EP2425264A1 - Attribution de classement pour véhicule sur la base d'une ou de plusieurs caractéristiques d'utilisation de carburant - Google Patents

Attribution de classement pour véhicule sur la base d'une ou de plusieurs caractéristiques d'utilisation de carburant

Info

Publication number
EP2425264A1
EP2425264A1 EP10770069A EP10770069A EP2425264A1 EP 2425264 A1 EP2425264 A1 EP 2425264A1 EP 10770069 A EP10770069 A EP 10770069A EP 10770069 A EP10770069 A EP 10770069A EP 2425264 A1 EP2425264 A1 EP 2425264A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
status indicative
vehicle
utilization
combustible fuel
hybrid vehicle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP10770069A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP2425264A4 (fr
Inventor
Philip Andrew Eckhoff
William Gates
Peter L. Hagelstein
Roderick A. Hyde
Muriel Y. Ishikawa
Jordin T. Kare
Robert Langer
Eric C. Leuthardt
Erez Lieberman
Stephen L. Malaska
Nathan P. Myhrvold
Michael Schnall-Levin
Clarence T. Tegreene
Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Searete LLC
Original Assignee
Searete LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US12/387,331 external-priority patent/US20100280885A1/en
Priority claimed from US12/387,482 external-priority patent/US20100280686A1/en
Priority claimed from US12/387,492 external-priority patent/US8855907B2/en
Priority claimed from US12/387,491 external-priority patent/US20100280888A1/en
Priority claimed from US12/387,483 external-priority patent/US20100280886A1/en
Priority claimed from US12/387,488 external-priority patent/US20100280887A1/en
Priority claimed from US12/462,932 external-priority patent/US20100280689A1/en
Priority claimed from US12/462,934 external-priority patent/US20100280691A1/en
Priority claimed from US12/583,172 external-priority patent/US20100280693A1/en
Priority claimed from US12/462,931 external-priority patent/US20100280688A1/en
Priority claimed from US12/462,933 external-priority patent/US20100280690A1/en
Priority claimed from US12/462,935 external-priority patent/US20100280692A1/en
Priority claimed from US12/798,914 external-priority patent/US20110106591A1/en
Priority claimed from US12/798,911 external-priority patent/US20100280708A1/en
Priority claimed from US12/798,910 external-priority patent/US20100280707A1/en
Priority claimed from US12/798,912 external-priority patent/US20100280709A1/en
Priority claimed from US12/798,908 external-priority patent/US20100280705A1/en
Priority claimed from US12/798,907 external-priority patent/US20100280704A1/en
Priority claimed from US12/798,913 external-priority patent/US20110106354A1/en
Priority claimed from US12/798,909 external-priority patent/US20100280706A1/en
Application filed by Searete LLC filed Critical Searete LLC
Publication of EP2425264A1 publication Critical patent/EP2425264A1/fr
Publication of EP2425264A4 publication Critical patent/EP2425264A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C5/00—Registering or indicating the working of vehicles
    • G07C5/008—Registering or indicating the working of vehicles communicating information to a remotely located station
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L2240/00—Control parameters of input or output; Target parameters
    • B60L2240/70—Interactions with external data bases, e.g. traffic centres
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W2510/00—Input parameters relating to a particular sub-units
    • B60W2510/24—Energy storage means
    • B60W2510/242—Energy storage means for electrical energy
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W2530/00—Input parameters relating to vehicle conditions or values, not covered by groups B60W2510/00 or B60W2520/00
    • B60W2530/209—Fuel quantity remaining in tank
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W2556/00—Input parameters relating to data
    • B60W2556/10—Historical data
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W2556/00—Input parameters relating to data
    • B60W2556/45—External transmission of data to or from the vehicle
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C5/00—Registering or indicating the working of vehicles
    • G07C5/08—Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle or waiting time
    • G07C5/0841—Registering performance data
    • G07C5/085—Registering performance data using electronic data carriers
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
    • Y02T10/72—Electric energy management in electromobility
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02T90/10—Technologies relating to charging of electric vehicles
    • Y02T90/16—Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Definitions

  • a device may include a determination module for determining at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for propelling a hybrid vehicle; and a transmitter coupled with the determination module for transmitting the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle to an off-site entity.
  • a vehicle may include at least one drive train powered by electricity for propelling the vehicle; at least one combustion device configured to supply propulsive energy for propelling the vehicle, the at least one combustion device powered by combustible fuel; a determination module coupled with at least one of the at least one drive train or the at least one combustion device for determining at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for propelling the vehicle; and a transmitter coupled with the determination module and configured to transmit to an off-site entity the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the vehicle.
  • a vehicle may include a first drive train powered by combustible fuel for propelling the vehicle; a second drive train powered by electricity for propelling the vehicle; a determination module coupled with at least one of the first drive train or the second drive train for determining at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for propelling the vehicle; and a transmitter coupled with the determination module and configured to transmit to an off-site entity the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the vehicle.
  • related systems include but are not limited to circuitry and/or programming for effecting the herein-referenced method aspects; the circuitry and/or programming can be virtually any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effect the herein- referenced method aspects depending upon the design choices of the system designer.
  • a system includes but is not limited to means for transmitting to an off-site entity at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization from a hybrid vehicle.
  • a system includes but is not limited to means for querying a hybrid vehicle for at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for the vehicle.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic of a hybrid vehicle.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic of another hybrid vehicle.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic of a hybrid vehicle.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic of another hybrid vehicle.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic of a vehicle, a device, and an off-site entity.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic of a wireless signal.
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic of a connector.
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic of a physical media.
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic of a geographic region.
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic of another geographic region.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates an operational flow representing example operations related to transmitting to an off-site entity at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization from a hybrid vehicle.
  • FIG. 12 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the operational flow of
  • FIG. 13 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the operational flow of FIG. 11.
  • FIG. 14 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the operational flow of FIG. 11.
  • FIG. 15 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the operational flow of FIG. 11.
  • FIG. 16 illustrates an operational flow representing example operations related to transmitting to an off-site entity at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization from a hybrid vehicle and calculating a time for transmitting the status.
  • FIG. 17 illustrates an operational flow representing example operations related to querying a hybrid vehicle for at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for the vehicle.
