Method and apparatus for reducing unwanted vehicle emissions using satellite navigation

• US 6,370,472 B1
• Filed: 09/15/2000
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mirenco, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mirenco, Inc.
• Inventors: Fosseen, Dwayne
• Primary Examiner(s): ARGENBRIGHT, TONY MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US09/662,951
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 123/352, 123/361, 123/399, 73/233.1, 73/233.2, 731/16, 731/17, 731/172, 731/173, 701/102
• US Class Current: 701/102
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/0058 responsive to externally generated signalling
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0075 Automatic parameter input, automatic initialising or calibrating means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2552/20 Road profile, i.e. the change in elevation or curvature of a plurality of continuous road segments
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/10 Historical data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0605 Throttle position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2720/103 Speed profile
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1487 Correcting the instantaneous control value

Abstract

A vehicle use profile is created by driving a vehicle with a throttle-controlled engine over a predetermined course at a first period of time. A vehicle use parameter is recorded at predetermined intervals along the course along with the throttle level. At a later time, a vehicle is driven over the same predetermined course with the throttle controlled according to the vehicle use profile. The vehicle use parameter can include real time position, speed, and elevation taken from a GPS receiver, or vehicle emission levels, wind resistance, or vehicle speed, taken real time from various sensors, wherein the vehicle is controlled in accord to one or more of the parameters.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a vehicle according to a vehicle use profile, said method comprising:

creating a vehicle use profile, comprising;

driving a profiling vehicle with a throttle controlled engine over a predetermined

course at a first period of time;

recording a vehicle use parameter at predetermined intervals over said course; and

recording a throttle level at said predetermined intervals over said course;

driving a duplicating vehicle over said predetermined course at a second period of time,

wherein said throttle level is controlled according to said profile.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 further providing a global positioning satellite receiver located on said vehicles for receiving satellite signals that allow for locating a position of said vehicles, and wherein said vehicle use parameter comprises said position of said vehicle at said predetermined intervals.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 1 further providing an emission analyzer located on said vehicles for analysis of exhaust emissions, and wherein said vehicle use parameter comprises said vehicle exhaust emission level at said predetermined intervals.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said profile vehicle and said duplicating vehicle are substantially similar vehicles.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said profile vehicle and duplicating vehicle are the same vehicle.

6. An apparatus for controlling a vehicle according to a vehicle use profile, said apparatus comprising:

a vehicle having an engine with a computer controlled throttle;

a general purpose computer operatively connected to said throttle creating a vehicle use profile, comprising;

driving a profiling vehicle with a throttle controlled engine over a predetermined course at a first period of time;

recording a vehicle use parameter at predetermined intervals over said course; and

recording a position of said throttle at said predetermined intervals over said course;

driving a duplicating vehicle over said predetermined course at a second period of time,

wherein said throttle position is controlled according to said profile.