Abstract:
A computer system that installs in the proximity of the vehicle&#39;s operator, attaches to the battery power source in the vehicle&#39;s wiring harness, gathers information relating to the operational state of the vehicle&#39;s battery, calculates the health of the battery from the gathered information, provides the health and operational state of the battery to the vehicle&#39;s operator and can include the means for supporting non-battery related functions.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related to application Ser. No. 12/070,793 filed by the present inventors on Feb. 20, 2008 and entitled “Multi-function Battery Monitor System for Vehicles”. 
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     SEQUENCE LISTING, TABLE OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING ON CD 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of computers. In particular it relates to the gathering and analysis of information that describes the health and operational state of batteries by attaching to a vehicle&#39;s wiring harness. 
     2. Prior Art 
     All batteries fail. In particular the automobile battery is particularly onerous. Automobile manufactures currently provide only the real-time state of the car&#39;s charging system (alternator) when the engine is running. The battery is only one component of this system. This system warns the motorist when there is a problem with the charging system by using a dash mounted voltmeter, ammeter or more commonly a warning lamp which is often referred to as the “idiot light”. This information should not be confused nor equated with the operating state or the overall health of the battery, itself. Typically a loose or broken alternator belt causes the warning lamp to come on. 
     Automobile battery malfunctions are seldom caused by a factory defect; driving habits are the more common culprits. The heavy auxiliary power drawn during a short distance driven never allows the periodic fully saturated charge that is so important for the longevity of a lead acid battery. 
     A German manufacturer of luxury cars reveals that of every 400 car batteries returned under warranty, 200 are working well and have no problem. Low charge and acid stratification are the most common causes of the apparent failure. The car manufacturer says that the problem is more common on large luxury cars offering power-hungry auxiliary options than on the more basic models. 
     It would be important to know when the health of a battery has deteriorated sufficiently to signal that a failure is impending. In some situations this information could be life-saving such as when operating in combat zones or under severe weather conditions. It would also be important to know that by merely changing the usage pattern of a vehicle such as combining multiple shopping trips into a single extended trip or by knowing when to apply an external battery charger that the life of the battery would be extended and impending failures avoided. 
     A system by which the driver of an internal combustion engine automobile, or the skipper of a boat or the driver of a hybrid vehicle or the driver of an electric vehicle can know both the operating state and the general health of their batteries would therefore be desirable. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is cognizant of the economy and facilitation achieved by combining the battery monitor function with non-related systems such as automobile sound systems, tire pressure systems, global positioning systems and theft deterrent systems. All of these different systems contain microprocessors which are typically underutilized. In the $257 billion dollar automotive aftermarket, these systems are sold and installed as single function devices with separate enclosures. Also, given the power requirements of today&#39;s microprocessor technology it is not feasible to build self-powered devices using an internal power source such as a 9 v battery. The installation of these systems therefore becomes problematic in that they typically must be wired into the vehicle&#39;s wiring harness in order to utilize the vehicle&#39;s primary power source. This usually requires the services of a professional installer or skilled technician. Therefore, in order to economize both manufacturing costs and installation costs the combining of battery monitoring with non-battery related functionality in the same enclosure is therefore deemed desirable. 
     Per one embodiment, the present invention uses a single computer system that takes advantage of an existing wiring harness in order to install remotely from the battery and locally to the operator. The computer system contains facilities for attaching to the battery&#39;s power source as delivered through the wiring harness. The computer system has facilities for measuring the battery voltage in the wiring harness and for measuring time. The computer system also includes storage facilities for retaining a history of these measurements. In addition, the computer system contains algorithms for diagnosing the general health of the battery based upon the active and historical measurements. Finally the computer system makes the active state and the health of the battery known to the operator directly through its operator interface. 
     Per another embodiment, the present invention additionally includes facilities for remotely monitoring the battery&#39;s temperature and current. These measurements are included in the algorithms which have the means for diagnosing the general health of the battery based upon active and historical measurements. 
     Per yet another embodiment, the present invention additionally includes the means for performing non-battery related functions such as receiving global positioning information or tire pressure information and making the vehicle operator aware of this information. 
     Per still yet another embodiment, the present invention additionally includes the means for the support and means of control for a theft deterrent system or an audio stereo sound system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a single-function computer system that is dedicated to monitoring the state of the battery, calculating its health and making this information available to the vehicle operator by monitoring the vehicle battery&#39;s voltage. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a single-function computer system that is dedicated to monitoring the state of the battery, calculating its health and making this information available to the vehicle operator by monitoring the vehicle battery&#39;s voltage, current and temperature. 
