×

Mobile in-vehicle communication and routing apparatus, system, and method

  • US 8,670,897 B1
  • Filed: 11/30/2010
  • Issued: 03/11/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A mobile apparatus attachable to a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

  • a plurality of long-range transceivers communicatively coupled with one or more databases located remotely from the vehicle; and

    a plurality of short-range transceivers communicatively coupled with one or more devices external to the mobile apparatus and proximally located to the vehicle;

    a processor device communicatively coupled with the one or more databases located remotely from the vehicle via one of the plurality of long-range transceivers;

    a storage device; and

    an intelligent power supply structured to monitor a battery condition of the vehicle;

    wherein the processor device is structured to;

    receive information about the vehicle from one or more power train control modules (PCMs);

    transmit the PCM information to the one or more databases located remotely from the vehicle via one of the plurality of long-range transceivers;

    receive instructions from the one or more databases located remotely from the vehicle via one of the plurality of long-range transceivers; and

    adjust one or more settings of the one or more PCMs in accordance with the instructions;

    wherein the intelligent power supply is structured to transmit a shutdown signal to the mobile apparatus responsive to at least one of a user configurable timer countdown and a voltage threshold of a vehicle battery;

    wherein the intelligent power supply further comprises;

    a timer configured to begin the timer countdown responsive to receiving an ignition off signal from a vehicle ignition system;

    a voltage sensor configured to sense when a voltage of the vehicle battery drops below the voltage threshold; and

    a monitoring and decision unit configured to make an initial voltage threshold determination after the beginning of the timer countdown, whether the voltage of the vehicle battery has dropped below the voltage threshold, wherein the initial voltage threshold determination is made prior to an initial timer countdown determination of whether the timer countdown has expired;

    wherein in response to determining that the voltage of the vehicle battery has dropped below the voltage threshold, the monitoring and decision unit is configured to transmit the shutdown signal to initiate a soft shutdown of the mobile apparatus;

    wherein the monitoring and decision unit is further configured to make the initial timer countdown determination, after the initial voltage threshold determination, whether the timer countdown has expired;

    wherein in response to determining that the timer countdown has expired, the monitoring and decision unit is configured to transmit the shutdown signal to initiate the soft shutdown of the mobile apparatus; and

    wherein the monitoring and decision unit is configured to repeat the voltage threshold determination directly followed by the timer countdown determination until the shutdown signal is transmitted.

View all claims
  • 6 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×