DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure generally relates to implementations of eco-driving, and, more particularly, relates to emissions reduction, total cost of vehicle ownership assessment, and green-vehicle development.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A system, comprising:
one or more hardware processors; and
a memory storing instructions to configure the one or more hardware processors, wherein the one or more hardware processors are configured by the instructions to:
identify a driver of a vehicle;
determine one or more vehicle condition parameters of the vehicle, wherein the one or more vehicle condition parameters include at least one of: total mileage, tire condition, fuel quality, emission level, brake system condition, clutch system condition, engine system condition, gear system condition, and exhaust system condition;
determine one or more driving condition parameters, wherein the one or more driving condition parameters include at least one of: one or more terrain parameters, one or more weather parameters, and one or more traffic parameters;
determine one or more driving pattern parameters based at least on the driver’s driving pattern, wherein the one or more driving pattern parameters include at least one of: accelerator operation, break operation, gear operation, clutch operation, engine idling, frequency of start-stop, air drag, window control, HVAC usage, tire pressure, vehicle loading, and driving mode selection;
calculate an EcoIndex measuring the real-time environmental impact of the vehicle’s operation based on the one or more vehicle condition parameters, the one or more driving condition parameters, and the one or more driving pattern parameters; and
provide analytical information for controlling vehicle greenhouse gas emissions.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein calculating the EcoIndex comprises:
calculating a vehicle condition index based on the one or more vehicle condition parameters;
calculating a driving condition index based on the one or more driving condition parameters;
calculating a driving pattern index based on the one or more driving pattern parameters; and
calculating the EcoIndex based on the vehicle condition index, the driving condition index, and the driving pattern index.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the EcoIndex is calculated as a linear combination of the vehicle condition index, the driving condition index, and the driving pattern index.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein the EcoIndex is calculated as a non-linear polynomial function of the vehicle condition index, the driving condition index, and the driving pattern index.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more hardware processors are further configured by the instructions to receive information from a third-party or to provide information to a third-party.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein identifying the driver comprises:
determining one or more driver identifiers, wherein the one or more driver identifiers include at least one of: a user ID, a password, a finger print, and a retinal scan;
associating the one or more driver identifiers with a driver profile; and
authenticating the driver based on the one or more driver identifiers and driver profile.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein providing analytical information comprises providing real-time information including at least one of:
providing a low-emission route;
providing one or more real-time parameters, wherein the one or more real-time parameters include at least one of: one or more vehicle condition parameters, one or more driving condition parameters; one or more driving pattern parameters, or the EcoIndex; and
providing a notification or alert to the driver.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the real-time information is provided using a Vehicle On-Board User Interface.
9. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a Vehicle On-Board User Interface.

10. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a Vehicle On-Board Measurement System that collects the one or more vehicle condition parameters, the one or more driving condition parameters, and the one or more driving pattern parameters.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein providing analytical information comprises providing non-real-time information including at least one of:
a summary of the vehicle’s operation over the course of a trip;
a reward points estimation;
a carbon credits estimation;
an EcoIndex for one or more specified vehicles;
an emission density map; and
a forecast of usage for one or more specified vehicles.

12. A method, comprising:
identifying a driver of a vehicle;
determining one or more vehicle condition parameters of the vehicle, wherein the one or more vehicle condition parameters include at least one of: total mileage, tire condition, fuel quality, emission level, brake system condition, clutch system condition, engine system condition, gear system condition, and exhaust system condition;
determining one or more driving condition parameters, wherein the one or more driving condition parameters include at least one of: one or more terrain parameters, one or more weather parameters, and one or more traffic parameters;
determining one or more driving pattern parameters based on the driver’s driving pattern, wherein the one or more driving pattern parameters include at least one of: accelerator operation, break operation, gear operation, clutch operation, engine idling, frequency of start-stop, air drag, window control, HVAC usage, tire pressure, vehicle loading, and driving mode selection;
calculating an EcoIndex measuring the real-time environmental impact of the vehicle’s operation based on the one or more vehicle condition parameters, the one or more driving condition parameters, and the one or more driving pattern parameters; and
providing analytical information for controlling vehicle greenhouse gas emissions.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein calculating the EcoIndex comprises:
calculating a vehicle condition index based on the one or more vehicle condition parameters;
calculating a driving condition index based on the one or more driving condition parameters;
calculating a driving pattern index based on the one or more driving pattern parameters; and
calculating the EcoIndex based on the vehicle condition index, the driving condition index, and the driving pattern index.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the EcoIndex is calculated as a linear combination of the vehicle condition index, the driving condition index, and the driving pattern index.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the EcoIndex is calculated as a non-linear polynomial function of the vehicle condition index, the driving condition index, and the driving pattern index.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein identifying the driver comprises:
determining one or more driver identifiers, wherein the one or more driver identifiers include at least one of: a user ID, a password, a finger print, and a retinal scan;
associating the one or more driver identifiers with a driver profile; and
authenticating the driver based on the one or more driver identifiers and driver profile.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein providing analytical information comprises providing real-time information including at least one of:
providing a low-emission route;
providing one or more real-time parameters, wherein the one or more real-time parameters include at least one of: one or more vehicle condition parameters, one or more driving condition parameters; one or more driving pattern parameters, or the EcoIndex; or
providing a notification or alert to the driver.

18. The method according to claim 12, wherein providing analytical information comprises providing non-real-time information including at least one of:
a summary of the vehicle’s operation over the course of a trip;
a reward points estimation;
a carbon credits estimation;
an EcoIndex for one or more specified vehicles;
an emission density map; and
a forecast of usage for one or more specified vehicles.

Dated this 25th day of March, 2013
MADHUSUDAN S.T
K&S PARTNERS
ATTORNEY FOR THE APPLICANT