Abstract: Disclosed herein are a haptic feedback method and apparatus for a vehicle. The haptic feedback apparatus an accelerator pedal sensor unit, a control unit, and an output unit. The accelerator pedal sensor unit measures the angle of a vehicle accelerator pedal. The control unit determines whether the haptic feedback is required, using the measured angle of the vehicle accelerator pedal. The output unit deliver the haptic feedback to a user depending on the results of the determination.

Abstract: Determining remaining vehicle range by adjusting measured estimates on the fly accounting for road effects, the state of vehicle accessories, and other conditions.

Abstract: One way to improve fuel efficiency of a vehicle is to detect the vehicle operational shortcomings related to fuel consumption by determining whether fuel used during operation of the vehicle is normal fuel use or wasted fuel use. Considerations of idling, speeding and inappropriate gear shifts are some ways to measure the amount of fuel wasted due to operator shortcomings. Communicating this information to the operator in real-time so adjustments can be made will improve vehicle fuel efficiency. These techniques are applicable to tracking employment of other driving best practices as well.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a fleet management computer system for assessing vehicle efficiency. According to various embodiments, the fleet management computer system is configured for receiving and assessing vehicle telematics data in order to determine an idle percentage of engine run time value representing the percentage of the vehicle's engine run time during which the vehicle's engine was idling during the one or more time periods. In addition, the fleet management computer system may be configured for assessing vehicle telematics data in order to identify segment of engine idle time and generate a graphical display indicating various attributes of the identified idle time segments. The idle time percentage and idle time segments generated by the system can be used to assess the efficiency of vehicles and/or vehicle operators in an associated fleet.

Abstract: A vehicular device includes a communication unit that performs communication with a portable communication terminal; a display unit that display an execution screen of a terminal application; an operation input unit provided in a corresponding manner with the display unit and receives an input regarding an operation for a manual setting of information used by the terminal application; and a vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle information regarding a vehicle, which is used by the terminal application. A control unit of the vehicular device sets, to the terminal application, the vehicle information acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit without using the input from the operation input unit for an execution of the terminal application, and controls a transmission of the vehicle information to the external server through the portable communication terminal by using the communication unit.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for providing feedback to a driver are provided herein. Vehicle speed or acceleration data can be received for a location on a route. A current acceleration value for the location is derived using the received vehicle speed or acceleration data. A preferred acceleration value for the location is determined based on a preferred speed or acceleration profile that is specific to the route. An indication of a correspondence between the preferred acceleration value for the location and the current acceleration value for the location is then provided. The indication can be, for example, a graphic comparing the preferred and current acceleration values. Based on the indication, a driver can adjust acceleration to conform to the preferred acceleration value.

Abstract: An operating state display device for a vehicle includes a display portion that displays an energy transmission state of the vehicle. A display similar to what is shown when no energy is being transmitted to the axle is shown, regardless of the energy transmission state, when two conditions that the vehicle is stopped and that a brake operation is being performed are satisfied.

Abstract: A motor generates a kinetic energy for use in running of a vehicle. An electric storage apparatus is charged and discharged and outputs a driving electric power for the motor through the discharge. A display displays a cruising distance over which the vehicle can be run with the motor. A controller calculates the cruising distance based on a full charge capacity of the electric storage apparatus and displays the cruising distance on the display. When the full charge capacity at a present time is smaller than the full charge capacity at a past time and the electric storage apparatus is not discharged, or when the full charge capacity at the present time is larger than the full charge capacity at the past time and the electric storage apparatus is not charged, the controller displays the cruising distance based on the full charge capacity at the past time on the display.

Abstract: The subject invention is directed to a method and system for generating an improved fuel mileage value for a powered vehicle. Said method and system take into account real-time operational parameters of a vehicle, such as the rate of fuel consumption, vehicle velocity, vehicle acceleration and deceleration, the kinetic and potential energy of the vehicle, and the energy recovered by regenerative braking. In one set of applications, the improved fuel mileage value generated by said method and system provides timely and positive feedback and psychological reinforcement to vehicle operators to encourage fuel-efficient vehicle operations. Such feedback and psychological reinforcement are especially valuable when a regenerative vehicle braking system is being used. Said value can also provide feedback of the operational efficiency to an automated or semi-automated throttle and/or braking system.

Abstract: A technique for identifying, projecting, displaying, and enhancing the thermal capacity for an aircraft is disclosed wherein the thermal capacity is defined as the amount of time or range the aircraft can continue until a thermal limit is exceeded.

Abstract: Described herein are devices, systems, and methods for managing the power consumption of an automotive vehicle, and thereby for optimizing the power consumption of the vehicle. The devices and systems for managing the power consumption of the vehicle typically include power management logic that can calculate an applied power for the vehicle engine based on information provided from the external environment of the vehicle, the operational status of the vehicle, one or more command inputs from a driver, and one or more operational parameters of the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a route and turn-by-turn directions based on estimates of current and future traffic along the route. A client device may request turn-by-turn directions between an initial and a final location. A server may identify a plurality of routes between the locations. Each route of the plurality of routes may be divided into route segments. For each route segment of a particular route, the server may estimate a travel time. The travel time may be based on estimated vehicle volume data generated from information received from other vehicles. The server may estimate a total travel time for the particular route. The server may repeat this estimate for each of the plurality of routes between the locations and select the route with the lowest estimated travel time. Based on the selected route, the server may generate turn-by-turn directions and transmit the directions to the client device for display.

Abstract: A navigation device apparatus and method are provided. The apparatus includes a fuel consumption determination unit that determines a fuel consumption during a travel of a vehicle. Also included is a fuel consumption information storage unit that stores point information identifying a departing point and a destination in the travel of the vehicle and fuel consumption information identifying the fuel consumption during a previous travel A display unit is included that acquires previous fuel consumption information identifying the fuel consumption during the previous travel corresponding to the departing point and the destination during a current travel of the vehicle, and controls the display of the fuel consumption during the previous travel based on the acquired previous fuel consumption information and the fuel consumption during the current travel determined by the fuel consumption determination unit.

Abstract: Approaches for indicating vehicle fuel efficiency for vehicle usage patterns are provided. Patterns of inefficient operation are detected and conveyed to a user to inform the user of the impact of his/her inefficient operation. In these embodiments, a fuel efficiency tool provides this capability. The fuel efficiency tool comprises: an analysis component configured to analyze usage patterns of a vehicle; a calculation component configured to calculate a vehicle fuel efficiency for each of the usage patterns; and a notification component configured to: provide a real-time notification to a user of the vehicle indicating each of the following via a feedback device within the vehicle: a numerical representation of the vehicle fuel efficiency calculated for each of the plurality of recurring driver habits; and a monetary value indicating an amount of money sacrificed by at least one vehicle usage pattern that is contributing to inefficient vehicle fuel consumption.

Abstract: Described herein are devices, systems, and methods for managing the power consumption of an automotive vehicle, and thereby for optimizing the power consumption of the vehicle. The devices and systems for managing the power consumption of the vehicle typically include power management logic that can calculate an applied power for the vehicle engine based on information provided from the external environment of the vehicle, the operational status of the vehicle, one or more command inputs from a driver, and one or more operational parameters of the vehicle.

Abstract: A minimum remaining driving range estimated to be the distance which the vehicle can travel on the remaining battery power, in a case where a power load which accessories capable of receiving electric power from a battery place on the battery is the greatest within a variable range in accordance with input of operations, and a maximum remaining driving range estimated to be the distance which the vehicle can travel on the remaining battery power, in a case where the power load is the smallest within the variable range, are displayed on a display unit.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for modifying a fuel volume of a fuel container based on fuel consumption. In one embodiment, a method comprises storing an initial fuel volume measurement for a fuel container of a first rail vehicle and modifying the initial fuel volume measurement based on fuel consumption of an engine of a second rail vehicle to determine a modified fuel volume.

