DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure is generally related to haptic feedback module based audio system and more particularly to a system and a method for providing haptic feedback to augment audio information in a saddle type electric vehicle such as a scooter, a motorcycle and so on in order to receive the information without affecting the focus of a rider while driving, thereby reducing road accident.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Riding of a vehicle, especially a saddle type vehicle involves navigating fairly high-intensity traffic conditions and the high amount of audio-visual road stimuli around a rider. In such situations, the rider may lose important audio information available to him.
[0003] The audio information may be an audio alert from the vehicle such as vehicle faults, navigation notification, indicator sound, and so on, that is received from an audio device available on the vehicle or from an external device such as a mobile phone, microphone. In the case of a saddle-type vehicle such as a motorcycle or scooter, the chances of failing to listen to the audio information are more likely as the amount of ambient noise is very high. Therefore, providing feedback to a user on the audio information without affecting the focus of the rider would be valuable to the user and enhance the overall user experience while riding the vehicle.
[0004] US9189932B2 discloses a haptic notification apparatus and method. This invention relates generally to a haptic notification apparatus and method which allows a user to be notified through a haptic interface allowing notifications to be perceived by a user as coordinated sensations. Preferably, the coordinated sensations are generated by providing a plurality of conducting electrodes having at least one insulator per electrode, allowing skin nerve endings of user to be stimulated via capacitive coupling over said insulator. The apparatus and method also preferably includes a sensor which is configured to sense movement or rotation in any axis and sense electronic nerve signals or pressure from muscle contractions in order to allow a user to respond to a haptic notification.
[0005] Conventionally, there exist various methods and systems for helping a user(s) through audio information while driving. However, in order to achieve the objective, a combination of a traction motor, a vehicle control unit, and a motor control unit is used for augmenting audio information in a vehicle while driving.
[0006] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there is a need to provide a system and a method that is an enhancement to the normal vehicle and is capable of informing a rider about drive intensive useful information such as navigation, indicator sound, fault in a vehicle, traffic, turns etc. through an audio information without affecting the focus of the rider, thereby reducing road accidents.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system that helps in augmenting an audio information in a vehicle.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system that helps in safe driving by eliminating the chances of failing to listen the important audio information from the vehicle.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system that helps in avoiding road accidents by providing drive-intensive audio information such as navigation, indicator sound, fault in a vehicle, traffic, turns etc. without affecting the focus of the rider.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system that helps in gathering the audio information and giving feedback according to received information even during intense traffic condition and when the amount of audio-visual road stimuli around the rider is very high.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system that helps in allowing the rider to receive and perceive notification through a data receiving module and determining a haptic parameter based on that notification.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system that is quick and responsive.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a scalable/versatile system that adds multiple features/accessories with minimal changes in the system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention relates to a multipurpose system installed in a vehicle for augmenting audio information in a vehicle while driving and giving feedback according to received information even when traffic condition and the amount of audio-visual road stimuli around the rider is very high, thereby providing safe driving by eliminating the chances of failing to listen to the important audio information from the vehicle.
[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a system for augmenting audio information in an electric vehicle, comprising, a traction motor mounted on a vehicle frame to receive power from an energy storage device and deliver torque to drive the vehicle, wherein the vehicle is a saddle type electric vehicle that is anyone of a scooter, or a motorcycle and the energy storage device is anyone of a Lithium-ion battery, a Nickel Cadmium battery, or Nickel Metal Hydride battery or any other energy storage device that is configured to store and supply energy, a vehicle control unit having a data receiving module and a haptic feedback module, wherein the haptic feedback module is configured for determining a haptic actuation parameter based on the parameters of an audio information received by the data receiving module, wherein the data receiving module receive the audio information from an interface, such as interfaces for data input and output devices that is anyone of an I/O devices, a storage device, or a network devices, wherein the data receiving module receives the audio information from at least one of an external device of the vehicle or an audio file available on vehicle by anyone of a wireless communication, wired communication and a vehicle data bus.
[0017] According to an another embodiment of the present invention, the system for augmenting audio information in an electric vehicle, further comprising, a motor control unit configured with the motor for controlling the torque delivered by the motor, wherein the motor control unit is communicatively coupled to the haptic feedback module and includes a haptic request module that determines a haptic torque waveform based on the haptic actuation parameters and motor operating parameters that is anyone of a motor RPM (Rotation Per Minute), a motor torque, a phase current/voltage, a DC current/voltage, wherein the haptic actuation parameter also depends on other structural parameters like mass, stiffness etc. of the vehicle frame, a torque determination module that determines a torque profile based on a torque demand and the haptic torque waveform, and a motor controller that regulates the motor for delivering the torque profile.
