Battery backup for vehicle emergency communicator

• US 7,956,490 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2010
• Issued: 06/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edward Bodin, Judith Bodin, Michael Bodin
• Original Assignee: Jack Sotnikow, Milton Bodin
• Inventors: Sotnikow, Jack, Bodin, Milton
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman; Jared J
• Assistant Examiner(s): AMAYA, CARLOS DAVID
• Application Number:
  US12/801,600
• Publication Number:
  US 20110062777A1
• Time in Patent Office: 356 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.1, 307/64, 307/66, 340/425.5, 340/500
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/371 with remote indication, e.g. on external chargers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1423 with multiple batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1438 in combination with power supplies for loads other than batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/061 for DC powered loads

Abstract

The battery backup for vehicle emergency communicator includes mechanisms for applying backup battery power to an emergency communicator. Electrically operated relays may be employed to switch the backup battery in order to power the emergency communicator of a telematics device. When relays are used in the system, failure of the car battery causes normally open relay contacts to close, applying backup battery power to the emergency communications device. Normally closed relay contacts open to remove connection of the failed battery to the emergency communications device. Additional features of the battery backup for vehicle emergency communicator may include a battery charger, an uninterruptible power system (UPS), transistor switches, an emergency contact dialer, and a timer that limits application time of the backup battery.

Claims

1. A battery backup for a vehicle emergency communicator, comprising:

a backup battery;

at least one diode adapted for connection between a main vehicle battery and the backup battery, the at least one diode allowing the backup battery to be charged when the main vehicle battery is operational, the at least one diode isolating power from the backup battery when the main vehicle battery is non-operational, the backup battery selectively being the only source of power connected to the vehicle emergency communicator; and

a charging relay adapted for being energized by the main vehicle battery, the charging relay having electrical contacts connecting said backup battery to power the vehicle emergency communicator when the charging relay is no longer energized due to failure of the main vehicle battery.

2. The battery backup for vehicle emergency communicator according to claim 1, wherein said backup battery is always connected to the vehicle emergency communicator.

3. The battery backup for vehicle emergency communicator according to claim 1, further comprising a fuse disposed between the main vehicle battery and said charging relay, the fuse protecting said charging relay when said charging relay is energized by the main vehicle battery.

4. A battery backup for vehicle emergency communicator Comprising:

a backup battery;

at least one diode adapted for connection between a main vehicle battery and the backup battery, the at least one diode allowing the backup battery to be charged when the main vehicle battery is operational, the at least one diode isolating power from the backup battery when the main vehicle battery is non-operational, the backup battery selectively being the only source of power connected to the vehicle emergency communicator;

a voice annunciator connected to said backup battery, the voice annunciator being actuated to send a message via the vehicle emergency communicator when the main vehicle battery is non-operational;

a timing relay, the timing relay selectively actuating said voice annunciator and the vehicle emergency communicator; and

timing circuitry connected to said timing relay, the timing circuitry limiting duration of timing relay activation of said voice annunciator and the vehicle emergency communicator.

5. The battery backup for vehicle emergency communicator according to claim 4, wherein said voice annunciator further comprises a phone dialing mechanism actuable to communicate the message to a predetermined recipient.

6. The battery backup for vehicle emergency communicator according to claim 4, further comprising an LED lamp adapted for being operably connected to the main vehicle battery, the LED lamp illuminating when the main vehicle battery is working properly.

7. The battery backup for vehicle emergency communicator according to claim 4, wherein said timing circuitry comprises discrete transistor components.

8. The battery backup for vehicle emergency communicator according to claim 4, wherein said timing circuitry comprises of an integrated circuit.

9. A battery backup for a vehicle emergency communicator, comprising:

first, second and third transistor switching circuits, the first transistor switching circuit being connected to the second transistor switching circuit, the first transistor switching circuit being adapted for connection to a main battery of the vehicle, the first transistor switching circuit controlling the second transistor switching circuit responsive to a voltage level of the main battery;

an RC timing circuit interconnecting the second transistor switching circuit and the third transistor switching circuit;

a playback device having dialing instructions and voice information stored therein, the playback device including a speaker, the speaker being adapted for placement in close proximity to a microphone of the vehicle emergency communicator;

a first relay connected to the second transistor switching circuit, the second transistor switching circuit being configured for energizing the first relay when power from the main battery is lost, the first relay having contacts activating the playback device when the first relay is energized, and also activating a pushbutton of the vehicle emergency communicator, the dialing and voice instructions being transmitted to the microphone of the vehicle emergency communicator through the speaker; and

a second relay connected to the third transistor switching circuit, the third transistor switching circuit being configured for energizing the second relay after a time delay determined by the RC timing circuit, the second relay de-energizing the first relay after elapse of the time delay, thereby turning off the playback device and de-activating the pushbutton of the vehicle emergency communicator.