Duty cycle estimation system and method
First Claim
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1. A method of operating a vehicle locating unit, the method comprising:
- receiving an activation signal when the vehicle is stolen;
transmitting, in response to the activation signal, a signal indicating the vehicle has been stolen;
energizing the receiver for an actual duration Non periodically; and
estimating how long the receiver has been on including;
incrementing a counter at a count resolution where Non is typically at least sometimes less than the count resolution,when the receiver is energized for an actual on time Non and the count does not increment, setting a measured receiver on time to be a first value,when the receiver is energized for an actual on time Non and the count does increment, setting a measured receiver on time to be a second value, andestimating the total amount of time the receiver was energized based on the first and second values when the measured on times converge with the actual on times.
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Abstract
A method of operating a vehicle locating unit wherein an activation signal is received when the vehicle is stolen and in response to the activation signal, a signal indicating the vehicle has been stolen is transmitted. The receiver is energized for an actual duration Non periodically to listen for the activation and other signals. Estimating how long the receiver has been on includes incrementing a counter at a count resolution where Non is typically at least sometimes less than the count resolution. Estimating the total amount of time the receiver was energized is based on a measured on time after it converges with the actual on time.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of operating a vehicle locating unit, the method comprising:
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receiving an activation signal when the vehicle is stolen; transmitting, in response to the activation signal, a signal indicating the vehicle has been stolen; energizing the receiver for an actual duration Non periodically; and estimating how long the receiver has been on including; incrementing a counter at a count resolution where Non is typically at least sometimes less than the count resolution, when the receiver is energized for an actual on time Non and the count does not increment, setting a measured receiver on time to be a first value, when the receiver is energized for an actual on time Non and the count does increment, setting a measured receiver on time to be a second value, and estimating the total amount of time the receiver was energized based on the first and second values when the measured on times converge with the actual on times. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A vehicle locating unit comprising:
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a transmitter for transmitting a signal indicating the vehicle has been stolen; a receiver for receiving an activation and other signals; a battery powering at least the receiver; a processing subsystem controlling the transmitter to transmit the signal indicating the vehicle has been stolen upon receipt of an activation signal, the processing subsystem configured to; energize the receiver for an actual duration Non periodically to save battery power, and estimate how long the receiver has been on including; incrementing a counter at a count resolution where Non is typically at least sometimes less than the count resolution, when the receiver is energized for an actual on time Non and the count does not increment, setting a measured receiver on time to be a first value, when the receiver is energized for an actual on time Non and the count does increment, setting a measured receiver on time to be a second value, and estimating the total amount of time the receiver was energized based on the first and second values when the measured on times converge with the actual on times. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A method comprising:
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powering an electronic device when active via a battery; energizing the electronic device periodically for an actual duration Non; incrementing a counter at a count resolution where Non is typically at least sometimes less than the count resolution; when the device is energized for an actual on time Non and the count does not increment, setting a measured device on time to be a first value; when the device is energized for an actual on time Non and the count does increment, setting a measured device on time to be a second value; and estimating the total amount of time the device was energized based on the first and second values when the measured device on times converge with the actual device on times. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system comprising:
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an electronic device periodically activated for an actual duration Non; a battery powering said electronic device; and a power usage estimator subsystem including; a counter incremented at a count resolution where Non is typically at least sometimes less than the count resolution, means for setting a measured device on time based on the number of count increments and the count resolution when the device is energized for an actual on time Non and the count does increment; and means for estimating the total amount of time the device was energized based on the measured device on times after said measured device on times converge with the actual device on times.
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- 16. A duty cycle determination method for device having a duty cycle
Specification