Charge Notification Method for Extended Range Electric Vehicles
First Claim
1. A method of assisting a user of an electric vehicle having a chargeable onboard energy storage system in maintaining a charge state of the chargeable onboard energy storage system comprising:
- identifying one or more charging locations for the vehicle;
determining the charge state of the onboard energy storage system to evaluate the remaining usable energy in the onboard energy storage system;
determining whether the remaining usable energy in the onboard energy storage system is at least as great as a point of reference value;
if the remaining usable energy in the onboard energy storage system is found to be less than the point of reference value, determining whether the vehicle is powered down;
resolving a current location of the vehicle if it is determined that the vehicle is powered down;
if the current vehicle location matches one of the identified one or more charging locations for the vehicle; and
conveying a charge reminder to the user of the vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The described principles provide a method and system for assisting a user of an electric vehicle in maintaining a charge state of the chargeable onboard energy storage system so as to be able to forgo the use of an auxiliary power unit to great extent. The method, also implemented by the system, comprises identifying charging locations for the vehicle, and prompting the user to charge the vehicle when the vehicle is at a charging location and a charge is need to avoid the use of the auxiliary power unit for a learned or planned journey. The charge reminder my be visible and/or audible within the vehicle and may optionally be remote from the vehicle.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of assisting a user of an electric vehicle having a chargeable onboard energy storage system in maintaining a charge state of the chargeable onboard energy storage system comprising:
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identifying one or more charging locations for the vehicle; determining the charge state of the onboard energy storage system to evaluate the remaining usable energy in the onboard energy storage system; determining whether the remaining usable energy in the onboard energy storage system is at least as great as a point of reference value; if the remaining usable energy in the onboard energy storage system is found to be less than the point of reference value, determining whether the vehicle is powered down; resolving a current location of the vehicle if it is determined that the vehicle is powered down; if the current vehicle location matches one of the identified one or more charging locations for the vehicle; and conveying a charge reminder to the user of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of prompting a vehicle user to charge a chargeable onboard energy storage system of an extended range electric vehicle, the method comprising:
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determining an amount of remaining usable energy in the onboard energy storage system; determining whether the remaining usable energy in the onboard energy storage system is at least as great as a reference value; and prompting the vehicle user to charge the onboard energy storage system if the remaining usable energy in the onboard energy storage system is less than the point of reference value and the vehicle is stationary at a location previously used for charging the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for prompting a vehicle user to charge a chargeable onboard energy storage system of an extended range electric vehicle, the system comprising:
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means for determining an amount of remaining usable energy in the onboard energy storage system; means for determining whether the remaining usable energy in the onboard energy storage system is at least as great as a reference value; and means for prompting the vehicle user to charge the onboard energy storage system if the remaining usable energy in the onboard energy storage system is less than the point of reference value and the vehicle is stationary at a location previously used for charging the vehicle.
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Specification