[0018] According to an another embodiment of the present invention, a method for augmenting audio information in an electric vehicle, including, receiving an audio information available to a user by a data receiving module, determining a haptic actuation parameter based on the audio information by a haptic feedback module, wherein the data receiving module and the haptic feedback module relates to a vehicle control unit, determining a torque demand from the user by a torque determination module, determining a haptic torque waveform based on the haptic actuation parameters and the motor operating parameters by a haptic request module, determining a torque profile to be delivered by a traction motor based on the haptic torque waveform and the torque demand by the torque determination module, wherein the traction motor is mounted on a vehicle frame that is to receive power from an energy storage device and deliver torque to drive the vehicle wherein that is a saddle type electric vehicle that is anyone of a scooter, or a motorcycle and the energy storage device is anyone of a Lithium-ion battery, a Nickel Cadmium battery, or Nickel Metal Hydride battery, or any other energy storage device that is configured to store and supply energy and regulating the motor for delivering the torque profile by a motor controller, wherein a motor control unit includes the haptic request module, the torque determination module, and the motor controller.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of systems, methods, and embodiments of various other aspects of the disclosure. Any person with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g. boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. It may be that in some examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of one element may be implemented as an external component in another, and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale. Non-limiting and non-exhaustive descriptions are described with reference to the following drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating principles.
[0020] Fig. 1 illustrates a line diagram of a system 100, according to an embodiment of a present invention; and
[0021] Fig. 2 illustrates a flow chart depicting a method 200, according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which, like numerals represent like elements throughout the several figures, and in which example embodiments are shown. Embodiments of the claims may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples and are merely examples among other possible examples.
[0023] Some embodiments of this invention, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,” and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.
[0024] It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any systems and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present invention, the preferred systems and methods are now described.
[0025] The present invention relates to a system and a method for augmenting audio information in a saddle type electric vehicle such as scooter, motorcycle without affecting the focus of a rider, thereby eliminating the chances of failing to listen to the audio information even when the amount of ambient noise is very high.
[0026] Referring to Fig. 1, the system 100 includes a traction motor 102, a vehicle control unit 104 and a motor control unit 106. As discussed in detail below, the system 100 provides a haptic or tactile feedback using the traction motor 102 on an electric vehicle (or vehicle), to augment audio information available to the user. The traction motor 102 is mounted on a vehicle frame. The traction motor 102 receives power from an energy storage device (not shown) and configured to deliver torque to drive the electric vehicle. In an embodiment, the electric vehicle is a saddle type electric vehicle such as scooter, motorcycle, or a saddle type hybrid vehicle and so on. The energy storage device is an onboard battery such as Lithium-ion battery, a Nickel Cadmium battery, or Nickel Metal Hydride battery, or any other energy storage device that is configured to store and supply energy and the traction motor 102 delivers torque to one or more wheels of the electric vehicle.
[0027] The vehicle control unit 104 includes a data receiving module 104a and a haptic feedback module 104b. The data receiving module 104a receives the audio information available to the user and the haptic feedback module 104b is configured to determine a haptic actuation parameters based on the audio information. The data receiving module 104a may receive the audio information from an interface. The interface(s) may include a variety of interfaces, for example, interfaces for data input and output devices, referred to as I/O devices, storage devices, network devices and the like which generates the audio information. In an embodiment, the interface may be an external device 108a such as mobile phone that creates the audio information such as call notification or mobile phone-based navigation alert. In another embodiment, the interface may be within the vehicle. The audio information may correspond to a vehicle fault alert, navigation guidance, indicator sound, and so on. In another embodiment, the audio information may correspond to any other type of information that can be converted to the audio form. The data receiving module 104a receives the audio information through a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system may include, for example, digital cellular systems, Bluetooth systems, wireless LAN systems, infrared systems, radio frequency identification (RFID), near field communication (NFC), etc. A vehicle data bus (such as a controller area network (CAN)) may be used to communicate the audio information to the data receiving module 104a.
[0028] The haptic feedback module 104b receives the audio information from the data receiving module 104a and is configured to determine the haptic actuation parameters, based on the received audio information. The haptic actuation parameters may include frequency, amplitude, wavelength, timbre and pitch range that are determined based on the frequency, amplitude, wavelength, timbre and pitch of the audio information. In a preferred embodiment, in addition to the frequency, amplitude, wavelength, timbre and pitch of the audio information, the structural characteristics of the vehicle frame such as mass, stiffness and so on are considered to calculate the haptic actuation parameters. The haptic feedback module 104b may be a processor that executes a set of instructions stored in the memory to perform the function of determining a haptic torque parameters that augments the audio information. In an embodiment, the haptic feedback module 104b may include an online Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) spectrum analyzer to determine the haptic actuation parameters.
