DRIVING ASSISTANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates generally to assistance systems for vehicles; and more specifically, to driving assistance systems for users of vehicles. Furthermore, the present disclosure also relates to methods of using aforesaid assistance systems for assisting the users of the vehicles.
BACKGROUND
In recent times, efforts are being made to improve (namely, enhance) driving experiences for users of vehicles such as pure electrical vehicles, hybrid-electrical vehicles, and internal combustion engine vehicles, and so forth. Notably, such efforts are aimed at providing a safe, customized driving experience to the users, in a seamless and reliable manner. Typically, one vehicle may be used (namely, driven) by a single user or by multiple users. Therefore, nowadays, various techniques are being developed in order to improve the driving experiences for all possible users of such a vehicle. As an example, contemporary techniques rely on provision of distinct driving modes associated with a given vehicle, wherein each driving mode includes fixed, pre-set parameters for using the given vehicle. In such an instance, a user of the given vehicle may select a driving mode as per his/her discretion, for using the given vehicle.
However, such techniques suffer from a number of limitations. Firstly, the existing techniques lack provisions to control user-selectability of the driving modes. Therefore, in a situation wherein the user may opt for a driving mode that is inappropriate in respect of his/her driving expertise and/or requirement, the existing techniques are unable to override (namely, disallow) such user selection. Therefore, in such a situation,
-2there exists a possible safety hazard for the user of the vehicle. Secondly, the existing techniques to improve driving experience are not sufficiently well developed to customize optimally the driving experience for multiple users of a single vehicle. Typically, the multiple users may have different preferences and different levels of driving expertise, thereby, requiring different (namely, unique) measures for improving their driving experience. Therefore, such a limitation leads to sub-optimal driving experience for the multiple users of the single vehicle. Thirdly, the existing techniques do not allow for intelligently optimizing the driving experience for the users. Specifically, the existing techniques are severely limited in their ability to take into account variation in preferences and/or driving expertise of the users, over time.
Therefore, in light of the foregoing discussion, provision of optimal driving experience for users of vehicles is becoming an important issue, namely technical problem, to address.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure seeks to provide an improved driving assistance system for a user of a vehicle.
The present disclosure also seeks to provide an improved method of using a driving assistance system for assisting a user of a vehicle.
According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a driving assistance system for a user of a vehicle, characterized in that the driving assistance system includes:
(i) an identity management module that is operable to determine an identity of the user of the vehicle;
(ii) a memory module that is operable to store a plurality of pre-defined driver profiles therein; and
-3(iii) a data processing arrangement communicably that is coupled to the identity management module and the memory module, wherein the data processing arrangement is operable to execute a software application thereon, wherein the data processing arrangement is operable to:
(a) receive, from the identity management module, the determined identity of the user;
(b) select, from the memory module, a pre-defined driver profile among the plurality of pre-defined driver profiles, based upon the received identity of the user;
(c) associate the selected pre-defined driver profile with the user; and (d) control operation of one or more components of the vehicle, based upon the pre-defined driver profile associated with the user.
The driving assistance system of the present disclosure is capable of providing a safe, optimal, and customized driving experience to the user of the vehicle, by efficiently, taking into account identity, preferences and/or driving expertise of the user. Furthermore, the described driving assistance system is susceptible to being robust, reliable, easy to implement, and inexpensive.
According to a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of using a driving assistive system for assisting a user of a vehicle, characterized in that the method includes:
(a) receiving an identity of the user of the vehicle;
(b) selecting a pre-defined driver profile among a plurality of pre-defined driver profiles, based upon the received identity of the user;
(c) associating the selected pre-defined driver profile with the user; and
-4(d) controlling operation of one or more components of the vehicle, based upon the pre-defined driver profile associated with the user.
It will be appreciated that features of the present disclosure are susceptible to being combined in various combinations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
The present invention is included in the general business context, which aims to substitute vehicles powered by traditional fuels, for example gasoline or diesel, by electric vehicles. In particular, the present invention is intended for use in electric vehicles used within cities, which can be highly beneficial to the local environment due to significant reduction of gaseous emissions as well as significant reduction of noise. Overall environmental benefits can also be significant when electric vehicles are charged from renewable energy sources.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers.
Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:
- 5 FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a driving assistance system for a user of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 2 is an illustration of steps of a method of assisting the user of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
In the accompanying drawings, an underlined number is employed to represent an item over which the underlined number is positioned or an item to which the underlined number is adjacent. A non-underlined number relates to an item identified by a line linking the non-underlined number to the item. When a number is non-underlined and accompanied by an associated arrow, the non-underlined number is used to identify a general item at which the arrow is pointing.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
In overview, embodiments of the present disclosure are concerned with a driving assistance system for a user of a vehicle (for example, a pure electrical vehicle, a hybrid-electrical vehicle, an internal combustion engine vehicle, but not limited thereto). Furthermore, embodiments of the present disclosure are concerned with a method of using a driving assistance system for of assisting a user of a vehicle.
Referring to FIG.l, there is shown a block diagram of a driving assistance system 100 for a user of a vehicle (not shown), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the driving assistance system 100 includes an identity management module 102 that is operable to determine an identity of the user of the vehicle, a memory module 104 that is operable to store a plurality of pre-defined driver profiles therein, and a data processing arrangement 106 that is communicably coupled to the identity management module 102 and the
-6memory module 104. The data processing arrangement 106 is operable to execute a software application (not shown) thereon.
Optionally, the data processing arrangement 106 is communicably coupled to the identity management module 102 and the memory module 104 via a network (not shown). More optionally, the network is wired, wireless, or a combination thereof. Examples of the network include, but are not limited to, Local Area Networks (LANs), Wide Area Networks (WANs), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), Wireless Wide Area Networks (WWANs), the Internet, cellular network, and radio networks.
Throughout the present disclosure, the term driving assistance system used herein relates to hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these, operable to provide assistance to the user of the vehicle. It will be appreciated that such assistance allows for improving (namely, enhancing) driving experience for the user of the vehicle. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the driving assistance system 100 described herein could be employed for assisting one user of the vehicle, as well as multiple users (namely, a plurality of users) of the vehicle.
As mentioned previously, the identity management module 102 is operable to determine the identity of the user of the vehicle. Throughout the present disclosure, the term identity management module used herein relates to hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these, operable to determine the identity of the user of the vehicle. It will be appreciated that determination of the identity of the user of the vehicle provides a twofold benefit of allowing for restriction of unauthorised access to the vehicle, whilst allowing for provision of user-specific driving assistance.
Optionally, the identity management module 102 is calibrated to record at least one identification parameter for the user of the vehicle, and to
- 7 associate the recorded at least one identification parameter with the user. It will be appreciated that if multiple users use the vehicle, such calibration of the identity management module 102 is implemented for each of the multiple users. More optionally, only a registered owner of the vehicle is allowed to control such calibration of the identity management module 102. Furthermore, optionally, the identity management module 102 employs the at least one identification parameter associated with the user, to determine the identity of the user. Optionally, for determining the identity of the user, the identity management module 102 is operable to prompt the user of the vehicle to input his/her at least one identification parameter, and compare the user's input with the at least one identification parameter recorded during the calibration of the identity management module 102. Examples of such at least one identification parameter include, but are not limited to, an access credential, a fingerprint, a voice input, a retina scan, and a driving license scan.
As an example, the identity management module 102 is calibrated to record an access credential AC1 for a user Ul and an access credential AC2 for a user U2 of a vehicle VI, and to associate the recorded access credentials with the corresponding user. In such a case, the access credential AC1 for the user Ul may be an alphanumeric code ABC123 and the access credential AC2 for the user Ul may be a numeric code 13579. Therefore, the identity management module 102 employs the access credentials AC1 and AC2 to determine the identity of the user. For example, if a user of the vehicle VI inputs the access credential AC1 (namely, the alphanumeric code ABC123) upon being prompted by the identity management module 102, he/she is identified to be the user Ul, by the identity management module 102.
As mentioned previously, the memory module 104 is operable to store the plurality of pre-defined driver profiles therein. Throughout the present
-8disclosure, the term memory module used herein relates to hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these, operable to store at least the plurality of pre-defined driver profiles therein. Optionally, the memory module 104 is communicably coupled to the identity management module 102, wherein the memory module 104 is operable to store the at least one identification parameter recorded during the calibration of the identity management module 102.
Furthermore, throughout the present disclosure, the term pre-defined driver profile used herein relates to a pre-defined driving mode for using the vehicle. In such an instance, one pre-defined driver profile among the plurality of pre-defined driver profiles may be employed at a given time, to use the vehicle. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the plurality of pre-defined driver profiles describe (namely, define) a plurality of driving modes that may be employed by the user, to use the vehicle. It will be appreciated that the plurality of pre-defined driver profiles may be understood to be 'pre-defined' with respect to use of the vehicle, namely, the plurality of driver profiles may be understood to be defined prior to the use of the vehicle. As an example, the plurality of pre-defined driver profiles may be at least two of: Novice driver profile, Learner driver profile, Intermediate driver profile, and Expert driver profile.
Optionally, the plurality of pre-defined driver profiles are defined (namely, specified) by the registered owner of the vehicle. Additionally, or alternatively, optionally, the plurality of pre-defined driver profiles are defined by a manufacturer of the vehicle. As an example, the manufacturer of the vehicle may define driver profiles Novice and Expert prior to sale of the vehicle, and the registered owner (for example, a purchaser) of the vehicle may define a driver profile Learner.
Optionally, each of the plurality of pre-defined driver profiles includes one or more parameters for controlling operation of one or more components
-9of the vehicle. In such an instance, the one or more parameters set forth (namely, establish) desired operating conditions of the one or more components (namely, one or more functional elements) of the vehicle. Examples of the one or more components that may be controlled by way of the one or more parameters include, but are not limited to, a breaking arrangement of the vehicle, a battery unit of the vehicle, an electrical motor of the vehicle, a steering system of the vehicle, a suspension arrangement of the vehicle, an acoustic environmental system of the vehicle, a charging arrangement of the vehicle, seats of the vehicle, side mirrors of the vehicle, a navigation system of the vehicle, an airconditioning system of the vehicle, an infotainment arrangement of the vehicle.
More optionally, the one or more parameters include one or more of: a lower safe-operation threshold associated with the one or more components, an upper safe-operation threshold associated with the one or more components, an arrangement of the one or more components within the vehicle, an operation mode associated with the one or more components. In an example, an upper safe-operation threshold associated with the electrical motor of the vehicle may relate to a maximum power that may be delivered to the electrical motor. In such an instance, the maximum power may be directly related to a maximum speed of safely driving the vehicle. In another example, an operation mode associated with the navigation system of the vehicle may relate to whether or not to enable navigation assistance. In such an instance, for example, and operation mode 'OFF' may disable the navigation assistance and an operation mode 'ON' may enable the navigation assistance.
Throughout the present disclosure, the term data processing arrangement used herein relates to hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these, operable to execute a software application thereon, for providing assistance to the user of the vehicle. Optionally, the data
- 10processing arrangement 106 is a Software Application Management and Infotainment arrangement (SAMI). Optionally, in this regard, the Software Application Management and Infotainment arrangement provides a graphical user interface to acquire input from the user and/or to provide output to the user. Therefore, such a graphical user interface facilitates interaction between the user of the vehicle and the Software Application Management and Infotainment arrangement. As an example, the user of the vehicle may employ the Software Application Management and Infotainment arrangement to record and input his/her at least one identification parameter, and to define at least one driver profile.
The data processing arrangement 106 is operable, in a first phase, to receive, from the identity management module 102, the determined identity of the user. In such an instance, the identity management module 102 communicates (namely, transmits) the determined identity of the user to the data processing arrangement 106, specifically, to the software application executed on the data processing arrangement 106.
Furthermore, the data processing arrangement 106 is operable, in a second phase, to select, from the memory module 104, a pre-defined driver profile among the plurality of pre-defined driver profiles, based upon the received identity of the user. Furthermore, optionally, the selection of the pre-defined driver profile is based upon at least one of: a previous pre-defined driver profile associated with the identified user, a previously known driving expertise of the identified user, a directive from the registered owner of the vehicle. Optionally, the directive from the registered owner of the vehicle is pre-defined. Optionally, in such a case, the pre-defined directive is stored in the memory module 104 of the driving assistance system 100. Alternatively, optionally, the directive is received by the data processing arrangement 106, from the registered owner, in real time. Optionally, in this regard, the data processing arrangement 106 requests the registered owner to issue the directive by
- 11 way of a request message, and selects the pre-defined driver profile, based upon a response message received from the registered owner.
