Motion sensing cable for tracking customer interaction with devices

• US 10,614,682 B1
• Filed: 01/25/2019
• Issued: 04/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2019
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mobile Tech, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mobile Tech, Inc.
• Inventors: Wheeler, Wade Carter, Payne, Steven R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, An T
• Application Number:
  US16/257,841
• Time in Patent Office: 438 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 13/00 Indicating or recording presence, absence, or direction, of movement electric switches H01H; counting moving objects G06M7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1445 with detection of interference with a cable tethering an article, e.g. alarm activated by detecting detachment of article, breaking or stretching of cable furniture, e.g. shelves for displaying merchandise, incorporating tethers to prevent theft A47F7/024, A47F5/0861
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 9/003 including electrical control or communication wires
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/10 Control circuit supply, e.g. means for supplying power to the control circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0036 using connection detecting circuits H02J7/0034 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007188 the charge cycle being controlled or terminated in response to non-electric parameters

Abstract

An intelligent motion sensing cable is disclosed, where a motion sensor that is included in the cable can detect cable motion. The cable can use this detected motion to generate data indicative of customer interactions with a connected electronic device. The cable can also use this detected motion to intelligently control a charge signal delivered by the cable to a connected electronic device.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a hub that is connectable to a power source;

a flexible conductive cable that is connectable to the hub, the flexible conductive cable having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end opposite the first longitudinal end, wherein the flexible conductive cable comprises;

a first connector located at the first longitudinal end, wherein the first connector is connectable to an electronic device;

a second connector located at the second longitudinal end, wherein the second connector is connectable to the power source via the hub;

a motion sensor; and

a circuit configured to (1) generate data indicative of customer interaction with the electronic device based on a motion signal from the motion sensor, and (2) communicate the generated data to the hub.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hub is further configured to communicate the generated customer interaction data to a remote computer system.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the circuit is further configured to compare the motion signal with a plurality of conditions to determine whether the motion signal is indicative of customer interaction with the electronic device.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the customer interaction corresponds to a lift of the electronic device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the circuit is further configured to measure a duration for the customer interaction based on the motion signal, and wherein the generated data includes the measured duration.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the circuit includes a processor, the processor configured to generate the customer interaction data.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the circuit further comprises a memory, and wherein the processor is further configured to store the customer interaction data in the memory.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electronic device is an electronic stylus, and wherein the first connector is adapted for connection with at least one of (1) a complementary connector on an adaptor for the electronic stylus, and/or (2) a complementary connector on the electronic stylus.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electronic device is a wearable device, and wherein the first connector is adapted for connection with at least one of (1) a complementary connector on an adaptor for the wearable device, and/or (2) a complementary connector on the wearable device.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the wearable device comprises a smart watch.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electronic device is a digital camera, and wherein the first connector is adapted for connection with at least one of (1) a complementary connector on an adaptor for the digital camera, and/or (2) a complementary connector on the digital camera.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electronic device is a virtual reality device, and wherein the first connector is adapted for connection with at least one of (1) a complementary connector on an adaptor for the virtual reality device, and/or (2) a complementary connector on the virtual reality device.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electronic device is a smart phone, and wherein the first connector is adapted for connection with at least one of (1) a complementary connector on an adaptor for the smart phone, and/or (2) a complementary connector on the smart phone.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electronic device is a tablet computer, and wherein the first connector is adapted for connection with at least one of (1) a complementary connector on an adaptor for the tablet computer, and/or (2) a complementary connector on the tablet computer.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flexible conductive cable further comprises a housing, wherein the first connector and the circuit are resident in the housing.