SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PREDICTIVE ENGINE RE-STARTING AND PREDICTIVE NEUTRAL/IDLE OPERATION OF A VEHICLE
First Claim
1. A predictive engine restart method for a host vehicle having an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:
- establishing a real-time data communication channel with a neighbor vehicle that is positioned in front of the host vehicle;
receiving vehicle status data from the neighbor vehicle using the real-time data communication channel, the vehicle status data comprising transmission status data for the neighbor vehicle, accelerator pedal status data for the neighbor vehicle, and brake pedal status data for the neighbor vehicle;
re-starting the engine when the transmission status data indicates a mode other than park or neutral, and when the accelerator pedal status data indicates accelerator pedal travel greater than a threshold amount; and
re-starting the engine when the automatic transmission status data indicates a mode other than park or neutral, and when the brake pedal status data indicates a released condition.
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Abstract
A predictive engine restart method and related systems for a host vehicle having an internal combustion engine are provided. An exemplary method begins by establishing a real-time data communication channel with a neighbor vehicle that is positioned in front of the host vehicle. The method continues by receiving vehicle status data from the neighbor vehicle using the real-time data communication channel. The vehicle status data includes transmission status data for the neighbor vehicle, accelerator pedal status data for the neighbor vehicle, and brake pedal status data for the neighbor vehicle. Then, the method re-starts the engine when the transmission status data indicates a mode other than park or neutral, and when the accelerator pedal status data indicates accelerator pedal travel greater than a threshold amount. Alternatively, the engine is re-started when the automatic transmission status data indicates a mode other than park or neutral, and when the brake pedal status data indicates a released condition.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A predictive engine restart method for a host vehicle having an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:
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establishing a real-time data communication channel with a neighbor vehicle that is positioned in front of the host vehicle; receiving vehicle status data from the neighbor vehicle using the real-time data communication channel, the vehicle status data comprising transmission status data for the neighbor vehicle, accelerator pedal status data for the neighbor vehicle, and brake pedal status data for the neighbor vehicle; re-starting the engine when the transmission status data indicates a mode other than park or neutral, and when the accelerator pedal status data indicates accelerator pedal travel greater than a threshold amount; and re-starting the engine when the automatic transmission status data indicates a mode other than park or neutral, and when the brake pedal status data indicates a released condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A predictive engine restart system for a host vehicle having an internal combustion engine, the system comprising:
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means for receiving real-time front vehicle status data from a neighbor vehicle that is located in front of the host vehicle, the real-time front vehicle status data comprising transmission status data for the neighbor vehicle, accelerator pedal status data for the neighbor vehicle, and brake pedal status data for the neighbor vehicle; means for obtaining real-time host vehicle status data for the host vehicle, the real-time host vehicle status data comprising engine on/off status data for the host vehicle, and engine speed data for the host vehicle; and means for re-starting the engine when either; the engine on/off status data indicates an engine off status, the engine speed data indicates engine speed less than a threshold speed, the transmission status data indicates a mode other than neutral, and the accelerator pedal status data indicates accelerator pedal travel greater than a threshold amount;
orthe engine on/off status data indicates an engine off status, the engine speed data indicates engine speed less than a threshold speed, the transmission status data indicates a mode other than neutral, and the brake pedal status data indicates a released condition. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A predictive neutral/idle operating method for a host vehicle having an internal combustion engine and an automatic transmission, the method comprising:
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electronically switching the automatic transmission from a drive mode to a neutral idle mode when the host vehicle is stopped; receiving location and heading data for one or more neighboring vehicles proximate the host vehicle, using a wireless vehicle-to-vehicle data communication scheme; receiving host vehicle location and heading data; analyzing the location and heading data for the one or more neighboring vehicles, and the host vehicle location and heading data, to designate a neighbor vehicle from the one or more neighboring vehicles, the neighbor vehicle being positioned immediately in front of the host vehicle; establishing a real-time wireless data communication channel between the host vehicle and the neighbor vehicle; receiving, via the real-time wireless data communication channel, front vehicle status data from the neighbor vehicle, the front vehicle status data comprising automatic transmission status data for the neighbor vehicle, accelerator pedal status data for the neighbor vehicle, and brake pedal status data for the neighbor vehicle; and electronically switching the automatic transmission from the neutral idle mode to the drive mode when either; the automatic transmission status data indicates a mode other than park or neutral, and the accelerator pedal status data indicates accelerator pedal travel greater than a threshold amount;
orthe automatic transmission status data indicates a mode other than park or neutral, and the brake pedal status data indicates a released condition. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification