Docking station for a mobile electronic device for use in a vehicle interior

• US 9,888,104 B2
• Filed: 08/25/2016
• Issued: 02/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbH (Forvia SE)
• Original Assignee: Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbH (Forvia SE)
• Inventors: Uhlig, Markus, Ben Abdelaziz, Omar
• Primary Examiner(s): GESESSE, TILAHUN
• Application Number:
  US15/247,391
• Publication Number:
  US 20170064056A1
• Time in Patent Office: 530 Days
• Field of Search: 4555561, 455557, 4554042
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6075 adapted for handsfree use in a vehicle H04M1/6058 takes precedence; arrangements for holding telephones in a vehicle B60R11/0241
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724098 Interfacing with an on-board device of a vehicle for hands-free speaking in vehicles H04M1/6075
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces

Abstract

A docking station for a mobile electronic device for use in a vehicle interior. The docking station includes a receiver for the mobile electronic device, a position sensor, a data processing unit and a screen. The receiver is configured for inserting the mobile electronic device, and the position sensor is configured to detect positions of the mobile electronic device relative to the receiver. The data processing unit is connected to the position sensor and is configured to output pictures on the screen in a manner depending on the positions.

Claims

1. A docking station for a mobile electronic device for use in a vehicle interior, comprising a receiver for the mobile electronic device, a position sensor, a data processing unit, and a screen, wherein the receiver is configured for receiving the mobile electronic device, wherein the position sensor is configured to detect positions of the mobile electronic device relative to the receiver of the docking station, and wherein the data processing unit is connected to the position sensor and is configured to output pictures onto the screen in a manner dependent on the positions of the mobile electronic device relative to the receiver of the docking station to optically signal to a vehicle occupant how far the mobile electronic device is inserted into the receiver of the docking station, wherein the data processing unit is further configured to detect whether the mobile electronic device is partly inserted in the receiver of the docking station.

2. A docking station according to claim 1, further comprising a data transmission device which is connected to the data processing unit, wherein the data processing unit is configured to receive a screen content of the mobile electronic device in the form of data via the data transmission device, wherein the outputted pictures correspond to the screen content or to a part of the screen content.

3. A docking station according to claim 2, wherein the data transmission device is configured for the wireless receipt of the screen content of the mobile electronic device.

4. A docking station according to claim 2, further comprising a cover of the receiver which at least partly covers the mobile electronic device when the device is completely inserted into the receiver.

5. A docking station according to claim 4, wherein the outputted pictures each correspond to a part of the screen content which is covered by the cover.

6. A docking station according to claim 1, further comprising a guide element which is configured to guide the mobile electronic device into the receiver.

7. A docking station according to claim 6, wherein the guide element comprises two springs which are arranged on opposite inner sides of the receiver and are configured to guide the mobile electronic device into the receiver.

8. A docking station according to claim 6, wherein the guide element comprises a holder for the mobile electronic device, said holder being extendible and retractable relative to the receiver.

10. A docking station according to claim 1, wherein the position sensor comprises an optical sensor and/or a Hall effect sensor and/or a coder.

11. A docking station according to claim 1, wherein the screen comprises a touchscreen, wherein the docking station is configured to receive inputs for the mobile electronic device via the touchscreen and to transfer them to the mobile electronic device.

12. A docking station according to claim 1, wherein the position sensor comprises a microswitch which is configured to switch when the mobile electronic device is completely inserted into the receiver.

9. A docking station for a mobile electronic device for use in a vehicle interior, comprising a receiver for the mobile electronic device, a position sensor, a data processing unit, and a screen, wherein the receiver is configured for receiving the mobile electronic device, wherein the position sensor is configured to detect positions of the mobile electronic device relative to the receiver, and wherein the data processing unit is connected to the position sensor and is configured to output pictures onto the screen in a manner dependent on the positions of the mobile electronic device relative to the receiver to optically signal to a vehicle occupant how far the mobile electronic device is inserted into the receiver, wherein the position sensor comprises a sensor which is movable relative to the receiver and which is movable by way of a displacement of the mobile electronic device relative to the receiver, wherein the sensor is connected to a potentiometer in a manner such that an electrical resistance of the potentiometer is changeable by way of the displacement of the mobile electronic device relative to the receiver.