Aftermarket Telematics Sleep Command for Battery Conservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aftermarket telematics units face challenges in forming a practical wired connection with a vehicle's bus system, leading to battery depletion issues when the vehicle is turned off, as they need to balance power conservation with the need for continuous access to the vehicle bus for telematics services.

Innovation Solution

An aftermarket telematics system that includes a telematics unit configured to detect when the vehicle is turned off and send a sleep command to a vehicle communication interface device, allowing it to enter a low-power mode, with periodic wake-ups to synchronize with call-center communications, using short-range wireless networks like Bluetooth for communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the VCI device is kept on during periods when the vehicle is turned off, then continuous access to the vehicle bus is provided for call center communications, but the vehicle's battery is depleted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous access to vehicle busVSAvoidbattery depletion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The VCI device operates in periodic cycles, alternating between awake and sleep modes. During awake periods, it provides communication access to the call center; during sleep periods, it conserves battery power. This periodic operation resolves the contradiction by providing intermittent rather than continuous power consumption while maintaining essential functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The telematics unit detects when the vehicle is turned off and proactively sends a sleep command to the VCI device before battery depletion becomes an issue. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare for power conservation mode in advance, ensuring continuous access is maintained when needed while preventing harmful battery depletion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of energy

If the VCI device is turned off during periods when the vehicle is turned off, then battery power is conserved, but the call center cannot communicate with vehicle components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery power conservationVSAvoidcall center communication access

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The VCI device dynamically adjusts its operational state based on system needs, transitioning between awake and sleep modes as required. This dynamic behavior allows the device to optimize between power conservation and communication availability, resolving the contradiction by adapting its state rather than remaining static.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The telematics unit monitors vehicle state and communication requirements, then provides feedback to the VCI device by sending sleep or awake commands. This feedback mechanism ensures the VCI device remains accessible when call center communication is needed while conserving power when communication is not required, resolving the contradiction through responsive control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If a wired connection is formed between the aftermarket telematics unit and the vehicle bus, then direct communication with vehicle modules is enabled, but the connection is challenging and impractical to implement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirect communication with vehicle modulesVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The VCI device serves as an intermediary between the aftermarket telematics unit and the vehicle bus. Instead of requiring direct wired connection, the VCI device wirelessly receives commands from the telematics unit and handles communication with the vehicle bus, thereby enabling reliable communication while eliminating the installation complexity of direct wiring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless communication system. The VCI device uses wireless protocols to communicate with both the telematics unit and the vehicle bus, substituting the complex physical wiring requirement with simpler wireless communication while maintaining the same functional outcome.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8543289B2Aftermarket telematics system

Publication Date: 2013.09.24 GENERAL MOTORS LLC

AI summary

An aftermarket telematics system for use with a vehicle having a vehicle bus is disclosed herein. The aftermarket telematics system includes, but is not limited to, an aftermarket telematics unit that is configured to be mounted to the vehicle, to communicate with the vehicle bus, and to detect when the vehicle has been turned off. The aftermarket telematics system also includes a vehicle communication interface device configured to connect to the vehicle bus, to be communicatively coupled with the aftermarket telematics unit, and to facilitate communication between the aftermarket telematics unit and the vehicle bus. The aftermarket telematics unit is further configured to send a sleep command to the vehicle communication interface device when the aftermarket telematics unit detects that the vehicle has been turned off. The vehicle communication interface device is configured to sleep in accordance with the sleep command.