System and method for brake coaching

• US 9,026,348 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2012
• Issued: 05/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Ichinokawa, Jumpei
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Kim T
• Application Number:
  US13/724,285
• Publication Number:
  US 20140180564A1
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 701/78, 701/79, 701/93, 701/96, 701/123
• US Class Current: 701/123
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/174 Economic driving
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/174 Economic driving
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/04 Vehicle stop
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2530/18 Distance travelled
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/10 Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/84 Data processing systems or methods, management, administration

Abstract

A system and method of providing feedback to an operator of a vehicle is presented. A release of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle is detected and a distance traveled by the vehicle between the time the release of the accelerator pedal is detected and the vehicle reaches a stop is measured. The distance traveled and a speed of the vehicle at the time the release of the accelerator pedal is detected is determined to calculate a point score. After the point score is calculated, the point score is displayed for review by the operator of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A method of providing feedback to an operator of a vehicle, comprising:

detecting a release of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle;

monitoring a distance traveled by the vehicle between the time the release of the accelerator pedal is detected and the vehicle reaches a stop;

determining the distance traveled and a speed of the vehicle at the time the release of the accelerator pedal is detected to calculate a point score; and

displaying the point score for review by the operator of the vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising, after detecting the release of the accelerator pedal, determining that the vehicle is stopping by monitoring an acceleration of the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the acceleration of the vehicle is monitored through a vehicle speed pulse sensor.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the acceleration of the vehicle is monitored through a global positioning system (GPS) sensor.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the point score indicates a fuel-efficiency of the vehicle between the time the release of the accelerator pedal is detected and the vehicle reaches a stop.

6. The method of claim 1, including displaying statistical data describing a previous point score.

7. The method of claim 1, including detecting a key fob to identify the operator of the vehicle.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the release of the accelerator pedal of the vehicle includes detecting a disabling of a cruise control of the vehicle.

9. A system for providing feedback to an operator of a vehicle, comprising:

a pedal sensor configured to detect a position of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle;

a movement sensor configured to detect a movement of the vehicle;

a controller configured to;

detect a release of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle through the pedal sensor,

monitor a distance traveled by the vehicle between the time the release of the accelerator pedal is detected and the vehicle reaches a stop through the movement sensor, and

determine a point score through the distance traveled and a speed of the vehicle at the time the release of the accelerator pedal is detected; and

a display configured to output the point score for review by the operator of the vehicle.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor is configured to, after detecting the release of the accelerator pedal, determine that the vehicle is stopping by monitoring an acceleration of the vehicle.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the movement sensor is a vehicle speed pulse sensor.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the movement sensor is a global positioning system (GPS) sensor.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the point score indicates a fuel-efficiency of the vehicle between the time the release of the accelerator pedal is detected and the vehicle reaches a stop.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to calculate statistical data describing a previous point score.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to detect a key fob to identify the operator of the vehicle.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein the pedal sensor includes a potentiometer.

17. A system for providing feedback to an operator of a vehicle, comprising:

a movement sensor configured to detect an acceleration of the vehicle;

a controller configured to;

monitor a rate of deceleration of the vehicle between the time a release of an accelerator pedal is detected and the vehicle reaches a stop through the movement sensor, and

determine a point score through the rate of deceleration; and

a display configured to output the point score for review by the operator of the vehicle.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the movement sensor is a vehicle speed pulse sensor.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the controller is configured to calculate statistical data describing a previous point score.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the controller is configured to detect a key fob to identify the operator of the vehicle.