Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for guiding the driver of a vehicle in selecting an accelerator pedal position and transmission gear to improve a score. The score may be a weighted average of a fuel economy score and a drivability score. A curve showing the best score for each gear may be shown on a display as a function of accelerator pedal and transmission gear number, along with the current accelerator pedal and gear number of the vehicle. The driver may improve the score by changing to an accelerator pedal and/or gear selection that is closer to the curve. The curve may be calculated, using a model based on forces and torques upon the vehicle, from data acquired by monitoring the vehicle and/or from external sources.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 3, 2011
Date of Patent:
November 11, 2014
Assignee:
FuelMiner, Inc.
Inventors:
Sermet YĆ¼cel, William D. Headrick, Samuel E. Martin, M. Germana Paterlini, Jon M. Magnuson