Automatic fueling notification
First Claim
1. A system for notifying a user of a condition during refueling of a vehicle, comprising:
- an output device configured to produce a user notification;
a fuel reservoir;
a memory having stored therein a start quantity of fuel in the fuel reservoir, a full quantity of fuel in the fuel reservoir, and a user-selectable quantity of fuel in the fuel reservoir;
one or more sensors associated with the fuel reservoir, wherein the one or more sensors are configured to generate data indicative of a cumulative quantity of fuel added to the fuel reservoir; and
a controller configured to receive the data from the one or more sensors during refill of the fuel reservoir, add the cumulative quantity to the start quantity to determine a total quantity of fuel in the fuel reservoir, compare the total quantity of fuel in the fuel reservoir with the full quantity of fuel in the fuel reservoir or the user-selectable quantity of fuel in the fuel reservoir, and cause the output device to produce the user notification when the total quantity of fuel in the fuel reservoir has exceeded either the full quantity of fuel in the fuel reservoir or the user-selectable quantity of fuel in the fuel reservoir.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system that notifies the operator, during refueling, when the fuel tank of a vehicle has been filled to contain a predetermined amount. The predetermined amount may include but is not limited to a full condition, an amount that is calculated to satisfy a specific trip, etc. The system may include one or more fuel sensors that can detect conditions of the fuel delivery system, such as the quantity of fuel residing in the tank. The system further includes a controller and an output device. During a refill event, the controller receives the data from the one or more sensors, processes the data, and causes the output device to notify the operator when the tank is filled with the predetermined amount of fuel. The notification can be audible, such as the horn honking, visual, such as lights flashing, or tactile, such as the vehicle seat vibrates.
-
Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A system for notifying a user of a condition during refueling of a vehicle, comprising:
-
an output device configured to produce a user notification; a fuel reservoir; a memory having stored therein a start quantity of fuel in the fuel reservoir, a full quantity of fuel in the fuel reservoir, and a user-selectable quantity of fuel in the fuel reservoir; one or more sensors associated with the fuel reservoir, wherein the one or more sensors are configured to generate data indicative of a cumulative quantity of fuel added to the fuel reservoir; and a controller configured to receive the data from the one or more sensors during refill of the fuel reservoir, add the cumulative quantity to the start quantity to determine a total quantity of fuel in the fuel reservoir, compare the total quantity of fuel in the fuel reservoir with the full quantity of fuel in the fuel reservoir or the user-selectable quantity of fuel in the fuel reservoir, and cause the output device to produce the user notification when the total quantity of fuel in the fuel reservoir has exceeded either the full quantity of fuel in the fuel reservoir or the user-selectable quantity of fuel in the fuel reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method for notifying a user of a condition during refueling of a vehicle, comprising:
-
storing, in a memory, values indicating a start quantity of fuel in a fuel tank, a full quantity of fuel in the fuel tank, and a user-selectable quantity of fuel in the fuel tank; receiving data indicative of a fuel level in the fuel tank from one or more sensors; obtaining, from the memory, the values indicating the full quantity of fuel in the fuel tank and the user-selectable quantity of fuel in the fuel tank; determining a cumulative quantity of fuel added to the fuel tank during refueling from the one or more sensors; determining a total quantity of fuel in the fuel tank during refueling by adding the cumulative quantity of fuel to the start quantity of fuel; comparing the total quantity of fuel in the fuel tank with the full quantity of fuel in the fuel tank or the user-selectable quantity of fuel in the fuel tank; and outputting a notification signal in response to the total quantity of fuel in the fuel tank being equal to or greater than the full quantity of fuel in the fuel tank or the user-selectable quantity of fuel in the fuel tank. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
Specification