Console assembly with charging state indicator

• US 9,124,109 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2012
• Issued: 09/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Lota, Charan Singh, Lambert, Michael, Stephens, Randy, Crawford, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Siek, Vuthe
• Application Number:
  US13/594,231
• Publication Number:
  US 20130257363A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,103 Days
• Field of Search: 320/108, 320/109
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]

Abstract

A console assembly and a system operable to provide visual identification of the charging state of an electronic device is provided. The console assembly and system includes a processor operable to processing the charging state of the electronic device. A light source is in communication with the processor. The light source is configured to change the character of light being emitted. The processor is operable to actuate the light source so as to change the character of the emitted light source to reflect the charging state of the electronic device.

Claims

1. An automotive vehicle having a cabin space comprising:

a console assembly disposed in the cabin space, the console assembly having an outer panel and a first storage area recessed with respect to the outer panel, the first storage area configured to hold an electrical device, the console assembly

a charger operable to electrically charge the electrical device;

a processor; and

a light source fixedly mounted to the outer panel adjacent the first storage area, the processor operable to process the charger so as to calculate a charging state of the electronic device, the processor further operable to actuate the light source so as to emit a light characteristic corresponding to the charging state of the electronic device, wherein the light characteristic is transmitted into the cabin space so as to inform a user of the charging state of the electronic device without having to pick up the electronic device.

2. The console assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the charger is an electrical port in electrical communication with a power source.

3. The console assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein the electrical port is one of either a Universal Serial Bus or a cigarette lighter socket.

4. The console assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the charger is an inductive charger operable to provide an inductive charge to charge an electronic device, the electronic device having a battery and operable to provide a signal to the charger wherein the charge state of the battery is provided.

5. The console assembly as set forth in claim 4, wherein the first storage area includes a first floor, a pair of first side walls, a first front wall, and a first back wall, the light source adjacent one of the pair of first side walls.

6. The console assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein the light guide is disposed along at least one of the pair of first walls.

7. The console assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the light source is operable to vary the characteristic of the light, the processor further operable to process the signal so as to vary the characteristic of the light in response to the charging state of the electronic device.

8. The console assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the light source is a light guide, the light guide having a tubular body, the light guide operable to shine light through the tubular body and into the first storage area.

9. The console assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the light source is a plurality of LEDs operable to emit different colored light, the processor operable to process the signal and actuate a respective one of the plurality of LEDs to display a corresponding charge state.

10. A system for providing visual notification of a charging state of an electronic device in an automotive vehicle, the system comprising:

a console assembly having a first storage area configured to hold the electrical device, the first storage area includes a first floor, a pair of first side walls, a first front wall, and a first back wall;

a processor, operable to detect a signal from the electronic device, the processor processing the signal so as to calculate a charging state; and

a light source, wherein the light source is actuated when the electrical device is being charged, the light source adjacent one of the pair of first side walls, the light source projecting upwardly so as to emit a light characteristic corresponding to the charging state of the electronic device, wherein the light characteristic is transmitted into a cabin space so as to inform a user of the charging state of the electronic device without having to pick up the electronic device.

11. The system as set forth in claim 10, wherein the processor is a wireless charging module.

12. The system as set forth in claim 10, wherein the processor is a vehicle body engine control unit.

13. The system as set forth in claim 10, wherein the light source is operable to vary the characteristic of the light, the processor further operable to process the signal so as to vary the characteristic of the light in response to the charging state of the electronic device.

14. The system as set forth in claim 10, wherein the light source is a light guide, the light guide having a tubular body, the light guide operable to shine light through the tubular body and into the first storage area.