Abstract: To provide remote services, including dynamic, interactive assistance to electric vehicle (EV) users, a central server is arranged for electronic communications with EVs (15) and with client devices (11). The server also communicates with at least one EV charging station network, which in turn communicate with individual charging stations (30). Remote services may include trip planning, locating charging stations, checking availability and suitability of charging stations, making reservations at charging stations, and updating plans en route. The server collects data from the EV and analyzes the data to determine various statistics. The system advises a user on readiness of the EV to complete a proposed trip before recharging the EV batteries. Client devices may include smart phones, computers, or a head unit in the EV. Application software programs are executable on the client devices to provide user interfaces for accessing the remote services and for communicating with the central server.

Abstract: This disclosure is concerned with a method of detecting conflicts between aircraft passing through managed airspace, and to resolving the detected conflicts strategically. The method may include obtaining intended trajectories of aircraft through the airspace, detecting conflicts in the intended trajectories, forming a set of the conflicted aircraft, calculating one or more revised trajectories for the conflicted aircraft such that the conflicts are resolved, and advising the conflicted aircraft subject to revised trajectories of the revised trajectories.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain comprising an engine configured to separately burn first and second types of fuels and propel the vehicle therefrom, and a computer programmed to compute a distance traveled per unit fuel burned for each fuel type, compute distance-to-empty (DTE) for each fuel type, and display DTE for each fuel type.

Abstract: A motor-vehicle driving style estimating system (100) of a motor-vehicle, comprising a measuring apparatus (1) of a kinematic signal representative of a motor-vehicle motion quantity trend (v(t)). The system is characterized in that it further comprises a kinematic signal low-pass filtering module (8) configured to provide a corresponding reference filtered signal associated with a reference trend of said quantity (vF(t)). Furthermore, the system comprises a kinematic signal and reference filtered signal processing module (2) configured to provide an indication of the driving style depending on a comparison of the motor-vehicle motion trend with the reference trend.

Abstract: A energy meter unit for an electric vehicle contains energy measuring circuitry, a GPS unit, a CPU, and memory. The energy meter unit is capable of detecting the amount of energy charged at a specific location and storing that information for later uses, such as with a governmental incentive program.

Abstract: A method and system for remotely determining real-time operating fuel efficiencies based on dynamic operating characteristics of a vehicle to generate an optimal refueling management approach for the vehicle by providing refueling locations and associated refueling amounts for each refueling location, to achieve improved vehicle fuel economy, is provided.

Abstract: A system for controlling an implement of a machine is disclosed. The system may have a machine velocity sensor that senses an actual machine velocity and a targeted machine velocity sensor that senses a targeted machine velocity. The system may also have a controller, and an actuator configured to move an implement responsive to commands received from the controller by an actuator controller. The controller may be configured to receive the actual machine velocity from the machine velocity sensor, receive the targeted machine velocity from the targeted machine velocity sensor, compare the actual machine velocity to the targeted machine velocity, and send a command to the actuator controller to shake the implement based on the comparison of the actual machine velocity to the targeted machine velocity.

Abstract: A computer processor is embedded in a vehicle and a display device embedded in the vehicle is communicatively coupled to the computer processor. The computer executes logic to receive a price per unit of energy that is stored in the vehicle, compute an energy consumption rate of the vehicle over a time period, multiply the price per unit by the energy consumption rate to determine a cost of the energy consumption rate over the time period, and display the cost of the energy consumption rate for the time period on the display device in the vehicle.

