Abstract:
When a vehicle is “off” many electrically powered devices will continue to draw power from the battery, which will eventually deplete the battery. Instead of leaving such devices on, when the engine is shut off, a message is transmitted from a vehicle&#39;s telematics communications device to one or more of: the operator, a telematics service provider or elsewhere, and which notifies the recipient of the power-down condition. The recipient of the message can thereafter respond with a directive that tells the telematics communications device which devices to leave powered on, turn off or schedule to be shut off. Absent such a message, the system powers down devices according to a default power down ordering.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Today&#39;s vehicles are filled with electronic devices that make driving safer and at least somewhat more enjoyable because of the communications, entertainment and other functionality they provide. Vehicles having advanced electronics devices are typically designed and constructed such that the electronic devices will continue to draw current from the vehicle&#39;s battery even when the car is turned off. Even a “stand-by” current drain can deplete a car battery if the car is parked for a long period of time in the “off” state. 
         [0002]    It is well known that a telematics communication system that continuously monitors the vehicle&#39;s condition and reports the same to a telematics service provider can completely deplete a car battery two to four weeks, depending on battery size, its age and temperature, leaving the driver of such a vehicle stranded. While it is important to keep a telematics communication system operating in order to be able to report the vehicle&#39;s condition and respond to external commands from a telematics service provider, extending the battery life in vehicle&#39;s equipped with electronic devices and telematics communication systems would be an improvement over the prior art. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0003]    When a vehicle is “off” many electrically powered devices will continue to draw power from the battery, which will eventually deplete the battery. Instead of leaving such devices on, when the engine is shut off, a message is transmitted from a vehicle&#39;s telematics communications device to one or more of: the operator, a telematics service provider or elsewhere, and which notifies the recipient of the power-down condition. The recipient of the message can thereafter respond with a directive that tells the telematics communications device which devices to leave powered on, turn off or schedule to be shut off. Absent such a message, the system powers down devices according to a default power down ordering. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an apparatus for controlling power consumption in a vehicle equipped with several electrically-powered devices 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of an apparatus for controlling power consumption; 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart depicting steps of a method of controlling or reducing power consumption in a vehicle. 
           [0007]      FIGS. 4-6  depict examples of interactive, power control dialogue between a vehicle and an operator of the vehicle in accordance with embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an electrical system  100  for a vehicle, the vehicle itself being omitted from the figure for brevity. The electrical system  100  is comprised of an apparatus  102  for controlling power consumption in the vehicle, which is also referred to herein as a power consumption controller. It is also considered to be a master of power consumption. 
         [0009]    The apparatus  102  has a power consumption monitor  104 , a power distribution switching switch  106  and a telematics communications device  108 . The devices that comprise the apparatus  102 , and which can themselves be comprised of hardware or circuitry as well as a processor that executes program instructions stored in a non-volatile memory device, are enclosed within a broken line identified by reference number  110 . 
         [0010]    In addition to the apparatus for controlling power consumption  102 , the electrical system  100  is also comprised of a battery  120 , which provides electrical energy to the electrical and electronic devices depicted in  FIG. 1 . A global positioning system  122  or GPS  120  provides location data and other navigation capability. An ambient temperature sensor  124  provides a signal or data representative of an ambient temperature of where the vehicle is located. 
         [0011]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  102  is controlled by the telematics communication device  108 . In a preferred embodiment, the telematics communications device is a wireless communications device compatible with a “cellular” type radio communications system. As used herein, the term “cellular” refers to a radiotelephone system in which a geographical area, such as a city, is divided into small sections each section being provided with two-way communications services by a transmitter and receiver of limited range. 
         [0012]    The power consumption monitor  104  is configured to measure or determine the electric power consumed by each of several electrical and electronic devices  126  that also comprise the system  100 . Circuits and methods to measure current consumption are well known in the prior art and a description of them is omitted for brevity. 
         [0013]    The power consumption monitor  104  is connected to, and obtains power for the devices  126  from the vehicle&#39;s battery  102  by way of a bus  128 . The bus  128  extends from the battery  120  to an input of the power consumption monitor  104 . An output bus  105  of the power consumption monitor  104  provides electric power to the input  107  of a power distribution switch  106 . A global positioning system or GPS  122  and the ambient temperature  124  are also coupled to the power consumption monitor  104  which monitors the power they consume. 
         [0014]    By virtue of its connection to the battery  120  the power consumption monitor  104  is configured to test the capacity remaining in the battery  120 . Battery capacity is usually measured in amp-hours, which is a quantity well-known to those of ordinary skill in the electrically arts as a time in hours, or fractional part thereof, during which the battery can deliver some number of amperes, or fraction thereof. 
         [0015]    The telematics communications device  108  in the preferred embodiment is comprised of a conventional cellular telephone. It transmits information-bearing signals to, and receives information-bearing signals from a telematics service provider, not shown, using a conventional antenna  130  coupled to the telematics communications device  108  by a conventional transmission line  132 . General Motors&#39; “ON-STAR™” is an example of a telematics service. The entity that provides one or more of the “ON-STAR™” service or functionality and/or associated hardware or “backbone” is considered herein to be an example of a telematics service provider. 
         [0016]    In a first embodiment, the telematics communications device  108  is provided with electronic circuitry or processing capability, which is able to keep track of, and respond to, the electric power consumed by each of the several electrical devices  126  that comprise the electrical system  100 . It is also able to detect when the vehicle is shut off. As shown in the figure, the on/off state of the vehicle is detected by the open or closed state of a switch  134 , typically a part of the vehicle&#39;s ignition switch, omitted for brevity. 
         [0017]    The function or capabilities of the telematics communication device  108  includes detecting when the vehicle is off by virtue of the switch  134  or an equivalent thereof. It is able to obtain power consumption information from the power consumption monitor  104 , whether the vehicle is on or off and thus monitors the electric power consumption of each of each of the electrical devices in the vehicle. 
         [0018]    Battery capacity is determined by the power consumption monitor  104 . The battery capacity, as measured in amp-hours remaining in the battery  120 , is provided to the telematics communications device  108  by a conventional address/data/control bus  136 , commonly found in microprocessors and microcontrollers, and which couples the power consumption monitor  104  to the telematics communications device  108 . 
         [0019]    The telematics communications device  108  is configured to transmit a message to either a telematics service provider or a vehicle operator, which can include the vehicle&#39;s owner, a driver or perhaps a lessee. Among other things, the message reports the power consumption rate of the devices  126  that comprise the electrical system  100 , the estimated battery life remaining in the battery  120  and a projection of how long the existing battery capacity can continue to provide power to the “powered-up” devices  126  before the vehicle will not be able to be started. Stated another way, the telematics communication device  108  transmits a power consumption notification message from which a telematics service provider or vehicle owner can decide or determine whether to selectively power off various electrical devices of the system  100 . 
         [0020]    After the power consumption notification message is transmitted from the telecommunications device  108 , it is configured to expect a response to that power consumption notification message and respond accordingly. In a preferred embodiment, the telematics communications device  108  receives a message from either a telematics service provider or a user or operator of the vehicle, by a way of a data message the contents of which specify the identity of electrical devices  126  to be powered off and the order in which they are to be shut off according to a variety of different parameters and/or conditions. 
         [0021]    The electrical devices  126  that are controllable by the telematics communications device  108  are several devices that are coupled to a power distribution switch  106 . The power distribution switch  106  is essentially a switched matrix (matrix of switches) by which electrical power from the power consumption monitor  104  can be selectively provided to various devices  126  over a power distribution bus  140 . The power distribution bus  140  is therefore comprised of several individual conductors carrying battery voltage with the vehicle chassis providing a return path or ground  121 . 
         [0022]    As  FIG. 1  is drawn, the electrical devices  126  that are electrically attached to the power distribution bus  140  are controllable by the power distribution switch  106 , the power consumption monitor  104  and the telematics communications device  108 . They include an electrically-powered or a conventional, engine-powered, belt-driven air conditioning system  142 , an electric vehicle compartment heater  144 , electric door locks  146 , headlamp intensity or operability  148 , the enablement or disenablement of electrical accessories such as power seats  150 , an audio system or even the electronic control unit “ECU”  154  of the engine. The control of electrical power to the various devices  126  by a power distribution bus  140  can be readily accomplished using devices and techniques known in the art. A detailed description of them is therefore omitted for brevity. 
         [0023]    By way of example, the power consumption controller  102  detects when the vehicle is off by virtue of switch  134 , evaluates the battery capacity, the current draw of each of the electrical devices  126 , calculates the time remaining at the current rate of usage and transmits a power consumption notification message to an operator. The message will include within it, the calculated or estimated time remaining for the battery at the current rate of usage. When the operator receives the power consumption notification message, the operator can selectively power off devices such as the engine control unit  154 , an alarm system or disable a heater  144 , or air conditioner  142  in or to extend the usable life of the battery  120  from a remote location and thereby extend the time the vehicle can be left unattended and yet re-startable when the operator returns. In a preferred embodiment, and as described more fully below, one or more of the apparatus  102  and the telecommunications device  108  are configured to provide an interactive dialogue between the vehicle and a remotely located operator of the vehicle. The dialogue is comprised of one or more power-reducing, operational changes to the vehicle presented to the operator on the display device of the operator&#39;s wireless communications device and through which the operator can select to be implemented by the apparatus  102 . 
         [0024]    Which devices  126  are powered off, the order in which they are powered off and the times at which they are powered off and the duration that they are powered off, is selectable by the user configuring one or more power-down instruction messages, which the telematics communication device  108  expects to received within a finite period of time after it transmits the power consumption notification message. If a power-down instruction message is not received within a predetermined period of time after the power consumption notification message is sent, the power consumption controller  102  is configured to autonomously power-down various electrical devices  126  according to a default specification stored within the telematics communications device  108 . 
         [0025]    The default ordering of electrical device shut-down or disablement is preferably an ordering of that is determined by an expected power requirement of the battery, such as the amount of power that will be required by the battery in order to start the vehicle, at some future date and time specified by the user or programmed by default. The anticipated power requirements are preferably determined by conditions or events that affect every battery&#39;s ability to start an engine. Those conditions are the ambient temperature, how long the battery has been in an off state or its elapsed time in the off state, the battery&#39;s age, its initial charge level and a history of the battery&#39;s requirements, i.e., a history of how much power is required to start an engine which will be affected by a variety of engine characteristics. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is an alternate embodiment of an apparatus for controlling power consumption in a vehicle. The apparatus of  FIG. 2  is comprised of a processor or CPU  202  coupled to a conventional program memory device  204  via a conventional address/control/data bus  206 . When executed by the CPU  202 , program instructions stored in the memory  204  imbue the processor or CPU  202  with the ability to control a semi-conductor device  208 , such as the Darlington pair transistor  208  shown, which acts as a switch mechanism: it allows current to flow from a battery  210  through a load  212  to ground  214  responsive to a control signal  216  that it receives from the CPU  202 . The semi-conductor device  208  is thus able to turn on a load and turn off a load by virtue of a signal  216  output to the semi-conductor device  208  by the CPU  202 . The signal  216  is provided according to program instructions stored in the memory device when they are executed by the CPU. 
         [0027]    The CPU  202  is also coupled to various vehicle sensors  218  through one or more conventional I/O ports, omitted for brevity. Such sensors would include ambient temperature sensors, a battery condition sensor, a current drain sensor, a collision detector and so forth. A global positioning system  220 , a telematics communication device  222  and various powered devices  224  are all connected to or coupled to CPU  202  via a conventional address and control bus  226 . The bus  226  thus provides the CPU  202  the ability to talk to and listen and therefore control various peripheral devices coupled to the CPU  202  via the bus  226 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  depicts steps of a method for controlling power consumption in a vehicle. It is but one embodiment of a method that can be implemented by either one of the systems depicted in  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2  or equivalents thereof. 
         [0029]    As a preliminary matter, step  302  determines whether the vehicle is “on” or “off.” An “off” state is considered to exist when an internal combustion engine-powered vehicle as well as a so-called “hybrid” vehicle, is in a state wherein the internal combustion engine is not running or it is not providing power to charge or re-charge a battery. An “off” state is considered to exist in an all-electric vehicle when the vehicle is stationary and not being charged. 
         [0030]    At step  302 , the method determines that the vehicle is in an off condition thereby placing the battery at risk of being depleted by current-draining devices in the vehicle. 
         [0031]    When the vehicle is shut off or determined to be in an off condition and one or more devices  126  continue to draw energy from a vehicle battery, the method  300  first determines the current drain of the various electrical loads  126  on the battery  120  at step  304 . As stated above, the battery condition is evaluated to determine how long it can last under various conditions. In  FIG. 3  this determination or measurement occurs at step  306  but those of ordinary skill of the art will recognize that the evaluation of the battery capacity before or after the evaluation of the current drain is a design choice. 
