Patent Application
20160047348
The present disclosure generally relates to the field of vehicles and, more specifically, to methods and systems for controlling remote start functionality for engines of vehicles, such as automobiles.
Certain vehicles today having include remote start systems and algorithms that enable a user of the vehicle to remotely start an engine of the vehicle. Such a remote start of the engine may be desired, for example, if the user wishes to have the vehicle's interior heated or cooled before the user enters the vehicle. However, in certain situations, existing remote start systems may not always remain active for an optimal amount of time, for example in light of different circumstances for various remote start events.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide improved methods and systems for controlling remote start functionality of vehicles, for example with respect to the duration of time for which the remote start remains active. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will be apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method for controlling a remote start feature of an engine of a vehicle is provided. The method comprises setting, via a processor, a timer that measures an amount of time after which a remote start of the engine has been initiated, for a duration of the remote start; extending, via the processor, the remote start upon detection of an action by an individual proximate the vehicle before the amount of time exceeds a first predetermined threshold; and terminating, via the processor, the remote start after the amount of time exceeds the first predetermined threshold if no action has been detected during the duration of the remote start.
In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, a system for controlling a remote start feature of an engine of a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a program and a computer readable storage medium. The program is configured to set a timer that measures an amount of time after which a remote start of the engine has been initiated, for a duration of the remote start; extend the remote start upon detection of an action by an individual proximate the vehicle before the amount of time exceeds a first predetermined threshold; and terminate the remote start after the amount of time exceeds the first predetermined threshold if no action has been detected during the duration of the remote start. The non-transitory, computer readable storage medium is configured to store the program.
In accordance with a further exemplary embodiment, a system for controlling a remote start feature of an engine of a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a receiver and a processor. The receiver is configured to receive a signal to initiate a remote start of the engine. The processor is coupled to the receiver, and is configured to initiate the remote start after receiving the signal; set a timer that measures an amount of time after which the remote start has been initiated, for a duration of the remote start; extend the remote start upon detection of an action by an individual proximate the vehicle before the amount of time exceeds a first predetermined threshold; and terminate the remote start after the amount of time exceeds the first predetermined threshold if no action has been detected during the duration of the remote start.
The present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and wherein:
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the disclosure or the application and uses thereof. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description.
In
As depicted in
The vehicle 100 may be any one of a number of different types of automobiles, such as, for example, a sedan, a wagon, a truck, or a sport utility vehicle (SUV), and may be two-wheel drive (2WD) (i.e., rear-wheel drive or front-wheel drive), four-wheel drive (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The vehicle 100 may also incorporate any one of, or combination of, a number of different types of propulsion systems, such as, for example, a gasoline or diesel fueled combustion engine, a “flex fuel vehicle” (FFV) engine (i.e., using a mixture of gasoline and ethanol), a gaseous compound (e.g., hydrogen or natural gas) fueled engine, a combustion/electric motor hybrid engine, and an electric motor.
The engine 130 has a remote start feature that is controlled by the control system 170 in accordance with the steps of the process 300 described further below in connection with
In one embodiment, the engine 130 comprises a gas combustion engine. In another embodiment, the vehicle 100 may comprise a battery electric vehicle in which the engine 130 comprises an electric motor, the RESS 122 comprises a high voltage vehicle battery that powers the engine 130, and the vehicle 100 further includes a drive system comprising an actuator assembly 120, the above-referenced RESS 122, and a power inverter assembly (or inverter) 126, wherein the actuator assembly 120 includes at least one electric propulsion system 129 mounted on the chassis 112 that includes the engine 130 and drives the wheels 116. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, in certain embodiments the engine (or motor) 130 includes a transmission therein, and, although not illustrated, may also include a stator assembly (including conductive coils), a rotor assembly (including a ferromagnetic core), and a cooling fluid or coolant.
Still referring to
In one embodiment, the RESS 122 is mounted on the chassis 112. In one embodiment, the RESS 122 comprises a battery having a pack of battery cells. In one embodiment, the RESS 122 comprises a lithium iron phosphate battery, such as a nanophosphate lithium ion battery. In one embodiment, the RESS 122 comprises a high voltage battery that, along with an electric propulsion system(s) 129, provide a drive system to propel the vehicle 100 (in one such embodiment, the RESS 122 is also coupled to an inverter 126, as depicted in
The steering system 150 is mounted on the chassis 112, and controls steering of the wheels 116. The steering system 150 includes a steering wheel and a steering column (not depicted). The steering wheel receives inputs from a driver of the vehicle. The steering column results in desired steering angles for the wheels 116 via the drive shafts 134 based on the inputs from the driver.
The braking system 160 is mounted on the chassis 112, and provides braking for the vehicle 100. The braking system 160 receives inputs from the driver via a brake pedal (not depicted), and provides appropriate braking via brake units (also not depicted). The driver also provides inputs via an accelerator pedal (not depicted) as to a desired speed or acceleration of the vehicle, inputs via a cruise control resume switch (not depicted), and various other inputs for various vehicle devices and/or systems, such as one or more vehicle radios, other entertainment systems, environmental control systems, lightning units, navigation systems, and the like (also not depicted). In one embodiment, the braking system 160 includes both a regenerative braking capability and a friction braking capability for the vehicle 100.
The control system 170 is mounted on the chassis 112, and is coupled to the engine 130. As noted above, the control system 170 controls the remote start feature for the engine 130 in accordance with the steps of the process 300 described further below in connection with
With reference to
The sensor array 202 measures and obtains information for use by the controller 204 for controlling the remote start feature of the engine 130 of
The motion sensor(s) 206 detect and/or measure movement of a person (e.g. the driver of the vehicle 100) outside the vehicle 100. For example, in certain embodiments, the motion sensor(s) detect when an individual, such as the driver, is approaching the vehicle 100, walking across the vehicle 100, and so on. In various embodiments, the motion sensor(s) comprise one or more cameras, radar sensors, light detection and ranging (LIDAR) and/or other sensors capable of detecting and/or measuring motion. In one embodiment, the motion sensor(s) 206 are detected on or near an exterior of the vehicle 100 (e.g. on or near the front hood, the trunk, the doors, and so on) to detect movement of individuals outside the vehicle 100.
The brake pedal sensor(s) 208 measure values pertaining to an engagement of a brake pedal (e.g., brake pedal force and/or brake pedal travel) of the braking system 160 of
The door sensor(s) 210 detect and/or measure values pertaining to an engagement of a door of the vehicle 100, for example by a driver or passenger of the vehicle 100 about to enter the vehicle 100. In one embodiment, the door sensor(s) 210 are disposed proximate one or more doors of the vehicle 100 (e.g. proximate one or more door handles).
The lock sensor(s) 212 detect and/or measure values pertaining to an engagement of a lock of the vehicle 100 (e.g., a door lock), for example by a driver or passenger of the vehicle 100 about to enter the vehicle 100. In certain one embodiment, the lock sensor(s) 212 are disposed proximate one or more door locks of the vehicle 100 (e.g. proximate a door of the vehicle 100 or an electronic lock switch for the door locks of the vehicle 100).
The instrument panel sensor(s) 214 detect and/or measure values pertaining to an engagement of an instrument panel switch of the vehicle 100 (e.g., an ignition switch, a radio switch, a climate control switch, a navigation device switch, and so on), for example by a driver or passenger of the vehicle 100 about to enter the vehicle 100. In certain one embodiment, the instrument panel sensor(s) 214 are disposed proximate an instrument panel of the vehicle 100.
The seat sensor(s) 216 detect and/or measure values pertaining to an engagement of a seat occupied switch of the vehicle 100, for example by a driver or passenger of the vehicle 100 sitting down on a seat of the vehicle 100. In certain one embodiment, the seat sensor(s) 216 are disposed proximate one or more seats of the vehicle (e.g., the driver's seat or the front passenger's seat).
