Systems and Methods for Affecting a Performance Characteristic of Vehicles Using Data Distribution
First Claim
1. A method for improving fuel economy of a vehicle, comprising:
- sending a request for data related to the condition of a path traveled by the vehicle by a first computer on-board the vehicle to a second computer;
receiving, by the first computer, the requested data related to the condition of the path sent by the second computer; and
in response to receiving the data, adjusting the contribution of one or more components of the vehicle configured to set the vehicle in motion based on the received data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides methods, apparatus, and systems for improving the fuel economy of an automobile. An automobile may be configured to receive data relating to a path traversed by the automobile from a server or from other automobiles traveling the path. The path data may indicate one or more road conditions such as traffic patterns, slopes, and the like. In response to receiving the path data, the automobile may automatically adjust the contribution of one or more components of the automobile configured to set the automobile in motion, to conserve fuel or otherwise improve some other performance characteristic of the automobile. For example, the number of cylinders used to operate the vehicle and the electric motor assistance ratios may be adjusted.
24 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for improving fuel economy of a vehicle, comprising:
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sending a request for data related to the condition of a path traveled by the vehicle by a first computer on-board the vehicle to a second computer; receiving, by the first computer, the requested data related to the condition of the path sent by the second computer; and in response to receiving the data, adjusting the contribution of one or more components of the vehicle configured to set the vehicle in motion based on the received data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for improving fuel economy of a hybrid vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, comprising:
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sending a request for data related to the condition of a path traveled by the hybrid vehicle by a first computer on-board the vehicle to a second computer; receiving, by the first computer, the requested data related to the condition of the path sent by the second computer; and in response to receiving the data, adjusting the contribution of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor to the motion of the hybrid vehicle based on the received data. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer readable storage medium containing a program which, when executed, performs operations for improving fuel economy of a vehicle, comprising:
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sending a request for data related to the condition of a path traveled by the vehicle by a first computer on-board the vehicle to a second computer; receiving, by the first computer, the requested data related to the condition of the path sent by the second computer; and in response to receiving the data, adjusting the contribution of one or more components of the vehicle configured to set the vehicle in motion based on the received data. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A system, comprising:
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a first computer on-board a vehicle, comprising; memory containing an application for improving the fuel economy of the vehicle; and a processor communicably connected to the memory; and at least one second computer configured to retrieve data related to a path traveled by the vehicle, wherein the processor, when executing the application is configured to; send a request for data related to the condition of the path traveled by the vehicle to the second computer; receive the requested data related to the condition of the path sent by the second computer; and in response to receiving the data, adjust the contribution of one or more components of the vehicle configured to set the vehicle in motion based on the received data. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification