Computer-supported monitoring of an energy consumption of a means of transportation

• US 8,515,662 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2010
• Issued: 08/20/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Haaf, Stefan, Kessner, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): EL CHANTI, HUSSEIN A
• Application Number:
  US13/322,715
• Publication Number:
  US 20120072049A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,194 Days
• Field of Search: 701/400, 701/408, 701411-415
• US Class Current: 701/400
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 by display
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/00 Tariff metering apparatus in taximeters G07B13/00; apparatus actuated by coins, cards or the like with meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas, or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

A method and arrangement are configured for determination of the energy consumption of a transportation device per section of the route, in urban traffic, for example. In an embodiment, current energy consumption data is compared to reference data from a fleet of transportation devices. The result is visually conveyed to the driver to allow them an interpretation of the energy consumption and to provide motivation for energy-saving driving behavior. An evaluation of the energy consumption data relative to the route allows specific feedback, for example, that the driver has achieved an energy-saving best value for a section of the route. The gathered data can also be used to pay bonuses or to initiate training measures.

Claims

1. A method for computer-supported monitoring of an energy consumption of a transportation device, the method which comprises:

receiving measurement data by least one measurement device, the measurement data specifying a current energy consumption of the transportation device;

determining energy consumption data from the measurement data with a processing unit, the consumption data specifying an energy consumption of the transportation device on a given route;

retrieving comparison data from a database, the comparison data specifying an energy consumption of transportation devices on previous journeys on the given route; and

comparing the energy consumption data with the comparison data to form energy consumption information and outputting the energy consumption information through an output to an operator of the transportation device.

2. The method according to claim 1, which comprises maintaining the database in a data memory on the transportation device.

3. The method according to claim 1, which comprises maintaining the database in a data memory external to the transportation device.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the output is a visual output device.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transportation device is a rail vehicle, a public bus, a truck, a ferry, or an aircraft.

6. The method according to claim 1, which comprises comparing the energy consumption data only with comparison data specifying an energy consumption of transport devices

on previous journeys of the driver;

on previous journeys during a predetermined period;

or

on previous journeys with a transportation device with the same loading.

7. The method according to claim 1, which comprises carrying out the method iteratively for consecutive routes, and thereby:

forming overall energy consumption data from a sum of the energy consumption data determined for the consecutive routes, which specifies an energy consumption of the transportation device on main overall route which is made up of the consecutive routes;

forming overall comparison data from a sum of the comparison data determined for the consecutive routes, which specifies an energy consumption of transportation devices on previous journeys on the overall route; and

outputting overall energy consumption information formed from a comparison of the overall energy consumption data with the overall comparison data to the operator of the transportation device.

8. The method according to claim 1, which comprises:

determining assistance data consisting of

cooperation data specifying whether or with what delay the operator has followed instructions of an operator assistance system on the route;

or

acceleration data specifying braking and acceleration processes on the route;

acquiring comparison assistance data from the database, the comparison assistance data specifying cooperation data or acceleration data of transportation devices on previous journeys on the route; and

outputting assistance information formed from a comparison of the assistance data with the comparison assistance data via an output device to the operator of the transportation device.

9. The method according to claim 1, which comprises writing the energy consumption data into the database for use as comparison data in future journeys.

10. A computer-readable data carrier having a computer program stored thereon in non-transitory form, the computer program executing the method according to claim 1 when it is loaded into and processed in a processing unit.

11. A computer program stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium and configured for processing in a processing unit and, on processing, executing the method according to claim 1.

12. A system for computer-supported monitoring of an energy consumption of a transportation device, the system comprising:

an interface configured for receiving measurement data from a least one measurement device, the measurement data specifying a current energy consumption of the transportation device;

a processing unit programmed for determining energy consumption data from the measurement data, the energy consumption data specifying an energy consumption of the transportation device on a route;

a data memory containing a database with comparison data specifying an energy consumption of the transportation device on previous journeys on the route;

said processing unit being programmed to form energy consumption information from a comparison of the energy consumption data with the comparison data; and

an output device configured for outputting the energy consumption information to an operator of the transportation device.