Engine idle control using GPS telematics

• US 8,024,118 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2008
• Issued: 09/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Klinger, Rodney J., Bradley, James C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Kim T
• Application Number:
  US12/211,137
• Publication Number:
  US 20100070153A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,099 Days
• Field of Search: 701/36, 701/99, 701/103, 701/112, 701/207, 701/213, 701/300
• US Class Current: 701/213
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00771 the input being a vehicle position or surrounding, e.g. GPS-based position or tunnel
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/3232 particularly adapted for load transporting vehicles B60H1/3226 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/0098 Details of control systems ensuring comfort, safety or stability not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0803 characterised by means for initiating engine start or stop F02N11/0814 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/123 Information about vehicle position, e.g. from navigation systems or GPS signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/44 for communication between vehicles and infrastructures, e.g. vehicle-to-cloud [V2C] or vehicle-to-home [V2H]

Abstract

A vehicle reporting its position, typically derived from a global positioning or other navigation system, implements idle time limitation protocols based on its position. The particular protocol can be derived from a central, updated location using a telematics link.

Claims

1. A method of implementing engine idle control for a primary engine for a vehicle with a control system for the vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

using a navigation system to establish a geofence corresponding to territorial limits of a idle regulation regime;

using a telematics system to determine whether the vehicle is within the territorial limits of the idle regulation regime by reference to the geofence; and

automatically implementing idle limitation responsive to location of the vehicle within the territorial limits.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the idle regulation regime is maintained on remote server.

3. A method in accordance with claim 2, wherein the steps are implemented on a vehicle.

4. A method in accordance with claim 3, further comprising the step implemented on the vehicle of interrogating the remote server to obtain coordinates for the geofence.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein a remote server maintains records relating to a plurality of idle regulation regimes.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of starting an auxiliary power unit in response to limiting idling of the primary engine.

7. A control system for a motor vehicle comprising:

an engine controller for a primary engine for the motor vehicle;

a telematics unit coupled for communication with the engine controller for providing coordinates to a geofence corresponding to territorial limits of a idle regulation regime;

control system programming and navigation systems for determining whether the motor vehicle is within the territorial limits of the idle regulation regime by reference to the geofence; and

the engine controller being responsive to the location of the vehicle within the idle regulation regime for automatically implementing idle limitation responsive to location of the vehicle.

8. The control system of claim 7, further comprising an auxiliary power unit under control of the engine controller.