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

• Current Assignee: Feeney Wireless LLC (Inseego Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Feeney Wireless LLC (Inseego Corp.)
• Inventors: Ralson, Robert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Khoi
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Bao Long T
• Application Number:
  US12/956,293
• Time in Patent Office: 1,197 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3013 where the computing system is an embedded system, i.e. a combination of hardware and software dedicated to perform a certain function in mobile devices, printers, automotive or aircraft systems testing or monitoring of control systems or parts thereof G05B23/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3058 Monitoring arrangements for monitoring environmental properties or parameters of the computing system or of the computing system component, e.g. monitoring of power, currents, temperature, humidity, position, vibrations thermal management in cooling arrangements of a computing system G06F1/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3093 Configuration details thereof, e.g. installation, enabling, spatial arrangement of the probes
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 13/00 Taximeters measuring distance travelled G01C; measuring time G04
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records

Abstract

An in-vehicle mobile communication and routing apparatus for use with a taxi cab, public safety vehicle, delivery truck, fire truck, emergency vehicle, or any vehicle. Embodiments of the invention include a system incorporating the apparatus and a method for using the same. The mobile apparatus is attachable to a vehicle and includes 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. An intelligent power supply is structured to monitor a battery condition of the vehicle and initiate a controlled shutdown of the mobile apparatus responsive to at least one of a timer countdown and a voltage threshold of a vehicle battery. Devices external to the mobile apparatus communicate with an in-vehicle processor and one or more remote databases.

Claims

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.

2. The mobile apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the processor device is structured to transmit and receive information to and from the devices external to the mobile apparatus via at least one of the plurality of short-range transceivers, and

the processor device is structured to transmit and receive the information to and from the one or more databases located remotely from the vehicle via at least one of the plurality of long-range transceivers.

3. The mobile apparatus of claim 1, wherein the monitoring and decision unit is configured to transmit the shutdown signal when the timer completes the countdown.

4. The mobile apparatus of claim 3, wherein the monitoring and decision unit is configured to preempt the timer countdown and immediately transmit the shutdown signal when the voltage sensor detects that the voltage of the vehicle battery drops below the voltage threshold.

5. The mobile apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the processor device includes a central operating system to receive the shutdown signal from the monitoring and decision unit, and to initiate the soft shutdown of the mobile apparatus including shutdown of the processor device, the timer, the voltage sensor, and the monitoring and decision unit responsive to the shutdown signal.

6. The mobile apparatus of claim 1, wherein the threshold voltage is less than 12 VDC for vehicle battery systems rated at 12 VDC, and wherein the threshold voltage is less than 24 VDC for vehicle battery systems rated at 24 VDC.

7. The mobile apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a biometric device structured to receive biometric information from an individual;

wherein the processor device is structured to;

receive and process the biometric information;

store the biometric information in the storage device; and

transmit the biometric information to the one or more remote databases via at least one of the plurality of long-range transceivers.

8. The mobile apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a barcode scanner structured to scan barcode information from one or more containers;

wherein the processor device is structured to;

receive and process the barcode information;

store the barcode information in the storage device; and

transmit the barcode information to the one or more remote databases via at least one of the plurality of long-range transceivers.

9. The mobile apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the processor device is structured to;

receive on-board diagnostic (OBD) information about the vehicle from one or more OBD ports in the vehicle;

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

receive instructions from the one or more databases located remotely from the vehicle via at least one of the plurality of long-range transceivers, wherein the instructions are based at least on the OBD information transmitted to the one or more remotely located databases; and

adjust one or more vehicle settings in accordance with the instructions.

10. The mobile apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a global positioning system (GPS) configured to receive positioning information of the mobile apparatus;

a barcode scanner structured to scan barcode information from one or more containers;

wherein the processor device is structured to;

receive and process the barcode information;

timestamp the positioning information;

store the barcode information and the timestamped positioning information in the storage device; and

transmit the barcode information and the timestamped positioning information to the one or more remote databases via at least one of the plurality of long-range transceivers.

11. The mobile apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a medical diagnostic monitoring device configured to receive medical diagnostic information from one or more individuals proximately located to the vehicle;

a global positioning system (GPS) configured to receive positioning information of the mobile apparatus;

wherein the processor device is structured to;

receive and process the medical diagnostic information;

timestamp the positioning information;

in a store and forward mode, store the medical diagnostic information and the timestamped positioning information in the storage device, and transmit the medical diagnostic information and the timestamped positioning information to the one or more remote databases via at least one of the plurality of long-range transceivers; and

in a forward only mode, not store the medical diagnostic information in the storage device, and transmit the medical diagnostic information and the timestamped positioning information to the one or more remote databases via at least one of the plurality of long-range transceivers.

12. The mobile apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the PCM information includes a status of a fuel system of the vehicle, information about an ignition system of the vehicle, and information about an idle speed of the vehicle;

the processor device is configured to transmit, to the one or more databases located remotely from the vehicle, via at least one of the plurality of long-range transceivers, the status of the fuel system of the vehicle, the information about the ignition system of the vehicle, and the information about the idle speed of the vehicle; and

the processor device is configured to receive, from the one or more databases located remotely from the vehicle, via at least one of the plurality of long-range transceivers, an instruction to control the fuel system of the vehicle, an instruction to control the ignition system of the vehicle, and an instruction to control the idle speed of the vehicle.

13. The mobile apparatus of claim 9, wherein the instructions received from the one or more databases located remotely from the vehicle further comprise:

an instruction to improve an operation of a braking system of the vehicle, an instruction to operate one or more lights of the vehicle, an instruction to operate one or more still-image cameras associated with the vehicle, an instruction to operate one or more video cameras associated with the vehicle, an instruction to operate an ignition system of the vehicle, an instruction to operate a heating system of the vehicle, and an instruction to operate the air-conditioner system of the vehicle.

14. The mobile apparatus of claim 9, wherein the instructions received from the one or more databases located remotely from the vehicle further comprise:

an instruction to improve an operation of one or more oxygen sensors of the vehicle; and

an instruction to improve an operation of one or more throttle position sensors of the vehicle.

15. 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; and

a storage device;

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;

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

receive on-board diagnostic (OBD) information about the vehicle from one or more OBD ports in the vehicle;

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

receive instructions from the one or more databases located remotely from the vehicle via at least one of the plurality of long-range transceivers, wherein the instructions are based at least on the OBD information transmitted to the one or more remotely located databases; and

adjust one or more vehicle settings in accordance with the instructions;

wherein the instructions received from the one or more databases located remotely from the vehicle further comprise;

an instruction to improve an operation of a braking system of the vehicle, an instruction to operate one or more lights of the vehicle, an instruction to operate one or more still-image cameras associated with the vehicle, an instruction to operate one or more video cameras associated with the vehicle, an instruction to operate an ignition system of the vehicle, an instruction to operate a heating system of the vehicle, and an instruction to operate the air-conditioner system of the vehicle.

16. The mobile apparatus of claim 15, wherein:

the processor device is structured to transmit and receive information to and from the devices external to the mobile apparatus via at least one of the plurality of short-range transceivers, and

the processor device is structured to transmit and receive the information to and from the one or more databases located remotely from the vehicle via at least one of the plurality of long-range transceivers.

17. The mobile apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

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

18. The mobile apparatus of claim 17, 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.

19. The mobile apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

a biometric device structured to receive biometric information from an individual;

wherein the processor device is structured to;

receive and process the biometric information;

store the biometric information in the storage device; and

transmit the biometric information to the one or more remote databases via at least one of the plurality of long-range transceivers.

20. The mobile apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

a barcode scanner structured to scan barcode information from one or more containers;

wherein the processor device is structured to;

receive and process the barcode information;

store the barcode information in the storage device; and

transmit the barcode information to the one or more remote databases via at least one of the plurality of long-range transceivers.

21. The mobile apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

a global positioning system (GPS) configured to receive positioning information of the mobile apparatus;

a barcode scanner structured to scan barcode information from one or more containers;

wherein the processor device is structured to;

receive and process the barcode information;

timestamp the positioning information;

store the barcode information and the timestamped positioning information in the storage device; and

transmit the barcode information and the timestamped positioning information to the one or more remote databases via at least one of the plurality of long-range transceivers.

22. The mobile apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

a medical diagnostic monitoring device configured to receive medical diagnostic information from one or more individuals proximately located to the vehicle;

a global positioning system (GPS) configured to receive positioning information of the mobile apparatus;

wherein the processor device is structured to;

receive and process the medical diagnostic information;

timestamp the positioning information;

in a store and forward mode, store the medical diagnostic information and the timestamped positioning information in the storage device, and transmit the medical diagnostic information and the timestamped positioning information to the one or more remote databases via at least one of the plurality of long-range transceivers; and

in a forward only mode, not store the medical diagnostic information in the storage device, and transmit the medical diagnostic information and the timestamped positioning information to the one or more remote databases via at least one of the plurality of long-range transceivers.

23. The mobile apparatus of claim 15, wherein:

the PCM information includes a status of a fuel system of the vehicle, information about an ignition system of the vehicle, and information about an idle speed of the vehicle;

the processor device is configured to transmit, to the one or more databases located remotely from the vehicle, via at least one of the plurality of long-range transceivers, the status of the fuel system of the vehicle, the information about the ignition system of the vehicle, and the information about the idle speed of the vehicle; and

the processor device is configured to receive, from the one or more databases located remotely from the vehicle, via at least one of the plurality of long-range transceivers, an instruction to control the fuel system of the vehicle, an instruction to control the ignition system of the vehicle, and an instruction to control the idle speed of the vehicle.

24. 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; and

a storage device;

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;

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

receive on-board diagnostic (OBD) information about the vehicle from one or more OBD ports in the vehicle;

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

receive instructions from the one or more databases located remotely from the vehicle via at least one of the plurality of long-range transceivers, wherein the instructions are based at least on the OBD information transmitted to the one or more remotely located databases; and

adjust one or more vehicle settings in accordance with the instructions;

wherein the instructions received from the one or more databases located remotely from the vehicle further comprise;

an instruction to improve an operation of one or more oxygen sensors of the vehicle; and

an instruction to improve an operation of one or more throttle position sensors of the vehicle.

25. The mobile apparatus of claim 24, wherein:

the processor device is structured to transmit and receive information to and from the devices external to the mobile apparatus via at least one of the plurality of short-range transceivers, and

the processor device is structured to transmit and receive the information to and from the one or more databases located remotely from the vehicle via at least one of the plurality of long-range transceivers.

26. The mobile apparatus of claim 24, further comprising:

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

27. The mobile apparatus of claim 26, 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.

28. The mobile apparatus of claim 24, further comprising:

a biometric device structured to receive biometric information from an individual;

wherein the processor device is structured to;

receive and process the biometric information;

store the biometric information in the storage device; and

transmit the biometric information to the one or more remote databases via at least one of the plurality of long-range transceivers.

29. The mobile apparatus of claim 24, further comprising:

a barcode scanner structured to scan barcode information from one or more containers;

wherein the processor device is structured to;

receive and process the barcode information;

store the barcode information in the storage device; and

transmit the barcode information to the one or more remote databases via at least one of the plurality of long-range transceivers.

30. The mobile apparatus of claim 24, further comprising:

a global positioning system (GPS) configured to receive positioning information of the mobile apparatus;

a barcode scanner structured to scan barcode information from one or more containers;

wherein the processor device is structured to;

receive and process the barcode information;

timestamp the positioning information;

store the barcode information and the timestamped positioning information in the storage device; and

transmit the barcode information and the timestamped positioning information to the one or more remote databases via at least one of the plurality of long-range transceivers.

31. The mobile apparatus of claim 24, further comprising:

a medical diagnostic monitoring device configured to receive medical diagnostic information from one or more individuals proximately located to the vehicle;

a global positioning system (GPS) configured to receive positioning information of the mobile apparatus;

wherein the processor device is structured to;

receive and process the medical diagnostic information;

timestamp the positioning information;

in a store and forward mode, store the medical diagnostic information and the timestamped positioning information in the storage device, and transmit the medical diagnostic information and the timestamped positioning information to the one or more remote databases via at least one of the plurality of long-range transceivers; and

in a forward only mode, not store the medical diagnostic information in the storage device, and transmit the medical diagnostic information and the timestamped positioning information to the one or more remote databases via at least one of the plurality of long-range transceivers.

32. The mobile apparatus of claim 24, wherein:

the PCM information includes a status of a fuel system of the vehicle, information about an ignition system of the vehicle, and information about an idle speed of the vehicle;

the processor device is configured to transmit, to the one or more databases located remotely from the vehicle, via at least one of the plurality of long-range transceivers, the status of the fuel system of the vehicle, the information about the ignition system of the vehicle, and the information about the idle speed of the vehicle; and

the processor device is configured to receive, from the one or more databases located remotely from the vehicle, via at least one of the plurality of long-range transceivers, an instruction to control the fuel system of the vehicle, an instruction to control the ignition system of the vehicle, and an instruction to control the idle speed of the vehicle.