Method and system for extending an operating range of a motor vehicle
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- estimating a vehicle range based on a fuel level and a first mode of vehicle operation;
estimating a distance to an alternative fuel location; and
if a vehicle user has authorized an economy mode of operation, automatically entering the economy mode of vehicle operation a predetermined time after the estimated vehicle range decreases to within a predetermined threshold of the estimated distance to the alternative fuel location.
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Abstract
A method and system are described for extending an operating range of a motor vehicle, the vehicle having a first mode of operation and an economy mode of operation. A vehicle range may be estimated based on a vehicle fuel level and the first mode of operation. A distance to a fuel location may also be estimated. The economy mode of vehicle operation may be automatically entered a predetermined period of time after the estimated vehicle range based on the vehicle fuel level and the first operating mode decreases to within a predetermined threshold of the estimated distance to a fuel location.
24 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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estimating a vehicle range based on a fuel level and a first mode of vehicle operation; estimating a distance to an alternative fuel location; and if a vehicle user has authorized an economy mode of operation, automatically entering the economy mode of vehicle operation a predetermined time after the estimated vehicle range decreases to within a predetermined threshold of the estimated distance to the alternative fuel location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system comprising a controller configured to:
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estimate a vehicle range based on a fuel level and a first mode of vehicle operation;
estimate a distance to a location of an alternative fuel;determine if a vehicle user has set an option authorizing an economy mode of vehicle operation; and if a vehicle user has authorized the economy mode of vehicle operation, generate an entry command signal for use in automatically entering the economy mode of vehicle operation after the estimated vehicle range decreases to within a predetermined threshold of the estimated distance to the fuel location. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system comprising a controller configured to:
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estimate a vehicle range based on a fuel level and a first mode of vehicle operation; estimate a distance to a location of a fuel source; determine if a vehicle user has set an option authorizing an economy mode of vehicle operation; if a vehicle user has authorized the economy mode of vehicle operation, generate, when the estimated vehicle range decreases to within a predetermined threshold of the estimated distance to the fuel location, an information signal for use in providing an indication to a user that the vehicle will enter the economy mode of vehicle operation; generate, if the user fails to provide a command to refrain from entering the economy mode during a predetermined time after generating the information signal, an entry command signal for use in automatically entering the economy mode; and generate an exit command signal for use in exiting the economy mode in response to a user command to exit the economy mode. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification