Smartphone dock reminder for vehicles

摘要

A system and method for reminding a user to dock a mobile device in a docking apparatus within a vehicle are provided. A docking apparatus includes: one or more sensors for determining whether an object is present in the docking apparatus; and at least one of speakers, a vibration mechanism, and one or more display indicators for reminding a user to place the mobile device in the docking apparatus when the one or more sensors determine that an object is not present in the docking apparatus. A system includes the docking apparatus and a mobile device. The method includes receiving an indication that the vehicle ignition is turned on; determining whether the mobile device is in a docking apparatus; and reminding the user to dock the mobile device in the docking apparatus.

主权项

1. A docking apparatus for holding a mobile device during operation of a vehicle, the docking apparatus comprising:
one or more sensors, configured to detect whether the mobile device is present in the docking apparatus; an output device from the group consisting of speakers, a vibration mechanism, and one or more display indicators, the output device being configure to provide a reminder to a user to place the mobile device in the docking apparatus; a communication interface, configured to communicate with a telematics unit of the vehicle to receive an indication from the telematics unit that the vehicle ignition is started; and a processor; and a non-transitory, computer-readable medium having processor-executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, facilitate the docking apparatus performing a method including;
determining, based on the one or more sensors and the indication received from the telematics unit, that the vehicle ignition was started without the mobile device being placed in the docking apparatus; andcausing, in response to determining that the vehicle ignition was started without the mobile device being placed in the docking apparatus, the output device to provide a reminder to the user to place the mobile device in the docking apparatus.