POWER TELEMATICS MASTER

Abstract

Method for controlling the power consumption in a vehicle with a battery (120) and a plurality of electrically operated devices (126), wherein the method comprises: Detecting the vehicle's off state; Monitoring the electrical power consumption of the devices while the vehicle is in the off state; Monitoring usable ampere-hours remaining in the battery (120); wireless transmission of a power consumption notification message containing a calculated or estimated time remaining for the battery (120) at the current rate of use; selective shutdown of at least one of the devices (126), according to a shutdown instruction received in the vehicle, or according to a preset sequence if no shutdown instruction is received in the vehicle before the expiry of a timeout value of the preset shutdown sequence, the shutdown instruction received in the vehicle consists of a specification of devices to be switched off, wherein the preset order consists of an order according to an expected power requirement of the battery (120) which is determined using at least one of the following: ambient air temperature; vehicle location; Elapsed time in off state; battery status; and historical battery power consumption.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] Today's vehicles are full of electronic devices that make driving safer and at least somewhat more enjoyable due to the communication, entertainment, and other functionalities they provide. Vehicles with modern electronic devices are typically designed and constructed in such a way that these devices will continue to draw power from the car battery even when the vehicle is switched off. Even standby power consumption can drain a car battery if the car is parked in the "off" state for an extended period.

[0002] JP 2006-160176 A describes a power supply system for a vehicle to power a variety of consumers within the vehicle from a battery mounted in the vehicle. When the remaining capacity of the battery has dropped to or below the reference value, a battery control device sends a message to a terminal device to query whether or not the shutdown device should be activated.

[0003] US Patent 2010 / 0102630 A1 describes an electrical vehicle system and a method for controlling an electrical vehicle system with a battery. The system determines the battery's state of charge and prevents a function of the electrical system based on this determined state of charge.

[0004] US 2005 / 0234604 A1 describes a control unit that controls the activation of an on-board device, such as an air conditioner, and the termination of the on-board device's operation in order to prevent an on-board battery from running out of residual electrical charge.

[0005] US 2007 / 0112476 A1 describes a control and management system for automobiles, in which a central processor connects unrelated vehicle subsystems to realize synergistic functions such as intelligent driving, automatic parking, etc.

[0006] It is common knowledge that a telematics communication system that continuously monitors the vehicle's condition and reports it to a telematics service provider can completely drain a car battery in two to four weeks, depending on the battery's size, age, and temperature, leaving the driver of such a vehicle stranded. While it is important to keep a telematics communication system operational to report the vehicle's condition and respond to external commands from a telematics service provider, extending battery life in vehicles equipped with electronic devices and telematics communication systems would represent an improvement over the current state of the art. SHORT SUMMARY

[0007] When a vehicle is "off," many electrically operated devices will continue to draw power from the battery, eventually draining it. Instead of switching these devices on, when the vehicle is switched off, a message is transmitted from the vehicle's telematics communication device to the operator, a telematics service provider, and / or elsewhere, informing the recipient that the devices are switched off. The recipient can then respond with an instruction to the telematics communication device specifying which devices should remain switched on, be switched off, or are scheduled to be switched off. Without such a message, the system switches devices off according to a preset shutdown sequence. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a block diagram of a device for controlling power consumption in a vehicle equipped with several electrically operated devices. Fig. Figure 2 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of a device for controlling power consumption. Fig. 3 is a flowchart that outlines the steps of a procedure for controlling or reducing the power consumption in a vehicle. The Fig. Figures 4-6 are examples of an interactive power control dialogue between a vehicle and an operator of the vehicle according to embodiments of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] Fig. Figure 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 consists of a device 102 for controlling the power consumption in the vehicle, which is also referred to herein as the power consumption controller. The same is also considered the power consumption master.

[0009] The device 102 includes a power consumption monitoring device 104, a switch 106 for switching the power distribution, and a telematics communication device 108. The devices that the device 102 may include, and which themselves may consist of hardware or a circuit as well as a processor that executes program instructions stored in a non-volatile memory device, are surrounded by a dashed line identified by the reference number 110.

[0010] In addition to the device 102 for controlling power consumption, the electrical system 100 also consists of a battery 120, which supplies the electrical and electronic devices with electrical energy, which is located in Fig. Figure 1 illustrates this. A global positioning system 122, or GPS 122, provides location data and other navigation capabilities. An ambient temperature sensor 124 provides a signal or data that is / are representative of the temperature of the environment in which the vehicle is located.

