US2013245870A1PendingUtilityA1

Minimum Energy Route For A Motor Vehicle

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Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO LTDPriority: Mar 30, 2010Filed: Mar 4, 2013Published: Sep 19, 2013
Est. expiryMar 30, 2030(~3.7 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Kenichi Mineta
B60K 2015/03217B60W 2556/50G01C 21/3469B60W 20/12B60W 10/08Y10S903/93B60W 20/11B60W 10/06B60W 2510/244B60W 2552/20B60W 20/104
48
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Claims

Abstract

Minimum energy routes for a motor vehicle are determined. The minimum energy routes can be calculated using an energy map. Energy management information is determined and provided along the minimum energy route.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of operating a navigation system, comprising the steps of:
 receiving a minimum energy route request from an electronic control unit of a motor vehicle, the request including a starting location and an ending location;   retrieving information from an energy map, the energy map including charge and discharge information related to a battery of the motor vehicle;   calculating a minimum energy route between the starting location and the ending location using the energy map; and   sending information related to the minimum energy route to the electronic control unit.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method includes a step of receiving a state of charge associated with the battery. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method includes a step of receiving a fuel level associated with a fuel tank of the motor vehicle. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the minimum energy route is a route that minimizes the use of electrical energy. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the minimum energy route is a route that minimizes battery overcharge and battery empty conditions of the battery. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the minimum energy route is a route that minimizes the amount of fuel consumed by an engine of the motor vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . A method of operating a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:
 receiving a starting location and an ending location;   retrieving information from an energy map, the energy map including charge and discharge information related to a battery of the motor vehicle;   calculating a minimum energy route between the starting location and the ending location using the energy map; and   providing directions to the user for guiding the vehicle to the ending location along the minimum energy route.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the information associated with the energy map is stored in at least one database. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the database is disposed within the motor vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the starting location is received from a user. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the starting location is received from a GPS receiver. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the ending location is received from a user. 
     
     
         13 . A method of operating a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:
 receiving navigational information related to a minimum energy route between a starting location and an ending location;   receiving energy management information related to the minimum energy route;   providing directions to a user for directing the motor vehicle between the starting location and the ending location along the minimum energy route;   controlling a gasoline engine and an electric motor of the motor vehicle using the energy management information associated with the minimum energy route.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the energy management information includes information related to an energy map. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the energy map includes charge and discharge information related to a battery for an electric motor of the motor vehicle. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the energy map includes hydrogen fuel consumption information related to a hydrogen fuel cell. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the energy map includes fuel consumption information related to a fuel for a combustion engine. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the energy management information includes road slope information. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the energy management information includes traffic speed information. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the energy management information includes traffic congestion information. 
     
     
         21 . A method of operating a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:
 receiving a starting location and an ending location;   detecting an energy level associated with a power source of the motor vehicle;   preparing a navigation request related to a minimum energy route; and   submitting the navigation request including the starting location, the ending location and the energy level.   
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the step of detecting an energy level includes a step of detecting a fuel level of a fuel tank associated with a combustion engine. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the step of detecting an energy level includes a step of detecting a state of charge of a battery associated with an electric motor. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the step of detecting an energy level includes a step of detecting a hydrogen fuel level of a hydrogen fuel cell. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the navigation request and the energy level are submitted to a service provider. 
     
     
         26 . A method of operating a navigation system, comprising the steps of:
 receiving a minimum energy route request from a navigation unit of a motor vehicle, the request including a starting location and an ending location;   receiving an energy level from the motor vehicle associated with a power source of the motor vehicle;   retrieving information from an energy map, the energy map including energy information;   calculating a minimum energy route between the starting location and the ending location using the energy map and the energy level; and   sending information related to the minimum energy route to the navigation unit.   
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the energy level is associated with a fuel level of a fuel tank for a combustion engine. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the energy level is a state of charge of a battery for an electric motor. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the energy level is a hydrogen fuel level associated with a hydrogen fuel cell. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the calculated minimum energy route can change according to the energy level.

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