Systems and methodologies for modifying a vehicle operating profile

• US 10,137,897 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2016
• Issued: 11/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Higgins, Christopher M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weber, Tamara L
• Application Number:
  US15/180,479
• Publication Number:
  US 20170355371A1
• Time in Patent Office: 897 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/18 including control of braking systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/20 including control of steering systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/22 including control of suspension systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/30 including control of auxiliary equipment, e.g. air-conditioning compressors or oil pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0095 Automatic control mode change
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2530/209 Fuel quantity remaining in tank
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2530/213 Fuel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/45 External transmission of data to or from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/182 Selecting between different operative modes, e.g. comfort and performance modes
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/12 related to parameters of the vehicle itself , e.g. tyre models
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/082 Selecting or switching between different modes of propelling
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/085 Changing the parameters of the control units, e.g. changing limit values, working points by control input
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 60/0023 in response to energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/52 Engine fuel consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/84 Data processing systems or methods, management, administration

Abstract

A system and method that detects, using processing circuitry, a predetermined energy condition. The processing circuitry determines a geographic location of a vehicle, identifies at least one energy station as a function of a plurality of factors, determines a vehicle range based on an energy level of the vehicle and a first mode of vehicle operation, determines whether an energy saving condition is satisfied based on the vehicle range, a location of the at least one energy station, and the geographical location of the vehicle, and enters an economy mode when the energy saving condition is satisfied.

Claims

1. A method for modifying a vehicle operating profile, the method comprising:

determining, using processing circuitry, a predetermined energy condition based upon at least one input to the processing circuity;

determining, using the processing circuitry, a geographic location of a vehicle based upon the at least one input to the processing circuity;

identifying, using the processing circuitry, at least one energy station as a function of a plurality of factors;

determining, using the processing circuitry, a vehicle range based on an energy level of the vehicle and a first mode of vehicle operation;

determining, using the processing circuitry, whether an energy saving condition is satisfied based on the vehicle range, a location of the at least one energy station, and the geographical location of the vehicle;

entering an economy mode when the energy saving condition is satisfied;

determining, using the processing circuitry, whether a fill is completed based upon the at least one input to the processing circuity; and

exiting the economy mode in response to determining that the fill is completed,

wherein, in the economy mode;

the method includes sending a control signal to at least one vehicle system, and

the at least one vehicle system alters at least one operating parameter based upon the control signal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of factors includes an energy source category, operating hours, past visits, and prices.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the energy source category includes at least one of ethanol, hydrogen, electricity, gasoline, diesel, and natural gas.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying a plurality of energy stations based on user preferences;

outputting the plurality of energy stations to a user interface; and

receiving a user input indicating a selected energy station.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the economy mode includes one of limiting vehicle speed, limiting vehicle acceleration, modifying vehicle acceleration characteristics, and altering vehicle climate control system settings.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the control signal causes the at least one vehicle system to alter the at least one operating parameter to decrease an energy consumption rate of the vehicle.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the control signal causes at least one of a throttling system, a steering system, a braking system, a heating, ventilating, and an air conditioning system, an entertainment system, a suspension system, a tire pressure system, an active aerodynamic system, and an engine cooling system to alter the at least one operating parameter.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

providing a plurality of parameters to a vehicle user;

detecting a user input; and

altering the at least one parameter of the at least one vehicle system based on the user input.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing an indication to a vehicle user that the vehicle is operating in the economy mode.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined energy condition includes at least one of receiving a request to locate an energy station, determining a user destination, and comparing the energy level of the vehicle with a predetermined threshold.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein entering the economy mode includes causing an autonomous vehicle or a semi-autonomous vehicle to enter the economy mode.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying one or more energy stations based on a user destination, a vehicle range, the geographical location of the vehicle, and operating hours of energy stations; and

wherein fueling at the one or more energy stations allows the vehicle to reach the user destination.

13. A system for modifying a vehicle operating profile comprising:

a controller configured to;

determine a predetermined energy condition based upon at least one input to the controller,

determine a geographic location of a vehicle based upon the at least one input to the controller,

identify at least one energy station as a function of a plurality of factors,

determine a vehicle range based on an energy level of the vehicle and a first mode of vehicle operation,

determine whether an energy saving condition is satisfied based on the vehicle range, a location of the at least one energy station, and the geographical location of the vehicle,

enter an economy mode when the energy saving condition is satisfied,

determine whether a fill is completed based upon the at least one input to the controller; and

exit the economy mode in response to determining that the fill is completed,

wherein, in the economy mode;

the controller sends a control signal to at least one vehicle system, and

the at least one vehicle system alters at least one operating parameter based upon the control signal.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the controller is further configured to:

identify a plurality of energy stations based on user preferences;

output the plurality of energy stations to a user interface; and

receive a user input indicating a selected energy station.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the economy mode includes one of limiting vehicle speed, limiting vehicle acceleration, modifying vehicle acceleration characteristics, and altering vehicle climate control system settings.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the control signal causes the at least one vehicle system to alter the at least one operating parameter to decrease an energy consumption rate of the vehicle.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the at least one vehicle system is identified from a throttling system, a steering system, a braking system, a heating, ventilating, and an air conditioning system, an entertainment system, a suspension system, a tire pressure system, an active aerodynamic system, and an engine cooling system.

18. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer-readable instructions therein, which when the instructions are read and executed by a computer cause the computer to:

determine a predetermined energy condition based upon at least one input to the computer;

determine a geographic location of a vehicle based upon the at least one input to the computer;

identify at least one energy station as a function of a plurality of factors;

determine a vehicle range based on an energy level of the vehicle and a first mode of vehicle operation;

determine whether an energy saving condition is satisfied based on the vehicle range, a location of the at least one energy station, and the geographical location of the vehicle;

enter an economy mode when the energy saving condition is satisfied;

determine whether a fill is completed based upon the at least one input to the computer; and

exit the economy mode in response to determining that the fill is completed,

wherein, in the economy mode;

the computer sends a control signal to at least one vehicle system, and

the at least one vehicle system alters at least one operating parameter based upon the control signal.