Methods and systems for determining driver efficiency in a vehicle
First Claim
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1. A method for determining driver efficiency in a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
- measuring a plurality of vehicle parameters that are each influenced, at least in part, by an action taken by a driver, using a sensing unit, wherein the step of measuring the plurality of penalties comprises measuring a vehicle speed and measuring a vehicle acceleration;
determining a plurality of penalties, each penalty comprising an effect of at least one of the plurality of vehicle parameters on a fuel efficiency of the vehicle using a processor, wherein the step of determining the plurality of penalties includes calculating a first penalty, based, at least in part, on the vehicle speed, the vehicle acceleration, and a known relationship correlating vehicle speed and vehicle acceleration to fuel efficiency, such that the first penalty represents a base score penalty that provides larger penalties for smaller accelerations as vehicle speed increases; and
aggregating the plurality of penalties together, to calculate the driver efficiency using the processor.
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Abstract
A method for determining driver efficiency in a vehicle includes the steps of measuring a vehicle parameter, and calculating the driver efficiency based, at least in part, on the vehicle parameter. The vehicle parameter is influenced, at least in part, by an action taken by a driver.
20 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for determining driver efficiency in a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
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measuring a plurality of vehicle parameters that are each influenced, at least in part, by an action taken by a driver, using a sensing unit, wherein the step of measuring the plurality of penalties comprises measuring a vehicle speed and measuring a vehicle acceleration; determining a plurality of penalties, each penalty comprising an effect of at least one of the plurality of vehicle parameters on a fuel efficiency of the vehicle using a processor, wherein the step of determining the plurality of penalties includes calculating a first penalty, based, at least in part, on the vehicle speed, the vehicle acceleration, and a known relationship correlating vehicle speed and vehicle acceleration to fuel efficiency, such that the first penalty represents a base score penalty that provides larger penalties for smaller accelerations as vehicle speed increases; and aggregating the plurality of penalties together, to calculate the driver efficiency using the processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for displaying driver efficiency for a vehicle, the system comprising:
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a sensing unit configured to at least facilitate measuring a plurality of vehicle parameters that are each influenced, at least in part, by an action taken by a driver; a processor coupled to the sensing unit and configured to at least facilitate; determining a plurality of penalties, each penalty comprising an effect of at least one of the plurality of vehicle parameters on a fuel efficiency of the vehicle; and aggregating the plurality of penalties together, to calculate the driver efficiency; and a gauge that is movable between and within; a first range of positions, indicating that the driver efficiency is in an ideal range; a second range of positions, indicating that; the driver efficiency is in not in the ideal range; and the vehicle is decelerating; and a third range of positions, indicating that; the driver efficiency is in not in the ideal range; and the vehicle is accelerating.
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9. A display device for a vehicle, the display device comprising:
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an input device configured to receive a driver efficiency, the driver efficiency comprising a measure of an impact of an action taken by a driver of the vehicle on a fuel efficiency of the vehicle; and a display coupled to the input device, the display comprising a gauge configured to move between and within; a first range of positions, indicating that the driver efficiency is in an ideal range; a second range of positions, indicating that; the driver efficiency is in not in the ideal range; and the vehicle is decelerating; and a third range of positions, indicating that; the driver efficiency is in not in the ideal range; and the vehicle is accelerating.
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10. A method for determining driver efficiency in a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
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measuring a plurality of vehicle parameters that are each influenced, at least in part, by an action taken by a driver, using a sensing unit; determining a plurality of penalties, each penalty comprising an effect of at least one of the plurality of vehicle parameters on a fuel efficiency of the vehicle using a processor; aggregating the plurality of penalties together, to calculate the driver efficiency using the processor; determining whether the vehicle is accelerating or decelerating; assigning the driver efficiency a positive value, if the vehicle is accelerating; and assigning the driver efficiency a negative value, if the vehicle is decelerating.
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11. A system for displaying driver efficiency for a vehicle, the system comprising:
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a sensing unit configured to at least facilitate measuring a plurality of vehicle parameters that are each influenced, at least in part, by an action taken by a driver; and a processor coupled to the sensing unit and configured to at least facilitate; determining a plurality of penalties, each penalty comprising an effect of at least one of the plurality of vehicle parameters on a fuel efficiency of the vehicle; aggregating the plurality of penalties together, to calculate the driver efficiency; determining whether the vehicle is accelerating or decelerating; assigning the driver efficiency a positive value, if the vehicle is accelerating; and assigning the driver efficiency a negative value, if the vehicle is decelerating. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification