Patent Application
20240001829
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of physically securing an electronic device.
An electronic device may be used by an occupant while moving. In some instances the electronic device may be placed on a surface. When the motion changes (e.g., by acceleration, deceleration, turning, etc.), the electronic device may move in response to the change in motion.
One aspect of the disclosure is a storage system for an electronic device that includes a support coupled to a structural member of a vehicle and a table portion coupled to the support. A platform is coupled to the table portion, is configured to hold the electronic device, and is movable relative to the table portion between a stored configuration and a deployed configuration. The platform can be selectively adjusted to maintain a non-zero angular orientation relative to the table portion when in the deployed configuration, and the platform forms an outer surface of the table portion when in the stored configuration.
Another aspect of the disclosure is a tether system for an electronic device that includes a support coupled to a structural member of a vehicle, a table portion coupled to the support, and a hub coupled to the table portion. A cable includes a first end and a second end, where the first end is coupled to the hub and is coupled to a power source. The second end is coupled to a connector configured to connect to the electronic device. The connector includes a charging connector configured to provide power to the electronic device and a locking connector configured to automatically secure the connector to the electronic device when the locking connector is inserted into an internal portion of the electronic device. The locking connector is released from the internal portion of the electronic device in a different manner than it is inserted.
Yet another aspect of the disclosure is a system for securing an electronic device that includes a table portion within a movable object. A platform is coupled to the table portion, is configured to hold the electronic device, and is movable relative to the table portion between a stored configuration and a deployed configuration. A surface of the platform is approximately aligned with a surface of the table portion when in the stored configuration, and a hub is coupled to the table portion. A cable includes a first end and a second end, where the first end is fixed to the hub and is coupled to a power source and the second end is coupled to a connector configured to connect to the electronic device.
The disclosure herein relates to systems and devices for securing an electronic device to a surface in a vehicle. In some implementations, the surface in the vehicle is a table portion positioned near an occupant that provides the occupant a surface on which to place the electronic device to use the electronic device. Examples of an electronic device include a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a mobile phone, a gaming system, etc. As the vehicle moves (e.g., accelerates, decelerates, turns, changes directions, etc.) the electronic device may move along the surface of the table portion and may fall from the table portion.
Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a system for storing and/or securing the electronic device where the table portion includes a platform that is movable relative to the table portion. The platform can move from a stored position, in which an outer surface of the platform forms an outer surface of the table portion, to a deployed position, in which the platform is configured to secure the electronic device. In some embodiments, the platform can be selectively adjusted to maintain a non-zero angular orientation relative to the table portion. The platform may also include connectors (e.g., mechanical connectors, magnetic connectors, etc.) configured to secure the electronic device to the platform.
Other embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a tether system for securing the electronic device to the table portion. The tether system may include a hub coupled to the table portion and a cable that extends from the hub to a connector. The connector may include a charging connector and a locking connector, where the charging connector is configured to provide power to the electronic device and the locking connector is configured to secure the electronic device to the hub and/or table portion.
The cabin 102 includes a base 104 that is coupled to the cabin 102 of the vehicle 100. In some embodiments, the base 104 is coupled to a structural portion of the vehicle 100. For example, the base 104 may be coupled to a structural portion that supports the various components and systems of the vehicle 100. The structural portion may include a structural support beam that extends longitudinally along the length of the vehicle 100 or a cross-portion beam that extends between two longitudinal support beams. As shown, the base 104 is positioned in a generally vertical orientation and extends generally upward from a floor of the vehicle 100, however the base 104 may be positioned in various orientations and may be coupled to the vehicle 100 in various locations. For example, the base 104 may be coupled to a structural portion that extends around an outer portion of the vehicle 100 (e.g., a pillar) or that extends along a roof or upper portion of the vehicle 100. Accordingly, the base 104 may be positioned in a generally horizontal orientation and extend generally sideways from a pillar of the vehicle 100. The base 104 may also be positioned in a generally vertical orientation and extend generally downward from the roof or upper portion of the vehicle 100.
A table portion 106 may be coupled to the support, and is positioned and configured to provide a surface on which an electronic device can be placed by an occupant of the vehicle 100. The table portion 106 may be positioned in a generally horizontal orientation and is positioned near a seat 108 in which an occupant of the vehicle 100 may sit. In some implementations, the occupant may store the electronic device on the table portion 106. The occupant may also use the table portion 106 as a workstation from which the occupant operates the electronic device.
The table portion 106 is sized and configured for use by one or more occupants of the vehicle 100 when the vehicle 100 is in motion. For example, the table portion 106 may be used as a workstation by one or more occupants. Accordingly, the table portion 106 is approximately stationary relative to the vehicle 100 when the vehicle 100 is in motion. In some embodiments, the table portion 106 may extend across approximately half a width of the seat 108. In some embodiments, the table portion 106 may extend between approximately fifty percent and approximately seventy-five percent across the width of the seat 108. The table portion 106 may also extend between approximately twenty-five percent and approximately fifty percent across the width of the seat 108. In some implementations, the table portion 106 may extend across multiple seats (e.g., the seat 108 may include two seats, three seats, etc.) where the seats may face the same direction and/or may be positioned opposite each other. Whether the seats face the same direction or are positioned opposite each other, the table portion 106 is sized and configured to allow an occupant in each of the seats to use the table portion 106 as a workstation simultaneously. Accordingly, the table portion 106 is configured to support the weight of, for example, multiple electronic devices simultaneously. In some implementations the multiple electronic devices are laptop computers, and the table portion 106 may be configured to support up to approximately fifty pounds.
The table portion 106 also includes the platform 210 that is coupled to the table portion 106 and is configured to hold an electronic device. The platform 210 is movable between a stored configuration (shown in
The platform 210 is shown to include a pull 216 that is configured to provide a surface an occupant can use to move the platform 210 from the stored configuration to the deployed configuration. In some implementations, the pull 216 is a recessed portion of the top surface 222 that includes an undercut sized to receive one or more fingers of the occupant. The pull 216 may also include a rotatable tab that is configured to rotate relative to the top surface 222 such that the tab can extend above the top surface 222 to provide the occupant a tab that extends from the top surface 222.
In some embodiments, the pull 216 is not present on the platform 210 and the platform 210 is configured to be manipulated in another manner. For example, table portion 106 may include a spring-loaded magnetic catch, and the platform 210 may include a magnet that corresponds to the spring-loaded magnetic catch. Accordingly, an occupant can depress the platform 210 to activate the spring-loaded magnetic catch. Upon releasing the platform 210, the spring-loaded magnetic catch can push the platform 210 upward such that the top surface 212 extends above the top surface 222, and the occupant can manipulate the platform 210 to move the platform 210 to the desired position.
As shown in
The table portion 106 defines a recess 330 that is sized and configured to receive the platform 210 when the platform 210 is in the stored configuration. In some implementations, the recess 330 extends from the top surface 222. The recess 330 may also extend from the side surface 224. In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in
The platform 210 is shown to include a coupling portion 220 that is configured to secure the electronic device to the platform 210. In some implementations, the coupling portion 220 includes a magnet configured to magnetically couple with a corresponding magnet on the electronic device or a housing for the electronic device (e.g., a protective case). The coupling portion 220 may also include a mechanical attachment configured to interface with a corresponding mechanical attachment on the electronic device or the housing for the electronic device. For example, the top surface 212 of the platform 210 may define a depression (e.g., the coupling portion 220) that is configured to receive a protrusion extending from the electronic device or the housing for the electronic device. As another example, the coupling portion 220 may include a protrusion configured to slidingly interface with a recess in the electronic device or the housing for the electronic device. Accordingly, the electronic device may be secured to the platform 210 by sliding the electronic device on the platform 210 when the protrusion is aligned with the recess. Other coupling portions and/or methods can be implemented.
The platform 210 also includes a foot 218 that is configured to prevent the electronic device from falling from the platform 210 when the platform 210 is in the deployed configuration. The foot 218 may include a rotatable tab that is configured to rotate relative to the top surface 222 such that the tab can extend above the top surface 222 to provide a surface to support the electronic device.