Abstract: A control module for a vehicle for increasing fuel efficiency can include a controller configured to receive at least one input signal containing at least one vehicle operating parameter and to generate at least one output signal based upon the vehicle operating parameters. The output signal is configured to modify at least one of the operating characteristics of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for assisting in maintenance of a motor vehicle having a drive motor, an drive energy storage device, and a filling level measuring device. A request for a maintenance process is identified by a self-monitoring device with the maintenance request being transmitted as a maintenance indication to a driver by an information device. The maintenance indication is transmitted to the driver as a function of a switch-off filling level present when the vehicle drive motor is switched off and detected by the filling level measuring device. The maintenance indication is transmitted when the switch-off filling level is lower than a preset filling level threshold value or when a filling level difference between a switch-on filling level, present when the vehicle drive motor is subsequently switched on again and detected by the filling level measuring device, and the preceding switch-off filling level indicates a positive filling level value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining if a fluid level in a transmission is satisfactory. The transmission includes a controller and is coupled to a powered vehicle. The method includes measuring a grade of the surface upon which the vehicle is positioned with an inclinometer and measuring the fluid level in the transmission with a fluid sensor. The method also includes communicating the measured grade and measured fluid level to the controller and determining a fluid level threshold based on the measured grade. The measured fluid level and fluid level threshold are compared and a determination is made if the measured fluid level is satisfactory based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method is presented for obtaining emission and/or fuel consumption data associated with a road segment.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for displaying a recommended engine fuel fill amount to an operator of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. In one example, the recommended engine fuel fill amount is determined based on an actual amount of fuel consumed over a particular duration and displayed to an operator of the vehicle with a low fuel warning.

Abstract: A method for determining an expected consumption value of a motor vehicle for a predetermined driving situation—includes detecting actual consumption values and storing these values upon each occurrence of the predetermined driving situation, and further estimating the expected consumption value on the basis of the stored consumption values. Furthermore, a check is made whether the expected consumption value satisfies a predetermined significance criterion. If this is the case, the expected consumption value is used for a range determination for the motor vehicle; if this is not the case, an estimated value for the expected consumption is determined and used for range determination for the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a drive motor and a navigation system having a display for displaying a map image. The power consumption is displayable on the map image to optimize the power consumption of the drive motor.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a vehicle emission monitoring device and a method thereof. The method of the present invention comprises steps: obtaining an OBS instantaneous fuel consumption and a carbon dioxide emission from an on-board emission measurement system (OBS); working out an OBS fuel consumption-carbon dioxide emission relationship with a statistical method or a regression method; obtaining an OBD instantaneous fuel consumption from an on-board diagnostic (OBD) system; establishing an OBS-OBD fuel consumption relationship; and converting the OBD instantaneous fuel consumption into an carbon dioxide emission according to the OBS-OBD fuel consumption relationship and the OBS fuel consumption-carbon dioxide emission relationship.

Abstract: Vehicle range projection estimation is implemented by a computer processor of a vehicle having logic executable thereon. The logic receives vehicle range projection data from a remote system over a network as a network service. The vehicle range projection data represents a bounded geographic area in which the vehicle is capable of traveling. The bounded geographic area is defined by global positioning system coordinates attributable to the vehicle in conjunction with an available amount of remaining energy of the vehicle. The logic also stores the vehicle range projection data in a storage device. Upon determining an interruption in a network service has occurred, the logic retrieves stored vehicle range projection data from the storage device, scales the stored vehicle range projection data to a level commensurate with an updated amount of remaining energy of the vehicle, and displays a visual representation of scaled vehicle range projection data in the vehicle.

Abstract: A system includes a vehicle control module, an operating information module, and a fuel analysis module. The vehicle control module is configured to obtain a trip plan for the vehicle. The operating information module is configured to be disposed on-board the vehicle and to autonomously obtain operating information describing one or more of tractive events or braking events performed during the trip. The fuel analysis module is configured to be disposed on-board the vehicle, to receive the operating information from the operating information module, and to autonomously determine a fuel consumption for at least a portion of the trip using the operating information received from the operating information module.

Abstract: A system and method for determining fuel consumption and travel range of an electric hybrid vehicle, such as an electric hybrid fuel cell vehicle. The method includes converting the output current of a battery to a virtual consumed fuel consumption flow value and then adding the virtual consumed fuel consumption flow value to an actual consumed fuel value to get a total consumed fuel value that is then divided by the travelled distance of the vehicle to get the fuel consumption of the vehicle. The method also includes converting the SOC of the battery to a virtual available fuel value and then adding the virtual available fuel value to an actual available fuel value to get a total available fuel value that is then divided by the fuel consumption to get the travel range of the vehicle.

Abstract: A control device for a hydraulic winch includes: a hydraulic source; a variable-displacement hydraulic motor; a winch operation member; an accelerator operation quantity detection unit; an engine control unit; a rotation speed detection unit; a line pull detection unit; a condition decision unit; and a motor displacement control unit, wherein: once the condition decision unit decides that the fuel-efficient, high-speed operation condition has been established, the engine control unit sets an upper limit to the engine rotation speed at a predetermined rotation speed, lower than the maximum rotation speed.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display plane and a control unit. The display plane configured to display a first display portion that shows a locomotion region in the first locomotion mode in a display region based on the output request and a future locomotion distance of the vehicle and a second display portion that shows a locomotion region in the second locomotion mode next to the first display portion in the display region. The control unit configured to control an image displayed in the display plane. The control unit changes a border between the first display portion and the second display portion based on the future locomotion distance in accordance with an estimation result of displacement of a switching point between the first locomotion mode and the second locomotion mode.

Abstract: One way to improve fuel efficiency of a vehicle is to improve the usage of various gears. One way to measure the amount of fuel wasted due to suboptimal gear shifting is to compare the actual gear used for various driving conditions with the optimal gear used. Such comparisons may be combined with determinations of amount of fuel used to determine how much fuel has been lost due to suboptimal shifting. These techniques are applicable to tracking employment of other driving best practices as well.

Abstract: A controller with energy economy rating (EER) calibration logic is configured to adjust a look-ahead time and feed-forward mapping window for vehicle controls according to EER.

Abstract: An efficiency gauge from a vehicle information display may incorporate vehicle range information in addition to an efficiency indicator. The range information may be displayed as an area on the efficiency gauge indicating a safe operating region for average driving in order for the vehicle to reach a target destination entered by a driver before an on-board energy source is depleted. By maintaining a vehicle's average trip efficiency within the safe operating region through driving behavior, the display may convey that the vehicle will be able to make it to the target destination. Over the course of a trip, the safe operating region may be constantly updated to reflect the current state of the battery and the remaining distance to the target destination. If no target information is received, a default target distance value based on an initial distance to empty estimation may be used.

Abstract: A method and system for conditioning an energy storage system (ESS) for a vehicle, like a high-voltage battery or a fuel cell used for vehicle propulsion. It may be detrimental for a high-voltage battery in a parked vehicle to be exposed to extreme temperatures for an extended period of time. Thus, the method and system may be used to condition such a battery—for example, by heating it up if it is too cold or by cooling it down if it is too hot—so that the performance, durability, lifespan and/or other aspects of the battery are improved. In an exemplary embodiment, the method predicts if the battery will need conditioning the next time the vehicle is parked and, if such conditioning is needed, then the method predicts if the battery has sufficient charge to perform this conditioning. If the charge appears insufficient, then the method operates an energy generator that provides additional charge to the battery in anticipation of the needed conditioning.

Abstract: A central device uses a link shape compression unit to compress information of shape of ups and downs of a road link obtained from a three-dimensional road map, and calculates a geometry parameter based on variation of energy of a vehicle travelling on the road link. An on-board terminal device estimates the vehicle's average travelling pattern by using a travel-pattern-estimation unit based on the geometry parameter calculated by the central device, a link-travelling time estimated from statistically-stored traffic information, and a link length. The on-board terminal device further calculates fuel consumption of the vehicle travelling on each road link based on the estimated travelling pattern and parameters of the vehicle by using a fuel-consumption calculation unit, and then, searches a fuel-efficient route by using the fuel consumption as a link cost. The on-board terminal device has a vehicle-type selector for selecting a type of the vehicle.