[0011] In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the device 102 is controlled by the telematics communication device 108. In a preferred embodiment, the telematics communication device is a wireless communication device compatible with a "cellular" radio communication system. As used herein, the term "cellular" relates to a radiotelephone system in which a geographical area, such as a large city, is divided into small sections, each section being provided with two-way communication services by a transmitter and a receiver of a limited area.

[0012] The power consumption monitoring device 104 is designed to measure or determine the electrical power consumed by each of the several electrical and electronic devices 126 that also constitute the system 100. Circuits and methods for measuring power consumption are generally known in the prior art, and a description thereof is omitted for the sake of brevity.

[0013] The power consumption monitoring device 104 is connected to the vehicle battery 102 via a bus 128 and receives power from it for the devices 126. The bus 128 extends from the battery 120 to an input of the power consumption monitoring device 104. An output bus 105 of the power consumption monitoring device 104 supplies electrical power to the input 107 of a power distribution switch 106. A global positioning system or GPS 122 and the ambient temperature sensor 124 are also connected to the power consumption monitoring device 104, which monitors the power they consume.

[0014] Due to the connection of the power consumption monitoring device 104 with the battery 120, the power consumption monitoring device 104 is intended to check the capacity remaining in the battery 120. Battery capacity is usually measured in ampere-hours, which is a quantity generally understood by someone with ordinary electrical engineering skills as a time in hours or a fraction thereof during which the battery can deliver a certain number of amperes or a fraction thereof.

[0015] The telematics communication device 108 in the preferred embodiment consists of a conventional mobile phone. It transmits information-carrying signals to a telematics service provider (not shown) and receives information-carrying signals from the same using a conventional antenna 130, which is coupled to the telematics communication device 108 by a conventional transmission line 132. General Motors' "ON-STAR™" is an example of a telematics service. The entity that provides one or more of the "ON-STAR™" service(s) or ON-STAR™ 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 communication device 108 is provided with an electronic circuit or processing capability capable of tracking and responding to the electrical power consumed by each of the several electrical devices 126 that constitute the electrical system 100. It is also capable of detecting when the vehicle is switched 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's ignition switch, which has been omitted for brevity.

[0017] The function or capabilities of the telematics communication device 108 include detecting when the vehicle is off, via switch 134 or an equivalent thereof. It is capable of receiving power consumption information from the power consumption monitoring device 104, indicating whether the vehicle is on or off, and consequently monitors the electrical power consumption of each electrical device in the vehicle.

[0018] The battery capacity is determined by the power consumption monitoring device 104. The battery capacity, measured in ampere-hours remaining in the battery 120, is provided to the telematics communication device 108 via a conventional address / data / control bus 136, commonly found in microprocessors and microcontrollers, which couples the power consumption monitoring device 104 to the telematics communication device 108.

[0019] The telematics communication device 108 is designed to transmit a message to either a telematics service provider or a vehicle operator, which may include a vehicle owner, a driver, or perhaps a lessee. Among other things, the message communicates the power consumption rate of the devices 126 that comprise the electrical system 100, the estimated remaining battery life in the battery 120, and a projection of how long the existing battery capacity can continue to power the "switched on" devices 126 before the vehicle cannot be started. In other words, the telematics communication device 108 transmits a power consumption notification that enables a telematics service provider or vehicle owner to decide or determine to selectively switch off various electrical devices of the system 100.

[0020] After the notification of power consumption or the power consumption notification message is transmitted by the telecommunications device 108, the latter is designed to expect a response to this power consumption notification message and to react accordingly. In a preferred embodiment, the telematics communication device 108 receives a message from either a telematics service provider or a user or operator of the vehicle by means of a data message whose contents specify the identity of the electrical devices 126 to be switched off and the order in which they are to be switched off according to a variety of different parameters and / or conditions.

[0021] The electrical devices 126, which are controllable by the telematics communication device 108, are several devices coupled to a power distribution switch 106. The power distribution switch 106 is essentially a switching matrix (matrix of switches) through which electrical power can be selectively supplied by the power consumption monitoring device 104 to various devices 126 via a power distribution bus 140. The power distribution bus 140 therefore consists of several individual conductors carrying battery voltage, with the vehicle chassis providing a return line or ground 121.

[0022] How Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the electrical devices 126, which are electrically connected to the power distribution bus 140, are controllable by the power distribution switch 106, the power consumption monitoring device 104, and the telematics communication device 108. These devices include an electrically operated or a conventional, motor-driven, belt-driven air conditioning system 142, an electric passenger compartment heater 144, electric door locks 146, headlight intensity or headlight operability 148, the enabling or disabling of electrical accessories, such as electrically adjustable seats 150, an audio system, or even the electronic control unit (ECU) 154 of the engine. Controlling the electrical power to the various devices 126 by a power distribution bus 140 can readily be accomplished using devices and techniques known in the art.A detailed description of the same is therefore omitted for the sake of brevity.

[0023] For example, the power consumption control unit 102 detects, via switch 134, when the vehicle is off, evaluates the battery capacity and the current draw of each electrical device 126, calculates the remaining time based on the current rate of use, and transmits a power consumption notification message to an operator. This message will include the calculated or estimated remaining battery life based on the current rate of use.When the operator receives the power consumption notification, the operator can selectively switch off devices such as the engine control unit 154 and an alarm system, or lock a heater 144 or air conditioner 142, to extend the usable operating time of the battery 120 from a remote location and thereby increase the time the vehicle can be left unattended and still be able to restart when the operator returns. In a preferred embodiment, and as described in more detail below, the device 102 and / or the telecommunications device 108 are provided to enable an interactive dialogue between the vehicle and a remote operator of the vehicle.The dialogue consists of one or more performance-reducing operational changes to the vehicle, which are presented to the operator on a display device of the operator's wireless communication device and through which the operator can select an implementation by the device 102.

[0024] The user can select which devices 126 are switched off, the order in which they are switched off, the times at which they are switched off, and the duration for which they are switched off. The user configures one or more switch-off instruction messages, which the telematics communication device 108 expects to receive within a limited time period after transmitting the power consumption notification message. If no switch-off instruction message is received within a predetermined time period after the power consumption notification message has been sent, the power consumption controller 102 is designed to autonomously switch off various electrical devices 126 according to a preset specification stored within the telematics communication device 108.

[0025] The preset order for shutting down or locking an electrical device is preferably an order determined by an anticipated power demand of the battery, such as the amount of power required by the battery to start the vehicle at a later time, which is specified by the user or programmed by default. The anticipated power demand is preferably determined by conditions or events that affect the ability of any battery to start a power-generating machine.

[0026] These conditions include the ambient temperature, how long the vehicle has been in an off state or the elapsed time in the off state, the age of the battery, its initial charge level, and a history of the battery'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.

[0027] Fig. 2 is an alternative embodiment of a device for controlling power consumption in a vehicle. The device of Fig. The device consists of a processor or CPU 202, which is coupled to a conventional program storage device 204 via a conventional address / control / data bus 206. When executed by the CPU 202, program instructions stored in the memory 204 enable the processor or CPU 202 to control a semiconductor device 208, such as the Darlington pair transistor 208 shown, which acts as a switching mechanism: it allows current to flow from a battery 210 through a load 212 to ground 214 in response to a control signal 216 that it receives from the CPU 202. The semiconductor device 208 is therefore capable of switching a load on and off based on a signal 216 output to the semiconductor device 208 by the CPU 202. Signal 216 is supplied according to the program instructions stored in the memory device when these are executed by the CPU.

[0028] The CPU 202 is also coupled to various vehicle sensors 218 via one or more conventional input / output ports, which are omitted for brevity. Such sensors would include ambient temperature sensors, a battery status sensor, a power consumption sensor, a collision detector, etc. A global positioning system 220, a telematics communication device 222, and various powered devices 224 are all connected or coupled to the CPU 202 via a conventional address and control bus 226. The bus 226 thus provides the CPU 202 with the ability to communicate and listen, and therefore to control various peripheral devices that are coupled to the CPU 202 via the bus 226.

[0029] Fig. Figure 3 represents steps of a method for controlling power consumption in a vehicle. However, it is one embodiment of a method that is implemented by either one of the systems described in Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 are shown, or equivalents of the same can be implemented.

[0030] Step 302 first determines whether the vehicle is "on" or "off." An "off" state exists when a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, as well as a so-called "hybrid" vehicle, is in a state where the combustion engine is not running or providing power to charge or recharge a battery. A fully electric vehicle is in an "off" state when it is stationary and not being charged.

