Patent Application
20120265368
EVs (electric vehicles, which include PEVs (plug-in electric vehicles) and PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles)) use batteries as a source of energy at least part of the time while in operation. These batteries discharge during use and are required to be recharged on an intermittent basis. In some instances, this charging occurs while the vehicle is being operated through a process commonly referred to as regenerative braking whereby the electric motor used to drive the vehicle acts as a generator while braking or coasting. When this is being performed, the alternating-current (AC) energy generated by the motor must be converted to direct-current (DC) energy to charge the battery of the EV. In many instances, this is performed by a switch mode power supply (SMPS). SMPS can also be used in EVs to invert DC power to AC power, and to rectify (DC-DC) DC power. SMPS, by their nature, produce electromagnetic signals while operating.
Car theft is problematic. In some instances, the battery of an EV has a tremendous after-market value, therefore EVs are being stolen to sell the parts separately. While there are systems and devices that can be installed on a vehicle to track a vehicle after it has been reported as stolen, these systems and devices are expensive and can be readily identified and disabled by the thief. However, if the device emitting the tracking signal was a part of the EV, the thief could not easily identify or remove the device.
Therefore, systems and methods are desired that overcome challenges in the art, some of which are described above. Specifically, systems and methods of tracking an EV using an electromagnetic signal produced by the SMPS of the EV are desired.
Described herein are embodiments of systems and methods of producing a detectable electromagnetic signal by an EV that can be used to track locations of the EV.
In one aspect, a method of tracking an EV is described. This embodiment of a method comprises receiving an actuation signal; and adjusting a SMPS in response to the actuation signal such that the switch mode power supply generates a detectable electromagnetic signal. The SMPS is used to provide alternating-current (AC) power to an electric motor of an electric vehicle (EV) or is used to provide direct-current (DC) power to a battery of the EV.
In another aspect, a method of tracking an EV is described. This embodiment of a method comprises sending an actuation signal to an EV, wherein the actuation signal causes a SMPS in the EV to generate a detectable electromagnetic signal; and tracking locations of the EV using the detectable electromagnetic signal. The SMPS is used to provide alternating-current (AC) power to an electric motor of the EV or is used to provide direct-current (DC) power to a battery of the EV.
In another aspect, a system for is described. This embodiment of a system comprises a SMPS, wherein the switch mode power supply is used to provide alternating-current (AC) power to an electric motor of an electric vehicle (EV) or is used to provide direct-current (DC) power to a battery of the EV; and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to: receive an actuation signal; and adjust the switch mode power supply in response to the actuation signal such that the switch mode power supply generates a detectable electromagnetic signal.
In yet another aspect, a system for tracking an EV is described. This embodiment of a system comprises a transmitter, wherein the transmitter sends an actuation signal to an electric vehicle (EV), wherein the actuation signal causes a SMPS in the EV to generate a detectable electromagnetic signal; and a receiver, wherein the receiver receives the detectable electromagnetic signal and tracks locations of the EV using the detectable electromagnetic signal, wherein the SMPS is used to provide alternating-current (AC) power to an electric motor of the EV or is used to provide direct-current (DC) power to a battery of the EV.
Additional advantages will be set forth in part in the description which follows or may be learned by practice. The advantages will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive, as claimed.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the methods and systems:
Before the present methods and systems are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the methods and systems are not limited to specific synthetic methods, specific components, or to particular compositions. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.
As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. Further, when examples of ranges are provided herein, it is to be appreciated that the given ranges also include all subranges therebetween, unless specifically stated otherwise.
“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.
Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word “comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” means “including but not limited to,” and is not intended to exclude, for example, other additives, components, integers or steps. “Exemplary” means “an example of” and is not intended to convey an indication of a preferred or ideal embodiment. “Such as” is not used in a restrictive sense, but for explanatory purposes.
Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosed methods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods and systems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, but not limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a variety of additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each of these additional steps can be performed with any specific embodiment or combination of embodiments of the disclosed methods.
The present methods and systems may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and the Examples included therein and to the Figures and their previous and following description.
Further comprising the embodiment shown in
Referring now to
In one embodiment, the one or more processors 704 are in communication with or include memory 706, such as volatile and/or non-volatile memory that stores content, data or the like. For example, the memory 706 may store content transmitted from, and/or received by, the entity. Also for example, the memory 706 may store software applications, instructions or the like for the one or more processors 704 to perform steps associated with operation of the entity in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In particular, the one or more processors 704 may be configured to perform the processes discussed in more detail herein for tracking an EV 102. The processor 704 can be configured for receiving an actuation signal. In response to receiving the actuation signal, the one or more processors 704 can be configured to adjust the SMPS 710 such that the SMPS 710 generates a detectable electromagnetic signal. In one aspect, the detectable electromagnetic signal can be used for tracking locations of the EV 102. In one aspect, the processor 704 is configured to cause the SMPS 710 to generate a detectable electromagnetic signal that is different from the electromagnetic signal generated by the SMPS 710 when operating normally. For example, in one instance, the processor 704 can be configured to cause the SMPS 710 to generate a detectable electromagnetic signal that is higher in frequency than the electromagnetic signal generated by the SMPS 710 when operating normally. In another exemplary instance, the processor 704 is configured to cause the SMPS 710 to generate a detectable electromagnetic signal that is lower in frequency than the electromagnetic signal generated by the SMPS 710 when operating normally. In yet another exemplary instance, the processor 704 is configured to cause the SMPS 710 to generate a detectable electromagnetic signal that has a repetitive pattern that is not present in the electromagnetic signal generated by the SMPS 710 when operating normally.
In addition to the memory 706, the one or more processors 704 can also be connected to at least one interface or other means for displaying, transmitting and/or receiving data, content or the like. In this regard, the interface(s) can include at least one communication interface 712 or other means for transmitting and/or receiving data, content or the like. In one aspect, the communication interface 712 can be used to receive a wirelessly transmitted actuation signal via an antenna 702. In response to receiving the actuation signal, the one or more processors 704 can be configured to adjust the SMPS 710 such that the SMPS 710 generates a detectable electromagnetic signal. In one aspect, the wirelessly transmitted actuation signal comprises an actuation signal received from a satellite. In another aspect, the wirelessly-transmitted actuation signal comprises an actuation signal received from a cellular telephone system, though other means of transmitting the actuation signal are contemplated within the scope if the described invention. The interface(s) can also include at least one user interface that can include a display 714 and/or a user input interface 716. In one aspect, the communication interface 712 can be used to transfer data or receive commands from and transfer information to a remote computing device 302 such as the one described herein over a wireless network. In one aspect, the communication interface 712 can comprise a wireless communication interface such as a Wi-Fi transceiver. The user input interface 716, in turn, can comprise any of a number of devices allowing the entity to receive data from a user, such as a keypad, a touch display, a joystick or other input device.
At step 804, A SMPS is adjusted to generate a detectable electromagnetic signal in response to the actuation signal. In one aspect, the SMPS generates an electromagnetic signal when operating normally and adjusting the SMPS in response to the actuation signal such that the SMPS generates a detectable electromagnetic signal comprises adjusting the SMPS such that it generates a detectable electromagnetic signal that is different from the electromagnetic signal generated by the SMPS when operating normally. In one aspect, generating the detectable electromagnetic signal that is different from the electromagnetic signal generated by the SMPS when operating normally comprises generating the detectable electromagnetic signal that is higher in frequency than the electromagnetic signal generated by the SMPS when operating normally. In another aspect, generating the detectable electromagnetic signal that is different from the electromagnetic signal generated by the SMPS when operating normally comprises generating the detectable electromagnetic signal that is lower in frequency than the electromagnetic signal generated by the SMPS when operating normally. In yet another aspect, generating the detectable electromagnetic signal that is different from the electromagnetic signal generated by the SMPS when operating normally comprises generating the detectable electromagnetic signal that has a repetitive pattern that is not present in the electromagnetic signal generated by the SMPS when operating normally.
In one aspect, the method further comprises tracking locations of the EV using the detectable electromagnetic signal.
The above system has been described above as comprised of units (e.g., the EV 102, the inverter/converter 108, the battery 104, the electric motor 106, the EMS 110, the computing device 302, etc.) One skilled in the art will appreciate that this is a functional description and that software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware can perform the respective functions. A unit, such as the inverter/converter 108, the EMS 110, the computing device 302, etc., can be software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The units can comprise the EV tracking software 906 as illustrated in
The present methods and systems can be operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that can be suitable for use with the systems and methods comprise, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, laptop devices, and multiprocessor systems. Additional examples comprise machine monitoring systems, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, smart meters, smart-grid components, distributed computing environments that comprise any of the above systems or devices, and the like.
The processing of the disclosed methods and systems can be performed by software components. The disclosed systems and methods can be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by one or more computers or other devices. Generally, program modules comprise computer code, routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The disclosed methods can also be practiced in grid-based and distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can be located in both local and remote computer storage media including memory storage devices.
Further, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the systems and methods disclosed herein can be implemented via a general-purpose computing device 302. The components of the computing device 302 can comprise, but are not limited to, one or more processors or processing units 903, a system memory 912, and a system bus 913 that couples various system components including the processor 903 to the system memory 912. In the case of multiple processing units 903, the system can utilize parallel computing.
The system bus 913 represents one or more of several possible types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, such architectures can comprise an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, a Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, an Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, a Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) bus, and a Peripheral Component Interconnects (PCI), a PCI-Express bus, a Personal Computer Memory Card Industry Association (PCMCIA), Universal Serial Bus (USB) and the like. The bus 913, and all buses specified in this description can also be implemented over a wired or wireless network connection and each of the subsystems, including the processor 903, a mass storage device 904, an operating system 905, EV tracking software 906, EV tracking data 907, a network adapter 908, system memory 912, an Input/Output Interface 910, a display adapter 909, a display device 911, and a human machine interface 902, can be contained within one or more remote computing devices or receivers 914a,b,c at physically separate locations, connected through buses of this form, in effect implementing a fully distributed system or distributed architecture.
The computing device 302 typically comprises a variety of computer readable media. Exemplary readable media can be any available media that is non-transitory and accessible by the computing device 302 and comprises, for example and not meant to be limiting, both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media. The system memory 912 comprises computer readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM). The system memory 912 typically contains data such as EV tracking data 907 and/or program modules such as operating system 905 and EV tracking software 906 that are immediately accessible to and/or are presently operated on by the processing unit 903.
For example, the memory 912 may store content transmitted from, and/or received by, the computing device 302. Also for example, the memory 912 may store software applications, instructions or the like for the one or more processors 903 to perform steps associated with operation of the entity in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In particular, the one or more processors 903 may be configured to perform the processes discussed in more detail herein for tracking an EV 102 using an electromagnetic signal generated by the EV 102. In one aspect, the process comprises the processor 903 causing an actuation signal to be sent to an EV 102. This activation signal is sent over a wireless network 915. The actuation signal causes a SMPS in the EV 102 to generate a detectable electromagnetic signal. The SMPS is used to provide AC power to an electric motor of the EV 102 or is used to provide DC power to a battery of the EV 102. The process further comprises tracking locations of the EV 102 using the detectable electromagnetic signal. For example, the receivers or other computing devices 914a,b,c can detect the detectable electromagnetic signal generated by the SMPS of the EV 102 and transmit the locations of the EV 102 back to the computing device 302. The strength of the detectable electromagnetic signal can also be transmitted to the computing device 302, which can be used to determine a direction of travel of the EV 102.
In another aspect, the computing device 302 can also comprise other non-transitory, removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer storage media. By way of example,
Optionally, any number of program modules can be stored on the mass storage device 904, including by way of example, an operating system 905 and EV tracking software 906. Each of the operating system 905 and EV tracking software 906 (or some combination thereof) can comprise elements of the programming and the EV tracking software 906. EV tracking data 907 can also be stored on the mass storage device 904. EV tracking data 907 can be stored in any of one or more databases known in the art. Examples of such databases comprise, DB2® (IBM Corporation, Armonk, N.Y.), Microsoft® Access, Microsoft® SQL Server, (Microsoft Corporation, Bellevue, Wash.), Oracle®, (Oracle Corporation, Redwood Shores, Calif.), mySQL, PostgreSQL, and the like. The databases can be centralized or distributed across multiple systems.
