Telematics systems and related connection methods for establishing wireless communication links

• US 8,311,507 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2009
• Issued: 11/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ezurio LLC
• Original Assignee: Laird Connectivity UK Ltd. (Laird Limited)
• Inventors: Wheatley, Timothy John, Dobbing, Andrew, Tailor, Mahendra J J
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Blane J
• Application Number:
  US12/349,487
• Publication Number:
  US 20100120373A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,407 Days
• Field of Search: 455/90.1, 455/456.1, 455/572, 455/573, 455/574, 455/575.9, 455/556.1, 455/343.1, 455/343.5, 455/343.6
• US Class Current: 455/343.6
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2205/02 using a vehicle scan tool
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/12 Arrangements for remote connection or disconnection of substations or of equipment thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40006 Architecture of a communication node current supply arrangements H04L12/10; intermediate storage or scheduling H04L49/90
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/40273 the transportation system being a vehicle

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments are provided of a telematics system for a vehicle with a main power supply. The telematics system includes a secondary power supply and a telematics unit that provides vehicle information. The telematics unit includes a communication device that selectively provides two-way communication between the telematics unit and an external device. The telematics system further includes a power management system that selectively causes the telematics unit to be powered by at least one of the main power supply and the secondary power supply. Further, the system includes a controller that controls the power management system such that the telematics unit is powered by the secondary power supply for communication between the telematics unit and the external device when the telematics unit is electrically disconnected from the main power supply.

Claims

1. A telematics system for a vehicle with a main power supply, the telematics system comprising:

a secondary power supply;

a telematics unit that provides vehicle information, the telematics unit including a wireless communication device that selectively provides two-way communication between the telematics unit and an external device;

a power management system that selectively causes the telematics unit to be powered by at least one of the main power supply and the secondary power supply;

a controller that controls the power management system such that the telematics unit is powered by the secondary power supply for communication between the telematics unit and the external device when the telematics unit is electrically disconnected from the main power supply; and

a counter that counts a number of failed attempts to establish the wireless communication link, wherein the controller causes the telematics unit to reduce power consumption if the number of failed attempts equals a predetermined amount.

2. The vehicle telematics system of claim 1, wherein the controller causes the wireless communication device to attempt to establish a wireless communication link with the external device at a first predetermined time after the telematics unit is electrically disconnected from the main power supply.

3. The vehicle telematics system of claim 2, further comprising a timer, wherein the controller causes the telematics unit to reduce power consumption for a second predetermined amount of time as determined by the timer if the attempt to establish the wireless communication link fails.

6. The vehicle telematics system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle information is at least one of vehicle identification, distance travelled, vehicle speed, vehicle acceleration, vehicle braking, vehicle location, fuel economy, seatbelt usage, turn signal usage, and time of day of travel.

7. The vehicle telematics system of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device selectively provides two-way communication between the telematics unit and the external device to at least one of provide updated software from the external device to the telematics unit and change the vehicle information gathered by the telematics unit.

4. A telematics system for a vehicle with a main power supply, the telematics system comprising:

a secondary power supply;

a telematics unit that provides vehicle information, the telematics unit including a wireless communication device that selectively provides two-way communication between the telematics unit and an external device;

a power management system that selectively causes the telematics unit to be powered by at least one of the main power supply and the secondary power supply; and

a controller that controls the power management system such that the telematics unit is powered by the secondary power supply for communication between the telematics unit and the external device when the telematics unit is electrically disconnected from the main power supply, wherein the controller causes the wireless communication device to attempt to establish a wireless communication link with the external device at a first predetermined time after the telematics unit is electrically disconnected from the main power supply; and

a timer, wherein the controller causes the telematics unit to reduce power consumption for a second predetermined amount of time as determined by the timer if the attempt to establish the wireless communication link fails, and wherein the controller causes the telematics unit to increase power consumption after the second predetermined amount of time and again attempt to establish the wireless communication link with the external device.

5. The vehicle telematics system of claim 4, further comprising a counter that counts a number of failed attempts to establish the wireless communication link, wherein the controller causes the telematics unit to reduce power consumption if the number of failed attempts equals a predetermined amount.

8. A method of operating a vehicle telematics system comprising:

disconnecting a main power supply of the vehicle from a telematics unit;

electrically connecting a secondary power supply to the telematics unit with the main power supply disconnected from the telematics unit;

attempting to establish a wireless two-way communication link between the telematics unit and an external device; and

counting a number of failed attempts to establish the wireless communication link, and reducing power consumption if the number of failed attempts equals a predetermined amount.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising attempting to establish the wireless two-way communication link a first predetermined amount of time after the secondary power supply system is electrically connected to the telematics unit.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising reducing power consumption of the telematics unit for a second predetermined amount of time if the wireless two-way communication link fails to be established.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising communicating vehicle information between the telematics unit and the external device, wherein the vehicle information is at least one of vehicle identification, distance travelled, vehicle speed, vehicle acceleration, vehicle braking, vehicle location, fuel economy, seatbelt usage, turn signal usage, and time of day of travel.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising at least one of providing updated software from the external device to the telematics unit and changing the vehicle information gathered by the telematics unit.

13. A method of operating a vehicle telematics system comprising:

disconnecting a main power supply of the vehicle from a telematics unit;

electrically connecting a secondary power supply to the telematics unit with the main power supply disconnected from the telematics unit;

attempting to establish a wireless two-way communication link between the telematics unit and an external device a first predetermined amount of time after the secondary power supply system is electrically connected to the telematics unit;

reducing power consumption of the telematics unit for a second predetermined amount of time if the wireless two-way communication link fails to be established; and

increasing power consumption of the telematics unit after the predetermined amount of time and again attempting to establish the wireless two-way communication link.

14. The method of claim 13,further comprising counting a number of failed attempts to establish the wireless communication link, and reducing power consumption if the number of failed attempts equals a predetermined amount.

15. A telematics system for a vehicle with a main power supply, the telematics system comprising:

a secondary power supply;

a telematics unit that provides vehicle information, the telematics unit including a wireless communication device that selectively provides two-way communication between the telematics unit and an external device;

a power management system that selectively causes the telematics unit to be powered by at least one of the main power supply and the secondary power supply;

a controller that controls the power management system such that the telematics unit is powered by the secondary power supply for wireless communication between the telematics unit and the external device with the telematics unit electrically disconnected from the main power supply;

a timer, wherein the controller causes the telematics unit to reduce power consumption for a predetermined amount of time as determined by the timer if the attempt to establish the wireless communication link fails, wherein the controller causes the telematics unit to increase power consumption after the predetermined amount of time and again attempt to establish the wireless communication link with the external device; and

a counter that counts a number of failed attempts to establish the wireless communication link, wherein the controller causes the telematics unit to reduce power consumption if the number of failed attempts equals a predetermined amount.