Abstract:
Methods and systems are provided for the automatic provisioning of backup starting power to a starter of a vehicle with a depleted main starting battery. The system comprises a backup battery installed in the vehicle and electrically coupled conditionally to the main starting battery, a controller, a wireless transceiver and a wireless personal computing device with a recharging application installed therein. An exemplary method includes monitoring the main starting battery and the backup battery, receiving a recharge command, electrically connecting the backup battery to the main starting battery, starting the vehicle and disconnecting the backup battery. The installed application also comprises a graphical user interface though which the deterioration of the main charging battery may be monitored and through which the controller may send an assistance request to a third party.

Description:
RELATED CASES 
       [0001]    This utility application claims priority benefit pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §120 from U.S. Provisional Application 62/313,687, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to starting batteries for internal combustion engines, and more specifically to methods, systems and devices for incorporating a backup starting battery in a vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A vehicle driven by internal combustion engines is the primary type of vehicle driven worldwide today and is expected to be so well into the future. As such, the need for standard lead-acid 12 volt batteries, or their functional equivalents, to provide starting current will also be necessary well into the future. Therefore, the surprise inconveniences of having those batteries lose their charge at inopportune times and places will continue also. Battery failure is particularly common in locations with extreme cold weather such as Alaska and Canada, or extreme hot weather such as Arizona and Nevada. In such places, starting batteries may become inoperable without notice, causing great inconvenience if not creating life threatening circumstances. 
         [0004]    Internal combustion engine vehicles typically have a single 12-volt lead-acid starting battery. Although there have been commercially unsuccessful attempts to market batteries with an integrated, manually connectable backup battery cell. There are also portable batteries on the market designed to jump dead starting batteries. However, looking at the battery arrangements in most late model vehicles, it is evident that a useful and convenient backup battery system has yet to become a commercial success. Hence, there is a need for systems and methods for providing backup starting current to a vehicle effortlessly while using a vehicle and without imposing additional maintenance burdens on a vehicle owner. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Methods and systems are provided for the automatic provisioning of backup starting power to a starter of a vehicle with a depleted main starting battery. The system comprises a backup battery installed in the vehicle and electrically coupled conditionally to the main starting battery, a relay switch coupling the main starting battery to the backup battery, a controller, a wireless transceiver, and a wireless personal computing device with a recharging application installed therein. 
         [0006]    Exemplary methods for automatically recharging a main starting battery are presented including the monitoring of the main starting battery and a backup battery, receiving a recharge command from a remote source via a controller, electrically connecting the backup battery automatically to the main starting battery, starting the vehicle, and disconnecting the backup battery. 
         [0007]    The installed application also comprises a graphical user interface through which the deterioration of the main charging battery may be monitored and through which the controller may be instructed to utilize the backup battery to start the vehicle or recharge the main starting battery and send an assistance request to a third party. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a conceptual illustration of an internal combustion engine driven vehicle including an exemplary backup battery sub-system according to embodiments included herein; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of an exemplary controller; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an abstract depiction of exemplary communications flow for the Backup Battery system; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a functional flow chart of an exemplary method for automatically starting a vehicle with a back-up battery; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a functional flow chart of an exemplary method for remotely charging a main starting battery with a back-up battery. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention, or the application, or uses of the invention. As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Thus, any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. All of the embodiments described herein are exemplary embodiments provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention which is defined by the claims. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary, or the following detailed description. 
         [0015]    Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. Some of the embodiments and implementations are described herein in terms of functional and/or logical block components (or modules) and various processing steps. However, it should be appreciated that such block components (or modules) may be realized by any number of hardware and/or software components configured to perform the specified functions. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention. For example, an embodiment of a system or a component may employ various integrated circuit components, e.g., memory elements, digital signal processing elements, analog-to-digital converters, logic elements, look-up tables, or the like, which may carry out a variety of functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments described herein are merely exemplary implementations. 
         [0016]    The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. 
         [0017]    A software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of digital storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a user terminal 
         [0018]    In this document, relational terms such as first and second, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. Numerical ordinals such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc. simply denote different singles of a plurality and do not imply any order or sequence unless specifically defined by the claim language. The sequence of the text in any of the claims does not imply that process steps must be performed in a temporal or logical order according to such sequence unless it is specifically defined by the language of the claim. The process steps may be interchanged in any order without departing from the scope of the invention as long as such an interchange does not contradict the claim language and is not logically nonsensical. 
         [0019]    Furthermore, depending on the context, words such as “connect” or “coupled to” used in describing a relationship between different elements do not imply that a direct physical connection must be made between these elements. For example, two elements may be connected to each other physically, electronically, logically, or in any other manner, through one or more additional elements. 
         [0020]    Further still, the subject matter disclosed herein below may incorporate Internet of Things (IoT) concepts. “Internet of Things” is the networking of physical objects—devices, vehicles, buildings and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and network connectivity—that enables these objects to collect and exchange data. The Internet of Things allows objects to be sensed and controlled remotely across existing network infrastructure, creating opportunities for more direct integration of the physical world into computer-based systems, and resulting in improved efficiency, accuracy and economic benefit. When IoT is augmented with sensors and actuators, the technology becomes an instance of the more general class of cyber-physical systems, which also encompasses technologies such as smart grids, smart homes, smart cars, intelligent transportation and smart cities. Each thing is uniquely identifiable through its embedded computing system but is able to interoperate within the existing Internet infrastructure. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a conceptual illustration of a vehicle  100  driven by an internal combustion engine (not shown) including an exemplary backup battery sub-system  104  according to embodiments included herein. In addition to components typically found in vehicle, the battery subsystem  104  includes a main starting battery  2 . The main starting battery  2  is typically a nominal 12 volt (v) lead acid battery large enough to provide between about 200 and 1000 cold cranking amperes (CCA), which is sufficient to energize and operate engine starter  14  through electrical cable  105 . For large vehicles, the main starting battery  2  may be configured to provide over 1000 CCA to starter  14 . Main starting battery  2  is electrically connected to the engine starter  14  by an electric cable  105  of suitable size and material capable of safely handling the rated CCA of the vehicle starter  14 . 
         [0022]    System  104  also includes a backup battery  3  electrically coupled to the main battery  2  through relay switch(es)  4 . The backup battery  3  may be a duplicate of the main battery  2  or may be some other type of suitable battery known in the art or that may be invented in the future that is capable of storing sufficient energy to actuate starter  14  in the event that a charge on the main starting battery  2  is depleted beyond the ability to operate the starter  14 . The backup battery  3  may be electrically coupled to the starter  14  and to the main battery  2  in series or in parallel, or a combination thereof, through relay switch(es)  4 . Or, each of the backup battery  3  and the main battery  2  may be independently or alternatively coupled to the starter  14  through relay switch(s)  4 . The electrical connection of backup battery  3  to the main battery or directly to the engine starter  14 , is controlled by controller  1  through a Controller Area Network Bus (CANbus)  28 . 
         [0023]    A CANbus is a vehicle bus standard designed to allow microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other in applications without a host computer. It is a message-based protocol, designed for multiplex electrical wiring within vehicles. A CANbus is a typical vehicle communications system/protocol. However, equivalent embodiments may utilize alternative communications systems that may be found to be convenient. 
         [0024]    The one or more relay switch(es)  4  may be any kind of suitable switch or relay that is capable of switching large amounts of current such at the CCA produced by the vehicle starting system  104  from one source or another. Exemplary, non-limiting switches may be a set of MOSFETs, or a set of Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBT) arranged in series or parallel as may be desirable, or a conventional starting solenoid. Relay switch(es)  4  is controlled by controller  1  as will be further discussed below. 
         [0025]    Door switch(es)  7  may be any type of suitable door switch known in the art or that may be developed in the future. Door switch(es)  7  may be an active electronic switch that monitors a voltage at the driver side door  12  and sends a signal to the controller  1  when the voltage changes as door  12  is opened, or the switch(es)  7  may cut off a current when the door  12  is opened, such as dead-man switch. 
         [0026]    Controller  1  receives input signals from the door switch  7  and/or from a computing device  10  via antenna  103  and transceiver  12 . In addition, controller  1  sends and receives digital inputs and/or messages from relay switch(es)  4 , backup battery  3  and main battery  2  over CANbus  28 . The controller  1  is also configured to receive input signals and messages from other devices, such as timer  13 . Controller  1  may be comprised of any suitable processor or logic control device that is presently known in the art or that may be developed in the future, which includes programmable logic devices such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA). Controller  1  may be a stand-alone device located conveniently anywhere in vehicle  1 , or may be incorporated into the engine control unit (ECU) of the vehicle  100 . 
         [0027]    Controller  1  may also receive an input from one or more direct current voltmeters  5 / 6  that monitor the voltage from each of the primary battery  2 , backup battery  3  and/or alternator (not shown). Voltmeters  5 / 6  (see,  FIG. 3 ) may be comprised of any commercially available voltage measuring device or equivalent software. Voltmeter  5  may monitor the voltage of the main battery  2  and is capable communicating one or more electronic signals to the controller  1  when the voltage of the main battery is above or below a minimum start voltage level of the vehicle starter  14 . Similarly, voltmeter  6  may monitor the voltage of the backup battery  3  and is capable communicating one or more electronic signals to the controller  1  when the voltage of the backup battery  3  is above or below the minimum start voltage level of the vehicle starter  14  or other predetermined level. Voltmeters  5 / 6  may be located in any convenient location, which may be on or near the main starter battery  2 , on or near back up battery  3 , in controller  1 , or in relay  4 . 
         [0028]    In addition to determining and reporting the battery storage levels to controller  1 , the voltmeters  5 / 6  may also be configured with a comparator circuit(s)  207  (See,  FIG. 2 ) as may be known in the art to compare the current voltage levels of the main battery  2  and the back-up battery  3  to one or more references voltages (analog or digital). For example, the comparison circuit(s)  207  may be digital devices or software equivalents located in controller  1  (See,  FIG. 2 ). Although it is contemplated that the comparator circuits  207  may be located elsewhere in vehicle  100  as may prove convenient. Battery voltages may be monitored by voltmeters  5 / 6  from any convenient take off point in the vehicle  100 , such as the ECU (not shown), an auxiliary power socket (not shown), or an on-board diagnostics reader connection (not shown). 
         [0029]    Reference voltages for use by the backup battery sub-system  104  representing such parameters as a Minimum Start Voltage (MSV) for the main battery  2 , Minimum Jump Voltage (MJV) for the backup battery  3 , and Minimum Charge Voltage (MCV) of the alternator (not shown) may be digital values stored in a digital memory  206  located in Controller  1  (See  FIG. 2 ), or may be analog voltages determined by a conventional voltage divider circuit (not shown) driven by the voltage off of main battery  2 , backup battery  3  or off of a rechargeable battery located in controller  1 . The voltage divider circuit may be implemented in a number of configurations. In one example, the voltage of the backup battery  3  may be sent through a buck/boost converter or a switch mode power supply to ensure a 12 v source at the output of the voltage divider circuit. Similarly, both of the voltages may be run through individual buck/boost converters to each produce a 6 v output and configure their outputs in series to provide a 12 v reference output to a regulator. Similarly, a rechargeable battery  208  may be used to provide a voltage to the buck/boost circuit. Regardless of the technique to provide any of the reference voltages disclosed herein, the reference voltag(es) provide a dependable input voltage to the voltage divider (s) that must be stable to ensure the comparator circuit(s)  207  is always reading the same input voltage. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of controller  1  that communicates with the various components discussed above as well as other standard vehicle components, such as the alternator (not shown) using CANbus  28 . In a vehicle, the CANbus  28  is operated by a CANbus node  201  which is usually located within a vehicle&#39;s main computer or ECU. Here, for sake of explanation, it is shown located in controller  1 , which in itself may be entirely incorporated into the main ECU. 
         [0031]    CANbus  28  operates using a message based protocol, similar to an intranet. The message traffic is controlled along the CANbus  28  by a CAN controller  202  that decides what the messages received from the various vehicle components mean and what messages it wants to transmit. Sensors (e.g., voltmeter ( 5 / 6 )), actuators and control devices can be connected to the CAN controller  202 . The CAN controller  202  stores received serial bits from the CANbus  28  until an entire message is available, which can then be fetched by the central processing unit (CPU)  205  (usually by the CAN controller triggering an interrupt). The CPU  205  sends transmit message(s) to the CAN controller  202 , which transmits the bits serially onto the CANbus  28  when the bus is free of traffic. 
         [0032]    The Can Node  201  also includes a CAN transceiver  203 , which converts the data stream from levels that the CANbus  28  operates on to levels that the CAN controller uses. It usually has protective circuitry to protect the CAN controller. The CAN transceiver  203  also converts the data stream generated from the levels used by the CAN controller  202  to CANbus levels. 
         [0033]    The controller  1  also includes an internal communications bus  210  and timer  13  that can be any type of elapsed timer known in the art or that may be developed in the future. Among other functions, the timer  13  controls a time delay after the relay  4  is shut and before the ignition is permitted in order to allow an interval for the backup battery  3  to charge the main battery  2  before the starter  14  puts a large load on the main battery  2 . After a predetermined time period elapses, the controller  1  allows the ignition to occur. It should be noted the timer  13  need not be incorporated in controller  1  but may be located in and convenient component or location. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  is an abstract depiction of the communications flow associated with the backup battery system  104 . A vehicle owner owns a personal communications device  10  that may be a cellphone, a computer or any similar device with a communication ability. That personal computing device  10  has an application  11  installed that allows the user to communicate with CPU  205  using standard wireless communication protocols such as GSM, GPRS and WiFi. GSM  7  allows communications between the vehicle controller  1  and the driver or other entity via text messaging. GPRS  8  and/or WiFi  9  allow communications between the vehicle controller  1  and the driver, or other outside entity, via the internet such that an e-mail message, application updates, or application data may be communicated. The use of IoT technology may be used to create a user friendly interface. 
         [0035]    The personal computing device  10  communicates with the wireless communications transceiver  12  that may have embedded GSM transceiver  7 , embedded GPRS transceiver  8  and/or WiFi transceiver  9 . As is known in the art, the wireless communications transceiver  12  converts message traffic received wirelessly from the personal communications device  10  over antenna  103  to the CANbus level communication protocol. As is also known in the art, transceiver  12  also contains a Global Positioning System (GPS)  209 , which may be used to report the location of the vehicle. 
         [0036]    The voltmeters  5 / 6  monitor the voltage level on the main battery  2  and the backup battery  3  and periodically report the detected voltage levels to the controller  1  via the CANbus  28 . As mentioned above, the voltmeter(s) may be located in controller  1 . In that case the main battery  2  and the backup battery  3  must be outfitted with a device that is capable of converting the analog output voltage of the batteries to a digital form and placing that digital information onto the CANbus  28 . Such a device may be an analog-to-digital converter (not shown). It should be noted that in some equivalent embodiments only one voltmeter may be used to monitor both batteries. 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  is a functional flow chart of an exemplary method  300  for automatically starting a vehicle with a back-up battery  3 . At processes  305 ,  310  and  315 , each of the back-up battery  3 , main starting battery  2  and the status of the drivers&#39; side door is checked periodically or continuously. If the controller  1  detects that drivers&#39; side door is open at decision point  320 , it then checks the main starting battery  3  to see if the voltage of the main starting battery is greater than the Minimum Starting Voltage at decision point  325 . If the voltage of the main starting battery  2  is greater than the Minimum Starting Voltage, then the starter is engaged as normal at process  330  when the driver manipulates the ignition (not shown). 
         [0038]    When the voltage of the main starting battery  2  is less than the minimum starting voltage (MSV), then the controller  1  checks the voltage level of the backup battery  3  at decision point  335 . If the voltage of the backup battery is also less than the minimum starting voltage (MSV) the method ends and a message is sent to the personal communication device  10  of the driver via application  11  that both batteries have insufficient starting power, whereinafter the driver may call for assistance. The method  400  then ends. 
         [0039]    When the voltage of the backup battery is greater than the minimum starting voltage (MSV), then the method proceeds to process  340  where the elapsed timer  13  is started and then to process  345  where relay  4  is shut allowing the backup battery  3  to supply current to the main starting battery  2 . A loop is then entered at decision point  350  where the voltage of the main starting battery  2  is compared to the minimum starting voltage (MSV) and the elapsed time is checked at process  355 . While the voltage at the main starting battery  2  is not more than the Minimum Starting Voltage (MSV), the loop continues through process  355  where the elapsed time is checked. When the voltage at the main starting battery  2  reaches the Minimum Starting Voltage, the controller allows the vehicle to be started at process  330 . 
         [0040]    The method  300  proceeds to decision point  360  instead of process  310  because the elapsed timer  13  is still incrementing. At decision point  360  the controller compares the voltage of the main battery  2  to a Run Voltage, which is usually the expected output voltage of the alternator (not shown). A typical alternator output voltage is approximately 13.6 volts. If the voltage at the main starting battery  2  is less than the Run Voltage, the method enters a loop and returns to processes  355 ,  345 , and  330 . When the voltage at the main battery  2  reaches the Run Voltage, method  300  proceeds to process  365  where the relay  4  between the main battery and the backup battery is opened and the timer is stopped and reset to zero. 
         [0041]    With the backup battery  3  coupled to the alternator, method  300  proceeds to decision point  370  where the voltage of the backup battery  3  is compared to a predetermined value (Max Value). When the voltage of the backup battery is above Max value then the method  300  ends. When the voltage of the backup battery is not above Max Value, method  300  moves to process  375  where relay  4  is again closed until Max value reached. This loop is continued until Max Value is reached. 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  is a functional flow chart of an exemplary method  400  for remotely charging a main starting battery  2  with a back-up battery  3 . At process  415 , the controller  1  monitors the transceiver  12  for a charging message received from personal computing device  10 . At process  410 , the controller  1  monitors the main starting battery  2  voltage and at process  405  and the controller  1  monitors backup battery  3  voltage. 
         [0043]    At decision point  420 , after a recharge message is received, the method  400  determines if the voltage of the main starting battery  2  is below a predefined level called the Discharged Level. When the voltage of the main starting battery  2  is below the Discharged Level then the controller compares the voltage of the backup battery  3  to a predetermined level called the Backup Charging Level at process  425 . If the voltage of the main starting battery  2  is not below the Discharge Level then the process returns to process  415  and a “charged” message is sent to the driver&#39;s communication device. The Discharged Level may be the same value as the Minimum Start Voltage or another desired voltage level. 
         [0044]    When the voltage of backup battery  3  is at or above the Backup Charging Level at decision point  425 , controller  1  shuts relay  4  to charge main battery  2  at process  430 . The voltage of the backup battery  3  continues to be monitored at process  410  and method  400  proceeds to decision point  435 . When the backup battery  3  is not at or above the Backup Charging Level, the method  400  ends because the backup battery is also depleted. A message is sent to the driver&#39;s communication device. 
         [0045]    At decision point  435 , the controller  1  compares the voltage of the main battery  2  to the predetermined Minimum Start Voltage. When the voltage of the main battery  2  is above the Minimum Start Voltage (MSV) the controller opens the relay  4  at process  440  and the methods  400  ends. When the voltage of the main battery  2  is not above the Minimum Start Voltage at process  435 , the method  400  loops back to process  430 , keeping the relay  4  shut. 
         [0046]    The charging message from the driver may take the form of a Short Message Service (SMS) text message or it may be in the form of an e-mail where a predefined text string in the text of the e-mail is executable. For example, using application  11 , the response for closing the relay  4  may be the pressing of the “1” button on a smartphone. 
         [0047]    The communication layer of application  11  that is installed on the driver&#39;s communication device  10  controls the encoding and decoding of communications/data to and from the controller  1 . Battery control functions of the application  11  include the receipt and presentation of alerts concerning the voltage status of each of the main starting battery  2  and the backup battery  3 , such that the user is notified when voltage drops above or below a certain level. Such information also allows for a routine voltage monitoring function. The back end of application  11  also sends a shut or an open command to the relay  4  through the controller  4  over CANbus  28 . 
         [0048]    In addition to being the vehicle interface that receives data and sends charge or recharge messages, application  11  is also configured to store historical time series battery information in digital memory  206  such that a front end GUI (not shown) may present a charging history of the main starting battery  2  and backup battery  3  from which the driver may determine if either battery is failing to hold a charge and needs to be replaced. Further, the application may contain an algorithm dependent on battery type that processes the historical time series data to provide an indication to the driver that the charging pattern indicates a failing battery. Such information may be shareable over the internet with a third party service facility. In fact, a “dead battery” alert may be forwardable directly to the third party service facility that may comprise a GPS location of the vehicle  100  and/or the driver. Alternatively, the application  11  may be configured to show the location and/or phone number of the nearest or preferred service provider. 
         [0049]    While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the invention. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.