         FIG. 2A  is a flow chart illustrating the steps taken by the structural illustration of  FIG. 2  as it collects battery data, calculates battery health and displays this information. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a dual-function computer system that monitors both the vehicle&#39;s battery and tire pressure. 
         FIG. 3A  is a flow chart illustrating the steps taken by the structural illustration of  FIG. 3  as it monitors tire pressure and the vehicle&#39;s battery. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a dual-function computer system that monitors the battery and includes a global positioning system. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a dual-function computer system that monitors the battery and includes an audio stereo sound system. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a dual-function computer system that monitors the battery and includes a theft deterrent system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following descriptions are provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of six particular embodiments. Various modifications to the embodiments are possible and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to these and other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles, features and teachings disclosed herein. 
     In accordance with one embodiment, the present invention provides a single-function computer system that attaches to a vehicle&#39;s wiring harness at a point that is local to the location of the vehicle&#39;s operator but remote from the location of the battery. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a single-function environment. Computer system  1  attaches to the vehicle&#39;s wiring harness  2  using wire  3 . The wiring harness  2  includes a power wire  4  that is attached to the vehicle&#39;s battery  5 . The power from the wiring harness  2  is used to power computer system  1  from wire  3 . The power from the wiring harness  2  is also fed into voltage sensor  6  which allows central processing unit  7  to sample the vehicle&#39;s voltage at any instant in time. Thus, the wire  3  provides a means for electrically attaching to the vehicle&#39;s wiring harness  2  and a means for receiving electrical power from the wiring harness  2 . Central processing unit  7  displays the sample information on display  11  of console  10  when so directed by the console control  12 . By means specified in various software algorithms computer system  7  renders a profile of the current health of the battery. These algorithms make use of the history contained in data store  9 . This history is made rich by a time profile whose creation by central processing unit  7  is facilitated by timer  8  and included with the voltage samples as saved in data store  9 . The time profile permits the means by which the central processing unit  7  can, as an example, estimate driving time in automobiles based upon periodic changes in battery voltage. This in turn relates directly to the health and well being of the battery. Central processing unit  7  displays the battery health information on display  11  of console  10  when so directed by the console control  12 . Under those conditions wherein bad battery health is detected, central processing unit  7  overrides console control  12  and causes the bad health information to be shown immediately and unconditionally to the operator on display  11 . Thus, display  11  is a means for providing information to a vehicle operator based on the health of the battery. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, the present invention provides a single-function computer system that attaches to a vehicle&#39;s wiring harness at a point that is local to the location of the vehicle&#39;s operator but remote from the location of the battery and includes facilities added local to the vehicle&#39;s battery that provide battery current and battery temperature information. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a single-function environment. Computer system  1 A is similar to computer system  1  ( FIG. 1 ) except it includes an attachment wire  16  to a battery current sensor  15  that is installed on or near the positive terminal  17  of battery  5 . It also includes an attachment wire  14  to a battery temperature sensor  13  that is installed on or near battery  5 . Central processing unit  7  samples the battery&#39;s voltage as provided by voltage sensor  6 , the battery&#39;s current as provided by current sensor  15  and the battery&#39;s temperature as provided by temperature sensor  13 . Central processing unit  7  displays the sampled voltage, current and temperature information on display  11  of console  10  when so directed by the console control  12 . By means specified in various software algorithms computer system  7  renders a profile of the current health of the battery. These algorithms make use of the history contained in data store  9 . This history is made rich by a time profile whose creation by central processing unit  7  is facilitated by timer  8  and included with the voltage, current and temperature samples as saved in data store  9 . Central processing unit  7  displays the battery health information on display  11  of console  10  when so directed by the console control  12 . Under those conditions wherein bad battery health is detected, central processing unit  7  overrides console control  12  and causes the bad health information to be shown immediately and unconditionally to the operator on display  11 . 
       FIG. 2A  is a flowchart illustrating the steps taken by computer system  1 A ( FIG. 2 ) in order to gather, analyze and display the current operating state and the rendered health of battery  5  ( FIG. 2 ). In step  30  the current state of the battery is sampled. In step  31  the current time is obtained. In step  32  the current time is added to the battery samples and saved. The current operational state of the battery as defined by the battery samples taken in step  30  are displayed in step  33 . In step  34  the history of the time profiled battery samples is made available in step  35  to a library of computer algorithms which provide the means by which the health of the battery is calculated. In step  36  the calculated health of the battery is displayed. 
