GB2480877A

GB2480877A - Engine control unit which uses vehicle position data to control the engine speed

Info

Publication number: GB2480877A
Application number: GB1009410A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mir Immad Uddin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-06-04
Filing date: 2010-06-04
Publication date: 2011-12-07
Also published as: GB201009410D0

Abstract

Disclosed is an engine control unit which uses vehicle position data to control the speed at which the engine operates. The controller uses positional data to determine the road maximum speed based on road speed limit, topographical data such as inclines and gradients of the road, road layout etc. to control the engine accordingly. The controller may increase the speed or activate the brakes to slow the vehicle as required. Also disclosed is a database, a method of compiling a database, an engine management system, a route planning system, a method of controlling an engine and a vehicle. Engine speed is optimised for fuel efficiency and to conserve fuel use.

Description

I

Engine Management System The present invention relates to an engine management system, particularly but not exclusively an engine management system for a vehicle.

Conventionally, it is known to control engines of vehicles such as cars and lorries in accordance with signals given by the driver, usually through control devices such as an accelerator, gear lever and clutch, and brake.

While drivers may have knowledge of how to drive economically, many drivers are notoriously bad at doing so, whether because of habit, forgetfulness or inclination. For example, it is known that a "light foot" in accelerating and braking has a beneficial effect on fuel economy, yet many drivers will accelerate hard and brake sharply out of habit.

It is known to provide a control device in the form of a cruise control system, which permits the driver to set a particular target vehicle speed. With the vehicle speed set, the cruise control system will adjust the engine speed to reach and maintain the correct vehicle speed. However, such cruise control systems are constantly playing catch up, since they react to road conditions. Conventional cruise control systems will tend to over throttle going uphill and retard going downhill, wasting the energy storage capabilities available from the inertia of the vehicle. Also, as the gradient changes from uphill to downhill, conventional cruise control systems will lag in reducing the engine speed, so that the vehicle speed will overshoot the target, resulting in corrective action being necessary.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an engine management system for a vehicle, the engine management system including a controller, one or more inputs to the controller, and an output from the controller, the inputs including a location information input, the output being associated with the speed of the engine, the controller being arranged so that the output is dependent on the location information input.

Possibly, the controller is arranged to provide predictive control of the engine speed.

Possibly, the controller includes a set of programmable instructions, which may include a routine which generates a location-direction value from the location input information. The location-direction value may categorise the location information input in relation to management of an engine and possible fuel efficiency improvement.

Possibly, the location information input includes inclination information relating to the angle of inclination of the vehicle. Possibly, the engine management system includes an inclination sensor, which provides the inclination information. The inclination sensor may include any one or a combination of a gyroscope, an inclinometer, or one or more accelerometers.

The location-direction value may have a first value or value range if the vehicle is going or about to go downhill and a second value or value range if the vehicle is going or about to go uphill.

The location-direction value may have a third value or value range if the vehicle speed has to be reduced, for example, when approaching a junction, roundabout, traffic control light, road works, or other road obstruction or traffic restriction.

Possibly, the inputs include a vehicle speed input. Possibly, the engine management system includes a vehicle speed sensor, which may sense the speed of the vehicle, and may provide the vehicle speed input.

Possibly, the inputs include a vehicle speed range input. Possibly, the vehicle speed range input is selectable by a user, and may be selectable by a user via a user interface.

Possibly, the output includes a signal which alters the speed of the engine. Possibly, the output includes a signal which applies or releases the brakes.

Possibly, the controller is arranged to minimise the fuel consumption of the engine. Possibly, the set of instructions includes a routine which generates the output which is dependent on the value of the location-direction value. Possibly, the routine includes an algorithm which defines the output generated.

Possibly, the algorithm is arranged so that if the location-direction value has the first value, the output permits the vehicle speed to increase within the vehicle speed range input, while maintaining or reducing the engine speed, or minimizing the gain in engine speed. Possibly, the algorithm is 1 5 arranged so that if the location-direction value has a second value, the output permits the vehicle speed to reduce within the vehicle speed range input, while maintaining or reducing the engine speed or minimizing the gain in engine speed.

Possibly, the inputs include one or more user selectable inputs, which may selectable by a user, and may be selectable by a user via a user interface. Possibly the user selectable inputs include a rate of change input, which may include a rate of change value. Possibly, the controller is arranged so that the rate of change input determines the rate of change of the output.

Possibly, the lower the rate of change selected by the user, the greater the fuel economy.

Possibly, the rate of change input includes an acceleration rate of change input, which determines the rate of change of the output in acceleration. Possibly, the rate of change input includes a deceleration rate of change input, which determines the rate of change of the output in deceleration.

Alternatively or additionally, the set of instructions may include a rate calculation routine which may generate a rate of change value from the inputs, which may determine the rate of change of the output.

Possibly, the user interface includes an input device such as a keyboard, keypad, touch screen, or a voice recognizer or a combination of these.

Possibly, the location information input includes position information, relating to the position of the vehicle. Possibly, the engine management system includes a satellite positioning system receiver, for receiving satellite positioning system signals, which may process the satellite positioning system signals to generate the position information.

1 5 Possibly, the location information input includes a mapping information input. Possibly, the mapping information includes designated locations associated with predetermined location-direction values.

Possibly, the inputs include a traffic information input. Possibly, the traffic information input provides designated locations associated with the third location-direction value.

Possibly, the controller is arranged so that if the location information input includes the third value, the output permits the vehicle speed to reduce at a relatively even rate while reducing the engine speed. Possibly, the location information input includes a position information input which relates to locations on roads. Possibly, the location information input includes a direction information input which relates to the direction a vehicle is travelling at the locations on the roads. Possibly, the controller is arranged to provide an output including a location-direction value for each combination of position information and direction information.

The position information may include altitude information. The controller may include a routine which calculates the future position of the vehicle, which may include the future altitude of the vehicle, and may calculate the inclination angle and thence the location-direction value.

Possibly, the location information inputs include user selectable location information inputs, which may include a start location and an end location. Possibly, the controller is arranged to provide an output which includes one or more route paths between the start and end locations and 1 0 values associated with the fuel efficiency of the or each of the route paths.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a database for an engine management system, the database including position information which relates to locations on roads, direction 1 5 information relating to the direction a vehicle is travelling at the locations on the roads, and location-direction values, which categorise locations of potential fuel efficiency improvement, the database being arranged so that a query specifying the position information and direction information returns a location-direction value for that combination of position information and direction information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of compiling a database for an engine management system, the method including the steps of collecting position information which relates to locations on roads and direction information relating to the direction a vehicle is travelling at the locations on the roads, and generating location-direction values for each combination of position information and direction information, the location-direction values categorising locations in relation to management of an engine and of potential fuel efficiency improvement.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an engine management system, the engine management system including a controller and inputs to the controller, the inputs including a location information input, the location information input including a position information input which relates to locations on roads and a direction information input which relates to the direction a vehicle is travelling at the locations on the roads, the controller being arranged to provide an output including a location-direction value for each combination of position information and direction information, the location-direction values categorising locations in relation to management of an engine and of potential fuel efficiency improvement.

1 0 Possibly, the output is associated with the speed of the engine.

Possibly, the engine management system includes any of the features described in any of the preceding paragraphs.

1 5 According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a route planning system, the route planning system including a controller and inputs to the controller, the inputs including location information inputs, the location information inputs being user selectable and including a start location and an end location, the controller being arranged to provide an output which includes one or more route paths between the start and end locations and a value associated with the fuel efficiency of the or each of the route paths.

According to an sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an engine management system, the engine management system including a controller and inputs to the controller, the inputs including location information inputs, the location information inputs being user selectable and including a start location and an end location, the controller being arranged to provide an output which includes one or more route paths between the start and end locations and values associated with the fuel efficiency of the or each of the route paths.

The or each route path may include a plurality of sequential locations.

The controller may request a user to select or confirm a desired route path. The desired route path may comprise the mapping information input used by the controller to generate an output associated with the speed of the engine, the controller being arranged so that the output is dependent on the location information inputs.

1 0 According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling an engine, the method including providing an engine management system for a vehicle, the engine management system including a controller, one or more inputs to the controller, and an output from the controller, the inputs including a location information input, the controller being arranged so that the output is dependent on the location information input.

The method may include any of the steps or features described in the

preceding statements.

According to a eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle, the vehicle including an engine management system, the engine management system including a controller, one or more inputs to the controller, and an output from the controller, the inputs including a location information input, the controller being arranged so that the output is dependent on the location information input.

The vehicle may include any of the features described in the preceding

statements.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a vehicle including an engine management system; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic side view of the vehicle in use; Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the engine management system; Fig. 4 is a diagram of an algorithm used by the engine management system; Fig. 5 is a diagram of another algorithm used by the engine management system; Fig. 6 is a schematic block diagram of another engine management system; Fig. 7 is a diagram of an algorithm used by the engine management system of Fig 6; Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating the reduction in vehicle speed on a slip road exiting a motorway or other fast road; Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating the reduction in vehicle speed in the approach to traffic lights; Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating the reduction in vehicle speed in the approach to stopped traffic; Fig. 11 is a schematic block diagram of part of a third engine management system; Fig 12 is a diagram of a part of a fourth engine management system; and Fig 13 is a schematic block diagram of a fifth engine management system.

Figs. 1 to 3 show a vehicle 10 such as a car including an engine 12 and an engine management system 14. The engine management system 14 includes a controller 18, one or more inputs 16 to the controller 18, and an output 20 from the controller 18, the inputs 16 including a location information input 40, the output 20 being associated with the speed of the engine 12, the controller 18 being arranged so that the output 20 is dependent on the location information input 40.

In this example, the location information input 40 includes inclination information 41 relating to the angle of inclination 28 of the vehicle 10. The angle of inclination 30 is the angle between a datum axis 36 of the vehicle 10 running longitudinally fore-aft and the horizontal 38. In this specification, the angle 28 is positive if the vehicle 10 is going uphill, and negative if the vehicle is going downhill.

The engine management system 14 includes an inclination sensor 30, which provides the inclination information 41. The inclination sensor 30 could include a gyroscope, or an inclinometer, or could include one or more accelerometers.

The inputs 16 include a vehicle speed input 44. The engine management system 14 includes a vehicle speed sensor 26, which senses the speed of the vehicle 10 and provides the vehicle speed input 44.

The inputs 16 include a vehicle speed range input 42. The engine management system 14 includes a user interface which includes an input device 22 such as a keyboard, keypad, touch screen, a voice recognizer or a combination of these. The vehicle speed range input 42 is selectable by a user via the input device 22.

The output 20 includes a signal 48 which alters the speed of the engine, and could include a signal 46 which applies or releases the brakes.

The controller 18 includes a set of programmable instructions 84, which includes a routine 86 which generates a location-direction value from the location input information 40. The location-direction value categorises the location information input 40 in relation to management of the engine 12 and possible fuel efficiency improvement. In this example, the location-direction value could have a first value (or range of values) if the vehicle 10 is going downhill, and a second value (or range of values) if the vehicle 10 is going uphill.

The set of instructions 84 includes a routine 88 including algorithms 90 which generate the output 20 which is dependent on the value of the location-direction value. The algorithms 90 include a downhill algorithm 72 relating to the first value and an uphill algorithm 74 relating to the second value, as shown in Figs 4 and 5. The controller 18 generates the output 20 from the input or inputs 16 in accordance with the algorithms 90.

In use, the user will enter a desired vehicle speed range 42 into the controller 18. As the vehicle 10 transitions from going uphill to going downhill, the inclination information input 41 changes and the routine 86 generates a location-direction value having a first value. The controller 18 assesses the vehicle speed input 44 and the vehicle speed range input 42 and provides output signals 20 in accordance with the downhill algorithm 72 as shown in 1 5 Fig 4. As the inclination of the vehicle 10 changes from positive to negative, the controller 18 will reduce the engine speed 48, providing the vehicle speed 44 is within or above the vehicle speed range input 42. This helps to avoid the vehicle 10 picking up too much speed on the down slope and requiring corrective action. As the vehicle 10 proceeds down the slope, the controller 18 permits the vehicle speed 42 to rise within the vehicle speed range input 42. This helps the vehicle 10 utilise the effect of gravity and the vehicle's momentum while keeping the engine speed minimised.

The controller 10 will only increase the engine speed if the vehicle speed 44 is less than the vehicle speed range 42. If the vehicle speed 44 is greater than the vehicle speed range 42, the controller 10 could also output a signal 46 to apply brakes 52 as well as reducing the engine speed.

Going uphill, the inclination information input 41 changes and the routine 86 generates a location-direction value having a second value. The controller 18 then provides output signals 20 in accordance with the uphill algorithm 74 as shown in Fig 5. On the up slope, the controller 18 permits the engine speed to reduce by reducing the throttle, using any momentum gained by the vehicle on the down slope, until the vehicle speed 44 is less than the vehicle speed range 42, and will then increase the engine speed until the vehicle speed 44 equals or just exceeds the lower limit of the vehicle speed range 42. If, when the location-direction value changes from the first value to the second value, the vehicle speed 44 exceeds the upper limit of the vehicle speed range 42, the controller 10 permits the engine speed to reduce, so that the gradient slows the vehicle 10 without the brakes being applied.

In contrast with conventional systems, the invention provides a location information input 40 and a vehicle speed range input 42, which together mean the engine management system 14 of the invention can control the engine speed to minimise fuel use, maximise fuel economy and reduce carbon emissions. The engine management system 14 senses whether the vehicle is on a slope and utilises an appropriate control algorithm to minimise fuel use.

The location information input 40 to the controller permits predictive control of the engine speed, as it permits the controller to adjust the speed of the engine without that speed having to have necessarily gone outside of selected limits.

The vehicle speed range 42 chosen by the user will depend on a number of factors, such as the user's preference, the roads being travelled, and prevailing speed limits. In general, the wider the range selected, the greater the improvement in fuel economy.

It will be understood by the skilled person that the control could be continuous, or arranged in increments based on distance and/or time.

Optionally, the engine management system 14 could include one or more user selectable inputs 80. In one example, the user selectable inputs 80 could include a rate of change input 82, which could include a rate of change value. The controller 18 could be arranged so that the rate of change input 82 determines the rate of change of the output 20, so that, for example, the lower the rate of change selected by the user, the greater the fuel economy.

In another example, the rate of change input 82 could include an acceleration rate of change input, which determines the rate of change of the output in acceleration, and/or could include a deceleration rate of change input, which determines the rate of change of the output in deceleration.

Figs 6 to 13 show other embodiments of the invention, many features of which are similar to those already described in relation to the embodiment of Figs 1 to 5. Where features are the same or similar, the same reference numerals have been used and these features will not be described again for the sake of brevity.

Fig 6 shows in block diagram form an engine management system 114. Rather than inclination information from an inclination sensor, the location information input 40 includes position information 60, relating to the position of the vehicle 10. The engine management system 114 includes a satellite or global positioning system (GPS) receiver 58 which receives signals from a satellite or global positioning system (GPS) 52 and processes the signals to generate the position information 60.

The location information input 40 includes a mapping information input 62. The mapping information input 62 could be provided by a mapping database or a network 54, which could be onboard (for example, in local memory), local or remote (for example, via the internet or a mobile communications network) to the engine management system 114.

The location information input 40 includes a traffic information input 64.

The traffic information input 64 could be provided by a traffic detector 70 which detects traffic conditions ahead, and which could include a radar, a laser, a video camera and image analyser, or any other suitable detection system. Alternatively or additionally, the traffic information input 64 could be provided by a traffic news/information network 56, provided for example, via the internet or a mobile communications network.

In use, the controller 18 analyses the location information inputs 40 to determine whether the location information inputs 40 return a first, a second or a third value for the location-direction value. The mapping information 62 includes designated locations associated with the first value, the second value or the third value. From a comparison of the position information 60 and the mapping information 62, the controller 18 can determine which value is appropriate for the location of the vehicle 10 and then utilise an appropriate algorithm. So, for example, from a comparison of the position information 60 and the mapping information 62, the controller 18 can determine whether the vehicle 10 is going downhill (corresponding to the first value) or uphill (corresponding to the second value) and then utilise the appropriate algorithm 72, 74 as described previously.

The third value corresponds to a number of similar situations in which the vehicle 10 has to slow down, for example, when exiting a motorway via a slip road, or approaching a traffic light, junction or roundabout. The mapping information 62 includes designated locations associated with the third value.

The traffic information input 64 also provides designated locations associated with the third value, such as accidents, temporary road works, vehicles stopped ahead, or other obstacles or blockages.

If the controller calculates a third value for the location-direction value, the controller 18 utilises a third algorithm 76 as shown in Fig 7, in which the controller 18 is arranged so that the output 20 permits the vehicle speed to reduce at a relatively even rate while reducing the engine speed. For example, the controller 18 could include a routine which calculates a rate of reduction of vehicle speed based on the initial speed, and the length of the road associated with the third value, so that the reduction in speed is even, there is no unnecessary fuel consumption by use of the accelerator, and the use of the brakes is minimised.

The controller 18 could include additional algorithms as required for safety. For example, the controller 18 could monitor the distance from the vehicle 10 to the end of the length of road designated as being associated with the third value. If this distance is equal to or less than a safe braking distance, the controller 18 could provide an output signal 20 to apply the brakes. In another example, the traffic detector 70 could detect a change in the traffic ahead, effectively changing the extent of the location designated as being associated with the third value, which would immediately feed into the algorithm and cause the controller 18 to provide an output signal 20 to immediately apply the brakes. For safety reasons, the engine management systems of the invention can be over ridden by a user at any point.

It will be noted that for those locations designated as being associated with the third value, the vehicle speed range 42 is effectively set by the initial speed of the car on entry to the location and by the final speed as being assumed to be zero.

Figs 8, 9 and 10 illustrate three examples of the locations designated as being associated with the third value, namely the exit from a motorway or other fast road onto a slip road, the approach to traffic lights, and the approach to congested traffic. In each case the engine management system 114 of the invention reduces the speed of the vehicle smoothly and evenly relative to a conventional system, utilising the momentum of the vehicle to permit a reduced engine speed, hence saving fuel and reducing the braking force necessary. In practice, utilising such techniques has been found to reduce fuel consumption by up to 20%.

The output 20 includes an anunciator/indicator signal 68 which could comprise an audible and/or visual indication that the vehicle is in one of the designated locations associated with one of the first, second or third values.

The indicator signal 68 could also include advice/information messages for the driver of the vehicle, which could comprise messages on how to drive in order to reduce fuel consumption. For example, the signal 68 could include a voice message that says "Please reduce speed to 30 miles per hour to reduce fuel consumption".

Advantageously, the engine management system 114 permits the controller 18 to predictively and consistently control the engine 12, allowing the most economical engine operation for the prevailing road conditions.

There is clearly a possibility that a location may be associated with more than one type of location-direction value. For example, a downhill stretch of road could include a junction. Generally, the controller 18 would be arranged to prioritise third value algorithm control over first and second value 1 5 algorithm control.

The set of instructions could include a rate calculation routine which generates a rate of change value from the inputs, which determines the rate of change of the output.

Fig 11 shows a third engine management system 214, the engine management system 214 including a controller 18 and inputs 16 to the controller 18, the inputs 16 including a location information input 40, the location information input 40 including a position information input 60 which relates to locations on roads and a direction information input 92 which relates to the direction a vehicle is travelling at the locations on the roads. The position information 60 and direction information 92 could be provided by a mapping information input 62 as previously described. The location information input could include inclination information and/or altitude information relating to a specific location and a stretch of road extending from that location for a predetermined distance. The shorter the predetermined distance, the more fuel efficient the engine management control can be, but more memory and processing power is required.

The controller 18 includes a set of programmable instructions 84, which includes a routine 86 which generates a location-direction value from the location input information 40. The controller 18 is arranged to provide an output including a location-direction value for each combination of position information and direction information, the location-direction values categorising locations in relation to management of an engine and of potential fuel efficiency improvement.

1 0 As shown in Fig 11, the output could be stored in a storage location 94, which could be in the form of a database. An example of such a database is shown in Fig 12 and described below. Alternatively the output could be provided to the system output generating algorithm 90.

Although shown in Fig 11 as part of an engine management system 214, the storage 94 could be separate, and could comprise data stored on, for example, a CD, DVD, flash memory, hard drive, memory stick or other convenient form of memory storage device. Similarly, the function of processing the position information 60 and direction information 92 to derive location-direction values for a range of locations could be performed by a processor separate to and away from a vehicle, or by an engine management system mounted in a vehicle.

In use, the controller 18 operates in a similar fashion to that described above. The controller 18 compares the position information 60 and the direction information 92 with that held in the storage location 94 to obtain a location-direction value for the location and direction of the vehicle, and then provides an output 20 according to the appropriate algorithm 90.

Fig 12 shows part of another engine management system 314 in the form of a database 96. The database 96 comprises position information records 100, each of which provides a location-direction value 102, 104 for two directions of a position information input 60. The position information input 60 relates to a location on a road. The direction information relates to the direction a vehicle is travelling at the locations on the roads. The location-direction values categorise locations in relation to management of an engine and of potential fuel efficiency improvement. The database 96 is arranged so that a query specifying the position information and direction information returns a location-direction value for that combination of position information and direction information.

Thus in Fig 12, at location A, the location-direction value returned for a first direction has a first value 1V(A1), indicating a downhill gradient in the first direction, and for a second direction has a second value 2V(A1), indicating a uphill gradient in the second direction.

At location B, the location-direction value returned for the first direction has a third value 3V(B1), indicating an approach to a traffic restriction requiring the vehicle to slow down. For the second direction at location B, there is no gradient and no requirement to slow down, so that the database returns a null value.

The locations C and D are similarly populated with location-direction values.

The database 96 could include any suitable number of locations.

Fig 13 shows a fifth engine management system 314, the engine management system 314 including a controller 318 and inputs 16 to the controller, the inputs 16 including location information inputs 40, the location information inputs 40 being user selectable and including a start location 106 and an end location 108, the controller 318 being arranged to provide an output 112 which includes one or more route paths between the start and end locations and values associated with the fuel efficiency of the or each of the route paths.

Thus, the controller 318 generates route path options 112 for travel between the start location 106 and the end location 108 by reference to the data storage 94. The or each route path includes a plurality of sequential locations for each of which the data storage 94 provides a location-direction value. The controller 318 generates a fuel efficiency value for each route path, based on the location-direction values along the route path.

In one example, a steep downhill gradient could have a higher first value location-direction value than a more gradual downhill gradient; a steep 1 0 uphill gradient could have a higher second value location-direction value than a more gradual uphill gradient; and a short third value stretch of road requiring more severe braking could have a higher third value than a stretch of road requiring less severe braking. Although higher values in each case might suggest that a greater amount of improvement in fuel efficiency is possible by employing the engine management system of the invention in these locations, the nature of these locations is to require more fuel consumption, the ideal in fuel efficiency terms being a level road with no traffic restrictions along which a fuel efficient speed can be maintained. Thus the most fuel efficient route path in this example could be the path with the lowest aggregate of first, second, and third values.

Various other modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The engine management system could include any of the features of any of the embodiments shown combined in any suitable way, within the scope of the overall disclosure of this document. The sensors could be of any suitable type.

The engine management system could include an override to permit a user to take control at any stage.

The engine management systems of the invention could be used with any suitable types of vehicle, such as cars, vans, trucks, and lorries.

There is thus provided an engine management system for a vehicle which improves fuel economy and reduces carbon emissions by taking account of location information which enables the controller to predictively and consistently control the engine.

Claims

Claims 1. An engine management system for a vehicle, the engine management system including a controller, one or more inputs to the controller, and an output from the controller, the inputs including a location information input, the output being associated with the speed of the engine, the controller being arranged so that the output is dependent on the location information input.
2. A system according to claim 1, in which the controller is arranged to provide predictive control of the engine speed.
3. A system according to claims 1 or 2, in which the controller includes a set of programmable instructions. i-15

(0
4. A system according to claim 3, in which the set of instructions include a Q routine which generates a location-direction value from the location (Q information input, which value may categorise the location information Q input in relation to management of an engine and possible fuel efficiency improvement.
5. A system according to any of the preceding claims, in which the location information input includes inclination information relating to the angle of inclination of the vehicle.
6. A system according to claim 5, in which the engine management system includes an inclination sensor, which provides the inclination information.
7. A system according to claim 6, in which the inclination sensor includes any one or combination of a gyroscope, an inclinometer, or one or more accelerometers.
8. A system according to claim 4 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the location-direction value has a first value or value range if the vehicle is going or about to go downhill and a second value or value range if the vehicle is going or about to go uphill.
9. A system according to claim 4 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the location-direction value has a third value or value range if the vehicle speed has to be reduced, for example, when approaching a junction, roundabout, traffic control light, road works, or other road obstruction or 1 0 traffic restriction.
10.A system according to any of the preceding claims, in which the inputs include a vehicle speed input.

-15
11.A system according to claim 10, in which the engine management system (0 includes a vehicle speed sensor, which senses the speed of the vehicle, Q and provides the vehicle speed input. (0
12.A system according to any of the preceding claims, in which the inputs include a vehicle speed range input.
13.A system according to claim 12, in which the vehicle speed range input is selectable by a user, and may be selectable by a user via a user interface.
14.A system according to any of the preceding claims, in which the output includes a signal which alters the speed of the engine.
15.A system according to any of the preceding claims, in which the output includes a signal which applies or releases the brakes.
16.A system according to any of the preceding claims, in which the controller is arranged to minimise the fuel consumption of the engine.
17.A system according to claim 4 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the set of instructions includes a routine which generates the output, which is dependent on the value of the location-direction value.
18.A system according to claim 17, in which the routine includes an algorithm which defines the output generated.
19.A system according to claim 18, in which the algorithm is arranged so that if the location-direction value has the first value, the output permits the vehicle speed to increase within the vehicle speed range input, while maintaining or reducing the engine speed, or minimizing the gain in engine speed.
20.A system according to claims 18 or 19, in which the algorithm is arranged -1 5 so that if the location-direction value has the second value, the output (0 permits the vehicle speed to reduce within the vehicle speed range input, Q while maintaining or reducing the engine speed or minimizing the gain in (Q engine speed.Q
21.A system according to any of the preceding claims, in which the inputs include one or more user selectable inputs, which may be selectable by a user via a user interface.
22.A system according to claim 21, in which the user selectable inputs include a rate of change input, which may include a rate of change value.
23.A system according to claim 22, in which the controller is arranged so that the rate of change input determines the rate of change of the output.
24.A system according to claims 22 or 23, in which the lower the rate of change selected by the user, the greater the fuel economy.
25.A system according to any of claims 22 to 24, in which the rate of change input includes an acceleration rate of change input, which determines the rate of change of the output in acceleration.
26.A system according to any of claims 22 to 25, in which the rate of change input includes a deceleration rate of change input, which determines the rate of change of the output in deceleration.
27.A system according to claim 3 or any claim dependent thereon, in which 1 0 the set of instructions includes a rate calculation routine which generates a rate of change value from the inputs, and which determines the rate of change of the output.
28.A system according to any of the preceding claims, in which the the -1 5 system includes a user interface, which includes an input device such as a (0 keyboard, keypad, touch screen, or a voice recognizer, or a combination of Q these. (0
29.A system according to any of the preceding claims, in which the location information input includes position information, relating to the position of the vehicle.
30.A system according to claim 29, in which the engine management system includes a satellite positioning system receiver, for receiving satellite positioning system signals, which processes the satellite positioning system signals to generate the position information.
31.A system according to any of the preceding claims, in which the location information input includes a mapping information input.
32.A system according to claim 31, in which the mapping information includes designated locations associated with predetermined location-direction values.
33.A system according to any of the preceding claims, in which the inputs include a traffic information input.
34.A system according to claim 33 when dependent on claim 9 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the traffic information input provides designated locations associated with the third location-direction value.
35.A system according to claim 9 or any claim dependent thereon, in which 1 0 the controller is arranged so that if the location information input includes the third value, the output permits the vehicle speed to reduce at a relatively even rate while reducing the engine speed.
36.A system according to any of the preceding claims, in which the location -1 5 information input includes a direction information input which relates to the (0 direction a vehicle is travelling at the locations on the roads.Q

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37.A system according to claim 36 when dependent on claim 29 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the controller is arranged to provide an output including a location-direction value for each combination of position information and direction information.
38.A system according to claim 29 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the position information includes altitude information.
39.A system according to any of the preceding claims, in which the controller includes a routine which calculates the future position of the vehicle, which may include the future altitude of the vehicle, and may calculate the inclination angle and thence the location-direction value.
40.A system according to any of the preceding claims, in which the location information inputs include user selectable location information inputs, which may include a start location and an end location.
41.A system according to claim 40, in which the controller is arranged to provide an output which includes one or more route paths between the start and end locations and values associated with the fuel efficiency of the or each of the route paths.
42.A database for an engine management system, the database including position information which relates to locations on roads, direction information relating to the direction a vehicle is travelling at the locations on the roads, and location-direction values, which categorise locations of potential fuel efficiency improvement, the database being arranged so that a query specifying the position information and direction information returns a location-direction value for that combination of position information and direction information. i-15

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43.A method of compiling a database for an engine management system, the Q method including the steps of collecting position information which relates (Q to locations on roads and direction information relating to the direction a Q vehicle is travelling at the locations on the roads, and generating location-direction values for each combination of position information and direction information, the location-direction values categorising locations in relation to management of an engine and of potential fuel efficiency improvement.
44.An engine management system, the engine management system including a controller and inputs to the controller, the inputs including a location information input, the location information input including a position information input which relates to locations on roads and a direction information input which relates to the direction a vehicle is travelling at the locations on the roads, the controller being arranged to provide an output including a location-direction value for each combination of position information and direction information, the location-direction values categorising locations in relation to management of an engine and of potential fuel efficiency improvement.
45.A system according to claim 44, in which the output is associated with the speed of the engine.
46.A route planning system, the route planning system including a controller and inputs to the controller, the inputs including location information inputs, the location information inputs being user selectable and including a start location and an end location, the controller being arranged to provide an output which includes one or more route paths between the start and end locations and a value associated with the fuel efficiency of the or each of the route paths.
47.An engine management system, the engine management system including a controller and inputs to the controller, the inputs including location -1 5 information inputs, the location information inputs being user selectable (0 and including a start location and an end location, the controller being Q arranged to provide an output which includes one or more route paths (0 between the start and end locations and values associated with the fuel efficiency of the or each of the route paths.
48.A system according to claims 46 or 47, in which the or each route path includes a plurality of sequential locations.
49.A system according to any of claims 46 to 48, in which the controller requests a user to select or confirm a desired route path.
50.A system according to any of claims 46 to 49, in which the desired route path comprises a mapping information input used by the controller to generate an output associated with the speed of the engine, the controller being arranged so that the output is dependent on the location information inputs.
51.A system according to any of claims 44 to 50, in which the system includes any of the features defined in any of claims 1 to 41.
52.A method of controlling an engine, the method including providing an engine management system for a vehicle, the engine management system including a controller, one or more inputs to the controller, and an output from the controller, the inputs including a location information input, the controller being arranged so that the output is dependent on the location information input.
53.A method according to claim 52, in which the method includes any of the steps or features defined in any of the preceding claims.
54.A vehicle, the vehicle including an engine management system, the engine -15 management system including a controller, one or more inputs to the (0 controller, and an output from the controller, the inputs including a location Q information input, the controller being arranged so that the output is (0 dependent on the location information input.Q
55.A vehicle according to claim 54, in which the system includes any of the features defined in any of claims 1 to 41.
56.An engine management system for a vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.
57.A database for an engine management system substantially as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.
58.A method of compiling a database for an engine management system substantially as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.
59.A route planning system substantially as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.
60.A method of controlling an engine substantially as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.
61.A vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to any of the accompanying drawings. i-15 (0Q (0Q