||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||l||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
`
`U5005954781A
`
`United States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`Slepian et al.
`
`[111
`
`[45]
`
`Patent Number:
`
`5,954,781
`
`Date of Patent:
`
`Sep. 21, 1999
`
`I54]
`
`METHOD AN!) APPARATUS FOR
`Ol’I‘IMIZING VEHICLE OPERATION
`
`I75!
`
`Inventors: Harvey Slepian, Peoria; Loran Sutton,
`East Peoria, both of 111.
`
`[73!
`
`Assignee: TAS Distributing Col, Inc” puma, 11].
`
`[31]
`
`I33]
`
`I51]
`[52]
`
`[58]
`
`I50!
`
`APPI- N03 "Sim-"49270
`Fiicd:
`Mar. 10 1997
`’
`_
`Int. Cl." ...................................................... .. G061? 7100
`U.S. Cl.
`....................... .. 701196; 701;“ 103; 340r'4255;
`340,438
`Field of Search .............................. ,, 701,!1, 121, 123,
`7015101, 102, 103, 104, (3161 300; 1231473,
`480, 351, 481; 3405903, 4255, 425, 436,
`438
`
`References Cited
`, H
`.,
`,, .
`,
`,
`,
`U'S' PM LNr DOCUML'N lb
`1:1985
`Igarashi .31 3|,
`,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, _, 7331113
`4,492,112
`0;]985 Weber
`3641424
`4,542,4fifl
`
`.... .. 340162
`1244986 BIee et al.
`4,631,515
`
`
`- 39414241
`4,791,353 IOU-937 UIV'Cland
`
`$3“? :1 a"
`- 36:32:;
`_,'>,. . 0e
`.r..
`
`9tt989 Kawanabe el al.
`354:442
`4,868,756
`
`21990 Chastcen ........ ..
`123mg
`49m 701
`
`__ mum,
`5320’?”
`5,1995 Bum“ el al‘
`
`.. 7"Olr'96
`5,708,584
`111998 Doi et a].
`5345.810
`4r1998 Yamamoto el al.
`.................... .. 701m
`
`Pftmti'fiv ExmninerhWilliam A. (Tuchlinski. J r.
`Assistant Examiner—Gertrude Arthur
`Attorney; Agent, or Firm—Haynes and Boone, LLlJ
`_
`‘
`1
`[37]
`A351 RACT
`
`Apparatus tor optimising operation 01 an engine-driven
`vehicle. The apparatus Includes a processor subsystem, a
`memory subsystem, a road speed sensor, an engine speed
`sensor. a manifold pressure sensor, a throttle position sensor,
`a radar detector for determining the distance separating the
`vehicle from an object
`in front of it, a windshield wiper
`sensor for indicating whether a windshield wiper of the
`vehicle is activated, a brake sensor for determining whether
`the brakes of the vehicle have been activated, a fuel over-
`injection notification circuit for issuing notifications that
`excessive Fuel is being supplied to the engine of the vehicle,
`an upshift notification circuit for issuing notifications that
`the engine of the vehicle is being operated at an excessive
`engine speed, a downshit‘t notification circuit for issuing
`notifications that the engine of the vehicle is being operated
`at an insuficient engine speed, a vehicle proximity alarm
`circuit for issuing an alarm that the vehicle is too elem: to an
`object in front of the vehicle and a throttle controller for
`automatically reducing the amount of fuel supplied to the
`engine if the vehicle is too close to the object in front of it.
`Based upon data received from the sensors and data stored
`in the memory subsystem, the processor determines whether
`,
`,
`,--,‘ - .-.-
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`1" Thlival°fim€
`.fu‘].°"°.““g]'jcé‘°" “Sigma?” ‘1'“"31' “.1”
`"psnnpml cat‘PnF'rw'l‘l "1 “W “"0” cam" cucun’
`the vehicle pIOXtmlly alarm Cll‘ClJll or the throttle controller.
