LATENCY REDUCTION SYSTEM

A latency reduction system for a vehicle is disclosed. The latency reduction system includes a vehicle processor for storing vehicle data including ignition status. The latency reduction system also includes a user device communicatively coupled to the vehicle processor and including data processing hardware storing a first predetermined paging latency time interval. Additionally, the latency reduction system includes a server communicatively coupled to the vehicle processor and the user device and configured to change the first predetermined paging latency time interval to a second predetermined paging latency time interval based on the ignition status.

INTRODUCTION

The present disclosure relates generally to a latency reduction system.

Cellular communications are used for various purposes. Cellular networks, such as 4G/5G cellular networks constantly receive new data to the core cellular network from which various devices can connect to have access to this data. Sometimes, new data is pegged for a specific wireless device.

Current cellular networks are programed with an inherent delay between the time new data destined to a wireless device arrives within the core cellular network and the time that the wireless device is available for receiving communication from the core cellular network. This delay may prevent critical information from reaching the wireless device in a time sufficient manner. Therefore, there remains a need for reducing this inherent delay under certain conditions.

SUMMARY

A latency reduction system for a vehicle is provided and includes a latency reduction module receiving vehicle data including ignition status and a vehicle telematics unit communicatively coupled to the latency reduction module and including memory hardware storing a first predetermined paging latency time interval and a second predetermined paging latency time interval, the latency reduction module configured to instruct the vehicle telematics unit to switch between the first predetermined paging latency time interval and the second predetermined paging latency time interval based on the ignition status.

The latency reduction system may include one or more of the following optional features. For example, when the ignition status is changed from an OFF state to an ON state, the first predetermined paging latency time interval may be changed to the second predetermined paging latency time interval. In some examples, when the ignition state is changed from an ON state to an OFF state, the second predetermined paging latency time interval is returned to the first predetermined paging latency time interval. In some examples, the first predetermined paging latency time interval is approximately 1.28 seconds. In some examples, the second predetermined paging latency time interval is less than approximately 1.28 seconds. In some examples, the second predetermined paging latency time interval is less than approximately 1.0 seconds. In some examples, the second predetermined paging latency time interval is less than approximately 0.75 seconds.

In another configuration, a latency reduction system for a vehicle is provided and includes a latency reduction module receiving vehicle data including ignition status and a vehicle telematics unit communicatively coupled to the latency reduction module and including memory hardware storing a first predetermined paging latency time interval and a second predetermined paging latency time interval, the latency reduction module configured to switch from the first predetermined paging latency time interval to the second predetermined paging latency time interval when the ignition status changes from an OFF state to an ON state and the latency reduction module configured to switch from the second predetermined paging latency time interval to the first predetermined paging latency time interval when the ignition status changes from the ON state to the OFF state.

The latency reduction system may include one or more of the following optional features. For example, the second predetermined paging latency time interval may be shorter than the first predetermined paging latency time interval.

In some examples, the first predetermined paging latency time interval is approximately 1.28 seconds or greater. In some examples, the second predetermined paging latency time interval is less than approximately 1.0 seconds. In some examples, the second predetermined paging latency time interval is less than approximately 0.75 seconds.

A body control module may be in communication with the latency reduction module, the body control module configured to provide the latency reduction module with the ignition status.

A vehicle may incorporate the latency reduction system described above.

In yet another example, a latency reduction system for a vehicle is provided and includes a latency reduction module receiving vehicle data including ignition status and a vehicle telematics unit communicatively coupled to the latency reduction module and including memory hardware storing a first predetermined paging latency time interval and a second predetermined paging latency time interval, the latency reduction module configured to instruct the vehicle telematics unit to switch between the first predetermined paging latency time interval and the second predetermined paging latency time interval based on a time elapsed since the last change in the ignition status.

The latency reduction system may include one or more of the following optional features. For example, the second predetermined paging latency time interval may be shorter than the first predetermined paging latency time interval. In some examples, when the ignition status is changed from an OFF state to an ON state, the first predetermined paging latency time interval is changed to the second predetermined paging latency time interval. In some examples, when the ignition state is changed from an ON state to an OFF state, the second predetermined paging latency time interval remains for a predetermined time and then is returned to the first predetermining paging latency time interval. In some examples, the second predetermined paging latency time interval is less than approximately 1.28 seconds.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The term “code,” as used above, may include software, firmware, and/or microcode, and may refer to programs, routines, functions, classes, and/or objects. The term “shared processor” encompasses a single processor that executes some or all code from multiple modules. The term “group processor” encompasses a processor that, in combination with additional processors, executes some or all code from one or more modules. The term “shared memory” encompasses a single memory that stores some or all code from multiple modules. The term “group memory” encompasses a memory that, in combination with additional memories, stores some or all code from one or more modules. The term “memory” may be a subset of the term “computer-readable medium.” The term “computer-readable medium” does not encompass transitory electrical and electromagnetic signals propagating through a medium, and may therefore be considered tangible and non-transitory memory. Non-limiting examples of a non-transitory memory include a tangible computer readable medium including a nonvolatile memory, magnetic storage, and optical storage.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a vehicle 10 including a telematics unit 12 having a latency reduction module 14 is provided. The vehicle 10, described below, is contemplated to be an electric vehicle (EV) and may include autonomous or semi-autonomous capabilities. Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle 10 may be a hybrid vehicle incorporating both EV and internal combustion engine (ICE) components and capabilities. Additionally, the vehicle 10 may include only an internal combustion engine or other power source, if desired.

With particular reference to FIG. 2, the telematics unit 12 is shown in communication with a body control module (BCM) 16 and a cellular tower 18. The telematics unit 12 includes processing hardware 20 and memory hardware 22 that respectively execute and store the latency reduction module 14. The BCM 16 is in communication with the telematics unit 12 and provides the latency reduction module 14 with information relating to the state of the vehicle 10. Specifically, the BCM 16 provides the telematics unit 12 and the latency reduction module 14 with information regarding the state of a vehicle ignition which, in turn, informs the telematics unit 12 and the latency reduction module 14 as to whether the vehicle 10 is in an ON state or an OFF state.

The ignition status generally pertains to whether the vehicle 10 is in the ON state or the OFF state. When the vehicle 10 is in the OFF state, no components of the vehicle 10 are active. When the vehicle 10 is in the ON state, the ignition has been activated by a user and at least essential components of the vehicle 10 are active. The ignition may be activated by physically pressing a button or turning a key. Alternatively, the ignition may be activated wirelessly through a user device such a cellular telephone or tablet (neither shown), Bluetooth®, and/or other components.

In some examples, the BCM 16 may provide vehicle data to the telematics unit 12 and the latency reduction module 14 including a time elapsed since last ignition status change. The time elapsed since last ignition status change generally pertains to a time that begins when the ignition status changes from one of an ON state or an OFF state to the other of the ON state and the OFF state. While the BCM 16 is described as providing this information to the telematics unit 12, the telematics unit 12 could alternatively store this information in the memory hardware 22.

The telematics unit 12 is in communication with a cellular network via the cellular tower 18. While a single cellular tower 18 is illustrated, the telematics unit 12 is capable of being in communication with one or more cellular towers 18 depending on the particular location of the vehicle 10. The telematics unit 12 is equipped with details of appropriate channels for receiving signals from the cellular network. In some examples, the channels include a dedicated control channel and a paging channel. The dedicated control channel is used to transmit information from a base station to the telematics unit 12 and vice versa, while the paging channel is used when specific information, such as a call or a text, is routed to the telematics unit 12. Additionally, in some examples, the telematics unit 12 is configured to monitor the paging channel at predefined time intervals called predetermined paging latency time intervals. In some cellular network examples, the predetermined paging latency time interval is 1.28 seconds.

The cellular network may be a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network such as 5G, however, the cellular network may also be a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), or other networks.

With further reference to FIGS. 1-4, the latency reduction module 14 of the telematics unit 12 is configured to change the predetermined paging latency time interval. More specifically, in some examples, the latency reduction module 14 is configured to change a first predetermined paging latency time interval to a second predetermined paging latency time interval, which is different than the first predetermined paging latency time interval. Moreover, the latency reduction module 14 may also be configured to change the second predetermined paging latency time interval back to the first predetermined paging latency time interval. Additionally, in some examples, the second predetermined paging latency time interval is shorter than the first predetermined paging latency time interval.

In some examples, the first predetermined paging latency time interval is approximately 1.28 seconds. Moreover, in some examples, the second predetermined paging latency time interval is less than approximately 1.28 seconds. Additionally, in some examples, the second predetermined paging latency time interval is less than approximately 1.00 seconds. Additionally, in some examples, the second predetermined paging latency time interval is less than approximately 0.75 seconds. Additionally, in some examples, the second predetermined paging latency time interval is less than approximately 0.5 seconds.

Referring still to FIGS. 1-4, the latency reduction module 14 is configured to change the first predetermined paging latency time interval to the second predetermined paging latency time interval based on the ignition status of the vehicle 10. More specifically, when the ignition moves from the OFF state to the ON state, the BCM 16 alerts the telematics unit 12 of the change. In response, the latency reduction module 14 is configured to change the first predetermined paging latency time interval to the second predetermined paging latency time interval. In some examples, when the ignition is returned to the OFF state from the ON state, the latency reduction module 14 is configured to change the second predetermined paging latency time interval to the first predetermined paging latency time interval. Additionally, it is contemplated that when the ignition state is changed, the latency reduction module 14 may wait a predetermined time period before changing from the first predetermined paging latency time interval to the second predetermined paging latency time interval, and vice versa.

The vehicle data may additionally include time elapsed since last ignition status change. The latency reduction module 14 is configured to switch between the first predetermined paging latency time interval and the second predetermined paging latency time interval based on the change in the ignition status and the time elapsed since the last ignition status change.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an example timeline of the latency reduction system 100 is provided. In an initial step at 600, the ignition is in the OFF state and the latency time is set at the first predetermined paging latency of approximately 1.28 seconds. Accordingly, the telematics unit 12 is configured to monitor the paging channel every approximately 1.28 seconds. If data arrives between the predetermined paging latency intervals, such as at 602, the data is not received until the predetermined paging latency interval is over at 604, thus delaying receipt of the data. However, when the ignition is in the ON state, such as at 606, the latency reduction module 14 changes the first predetermined paging latency time interval to the second predetermined paging latency time interval, which is a shorter time interval than the first predetermined paging latency time interval. As such, when data arrives between the second predetermined paging latency intervals at 608, the delay in receipt of the data is shorter as compared to when the predetermined paging latency interval is set to the first predetermined paging latency time interval. As shown in FIG. 3, the time interval between when the data arrives at 608 and is received at 610 is reduced as compared to when the data arrives at 602 and is received at 604.

Referring now to the example flow diagram illustrated in FIG. 4, in a first step at 700, the vehicle ignition transitions from the OFF state to the ON state. When the vehicle 10 is in the ON state, the latency reduction module 14 commands the vehicle telematics unit 12, at step 702, to change the predetermined latency time interval from the first predetermined paging latency time interval to the second predetermined paging latency time interval, which has a lower time interval than the first predetermined latency time interval. In some examples, the latency reduction module 14 may also command the vehicle telematics unit 12 to reduce a length coefficient such as a discontinuous reception cycle (DRX) length coefficient to a lower length as well. In some examples, the DRX length is approximately less than eight (8), although various other configurations have been contemplated. Next, in some examples, the vehicle telematics unit 12 must also be configured to inform the cellular network of the desired DRX length of the second predetermined latency time interval at step 704. Once that is completed, the vehicle telematics unit 12 monitors the paging channel at the second predetermined latency time interval at step 706 until the vehicle transitions from the ON state to the OFF state at step 708.

Once the vehicle is in the OFF state, the latency reduction module 14 may be configured to allow the vehicle telematics unit 12 to remain monitoring the paging channel at the second predetermined latency time interval for a predetermined time interval after the vehicle is in the OFF state at step 710. In some examples, the predetermined time interval may be from zero (0) to thirty (30) minutes or more. For example, the latency reduction module 14 may be configured to keep the monitoring of the paging channel at the second predetermined latency time interval after the vehicle 10 is in the OFF state to reduce delay to a user who desires to use the vehicle telematics unit 12 to perform vehicle operations such as locking/unlocking vehicle doors or remote starting the vehicle 10 during the predetermined time interval. As set forth in step 714, once the predetermined time interval has expired, the latency reduction module 14 commands the vehicle telematics unit 12 to return to the first predetermined latency time interval. Additionally, the vehicle telematics unit 12 is then configured to inform the cellular network of the desired DRX length and predetermined latency time intervals for the first predetermined latency time interval at step 716. As such, the user vehicle telematics unit 12 is then configured to monitor the paging channel at the first predetermined latency time interval at step 718.

As described, the latency reduction module 14 is configured to instruct the vehicle telematics module 12 to change the first predetermined paging latency time interval to the second predetermined paging latency time interval in an effort to reduce delays in sending and receiving information during vehicle operation. When the vehicle 10 is moved from the ON state to the OFF state, the latency reduction module 14 is configured to instruct the vehicle telematics module 12 to change the second predetermined paging latency time interval to the first predetermined paging latency time interval in an effort to reduce energy consumption of the vehicle 10.