cube, a snowman or a snowflake, the sound of a howling wind, or an ambient light of a shade of blue. Optionally, the sensory stimulus that is output by the controller may react / change if the user further alters the environmental controls. For example, if the user turns the heat up, the controller may be configured to change the sensory stimulus by adding another log to the fire in the moving image of the fire so the fire gets bigger. In one example, when the ambient temperature is not too hot or cold (e.g., when the user has not adjusted the temperature of the vehicle cabin or the sensory stimulus module has just been switched on) the sensory stimulus module may output base stimulus, such as a still or moving image of a temperate meadow and vary the stimulus as the temperature of the vehicle cabin is gradually raised or lowered, resulting in various graduations towards the hot and cold extremes. For example, if the user decreases the temperature of the cabin below a first threshold, snow falling on the meadow may be displayed. If they further decrease the temperature, or decrease it beyond a second threshold, snow may start to settle on the ground and cover objects shown in the image. If the user decreases the temperature of the cabin again, or beyond a third threshold, the display may show the meadow scene with a howling blizzard. If the user then decides to increase the temperature from beyond the second threshold to beyond the first threshold but less than the second threshold, the meadow scene may show settling on the ground and covering objects again. In another example, if the user is too cold (e.g., they enter the vehicle and increase the temperature, or increase the temperature beyond an additional threshold), the sensory stimulus module may output the temperate meadow scene with a brighter sun and a quieter wind. If they increase the temperature further, the sensory stimulus module may output the meadow scene with grass drying out. If the user selects for the temperature to be raised again, the sensory stimulus module may show hot air distorting the image and sand building up. In another example, the base stimulus may be an unlit bonfire and as the temperature of a vehicle is gradually increased, the sensory stimulus module may incrementally show a bonfire being built up, the bonfire being lit and starting to catch fire, and a roaring bonfire. If the temperature is subsequently lowered, the sensory stimulus module may show the fire gradually dying down, the embers glowing and then the bonfire completely out. In yet a further example, the base stimulus may be an unlit log fire in a fireplace, and the sensory stimulus module may incrementally show snow falling on it, snow settling on the fireplace and ground and the fireplace immersed in a blizzard with icicles forming on it, as the temperature is gradually lowered. Similarly, if the sensory stimulus module is showing the base stimulus of the unlit log fire and the user gradually raises the temperature, the sensory stimulus module may incrementally show an increasingly stronger fire (from gentle embers to a roaring inferno). The sensory stimuli output at the extreme ends of this range (e.g., the roaring fire or howling blizzard) may be referred to as extreme sensory stimulus states and the sensory stimuli in between (e.g., fire starting to catch fire, embers with fire dying down, or snow gently falling) may be referred to as intermediate sensory stimuli states. In another example, the extreme stimuli states may be output when there is a greater difference between the actual temperature and the desired temperature (e.g., 5 degrees or more) since the colder or the warmer the environment simulated by the sensory stimuli (i.e. the more intense the sensory stimuli), the greater the offset can be whilst achieving thermal comfort for the user. Similarly, intermediate stimuli states may be output when there is a smaller difference between the actual temperature and the desired temperature (e.g., less than 5 degrees) since the milder sensory stimuli (e.g. showing snow falling and outputting the sound of a gentle wind or fire embers) will achieve a lower thermal perception response from the user (requiring the actual temperature to be closer to the desired temperature to achieve thermal comfort). A combination of stimuli may be shown at the same time (e.g., image of fire, sound of crackling fire and smell of logs burning) or one stimulus may be shown. Users may react more (i.e., reach thermal comfort at a lower or higher temperature) to a greater number of stimuli. Figure 9 shows a method 400 according to a further embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the heater / cooler apparatus is set in dependence on the desired temperature at the same time as or after the stimulus has been selected. Steps 410 to 480 correspond to steps 310 to 380 respectively in Figure 8. At step 440, if the desired temperature is higher than the actual temperature then the heater / cooler temperature is set to be lower than the desired temperature by first offset amount at step 490. If, at step 440, the desired temperature is lower than the actual temperature the heater / cooler temperature is set to a higher temperature than the desired temperature by a second offset amount at Step 495. The first and second offsets may be 1°C, 2°C or 5°C. Other offsets are possible. The offset may be fixed or variable. The offsets may be dependent on the combination of stimuli output (e.g., blizzard scene displayed and whistling wind sound output) and / or the extremity of the stimulus (e.g., the offset may be greater when the sensory stimuli output simulates a blizzard compared to when it simulates gentle snow fall). The output may also be fine-tuned for different people since some people may have a greater thermal perception response (i.e., reach thermal comfort at lower and / or higher temperatures) than others. If the desired temperature and actual temperature are the same, then no stimuli are provided or base stimuli are provided (such as stimuli simulating a temperate meadow or unlit logs), and the method repeats from step 410. Figure 10 shows a method 500 according to a further embodiment of the invention. Steps 510 to 595 correspond to steps 410 to 495 in Figure 9. In this embodiment there is introduced a timer step 600. At step 600 a timer is set to a value after the user has selected a desired temperature at step 520. The method proceeds as previously described until step 610. At step 610, there is a determination as to whether the user selects a new desired temperature and, if so, at step 620 there is a determination to see if the timer has expired. If the timer has expired, the method simply repeats by going back to step 510 using the new user selected desired temperature in step 520. However, if the timer has not expired then the heater / cooler apparatus (50) is set to the desired temperature at step 630. If there is no determination that the user has selected a new temperature, the method reverts to the relevant step 590, 595. The presence of the timer effectively enables the controller to determine whether to override the offset applied to the user desired temperature. If the timer reaches zero without any additional user input, then it is assumed that the sensory stimuli module has provided enough stimuli to convince the user the desired temperature has been reached. However, if the user selects a different desired temperature before the timer has expired then it is assumed that the sensory stimuli has had an insufficient effect on the user and the controller may be configured to then set the heater-cooler apparatus 50 to the desired temperature. Figure 11 shows a method 700 according to a further embodiment of the invention. This method is as previously described in relation to Figure 10 with like numerals increased by 200 and additional steps shown as 840 to 860. At step 840 the identity of the user is determined. At step 850, the timer is set in dependence on the identified user and at step 860 the first or second temperature offset values are determined based on the identified user. Figure 12 shows the results of a subjective experiment carried out to test the impact a visual sensory stimulus had on five subjects. The subjects separately occupied a vehicle whilst the exterior conditions of the vehicle measured 10°C and the HVAC of the vehicle was setto24°C. No other heating assists were enabled. The subjects were asked to assess on an arbitrary scale both their thermal sensation and thermal comfort at 2-minute intervals until the interior cabin reached 22°C, or until the occupant reached thermal comfort, up to a maximum of 10 minutes after commencement. The test was conducted with and without the visual stimulus. As demonstrated by the graph of Figure 12, all participants assessed an increased level of comfort at each temperature they were subjected to when the visual stimulus was present compared to when no visual stimulus was present. On average, when the visual stimulus was present participants felt comfortable at a cabin temperature that was about 5°C cooler than when no visual stimulus was present. The experiment therefore found that a visual stimulus appears to promote a positive cursory response. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), orto any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. The claims should not be construed to cover merely the foregoing embodiments, but also any embodiments which fall within the scope of the claims. It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A control system for controlling a sensory stimulus module and a heater-cooler apparatus of a vehicle, the control system comprising one or more controller, the control system configured to:receive data indicative of an actual temperature of a region within a vehicle cabin;receive data indicative of a user desired temperature of the region within the vehicle cabin;compare the actual temperature of the region to the user desired temperature of the region; andin dependence on the comparison:control the sensory stimulus module to provide a sensory stimulus dependent on the comparison of the actual temperature of the region with the user desired temperature of the region; andcontrol the heater-cooler apparatus to provide an adjusted temperature of the region within the vehicle cabin, wherein the adjusted temperature of the region is offset from the user’s desired temperature of the region.

2. The control system of claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to receive data indicative of a user's identification and set the offset in dependence on the identity of the user.

3. The control system of claim 1 or 2 further comprising a timer, where the control system is configured to set the timer to a value and, when the user changes the desired temperature before the timer has expired, the control system is configured to remove the offset and control the heater-cooler apparatus to provide the desired temperature.

4. The control system of claim 3 further comprising an input configured to receive data indicative of a user's identification and, in dependence on the identity of the user, set the timer’s value.

5. The control system of any preceding claim, wherein the offset is set in dependence on the difference between the actual temperature of the region and the user's desired temperature of the region.

6. The control system of claim 5, wherein the dependence of the offset is in a non-linear relationship between the adjusted temperature and the user’s desired temperature.

7. The control system of any preceding claim wherein the sensory stimulus module is configured by the control system to output a sensory stimulus comprising at least one of: an image, a video, a sound, a touch, a smell, an ambient light, wherein the sensory stimulus is optionally selectable by the user.

8. The control system of any preceding claim wherein the control system is configured to: provide a sensory stimulus indicative of heating if the user desires a temperature higher than the actual temperature of the region; orprovide a sensory stimulus indicative of cooling if the user desires a temperature lower than the actual temperature.

9. A vehicle comprising the control system of any preceding claim, a vehicle cabin, a temperature sensor for measuring the actual temperature within a region of the vehicle cabin, a user interface to input a user's desired temperature of the region, a sensory stimuli module and a heater-cooler apparatus.

10. The vehicle of claim 9 further comprising a timer and / or a user identification module.

11. A method for controlling a heater-cooler apparatus of a vehicle, the method comprising: determining an actual temperature of a region;determining a user’s desired temperature of the region;comparing the difference in the actual temperature of the region and the user’s desired temperature of the region;and, in dependence on the comparison:control a sensory stimuli module to provide a sensory stimulus to the user; and, control a heater-cooler apparatus to provide an adjusted temperature of the region within the cabin,wherein the adjusted temperature of the region is offset from the user’s desired temperature of the region.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the steps of providing:a sensory stimulus indicative of heating if the desired temperature of the region is greater than the actual temperature of the region; or,a sensory stimulus indicative of cooling if the desired temperature of a region is less than the actual temperature of a region.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of:offsetting the temperature of the heater-cooler apparatus to a value less than the desired temperature of the region if the desired temperature of a region is greater than the actual temperature of the region; or,offsetting the temperature of the heater-cooler apparatus to a value greater than the desired temperature of the region if the desired temperature of the region is less than the actual temperature of the region.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of:when the user selects a desired temperature of a region, setting a timer to a set time period;5 setting the heater-cooler apparatus to the selected desired temperature of the regionif the user changes the desired temperature of the region within the set time period.

15. A non-transitory computer readable carrier medium carrying computer readable code for controlling one or both of a vehicle based and a server-based apparatus to carry out the 10 method of any one of claims 11 to 14.

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