System and method for charging portable electronic devices within a vehicle

• US 9,802,504 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2015
• Issued: 10/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2015
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited (TATA Motors Limited)
• Original Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited (TATA Motors Limited)
• Inventors: Jones, Matt, Wheller, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Ngo, Brian
• Application Number:
  US14/826,545
• Publication Number:
  US 20170043675A1
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 320106, 320108, 320162
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/006 to power outlets
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/50 by future state prediction
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/63 in response to network capacity
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations

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.

Claims

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.

2. The system of claim 1, comprising a user interface that provides information regarding a position of the at least one transmitter relative to at least the selected one of the device chargers.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the user interface provides an indication of a movement of a portable electronic device associated with the at least one transmitter that will place the portable electronic device into a position where the selected one of the device chargers can charge the power source of the portable electronic device.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein

the controller determines an orientation of the portable electronic device relative to the selected one of the device chargers;

and

the user interface provides an indication of an adjustment of the orientation of the portable electronic device to facilitate charging the power source of the portable electronic device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to

determine a rate of charging provided by the selected one of the device chargers;

and

determine an adjustment of a position of the portable electronic device associated with the at least one transmitter if the rate of charging is below a predetermined level.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to

determine a charge level of the power source of the portable electronic device associated with the at least one transmitter;

and

selectively control whether the selected one of the device chargers operates in the charging mode based on the determined charge level.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to

determine a charge level of at least one portable electronic device;

and

provide a recommendation to place the portable electronic device close to a selected device charger if the determined charge level is below a threshold.

8. The system of claim 1, 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.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one transmitter is

configured to be secured to an exterior of the portable electronic device,

configured to be secured to a case that is configured to receive the portable electronic device, or

included within the portable electronic device.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein

each device charger has a power-saving, inactive mode during which the device charger does not operate to provide charge to a portable electronic device;

and

each device charger remains in the power-saving, inactive mode unless the controller causes the device charger to operate in the charging mode.

11. A vehicle comprising the system of claim 1, wherein

the detectors are supported on the vehicle to detect the wireless signal at least when the at least one transmitter is within an interior of the vehicle;

and

the device chargers are situated in predetermined locations in the vehicle interior.

12. A method of charging a portable electronic device, the method comprising:

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.

13. The method of claim 12, comprising providing information through a user interface regarding a position of the at least one transmitter relative to at least the selected one of the device chargers.

14. The method of claim 13, comprising using the user interface to provide an indication of a movement of a portable electronic device associated with the at least one transmitter that will place the portable electronic device into a position where the selected one of the device chargers can charge the power source of the portable electronic device.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one transmitter comprises a plurality of transmitters associated with one portable electronic device;

and

the method comprises

determining an orientation of the portable electronic device relative to the selected one of the device chargers based on signals from the plurality of transmitters; and

using the user interface to provide an indication of an adjustment of the orientation of the portable electronic device to facilitate charging the power source of the portable electronic device.

16. The method of claim 12, comprising

determining a rate of charging provided by the selected one of the device chargers;

and

determining an adjustment of a position of the portable electronic device associated with the at least one transmitter if the rate of charging is below a predetermined level.

17. The method of claim 12, comprising

determining a charge level of the power source of the portable electronic device associated with the at least one transmitter;

and

selectively controlling whether the selected one of the device chargers operates in the charging mode based on the determined charge level.

18. The method of claim 12, comprising

determining a charge level of at least one portable electronic device;

and

providing a recommendation to place the portable electronic device close to a selected device charger if the determined charge level is below a threshold.

19. The method of claim 12, comprising

determining 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;

determining a charge level of the particular portable electronic device; and

providing 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.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one transmitter is

configured to be secured to an exterior of the portable electronic device,

configured to be secured to a case that is configured to receive the portable electronic device, or

included within the portable electronic device.

21. The method of claim 12, comprising

maintaining each device charger in a power-saving, inactive mode during which the device charger does not operate to provide charge to a portable electronic device when there is no portable electronic device close enough to the device charger to be charged by the device charger.

22. A vehicle comprising a system configured to perform the method of claim 12, wherein

the detectors are supported on the vehicle to detect the wireless signal at least when the at least one transmitter is within an interior of the vehicle;

and

the device chargers are situated in predetermined locations in the vehicle interior.

23. 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

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.