Abstract: Embodiments provide systems and methods for using a feedback correction factor to determine whether a motor vehicle should be placed in a judging or non-judging mode regarding the on-board diagnostic system. If the feedback correction factor is within a predetermined range, the vehicle is placed in a judging mode. If the feedback correction factor is outside a predetermined range, the vehicle is placed in a non-judging mode. Methods and systems for using an engine oil temperature to determine whether a motor vehicle should be placed in a judging or non-judging mode regarding the on-board diagnostic system are disclosed. If an engine oil temperature, or predicted engine oil temperature, is below a predetermined temperature, the motor vehicle is placed in a non-judging mode. If an engine oil temperature, or predicted engine oil temperature, is above a predetermined temperature, the motor vehicle is placed in a judging mode.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for monitoring powered assets for fueling. For example, in one embodiment, a fuel server can monitor the location of powered assets and fueling units. In response to determining, for example, that a powered asset that needs fuel is within a predetermined geofence defined around a fueling unit, the powered asset can emit a perceivable indication. The powered asset can then be authenticated for receiving fuel from the fueling unit.

Abstract: A driving evaluation system that divides a traveling route of a vehicle into a plurality of sections and evaluates the driving of a driver of the vehicle includes: a driving data acquiring unit that acquires driving data of the driver for each section; a determining unit that determines whether the driving data acquired by the driving data acquiring unit satisfies the evaluation conditions set to each section; and an upload unit that uploads the driving data to a center which evaluates driving when the determining unit determines that the driving data satisfies the evaluation conditions.

Abstract: A system for calculating an instantaneous fuel economy for a vehicle is disclosed herein. The system includes, but is not limited to, a speed sensor that is configured to determine a current speed of the vehicle, an acceleration sensor that is configured to determine a current acceleration of the vehicle, a fuel sensor that is configured to determine a current fuel consumption rate of an internal combustion engine of the vehicle, a display unit, and a processor. The processor is communicatively coupled with the speed sensor, the acceleration sensor, and the fuel sensor, and is operatively coupled with the display unit. The processor is configured to determine the instantaneous fuel economy of the vehicle based on information obtained from the speed sensor, the acceleration sensor, and the fuel sensor. The processor is further configured to instruct the display unit to display the instantaneous fuel economy.

Abstract: A car navigation system is disclosed. The disclosed car navigation system performs a route search, map storage, and the like by using a mobile device and displays a performance result by transmitting the performance result to a display device equipped in a vehicle.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a fleet management system is provided for capturing, storing, and analyzing telematics data to improve fleet management operations. The fleet management system may be used, for example, by a shipping entity (e.g., a common carrier) to capture telematics data from a plurality of vehicle sensors located on various delivery vehicles and to analyze the captured telematics data. In particular, various embodiments of the fleet management system are configured to analyze engine idle data in relation to other telematics data in order to identify inefficiencies, safety hazards, and theft hazards in a driver's delivery process. The fleet management system may also be configured to assess various aspects of vehicle performance, such as vehicle travel delays and vehicle speeds.

Abstract: A section setting method calculates information relating to an attainable actual fuel efficiency under a vehicle operation performed in consideration of fuel efficiency. To that end, the section setting method collects fuel-efficiency information that is information relating to the fuel efficiency required for a movement from a start point to a destination point of the vehicle, which is obtained under a plurality of kinds of vehicle operations, along with positional information of the vehicle at each time. The section setting method compares change pattern parts of the collected fuel-efficiency information with each other, thereby sequentially connecting the change pattern parts of the fuel-efficiency information from the start point to the destination point. The section setting method sets, as a section used to calculate the actual fuel efficiency, a section obtained by sectioning at points corresponding to the connection points of the change pattern parts connected.