TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to battery devices, systems which include battery devices, and methods for using battery devices, and in particular relates to providing and operating battery backup devices in telematics systems.

BACKGROUND

Telematics systems have been employed by fleet owners to monitor use and performance of vehicles in the fleet. While this has resulted in improved performance and maintenance of vehicles in the fleet, such telematics systems are dependent on power from vehicles.

SUMMARY

According to a broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a system comprising: a telematic monitoring device capable of obtaining data and power from a vehicle; a battery device electrically coupled to the telematic monitoring device, the battery device including control circuitry and at least one battery, the battery device operable in a plurality of modes including at least: a first mode where the battery device receives power from the vehicle, and provision of power to the at least one battery is enabled to charge the at least one battery; a second mode where the battery device receives power from the vehicle, and provision of power to the at least one battery is disabled; a third mode where the battery device does not receive power from the vehicle, the battery device provides power to the telematic monitoring device, and provision of power to the at least one battery is disabled; and wherein the control circuitry of the battery device is operable to select a mode of operation of the battery device from the plurality of modes, the control circuitry to cause the battery device to: operate in the first mode when the vehicle is on and the telematic monitoring device is electrically coupled to the vehicle; operate in the second mode when the vehicle is off and the telematic monitoring device is electrically coupled to the vehicle; and operate in the third mode when the telematic monitoring device is not electrically coupled to the vehicle.

In the third mode the battery device may provide a first quantity of power to the telematic monitoring device to operate the telematic monitoring device in a full power mode; the control circuitry may be operable to cause the battery device to operate in the third mode when the telematic monitoring device is not electrically coupled to the vehicle and: the vehicle is in motion or the vehicle is on; the plurality of modes in which the battery device is operable may further include a fourth mode where the battery device does not receive power from the vehicle, provision of power to the at least one battery is disabled, and the battery device provides a second quantity of power to the telematic monitoring device lower than the first quantity of power, to operate the telematic monitoring device in a low power mode which consumes less power than the full power mode; and the control circuitry may be operable to cause the battery device to operate in the fourth mode when the telematic monitoring device is not coupled to the vehicle and: the vehicle is not in motion or the vehicle is off.

In the full power mode the telematic monitoring device may be in an active state where data is processed and sent over a communication network; and in the low power mode the telematic monitoring device may be in a sleep state, and periodically enter a wake state to check whether there is new data to be sent over the communication network.

The plurality of modes may include a fifth mode where provision of power from the at least one battery is disabled; and the control circuitry of the battery device may be operable to cause the battery device to operate in the fifth mode when the battery device is disconnected from the telematic monitoring device. The system may further comprise at least one peripheral device electrically coupled to the battery device, wherein: in the first mode, provision of power from the battery device to the at least one peripheral device is enabled; in the second mode, provision of power from the battery device to the at least one peripheral device is enabled; in the third mode, provision of power from the battery device to the at least one peripheral device is disabled; in the fourth mode, provision of power from the battery device to the at least one peripheral device is disabled; and in the fifth mode, provision of power from the battery device to the at least one peripheral device is disabled.

The system may further comprise at least one peripheral device electrically coupled to the battery device, wherein: in the first mode, provision of power from the battery device to the at least one peripheral device is enabled; in the second mode, provision of power from the battery device to the at least one peripheral device is enabled; and in the third mode, provision of power from the battery device to the at least one peripheral device is disabled.

The plurality of modes may include a fourth mode where provision of power from the at least one battery is disabled; and the control circuitry of the battery device may be operable to cause the battery device to operate in the fourth mode when the battery device is disconnected from the telematic monitoring device.

The control circuitry of the battery device may be operable to detect whether the vehicle is on.

The control circuitry may be operable to detect whether the vehicle is on based on data selected from the group consisting of: ignition data from the telematic monitoring device which indicates a state of an ignition of the vehicle; voltage measurement data which indicates a voltage level of power from the vehicle, indicative of whether the vehicle is on; voltage measurement data which indicates a voltage level of power from the vehicle, indicative of voltage fluctuations caused by an ignition event of the vehicle; acceleration data from an accelerometer or inertial measurement unit (IMU) of the telematic monitoring device which indicates the vehicle is vibrating; and audio data from an audio sensor of the telematic monitoring device which includes a representation of an engine noise of the vehicle. The system may further comprise at least one peripheral device electrically coupled to the battery device, wherein the control circuitry is operable to detect whether the vehicle is on based on data selected from the group consisting of: acceleration data from an accelerometer or inertial measurement unit (IMU) of the at least one peripheral device which indicates the vehicle is vibrating; and audio data from an audio sensor of the at least one peripheral device which includes a representation of an engine noise of the vehicle.