     In accordance with yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a dual-function computer system that attaches to a vehicle&#39;s wiring harness at a point that is local to the location of the vehicle&#39;s operator but remote from the location of the battery and includes facilities added local to the vehicle&#39;s battery that provide battery temperature information. In addition to processing battery information this embodiment processes tire pressure information that it is provided by a wireless connection to tire pressure sensors. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a dual-function environment. Computer system  1 B is a dual-function computer system. It gathers, analyzes and displays battery information in the same manner as computer system  1 A ( FIG. 2 ) except in this embodiment battery current is not sampled. Computer system  1 B also receives tire pressure information from computer system  42  mounted inside tire  40 . This wireless information  43  is transmitted by computer system  42  using antenna  41 . This wireless information  43  is received by antenna  44  and made available to central processing unit  7  by wireless transceiver  18 . It is displayed on display  11  of console  10  when so directed by console control  12 . 
       FIG. 3A  is a flowchart illustrating the steps taken by computer system  1 B ( FIG. 3 ) in order to gather, analyze and display the current operating state along with the rendered health of battery  5  ( FIG. 3 ) and to also collect and display tire pressure information. In step  30  the current state of battery  5  ( FIG. 3 ) is sampled. In step  31  the current time is obtained. In step  32  the current time is added to the battery samples and saved. The current operational state of the battery as defined by the battery samples taken in step  30  are displayed in step  33 . In step  34  the history of the time profiled battery samples is made available in step  35  to a library of computer algorithms which provide the means by which the health of the battery is calculated. In step  36  the calculated health of the battery is displayed. Program control is then directed to step  37  where a check is made to see if tire pressure information has been received on the wireless link. If tire pressure information has not been received program control is directed to step  30 . If tire pressure information has been received, this information is displayed on the operator&#39;s console in step  38 . Program control is then directed to step  30 . 
     In accordance with yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a dual-function computer system that attaches to a vehicle&#39;s wiring harness at a point that is local to the location of the vehicle&#39;s operator but remote from the location of the battery and includes facilities added local to the vehicle&#39;s battery that provide battery temperature information. In addition to processing battery information this embodiment processes location, speed, direction and time information that it is provided by a microwave connection to a Global Positioning System satellite. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a dual-function environment. Computer system  1 C is a dual-function computer system. It gathers, analyzes and displays battery information in the same manner as computer system  1 B ( FIG. 3 ). Central processing unit  1 C also receives location, speed, direction and time information from GPS satellite  50 . The microwave transmitted information  51  is received by antenna  52  and made available to central processing unit  7  by microwave transceiver  19 . The GPS information is analyzed by central processing unit  7  and then displayed on display  11  of console  10  when so directed by console control  12 . 
     In accordance with still yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a dual-function computer system that attaches to a vehicle&#39;s wiring harness at a point that is local to the location of the vehicle&#39;s operator but remote from the location of the battery and includes facilities added local to the vehicle&#39;s battery that provide battery temperature information. In addition to processing battery information this embodiment includes an audio stereo sound system. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a dual-function environment. Computer system  1 D is a dual-function computer system. It gathers, analyzes and displays battery information in the same manner as computer system  1 B ( FIG. 3 ). Central processing unit  1 D also includes an audio stereo sound system  60  that includes an interface  61  to central processing unit  7  and utilizes console  10  as the means for providing operator control of the audio stereo sound system  60 . 
     In accordance with still yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a dual-function computer system that attaches to a vehicle&#39;s wiring harness at a point that is local to the location of the vehicle&#39;s operator but remote from the location of the battery and includes facilities added local to the vehicle&#39;s battery that provide battery temperature information. In addition to processing battery information this embodiment includes a theft deterrent system. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a dual-function environment. Computer system  1 E is a dual-function computer system. It gathers, analyzes and displays battery information in the same manner as computer system  1 B ( FIG. 3 ). Central processing unit  1 E also includes a theft deterrent system  70  that includes an interface  71  to central processing unit  7  and utilizes console  10  as the means for providing operator control of the theft deterrent system  70 . Included in the theft deterrent system  70  is a vibration sensor (not shown), an audible alarm (not shown) and connection  73  that controls kill switch  72  which in turn can render starter motor  74  inoperable by turning off power wire  4 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of multiple embodiments of the present invention are by way of example, only, and other variations and modifications of the above-described embodiments are possible in light of the foregoing teachings. In particular  FIG. 3  illustrates the dual-function computer system  1 B whereby battery and tire pressure information are combined and  FIG. 4  illustrates the dual-function computer system  1 C whereby battery and GPS information are combined. A variation of these two embodiments could therefore be a single multifunction computer system that combines battery monitoring, tire pressure monitoring and GPS functionality into a single device. The important teaching of this example is that manufacturing costs and installation expenses are reduced by combining functionality inside the same unit.