METHOD FOR OPERATING HYBRID VEHICLE
First Claim
1. A method for operating a hybrid vehicle with different operating modes, comprising the steps of:
- (a) retrieving geographic data for one or more areas of interest;
(b) retrieving a current location of the hybrid vehicle;
(c) using the geographic data to establish one or more operating zones, each operating zone is associated with at least one area of interest and defines an area where a particular operating mode is recommended for the hybrid vehicle; and
(d) using a control unit to determine when the current location of the hybrid vehicle is within an operating zone where a particular operating mode is recommended for the hybrid vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system used to identify an optimal hybrid vehicle operating mode based on a variety of potential factors, and then recommend the optimal operating mode to the driver so that they can make an informed decision regarding their operating mode selection. In one embodiment, the method uses geographic-, vehicle- and/or environmental-related factors to establish one or more operating zones, monitors the location of the hybrid vehicle and determines when it is within one of the operating zones, and then determines an operating mode that is optimal for that particular operating zone.
21 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for operating a hybrid vehicle with different operating modes, comprising the steps of:
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(a) retrieving geographic data for one or more areas of interest; (b) retrieving a current location of the hybrid vehicle; (c) using the geographic data to establish one or more operating zones, each operating zone is associated with at least one area of interest and defines an area where a particular operating mode is recommended for the hybrid vehicle; and (d) using a control unit to determine when the current location of the hybrid vehicle is within an operating zone where a particular operating mode is recommended for the hybrid vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for operating a hybrid vehicle with a mountain mode, comprising the steps of:
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(a) retrieving geographic data for one or more mountains; (b) retrieving a current location of the hybrid vehicle; (c) using the geographic data to establish one or more mountain zones, each mountain zone is associated with at least one mountain and defines an area around the mountain where a mountain mode is recommended for the hybrid vehicle; and (d) using a control unit to determine when the current location of the hybrid vehicle is within a mountain zone where the mountain mode is recommended for the hybrid vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification