WO2010059979A2

WO2010059979A2 - Remote wireless transceiving device

Info

Publication number: WO2010059979A2
Application number: PCT/US2009/065391
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edward Roger Blades; Keith Jaeger; James Christensen
Original assignee: Psl, Llc
Priority date: 2008-11-20
Filing date: 2009-11-20
Publication date: 2010-05-27
Also published as: WO2010059979A3

Abstract

A remote wireless communication device for use with a vehicle electronic system is provided. The vehicle electronic system includes two or more electronic units. The remote wireless communication device includes two or more relay channel units. The remote wireless communication device further includes a transceiver unit configured to receive, in a wireless manner, an instructional signal from a remote location and via a mating circuit, where the signal is indicative of an instruction. The remote wireless communication device further includes a programmable unit configured to receive the instruction signal and to cause the two or more relay channel units to activate or deactivate at least one of the two or more electronic units.

Description

REMOTE WIRELESS TRANSCEIVING DEVICE Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing dates of U.S. Provisional Patent App. No. 61/199,758 filed on November 20, 2008 and U.S. Provisional Patent App. No. 61/217,516 filed on June 1, 2009.

[0002] The entire disclosure of the U.S. Provisional Patent App. Nos. 61/199,758 and 61/217,516 are incorporated herein by reference.

Field of Technology

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to communications systems and, more particularly, communicating from one remote wireless communication device to a mating remote wireless communication device for use in operating remote vehicle electronic systems.

Background

[0004] Currently there are many situations where a temporary vehicle light bar is needed for the towing and/or transport of items such as, for example, where a vehicle has to utilize a temporary light bar on the back of a towed vehicle for utilization of brake and tail lights. These light bars typically have a wired connection from the light bar to the towing vehicle resulting in a long and cumbersome electronic cord between the two vehicles. More recently there have been wireless devices utilized for eliminating the need for a corded wire but these devices have been weak in power requiring a short distance between the control panel in the towing vehicle and the vehicle or object being towed. In addition these devices require that all affected electronic systems including lights remain on while the remote control device is activated resulting in use of unnecessary power and the draining of a power source such as a battery in affected electronic systems such as a temporary light bar. There is a need for a remote tranceiving apparatus that can control the usage of specific affected electronic systems over longer distances minimizing the needed power to operate.

Summary

[0005] Broadly, described here is a remote wireless communication device.

[0006] In some embodiments, the remote wireless communication device allows a transceiver to communicate to a temporary light bar various instructions for operating various lights such as brake lights, turn signals, tail lights and/or hazard lights. By utilizing the various units in the remote wireless apparatus it allows long distance communication to the light bar. In addition, the use of the various components (e.g., chips) in combination allows for the user to control each light he or she might desire to illuminate while the others remain off until activated by the user. In addition, the programming capability of the remote wireless apparatus allows the devices to include a predetermined indicator so that they only can communicate with mating devices.

[0007] In some embodiments, the remote wireless communication device might be configured to allow remote activation of alternative light bars and/or directional light sticks such as an arrow light bar. This independent function could be activated by the user to the bars allowing for a wide variety of signal configurations depending on the desired function.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a four channel remote wireless transceiver apparatus that includes components for utilization of smart technology. [0009] Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an electrical schematic for a four channel remote wireless transceiver circuit board.

[0010] Fig. 3 illustrates an example of a temporary light bar that the remote wireless transceiving device could be utilized with.

[0011] Fig. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a six channel remote wireless transceiver circuit board that allows for expanded channel communication with higher power

[0012] Fig. 5 illustrates an exemplary six channel circuit board embodiment that includes a plug in capability.

[0013] Fig. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an electrical schematic for a six channel remote wireless transceiver circuit board.

[0014] Fig. 7 illustrates an example of a six channel circuit board for a remote wireless transceiver device.

[0015] Fig. 8 is an angled perspective of an exemplary remote wireless transceiver device with an antenna and programming connection.

[0016] Fig. 9 illustrates an exemplary towing vehicle socket with a remote wireless transceiver device plugged into it.

[0017] Fig. 10 illustrates an exemplary remote wireless transceiver device circuit board placed into a temporary light bar.

[0018] Fig. 11 illustrates an exemplary housing including a remote wireless transceiver device with an adapting plug for attaching to a towing vehicle. [0019] Fig. 12 illustrated an exemplary open housing including a remote wireless transceiver device.

[0020] Fig. 13 illustrates an alternative remote wireless transceiver device circuit board design.

Detailed Description

[0021] In the drawings, reference numeral 10 denotes an exemplary embodiment of a remote wireless communication device. Fig. 1 illustrates a circuit board of the disclosed remote wireless communication device 10, while Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic of the device. The circuit board includes a transceiver unit 101 that is configured to transmit and/or receive, in a wireless manner, instructional signals indicative of instructions to the remote wireless circuit board that might be utilized with, for example, a temporary light bar as illustrated in Fig. 3. In some embodiments, the remote wireless communication device 10 includes four channels 103 that allow for four separate operations such as, for example, tail lights, left turn signal, right turn signal and brakes. However, any number of channels (including more, or fewer, than four) could be included. For example, Figs. 4, 5, 6 1 and 8 illustrate various aspects of an exemplary six-channel device. In some embodiments, the apparatus might have multiple circuit boards allowing for twelve or more channels depending, for example, on the number of desired functions. The circuit board transceiving unit 101 may process the necessary instructions and transmits them via a wireless frequency such as, for example, a high frequency low wattage RF signal to a mating remote wireless communication device located in a remote location such as for example a temporary light bar 301. In some embodiments, the RF frequency is 2.4 Ghz. In the six channel embodiment the wattage might be 60 mW. In the four, channel embodiment the wattage might be 1 mW. A second programming unit 105 in the remote wireless apparatus allows the device to be programmed for the desired use. In some embodiments this programming might be able to be changed through a re- programming unit such as, for example, programming pins 106. In various embodiments, and in different modes of operation, a variety of capacitors 107 and resistors 109 may be included within the remote wireless circuit board for the control of electrical flow. Any combination of units such as, for example, microprocessors, chips, or channel relay switches, could be utilized however to achieve the effect of the remote wireless transceiver apparatus 10.

[0022] In some embodiments, the remote wireless transceiving device 10 might includes a smart transceiving unit 101 that allows the circuit board included in the remote wireless communication device to communicate independent of the towing vehicle's signals to a separate programmable light bar and/or directional stick. This remote wireless apparatus could activate a series of lights and/or flashes along the alternative light bar and/or directional stick. With the use of this feature, any combination of flashes or lights could be utilized to establish a desired lighting pattern. Some or all of these combinations could be activated remotely with the remote wireless communication device allowing the alternative light bar and/or directional stick to be placed anywhere the user desires, whether permanently or temporarily. In some embodiments, the remote wireless transceiving device would be utilized to operate remotely a flashing arrow stick, for example. Any desired lighting need could be utilized, however.

[0023] In some embodiments, the signal board might be modified to be powered by a 24 volt power source such as is typically utilized in Europe.

[0024] In some embodiments, the remote wireless communication device would include a mating monitoring unit to monitor the signals utilized to notify the user that failure has occurred such as a burnt out bulb. [0025] Fig. 1 shows several solder points 111 that allow for the attachment of a wire harness for allowing the device to be plugged into a conventional plug socket on a towing vehicle. In some embodiments, as illustrated in Fig. 5, a plug 501 could be built into the device eliminating the need for a wire harness. The programming unit 105 in the device may also allow for individualized equipment control between the device and the light bar. By programming the programming unit with a pre-determined indicator in both of the mating remote wireless communication device, one being at the tow vehicle for example 901, as illustrated in Fig. 9, and the other at the remote location such as for example a temporary light bar 1001, as illustrated in Fig. 10, the apparatus would not interfere with or be interfered by another transmission device in the area, ensuring continuous clear communications between the mating remote wireless communication device. Fig. 8 illustrated a perspective of the remote wireless circuit board transceiver unit that shows an antenna 801 for communicating to a mating device. The antenna may be smaller yet provide stronger signals due to the two-way transceiver unit 101 to which the antenna is attached. Fig. 11 illustrates an example of a housing with a female adapter for plugging in a remote wireless communication device into a towing vehicle, as illustrated in Fig. 9. Fig. 12 illustrates the remote wireless communication device inside the plug in housing.

[0026] In some embodiments, a plug socket on the towing vehicle is plugged into a female end 1101 of the remote wireless communication device. When the operator of the towing vehicle activates the remote wireless communication device the circuit board communicates via RF frequencies through an antenna 801 that communicates to the second transceiver 1001 in a standby mode.

[0027] Fig. 13 illustrates an alternative remote wireless transceiver device circuit board design. [0028] In one aspect, a remote wireless communication device for use with a vehicle electronic system is provided. The vehicle electronic system includes two or more electronic units. The remote wireless communication device includes two or more relay channel units. The remote wireless communication device further includes a transceiver unit configured to receive, in a wireless manner, an instructional signal from a remote location and via a mating circuit, where the signal is indicative of an instruction. The remote wireless communication device further includes a programmable unit configured to receive the instruction signal and to cause the two or more relay channel units to activate or deactivate at least one of the two or more electronic units. The two or more electronic units may include tail lights, a turn signal, a brake light, a reverse warning signal and/or an emergency light.

[0029] In various implementations, one or more of the following features may be included. The programmable unit may include a unique identifier. The unique identifier identifies the mating circuit. The unique identifier may be a code. The code may be a serialized combination numbers and/or letters. The vehicle electronic system may be a temporary electronic system. The temporary electronic system may be contained in a removable light bar. The temporary electronic system may be included on a towed trailer and/or on a towed vehicle. The temporary electronic system may include a directional light bar. The directional light bar may include a directional arrow.

[0030] The transceiver unit may be configured to transmit and receive signals via a high- frequency and low- voltage radio frequency (RF), e.g., 2.4 Ghz. The mating circuit may be inside a vehicle.

[0031] The remote wireless communication device may further include a reprogramming unit. The programmable unit may be programmable via the reprogramming unit. [0032] The two or more relay channel units may include six relay channel units operating at 60 mW. Additionally, or alternatively, the two or more relay channel units may also include four relay channel units operating at 1 mW.

[0033] The transceiver unit may include an error detection component configured to determine the accuracy of received signals. This may prevent damaged or garbled signals from activating or deactivating electronic units of the vehicle electronic system. For example, the error detection component may prevent a signal intended to activate a break light from activating a turn signal.

[0034] In another aspect, a method of communicating wirelessly with a vehicle electronic system using a remote wireless communication device is provided. The vehicle electronic system includes two or more electronic units. The remote wireless communication device includes two or more relay channel units, a transceiver unit and a programmable unit. The method includes using the transceiver to receive, in a wireless manner, an instructional signal from a remote location and via a mating circuit, where the signal is indicative of an instruction. The method further includes using the programmable unit to cause the two or more relay channel units to activate or deactivate at least one of the two or more electronic units.

[0035] In various implementations, one or more of the following features may be included. The programmable unit may include a unique identifier. The unique identifier identifies the mating circuit. The unique identifier may be a code. The code may be a serialized combination numbers and/or letters. The two or more electronic units may include a turn signal, a brake light, a reverse warning signal and/or an emergency light. [0036] Although the forgoing text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments, it should be understood that the detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment because describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this disclosure, which would still fall within the scope of the claims. For example, the foregoing text described the remote wireless communication device for use with a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle with a temporary light bar. However, other application could utilize similar devices where a temporary wireless control is desired. While the fundamental features of the novel nature of the remote wireless communication device have been disclosed herein, it should be understood that various aspects of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, all such modifications or variations are included in the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A remote wireless communication device for use with a vehicle electronic system, the vehicle electronic system including two or more electronic units, the remote wireless communication device comprising: two or more relay channel units; a transceiver unit configured to receive, in a wireless manner, an instructional signal from a remote location and via a mating circuit, wherein the signal is indicative of an instruction; and a programmable unit configured to receive the instruction signal and to cause the two or more relay channel units to activate or deactivate at least one of the two or more electronic units.

2. The remote wireless communication device of claim 1 , wherein the programmable unit includes a unique identifier, and wherein the unique identifier identifies the mating circuit.

3. The remote wireless communication device of claim 2, wherein the unique identifier comprises a code.

4. The remote wireless communication device of claim 3, wherein the code comprises a serialized combination of at least one of numbers and letters.

5. The remote wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the two or more electronic units include at least one of a turn signal, a brake light, a reverse warning signal, a directional signal and an emergency light.

6. The remote wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the vehicle electronic system is a temporary electronic system.

7. The remote wireless communication device of claim 6, wherein the temporary electronic system is contained in a removable light bar.

8. The remote wireless communication device of claim 6, wherein the temporary electronic system is included on a towed trailer or on a towed vehicle.

9. The remote wireless communication device of claim 6, wherein the temporary electronic system comprises a directional light bar.

10. The remote wireless communication device of claim 6, wherein the directional light bar includes a directional arrow.

11. The remote wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the transceiver unit is configured to transmit and receive signals via a high-frequency and low- voltage radio frequency (RF).

12. The remote wireless communication device of claim 11, wherein the RF frequency is

2.4 Ghz.

13. The remote wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the transceiver unit includes an error detection component configured to determine an accuracy of the instructional signal.

14. The remote wireless communication device of claim 1 further comprising a reprogramming unit, and wherein the programmable unit is programmable via the reprogramming unit.

15. The remote wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the two or more relay channel units comprise six relay channel units operating at 60 mW.

16. The remote wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the two or more relay channel units comprise four relay channel units operating at 1 mW.

17. A method of communicating wirelessly with a vehicle electronic system using a remote wireless communication device, the vehicle electronic system including two or more electronic units, the remote wireless communication device including two or more relay channel units, a transceiver unit and a programmable unit, the method comprising: using the transceiver to receive, in a wireless manner, an instructional signal from a remote location and via a mating circuit, wherein the signal is indicative of an instruction; and using the programmable unit to cause the two or more relay channel units to activate or deactivate at least one of the two or more electronic units.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising identifying the mating circuit using a unique identifier included in the programmable unit.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the unique identifier comprises a code.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the code comprises a serialized combination of at least of one numbers and letters.

21. The method of claims 17, wherein the two or more electronic units include at least one of a turn signal, a brake light, a reverse warning signal, a directional signal and an emergency light.