[0029] The motor control unit 106 is coupled to the traction motor 102 for regulating the torque delivered by the traction motor 102. The motor control unit 106 is communicatively coupled to the vehicle control unit 104 to receive the determined haptic actuation parameters. In an embodiment, the communication between the motor control unit 106 and the vehicle control unit 104 may be established by the vehicle data bus (such as the CAN). The motor control unit 106 includes a haptic request module 106a, a torque determination module 106b and a motor controller 106c. The torque determination module 106b determines a torque demand based on a throttle 109 request. In an embodiment, the torque determination module 106b may receive information on the throttle 109 request based on the state of the throttle 109 input. The haptic request module 106a determines the haptic torque waveform based on the determined haptic actuation parameters. In a preferred embodiment, in addition to the haptic actuation parameters, motor operating parameters are also considered to determine the haptic torque waveform. In an embodiment, the motor control unit 106 may comprise information relating to the motor operating parameters which may be communicated to the haptic request module 106a. The motor operating parameters may include but not limited to motor rpm, motor torque, phase current/ voltage, DC current/ voltage. The torque determination module 106b is configured to receive the haptic torque waveform from the haptic request module 106a. The torque determination module 106b further determines a torque profile to be delivered by the traction motor 102 based on the torque demand and the haptic torque waveform. The torque profile is determined by superimposing the haptic torque waveform on the torque demand, wherein the torque demand is determined based on the throttle 109 input and the haptic torque waveform is determined based on the haptic actuation parameters and motor operating parameters by the haptic request module 106a. The motor controller 106c regulates the traction motor 102 based on the determined torque profile, thereby inducing haptic vibrations that augment the audio information. In other words, the motor controller 106c outputs the oscillating voltage signals to the traction motor 102 such that the traction motor 102 delivers the determined torque profile, inducing haptic vibrations and also delivering the user requested torque. The torque output from the traction motor 102 containing the haptic waveforms traverse through the vehicle frame such as metallic chassis and are perceived by the rider as haptic feedback. Hence, the haptic actuation parameters such as frequency, amplitude, wavelength, timbre and pitch besides depending on the audio file amplitude, frequency, wavelength, timbre and pitch content, also depends on other structural parameters of chassis like mass, stiffness etc. One of the main characteristics of this methodology is that it optimizes the latency between haptic trigger and haptic event to improve the overall user experience along with balancing the torque demands from the drive functionality.
[0030] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the functions of the vehicle control unit 104 and the motor control unit 106 as disclosed in the foregoing description shall be combined in a single control unit.
[0031] Fig. 2 illustrates a flow chart of a method 200 for providing haptic feedback using the traction motor 102 on the electric vehicle, to augment the audio information according to an implementation of the present invention. The order in which the method 200 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described steps may be combined in any order to implement the aforementioned subject matter. Furthermore, the method 200 may be implemented by processing resource or computing device(s) through any suitable hardware, non-transitory machine-readable instructions, or a combination thereof. It may also be understood that the method 200 may be performed by programmed computing devices such as system 100 as depicted in Fig. 1.
[0032] The method 200 includes a step 202 of receiving the audio information available to the user by the data receiving module 104a. The audio information may be obtained from at least one of the external device 108a of the vehicle, audio file 108b available on the vehicle. The audio information may be received by at least one of the wireless communication system, wired communication system and the vehicle data bus. In step 204, the haptic actuation parameters corresponding to the audio information is determined by the haptic feedback module 104b. The haptic actuation parameters may include the haptic torque frequency, amplitude, wavelength, timbre and pitch that are dependent on the frequency, amplitude, wavelength, timbre and pitch of the audio information. In an embodiment, the haptic actuation parameters such as frequency, amplitude, wavelength, timbre and pitch besides depending on the audio information, also depends on other structural parameters like mass, stiffness etc. of vehicle frame. In step 206, the torque demand is determined based on the throttle 109 input by the torque determination module 106b. In step 208, the haptic torque waveform is determined based on the haptic actuation parameters and motor operating parameters by the haptic request module 106a. The motor operating parameters may include but not limited to motor RPM, motor torque, phase current/voltage, DC current/voltage. In step 210, the torque profile to be delivered by the traction motor 102 is determined by superimposing the haptic torque waveform determined in step 208 on the torque demand determined in step 206 by the torque determination module 106b. In step 212, the traction motor is controlled to output the torque profile determined in step 210 by the motor controller 106c. The torque profile induces the haptic feedback that augments the audio information and also delivers the user requested torque.
[0033] Moreover, although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.
,CLAIMS:We claim,
1. A system 100 for augmenting audio information in an electric vehicle, comprising:
a traction motor 102 mounted on a vehicle frame, wherein the traction motor 102 is configured to receive power from an energy storage device and deliver torque to drive the vehicle;
a vehicle control unit 104 having a data receiving module 104a and a haptic feedback module 104b, wherein the haptic feedback module 104b is configured for determining a haptic actuation parameter based on parameters of an audio information received by the data receiving module 104a; and
a motor control unit 106 configured with the traction motor 102 for controlling the torque delivered by the traction motor 102, wherein the motor control unit 106 is communicatively coupled to the haptic feedback module 104b and includes:
a haptic request module 106a that determines a haptic torque waveform based on the haptic actuation parameters and motor operating parameters;
a torque determination module 106b that determines a torque profile based on a torque demand and the haptic torque waveform; and
a motor controller 106c that regulates the motor 102 for delivering the torque profile.

