Control and diagnostics system and method for vehicles

• US 20060052918A1
• Filed: 03/18/2003
• Published: 03/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Club Car Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Club Car Incorporated
• Inventors: McLeod, Paul W., King, Russell, Padgett, Norman R., Hummert, George T., McClymonds, Kenneth
• Granted Patent: US 7,778,746 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/29
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/22 Microcars, e.g. golf cars
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/622 by satellite navigation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/70 Interactions with external data bases, e.g. traffic centres
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/72 Charging station selection relying on external data
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/10 by alarm
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/56 Temperature prediction, e.g. for pre-cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0046 relating to electric energy storage systems, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/12 Recording operating variables ; Monitoring of operating variables
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/51 characterised by AC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/14 Conductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/305 Communication interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/62 in response to charging parameters, e.g. current, voltage or electrical charge
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/64 Optimising energy costs, e.g. responding to electricity rates
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/65 involving identification of vehicles or their battery types
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/68 Off-site monitoring or control, e.g. remote control
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/12 responding to state of charge [SoC]
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/14 for vehicles propelled by ac motors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 : Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 : Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 : Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/167 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles, i.e. smartgrids as interface for battery charging of electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/12 : Remote or cooperative charging
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/14 : Details associated with the interoperability, e.g. vehicle recognition, authentication, identification or billing

Abstract

An apparatus and method for a remote diagnostic system for motorized vehicles. Apparatus according to this aspect of the invention includes a base station having a processor associated with a transceiver and a remote unit installed in a vehicle. The remote unit includes a controller associated with a transceiver, where the controller gathers diagnostic data. The remote unit controller transmits a vehicle identification signal in conjunction with diagnostic data to the base station transceiver such that the base station processor monitors the diagnostic data for the vehicle. Another aspect of the invention further includes a mapping processor associated with a memory. The memory stores a virtual map of a local operating area having areas that are allowable and restricted. The controller is coupled to the mapping processor and a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver is coupled to the mapping processor. The GPS receiver determines a current vehicle location and the mapping processor correlates the current vehicle location to a corresponding location on the virtual map. The mapping processor determines whether the vehicle is in a restricted area. The vehicle transceiver is configured to transmit a vehicle identification signal and location to the base station transceiver such that the base station processor monitors the location and status for each of the motorized vehicles.

Claims

1. A remote diagnostic system for vehicles (21), the system comprising:

a base station (17) having a processor (23) associated with a transceiver (25);

a remote unit (19) installed in a vehicle (21), said remote unit (17) having a controller (63) associated with a transceiver (25′

), said controller (63) operable to gather diagnostic data; and

said remote unit (19) controller (63) configured to transmit a vehicle (21) identification signal in conjunction with diagnostic data to said base station (17) transceiver (25) such that said base station (17) processor (23) monitors said diagnostic data for said vehicle (21).

2. The remote diagnostic system according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of base stations (17), each base station (17) corresponding to a local operating area (61).

3. The remote diagnostic system according to claim 2, wherein each base station (17) is connected via a data link (77) with a central maintenance (75) processor (23).

4. The remote diagnostic system according to claim 3, wherein said central maintenance (75) processor (23) is associated with at least one local service center (79).

5. The remote diagnostic system according to claim 4, wherein a service indicator signal is created when a vehicle'"'"'s (21) diagnostic data corresponds to a defined condition.

6. The remote diagnostic system according to claim 5, wherein said central maintenance (75) processor (23) is configured to identify said service indicator signals and to automatically communicate (77) such indicator signal to said local service center (79) upon identification thereof.

7. The remote diagnostic system according to claim 1, wherein said base station (17) transceiver (25) and said remote unit (19) transceiver (25′

) communicate via radio frequencies.

8. The remote diagnostic system according to claim 1, wherein said base station (17) transceiver (87) and said remote unit (19) transceiver (87′

) communicate via optical frequencies.

9. The remote diagnostic system according to claim 1, wherein said base station (17) transceiver (25) and said remote unit (19) transceiver (25′

) communicate via cellular telephony.

10. The remote diagnostic system according to claim 2, wherein each base station (17) communicates with a local service center (79) processor (23).

11. The remote diagnostic system according to claim 10, wherein a service indicator signal is created when a vehicle'"'"'s (21) diagnostic information corresponds to a defined condition.

12. The remote diagnostic system according to claim 11, wherein said local service center (79) processor (23) is configured to identify said service indicator signals.

13. The remote diagnostic system according to claim 2, wherein each remote unit (19) communicates with a central maintenance (75) processor (23).

14. The remote diagnostic system according to claim 13, wherein said central maintenance (75) processor (23) is associated with at least one local service center (79).

15. The remote diagnostic system according to claim 14, wherein a service indicator signal is created when a vehicle'"'"'s (21) diagnostic data corresponds to a defined condition.

16. The remote diagnostic system according to claim 1 further comprising:

a mapping processor (103) associated with a memory (29″

), said memory (29″

) storing a virtual map (121) of a local operating area (61) having areas that are restricted, said controller (63) operably coupled to said mapping processor (103); and

a global positioning system (GPS) receiver (101) operably coupled to said mapping processor (103) to determine a current vehicle (21) location and correlate said current vehicle (21) location to a corresponding location on said virtual map (121) wherein said mapping processor (103) determines whether said vehicle (21) is in a restricted area.

17. The remote diagnostic system according to claim 16, wherein said mapping processor (103) provides a signal to said vehicle (21) indicating restricted area operation.

18. The remote diagnostic system according to claim 1 further comprising:

a mapping processor (103) associated with a memory (29″

), said memory (29″

) storing a virtual map (121) of a local operating area (61) having areas that are allowable and restricted, said controller (63) operably coupled to said mapping processor (103); and

a global positioning system (GPS) receiver (101) operably coupled to said mapping processor (103) to determine a current vehicle (21) location and correlate said current vehicle (21) location to a corresponding location on said virtual map (121) wherein said mapping processor (103) determines whether said vehicle (21) is about to enter a restricted area thereby causing said mapping processor (103) to provide a warning at the vehicle (21).

19. The remote diagnostic system according to claim 18, wherein said controller (63) is configured to monitor and control vehicle (21) motive ability such that if said mapping processor (103) determines that said vehicle (21) has entered a restricted area, said mapping processor (103) outputs a signal to said controller (63) whereby said controller stops said vehicle (21).

20. The remote diagnostic system according to claim 19, wherein said controller (63) is configured to restore said motive ability of said vehicle (21) at reduced maximum speed after said controller (63) receives an acknowledgment of restricted area operation from the vehicle (21).

21. The remote diagnostic system according to claim 20, wherein said mapping processor (103) is configured to prohibit forward motive ability of said vehicle (21) if said vehicle (21) remains in said restricted area for a predetermined period of time.

22. The remote diagnostic system according to claim 21, wherein said mapping processor (103) is configured to prohibit all said motive ability of said vehicle (21) indefinitely if said vehicle (21) remains in said restricted area beyond said predetermined period of time.

23. The remote diagnostic system according to claim 18, wherein said base station (17) further comprises a memory (29) storing said virtual map (121) of said local operating area (61) such that said base station (17) processor (23) can change said allowable and restricted area status and communicate such changes to said vehicle (21) mapping processor (103) using said base station (17) and remote unit (19) transceivers (25, 25′

).

24. The remote diagnostic system according to claim 23, wherein when a warning is provided to a vehicle (21), a corresponding message is sent to said base station (17) processor (23).

25. The remote diagnostic system according to claim 24, wherein said base station (17) processor (23) logs each said received warning message for a vehicle.

26. A control system for vehicles (21), the system comprising:

a remote unit (19) installed in a vehicle (21), said remote unit (19) having a mapping processor (103) associated with a memory (29″

), said memory (29″

) storing a virtual map (121) of a local operating area (61) having areas that are restricted;

a controller (63) operably coupled to said mapping processor (103); and

a global positioning system (GPS) receiver (101) operably coupled to said mapping processor (103) to determine a current vehicle (21) location and correlate said current vehicle (21) location to a corresponding location on said virtual map (121) wherein said mapping processor (103) determines whether said vehicle (21) is in a restricted area.

27. The control system according to claim 26, wherein said mapping processor (103) provides a signal to said vehicle (21) indicating restricted area operation.

28. A control system for vehicles, the system comprising:

a remote unit (19) installed in a vehicle (21), said remote unit (19) having a mapping processor (103) associated with a memory (29″

), said memory (29″

) storing a virtual map (121) of a local operating area (61) having areas that are allowable and restricted;

a controller (63) operably coupled to said mapping processor (103); and

a global positioning system (GPS) receiver (101) operably coupled to said mapping processor (103) to determine a current vehicle (21) location and correlate said current vehicle (21) location to a corresponding location on said virtual map (121) wherein said mapping processor (103) determines whether said vehicle (21) is about to enter a restricted area thereby causing said mapping processor (103) to provide a warning at the vehicle (21).

29. The control system according to claim 28, wherein said controller (63) is configured to monitor and control vehicle (21) motive ability such that if said mapping processor (103) determines that said vehicle (21) has entered a restricted area, said mapping processor (103) outputs a signal to said controller (63) whereby said controller (63) stops said vehicle (21).

30. The control system according to claim 29, wherein said controller (63) is configured to permit said motive ability of said vehicle (21) at reduced speed after said controller (63) receives acknowledgement of restricted area operation from the vehicle (21).

31. The control system according to claim 30, wherein said mapping processor (103) is configured to prohibit forward motive ability of said vehicle (21) if said vehicle (21) remains in said restricted area for a predetermined period of time.

32. The control system according to claim 31, wherein said mapping processor (103) is configured to prohibit all said motive ability of said vehicle (21) indefinitely if said vehicle (21) remains in said restricted area beyond said predetermined period of time.

33. The control system according to claim 32, further comprising a transceiver (25′

) associated with said remote unit (19) controller (63).

34. The control system according to claim 33, further comprising a base station (17) having a processor (23) associated with a transceiver (25), said base station (17) processor (23) storing said virtual map (121) of said local operating area (61) such that said base station (17) processor (23) can change said allowable and restricted area status and communicate such changes to said vehicle (21) mapping processor (103) with said base station (17) and remote unit (19) transceivers (25, 25′

).

35. The control system according to claim 34, wherein each said remote unit (19) transceiver (25′

) transmits a unique vehicle identification number when communicating with said base station (17).

36. The control system according to claim 35, wherein when a warning is provided to a vehicle (21), a corresponding message is sent to said base station (17) processor (23).

37. The control system according to claim 36, wherein said base station (17) processor (23) logs each said received warning message for a vehicle (21).

38. A method of vehicle (21) control comprising:

reading a virtual map (121) of a local area (61) having restricted areas from a memory devise (29″

);

determining a current vehicle (21) position using a navigation devise (101) and determining entry into a restricted area using a mapping processor (103) in conjunction with said current vehicle position (21).

39. The method of vehicle (21) control according to claim 38, further comprising indicating restricted area operation.

40. A method of vehicle (21) control comprising:

reading a virtual map (121) of a local area (61) having restricted and allowable areas from a memory device (29″

);

determining a current vehicle (21) position using a navigation device (101);

anticipating entry into a restricted area using a mapping processor (103) in conjunction with said current vehicle (21) position; and

providing a warning at the vehicle (21).

41. The method of vehicle (21) control according to claim 40, further comprising allowing acknowledgement of said warning from the vehicle (21).

42. The method of vehicle (21) control according to claim 41, further comprising interrupting the vehicle'"'"'s (21) motive ability upon entering a restricted area.

43. The method of vehicle (21) control according to claim 42, further comprising restoring the vehicle'"'"'s (21) motive ability after receipt of said acknowledgement of said warning from the vehicle (21).

44. The method of vehicle (21) control according to claim 43, further comprising reducing available vehicle (21) speed while in said restricted area.

45. The method of vehicle (21) control according to claim 44, further comprising prohibiting forward vehicle (21) motive ability if said vehicle (21) remains in a restricted area for a predetermined period of time.

46. The method of vehicle (21) control according to claim 45, further comprising prohibiting all vehicle (21) motive ability indefinitely if said vehicle (21) remains in said restricted area beyond said predetermined period of time.

47. A vehicle (21) control system comprising:

means for reading a virtual map (121) of a local area (61) having restricted areas from a memory device (29″

);

means for determining a current vehicle (21) position using a navigation device (101); and

means for determining entry into a restricted area using a mapping processor (103) in conjunction with said current vehicle (21) position.

48. The vehicle (21) control system according to claim 47, further comprising means for indicating restricted area operation.

49. A vehicle (21) control system comprising:

means for reading a virtual map (121) of a local area (61) having restricted and allowable areas from a memory device (29″

);

means for determining a current vehicle (21) position using a navigation device (101);

means for anticipating entry into a restricted area using a mapping processor (103) in conjunction with said current vehicle (21) position; and

means for providing a warning at the vehicle (21).

50. The vehicle (21) control system according to claim 49, further comprising means for acknowledging said warning from the vehicle (21).

51. The vehicle (21) control system according to claim 50, further comprising means for interrupting the vehicle'"'"'s (21) motive ability upon entering a restricted area.

52. The vehicle (21) control system according to claim 51, further comprising means for restoring the vehicle'"'"'s (21) motive ability after receipt of said acknowledgement of said warning from the vehicle (21).

