Electronic device for vehicles

• US 7,771,075 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2007
• Issued: 08/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eastek International Corp. (Eastek Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Eastek International Corp. (Eastek Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Luyckx, James Joseph, Luyckx, Michael D
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea; Sandra L
• Assistant Examiner(s): ULANDAY, MEGHAN K
• Application Number:
  US12/001,683
• Publication Number:
  US 20090154150A1
• Time in Patent Office: 972 Days
• Field of Search: 362/157, 362/183, 362/253, 701/29, 701/115
• US Class Current: 362/183
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/88 Means for plugging to the electrical power supply of the vehicle, e.g. by using cigarette lighter sockets
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/085 Pocket lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6675 with built-in power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/025 having a flexible conductor wound around a rotation axis

Abstract

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an electronic apparatus for use in a vehicle, the apparatus including: a connector further including at least two electrical connection points and a mechanical connector; an adaptation portion coupled with the connector; a housing adaptively coupled with the adaptation portion; and an electronic portion housed at least partly in the housing, the electronic portion electrically coupled with the at least two electrical connection points, wherein the adaptation portion is facilitative for orienting the housing in a plurality of positions relative to the connector. In an embodiment, the adaptation portion includes a pivot having a mechanical memory. In an embodiment, the electronic portion includes a rechargeable battery and a load connection, wherein the rechargeable battery is capable of receiving energy from a vehicle electrical system through the connector, and the rechargeable battery is capable of supplying energy to a load connected to the load connection. In an embodiment, the data link connector port includes a J1962 connector.

Claims

1. An electronic apparatus for use in a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

a connector further comprising at least two electrical connection points and a mechanical connector;

an adaptation portion coupled with said connector;

a housing adaptively coupled with said adaptation portion; and

an electronic portion housed at least partly in said housing, said electronic portion electrically coupled with said at least two electrical connection points,

wherein said adaptation portion is facilitative for orienting the housing in a plurality of positions relative to said connector.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said adaptation portion comprises a pivot having a mechanical memory.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electronic portion comprises a rechargeable battery and a load connection, wherein said rechargeable battery is capable of receiving energy from a vehicle electrical system through said connector, and said rechargeable battery is capable of supplying energy to a load connected to said load connection.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a switch for selectively supplying energy to said load connected to said load connection.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said load comprises a lamp.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said adaptation portion is facilitative for orienting said housing with respect to said connector such that when said connector connects to a data link connector port in a vehicle, said housing substantially conforms to a contour proximate to said data link connector port.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said data link connector port comprises a J1962 connector.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a microcontroller capable of diagnostically evaluating at least one other component communicatively coupled to said data link connector port.

9. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a current limiting circuit for limiting a current supplied to said load.

10. A portable electronic device for use with a vehicle, said portable lighting system comprising:

a housing;

a load connection;

a lamp;

a lens and a reflector configured to enhance the effectiveness of said lamp;

a vehicle connector operatively coupled to said housing, said vehicle connector capable of routing energy from a vehicle electrical system of the vehicle to within said housing;

a rechargeable battery at least partially housed in said housing, said rechargeable battery configurable to provide energy to a lamp connected to said load connection, and configurable to receive energy from said vehicle electrical system; and

a control circuit at least partially housed in said housing and electrically coupled to said vehicle connector, said control circuit capable of providing energy from said vehicle electrical system to said rechargeable battery;

wherein said vehicle connector is connectable to a J1962 port on the vehicle, such that said vehicle connector is capable of routing energy from said vehicle electrical system when an ignition system of the vehicle is off.

11. The system of claim 10 further comprising a switch for selectively supplying energy from said rechargeable battery to said lamp.

12. The system of claim 10 further comprising an adaptation portion facilitative for orienting said vehicle connector in a plurality of positions with respect to said housing, such that when said vehicle connector engages said J1962 port, said housing portion is capable of substantially conforming to a contour proximate to said J1962 port.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said adaptation portion comprises a pivot having mechanical memory.

14. The system of claim 10 further comprising a microcontroller capable of diagnostically evaluating other components in the vehicle connected to said data link connector port.

15. The system of claim 10 further comprising a current limiting circuit for limiting a current supplied to said lamp.

16. A portable flashlight comprising:

a housing;

a lamp;

a lens and a reflector configured to enhance the effectiveness of said lamp;

a rechargeable battery at least partially within said housing, said rechargeable battery capable of supplying energy to said lamp; and

a connector connected to said housing, said connector connectable with a J1962 port on a vehicle, and said connector capable of routing energy from a vehicle electrical system to said rechargeable battery.

17. The flashlight of claim 16 further comprising a switch for selectively supplying energy to said lamp.

18. The flashlight of claim 16 further comprising a pivot for orienting said housing with respect to said connector such that when said connector engages said J1962 port, said housing portion is capable of substantially conforming to a contour proximate to said J1962 port.