Methods and Apparatus for Reporting State of Charge in Electric Vehicles

• US 20120179311A1
• Filed: 01/06/2011
• Published: 07/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Skaff, Ryan, Hartl, Derek, Aldighieri, Paul, Greenberg, Jeffrey Allen, Watson, David L., Gilman, Dale, Sandvig, Craig, Bodnar, Leslie, Watson, Angela L., Kridner, Leann
• Granted Patent: US 10,421,420 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/16 Type of output information
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/169 Remaining operating distance or charge
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1868 according to driving situations
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/344 for additionally illuminating mechanical elements, e.g. pointers or control knobs
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/29 Instruments characterised by the way in which information is handled, e.g. showing information on plural displays or prioritising information according to driving conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/445 Differential gearing distribution type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/12 responding to state of charge [SoC]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0232 for measuring vehicle parameters and indicating critical, abnormal or dangerous conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0236 for economical driving
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/244 Charge state
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2554/00 Input parameters relating to objects
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2555/20 Ambient conditions, e.g. wind or rain
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18009 related to particular drive situations
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/0097 Predicting future conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/004 Indicating the operating range of the engine economical driving B60R16/0236, F02B77/084; measuring liquid fuel of an engine G01F9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/04 using counting means or digital clocks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 : Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

A computer-implemented method of displaying vehicle range includes receiving input corresponding to a level of charge remaining in a vehicle having at least a partial electric power source usable for vehicle locomotion. The method also includes determining a maximum remaining range which the vehicle can travel based at least on the level of charge. The method further includes displaying a maximum range boundary overlaid on a map, including at least an indicator at the center of the range indicating a current location of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of displaying vehicle range comprising:

receiving, at a computing system for displaying vehicle range, input corresponding to a level of charge remaining in a vehicle having at least a partial electric power source usable for vehicle locomotion;

determining, using the computing system, and based at least in part on pre-defined fuel usage statistics for the vehicle, a maximum remaining range which the vehicle can travel based at least on the level of charge; and

displaying on a display associated with the computing system, a maximum range boundary overlaid on a map, including at least an indicator at the center of the range indicating a current location of the vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is an electric vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a hybrid electric vehicle.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the computing system is included with a vehicle navigation display installed in the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the computing system is a remote personal computer.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the computing system is included in a nomadic wireless device.

7. The method of claim 1, further including displaying a maximum range with return boundary overlaid on the map, wherein the maximum range with return boundary designates a maximum distance the vehicle can travel and still have enough fuel remaining to return to the current location.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the maximum range comprises displaying a maximum electric range boundary and a second, further, maximum total range boundary, and wherein the calculating further includes calculating a maximum total range based at least in part on level of charge and level of gasoline or other fuel remaining.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining is also based on one or more current weather conditions.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining is also based on one or more current traffic conditions.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-defined fuel usage statistics are based on a make and model of vehicle.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-defined fuel usage statistics are based on known fuel usage statistics for a specific vehicle.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

calculating a maximum remaining travel time for a vehicle based at least on a current level of charge and displaying the maximum remaining travel time on the display.

14. A machine readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed, cause a computing system to perform the method comprising:

receiving input corresponding to a level of charge remaining in a vehicle having at least a partial electric power source usable for vehicle locomotion;

determining, based at least in part on pre-defined fuel usage statistics for the vehicle, a maximum remaining range which the vehicle can travel based at least on the level of charge; and

displaying, on a display associated with the computing system, a maximum range boundary overlaid on a map, including at least an indicator at the center of the range indicating a current location of the vehicle.

15. The machine readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the vehicle is an electric vehicle.

16. The machine readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the vehicle is a hybrid electric vehicle.

17. The machine readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the computing system is included with a vehicle navigation display installed in the vehicle.

18. The machine readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the computing system is a remote personal computer.

19. The machine readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the computing system is included in a nomadic wireless device.

20. A computer-implemented method comprising:

using a vehicle computing system (VCS) to determine a charge level remaining in a vehicle battery;

using the VCS to determine a maximum range which the vehicle can travel based at least on the determined charge level; and

using the VCS to display at least a maximum range boundary overlaid on a map, the display including at least an indicator in a range boundary interior, indicating a current vehicle location.