[0031] In step 302, the procedure determines that the vehicle is in a switched-off state, thereby exposing the battery to the risk of being drained by power-consuming devices in the vehicle.

[0032] When the vehicle is switched off or is determined to be in an off state, and one or more devices 126 continue to draw energy from a vehicle battery, the method 300 first determines the current consumption of the various electrical loads 126 on the battery 120 in step 304. As mentioned above, the battery state is evaluated to determine how long it can last under different conditions. Fig. 3. This determination or measurement occurs in step 306, but someone with ordinary technical skills will recognize that evaluating the battery capacity before and after evaluating the power consumption is a design choice.

[0033] Regardless of whether the battery capacity is measured before or after the current consumption caused by various electrical loads, a power consumption message is transmitted in step 308. In one embodiment, a timer is started in step 310. The timer is referred to herein as the response message timer. In step 310, the response message timer is started, followed by a check 312 to see if a response message has been received by the telematics communication device. If no response message has been received after the response message timer is started, the program continues to wait for a response message for the duration of a response message timer. The program therefore iterates through steps 312 and 314 until a response message is received or the response message timer expires.

[0034] With reference to step 312, upon receiving a reply message, the shutdown sequence contained in that message is executed in step 314. As mentioned above, the timing, order, or sequential ordering of devices for shutdown by a vehicle operator, a telematics service provider, or another party is selectable, with a typical feature being that the shutdown sequence can be specified manually rather than automatically.

[0035] The power consumption control device is designed to monitor all devices that draw power from the battery and are capable of drawing power from the battery when the vehicle is switched off. It also has the capability to monitor the current ambient conditions affecting the battery. Furthermore, it is designed to use a cellular or other wireless network to download predictive data, such as a 10-day hourly temperature forecast.

[0036] The device can use some or all of the collected data, including a predicted future temperature profile, to perform calculations that predict remaining battery life. When the device detects that the battery is below capacity, it will contact a telematics service provider or operator to transmit the predicted hours, minutes, days, or weeks of charge remaining in the battery, based on current power consumption and an existing, predicted, or expected temperature profile. The notification may include text messages or audio files that warn of or predict impending battery power loss or failure and suggest actions that can or should be taken to reduce power consumption.

[0037] The Fig. 4, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. This represents an interactive power control dialogue between a vehicle and a vehicle operator who is located remotely from the vehicle but is nevertheless able to select, using a power device telematics master and a wireless communication device, whether and how the power consumption rate should be changed. The dialogue is largely facilitated by a telematics-enabled vehicle, a power telematics master, such as the one in Fig. Figure 1 shows a wireless communication network that is compatible with the telematics devices that the telematics-enabled vehicle has, and a wireless communication device that is compatible with the network.

[0038] In Fig. 4 is a vehicle 402 equipped with a power unit telematics master, such as the one in Fig. Figure 1, and equivalents thereof, depicting a power consumption notification message 404 being transmitted from the vehicle 402 to a telematics service provider via a cellular or other wireless communications network located in Fig. 4 is represented by an antenna mast 406. The power consumption message 404 contains information received by the device located in the vehicle, which is in Fig. Figure 1 shows that such information includes, but is not limited to, the power consumption of various loads powered by the battery. It can also include vehicle type and location, outside temperature, battery size or capacity, and age.

[0039] Data in the power consumption notification message 404, which is sent to the telematics service provider, is processed to provide an estimate of the remaining usable battery life. After processing, the power consumption notification message 404 is retransmitted by the telematics service provider as a second, processed or formatted power consumption notification message 408, intended for display on a wireless communication device 410. The power consumption notification message 408 from the telematics service provider is thus transmitted to and received by a wireless communication device 410 of the vehicle operator, provided the device 410 is within the range of a wireless communication network 406.

[0040] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, information in message 408 is formatted by the telematics service provider to be compatible with the display parameters and functionality of the display device 412 on the wireless communication device 410. As also shown in Figure 408, the information in message 408 is formatted by the telematics service provider to be compatible with the display parameters and functionality of the display device 412 on the wireless communication device 410. Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the power consumption notification message 408 contains information that identifies the model of the vehicle to which the message 408 relates. Additional information in message 408 includes the remaining battery life at the current discharge rate.

[0041] Fig. Figure 4 shows two touch-sensitive areas or zones 414A and 414B on the display device 412 of the communication device 410. Selecting or activating either of these two zones 414A and 414B allows the user of the wireless communication device 410 to remotely change the rate at which power is consumed from the battery (a "YES" selection 414A) or to allow the vehicle 402 to continue operating normally ("NO" selection 414B). The selection made by the user is transmitted to the vehicle 402 via an outgoing power-off response message 416, i.e., a message addressed to the power control unit located in the vehicle, instructing it whether to execute a user-specified power-off sequence or a preset power-off sequence.

[0042] If the user of the wireless communication device selects "YES", which means that the vehicle operator wants to individually configure or specify which power-consuming devices should be switched off or turned off, this indicates in Fig. The device shown, or the telematics controller located in the vehicle, offers one or more power-off selections for the operator. If the vehicle operator selects "NO," the vehicle will continue to operate normally. The power-off response message 416 indicates that no changes should be made to the power-consuming devices.

[0043] Fig. Figure 5 shows the display of a power telematics master in response to an operator's selection of "YES" to a power consumption notification message 408 from a telematics service provider. This indicates that the operator wants to see options for which power-consuming devices to turn off or change the operation of devices, presented with a selection to turn off the vehicle's main unit or the radio used by the vehicle's keyless remote access system. An update message 502A is sent from the vehicle 402 to the wireless communication device 410 via the telematics service provider and the wireless network 406. The update message 502A is processed by the telematics service provider for display on the display device 412 of the wireless communication device 410.The telematics service provider is again transmitting message 502B to wireless communication device 410.

[0044] In Fig. 5 The power savings achieved by two different vehicle operating changes 504 and 506 are displayed on the display device 412 with corresponding touch-sensitive selection areas 510 and 512.

[0045] If an operator selects one or both of the power-saving measures that are in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the wireless communication device 410 transmits a corresponding power-off command message 518A, i.e., a message containing information that identifies the operator's selection(s). The power-off command message 518A is transmitted to the telematics service provider via a wireless communication network 406. The telematics service provider extracts the power-off command information and formats it for the telematics controller and / or the power unit master in the vehicle. The telematics controller and / or the power unit master then forwards the power-off command message 518B, or a variant thereof, to the vehicle 402 via the wireless communication network.

[0046] Now, regarding Fig. 6. The vehicle sends a power consumption update message 602A to the operator when it receives the power-off command message 518B. The power consumption update message 602A is transmitted to the telematics service provider via the wireless communication network 406. When the telematics service provider receives the power consumption update message 602B from the vehicle 402, it prepares a power consumption update message 602B for the display device 412 of the wireless communication device 410. The wireless communication device 410 enables the operator to send a different power-off command message 606A to the telematics service provider, who reformats the message to be compatible with the equipment on the vehicle 402. The message 602A is reformatted and transmitted to the vehicle.

[0047] As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 6, the wireless communication device 410 indicates the reduction in the vehicle's power consumption caused by the devices that were switched off by the previously received shutdown command message. A vehicle operator can therefore conduct a power reduction dialogue with a vehicle 402 equipped with a power telematics system master, such as the one shown in Figure 6. Fig. 1 device shown. The dialogue can take place via a website or webpage, an email exchange, a short message service or “SMS” message exchange, or other protocols.

[0048] In one embodiment, the operator can be provided with a list of measures that can be taken to extend battery life. Such information is preferably sent via a wireless communication network as a message to a smartphone or email address. The message preferably explains the potential power savings, as described in Fig. 5 is shown, 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.

[0049] In another embodiment, a driver or other vehicle user can be given the opportunity to enter a date or time when the driver or operator will return to the vehicle. The device can use this date or time to preemptively reactivate all services based on the available battery power.

[0050] In yet another embodiment, GPS-equipped smartphones can periodically or continuously transmit the phone's location to the device in the vehicle via the wireless communication network. In such an embodiment, the device in the vehicle can be configured to determine the distance between the smartphone and the vehicle, the rate at which the distance decreases, and to preemptively reactivate power-consuming devices when the driver or operator is within a predetermined distance of the vehicle.

[0051] Upon receiving the shutdown sequence in step 314, the procedure continues with step 316, in which it waits for the vehicle to be "switched on" again.

[0052] If, in step 314, it is determined that the reply message timer has exceeded the time limit, the method executes a preset power-off sequence in step 320. The preset power-off sequence 320 is preferably specified to minimize the current consumed by the battery over time and thereby maximize the time that the telematics communication device can be operated without compromising the vehicle's ability to be restarted. In one embodiment, the power-off sequence itself powers off the telematics communication device when the battery capacity has been depleted to a point where it may be incapable of starting the vehicle.

[0053] After the preset shutdown sequence in step 320 is executed, the vehicle remains in a state where it waits to be switched on. When the vehicle's power supply resumes or the power supply transitions to an "on" state, the program proceeds to step 322, in which power is restored to all electrical components due to the fact that the engine is running and therefore expected to charge the battery.

[0054] The preceding description serves only for illustrative purposes. The true scope of the invention is set out in the associated claims.

Claims

[1] A method for controlling power consumption in a vehicle having a battery (120) and a plurality of electrically operated devices (126), the method comprising: Detecting an off state of the vehicle; Monitoring the electrical power consumption of the devices while the vehicle is in the off state; monitoring usable ampere hours remaining in the battery (120); wirelessly transmitting a power consumption notification message containing a calculated or estimated time remaining for the battery (120) at the current rate of use; selectively shutting down at least one of the devices (126) according to a shutdown command received in the vehicle or according to a preset order if no shutdown command is received in the vehicle before the expiration of a timeout value of the preset shutdown sequence, the switch-off instruction received in the vehicle consists of an indication of the devices to be switched off, wherein the preset order consists of an order according to an anticipated power demand of the battery (120) determined using at least one of the following: ambient air temperature; vehicle location; elapsed time in off mode; battery health; and historical battery power consumption. [2] The method of claim 1, wherein the shutdown instruction received in the vehicle consists of an ordering of the devices in the indication to be shut down. [3] The method according to claim 2, wherein the order is manually specified after the transmission of the power consumption notification message. [4] A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of wirelessly transmitting a power consumption notification and the step of turning off at least one of the devices comprise a power control dialogue with the vehicle. [5] A device (102) for controlling power consumption in a vehicle having a battery (120) and a plurality of electrically operated devices (126), the device (102) comprising: a vehicle power consumption monitor (104) configured to monitor electrical power consumption of devices (126) while the vehicle is in an off state and configured to monitor usable ampere-hours remaining in the battery (120); a wireless communication device (108), which is provided for wirelessly transmitting a power consumption notification message containing a calculated or estimated time remaining for the battery (120) at the current rate of use, and which is designed to wirelessly receive a switch-off instruction consisting of an indication of devices to be switched off; and a switching mechanism (106) coupled to the wireless communication device (108) and configured to selectively switch off at least one of the devices (126) according to the switch-off instruction received in the vehicle or according to a preset order if no switch-off instruction is received in the vehicle before the expiration of a timeout value of the preset switch-off sequence, wherein the switching mechanism (106) is configured such that the preset order consists of an order according to the anticipated power demand of the battery, which consists of at least one of the following: Ambient air temperature; vehicle location; elapsed time in off mode; battery health; and historical battery power demand. [6] The device (102) of claim 5, wherein the received shutdown instruction consists of a user-specified order of devices (126) to be shut down. [7] The device (102) of any preceding device-related claim, wherein the wireless communication device (108) is a mobile telephone configured to provide the telematics communication capability. [8] Device (102) according to one of the preceding device-related claims, wherein the switching mechanism (106) consists of a semiconductor device (208) operatively coupled between a battery (210) and a device (126) and coupled to a processor (202), the semiconductor device (208) being arranged to connect and disconnect the device to the battery (210) in response to signals provided by the processor (202) and / or further comprising a global positioning system (122) arranged to provide the vehicle location. [9] Device (102) according to one of the preceding device-related claims, wherein the vehicle power consumption monitoring device (104) consists of the following: a processor (202) operatively coupled to a memory device (204) that stores program instructions; an ambient air temperature sensor coupled to the processor; and wherein the wireless communication device (108) is operatively coupled to the storage device (204) that stores program instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to receive a weather forecast from the wireless communication device (108) and thereafter cause selective shutdown of devices in response to the weather forecast. [10] The device (102) of any preceding device-related claim, wherein the wireless communication device (108), the processor (202), and the program instructions are provided and arranged to transmit a message consisting of an audio file selected to provide a warning of battery failure.

Images