53. The vehicle (21) control system according to claim 52, further comprising means for reducing available vehicle (21) speed while in said restricted area.

54. The vehicle (21) control system according to claim 53, further comprising means for prohibiting forward vehicle (21) motive ability if said vehicle (21) remains in a restricted area for a predetermined period of time.

55. The vehicle (21) control system according to claim 54, further comprising means for prohibiting all vehicle (21) motive ability indefinitely if said vehicle (21) remains in said restricted area beyond said predetermined period of time.

56. A method of charging a vehicle (21) battery (69), comprising:

obtaining battery (69) related information for a specific vehicle (21) using a controller (63);

transmitting said battery (69) related information from said specific vehicle (21) to a base station (17);

receiving said battery (69) related information at said base station (17);

storing said battery (69) related information for said specific vehicle (21) at said base station (17);

determining a battery (69) charge schedule for said specific vehicle (21) from said stored battery (69) related information at said base station (19); and

transmitting said battery (69) charge schedule from said base station (17) to said specific vehicle (21) controller (63).

57. The method according to claim 56 wherein said battery (69) charge schedule for said specific vehicle (21) is based on battery (69) charge schedules belonging to said specific vehicle (21) and other vehicles (21).

58. A battery (69) charging system, comprising:

means for obtaining battery (69) related information for a specific vehicle (21) using a controller (63);

means for transmitting said battery (69) related information from said specific vehicle (21) to a base station (17);

means for receiving said battery (69) related information at said base station (17);

means for storing said battery (69) related information for said specific vehicle (21);

means for determining a battery (69) charge schedule for said specific vehicle (21) from said stored battery (69) related information at said base station (17); and

means for transmitting said battery (69) charge schedule from said base station (17) to said specific vehicle controller (63).

59. A method of charging a vehicle (21) battery (69), comprising:

obtaining battery (69) related information for a specific vehicle (21) using a charger (93);

transmitting said battery (69) related information from said charger (93) to a base station (17);

receiving said battery (69) related information at said base station (17);

storing said battery (69) related information for said specific vehicle (21) at said base station (17);

determining a battery (69) charge schedule for said specific vehicle (21) from said stored battery (69) related information at said base station (19); and

transmitting said battery (69) charge schedule from said base station (17) to said charger (21) (93).

60. The method according to claim 59 wherein said battery (69) charge schedule for said specific vehicle (21) is based on battery (69) charge schedules belonging to said specific vehicle (21) and other vehicles (21).

61. A battery (69) charging system, comprising:

means for obtaining battery (69) related information for a specific vehicle (21) using a charger (93);

means for transmitting said battery (69) related information from said charger (93) to a base station (17);

means for receiving said battery (69) related information at said base station (17);

means for storing said battery (69) related information for said specific vehicle (21);

means for determining a battery (69) charge schedule for said specific vehicle (21) from said stored battery (69) related information at said base station (17); and

means for transmitting said battery (69) charge schedule from said base station (17) to said charger (93).

62. A method for controlling sprinkler operation, comprising:

monitoring the location of a vehicle (21) at a base station (17); and

outputting a signal from said base station (17) to a sprinkler controller when said vehicle (21) approaches a sprinkler such that said sprinkler is prohibited from operating.

63. The method according to claim 62, wherein monitoring further comprises:

receiving a signal at said base station (17) indicating said vehicle (21) location;

comparing said vehicle (21) location with sprinkler locations resident in a memory (29);

computing a distance from said vehicle (21) to a nearest sprinkler; and

generating a signal when said vehicle (21) is within a predetermined distance to said nearest sprinkler head.

64. The method according to claim 63 further comprising prohibiting operation of a plurality of sprinklers in a predefined area in response to said signal.

65. A system for controlling sprinkler operation, comprising:

means for monitoring the location of a vehicle (21) at a base station (17); and

means for outputting a signal from said base station (17) to a sprinkler controller when said vehicle (21) approaches a sprinkler such that said sprinkler is prohibited from operating.

66. The system according to claim 65, wherein means for monitoring further comprises:

means for receiving a signal at said base station (17) indicating said vehicle (21) location;

means for comparing said vehicle (21) location with sprinkler locations resident in a memory (29);

means for computing a distance from said vehicle (21) to a nearest sprinkler; and

means for generating a signal when said vehicle (21) is within a predetermined distance to said nearest sprinkler head.

67. The system according to claim 66 further comprising means for prohibiting operation of a plurality of sprinklers in a predefined area in response to said signal.