Methods and apparatus for wireless communication and power transfer for an external light fixture onboard a vehicle

• US 9,713,233 B1
• Filed: 12/30/2015
• Issued: 07/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Castillo, Gregory M., Laifenfeld, Moshe
• Primary Examiner(s): VO, TUYET THI
• Application Number:
  US14/984,021
• Publication Number:
  US 20170196068A1
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• Field of Search: 315 76- 84
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0088 Details of electrical connections B60Q1/305 takes precedence; electrical connection of the light source itself F21S41/192, F21S43/195
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/30 Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/10 Protection of lighting devices cooling of lighting devices F21S45/40; waterproofing of lighting devices F21S45/50
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/12 by detecting audible sound
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission

Abstract

A method for using an external lamp onboard a vehicle is provided. The method receives, at a transceiver positioned inside a sealed casing of the external lamp, a wireless communication signal and a wireless power signal; and operates the external lamp using the wireless communication signal and the wireless power signal.

Claims

1. A light fixture apparatus for use onboard a vehicle, the light fixture apparatus comprising:

a sealed external housing, configured to encase the light fixture apparatus;

a transceiver positioned inside the sealed external housing, the transceiver configured to receive a wireless communication signal and a wireless power signal; and

at least one processor positioned inside the sealed external housing, the at least one processor configured to operate the light fixture apparatus, using the wireless communication signal and the wireless power signal;

wherein the transceiver comprises a single coil; and

wherein the transceiver is further configured to receive the wireless communication signal and the wireless power signal using the single coil.

2. The light fixture apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transceiver is further configured to receive the wireless communication signal and the wireless power signal simultaneously.

3. The light fixture apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transceiver is further configured to receive the wireless communication signal and the wireless power signal at a common frequency.

4. The light fixture apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication signal comprises an instruction set to carry out an operation of the light fixture apparatus.

5. The light fixture apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless power signal provides power to carry out an operation of the light fixture apparatus.

6. A method for using an external lamp onboard a vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving, at a transceiver positioned inside a sealed casing of the external lamp, a wireless communication signal and a wireless power signal; and

operating the external lamp using the wireless communication signal and the wireless power signal;

wherein receiving the wireless communication signal and the wireless power signal further comprises;

obtaining the wireless communication signal and the wireless power signal at a common coil set.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein receiving the wireless communication signal and the wireless power signal further comprises:

obtaining the wireless communication signal and the wireless power signal via a common frequency.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein receiving the wireless communication signal and the wireless power signal further comprises:

obtaining the wireless communication signal and the wireless power signal simultaneously.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the wireless communication signal comprises an instruction set to carry out an operation of the external lamp.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the wireless power signal comprises power originating at a battery onboard the vehicle;

and

wherein the wireless power signal provides power to carry out an operation of the external lamp.