FUNCTIONALITY

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to electrical vehicles; and more specifically, to an electrical vehicle information system, or a system for managing alertness of a driver, for example by determining alertness of the driver, or a vehicle information system for providing location-based promotional information, or a vehicle controlling systems for providing user control of one or more operations of a vehicle. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a method of providing graphical user interface functionality, or the present disclosure is concerned with a method of operating a system for managing alertness of a driver, or the present disclosure is concerned with methods of operating aforesaid vehicle information systems, or the present disclosure is concerned with the methods of operating aforesaid vehicle controlling systems.

BACKGROUND

Currently, high performance vehicles are equipped with display devices to render various digital contents. Moreover, such display devices have been additionally used for rendering various information pertaining to operation of the vehicle. Typically, such devices are connected to a computing system, for example, carputers. For example, display devices are used to render navigational information, infotainment information, functional and operational information of the vehicle and so forth. Furthermore, such devices are operable to render graphical user interfaces (GUI) to enable a user (for an instance, a driver) to communicate with the aforementioned carputer. Generally, such display devices are positioned directly in front of a driver seat for easy access.

However, rendering of such variety of information has resulted in allocation of a smaller portion of the display area on the device for any specific bit of information. Moreover, such rendering of information is increasingly cluttering the graphical user interface (GUI). For example, in order to render a variety of information, the graphical user interface (GUI) provides cascaded interfaces, through which the user navigates. Furthermore, navigating through such cascaded interfaces distracts the concentration of the user from the road, along which the vehicle is travelling in operation. Such distraction may result in an unpleasant driving experience and/or adversely affect driving safety.

Additionally, navigating through such cascaded interfaces is a cumbersome process, especially for a user that is driving a given vehicle. Moreover, in the conventional high performance vehicles, display devices employed are usually located adjacent to gauges such as speedometers, tachometers, fuel gauges and forth. Such an arrangement restricts a seamless viewing of the user between the display device and the road.

Therefore, there arises a technical problem of how to provide an improved driving experience by eliminating the distraction of a driver from viewing of a display device in order to access information.

In recent times, accidents due to drivers of vehicles being distracted have increased considerably. Typically, the drivers are distracted because of monotonous driving, mental preoccupation, drowsiness, being under the influence of alcohol or drugs and so forth. Injuries and deaths resulting from aforementioned accidents involving inattentive drivers are of increasing concern. Consequently, governments spend millions of dollars (USD) to keep drivers awake during long journeys; for example, in a case of the Laerdal Tunnel in Norway, to keep drivers alert through an associated 20-minute-long monotonous drive, lights along the tunnel are arranged in such a manner to give the illusion of driving into daylight. However, such techniques do not provide an indication of the alertness of the driver. Conventionally, to overcome the aforementioned problems, the vehicles are provided with a mercury switch. The mercury switch is placed on a driver's head. When a driver's head is in the normal position the mercury switch remains open, but when the driver falls asleep the driver's head rolls forward, with the driver's chin coming to rest on chest. This change in switch position causes the switch to close and an alarm to sound. However, this method is merely utilized after the driver is unconscious and may not be able to control the vehicle for several seconds, namely far too late to avoid an accident. Furthermore, in another example, the vehicles are provided with imaging devices which determine the alertness level based on the eyes of the driver; if the eyes of the driver are closed for a period of time, an alarm signal will be transmitted. However, in such an example, if the driver is unconscious but externally appears to be awake (with eyes open), the aforementioned imaging devices are not able to determine correctly the alertness of the driver. Therefore, in light of the foregoing discussion, there exist problems associated with conventional alertness detection system.

Generally, companies spend a significant portion of their revenue on advertising. Therefore, the companies prefer to expose a given type of advertisement to a given type of consumer at a given time in order to convert the consumer into a potential buyer; in other words, one or more types of advertisement are preferably matched to one or more corresponding consumers, at one or more time intervals during which the one or more customers are likely to be receptive to the one or more types of advertisement. In contemporary transit vehicles, billboards, hoardings, street furniture, and so forth are commonly used as advertising platforms. Often, such entities are used as a platform for conducting targeted advertisements for consumers who are likely to pass by such advertisement platform, for example, a user of a vehicle driving along a road. However, such modes of targeted advertisement suffer many disadvantages. Firstly, in such modes of targeted advertisement, the advertised content is static, namely the advertised content is not customized for individual consumers (such as a given user of a given vehicle). Therefore, such a potential consumer has to perform a cumbersome process of manually locating an advertisement of a desired service or product. Secondly, such modes of advertisement are not adaptive, namely such modes of targeted advertisement are not able to promote a right service or product to a right type of consumer at a right time. Thirdly, in such a mode of advertisement, the advertised content is located in a nearby location, which a consumer (such as a user of a vehicle) may miss or ignore on account the visual distance of the advertisement from the consumer. Thus, such a mode of advertisement is usually ineffective.

Therefore, there exists a technical problem of how to provide an improved advertisement for consumers, for example, to a user of a vehicle traveling to a location.

Using a vehicle in day-to-day life is a common contemporary practice. Individuals use vehicles to perform various daily activities, such as commuting or transporting goods from one place to another. Typically, a user (driver) of the vehicle locks a door of the vehicle when leaving or parking the vehicle, namely to restrict unauthorized third party access to the vehicle. Subsequently, the user unlocks the door again when later getting into the vehicle. Generally, the vehicle may be locked and unlocked using non-electronic and electronic keys. However, using non-electronic and electronic keys for locking and unlocking vehicles has various technical difficulties associated therewith. Firstly, both the non-electronic and electronic keys are additional devices that need to be carried by the user of the vehicle. Furthermore, the user needs to be careful about handling the keys, for example not to lose them or damage them so that they become non-functional. Additionally, the non-electronic and electronic keys are designed to be relatively small in size, for example not more than 4 cm long, 2 cm wide and 1 cm thick. Therefore, such keys are often misplaced or lost. Secondly, the user of the vehicle needs to operate manually the keys every time the user has to lock the vehicle and subsequently unlock the vehicle. Moreover, manually operating the keys includes substantial user interaction with both the keys and the lock. For example, in order to lock the vehicle using a non-electronic key, the user has to insert a key into a lock of a vehicle door and manipulate the lock (for example rotating the key relative to the lock) for locking the door. In an example situation where the user forgets to lock the vehicle manually, the user may leave the vehicle in a state that may be potentially susceptible to unauthorized access. Thus, using such keys to control the locking and unlocking the vehicle is cumbersome and at times, ineffective.

Therefore, in light of the foregoing technical problems pertaining to known keys and locks for vehicles, there exists a need to overcome aforementioned drawbacks associated with the conventional methods of controlling the locking and unlocking of vehicles. SUMMARY

The present disclosure seeks to provide a vehicle with enhanced graphical user interface functionality.

The present disclosure also seeks to provide a method of providing a vehicle with enhanced graphical user interface functionality. According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a vehicle including a vehicle frame, a wheel arrangement including a plurality of wheels for supporting the vehicle frame on a road surface, a drive train for providing motive power to the wheel arrangement, and a vehicle cabin including a driving seat arrangement for accommodating a driver of the vehicle, wherein the driving seat arrangement is provided with a driving console that is disposed at a height below a front windscreen of the vehicle, the driving console having a graphical user interface (GUI1), and wherein the graphical user interface (GUI1) is coupled to a data processing arrangement of the vehicle for controlling operation of the vehicle, characterized in that the vehicle is provided with an additional graphical user interface (GUI2) that is also coupled to the data processing arrangement, wherein the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) is mounted in a sun-visor above the driving console and is pivotally disposable for use in a folded-down position of the sun-visor and is pivotally folded when not in use in a folded-up position.

The present disclosure is of advantage in that the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) provides the driver with additional information, namely with enhanced graphical user interface functionality, when required, without the driver's attention being diverted from a road scene in front of the vehicle, and the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) can be conveniently folded away when not in use to provide the driver with an unimpeded field of view. According to a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of providing a vehicle with enhanced graphical user interface functionality, wherein the vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a wheel arrangement including a plurality of wheels for supporting the vehicle frame on a road surface, a drive train for providing motive power to the wheel arrangement, and a vehicle cabin including a driving seat arrangement for accommodating a driver of the vehicle, wherein the driving seat arrangement is provided with a driving console including a graphical user interface (GUIl) that is disposed at a height below a front windscreen of the vehicle, and wherein the graphical user interface (GUIl) is coupled to a data processing arrangement of the vehicle for controlling operation of the vehicle, characterized in that the method includes:

(i) providing the vehicle with an additional graphical user interface (GUI2) that is also coupled to the data processing arrangement, wherein the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) is mounted in a sun-visor above the driving console; and

(ii) arranging for the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) to be pivotally disposable for use in a folded-down position of the sun-visor and to be pivotally folded when not in use in a folded-up position. According to a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a sun-visor mounted graphical user interface for use with the vehicle of the first aspect, characterized in that sun-visor mounted graphical user interface includes a flat-screen pixel display and associated wireless interface for wirelessly communicating with data processing arrangement of the vehicle, and a resonant inductive power coupling arrangement for receiving resonant inductively coupled power from an excitation coil arrangement disposed in a vehicle cabin of the vehicle.

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. The present disclosure additionally seeks to provide an improved system for managing an alertness of a driver of a vehicle.

The present disclosure also seeks to provide an improved method of using a system for managing an alertness of a driver of a vehicle.

According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a system for managing an alertness of a driver of a vehicle, characterized in that the system includes:

an alertness tracking device operable to determine an alertness level of the driver; and

a data processing arrangement that is operable to:

provide a periodic stimulus to the driver, based upon the determined alertness level,

receive a driver's periodic response to the periodic stimulus, and

analyze the driver's periodic response for maintaining the alertness of the driver.

The improved system for managing alertness of the driver is configured to determine efficiently the alertness of the driver; moreover, the system for managing alertness of the driver allows for providing an auxiliary task, to the driver, to maintain the alertness of the driver. According to a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of using a system for managing an alertness of a driver of a vehicle, wherein the system includes an alertness tracking device and a data processing arrangement, characterized in that the method includes: determining, by the alertness tracking device, an alertness level of the driver;

operating the data processing arrangement to provide a periodic stimulus to the driver, based on the determined alertness level;

receiving a driver's periodic response to the periodic stimulus, and analysing the driver's periodic response for maintaining the alertness of the driver.

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. The present disclosure additionally seeks to provide an improved vehicle information system for providing location-based promotional information to a user of a vehicle.

The present disclosure also seeks to provide an improved method of operating a vehicle information system for providing location-based promotional information to a user of a vehicle.

According to a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a vehicle information system for providing location-based promotional information to a user of a vehicle, characterized in that the vehicle information system includes:

- a location sensor arranged in the vehicle for sensing a geographical location of the vehicle;

- an external server arrangement including one or more databases for storing location-based promotional information related to various geographical locations; and

- a data processing unit communicably coupled to the location sensor and the external server arrangement, wherein the data processing unit operable to execute a software application to identify the geographical location of the vehicle and to provide the location-based promotional information based on the identified geographical location of the vehicle to the user.

The present disclosure is of advantage in that there is provided location- based promotional information to a user of a vehicle, such as an electric vehicle, with enhanced functionality for determining promotional information, that is easy to implement and straight forward for the user to employ.

According to a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of operating a vehicle information system for providing location-based promotional information to a user of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle information system includes a location sensor arranged on the vehicle, an external server arrangement including one or more databases for storing location-based promotional information related to various geographical locations, and a data processing unit communicably coupled to the location sensor and the external server arrangement, and operable to execute a software application, characterized in that the method includes:

(i) acquiring location-based promotional information from the external server arrangement; (ii) identifying the geographical location of the vehicle; and

(iii) providing the location-based promotional information based on the identified geographical location of the vehicle to 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.

The present disclosure additionally seeks to provide an improved vehicle controlling system for providing user control of one or more operations of a vehicle. The present disclosure also seeks to provide an improved method of operating a vehicle controlling system.

According to a eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a vehicle controlling system for providing user control of one or more operations of a vehicle, characterized in that the vehicle controlling system includes:

- a data processing unit arranged in the vehicle for hosting a software application; and - a mobile wireless communication device including an additional software application that is operable to communicate operational data to the data processing unit,

wherein the software application is operable to control the one or more operations of the vehicle in response to the operational data communicated by the additional software application of the mobile wireless communication device.

The present disclosure additionally seeks to provide a vehicle controlling system for providing user control of one or more operations of a vehicle, such as an electrical vehicle, with enhanced functionality for controlling one or more operations of a vehicle with less user intervention, for example minimum user intervention.

According to a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of operating a vehicle controlling system, characterized in that the vehicle controlling system includes a data processing unit arranged in the vehicle for hosting a software application, and a mobile wireless communication device including an additional software application, characterized in that the method includes:

(i) causing operational data to be transferred from the mobile wireless communication device to the data processing unit arranged in the vehicle; and

(ii) controlling one or more operations of the vehicle based on the operational data transferred from the mobile wireless communication device. 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 :

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a graphical user interface arrangement for a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a sun-visor mounted with an additional graphical user interface of the arrangement of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary environment depicting implementation of the graphical user interface arrangement of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 4 illustrates steps of a method of providing a vehicle with enhanced graphical user interface functionality, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of architecture of a system for managing an alertness of a driver of a vehicle, in accordance with another embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of architecture of the data processing arrangement, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates steps of a method of managing an alertness of a driver of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a vehicle information system, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of steps of a method of using a vehicle information system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a vehicle controlling system, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is an illustration of an implementation of the vehicle controlling system of FIG. 10, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 12 is an illustration of steps of a method of using a vehicle controlling system, 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 d isclosure are concerned with a vehicle with enhanced g raphical user interfaces. Moreover, embodiments of the present disclosure are concerned with methods of providing a vehicle with enhanced g raphical user interface functionality

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a block diagram of a graphical user interface arrangement 1100 for a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present d isclosure. Specifically, FIG. 1 shows the various primary components of the graphical user interface arrangement 1100. As shown, the arrangement 1100 includes a graphical user interface (GUI1) 1110, a data processing arrangement 1120, an additional graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130 and a camera 1140. Furthermore, the graphical user interface (GUI1) 1110 and the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130 are communicably coupled with the data processing arrangement 1120.

The vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a wheel arrangement including a plurality of wheels for supporting the vehicle frame on a road surface, a drive train for providing motive power to the wheel arrangement, and a passenger compartment including a driving seat arrangement for accommodating a driver of the vehicle.

Optionally, the term ^vehicle frame' as used herein relates to a framework that supports a body of a vehicle, for example, such as an electrical vehicle. Specifically, the vehicle frame is a chassis of the vehicle that provides a platform on which the bodywork (such as the doors, windshield, sun-visors and so forth) of the vehicle is arranged . Furthermore, the vehicle frame of the vehicle includes other associated parts, for example, such as, brakes, radiator, scuttle, dashboard and so forth. More optionally, the vehicle frame includes engine and drivetrain of the vehicle. Furthermore, the vehicle frame of the vehicle is supported via suspension arrangements onto a wheel arrangement. Additionally, the term ^{^} wheel arrangement' as used herein relates to a configuration of distributing wheels that are operable to support the vehicle frame on a road surface. The wheel arrangement includes a plurality of wheels positioned at the front and the rear the vehicle frame. Additionally, the pair of front wheels of the wheel arrangement is maneuvered using a steering wheel. Moreover, the term ^{^} drive train' as used herein relates to component parts in the vehicle that are operable to generate torque to rotate one or more wheels of the vehicle to propel the vehicle.

Optionally, the term ^{^} vehicle cabin' as used herein relates to an interior of the vehicle that allows a user (such as a driver) to be properly positioned for operating the vehicle. Furthermore, the vehicle cabin is a compartment formed within the vehicle frame and the bodywork of the vehicle. Furthermore, the vehicle cabin includes a driver seat arrangement for accommodating the driver of the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle cabin may include a plurality of seats positioned for passengers excluding the driver within the vehicle. The terms "user" and "driver" are intended to be used interchangeably, and both terms can apply to scenarios that do not involve driving.

The driving seat arrangement is provided with a driving console that is disposed at a height below a front windscreen of the vehicle the driving console having a graphical user interface (GUI1) 1110. Optionally, the term ^{^} driving console' as used herein relates to a control-bearing surface positioned at the centre of a front section of the vehicle. Specifically, the driving console is arranged on the dashboard that is disposed at a height below a front windscreen of the vehicle. The graphical user interface (GUI1) may be disposed at a height below a front windscreen of the vehicle. Alternatively, the graphical user interface may be disposed at a height level with part of the front windscreen. In the latter arrangement, the graphical user interface (GUIl) may be near a side of the driving seat arrangement, such as to provide the driver with minimal change of viewing direction from the road ahead without obstructing the driver's line of sight of the road ahead .

Optionally the graphical user interface (GUIl) may be retractable into the driving console.

Furthermore, the driving console includes a computing device to enable the driver to perform activities, such as, to access information, provide operational instructions to the vehicle and so forth. Optionally, the computing device is a carputer. Moreover, the computing device includes the electrical components, such as, input means, output means, memories, processors, and so forth. Additionally, the computing device of the driving console includes programmable and non- programmable hardware components, software components, firmware components, or a combination of these, configured to execute the software application management and infotainment system, thereon. Furthermore, the software application management and infotainment system is a device-functionality software and/or an operating system software configured to execute other application programs and interface between the application programs and associated hardware. Specifically, the software application management and infotainment arrangement may be a computing platform wherein a plurality of computer programs may be installed.

Optionally, the computing device includes a display screen to enable the user to perform aforesaid activities. Furthermore, the display screen is a touch sensitive display to allow the user to provide at least one input on the computing device. Moreover, the display screen is a small-sized screen that is used to render the user interface (such as the g raphical user interface (GUI1) 1110) on the computing device. More optionally, the driver may provide inputs to the computing device by touching a portion or point on the touch sensitive screen using a finger or a pointing device such as, but not limited to a stylus, a pen, and so forth. For example, the touch sensitive display may display a keypad to the user, and the user can touch/tap keys of the keypad using a stylus to enter an input.

Optionally, the term ^graphical user interface (GUI1)' as used herein relates to a structured set of g raphical visual objects (e.g ., windows, dialog boxes, frames, panels, menus, buttons, icons, etc.) that are rendered upon the execution of the software application management and infotainment system on a display screen to convey g raphical and/or textual information to the driver, and to receive input data from the driver. Additionally, the g raphical user interface (GUI1) 1110 includes one or more modules through which the user interacts with the computing device. For example, the user interface may include an input for allowing the user to manipulate the computing device, and can include an output for allowing the system to present information and/or data, indicate effects of the user's manipulation, and so forth.

The graphical user interface (GUI1) 110 is coupled to a data processing arrangement of the vehicle for controlling operation of the vehicle. Optionally, the term ^data processing arrangement' as used herein relates to an arrangement including programmable and/or non-programmable hardware and software components that are configured to perform data analysis, strategic control and reporting to a driver of the vehicle. Optionally, the data processing arrangement is operable to control and select the various attributes of the information displayed in the g raphical user interfaces 1110 and 1130. Furthermore, the data processing arrangement is operable to communicate with the software application management and infotainment system to acquire the information related to the vehicle for data analysis. Moreover, the data processing arrangement is communicably coupled to the g raphical user interfaces 1110 and 1130 to acquire inputs from the driver to perform data analysis, and provide strategic control (such as controlling operation) and reporting to the driver.

Additionally, the data processing arrangement includes a communication module to facilitate connection between the graphical user interfaces 1110 and 1130. Moreover, the communication module includes hardware, software, communication network and so forth. Additionally, the communication network may be an individual network, or a collection of individual networks, interconnected with each other and functioning as a single large network. Such ind ividual networks may be wired, wireless, or a combination thereof. Examples of such networks include, but are not limited to, Bluetooth®, Internet of things (IoT), Visible Light Communication (VLC), Near Field Communication (NFC), Local Area Networks (LANs), Wide Area Networks (WANs), Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs), Wireless LANs (WLANs), Wireless WANs (WWANs), Wireless MANs (WMANs), second generation (2G) telecommunication networks, third generation (3G) telecommunication networks, fourth generation (4G) telecommunication networks, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) networks and so forth. Additionally, the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130 is operable to communicate wirelessly with the data processing arrangement. The additional graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130 of the vehicle coupled to the data processing arrangement is mounted in a sun-visor above the driving console. Optionally, the term ^graphical user interface (GUI2)' as used herein relates to a structured set of graphical visual objects (e.g ., windows, dialog boxes, frames, panels, menus, buttons, icons, etc.) that are rendered upon the execution of the software application management and infotainment system on a display screen to convey graphical and/or textual information to the driver, and to receive input data from the driver. More optionally, the graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130 may include control options, on-screen keyboards and pull- down menus to receive input from the driver. Specifically, the driver may interact with the graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130 by employing voice input, keypad input, gesture input, and so forth. For example, the driver may input information to the graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130 in the form of a gesture via a keypad input. In such example, the keypad input may be provided via a virtual keyboard and/or a physical keyboard. Furthermore, the graphical users interface (GUI2) 1130 may consequently interact with the driver by employing text output, voice output, image output, and so forth. It may be appreciated that the term graphical user interface (GUI) should be interpreted as broadly as possible to refer to a graphical front end to a computer program that allows a user to invoke program commands by using the mouse (and/or keyboard) and a remote control.

Furthermore, the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130 is a secondary display provided to the driver on the sun-visor of the vehicle. The additional graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130 is pivotally disposable for use in a folded-down position of the sun-visor and is pivotally folded when not in use into a folded-up position, attainable by the driver pulling the sun-visor to flip it upwards. Beneficially, the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130 enables the driver to seamlessly view the information provided by the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130 and also the road on which the vehicle is travelling . Optionally, the sun-visor includes a flat-screen pixel display device with a display surface (display screen) that is operable to render the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130. Additionally, the flat-screen pixel display device rendering the graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130 is coupled to a surface of the sun-visor that is positioned to face the driver. Furthermore, the display surface of the flat-screen pixel display device faces upwards when the sun-visor is in the folded-up position. For example, the display surface of the flat-screen pixel display device is positioned to face the roof of the vehicle when the sun-visor is in the folded-up position.

Optionally, the shape of the flat-screen pixel display device rendering the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130 is similar to that of the sun-visor. Moreover, the flat-screen pixel display device is disposed along the surface of the sun-visor. Furthermore, the flat-screen pixel display device rendering the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130 is snugly coupled to the sun-visor. Advantageously, the flat-screen pixel device substantially covers the area of the sun-visor. Additionally, the flat-screen pixel display device includes liquid crystal displays (LCDs), light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light-emitting diode (OLED), electroluminescent display (ELD), plasma display and so forth.

Moreover, the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130 acquires operating power using wireless resonant inductive power transfer from an excitation coil arrangement disposed in a roof region of the vehicle cabin. Optionally, the term ^{^} wireless resonant inductive power transfer' as used herein relates to a wireless transfer of power to inductive coils of a chargeable component, using inductive coils disposed in one or more components of the vehicle. Specifically, the flat-screen pixel display device rendering the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130 is operable to draw electric power using inductive coils disposed in one or more components, such as the roof region of the vehicle cabin. Furthermore, the component is an excitation coil arrangement. The excitation coil arrangement is disposed in the roof region of the vehicle cabin. Optionally, the excitation coil arrangement may draw the power from the main power source of the vehicle, for example, such as a battery unit of an electrical vehicle. Furthermore, the excitation coil arrangement may draw power from another power source, for example, the excitation coil arrangement may be connected to a solar power arrangement disposed on top of the roof region of the vehicle cabin.

Optionally, in an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle includes resonant inductive coils as a part of its structure that, when held in proximity to other resonant inductive coils (included in the flat-screen pixel display device). Such resonant inductive coupling enables the flat-screen pixel display device to operate optimally. Such inductively coupled coils beneficially are implemented as a series of mutually matched series resonant LC circuits whose windings are overlapping and shielded externally by a thin Aluminium or Copper screen to contain stray magnetic fields, to prevent persons being exposed to a resonant inductive magnetic field generated when coupling power.

Optionally, the sun-visor of the vehicle includes a camera 1140 that is orientated to image a front region of the vehicle and wherein the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) is operable to show to the driver a view of the front region of the vehicle when in the folded-down position. It may be appreciated that the front region of the vehicle refers to a portion of the road which is in front of the vehicle while the vehicle is travelling on the road. More optionally, the term ^{^} camera' as used herein relates to a device that consists of one or more lightproof chambers with one or more apertures fitted with one or more in combination lens or other optical component through which the image of an object is projected and focused onto a surface for recording or for translation into electrical impulses or data, for display or recording and transferring visual data created to a computing device in a digital information form. Optionally, the camera 1140 is a digital camera with a wide angle view. Furthermore, the camera 1140 is coupled to a surface of the sun-visor that is opposite to the surface on which the flat-screen pixel display is attached. Moreover, the camera 1140 is positioned in a manner that when the sun-visor is deployed (folded-down position) the camera 1140 is enabled to focus and/or capture a portion of the road that is ahead of the vehicle. More generally, the camera 1140 may be substituted or supplemented by a camera arrangement that is orientated to image a front region of the vehicle, by positioning a camera in a suitable forward-directed orientation.

Additionally, optionally, the camera 1140 is operable to transfer the captured or recorded image and/or video to the data processing arrangement 1120. Furthermore, the camera 1140 is communicably coupled with the data processing arrangement 1120 via wired means, wireless means and/or by a means that is a combination of wired and wireless means. For example, such as, the camera 1140 may be WIFI® enabled and may transfer the image and/or video captured or recorded to the data processing arrangement 1120 wirelessly. Furthermore, the data processing arrangement 1120 is operable to transfer the image and/or video captured or recorded by the camera 1140 to the flat-screen pixel display device to be rendered within the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130. Optionally, the data processing arrangement 1120 is operable to provide visual navigation system along with the image and/or video rendered within the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130. Additionally, the visual navigation system includes GPS and/or GPRS navigation. Furthermore, the visual navigation system may include satellite navigation. Optionally the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130 is operable to display visual navigation in an event wherein the sun-visor is in a folded-down position (deployed position).

Furthermore, the vehicle is provided with a camera arrangement that is orientated to image a rear region of the vehicle, and wherein the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) is operable to show to the driver a view of the rear region of the vehicle when in the folded-down position. It may be appreciated that the rear region of the vehicle refers to a portion of the road which is in the rear of the vehicle while the vehicle is travelling on the road. Optionally, the camera arrangement includes a plurality of cameras disposed on the rear portion of the vehicle. Furthermore, the cameras disposed on the rear portion are operable to capture or record images and/or video. Moreover, the camera arrangement is communicably coupled with the data processing arrangement 1120 via wired means, wireless means and/or by a means that is a combination of wired and wireless means. Furthermore, the data processing arrangement 1120 is operable to transfer the image and/or video captured or recorded by the arrangement to the flat-screen pixel display device to the rendered within the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130.

Optionally, driver is enabled to choose the digital content rendered on the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130. For example, the driver may select the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130 to display the front view of the vehicle or the rear view of the vehicle. In another example, the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130 may be operable to display a view that is ahead of the direction in which the vehicle is travelling, such as, in an instance wherein the vehicle is moving forward the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130 may render the front view of the vehicle, in another instance wherein the vehicle is moving backwards the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130 may render the rear view of the vehicle. Optionally, the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130 is operable to render an augmented reality view of any one of the front region and the rear region of the vehicle when in the folded-down position. Furthermore, the term ^{^} augmented reality' as used herein relates to digital content rendering real time content with additional content (superimposed on the real time digital content). Specifically, the add itional graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130 is operable to superimpose d igital content such as the GPS and/or GPRS navigation to provide the driver with the augmented reality view. Additionally, the augmented reality view is operable to include various digital contents to be superimposed on the views of the front and/or the rear region of the vehicle. For example, the front view including the image and/or video captured or recorded by the camera 1140 may be superimposed with visual navigational ind icator to instruct and assist the driver to navigate along a route. Furthermore, in such an example, the front view may include plurality of other information, such as the state of charge of the battery, the amount of time needed to reach the destination, diners/ restaurants on the driving route, recharging stations and so forth. In another example, such as, the rear view including the image and/or video captured or recorded by the camera 1140 may be superimposed with instruction of driving the vehicle backwards while parking . In such example, the instruction may include visual ind icators depicting the directions for parking the vehicle, visual indicators instructing the driver to stop moving the vehicle in a direction that may result into a collision and so forth. Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a side view of a sun-visor 1210 mounted with an additional graphical user interface 130 of the arrangement 1100 of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, in FIG. 2, there is shown the various primary components of sun-visor 1210. As shown, the sun-visor 1210 is coupled with the add itional graphical user interface 1130 of the arrangement 1100 and a camera 1140.

Optionally, the sun-visor 1210 is coupled with a flat-screen pixel display device that is operable to render the additional g raphical user interface 1130. Furthermore, the flat-screen pixel display device is coupled to the sun-visor 1210 by various means, for example, such as the flat-screen pixel display device may be mechanically coupled with the sun-visor 1210. Furthermore, the camera 1140 is coupled to the sun-visor 1210 by various means, for example, such as the flat-screen pixel display device may be mechanically coupled with the camera 1140. Optionally, the camera 1140 may be coupled to the sun-visor 1210 that allows for movement of the camera for capturing a wind angle view. Additionally, the additional graphical user interface 1130 and the camera 1140 is coupled to the two opposite surfaces of the sun-visor 1210.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a detailed view of the exemplary environment 1300 depicting implementation of the graphical user interface arrangement 1100 of Fig . 1. Additionally, as shown, the exemplary environment 1300 includes the graphical user interface (GUI1) 1110, the add itional graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130 and the travelling route 1310 of the vehicle 1320. Furthermore, the add itional graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130 is operable to display a view 1330 of the travelling route 1310 of the vehicle. Moreover, as shown the g raphical user interface (GUI1) 1110 is attached to a dashboard 1340 of vehicle 1320 and the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) 1130 is attached to the sun-visor 1210 (as shown in FIG.2).

Optionally, the travelling route 1310 of the vehicle in the exemplary environment 1300 includes various elements, for example, the road, forestation along the two sides of the road, cars moving in the opposite direction. Optionally, a camera (such as the camera 1140 of FIG. l) is operable to capture and/or record a real time view of the travelling route 1310 and transfer the real time view to the data processing arrangement (not shown) . Furthermore, the data processing arrangement is operable to generate the view 1330, to be d isplayed on the additional g raphical user interface (GUI2) 1130, from the real time view provide by the camera 1140. Furthermore, the view 1330 may be an augmented view of the real time view captured and/or recorded by the camera 1140. Furthermore, the augmented view may include g raphical indicator 1350 showing the directions to the d river for travelling . For example, the view 1330 may include graphical indicator 1350 showing driver to move in a straight direction.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown steps of a method 1400 of providing a vehicle with enhanced graphical user interface functionality, in accordance with an embodiment of the present d isclosure. The vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a wheel arrangement including a plurality of wheels for supporting the vehicle frame on a road surface, a drive train for provid ing motive power to the wheel arrangement, and a vehicle cabin including a driving seat arrangement for accommodating a driver of the vehicle, wherein the driving seat arrangement is provided with a driving console that is disposed at a height below a front windscreen of the vehicle the driving console having a g raphical user interface (GUI1), and wherein the graphical user interface (GUI1) is coupled to a data processing arrangement of the vehicle for controlling operation of the vehicle. At a step 1402 the vehicle is provided with an additional graphical user interface (GUI2) that is also coupled to the data processing arrangement, wherein the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) is mounted in a sun-visor above the driving console. At a step 1404, the add itional graphical user interface (GUI2) is arranged to be pivotally disposable for use in a folded-down position of the sun-visor and to be pivotally folded when not in use in a folded-up position. The steps 1402 to 1404 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. For example, the add itional graphical user interface (GUI2) of the method 1400 is operable to communicate wirelessly with the data processing arrangement, and operating power is provided to the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) using wireless resonant inductive power transfer from an excitation coil arrangement disposed in a roof region of the vehicle cabin. In another example, the sun-visor includes a flat-screen pixel display device that is orientated with its major display surface facing upwards when the sun-visor is in the folded-up position. In yet another example, the vehicle is provided with a camera that is orientated to image a front region of the vehicle and wherein the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) is operable to show to the driver a view of the front region of the vehicle when in the folded-down position. Additionally, in another example, the vehicle is provided with a camera arrangement that is orientated to image a rear region of the vehicle, and wherein the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) is operable to show to the driver a view of the rear region of the vehicle when in the folded-down position. Furthermore, in an example, the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) is operable to provide visual GPS and/or GPRS navigation to the driver when the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) is in the folded-down position. Furthermore, in yet an example, the additional graphical user interface (GUI2) is operable to render an augmented reality view of any one of the front region and the rear region of the vehicle when in the folded-down position.

The aforementioned vehicle and method of providing a vehicle with enhanced graphical user interface functionality employ a plurality of displays. Furthermore, such arrangement of employing a plurality of displays allows for rendering various digital contents in an uncluttered manner. Furthermore, the vehicle includes an additional graphical user interface on a sun-visor. Beneficially, the plurality of displays allows for a driver to drive a vehicle while seamlessly viewing the road and the digital content rendered on a graphical user interface. Moreover, the vehicle may include a camera attached to the sun-visor that records the view of the driver obstructed by the sun-visor and displays on the graphical user interface. Beneficially, such arrangement allows for driver to have an enhanced view of the road. Furthermore, the vehicle may include a camera arrangement positioned at a rear position. Beneficially, the camera arrangement allows for a driver to drive a vehicle backwards with a lessened probability of collision while driving backwards. Moreover, the graphical user interface provides an augmented view of both the front region and the rear region of the vehicle with added graphical element.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a block diagram of an architecture of a system 2100 for managing an alertness of a driver of a vehicle, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The vehicle described herein may be an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, an internal combustion (IC) engine vehicle and the like. Throughout the present disclosure, the term "alertness" used herein, relates to a state of high sensory awareness such as being attentive and react promptly in a given situation. As shown, the system 2100 includes an alertness tracking device 2102. The alertness tracking device 2102 is operable to determine an alertness level of the driver.

Throughout the present disclosure, the term "alertness level" used herein relates to an extent of attentiveness of the driver while driving the vehicle. In an embodiment, the alertness tracking device 2102 may be arranged in the vehicle for determining the alertness level of the driver. In such an embodiment, the alertness tracking device 2102 may be positioned (or arranged) on a driver's seat or on a steering wheel of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the alertness tracking device 2102 may be a wearable device. In such an embodiment, the alertness tracking device 2102 may be worn on a driver's wrist or may be other electronic devices available in different forms including clips, necklaces, glasses, lens and medallions (placed in a pocket).

Optionally, the alertness tracking device 2102 is operable to monitor at least one biometric parameter including a heart rate, a pulse rate, and/or a blood pressure of the driver to determine the alertness level of the driver. Optionally, in such a case, the alertness tracking device 2102 may include sensors to detect biometric parameters including the heart rate, the pulse rate, the blood pressure, a body temperature, or a respiration rate. Based on the biometric parameters, the alertness tracking device 2102 determines the alertness level of the driver. In such a case, the alertness tracking device 2102 may have a pre-stored value of the biometric parameters of a person in an inattentive state (namely, unconscious state or sleeping). In an example, if the alertness tracking device 2102 detects that the heart rate of the driver, while driving the vehicle, is nearly equal to the heart rate of the person in the inattentive state, the alertness tracking device 2102 determines that there is a high risk that the driver is in the inattentive state or the alertness level of the driver is low. More optionally, by monitoring driver's heart rates and/or respiration rates, a determination can be made as to whether or not the driver is drowsy, at risk of falling asleep and/or whether the driver is experiencing a health event that could interfere with the driver's ability to operate the vehicle. Additionally, optionally, the alertness tracking device 2102 may also determine hours of sleep the driver has had within a predetermined period and a sleep quality index of the sleep over a period of time. Moreover, optionally, the alertness tracking device 2102 continuously tracks and monitors the biometric parameters of the driver of the vehicle.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the system 2100 includes a data processing arrangement 2104. The data processing arrangement 2104 is operable to provide a periodic stimulus to the driver, based upon the aforementioned determined alertness level. Specifically, the data processing arrangement 2104 may be hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these, that is operable to analyze the driver's periodic response for maintaining the alertness of the driver. Throughout the present disclosure, the term "periodic stimulus" used herein relates to a set of instructions, provided in a periodic manner by the data processing arrangement 2104, that are to be followed by the driver of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the data processing arrangement 2104 may be communicably coupled with the alertness tracking device 2102. In another embodiment, the data processing arrangement 2104 may be wired with the alertness tracking device 2102. The data processing arrangement 2104 receives the determined alertness level from the alertness tracking device 2102. Based on the determined alertness level, the data processing arrangement 2104 provides periodic stimulus to the driver.

Optionally, the periodic stimulus includes at least one of an audio stimulus, a physical stimulus, and/or a visual stimulus. More optionally, the periodic stimulus includes a combination of the audio stimulus, the physical stimulus, and/or the visual stimulus. In an example, the audio stimulus may include the set of instruction in audio format. In such examples, the data processing arrangement 2104 is operable to provide an oral (namely, spoken) statement requesting a response from the driver. In another example, the data processing arrangement 2104 may generate an alarm signal to alert the driver. Furthermore, the data processing arrangement 2104 is operable to receive a driver's periodic response to the periodic stimulus. Throughout the present disclosure, the term "driver's periodic response" used herein relates to an action of the driver in response to the periodic stimulus provided by the data processing arrangement 2104. Furthermore, optionally, the driver's periodic response to the periodic stimulus includes at least one of audio response and/or physical response. In an example, the physical response to the periodic stimulus may include a physical activity to be done by the driver. In such examples, if the periodic stimulus provided by the data processing arrangement 2104 is to press a button for five times with an interval of five seconds, then the driver has to press physically the button five times within interval of five seconds to inform the data processing arrangement 2104 that he/she is alert. In another example, the audio response to the periodic stimulus may include a response in audio format. In such examples, if the data processing arrangement 2104 provides the audio stimulus to the driver (for example, such as "are you awake"), the driver has to provide the audio response (for example, such as "yes! I am awake") to inform the data processing arrangement 2104 that he/she is alert.

Furthermore, the data processing arrangement 2104 analyzes the driver's periodic response for maintaining the alertness of the driver. Specifically, the data processing arrangement 2104 receives and evaluates the driver's periodic response to the periodic stimulus. For example, the data processing arrangement 2104 may provide the periodic stimulus in a form of a question, such as "do you want to take a break?". In such an example, if the driver's periodic response to the periodic stimulus is not provided within 5 seconds, the data processing arrangement 2104 analyzes that the driver may not be alert enough to drive the vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a block diagram of an architecture of the data processing arrangement 2104, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, optionally, the data processing arrangement 2104 includes a receptor 2202, a transmitter 2204, a processor 2206, and a memory unit 2208. More optionally, the receptor 2202, the transmitter 2204, the processor 2206, and the memory unit 2208 are communicably coupled with the alertness tracking device (for example, such as alertness tracking device 2102, shown in FIG.5). Furthermore, optionally, the receptor 2202, the transmitter 2204, and the processor 2206 are communicably coupled with auxiliary systems (such as an audio system, a sensor arrangement configured to control the vehicle). In an embodiment, the receptor 2202 may be hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these, that is operable to receive the determined alertness level from the alertness tracking device (for example, such as the alertness tracking device 2102, shown in FIG.5). Optionally, the receptor 2202 is further operable to transmit the determined alertness level to the processor 2206. More optionally, the receptor 2202 is operable to receive the driver's periodic response to the periodic stimulus. In an example, the receptor 2202 may include an audio input device such as a microphone for receiving audio responses from the driver. In another example, the receptor may include an imaging device for receiving physical responses from the driver, for example head movements, facial movements, finger movements and so forth. In an example, the imaging device may be a camera operable to capture the physical response. In such example, the physical response may include physical movement of the driver hands, as aforementioned. In yet another example, the receptor 2202 may include a combination of the audio input device and visual device for receiving the driver's periodic response to the periodic stimulus.

In an embodiment, the transmitter 2204 may be hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these, operable to provide the periodic stimulus to the driver, based on the determined alertness level. In an embodiment, the transmitter 2204 is operable to provide the audio stimulus to the driver. In such embodiment, the transmitter 2204 may be communicably coupled with the audio system to provide the audio stimulus. In another embodiment, the transmitter 2204 is operable to provide the visual stimulus to the driver. In such embodiment, the system (such as system 2100, shown in FIG. 5) may include a user interface that is communicably coupled with the transmitter 2204, to provide the visual stimulus to the driver. In this regard, in such embodiments, the visual stimulus may also be provided on a windscreen of the vehicle, via a projector. In yet another embodiment, the transmitter 2204 is operable to provide the physical stimulus to the driver. In such embodiment, the transmitter 2204 may vibrate the steering wheel or the driver's seat to alert the driver.

Optionally, as described in the foregoing, the data processing arrangement 2104 may further include the processor 2206. In an embodiment, the processor 2206 may be hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these, operable to analyze the driver's periodic response to the periodic stimulus. Optionally, the processor 2206 is further operable to determine when to provide periodic stimulus to the driver.

Optionally, the periodic stimulus to the driver is provided when the determined alertness level of the driver is below a threshold level. In such an instance, the processor 2206 is communicably coupled with a memory unit 2208. The memory unit 2208 is operable to store a threshold level of the biometric parameters of a person in the inattentive state (namely, unconscious state or sleeping). Throughout the present disclosure, the term "threshold level of biometric parameters" used herein relates to the values of the biometric parameters which indicates that the alertness level of the driver is low or the driver is about to lose his/her consciousness. In an example, the alertness tracking device (for example, such as alertness tracking device 2102, shown in FIG.5) determines the body temperature of the driver, driving the vehicle, and transmits the determined body temperature to the processor 2206. The processor 2206 compares the determined body temperature with the threshold level of the corresponding biometric parameter. If the determined body temperature is nearly equal to threshold level of the body temperature (stored in memory unit 2208), the processor 2206 provides the periodic stimulus to the driver. Optionally, threshold level is dynamically varied depending upon how long the driver has been driving, time-of-day, weather conditions and so forth. Optionally, the periodic stimulus to the driver is temporarily ceased when the determined alertness level of the driver is above the threshold level. It will be appreciated that the term "determined alertness level of the driver is above the threshold level", relates to high alertness level of the driver. In such a case, if the alertness tracking device (for example, such as alertness tracking device 2102, shown in FIG.5) determines the body temperature of the driver, driving the vehicle, and transmits the determined body temperature to the processor 2206. The processor 2206 compares the determined body temperature with the threshold level of the corresponding biometric parameter. Optionally, in an event, wherein the processor 2206 determines that the body temperature of the driver is significantly above the threshold level of the body temperature, the processor 2206 may avoid providing the periodic stimulus to the driver. Furthermore, optionally, the data processing arrangement 2104 is communicably coupled with a database 2210, wherein the database 2210 stores a historical accident data associated with a given location, and wherein the data processing arrangement is operable to warn the driver when driving along the given location; for example, the aforesaid threshold level is dynamically varied depending upon aforesaid historical accident data associated with the given location. In an embodiment, the database 2210 is included in the data processing arrangement 2104. In another embodiment, the database 2210 is located at a remote location. More optionally, the database 2210 may include a storage unit operable to store the historical accident data associated with the given location.

In an embodiment, the data processing arrangement 2104 may comprise a software application management and infotainment system (SAMI) for receiving the historical accident data associated with the given location. The software application management and infotainment system further analyze the current position of the vehicle and provides a warning to the driver if the vehicle is driving along the given location that has associated historical accident data. Furthermore, the software application management and infotainment system may be operable to provide navigation routes, display information associated with condition of roads through which the electric vehicle is being driven. Add itionally, optionally, the software application management and infotainment system may determine the sleeping pattern of the driver and transmits the determined sleeping pattern to the processor 2206. In an example, if the driver is driving the electric vehicle at a time period in which the driver generally sleeps, the processor 2206 may increase the frequency of providing periodic response to the driver.

Optionally, the periodic stimulus to the driver is varied as a function of at least one of: a spatial location of the vehicle, a time-of-day of driving, earlier responses provided by the driver to earlier periodic stimulus. In an example, the software application management and infotainment system may determine the spatial location of the vehicle. In such a case, if the driver is driving the vehicle through a congested route, the data processing arrangement 2104 may provide the periodic stimulus which does not require physical response. In such an example, the data processing arrangement 2104 may provide the audio stimulus (for example, such as "press horn for 6 seconds") .

Furthermore, optionally, the data processing arrangement 2104 is operable to provide the periodic stimulus to the driver iteratively in an event that the system detects an unfavorable driver's period ic response based on the analyzed driver's response. Throughout the present disclosure, the term "unfavorable driver's periodic response" used herein relates to an inappropriate driver's periodic response for a correspond ing periodic stimulus provided by the data processing arrangement 2104. It will be appreciated that the unfavorable driver's periodic response indicates drowsiness or momentary shutdown of the driver's brain; it will be appreciated that the human brain naturally shuts down momentarily when spatial neuron stimulation concentration exceeds a sustainable threshold, namely the human brain momentarily performs a "reset" when there is excessive stimulation of its plurality of pseudo-analog variable state machines formed by groups of neurons in the human brain, in a stacked layered configuration, and wherein human consciousness (required for safe driving) is provided by pseudo-analog variable state machines substantially in a middle portion of the aforesaid stacked layered configuration. In one example, if the driver fails to respond to the audio stimulus appropriately, the periodic stimulus can be changed to a more complex periodic stimulus such as "if you are alright, press the horn button". If the driver fails to respond appropriately to this more complex request, several other periodic stimuli may be provided iteratively. Furthermore, if the system 2100 keeps on detecting unfavorable driver's periodic response, one or more actions can be taken by the system 2100 depending on an assessment on the vehicle as to what is most appropriate; for example, the system 2100 may reduce a maximum restricted speed that the driver is able to drive the vehicle, wherein the maximum restricted speed is progressively reduced in an event that the driver persists in providing unsatisfactory responses.

Additionally, optionally, the system (such as the system 2100, shown in FIG. 5) is operable to reduce electric power delivered to a drive train of the vehicle in an event that the system detects the unfavorable response to the periodic stimulus based on the analyzed driver's response. In an event, the system detects the unfavorable response to the periodic stimulus, for example if the driver presses the horn for 3 seconds, the data processing arrangement 2104 may reduce the electric power delivered to the drive train of the vehicle. In an example, the data processing arrangement 2104 may stop the electric power delivered to the drive train of the vehicle. Referring to FIG. 7, illustrated are steps of a method 2300 of managing an alertness of a driver of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the system includes an alertness tracking device and a data processing arrangement. At a step 2302, an alertness level of the driver is determined by the alertness tracking device. At a step 2304, a data processing arrangement is operated to provide a periodic stimulus to the driver, based on the determined alertness level. At a step 2306, a driver's periodic response to the periodic stimulus is received. Furthermore, at the step 2308, the driver's periodic response is analyzed for maintaining the alertness of the driver.

The steps 2302 to 2308 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. For example, the method 2300 includes arranging for the data processing arrangement to be operable to provide the periodic stimulus to the driver iteratively in an event that the system detects unfavorable driver's periodic response based on the analyzed driver's response. Optionally, the method 2300 includes arranging for the periodic stimulus to include at least one of audio stimulus, physical stimulus, and/or visual stimulus. More optionally, the method includes arranging for the driver's periodic response to the periodic stimulus to include at least one of an audio response and/or a physical response. Optionally, in the method 2300, the periodic stimulus to the driver is varied as a function of at least one of a spatial location of the vehicle, a time-of-day of driving, earlier responses provided by the driver to earlier periodic stimulus. In another example, in the method 2300, the alertness tracking device is operable to monitor at least one biometric parameter of the driver including a heart rate, a pulse rate, and a blood pressure of the driver to determine the alertness level of the driver. Optionally, the method 2300 includes the periodic stimulus to the driver being provided when the alertness level of the driver is below a threshold level. Additionally, optionally, in the method 2300, the periodic stimulus to the driver is temporarily ceased when the alertness level of the driver is above the threshold level. Furthermore, optionally, the system is operable to reduce electric power delivered to a drive train of the vehicle in an event that the system detects unfavorable response to the periodic stimulus based on the analyzed driver's response. In yet another example, in the method 2300, the data processing arrangement is communicably coupled with a database, wherein the database stores historical accidental data associated with a given location or portion of road, and wherein the processing arrangement is operable to warn the driver when driving along the given location or portion of road .

The system and method provides an optimal way of determining the alertness of the driver while driving the vehicle. Furthermore, the system provides an efficient technique to determine when the driver is about to lose his or her consciousness. Moreover, the system provides a sequence of periodic stimulus to maintain the alertness of the driver. Additionally, the system also controls the operation of the vehicle if the driver's response to the periodic stimulus is unfavourable.

In overview, another embodiments of the present disclosure are concerned with vehicle information systems for providing location-based promotional information to a user of a vehicle, for example, an electric vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a block diagram of a vehicle information system 3100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the vehicle information system 3100 includes a location sensor 3110 arranged in the vehicle for providing a geographical location of the vehicle, a data processing unit 3120 that includes a software application 3130 that is executable upon a data processing unit 3120, a user interface (UI) 3140, and a display unit 3150. Furthermore, the vehicle information system 3100 includes a communication network 3160 for communicably coupling the data processing unit 3120 to an external server arrangement 3170 that includes one or more databases 3180. The location sensor 3110 is conveniently implemented for using GPS position determination based upon satellite references, and/or for using GPRS position determination dependent upon local terrestrial wireless data communication network arrangements.

The vehicle information system 3100 is configured to provide a location- based promotional information to a user of a vehicle. Optionally, the term ^{^} vehicle information system' as used herein relates to an arrangement and/or module that are configured to provide the location-based promotional information to the user of the vehicle. The vehicle information system 3100 is operable to provide the user of the vehicle with promotional information based on the location of the vehicle. For example, the vehicle information system 3100 is operable to provide commercial endorsements of a service or a product to the user of the vehicle based on where the vehicle is located .

Optionally, the term location-based promotional information' as used herein relates to marketing/endorsing data content that can be stored electronically in a data storage system, and is related to a product and/or a service associated with a geographical location. Additionally, the location-based promotional information is generated for the user of the vehicle. Furthermore, the marketing/endorsing data content is associated with one or more specific geographical location. Optionally, the location- based promotional information is a targeted marketing/endorsing data content designed for a user located in a specific location. For example, the marketing/endorsing data content provided to the user of the vehicle located at a geographical location ^λ ΛΎΖ' may be a commercial endorsement of a hotel ^{^} ABC also located in the geographical location ^λ ΛΎΖ'. Optionally, the term ^{^} user' as used herein relates to an individual that is operating and/or located within the interiors of the vehicle. Furthermore, the user is operable to access the vehicle information system 3100 to interact with the location-based promotional information. In an example, a user may be an individual driving the vehicle and operating the vehicle information system 3100 to access the location-based promotional information. In another example, the user may be a passenger seated within the vehicle and accessing the location- based promotional information provided by the vehicle information system 3100. Optionally, aforementioned marketing/endorsing of the data content is based upon one or more artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, that are iteratively, namely recursively, dynamically adjusted depending upon actions taken by a driver of a vehicle. For example, in an event that such a driver elects to drive more slowly than usual for that driver at a given location when presented with a particular type of advertisement, the AI algorithms interpret this to mean that the driver's attention has been won, and that similar types of advertisement should in future be presented to that given driver when he/she returns again to the given location. For example, the given location is a village or town on a commuting route of the given driver to his/her place of work. As mentioned previously, the vehicle information system 3100 includes the location sensor 3110 arranged in the vehicle for providing the geographical location of the vehicle. Optionally, the term location sensor' is to be broadly interpreted as a location sensing unit. Furthermore, the location sensor 3110 relates to an internal structure and/or module, and/or technology associated with the vehicle for determining the geographical location of the vehicle. Optionally, the location sensor 3110 includes programmable and/or non-programmable components configured to determine the geographical location of the vehicle. Optionally, the location sensor 3110 includes a signal reception module. Furthermore, the signal reception module is a satellite signal reception module. For example, the satellite signal reception module is a GPS receiver, a GPS sensor, a GPRS receiver or similar. Furthermore, the location sensor 3110 is operable to transmit the geographical location data of the vehicle to a data processing unit, a central location database, Internet-connected computer and the like, using a networking device, for example, a CAN bus, a cellular wireless communication device, a radio, or a satellite modem and so forth. In operation, the location sensor 3110 is operable to transmit the geographical location data of the vehicle to the data processing unit 3120 (as described herein later) .

The vehicle information system 3100 includes an external server arrangement 3170 including one or more databases 3180 for storing location-based promotional information related to various geog raphical locations. Optionally, the term ^external server arrangement' as used herein relates to a structure and/or module that include programmable and/or non-programmable components configured to store, process and/or share information. In an example, the external server arrangement 3170 may include components such as memory, a processor, a network adapter and the like, to store, process and/or share information such as the location-based promotional information, the geog raphical location information and the like. Optionally, the external server arrangement 3170 could be implemented as a single server and/or as two or more servers operating in a parallel and/or in a distributed architecture.

Optionally, the term ^one or more databases' as used herein relates to a structured collection of records or data that can be created and/or stored in any type of data storage systems. For example, databases may be, but not limited to, IBM DB2® and Oracle 9®. Furthermore, the one or more databases 3180 are operable to organise the structured collection of records or data in a manner that a computer program can quickly select a desired piece of data or record from the structured collection. Optionally, the one or more databases 3180 are operable to organise the location-based promotional information related to various geographical locations. Furthermore, the location-based promotional information related to various geographical locations are organised in a manner such that each location-based promotional information is associated with at least one geographical location.

Optionally, the one or more databases 3180 are operable to acquire location-based promotional information from an external resource. The term ^{^} external resource' as used herein relates to any entity that is operable to provide information required by the one or more databases 3180. For example, the external resource may be an entity that provides promotional information for hotels located in various locations. Furthermore, the promotional information in the one or more databases 3180 is arranged in a manner wherein the promotional information is grouped based on the geographical locations. For example, the one or more databases 3180 may be configured to group plurality of promotional information for hotels acquired from the external resource in a manner wherein each promotional information for hotels is associated with a geographical location.

Optionally, the one or more databases 3180 are operable to access one or more external resources to acquire a plurality of information. Optionally, the one or more databases 3180 are operable to acquire promotional information from one external resource and access information related to various geographical locations from another external resource. Subsequently, the one or more databases 3180 are operable to provide the information acquired from the one or more external resources to a computer program hosted by the external server arrangement for generating location-based promotional information related to various geographical locations. For example, the one or more databases 3180 may acquire promotional information related to hotels from an external resource ^{^} ΧΚΥ' and the geographical location of the corresponding hotels from another external resource ΚΖ', and thereafter use a computer program ^{^} MNP' to generate structured collection of promotional information related to hotels in a manner wherein the promotional information is grouped based on the geographical locations of the hotels.

Optionally, the location-based promotional information comprises an advertisement content. For example, the location-based promotional information may be an advertisement of a hotel ^{^} ABC.

Optionally, the external server arrangement 3170 is communicably coupled to the data processing unit 3120 via a communication network 3160. Optionally, the term ^{^} communication network' as used herein relates to wired and/or wireless communication means comprising a software component, a hardware component, a network adapter component and a combination thereof. In an example, the communication network 3160 may include Bluetooth®, Internet of things (IoT), Visible Light Communication (VLC), Near Field Communication (NFC), Local Area Networks (LANs), Wide Area Networks (WANs), Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs), Wireless LANs (WLANs), Wireless WANs (WWANs), Wireless MANs (WMANs), the Internet, telecommunication networks, radio networks, and so forth.

The vehicle information system 3100 includes the data processing unit 3120 communicably coupled to the location sensor 3110 and the external server arrangement 3170. Optionally, the term ^{^} data processing unit' as used herein relates to an arrangement and/or a module including a hardware element, firmware component, and/or software component configured to store, process and/or share information. The data processing unit 3120 is operable to store, process and/or share information provided by the location sensor 3110 and the external server arrangement 3170 for providing location-based promotional information to the user of the vehicle. For example, the data processing unit 3120 may be a carputer of a vehicle, such as an electric vehicle.

Optionally, the data processing unit 3120 includes the display unit 3150 that is operable to display the provided location-based promotional information. Optionally, the term ^display unit' used herein relates to a display suitable for use in displaying digital content such as multimedia content. The display unit 3150 is electronic in nature. For example, the display unit 3150 may include a cathode ray tube (CRT), projection-type displays, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, a light-emitting diode (LED)-type display, and includ ing both 2D and 3D equivalents. More optionally, the display unit 3150 includes an active feedback component that allows users to contact or otherwise select a specific area of the display unit 3150 to thereby input data to interact with the dig ital content (such as the provided location-based promotional information) displayed therein.

Optionally, the display unit 3150 includes the user interface 3140 for displaying the location-based promotional information and acquiring input from the user of the vehicle. Optionally, the term ^user interface (ill)' as used herein relates to a structured set of graphical visual objects (e.g ., windows, dialog boxes, frames, panels, menus, buttons, icons, etc.) that are rendered upon the execution of the software application 3130 on a display screen (such as the display unit 3150) to convey graphical and/or textual information to the user of the vehicle, and to receive the input data from the user. Add itionally, the user interface (UI) 3140 includes one or more modules through which the user interacts with the data processing unit 3120. For example, the user interface 3140 may include an input for allowing the user to manipulate the data processing unit 3120, and can include an output for allowing the data processing unit 3120 to present information and/or data, indicating effects of the user's manipulation, and so forth. Optionally, the user may interact with the user interface (UI) 3140 by employing a voice input, a keypad input, a gesture input, and so forth. For example, the user may input information to the user interface (UI) 3140 in the form of a gesture via a keypad input. In such example, the keypad input may be provided via a virtual keyboard and/or a physical keyboard. Furthermore, the user interface (UI) 3140 may consequently interact with the user by employing text output, voice output, image output, and so forth. It may be appreciated that the term user interface (UI) should be interpreted as broadly as possible to refer to a graphical front end to a computer program that allows a user to invoke program commands by using the mouse (and/or keyboard) and a remote control. Optionally, the user interface (UI) 3140 is a graphical user interface. Furthermore, the data processing unit 3120 employs the user interface (UI) 3140 to provide location-based promotional information to the user. Additionally, the user uses the user interface (UI) 3140 to interact with the location-based promotional information.

The data processing unit 3120 is operable to execute the software application 3130 to identify the geographical location of the vehicle. Optionally, the term ^{^} software application' used herein relates to a device- functionality software and/or an operating system software configured to execute other application programs and interface between the application programs and associated hardware (such as a captuter, a server, a CAN bus, sensor and so forth). In operation, the software application 3130 is hosted by the data processing unit 3120. For example, the software application 3130 may be operating within a carputer of a vehicle (such as an electrical vehicle). In such example, the software application 3130 may be operable to provide an infotainment arrangement and/or system for the user of the vehicle. Furthermore, in such example, the software application 3130 may be used to access the web-based content such as an advertisement of online product or services, online shopping content, social networking websites, electronic mails, traffic conditions, sports scores, weather forecasts and so forth. Optionally, the software application 3130 is a computing platform in which a plurality of computer programs are installed and executed . Furthermore, the software application 3130 is optionally implemented as processor routines that are stored in non-volatile memory structures such as read only memories (ROMs), flash memories, and so forth, and executed by a single and/or a plurality of processors arranged in various architecture. Optionally, the software application 3130 is a computing platform for installing and executing plurality of computer programs or algorithms for acquiring and processing information from other programmable and nonprogrammable components, such as the location sensor 3110, the external server arrangement 3170. Furthermore, the plurality of computer programs or algorithms installed and executed by the software application 3130 is operable to determine the content to be provided to the user of the vehicle via the user interface (UI) 3140.

The data processing unit 3120 is operable to provide the location-based promotional information based on the identified geog raphical location of the vehicle to the user, for example as aforementioned . The software application 3130 executed by the data processing unit 3120 is operable to process the information provided the location sensor 3110 and the external server arrangement 3170 to provide the location-based promotional information. In operation, the software application 3130 is configured to the use the geographical location data provided by the location sensor 3110 and access the location-based promotional information from the external server arrangement 3170. Furthermore, the software application 3130 is operable to use the geog raphical location data of the vehicle as a parameter to determine which promotional information to be displayed to the user.

Optionally, the software application 3130 employs artificial intelligence algorithms (AI), for example as aforementioned, to determine the location-based promotional information to be displayed on the display unit 3150. Optionally, the term ^{^} artificial intelligence algorithms' used herein relates to software-based algorithms that are executable upon a computing hardware, such as the server, and are operable to adapt and adjust the operating parameters of the algorithms in an adaptive manner, depending upon information that is presented thereto when executed upon the computing hardware. Thus, by learning by example from a given interaction manually performed by the user using the user interface (UI) 3140, which location-based promotional information to be rendered to a given user's graphical user interface (GUI), neural networks and variable state engines of the artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms are thereby programmed to perform such defining of which location-based promotional information to be rendered. Thus, it will be appreciated that generation of information pursuant to the present disclosure can be generated in a semi-automated or automated manner.

Optionally, the artificial intelligence algorithms employ historical recorded data as an input parameter for determining the location-based promotional information to be displayed on the display unit 3150. Optionally, the term ^{^} historical recorded data' as used herein relates to a periodically stored data associated with the activity performed by the user with respect to the location-based promotional information rendered on the user interface (UI) 3140 of the display unit 3150. Specifically, the historical recorded data is a collection of information generated from periodically saving data related to the activity performed by the user with respect to the location-based promotional information using the user interface (UI) 3140. For example, the user interface (UI) 3140 of the display unit 3150 may display a plurality of location-based promotional information, such as advertisements of products and/or services related to a region ^{^} WER'. In such example, the advertisements may include of nearest shopping mall VGZ MALL', a hotel ΉΤΥ HOTEL', a gymnasium 'MNM GYM', a hospital 'LKL HOSPITAL', online shopping website ΉΗΗ'. In such example, the user may select only the advertisement related to the shopping mall VGZ MALL' for viewing, from the various aforementioned advertisements. Furthermore, in such example, such process may be repeated for a plurality of regions such the regions \7 C7', ΨΥΡ' and ^ΚΗΚ'. In such instance, the historical data could include all the advertisement displayed to the user with respect to the corresponding reg ions and identify the advertisements associated with each region that the user viewed .

Optionally, the artificial intelligence algorithms process the historical recorded data based on at least one of, an overall demand for information received from the user of the vehicle and/or trends in the information demanded by the user of the vehicle. Optionally, the overall demand for information received from the user of the vehicle relates to the data associated with the amount of the information (such as the provided location-based promotional information) selected by the user for viewing . In operation, the overall demand for information includes all the advertisement related to various location viewed by the user. For example, the overall demand for information may include data depicting plurality of advertisement related to traditional food with a first geog raphical location, plurality of advertisement related to adventure activity with a second geog raphical location, plurality of advertisement related to transportation associated with a third geographical location, plurality of advertisement related to clothing associated with a fourth geog raphical location, plurality of advertisement related to hotels associated with a fifth geographical location and so forth viewed by the user via the user interface (UI) 3140.

Optionally, the trends in the information demanded by the user of the vehicle relates to any commonality between the information demanded by the user of the vehicle. Furthermore, the trends comprise at least one of, a preference associated with the user of the vehicle and/or the geographical location of the vehicle. For example, a user of a vehicle views, a plurality of advertisement related to traditional food and places to stay in a first geographical location, a plurality of advertisement related to adventure activity and places to stay in a second geographical location, a plurality of advertisement related to transportation and places to stay in a third geographical location, a plurality of advertisement related to clothing and places to stay in a fourth geographical location, a plurality of advertisement related to places for photography and places to stay in a fifth geographical location. In such instance, the user of the vehicle has a trend of viewing advertisement related to places to stay, such as hotels. Therefore, the software application 3130 may automatically provide an advertisement related to places to stay for the user when the vehicle is located in first, second, third, fourth and fifth locations. Additionally, the software application 3130 is operable to provide the user with places to stay in the first location in an event when the vehicle is located in the first location. Similarly, the advertisement for places to stay in the second, third, fourth and fifth locations is provided to the user in the event wherein the vehicle is located in the second, third, fourth and fifth locations respectively. Optionally, the software application 3130 is configured to suspend the location-based promotional information in an event wherein user input is not provided by the user within a predefined time duration. For example, location-based promotional information related to a closest gymnasium is rendered on the user interface (UI) 3140. In such instance, the location-based promotional information may be removed from the user interface (UI) 3140 if no user input is received from the user. Optionally, the software application 3130 is configured to suspend location-based promotional information in an event wherein a suspension request is provided by the user. For example, the user may use the user interface (UI) 3140 to generate a suspension request for the location-based promotional information related to the closest gymnasium. In such instance, the software application 3130 may be configured to restrict the rendering of the location-based promotional information related to the closest gymnasium.

Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown an illustration of steps of a method 3200 of using a vehicle information system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the vehicle information system includes a location sensor arranged on the vehicle (for example as described in the foregoing), an external server arrangement including one or more databases for storing location-based promotional information related to various geographical locations, and a data processing unit communicably coupled to the location sensor and the external server arrangement, and operable to execute a software application. At a step 3202, location-based promotional information is acquired from the external server arrangement. At a step 3204, the geographical location of the vehicle is identified. At a step 3206, the location-based promotional information is provided based upon the identified geographical location of the vehicle to the user.

The steps 3202 to 3206 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.

Furthermore, disclosed is a software product recording on machine- readable data storage media, characterized in that the software product is executable upon computing hardware for implementing a method of using a vehicle information system.

The vehicle information system of the present disclosure provides location-based promotional information to a user of a vehicle. The location-based promotional information is an advertisement of services or products that are operational in the geographical location of the vehicle the user is driving . Beneficially, the user is provided with relevant information that may be useful for the user when located in the geog raphical location. Therefore, the user is provided with relevant promotional information. Furthermore, the vehicle information system employs an artificial algorithm to determine which advertisement to be provided to the user. Additionally, the artificial intelligence algorithm provides the user with a selected set of location based advertisement that may be beneficially used by the user. Therefore, the vehicle information system saves Internet® data traffic and also reduces data processing ; such reduction of data processing is an important technical solution provided by embodiments of the present d isclosure. Moreover, embodiments of the present disclosure are capable of providing an ergonomic benefit for the user of being less frustrated by advertisement. Furthermore, the system provides a decrease in the number of advertisement for the user to view. Also, the system is operable to remove automatically the advertisement when not viewed by the user. Furthermore, such system may be helpful for users with sight difficulties, because such system may cause less eyestrain and visual cortex processing, thereby, for example, increasing riving safety and reducing a risk of accidents.

In overview, another embodiments of the present disclosure are concerned with vehicle controlling systems for providing user control of one or more operations of vehicles, for example, electric vehicles. Furthermore, the embodiments of the present disclosure are concerned with methods of operating vehicle controlling systems.

Referring to FIG. 10, there is shown a block diagram of a vehicle controlling system 4100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the vehicle controlling system 4100 includes a data processing unit 4110 and a mobile wireless communication device 4120. Furthermore, the vehicle controlling system 4100 includes a communication network 4130 to facilitate communication between the data processing unit 4110 and the mobile wireless communication device 4120.

The vehicle controlling system 100 is configured to provide user control of one or more operations of a vehicle. The term Vehicle controlling system', as used herein, relates to an arrangement and/or a module that is configured to enable a user to control one or more operations of a vehicle. The vehicle controlling system 100 enables the user to control remotely one or more operations of the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle controlling system 100 enables the user to manipulate operation of the one or more components of the vehicle spatially remotely.

Optionally, the term Vehicle', as used herein, relates to a motorized vehicle, such as an automobile, a car, a van, a truck, a taxi or the like, in which an individual, might ride in as a driver and/or a passenger. Furthermore, the vehicle includes a vehicle frame. Optionally, the term Vehicle frame', as used herein, relates to a body structure of the vehicle that provides a platform on which various parts of the vehicle such as doors, windshields, sun-visors and so forth, are arranged, namely attached in various ways. Optionally, the vehicle frame provides a structure of a vehicle cabin of the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle cabin relates to an interior of the vehicle that allows a user (such as a driver) to be properly positioned for operating the vehicle. Furthermore, the vehicle frame includes at least one door opening, a door arrangement that is configured to close the at least one door opening in the vehicle frame, and a lock assembly for fastening the door arrangement to the at least one door opening .

Optionally, the term 'door opening', as used herein, relates to an opening in the vehicle frame of the vehicle that is configured to couple a door of the vehicle thereto. Furthermore, the at least one door opening provides means for a user of the vehicle to get into and get out of the vehicle, namely to enter and to exit the vehicle, respectively. Additionally, the at least one door opening provides a structure for the door arrangement to be coupled to the vehicle frame. The term 'door arrangement', as used herein, relates to a structure that is pivotally mounted on the door opening of the vehicle frame. Furthermore, the door arrangement is operable to fit snugly onto the at least one door opening formed in the vehicle frame of the vehicle: by "snugly" is meant in sealing contact to resist ingress of driven rain, snow and wind when travelling in the vehicle. Additionally, the door arrangement is operable to control ingress and egress of an individual to the vehicle cabin of the vehicle, as aforementioned . Furthermore, the door arrangement includes a lock assembly for fastening the door arrangement to the at least one door opening . The term 'lock assembly', as used herein, relates to an arrangement for securing the door arrangement to the at least one door opening . Furthermore, the lock assembly is operable to secure the door arrangement to the at least one door opening in a manner that the door arrangement can be opened in an event wherein there is communication of data between the data processing unit 110 and the mobile wireless communication device 4120. Additionally, the lock assembly includes mechanical and electronic components. Furthermore, the components are arranged in a manner that allows for the user of the vehicle to automatically and/or semi-automatically lock and unlock the door arrangement of the vehicle.

Optionally, the vehicle includes a wheel arrangement including a plurality of wheels that are rotatable coupled to the vehicle frame for supporting the vehicle frame on a road surface, a drive train for providing motive power to the wheel arrangement, and the vehicle cabin including a driving seat arrangement for accommodating a driver of the vehicle.

The term 'user control', as used herein, relates to one or more actions performed by the user of the vehicle to control and/or manipulate the operation of one or more components of the vehicle. For example, a user control enables the user to control remotely the operation of the door arrangement. Optionally, the one or more operations of the vehicle include controlling an operation of the lock assembly. In an example, the user performs such user control to instruct the door arrangement to pivot itself (such as, open) partially from the at least one door opening. Furthermore, in such an example, the user performs a user control to move effortlessly the door arrangement to ingress into, namely get into, the vehicle. In another example, the user performs user control to instruct the door arrangement to securely attach itself with the at least one door opening of the vehicle. Optionally, the one or more operations of the vehicle include providing power to start the vehicle. In an example, the user performs a user control to instruct the data processing unit 4110 to provide motive power to the vehicle. In such an example, the vehicle may use the motive power to start an internal combustion engine of the vehicle and to use power generated by the internal combustion engine to traverse a predefined distance.

The term 'user', as used herein, relates to an individual that is operating the vehicle. Furthermore, the user is operable to access the vehicle controlling system 4100 to provide the user control for controlling the one or more operations of the vehicle. In an example, a user may be an individual driving the vehicle and using the vehicle controlling system 4100. In another example, the user may be a passenger seated within the vehicle and operating the vehicle controlling system 4100. Optionally, the vehicle is a self-driving vehicle and includes an artificial intelligence steering arrangement, such that the user merely defines to the artificial intelligence steering arrangement destination that the vehicle must reach, and optionally a route that the vehicle must drive for reaching the destination. Such an aforementioned artificial intelligence steering arrangement is based, for example, on a data processing arrangement that is operable to execute software products that simulate, for example by employing pre-defined rules and deductive logic algorithms, an operation of a human vehicle driver, for purposes of guiding the vehicle through a public road network.

The vehicle controlling system 4100 includes a data processing unit 4110 arranged in the vehicle for hosting a software application. The term 'data processing unit', as used herein, relates to an arrangement and/or a module including a hardware element, firmware component, and/or software component configured to store, process and/or share information. The data processing unit 4110 is operable to store, process and/or communicate information related to operations of the vehicle. Furthermore, the data processing unit 4110 is operable to access operational data from functional modules configured to control the operation of the vehicle. The term 'functional modules' as used herein, may be related to hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these, configured to receive and store operational data from the functional elements of the electrical vehicle, such as actuators, electrical motor, brakes, clutch and gearbox, battery unit, and so forth. For example, the data processing unit 4110 may be a carputer of a vehicle.

The term 'software application', as used herein, relates to a device- functionality software and/or an operating system software configured to execute other application programs and, furthermore, interface between the application programs and associated hardware (such as a captuter, a server, CAN bus, sensors and so forth). In operation, the software application is hosted by the data processing unit 4110. For example, the software application may be operating within a carputer of a vehicle (such as an electrical vehicle). Optionally, the software application is a software application management and infotainment (SAMI) arrangement. For example, the software application may provide an infotainment arrangement and/or system for the user of the vehicle. Optionally the software application is executable upon computing hardware to provide a computing platform on which a plurality of computer programs are installed and executed. Furthermore, the software application could be implemented as processor routines that are stored in non-volatile memory structures such as read only memories (ROMs), flash memories, and so forth, and executed by a single and/or a plurality of processors arranged in various architectures. Optionally, the software application executable upon computing hardware to provide a computing platform for installing and executing a plurality of computer programs or algorithms for acquiring and processing information from other programmable and non-programmable components. Furthermore, the plurality of computer programs or algorithms installed and executed by the software application is operable to store, process and/or communicate information related to the operations of the vehicle. Optionally, the data processing unit 4110 is configured to communicate with the mobile wireless communication device 4120 via a communication network 4130. The term 'communication network', as used herein, relates to wired and/or wireless communication means comprising a software component, a hardware component, a network adapter component and/or a combination thereof. In an example, the communication network 4160 may include Bluetooth®, Internet of things (IoT), Visible Light Communication (VLC), Near Field Communication (NFC), Local Area Networks (LANs), Wide Area Networks (WANs), Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs), Wireless LANs (WLANs), Wireless WANs (WWANs), Wireless MANs (WMANs), the Internet, telecommunication networks, radio networks, and so forth.

The vehicle controlling system 4100 includes a mobile wireless communication device 4120 including an additional software application that is operable to communicate operational data to the data processing unit 4110. The term 'mobile wireless communication device', as used herein, relates to an electronic device associated with (or used by) the user of the vehicle. Optionally, the user device comprises general electronic components, such as an input means (for example including one or more sensors), an output means, a processer, a memory, a network adapter and so forth. Furthermore, the mobile wireless communication device 4120 is operable to access the communication network 4130 to communicate with the data processing unit 4110. Furthermore, the mobile wireless communication device 4120 enables the user to instruct the data processing unit 4110 to control one or more operations of the vehicle. Subsequently, the mobile wireless communication device 4120 is operable to control the operation of one or more components of the vehicle remotely. Furthermore, the mobile wireless communication device 4120 includes hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these, for performing the aforesaid functions. Optionally, the mobile wireless communication device 4120 relates to portable computing devices and/or fixed computing devices. For example, the mobile wireless communication device 4120 may include, but are not limited to, smartphones, personal digital assistants, phablet computers, wearable electronic devices, biologically implanted electronic devices, desktop computers, laptop computers, tablet computers and so forth. Optionally, the mobile wireless communication device 4120 is usable for voice and data communications. For example, the mobile wireless communication device 4120 is used by the user to perform voice calls with other electronic devices capable of performing voice calls. Furthermore, in such an example, the mobile wireless communication device 4120 may be used by the user to access various information and services via a data communication network, such as the Internet®.

The term 'additional software application', as used herein, relates to a program and/or routine including one or more components and/or modules, that are operable to be stored in a memory structure and implemented using a processing hardware of a device. Furthermore, the additional software application is configured to be installed onto an operating software (such as, Android®, iOS®, Windows®, Mac OS®, Chrome® and so forth) of the mobile wireless communication device 4120.

Furthermore, the additional software application is a set of instructions intended to cause the mobile wireless communication device 4120 to perform a plurality of functions. For example, the additional software application may cause the mobile wireless communication device 4120 to initiate a data communication with the data processing unit 4110. In such a situation, the mobile wireless communication device 4120 may use the communication network 4130 to communicate operational data to the data processing unit 4110. Furthermore, in such an instance, the user may use the mobile wireless communication device 4120 to send an instruction to start the vehicle.

The software application is operable to control the one or more operations of the vehicle in response to the operational data communicated by the additional software application of the mobile wireless communication device 4120. For example, the additional software application may cause the mobile wireless communication device 4120 to instruct the data processing unit 4110 to perform certain operations. In such a situation, the data processing unit 4110 may employ the software application, hosted therein, to control the one or more operations of the vehicle. Furthermore, in such instance situation, the software application may use the functional modules to control the operation of one or more parts the vehicle, such as manipulating the lock assembly in the door arrangement of the vehicle.

Optionally, the additional software application is operable to provide a user interface (UI) for user control of the one or more operations of the vehicle. The term 'user interface (UI)', as used herein, relates to a structured set of graphical visual objects (e.g., windows, dialog boxes, frames, panels, menus, buttons, icons, etc.) that are rendered upon the execution of the additional software application on a display screen to convey graphical and/or textual information to the user of the vehicle, and to receive the input data from the user. Additionally, the user interface (UI) includes one or more modules through which the user interacts with the mobile wireless communication device 4120. For example, the user interface may include an input for allowing the user to interact with the mobile wireless communication device 4120, an output for allowing the mobile wireless communication device 4120 to present information and/or data, indicating effects of the user's interaction, and so forth.

Optionally, the user may interact with the user interface (UI) by employing voice input, keypad input, gesture input, and so forth. For example, the user may input information to the user interface (UI) by way of employing a gesture via a keypad input. In such an example, the keypad input may be provided via a virtual keyboard and/or a physical keyboard. It may be appreciated that the term "user interface" (UI) should be interpreted as broadly as possible to refer to a graphical front end to a computer program that allows a user to invoke program commands. Optionally, the user interface (UI) is a graphical user interface (GUI). Furthermore, the user employs one or more graphical elements provided in the user interface (UI) to provide user control as an input for controlling the one or more operations of the vehicle. Subsequently, the user interface (UI) uses the mobile wireless communication device 4120 to provide the data processing unit 4110 to the one or more operations of the vehicle.

Optionally, the additional software application is operable to communicate automatically operational data to the data processing unit 4110 for controlling the one or more operations of the vehicle. For example, the additional software application may be operable to determine a spatial proximity of the mobile wireless communication device 4120 from the vehicle and automatically unlock the door and/or start the engine of the vehicle. Optionally, the additional software application employs historical recorded data as an input parameter for automatically communicating operational data to the data processing unit 4110. The term 'historical recorded data', as used herein, relates to a periodically stored data associated with the activity performed by the user for remotely controlling the one or more operations of the vehicle. Optionally, the historical recorded data is a collection of information generated by periodically saving data related to the activities performed by the user employing the graphical elements provided in the user interface (UI) for remotely controlling the one or more operations of the vehicle. Furthermore, the historical recorded data associated with activities performed by the user is the data depicting attributes associated with the remote controlling of the one or more operations of the vehicle by the user. For example, the user may use the graphical elements provided in the user interface (UI) of the mobile wireless communication device 4120 for remotely controlling the one or more operations of the vehicle. In such an instance, the user may use a graphical element ^λ Χ' to unlock the door arrangement of the vehicle at location ^λ Α', thereafter the user may travel to a location ^λ Β'. Furthermore, the user may use a graphical element Ύ' to lock the door arrangement of the vehicle and use the graphical element ^λ Χ' to unlock the door arrangement of the vehicle. Additionally, the user may travel back to the location ^λ Α' and use the graphical element ^λ Χ' to unlock the door arrangement of the vehicle therein. In such a situation, the aforesaid routine may be performed by the user routinely every day. Therefore, in such a situation, the historical recorded data may depict the aforesaid daily routine of the user. Furthermore, in such a situation, the additional software application may consider the historical recorded data as being indicative of the aforesaid daily routine of the user, to unlock automatically the door and to start the engine of the vehicle

In an exemplary embodiment, the additional software application employs artificial intelligence algorithms to determine trends in the activity performed by the user for remotely controlling the one or more operations of the vehicle. Optionally, the artificial intelligence algorithms are operable to perform learning from the activities performed by the user using the mobile wireless communication device 4120. For example, the artificial intelligence algorithms are operable to detect the time difference between the activities performed by the user, such as, according to the aforementioned example, the artificial intelligence algorithms are operable to detect the time difference between the activities performed by the user at the location ^λ Β'. In such a situation, the artificial intelligence algorithms may be operable to provide the user with a message requesting to choose for an option to automatically lock and unlock the vehicle door arrangement within a predefined amount of time. It may be appreciated that such artificial intelligence algorithms should be interpreted as broadly as possible to relate to any intelligently adaptive functionality for reducing the user interaction for performing activities to control manually the operation of the vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 11, there is shown an illustration of an implementation of the vehicle controlling system 4100 of FIG. 10, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown the vehicle controlling system 4100 includes a vehicle 4210, the mobile wireless communication device 4120, and the communication network 4130. Furthermore, the communication network 4130 enables data communication between the vehicle 4210, the mobile wireless communication device 4120. Furthermore, the vehicle 4210 includes a vehicle frame 4220 having at least one door opening 4230, a door arrangement 4240 configured to close the at least one door opening 4230 in the vehicle frame 4220, and a lock assembly for fastening the door arrangement 4240 to the at least one door opening 4230. Furthermore, the mobile wireless communication device 4120 includes a user interface 4250 including one or more graphical elements 4260 and 4270 for user control of the one or more operations of the vehicle 4210.

Optionally, the vehicle 4210 is an electrical vehicle that includes the data processing unit 4110 (not shown in FIG. 11). Furthermore, the data processing unit 4110 is operable to control the functioning of the door arrangement 4240 and the lock assembly for fastening the door arrangement 4240 to the at least one door opening 4230. Optionally, the user of the vehicle employs the mobile wireless communication device 4120 to communicate with the data processing unit 4110 of the vehicle 4210. Furthermore, the user uses the mobile wireless communication device 4120 to control remotely and/or automatically the one or more operations of the one or more components of the vehicle 4210.

Optionally, the user employs the one or more graphical elements 260 and 4270 of the user interface 4250 provided in the mobile wireless communication device 4120 to control the one or more operations of the one or more components of the vehicle 4210. For example, the user may use the graphical elements 4260 to manipulate the lock assembly to lock and unlock the door arrangement 4240 configured to close the at least one door opening 4230 in the vehicle frame 4220.

Referring to FIG. 12, there is shown an illustration of steps of a method 4300 of using a vehicle controlling system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the vehicle controlling system includes a data processing unit arranged in the vehicle for hosting a software application, and a mobile wireless communication device including an additional software application. At a step 4302, the mobile wireless communication device causes operational data to be transferred to the data processing unit arranged in the vehicle. At a step 4304, one or more operations of the vehicle are controlled based on the operational data transferred from the mobile wireless communication device.

The steps 4302 to 4304 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.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a software product recorded on machine-readable data storage media, characterized in that the software product is executable upon computing hardware for implementing the aforementioned described method 4300 of operating a vehicle controlling system. Such a software product is relevant to operation of an automated of operating a vehicle controlling system for a vehicle as described in the foregoing. The vehicle control system of the present disclosure provides user control of one or more operations of a vehicle. Beneficially, the user may use the vehicle control system to remotely communicate with the vehicle. Furthermore, the vehicle control system is operable to enable a user to remotely control one or more operations of one or more components of the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle control system may automatically control the one or more operations of one or more components of the vehicle. Furthermore, vehicle control system employs historical recorded data as an input parameter for automatically communicating operational data to the data processing unit. Beneficially, the historical recorded data is operable to determine tends in the user activities. Subsequently, the trends in the user activities may be used to reduce the user intervention in controlling the one or more operations of the one or more components of the vehicle. Furthermore, such reduction of user intervention in controlling the operation of the components of the vehicle is an important technical solution provided by embodiments of the present disclosure. Moreover, embodiments of the present disclosure are capable of providing an ergonomic benefit for the user of being less frustrated in repeatedly performing locking and unlocking of the vehicle, for example. Additionally, the vehicle control system is easy to implement and straight forward for the user to employ.

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.