System operation for telematics systems that use a battery
First Claim
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1. A vehicle telematics system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
- a telematics control unit (TCU), operatively coupled to a wireless network access device (NAD) and a global positioning system (GPS), the TCU, NAD and GPS being attached to the vehicle and capable of being powered by a battery, the TCU, GPS and NAD being configured to repeatedly and autonomously transmit vehicle status to a telematics service provider and, effectuate substantially continuous reporting of vehicle status information via the NAD at a first reporting rate according to a first NAD operating parameter, as long as the battery has a charge level above a predetermined threshold, at least one of the TCU, GPS and NAD being additionally configured to continue to effectuate a repeated, autonomous and substantially continuous reporting of the vehicle status information by transmitting the vehicle status information at a second, reduced reporting rate according to a modified NAD operating parameter responsive to a determination that the battery charge level is below the predetermined threshold.
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Abstract
A vehicle telematics system repeatedly reports vehicle status, including the location of a stolen vehicle. As wireless reports are transmitted over time, battery capacity will decrease if the engine is not running. As the vehicle battery capacity decreases over time, status reports are adjusted to extend battery life and therefore the time over which at least some vehicle status information can be obtained.
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17 Claims
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1. A vehicle telematics system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
a telematics control unit (TCU), operatively coupled to a wireless network access device (NAD) and a global positioning system (GPS), the TCU, NAD and GPS being attached to the vehicle and capable of being powered by a battery, the TCU, GPS and NAD being configured to repeatedly and autonomously transmit vehicle status to a telematics service provider and, effectuate substantially continuous reporting of vehicle status information via the NAD at a first reporting rate according to a first NAD operating parameter, as long as the battery has a charge level above a predetermined threshold, at least one of the TCU, GPS and NAD being additionally configured to continue to effectuate a repeated, autonomous and substantially continuous reporting of the vehicle status information by transmitting the vehicle status information at a second, reduced reporting rate according to a modified NAD operating parameter responsive to a determination that the battery charge level is below the predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of reducing power consumption in a battery-powered telematics system providing wireless location-based services using a wireless communications device, the method comprising:
continuously and repeatedly reporting vehicle status to a telematics service provider before and after selectively changing at least one operating characteristic of the wireless communications device responsive to battery charge level decreasing below a predetermined threshold, a changed operating characteristic causing the battery powered telematics system to send vehicle status information at a reduced rate. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
Specification