Pre-heating a mobile electronic device

• US 20030080713A1
• Filed: 08/09/2002
• Published: 05/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HUBB Systems LLC (Broadcast Microwave Services LLC)
• Original Assignee: T.A.W. Security Concepts, Inc.
• Inventors: Kirmuss, Charles Bruno
• Granted Patent: US 6,624,611 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/150
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0211 for record carriers apparatus, e.g. video recorders, tape players or CD players
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0052 using screws, bolts, rivets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19647 Systems specially adapted for intrusion detection in or around a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19669 Event triggers storage or change of storage policy
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19673 Addition of time stamp, i.e. time metadata, to video stream
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19676 Temporary storage, e.g. cyclic memory, buffer storage on pre-alarm
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19695 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors start video recording or forwarding but do not generate an alarm themselves
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/20 Disc-shaped record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/36 Monitoring, i.e. supervising the progress of recording or reproducing for digital recording G11B20/00 and s.gr.; for monitoring, testing or measuring of TV recorders of the type covered by H04N5/76 and subgroups, see H04N17/06
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/144 by detection, control, regulation of the temperature

Abstract

Provided is an apparatus that includes temperature-sensitive functional means for performing pre-configured functionality (such as video recording), mounting means for mounting the apparatus to a motor vehicle, and heating means for heating the functional means. Detection means detects at least one of: whether an automobile battery in the automobile is being charged and whether an engine block in the automobile is being heated. Control means controls the heating means and initiates a heating process upon detection by the detection means.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

(a) functional means for performing pre-configured functionality, wherein said functional means is temperature-sensitive;

(b) mounting means for mounting said apparatus in a motor vehicle;

(c) heating means for heating said functional means;

(d) detection means for detecting at least one of;

whether an automobile battery within said automobile is being charged and whether an engine block within said automobile is being heated; and

(e) control means for controlling said heating means, wherein said control means initiates a heating process of heating said functional means upon a detection by said detection means.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means comprises a temperature detection means for detecting a temperature within said apparatus, and wherein the heating process comprises activating said heating means if the detected temperature is less than a specified threshold.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the specified threshold is approximately 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said detection means comprises a power line from a battery charger.

5. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the power line taps a connection between the battery charger and the automobile battery, wherein a diode is included in the connection between the battery charger and the automobile battery, and wherein the power line taps the connection on a side of the diode that connects to the battery charger.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said detection means comprises a pair of mating plugs, at least one of which having a power a power loop-back from one pin to another.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said functional means comprises a video recorder.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus in mounted in a trunk of the motor vehicle.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said heating means comprises a solid state heat pump.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said heating mean comprises a Peltier element.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said functional means comprises a hard disk drive.