A processing unit in the telematic monitoring device may be operable to detect whether the vehicle is on based on data selected from the group consisting of: ignition data from the vehicle which indicates a state of an ignition of the vehicle; voltage measurement data which indicates a voltage level of power from the vehicle, indicative of whether the vehicle is on; voltage measurement data which indicates a voltage level of power from the vehicle, indicative of voltage fluctuations caused by an ignition event of the vehicle; acceleration data from an accelerometer or inertial measurement unit (IMU) of the telematic monitoring device which indicates the vehicle is vibrating; and audio data from an audio sensor of the telematic monitoring device which includes a representation of an engine noise of the vehicle, and the telematic monitoring device may be operable to send a signal to the battery device indicating whether the vehicle is on.

The system may further comprise at least one peripheral device electrically coupled to the battery device, wherein a processing unit in the at least one peripheral device is operable to detect whether the vehicle is on based on data selected from the group consisting of: acceleration data from an accelerometer or inertial measurement unit (IMU) of the at least one peripheral device which indicates the vehicle is vibrating; and audio data from an audio sensor of the at least one peripheral device which includes a representation of an engine noise of the vehicle, and the at least one peripheral device may be operable to send a signal to the battery device indicating whether the vehicle is on.

The control circuitry of the battery device may be operable to detect whether the vehicle is in motion.

The control circuitry may be operable to detect whether the vehicle is in motion based on data selected from the group consisting of: positional data from a location sensor of the telematic monitoring device which indicates a change in position or a movement speed of the vehicle; acceleration data from an accelerometer or inertial measurement unit (IMU) of the telematic monitoring device which indicates acceleration of the vehicle; audio data from an audio sensor of the telematic monitoring device which includes a representation of movement noise of the vehicle; and image data from an image sensor of the telematic monitoring device which includes a representation of a changing environment of the vehicle.

The system may further comprise at least one peripheral device electrically coupled to the battery device, wherein the control circuitry is operable to detect whether the vehicle is in motion based on data selected from the group consisting of: positional data from a location sensor of the at least one peripheral device which indicates a change in position or a movement speed of the vehicle; acceleration data from an accelerometer or inertial measurement unit (IMU) of the at least one peripheral device which indicates acceleration of the vehicle; audio data from an audio sensor of the at least one peripheral device which includes a representation of movement noise of the vehicle; and image data from an image sensor of the at least one peripheral device which includes a representation of a changing environment of the vehicle.

A processing unit in the telematic monitoring device may be operable to detect whether the vehicle is in motion based on data selected from the group consisting of: positional data from a location sensor of the telematic monitoring device which indicates a change in position or a movement speed of the vehicle; acceleration data from an accelerometer or inertial measurement unit (IMU) of the telematic monitoring device which indicates acceleration of the vehicle; audio data from an audio sensor of the telematic monitoring device which includes a representation of movement noise of the vehicle; and image data from an image sensor of the telematic monitoring device which includes a representation of a changing environment of the vehicle, and the telematic monitoring device may be operable to send a signal to the battery device indicating whether the vehicle is in motion.

The system may further comprise at least one peripheral device electrically coupled to the battery device, wherein a processing unit in the at least one peripheral device is operable to detect whether the vehicle is in motion based on data selected from the group consisting of: positional data from a location sensor of the at least one peripheral device which indicates a change in position or a movement speed of the vehicle; acceleration data from an accelerometer or inertial measurement unit (IMU) of the at least one peripheral device which indicates acceleration of the vehicle; audio data from an audio sensor of the at least one peripheral device which includes a representation of movement noise of the vehicle; and image data from an image sensor of the at least one peripheral device which includes a representation of a changing environment of the vehicle, further wherein the at least one peripheral device is operable to send a signal to the battery device indicating whether the vehicle is on.

The telematic monitoring device may be operable to output a signal indicative of disconnection in response to the telematic monitoring device being disconnected from the vehicle. The signal indicative of disconnection may be an audible sound. The signal indicative of disconnection may be an electronic signal communicated over a communication network.

The control circuitry of the battery device may be operable to: detect when power to the battery device is disconnected; detect whether the battery device is electrically coupled to the telematic monitoring device; and instruct the telematic monitoring device to transmit a signal indicative of disconnection of power when power to the battery device is disconnected and the battery device is electrically coupled to the telematic monitoring device.

Power received by the battery device from the vehicle may be received via the telematic monitoring device.

The battery device may comprise power circuitry for provisioning power within the battery device. The power circuitry may further provision power input to and output from the battery device.

The control circuitry may be operable to select a mode of operation based on at least data selected from the group consisting of: vehicle data provided to the battery device through the telematic monitoring device; sensor data from at least one sensor of the telematic monitoring device; instruction data from the telematic monitoring device; and sensor data from sensors of the battery device.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a battery device comprising: control circuitry; at least one battery; wherein the battery device is electrically couplable to a telematic monitoring device capable of obtaining data and power from a vehicle, and the battery device is operable in a plurality of modes including at least: a first mode where the battery device receives power from the vehicle, and provision of power to the at least one battery is enabled to charge the at least one battery; a second mode where the battery device receives power from the vehicle, and provision of power to the at least one battery is disabled; a third mode where the battery device provides power to the telematic monitoring device, and charging of the at least one battery is disabled; and wherein the control circuitry is operable to cause the battery device to: operate in the first mode when the vehicle is on and the telematic monitoring device is electrically coupled to the vehicle; operate in the second mode when the vehicle is off and the telematic monitoring device is electrically coupled to the vehicle; and operate in the third mode when the telematic monitoring device is not electrically coupled to the vehicle.

In the third mode the battery device may provide a first quantity of power to the telematic monitoring device to operate the telematic monitoring device in a full power mode; the control circuitry may be operable to cause the battery device to operate in the third mode when the telematic monitoring device is not electrically coupled to the vehicle and: the vehicle is in motion or the vehicle is on; the plurality of modes in which the battery device is operable may further include a fourth mode where the battery device does not receive power from the vehicle, provision of power to the at least one battery is disabled, and the battery device provides a second quantity of power to the telematic monitoring device lower than the first quantity of power, to operate the telematic monitoring device in a low power mode which consumes less power than the full power mode; and the control circuitry may be operable to cause the battery device to operate in the fourth mode when the telematic monitoring device is not coupled to the vehicle and: the vehicle is not in motion or the vehicle is off.

In the full power mode the telematic monitoring device may be in an active state where data is processed and sent over a communication network, the first quantity of power to operate the telematic monitoring device in the active state; and in the low power mode the telematic monitoring device may be in a sleep state, and periodically enter a wake state to check whether there is new data to be sent over the communication network, the second quantity of power to operate the telematic monitoring device in the sleep state and the wake state.

The plurality of modes may include a fifth mode where provision of power from the at least one battery is disabled; and the control circuitry of the battery device may be operable to cause the battery device to operate in the fifth mode when the battery device is disconnected from the telematic monitoring device.

The battery device may be electrically couplable to at least one peripheral device; in the first mode, provision of power from the battery device to the at least one peripheral device may be enabled; in the second mode, provision of power from the battery device to the at least one peripheral device may be enabled; in the third mode, provision of power from the battery device to the at least one peripheral device may be disabled; in the fourth mode, provision of power from the battery device to the at least one peripheral device may be disabled; and in the fifth mode, provision of power from the battery device to the at least one peripheral device may be disabled.

The battery device may be electrically couplable to at least one peripheral device; in the first mode, provision of power from the battery device to the at least one peripheral device may be enabled; in the second mode, provision of power from the battery device to the at least one peripheral device may be enabled; and in the third mode, provision of power from the battery device to the at least one peripheral device may be disabled.

The plurality of modes may include a fourth mode where provision of power from the at least one battery is disabled; and the control circuitry of the battery device may be operable to cause the battery device to operate in the fourth mode when the battery device is disconnected from the telematic monitoring device.

The control circuitry of the battery device may be operable to detect whether the vehicle is on.

The control circuitry may be operable to detect whether the vehicle is on based on data selected from the group consisting of: ignition data from the telematic monitoring device which indicates a state of an ignition of the vehicle; voltage measurement data which indicates a voltage level of power from the vehicle, indicative of whether the vehicle is on; voltage measurement data which indicates a voltage level of power from the vehicle, indicative of voltage fluctuations caused by an ignition event of the vehicle; acceleration data from an accelerometer or inertial measurement unit (IMU) of the telematic monitoring device which indicates the vehicle is vibrating; audio data from an audio sensor of the telematic monitoring device which includes a representation of an engine noise of the vehicle; and status data generated by a processing unit of the telematic monitoring device which indicates whether the vehicle is on.

The battery device may be electrically couplable to at least one peripheral device; and the control circuitry may be operable to detect whether the vehicle is on based on data selected from the group consisting of: acceleration data from an accelerometer or inertial measurement unit (IMU) of the at least one peripheral device which indicates the vehicle is vibrating; audio data from an audio sensor of the at least one peripheral device which includes a representation of an engine noise of the vehicle; and status data generated by a processing unit of the at least one peripheral device which indicates whether the vehicle is on.

The control circuitry of the battery device may be operable to detect whether the vehicle is in motion.

The control circuitry may be operable to detect whether the vehicle is in motion based on data selected from the group consisting of: positional data from a location sensor of the telematic monitoring device which indicates a change in position or a movement speed of the vehicle; acceleration data from an accelerometer or inertial measurement unit (IMU) of the telematic monitoring device which indicates acceleration of the vehicle; audio data from an audio sensor of the telematic monitoring device which includes a representation of movement noise of the vehicle; image data from an image sensor of the telematic monitoring device which includes a representation of a changing environment of the vehicle; and status data generated by a processing unit of the telematic monitoring device which indicates whether the vehicle is in motion.

The battery device may be electrically couplable to at least one peripheral device; and the control circuitry may be operable to detect whether the vehicle is in motion based on data selected from the group consisting of: positional data from a location sensor of the at least one peripheral device which indicates a change in position or a movement speed of the vehicle; acceleration data from an accelerometer or inertial measurement unit (IMU) of the at least one peripheral device which indicates acceleration of the vehicle; audio data from an audio sensor of the at least one peripheral device which includes a representation of movement noise of the vehicle; image data from an image sensor of the at least one peripheral device which includes a representation of a changing environment of the vehicle; and status data generated by a processing unit of the at least one peripheral device which indicates whether the vehicle is in motion.

The battery device may be operable to output a signal indicative of disconnection in response to the telematic monitoring device being disconnected from the vehicle. The battery device may further comprise an audio output device to output the signal indicative of disconnection as an audible sound. The battery device may further comprise a communication interface to output the signal indicative of disconnection as an electronic signal communicated over a communication network.

The control circuitry of the battery device may be operable to: detect when power to the battery device is disconnected; detect whether the battery device is communicatively coupled to the telematic monitoring device; and instruct the telematic monitoring device to transmit a signal indicative of disconnection of power when power to the battery device is disconnected and the battery device is coupled to the telematic monitoring device.

The battery device may be further operable to receive power from the vehicle via the telematic monitoring device.

The battery device may comprise power circuitry for provisioning power within the battery device. The power circuitry may further provision power input to and output from the battery device.

The control circuitry may be operable to select a mode of operation of the battery device based on at least data selected from the group consisting of: vehicle data provided to the battery device through the telematic monitoring device; sensor data from at least one sensor of the telematic monitoring device; instruction data from the telematic monitoring device; and sensor data from sensors of the battery device.

According to yet another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a method for operating a battery device comprising control circuitry and at least one battery, wherein the battery device is electrically couplable to a telematic monitoring device capable of obtaining data and power from a vehicle, the method comprising: selecting, by the control circuitry, a select mode of operation for the battery device from a plurality of modes in which the battery device is operable, including: selecting a first mode of the plurality of modes as the select mode when the vehicle is on and the telematic monitoring device is electrically coupled to the vehicle; selecting a second mode of the plurality of modes as the select mode when the vehicle is off and the telematic monitoring device is electrically coupled to the vehicle; and selecting a third mode of the plurality of modes as the select mode when the telematic monitoring device is not electrically coupled to the vehicle; and operating, by the control circuitry, the battery device in the select mode, wherein: when the first mode is the select mode, the battery device receives power from the vehicle, and provision of power to the at least one battery is enabled; when the second mode is the select mode, the battery device receives power from the vehicle, and provision of power to the at least one battery is enabled; and when the third mode is the select mode, the battery device provides power from the at least one battery to the telematic monitoring device, and provision of power to the at least one battery is disabled.

Selecting the third mode may comprise selecting the third mode when the telematic monitoring device is not electrically coupled to the vehicle and: the vehicle is in motion or the vehicle is on; when the third mode is the select mode, the battery device may provide a first quantity of power from the at least one battery to the telematic monitoring device, for the telematic monitoring device to operate in a full power mode; selecting a select mode of operation for the battery device from a plurality of modes in which the battery device is operable may further include: selecting a fourth mode of the plurality of modes as the select mode when the telematic monitoring device is not coupled to the vehicle and: the vehicle is not in motion or the vehicle is off; and when the fourth mode is the select mode, provision of power to the at least one battery may be disabled, and the battery device may provide a second quantity of power to the telematic monitoring device lower than the first quantity of power, to operate the telematic monitoring device in a low power mode which consumes less power than the full power mode.

In the full power mode the telematic monitoring device may be in an active state where data is processed and sent over a communication network, the first quantity of power provided to operate the telematic monitoring device in the active state; and in the low power mode the telematic monitoring device may be in a sleep state, and periodically enter a wake state to check whether there is new data to be sent over the communication network, the second quantity of power provided to operate the telematic monitoring device in the sleep state and the wake state.

Selecting a select mode of operation for the battery device from a plurality of modes in which the battery device is operable may further include: selecting a fifth mode of the plurality of modes as the select mode when the battery device is disconnected from the telematic monitoring device; and when the fifth mode is the select mode, provision of power from the at least one battery may be disabled.

The battery device may be electrically coupled to at least one peripheral device; when the first mode is the select mode, provision of power from the battery device to the at least one peripheral device may be enabled; when the second mode is the select mode, provision of power from the battery device to the at least one peripheral device may be enabled; when the third mode is the select mode, provision of power from the battery device to the at least one peripheral device may be disabled; when the fourth mode is the select mode, provision of power from the battery device to the at least one peripheral device may be disabled; and when the fifth mode is the select mode, provision of power from the battery device to the at least one peripheral device may be disabled.

The battery device may be electrically coupled to at least one peripheral device; when the first mode is the select mode, provision of power from the battery device to the at least one peripheral device may be enabled; when the second mode is the select mode, provision of power from the battery device to the at least one peripheral device may be enabled; and when the third mode is the select mode, provision of power from the battery device to the at least one peripheral device may be disabled.

Selecting a select mode of operation for the battery device from a plurality of modes in which the battery device is operable may further include: selecting a fourth mode of the plurality of modes as the select mode when the battery device is disconnected from the telematic monitoring device; and when the fourth mode is the select mode, provision of power from the at least one battery may be disabled.

The method may further comprise detecting, by the control circuitry, whether the vehicle is on.

Detecting, by the control circuitry, whether the vehicle is on may be based on data selected from the group consisting of: ignition data from the telematic monitoring device which indicates a state of an ignition of the vehicle; voltage measurement data which indicates a voltage level of power from the vehicle, indicative of whether the vehicle is on; voltage measurement data which indicates a voltage level of power from the vehicle, indicative of voltage fluctuations caused by an ignition event of the vehicle; acceleration data from an accelerometer or inertial measurement unit (IMU) of the telematic monitoring device which indicates the vehicle is vibrating; audio data from an audio sensor of the telematic monitoring device which includes a representation of an engine noise of the vehicle; and status data generated by a processing unit of the telematic monitoring device which indicates whether the vehicle is on.

The battery device may be electrically coupled to at least one peripheral device; detecting, by the control circuitry, whether the vehicle is on may be based on data selected from the group consisting of: acceleration data from an accelerometer or inertial measurement unit (IMU) of the at least one peripheral device which indicates the vehicle is vibrating; audio data from an audio sensor of the at least one peripheral device which includes a representation of an engine noise of the vehicle; and status data generated by a processing unit of the at least one peripheral device which indicates whether the vehicle is on.

The method may further comprise detecting, by the control circuitry, whether the vehicle is in motion.

Detecting, by the control circuitry, whether the vehicle is in motion may be based on data selected from the group consisting of: positional data from a location sensor of the telematic monitoring device which indicates a change in position or a movement speed of the vehicle; acceleration data from an accelerometer or inertial measurement unit (IMU) of the telematic monitoring device which indicates acceleration of the vehicle; audio data from an audio sensor of the telematic monitoring device which includes a representation of movement noise of the vehicle; image data from an image sensor of the telematic monitoring device which includes a representation of a changing environment of the vehicle; and status data generated by a processing unit of the telematic monitoring device which indicates whether the vehicle is in motion.

The battery device may be electrically coupled to at least one peripheral device; detecting, by the control circuitry, whether the vehicle is on may be based on data selected from the group consisting of: positional data from a location sensor of the at least one peripheral device which indicates a change in position or a movement speed of the vehicle; acceleration data from an accelerometer or inertial measurement unit (IMU) of the at least one peripheral device which indicates acceleration of the vehicle; audio data from an audio sensor of the at least one peripheral device which includes a representation of movement noise of the vehicle; image data from an image sensor of the at least one peripheral device which includes a representation of a changing environment of the vehicle; and status data generated by a processing unit of the at least one peripheral device which indicates whether the vehicle is in motion.

The method may further comprise outputting a signal indicative of disconnection in response to the telematic monitoring device being disconnected from the vehicle. Outputting the signal indicative of disconnection may comprise outputting an audible sound by an audio output device. Outputting the signal indicative of disconnection may comprise outputting an electronic signal over a communication network by a communication interface.

The method may further comprise: detecting, by the control circuitry, when power to the battery device is disconnected; detecting, by the control circuitry, whether the battery device is electrically coupled to the telematic monitoring device; and instructing, by the control circuitry, the telematic monitoring device to transmit a signal indicative of disconnection of power when power to the battery device is disconnected and the battery device is electrically coupled to the telematic monitoring device.

Receiving power from the vehicle by the battery device may comprise receiving power from the vehicle via the telematic monitoring device.

Provisioning power within the battery device may be performed by power circuitry of the battery device. Provisioning power received by the battery device and power provided by the battery device may be performed by the power circuitry.

Selecting, by the control circuitry, a select mode of operation may be based on at least data selected from the group consisting of: vehicle data provided to the battery device through the telematic monitoring device; sensor data from at least one sensor of the telematic monitoring device; instruction data from the telematic monitoring device; and sensor data from sensors of the battery device.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a system comprising: a telematic monitoring device capable of obtaining data and power from a vehicle, the telematic monitoring device operable in a first plurality of modes including at least: a sleep mode where activity of the telematic monitoring device is limited; and an awake mode where the telematic monitoring device is operable to transmit a wireless signal; and a battery device electrically coupled to the telematic monitoring device, the battery device including control circuitry, at least one battery, and at least one temperature sensor, the control circuitry operable in a second plurality of modes including at least: a low-power mode where the control circuitry is inactive; and a measurement mode where the control circuitry is operable to analyze temperature data from the temperature sensor, wherein: during operation of the control circuitry in the low-power mode, the control circuitry of the battery device is operable to transition to operate in the measurement mode after a set period; during operation of the control circuitry in the measurement mode, the control circuitry is operable to compare a first temperature of the battery indicated in the temperature data to a first threshold, and to send a first alert to the telematic monitoring device if the first temperature of the battery exceeds the first threshold; during operation of the telematic monitoring device in the sleep mode, the telematic monitoring device is operable to transmit a second alert to a remote device in response to receiving the first alert from the battery device.

The control circuitry may be operable to, during operation of the control circuitry in the measurement mode, transition to the low-power mode if the first temperature of the battery is less than the first threshold.

The set period may be initially a first duration, and the control circuitry may be operable to, during operation of the control circuitry in the measurement mode: compare the first temperature of the battery indicated in the temperature data to a second threshold lower than the first threshold; and if the first temperature of the battery is higher than the second threshold and below the first threshold, set the set period to a second duration shorter than the first duration and transition to operate in the low-power mode. The control circuitry may be operable to, after setting the set period to the second duration and transitioning the control circuitry to operate in the low-power mode: during operation of the control circuitry in the low-power mode, transition the control circuitry to operate in the measurement mode after the set period; during operation of the control circuitry in the measurement mode, compare a second temperature of the battery indicated in the temperature data from the temperature sensor to the first threshold; and send the first alert to the telematic monitoring device if the second temperature of the battery exceeds the first threshold. The control circuitry may be operable to, after setting the set period to the second duration and transitioning the control circuitry to operate in the low-power mode: during operation of the control circuitry in the low-power mode, transition the control circuitry to operate in the measurement mode after the set period; during operation of the control circuitry in the measurement mode, compare a second temperature of the battery indicated in the temperature data from the temperature sensor to the second threshold; if the second temperature of the battery is below the second threshold, reset the set period to the first duration. The control circuitry may be operable to, after setting the set period to the second duration and transitioning the control circuitry to operate in the low-power mode: during operation of the control circuitry in the low-power mode, transition the control circuitry to operate in the measurement mode after the set period; during operation of the control circuitry in the measurement mode, compare a second temperature of the battery indicated in the temperature data from the temperature sensor to the second threshold; if the second temperature of the battery is below the second threshold, transition the control circuitry to operate in the low-power mode; and if temperature of the battery has not exceeded the second threshold for a set number of comparisons to the second threshold, reset the set period to the first duration. The control circuitry may be operable to, after setting the set period to the second duration and transitioning the control circuitry to operate in the low-power mode: during operation of the control circuitry in the low-power mode, transition the control circuitry to operate in the measurement mode after the set period; during operation of the control circuitry in the measurement mode, compare a second temperature of the battery indicated in the temperature data from the temperature sensor to the second threshold; if the second temperature of the battery is below the second threshold, transition the control circuitry to operate in the low-power mode; and if temperature of the battery has not exceeded the second threshold for an additional period longer than the set period, reset the set period to the first duration.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a method of operating a telematic monitoring device and a battery device electrically coupled to the telematic monitoring device, the telematic monitoring device operable in a sleep mode where activity of the telematic monitoring device is limited and an awake mode where the telematic monitoring device is operable to transmit a wireless signal, the battery device including control circuitry, at least one battery, and at least one temperature sensor, the battery device operable in a low-power mode where the control circuitry is inactive and a measurement mode where the control circuitry is operable to analyze temperature data from the temperature sensor, the method comprising: during operation of the control circuitry in the low-power mode, transitioning the control circuitry to operate in the measurement mode after a set period; during operation of the control circuitry in the measurement mode, comparing a first temperature of the battery indicated in the temperature data from the temperature sensor to a first threshold, and sending a first alert to the telematic monitoring device if the first temperature of the battery exceeds the first threshold; during operation of the telematic monitoring device in the sleep mode, in response to the receiving the first alert from the battery device, transitioning the telematic monitoring device to operate in the awake mode to transmit a second alert to a remote device.

The method may further comprise: during operation of the control circuitry in the measurement mode, transitioning the control circuitry to the low-power mode if the first temperature of the battery is less than the first threshold.

The set period may be initially a first duration, and the method may further comprise, during operation of the control circuitry in the measurement mode: comparing the first temperature of the battery indicated in the temperature data from the temperature sensor to a second threshold lower than the first threshold; if the first temperature of the battery is higher than the second threshold and below the first threshold, setting the set period to a second duration shorter than the first duration; and transitioning the control circuitry to operate in the low-power mode. The method may further comprise, after setting the set period to the second duration and transitioning the control circuitry to operate in the low-power mode: during operation of the control circuitry in the low-power mode, transitioning the control circuitry to operate in the measurement mode after the set period; during operation of the control circuitry in the measurement mode, comparing a second temperature of the battery indicated in the temperature data from the temperature sensor to the first threshold; and sending the first alert to the telematic monitoring device if the second temperature of the battery exceeds the first threshold. The method may further comprise, after setting the set period to the second duration and transitioning the control circuitry to operate in the low-power mode: during operation of the control circuitry in the low-power mode, transitioning the control circuitry to operate in the measurement mode after the set period; during operation of the control circuitry in the measurement mode, comparing a second temperature of the battery indicated in the temperature data from the temperature sensor to the second threshold; if the second temperature of the battery is below the second threshold, resetting the set period to the first duration; and transitioning the control circuitry to operate in the low-power mode. The method may further comprise, after setting the set period to the second duration and transitioning the control circuitry to operate in the low-power mode: during operation of the control circuitry in the low-power mode, transitioning the control circuitry to operate in the measurement mode after the set period; during operation of the control circuitry in the measurement mode, comparing a second temperature of the battery indicated in the temperature data from the temperature sensor to the second threshold; if the second temperature of the battery is below the second threshold, transitioning the control circuitry to operate in the low-power mode; and if temperature of the battery has not exceeded the second threshold for a set number of comparisons to the second threshold, resetting the set period to the first duration. The method may further comprise, after setting the set period to the second duration and transitioning the control circuitry to operate in the low-power mode: during operation of the control circuitry in the low-power mode, transitioning the control circuitry to operate in the measurement mode after the set period; during operation of the control circuitry in the measurement mode, comparing a second temperature of the battery indicated in the temperature data from the temperature sensor to the second threshold; if the second temperature of the battery is below the second threshold, transitioning the control circuitry to operate in the low-power mode; and if temperature of the battery has not exceed the second threshold for an additional period longer than the set period, resetting the set period to the first duration.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a system comprising: a telematic monitoring device capable of obtaining data and power from a vehicle; a battery device electrically coupled to the telematic monitoring device, the battery device including at least one battery and the battery device capable to provide power to the telematic monitoring device if power from the vehicle is unavailable; and an emergency user interface capable of receiving user input indicative of an emergency situation, wherein in response to the emergency user interface receiving the user input indicative of an emergency situation, a wireless communication interface of the system is operable to send an emergency message to be received by a remote device.

