초록 ▼

A system for determining an energy-optimum route for a vehicle to take between an origin and a destination includes a computer onboard the vehicle. A global positioning system (GPS) transceiver is also onboard the vehicle for receiving vehicle position data from the satellite. The computer access a

A system for determining an energy-optimum route for a vehicle to take between an origin and a destination includes a computer onboard the vehicle. A global positioning system (GPS) transceiver is also onboard the vehicle for receiving vehicle position data from the satellite. The computer access a database containing both topographical map information and vehicle energy consumption data, and based thereon the computer determines and displays an energy-optimum route. The computer can also display information regarding nearby refueling stations. Also, the vehicle energy consumption data can be modified as appropriate based on the operation of the vehicle, to account for the particular vehicle's actual fuel consumption characteristics.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A system for determining an energy efficient route for a motor vehicle, the route having an origin and a destination, comprising:a database containing route information, where each possible route comprises one or more segments, and ground elevation information, where each segment of

[ I claim:] [1.] A system for determining an energy efficient route for a motor vehicle, the route having an origin and a destination, comprising:a database containing route information, where each possible route comprises one or more segments, and ground elevation information, where each segment of each possible route is characterized by an average elevational change value; anda computer in communication with the database, the computer receiving the origin and destination, and accessing the database to determine possible routes existing between the origin and the destination,the computer further accessing the elevation information, determining an energy consumption for each segment based at least in part on the average elevational change value for the segment, adding the energy consumptions of the segments of a route to determine the energy consumption for the route, and determining a select route having a minimum energy consumption among the possible routes.