WO2009077159A1

WO2009077159A1 - Vehicle interfaces

Info

Publication number: WO2009077159A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/010684
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael R. Catlin; Timothy J. Borgeson; Chris Hogg; Rodger W. Eich
Original assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Co
Current assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Co
Priority date: 2007-12-14
Filing date: 2008-12-15
Publication date: 2009-06-25
Anticipated expiration: 2010-06-14
Also published as: WO2009077155A1

Abstract

Such vehicle interfaces are very well known to a person skilled in the art and for example depict the actual velocity of the car, the rotations pro minute of the motor, the temperature of the motor and in many cases warning signals that indicate the critical conditions of the vehicle. Nowadays fuel efficient driving is more and more a concern due to the increasing fuel prices and/or concerns.

Description

VEHICLE INTERFACES

The present disclosure relates to human machine interfaces in a vehicle.

Such vehicle interfaces are very well known to a person skilled in the art and for example depict the actual velocity of the car, the rotations per minute of the motor, the temperature of the motor and in many cases warning signals that indicate critical conditions of the vehicle. Nowadays fuel efficient driving is more and more a concern due to the increasing fuel prices and/or environmental reasons.

It was therefore the objective of the present invention to provide a vehicle interface that allows fuel efficient driving.

The problem is solved by a vehicle interface to display information, whereas it comprises means that allow a comparison of the average and/or instant fuel efficiency versus the official average fuel efficiency.

The present invention is related to a vehicle interface that is normally located in the dashboard of the car. This vehicle interface displays information for example about the actual velocity of the car, the rotation pro minute of the motor, temperature of the oil and/or the cooling water. Additionally, the vehicle interface may comprise symbols especially warnings signals, that indicate critical situations of the car.

According to the present invention, the inventive vehicle interface also comprises means that allow a comparison of the average and/or instant fuel efficiency versus the official average fuel efficiency provided by the manufacture of the car. Thus, the vehicle occupant always knows, whether he drives the car fuel efficient or not.

Preferably, fuel efficiency is depicted in carbon dioxide, preferably carbon dioxide emission versus kilometre or mile

Preferably, the inventive vehicle interface also comprises means to store the instant and/or average fuel efficiency. More preferably, the best and the worst performance achieved by the respective driver is stored. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention or according to another solution of the problem, the vehicle interface comprises indications depicting velocities and/or rpms that can be driven with the actual gear. This information provides instructions for the vehicle occupant when to shift a gear. More preferably, the velocities that can be driven with the actual gear are depicted with one or numerous LEDs for example arranged in as bars that indicate the velocity that can be driven with the actual gear. As soon as the gear is shifted, additional LEDs are turned on or turned off. In an even more preferred embodiment the color and/or the intensity changes with changing fuel efficiency in the individual gear, i.e. the bar is green at a high fuel efficiency and turns over orange into red with diminishing fuel efficiency.

Most preferably, the inventive vehicle interface also comprises symbols that, indicate when to shift a gear. These symbols can be arrows, that are either directed upwords or downwords showing the direction into which the gear has to be shifted. Different colours of these symbols can provide information regarding the urgency of the shifting a gear for example, when the fuel efficiency is very low or the rpm is too high or too low.

Preferably, the inventive vehicle interface comprises means that depict the optimal values of the fuel efficiency.

According to another prefered embodiment of the subject matter or according to another solution of the problem stated above, the vehicle interface comprises velocity indications with a scale whereas the scale depicts an/or accentuates only the maximum velocity, that can be driven with the actual gear.

This inventive vehicle interface has the advantage, that an indication of rpms is not needed and that nevertheless the driver of the car knows in which velocity range the car can be driven with the actual gear.

Preferably, the vehicle interface also comprises fuel information about the fuel level of the tank. Before turning to the figures which illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the following description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.