In some embodiments, the platform 210 includes both the coupling portion 220 and the foot 218. The platform 210 may also include only one of the coupling portion 220 or the foot 218. In some implementations, the platform 210 does not include the portion 220 or the foot 218 and instead includes an alternative way to secure the electronic device to the platform 210. For example, the top surface 212 may include a non-slip coating with a high coefficient of friction that prevents the electronic device from sliding on the top surface 212. The non-slip coating may include silicone, rubber, polyvinyl chloride, or any other type of material that can be applied to a surface and provide non-slip properties.
The platform 550 may also include any of the features described with reference the platform 210 of
The table portion 106 includes a recess 660 configured to receive the platform 550 when the platform 550 is in the stored configuration. The recess may further define a rail on which the platform 550 may travel when moving from the stored configuration to the deployed configuration. The platform 550 may also be coupled to the table portion 106 with a rotatable connector similar to the hinge 226 described with reference to
The tether system 770 also includes a cable 764 that extends between the hub 760 and a connector 762. The cable 764 includes a first end 766 and a second end 768, where the first end is coupled to the hub 760 and the second end is coupled to the connector 762 that is configured to connect to the electronic device. In some implementations, the first end 766 is removably coupled to the hub 760. The first end 766 may also be fixed to the hub 760. In implementations where the hub 760 is positioned generally at the central portion of the table portion 106 (such as shown in
The damper 876 is coupled to the retractor 874 and/or the cable 764 and is configured to regulate a speed at which the cable 764 is drawn toward the hub 760 when the connector 762 is disconnected from the electronic device. The damper 876 can be a one-way damper (e.g., the speed of the cable 764 is only regulated when the cable 764 is drawn toward the hub 760) or a two-way damper (e.g., the speed of the cable 764 is regulated when the cable 764 is drawn toward or away from the hub 760). Accordingly, the damper 876 can include one or more of a vane damper, a gear damper, a disc damper, and a barrel damper.
The brake 878 may be coupled to the cable 764, as shown in
The power source 880 may be any device configured to supply power to a device connected to the power source 880. The power source 880 may be a battery separate from the main power source of the vehicle 100 and may draw power from the main power source of the vehicle 100. The power source 880 may also be a battery that is not connected to the main power source of the vehicle 100. The first end 766 of the cable 764 is coupled to the power source 880 and the cable 764 is configured to deliver power from the power source 880 to the electronic device connected to the connector 762.
The controller 872 is in communication with the retractor 874, the damper 876, and the brake 878. The controller 872 may also be in operative communication with various systems of the vehicle 100 (e.g., a propulsion system, a drivetrain, a suspension system, a collision detection system, a braking system, etc.). In some implementations, the controller 872 is located in or on the vehicle 100 (e.g., a vehicle computer). The controller 872 may also be located remotely (e.g., an external computer) from the vehicle 100. For example, the controller 872 may be located in a different physical location than the vehicle 100 (e.g., as part of a cloud-based system). The controller 872 is configured to receive a signal from one or more of the various systems of the vehicle 100 (e.g., a signal related to proximity of an object to the vehicle 100) and includes components (e.g., a processor, etc.) configured by a software algorithm to make a prediction based on the signal. The controller 872 is further described with reference to
The charging connector 984 is configured to provide power to the electronic device and may include any type of charging extension configured to connect to a corresponding charging port of the electronic device. Examples of the charging connector 984 include a USB connection (e.g., USB-A, USB-B, USB-C, Micro-USB, Mini-USB, etc.) a thunderbolt connection, a lightning connection, or any other type of connection that can provide power to an electronic device.
The locking connector 986 is configured to secure the connector 762 to the electronic device. In some implementations, the electronic device includes a locking port that extends into an internal portion of the electronic device and is configured to receive the locking connector 986. As the locking connector 986 is inserted into the electronic device, one or more of the first arm 988 and the second arm 990 may be directed toward the opposite arm by the locking port. When the locking connector 986 is fully inserted into the internal portion of the electronic device, one or more of the first arm 988 and the second arm 990 may be released by the locking port such that the first arm 988 and the second arm 990 move toward their original positions, thereby locking the connector 762 to the electronic device. Accordingly, the locking connector 986 is configured to automatically secure the connector 762 to the electronic device when the locking connector 986 is inserted into the internal portion of the electronic device. Other implementations of the locking connector 986 may be used. For example, the locking connector 986 may include only one arm, more than two arms, a barbed component, a bayonet connector, etc.
In some embodiments, the first arm 988 and the second arm 990 may be coupled to the second wing 996 and the first wing 994, respectively. To remove the locking connector 986 from the electronic device, the occupant may move the second wing 996 and the first wing 994 toward the housing 982, which may cause the first arm 988 and the second arm 990 to move toward each other. The occupant may then remove the locking connector 986 from the electronic device while holding the first wing 994 and the second wing 996.
In another example embodiment, the sliding tab 992 may be coupled to the first arm 988 and the second arm 990. The occupant may slide the sliding tab 992 toward or away from the second end 768 to cause the first arm 988 and the second arm 990 to move toward each other. The occupant may then remove the locking connector 986 from the electronic device while holding the sliding tab 992 in place.
Various other implementations may be used to remove the locking connector 986 from the electronic device. In each implementation, the locking connector 986 is released from the internal portion of the electronic device in a different manner than it is inserted (e.g., by squeezing the first wing 994 and the second wing 996 or sliding the sliding tab 992).
As described above, one aspect of the present technology is the gathering and use of data available from various sources for use in operating and controlling the tether system 770. As an example, such data may identify the user (e.g., the occupant) and include user-specific settings or preferences. The present disclosure contemplates that in some instances, this gathered data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact or locate a specific person. Such personal information data can include demographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, email addresses, twitter ID's, home addresses, data or records relating to a user's health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying or personal information.
The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information data, in the present technology, can be used to the benefit of users. For example, a user profile may be established that stores user preference related information that allows adjustment of operation parameters according to the user preferences. Accordingly, use of such personal information data enhances the user's experience.
The present disclosure contemplates that the entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use of such personal information data will comply with well-established privacy policies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities should implement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining personal information data private and secure. Such policies should be easily accessible by users, and should be updated as the collection and/or use of data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonable uses of the entity and not shared or sold outside of those legitimate uses. Further, such collection/sharing should occur after receiving the informed consent of the users. Additionally, such entities should consider taking any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access to such personal information data and ensuring that others with access to the personal information data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluation by third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adapted for the particular types of personal information data being collected and/or accessed and adapted to applicable laws and standards, including jurisdiction-specific considerations. For instance, in the US, collection of or access to certain health data may be governed by federal and/or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); whereas health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly. Hence different privacy practices should be maintained for different personal data types in each country.
Despite the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates embodiments in which users selectively block the use of, or access to, personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, in the case of storing a user profile for operation of the devices disclosed herein, the present technology can be configured to allow users to select to “opt in” or “opt out” of participation in the collection of personal information data during registration for services or anytime thereafter. In another example, users can select not to provide data regarding usage of specific applications. In yet another example, users can select to limit the length of time that application usage data is maintained or entirely prohibit the development of an application usage profile. In addition to providing “opt in” and “opt out” options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notifications relating to the access or use of personal information. For instance, a user may be notified upon downloading an app that their personal information data will be accessed and then reminded again just before personal information data is accessed by the app.
Moreover, it is the intent of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and handled in a way to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risk can be minimized by limiting the collection of data and deleting data once it is no longer needed. In addition, and when applicable, including in certain health related applications, data de-identification can be used to protect a user's privacy. De-identification may be facilitated, when appropriate, by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of data stored (e.g., collecting location data at a city level rather than at an address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data across users), and/or other methods.
Therefore, although the present disclosure broadly covers use of personal information data to implement one or more various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the various embodiments can also be implemented without the need for accessing such personal information data. That is, the various embodiments of the present technology are not rendered inoperable due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data. For example, user preference information may be determined each time the tether system 770 is used, such as by entering user preferences in real time, and without subsequently storing the information or associating with the particular user.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/356,743 filed on Jun. 29, 2022, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63356743 | Jun 2022 | US |
