REMOTE TRIGGER OF AN ALTERNATE ENERGY SOURCE TO POWER A VEHICLE SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A system for remotely managing power use of auxiliary electrical systems in an electric vehicle, the system comprising:
- an on-board electrical energy storage device within the electric vehicle;
an electrical interface between the on-board electrical energy storage device and an off-board electrical energy source external to the vehicle;
a controller for selecting between the on-board electrical energy storage device and the off-board electrical energy source as a power source for one or more of the auxiliary electrical systems; and
a telematics device linked to the controller for causing the controller to select a specific one of the on-board electrical energy storage device and the off-board electrical energy source to power a selected one of the auxiliary electrical systems based on a command signal received wirelessly from a remote user device.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The described method and system improve electric-power driving range for electric vehicles, i.e., electric-only, hybrid electric, and other vehicles that draw electrical power from an on-board storage system for propulsion and auxiliary functions such as HVAC, defroster, defogger, seat heaters, seat coolers, etc. The described system uses an alternate energy source off-board of the vehicle, e.g., the municipal power grid, to power and run vehicle systems while the vehicle is plugged into the grid. The system also provides the user with the ability to remotely choose via an electronic medium or telematics system among multiple available alternate sources of energy to power vehicle systems. The user may remotely trigger the use of the selected source and may also remotely activate and deactivate vehicle systems powered by the alternative energy source.
26 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for remotely managing power use of auxiliary electrical systems in an electric vehicle, the system comprising:
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an on-board electrical energy storage device within the electric vehicle; an electrical interface between the on-board electrical energy storage device and an off-board electrical energy source external to the vehicle; a controller for selecting between the on-board electrical energy storage device and the off-board electrical energy source as a power source for one or more of the auxiliary electrical systems; and a telematics device linked to the controller for causing the controller to select a specific one of the on-board electrical energy storage device and the off-board electrical energy source to power a selected one of the auxiliary electrical systems based on a command signal received wirelessly from a remote user device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for assisting an electric vehicle user in remotely executing power management activities with respect to auxiliary electrical systems in an electric vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
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a portable communication device remote from the electric vehicle and associated with the electric vehicle user; and an application executed on the portable communication device to control the energy use of one or more of the auxiliary electrical systems, the application including computer-executable instructions read from a computer-readable medium to execute steps including; receiving user input from the electric vehicle user identifying at least one of the auxiliary electrical systems and identifying a power source to be used to power the at least one identified auxiliary electrical system; and transforming the received input into a command signal for wireless transmission to a telematics unit within the electric vehicle, such that the telematics unit causes the at least one identified auxiliary electrical system to be operated and powered by the identified power source. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of preparing an electric vehicle for use by a user, the method comprising:
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receiving at a portable communication device remote from the vehicle a user selection of a desired cabin temperature for the vehicle; in response to receiving the user selection, preparing and wirelessly transmitting to the vehicle a command signal embodying the user selection; and at the vehicle, in response to receipt of the command signal, activating an HVAC system of the vehicle to provide a cabin temperature corresponding to the desired cabin temperature, wherein activation of the HVAC system includes causing the HVAC system to be powered by a power source external to the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification