Holding device for mobile terminal

• US 9,521,224 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2014
• Issued: 12/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: An, Sungje, Kim, Seungman
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Tuan A
• Application Number:
  US14/504,602
• Publication Number:
  US 20150172432A1
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3883 Arrangements for mounting batteries or battery chargers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A holding device for a mobile terminal in a vehicle includes: a holder detachably mounted to a front surface of a dashboard, and configured to insertedly retain the mobile terminal therein; a data transceiver configured to receive vehicle information from the vehicle, and to transmit the vehicle information to the mobile terminal, and power connection terminals positioned in the holder for providing power to the mobile terminal, wherein the power connection terminals automatically put the mobile terminal into a vehicle mode when the mobile device and the vehicle are electrically connected to each other.

Claims

1. A holding device for a mobile terminal in a vehicle, comprising:

a holder detachably mounted to a front surface of a dashboard, and configured to insertedly retain the mobile terminal therein;

a data transceiver configured to receive vehicle information from the vehicle, and to transmit the vehicle information to the mobile terminal; and

power connection terminals positioned in the holder and configured to provide power to the mobile terminal,

wherein the power connection terminals are further configured to automatically set the mobile terminal into a vehicle mode when the mobile terminal and the vehicle are electrically connected via the holder,

wherein the holder comprises;

intermediate portions mounted to the front surface of the dashboard, the intermediate portions including guides that are configured to guide a sliding motion of the mobile terminal in a first direction into the holder to be insertedly retained in the holder; and

a base portion extending in a second direction crossing the first direction between the intermediate portions and configured to restrict the sliding motion of the mobile terminal, and

wherein the intermediate portions and the base portion are formed to have a ‘

C’

-shape enclosing the mobile terminal for retaining the mobile terminal.

2. The holding device for a mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein each of the guides comprises:

a first part covering part of an upper surface of the mobile terminal;

a second part contacting at least part of a rear surface of the mobile terminal; and

a third part that is curved and configured to connect the first part and the second part to each other.

3. The holding device for a mobile terminal of claim 2, wherein the base portion has a same cross-sectional shape as the guides.

4. The holding device for a mobile terminal of claim 2, wherein a connection port is provided at the guide or the base portion, and

wherein the mobile terminal is automatically electronically-connected to the connection port based on the mobile terminal being mounted in the holder by a sliding operation.

5. The holding device for a mobile terminal of claim 4, wherein a button guiding recess is provided at the first part and accommodates a movable button that controls a protrusion of the connection port to selectively connect the connection port to the mobile terminal.

6. The holding device for a mobile terminal of claim 2, wherein a sensing means configured to sense an inserted state of the mobile terminal is mounted at the third part of the base portion.

7. The holding device for a mobile terminal of claim 6, wherein the sensing means comprises a buffering member having elasticity, and

wherein, based on the mobile terminal being mounted in the holder by a sliding operation that compresses the buffering member, the connection port automatically protrudes to electrically connect with the mobile terminal.

8. The holding device for a mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein a size of the holder corresponds to a size of the mobile terminal, and a position of the power connection terminals of the holder corresponds to a position of power connection terminals of the vehicle.

9. The holding device for a mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein a cooling device for radiation, or an air passage for radiation is provided at a space formed by a rear surface of the holder and the dashboard.

10. The holding device for a mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein a wireless charging unit configured to wirelessly charge the mobile terminal is provided at a space formed by a rear surf ace of the holder and the dashboard.

11. The holding device for a mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the power connection terminals are formed at the base portion or at one of the intermediate portions.

12. A holding device for a mobile terminal, comprising:

a holder detachably mounted to a front surface of a dashboard, and configured to insertedly retain the mobile terminal therein; and

a data transceiver configured to receive vehicle information from the vehicle and to transmit the vehicle information to the mobile terminal;

power connection terminals positioned in the holder and configured to provide power to the mobile terminal, and

a mounting indicator positioned in the holder and configured to automatically set the mobile device into a vehicle mode when that the mobile terminal and the vehicle are electrically connected via the holder,

wherein the holder comprises;

intermediate portions mounted to the front surface of the dashboard, the intermediate portions including guides that are configured to guide a sliding motion of the mobile terminal in a first direction into the holder to be insertedly retained in the holder; and

a base portion extending in a second direction crossing the first direction between the intermediate portions and configured to restrict the sliding motion of the mobile terminal, and

wherein the intermediate portions and the base portion are formed to have a ‘

C’

-shape enclosing the mobile terminal for retaining the mobile terminal.

13. The holding device for a mobile terminal of claim 12, wherein each of the guides comprises:

a first part covering part of an upper surface of the mobile terminal;

a second part contacting at least part of a rear surface of the mobile terminal; and

a third part that is curved and configured to connect the first part and the second part to each other.

14. The holding device for a mobile terminal of claim 13, wherein the power connection terminals are formed at one of the intermediate portions.

15. The holding device for a mobile terminal of claim 13, wherein:

a connection port is provided at the guide or the third part of the base portion, and

a button guiding recess is provided at the first part and accommodates a movable button that controls a protrusion of the connection port to selectively connect the connection port to the mobile terminal.

16. The holding device for a mobile terminal of claim 13, wherein a sensing means configured to sense an inserted state of the mobile terminal is provided at a third part of the base portion.

17. The holding device for a mobile terminal of claim 16, wherein the sensing means comprises a buffering member having elasticity, and

wherein, based on the mobile terminal being mounted in the holder by a sliding operation that compresses the buffering member, the connection port automatically protrudes to electrically connect with the mobile terminal.

18. The holding device for a mobile terminal of claim 16, wherein in a case where a connected state between the button and the mobile terminal has been released by a movement of the button, the sensing means automatically operates to make the mobile terminal outward protrude for separation of the mobile terminal from the holder.

19. The holding device for a mobile terminal of claim 12, wherein a size of the holder corresponds to a size of the mobile terminal, and a position of the power connection terminals of the holder corresponds to a position of power connection terminals of the vehicle.

20. The holding device for a mobile terminal of claim 12, wherein a cooling device for radiation, or an air passage for radiation is provided at a space formed by a rear surface of the holder and the dashboard.

21. The holding device for a mobile terminal of claim 12, wherein a wireless charging unit configured to wirelessly charge the mobile terminal is provided at a space formed by a rear surf ace of the holder and the dashboard.