As an example, a vehicle V2 may be used by users XI, X2, and X3, wherein the user XI is a registered owner of the vehicle V2. For example, the user XI may be a parent of the users X2 and X3. In one implementation, the user XI may pre-define a directive DIR. that a predefined driver profile Expert is to be selected for the user XI and a predefined driver profile Novice is to be selected for the users X2 and X3. In such a case, the directive DIR may be stored in the memory module 104 of the driving assistance system 100. Therefore, the data processing arrangement 106 may receive, from the identity management module 102, the determined identity of a user to be, for example, the user X2. Furthermore, the data processing arrangement 106 may select, from the memory module 104, the pre-defined driver profile Novice, based upon the received identity of the user. In another implementation, the directive DIR may be received by the data processing arrangement 106, from the user XI, in real time. In such a case, the data processing arrangement 106 may receive, from the identity management module 102, the determined identity of a user to be, for example, the user X3. Optionally, the data processing arrangement 106 may request the user XI to issue the directive DIR by way of a request message such as User X3 has accessed the vehicle V2. Which driver profile should be selected for the userX3?. Thereafter, the data processing arrangement 106 may select, from the memory module 104, the pre-defined driver profile Novice, based upon a response message Novice received from the user XI.
Optionally, the selection of the pre-defined driver profile among the plurality of pre-defined driver is based upon assessment of driving expertise of the user, wherein the data processing arrangement 106 is operable to:
(A) direct the user to drive the vehicle for a pre-determined time period, (B) receive test data pertaining to the pre-determined time period, from the one or more components of the vehicle, (C) process the received test data to determine a driving expertise of the user, and (D) select the pre-defined driver profile, based upon the determined driving expertise of the user.
In such an instance, the pre-determined time period may be fixed or variable. In an example, the pre-determined time period is 45 minutes. In another example, the pre-determined time period is 2 hours. In yet another example, the pre-determined time period is 14 hours, namely, 2 hours per day, for a period of 7 days. Furthermore, in such an instance, the term test data used herein relates to operational data received from the one or more components, during the pre-determined time period. It is to be understood that the test data may be subsequently evaluated for assessment of the driving expertise of the user. As an example, the test data pertaining to the pre-determined time period may be received from the electrical motor of the vehicle, the steering system of the vehicle, and the suspension arrangement of the vehicle. In such an instance, the test data may include a speed of driving the vehicle, rotation of the steering wheel, and magnitude and frequency of bumps (namely, jerks or shocks) during the pre-determined time period. Thereafter, the driving expertise of the user is determined by way of processing the received test data. Optionally, the data processing arrangement 106 employs one or more artificial intelligence algorithms to process the received test data to determine the driving expertise of the user. In such an instance, the one or more artificial intelligence algorithms take into account the test data whilst predicting a probability of accidents and/or collisions if the user continues to drive the vehicle in a manner similar to that during the predetermined time period. Furthermore, if the probability is calculated to be low (for example, less than or equal to 0.2), the driving expertise of
- 13the user is determined to be high; if the probability is calculated to be intermediate (for example, greater than 0.2 but less than or equal to 0.5), the driving expertise of the user is determined to be intermediate; if the probability is calculated to be high, for example, greater than 0.5, the driving expertise of the user is determined to be low. Consequently, the pre-defined driver profile may be selected, based upon the determined driving expertise of the user. For example, the pre-defined driver profile Novice may be selected if the driving expertise of the user is determined to be low, the pre-defined driver profile Learner may be selected if the driving expertise of the user is determined to be intermediate, and pre-defined driver profile Expert may be selected if the driving expertise of the user is determined to be high.
Optionally, the one or more artificial intelligence algorithms include one or more of: evolutionary algorithms, optimization algorithms, machine learning algorithms, swarm intelligence algorithms, predictive algorithms, and pattern recognition algorithms.
It will be appreciated that the selection of the pre-defined driver profile, based upon the received identity of the user beneficially allows for provision of a driving mode that is appropriate in respect of the user's driving expertise and/or requirement.
Furthermore, the data processing arrangement 106 is operable to (c) associate the selected pre-defined driver profile with the user. It is to be understood that associating the selected pre-defined driver profile with the user relates to loading the selected pre-defined profile into the data processing arrangement 106 when the user drives the vehicle. Such an association allows for utilization of the selected pre-defined driver profile by the software application executed on the data processing arrangement 106, for purpose of assisting the user of the vehicle.
- 14Thereafter, the data processing arrangement 106 is operable to (d) control operation of the one or more components of the vehicle, based upon the pre-defined driver profile associated with the user. It will be appreciated that operation of the one or more components is implemented as defined by the pre-defined driver profile associated with the user, so as to provide the user with an appropriate and customized driving experience. Beneficially, such control of operation of the one or more components of the vehicle also allows for significantly reducing safety hazards for the user of the vehicle.
Referring to the aforementioned example describing use of the vehicle V2 by the users XI, X2, and X3, the pre-defined driver profile Novice may be associated with the users X2 and X3. As an example, the pre-defined driver profile Novice may include one or more parameters for controlling operation of the breaking arrangement of the vehicle, the electrical motor of the vehicle, the navigation system of the vehicle, the air-conditioning system of the vehicle, and the infotainment arrangement of the vehicle. In such an example, the pre-defined driver profile Novice may include: an upper safe-operation threshold associated with the breaking arrangement of the vehicle to allow for providing a slow breaking response for the vehicle, an upper safe-operation threshold associated with the electrical motor of the vehicle to allow for limiting the maximum speed of driving the vehicle, an operation mode 'ON' associated with the navigation system of the vehicle to enable the navigation assistance, an operation mode associated with the air-conditioning system of the vehicle to enable 'energy-saving' operation of the air-conditioning system, and an upper safe-operation threshold associated with the infotainment arrangement of the vehicle to allow for limiting a maximum volume of music that may be played within the vehicle. It will be appreciated that the users X2 and X3 may be novice users (namely, users who are learning to drive), and therefore, may have a tendency to abruptly apply brakes and a tendency for over speeding. Moreover, such users X2 and X3 may
- 15also require navigation assistance. Furthermore, it may also be beneficial to limit distraction of the novice users X2 and X3, to allow for increasing their on-road safety. Therefore, upon association of the pre-defined driver profile Novice with the users X2 and X3, operation of the aforementioned components may be controlled, based upon the aforesaid pre-defined driver profile Novice when any of the users X2 and X3 use the vehicle.
Furthermore, in the aforementioned example, the pre-defined driver profile Expert may be associated with the user XI. As an example, the pre-defined driver profile Expert may include one or more parameters for controlling operation of the electrical motor of the vehicle, the navigation system of the vehicle, and the infotainment arrangement of the vehicle. In such an example, the pre-defined driver profile Expert may include: an upper safe-operation threshold associated with the electrical motor of the vehicle to limit the maximum speed of driving the vehicle, an operation mode OFF associated with the navigation system of the vehicle to enable the navigation assistance, and an upper safeoperation threshold associated with the infotainment arrangement of the vehicle to allow for limiting a maximum volume of music that may be played within the vehicle. It will be appreciated that the user XI may be an experienced user (namely, a user who is proficient at driving), and therefore, may be careful to avoid over speeding, thereby allowing for the maximum speed in the pre-defined driver profile Expert· to be higher than the maximum speed in the pre-defined driver profile Novice. Furthermore, the user XI may not require navigation assistance. Moreover, the user XI may be lesser prone to distraction as compared to the novice users X2 and X3. Therefore, the maximum volume of music that can be played according to the pre-defined driver profile Expert may be higher than the maximum volume of music that can be played according to the pre-defined driver profile Novice. Therefore, upon association of the pre-defined driver profile Expert with the user XI,
- 16operation of the aforementioned components may be controlled, based upon the aforesaid pre-defined driver profile Expert when the user XI uses the vehicle.
Optionally, the data processing arrangement 106 is operable to (e) receive operational data from the one or more components of the vehicle; and (f) manage the pre-defined driver profile associated with the user, based upon the received operational data, by implementing one or more of: adjustment of one or more parameters associated with the predefined driver profile, and change of the pre-defined driver profile associated with the user by selecting a different pre-defined driver profile from the memory module 104 and associating the different pre-defined driver profile with the user. In such an instance, the term operational data used herein relates to data representative of functional characteristics of the one or more components whilst the one or more components are in operation. Optionally, such operational data is stored in the memory module 104 of the driving assistance system 100. Furthermore, such operational data is employed by the data processing arrangement 106 to manage the pre-defined driver profile associated with the user. It will be appreciated that such management allows for intelligently optimizing the driving experience for the user, by way of taking into account the driving expertise of the user, when he/she drives the vehicle according to the pre-defined driver profile associated with the user.
In an exemplary scenario, the operational data received from the one or more components may indicate a compliance with the one or more parameters of the pre-defined driver profile associated with the user. It will be appreciated that such compliance indicates the user's successful adherence to the one or more parameters, thereby, further indicating a certain degree of driving expertise attained by the user. Therefore, in an implementation, the data processing arrangement 106 may adjust the
- 17one or more parameters of the pre-defined driver profile associated with the user to include relatively lenient operational characteristics for use of the vehicle by the user. For example, in a pre-defined driver profile Learner associated with a user Al, an upper safe operation threshold associated with an electrical motor of a vehicle limits the maximum speed of driving the vehicle at 40 kilometres per hour. In such an example, if operational data received from the electrical motor of the vehicle indicates that the user Al drives the vehicle at a maximum speed of 35 kilometres per hour, the data processing arrangement 106 may adjust the upper safe operation threshold of the pre-defined driver profile Learner to limit the maximum speed of driving the vehicle at 60 kilometres per hour. Additionally or alternatively, in an implementation, the data processing arrangement 106 may change the pre-defined driver profile associated with the user by selecting a different pre-defined driver profile having relatively lenient one or more parameters and associating the different pre-defined driver profile with the user. Referring to the aforementioned example describing the pre-defined driver profile Learner being associated with the user Al, if the operational data received from the electrical motor of the vehicle indicates that the user Al drives the vehicle at a maximum speed of 35 kilometres per hour, the data processing arrangement 106 may select a pre-defined driver profile Intermediate having the upper safe operation threshold associated with the electrical motor of the vehicle to limit the maximum speed of driving the vehicle at 60 kilometres per hour, and may associate the pre-defined driver profile Intermediate with the user.
In another exemplary scenario, the operational data received from the one or more components may indicate a violation the one or more parameters of the pre-defined driver profile associated with the user. It will be appreciated that such a violation indicates the user's failure to comply with the one or more parameters. Therefore, in an implementation, the data processing arrangement 106 may adjust the
- 18one or more parameters of the pre-defined driver profile associated with the user to include relatively stricter operational characteristics to regulate use of the vehicle by the user. Referring to the aforementioned example describing the pre-defined driver profile Learner being associated with the user Al, the operational data received from the electrical motor of the vehicle may indicate that the user Al drives the vehicle at a maximum speed of 55 kilometres per hour. In such an instance, the data processing arrangement 106 may adjust the upper safe operation threshold associated with the electrical motor of the vehicle to limit the maximum speed of driving the vehicle at 30 kilometres per hour. Additionally or alternatively, in an implementation, the data processing arrangement 106 may change the pre-defined driver profile associated with the user by selecting a different pre-defined driver profile having relatively stricter one or more parameters and associating the different pre-defined driver profile with the user. Referring to the aforementioned example describing the pre-defined driver profile Learner being associated with the user Al, if the operational data received from the electrical motor of the vehicle indicates that the user Al drives the vehicle at a maximum speed of 55 kilometres per hour, the data processing arrangement 106 may select a pre-defined driver profile Novice having the upper safe operation threshold associated with the electrical motor of the vehicle to limit the maximum speed of driving the vehicle at 30 kilometres per hour, and may associate the pre-defined driver profile Novice with the user.
