Vehicle Communications Module

• US 20170054203A1
• Filed: 02/16/2015
• Published: 02/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: New Dawn Innovations Ltd
• Original Assignee: New Dawn Innovations Ltd
• Inventors: Merricks, Jon, Copley, Dan
• Application Number:
  US15/118,772
• Publication Number:
  US 20170054203A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 80/82 of electrical components
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/11 storing electrical energy
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/25 the apparatus being an electrical generator F03D9/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/32 on moving objects, e.g. vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/13 Receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2291 used in bluetooth or WI-FI devices of Wireless Local Area Networks [WLAN] H01Q1/241 takes precedence; WLAN in general H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3275 mounted on a horizontal surface of the vehicle, e.g. on roof, hood, trunk
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/08 among terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/62 for transportation systems, e.g. in vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/12 for distributing signals to two or more loudspeakers specially adapted for hearing aids H04R25/407
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/728 Onshore wind turbines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin

Abstract

A self-contained antenna module for attachment to a vehicle exterior, includes a connector for attaching to an existing wired feed connector to an entertainment head unit, a cellular communications module, e.g. a 3G/4G module configured to provide a local wireless internet access point, and a renewable energy source for generating independently of the vehicle'"'"'s own power source electrical energy for charging an on-board battery which provides power to the cellular communications module.

Claims

1. A vehicle communications module comprising:

a connector for attaching the module to an external part of the vehicle exterior,

a cellular communications module providing wireless Internet data connectivity, and

a renewable energy source configured to provide power to the cellular communications module when mounted to the vehicle exterior.

2. The module according to claim 1, wherein the connector is configured to be attached to the existing aerial connector on a vehicle exterior.

3. The module according to claim 2, wherein the connector comprises a bolt extending from a bottom of said module, and which is dimensioned and arranged to locate within an existing antenna connector socket located externally on a vehicle, for interconnecting the internal circuitry of the module and the existing wired feed.

4. The module according to claim 1, wherein the renewable energy source comprises a wind turbine.

5. The module according to claim 1, wherein the renewable energy source comprises a solar cell.

6. The module according to claim 1, wherein the cellular communications module is configured to be initiated automatically upon detecting a predetermined signal issued by the vehicle over a wireless channel.

7. The module according to claim 1, further comprising a non-cellular wireless communications module, configured to communicate with a remote terminal.

8. The module according to claim 1, further comprising a Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) receiver connected to an onboard antenna for receiving and decoding DAB channels and transmitting said channels using an analogue frequency down a wired feed to an internal head unit of the vehicle.

9. A self-contained antenna module for attachment to a vehicle exterior, comprising:

a connector for removable attachment to an existing wired feed connector to an entertainment head unit,

a cellular communications module configured to provide a local wireless internet access point, and

a renewable energy source generating independently of the vehicle'"'"'s own power source electrical energy for charging an on-board battery, which provides power to the cellular communications module.

10. A self-contained antenna module for retro-fit attachment to a vehicle exterior, comprising:

a casing;

a connector projecting from a lower wall of the casing for removable attachment to an existing connector on a vehicle exterior which feeds to an entertainment head unit,

within the casing, a cellular communications module configured to provide a local wireless internet access point, and a rechargeable battery for providing power to the cellular communications module; and

a renewable energy source for generating independently of the vehicle'"'"'s own power source electrical energy for charging said battery.

11. The module according to claim 10, further comprising an antenna connected to the connector for the reception of radio signals which are fed to the entertainment head unit in use.

12. The module according to claim 10, wherein the renewable energy source comprises a wind turbine partially or entirely housed within the casing, at a front thereof.

13. The module according to claim 12, wherein the wind turbine is substantially horizontally mounted, so as to rotate in use about a substantially vertical axis.

14. The module according to claim 12, wherein the wind turbine is mounted within a generally arcuate opening in the front surface of the casing.

15. (canceled)