Method for power management of wireless automotive modules
First Claim
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1. A method of managing power in an application sensor in a vehicle, comprising:
- powering a low-power MEMS sensor from a local energy storage device;
monitoring, using the low-power MEMS sensor, at least one motion of the vehicle when the vehicle is stationary; and
increasing power supply to application sensor if the low-power MEMS sensor detects at least one precursor motion.
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Abstract
A satellite sensor system for a vehicle includes an application motion sensor for sensing vehicle motion for the purpose of activating a vehicle safety system, a low power consumption motion sensor for monitoring vehicle motion when the vehicle is parked or otherwise not in a driving mode, and an RF communications interface to allow the satellite sensor system to communicate with the vehicle'"'"'s electronics control unit. The system withholds power from the application sensor until the low power consumption motion sensor indicates that the vehicle is about to enter a driving mode.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of managing power in an application sensor in a vehicle, comprising:
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powering a low-power MEMS sensor from a local energy storage device; monitoring, using the low-power MEMS sensor, at least one motion of the vehicle when the vehicle is stationary; and increasing power supply to application sensor if the low-power MEMS sensor detects at least one precursor motion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A wireless application sensor system for triggering a safety system in a vehicle, comprising:
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a low-power MEMS sensor rigidly affixed to a fixed location on the vehicle and configured to monitor at least one motion of the vehicle when the vehicle is stationary; a MEMS application sensor, the MEMS application sensor being separate from the low-power MEMS sensor; a local energy storage device, the local energy storage device configured to supply power to the low-power MEMS sensor and to the application sensor; a wireless communications interface circuit operably coupled to the application sensor and configured to provide a communications link to an electronic control unit in the vehicle; and a control module configured to engage the application sensor when the low-power MEMS sensor detects a precursor motion, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to control a safety system in the vehicle in response to a signal from the application sensor. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for controlling a safety system in a vehicle, comprising:
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a low-power-consumption means for monitoring at least one motion of the vehicle when the vehicle is stationary; an application sensor means, the application sensor means being separate from low-power-consumption means; a local energy storage means, the local energy storage means configured to supply power to the low-power MEMS sensor and to the application sensor; a wireless communications interface means operably coupled to the application sensor means and configured to provide a communications link to a safety system controller in the vehicle; and a control means configured to selectively supply power from the local energy storage means to the application sensor means when the low-power consumption means detects a precursor motion, wherein the safety system controller is configured to control a safety system in the vehicle in response to a signal from the application sensor means. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification