SOLAR RADIATION INFORMATION

Field

This specification relates to a vehicle routing system and a method of using a vehicle routing system. Specifically, this specification relates to a vehicle routing system which selects a planned route for solar powered vehicles such that an optimal amount of solar radiation can be received at the vehicle during the planned route.

Background

Due to at least in part to the high costs of fossil fuels and the steadily decreasing worldwide supply of oil resources, there is a growing interest in the use of alternate sources of energy for powering vehicles, such as automobiles, trucks, buses, etc.

It is now increasingly popular to use solar radiation for providing electricity to power vehicles. A large proportion of the solar vehicles currently available are hybrid vehicles which utilises both electric and solar energy as power sources. Solar vehicles which are completely powered by electricity have also been developed by the automobile industry, and these vehicles usually require a high conversion efficiency of incident solar radiation into electricity in order to meet their operational needs.

Summary

In a first aspect, this specification describes a method for selecting a planned route for a vehicle, the method comprising: receiving at least one location to be visited by the vehicle; receiving information relating to an amount of solar radiation that can be received by the vehicle in a road network including a starting location and the received at least one location to be visited by the vehicle; analysing the received information; and selecting the planned route starting from the starting location and including the. at least one location to be visited by the vehicle based on the analysis. The received information relating to an amount of solar radiation that can be received by the vehicle may comprise at least one of: sun location, time of day, topographic information, current weather information, and predicted future weather information.

The method may further comprise receiving a shortest route starting from the starting location and including the at least one location to be visited by the vehicle. The method may further comprise determining a shortest route starting from the starting location and including the at least one location to be visited by the vehicle.

The starting location may be a current location of the vehicle.

The method may further comprise detecting the current location of the vehicle.

The method may further comprise comparing an amount of electric power required for the planned route and the shortest route, and performing adjustment to the planned route based on the comparison.

The method may further comprise detecting current weather and performing adjustment to the planned route based on the detected current weather. The method may further comprise predicting future weather and performing adjustment to the planned route based on the predicted weather.

In a second aspect, this specification describes an apparatus comprising means for performing a method according to the first aspect.

In a third aspect, this specification describes computer-readable instructions which, when executed by computer apparatus, cause the computer apparatus to perform a method according to the first aspect. In a fourth aspect, this specification describes a computer-readable medium having computer-readable code stored thereon, the computer readable code, when executed by at least one processor, cause performance of at least: receiving at least one location to be visited by a vehicle; receiving information relating to an amount of solar radiation that can be received by the vehicle in a road network including a starting location and the received at least one location to be visited by the vehicle; analysing the received information; and selecting the planned route starting from the starting location and including the at least one location to be visited by the vehicle based on the analysis.

In a fifth aspect, this specification describes a system for determining a planned route for a vehicle, the system comprising: a receiving apparatus arranged to receive at least one location to be visited by the vehicle and information relating to an amount of solar radiation that can be received by the vehicle in a road network including a starting location and the received at least one location to be visited by the vehicle; and a control apparatus arranged to analyse the received information and select the planned route starting from the starting location and including the at least one location to be visited by the vehicle based on the analysis.

The receiving apparatus is arranged to receive a shortest route starting from the starting location and including the at least one location to be visited by the vehicle.

The control apparatus may be arranged to determine a shortest route starting from the starting location and including the at least one location to be visited by the vehicle.

The control apparatus may be arranged to compare an amount of electric power required for the planned route and the shortest route, and perform adjustment to the planned route based on the comparison.

The system may further comprise a sensor apparatus arranged to detect current weather, wherein the control apparatus is arranged to perform adjustment to the planned route based on the detected current weather.

