Patent Publication Number: US-2021170958-A1

Title: Morphing surface apparatus and related methods

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosure herein relates to a morphing surface device cradle. 
     TECHNICAL BACKGROUND 
     Common experience of modern vehicles is dealing with keyless entry fobs and smart phones. Key fobs with a low battery require specific placement in the vehicle to function. Since this need is rare, it can challenge the user when it occurs since they may not be aware of where to place the fob or other similar devices. Current strategies include a dedicated molded pocket inside a center console storage or a specific pocket accessed by removing a trim piece or insert. 
     In addition, cell phones have charging options in vehicles, which now includes inductive charging. The cell phones have a variety of sizes which can make placing them receptacles challenging. Current strategies include an integrated (or aftermarket) mechanical clamp that can be adjusted to accommodate some devices, or an open storage tray where the device has negligible restraint. 
     What is needed is a better way to provide a shared space for both devices such as key fobs and cell phones, which would benefit the user experience. 
     SUMMARY 
     An apparatus comprising two or more projection members movable from at least a first position and a second position and from the second position to the first position, in the first position the projection members are recessed below an auxiliary surface having an outer skin, the projection members projected through the auxiliary surface in the second position, in the second position the projection members stretching the outer skin away from the auxiliary surface and creating a pocket, the pocket configured to retain at least one device therein, the at least one device including at least one of a key fob and cell phone. 
     In one or more embodiments, further comprising four projection members having a generally rectangular shape in the second position. 
     In one or more embodiments, further comprising a sensor disposed adjacent the pocket, the sensor configured to sense proximity of the at least one device. 
     In one or more embodiments, further comprising at least one illumination source disposed adjacent to the pocket. 
     In one or more embodiments, the at least one illumination source is disposed below the auxiliary surface. 
     In one or more embodiments, at least one illumination source disposed adjacent to the projection members. 
     In one or more embodiments, the at least one illumination source is disposed below the auxiliary surface. 
     In one or more embodiments, a method comprises moving two or more projection members from a first position to a second position, in the first position the two or more projection members are recessed below an auxiliary surface having an outer skin, the two or more projection members projected through the auxiliary surface in the second position, in the second position the two or more projection members stretching the outer skin away from the auxiliary surface, creating a pocket with the two or more projection members to retain at least one of a key fob or cell phone therein. 
     In one or more embodiments, further comprising illuminating the pocket with at least one illumination source disposed adjacent to the pocket. 
     In one or more embodiments, illuminating the pocket includes illuminating with at least one illumination source disposed below the auxiliary surface. 
     In one or more embodiments, further comprising illuminating the projection members with at least one illumination source disposed adjacent to the pocket. 
     In one or more embodiments, illuminating the projection members includes illuminating with at least one illumination source disposed below the auxiliary surface. 
     In one or more embodiments, further comprising moving the projection members from the second position to the first position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an auxiliary surface, as constructed in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an apparatus, as constructed in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an apparatus, as constructed in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an apparatus, as constructed in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an apparatus, as constructed in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an apparatus, as constructed in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an apparatus, as constructed in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
     
    
    
     These and other embodiments, aspects, advantages, and features of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following description of the invention and referenced drawings or by practice of the invention. The aspects, advantages, and features of the invention are realized and attained by the instrumentalities, procedures, and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the apparatus may be practiced. These embodiments, which are also referred to herein as “examples” or “options,” are described in enough detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present embodiments. The embodiments may be combined, other embodiments may be utilized, or structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 
     Morphing surface technology could be applied to a vehicle interior to create a functional cradle for either key fob or smart devices, which reveals itself only when needed. The cradle could be created by a few strategies, which include protruding ribs from the main surface to frame the device around all or most of its perimeter or creating a recess to hold the device. The mechanism that creates the cradle could be designed such that it accommodates multiple device sizes. Additionally, illuminated graphics could bring more attention to the feature when it is active, helping guide the user to place their device. In the circumstance of a low battery keyfob, which is detected by the access system, the cradle can be automatically revealed in a size appropriate for the keyfob. This could supplement additional messages shown on the vehicle information displays. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , in one or more embodiments, an apparatus  100  includes two or more projection members  120  movable from at least a first position and a second position and from the second position to the first position. In the first position, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the projection members are recessed below an auxiliary surface  112  having an outer skin  110 . In the second position, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the projection members  120  are projected through the auxiliary surface  112 , and in the second position the projection members  120  stretch the outer skin  110  away from the auxiliary surface and creating a pocket  130 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , where the pocket  130  is configured to retain at least one device  190  therein, as shown in  FIGS. 3, 5, and 7 . The at least one device  190  includes, but is not limited to, a key fob, a smart device, and/or a cell phone. The projection members  120  forming the pocket or cradle can be on a geric surface of a vehicle, such as, but not limited to, a vehicle center console. 
     In one or more embodiments, multiple projection members  120  are provided, as shown in  FIGS. 5-7  to accommodate different sized devices. For example, if a larger device such as a smart phone, is sensed, the outer walls would extend up to accommodate the larger device. If a smaller device having a smaller footprint, such as a key fob, is sensed by sensor  160 , the inner walls would extend to fit the smaller size. 
     In one or more embodiments, the projection members  120  are movable within projection member guides  122  which can include a substrate. The projection members  120  can be moved along a ridge using solenoids or other small motors, for example. The projection members  120  are moved to an extended position where walls can be formed for the creating of the pocket  130 . In one or more embodiments, there are four projection members  120  which collectively, when raised up into the second position, form a square or rectangular shape to receive the device in the pocket  130 . 
     In one or more embodiments, the outer skin  110  is a stretchable, translucent surface material. In one or more embodiments, an illumination source  140  is disposed adjacent to the outer skin  110 , for example below the outer skin  110  such that the illumination source  140  can light up the outer skin  110  near the pocket and/or the projection members  120 . In one or more embodiments, the at least one illumination source  140  is disposed below the auxiliary surface  112 . In one or more embodiments, the at least one illumination source  140  includes a light guide. 
     The apparatus  100  further optionally includes at least one inductive charger  142  disposed adjacent to the pocket  130 . The sensor  160  senses whether the device  190  has a low battery, and a signal is sent to the charger  132  to provide a charge to the device  190  while the device  190  is disposed in the pocket  130 . The apparatus further optionally includes a printed circuit board (PCB)  150  to provide additional functionality. 
     Advantages of the system include potentially improving user experience by having a fob cradle reveal itself when needed, directly indicating where to place the fob; ability to securely position one or more smart device sizes, including a key fob, for purposes that include storage, charging, or connecting to the vehicle; and functional “wow” effect with function that supports current trend for minimalist interior styling. 
     The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading and understanding the above description. Embodiments discussed in different portions of the description or referred to in different drawings can be combined to form additional embodiments of the present application. The scope should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.