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US 8,427,304 B2Granted
Proximity system for portable electronic devices and associated methods for operating the same
AssigneeAndy Wike
InventorAndy Wike
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A proximity system for a portable electronic device includes a base unit including a first proximity module, and a locator unit carried by the portable electronic device. The locator unit includes a controller, and a motion sensor coupled to the controller for determining if the portable electronic device is in motion. A second proximity module is coupled to the controller and is configured to cooperate with the first proximity module for determining if the portable electronic device is within a predetermined range of the base unit. The controller activates a return-to-base indicator if the portable electronic device is not in motion and is not positioned within the predetermined range of the base unit.
Claims28
A proximity system for a portable electronic device comprising:
- a base unit comprising a first proximity module configured to operate within a predetermined range of said base unit, said first proximity module comprising a transmitter;
- and
- a locator unit carried by the portable electronic device and comprising
- a controller,
- a motion sensor coupled to said controller for determining if the portable electronic device is being carried by a user indicating that the portable electronic device is in use while in motion,
- a second proximity module coupled to said controller and configured to cooperate with said first proximity module for determining if the portable electronic device is within the predetermined range of said base unit, said second proximity module comprising a receiver, and
- a return-to-base indicator coupled to said controller,
- said controller configured to activate said return-to-base indicator if the portable electronic device is not in motion, and the portable electronic device is not positioned within the predetermined range of said base unit;
- said base unit being configured to hold the portable electronic device in a substantially vertical position when returned thereto;
- and
- said locator unit further comprising an orientation sensor cooperating with said motion sensor for determining if the portable electronic device is in the substantially vertical position or in a substantially horizontal position.
8 more elements
A proximity system for a remote control comprising:
- a base unit comprising a first RF module;
- and
- a locator unit carried by the remote control and comprising
- an enclosure,
- an adhesive layer for attaching said enclosure to the remote control,
- a controller within said enclosure,
- a motion sensor within said enclosure and coupled to said controller for determining if the remote control is in motion,
- a second RF module within said enclosure and coupled to said controller and configured to cooperate with said first RF module for determining if the remote control is within a predetermined range of said base unit, and
- a return-to-base indicator within said enclosure and coupled to said controller,
- said controller configured to activate said return-to-base indicator if the remote control is not in motion, and the remote control is not positioned within the predetermined range of said base unit.
7 more elements
A method for operating a proximity system for a portable electronic device, the proximity system comprising a base unit comprising a first proximity module and a locator unit carried by the portable electronic device, the locator unit comprising a controller, a motion sensor coupled to the controller and a second proximity module coupled to the controller, the method comprising:
- operating the first proximity module within the base unit, the first proximity module comprising a transmitter;
- operating the motion sensor within the locator unit for determining if the portable electronic device is being carried by a user indicating that the portable electronic device is in use while in motion;
- operating the second proximity module within the locator unit to cooperate with the first proximity module for determining if the portable electronic device is within a predetermined range of the base unit, the second proximity module comprising a receiver;
- and
- operating the controller to activate a return-to-base indicator if the portable electronic device is not in motion, and the portable electronic device is not positioned within the predetermined range of the base unit;
- holding the portable electronic device in a substantially vertical position when returned to the base unit;
- and
- determining if the portable electronic device is in the substantially vertical position or in a substantially horizontal position based on the locator unit further comprising an orientation sensor cooperating with the motion sensor.
5 more elements
A proximity system for a portable electronic device comprising:
- a base unit comprising a first proximity module configured to operate within a predetermined range of said base unit, said first proximity module comprising a transmitter;
- and
- a locator unit carried by the portable electronic device and comprising
- a controller,
- a motion sensor coupled to said controller for determining if the portable electronic device is being carried by a user indicating that the portable electronic device is in use while in motion,
- a second proximity module coupled to said controller and configured to cooperate with said first proximity module for determining if the portable electronic device is within the predetermined range of said base unit, said second proximity module comprising a receiver, and
- a return-to-base indicator coupled to said controller,
- said controller configured to activate said return-to-base indicator if the portable electronic device is not in motion, and the portable electronic device is not positioned within the predetermined range of said base unit, and further comprising a timer for deactivating said return-to-base indicator when active if after a notification period the portable electronic device is still not in motion, or the portable electronic device is still not positioned within the predetermined range of said base unit.
5 more elements
A proximity system for a portable electronic device comprising:
- a base unit comprising a first proximity module configured to operate within a predetermined range of said base unit, said first proximity module comprising a transmitter;
- and
- a locator unit carried by the portable electronic device and comprising
- a controller,
- a motion sensor coupled to said controller for determining if the portable electronic device is being carried by a user indicating that the portable electronic device is in use while in motion,
- a second proximity module coupled to said controller and configured to cooperate with said first proximity module for determining if the portable electronic device is within the predetermined range of said base unit, said second proximity module comprising a receiver,
- a return-to-base indicator coupled to said controller,
- said controller configured to activate said return-to-base indicator if the portable electronic device is not in motion, and the portable electronic device is not positioned within the predetermined range of said base unit,
- a timer with a user input for deactivating said return-to-base indicator for a do-not-disturb period.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.