Communication device for a vehicle

• US 9,432,068 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2013
• Issued: 08/30/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Sthlin, Ulrich
• Primary Examiner(s): Wendell, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US14/394,035
• Publication Number:
  US 20150065060A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,260 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0017 Devices integrating an element dedicated to another function
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0023 the element being a sensor, e.g. distance sensor, camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/46 for giving flashing caution signals during drive, other than signalling change of direction, e.g. flashing the headlights or hazard lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/52 for indicating emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/525 automatically indicating risk of collision between vehicles in traffic or with pedestrians, e.g. after risk assessment using the vehicle sensor data
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/47 Direct command from other road users, i.e. the command for switching or changing the beam is sent by other vehicles or road devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09623 Systems involving the acquisition of information from passive traffic signs by means mounted on the vehicle G08G1/0967 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0965 responding to signals from another vehicle, e.g. emergency vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096741 where the source of the transmitted information selects which information to transmit to each vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096791 where the origin of the information is another vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/162 event-triggered
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3822 specially adapted for use in vehicles H04B1/3827 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/11 Arrangements specific to free-space transmission, i.e. transmission through air or vacuum

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.

Claims

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.