Systems and methods for preventing accessory loss

• US 7,994,913 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2008
• Issued: 08/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chi Mei Communication Systems Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Chi Mei Communication Systems Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Lee, Kuan-Hsueh
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US12/195,395
• Publication Number:
  US 20090295573A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,084 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.1, 3405686-5688, 340/686.4, 340/309.16, 340/529, 340/571, 3406914-6916
• US Class Current: 340/568.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10

Abstract

A system includes several functional modules to alert a user that an accessory has not been placed back into a bay of an electronic device after a predetermined time period. A sensor is configured for determining if the accessory has been received in the bay after the time period has expired. The sensor is further configured for generating a notification if the accessory has not been received in the bay after the time period has expired. An audio module is configured for receiving the notification, and transmitting an audio alarm via a speaker indicating that the accessory has not been received in the bay after the time period has expired. A display module is configured for receiving the notification, and displaying a graphic alarm on a display panel of the electronic device.

Claims

1. A system for preventing accessory loss for an electronic device comprising a bay configured to receive and hold an accessory, the system comprising:

a setting module configured for setting a time period for determining if the accessory is received in the bay when the time period expires, and for setting an interval to continue determining if the accessory is received in the bay upon determining that the accessory was not received in the bay when the time period expired;

a detection module comprising a timer and a sensor, the timer configured for counting the time period when the accessory is removed from the bay, the sensor configured for determining if the accessory is received in the bay when the time period expires, the sensor further configured for generating a notification if the accessory is not received in the bay when the time period expires;

an audio module configured for receiving the notification, and transmitting an audio alarm alert via a speaker of the electronic device indicating that the accessory is not received in the bay when the time period expires;

a display module configured for receiving the notification, and displaying a graphic alarm alert on a display panel of the electronic device; and

a processor that executes the operations of the setting module, the detection module, the audio module, and the display module.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor is further configured to continue determining if the accessory is received in the bay for successive intervals when the accessory is not received in the bay.

3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sensor is further configured for generating a stop-notification to the audio module and the display module upon determining that the accessory is received in the bay.

4. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the audio module is further configured for terminating transmission of the audio alarm upon receiving the stop-notification from the sensor.

5. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the display module is further configured for terminating display of the graphic alarm upon receiving the stop-notification from the sensor.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the setting module is further configured for setting a default value of the time period, and modifying the default value of the time period.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the accessory is a stylus for use with at least one apparatus consisting of a touch panel, a wireless earpiece-microphone unit, a swappable subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a storage card and a memory stick;

and

wherein the bay is integrally configured on the apparatus to receive or hold the respective accessory.

8. A computer-implemented method for preventing accessory loss for an electronic device comprising a bay configured to receive and hold an accessory, the method comprising:

setting a time period for determining if the accessory is received in the bay;

activating a timer upon the condition that the accessory is removed from the bay;

determining if the time period has expired;

determining if the accessory is received in the bay when the time period expires;

generating a notification and setting an interval to continue determining if the accessory is received in the bay upon determining that the accessory was not received in the bay when the time period expired;

receiving the notification and transmitting an audio alarm alert via a speaker of the electronic device; and

receiving the notification and displaying a graphic alarm alert via a display panel on the electronic device.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:

continuing to determine if the accessory is received in the bay for successive intervals when the accessory is not received in the bay.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising:

generating a stop-notification upon determining that the accessory is received in the bay.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising:

terminating transmission of the audio alarm upon receiving the stop-notification.

12. The method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising:

terminating display of the graphic alarm upon receiving the stop-notification.

13. The method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:

setting a default value of the time period.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising:

modifying the default value of the time period.

15. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the accessory is a stylus for use with at least one apparatus consisting of a touch panel, a wireless earpiece-microphone unit, a swappable subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a storage card and a memory stick;

and

wherein the bay is integrally configured on the apparatus to receive or hold the respective accessory.