The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 30, 2013
Filed:
Jan. 18, 2010
William Paul Perkins, Dearborn, MI (US);
Renata Michaela Arsenault, Plymouth, MI (US);
Alan Mcdonald, West Bloomfield, MI (US);
Richard M. Isaacs, Saline, MI (US);
Steven A. Daleiden, Milan, MI (US);
Allen Dennis Dobryden, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Jimmy H. Kapadia, Ottawa Hills, OH (US);
William Paul Perkins, Dearborn, MI (US);
Renata Michaela Arsenault, Plymouth, MI (US);
Alan McDonald, West Bloomfield, MI (US);
Richard M. Isaacs, Saline, MI (US);
Steven A. Daleiden, Milan, MI (US);
Allen Dennis Dobryden, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Jimmy H. Kapadia, Ottawa Hills, OH (US);
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A system and method is provided for indicating an efficiency level of energy usage by an automotive vehicle to a passenger in the vehicle. The system includes a computer-readable storage medium, a controller, an interior-lighting system, and a display unit. The controller processes energy usage signals to obtain the given operating mode of the vehicle as well as indications of energy usage amounts that the passenger can control. The controller determines the efficiency level of energy usage by the vehicle based on the energy usage amounts and the given operating mode. The interior-lighting system illuminates at least a portion of the passenger compartment with ambient light having defined characteristics including a luminance and a color, the ambient light indicating the efficiency level. The display unit displays a graphical representation of the efficiency level.