Lighting system for vehicle cupholder with inductive power coupling and related methods

A lighting device to be positioned within a vehicle adjacent a front side of a vehicle cup holder installed in the vehicle, the vehicle comprising a first inductive member adjacent a back side of the cup holder and a first controller configured to inductively couple power and command signals through the first inductive member, the lighting device comprising:

• a second inductive member configured for inductive coupling with the first inductive member;
• at least one light;
• and
• a second controller configured to operate the at least one light based on power and command signals inductively coupled to the second inductive member from the first inductive member.

A method for lighting a vehicle cup holder installed in a vehicle, the method comprising:

• positioning a first inductive member adjacent a back side of the cup holder;
• coupling a first controller to the first inductive member to inductively couple power and command signals therethrough;
• and
• positioning a lighting device adjacent a front side of the vehicle cup holder, the lighting device comprising
• a second inductive member configured for inductive coupling with the first inductive member,
• at least one light, and
• a second controller configured to operate the at least one light based on power and command signals inductively coupled to the second inductive member from the first inductive member.