Patent ID: 8786418
Filing Date: 2014-07-22
Classification: B60L,B60Q,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A system for visually informing a vehicle occupant of changes in vehicle operating parameters including fuel consumption, electric power consumption and battery recharging on a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, an electric traction motor, and a storage battery, the system comprising: a vacuum sensor fitted to the engine; a motor power draw sensor associated with the motor; a battery recharging sensor associated with the battery; a vehicle system controller associated with said sensors; and ambient interior lights that are associated with said controller and that include footwell lights, cupholder lights, dome lights, sidewall lights, lights beneath the vehicle seat, lights beneath the vehicle's instrument panel, or a combination thereof, whereby the controller is programmed to change a color of the lights from a warm color to a harsh color in response to increased fuel consumption, change the color of the lights to green during motor electric power consumption, change the color of the lights to green during battery charging, or a combination of the color changes.