The application will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals refer to like elements:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle including a vehicle interface according to one an exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 2-7 are illustrations of further characterizations of the vehicle interface of FIG. 1 according to various exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 8-17 are illustrations of various information zones and information types in the vehicle of FIG. 1 according to various exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 18-56 are illustrations of further characterizations of the vehicle interface of FIG. 1 according to various exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 58-6Ob shows the inventive vehicle interface

Referring to FIG. 1 , a vehicle includes a number of subsystems for user convenience. The vehicle generally includes a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, a sound system, a vehicle control system, and a driver information system (e.g., a cluster display). The driver or occupant information system is configured to provide information to a driver of the vehicle that may be related to vehicle functions (e.g., speed, fuel information, fluid levels, battery charge, vehicle status, etc.) or non- vehicle function data (e.g., temperature/weather information, trip counter information, navigation information, time, etc.). By identifying the types of information vehicle occupants want to see (e.g., related to safety, navigation, comfort, entertainment, time management, work, etc.) the driver information systems described below may advantageously offer the vehicle occupants with information that enhances their vehicle experience while increasing ease of vehicle Operation or driver/road awareness. The driver information system is intended to provide more meaningful parameters for Clusters within the vehicle cockpit that are capable of changing depending on the vehicle Situation and/or occupant desires. The driver information system is intended to accommodate the needs of the occupant while increasing usability and road awareness by seamlessly integrating the information access with the environment of the vehicle.

The driver information system is intended to provide information in a manner that may increase occupant safety (e.g., peace-of-mind, quick access, easy interpretation, accurate and timely delivery of information, fewer distraction, etc.), confidence (e.g., access to information when needed, precise information and instructions, navigation information, etc.), comfort (e.g., reduce stress, provide a more enjoyable space, allow customization/personalization of the vehicle, provide a conversational language with the vehicle, etc.) and/or self-actualization (e.g., greater awareness of mind/body/surroundings, personal connection with the vehicle, greater passion for driving, etc.).

Referring to FIG. 2, according to various exemplary embodiments, the vehicle control System may be configured to provide information in one or more zones to a driver or passenger in vehicle. For example, information may be provided or obtained near a panel behind a steering wheel, near a windshield panel, as controls on a steering wheel, on a center stack or vehicle console (e.g., the vehicle control System), on a floor console, near a rear view mirror, near rear seats, near doors, or near the vehicle ceiling. According to various exemplary embodiments, these information zones may provide or obtain one or more of safety information (e.g., speed, fuel level, etc.), performance information (e.g., odometer, fuel economy, energy consumption, gear, windshield wiper status or control, head/tail lamp status or control, seat bell status, airbag status or control, an oil gauge, battery electricity information, door status, etc.), navigation information (e.g., compass, map display, course plotting, distance, time to arrival, etc.), driver or passenger control (e.g., cruise control, radio control, phone usage, media player control, climate control, Internet usage, computer program/game usage, programmable controls, clock/calendar management, etc.), outside information (e.g., speed limit, traffic information, temperature, road conditions, gas stations or other points of interest, camera control/display, etc.), or any other information that may be used by or of interest to a driver or passenger.

Referring to FIGS. 3-7, according to various exemplary embodiments, the vehicle control System may include one or more cluster displays. Each cluster display may be configurable to suit personal tastes or to display information most relevant to a specific driver or passenger at any point in time. For example, the display may be configured to switch or slide from default information to other information, including any of the information described above with reference to FIG. 2, with each actuation of a tactile control (e.g., pressing a button, turning a knob, moving a switch, etc.). The cluster display may be configured to give an indication of vehicle speed versus fuel economy, for example how they relate to one another. The cluster display may be configured to provide past warnings at the press of a button or other tactile control.

The cluster display may be configured to automatically display various vehicle information based on the vehicle status. For example, when the interior cabin of a vehicle reaches a set temperature, the driver or passenger may be notified by a display or audible prompt. The cluster display may be configured to automatically redisplay warnings at a set interval of time, for example if a driver or passenger is not wearing a seat belt. The cluster display may include a rotating or other analog gauge to provide information related to the vehicle (e.g., speed, fuel remaining, revolutions per minute, etc.).

The cluster display may provide an indicator related to heated air of the HVAC, for example when an optimal temperature has been reached. The cluster display may provide trip summary information, for example distance traveled, fuel economy, time traveled, etc. The cluster display may be configured to display warnings (e.g., a popup warning) with a detailed description of the warning. For example, if engine oil is low, on vehicle start-up an oil indicator may light with a percentage of oil displayed. After a predetermined time the description of the oil percentage may time-out and be removed while the indicator stays lit. The cluster display may alternatively loop back to the detailed information periodically to redisplay the information.

The cluster display may include configurable gauges, including a fuel gauge, and buttons. For example, a fuel gauge may be configured to expand or compress based on the amount of fuel remaining, provide real-time pumping information (e.g., provide an updating graphical indicator when fuel is added to the vehicle), etc. A configurable button may be set up to display various information or engage a control with one or successive presses. The cluster display may also provide an animated compass display that moves when vehicle is in motion. The cluster display may provide any information related to speed, fuel, status, trip, or time in any number of dedicated or configurable information zones.

Referring to FIGS. 8-17, further detail of the information zones given in FIG. 2 is described. Referring specifically to FIG. 8, the information zones are described with reference to who uses the information, how to get the information, and what information may be desired by the occupant. FIG. 9 describes the type of information that may be provided in each information zone described in FIGS. 2 and B. For example, a panel behind the steering wheel may be a preferable location for providing driving safety information (e.g., speedometer, fuel level, etc.), vehicle performance information (e.g., odometer, fuel efficiency, engine temperature, etc.), clock and temperature information, andlor music or navigation information. FIG. 10 describes how the information zones relate to each of the considerations of occupant safety, confidence, and comfort and what information zones may preferable locations to indicate this information. FIG. 11 describes information that a vehicle occupant may desire during specific driving stages including vehicle approach, starting, driving, parking, and leaving. For example, when approaching or entering a vehicle, the occupant may wish to view the time, door status, temperature, preferred or predetermined settings, etc. FIGS. 12-15 describe in greater detail the types of information that may be provided by the information system. FIGS. 16-17 further characterize some exemplary types of information that may be provided and how they may align with consumer and business perspectives of desirability and feasibility respectively. According to one exemplary embodiment, a tachometer and engine temperature display may not have a high priority or be the most desirable information that a vehicle occupant would like to see, however, this information may be desirable as related to secondary vehicle functions or in manners that are not as prominent as a typical cluster display. According to another exemplary embodiment, the tachometer andlor engine temperature display may by of primary importance to the occupant.

FIGS. 18-53 provide further characterizations of information systems or cluster displays that may incorporate the information described with reference to FIGS. 8-17 and/or FIGS. 3-7. For example, the displays of FIGS. 19-21 may be similar to the displays of FIGS. 6 and 7, the cluster displays of FIGS. 22-28 similar to those of FIG. 3, the cluster displays of FIGS. 29-35 may be similar to those of FIG. 4, and the cluster displays of FIGS. 36-41 similar to those of FIG. 5.

The displays of FIGS. 19-21 may provide a user with personalization options as well as gauge animation. For example, a user may be able to choose between analog, digital, and analog and digital displays. Fuel gauges may increase or decrease in real-time with the fuel level. A compass indicator may move in real time with the movement of the vehicle. The user may also be able to program buttons to perform dedicated or favorite features as well as automatically show information to the user as they may need it (e.g., fluid level warnings when low).

The displays of FIGS. 22-28 may provide more information features as compared to the displays of FIGS. 29-41. The display indicates speed versus fuel efficiency information, for example by a segmented display; a faster acceleration or more rapid speed increase may indicate fewer segments and lower gas efficiency while a more gradual speed increase or slower acceleration may indicate more segments and a better fuel efficiency. This display also indicates a fuel level using segmented displays instead of a traditional analog dial. A reconfigurable portion of the display may be user customizable to display information desired by the user. The reconfigurable display may be configured to indicate certain information most desirable to the user (e.g., miles to empty, engine temperature, odometer, etc.). A user may jog a switch (e.g., presses a button, turns a knob, slides a switch, etc.) to the right to access non-vehicle related information or to the left for vehicle related information (e.g., a real-time trip summary). The display may provide a user with greater awareness as to the status of the vehicle and severity of any warnings. For example, a pop-up graphical user interface and a warning light may Illuminate to indicate to the user a vehicle status or warning.

The displays of FIGS. 29-35 may provide a mid-level amount of information to the user when compared to the displays of FIGS. 22-28 and 36-41 while highlighting what the user may believe to be the most desirable or essential information. The display includes dedicated area to provide information related to vehicle speed (e.g., by a vertically rotating speedometer) and amount of fuel remaining (e.g., via a segmented display showing fuel level). According to one exemplary embodiment, a reconfigurable portion of the display may be configured to include more detailed information of the amount of fuel remaining (e.g., miles to empty), the time, an outside temperature, an odometer, a trip counter, andlor any other information that the user may deem as desirable or essential information. After the vehicle engine is heated, the reconfigurable portion of the display may display (e.g., pop-up) information indicating that the air blown through the HVAC System may be at an appropriate (e.g., optimal) level for heating or cooling. After a predetermined amount of time, the display may return to the default information. Once the vehicle engine is turned off, or upon request, the display may provide end of trip summary information such as a comparison of fuel efficiency for the trip compared to past trips. When the vehicle is turned completely off (i.e., the electrical System is not actuated), the display may be turned off with the speedometer not illuminated and the segmented fuel and reconfigurable displays not turned off. The display may provide a user with greater awareness as to the status of the vehicle and severity of any warnings. For example, a graphical user interface and a warning light may illuminate to indicate to the user a vehicle status or warning and re-illuminate at a predetermined interval.

The displays of FIGS. 36-41 may provide a low amount of information to the user when compared to the displays of FIGS. 22-35. A System may be configured to highlight what the user may believe to be the most desirable or essential information thereby reducing driver distraction. The display includes a 3D pointer that may promote visual awareness of the driver regarding speed information. The display also includes a segmented display showing the vehicle fuel level and a miles-to-empty indication on a reconfigurable portion of the display that may provide more accurate fuel information. The reconfigurable display may provide a only the information that a user may determine to be essential information (e.g., fuel information, outside temperature, odometer, trip counter, etc.) as the default information. The display may also provide an indication of when the amount of heated air available for heating the vehicle cabin may be optimal. The display may provide a user with greater awareness as to the status of the vehicle and severity of any warnings. For example, a graphical user interface element (e.g., a popup) and a warning light may illuminate to indicate to the user a vehicle status or warning and re-illuminate at a predetermined interval. Once the vehicle engine is turned off, or after user input, the display may provide trip summary information such as a comparison of fuel efficiency for the trip compared to past trips.

Referring to FIGS. 42-46, various advantages of the disclosed exemplary embodiments are described. For example, the displays may be include fewer parts (e.g., moving and/or stationary).

Referring to FIGS. 47-56, further characterizations of cluster displays that may be in the vehicle of FIG. 1 are illustrated. Referring to FIGS. 47-50, a display includes analog dials for providing speedometer andztachometer information, warning lights, and a central reconfigurable display. The reconfigurable display may be configured to display emissions information of the vehicle, an odometer, a clock, and navigation information. According to an alternate mode of operation, the reconfigurable display may be configured to display phone contact or dialing information in place of the navigation information. According to another exemplary embodiment, the navigation or phone information may be replaced by a segmented fuel or fluid level display.

Referring to FIGS. 51-53, a display includes an analog dial to indicate speed information, a number of warning lights, a reconfigurable display (e.g., to provide an odometer, clock, trip counter, emissions information, navigation information, etc.), a segmented display to illustrate a fuel level, and another segmented display to illustrate engine temperature. According to other exemplary embodiments, the reconfigurable display may be a segmented display, a grayscale/monochrome TFT, or other LED or LCD display. Referring to FIGS. 54-56, a digital display may provide information without using any analog indicators such as dials. The digital display may provide speed information, fuel level, vehicle emissions level (e.g., as compared to an average global rate), engine temperature, and/or navigation information using a segmented display.

Referring to FIG. 57, a display System is configured to provide a vehicle occupant with information according to an exemplary embodiment. The display System is shown to include a display module, a processing module, a memory module, and a number of peripheral modules. The display module includes a mechanical display, a segmented display, a reconfigurable display, and/or a user interface. The mechanical display may be a dial, a rotating wheel, or any other mechanically actuated display for providing information to a vehicle occupant.

The segmented display may include multiple aligned or semi-aligned segments (e.g., LEDs, backlit indicators, etc.) to provide fuel or other fluid level information, temperature information, fuel efficiency information or any other information that may be provided to a vehicle occupant in a range of values.

The reconfigurable display generally provides a set of default information with a higher priority (e.g., fuel information, time, odometer, outside temperature, trip counter, etc.) and may automatically or manually display other information to the vehicle occupant (e.g., warning indicators, navigation information, phone information, media information, etc.). The reconfigurable display may include a number of lit segments, a thin-film transistor (TFT) LCD display, another type of LCD display, an LED display, or any other type of display that may provide information to a vehicle occupant and is reconfigurable.

The user interface facilitates user input into the display module. The user interface may include a button, a knob, a switch, a slider, a touch screen, another tactile control, a microphone or voice commands, etc. The user may indicate the information they wish to display or functions that they wish to operate.

According to various exemplary embodiments, the display module may be embodied as any of the displays described in or with reference to the FIGURES or another display that may include similar features. It is noted that according to other exemplary embodiments, the display module may include more or fewer than the illustrated display types and interface.

The peripheral modules are configured to provide information to the processing unit over the vehicle data bus or link for further processing, display by display module, and/or storage in the memory module. The peripheral modules include a GPS module for providing location or navigation data, a fuel level sensing module for providing fuel level data, an engine sensing module for providing data related to the engine (e.g., temperature, fluid levels, battery charge, mechanical statuses/replacement information, etc.), a speed sensing module for providing driving speed data, an environment sensing module for providing data related to the outside environment of the vehicle (e.g., temperature, weather, carbon dioxide emissions, etc.), and/or a phone module for providing phone call or contact information (e.g., dialing information, a communications module, connection status, etc.). It is noted that according to other exemplary embodiments, more or fewer than the illustrated peripheral modules may be used.

The processing module is configured to receive data from the peripheral modules and to process the data for use by the display module. The processing module may convert the data into a format suitable for display, may perform calculations based on the data for display or for feedback to the peripheral module, and/or may Store the data or processed data in the memory module for later use. The processing module may also process any other data available on the vehicle data bus that may not be included in a peripheral module. According to various exemplary embodiments, the processing module may be any processing architecture or application programming interface that is capable of processing vehicle and non-vehicle data for use by the display module. According to various exemplary embodiments, the processing module may be configured to access Computer code stored in the memory module for facilitating or executing any of the operations described herein.

It is noted that according to various exemplary embodiments, each of the module described above in reference to FIG. 57 may be embodied as software, hardware (e.g., digital and/or analog), or any combination of software and hardware capable of presenting information to a vehicle occupant. According to various exemplary embodiments, each of the connections illustrated in FIG. 57 may be either a wired link using a wired protocol or technology (e.g., LAN, USB, Firewire®, a custom pin connection, etc.) or a wireless link using a wireless protocol or technology (e.g., WiFi, BlueTooth®, WiMax, WAN, RF, a communication, etc.).

While the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the Figures and described above are presently preferred, it should be understood that these embodiments are offered by way of example only. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited to a particular embodiment, but extends to various modifications that nevertheless fall within the scope of the appended claims. The order or sequence of any processes or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments.

Describing the disclosure with Figures should not be construed as imposing on the disclosure any limitations that may be present in the Figures. The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and program products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing its operations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented using an existing Computer processors, or by a special purpose Computer processor for an appropriate vehicle system, incorporated for this or another purpose or by a hardwired system.

As noted above, embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machineexecutable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine- readable media can be any available media which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machinereadable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM₁ CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a machine, the machine properly views the connection as a machine-readable medium. Thus, any such connection is properly termed a machine-readable medium. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine- executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions and data which cause a genera! purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.

