Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 OF 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[Refer Section 10, Rule 13]

TITLE OF INVENTION
A System for Dynamic Customisation of Drive Characteristics of a Vehicle and a Method thereof

APPLICANT
TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED, an Indian company, having its address at “Chaitanya”, No.12 Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 006, Tamil Nadu, India.

PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed. 
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a system and a method for dynamic customisation of drive characteristics of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] With the advancement in vehicle technologies, there is greater focus on enhancement of driver assistance, and on improving the overall driving experience. In existing designs, the customization of vehicle system level parameters is explored to a very limited extent, mainly from the surrounding traffic and road environments. In other systems, driver behaviour is observed, analysed and utilised to achieve automation of driving and to detect driving patterns. The existing designs primarily aim to reduce the workload on driver by introducing partial or complete automation. Resultantly, in response to similar inputs from the driver, the vehicle responds similarly in the conventional designs. These systems do not focus on improving the user experience as a whole.
[003] There is a growing need for customizing experience for the driver based on his past ride experiences. Also, dynamic vehicle level parameters during a ride have to be customized for better experience. For example, fuel consumption of vehicle, softness of suspension, pitching of vehicle etc need to be dynamically tuned. Keeping in line with the technology development in user specific customisation, the users of personal vehicles now require their vehicle to be more customised to their requirements and expect the vehicle to adapt to their driving style instead of the driver adjusting their driving style to the vehicle behaviour.
[004] The automation also needs to allow the rider to make informed decisions on the safety and efficiency of the vehicle, in addition to overall improvement in user experience. In existing systems for user-based customisations, the systems are developed to perform a one-time customisation, which takes place before the trip is started. This customisation does not take external conditions such as road conditions, etc., into account. Further, these systems do not allow the rider to intervene in the middle of the trip, which severely restricts user experience and has significant safety concerns.
[005] Thus, there is a need in the art for a system and method for dynamic customisation of drive characteristics of a vehicle, which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] In one aspect, the present invention relates to the present invention relates to a system for dynamic customisation of drive characteristics of a vehicle. The system has a plurality of vehicle sensors for sensing one or more input vehicle parameters, one or more environmental parameters and one or more second driver variables. The system further has a plurality of actuators configured to calibrate one or more vehicle attributes. The system further has a vehicle control unit in communication with the plurality of the vehicle sensors, the plurality of actuators and a remote server. The vehicle control unit is configured to: receive the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters and the second driver variables from the plurality of vehicle sensors; and communicate the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters, and the second driver variables to the remote server. Herein, the remote server is configured to process the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters and the second driver variables based on pre-stored information of first driver variables and provides actuator control parameters and target vehicle attributes. The vehicle control unit is further configured to receive actuator control parameters and target vehicle attributes from the remote server and operate the plurality of actuators for calibrating the vehicle attributes in accordance with the target vehicle attributes, thus customising the drive characteristics.
[007] In an embodiment of the invention, the input vehicle parameters include one or more of throttle input, clutch actuation, steering angle, brake actuation, and weight distribution in the vehicle.
[008] In a further embodiment of the invention, the environmental parameters include one or more of altitude, air pressure, ambient temperature, traffic, inclination of a road surface, road infrastructure and humidity.
[009] In a further embodiment of the invention, the current driver variables include one or more of heartbeat of the driver, alertness of the driver, and acceleration of the driver.
[010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the remote server has of a driver modelling module which is configured to determine a drive cycle based on the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters, the second driver variables, and first driver variables.
[011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the remote server has a formulation module which is configured to determine a driver state based on the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters and the second driver variables, and to determine a drive cost function corresponding to the determined driver state and environmental parameters. In an embodiment, the drive cost function includes at least one of a fuel consumption by the vehicle, softness of the suspension of the vehicle, and pitching of the vehicle.
[012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the remote server has a vehicle digital module which is configured to simulate the vehicle and generate a mathematic model based on a set of dynamic constraints.
[013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the remote server has an actuator optimisation module which configured to receive the drive cost function from the formulation module, the drive cycle from the driver modelling module, and the generated mathematical model from the vehicle digital module and determine actuator control parameters. Herein, the vehicle digital module is further configured to determine behaviour of the mathematical model of the vehicle in response to the determined actuator control parameters to achieve target vehicle attributes.
[014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the remote server has a drive characteristics verification module which configured to receive behaviour of the vehicle in accordance with the actuator control parameters based on the mathematical model, from the digital module and perform safety analysis of the vehicle attributes achieved in response to actuator control parameters by comparing the obtained vehicle attributes to specified thresholds, and flag any safety violations.
[015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the drive characteristics verification module is further configured to adjust the actuator control parameters to be within the specified thresholds, and communicate the adjusted actuator control parameters and target vehicle attributes to the vehicle control unit for calibrating the vehicle attributes in accordance with the target vehicle attributes.
[016] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for dynamic customisation of drive characteristics of a vehicle. The method has the steps of sensing, by a plurality of sensors, one or more input vehicle parameters, one or more environmental parameters and one or more second driver variables; receiving, by a vehicle control unit, the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters and the second driver variables from the plurality of sensors; communicating, by the vehicle control unit, the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters, the second driver variables to a remote server; processing, by the remote server, the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters and the second driver variables based on pre-stored information of first driver variables and determining actuator control parameters and target vehicle attributes; receiving, by the vehicle control unit, the actuator control parameters and the target vehicle attributes from the remote server; and operating, by the vehicle control unit, a plurality of actuators for calibrating the vehicle attributes in accordance with the target vehicle attributes, thus customising the drive characteristics.
[017] In an embodiment of the invention, the input vehicle parameters include one or more of throttle input, clutch actuation, steering angle, brake actuation, and weight distribution in the vehicle.
[018] In a further embodiment of the invention, the environmental parameters include one or more of altitude, air pressure, ambient temperature, traffic, inclination of a road surface, road infrastructure and humidity.
[019] In a further embodiment of the invention, the current driver variables include one or more of heartbeat of the driver, alertness of the driver, and acceleration of the driver.
[020] In a further embodiment of the invention, the method further has the step of determining, by a driver modelling module of the remote server, a drive cycle based on the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters, the second driver variables, and first driver variables.
[021] In a further embodiment of the invention, the method further has the step of determining, by a formulation module of the remote server, a driver state based on the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters and the second driver variables, and to determine a drive cost function corresponding to the determined driver state and environmental parameters. In an embodiment, the drive cost function includes at least one of a fuel consumption by the vehicle, softness of the suspension of the vehicle and pitching of the vehicle.
[022] In a further embodiment of the invention, the method further has the step of the step of simulation of a vehicle and generation a mathematic model, by a vehicle digital module of the remote server, based on a set of dynamic constraints.
[023] In a further embodiment of the invention, the method further has the steps of receiving, by an actuator optimisation module of the remote server, the drive cost function from the formulation module, the drive cycle from the driver modelling module, and the generated mathematical model from the vehicle digital module, and determining actuator control parameters; and determining, by the vehicle digital module, behaviour of the mathematical model of the vehicle in response to the determined actuator control parameters to achieve target vehicle attributes.
[024] In a further embodiment of the invention, the method further has the steps of receiving, by a drive characteristics verification module of the remote server, behaviour of the vehicle in accordance with the actuator control parameters based on the mathematical model, from the vehicle digital module; and performing, by the drive characteristics verification module, safety analysis of the vehicle attributes achieved in response to the actuator control parameters by comparing the obtained vehicle attributes with specified thresholds, and flag any safety violations.
[025] In a further embodiment of the invention, the method further has the step of adjusting, by the drive characteristics verification module, the actuator control parameters to be within the specified thresholds; and communicating, by the drive characteristics verification module the adjusted actuator control parameters and target vehicle attributes to the vehicle control unit for calibrating the vehicle attributes in accordance with the target vehicle attributes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[026] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 illustrates a system for dynamic customisation of drive characteristics, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a remote server of the system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a formulation module of the remote server, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates a driver modelling module of the remote server, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a vehicle digital module of the remote server, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 illustrates the steps involved in the method for dynamic customisation of drive characteristics of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 7 illustrates the further steps involved in the method for dynamic customisation of drive characteristics of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[027] The present invention relates a system and a method for dynamic customisation of drive characteristics of a vehicle.
[028] Figure 1 illustrates a system 100 for dynamic customisation of drive characteristics of a vehicle 10. Drive characteristics of the vehicle are the static and dynamic characteristics of the vehicle that define the behaviour or performance of the vehicle, when the vehicle is on the road. The drive characteristics are not only governed by the dimensions of the vehicle, the speed or acceleration, torque of the vehicle, but also by the surrounding environment of the vehicle as well as the behaviour of the driver of the vehicle. The drive characteristics of the vehicle are customised dynamically by the system 100 during the course of a drive based on the vehicle parameters, environment and the driver. As illustrated, the system 100 has a plurality of vehicle sensors 110 for sensing one or more input vehicle parameters, one or more environmental parameters, and one or more second driver variables. In an embodiment, the input vehicle parameters comprise one or more of, but not limited to a throttle input, clutch actuation, a steering angle, brake actuation, and weight distribution in the vehicle 10. In this regard, the vehicle sensors 110 comprise an engine speed sensor, a wheel speed sensor, a throttle position sensor etc.
[029] Similarly, the environmental parameters comprise one or more of, but not limited to altitude, air pressure, ambient temperature, traffic, inclination of a road surface, road infrastructure and humidity in the environment of the vehicle 10. In this regard, the vehicle sensors 110 comprise of air pressure sensor, wet bulb type or dry bulb type temperature sensors etc.
[030] Similarly, the second driver variables define the current condition or history of the driver and comprise one or more, but not limited to heartbeat of the driver, alertness of the driver, and gaze pattern of the driver, vehicle controls use pattern, body temperature. The sensors 110 are installed on the vehicle 10 and are configured to gauge the parameters explained hereinbefore. In an embodiment, the sensors 110 for sensing the second driver variables such as the heartbeat of the driver, alertness, etc. are provided in a wearable device such as a watch or a helmet that is worn by the driver. The second drive variables may be referred to as current driver variables.
[031] Further, the system 100 has a plurality of actuators 120 that are configured to configured to calibrate one or more vehicle attributes. The plurality of actuators 120 are electronic controlled actuators which are either mechanical or electrical based systems. The actuators 120 can tune, calibrate or change the vehicle attributes deterministically based on the electrical commands provided to them. The provision of the actuators 120 allow for tuning, calibrating or changing the vehicle attributes without any physical effort from the driver or from service executives during servicing of the vehicle 10. The vehicle attributes are the speed of the vehicle, pitch of suspension of the vehicle, air fuel consumption or mileage or range of the vehicle, throttle/ acceleration of the vehicle. In this regard, the plurality of actuators 120 comprise of an engine block actuator for controlling flow of fuel to the engine, pneumatic or hydraulic actuators for controlling rigidity of the suspension and the pitch of the suspension.
[032] The vehicle 10 further has a vehicle control unit 130. The vehicle control unit 130 is in communication with the plurality of the vehicle sensors 110 and the plurality of actuators 120 of the vehicle 10, and a remote server 140 of the system 100. The vehicle control unit 130 is configured to receive the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters, and the second driver variables from the plurality of vehicle sensors 110 and communicate these input vehicle parameters, environmental parameters, and second driver variables to the remote server 140. One or more communication modules are provided on the vehicle 10 that facilitate the communication of the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters, and the second driver variables from the vehicle sensors 110 to the vehicle control unit 130, and thereafter between the vehicle control unit 130 and the remote server 140.
[033] Once the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters, and the second driver variables are received by the remote server 140, the remote server 140 is configured to process the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters and the second driver variables based on the pre-stored information of first driver variables, among other variables and information. The remote server 140 then provides actuator control parameters and target vehicle attributes on processing of the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters, and the second driver variables.
[034] The remote server 140 then communicates the actuator control parameters and the target vehicle attributes to the vehicle control unit 130. The vehicle control unit 130, on receipt of the actuator control parameters and the target vehicle attributes from the remote server 140, is configured to operate the plurality of actuators 120 for calibrating the existing vehicle attributes in accordance with the target vehicle attributes, thereby dynamically customising the drive characteristics of the vehicle 10.
[035] The remote server 140 comprises a plurality of modules that make the remote server 140 capable of processing the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters and the second driver variables based on the pre-stored information of first driver variables and other additional information.
[036] As illustrated in Figure 2, the remote server 140 comprises a driver modelling module 150. The driver modelling module 150 is configured to determine a drive cycle based on the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters, and the second driver variables, and first driver variables. The previous driver variables, referred to as first driver variables form part of the long history of the driver, such as, past driving skills under different road conditions, driving experience such as his/ her ride statistics, personality of the driver, fatigue of the driver. As referenced in Figure 4, the driver modelling module 150 receives the input vehicle parameters such as aggressiveness factor which is indicative of variation in throttle input, other rider control inputs such as braking, clutch actuation etc., and lean angle data indicative of the lean of the vehicle 10 by the driver. The driver modelling module 150 also receives environmental parameters such as condition of the road and load on the vehicle. The driver modelling module 150 further receives the second driver variables such as rider body motion based on tracking from the vehicle sensors 110. Based on the aforementioned parameters and variables, the driver modelling module 150 determines a drive cycle which is specific to the user, along with other outputs such as road scenario generator, a weight distribution model corresponding to the distribution of weight in the vehicle and a model of rider inputs.
[037] As illustrated in Figure 2, the remote server 140 comprises a formulation module 160. The formulation module 160 is configured to determine a driver state based on the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters and the second driver variables, and to determine a drive cost function corresponding to the determined driver state and environmental parameters. As referenced in Figure 3, the formulation module 160 receives the environmental parameters such as weather, time and temperature and other environmental factors as road condition, traffic etc. The formulation module 160 also receives second driver variables such as short term variables including attention and stress, mid term variables including fatigue and drowsiness, and long term variables including as age, experience and personality. Based on these environmental parameters, second driver variables, previous ride statistics of the rider, their condition based record, and an additional set of second driver variables such as control use pattern, body movement, and gaze pattern, the formulation module 160 determines the driver state. Some examples of the driver state are urgency mode, care mode, economy mode, sprint mode, relaxed mode or commute mode which all correspond to different driver states based on requirement of the driver.
[038] In an embodiment, the above-mentioned previous ride statistics including the previous driver variables are collected & stored in data lakes in the remote server 140, where necessary data pre-processing is conducted to filter out any anomalies on the same. The ride statistics of the driver are segregated to construct driver behavioural matrix & user specific drive cycle using data driven methods. As a result, the drive cost function is calculated based on customer preference as determined from the driver behavioural matrix.
[039] The drive cost function is determined corresponding to the determined driver state and environmental parameters. Herein, the drive cost function comprises at least one of a fuel consumption by the vehicle, softness of the suspension of the vehicle, and pitching of the vehicle, which can be customised corresponding to the driver state and environmental parameters. For example, in operation, a driver usually rides from their home to office and back daily in fuel efficient driving style, the system 100 automatically adjusts to provide best fuel economy by limiting the pickup, decreasing the dynamics of throttle position, suggesting the best tyre pressure, changing the fuel map accordingly. Contrastingly, where the driver wants to get and feel the performance of the vehicle 10, the system 100 detects this by studying the change in their driving style and change the driver state to enable the vehicle 10 to provide maximum performance in runtime.
[040] As further illustrated in Figure 2, the remote server 140 comprises a vehicle digital module 180. The vehicle digital module 180 is configured to simulate the vehicle 10 and generate a mathematic model based on a set of dynamic constraints. As illustrated in Figure 5, the dynamic constraints are already stored and dynamically updated within the remote server 140. The dynamic constraints include age of the vehicle 10 due to time, age of the vehicle 10 due to usage, service & updates history of the vehicle 10, model & variant of the vehicle 10, software platform being used by the vehicle 10, failure statistics of the vehicle 10, and health diagnostic data of different sub-systems of the vehicle 10. The vehicle digital module 180 contains individual mathematical models in relation to various important components and sub-systems of the vehicle 10 such as battery, motor, battery management system, the vehicle control unit 130, tyres, chassis, forks and the suspension or rear spring.
[041] As illustrated in Figure 2, the remote server 140 has an actuator optimisation module 170. The actuator optimisation module 170 is configured to receive the drive cost function from the formulation module 160, and the drive cycle from the driver modelling module 150, and the generated mathematical model from the vehicle digital module 180. The drive cost function, the drive cycle, and the mathematical model define the target vehicle attributes, such as, desired pitch of the suspension, desired air fuel intake of the vehicle, etc. Based on the drive cost function, the drive cycle and the generated mathematical model, the actuator optimisation module 170 determines actuator control parameters that achieve the target vehicle attributes.
[042] Herein, the vehicle digital module 180 is configured to perform twin functions. In addition to mathematically modelling the vehicle 10 as explained hereinbefore, the vehicle digital module 180 is also configured to determine behaviour of the mathematical model of the vehicle 10 in response to the determined actuator control parameters to simulate the behaviour of the different components/ actuators/ sub-systems of the vehicle 10 to achieve the target vehicle attributes.
[043] The remote serve 140 further comprises a drive characteristics verification module 190. The drive characteristics verification module 190 is configured to receive behaviour of the vehicle in accordance with the actuator control parameters based on the mathematical model, from the vehicle digital module 180. Thereafter the drive characteristics verification module 190 is configured to perform safety analysis of the vehicle attributes achieved in response to the actuator control parameters by comparing the obtained vehicle attributes with specified thresholds or target vehicle attributes, and identify any safety violations. Based on any identified safety violations, the drive characteristics verification module 190 is further configured to adjust the actuator control parameters for the vehicle attributes to be within the specified thresholds, and communicate the adjusted actuator control parameters and the target vehicle attributes to the vehicle control unit 130. Once the adjusted actuator control parameters and the target vehicle attributes are received by the vehicle control unit 130, the vehicle control unit 130 suitably provides electrical commands to the actuators 120 for calibrating the existing vehicle attributes in accordance with the target vehicle attributes in runtime of the vehicle 10.
[044] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method 200 for dynamic customisation of drive characteristics of a vehicle 10. The steps involved in the method 200 for dynamic customisation of the drive characteristics of the vehicle 10 are illustrated in Figure 6. As illustrated, at step 201, one or more input vehicle parameters, one or more environmental parameters and one or more second driver variables are sensed by a plurality of vehicle sensors 110. In an embodiment, the input vehicle parameters comprise one or more of, but not limited to a throttle input, clutch actuation, steering angle, brake actuation, and weight distribution in the vehicle. Similarly, the environmental parameters comprise one or more of, but not limited to altitude, air pressure, ambient temperature, traffic, inclination of a road surface, road infrastructure and humidity. Similarly, the second driver variables comprise one or more of, but not limited to heartbeat of the driver, alertness of the driver, and acceleration of the driver. The sensors 110 are installed on the vehicle 10 and are configured to gauge the parameters are explained hereinbefore. In an embodiment, the sensors 110 for sensing the second driver variables such as the heartbeat of the driver, alertness and acceleration are provided in wearable device such as a watch or a helmet that is worn by the driver.
[045] At step 202, the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters and the second driver variables are received by a vehicle control unit 130 from the plurality of sensors 110. Further, at step 203, the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters, and the second driver variables are communicated by the vehicle control unit 130 to a remote server 140.
[046] At step 204, the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters and the second driver variables are processed by the remote server 140 based on pre-stored information of first driver variables, among other variables. On processing of the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters and the second driver variables, actuator control parameters and target vehicle attributes are provided by the remote server 140.
[047] At step 205, the actuator control parameters and the target vehicle attributes are received by the vehicle control unit 130 from the remote server 140. Thereafter at step 205, a plurality of actuators 120 are operated by the vehicle control unit 130 for calibrating the existing vehicle attributes in accordance with the target vehicle attributes, thus customising the drive characteristics.
[048] As further illustrated in Figure 7, in an embodiment, the step 204 of the method 200 further comprises steps 204A-204F. As illustrated, after step 203, at step 204A, a drive cycle is determined based on the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters and the second driver variables, and first driver variables, by a driver modelling module 150 of the remote server 140.
[049] At step 204B, a driver state is determined by a formulation module 160 of the remote server 140 based on the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters and the second driver variables. A drive cost function is determined corresponding to the determined driver state and the environmental parameters.
[050] At step 204C, the vehicle 10 is simulated and a mathematical model is generated, by a vehicle digital module 180 of the remote server 140, based on a set of dynamic constraints.
[051] At step 204D, the drive cost function is received by an actuator optimisation module 170 of the remote server 140, from the formulation module 160. Further, the drive cycle is received by the actuator optimisation module 170 from the driver modelling module 150. In addition, the generated mathematical model is received by the actuator optimisation module 170 from the vehicle digital module 180. The drive cost function, the drive cycle, and the mathematical model define the target vehicle attributes. Based on the drive cost function, the drive cycle, and the generated mathematical model, actuator control parameters are determined by the actuator optimisation module 170.
[052] At step 204E, the behaviour of the mathematical model of the vehicle 10 is determined in response to the determined actuator control parameters to achieve the target vehicle attributes by the vehicle digital module 180.
[053] At step 204F, the behaviour of the vehicle in accordance with the actuator control parameters based on the mathematical model, is received by a drive characteristics verification module 190 of the remote server 140 from the digital module 180. Thereafter, a safety analysis of the vehicle attributes achieved in response to the actuator control parameters, is performed by the drive characteristics verification module 190 by comparing the obtained vehicle attributes to specified thresholds, and any safety violations are identified. Based on any identified safety violations, the actuator control parameters are adjusted by the drive characteristics verification module 190 to be within the specified thresholds, and the method moves to step 205 wherein the adjusted actuator control parameters and target vehicle attributes are communicated to the vehicle control unit 130. Thereafter as in step 205 and step 206, electrical commands are suitably provided by the vehicle control unit 130 to the actuators 120 for calibrating the vehicle attributes in accordance with the target vehicle attributes.
[054] Advantageously, the present invention provides a system and a method for dynamic customisation of drive characteristics of a vehicle, where user based customisation of the drive characteristics such as fuel consumption of vehicle, softness of suspension, pitching of vehicle is achieved in real time, which enhances the overall user experience.
[055] Further, the present invention allows for the customisation of drive characteristics according to the driving style of the driver, as a result of which the vehicle adjusts to the driving style and requirement of the driver instead of the driver having to adjust their driving style according to the vehicle.
[056] Furthermore, the present invention eliminates the limitation of drive characteristics being customised only one time during the start of the ride, and allows for drive characteristics customisation dynamically throughput the ride. The dynamic customisation is achieved while accounting for factors such as environmental factors like road condition and driver factors such fatigue, driving style etc. Further the present invention allows the driver to intervene in a middle of a trip, which allows the drivers to make better informed and correct decisions, thus enhancing vehicle safety.
[057] In addition, implementation of the system and method of the present invention on a remote server instead of locally on the vehicle allows for more complex computations, modelling, larger data storage without being a burden on the vehicle ECUs. Further, the deployment of target vehicle attributes is dynamically performed, only after the safety analysis of the target vehicle attributes on the remote server is performed, thus ensuring better safety and jerk proof transition in drive characteristics.
[058] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

List of Reference Numerals
10: Vehicle
100: System for Dynamic Customisation of Drive Characteristics
110: Plurality of Vehicle Sensors
120: Plurality of Actuators
130: Vehicle Control Unit
140: Remote Server
150: Driver Modelling Module
160: Formulation Module
170: Actuator Optimisation Module
180: Vehicle Digital Module
190: Drive Characteristics Verification Module
200: Method for Dynamic Customisation of Drive Characteristics
, Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A system (100) for dynamic customisation of drive characteristics of a vehicle (10), the system comprising:
a plurality of vehicle sensors (110) for sensing one or more input vehicle parameters, one or more environmental parameters, and one or more second driver variables;
a plurality of actuators (120) configured to calibrate one or more vehicle attributes; and
a vehicle control unit (130) in communication with the plurality of the vehicle sensors (110), the plurality of actuators (120) and a remote server (140), the vehicle control unit (130) being configured to:
receive the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters, and the second driver variables from the plurality of vehicle sensors (110);
communicate the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters, and the second driver variables to the remote server (140), wherein the remote server (140) being configured to process the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters and the second driver variables based on pre-stored information of first driver variables and determine actuator control parameters and target vehicle attributes;
receive the actuator control parameters and the target vehicle attributes from the remote server (140); and
operate the plurality of actuators (120) for calibrating the vehicle attributes in accordance with the target vehicle attributes, thus customising the drive characteristics.

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the input vehicle parameters comprise one or more of throttle input, clutch actuation, steering angle, brake actuation, and weight distribution in the vehicle (10).

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the environmental parameters comprise one or more of altitude, air pressure, ambient temperature, traffic, inclination of a road surface, road infrastructure, and humidity.

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second driver variables comprise one or more of heartbeat of the driver, alertness of the driver, and acceleration of the driver.

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the remote server (140) comprises a driver modelling module (150) configured to determine a drive cycle based on the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters, the second driver variables, and the first driver variables.

6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the remote server (140) comprises a formulation module (160) configured to determine a driver state based on the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters, and the second driver variables, and to determine a drive cost function corresponding to the determined driver state and the environmental parameters.

7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the drive cost function comprises at least one of a fuel consumption by the vehicle, softness of the suspension of the vehicle, and pitching of the vehicle.

8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the remote server (140) comprises a vehicle digital module (180) configured to simulate the vehicle (10) and generate a mathematical model based on a set of dynamic constraints.

9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 8 wherein the remote server (140) comprises an actuator optimisation module (170) configured to:
receive the drive cost function from the formulation module (160), the drive cycle from the driver modelling module (150), and the generated mathematical model from the vehicle digital module (180) and determine actuator control parameters, wherein the vehicle digital module (180) is further configured to determine behaviour of the mathematical model of the vehicle in response to the determined actuator control parameters to achieve the target vehicle attributes.

10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the remote server (140) comprises a drive characteristics verification module (190) being configured to receive the behaviour of the vehicle (10) in accordance with the actuator control parameters based on the mathematical model, from the vehicle digital module (180) and perform safety analysis of the vehicle attributes achieved in response to the actuator control parameters by comparing the obtained vehicle attributes with specified thresholds, and identify any safety violations.

11. The system (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the drive characteristics verification module (190) being further configured to adjust the actuator control parameters to be within the specified thresholds, and communicate the adjusted actuator control parameters and the target vehicle attributes to the vehicle control unit (130) for calibrating the vehicle attributes in accordance with the target vehicle attributes.

12. A method (200) for dynamic customisation of drive characteristics of a vehicle (10), the method comprising the steps of:
sensing, by a plurality of vehicle sensors (110), one or more input vehicle parameters, one or more environmental parameters and one or more second driver variables;
receiving, by a vehicle control unit (130), the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters and the second driver variables from the plurality of vehicle sensors (110);
communicating, by the vehicle control unit (130), the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters, the second driver variables to a remote server (140);
processing, by the remote server (140), the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters and the second driver variables based on pre-stored information of first driver variables and determining actuator control parameters and target vehicle attributes;
receiving, by the vehicle control unit (130), the actuator control parameters target vehicle attributes from the remote server (140); and
operating, by the vehicle control unit (130), a plurality of actuators (120) for calibrating the vehicle attributes in accordance with the target vehicle attributes, thus customising the drive characteristics.

13. The method (200) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the input vehicle parameters comprise one or more of throttle input, clutch actuation, steering angle, brake actuation and weight distribution in the vehicle (10).

14. The method (200) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the environmental parameters comprise one or more of altitude, air pressure, ambient temperature, traffic, inclination of a road surface, road infrastructure and humidity.

15. The method (200) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the second driver variables comprise one or more of heartbeat of the driver, alertness of the driver, and acceleration of the driver.

16. The method (200) as claimed in claim 12, comprising the step of:
determining, by a driver modelling module (150) of the remote server (140), a drive cycle based on the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters, the second driver variables, and first driver variables.

17. The method (200) as claimed in claim 16, comprising the step of:
determining, by a formulation module (160) of the remote server (140), a driver state based on the input vehicle parameters, the environmental parameters and the second driver variables, and to determine a drive cost function corresponding to the determined driver state and environmental parameters.

18. The method (200) as claimed in claim 17, wherein the drive cost function comprises at least one of a fuel consumption by the vehicle, softness of the suspension of the vehicle and pitching of the vehicle.

19. The method (200) as claimed in claim 17, comprising the step of simulation of the vehicle (10) and generation a mathematical model, by a vehicle digital module (180) of the remote server (140), based on a set of dynamic constraints.

20. The method (200) as claimed in claim 19, comprising the steps of:
receiving, by an actuator optimisation module (170) of the remote server (140), the drive cost function from the formulation module (160), the drive cycle from the driver modelling module (150), and the generated mathematical model from the vehicle digital module (180) and determine actuator control parameters; and
determining, by the vehicle digital module (180), behaviour of the mathematical model of the vehicle (10) in response to the determined actuator control parameters to achieve the target vehicle attributes.

21. The method (200) as claimed in claim 20, comprising the steps:
receiving, by a drive characteristics verification module (190) of the remote server (140), behaviour of the vehicle (10) in accordance with the actuator control parameters based on the mathematical model, from the vehicle digital module (180); and
performing, by the drive characteristics verification module (190), safety analysis of the vehicle attributes achieved in response to the actuator control parameters by comparing the obtained vehicle attributes with specified thresholds, and identify any safety violations.

22. The method (200) as claimed in claim 21, comprising the steps of:
adjusting, by the drive characteristics verification module (190), the actuator control parameters to be within the specified thresholds; and
communicating, by the drive characteristics verification module (190), the adjusted actuator control parameters and the target vehicle attributes to the vehicle control unit (130) for calibrating the vehicle attributes in accordance with the target vehicle attributes.

Dated this 08th day of September 2022

TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
By their Agent & Attorney

(Nikhil Ranjan)
of Khaitan & Co
Reg No IN/PA-1471