Activation control for an automotive electronic module
First Claim
1. An apparatus for controlling energy flow from a battery in a vehicle to an electronic module, said vehicle having an ignition switch for controlling battery energy flow when the ignition switch is on, said apparatus controlling battery energy flow when the ignition switch is off, said apparatus comprising:
- a battery switch for controlling energy flow from said battery;
circuit means for generating a demand signal indicative of a demand for energy to flow to said electronic module;
detector means for detecting said demand signal and delivering a signal to said battery switch in response to detecting said demand signal;
a microprocessor controller receiving battery energy through said battery switch in response to said battery switch receiving said signal from said detector means to power up from an unpowered state to thereby control operation of said electronic module.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A detector and battery switch control energy flow from a battery in a vehicle to an electronic module. The vehicle ignition switch controls battery energy flow when the ignition switch is on and the detector and battery switch control battery energy flow when the ignition switch is off. A dimming circuit provides a dimming signal when a demand for energy is made, such as when the headlights are turned on with the ignition switch turned off. The detector senses the dimming signal and operates a battery switch to power up a microprocessor controller from an unpowered state to control operation of the module when the demand for energy is made. There is no sleep mode. A response is made directly to the demand for energy and there is no battery power used until a demand is made for battery energy.
-
Citations
16 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for controlling energy flow from a battery in a vehicle to an electronic module, said vehicle having an ignition switch for controlling battery energy flow when the ignition switch is on, said apparatus controlling battery energy flow when the ignition switch is off, said apparatus comprising:
-
a battery switch for controlling energy flow from said battery; circuit means for generating a demand signal indicative of a demand for energy to flow to said electronic module; detector means for detecting said demand signal and delivering a signal to said battery switch in response to detecting said demand signal; a microprocessor controller receiving battery energy through said battery switch in response to said battery switch receiving said signal from said detector means to power up from an unpowered state to thereby control operation of said electronic module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. An apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:
-
an ignition switch; a battery switch for controlling energy flow from a battery; means for generating a demand signal indicative of a demand for energy to flow to an electronic module; a dimming circuit providing a dimming signal in response to receiving said demand signal; detector means for detecting said dimming signal from said dimming circuit, said detector means operating said battery switch in response to detecting said dimming signal; and a microprocessor controller receiving battery energy through said battery switch when said battery switch operates to power up from an unpowered state to thereby control operation of said electronic module. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. An apparatus for controlling energy flow from a battery in a vehicle to an electronic module, said vehicle having an ignition switch for controlling battery energy flow when the ignition switch is on, said apparatus controlling battery energy flow when the ignition switch is off, said apparatus comprising:
-
circuit means for generating a demand signal indicative of a demand for energy to flow to said electronic module; detector means for detecting said demand signal, said detector means including a diode having an anode connected to receive said demand signal, a capacitor having one terminal connected to a cathode of said diode and another terminal grounded, and a voltage divider having first and second connected resistors connected at a junction with said first resistor having one end connected to said cathode of said diode and said second resistor being grounded so that said voltage divider provides a bias signal at said junction; a battery switch including a first transistor receiving said bias signal from said junction and delivering an output signal when the magnitude of said bias signal from said junction exceeds a predetermined threshold level, and a second transistor receiving said output signal from said first transistor and allowing energy to flow from said battery through said second transistor to power up said electronic module; a microprocessor controller receiving battery energy through said battery switch to power up from an unpowered state to thereby control operation of said electronic module. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
-
Specification