External haptic generator for portable electronic devices

• US 8,922,354 B2
• Filed: 03/24/2011
• Issued: 12/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Inventors: Nagara, Wes A., Channey, Royce Duchante, Ciatti, Anthony Joseph, Wingrove, Theodore Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tang, Son M
• Application Number:
  US13/070,574
• Publication Number:
  US 20120242462A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,377 Days
• Field of Search: 3404071-4072, 340/636.1, 340/636.2, 345/173, 710/303, 439/533
• US Class Current: 340/407.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user

Abstract

An external haptic generator for creating haptic feedback in portable electronic devices and more particularly, an external haptic generator in a vehicle providing a secure mount and creating haptic feedback in portable electronic devices that do not include haptic feedback generators.

Claims

1. A haptic system for providing haptic feedback in portable electronic devices that do not include integral haptic feedback devices:

a holder configured to hold the portable electronic device; and

a haptic generator located within the holder and in communication with the portable electronic device, said haptic generator provides haptic feedback to the holder which is then transmitted to the portable electronic device coupled thereto,

wherein said holder includes a base housing and a top housing, said base housing having a circumferential outer extent configured to fit within a cup holder in a vehicle and wherein said base housing includes a base and said top housing having a top surface and a front lip and wherein said top surface is angled relative to said outer extent and wherein said top surface is closer to said base proximate to said front lip than said top surface is to said base remote from said front lip and wherein said haptic generator creates haptic feedback on said top surface, and

an inductive coil to power said holder and to power said haptic generator.

2. The haptic system of claim 1 wherein said holder is located on one of an instrument panel, seat, or center counsel of a vehicle and includes a connector in electrical communication with the portable electronic device.

3. The haptic system of claim 1 wherein said holder further includes a wireless communication device that wirelessly interfaces with the portable electronic device and wherein said wireless communication device is in electrical communication with said haptic generator.

4. An instrument panel for a vehicle to create haptic feedback in a portable electronic device without haptic feedback capabilities, said instrument panel comprising:

a portable electronic device mount to extend outwardly from the instrument panel in an open position and being approximately flush with the instrument panel in a second position and wherein said device mount includes a haptic generator in communication with the portable electronic device,

wherein the portable device mount is a holder, the holder includes a base housing and a top housing, said base housing having a circumferential outer extent configured to fit within a cup holder in a vehicle and wherein said base housing includes a base and said top housing having a top surface and a front lip and wherein said top surface is angled relative to said outer extent and wherein said top surface is closer to said base proximate to said front lip than said top surface is to said base remote from said front lip and wherein said haptic generator creates haptic feedback on said top surface, and

an inductive coil to power said holder and to power said haptic generator.

5. The instrument panel of claim 4 wherein said device mount is a drawer and includes an electrical connector interfaces with said portable electronic device.

6. The instrument panel of claim 4 further including a wireless communication device in electrical communication with said haptic generator and further wireless interfaces with portable electronic devices.

7. The instrument panel of claim 6 wherein said wireless communication device is a Bluetooth communication device.

8. A center console for a vehicle capable of creating haptic feedback in a portable electronic device without haptic feedback capabilities, said center counsel comprising:

an outer housing defining a cup holder;

a haptic generator located within said housing and provides haptic feedback to items with said cup holder, and

wherein said cup holder includes a base housing and a top housing, said base housing having a circumferential outer extent configured to fit within the cup holder in a vehicle and wherein said base housing includes a base and said top housing having a top surface and a front lip and wherein said top surface is angled relative to said outer extent and wherein said top surface is closer to said base proximate to said front lip than said top surface is to said base remote from said front lip and wherein said haptic generator creates haptic feedback on said top surface, and

an inductive coil to power to said holder and to power said haptic generator.

9. The center console of claim 8 further including a wireless communication device in electrical communication with said haptic generator.

10. The center console of claim 9, wherein the cup holder'"'"'s top surface further comprises an edge to prevent the wireless communication device from being displaced from the top surface.