In another aspect, the user can enter commands and information into the computing device 302 via an input device (not shown). Examples of such input devices comprise, but are not limited to, a keyboard, pointing device (e.g., a “mouse”), a microphone, a joystick, a scanner, tactile input devices such as gloves, and other body coverings, and the like These and other input devices can be connected to the processing unit 903 via a human machine interface 902 that is coupled to the system bus 913, but can be connected by other interface and bus structures, such as a parallel port, game port, an IEEE 1394 Port (also known as a Firewire port), a serial port, or a universal serial bus (USB).
In yet another aspect, a display device 911 can also be connected to the system bus 913 via an interface, such as a display adapter 909. It is contemplated that the computing device 302 can have more than one display adapter 909 and the computing device 302 can have more than one display device 911. For example, a display device can be a monitor, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), or a projector. In addition to the display device 911, other output peripheral devices can comprise components such as speakers (not shown) and a printer (not shown), which can be connected to the computing device 302 via Input/Output Interface 910. Any step and/or result of the methods can be output in any form to an output device. Such output can be any form of visual representation, including, but not limited to, textual, graphical, animation, audio, tactile, and the like.
The computing device 302 can operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computing devices or receivers 914a,b,c. By way of example, a remote computing device 914 can be a personal computer, portable computer, a server, a router, a network computer, a vendor or manufacture's computing device, an electric vehicle charging station (EVCS), peer device or other common network node, and so on. Logical connections between the computing device 302 and a remote computing device or receiver 914a,b,c can be made via a local area network (LAN) and a general wide area network (WAN). Such network connections can be through a network adapter 908. A network adapter 908 can be implemented in both wired and wireless environments. Such networking environments are conventional and commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, and other networks 915 such as the Internet.
For purposes of illustration, application programs and other executable program components such as the operating system 905 are illustrated herein as discrete blocks, although it is recognized that such programs and components reside at various times in different storage components of the computing device 302, and are executed by the data processor(s) of the computing device 302. An implementation of EV tracking software 906 can be stored on or transmitted across some form of computer readable media. Any of the disclosed methods can be performed by computer readable instructions embodied on computer readable media. Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example and not meant to be limiting, computer readable media can comprise “computer storage media” and “communications media.” “Computer storage media” comprise volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any methods or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Exemplary computer storage media comprises, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by a computer.
The methods and systems can employ Artificial Intelligence techniques such as machine learning and iterative learning. Examples of such techniques include, but are not limited to, expert systems, case based reasoning, Bayesian networks, behavior based AI, neural networks, fuzzy systems, evolutionary computation (e.g. genetic algorithms), swarm intelligence (e.g. ant algorithms), and hybrid intelligent systems (e.g. Expert inference rules generated through a neural network or production rules from statistical learning).
At step 1004, locations of the EV are tracked using the detectable electromagnetic signal.
As described above and as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, embodiments of the present invention may be configured as a system, method, or computer program product. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may be comprised of various means including entirely of hardware, entirely of software, or any combination of software and hardware. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program instructions (e.g., computer software) embodied in the storage medium. Any suitable non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be utilized including hard disks, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, or magnetic storage devices.
Embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to block diagrams and flowchart illustrations of methods, apparatuses (i.e., systems) and computer program products. It will be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, respectively, can be implemented by various means including computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be loaded onto a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such as the one or more processors 704 discussed above with reference to
These computer program instructions may also be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus (e.g., the one or more processors 704 discussed above with reference to
Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations support combinations of means for performing the specified functions, combinations of steps for performing the specified functions and program instruction means for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems that perform the specified functions or steps, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended that an order be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possible non-express basis for interpretation, including: matters of logic with respect to arrangement of steps or operational flow; plain meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation; the number or type of embodiments described in the specification.
Throughout this application, various publications may be referenced. The disclosures of these publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which the methods and systems pertain.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these embodiments of the invention pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
