Selecting a Route to Optimize Fuel Efficiency for a Given Vehicle and a Given Driver
First Claim
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1. A method, comprising:
- a) selecting a first route model specifying a first virtual route;
b) selecting a second route model specifying a second virtual route;
c) accessing a first driver model that specifies operational choices by a first virtual driver that depend upon the dynamical state of a given vehicle and position of the given vehicle, along a given virtual route;
d) accessing a first vehicle model that specifies a set of functional components in a virtual vehicle;
e) selecting a reference function for scoring a virtual route;
f) using the first vehicle model and the first driver model, applying a physical dynamics model to simulate operation of the first virtual vehicle by the first driver along the first virtual route, and to obtain a first route score by applying the reference function;
g) using the first vehicle model and the first driver model, applying a physical dynamics model to simulate operation of the first virtual vehicle by the first driver along the second virtual route, and to obtain a second route score by applying the reference function; and
h) comparing the first route score to the second route score.
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Abstract
The present invention is an apparatus and method for optimizing fuel consumption. A physical dynamics model may be used to simulate a vehicle being driven by a driver along a virtual route, possibly under specified weather conditions. A score for a route may be calculated from estimations, based on the simulation, of fuel efficiency, vehicle drivability, and/or time for completing the route. Routes may be configured from components through a user interface. Scores for the routes from simulations may be compared to select an optimum route.
43 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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a) selecting a first route model specifying a first virtual route; b) selecting a second route model specifying a second virtual route; c) accessing a first driver model that specifies operational choices by a first virtual driver that depend upon the dynamical state of a given vehicle and position of the given vehicle, along a given virtual route; d) accessing a first vehicle model that specifies a set of functional components in a virtual vehicle; e) selecting a reference function for scoring a virtual route; f) using the first vehicle model and the first driver model, applying a physical dynamics model to simulate operation of the first virtual vehicle by the first driver along the first virtual route, and to obtain a first route score by applying the reference function; g) using the first vehicle model and the first driver model, applying a physical dynamics model to simulate operation of the first virtual vehicle by the first driver along the second virtual route, and to obtain a second route score by applying the reference function; and h) comparing the first route score to the second route score. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system, comprising:
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a) an electronic device that includes a processor, the processor managing a user interface which allows selection of routes; b) a first virtual route, selected through the user interface; c) a first set of functional elements, selected through the user interface and saved in tangible storage, that model a first virtual vehicle; d) a first driver model, in tangible storage, that specifies operational choices by a first virtual driver that depend upon the dynamical state of a given vehicle and position of the given vehicle, along a given route; e) a reference function for scoring operation by a virtual driver of a vehicle model over a given virtual route; and f) a first route score, displayed on the user interface, obtained by applying the reference function to a simulation by a physical dynamics model, of the first virtual driver driving the first virtual vehicle along the first virtual route. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification