Notification and command charging apparatus and methods of performing the same
AssigneeHand Held Products, Inc.
InventorLarry Blumer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Provided are methods and apparatuses for providing a visual notification indicative of a status of a mobile device and controlling a function of the mobile device while charging the mobile device. The apparatus may receive electronic information indicative of a status of the mobile device. The apparatus may determine the status of the mobile device based on the electronic information indicative of the status of the mobile device. The apparatus may provide a visual notification based on the status and configure a command button to control the function of the mobile device based on the status. Further, in response to actuation of the command button, the apparatus may instruct the mobile device to perform the function.
Claims20
An apparatus for charging a mobile device, the apparatus comprising:
- a housing;
- charging circuitry configured to charge the mobile device;
- communications circuitry configured to receive first electronic information indicative of a first status of the mobile device and to receive second electronic information indicative of a second status of the mobile device during a connected period in which the mobile device is connected to the charging circuitry, wherein the first status and the second status are different;
- a first light source configured, during the connected period, to provide a first visual notification indicative of the first status of the mobile device;
- a second light source configured, during the connected period, to provide a second visual notification indicative of the second status of the mobile device, wherein the first visual notification and the second visual notification are different;
- a first command button configured, during the connected period, to control a first function of the mobile device, wherein the first function is associated with the first status of the mobile device;
- and
- a second command button configured, during the connected period, to control a second function of the mobile device, wherein the second function is associated with the second status of the mobile device, wherein the first function and the second function are different,
- wherein the communications circuitry is further configured, during the connected period, to transmit, to the mobile device in response to a first actuation of the first command button, a first control signal that instructs the mobile device to perform the first function, and
- wherein the communications circuitry is further configured, during the connected period, to transmit, to the mobile device in response to a second actuation of the second command button, a second control signal that instructs the mobile device to perform the second function.
An apparatus for providing a visual notification indicative of a status of a mobile device and controlling a function of the mobile device, the apparatus comprising:
- a housing;
- charging circuitry configured to charge the mobile device;
- communications circuitry configured to receive, from the mobile device, electronic information indicative of a status of the mobile device during a connected period in which the mobile device is connected to the charging circuitry, wherein the communications circuitry is further configured to transmit, to the mobile device, a control signal that instructs the mobile device to perform a function;
- a light source configured to provide a visual notification;
- a command button configured, during the connected period, to control a function of the mobile device;
- and
- a processor in communication with the charging circuitry, the communications circuitry, the light source, and the command button, wherein the processor is configured, during the connected period in which the mobile device is connected to the charging circuitry, to
- receive, from the communications circuitry, the electronic information indicative of the status of the mobile device,
- determine the status of the mobile device based on the electronic information indicative of the status of the mobile device,
- transmit, to the light source, an instruction to provide the visual notification based on the status,
- configure the command button to control the function of the mobile device wherein the function is associated with the status,
- receive, in response to an actuation of the command button by a user, an electronic signal indicative of the actuation of the command button by the user, and
- transmit, to the communications circuitry in response to the electronic signal indicative of the actuation of the command button, the control signal that instructs the mobile device to perform the function.
A method for providing a visual notification indicative of a status of a mobile device and controlling a function of the mobile device, the method comprising:
- charging, by charging circuitry, the mobile device;
- and
- during a connected period in which the mobile device is connected to the charging circuitry, the method further comprises:
- receiving, from communications circuitry, a status signal indicative of the status of the mobile device,
- determining, by processing circuitry, the status of the mobile device based on the status signal,
- transmitting, to a light source, an instruction to provide the visual notification based on the status,
- configuring a command button to control the function of the mobile device based on the status,
- receiving, in response to an actuation of the command button by a user, an electronic signal indicative of the actuation of the command button, and
- transmitting, to the communications circuitry, a control signal that instructs the mobile device to perform the function.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.