Notifying station for portable electronic devices in automobile

• US 8,090,400 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2009
• Issued: 01/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chemtron Research LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Semi Gate LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Kavounas, Gregory T.
• Primary Examiner(s): GARY, ERIKA A
• Application Number:
  US12/622,794
• Publication Number:
  US 20110244925A1
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 455/550.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/045 Call privacy arrangements, e.g. timely inhibiting the ring signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion

Abstract

In some embodiments, an automobile has a station that can support a portable electronic device (PED). The station includes a body, which could be integrated with the automobile. The body defines a PED seat, for supporting the PED. A movable member can exert tension so as to bias the supported PED, to prevent the PED from falling off. Detection means can detect when the PED is receiving a wireless signal. A human-perceptible indication can be generated in response to the detection means, above and beyond any ringing and/or vibrating from the PED itself. As such, a user can always keep the PED at the “Silent” annunciation mode even while in the automobile.

Claims

1. An automobile that can support a Portable Electronic Device (PED), the PED including an antenna operable to receive a wireless signal from a remote transmitter at least 500 feet away from the PED, the PED further including a vibration mechanism for generating a mechanical vibration to notify a user about the wireless signal being received, the automobile comprising:

a station distinct from the PED, the station including;

a body integrated with the automobile, the body distinct from the PED, the body defining a PED seat for supporting the PED thereat,

a vibration sensor for sensing the mechanical vibration while the PED is supported at the PED seat,

a circuit for outputting a notifier signal responsive to the sensor sensing the mechanical vibration, and

a station notifier for generating, responsive to the notifier signal, a human-perceptible indication distinct from the mechanical vibration.

2. The automobile of claim 1, in which

the station further includes a sensor training actuator for informing the circuit when the mechanical vibration is indeed being generated by the PED while the PED is supported at the PED seat.

3. The automobile of claim 1, in which

the station further includes a station notifier testing actuator for causing the human-perceptible indication to be generated when the mechanical vibration is not being generated.

4. The automobile of claim 3, in which

the station notifier testing actuator simulates the notifier signal for causing the station notifier to generate the human-perceptible indication.

5. The automobile of claim 3, in which

the station notifier testing actuator duplicates the notifier signal for causing the station notifier to generate the human-perceptible indication.

6. A method for an automobile to support a Portable Electronic Device (PED), the PED including an antenna operable to receive a wireless signal from a remote transmitter at least 500 feet away from the PED, the PED further including a vibration mechanism for generating a mechanical vibration to notify a user about the wireless signal being received, the automobile comprising a station distinct from the PED, the station including a body integrated with the automobile, the body distinct from the PED, the body defining a PED seat for supporting the PED thereat, the method comprising:

sensing a mechanical vibration being generated by the vibration mechanism while the PED is supported at the PED seat;

outputting a notifier signal responsive to the sensing of the mechanical vibration; and

generating, responsive to the notifier signal, a human-perceptible indication distinct from the mechanical vibration.