2. The system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a saddle type electric vehicle that is anyone of a scooter, or a motorcycle.

3. The system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the energy storage device is anyone of a Lithium-ion battery, a Nickel Cadmium battery, or Nickel Metal Hydride battery or any other energy storage device that is configured to store and supply energy.

4. The system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data receiving module 104a receives the audio information from an interface, such as interfaces for data input and output devices that is anyone of I/O devices, a storage device, or a network device.

5. The system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the haptic feedback module 104b determines the haptic actuation parameters based on at least one of an amplitude, a frequency, a wavelength, a timbre and a pitch of the audio information.

6. The system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor operating parameters is anyone of a motor RPM (Rotation Per Minute), a motor torque, a phase current/voltage, a DC current/voltage.

7. The system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the haptic actuation parameter depends on structural parameters like mass, stiffness etc. of the vehicle frame.

8. The system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data receiving module 104a receives the audio information from at least one of an external device of the vehicle or an audio file available on the vehicle.

9. The system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data receiving module 104a receives the audio information by anyone of a wireless communication, wired communication and a vehicle data bus.

10. The system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the torque demand is determined based on throttle 109 input by the torque determination module 106b.

11. A method 200 for augmenting audio information in an electric vehicle, comprising:
receiving, by a data receiving module 104a, an audio information available to a user;
determining, by a haptic feedback module 104b, a haptic actuation parameter based on the audio information;
determining, by a torque determination module 106b, a torque demand from the user;
determining, by a haptic request module 106a, a haptic torque waveform based on the haptic actuation parameters and motor operating parameters;
determining, by the torque determination module 106b, a torque profile to be delivered by a traction motor 102 based on the haptic torque waveform and the torque demand; and
regulating, by a motor controller 106c, the traction motor 102 for delivering the torque profile.

12. The method 200 as claimed in claim 11, wherein the traction motor 102 is mounted on a vehicle frame that is to receive power from an energy storage device and deliver torque to drive the vehicle.

13. The method 200 as claimed in claim 12, wherein the vehicle is a saddle type electric vehicle that is anyone of a scooter, or a motorcycle and the energy storage device is anyone of a Lithium-ion battery, a Nickel Cadmium battery, or Nickel Metal Hydride battery or any other energy storage device that is configured to store and supply energy.

14. The method 200 as claimed in claim 11, wherein the data receiving module 104a and the haptic feedback module 104b relates to a vehicle control unit 104.

15. The method 200 as claimed in claim 11, wherein a motor control unit 106 includes the haptic request module 106a, the torque determination module 106b, and the motor controller 106c.

16. The method 200 as claimed in claim 11, wherein the data receiving module 104b receives the audio information from an interface, such as interfaces for data input and output devices that is anyone of I/O devices, a storage device, or network devices.

17. The method 200 as claimed in claim 11, wherein the haptic feedback module 106a determines the haptic actuation parameters based on at least one of an amplitude, a frequency, a wavelength, a timbre and a pitch of the audio information.

18. The method 200 as claimed in claim 11, wherein the motor operating parameters is anyone of a motor RPM (Rotation Per Minute), a motor torque, a phase current/voltage, a DC current/voltage.

19. The method 200 as claimed in claim 11, wherein the haptic actuation parameter also depends on other structural parameters like mass, stiffness etc. of the vehicle frame.

20. The method 200 as claimed in claim 11, wherein the data receiving module 104a receives the audio information from at least one of an external device of the vehicle or an audio file available on the vehicle.

21. The method 200 as claimed in claim 11, wherein the data receiving module 104a receives the audio information by anyone of a wireless communication, wired communication and a vehicle data bus.

22. The method 200 as claimed in claim 11, wherein the torque demand is determined based on throttle 109 input by the torque determination module 106b.