System and method for charging portable electronic devices within a vehicle
First Claim
1. A system for charging a portable electronic device within a vehicle, comprising:
- a plurality of device chargers configured to charge a power source of a portable electronic device in a charging mode, the plurality of device chargers having respective predetermined locations;
at least one transmitter configured to be associated with a portable electronic device, the transmitter emitting at least one type of wireless signal;
a plurality of detectors that are configured to be supported on a vehicle, the plurality of detectors detecting the wireless signal from the at least one transmitter; and
a controller that utilizes information from the detectors regarding a detected wireless signal from the at least one transmitter and determines a location of the at least one transmitter relative to the plurality of device chargers, the controller controls at least a selected one of the device chargers to operate in the charging mode based on a proximity between the determined location of the at least one transmitter and the predetermined location of the selected one of the device chargers, wherein the controller is configured to;
communicate with a vehicle navigation system;
determine an approximate remaining time of a current trip;
determine a rate at which a portable electronic device is being charged;
determine whether the rate is sufficient to provide a complete charge to the portable electronic device during the remaining time; and
provide an indication to change a position of the portable electronic device relative to the selected device charger if changing the position will increase a likelihood of achieving a complete charge within the remaining time.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An illustrative example embodiment of a system includes a plurality of device chargers configured to charge a power source of a portable electronic device. At least one transmitter is associated with a portable electronic device. A plurality of detectors are configured to be supported on a vehicle. The plurality of detectors detect a wireless signal from the transmitter. A controller utilizes information from the detectors regarding a detected wireless signal and determines a location of the transmitter relative to the plurality of device chargers. The controller controls at least a selected one of the device chargers to operate in the charging mode based on a proximity between the determined location of the at least one transmitter and the predetermined location of the selected one of the device chargers.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A system for charging a portable electronic device within a vehicle, comprising:
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a plurality of device chargers configured to charge a power source of a portable electronic device in a charging mode, the plurality of device chargers having respective predetermined locations; at least one transmitter configured to be associated with a portable electronic device, the transmitter emitting at least one type of wireless signal; a plurality of detectors that are configured to be supported on a vehicle, the plurality of detectors detecting the wireless signal from the at least one transmitter; and a controller that utilizes information from the detectors regarding a detected wireless signal from the at least one transmitter and determines a location of the at least one transmitter relative to the plurality of device chargers, the controller controls at least a selected one of the device chargers to operate in the charging mode based on a proximity between the determined location of the at least one transmitter and the predetermined location of the selected one of the device chargers, wherein the controller is configured to; communicate with a vehicle navigation system; determine an approximate remaining time of a current trip; determine a rate at which a portable electronic device is being charged; determine whether the rate is sufficient to provide a complete charge to the portable electronic device during the remaining time; and provide an indication to change a position of the portable electronic device relative to the selected device charger if changing the position will increase a likelihood of achieving a complete charge within the remaining time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of charging a portable electronic device, the method comprising:
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detecting a wireless signal from at least one transmitter using a plurality of detectors that are configured to be supported on a vehicle, the at least one transmitter being configured to be associated with a portable electronic device; determining a location of the at least one transmitter relative to a plurality of device chargers based on the detected wireless signal, the plurality of device chargers being configured to charge a power source of a portable electronic device in a charging mode, the plurality of device chargers having respective predetermined locations; controlling at least a selected one of the device chargers to operate in the charging mode based on a proximity between the determined location of the at least one transmitter and the predetermined location of the selected one of the device chargers; determining an approximate remaining time of a current trip based on information from a vehicle navigation system; determining a rate at which a portable electronic device is being charged; determining whether the rate is sufficient to provide a complete charge to the portable electronic device during the remaining time; and providing an indication to change a position of the portable electronic device relative to the selected device charger if changing the position will increase a likelihood of achieving a complete charge within the remaining time. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A system for charging a portable electronic device within a vehicle, comprising:
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a plurality of device chargers configured to charge a power source of a portable electronic device in a charging mode, the plurality of device chargers having respective predetermined locations; at least one transmitter configured to be associated with a portable electronic device, the transmitter emitting at least one type of wireless signal; a plurality of detectors that are configured to be supported on a vehicle, the plurality of detectors detecting the wireless signal from the at least one transmitter; and a controller that utilizes information from the detectors regarding a detected wireless signal from the at least one transmitter and determines a location of the at least one transmitter relative to the plurality of device chargers, the controller controls at least a selected one of the device chargers to operate in the charging mode based on a proximity between the determined location of the at least one transmitter and the predetermined location of the selected one of the device chargers; wherein the controller is configured to determine that a particular portable electronic device is likely to be used for a task during a trip based on schedule information obtained by the controller; determine a charge level of the particular portable electronic device; and provide an indication to move the particular portable electronic device into a position near the selected charging device if the determined charge level appears inadequate to facilitate performing the task.
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Specification