The steering wheel sensor(s) 218 detect and/or measure values pertaining to an engagement of a steering wheel of the steering system 150 of
As noted above, the specific number and/or type(s) of the sensors of the sensor array 202 may vary in different embodiments. For example, in various embodiments, any number of the same and/or different types of sensors may be used to detect a user action within or proximate the vehicle 100 of
As noted above, the specific number and/or type(s) of the sensors of the sensor array 202 may vary in different embodiments. For example, in various embodiments, any number of the same and/or different types of sensors may be used to detect a user action within or proximate the vehicle 100 of
The receiver 203 receives signals from the remote control system 180 of
The controller 204 is coupled to the sensor array 202 and to the receiver 203. The controller 204 initiates and controls the remote start feature for the engine 130 of
As depicted in
In the depicted embodiment, the computer system of the controller 204 includes a processor 220, a memory 222, an interface 224, a storage device 226, and a bus 228. The processor 220 performs the computation and control functions of the controller 204, and may comprise any type of processor or multiple processors, single integrated circuits such as a microprocessor, or any suitable number of integrated circuit devices and/or circuit boards working in cooperation to accomplish the functions of a processing unit. During operation, the processor 220 executes one or more programs 230 contained within the memory 222 and, as such, controls the general operation of the controller 204 and the computer system of the controller 204, preferably in executing the steps of the processes described herein, such as the steps of the process 300 (and any sub-processes thereof) in connection with
The memory 222 can be any type of suitable memory. In various embodiments, this may include the various types of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) such as SDRAM, the various types of static RAM (SRAM), and the various types of non-volatile memory (PROM, EPROM, and flash). In certain examples, the memory 222 is located on and/or co-located on the same computer chip as the processor 220. In the depicted embodiment, the memory 222 stores the above-referenced program 230 along with one or more stored values 232 (e.g., threshold values) for use in implementing the measurements from the sensor array 202.
The bus 228 serves to transmit programs, data, status and other information or signals between the various components of the computer system of the controller 204. The interface 224 allows communication to the computer system of the controller 204, for example from a system driver and/or another computer system, and can be implemented using any suitable method and apparatus. It can include one or more network interfaces to communicate with other systems or components. The interface 224 may also include one or more network interfaces to communicate with technicians, and/or one or more storage interfaces to connect to storage apparatuses, such as the storage device 226.
The storage device 226 can be any suitable type of storage apparatus, including direct access storage devices such as hard disk drives, flash systems, floppy disk drives and optical disk drives. In one exemplary embodiment, the storage device 226 comprises a program product from which memory 222 can receive a program 230 that executes one or more embodiments of one or more processes of the present disclosure, such as the steps of the process 300 (and any sub-processes thereof) of
The bus 228 can be any suitable physical or logical means of connecting computer systems and components. This includes, but is not limited to, direct hard-wired connections, fiber optics, infrared and wireless bus technologies. During operation, the program 230 is stored in the memory 222 and executed by the processor 220.
It will be appreciated that while this exemplary embodiment is described in the context of a fully functioning computer system, those skilled in the art will recognize that the mechanisms of the present disclosure are capable of being distributed as a program product with one or more types of non-transitory computer-readable signal bearing media used to store the program and the instructions thereof and carry out the distribution thereof, such as a non-transitory computer readable medium bearing the program and containing computer instructions stored therein for causing a computer processor (such as the processor 220) to perform and execute the program. Such a program product may take a variety of forms, and the present disclosure applies equally regardless of the particular type of computer-readable signal bearing media used to carry out the distribution. Examples of signal bearing media include: recordable media such as floppy disks, hard drives, memory cards and optical disks, and transmission media such as digital and analog communication links. It will similarly be appreciated that the computer system of the controller 204 may also otherwise differ from the embodiment depicted in
As depicted in
Once the remote start is initiated, a timer is set (step 302). In one embodiment, the timer measures an amount of time after which a remote start of the engine has been initiated, and remains active for a duration of the remote start. Also in one embodiment, the timer is set and maintained by the processor 220 of
A determination is made as to whether the timer of step 302 is expiring expired (step 304). Specifically, in one embodiment, a determination is made in step 304 as to whether the amount of time after the initiation of the remote start is approaching a first predetermined threshold (e.g., as to whether the amount of time is within ten percent of the first predetermined threshold in one example, although this may vary). In one embodiment, the determination is whether the timer is approximately expired (e.g. as to whether there is only a relatively small amount of time, such as a matter of seconds, before the timer is about to expire). In one embodiment, the first predetermined threshold is equal to approximately ten minutes, and the timer may be considered to be expiring in step 304 when the amount of time is greater than nine minutes by way of example only; however, these values may vary in other embodiments. Also in one embodiment, this determination is made by the processor 220 of
If a determination is made in step 304 that the timer is not expiring, then the process returns to step 303. The remote start then remains active until a determination is made in a subsequent iteration of step 304 that the timer has expired (or, in some embodiments, that the timer is approximately expired).
Once a determination is made in an iteration of step 304 that the timer has expired (or, in some embodiments, that the timer is approximately expired), then a determination is made as to whether an action is detected by an individual in proximity to the vehicle (step 306). In various embodiments, this determination is made by the processor 220 of
In certain embodiments, the determination of step 306 includes a determination as to whether an individual in proximity to the vehicle is moving with respect to the vehicle. In certain of these embodiments, the determination of step 306 comprises a determination as to whether there has been a detection of a movement of an individual in proximity to the vehicle is moving from one side of the vehicle to another, opposing side of the vehicle (e.g., from the driver side of the vehicle to the passenger side of the vehicle or vice versa, or from the front of the vehicle to the rear of the vehicle or vices versa). For example, such movement would include a user moving about the vehicle to clean or de-ice the windshield and/or windows of the vehicle, to place children into their car seats, to place luggage in the vehicle, or for the user himself to enter the vehicle, and so on. In certain embodiments, the movement of the individual is detected by signals transmitted by the user's remote control system 180 of
In certain embodiments, the determination of step 306 also includes a determination as to whether an individual in proximity to the vehicle has engaged any apparatus of the vehicle 100. For example, in certain embodiments, the determination of step 306 comprises a determination as to whether there has been a detection of an engagement of a door and/or lock (e.g., a manual and/or electronic door lock) of the vehicle 100 by an individual (e.g. through manual contact and/or through the remote control system 180 of
If it is determined in step 306 that an action has not been detected by an individual in proximity to the vehicle prior to the expiration of the timer of step 302 (i.e., while the amount of time after the initiation of the remote start has not exceeded the first predetermined threshold of step 304), then a determination is made as to whether the timer has expired (step 307). In one embodiment, the timer is considered to be expired in step 307 if the amount of time for the remote start event has exceeded the first predetermined threshold mentioned above in step 304 (e.g., ten minutes in the above-described example, although this value may vary in different embodiments). Also in one embodiment, this determination is made by the processor 220 of
With reference again to step 306, if it is determined in step 306 that an action has been detected by an individual in proximity to the vehicle prior to the expiration of the timer of step 302 (i.e., while the amount of time after the initiation of the remote start has not exceeded the first predetermined threshold of step 304), then a further determination is made as to whether the timer extension limit has been reached (step 310). In one embodiment, the timer extension limit comprises a maximum, total amount of time for the remote start event, including any extensions of steps 314 and/or 316, discussed further below. Specifically, in one embodiment, the timer extension limit comprises a second predetermined threshold after which the remote start will automatically terminate, regardless of any detection of actions by individuals proximate the vehicle 100. For example, in one embodiment in which the first predetermined threshold of step 304 is equal to 10 minutes, the timer extension limit of step 310 may equal 20 minutes in one particular example; however, this may vary in other embodiments. In one embodiment, the determination of step 310 is made by the processor 220 of
If it is determined in step 310 that the timer extension limit has been reached, then the process proceeds to the above-referenced step 308, and the remote start terminates.
Conversely, if it is determined in step 310 that the timer extension limit has not been reached, then a determination is made as to whether the detected action of step 306 represents an active action by the individual (step 312). For example, in certain embodiments, an individual's movement with respect to the vehicle would be considered a passive action, while an individual's engagement of a particular vehicle apparatus (e.g. a door, a lock, a brake pedal, an instrument panel button or switch, a seat, and/or a steering wheel) would be considered an active action. In one embodiment, this determination is made by the processor 220 of
If it is determined in step 312 that the action represents a passive action by the individual, then the timer is incremented by a first extension amount (step 314). Specifically, in one embodiment, during step 314, the remote start of the engine 130 is extended by a first extension amount upon detection of the passive action by the individual. The process returns to step 303, as the remote start continues with the timer extension.
In one embodiment, step 314 is performed by the processor 220 of
Conversely, if it is determined in step 312 that the action represents an active action by the individual, then the timer is incremented by a second extension amount (step 316). Specifically, in one embodiment, during step 316, the remote start of the engine 130 is extended by a second extension amount upon detection of the active action by the individual. The process returns to step 303, as the remote start continues with the timer extension.
In one embodiment, step 316 is performed by the processor 220 of
Accordingly, methods and systems are provided for controlling a remote start feature for an engine of a vehicle. As discussed above, the provided methods and systems provide for extensions of the remote start event in appropriate circumstances when an action is detected in proximity to the vehicle to indicate that additional time may be needed for the remote start of the engine. Also as described above, in certain embodiments the duration of the extensions may be tailored to the specific types of actions, in differentiating between active and passive actions. The disclosed methods and systems can thus help to avoid any inconvenience that might otherwise occur, for example to help avoid the remote start from terminating just as the user is about to enter and/or operate the vehicle.
It will be appreciated that the vehicle of
While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof.
