Proactive low fuel warning system and method
First Claim
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1. A system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
- a fuel sensor determining fuel remaining in a reservoir;
a navigation system, having a database of fueling stations; and
a processor coupled to the fuel sensor and the navigation system, the processor being configured to;
determine from the navigation system, the database, and a fuel efficiency of the vehicle, whether an amount of fuel remaining in the vehicle is sufficient to reach a fueling station;
determine whether a distance to the fueling station exceeds a user-specified fuel-range safety factor; and
control operation of the vehicle, responsive to a determination that the distance to the fueling station exceeds the user-specified fuel-range safety factor.
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Abstract
A proactive low-fuel warning system provides notifications to a vehicle operator that the energy or fuel remaining in a fuel supply or energy storage device is insufficient to reach a fueling station. When fuel level is too low or the energy stored in a batter is insufficient, the system can be configured to inhibit vehicle operation. Emergency communications can be sent automatically when fuel is depleted, nearly depleted with inclusion of location information by which the vehicles current location can be determined by emergency service providers.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
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a fuel sensor determining fuel remaining in a reservoir; a navigation system, having a database of fueling stations; and a processor coupled to the fuel sensor and the navigation system, the processor being configured to; determine from the navigation system, the database, and a fuel efficiency of the vehicle, whether an amount of fuel remaining in the vehicle is sufficient to reach a fueling station; determine whether a distance to the fueling station exceeds a user-specified fuel-range safety factor; and control operation of the vehicle, responsive to a determination that the distance to the fueling station exceeds the user-specified fuel-range safety factor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A low fuel warning system for a vehicle, the system being comprised of:
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a processor; and a memory device coupled to the processor, the memory device storing executable program instructions, which when executed cause the processor to; determine whether an amount of fuel remaining in the vehicle is sufficient to reach at least one fueling station, the determination of whether an amount of fuel is sufficient to reach at least one fueling station being responsive to whether the distance to the fueling station exceeds a user-specified fuel-range safety factor; and control operation of the vehicle to facilitate the vehicle reaching the fueling station. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of pro-actively warning of a low fuel condition in a vehicle, the method comprising:
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determining an amount of fuel remaining in a fuel reservoir; determining a fuel efficiency of the vehicle; calculating a driving range provided by the remaining fuel and fuel efficiency; determining a location of the vehicle and a distance to a fueling stations statically and while vehicle is moving; comparing the distance to a user-specified fuel range safety factor; and displaying a low fuel-related message on a display device, when the distance to a fueling station exceeds the user-specified fuel range safety factor, the low fuel-related message comprising a driving speed to facilitate reaching the fueling station with the remaining fuel. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification