Vehicle interface

• US 20080001572A9
• Filed: 06/18/2004
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philips IP Ventures B.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC (Alticor Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lautzenheiser, Terry, Leppien, Thomas, Baarman, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,612,528 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 5/02 wound on non-magnetic supports, e.g. formers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 using two or more transmitting or receiving devices H02J50/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/00 Circuit arrangements or apparatus for operating incandescent light sources structurally associated with the incandescent lamps H01K1/62
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/24 in which the lamp is fed by high frequency ac, or with separate oscillator frequencyH05B41/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/36 Controlling
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/20 Responsive to malfunctions or to light source life; for protection

Abstract

A vehicle power interface includes an adaptive inductive power supply. The adaptive inductive power supply has a primary within a remote device holder. The adaptive inductive power supply is capable of providing power to remote devices placed within the remote device holder. A communication interface may be provided which can enable communication between the remote device and any data bus within the vehicle.

Claims

1. A system for supplying power to a battery in a remote device comprising:

a primary for supplying power to the battery; and

a power receiving means coupled to the battery, the power receiving means capable of receiving power from the primary regardless of the orientation of the power receiving means.

2. The system of claim 1 where the power receiving means includes a multidimensional secondary.

3. A vehicle interface comprising:

a holder for containing a remote device, and an adaptive inductive power supply, the adaptive inductive power supply having a

primary, the primary placed proximal to the holder.

4. The vehicle interface of claim 3 where the holder is configured to fit within a console of a vehicle.

5. The vehicle interface of claim 4 where the holder is configured to fit within a vehicle visor.

6. The vehicle interface of claim 5 where the vehicle has a data bus, and the vehicle interface is connectable to the data bus.

7. The vehicle interface of claim 6 further comprising a transceiver for communicating with a remote device.

8. The vehicle interface of claim 7 further comprising a power regulator connectable to the vehicle power supply.

9. A power supply and communication system for a vehicle, the vehicle having a vehicle power supply and a vehicle data bus comprising:

an adaptive inductive power supply for inductively supplying power to a remote device;

a power interface for connecting the power supply and communication system to the vehicle power supply; and

a communication interface for connecting the power supply and communication system to the vehicle data bus.

10. The power supply and communication system of claim 9 further comprising a transceiver for communicating with the remote device.

11. The power supply and communication system of claim 10 further comprising a communication controller for controlling communication between the remote device and the vehicle data bus.

12. The power supply and communication system of claim 11 where communication between the remote device and the power supply and communication system is by way of a power line communication protocol using the adaptive inductive power supply.

13. The power supply and communication system of claim 11 where the transceiver includes an antenna for wireless communication with the remote device.

14. The power supply and communication system of claim 13 where the transceiver communicates with the power supply and communication system by way of a wireless protocol.

15. The power supply and communication system of claim 14 where the adaptive inductive power supply includes an inverter and a primary.

16. The power supply and communication system of claim 15 where adaptive inductive power supply includes a drive circuit for driving the inverter.

17. The power supply and communication system of claim 16 where a power regulator is coupled to the vehicle power supply and to the inverter.

18. The power supply and communication system of claim 17 further comprising a holder for receiving the remote device.

19. The power supply and communication system of claim 18 where the holder has a perimeter, and the primary is contained within the perimeter.

20. The power supply and communication system of claim 19 where the primary is adaptable to supply power to the remote device regardless of the orientation of the remote device.

21. The power supply and communication system of claim 20 where the transceiver can communicate with the remote device regardless of the orientation of the remote device.

22. A vehicle comprising:

a receptacle, the receptacle configured to receive a remote device; and

a primary proximal to the receptacle for providing power to the remote device.

23. The vehicle of claim 22 where the primary is a component of an adaptive inductive power supply.

24. The vehicle of claim 23 where the adaptive inductive power supply includes an inverter.

25. The vehicle of claim 24 further comprising a communication controller.

26. The vehicle of claim 25 further comprising an automobile data bus.

27. The vehicle of claim 26 further comprising a communication interface for coupling the remote device to the automobile data bus.

28. The vehicle of claim 27 further comprising a transceiver, the transceiver connected to the communication interface, the transceiver for communicating between the communication interface and the remote device.

29. The vehicle of claim 28 where the adaptive inductive power supply includes a variable impedance.

30. The vehicle of claim 29 where the variable impedance is one of a variable capacitor or a variable inductor.

31. The vehicle of claim 30 further comprising a controller for varying the variable impedance to improve the efficiency of the adaptive inductive power supply.