Devices and methods for encouraging fuel efficient driving behavior
OwnerGad DORONinventor
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Abstract
The invention discloses methods and devices for improving the fuel economy of a trip in a vehicle. Sensors are located in and around a vehicle so as to provide at least one computing element a plurality of date for analysis. The computing element may determine the driving environment in which the car is presently located and suggest through an appropriate interface changes in driving behavior so as to optimize fuel use over the coming seconds to minutes. The system allows for best possible fuel consumption during all phases of a trip, whether short or long.
Claims21
A method for encouraging fuel efficient driving in a vehicle, including:
- installing in a vehicle computing elements, a smartphone, and a driver interface at predetermined positions in said vehicle;
- directing said smartphone to acquire data relating to driving environment immediately in front of and to the sides of said vehicle;
- analyzing data from said smartphone with said computing elements to determine optimal future driving behavior for best fuel economy by a predetermined fuel consumption model for said vehicle in said environment;
- and,
- providing to a driver suggested optimal immediate-future driving tactics via said driver interface as to minimize immediate-future fuel consumption by said vehicle as per said model.
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A device for allowing optimal immediate-future driving behavior associated with a vehicle, including the following:
- at least one mobile computing device;
- motion sensors installed in said vehicle and adapted to continuously monitor the driving environment around said vehicle;
- computing elements adapted to receive data from said mobile computing device, identify from said data a plurality of features associated with said driving environment in which said vehicle is operated and determine optimal immediate-future driving actions to minimize fuel consumption;
- and,
- a driver interface for providing a driver of said vehicle with suggestions based on said optimal immediate-future driving actions determined by said computing elements.
A method for allowing optimal immediate-future driving behavior associated with a vehicle, including the following:
- installing in a vehicle mobile computing elements, and a driver interface at predetermined positions in said vehicle;
- directing said mobile computing elements to analyze the driving environment immediately in front of and to the sides of said vehicle as said vehicle travels from a starting position to said final driving destination;
- analyzing data from said mobile computing elements and data from a vehicle's onboard diagnostic system with said mobile computing elements to determine optimal future driving behavior for best fuel economy for said vehicle in said environment;
- and,
- providing to a driver via said driver interface optimal immediate-future driving tactics via said driver interface so as to minimize fuel consumption by said vehicle.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.