Method and Apparatus for Analyzing and Optimizing Fuel/Energy Consumption

• US 20130226367A1
• Filed: 02/27/2012
• Published: 08/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: MacNeille, Perry Robinson, Gusikhin, Oleg Yurievitch, Kowalski, David Allen
• Granted Patent: US 8,670,877 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/13 Maintaining the SoC within a determined range
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0236 for economical driving
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/84 Data processing systems or methods, management, administration

Abstract

A computer-implemented method includes receiving a request for improving vehicular energy conservation. The method further includes responsively providing at least one action to a vehicle computing system, based at least in part on received vehicle data. Also, the method includes receiving data relating to a change in vehicle energy efficiency resulting from implementation of the action. The method additionally includes analyzing the received data and action along with data resulting from similar actions to determine a generalized effect of the action.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving a request for improving vehicular energy conservation;

based at least in part on received vehicle data and data relating to the effectiveness of an action, determining an appropriate action for improved conservation;

responsively providing the action to a vehicle computing system;

receiving data relating to a change in vehicle energy efficiency resulting from implementation of the action, including indicia of the action having been implemented;

analyzing the received data and action to determine the effectiveness of the action; and

updating data relating to the effectiveness of the action based on the analyzing.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle data includes a current estimated remaining range.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle data includes a current estimated energy consumption rate.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle data includes a current speed.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle data includes accessory usage.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the responsively providing at least one recommended action is further based at least in part on additionally available data retrieved by a system remote from a vehicle.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the additionally available data includes weather data.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the additionally available data includes traffic data.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the action includes recommending a change in driving behavior.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the action includes recommending a change in accessory usage.

11. A machine readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method comprising:

receiving a request for improving vehicular energy conservation;

based at least in part on received vehicle data and data relating to the effectiveness of an action, determining an appropriate action for improved conservation;

responsively providing at least one the action to a vehicle computing system;

receiving data relating to a change in vehicle energy efficiency resulting from implementation of the action; and

analyzing the received data and action along with data resulting from similar actions to determine a generalized effect of the action to determine the effectiveness of the action; and

updating data relating to the effectiveness of the action based on the analyzing.

12. The machine readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the vehicle data includes a current estimated remaining range.

13. The machine readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the vehicle data includes a current estimated energy consumption rate.

14. The machine readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the vehicle data includes a current speed.

15. The machine readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the vehicle data includes accessory usage.

16. The machine readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the responsively providing at least one recommended action is further based at least in part on additionally available data retrieved by a system remote from a vehicle.

17. The machine readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the additionally available data includes weather data.

18. The machine readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the additionally available data includes traffic data.

19. The machine readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the action includes recommending a change in driving behavior.

20. The machine readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the action includes recommending a change in accessory usage.

21. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving a request for improving vehicular energy conservation;

receiving driver identity;

receiving vehicle data; and

based at least in part on received vehicle data and driver identity, determining at least one action, stored with respect to a driver profile, previously observed to be effective at energy conservation for the driver under similar conditions, determined by vehicle data; and

responsively providing the retrieved at least one action to a vehicle computing system.