It should be noted that although the diagrams herein may show a specific order of method steps, it is understood that the order of these steps may differ from what is depicted. Also two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variation will depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and an designer choice. It is understood that all such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations of the present disclosure could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps and decision steps.

The foregoing description of embodiments of the disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosure. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principals of the disclosure and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the disclosure in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

FIG. 58 shows one embodiment of the inventive vehicle interface 1. In the present example, the carbon dioxide emission per kilometer or mile is depicted. Shown is the official average carbon dioxide emission 7 and the actual instant or average values 6 presently achieved by the driver. The more bars are shown on the right hand side of the average official fuel efficiency, the better the fuel efficiency (even better than the official fuel efficiency), while bars on the left hand side show a poor instant or average fuel efficiency (worse than the official fuel efficiency). Thus, the driver can improve his driving habits, for example in terms of rapid acceleration, too late gear- shifting and/or in general velocity in order to optimise the carbon dioxide emission per mile or kilometer.

FIG. 59 shows another embodiment of the vehicle interface. Shown is scale 10 and a needle 11. Based on the position of the needle 11 , the vehicle occupant gets information about the actual velocity. Furthermore, the gears 8 available are shown. Furthermore, the interface provides information which velocity can be driven with the present gear. Gear in the present case is the second gear and the driver is driving at the maximum allowable or recommended speed with this gear. As soon as the driver shifts into the third gear, an additional bar with a new recommended speed-range is indicated. Alternatively the vehicle driver shifts the gear downwards a bar disappears. Furthermore the system has gear-shifting recommendations 9. Since in the present case, the vehicle is already driving at the maximum speed recommended for the second gear, the arrow 9 on the right hand side is illuminated, which indicates, that he should choose a higher- e.g. the third or the fourth gear.

FIG 60a shows another embodiment of the inventive vehicle interface. Again a scale 10 and a needle 11 is shown. The scale 10 is designed in the present case such, that only the velocity range (0-130 km/h) available for the selected gear is shown. In the present case, for example, the car is driven and a third gear so that the velocity range available only in the fourth and in the fifth gear is not depicted. The actual vehicle interface can be additionaly supported by lighting the scale in different colours for example the entire scale is green in case the car is driven in or near the best engine efficiency and turns into orange or red at lower engine efficiencies.

FIG 60b is essentially the same vehicle interface as shown in FIG 60a with the only difference that in the present case the speed range available (0-90 km/h) in a certain gear is backlighted while the other speed-range only available at higher gears is not backlighted. The explantions made according to FIG 60a also apply to FIG 60b. List of reference signs:

1 vehicle interface

2 information

3 information about the velocity fill-level of the tank

5 means to display information about the fuel efficiency average or instant fuel efficiency average official fuel efficiency gear gear shifting recommendations 0 scale 1 needle 2 velocity range in a certain gear

Claims

Claims:

1. Vehicle interface (1 ) to display information (2), characterized in, that it comprises means (5) that allow a comparison of the average and/or instant fuel efficiency (6) verus the official average fuel efficiency (7).

2. Vehicle interface according to claim 1 , characterized in, that the fuel efficiency is provided in CO₂.

3. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in, that it comprises means to store fuel efficiencies, especially the best and the worst performance.

4. Vehicle interface (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims or the preamble of claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises indications (8) depicting velocities (12) and/or rpms that can be driven with the actual gear.

5. Vehicle interface (1 ) according to claim 4, characterized in, that it comprises means that depict optimal values.

6. Vehicle interface (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims or the preamble of claim 1 , that it comprises velocity-indications with a scale (10), characterized in, that the scale depicts and/or accentuates only the maximum velocity, that can be driven with the actual gear.

7. Vehicle interface (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in, that it comprises gear-shifting recommendations (9).

8. Vehicle interface (1) according to the claims 6 and 7, characterized in, that the color of the scale changes depending on the fuel efficiency.

9. Vehicle interface (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it depicts the fill-level (4) of the tank.

10. Vehicle interface (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that fuel efficiency is depicted with segments.

11. Vehicle interface (1 ), characterized in, that the display is reconfigurable.