Method and system for tracking alternative fueled based travel in alternative fueled vehicles

• US 8,812,224 B1
• Filed: 07/31/2010
• Issued: 08/19/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Comverge Incorporated (Itron, Inc.)
• Inventors: Heitmann, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Khoi
• Assistant Examiner(s): MOTT, ADAM R
• Application Number:
  US12/848,142
• Time in Patent Office: 1,480 Days
• Field of Search: 701/22, 701/99, 701/123
• US Class Current: 701/123
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/566 Mobile devices displaying vehicle information
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/80 Arrangements for controlling instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/20 the prime-movers consisting of electric motors and internal combustion engines, e.g. HEVs
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/00 Measuring distance traversed on the ground by vehicles, persons, animals or other moving solid bodies, e.g. using odometers, using pedometers
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/08 Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle or waiting time
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

A system and method can track alternative fuel based travel in alternative fuel vehicles. The system can include an alternative fuel based odometer or “green odometer” which may track distance traveled while a hybrid vehicle, such as PHEV, is only powered by an alternative fuel or power, such as electricity. This green odometer can track credits or incentives earned since the last alternative fuel reimbursement or credit given to the vehicle owner as well as the total reimbursements or credits earned over an alternative fuel vehicle'"'"'s life. The total reimbursements or credits earned over the alternative fuel vehicle'"'"'s life could be used as an additional measure of intrinsic value for the alternative fuel vehicle.

Claims

1. A system for tracking distance traveled by an alternate fueled vehicle using an alternate fuel comprising:

programmable circuitry for tracking a distance traveled by the alternate fueled vehicle while under power by only an alternate fuel, the alternate fuel comprising an energy source other than gasoline which powers the alternate fueled vehicle for the distance traveled;

the programmable circuitry calculates an alternative fuel credit value associated with the distance traveled by the alternate fueled vehicle while under power by only the alternate fuel;

an energy storage unit coupled to the programmable circuitry, the energy storage unit storing the alternate fuel;

an internal combustion engine;

an internal combustion engine sensor coupled to the programmable circuitry and to the internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine sensor detecting when the internal combustion engine is being used to power the alternate fueled vehicle for the distance traveled by the alternate fuel vehicle; and

a display coupled to the programmable circuitry for displaying the alternative fuel credit value calculated by the programmable circuitry while the alternate fuel vehicle is in operation, the alternative fuel credit value being visible within a driving compartment of the alternate fuel vehicle and located adjacent to a speed indicator for the alternate fuel vehicle to provide a real-time alternative fuel credit value, the alternative fuel credit value changes in accordance with the distance traveled by the alternate fueled vehicle while under power by only an alternate fuel, the speed indicator changes in accordance with any changes of speed of the alternate fueled vehicle, the alternative fuel credit value comprises a monetary value associated with a government currency presented as a numerical value on the display.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the alternate fuel comprises one of electricity, natural gas, hydrogen, and a combustible gasoline alternative liquid.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the distance traveled by the alternate fueled vehicle using only an alternate fuel is presented on the display.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the internal combustion engine sensor comprises a detector for detecting gasses produced by the internal combustion engine.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the internal combustion engine sensor comprises a detector for detecting electrical activity of the internal combustion engine.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the internal combustion engine sensor comprises a detector for detecting electrical activity of the internal combustion engine.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the internal combustion engine sensor comprises a detector for detecting a fossil fuel level of the internal combustion engine.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the internal combustion engine sensor comprises a detector for detecting a energy exports from the alternate fueled vehicle.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the internal combustion engine sensor comprises a detector for detecting if an alternate fuel source is being depleted.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the internal combustion engine sensor comprises a detector for detecting if an alternate energy source of the alternate fueled vehicle is active.

11. The system of 9, wherein the currency comprises one or more U.S. dollars or fractions thereof.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the distance traveled by the alternate fueled vehicle using only an alternate fuel is presented on the display.

12. The system of 1, wherein the currency comprises one or more U.S. dollars or fractions thereof.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the distance traveled by the alternate fueled vehicle using only an alternate fuel is presented on the display.