Media portal for vehicle
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle comprising:
- a vehicle body defining a passenger compartment;
structure that defines a cavity in the passenger compartment, wherein the cavity is selectively variable in size to retain a portable electronic device;
a sensor configured to detect the presence of the portable electronic device in the passenger compartment;
a indicator source configured to generate a signal in response to the sensor detecting the presence of the portable electronic device;
an inductive charger, wherein the inductive charger is sufficiently positioned to generate a changing magnetic field in the cavity to inductively charge a battery of the portable electronic device, when the portable electronic device is at least partially within the cavity;
wireless connectivity hardware configured to establish wireless connectivity with the portable electronic device in the cavity; and
at least one user interface device through which data can be received from or transmitted to the portable electronic device via the wireless connectivity hardware.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A media portal for a vehicle includes a structure within a vehicle passenger compartment that defines a cavity. The cavity is selectively variable in size in order to retain a portable electronic device. A sensor is configured to detect the presence of the portable electronic device in the cavity. An inductive charger is positioned to generate a changing magnetic field in the cavity to inductively charge a battery of the portable electronic device. At least one user interface device is included through which data can be received from or transmitted to the portable electronic device.
17 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A vehicle comprising:
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a vehicle body defining a passenger compartment; structure that defines a cavity in the passenger compartment, wherein the cavity is selectively variable in size to retain a portable electronic device; a sensor configured to detect the presence of the portable electronic device in the passenger compartment; a indicator source configured to generate a signal in response to the sensor detecting the presence of the portable electronic device; an inductive charger, wherein the inductive charger is sufficiently positioned to generate a changing magnetic field in the cavity to inductively charge a battery of the portable electronic device, when the portable electronic device is at least partially within the cavity; wireless connectivity hardware configured to establish wireless connectivity with the portable electronic device in the cavity; and at least one user interface device through which data can be received from or transmitted to the portable electronic device via the wireless connectivity hardware. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16)
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10. A media portal for use with a portable device comprising:
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structure that defines a cavity, wherein the cavity is selectively variable in size to retain the portable electronic device; a sensor configured to detect the presence of the portable electronic device proximate to the structure; an indicator configured to generate a signal in response to the sensor detecting the presence of the portable electronic device; an inductive charger, wherein the inductive charger is sufficiently positioned to generate a changing magnetic field in the cavity to inductively charge a battery of the portable electronic device, when the portable electronic device is at least partially within the cavity; wireless connectivity hardware configured to establish a wireless connection with the portable electronic device in the cavity; and at least one user interface device through which data can be received from or transmitted to the portable electronic device via the wireless connectivity hardware. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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17. A method of charging an electronic device comprising:
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providing a structure defining a cavity for receiving the electronic device; detecting the presence of the electronic device at least partially within the cavity; providing an activation signal in response to detecting the presence of the electronic device; adjusting the structure to selectively vary the size of the cavity in response to the activation signal; and providing an inductive charge to the electronic device in response to the activation signal. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification