Claims:We claim:

1. A method of selecting driving modes in a vehicle, the method comprising:
receiving, by an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) of a vehicle, measurements of at least one vehicle parameter from one or more electronic circuits in the vehicle in real-time;
determining, by the ECU, a rate of change of the at least one vehicle parameter using the measurements;
comparing, by the ECU, the rate of change of the at least one vehicle parameter with one or more threshold values; and
selecting, by the ECU, a driving mode from a plurality of driving modes based on the comparison, wherein the vehicle is driven according to the selected driving mode.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one vehicle parameter comprises acceleration values, braking value, gear changing values and clutching values.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more electronic circuits comprises a sensor and a Transmission Control Unit (TCU).

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of driving modes comprises an economy mode and a sports mode.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein selecting a drive mode comprises:
selecting the sports mode when, braking value is OFF and, the rate of change of acceleration values is less than a first threshold value, the rate of change of gear changing values is less than a second threshold value and the clutching values is less than the third threshold value; and
selecting the economy mode when, braking value is ON or, the rate of change of acceleration values is less than a first threshold value, the rate of change of gear changing values is less than a second threshold value and the clutching values is less than the third threshold value.

6. An Electronic Control Unit (ECU) of a vehicle, the ECU comprising:
one or more electronic circuits to measure at least one vehicle parameter of the vehicle in real-time; and
one or more controllers configured to:
receive measurements of the at least one vehicle parameter from one or more electronic circuits in the vehicle in real-time;
determine a rate of change of the at least one vehicle parameter using the measurements;
compare the rate of change of the at least one vehicle parameter with one or more threshold values; and
select a driving mode from a plurality of driving modes based on the comparison, wherein the vehicle is driven according to the selected driving mode.

7. The ECU as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one vehicle parameter comprises acceleration values, braking value, gear changing values and clutching values.

8. The ECU as claimed in claim 6, wherein the one or more electronic circuits comprises a sensor and a Transmission Control Unit (TCU).

9. The ECU as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plurality of driving modes comprises an economy mode and a sports mode.

10. The ECU as claimed in claim 6, wherein the one or more controllers are configured to:
select the sports mode when, braking value is OFF and, the rate of change of acceleration values is less than a first threshold value, the rate of change of gear changing values is less than a second threshold value and the clutching values is less than the third threshold value; and
select the economy mode when, braking value is ON or, the rate of change of acceleration values is less than a first threshold value, the rate of change of gear changing values is less than a second threshold value and the clutching values is less than the third threshold value.

, Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10 and Rule 13]

TITLE: “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SELECTING DRIVING MODES IN VEHICLE”

Name and Address of the Applicant: TATA MOTORS LIMITED, an Indian company having its registered office at Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001, Maharashtra

Nationality: Indian

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present disclosure relates to automobile industry. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to method and system for selecting driving modes in vehicles.

BACKGROUND
[002] In a modern vehicle a plurality of functions are provided to comfort occupants of the vehicle. The functions can be implemented to provide comfort to occupants or to enrich driving experience or to improve performance of the vehicle. One such function is driving modes. Driving modes is implemented in the vehicle to improve driving experience and/ or to improve vehicle performance. There can be several driving modes such as economy mode, sports mode, normal mode, and the like.

[003] Generally, buttons are provided on an instrument cluster of the vehicle or on a dashboard of the vehicle to select the different modes. A driver generally selects the required driving mode when required, by pressing the appropriate button. When the driving mode is selected, the engine responds accordingly and the vehicle is driven according to the driving mode. However, in the current vehicles, the driver has to manually select the driving modes. Also, the driver has to frequently and dynamically change the modes during the journey. Also, once the mode is selected, the vehicle is driven in the same mode even when the road conditions are changed.

[004] Hence, there is a need for automatically selecting the driving mode to enrich the driving experience of the driver.

[005] The information disclosed in this background of the disclosure section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

SUMMARY
[006] In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method of selecting driving modes in a vehicle. The method comprises measuring at least one vehicle parameter using one or more electronic circuits in real-time. Further, the method comprises determining a rate of change of the at least one vehicle parameter based on the measurements. Thereafter, the method comprises comparing the rate of change of the at least one vehicle parameter with one or more threshold values. Further, the method comprises selecting a driving mode from a plurality of driving modes based on the comparison.

[007] In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) of the vehicle. The ECU comprises one or more functions configured to measure at least one vehicle parameter using one or more electronic circuits in real-time. Further, the ECU determines a rate of change of the at least one vehicle parameter based on the measurements. Thereafter, the ECU compares the rate of change of the at least one vehicle parameter with one or more threshold values. Further, the ECU selects a driving mode from a plurality of driving modes based on the comparison

[008] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[009] The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
[0010] Figure 1 is illustration a block diagram for selecting driving mode in a vehicle in real-time, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2 is an exemplary illustration of a flowchart for selecting driving mode in a vehicle in real-time, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 3 illustrates detailed steps for selecting driving modes in a vehicle in real-time, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 4a illustrates a block diagram for selecting driving mode for an intelligent manual transmission (iMT) vehicle, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 4b illustrates a block diagram for selecting driving mode for an automatic manual transmission (AMT) vehicle, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 4c illustrates a block diagram for selecting driving mode for an automatic transmission (AT) vehicle, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure

[0016] Figure 4d illustrates a block diagram for selecting driving mode for an electric vehicle, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0017] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagram herein represent conceptual views of illustrative systems embodying the principles of the present subject matter. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transition diagrams, pseudo code, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0019] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[0020] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.

[0021] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to selecting driving mode in a vehicle in real-time. An Electronic Control Unit (ECU) of the vehicle obtains measurements from accelerator, brake, clutch and gear box via a gear lever in real-time. Further, the ECU determines a rate of change of the above measurements. The rate of change of the measurements indicates how the driver is driving the vehicle. Further, the ECU compares the rate of change of the measurements with threshold values and selects the driving mode based on the comparison.

[0022] Figure 1 shows a system for selecting driving modes in a vehicle in real-time. The system may include an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) (101), a dash board (102) comprising one or more buttons (103a, 103b, 103c) for selecting driving mode. In an embodiment, the one or more buttons (103a, 103b, 103c) can be used to select an automatic mode for selecting the driving mode. For example, the one or more buttons (103a, 103b, 103c) can include a sports mode button (103a), an economy mode button (103b) and an auto mode button (103c). A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the driving modes are not limited to sports mode and economy mode and can include several other modes commonly known in the art. The two modes indicated in the present disclosure is only for illustrative purpose. When the auto mode (103c) is selected, the sports mode and the economy mode is selected automatically by the vehicle. In one embodiment, when the automatic mode is not selected, the driving modes may be selected manually. For example, the driver may manually select the sports mode and the economy mode according to need. The system further comprises actuators (104) including an accelerator pedal (104a), a brake pedal (104b), a clutch pedal (104c) and a gear lever (104d).The actuators (104) is associated with a sensor circuit (105). The sensor circuit (105) comprises an Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) sensor, a Brake Pedal Position (BPP) sensor, a Clutch Pedal Position (CPP) sensor and a Gear Position (GP) sensor. In some embodiments, other electronic circuits such as Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may be used to receive gear position measurements. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that other electronic circuits apart from the TCU can be used to obtain the at least one parameter and the present disclosure is not limited only to TCU. The ECU (101) receives the measurements from the sensor circuit (105) and determines which driving mode to be selected based on the measurements. The ECU uses logic blocks to decide which driving mode to select using the measurements. Further, the ECU (101) provides a signal to an Engine Management System (EMS) (106) for enabling the selected driving mode. In some embodiments, the EMS may include a Throttle Controller which controls a throttle valve of the vehicle according to the selected mode. For example, when the ECU (101) sends a signal indicating that the sports mode is selected, the throttle valves may be made more sensitive allowing more fuel and/ or air mixture into an engine of the vehicle, enabling faster acceleration of the vehicle. When the ECU (101) sends a signal indicating that the economy mode is selected, the throttle valves may be controlled to restrictedly allow fuel and/ or air mixture into the engine, thus efficiently utilizing the fuel. Consequently, engine maps may be modified according to automatic selecting of the driving modes. The engine maps may comprise throttle loads and throttle positions.

[0023] Figure 2 shows a flow chart illustrating a method of selecting driving modes in a vehicle in real-time, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] As illustrated in Figure 2, the method (200) may comprise one or more steps. The method (200) may be described in the general context of computer executable instructions. Generally, computer executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, modules, and functions, which perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types.

[0025] The order in which the method (200) is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.

[0026] At step (201), the ECU (101) may receive measurements of at least one vehicle parameter from one or more electronic circuits. In an embodiment, the at least one parameter acceleration values, braking values, clutching values and gear changing values. Further, the measurements of the at least one parameter is made using the one or more electronic circuits. In an embodiment, the one or more electronic circuits may include the sensor circuit (105). As described above, the sensor circuit (105) comprises various sensors for measuring different vehicle parameter. Also, the one or more electronic circuits can include TCU for measuring few parameters for Intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT) vehicles, Automatic Manual Transmission (AMT) vehicles and Automatic Transmission (AT) vehicles.

[0027] At step (202), the ECU (101) determines a rate of change of the at least one parameter using the measurements. The ECU (101) receives the measurements in real-time and periodic measurements can be used to determine the rate of change of the at least one parameter. For example, the ECU (101) can obtain acceleration values as a time series data (t1, t2, t3, …, tn) and determine at what rate the acceleration values are changing. The acceleration values can decrease over time in a traffic condition or increase over time in a free-way. The acceleration values can follow a specific pattern including increase and decrease in the values in a free way having curves. Likewise, the rate of change of braking values, clutching values and the gear change can be obtained by receiving measurements from respective electronic circuits.

[0028] At step (203), the ECU (101) compares the rate of change of the at least one parameter with one or more threshold values. In some embodiments, the rate of change of the at least one vehicle parameter can indicate a mood of the driver. For instance, when the rate of change of acceleration values, clutching values, and the gear changing values are high, then the ECU (101) may determine that the driver may require the sports mode. Likewise, the rate of change of acceleration values, clutching values, and the gear changing values are low, the ECU (101) may determine that the driver may require the economy mode. In some embodiments, the ECU (101) may comprise one or more threshold values with which the rate of change of the at least one parameter is compared. For example, a first threshold value can indicate an gear change threshold, a second threshold value can indicate a clutching threshold and likewise. In an embodiment, the one or more threshold values may be set by a service engineer of the vehicle or the ECU (101) can set the one or more threshold values based on driving pattern of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the driving pattern of the vehicle can be determined using Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques.

[0029] At step (204), the ECU (101) selects a driving mode from the plurality of driving modes based on the comparison. The steps of selecting is described in detail in Figure 3.

[0030] The method steps of Figure 3 is implemented when the comparison is made in step (203) in Figure 2. As shown, the brake pedal (104b) is monitored and at step (301) the ECU (101) determines if the brake is pressed. When the brake is pressed, the ECU (101) selects the economy mode at step (303). Brakes being applied indicates that the vehicle may be in a traffic condition or may be halted. Hence, the ECU (101) determines that economy mode can be selected as the braked are applied. At step (301) when the brakes are not applied, further determination is made at step (302). At step (302) the gear change rate is compared with the first threshold value, the clutching actuation rate is compared with a second threshold value and the acceleration rate is compared with a third threshold value. When the gear change rate is less than the first threshold value, the clutch actuation rate is less than the second threshold value and the acceleration rate is less than the third threshold value, the sports mode is selected at step (304). When the condition in step (302) is satisfied, it indicates that the driver may require fast acceleration and the ECU (101) selects the sports mode. When the gear change rate is more than the first threshold value, or when the clutch actuation rate is more than the second threshold value and when the acceleration rate is more than the third threshold value, the economy mode is selected at step (303). When the condition in step (301) and (302) are not satisfied, it indicates that the vehicle may be in a traffic condition or a condition where fast acceleration is not possible. Hence, the ECU (101) selects the economy mode.

[0031] Referring to Figure 4a, the block diagram illustrates selecting the driving mode for a IMT vehicle. As seen, in IMT vehicle, the clutch pedal is not present and the clutching is performed automatically using actuators. Therefore, in such vehicles, the clutching rate is determined using inputs from the TCU. The ECU (101) thus makes use the inputs and selects a driving mode for the IMT vehicle.

[0032] Referring to Figure 4b, the block diagram illustrates selecting the driving mode for a AMT vehicle. As seen, in AMT vehicle, the clutch pedal and the gear lever are not present and the clutching and gear shift are performed automatically using actuators. Therefore, in such vehicles, the clutching rate and gear changing rate are determined using inputs from the TCU. The ECU (101) thus makes use the inputs and selects a driving mode for the AMT vehicle.

[0033] Referring to Figure 4c, the block diagram illustrates selecting the driving mode for a AT vehicle. As seen, in AT vehicle, the clutch pedal and the gear lever are not present and the clutching and gear shift are performed using different technology such as torque converter, Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT), dual-clutch transmissions. Therefore, in such vehicles, the clutching rate and gear changing rate are determined using inputs from the TCU. The ECU (101) thus makes use the inputs and selects a driving mode for the AT vehicle.

[0034] Referring to Figure 4d, the block diagram illustrates selecting the driving mode for Electric Vehicles. As seen, in EVs, only battery powered motors are used. EVs comprise an accelerator and a brake. Accelerator increases the power supplied from the battery to the motor, which increases the speed. Hence, the ECU (101) receives acceleration values and brake values alone to select the driving mode. The ECU (101) provides the selected driving mode to a Electric Powertrain Management System (EPMS) (405). The EPMS (405) drives the electric motor according to the selected mode. For example, in EVs, sports mode may consume more battery power while economy mode may consume less battery power. The EPMS (405) may control power consumption from the battery according to the selected mode.

[0035] In some embodiments, the driving mode can be selected based on driving pattern of the driver. The driving pattern of the driver can be determines using AI techniques, which can monitor the driving pattern of the driver over time and can save the driving pattern. Accordingly, the driving mode can be selected. In an embodiment, the driving pattern can identify the user driving the vehicle automatically. For example, the AI technique may be initiated every time the vehicle is started and monitors the driving pattern of the vehicle until the vehicle is stopped.

[0036] The present disclosure enables automatic selection of the driving pattern thus providing seamless driving experience to occupants. Also, the performance of the vehicle is improved as modes are selected automatically according to driving conditions. Reminders may not be required to change the driving modes.

[0037] In light of the above mentioned advantages and the technical advancements provided by the disclosed method and system, the claimed steps as discussed are not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed steps enable the following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. Further, the claimed steps clearly bring an improvement in the functioning of the device itself as the claimed steps provide a technical solution to a technical problem.

[0038] The terms "an embodiment", "embodiment", "embodiments", "the embodiment", "the embodiments", "one or more embodiments", "some embodiments", and "one embodiment" mean "one or more (but not all) embodiments of the invention(s)" unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0039] The terms "including", "comprising", “having” and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to", unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0040] The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms "a", "an" and "the" mean "one or more", unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0041] A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the invention.

[0042] When a single device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that more than one device/article (whether or not they cooperate) may be used in place of a single device/article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein (whether or not they cooperate), it will be readily apparent that a single device/article may be used in place of the more than one device or article or a different number of devices/articles may be used instead of the shown number of devices or programs. The functionality and/or the features of a device may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices which are not explicitly described as having such functionality/features. Thus, other embodiments of the invention need not include the device itself.

[0043] The illustrated operations of Figure 3 shows certain events occurring in a certain order. In alternative embodiments, certain operations may be performed in a different order, modified or removed. Moreover, steps may be added to the above described logic and still conform to the described embodiments. Further, operations described herein may occur sequentially or certain operations may be processed in parallel. Yet further, operations may be performed by a single processing unit or by distributed processing units.

[0044] Finally, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based here on. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

[0045] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

REFERRAL NUMERALS:

Part Number Part Description
101 ECU
102 Dash board
103 Buttons
104 Pedals and gear lever
105 Sensor circuit
106 EMS
401 TCU
402 Clutch actuator
403 Gear actuator
404 Automatic transmission
405 EPMS