Furthermore, optionally, the data processing arrangement 106 is operable to (g) transfer, to the memory module 104, historical driving data pertaining to the user, wherein the memory module 104 is operable to store such historical driving data pertaining to the user. In such an instance, the term historical driving data relates to information pertaining to the user's entire history of driving the vehicle. Optionally, in this regard, the historical driving data pertaining to the user includes
- 19one or more of: the operational data received from the one or more components of the vehicle, one or more pre-defined driver profiles that have been associated with the user, the test data received from the one or more components of the vehicle. Furthermore, optionally, the data processing arrangement 106 employs such historical driving data pertaining to the user whilst selecting, the pre-defined driver profile among the plurality of pre-defined driver profiles. Moreover, optionally, the data processing arrangement 106 employs such historical driving data pertaining to the user whilst managing the pre-defined driver profile associated with the user. It will be appreciated that the historical driving data pertaining to the user may be employed to intelligently optimize the driving experience for the user, by way of taking into account the historical driving expertise of the user.
Referring to FIG.2, there is shown an illustration of steps of a method 200 of assisting the user of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. At a step 202, an identity of the user of the vehicle is received. At a step 204, a pre-defined driver profile is selected among a plurality of pre-defined driver profiles, based upon the received identity of the user. At a step 206, the selected pre-defined driver profile is associated with the user. At a step 208, operation of one or more components of the vehicle is controlled, based upon the predefined driver profile associated with the user. It will be appreciated that the aforesaid method 200 of assisting the user of the vehicle may be implemented by the driving assistance system 100 described hereinabove.
The steps 202 to 208 are only illustrative and other alternatives can also be provided where one or more steps are added, one or more steps are removed, or one or more steps are provided in a different sequence without departing from the scope of the claims herein. Optionally, the method 200 includes arranging for each of the plurality of pre-defined
-20driver profiles to include one or more parameters for controlling operation of the one or more components of the vehicle. More optionally, the method 200 includes arranging for the one or more parameters to include one or more of: a lower safe-operation threshold associated with the one or more components, an upper safe-operation threshold associated with the one or more components, an arrangement of the one or more components within the vehicle. Furthermore, optionally, the method 200 includes receiving operational data from the one or more components of the vehicle; and managing the pre-defined driver profile associated with the user, based upon the received operational data, by implementing one or more of: adjusting one or more parameters associated with the predefined driver profile, and changing the pre-defined driver profile associated with the user by selecting a different pre-defined driver profile and associating the different pre-defined driver profile with the user. Optionally, the method 200 includes arranging for the selection of the pre-defined driver profile among the plurality of pre-defined driver profiles to be based upon assessment of driving expertise of the user, wherein the method 200 includes: directing the user to drive the vehicle for a pre-determined time period; receiving test data pertaining to the pre-determined time period, from the one or more components of the vehicle; processing the received test data to determine a driving expertise of the user; and selecting the pre-defined driver profile, based upon the determined driving expertise of the user. Optionally, in this regard, the method 200 includes employing one or more artificial intelligence algorithms for processing the received test data to determine the driving expertise of the user. Moreover, optionally, the method 200 includes storing historical driving data pertaining to the user. Optionally, in such a case, the method 200 includes arranging for the historical driving data pertaining to the user to include one or more of: the operational data received from the one or more components of the vehicle, one or more pre-defined driver profiles that have been associated
-21 with the user, the test data received from the one or more components of the vehicle.
The present disclosure provides the aforementioned driving assistance system for the user of the vehicle and the aforementioned method of assisting the user of the vehicle. The described driving assistance system efficiently provides customized driving experience to the user, based upon identity of the user, and optionally, based upon preferences and/or driving expertise of the user. This enables in significantly reducing safety hazards for the user of the vehicle. Beneficially, the described driving assistance system allows for intelligently optimizing the driving experience for the user by taking into account variation in preferences and/or driving expertise of the user, over time. Furthermore, the driving assistance system and the method described herein are robust, reliable, easy to implement, and inexpensive.
Modifications to embodiments of the invention described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as including, comprising, incorporating, consisting of, have, is used to describe and claim the present invention are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural. Numerals included within parentheses in the accompanying claims are intended to assist understanding of the claims and should not be construed in any way to limit subject matter claimed by these claims.