An agricultural machine arrangement includes at least one traction machine and at least one attachment device adapted to the traction machine with a driver assistance system optimizing the operation of the traction machine and/or of the respective attachment device. The drive assistance system includes a computing unit and at least one display unit, wherein the computing unit processes information generated by machine-internal sensor systems, external information and information storable in the computing unit. The driver assistance system is structured so that it forms an automatic traction machine adjusting unit and/or an automatic attachment device adjusting unit, wherein the respective automatic adjusting units independently of one another or as a function of one another bring about an “optimization” of the mode of operation of the traction machine and/or of the at least one attachment device.

The vehicle traveling information recording device of the present invention comprises a camera unit for acquiring image information relating to outside of a vehicle; a recording unit for recording the image information from the camera unit; an abnormality detection unit for detecting an abnormal vehicle state; an auxiliary data detection unit for acquiring auxiliary data when the abnormality detection unit has detected an abnormality; and a control unit for combining the auxiliary data with the image information in the recording unit when the abnormality detection unit has detected the abnormality, and recording image information after the combination related to abnormality detection.

A method and apparatus for evaluating the driving of a vehicle performing a journey on a road network is disclosed. The method comprises determining a fuel usage rate and an engine speed of a vehicle, and determining when the vehicle is coasting based upon at least one of the fuel usage rate and the engine speed of the vehicle. An acceleration of the vehicle, when the vehicle is determined to be coasting, is compared with a predetermined reference acceleration, and an application of braking during the coasting is determined based on the result of the comparison. A method and apparatus is also disclosed for determining a score indicative of the relative amount of time for which the vehicle is coasting without braking during a journey.

Data is received from each of a plurality of vehicles in a group of vehicles indicating fuel consumption of each vehicle over a past period of time. An aggregate fuel consumption for the vehicles, and one or more fuel prices, is predicted for a future period of time. According to the predicted fuel consumption and one or more fuel prices, one or more fuel futures contracts are selected for purchase.

A method of controlling electrically-powered vehicle accessories includes receiving energy data, the energy data providing an indication of an availability of free energy; receiving an electrically-powered vehicle accessory classification for an electrically-powered vehicle accessory, the classification including one of a critical and a discretionary electrically-powered vehicle accessory; receiving a prioritization for the electrically-powered vehicle accessory based on the classification and whether the electrically-powered vehicle accessory has an energy storage component; and providing a command to control energy consumption by the electrically-powered vehicle accessory based on its prioritization and the availability of free energy.

A computing device-implemented method includes receiving data representative of one or more travel parameters for distribution ranges for a vehicle that includes a first propulsion system, and, receiving data representative of one or more travel parameters for distribution ranges for a vehicle that includes a second propulsion system. The distribution ranges for the vehicle that includes the first propulsion system are equivalent to the distribution ranges for the vehicle that includes the second propulsion system. The method also includes receiving data representative of one or more travel parameters for distribution ranges for a collection of vehicles. The distribution ranges for the collection of vehicles are equivalent to the distribution ranges for the vehicle that includes the second propulsion system.

An autonomous pulse and glide system and method are disclosed. Pulse and glide is a fuel savings strategy that pulses a host vehicle to a maximum target speed and glides to a minimum target speed. Where the host vehicle detects that a lead vehicle is within a minimum distance the pulse and glide strategy is modified. The system may interrupt a pulse or may instruct the host vehicle to pass the lead vehicle. The host vehicle may also include an inter-vehicle communication module which facilitates a master/slave interaction with a lead or trailing vehicle.

In a method for displaying a plurality of two-dimensional, ordered objects on a display area, a user-interface device generates graphics data that control the display area such that a subset of the objects is displayed in perspective, a first object of this subset being displayed in perspective in the foreground, and in response to an input with the aid of an input device, an arithmetic logic unit of the user-interface device alters the graphics data such that a different, second object is displayed in perspective in the foreground. The graphical objects are displayed in perspective, positioned one behind the other in a stack, the object displayed in the foreground forming the front face of the stack, and in response to the input, the graphics data are altered such that the first object and the objects disposed between the first and second object in the stack are moved in a direction perpendicular to the stack axis and are hidden, or the objects ordered between the first and second object, and the second object are made visible and are moved in a direction perpendicular to the stack axis until the second object is displayed in perspective in the foreground. An associated device is adapted for carrying out the method, and a vehicle includes such a device.

Methods for extending a range of a vehicle are disclosed and include receiving a first data, the first data being indicative of a distance of the vehicle from a target destination, receiving a second data, the second data being indicative of a level of potential energy of an energy source for a power plant of the vehicle, receiving an operating parameter indicative of estimated future energy usage of the power plant, estimating, by a processor, an expected range of the vehicle based on the second data and the estimated future energy usage of the power plant, and adjusting a performance parameter of the power plant to extend an actual range of the vehicle when the estimated expected range is less than the distance of the vehicle from the target destination are disclosed. Systems for extending the range of the vehicle are also disclosed.

A method for analyzing the distribution of energy expenditures of a motor vehicle from data from a communications network and from parameters of the vehicle includes steps in which the energy expenditures of the vehicle over a journey are calculated, the said energy expenditures are analyzed by comparing them with at least one model of the vehicle simulating the same journey, an energy balance report is formulated on the basis of the analysis of the energy expenditures and of the fuel consumption and the said energy balance report is communicated to an external server.