Telematics Unit Wake-Up Mode Modification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Telematics units in mobile vehicles face battery drain issues due to intermittent wake-up modes, compromising their ability to receive communications when the battery is depleted, as they remain awake for extended periods to handle digital communications.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that allow telematics units to modify their wake-up modes based on trigger events, such as low battery power or geographic location, to optimize power usage and extend communication capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the telematics unit operates in intermittent wake-up mode to receive vehicle service communications, then communication capability is maintained, but battery power is drained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The telematics unit dynamically adjusts its wake-up interval based on battery power levels. When battery power is sufficient, the unit wakes up frequently to check for communications. When battery power drops below a threshold, the unit extends the wake-up interval to conserve power, creating a dynamic adaptation to changing energy conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter (wake-up interval) based on the battery charge level parameter. By monitoring battery power and adjusting the wake-up frequency accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between communication reliability and energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the telematics unit remains awake for extended periods to handle digital communications, then communication responsiveness is improved, but battery power is depleted faster

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication responsivenessVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of remaining continuously awake, the telematics unit employs periodic wake-up cycles. It enters sleep mode between wake-up periods, checking for communications only at scheduled intervals. This periodic operation maintains eventual communication responsiveness while dramatically reducing average power consumption compared to continuous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Use of energy by moving object

If the telematics unit extends wake-up intervals to conserve battery power, then energy consumption is reduced, but communication ability is compromised when battery is depleted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery power conservationVSAvoidcommunication ability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The telematics unit continuously monitors battery power levels and uses this feedback to adjust wake-up intervals. When battery power drops below a threshold, the system responds by extending wake-up intervals to conserve remaining power. This feedback loop ensures the unit adapts its behavior to prevent complete battery depletion while maintaining communication ability as long as possible

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS7474942B2Method and system for modifying a wake up mode of a telematics unit

Publication Date: 2009.01.06 GENERAL MOTORS LLC

AI summary

A method of enabling vehicle communications includes receiving a mode change trigger at a telematics unit; receiving a signal at the telematics unit responsive to a trigger event; modifying a wake up mode of the telematics unit based on the signal; and energizing the telematics unit based on the modified wake up mode.