The control apparatus may be arranged to predict future weather and perform adjustment to the planned route based on the predicted future weather.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a more complete understanding of the methods, apparatuses, and systems described herein, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for determining a planned route for a vehicle, according to an exemplary embodiment;

Figure 2 is a flowchart schematically illustrating various functionalities which may be provided by the system of Figure 1, according to another exemplary embodiment; and Figure 3 is another flowchart schematically illustrating various functionalities which may be provided by the system of Figure 1, according to another exemplary

embodiment. Detailed Description

Typically, route selection techniques are focussed on the reduction or minimisation of the distance travelled or the time spent travelling. Route selection techniques may take into consideration factors such as a number of turns in a given route, a number of intersections, speed limits, bridge crossings, etc. In the case of solar vehicles, in addition to improving the conversion efficiency of the solar powered vehicles, there is a need for maximising an amount of solar radiation received at these vehicles so as to ensure that sufficient energy can be provided to operate the vehicles. Embodiments of the invention allows selection of a route starting from a desired starting location and including at least one location to be visited by the vehicle based on analysis of received information relating to an amount of solar radiation that can be received by the vehicle in a road network, which includes a starting location and the received at least one location to be visited by the vehicle. This route selection allows optimisation of the amount of solar radiation received by the vehicle during the route, which is beneficial for solar-powered vehicles (herein referred to as "solar vehicles- Embodiments of the invention also improve energy efficiency of a vehicle by optimising the route starting from the starting location and including at least one location to be visited by the vehicle by for example taking into account weather and traffic information.

Figure ι is a block diagram illustrating a system for determining a planned route for a vehicle, according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the system 1 comprises a routing system 100 and a cloud network 200. The routing system 100 comprises a receiving apparatus 110, a control apparatus 120, a storage apparatus 130, and a sensor apparatus 140. Although not shown in Figure 1, the routing system 100 in this embodiment is a component of an electric solar vehicle including an electric motor apparatus. The cloud network 200 comprises a cloud storage apparatus, such as a remote server.

The electric solar vehicle also comprises a solar panel 300 which is mounted on an exterior of the vehicle and electrically connected to a power storage apparatus (not shown in the drawing) in the vehicle. The solar panel 300 is arranged to convert incident solar radiation into electricity for charging the power storage apparatus. The receiving apparatus no is arranged to receive at least one location to be visited by the vehicle and information relating to an amount of solar radiation that can be received by the vehicle in a road network including a starting location and the received at least one location to be visited by the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the receiving apparatus 100 may also be arranged to receive the starting location, if the starting location is not received via an input apparatus. This will be explained in further detail below.

The information relating to an amount of solar radiation that can be received by the vehicle in a road network includes at least one of: sun location, time of day, topographic information, current weather information, and predicted future weather information. In this embodiment, the receiving apparatus no is arranged to receive the at least one location to be visited by the vehicle and information relating to an amount of solar radiation that can be received by the vehicle, in particular the solar panel 300 of the vehicle, in a road network from the cloud network 200.

The control apparatus 120 is arranged to analyse the received information relating to an amount of solar radiation that can be received by the vehicle and select a planned route starting from the starting location and including the at least one location to be visited by the vehicle based on the analysis. In the present embodiment, the planned route is selected such that that an optimal balance is achieved between an amount of solar radiation that can be received by the vehicle throughout the planned route and a distance of the planned route. For example, the received information relating to an amount of solar radiation that can be received by the vehicle may include topographic information of an area including both the starting location and the at least one location to be visited by the vehicle. The topographic information may include height information of buildings in the area and the control apparatus can therefore select a planned route which avoids roads and streets along which high-rise buildings are located using the topographic information, such that the vehicle can receive more solar radiation along the planned route without having to substantially add to the distance to be travelled by the vehicle.

As mentioned, the starting location may be received via an input apparatus (not shown in the drawing) as an input by a user (e.g. a driver of the vehicle). However, if the starting location is not received at the input apparatus, this can be provided by the cloud network 200 to the receiving apparatus 110. Alternatively, a current location may be determined as the starting location by the control apparatus 120. In this

embodiment, the control apparatus 120 comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) navigator and therefore is arranged to receive and store GPS data, which may include ephemeris, almanac, and GPS time. Therefore, if no input of a starting location is received from a user at the input apparatus, the control apparatus 120 may determine a current location detected by the GPS navigator as the starting location.

In the present embodiment, during an operation of the vehicle when the vehicle is being driven along the planned route, the sensor apparatus 140 is arranged to detect at least one parameter that relates to a current weather. The detected parameter(s) may be stored in the storage apparatus 130. In the present embodiment, the sensor apparatus 140 comprises at least one of: a solar radiation detector, a barometer, a temperature sensor, and a humidity detector so as to detect at least one of: an amount of current solar radiation incident on the vehicle, the atmospheric pressure, a current temperature, and a measure of humidity.

The solar radiation detector may comprise at least one of: a pyrheliometer for measuring direct beam solar irradiance, a pyranometer for measuring solar irradiance on a planar surface, and a duration-of-sunshine instrument for measuring a fraction of daylight hours the sun is not obscured by clouds. The humidity detector may comprise a hygrometer for measuring moisture content in the atmosphere.

The control apparatus 120 is then arranged to detect a current weather based on data from the sensor apparatus 140. For example, since the sensor apparatus 140 is arranged to detect the atmospheric pressure and a measure of humidity, the control apparatus 120 can use these data as basis for determining a current weather, e.g.

whether it is currently raining. The control apparatus 120 may then perform

adjustment to the selected planned route based on the detected current weather. For example, if it is determined by the control apparatus 120 that it is currently raining, then the control apparatus 120 may adjust the planned route such that it no longer takes into account topography information that is received at the receiving apparatus 110. The control apparatus 120 in the present embodiment is further arranged to predict future weather and perform adjustment to the planned route based on the predicted future weather. The control apparatus 120 may predict future weather on the basis of data detected by the sensor apparatus 140, e.g. solar radiation data, humidity data, atmospheric pressure data, etc. Similarly, the control apparatus 120 may then perform adjustment to the selected planned route based on the predicted future weather. For example, if it is determined by the control apparatus 120 that there is a high chance of rain in an hour and that the selected planned route will take approximately 2 hours, the control apparatus 120 may adjust the planned route such that a latter portion of the planned route no longer takes into account sun location information that is received at the receiving apparatus 110.

In the present embodiment, during an operation of the vehicle when the vehicle is being driven along the planned route, the control apparatus 120 is further arranged to record data including at least one of an amount of solar radiation received during a current planned route, a time of day, sun location, and weather information. The recorded data is stored at the storage apparatus 130, the cloud network 200 via a transmitting apparatus, or an external storage apparatus.

Once this data is recorded, the control apparatus 120 is arranged to optimise subsequent selection of planned route(s) based on the recorded data. For example, the control apparatus 120 may be arranged to optimise subsequent selection of a planned route by analysing the parameter(s) of the accumulated recorded data of a plurality of completed planned routes. Specifically, the control apparatus 120 may be arranged to perform pattern and/or trend recognition analysis on the accumulated recorded data and optimise subsequent selection based on the result of the pattern and/or trend recognition.

As an example, the amount of solar radiation received during a current planned route, planned route A, may be recorded and stored in the storage apparatus 130.

Subsequently, if the same starting location and location(s) to be visited by the vehicle are received and/or determined at the routing system 100, the control apparatus 120 may be able to estimate an amount of solar radiation that will be received for planned route A based on the recorded data, and to compare the amount of solar radiation with an estimated amount of solar radiation that the vehicle may receive for other possible routes. The use of recorded data therefore increases the likelihood that a subsequent selection of a planned route is one that would optimise the amount of solar radiation received by the vehicle, since accuracy is improved on the basis of previous completed planned routes.

The recorded data may be transmitted via a transmitting apparatus (not shown in the drawing) to the cloud network 200 or an external server for sharing with air compression control systems or control systems of other vehicles that are connected to the cloud network 200.

Figure 2 is a flowchart schematically illustrating various functionalities which may be provided by the system of Figure 1, according to another exemplary embodiment.

The process starts at step 21 and step 22. In the present embodiment, steps 21 and 22 are method steps that are performed by the routing system 100 concurrently. In steps 21 and 22, the routing system 100 receives at least one location to be visited by the vehicle and information relating to an amount of the solar radiation that can be received by the vehicle in a road network including a starting location and the at least one location to be visited by the vehicle. The information relating to an amount of the solar radiation that can be received by the vehicle includes at least one of: sun location, time of day, topographic information, current weather information, and predicted future weather information.

The starting location may be received via an input apparatus as an input by a user (e.g. a driver of the vehicle). However, if the starting location is not received at the input apparatus, this can be provided by the cloud network 200 to the receiving apparatus 110. Alternatively, a current location may be determined as the starting location by the control apparatus 120. In this embodiment, the control apparatus 120 comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) navigator and therefore is arranged to receive and store GPS data, which may include ephemeris, almanac, and GPS time. Therefore, if no input of a starting location is received from a user at the input apparatus, the control apparatus 120 may determine a current location detected by the GPS navigator as the starting location.

In the subsequent step 23, the control apparatus 120 analyses the information received in step 22 and selects a planned route starting from the starting location and including the at least one location to be visited by the vehicle received in step 21. In the present embodiment, the planned route is selected such that that an optimal balance is achieved between an amount of solar radiation that can be received by the vehicle throughout the planned route and a distance of the planned route.

For example, the received information relating to an amount of solar radiation that can be received by the vehicle may include sun location information, time of day

information, and topographic information. The control apparatus 120 may therefore be able to estimate, based on the sun location, time of day, and topographic information, an amount of solar radiation that a vehicle can receive along each of the roads and streets in a road network that includes the starting location and the at least one location to be visited by the vehicle. On the basis of this estimation, the control apparatus 120 may be able to select a combination of roads and/or streets starting from the starting location and including the at least one location to be visited by the vehicle which would allow the solar panel 300 of the vehicle to receive an optimal amount of solar radiation. If desired, the different steps discussed herein may be performed in a different order and/ or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, if desired, one or more above- described steps may be optional or may be combined.

Figure 3 is another flowchart schematically illustrating various functionalities which may be provided by the system of Figure 1, according to another exemplary

embodiment.

The process starts at step 31. In step 31, the routing system 100 determines whether a starting location is received. Specifically, the control apparatus 120 of the routing system 100 determines whether a starting location is received at the receiving apparatus 110. The starting location may be received from a cloud network 200 or another remote server that is connected to the system 100.

If it is determined in step 31 that a starting location is received, the method proceeds to step 33, where at least one location to be visited by a vehicle is received. If it is determined in step 31 that a starting location is not received, the method proceeds to step 32, where a starting location is determined.

In step 32, after it is determined that starting location is not received, the control apparatus 120 of the routing system 100 determines a starting location. In this embodiment, the control apparatus 120 comprises a GPS navigator which detects a current location. The control apparatus 120 sets the detected location as the starting location. After step 32, the method proceeds to step 33 where at least one location to be visited by the vehicle is received. By introducing a step of determining whether a starting location is received, the routing system 100 is able to obtain a starting location from a plurality of different sources, i.e. from the cloud network (or another remote server) or by setting a current location as the starting location. Therefore, flexibility and usability of the routing system 100 is increased.

In the subsequent step 33, after a starting location is obtained either by receiving it from the cloud network 200 or detecting a current location, the routing system 100 receives at least one location to be visited by the vehicle at the receiving apparatus 110. In this embodiment, the at least one location to be visited by the vehicle is received from the cloud network 200.

After receiving the at least one location to be visited by the vehicle in step 33, the receiving apparatus 110 also receives information relating to an amount of solar radiation that can be received by the vehicle in a road network including the starting location and the received at least one location to be visited by the vehicle in step 34. The information relating to an amount of solar radiation that can be received by the vehicle includes at least one of: sun location, time of day, topographic information, current weather information, and predicted future weather information. In the next step 35, the control apparatus 120 of the routing system 100 analyses the information received in step 34 and selects a planned route starting from the starting location and including the at least one location to be visited by the vehicle received in step 33. In the present embodiment, the planned route is selected such that that an optimal balance is acheived between an amount of solar radiation that can be received by the vehicle throughout the planned route and a distance of the planned route.

For example, the received information relating to an amount of solar radiation that can be received by the vehicle may include sun location information, time of day

information, and topographic information. The control apparatus 120 may therefore be able to estimate, based on the sun location, time of day, and topographic information, an amount of solar radiation that a vehicle can receive along each of the roads and streets in a road network that includes the starting location and the at least one location to be visited by the vehicle. On the basis of this estimation, the control apparatus 120 may be able to select a combination of roads and/or streets starting from the starting location and including the at least one location to be visited by the vehicle which would allow the solar panel 300 of the vehicle to receive an optimal amount of solar radiation.

Subsequently, in the next step 36, it is determined whether a shortest route starting from the starting location and including the at least one location to be visited by the vehicle is received. The shortest route may be received at the receiving apparatus 110 from the cloud network 200 or from another remote server.

If it is determined in step 36 that a shortest route is received at the routing system 100, the method proceeds to step 38, where the planned route is compared against the shortest route. If it is determined that a shortest route is not received at the routing system 100, the method proceeds to step 37 where a shortest route is determined.

In step 37, the control apparatus 120 determines a shortest route starting from the starting location including the at least one location to be visited by the vehicle. The GPS navigator of the control apparatus 120 is capable of performing this determination by searching a plurality of routes connecting the starting location and the at least one location to be visited by the vehicle.

In the next steps 38 and 39, the planned route is compared against the shortest route by the control apparatus 120 and the planned route is then adjusted based on the comparison. Specifically, an amount of electric power required for the planned route and an amount of electric power required for the shortest route are compared. In this step, the control apparatus 120 may be arranged to estimate an amount of electric power required for the planned route and an amount of electric power required for the shortest route, and to calculate a difference between the estimated required electric power. If the difference between the amounts of required electric power of the planned route and the shortest route exceeds a predetermined threshold, the control apparatus 120 performs adjustment to the planned route so as to reduce the amount of electric power required for the planned route, e.g. shortening the route by redirecting. In the next step 40, the control apparatus 120 performs at least one of detecting a current weather and predicting future weather. In this step, the sensor apparatus 140 detects at least one parameter that relates to a current weather. In the present embodiment, the sensor apparatus 140 comprises at least one of: a solar radiation detector, a barometer, a temperature sensor, and a humidity detector so as to detect an amount of current solar radiation incident on the vehicle, the atmospheric pressure, a current temperature, and a measure of humidity. The solar radiation detector may comprise at least one of: a pyrheliometer for measuring direct beam solar irradiance, a pyranometer for measuring solar irradiance on a planar surface, and a duration-of- sunshine instrument for measuring a fraction of daylight hours the sun is not obscured by clouds. The humidity detector may comprise a hygrometer for measuring a moisture content in the atmosphere.

The control apparatus 120 detects current weather based on data from the sensor apparatus 140 and/or predicts future weather based on data from the sensor apparatus 140. For example, since the sensor apparatus 140 is arranged to detect solar radiation, the control apparatus 120 can use this data as basis for determining a current weather, e.g. if the solar radiation received per unit time is higher than a threshold, determining that it is currently sunny.

After the control apparatus 120 detects current weather and/or predicts future weather, in step 41 the control apparatus 120 performs adjustment to the selected planned route based on the detection and/or prediction. For example, if it is determined by the control apparatus 120 that it is currently raining, then the control apparatus 120 may adjust the planned route such that it no longer takes into account topography information that is received at the receiving apparatus 110.

In the present embodiment, steps 40 and 41 occur during an operation of the vehicle when the vehicle is being driven along the planned route. In other words, the routing system 100 in this embodiment constantly performs analysis of whether the planned route allows the vehicle to receive an optimal amount of sunlight, taking into account of a plurality of factors such as real-time weather.

If desired, the different steps discussed herein may be performed in a different order and/ or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, if desired, one or more above- described steps may be optional or may be combined. For example, step 32 described above may be replaced by a step of receiving an input of a starting location from a user. As another example, steps 40 and 41 may be omitted from the method above in order to reduce the amount of electric power used for performing the detection/prediction of weather and further adjustment of the planned route.

In alternative embodiments, more than one solar panel may be provided at the vehicle, the more than one solar panels being electrically connected to the power storage apparatus of the vehicle. In these alternative embodiments, the more than one solar panels may be arranged as an array in a strategic location on an exterior of the vehicle.

In alternative embodiments, the routing system may not comprise a sensor apparatus. In these alternative embodiments, the control apparatus may be arranged to perform adjustment to the planned route based on information received at the receiving apparatus, e.g. a current weather received from the cloud network.

In alternative embodiments, the user may not be a driver of the vehicle. For example, in the case where the vehicle is a self-driving vehicle, the user may be a passenger of the vehicle.

In alternative embodiments, the receiving apparatus may not be arranged to receive the at least one location to be visited by the vehicle or information relating to an amount of solar radiation that can be received by the vehicle from the cloud network. In these alternative embodiments the receiving apparatus may be arranged to receive the at least one location to be visited by the vehicle or information relating to an amount of solar radiation that can be received by the vehicle from a separate remote server. In alternative embodiments, the routing system may further comprise an input apparatus for receiving an input of at least one location to be visited by the vehicle from a user. In these alternative embodiments, the routing system may not be arranged to receive location(s) to be visited by the vehicle from a cloud network or other remote servers. In addition, in these alternative embodiments, the input apparatus may comprise a keyboard and/ or a touch-screen input for the user to enter a post code or an address or select among a plurality of saved/stored locations.

In alternative embodiments, the sensor apparatus may comprise any other type of detecting or sensing instrument which relates to a current weather. For example, in alternative embodiments, the sensor apparatus may comprise a lightning detector, a rain gauge, and an anemometer, etc. Although it is described in an embodiment above that the routing system is arranged to receive at least one location to be visited by the vehicle at the receiving apparatus, in alternative embodiments the routing system is arranged to receive an input of at least one location to be visited by the vehicle from a user via an input apparatus in the routing system.

In alternative embodiments, the receiving apparatus may be further arranged to receive real-time traffic information and/ or general traffic information. Both real-time traffic information and general traffic information may include information relating to traffic lights, disruptions, congestion, or whether at least a part of the planned route is motorway. In these alternative embodiments, the control apparatus may be arranged to perform adjustment to the planned route based on the received real-time traffic information and/or general traffic information. For example, the control apparatus may determine that a part of the planned route should be redirected due to congestion in that part of the planned route.

In alternative embodiments, the control apparatus may not be arranged to perform adjustment to the selected planned route during an operation of the vehicle, i.e. when the vehicle is being driven.

Although it is described in an embodiment above that adjustment to the planned route is performed during an operation of the vehicle, in alternative embodiments, adjustment to the planned route may be performed before commencement of the planned route.

Although it is described in an embodiment above that the routing system is part of a vehicle, in alternative embodiments, the routing system may not be located or implemented in the vehicle. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the routing system may be implemented in the cloud network of the system. In addition, in alternative embodiments, other components of the routing system may be omitted or implemented in other parts of the vehicle when the routing system is located or implemented outside the vehicle. For example, when the routing system is

implemented in the cloud network of the system, the sensor apparatus may be located in the vehicle rather than being implemented in the cloud network. Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in software, hardware, application logic or a combination of software, hardware, and application logic. The software, application logic and/or hardware may reside on memory, or any computer media. In an exemplary embodiment, the application software or an instruction set is maintained on any one of various conventional computer-readable media. In the context of this document, a "memory" or "computer-readable medium" maybe any media or means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate or transport the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction executing system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer.

Although the various aspects of the present disclosure are set out in the independent claims, other aspects of the present disclosure comprise other combinations of features from the described embodiments and/or the dependent claims with the features of the independent claims, and not solely the combinations explicitly set out in the claims.

It is also noted herein that while the above describes various examples, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limiting sense. Rather, there are several variations and modifications which may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.