# US 8,464,578 B2 · Multi-functional vehicle fuel display > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,464,578 B2 - Document ID: US8464578B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/286,579 - Filed: 2011-11-01 - Published: 2012-02-23 - Granted: 2013-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2009-02-16 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Angela L. Watson; Steven Bishop; Sohel Merchant; Craig Sandvig; Ivette Hernandez; David Watson; Engin Erdogan; Altay Jun Wakui Sendil; Susanne Stage - Inventors: Angela L. Watson; Steven Bishop; Sohel Merchant; Craig Sandvig; Ivette Hernandez; David Watson; Engin Erdogan; Altay Jun Wakui Sendil; Susanne Stage - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8464578B2 ## CPC - B60K 35/215: characterised by the combination of multiple visual outputs, e.g. combined instruments with analogue meters and additional displays - B60K 35/22: Display screens - B60K 35/28: characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver - B60K 2360/174: Economic driving - B60Y 2200/90: Vehicles comprising electric prime movers - Y02T 10/84: Data processing systems or methods, management, administration - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract A multi-functional, composite fuel display for displaying both fuel level information and fuel economy information is provided. The fuel level is displayed using a plurality of bar segments, each corresponding to a single unit of fuel. Once a single unit of fuel is consumed, the corresponding bar segment changes size to indicate an average fuel economy for that unit of fuel. The bar segment corresponding to the current unit of fuel being consumed changes size in real time to indicate instantaneous fuel economy. An indicator is provided over the bar segments corresponding to single unit of consumed fuel to indicate average fuel economy for the current tank of fuel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fuel gauge comprising: a plurality of bar segments that collectively correspond to a single tank of fuel, each individual bar segment corresponding to a single unit of fuel and having a fuel consumed state and a fuel remaining state, wherein each bar segment in the fuel consumed state is sized according to an average fuel economy value for the unit of fuel to which it corresponds. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fuel gauge of claim 1, wherein the bar segment associated with a current unit of fuel being consumed is displayed in the fuel remaining state. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The fuel gauge of claim 2, wherein the bar segment associated with the current unit of fuel being consumed is sized according to an instantaneous fuel economy value. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fuel gauge of claim 1, further comprising a fuel economy indicator corresponding to a fuel economy value. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The fuel gauge of claim 4, wherein the fuel economy indicator is an average fuel economy indicator corresponding to an average fuel economy value for a current tank of fuel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The fuel gauge of claim 4, wherein the fuel economy indicator is an average fuel economy indicator corresponding to a trip average fuel economy value. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The fuel gauge of claim 4, wherein the fuel economy indicator is an overall fuel economy indicator. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The fuel gauge of claim 4, wherein the fuel economy indicator is a numerical fuel economy readout for displaying the fuel economy value. ### Claim 9 A digital fuel gauge comprising: a plurality of discrete bar segments that collectively represent a capacity of a fuel tank, each individual bar segment representing an equal unit of fuel and is displayed in one of only two display states, a fuel consumed state and a fuel remaining state, wherein each bar segment changes size based on an average fuel economy value for the unit of fuel to which it corresponds upon transitioning from the fuel remaining state to the fuel consumed state. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The fuel gauge of claim 9, wherein the bar segment associated with a current unit of fuel being consumed is displayed in the fuel remaining state. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The fuel gauge of claim 10, wherein the bar segment associated with the current unit of fuel being consumed is sized according to an instantaneous fuel economy value. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The fuel gauge of claim 9, further comprising a fuel economy indicator corresponding to a fuel economy value. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The fuel gauge of claim 12, wherein the fuel economy indicator is an average fuel economy indicator corresponding to an average fuel economy value for a current tank of fuel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The fuel gauge of claim 12, wherein the fuel economy indicator is superimposed over at least the bar segments in the fuel consumed state. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The fuel gauge of claim 12, wherein the fuel economy indicator is an average fuel economy indicator corresponding to a trip average fuel economy value. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The fuel gauge of claim 12, wherein the fuel economy indicator is an overall fuel economy indicator. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The fuel gauge of claim 12, wherein the fuel economy indicator is a numerical fuel economy readout for displaying the fuel economy value. ### Claim 18 A fuel gauge comprising: a plurality of bar segments that collectively correspond to a single tank of fuel, each individual bar segment corresponding to a single unit of fuel and having either a fuel consumed state or a fuel remaining state, each bar segment in the fuel consumed state is sized according to an average fuel economy value for the unit of fuel to which it corresponds; and a fuel economy indicator superimposed over at least the bar segments in the fuel consumed state, the fuel economy indicator corresponding to a fuel economy value.