Virtual Charge for Electric Vehicles
First Claim
1. A method for dynamically adjusting a lower charge threshold of an electrically-powered vehicle, the method comprising:
- determining, by a processor, that the vehicle'"'"'s remaining battery charge has fallen below a first predetermined amount; and
lowering, by a processor, the lower charge threshold of the vehicle'"'"'s battery to a second predetermined amount.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The described method and system provides for dynamic adjustment of the lower charge threshold of an electrically-powered vehicle to allow a fuel-depleted vehicle also low on battery charge to continue to be operated. The vehicle'"'"'s telematics unit monitors the fuel level and charge level via the vehicle bus or other vehicle resources to determine if the vehicle is running low on fuel and electric charge. If the telematics unit determines that the fuel is depleted and the charge level is approaching, meets or falls below the lower threshold, the telematics unit communicates the vehicle fuel status and vehicle position to a call center along with vehicle identification data. The call center determines the amount of charge required to reach one or more local fueling stations or other points of interests and propose destination recommendations to the driver. The driver may then select one of the recommendations, and the call center transmits a new lower charge threshold to the vehicle.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for dynamically adjusting a lower charge threshold of an electrically-powered vehicle, the method comprising:
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determining, by a processor, that the vehicle'"'"'s remaining battery charge has fallen below a first predetermined amount; and lowering, by a processor, the lower charge threshold of the vehicle'"'"'s battery to a second predetermined amount. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for dynamically adjusting a lower charge threshold of an electrically-powered vehicle, the method comprising:
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receiving, at a call center, status information regarding the vehicle when the vehicle'"'"'s remaining battery charge has fallen below a first predetermined amount, wherein the status information regarding the vehicle comprises the vehicle'"'"'s battery charge level and the vehicle'"'"'s location; determining, at the call center, the distance from the vehicle to at least one destination from the group consisting of; a fueling station; a recharging station; and a subscriber'"'"'s home address; transmitting, by the call center to the vehicle, at least one destination recommendation based on the amount of charge required by the vehicle to reach the at least one destination. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for dynamically adjusting a lower charge threshold of an electrically-powered vehicle, the system comprising:
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the electrically-powered vehicle; a telematics unit connected to the vehicle, adapted to monitor the vehicle'"'"'s remaining battery charge, send and receive communications and data to and from a call center, and control the lower charge threshold of the vehicle'"'"'s battery; and the call center, adapted to send and receive communications and data to and from the vehicle, determine the distance from the vehicle'"'"'s position to at least one destination from the group consisting of a fueling station, recharging station and a subscriber'"'"'s home address, determine the amount of charge required for the vehicle to travel from the vehicle'"'"'s position to the at least one destination; and
determine a new lower charge threshold for the vehicle battery to be communicated to the vehicle.
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Specification