The emergency user interface may be included in the telematic monitoring device; and the wireless communication interface may be included in the telematic monitoring device.

The emergency user interface may be included in the battery device. The wireless communication interface may be included in the battery device. The wireless communication interface may be included in the telematic monitoring device; and the battery device may be operable to, in response to the emergency user interface receiving the user input indicative of an emergency situation, send the emergency message to the telematic monitoring device, for sending by the wireless communication interface of the telematic monitoring device.

The emergency user interface may be included in a peripheral device of the system. The peripheral device may be electrically coupled to the battery device. The peripheral device may be electrically coupled to the telematic monitoring device. The wireless communication interface may be included in the peripheral device. The peripheral device may be electrically coupled to the battery device; the wireless communication interface may be included in the battery device; and in response to the emergency user interface receiving the user input indicative of an emergency situation, the peripheral device may be operable to send the emergency message to the battery device, for sending by the wireless communication interface of the battery device. The peripheral device may be electrically coupled to the telematic monitoring device; the wireless communication interface may be included in the telematic monitoring device; and the peripheral device may be operable to, in response to the emergency user interface receiving the user input indicative of an emergency situation, send the emergency message to the telematic monitoring device, for sending by the wireless communication interface of the telematic monitoring device. The peripheral device may be electrically coupled to the battery device; the wireless communication interface may be included in the telematic monitoring device; and in response to the emergency user interface receiving the user input indicative of an emergency situation, the peripheral device may be operable to send the emergency message to the telematic monitoring device via the battery device, for sending by the wireless communication interface of the telematic monitoring device.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a method of operating a telematic monitoring system including a telematic monitoring device capable of obtaining data and power from a vehicle, a battery device electrically coupled to the telematic monitoring device, the battery device including at least one battery and the battery device capable to provide power to the telematic monitoring device if power from the vehicle is unavailable, and an emergency user interface, the method comprising: receiving, by the emergency user interface, user input indicative of an emergency situation; in response to the emergency user interface receiving the user input indicative of the emergency situation, sending, by a wireless communication interface of the telematic monitoring system, an emergency message to be received by a remote device.

The emergency user interface may be included in the telematic monitoring device; the wireless communication interface may be included in the telematic monitoring device; and sending the emergency message may comprise sending the emergency message by the wireless communication interface of the telematic monitoring device to be received by the remote device.

The emergency user interface may be included in the battery device. The wireless communication interface may be included in the battery device. The wireless communication interface may be included in the telematic monitoring device; and sending the emergency message to be received by the remote device may comprise sending, by the battery device, the emergency message to the telematic monitoring device and sending, by the wireless communication interface of the telematic monitoring device, the emergency message to be received by the remote device.

The emergency user interface may be included in a peripheral device of the system. The peripheral device may be electrically coupled to the battery device. The peripheral device may be electrically coupled to the telematic monitoring device. The wireless communication interface may be included in the peripheral device. The peripheral device may be electrically coupled to the battery device; the wireless communication interface may be included in the battery device; and sending the emergency message to be received by the remote device may comprise sending, by the peripheral device, the emergency message to the battery device and sending, by the wireless communication interface of the battery device, the emergency message to be received by the remote device. The peripheral device may be electrically coupled to the telematic monitoring device; the wireless communication interface may be included in the telematic monitoring device; and sending the emergency message to be received by the remote device may comprise sending, by the peripheral device, the emergency message to the telematic monitoring device and sending, by the wireless communication interface of the telematic monitoring device, the emergency message to be received by the remote device. The peripheral device may be electrically coupled to the battery device; the wireless communication interface may be included in the telematic monitoring device; and sending the emergency message to be received by the remote device may comprise sending, by the peripheral device, the emergency message to the telematic monitoring device via the battery device, and sending, by the wireless communication interface of the telematic monitoring device, the emergency message to be received by the remote device.