`
`32 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`'3
`20
`
`22
`
`24
`
`25
`
`28
`
`F
`RQQENE'OEED
`
`
`
`MANIFOLD PSI
`SENSOR
`
`THROTTLE
`SENSOR
`
`THROTTLE
`CONTROLLER
`
`RADAR
`DETECTOR
`
`30
`
`ItI‘lNDSHIELD WIPER
`SENSOR
`
`32
`
`BRAKE
`SENSOR
`
`
`
`44
`
`POWER
`SUPPLY
`
`MEMORY suasrsrra
`SPEED/DISTANCE TABLE 2
`SPEED/DISTANCE TABLE 1
`REGISTER
`REGISTER
`
`‘4
`Ed
`MC
`Mb
`‘1
`
`15
`
`12
`
`PROCESSOR
`SUBSYSTEN
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`43
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`
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`UPSH{FF NOTIFICAIION
`CIRCUIT
`
`nowNSHtt-"t NOIIFECATIDN
`CIRCUIT
`
`OVER INJECTION
`NOTIFICATION CIRCUII
`
`VEHICLE PROXIMITY
`NARI] CIRCUIT
`
`34
`
`55
`
`38
`
`49
`
`UNIFIED 1001
`
`UNIFIED 1001
`
`1
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 21, 1999
`
`Sheet 1 of 3
`
`5,954,781
`
`9
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`

`US. Patent
`
`Scp.21,1999
`
`Sheet 2 of3
`
`5,954,781
`
`Fig. 2A
`6°
`
`52
`READ SENSORS
`
`SELECT DISTANCE/SPEED
`TABLE BASED ON
`
`WIPER STATE
`VEHICLE
`
`
`SPEED GREATER
`
`
`
`THAN 0 MPH”3
`
`
` READ SENSORS
`
`50
`
`62
`
`
`
`
`
`DETERMINE DISTANCE
`TO OBJECT
`
`64
`
`68
`
`66
`
`DISTANCE
`TO OBJECT WITHIN
`
`
`STOPPING DISTANCE
`
`
`
`VEHICLE
`FOR SPEED?
`
`SPEED GREATER
`
`
`THAN 20 MPH?
`
`
`
`VEHICLE
`
`
`BRAKE ON?
` VEHICLE
`
`
`SPEED GREATER
`
`THAN 50 MPH
`
`
`
`TO
`
`
`
`
`VEHICLE
`SPEED LESS THAN
`
`35 MPH?
`
`
`DEACTIVATE CIRCUIT
`
`NO
`
`
` ROAD
`SPEED
`
` CHANGING?
`
`DECREASING
`
`SELECT THROTTLE
`REDUCTION Z BASED
`ON ALARM NUMBER
`
`INCREASING
`
`REDUCE THROTTLE
`
`ALARM BASED ON
`
`
`
`BY SELECTED 23
` THROTTLE
` SELECT PROXIMITY
` ALARM NUMBER
`POSITION
`
`NC REASI NC?
`
`
`THROTTLE
`
`POSITION
`CHANGING?
`
`
`o
`
`
`
`93
`
`INCREASING
`
`
`
`72
`
`74
`
`75
`
`3
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Scp.21,1999
`
`Sheet 3 of3
`
`5,954,781
`
`0
`
`92
`
`0
`
`mg. 213
`
`
` MANIFOLD
`YES
`PSI ABOVE
`
`SET POINT?
`
`
`SOUND OVER—
`
`INJECTION TONE
`
`
`96
`
`READ SENSORS
`
`
`
`ISSUE SELECTED
`PROXIMITY ALARM
`
`READ SENSORS
`
`SET POINT?
`
`93
`
`95
`
`94
`
`
`ENGINE
`SPEED AT RPM
`
`SOUND UPSHIFT TONE
`
`
`
`IOO
`
`NO
`
` MANIFOLD
`
`
`PSI
`NCREASING?
`
`
`YES
`
`1 02
`
`YES
`
`RPM
`INCREASING?
`
`
`
`
`
`SOUND OVER—
`INJECTION TONE
`
`
`
`READ SENSORS
`
`108
`
`
`
`
`
`
`RPM
`DECREASING?
`
`YES
`
`SOUND
`DOWNSHIFI TONE
`
`I 10
`
`4
`
`

`

`5,954,781
`
`1
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`OPTIMIZING VEHICLE OPERATION
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for
`optimizing vehicle operation and, more particularly, relates
`to a system which both notifies the driver of recommended
`corrections in vehicle operation and, under certain
`conditions, automatically initiates selected corrective action.
`2. Description of Related Art
`It has long been recognized that the improper operation of
`a vehicle may have many adverse effects. For example, the
`fuel eficiency of a vehicle may vary dramatically based
`upon how the vehicle is operated. More specifically, operfi
`ating a vehicle at excessive speed, excessive RPM andr'or
`excessive manifold pressure will result in both reduced fuel
`economy and increased operating costs. The aforementioned
`increased operating costs can be quite considerable, particu-
`larly for an owner or operator of a fleet of vehicles. To
`correct these types of improper vehicle operations are often
`surprisingly simple. For example, upshifting the drive gear
`will
`typically eliminate an excessive RPM condition.
`However, even when the solution is quite simple,
`oftentimes, the driver will be unaware of the need to take
`COIICCITVC action.
`
`A variety of patents have disclosed systems, commonly
`referred to as "shift prompters“, which monitor the operation
`of a vehicle and advises the operator of the vehicle when to
`take certain actions. Numerous ones of these devices include
`sensors which measure engine speed and vehicle speed. See,
`for example. U.S. Pat. No. 4,492,112 to lgarashi et al., US.
`Pat. No. 4,631,515 to Blee et at. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,701,852
`to Ulveland. Certain ones, however, disclose the use of other
`types of sensors as well. For example, US. Pat. No. 4,524,
`460 to Weber is directed to a driving aid indicator which
`includes vehicle speed, manifold pressure, throttle position
`and engine speed sensors. U.S. Pat. No. 4,752,883 to
`Asakura et a]. and US. Pat. No. 4,868,756 to Kawanabe et
`al. are directed to upshift notification devices which include
`sensors for measuring engine speed, vehicle speed, manifold
`pressure and cooling water temperature. Finally, U.S. Pat.
`No. 4,853,673 to Kido et a1. discloses a shift
`indicator
`system which includes sensors for measuring engine speed
`and throttle position. Generally, the above-listed patents all
`provide displays intended to enable the driver to operate the
`vehicle in a manner leading to uniform performance and
`maximum fuel economy. However, Blee et al. discloses the
`use of audible warnings as well as a speed controller to
`prevent
`further
`increases in engine speed if the driver
`ignores previously issued warnings.
`Improper vehicle operation has other adverse cflects as
`well. It is well known that the faster a vehicle travels, the
`longer it takes to stop. Thus, what may be a safe separation
`distance between successive vehicles when a vehicle is
`traveling at 35 mph may be unsafe if that vehicle is traveling
`at 50 mph. Road conditions also play a role in determining
`the safe separation distance between vehicles. For example,
`greater separation distances are generally recommended
`when roads are wet. As a result, therefore, based on the
`combination of a vehicle’s speed, the distance separating the
`vehicle from a second vehicle in front of it and road
`conditions, many vehicles are operated unsafely. To correct
`this situation, a reduction in operating speed, an increase in
`vehicle separation or some combination thereof, is required.
`It may be readily seen from the foregoing that it would be
`desirable to Provide a system which integrates the ability to
`
`10
`
`15
`
`an
`
`‘
`
`40
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`issue audible warnings which advise the driver to correct
`operation of the vehicle in a manner which will enhance the
`efficient operation thereof with the ability to automatically
`take corrective action if the vehicle is being operated
`unsafely.
`It
`is,
`therefore,
`the object of the invention to
`provide such a system.
`SUMMARY OF TIIIE. INVENTION
`
`In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to an
`apparatus for optimizing operation of an engine-driven
`vehicle. The apparatus includes a processor subsystem, a
`memory subsystem, plural sensors, including road speed,
`manifold pressure and throttle position sensors, for collec-
`tively monitoring operation of the vehicle and a fuel over—
`injection notification circuit for issuing notifications that
`exceSsive fuel is being supplied to the engine of the vehicle.
`The processor subsystem receives data from the sensors and,
`from the received data, determines when to activate the fuel
`overinjection circuit. In one aspect thereof, the processor
`subsystem determines when road speed for the vehicle is
`increasing, determines when throttle position for the vehicle
`is increasing, compares manifold pressure and a manifold
`pressure set point stored in the memory subsystem and
`activates the fuel overinjection notification circuit if both
`road speed and throttle position for the vehicle are increas-
`ing and manifold pressure for the vehicle is above the
`manifold pressure set point.
`In further aspects thereof, the sensors may include an
`engine speed sensor and the processor subsystem may
`determine when road speed for the vehicle is decreasing,
`when throttle position for the vehicle is increasing, when
`manifold pressure for the vehicle is increasing, when engine
`speed for the vehicle is decreasing and may activate the fuel
`overinjeclion notification circuit if both throttle position and
`manifold pressure for the vehicle are increasing and road
`speed and engine speed for the vehicle are decreasing.
`In still further aspects thereof,
`the apparatus may also
`include an upshift notification circuit, activated by the
`processor subsystem based upon data received from the
`sensors, which issues notifications that
`the engine of the
`vehicle is being operated at excessive engine speeds. In this
`aspect, the processor subsystem determines when road speed
`for the vehicle is increasing, when throttle position for the
`vehicle is increasing, compares manifold pressure to a
`manifold pressure set point stored in the memory subsystem.
`compares engine speed to art RPM set point stored in the
`memory subsystem and activates the upshit‘t notification
`circuit if both road speed and throttle position for the vehicle
`are increasing, manifold pressure for the vehicle is at or
`below the manifold pressure set point and engine speed for
`the vehicle is at or above the RPM set point.
`In still yet further aspects thereof, the apparatth may also
`include a downshift notification circuit, activated by the
`processor subsystem based upon data received from the
`sensors, which issues a notification that the engine of the
`vehicle is being operated at an insufficient engine speed. The
`processor subsystem may determine when road speed for the
`vehicle is decreasing, when throttle position for the vehicle
`is increasing, when manifold pressure for the vehicle is
`increasing, when engine speed for the vehicle is decreasing
`and may activate the downshift notification circuit if both
`road speed and engine speed are decreasing and both throttle
`position and manifold pressure for the vehicle are increas-
`ing.
`the fuel overinjeclion
`further aspects thereof,
`In still
`circuit,
`the upshift notification circuit or the downshift
`
`5
`
`

`

`5,954,781
`
`3
`notification circuit may include a horn for issuing a tone for
`a preselected time period.
`In another embodiment, the present invention is of an
`apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle. The appa-
`ratus includes road speed, engine speed, manifold pressure
`and throttle position sensors, a processor subsystem coupled
`to each of the sensors to receive data therefrom and a
`memory subsystem, coupler] to the processor subsystem, for
`storing a manifold pressure set point, an engine speed set
`point and present and prior levels for each one of the sensors.
`The apparatus further includes a fuel overinjection notifica-
`tion circuit, an upshift notification circuit and a downshift
`notification circuit, all of which are coupled to the processor
`subsystem. The fuel overinjection notification circuit issues
`notifications that excessive fuel
`is being supplied to the
`engine of the vehicle, the upshift notification circuit issues
`notifications that the engine of the vehicle is being operated
`at an excessive engine speed and the downshift notification
`circuit issues notifications that the engine of the vehicle is
`being operated at an insuflicient engine speed. Based upon
`data received from the sensors,
`the proCessor subsystem
`determines when to activate the fuel overinjection circuit,
`the upshift notification circuit and the downshift notification
`circuit. In one aspect thereof. the fuel overinjection circuit
`includes a first horn for issuing a first
`tone for a first
`preselected time period,
`the upshift notification circuit
`includes a second born for issuing a second tone for a second
`preselected time period and the downshift notification circuit
`includes a third horn for issuing a third tone for a third
`preselected time period.
`In another aspect thereof, the processor subsystem may
`determine when road speed for the vehicle is increasing or
`decreasing, engine speed is increasing or decreasing, throttle
`position for the vehicle is increasing and manifold pressure
`is increasing; may compare manifold pressure to the mani~
`fold pressure set point and engine speed to the RPM set
`point; and may activate the fuel overinjection notification
`circuit if both road speed and throttle position for the vehicle
`are increasing and manifold pressure for the vehicle is above
`the manifold pressure set point or if both throttle position
`and manifold pressure for the vehicle are increasing and
`road speed and engine speed for the vehicle are decreasing,
`the upshift notification circuit if both road speed and throttle
`position for the vehicle are increasing, manifold pressure for
`the vehicle is at or below the manifold pressure set point and
`engine speed for the vehicle is at or above the RPM set point
`and the downshift notification circuit if both road speed and
`engine speed are decreasing and both throttle position and
`manifold pressure for the vehicle are increasing.
`In another aspect, the present invention is of an apparatus
`for optimizing operation of a vehicle which includes a radar
`detector for determining a distance separating a vehicle
`having an engine and an object in front ofthe vehicle and at
`least one sensor for monitoring operation of the vehicle. The
`apparatus further includes a processor subsystem, a memory
`subsystem and a vehicle proximity alarm circuit. The pro-
`cessor subsystem is coupled to the radar detector anti the at
`least one sensor to receive data therefrom while the memory
`subsystem, in which a first vehicle speedl’stopping distance
`table and present levels for each one of the at
`least one
`sensor are stored, and the vehicle proximity alarm circuit are
`coupled to the processor subsystem, Based on data received
`from the radar detector,
`the at
`least one sensor and the
`contents of the memory subsystem, the processor determines
`when to instruct the vehicle proximity alarm circuit to issue
`an alarm that the vehicle is too close to the object.
`In one aspect
`thereof,
`the at
`least one sensor further
`includes a windshield wiper sensor for indicating whether a
`
`4
`windshield wiper of the vehicle is activated and a second
`vehicle speedr'stopping distance table is stored in the
`memory subsystem. In another aspect thereof, the apparatus
`further includes a throttle controller for controlling a throttle
`of the engine of the vehicle. The processor subsystem may
`selectively reduce the throttle based upon data received from
`the radar detector, the at least one sensor and the memory
`subsystem or may also count a total number of vehicle
`proximity alarms determined by the processor subsystem
`and selectively reduce the throttle based upon the total
`number of vehicle proximity alarms, as well. In yet another
`aspect
`thereof, the at
`least one sensor further includes a
`brake sensor for indicating whether a brake system of the
`vehicle is activated.
`
`In other aspects thereof, the apparatus may be further
`provided with a fuel overinjection notification circuit for
`issuing a notification that excessive fuel is being supplied to
`the engine of the vehicle, an upshift notification circuit for
`issuing a notification that the engine of the vehicle is being
`operated at an excessive engine speed or a downshift noti-
`fication circuit for issuing a notification that the engine of the
`vehicle is being operated at an insufficient engine speed. If
`a fuel overinjection notification circuit
`is provided,
`the
`apparatus includes a manifold pressure sensor and a throttle
`position sensor which also provide the processor subsystem
`with data used, together with a manifold pressure set point
`and prior levels for the sensors stored in the memory
`subsystem,
`to determine when to activate the fuel overin-
`jection circuit. If an upshift notification circuit is provided,
`the apparatus includes an engine speed sensor which also
`provides the processor subsystem with data used, together
`with an RPM set point stored in the memory subsystem. to
`determine when to activate the upshift notification circuit.
`Finally, if a downshift notification circuit is provided, the
`processor subsystem determines when to activate the down-
`shift notification circuit based upon the data received from
`the plurality of sensors.
`In still another embodiment, the present invention is of an
`apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle which
`includes a radar detector for determining a distance sepa-
`rating the vehicle from an object in front ofit, a plurality of
`sensors,
`including a road speed sensor, an engine speed
`sensor, a manifold pressure sensor and a throttle position
`sensor, which collectively monitor the operation of the
`vehicle, a processor subsystem, a memory subsystem, a fuel
`overinjection notification circuit for issuing notification that
`excessive fuel is being supplied to the engine of the vehicle
`and a vehicle proximity alarm circuit for issuing alarms if
`the vehicle is too close to the object. Based upon data
`received from the sensors, the processor subsystem deter-
`mines when to activate the fuel overinjection circuit. Based
`upon data received from the radar detector, the sensors and
`the memory subsystem, the processor subsystem also deter-
`mines when to activate the vehicle proximity alarm circuit.
`In one aspect of this embodiment of the invention, the
`processor subsystem determines when road speed for the
`vehicle is increasing or decreasing, when throttle position
`for the vehicle is increasing or decreasing, compares mani-
`fold pressure to a manifold pressure set point stored in the
`memory subsystem, determines when manifoch pressure for
`the vehicle is increasing or decreasing and determines when
`engine speed for the vehicle is increasing or decreasing. In
`this aspect, the processor subsystem activates the fuel over—
`injection notification circuit if both road speed and throttle
`position for the vehicle are increasing and manifold pressure
`for the vehicle is above the manifold pressure set point or if
`both throttle position and manifold pressure for the vehicle
`
`it]
`
`15
`
`H
`
`3f]
`
`‘
`
`40
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`6
`
`

`

`5,954,781
`
`10
`
`15
`
`5
`are increasing and road speed and engine speed for the
`vehicle are decreasing.
`In a further aspect thereof, the apparatus may also include
`an upshift notification circuit for issuing notifications that
`the engine of the vehicle is being operated at an excessive
`engine speed, the processor subsystem determining when to
`activate the upshilt notification circuit based upon data
`received from the sensors. In a related aspect thereof, the
`processor subsystem determines when road speed for the
`vehicle is increasing, determines when throttle position for
`the vehicle is increasing, compares manifold pressure to a
`manifold pressure set point stored in the memory subsystem
`and compares engine speed to an RPM set point stored in the
`memory subsystem. In this aspect, the processor subsystem
`activates the upshift notification circuit if both road speed
`and throttle position for the vehicle are increasing, manifold
`pressure for the vehicle is at or below the manifold pressure
`set point and engine speed for the vehicle is at or above the
`RPM set point.
`thereof, the apparatth may also
`In still another aspect
`include a downshift notification circuit for issuing a notifi-
`cation that the engine of the vehicle is being operated at an
`insufficient engine speed. In this aspect, the processor sub—
`system determines when to activate the downshil't notifica-
`tion circuit based upon data received from the sensors. In a “
`related aspect thereof, the processor subsystem determines
`when road speed [or the vehicle is decreasing, determines
`when throttle position for the vehicle is increasing, deter-
`mines when manifold pressure for the vehicle is increasing
`and determines when engine speed for
`the vehicle is
`decreasing. In this aspect, the processor subsystem activates
`the downshift notification circuit
`if both road speed and
`engine speed are decreasing and both throttle position and
`manifold pressure for the vehicle are increasing.
`
`3o
`
`35
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The present invention may be better understood, and its
`numerotts objects, features and advantages will become
`apparent
`to those skilled in the art by reference to the
`accompanying drawing, in which:
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus for optimizing
`vehicle performance constructed in accordance with the
`teachings of the present invention; and
`l-‘IGS. 2A—B is a flow chart of a method for optimizing
`vehicle performance in accordance with the teachings of the
`present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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`to FIG. 1, a system It] for optimizing
`Referring first
`vehicle performance constructed in accordance with the
`teachings of the present invention will now be described in
`greater detail. The system 10 includes a processor subsystem
`12, for example, a microprocessor, and a memory subsystem _
`14, for example, the memory subsystem 14 may include a
`nonvolatile random access memory (or "NVRAM"),
`coupled together by a bus 16 for iii-directional exchanges of
`address, data and control signals thcrcbetween. The system
`10 is installed in a vehicle (not shown) for which optimized
`performance and driver assist capabilities are desired.
`Although it is contemplated that the system 10 is suitable for
`use with any type vehicle, most commonly, the system 10
`shall be installed in a truck.
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`Also coupled to the processor subsystem 12 are a series of
`sensors, each of which are periodically polled by the pro-
`cessor subsystem 12, to determine the respective states or
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`levels thereof. The sensors include a road speed sensor 18,
`an RPM sensor 20, a manifold pressure sensor 22, a throttle
`sensnr 24, a windshield wiper sensor 30 and a brake sensor
`32. The sensors are selected to be either state or level
`sensors, depending on whether the information to be col—
`lected thereby is a state, i.e., oni’ofic or a level, for example,
`35 mph. The road speed sensor 18 and the RPM sensor 20
`are level sensors which respectively provide the processor
`subsystem 12 with signals which indicate the operating
`Speed and engine speed for the vehicle. The road speed
`sensor 18 and the RPM sensor 20 may derive such infor-
`mation from any one of a variety of sources. For example,
`the road speed sensor 18 may be connected to receive the
`speed input signal transmitted to the vehicle’s speedometer
`while the RPM sensor 20 may be connected to receive the
`RPM input signal to the vehicle’s tachometer.
`The manifold pressure sensor 22 is a level sensor which
`is positioned downstream of the throttle Valve in the intake
`manifold of the vehicle to measure manifold pressure
`thereat. The throttle sensor 24 is a level sensor. attached to
`the throttle, which measures the extent to which the throttle
`is opened. The windshield wiper sensor 30 is a state sensor
`which determines whether the vehicle’s windshield wipers
`are on or otf. In alternate embodiments thereof, the wind-
`shield wiper sensor 30 may be electrically coupled to the
`onfofl‘ switch for the windshield wiper or to an output of the
`windshield wiper motor. Finally, the brake sensor 32 is a
`state sensor which determines whether the brakes of the
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`vehicle have been engaged. For example, the brake sensor
`32 may be electrically coupled to the brake system to detect
`the activation thereof.
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`Preferably, the memory subsystem 14 should include first
`and second registers 14a and 14b, each having su fficient bits
`[or holding the stateflevel of each ol‘ the sensors 18, 20, 22,
`24, 30 and 32. The first register 140 is used to hold the
`present state or level of each of the sensors 18, 20, 22, 24,
`30 and 32 while the second register 14b is used to hold the
`prior state or level for each of the sensors 18, 20, 22, 24, 30
`and 32. Each time the processor subsystem 12 writes the
`present state or level of the sensors 18, 20, 22, 24, 30 and 32
`to the first register 140, the prior contents of the first register
`14a is written to the second register 14th which, in turn,
`discards the prior content thereof. The memory subsystem
`14 is also used to hold information to be utilized by the
`processor subsystem 12 to determining whether to take
`corrective actions andtor issue notifications. 'I'ypically, such
`information is placed in the memory subsystem 14 while the
`system II] is being initialized. The information includes one
`or more speedr'distancc tables which, when used in a manner
`which will be more fully described below in combination
`with data collected by the system 10, enable the processor
`subsystem 12 to determine if the vehicle is being operated
`unsafer and if corrective action is necessary. Speedt
`stopping distance table. The information also includes two
`pre-set threshold values—a manifold psi set point and an
`engine RPM set point. As will also be more fully described
`below,
`the processor subsystem 12 uses these threshold
`values to determine when to issue notifications as to rec-
`ommended changes in vehicle operation which, when
`executed by the driver, will optimize vehicle operation. The
`speedtstopping distance table(s) are based upon National
`Safety Council guidelines, vary according to the class of the
`vehicle and provide the relationship between the speed at
`which a vehicle is travelling and the distance which the
`vehicle will require to come to a complete stop if travelling
`at that speed. The manifold psi set point and RPM set point
`are selected based upon the manufacturer’s guidelines for
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`proper operation of the vehicle, vary based upon horsepower
`and engine size for the vehicle and represent
`thresholds
`above which the manifold pressure and engine rotation
`speed, respectively, for the vehicle should never exceed.
`The system 10 also includes a throttle controller 26
`capable of opening andlor closing the throttle, a radar
`detector 28 positioned to determine the distance separating
`the vehicle and an object in front ofthe vehicle, for example,
`a second vehicle travelling in the same direction, a series of
`circuits 34, 36, 38 and 40 for notifying the driver of the
`vehicle of recommended corrections in vehicle operation
`and alerting the driver to unsafe operating conditions and a
`power supply, for example a +12 v battery, for providing
`power to the energy—dema nding components of the system
`10. The circuits 34, 36, 38 and 40 include an upshift
`notification circuit 34 for notifying the driver that an upshift
`is recommended, a downshiit notification circuit 36 for
`notifying the driver that a downshift is recommended, an
`overinjection notification circuit 38 for notifying the driver
`that too much fuel is being supplied to the vehicle and a
`vehicle proximity alarm circuit 40 for alerting the driver
`when an object in front of the vehicle is too close. The
`circuits 34, 36 and 38 may be configured to provide visual
`andlor audible notifications, for example, using lights andror
`horns. For example, the upshift circuit 34, the downsth H
`notification circuit 36 and the overinjection notification
`circuit 38 may each include a horn, or other tone generating
`device, from which an audible notification may be generated
`at a selected pitch. Preferably, each of the notification
`circuits 34, 36 and 38 may be configured to provide distinct
`audible notifications, for example, tones at distinct pitches,
`so that
`the driver may readily distinguish which of the
`notification circuits 34, 36 and 38 have been activated by the
`processor subsystem 12. The proximity alarm circuit 40 may
`include one or more visual andlor audible warning devices
`such as lights andlor horns. For example,
`the proximity
`alarm circuit 40 may include a warning light and a warning
`horn. Ifdesired, the proximity alarm circuit may also include
`a display for displaying the speed of the object
`in the
`vehicle’s path andfor the stopping distance in feet. The
`proximity alarm circuit 40 may be further equipped to
`provide audible indications of the speed of the object in the
`vehicle’s path andfor the stopping distance in feed as well as
`selector circuitry for selecting both the information to be
`provided as well as the manner in which the information is
`to be conveyor].
`Finally, the processor subsystem 12 is further provided
`with one or more mode select
`input
`lines which enable
`operator configuration of the operation of the system 10. For
`example, as described herein,
`the corrective operations
`consist of the combination of an automatic reduction of
`throttle and audiolvisual alerts that
`the vehicle is being
`operated unsafely. It is specifically contemplated, however,
`that the system 10 include a mode select line for switching
`the system 10 between an “active” mode where both auto-
`matic throttle reduction and audior'visual alerts are generated
`and an "inactive" mode where only audiolvisual alerts are
`generated.
`Referring next to FIGS. 2A—B, a method for optimizing
`vehicle performance in accordance with the teachings ot'the
`present invention will now be described in greater detail.
`The method commences by powering up the processor
`subsystem 12, for example, by closing switch 42, thereby
`coupling the processor subsystem 12 to the poWer source 44
`via line 43. Alternately, the processor subsystem 12 may be
`connected to the electrical system of the vehicle such that it
`will automatically power up when the vehicle is started. Of
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`course, any of the other devices which also form part of the
`system 10 and require power may also be coupled to the line
`43. Appropriate voltage levels for the processor subsystem
`12, as well as any additional powerdemanding devices
`coupled to the power source 44, would be provided by
`voltage divider circuitry (not shown).
`Once the system 10 is powered up, the method begins at
`step 50 by the processor subsystem 12 polling the road speed
`sensor 18, the RPM sensor 20, the manifold pressure sensor
`22, the throttle sensor 24, the windshield wiper sensor 30
`and the brake sensor 32 to determine their respective levels
`or states and places the acquired information in the first data
`reg