Behavior-Based Low Fuel Warning System
First Claim
1. A method of determining when to provide a refueling notification to a driver of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
- determining a refueling behavior for refueling the vehicle, the refueling behavior being associated at least in part with an amount of fuel customarily remaining in the vehicle when the vehicle is customarily refueled;
determining a remaining amount of fuel in the vehicle;
determining a fuel economy of the vehicle;
estimating a distance the vehicle will travel to a next driving destination;
estimating an amount of fuel that will be used to travel to the next driving destination based on the estimated distance the vehicle will travel to the next driving destination and the fuel economy;
determining whether the amount of fuel that will be remaining in the vehicle after the vehicle travels to the next driving destination is less than the amount of a fuel customarily remaining in the vehicle when the vehicle is refueled; and
actuating a refueling notification to a driver of a vehicle in response to the determination that the amount of fuel that will be remaining in the vehicle after the vehicle travels to the next driving destination will be less than the amount of fuel customarily remaining in the vehicle when the vehicle is refueled.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is provided for determining when to provide a refueling notification to a driver of a vehicle. A refueling behavior is determined for refueling the vehicle. The refueling behavior is associated at least in part to an amount of fuel customarily remaining in the vehicle when the vehicle is customarily refueled. A remaining amount of fuel in the vehicle and a fuel economy of the vehicle are determined. A distance the vehicle will travel to a next driving destination is estimated. An amount of fuel that will be used to travel to the next driving destination is estimated based on the estimated distance the vehicle will travel to the next driving destination and the fuel economy. A determination is made whether the amount of fuel that will be remaining in the vehicle after the vehicle travels to the next driving destination is less than the amount of a fuel customarily remaining in the vehicle when the vehicle is refueled. A refueling notification is actuated to a driver of a vehicle in response to the determination that the amount of fuel that will be remaining in the vehicle after the vehicle travels to the next driving destination will be less than the amount of fuel customarily remaining in the vehicle when the vehicle is refueled.
47 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of determining when to provide a refueling notification to a driver of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining a refueling behavior for refueling the vehicle, the refueling behavior being associated at least in part with an amount of fuel customarily remaining in the vehicle when the vehicle is customarily refueled; determining a remaining amount of fuel in the vehicle; determining a fuel economy of the vehicle; estimating a distance the vehicle will travel to a next driving destination; estimating an amount of fuel that will be used to travel to the next driving destination based on the estimated distance the vehicle will travel to the next driving destination and the fuel economy; determining whether the amount of fuel that will be remaining in the vehicle after the vehicle travels to the next driving destination is less than the amount of a fuel customarily remaining in the vehicle when the vehicle is refueled; and actuating a refueling notification to a driver of a vehicle in response to the determination that the amount of fuel that will be remaining in the vehicle after the vehicle travels to the next driving destination will be less than the amount of fuel customarily remaining in the vehicle when the vehicle is refueled. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A refueling notification system for a vehicle comprising:
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a processor for determining a refueling behavior for refueling the vehicle, the fueling behavior being associated at least in part with an amount of a fuel customarily remaining in the vehicle when the vehicle is refueled, the processor configured for receiving input signals indicating a remaining amount of fuel in the vehicle; and a refueling notification for notifying a driver of the vehicle of a refueling behavior condition, the refueling notification indicating that the level of fuel within the vehicle upon reaching a next expected destination will be less than the level of fuel remaining when the vehicle is customarily refueled; wherein a fuel economy of the vehicle is determined, wherein the processor estimates a distance the vehicle will travel to a next driving destination, wherein the processor calculates an amount of fuel that will be used to travel to the next driving destination based on the estimated distance the vehicle will travel to the next driving destination and the fuel economy, wherein the processor determines whether the amount of fuel that will be remaining in the vehicle after the vehicle travels to the next driving destination is less than the amount of a fuel customarily remaining in the vehicle when the vehicle is refueled; and
wherein the refueling notification is actuated to a driver of a vehicle in response to the determination that the amount of fuel that will be remaining in the vehicle after the vehicle travels to the next driving destination will be less than the amount of fuel customarily remaining in the vehicle when the vehicle is refueled.
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Specification