Mobile device interface platform

• US 20080096615A1
• Filed: 10/18/2006
• Published: 04/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: William Frederick Ryann
• Original Assignee: William Frederick Ryann
• Inventors: Ryann, William Frederick
• Granted Patent: US 8,682,387 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/575.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724098 Interfacing with an on-board device of a vehicle for hands-free speaking in vehicles H04M1/6075

Abstract

A mobile device interface platform. The platform is configured to latitudinally receive any of a variety of mobile device sizes and shapes while being integrally associated with a stationary apparatus that is to communicate with the mobile device. Where wireless mobile devices are accommodated by the platform, the latitudinal reception affords a user a degree of imprecise placement and allows any number of wireless device types to be employed without regard to precise pin configurations or other non-wireless communicative coupling features. Nevertheless, a physically secure unitary association of the mobile device and stationary apparatus is present allowing for a functional and user-friendly manner of employing them together.

Claims

1. A mobile device interface platform comprising an engagement mechanism to latitudinally receive and physically retain a mobile device, the mobile device interface platform to integrally couple with a stationary apparatus to obtain data from the mobile device.

2. The mobile device interface platform of claim 1 wherein the mobile device is one of a first mobile device and a second mobile device of significantly different physical character than the first mobile device.

3. The mobile device interface platform of claim 1 wherein said engagement mechanism comprises:

a lower compression member; and

an upper compression member, the mobile device to be received and retained in a cavity therebetween.

4. The mobile device interface platform of claim 3 wherein said upper compression member and said lower compression member are spaced apart so as to provide a height of between about 0.75 inches and about 1.25 inches to the cavity.

5. The mobile device interface platform of claim 3 wherein the engagement mechanism further comprises:

a backstop; and

a doorway, the backstop distanced from the doorway so as to provide a depth to the cavity.

6. The mobile device interface platform of claim 5 wherein the depth is configured to leave an accessible portion of the mobile device exposed beyond said doorway when contacting said backstop, the accessible portion to allow manual retrieval of the mobile device.

7. The mobile device interface platform of claim 5 wherein said backstop is at least a portion of an engagement actuator to actuate retention of the mobile device.

8. The mobile device interface platform of claim 5 wherein said backstop is a beam of a strain gauge mechanism.

9. The mobile device interface platform of claim 5 further comprising a component housing adjacent said backstop opposite the cavity.

10. The mobile device interface platform of claim 9 wherein said component housing includes a wireless receiver tuned to a location of the cavity.

11. The mobile device interface platform of claim 3 wherein said lower compression member comprises:

a vertically mobile rigid support to rise above a floor of the mobile device interface platform for physically retaining the mobile device against said upper compression member; and

a pad of compliant material adhered to a surface of said vertically mobile rigid support.

12. The mobile device interface platform of claim 11 wherein said upper compression member is of a deformable material adhered to a stationary ceiling of the mobile device interface platform.

13. The mobile device interface platform of claim 12 wherein the compliant material and the deformable material are between about 5% and about 50% compressible.

14. The mobile device interface platform of claim 12 wherein the compliant material and the deformable material are a polymer foam.

15. The mobile device interface platform of claim 14 wherein said pad of compliant material is of a lower profile than said upper compression member of deformable material.

16. An assembly comprising:

a stationary apparatus; and

a mobile device interface platform integral with said stationary apparatus and to latitudinally receive and physically retain a mobile device, the stationary apparatus to obtain data from the mobile device.

17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein the stationary apparatus is one of a car stereo, laptop computer, desktop computer, control panel, home stereo, entertainment system, television, and navigation system.

18. The assembly of claim 16 wherein one of said stationary apparatus and said mobile device interface platform includes a supplemental device coupling feature.

19. The assembly of claim 16 wherein the supplemental device coupling feature is one of a USB port and a power socket.

20. A mobile device for coupling to a stationary apparatus via a mobile device interface platform integral with the stationary apparatus, the mobile device interface platform to latitudinally receive and physically retain the mobile device, the stationary apparatus to obtain data from the mobile device.

21. The mobile device of claim 20 wherein the mobile device is one of a cell phone, MP3 player, flash device, pc card, handheld digital device, and personal carriage digital device.

22. The mobile device of claim 20 having a configuration that is one of clamshell, sliding, and unitary construction.

23. The mobile device of claim 20 having a profile that is between about 0.25 inches and about 1.0 inches.

24. A method comprising:

latitudinally receiving a mobile device within a cavity of a mobile device interface platform integrally coupled with a stationary apparatus; and

physically retaining the mobile device within the cavity, the stationary apparatus to obtain data from the mobile device.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising effecting an engagement actuator of the mobile device interface platform with the mobile device to initiate said physically retaining.