Communication device for a vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9432068-B2
Application number	US-201314394035-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 19, 2013
Priority date	Apr 11, 2012
Publication date	Aug 30, 2016
Grant date	Aug 30, 2016

Abstract

A communication device for a vehicle includes: a transmit unit for wireless transmission of vehicle-related data; and a receive unit for receiving vehicle related data. The communication device is configured to be integrated into a lighting unit.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A communication device ( 30 ) for a vehicle, comprising:
a transmit unit ( 32 ) for wireless transmission of vehicle-related data;
a receive unit ( 34 ) for receiving vehicle related data; and
a memory ( 33 ) that stores one or more certificates containing information relating to the existence of a retrofit solution, the type of the retrofit solution and the limitations of the retrofit solution,
wherein the communication device ( 30 ) is configured to be integrated into a lighting unit ( 5 ).

2. The communication device ( 30 ) as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
a light detection unit ( 37 ) configured to receive and process light into light signals; and
a data processing unit ( 36 ) configured to receive the light signals and/or control signals for the lighting unit ( 5 ).

3. The communication device ( 30 ) as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the data processing unit ( 36 ) is configured to perform pattern recognition.

4. The communication device ( 30 ) as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the communication device ( 30 ) is configured to:
be connectable to at least one lamp ( 10 ) in the lighting unit ( 5 ), and
actuate the at least one lamp ( 10 ).

5. The communication device ( 30 ) as claimed in claim 4 , further comprising a positioning unit ( 38 ) configured to determine a position of the vehicle.

6. The communication device ( 30 ) as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the data processing unit ( 36 ) is further configured to generate vehicle-related information to be transmitted by the transmit unit ( 32 ).

7. The communication device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the communication device is configured to cooperate with an electronic control unit or control unit of the lighting unit.

8. A lighting unit ( 5 ) for a vehicle, comprising at least one lamp ( 10 ) and the communication device ( 30 ) as claimed in claim 2 .

9. The lighting unit ( 5 ) as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the lighting unit is configured to be retrofittable in a vehicle and comprises an electronic control unit or control unit configured to cooperate with the communication device.

10. The lighting unit ( 5 ) as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the lighting unit comprises at least one reflector ( 12 ), and the transmit unit ( 32 ) and/or the receive unit ( 34 ) and/or the light detection unit ( 37 ) in the communication device ( 30 ) is arranged inside the at least one reflector ( 12 ).

11. The communication device ( 30 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the wireless transmission comprises C2X communication.

12. The communication device ( 30 ) as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the light detection unit ( 37 ) comprises a camera or a CCD matrix.

13. The communication device ( 30 ) as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the positioning unit ( 38 ) comprises a GPS receiver.

14. The communication device ( 30 ) as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the pattern recognition is configured to establish whether light signals from the light detection unit ( 37 ) are vehicle-related light signals from another vehicle.

Assignees

• Stählin Ulrich
• Continental Automotive Gmbh

Inventors

• Stählin Ulrich

Classifications

• B60Q1/525

  automatically indicating risk of collision between vehicles in traffic or with pedestrians, e.g. after risk assessment using the vehicle sensor data · CPC title

• G08G1/09623

  Systems involving the acquisition of information from passive traffic signs by means mounted on the vehicle (G08G1/0967 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60Q1/46

  for giving flashing caution signals during drive, other than signalling change of direction, e.g. flashing the headlights {or hazard lights} · CPC title

• G08G1/096716

  where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control · CPC title

• G08G1/096741

  where the source of the transmitted information selects which information to transmit to each vehicle · CPC title