Systems and methods for providing driver shift aids
First Claim
1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by one or more processors associated with a vehicle, cause the vehicle to present a shift indicator by:
- monitoring one or more vehicle performance characteristics;
determining, based on the vehicle performance characteristics, that fuel consumption would be lowered by switching to a different transmission gear ratio of a manual transmission of the vehicle;
determining, based on the vehicle performance characteristics, that minimum driveability would be maintained after switching to the different transmission gear ratio; and
presenting a shift indicator instructing an operator of the vehicle to switch to the different transmission gear ratio in response to determining that fuel consumption would be lowered and minimum driveability would be maintained.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for displaying a driver shift aid are disclosed. In one aspect, an electronic control unit causes a shift indicator to be presented if a need for a shift is detected and vehicle performance after the shift would not be unduly impacted. If the vehicle operator follows the guidance of the shift indicator, vehicle fuel efficiency may be improved while vehicle performance remains adequate. In one aspect, a different indicator may be displayed to prompt the vehicle operator to shift either one gear or two gears.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by one or more processors associated with a vehicle, cause the vehicle to present a shift indicator by:
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monitoring one or more vehicle performance characteristics; determining, based on the vehicle performance characteristics, that fuel consumption would be lowered by switching to a different transmission gear ratio of a manual transmission of the vehicle; determining, based on the vehicle performance characteristics, that minimum driveability would be maintained after switching to the different transmission gear ratio; and presenting a shift indicator instructing an operator of the vehicle to switch to the different transmission gear ratio in response to determining that fuel consumption would be lowered and minimum driveability would be maintained. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by one or more processors of a vehicle, reduce fuel consumption in the vehicle by:
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detecting a need to shift based on a plurality of current vehicle operating conditions, the vehicle operating in a first transmission gear; calculating a first predicted vehicle operating condition based on switching to a second transmission gear; calculating a second predicted vehicle operating condition based on switching to a third transmission gear; comparing the first predicted vehicle operating condition and the second predicted vehicle operating condition to a desired vehicle operating condition; presenting a prompt to a vehicle operator to switch to the second transmission gear in response to determining that the second transmission gear and not the third transmission gear meets the desired vehicle operating condition; and presenting a prompt to the vehicle operator to switch to the third transmission gear in response to determining that the third transmission gear meets the desired vehicle operating condition. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for reducing fuel consumption in a vehicle, the system comprising one or more electronic control units configured to:
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detect a need to shift based on a plurality of current vehicle operating conditions, the vehicle operating in a first transmission gear; calculate a first predicted vehicle operating condition based on switching to a second transmission gear; calculate a second predicted vehicle operating condition based on switching to a third transmission gear; compare the first predicted vehicle operating condition and the second predicted vehicle operating condition to a desired vehicle operating condition; present a prompt to a vehicle operator to switch to the second transmission gear in response to determining that the second transmission gear and not the third transmission gear meets the desired vehicle operating condition; and present a prompt to the vehicle operator to switch to the third transmission gear in response to determining that the third transmission gear meets the desired vehicle operating condition. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification