METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETERMINING DRIVER EFFICIENCY IN A VEHICLE

• US 20090070027A1
• Filed: 09/10/2007
• Published: 03/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: ST. JOHN, DON, NEWHOUSE, VERNON L., KIDSTON, KEVIN S., SIENKIEWICZ, CARLENE M., SCHWARZ, JONATHAN R., WU, EMILY R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,660,784 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/123
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 3/26 Devices for measuring efficiency, i.e. the ratio of power output to power input
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers

Abstract

A method for determining driver efficiency in a vehicle includes the steps of measuring a vehicle parameter, and calculating the driver efficiency based, at least in part, on the vehicle parameter. The vehicle parameter is influenced, at least in part, by an action taken by a driver.

Claims

1. A method for determining driver efficiency in a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

measuring a vehicle parameter that is influenced, at least in part, by an action taken by a driver; and

calculating the driver efficiency based, at least in part, on the vehicle parameter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the driver efficiency comprises a measure of an impact of the action on a fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of:

measuring a plurality of additional vehicle parameters that are influenced, at least in part, by the action or an additional action taken by the driver, or both;

wherein the step of calculating the driver efficiency comprises the steps of;

determining a plurality of penalties, each penalty comprising an effect of the vehicle parameter or one of the plurality of additional vehicle parameters, or both, on the fuel efficiency of the vehicle; and

aggregating the plurality of penalties together, to calculate the driver efficiency.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of determining the plurality of penalties comprises the steps of:

measuring a vehicle speed;

measuring a vehicle acceleration; and

calculating a penalty, based, at least in part, on the vehicle speed, the vehicle acceleration, and a known relationship correlating vehicle speed and vehicle acceleration to fuel efficiency.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of determining the plurality of penalties further comprises the step of:

calculating a second penalty, based, at least in part, on the vehicle speed and a known relationship correlating vehicle speed to fuel efficiency.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of determining the plurality of penalties further comprises the steps of:

measuring an engine speed; and

calculating a third penalty, based, at least in part, on the engine speed and a known relationship correlating engine speed to fuel efficiency.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of determining the plurality of penalties further comprises the steps of:

determining a measure of change in application of a brake pedal, an accelerator pedal, or both; and

calculating a fourth penalty, based, at least in part, on the measure of change and a known relationship correlating such measure of change to fuel efficiency.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of:

determining whether the vehicle is accelerating or decelerating;

assigning the driver efficiency a positive value, if the vehicle is accelerating; and

assigning the driver efficiency a negative value, if the vehicle is decelerating.

9. A display device for a vehicle, the display device comprising:

an input device configured to receive a driver efficiency, the driver efficiency comprising a measure of an impact of an action taken by a driver of the vehicle on a fuel efficiency of the vehicle; and

a display coupled to the input device, the display comprising a gauge configured to move between a plurality of positions based, at least in part, on the driver efficiency.

10. The display device of claim 9, wherein the gauge is movable between and within:

a first range of positions, indicating that the driver efficiency is in an ideal range;

a second range of positions, indicating that;

the driver efficiency is in not in the ideal range; and

the vehicle is decelerating; and

a third range of positions, indicating that;

the driver efficiency is in not in the ideal range; and

the vehicle is accelerating.

11. A system for displaying driver efficiency for a vehicle, the system comprising:

a sensing unit configured to at least facilitate measuring a vehicle parameter that is influenced, at least in part, by an action taken by a driver;

a processor coupled to the sensing unit and configured to at least facilitate calculating the driver efficiency based, at least in part, on the vehicle parameter; and

a display device coupled to the processor, the display device comprising;

an input device coupled to the processor and configured to receive the driver efficiency therefrom; and

a display coupled to the input device, the display comprising a gauge configured to move between a plurality of positions based, at least in part, on the driver efficiency.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the driver efficiency comprises a measure of an impact of the action on a fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein:

the sensing unit is further configured to measure a plurality of additional vehicle parameters that are influenced, at least in part, by the action or an additional action of the driver, or both; and

the processor is further configured to at least facilitate;

determining a plurality of penalties, each penalty comprising an effect of the vehicle parameter or one of the plurality of additional vehicle parameters, or both, on the fuel efficiency of the vehicle; and

aggregating the plurality of penalties together, to calculate the driver efficiency.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein:

the sensing unit is configured to at least facilitate;

measuring a vehicle speed; and

measuring a vehicle acceleration; and

the processor is configured to at least facilitate;

calculating a penalty, based, at least in part, on the vehicle speed, the vehicle acceleration, and a known relationship correlating vehicle speed and vehicle acceleration to fuel efficiency.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein:

the processor is further configured to at least facilitate calculating a second penalty, based, at least in part, on the vehicle speed and a known relationship correlating vehicle speed to fuel efficiency.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein:

the sensing unit is further configured to at least facilitate measuring an engine speed; and

the processor is further configured to at least facilitate calculating a third penalty, based, at least in part, on the engine speed and a known relationship correlating engine speed to fuel efficiency.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein:

the sensing unit is configured to at least facilitate determining a measure of change in application of a brake pedal, an accelerator pedal, or both; and

the processor is configured to at least facilitate calculating a fourth penalty, based, at least in part, on the measure of change and a known relationship correlating such measure of change to fuel efficiency.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to at least facilitate:

determining whether the vehicle is accelerating or decelerating;

assigning the driver efficiency a positive value, if the vehicle is accelerating; and

assigning the driver efficiency a negative value, if the vehicle is decelerating.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein the gauge is movable between and within:

a first range of positions, indicating that the driver efficiency is in an ideal range;

a second range of positions, indicating that;

the driver efficiency is in not in the ideal range; and

the vehicle is decelerating; and

a third range of positions, indicating that;

the driver efficiency is in not in the ideal range; and

the vehicle is accelerating.

20. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

a memory configured to store a known relationship correlating the vehicle parameter or one of the plurality of additional vehicle parameters, or both, to the fuel efficiency of the vehicle.