Patent Description:
Aspects of this disclosure relate generally to automotive vehicles, and more particularly to automotive vehicle power management.

A conventional automotive vehicle includes a primary power source, for example, a battery. Typically, the primary power source is depleted when used to start the vehicle (or to perform any other electrical function) and then recharged by the engine once the vehicle is running. For example, many cabin features - dashboard indicators, infotainment system, power-assist for windows, locks, etc. - also rely on the primary battery for power.

If the primary power source runs down or gets disconnected, vehicle features lose power and cease to function. For example, when the primary power source is replaced, clock maintenance functionality cannot be maintained. Once power is restored to vehicle (for example, by recharging or replacing a battery), the clock must be reset. Solutions are needed for maintaining clock maintenance functionality in the absence of a power supply from the primary battery. <CIT> describes a vehicle system with a backup circuit connected to the emergency call apparatus for supplying the controller with electric power from a backup battery. <CIT> describes secure transaction management and electronic rights protection. <CIT> discloses determining time between stopping a vehicle and starting again.

The following summary is an overview provided solely to aid in the description of various aspects of the disclosure and is provided solely for illustration of the aspects and not limitation thereof. In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may comprise, for example, a primary power supply (PPS) configured to supply primary power, a PPS sensor configured to measure the power supplied by the PPS and provide a PPS measurement signal indicating an amount of the power supplied by the PPS, a backup power supply (BPS) configured to be provided in an emergency data system and further configured to supply backup power to a modem, and an integrated circuit configured to maintain a clock using the power supplied by the PPS. The integrated circuit is configured to receive the PPS measurement signal from the PPS sensor, determine whether the PPS measurement signal falls below a threshold, and maintain the clock using the power supplied by the BPS in response to a determination that the PPS measurement signal has fallen below the threshold.

In accordance with other aspects of the disclosure, a method is disclosed. The method may comprise, for example, maintaining, with an integrated circuit, a clock using power supplied by a primary power supply (PPS), measuring, with a PPS sensor, the power supplied by the PPS, providing, with the PPS sensor, a PPS measurement signal indicating an amount of the power supplied by the PPS, determining, with the integrated circuit, whether the PPS measurement signal falls below a threshold, and maintaining the clock using power supplied by a backup power supply (BPS) in response to a determination that the PPS measurement signal has fallen below the threshold, wherein the BPS is configured to be provided in an emergency data system and further configured to supply backup power to a modem.

In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, another apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may comprise, for example, a primary power supply (PPS) and an integrated circuit. The PPS may be configured to supply a PPS signal and a PPS profile signal, wherein the PPS signal is configured to supply power and the PPS profile signal indicates one or more characteristics of the PPS. The integrated circuit may be configured to receive the PPS signal and the PPS profile signal from the PPS, operate using the supply power associated with the PPS signal, determine the one or more characteristics of the PPS based on the PPS profile signal, and manage power based on the determined one or more characteristics.

In accordance with other aspects of the disclosure, another method is disclosed. The method may comprise, for example, supplying, with a primary power supply (PPS), a PPS signal and a PPS profile signal, wherein the PPS signal is configured to supply power and the PPS profile signal indicates one or more characteristics of the PPS, receiving, with an integrated circuit, the PPS signal and the PPS profile signal from the PPS, operating, with the integrated circuit, using the supply power associated with the PPS signal, determining, with the integrated circuit, the one or more characteristics of the PPS based on the PPS profile signal, and managing, with the integrated circuit, power based on the determined one or more characteristics.

<FIG> generally illustrates a vehicle <NUM> in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

The vehicle <NUM> may include a PPS <NUM> (where "PPS" is an abbreviation of "primary power supply"), a PPS sensor <NUM>, an IC <NUM> (where "IC" is an abbreviation of integrated circuit), an emergency data system <NUM>, an antenna <NUM>, and an engine <NUM>.

The PPS <NUM> may be, for example, a battery. The PPS <NUM> may supply the power used to light the dashboard and headlamps, operate power windows and power locks, start the engine <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>, etc..

The PPS sensor <NUM> may be configured to measure the power supplied by the PPS <NUM> and provide a PPS measurement signal indicating an amount of the power supplied by the PPS <NUM>. In some implementations, the PPS sensor <NUM> may be a voltmeter. The PPS measurement signal may be generated by the PPS sensor <NUM> and provided to, for example, the IC <NUM>.

The IC <NUM> may be, for example, an integrated circuit, a power management IC (PMIC), a system-on-chip (SoC), and/or any component thereof. The IC <NUM> may be configured to receive the PPS measurement signal from the PPS sensor <NUM>, as will be described in greater detail below. The IC <NUM> may further include a clock <NUM>. The clock <NUM> may be used to track the time of day, which may be displayed to an operator of the vehicle <NUM> (on, for example, the dashboard), or used for any other application that requires a timing measurement. In some implementations, the IC <NUM> may comprise a secure processor. In other implementations, a secure processor may be provided elsewhere in the vehicle <NUM>. In either case, repeated loss of the power supplied to the secure processor (and/or repeated loss of accurate timing information from the clock <NUM>) may cause a malfunction of the secure processor. The secure processor may typically be inaccessible to the end user, and may be configured to support financial transactions, digital rights management (DRM) for premium content, or any other suitable secure executions. For example, if an end user purchases the rights to view a movie for one week, the secure processor may be configured to perform the purchase transaction. Moreover, at the expiration of one week, the secure processor would deactivate viewing in order to ensure that digital rights are respected. If the secure processor were accessible to the end user, then the end user may be able to manipulate the clock that the secure processor relies on to perform many of its functions. The secure processor may have non-volatile memory (NVM) configured to store a finite series of power failures where the last known time could be stored. At power restoration the new time could be compared to the stored time to ensure time didn't go backwards. However, the clock time maintenance described in the present application may be preferable relative to, for example, enlargement of an on-die NVM memory.

If the power supplied by the PPS <NUM> is interrupted, the IC <NUM> may not be able to maintain the clock <NUM>. An accurate clock may be a pre-requisite for any number of important functions, including security purposes. In conventional implementations, the operator of the vehicle <NUM> must manually set the clock <NUM> after every power interruption (which may be due to maintenance, overuse, etc.). However, as will be discussed in greater detail below, the method <NUM> depicted in <FIG> may enable the IC <NUM> to maintain the clock <NUM> even in the event that the power supplied by the PPS <NUM> is interrupted.

The emergency data system <NUM> may include a modem <NUM> and a BPS <NUM> (where "BPS" is an abbreviation of "backup power supply"). In some implementations, the emergency data system <NUM> may include a resilient housing that is designed to protect the modem <NUM> (and other critical components of the emergency data system <NUM>) from damage, and remain in operation during an emergency (for example, when the car has been in an accident). The modem <NUM> may be coupled to the antenna <NUM>, and if the vehicle <NUM> is in an accident, the modem <NUM> and antenna <NUM> may be used to contact emergency services and relay relevant data thereto.

In some implementations, the engine <NUM> may be, for example, an internal combustion engine. Power supplied by the PPS <NUM> may be used to start the engine <NUM>. After the engine <NUM> is running, the power generated by the engine <NUM> may be used to re-charge the PPS <NUM> and/or the BPS <NUM>.

In other implementations, the engine <NUM> may be replaced and/or augmented with other power sources. For example, if the vehicle <NUM> is a hybrid vehicle, then the vehicle <NUM> may include a plurality of power sources (for example, batteries). If the vehicle <NUM> is an electric vehicle, then the engine <NUM> may be omitted and replaced by a plurality of power sources (for example, batteries). In either case, the vehicle <NUM> has a PPS <NUM> that supplies power to the IC <NUM>, emergency data system <NUM>, and other components of the vehicle <NUM>.