         [0032]    Regardless of whether the battery capacity is measured before or after the current drain caused by the various electrical loads, a power consumption message is transmitted at step  308 . In one embodiment, a timer is started at step  310 . The timer is referred to herein as a message response timer. At step  310 , the message response timer is started followed by a test  312  of whether a response message has been received by the telematics communications device. If no response message is received after the response message has been started, the program continues to wait for a response message for the duration of a response message timer. The program thus loops steps  312  and  314  until a response message is received or the response message timer times out. 
         [0033]    Still referring to step  312 , if a response message is received, the power down sequence in that message is executed at step  314 . As stated above, the timing, ordering or sequencing of devices to power down is selectable by a vehicle operator, a telematics service provider or some other party, a salient feature being that the power down sequence can be specified manually rather than automatically. 
         [0034]    The apparatus for controlling power consumption is configured to monitor all devices that are drawing current from the battery, and which are capable of drawing current from the battery, when the vehicle is turned off. It also has the ability to monitor the current environmental condition of the battery. It is also configured to be able to use a cellular or other wireless network to download predictive data such as the 10 day hour by hour temperature forecast. 
         [0035]    The apparatus can use some or all of the gathered data, including a projected future temperature profile, to make calculations that predict remaining battery life. When the apparatus “sees” that the battery is below some capacity, the apparatus places a call to a telematics service provider or an operator communicate the predicted hours, minutes, days or weeks of charge left in the battery based on existing power consumption and an existing or predicted or expected temperature profile. The message can include text messages or audio files that warn or predict a battery power loss or battery failure and which can suggest actions that can or should be taken to reduce power consumption. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6  depict an interactive, power control dialogue between a vehicle and an operator of the vehicle, who is located away from the vehicle but who is nevertheless able to choose whether to change the power consumption rate and how to change it using a telematics master of power device and a wireless communications device. The dialogue is effectuated in large part by a telematics-capable vehicle, a telematics master of power such as the one depicted in  FIG. 1 , a wireless communications network compatible with the telematics devices that comprise the telematics-capable vehicle, and a wireless communications device compatible with the network. 
         [0037]    In  FIG. 4 , a vehicle  402  equipped with a telematics master of power apparatus, such as the one shown in  FIG. 1  and equivalents thereof, is depicted as transmiting a power consumption notification message  404  from the vehicle  402  to a telematics service provider via a cellular or other wireless communications network, represented in  FIG. 4  by an antenna tower  406 . The power consumption message  404  includes information obtained by the vehicle-located apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . Such information includes, but is not limited to, current drain of various loads powered by the battery. It can also include vehicle type and location, outside temperature and the battery&#39;s size or capacity and its age. 
         [0038]    Data in the power consumption notification message  404  sent to the telematics service provider is processed to provide an estimate of the usable life left in the battery. After processing, the consumption notification message  404  is re-transmitted from the telematics service provider as a second, processed or formatted power consumption notification message  408 , which is configured to be displayed on a wireless communications device  410 . The power consumption notification message  408  from the telematics service provider is thus transmitted to, and received by, a vehicle operator&#39;s wireless communications device  410 , so long as the device  410  is within signal range of a wireless communications network  406 . 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , information in the message  408  from the telematics service provider is formatted by the telematics service provider to be compliant with the display parameters and functionality of the display device  412  on the wireless communications device  410 . As also shown in  FIG. 4 , the power consumption notification message  408  includes information that identified the model of the vehicle that the message  408  pertains to. Additional information in the message  408  includes the battery&#39;s useful life remaining at the existing rate of discharge. 
         [0040]      FIG. 4  shows two touch-sensitive areas or regions  414 A and  414 B on the display device  412  of the communications device  410 . Selection or actuation of one these two regions  414 A and  414 B enable the user of the wireless communications device  410  to decide whether to remotely change the rate at which current is being drained from the battery (a “YES” selection  414 A) or to allow the vehicle  402  to continue to operate normally (“NO” selection  414 B). The selection made by the user is transmitted to the vehicle  402  via an outbound, power-down response message  416 , i.e., a message directing the vehicle-located power control apparatus, instructing it whether to execute a user-specified power-down sequence or a default power down sequence. 
         [0041]    If the user of the wireless communications device selects “YES” which means that the vehicle operator wants to customize or specify which power-consuming devices to turn off or power down, the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 , or the vehicle-located telematics controller responds with one or more power-down choices for the operator. If the vehicle operator selects “NO,” the vehicle will continue to operate normally. The power-down response message  416  indicates that no changes to the power consuming devices should be made. 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  depicts the display of a telematics master of power response to an operator&#39;s “YES” selection to a power consumption notification message  408  from a telematics service provider, i.e., that the operator wants to see options of which power-consuming devices to shut down or alter the operation of is presented with a choice of turning off the vehicle&#39;s head unit or turning off the radio used by the vehicle&#39;s remote keyless entry system. An update message  502 A is sent from the vehicle  402  to the wireless communications device  410  via the telematics service provider and the wireless network  406 . The update message  502 A is processed by the telematics service provider for display on the display device  412  of the wireless communications device  410 . The telematics service provider re-transmits the message  502 B to the wireless communications device  410 . 
         [0043]    In  FIG. 5 , the power savings realized by two different vehicle operation changes  504  and  506  are displayed on the display device  412  with corresponding touch-sensitive selection areas  510  and  512 . 
         [0044]    When an operator selects one or both power-saving actions depicted in  FIG. 5 , the wireless communications device  410  transmits a corresponding power-down command message  518 A, i.e., one containing information that identifies the operator&#39;s selection(s). The power-down command message  518 A is transmitted to the telematics service provider via a wireless communications network  406 . The telematics service provider extracts power down command information and formats it for the telematics controller and/or the master of power apparatus in the vehicle. It then forwards the power-down command message  518 B, or a variant thereof, to the vehicle  402  via the wireless communications network. 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , when the vehicle receives the power-down command message  518 B, it responds with a power consumption update message  602 A to the operator. The power consumption update message  602 A is transmitted to the telematics service provider via the wireless communications network  406 . When the telematics service provider receives the power consumption update message  602 A from the vehicle  402 , it prepares a power consumption update message  602 B for the display device  412  of the wireless communications device  410 . The wireless communications device  410  is configured to provide the operator with the ability to send another power-down command message  606 A to the telematics service provider, which reformats the message to be compatible with the equipment on the vehicle  402 . The message is reformatted  602 A and transmitted to the vehicle. 
         [0046]    As can be seen in  FIG. 6 , the wireless communications device  410  shows how the vehicle&#39;s power consumption reduction that was effectuated by the devices that were shut down by the previously-received power-down command message. An operator of vehicle can thus conduct a power-reducing dialogue with a vehicle  402  provided with a telematics system master of power, such as the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . The dialogue can be via a web site or web page, an e-mail exchange, an short message service or “SMS” message exchange or other protocols. 
         [0047]    In one embodiment, the operator can be provided a list of actions that can be taken to increase the life of the battery. Such information is preferably sent by a wireless communication network, as a message to a smart phone or to an e-mail address. The message preferably explains the potential power savings as shown in  FIG. 5  and the effect it will have on the vehicle. The message can also simply be a list of actions that can be directed or specified by the operator. 
         [0048]    In another embodiment, a driver or other vehicle user can be given an opportunity to put in a date or time when the driver or operator will return to the vehicle. The apparatus can use this date or time to preemptively turn all services back on, based on available battery power. 
         [0049]    In yet another embodiment, GPS-equipped smart phones can periodically or continuously provide a location of the phone, to the apparatus in the vehicle, via the wireless communication network. In such an embodiment, the apparatus in the vehicle can be configured to determine the distance between the smart phone and the vehicle and determine the rate at which the separation distance decreases and preemptively turn current-drawing devices back on when the driver or operator is within a predetermined distance from the car. 
         [0050]    Upon receipt of the power down sequence at step  314 , the method proceeds to step  316  where it waits for the vehicle to be turned back “on.” 
         [0051]    When the response message timer is determined to have timed out at step  314 , the method executes a default power down sequence at step  320 . The default power down sequence  320  is preferably specified to minimize the current drawn from the battery over time and to thereby maximize the time that the telematics communications device can be operated without jeopardizing the ability of the car to be restarted. In one embodiment, the power down sequence even turns off the telematics communications device when the battery capacity has been depleted to a point where it might be unable to start the vehicle. 
         [0052]    After the default power down sequence is performed at step  320 , the vehicle stays in a state where it waits for the vehicle to be turned on. When power to the vehicle is resumed or the power enters an “on” state the program proceeds to step  322  where power is restored to all of the electrical components by virtue of the fact that the engine is running and therefore presumably charging the battery. 
         [0053]    The foregoing description is for purposes of illustration only. The true scope of the invention is set forth is the appurtenant claims.