  • FIG. 18 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the operational flow of FIG. 17.
  • FIG. 19 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the operational flow of FIG. 17.
  • FIG. 20 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the operational flow of
  • FIG. 21 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the operational flow of FIG. 17.
  • FIG. 22 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the operational flow of FIG. 17.
  • an implementer may opt for a mainly hardware and/or firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibility is paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly software implementation; or, yet again alternatively, the implementer may opt for some combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware.
  • any vehicle to be utilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which the vehicle will be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed, flexibility, or predictability) of the implementer, any of which may vary.
  • Those skilled in the art will recognize that optical aspects of implementations will typically employ optically- oriented hardware, software, and or firmware.
  • logic and similar implementations may include software or other control structures.
  • Electronic circuitry may have one or more paths of electrical current constructed and arranged to implement various functions as described herein.
  • one or more media may be configured to bear a device-detectable implementation when such media hold or transmit a device detectable instructions operable to perform as described herein.
  • implementations may include an update or modification of existing software or firmware, or of gate arrays or programmable hardware, such as by performing a reception of or a transmission of one or more instructions in relation to one or more operations described herein.
  • an implementation may include special-purpose hardware, software, firmware components, and/or general-purpose components executing or otherwise invoking special-purpose components. Specifications or other implementations may be transmitted by one or more instances of tangible transmission media as described herein, optionally by packet transmission or otherwise by passing through distributed media at various times. Alternatively or additionally, implementations may include executing a special- purpose instruction sequence or invoking circuitry for enabling, triggering, coordinating, requesting, or otherwise causing one or more occurrences of virtually any functional operations described herein. In some variants, operational or other logical descriptions herein may be expressed as source code and compiled or otherwise invoked as an executable instruction sequence.
  • implementations may be provided, in whole or in part, by source code, such as C++, or other code sequences.
  • source or other code implementation using commercially available and/or techniques in the art, may be compiled/implemented/translated/converted into a high-level descriptor language (e.g., initially implementing described technologies in C or C++ programming language and thereafter converting the programming language implementation into a logic-synthesizable language implementation, a hardware description language implementation, a hardware design simulation implementation, and/or other such similar mode(s) of expression).
  • a logical expression e.g., computer programming language implementation
  • a Verilog- type hardware description e.g., via Hardware Description Language (HDL) and/or Very High Speed Integrated Circuit Hardware Descriptor Language (VHDL)
  • VHDL Very High Speed Integrated Circuit Hardware Descriptor Language
  • Those skilled in the art will recognize how to obtain, configure, and optimize suitable transmission or computational elements, material supplies, actuators, or other structures in light of these teachings.
  • the vehicle 100 may be propelled utilizing one or more of a combustible fuel and electricity.
  • the vehicle 100 may be a hybrid vehicle that utilizes both a first drive train 102 powered by combustible fuel for driving (propelling) the vehicle 100 and a second drive train 104 powered by electricity for driving (propelling) the vehicle 100.
  • one or more rewards or privileges is provided to the vehicle
  • a reward or privilege may include access to an otherwise prohibited route, such as, for example, a Heavily Occupied Vehicle (HOV) lane, or access to a lower-burden route, such as a toll-free lane.
  • a benefit to the surroundings may include, for example, a decrease in emissions (e.g., where emissions include the exhaust from a combustion engine powered by combustible fuel) or lower fuel consumption.
  • utilization of the second drive train 104 may be preferable over the first drive train 102 from an environmental standpoint and may qualify the vehicle 100 for one or more privileges or rewards.
  • one or more penalties is provided to the vehicle 100 (or to its owner, driver or one or more passengers), based upon driving characteristics that provide some negative impact to the surroundings (e.g., utilizing the first drive train 102 instead of the second drive train 104).
  • a penalty may include, among other things, a tax, a fee, an increase in recharging costs, an increase in refueling costs, an elimination of a privilege, a revocation of a privilege, or a partial reduction in a privilege.
  • rewards, privileges, penalties, and the like are broadly defined as "standings," a term encompassing positive, negative, and possible neutral status.
  • a combustible fuel may include any fuel capable of reacting with an oxidizing element to produce heat (and possibly reaction products).
  • Organic-based fuels are one type of combustible fuel.
  • Organic-based fuels may include, but are not limited to, alcohols (i.e., compounds having a hydroxyl group bound to a carbon atom of an alkyl or substituted alkyl group), such as ethyl alcohol (ethanol), methyl alcohol (methanol), and isopropyl alcohol, etc.; ketones (i.e., compounds having a carbonyl group bonded to two other carbon atoms), such as acetone, acetophenone, and methyl ethyl ketone, etc.; and hydrocarbon-based fuels.
  • alcohols i.e., compounds having a hydroxyl group bound to a carbon atom of an alkyl or substituted alkyl group
  • ketones i.e., compounds having a carbonyl group bonded to two other carbon atoms
  • Hydrocarbon-based fuels may include, but are not limited to, gasoline (also referred to as gas or petrol) derived from petroleum and containing a mixture of hydrocarbons including hexane, heptane, or octane (gasoline may be enhanced with iso-octane or toluene or benzene); diesel (also known as petroleum diesel); natural gas or Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG), mixtures of gaseous hydrocarbons associated with petroleum deposits (natural gas may include methane combined with ethane, propane, or butane); kerosene; naphtha (a petroleum fraction which may be further processed); and various oils and bio-fuels, i.e., mineral, vegetable, or synthetic substances or animal or vegetable fats.
  • gasoline also referred to as gas or petrol
  • diesel also known as petroleum diesel
  • LPG Liquid Petroleum Gas
  • natural gas may include methane combined with ethane, propane, or butan
  • hydrocarbori- based fuels may include fuel additives, such as hybrid compound blends (e.g., polymerization agents for increased fuel ignition surface area, stabilizers, catalysts, or detergents); alcohols (e.g., methanol, ethanol, or isopropyl alcohol); ethers; antioxidants; antiknock agents; lead scavengers; or fuel dyes and the like.
