INTELLIGENT REFUELLING AND/OR RECHARGING MESSAGE

Abstract

A motor vehicle includes a driver assistance system having a display unit and an evaluation unit for generating and displaying a refueling and/or recharging message which is generated in dependence on and independently of a fuel tank filling level or a state of charge of a battery and can be displayed for a defined time period. The evaluation unit is configured to check for the presence of conditions which are to be predefined, and given the presence of at least one condition, to generate a refueling and/or recharging message and to output the refueling and/or recharging message via the display unit.

Claims

1.-15. (canceled)

16. A driver assistance system in a vehicle having at least one of a fuel tank and a battery, the driver assistance system comprising: a display unit; and an evaluation unit configured to: check for existence of predefined conditions, generate at least one of a refueling message and a recharging message, when at least one of the predefined conditions exists, and in dependence on and independently of, a filling level of the fuel tank or a state of charge of the battery, control the display unit to display the at least one of the refueling message and the recharging message for a predefined time period, and output the at least one of the refueling message and the recharging message via the display unit by vibration and/or haptically.

17. The driver assistance system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the vehicle has one or more driver assistance surroundings sensors, and the predefined conditions include at least one of a possibility of reaching a current destination, a possibility of reaching a future destination, an instantaneous driving situation derived from data of one or more of the driver assistance surroundings sensors, a number of persons in the vehicle, and personal stipulations of a driver.

18. The driver assistance system as claimed in claim 17, further comprising an input unit configured to receive an input, wherein the personal stipulations of the driver are input via the input unit or are learnt by the driver assistance system from a behavior and from preferences of the driver.

19. The driver assistance system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the at least one of the refueling message and the recharging message are further output acoustically, graphically, visually and/or by voice.

20. The driver assistance system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the at least one of the refueling message and the recharging message requires confirmation by a driver when the filling level of the fuel tank or the state of charge of the battery is below a predetermined threshold.

21. The driver assistance system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the vehicle has a navigation system, and the display unit displays the at least one of the refueling message and the recharging message as a graphic refueling message and/or a graphic recharging message, including an indication of distance, in the navigation system of the vehicle.

22. The driver assistance system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the driver assistance system receives information about at least one of refueling stations and recharging stations in a surrounding area via a mobile data link.

23. A method for generating and displaying at least one of a refueling message and a recharging message in a motor vehicle, the method comprising: checking for existence of one or more predefined conditions; generating, when at least one of the predefined conditions exists, and in dependence on and independently of, a fuel tank filling level of the motor vehicle or a state of charge of a battery of the motor vehicle, the at least one of the refueling message and the recharging message; and outputting the at least one of the refueling message and the recharging message in at least one defined time interval, by vibration and/or haptically.

24. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the one or more predefined conditions include at least one of a possibility of reaching a current destination, a future destination, an instantaneous driving situation derived from data of one or more driver assistance surroundings sensors, a number of persons in the vehicle, and personal stipulations of a driver.

25. The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the personal stipulations of the driver are input via an input unit or are learnt by a driver assistance system from a behavior and from preferences of the driver.

26. The method as claimed in claim 23, further comprising outputting the at least one of the refueling message and the recharging message acoustically, graphically, visually and/or by voice.

27. The method as claimed in claim 23, further comprising requesting a driver to confirm the at least one of the refueling message and the recharging message, when the filling level of the tank or the state of the charge of the battery is below a predetermined threshold.

28. The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein the at least one of the refueling message and the recharging message are displayed as a graphic refueling message and/or a graphic recharging message, including an indication of distance, in a navigation system of the vehicle.

29. The method as claimed in claim 23, further comprising receiving, via a mobile data link, information about at least one of refueling stations and charging stations in a surrounding area.

30. A motor vehicle, comprising: a chassis; at least one of a fuel tank and a battery; and a driver assistance system including: a display unit; and an evaluation unit configured to: check for existence of predefined conditions, generate at least one of a refueling message and a recharging message, when at least one of the predefined conditions exists, and in dependence on and independently of, a filling level of the fuel tank or a state of charge of the battery, control the display unit to display the at least one of the refueling message and the recharging message for a predefined time period, and output the at least one of the refueling message and the recharging message via the display unit by vibration and/or haptically.

31. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 30, further comprising a steering wheel, wherein the evaluation unit outputs the at least one of the refueling message and the recharging message via the display unit by vibrating the steering wheel.

32. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 30, wherein the predefined conditions include at least one of a possibility of reaching a current destination based on at least one of a current filling level of the fuel tank and a current state of charge of the battery, and the evaluation unit generates the at least one of the refueling message and the recharging message when a distance to be traveled to the current destination cannot be reached based on the at least one of the current filling level of the fuel tank and the current state of charge of the battery.

33. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 32, wherein the evaluation unit generates the at least one of the refueling message and the recharging message when the distance to be traveled to the current destination cannot be reached based on the at least one of the current filling level of the fuel tank and the current state of charge of the battery, independently of whether the filling level of the fuel tank or the state of charge of the battery is below a predetermined minimum value.

34. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 30, wherein the evaluation unit is configured to suppress generation of the at least one of the refueling message and the recharging message when a critical driving situation is recognized by the driver assistance system, and to output the at least one of the refueling message and the recharging message after the driver assistance system determines the critical driving situation has ended.

35. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 34, further comprising a steering wheel, wherein the driver assistance system recognizes the critical driving situation based on at least one of a bend profile of a section of a road currently being traveled on by the motor vehicle, a distance from another vehicle, a velocity, and how firmly a steering wheel is being gripped by the driver.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] These and other aspects and advantages will become more apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction

with reference to the drawings, of which:

[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a vehicle cockpit with components of an embodiment of the driver assistance system described herein, and

[0022] FIG. 2 is an example of a navigation screen as part of the embodiment of the driver assistance system from FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0023] Reference will now be made in detail to the example embodiments which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

[0024] Further advantages and refinements can be found in the description and the accompanying drawings.

[0025] Of course, the features which are described above and which are still to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0026] A schematic illustration provided in FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle cockpit with components of a driver assistance system. The driver assistance system has a display unit 12. The display unit 12 can be here a screen as part of a navigation system. An evaluation unit 16, which is configured to check conditions which are to be predefined is also indicated. An individual refueling message 18 may be generated on the basis of the check and when at least one condition is satisfied. This refueling message 18 can be output to a driver via, for example, the display unit 12.

[0027] Facts and influencing factors which are taken into account for the conditions and therefore also for their evaluation can include, for example, future destinations. For example, a condition can be stored that a refueling message is to be generated if the distance which can be covered with the fuel which is still present in a fuel tank of the vehicle is less than a future route, stored in the navigation system of the vehicle, to a destination. If either the driver assistance system or the evaluation unit 16 detects that a future destination is reached only with a refueling stop which is to be scheduled, the evaluation unit 16 generates a refueling message 18 which informs the driver about this. The message is also generated when, for example, the fuel tank filling level has not yet dropped below a minimum filling quantity of a vehicle fuel tank. However, the method of outputting differs depending on how much fuel is still present in the vehicle fuel tank. Initially, a refueling message which states that it is necessary to refuel during the journey is, for example, output only temporarily at time intervals, for example by including a short text message or a symbol which appears temporarily on a display of the display unit. If the fuel in the vehicle fuel tank decreases, the refueling message is, for example, supported by an acoustic signal and/or refueling stations in the surroundings are displayed on a map in the navigation menu, as is outlined, for example, in FIG. 2. In addition, a constant display of the refueling message may then also occur.

[0028] A further stored condition can take into account an instantaneous driving situation. For example, a refueling message is not to be output during a critical driving situation. By using sensors, the driver assistance system can derive a critical driving situation, for example by using a bend profile of the section of road, a distance from vehicles traveling ahead and/or behind, the velocity or how firmly the steering wheel is being gripped. If the system detects that such a critical driving situation is present and if the fuel tank filling level reaches a point at which in a normal situation a refueling message would be generated, a refueling message 18 remains suppressed during a critical driving situation and is not output until after the situation has eased.

[0029] It is also conceivable that a number of persons in the vehicle is taken into account for one of the conditions. The corresponding condition can be, for example, that if just one person is located in the vehicle, specifically the driver, a generated refueling message which is to be output is supported by a corresponding acoustic indication and/or a voice output. If the system detects that just one person, specifically the driver, is located in the vehicle, the system assists a generated refueling message 18 which is to be output by using an additional voice output 20 and/or a corresponding acoustic indication.

[0030] Personal stipulations of the driver can also be taken into account. Personal stipulations of the driver can be transferred, for example, via an input unit 14 to the driver assistance system or can be learnt by using repeated characteristic behavior of the driver assistance system. The personal stipulations include, for example, price ranges within which the driver would preferably like to refuel the vehicle. If the driver assistance system detects, via a mobile data link, that a refueling station in the surrounding area offers fuel in this price range, a refueling message 18 can be generated without refueling being absolutely necessary. Refueling messages 18 can also be provided with a refueling suggestion with prices. Refueling suggestions can concentrate on brands which are preferred by the driver and can contain information about prices and a possible deviation from the planned route. When refueling stations are displayed on a navigation screen, preferred brands can be emphasized and other non-preferred brands can be displayed in a less pronounced color scheme.

[0031] Further conditions are conceivable and do not depart from the scope of the disclosure.

[0032] In a further refinement it is conceivable for refueling messages 18 to be output by using various options. For example, an acoustic tone 20, which signals the need for refueling to the driver, is conceivable. Likewise, the refueling message can include a visual signal 22 in that, for example, a light lights up in the display unit. Graphic messages, for example in the screen of a navigation system, are also conceivable. If the remaining quantity in the vehicle fuel tank is critical, a vibration 24, for example of a steering wheel, can also occur in order to alert the driver to the situation. A refueling message 18 can also be output in a combination of the specified options.

[0033] If the driver assistance system detects, after the starting of the vehicle, that the vehicle has to be refueled and if the remaining range is small, a refueling message can be issued which the driver has to confirm.

[0034] A description has been provided with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof and examples, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the claims which may include the phrase “at least one of A, B and C” as an alternative expression that means one or more of A, B and C may be used, contrary to the holding in Superguide v. DIRECTV, 358 F3d 870, 69 USPQ2d 1865 (Fed. Cir. 2004).