<FIG> generally illustrates a method of maintaining a clock, for example, the clock <NUM> depicted in <FIG>.

At <NUM>, the method <NUM> maintains the clock <NUM> and/or a secure processor using power supplied by the PPS <NUM>. The maintaining at <NUM> may be performed by, for example, the IC <NUM> depicted in <FIG>.

At <NUM>, the method <NUM> measures the power supplied by the PPS <NUM>. The measuring at <NUM> may be performed by, for example, the PPS sensor <NUM> depicted in <FIG>.

At <NUM>, the method <NUM> provides a PPS measurement signal indicating an amount of power supplied by the PPS <NUM>. The providing at <NUM> may be performed by, for example, a PPS sensor analogous to the PPS sensor <NUM> depicted in <FIG>. The PPS measurement signal may be provided to, for example, the IC <NUM>. As noted above, in some implementations, the PPS sensor <NUM> may include a voltmeter. The voltmeter may be used to monitor the voltage of the PPS <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the method <NUM> determines whether the PPS measurement signal falls below a threshold. If the PPS measurement signal does not fall below the threshold ('no' at <NUM>), then the method <NUM> returns to the maintaining at <NUM> and the method <NUM> continues to maintain the clock <NUM> using power supplied by the PPS <NUM>. If the PPS measurement signal falls below the threshold ('yes' at <NUM>), then the method <NUM> proceeds to <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the method <NUM> maintains the clock <NUM> and/or the secure processor using power supplied by the BPS <NUM>. The transition from the PPS <NUM> to the BPS <NUM> may be performed using a switch. The switch may open the electrical path to the PPS <NUM> and/or close the electrical path to the BPS <NUM>. The switch may do the reverse if the PPS sensor <NUM> determines that the power supplied by the PPS <NUM> has been restored.

In the event that the power supplied by the PPS <NUM> is interrupted, the method <NUM> may be performed in order to maintain functioning of the secure processor and/or avoid the necessity of manually resetting the clock <NUM> upon restoration of the primary power supply.

The vehicle <NUM> may include a PPS <NUM>, a PPS sensor <NUM>, an IC <NUM>, an emergency data system <NUM>, an antenna <NUM>, and an engine <NUM>.

The PPS <NUM> may be analogous to the PPS <NUM>. Accordingly, the PPS <NUM> may supply the power used to light the dashboard and headlamps, operate power windows and power locks, start the engine <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>, etc..

The PPS sensor <NUM> may be analogous in some respects to the PPS sensor <NUM>. For example, the PPS sensor <NUM> may be configured to measure a voltage of the PPS <NUM>. However, the PPS sensor <NUM> may be further configured to sense PPS profile data, as will be discussed in greater detail below with reference to <FIG>.

The IC <NUM> may be analogous in some respects to the IC <NUM>. The IC <NUM> may be configured to receive the PPS profile data from the PPS sensor <NUM>. The IC <NUM> may be coupled to a database <NUM> and/or one or more sensors <NUM>.

The database <NUM> may be used by the IC <NUM> to store the PPS profile data provided by the PPS sensor <NUM>. In some conventional implementations, the power supply signal is a relatively static direct current ("DC") voltage. However, in accordance with aspects of the disclosure, the PPS profile data may be superimposed, encoded, etc., on the direct current generated by the PPS <NUM> and used to power the vehicle <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the PPS profile data is communicated from the PPS <NUM> to the IC <NUM> by any suitable method, for example, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low-Energy, WiFi, radio frequency identification ("RFID"), etc..

The one or more sensors <NUM> may provide sensor data. The database <NUM> may be used by the IC <NUM> to store the sensor data received from the one or more sensors <NUM>. The one or more sensors <NUM> may include one or more temperature sensors, one or more accelerometers, one or more accident detectors (for example, airbag deployment sensors), and/or any other suitable sensors.

The emergency data system <NUM> may be analogous to the emergency data system <NUM> and may include a modem <NUM> analogous to the modem <NUM>. Accordingly, the emergency data system <NUM> may include a resilient housing that is designed to protect the modem <NUM> (and other critical elements of the emergency data system <NUM>) from damage, and remain in operation during an emergency (for example, when the car has been in an accident). The modem <NUM> may be coupled to the antenna <NUM>, and if the vehicle <NUM> is in an accident, the modem <NUM> and antenna <NUM> may be used to contact emergency services and relay relevant data thereto.

In some implementations, PPS profile data, sensor data, or any other data may be received by the antenna <NUM> and provided to the modem <NUM>. In accordance with the present disclosure, the PPS profile data and/or sensor data (or portions thereof) may be obtained from external databases (for example, a remote server), external sensors (i.e., not associated with the vehicle <NUM>), etc..

The engine <NUM> may be, for example, an internal combustion engine. Power supplied by the PPS <NUM> may be used to start the engine <NUM>. After the engine <NUM> is running, the power generated by the engine <NUM> may be used to re-charge the PPS <NUM>. A regulator <NUM> may regulate the power used to re-charge the PPS <NUM>. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the regulator <NUM> may be controlled by, for example, the IC <NUM>.

In another implementation, the engine <NUM> may be omitted or augmented with other power sources. For example, if the vehicle <NUM> is a hybrid vehicle, then the vehicle <NUM> may include a plurality of power sources (for example, batteries). If the vehicle <NUM> is an electric vehicle, then the engine <NUM> may be omitted and replaced by a plurality of power sources (for example, batteries). In either case, the vehicle <NUM> has a PPS <NUM> that supplies power to the IC <NUM>, emergency data system <NUM>, and other components of the vehicle <NUM>.

<FIG> generally illustrates a method <NUM> of controlling power management.

At <NUM>, the method <NUM> receives from the PPS <NUM> a PPS signal configured to supply power and a PPS profile signal configured to indicate one or more characteristics of the PPS <NUM>. The receiving may be performed by, for example, the IC <NUM>. The PPS profile signal may be superimposed on the PPS signal, encoded within the PPS signal, or otherwise included in the PPS signal.

The PPS profile signal may include PPS profile information that includes, for example, identifiers for the manufacturer, the model, the part number, and/or the serial number of the PPS <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the PPS profile information may include, for example, PPS usage information, for example, a length of time since the battery was installed, an amount of power provided to the vehicle, an amount of recharge power received, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the PPS profile information may include, for example, one or more charging profiles associated with the PPS <NUM>. The charging profiles may specify any combination of conditions and/or charge characteristics. For example, the charging profiles may identify a voltage, rate of voltage change, charging current, or rate of current change that is optimal for the PPS <NUM>. In some implementations, the charging profile may vary with the temperature and/or the voltage of the PPS <NUM>. For example, a first charging voltage may be optimal when it is cold, and a second charging voltage (different from the first charging voltage) may be optimal when it is hot. In this scenario, the charging profile may be modeled as an algebraic expression with temperature as a variable.

At <NUM>, the method <NUM> operates using the power supplied by the PPS signal. The operating at <NUM> may be performed by, for example, the IC <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the method <NUM> determines one or more characteristics of the PPS <NUM> based on the PPS profile signal.

At <NUM>, the method <NUM> optionally receives sensor data provided by the one or more sensors <NUM>. To return to an earlier example, the sensor data may include a current temperature. The receiving at <NUM> may be performed by, for example, the IC <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the method <NUM> manages power based on the one or more characteristics (determined at <NUM>) and/or the sensor data (received at <NUM>). To return to an earlier example, the managing at <NUM> may comprise determining an optimal charging signal (for example, an optimal charging current or other suitable characteristic) and causing the engine <NUM> to provide the optimal charging current to the PPS <NUM> (for example, by providing an indication of the optimal values to the regulator <NUM>). The managing may be performed by, for example, the IC <NUM>. The regulator <NUM> may receive the indication of the optimal values, and may control the charging current (or other characteristic) of the power supplied to the PPS <NUM> by the engine <NUM>.

<FIG> generally illustrates a charging profile <NUM> for a PPS, for example, the PPS <NUM>. As noted above, the charging profile <NUM> may be included in the PPS profile data. The charging profile <NUM> may indicate a maximum recommended voltage of the PPS <NUM> (for example, 15V), a preferred charging current (for example, <NUM>. 3A), and one or more trigger voltages (for example, 14V) that trigger a change in the preferred charging current (for example, <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the charging profile will vary based on the type and capacity of the battery and may additionally be influenced by other environmental and battery specific conditions.

The charging profile <NUM> shows a charging current <NUM>, indicated by a thick line, and a PPS voltage <NUM>, indicated by a thick dashed line. In an initial state <NUM>, the PPS <NUM> has a voltage of 4V and is not receiving a charge current. The voltage may be higher or lower than 4V and it will be understood that the particular values identified in the description of <FIG> may, in some implementations, be any suitable value. The IC <NUM> may be configured to detect an error if, for example, the voltage of the PPS <NUM> is below a threshold voltage, a resistance of the PPS <NUM> is above a threshold resistance, or a temperature of the PPS <NUM> or its environment is below a minimum temperature or above a maximum temperature. The IC <NUM> may be further configured to provide error notifications based on the detected errors.

The IC <NUM> may determine that the PPS voltage <NUM> of the PPS <NUM> (for example, the voltage in the initial state <NUM>) is below a minimum voltage threshold (for example, 14V). The determination may be based on, for example, a signal from the PPS sensor <NUM>. Accordingly, the IC <NUM> may perform power management by commanding the regulator <NUM> to provide a charge current to the PPS <NUM>. In some implementations, the IC <NUM> may perform power management only if there is no error detected by the IC <NUM>.

The regulator <NUM> may respond by increasing a level of the charging current <NUM> to a bulk charging current. The charging current <NUM> may be provided to the PPS <NUM> during a bulk charging period <NUM>. During the bulk charging period <NUM>, the PPS voltage <NUM> may rise in response to the increase in the charging current <NUM>. The bulk charging <NUM> may end when the PPS voltage <NUM> reaches a trigger voltage, for example, a minimum recommended operating voltage. The bulk charging <NUM> may also end if an error is detected. The IC <NUM> may be configured to detect an error if, for example, a temperature of the PPS <NUM> or its environment is below a minimum temperature or above a maximum temperature, or a bulk charging period timer has expired.

Following the bulk charging period <NUM> is an absorption charging period <NUM>. During the absorption charging period <NUM>, the amount of charging current <NUM> is reduced while the voltage is generally held constant. In the example of <FIG>, the charging current <NUM> drops from <NUM>. 3A to <NUM>. 1A over the course of the absorption charging period <NUM>. As noted above, transition from the bulk charging period <NUM> to the absorption charging period <NUM> may be triggered when the PPS voltage <NUM> reaches a trigger voltage (for example, 14V). For example, the PPS sensor <NUM> may sense the PPS voltage <NUM> and provide the results to the IC <NUM>. The IC <NUM> may determine if the trigger voltage has been reached. In particular, when the PPS voltage <NUM> reaches (for example) 14V, the IC <NUM> may command the regulator <NUM> to reduce the charging current <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, the charging current <NUM> drops to <NUM>. 1A during the absorption charging period <NUM>.

Following the absorption charging period <NUM> is a float charge period <NUM>. During the float charge period <NUM>, the IC <NUM> commands the regulator <NUM> to maintain the charging current <NUM> at a float charge current (<NUM>. 1A in the example of <FIG>). In response to the float charge current, the PPS voltage <NUM> rises to a maximum recommended voltage (for example, 15V).

Although not shown, it will be understood that once the maximum recommended voltage is reached, the charging current <NUM> may be cut off (i.e., reduced to <NUM>. It will be further understood that the process described above in relation to <FIG> may be repeated if the PPS voltage <NUM> ultimately falls back below the minimum voltage threshold.

As noted above, the charging profile <NUM> may be specific to a particular make or model of PPS <NUM>. In addition, the charging profile <NUM> may be a dynamic charging profile wherein the particular values of the minimum voltage threshold, the bulk charging current, the trigger voltage, the float charge current, etc., vary in response to sensed conditions. For example, if the one or more sensors <NUM> include a thermometer, then temperature (for example, battery temperature, ambient temperature, etc.) may be the sensed condition. As the temperature varies, the particular values of one or more of the minimum voltage threshold, the bulk charging current, the trigger voltage, the float charge current, etc., may also vary. For example, if the temperature falls below ten degrees Celsius, then the optimal bulk charging current may increase or decrease. Accordingly, the charging profile <NUM> provides instructions for how the specified values should be modified, and what should be commanded in response to a particular sensed condition.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and not to limit any embodiments disclosed herein. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes" and/or "including", when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Similarly, the phrase "based on" as used herein does not necessarily preclude influence of other factors and should be interpreted in all cases as "based at least in part on" rather than, for example, "based solely on".

It will be understood that terms such as "top" and "bottom", "left" and "right", "vertical" and "horizontal", etc., are relative terms used strictly in relation to one another, and do not express or imply any relation with respect to gravity, a manufacturing device used to manufacture the components described herein, or to some other device to which the components described herein are coupled, mounted, etc..

It should be understood that any reference to an element herein using a designation such as "first," "second," and so forth does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. Rather, these designations may be used herein as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements or instances of an element. Thus, a reference to first and second elements does not imply that there are only two elements and further does not imply that the first element must precede the second element in some manner. Also, unless stated otherwise a set of elements may comprise one or more elements. In addition, terminology of the form "at least one of A, B, or C" or "one or more of A, B, or C" or "at least one of the group consisting of A, B, and C" used in the description or the claims means "A or B or C or any combination of these elements.

In view of the descriptions and explanations above, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated, for example, that an apparatus or any component of an apparatus may be configured to (or made operable to or adapted to) provide functionality as taught herein. This may be achieved, for example: by manufacturing (e.g., fabricating) the apparatus or component so that it will provide the functionality; by programming the apparatus or component so that it will provide the functionality; or through the use of some other suitable implementation technique. As one example, an integrated circuit may be fabricated to provide the requisite functionality. As another example, an integrated circuit may be fabricated to support the requisite functionality and then configured (e.g., via programming) to provide the requisite functionality. As yet another example, a processor circuit may execute code to provide the requisite functionality.

Moreover, the methods, sequences, and/or algorithms described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module may reside in Random-Access Memory (RAM), flash memory, Read-only Memory (ROM), Erasable Programmable Read-only Memory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-only Memory (EEPROM), registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of non-transitory storage medium known in the art. As used herein the term "non-transitory" does not exclude any physical storage medium or memory and particularly does not exclude dynamic memory (e.g., RAM) but rather excludes only the interpretation that the medium can be construed as a transitory propagating signal. An example storage medium is coupled to the processor such that 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 (e.g., cache memory).

Claim 1:
An apparatus, comprising:
a primary power supply (<NUM>), PPS, configured to supply primary power;
a PPS sensor configured to measure the power supplied by the PPS and provide a PPS measurement signal indicating an amount of the power supplied by the PPS;
a backup power supply (<NUM>), BPS, configured to be provided in an emergency data system (<NUM>) and further configured to supply backup power to a modem (<NUM>); and
an integrated circuit configured to maintain a clock using the power supplied by the PPS, wherein the integrated circuit is configured to:
receive the PPS measurement signal from the PPS sensor;
determine whether the PPS measurement signal falls below a threshold; and
maintain the clock using the power supplied by the BPS in response to a determination that the PPS measurement signal has fallen below the threshold.