  • fuel additives such as hybrid compound blends (e.g., polymerization agents for increased fuel ignition surface area, stabilizers, catalysts, or detergents); alcohols (e.g., methanol, ethanol, or isopropyl alcohol); ethers; antioxidants; antiknock agents; lead scavengers; or fuel dyes and the like.
  • a combustible fuel may include hydrogen. Further, a combustible fuel may include any fuel capable of chemical combustion (e.g., sodium or magnesium in the presence of water).
  • Electricity utilization may include electricity drawn from a public power grid to magnetize sections of a rail planted below a roadway, where the vehicle 100 includes rare earth magnets (or electromagnets) that propel the vehicle by crossing through alternating magnetic fields along the magnetized rail. Further, it will be appreciated that electricity utilization for the vehicle 100 may include any utilization of electrical power for generating one or more magnetic fields, either externally to the vehicle 100, or proximal to the vehicle itself.
  • the vehicle 100 includes a first drive train 102 comprising a transmission 106 coupled with a combustion device (e.g., combustion engine 108) powered by combustible fuel 110.
  • the vehicle 100 also includes a second drive train 104 comprising the transmission 106 coupled with an electric motor 112 powered by one or more batteries 114. Both the combustion engine 108 and the electric motor 112 are configured to supply power to the transmission 106 (either together or separately) for turning one or more wheels and driving, or propelling, the vehicle 100.
  • the vehicle 100 includes a first drive train 102 comprising a transmission 106 coupled with an electric motor 112 powered by a generator 116 coupled with a combustion engine 108 powered by combustible fuel 110.
  • the vehicle 100 also includes a second drive train 104 comprising the transmission 106 coupled with the electric motor 112, which is powered by one or more batteries 114.
  • the generator 116 is also connected to the batteries 114.
  • the generator 116 is configured for either charging the batteries 114, or powering the electric motor 112 to supply power to the transmission 106 for turning one or more wheels and driving the vehicle 100.
  • the vehicle 100 includes a first drive train 102 comprising a transmission 106 coupled with an electric motor 112, a generator 116, and a combustion engine 108 powered by combustible fuel 110.
  • the vehicle 100 also includes a second drive train 104 comprising the transmission 106 coupled with the electric motor 112, which is powered by one or more batteries 114.
  • the generator 116 is connected to the batteries 114 for charging the batteries 114.
  • both the combustion engine 108 and the electric motor 112 are configured to supply power to the transmission 106 (either together or separately) for turning one or more wheels and driving the vehicle 100.
  • the electric motor 112 and the batteries 114 may be utilized to power the vehicle 100.
  • the combustion engine 108 may be utilized with the generator 116 for powering the vehicle 100.
  • combustible fuel may be utilized to propel the vehicle 100 without combustion actually taking place.
  • the vehicle 100 may be propelled utilizing one or more Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC) 118 powered by combustible fuel 110 and an electric motor 112 powered by the fuel cells 118 or one or more batteries 114.
  • DMFC Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
  • the vehicle 100 includes a first drive train 102 comprising a transmission 106 coupled with the electric motor 112 and powered by the DMFC 118.
  • the vehicle 100 also includes a second drive train 104 comprising the transmission 106 coupled with the electric motor 112 and powered by the batteries 114.
  • the fuel cells 118 are also connected to the batteries 114 and are configured for either charging the batteries 114, or powering the electric motor 112 to supply power to the transmission 106 for turning one or more wheels and driving the vehicle 100.
  • the vehicle 100 is supplied with the combustible fuel 110 methanol, which is fed directly to the DMFC 118 where it is utilized to produce electricity in the presence of a catalyst (i.e., the catalyst draws hydrogen directly from the liquid methanol). The electricity is then utilized to propel the vehicle (or stored by the one or more batteries 114).
  • the fuel cells 118 may produce carbon dioxide and water as reaction products.
  • propelling the vehicle 100 or charging one or more batteries 114 to propel the vehicle 100 while drawing hydrogen from methanol is considered as utilizing a combustible fuel, just as combusting the fuel to propel the vehicle 100 or to charge one or more batteries 114 to propel the vehicle 100 would be in the case of a combustion engine 108.
  • propelling the vehicle by utilizing energy stored in the batteries 114 while not utilizing the combustible fuel 110 is defined as utilizing electricity.
  • the combustible fuel 110 may be utilized to produce electricity for propelling the vehicle 100 while the vehicle 100 also utilizes electrical energy stored in the batteries 114 for propulsion; alternatively, the combustible fuel 110 may be utilized to produce electricity for propelling the vehicle 100 while storing electrical energy in the batteries 114.
  • Combustible fuel utilization may be compared to electricity utilization in any of these configurations. Alternatively, a rate of consumption for either combustible fuel or electricity may be compared against a theoretical or practical limit (e.g., to determine how efficiently one type of energy source or another is being consumed).
  • the vehicle 100 may include a transmitter 120 for transmitting a status indicative of, for example, one or more of combustible fuel utilization, electricity utilization, and combustible fuel utilization in comparison to electricity utilization for the vehicle 100.
  • the transmitter 120 may transmit the status for the vehicle 100 via a wireless signal 122.
  • the transmitter 120 may transmit the status for the vehicle 100 via one or more of a radio signal 124, a microwave signal 126, a terahertz signal 127, an infrared signal 128, an optical signal 130, an ultraviolet signal 132, a subsonic signal 134, an audible signal 136, an ultrasonic signal 138, or a magnetic signal 140.
  • the transmitter 120 may be coupled with a connector 142 for connecting to an off -site entity 144 and transmitting a status indicative of one or more of combustible fuel utilization, electricity utilization, and combustible fuel utilization in comparison to electricity utilization for the vehicle
  • the connector 142 may include one or more of a serial port 146, a serial cable 148, an IEEE 1394 interface 149, a parallel port 150, a parallel cable 152, a network port 154, a network cable 156, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port 158, a USB cable 160, a fiber optic port 162, or a fiber optic cable 164.
  • the off -site entity 144 may include, for example, a municipality, a road authority, a receiver or transceiver maintained by a road authority, a police department, or another entity having a degree of authority over road utilization.
  • the transmitter 120 may be included with hardware for communicating with an off-site entity 144 such as a monitoring service (e.g., a monitoring service maintained by a car company or a subsidiary thereof).
  • the monitoring service may provide one or more of in-vehicle security, hands free calling, navigation, and remote diagnostics.
  • the transmitter 120 may be the transmitter utilized for communicating with a call center maintained by the monitoring service/off-site entity 144.
  • the status of the vehicle 100 may be sent to the off -site entity 144 as a separate communications packet, or it may be added to another communications packet provided to the call center as part of the normal communications process.
  • the call center/ monitoring service may then forward the status to a municipality, a road authority, a receiver or transceiver maintained by a road authority, a police department, or another entity having a degree of authority over road utilization. Alternatively, the monitoring service may store the status for later examination or dissemination to an appropriate entity.
  • the transmitter 120 may also be utilized for transmitting a status indicative of one or more of combustible fuel utilization, electricity utilization, and combustible fuel utilization in comparison to electricity utilization for the vehicle 100 via a physical media 166.
  • the transmitter 120 may be configured to transfer a status for the vehicle 100 via one or more of a removable media 168, an optical disc 170, a Compact Disc (CD) 172 (e.g., a CD-ROM, a CD-R, or a CD-RW), a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) 174 (e.g., a DVD-ROM, a DVD-R, a DVD+R, a DVD-RAM, a DVD-RW, or a DVD+RW), a Blu-ray Disc (BD) 176, a High-Definition DVD (HD DVD) 178, a removable Hard Disk Drive (HDD) 180, an external HDD 182, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive 184, a memory card 186, or
  • the transmitter 120 may include a visual indicator 190 on the vehicle 100 for transmitting a status indicative of one or more of combustible fuel utilization, electricity utilization, and combustible fuel utilization in comparison to electricity utilization for the vehicle 100.
  • the vehicle 100 may include a light 192 positioned on one or more of a dashboard, a rear window ledge, or an exterior of the vehicle 100.
  • the status may represent a driving mode.
  • the status may indicate that the vehicle 100 is utilizing electricity for propulsion.
  • the status may indicate that the vehicle 100 is utilizing combustible fuel for propulsion.
  • the status may be related to a utilization of propulsion resources.
  • the status may indicate a rate at which the vehicle 100 is utilizing electricity for propulsion.
  • the status may indicate an amount of combustible fuel utilized by the vehicle 100.
  • the status may be indicative of an instantaneous status (e.g., real-time utilization of combustible fuel or electricity), such as an instantaneous measurement representing the utilization of combustible fuel (e.g., the utilization of combustible fuel over the smallest period of time for which a measured difference is determinable).
  • an instantaneous measurement representing the utilization of combustible fuel (e.g., the utilization of combustible fuel over the smallest period of time for which a measured difference is determinable).
  • a rate of change of combustible fuel utilization over time e.g., a derivative measurement
  • the status may be indicative of average fuel utilization over a time period (e.g., utilization of combustible fuel or electricity based on time-averaged data).
  • the status may be indicative of cumulative fuel utilization for a time period, such as the total utilization of combustible fuel over a number of days.
  • the status may be indicative of cumulative fuel or average fuel economy used over a traversed area; e.g., during traversal through a municipality, or through a state.
  • the status may be associated with cumulative fuel utilization for a geographic region (e.g., a geographic region identified by a GPS receiver 194), such as the total utilization of combustible fuel while driving on an interstate highway.
  • the geographic region may include a regulatory region, such as a region designated by a government.
  • a regulatory region such as a region designated by a government.
  • one region may be designated as a class 1 region and another region may be designated as a class 2 region.
  • the class 1 region may be subject to different regulations than the class 2 region.
  • the government may designate the class 1 region as a region in which only the utilization of electrical power is desirable or permissible.
  • the government may designate the class 2 region as a region in which either power from combustible fuel or electrical power is permissible.
  • the designation of a region may change with time. For instance, the class 1 region may become a class 2 region at certain times of a day, a week, a month, or a year. Additionally, the boundaries of a region may change depending on a time of day, a volume of traffic, or dependent upon other conditions.
  • the transmitter 120 may be coupled with a determination module 196 for determining the status for the vehicle 100.
  • the determination module 196 may be instrumentation 198 included with the vehicle 100, such as power-selection instrumentation for selectively enabling one or more of the combustible fuel utilization and the electricity utilization.
  • the instrumentation 198 may be instrumentation included with the vehicle 100 for monitoring the fuel consumption of the vehicle 100, such as a fuel gauge, or the like.
  • the transmitter 120 may be added to the vehicle (e.g., where the transmitter 120 is included with an aftermarket part) or selectively coupled with the vehicle (e.g., where the transmitter 120 is included with one or more of the Internet, a personal communication device, a personal computer, a laptop computer, a palmtop computer, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a portable media player, or a mobile telephone).
  • the transmitter 120 and the instrumentation 198 may be provided as a single unit, such as a device 200.
  • the instrumentation 198 may be capable of monitoring the status of the vehicle 100 by measuring sound emitted by the vehicle, measuring emissions from the vehicle, or capturing images or movements of the vehicle 100 or its various parts, such as movement of a drive train, or the like.
  • the determination module 196 of the device 200 may include a receiver 202 for receiving the status of the vehicle 100, such as a receiver 202 communicatively coupled with power-selection instrumentation, a fuel gauge, or the like.
  • the determination module 196 may be coupled with a personal computer 203 for transmitting the status (as determined by the determination module 196, for instance) to the off -site entity 144.
  • the personal computer 203 may be connected to a mobile telephone 205 for transmitting the status to the off-site entity 144. It is also contemplated that the personal computer 203 may be connected to a computer network 207 for transmitting the status to the off -site entity 144.
  • the transmitter 120 may transmit the status of the vehicle 100 at different times and upon different conditions. In an embodiment, the transmitter 120 may transmit the status of the vehicle 100 based upon a schedule (e.g., daily, hourly, or the like). In an embodiment, the transmitter may be coupled with a processor 204 for scheduling transmission of the status. The off -site entity 144 may include a processor 145 for calculating a time for receiving the status transmitted by the transmitter 120. In an embodiment, the transmitter 120 may transmit the status of the vehicle 100 based upon a location, such as the location of the vehicle 100 (e.g., when the vehicle crosses from one area into another, such as from a highway authority to a city authority). In an embodiment, the transmitter 120 may transmit the status of the vehicle 100 based upon a change in driving mode.
  • a schedule e.g., daily, hourly, or the like
  • the off -site entity 144 may include a processor 145 for calculating a time for receiving the status transmitted by the transmitter 120.
  • the transmitter 120 may transmit the status of
  • the status may be transmitted when the vehicle switches from electrical power to utilizing the combustible fuel. Further, the status for the vehicle 100 may be transmitted in an encrypted data format (e.g., utilizing a public-key/private-key encryption scheme or the like).
  • an encrypted data format e.g., utilizing a public-key/private-key encryption scheme or the like.
  • the vehicle 100 may include a receiver 206 for receiving data indicative of a standing allocated upon receipt of the transmitted status. For example, propelling the vehicle 100 with electricity (e.g., by utilizing batteries 114 included with the vehicle 100) may be rewarded by the allocation of a privilege to the vehicle 100.
  • the receiver 202 may comprise the receiver 206. Alternatively, the receiver 206 may be provided separately from the receiver 202.
  • the vehicle 100 may include a selection module 208 for allowing the vehicle to selectively utilize one or more standings based upon the transmitted status. For instance, the selection module 208 may allow the vehicle to opt in or opt out of receiving standings.
  • the standing may be allocated by an off -site entity 144 who receives the transmitted status from the vehicle 100, such as a road authority, or the like.
  • the road authority may query the vehicle 100 for its status.
  • the off -site entity 144 may broadcast a query to multiple vehicles.
  • the query may be directed to a specific or pre-designated vehicle. For instance, a vehicle may be selected for a query based upon an occupant of the vehicle.
  • the query received from the off-site entity 144 may be transmitted based upon a schedule. Alternatively, the query received from the off- site entity 144 may be transmitted based upon a location (e.g., a location of the vehicle 100 with respect to the off -site entity 144 or to a landmark, such as a highway, a communications tower, or the like). In an embodiment, the query received from the off-site entity 144 may be transmitted based upon a change in driving mode (e.g., when the vehicle 100 switches from utilizing the second drive train 104 to utilizing the first drive train 102).
  • a change in driving mode e.g., when the vehicle 100 switches from utilizing the second drive train 104 to utilizing the first drive train 102).
  • the query received from the off -site entity 144 may be transmitted before entering at least one of a pre- designated roadway, a region, a pre-designated bridge, a pre-designated parking lot, a pre-designated parking spot, or a queue for refueling the combustible fuel or recharging the batteries.
  • the query received from the off -site entity 144 may be transmitted based upon a past behavior of the vehicle (e.g., a past utilization of the combustible fuel 110 by the vehicle 100).
  • the standing may include permission for the vehicle 100 to utilize a pre-designated roadway 210. In an embodiment, the standing may include permission for the vehicle 100 to drive into a region 212. In an embodiment, the standing may include permission for the vehicle 100 to cross a pre-designated bridge 214. In an embodiment, the standing may include permission for the vehicle 100 to utilize a pre-designated parking lot 216. In an embodiment, the standing may include permission for the vehicle 100 to utilize a pre-designated parking spot 218. It is also contemplated that the vehicle 100 may be queried for its status to verify the vehicle's compliance with utilization restrictions, such as fuel utilization requirements for a geographical area.
  • utilization restrictions such as fuel utilization requirements for a geographical area.
  • the standing may include an advanced position in a queue for refueling the combustible fuel 110 or recharging the batteries 114. Further, the vehicle 100 may be queried for its status to determine a qualification for one or more of a tax benefit, an insurance benefit, or a reduction in fees.
  • the standing may be reduced or eliminated when the benefit of choosing one driving mode over another (e.g., choosing the second drive train 104 over the first drive train 102) may be outweighed by another behavior.
  • the standing may be reduced when an alternate route for the driver or passengers of the vehicle 100 including public transportation is available.
  • the standing may be eliminated based upon a number of passengers in the vehicle 100, such as only a driver.
  • the standing may be increased based upon a number of passengers in the vehicle 100. For instance, a tax benefit may be increased based upon more than one passenger in the vehicle 100.
  • the standing allocated by the off-site entity 144 upon receipt of the status for the vehicle 100 may be accumulated with another standing (e.g., a standing allocated from another agency, such as another road authority, or the like). Further, the standing allocated by the off-site entity 144 upon receipt of the status for the vehicle 100 and one or more other standings allocated by another agency may be exchanged for a second set of standings including (at least) a third standing. For instance, a standing including permission to utilize a pre-designated roadway and a standing including permission to utilize a pre-designated parking spot may be exchanged for a standing including permission to drive within a pre- designated region.
  • another standing e.g., a standing allocated from another agency, such as another road authority, or the like.
  • the standing allocated by the off-site entity 144 upon receipt of the status for the vehicle 100 and one or more other standings allocated by another agency may be exchanged for a second set of standings including (at least) a third standing. For instance, a standing including permission to utilize a
  • the vehicle 100 may include a display 220 coupled with the receiver 206 for displaying information associated with the standing allocated upon receipt of the transmitted status.
  • the receiver 206 may receive a standing, such as permission to cross a pre-designated bridge 214.
  • the standing may then be displayed by the display 220.
  • the display 220 may comprise an audio display, such as a speaker.
  • the standing may be communicated to the driver via an audible announcement, a tone, a musical selection, a simulated voice, or a series of tones.
  • the display 220 may comprise a visual display, such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LED's), one or more Organic LED's (OLED's), or a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).
  • the display 220 is positioned in the vehicle, where it may be easily viewed by the driver or one or more passengers, such as on a dashboard, on a console, on a rearview mirror, or the like. Further, the display 220 may utilize text-based messages, symbols, indicia, or other identifiable visual characters, symbols, or lights to communicate one or more standings to the driver or the passengers of the vehicle 100.
  • the vehicle 100 or the device 200 may include a second transmitter (in an embodiment, the transmitter 120 comprises this second transmitter) for transmitting information associated with the standing allocated upon receipt of the transmitted status to an off-site entity.
  • the off-site entity 144 may be equipped with a billboard for displaying a message to the vehicle 100 regarding a standing.
  • another off -site entity such as a billboard or an electronic sign, may be provided separately from the off -site entity 144, and the transmitter 120 may communicate an assigned standing to the other off-site entity for display to the driver of the vehicle 100, or to one or more passengers.
  • the off- site entity may comprise a visual display, as previously described, or alternatively, may comprise an audio display, such as a horn, a whistle, or a siren. Further, the off- site entity may comprise a database.
  • the vehicle 100 may include a memory 222 for storing data regarding the status of the vehicle 100, i.e., data indicative of one or more of combustible fuel utilization, electricity utilization, and combustible fuel utilization in comparison to electricity utilization.
  • the memory 222 may store data regarding how long the vehicle 100 was operated in a combustible fuel utilization mode versus how long the vehicle 100 was operated in an electricity utilization mode.
  • the vehicle 100 may include a memory 222 for storing data regarding the transmission of the status of the vehicle 100, i.e., data indicative of when one or more of combustible fuel utilization information, electricity utilization information, and combustible fuel utilization in comparison to electricity utilization information was transmitted by the transmitter 120.
  • the memory 222 may store such information in an encrypted format.
  • the transmitter 120 may transmit the status of the vehicle 100 in an encrypted format.
  • the transmitter 120 may transmit additional information which may be of interest to a receiver of the information, such as the road authority, or the like.
  • the transmitter 120 may transmit information including vehicle identification (e.g., a Vehicle Identification Number (190)), operator identification (e.g., a driver's license number), a time (e.g., the time of the transmission), a location (e.g., the location of the transmission), a direction (e.g., a cardinal direction such as north or south), or a speed (e.g., the speed of the vehicle 100).
  • vehicle identification e.g., a Vehicle Identification Number (190)
  • operator identification e.g., a driver's license number
  • a time e.g., the time of the transmission
  • a location e.g., the location of the transmission
  • a direction e.g., a cardinal direction such as north or south
  • a speed e.g., the speed of the vehicle 100.
  • the flowcharts are organized such that the initial flowcharts present implementations via an example implementation and thereafter the following flowcharts present alternate implementations and/or expansions of the initial flowchart(s) as either sub-component operations or additional component operations building on one or more earlier-presented flowcharts.
  • the style of presentation utilized herein e.g., beginning with a presentation of a flowchart(s) presenting an example implementation and thereafter providing additions to and/or further details in subsequent flowcharts
  • the style of presentation used herein also lends itself well to modular and/or object-oriented program design paradigms.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates an operational flow 1100 representing example operations related to transmitting to an off-site entity at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization from a hybrid vehicle.
  • FIG. 11 and in following figures that include various examples of operational flows discussion and explanation may be provided with respect to the above-described examples of FIGS. 1 through 10, and/or with respect to other examples and contexts. However, it should be understood that the operational flows may be executed in a number of other environments and contexts, and/or in modified versions of FIGS. 1 through 10. Also, although the various operational flows are presented in the sequence(s) illustrated, it should be understood that the various operations may be performed in other orders than those which are illustrated, or may be performed concurrently.
  • Operation 1110 depicts transmitting to an off -site entity at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization from a hybrid vehicle.
  • the vehicle 100 may transmit (e.g., utilizing the transmitter 120) a status indicative of, for example, one or more of combustible fuel utilization and electricity utilization for the vehicle 100.
  • the off-site entity 144 may receive the status transmitted by the vehicle 100.
  • FIG. 12 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operational flow 1100 of FIG. 11.
  • FIG. 12 illustrates example embodiments where the operation 1110 may include at least one additional operation. Additional operations may include an operation 1802, and/or an operation 1804.
  • the operation 1802 illustrates transmitting the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle from an aftermarket part.
  • the status may be transmitted to the off -site entity 144 by a transmitter 120 included with an aftermarket part.
  • the operation 1804 illustrates transmitting the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle from at least one of the Internet, a personal communication device, a personal computer, a laptop computer, a palmtop computer, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a portable media player, or a mobile telephone.
  • the status may be transmitted by a personal computer coupled with the transmitter 120.
  • the personal computer may be selectively coupled with the vehicle 100, such as via a wireless network communications link, or the like.
  • FIG. 13 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operational flow 1100 of FIG. 11.
  • FIG. 13 illustrates example embodiments where the operation 1110 may include at least one additional operation. Additional operations may include an operation 1902, and/or an operation 1904.
  • the operation 1902 illustrates transmitting the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle from a transmitter coupled with a determination module comprising instrumentation for determining the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle.
  • the transmitter 120 may be coupled with the determination module 196 for determining the status for the vehicle 100 and then transmitting the status for receipt by the off- site entity 144.
  • the operation 1904 illustrates transmitting the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle from a transmitter coupled with a determination module comprising a receiver for receiving the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle.
  • the transmitter 120 may be coupled with the determination module 196 in a configuration where the determination module 196 includes a receiver 202.
  • the receiver 202 is configured to receive the status for the vehicle 100 (e.g., from power-selection instrumentation), and the transmitter 120 is configured to transmit the status for receipt by the off-site entity 144.
  • FIG. 14 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operational flow 1100 of FIG. 11.
  • FIG. 14 illustrates example embodiments where the operation 1110 may include at least one additional operation. Additional operations may include an operation 2002, and /or an operation 2004.
  • the operation 2002 illustrates wirelessly transmitting the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle from a personal computer coupled with a determination module for determining the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle.
  • the status for the vehicle may be wirelessly transmitted to the off -site entity 144 by a personal computer 203 coupled with the determination module 196.
  • the operation 2004 illustrates wirelessly transmitting the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle from a mobile telephone connected to a personal computer coupled with a determination module for determining the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle.
  • the status for the vehicle may be wirelessly transmitted to the off-site entity 144 by a mobile telephone 205 connected to the personal computer 203, where the personal computer 203 is coupled with the determination module 196.
  • the mobile telephone 205 may be connected to the personal computer via a USB link, a network link (e.g., via a network cable), an IEEEE 1394 interface, a Bluetooth link, or via another connection scheme as desired.
  • FIG. 15 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operational flow 1100 of FIG. 11.
  • FIG. 15 illustrates example embodiments where the operation 1110 may include at least one additional operation. Additional operations may include an operation 2102, and/or an operation 2104.
  • the operation 2102 illustrates transmitting the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle via a computer network from a personal computer coupled with a determination module for determining the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle.
  • the status for the vehicle may be transmitted to the off -site entity 144 by the personal computer 203 coupled with the determination module 196, where the personal computer 203 transmits the status via a computer network 207, (e.g., the Internet).
  • a computer network 207 e.g., the Internet
  • the operation 2104 illustrates transmitting the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle based upon a schedule. For example, as shown in
  • the status for the vehicle 100 may be transmitted by the transmitter 120 for receipt by the off-site entity 144 based upon a daily schedule.
  • FIG. 16 illustrates an operational flow 2200 representing example operations related to transmitting to an off-site entity at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization from a hybrid vehicle and calculating a time for transmitting the status.
  • FIG. 16 illustrates an example embodiment where the example operational flow 1100 of FIG. 11 may include at least one additional operation. Additional operations may include an operation 2210. After a start operation and an operation 1110, the operational flow 2200 moves to an operation 2210.
  • Operation 2210 illustrates calculating a time for transmitting the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle.
  • the transmitter 120 may utilize a processor 104 for scheduling a time to transmit the status of the vehicle 100.
  • the off -site entity may include a processor 145 for calculating a time to receive the status transmitted by the transmitter 120.
  • FIG. 17 illustrates an operational flow 8700 representing example operations related to querying a hybrid vehicle for at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for the vehicle.
  • FIG. 17 and in following figures that include various examples of operational flows discussion and explanation may be provided with respect to the above-described examples of FIGS. 1 through 10, and/or with respect to other examples and contexts. However, it should be understood that the operational flows may be executed in a number of other environments and contexts, and/or in modified versions of FIGS. 1 through 10. Also, although the various operational flows are presented in the sequence(s) illustrated, it should be understood that the various operations may be performed in other orders than those which are illustrated, or may be performed concurrently. After a start operation, the operational flow 8700 moves to an operation 8710.
  • Operation 8710 depicts querying a hybrid vehicle for at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for the vehicle.
  • the road authority may query the vehicle 100 for its status.
  • FIG. 18 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operational flow 8700 of FIG. 17.
  • FIG. 18 illustrates example embodiments where the operation 8710 may include at least one additional operation. Additional operations may include an operation 2612, and /or an operation 2614.
  • the operation 2612 illustrates querying to verify the hybrid vehicle's compliance with utilization restrictions. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 10, the off -site entity 144 may query the vehicle 100 for its status to verify the vehicle's compliance with fuel utilization requirements for geographical region.
  • the operation 2614 illustrates broadcasting the query to the hybrid vehicle and at least a second vehicle.
  • the off-site entity 144 may broadcast the query to multiple vehicles.
  • FIG. 19 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operational flow 8700 of FIG. 17.
  • FIG. 19 illustrates example embodiments where the operation 8710 may include at least one additional operation. Additional operations may include an operation 2702, and /or an operation 2704.
  • the operation 2702 illustrates directly querying the hybrid vehicle for the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle.
  • the off -site entity 144 may transmit the query directly to the vehicle 100, such as utilizing a line-of-sight transmission (e.g., a laser beam) or the like.
  • the operation 2704 illustrates directly querying the hybrid vehicle based upon an occupant of the hybrid vehicle.
  • the off -site entity 144 may transmit the query directly (e.g., utilizing a line-of-sight transmission) to the vehicle 100 based upon an identified occupant of the vehicle.
  • the occupant may be identified utilizing an image capture device (e.g., a digital camera) and facial recognition software configured to execute on the processor 145, for instance.
  • the occupant may be identified based on a characteristic of the occupant, such as a facial characteristic, a demographic, a gender, an age, or a race.
  • an image capture device may capture an image of the occupant and a processor may utilize an algorithm to examine one or more facial characteristics for the occupant.
  • facial characteristics may be utilized to calculate an actual or approximate age for the occupant. Facial characteristics may include the size or placement of facial features, wrinkles, or an amount of hair.
  • FIG. 20 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operational flow 8700 of FIG. 17.
  • FIG. 20 illustrates example embodiments where the operation 8710 may include at least one additional operation. Additional operations may include an operation 2802, and/or an operation 2804.
  • the operation 2802 illustrates querying based upon a schedule. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 10, the off-site entity 144 may transmit a query to the vehicle 100 based upon a schedule.
  • the processor 145 may be utilized to calculate the schedule.
  • the operation 2804 illustrates querying based upon a location for the hybrid vehicle.
  • the off -site entity 144 may transmit a query to the vehicle 100 based upon a location for the vehicle 100.
  • the location may be determined by a locator module 147, which may include vehicle location hardware or software, connections to one or more traffic cameras, or access to satellite tracking information, among other techniques for tracking the vehicle 100.
  • FIG. 21 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operational flow 8700 of FIG. 17.
  • FIG. 21 illustrates example embodiments where the operation 8710 may include at least one additional operation. Additional operations may include an operation 2902, and/or an operation 2904.
  • the operation 2902 illustrates querying based upon a change in driving mode for the hybrid vehicle. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 10, the off-site entity 144 may transmit a query to the vehicle based upon a change in driving mode, such as a switch from utilizing the second drive train 104 to utilizing the first drive train 102.
  • the operation 2904 illustrates querying before the hybrid vehicle enters at least one of a pre-designated roadway, a region, a pre-designated bridge, a pre- designated parking lot, a pre-designated parking spot, or a queue for at least one of refueling the combustible fuel or recharging one or more batteries.
  • the off-site entity 144 may transmit a query to the vehicle before the vehicle enters a pre-designated roadway (e.g., as determined by the locator module 147).
  • FIG. 22 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operational flow 8700 of FIG. 17.
  • FIG. 22 illustrates example embodiments where the operation 8710 may include at least one additional operation. Additional operations may include an operation 3002, and /or an operation 3004.
  • the operation 3002 illustrates querying based upon a past behavior of the hybrid vehicle.
  • the off -site entity 144 may transmit a query to the vehicle based upon a past behavior of the vehicle, such as a past utilization of combustible fuel by the vehicle 100.
  • the operation 3004 illustrates instructing a transmitter to query the hybrid vehicle for the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle.
  • the off -site entity 144 may instruct another entity, such as a transmitter 151 , to query the vehicle 100 for its status.
  • Examples of a signal bearing medium include, but are not limited to, the following: a recordable type medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), a Digital Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memory, etc.; and a transmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analog communication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wired communications link, a wireless communication link (e.g., transmitter, receiver, transmission logic, reception logic, etc.), etc.).
  • a recordable type medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), a Digital Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memory, etc.
  • a transmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analog communication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wired communications link, a wireless communication link (e.g., transmitter, receiver, transmission logic, reception
  • electrical circuitry includes, but is not limited to, electrical circuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one application specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming a general purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., forms of memory (e.g., random access, flash, read only, etc.)), and/or electrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g.,
  • a data processing system generally includes one or more of a system unit housing, a video display device, memory such as volatile or non-volatile memory, processors such as microprocessors or digital signal processors, computational entities such as operating systems, drivers, graphical user interfaces, and applications programs, one or more interaction devices (e.g., a touch pad, a touch screen, an antenna, etc.), and/or control systems including feedback loops and control motors (e.g., feedback for sensing position and/or velocity; control motors for moving and/or adjusting components and/or quantities).
  • a data processing system may be implemented utilizing suitable commercially available components, such as those typically found in data computing/communication and/or network computing/communication systems.
  • any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or “operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality.
  • operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components, and/or wirelessly interactable, and/or wirelessly interacting components, and/or logically interacting, and/or logically interactable components.
  • one or more components may be referred to herein as “configured to,” “configured by,” “configurable to,” “operable/operative to,” “adapted/adaptable,” “able to,” “conformable/conformed to,” etc.
  • configured to can generally encompass active-state components and/or inactive-state components and/or standby-state components, unless context requires otherwise.

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Abstract

L'invention porte sur un dispositif qui peut comprendre un module de détermination pour déterminer un état indiquant l'utilisation de carburant combustible et/ou un état indiquant l'utilisation d'électricité pour propulser un véhicule hybride, et un émetteur couplé au module de détermination pour émettre l'état indiquant l'utilisation de carburant combustible et/ou l'état indiquant l'utilisation d'électricité pour le véhicule hybride à une entité hors site.
EP10770069.2A 2009-04-30 2010-04-30 Attribution de classement pour véhicule sur la base d'une ou de plusieurs caractéristiques d'utilisation de carburant Withdrawn EP2425264A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (21)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/387,331 US20100280885A1 (en) 2009-04-30 2009-04-30 Awarding privileges to a vehicle based upon one or more fuel utilization characteristics
US12/387,483 US20100280886A1 (en) 2009-04-30 2009-05-01 Awarding privileges to a vehicle based upon one or more fuel utilization characteristics
US12/387,488 US20100280887A1 (en) 2009-04-30 2009-05-01 Awarding privileges to a vehicle based upon one or more fuel utilization characteristics
US12/387,482 US20100280686A1 (en) 2009-04-30 2009-05-01 Awarding privileges to a vehicle based upon one or more fuel utilization characteristics
US12/387,491 US20100280888A1 (en) 2009-04-30 2009-05-01 Awarding privileges to a vehicle based upon one or more fuel utilization characteristics
US12/387,492 US8855907B2 (en) 2009-04-30 2009-05-01 Awarding privileges to a vehicle based upon one or more fuel utilization characteristics
US12/462,931 US20100280688A1 (en) 2009-04-30 2009-08-11 Awarding standings to a vehicle based upon one or more fuel utilization characteristics
US12/462,933 US20100280690A1 (en) 2009-04-30 2009-08-11 Awarding standings to a vehicle based upon one or more fuel utilization characteristics
US12/462,935 US20100280692A1 (en) 2009-04-30 2009-08-11 Awarding standings to a vehicle based upon one or more fuel utilization characteristics
US12/462,932 US20100280689A1 (en) 2009-04-30 2009-08-11 Awarding standings to a vehicle based upon one or more fuel utilization characteristics
US12/462,934 US20100280691A1 (en) 2009-04-30 2009-08-11 Awarding standings to a vehicle based upon one or more fuel utilization characteristics
US12/583,172 US20100280693A1 (en) 2009-04-30 2009-08-11 Awarding standings to a vehicle based upon one or more fuel utilization characteristics
US12/798,914 US20110106591A1 (en) 2009-04-30 2010-04-13 Awarding standings to a vehicle based upon one or more fuel utilization characteristics
US12/798,911 US20100280708A1 (en) 2009-04-30 2010-04-13 Awarding standings to a vehicle based upon one or more fuel utilization characteristics
US12/798,910 US20100280707A1 (en) 2009-04-30 2010-04-13 Awarding standings to a vehicle based upon one or more fuel utilization characteristics
US12/798,912 US20100280709A1 (en) 2009-04-30 2010-04-13 Awarding standings to a vehicle based upon one or more fuel utilization characteristics
US12/798,908 US20100280705A1 (en) 2009-04-30 2010-04-13 Awarding standings to a vehicle based upon one or more fuel utilization characteristics
US12/798,907 US20100280704A1 (en) 2009-04-30 2010-04-13 Awarding standings to a vehicle based upon one or more fuel utilization characteristics
US12/798,913 US20110106354A1 (en) 2009-04-30 2010-04-13 Awarding standings to a vehicle based upon one or more fuel utilization characteristics
US12/798,909 US20100280706A1 (en) 2009-04-30 2010-04-13 Awarding standings to a vehicle based upon one or more fuel utilization characteristics
PCT/US2010/001289 WO2010126610A1 (fr) 2009-04-30 2010-04-30 Attribution de classement pour véhicule sur la base d'une ou de plusieurs caractéristiques d'utilisation de carburant

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2425264A1 true EP2425264A1 (fr) 2012-03-07
EP2425264A4 EP2425264A4 (fr) 2016-12-07

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EP10770069.2A Withdrawn EP2425264A4 (fr) 2009-04-30 2010-04-30 Attribution de classement pour véhicule sur la base d'une ou de plusieurs caractéristiques d'utilisation de carburant

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