Abstract:
A portable electronic device docking station adapted for use in a vehicle provides a securement mechanism, electrical power connection, and communication synchronization system to enable hands-free use of the portable electronic device while attached thereto. The docking station also enables communication with other electronic devices GPS function. The station enables a user to exercise command and control of any synchronized device.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention is a continuation of, was first described in, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/032,806, filed Aug. 4, 2014, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a docking station for holding and enabling recharging of a portable electronic device and adapted for use in a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Street and highway safety is at the forefront of concerns when speaking in regards to public safety. With the ever increasing volume of cars on the road, deaths, and injuries resulting from traffic accidents continue to be an all too common occurrence. While some of these accidents are related to weather, poor driving conditions, mechanical failure, and the like, many are due to distracted driving, primarily from using, talking, or texting on a mobile telephone. Even though hands-free features have helped somewhat, the phone must be positioned so that it can be seen without being held. Of course there are also many phones without hands-free capability as well. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which hands-free functionality can be provided to almost any type of mobile telephone or smart phone in a manner that addresses the above concerns. The use of the docking station provides the ability to enjoy all features of a mobile telephone or smart phone in a hands-free and safe manner regardless of the phone&#39;s internal capabilities. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide such a docking station, including a base having a camera mounted within a front face, a memory card slot located on a periphery, a microphone also located on the periphery, and an interface cable located on said periphery thereof. The memory card slot is capable of electrically connecting a memory card thereto. The camera, the memory card slot, the microphone, and the interface cable are each configured to be in electrical communication with an external power source. The docking station also has a mounting bracket retained within a cavity of the base capable of being affixed to a support structure. A tray with a sill forming a trough is capable of supporting a portable electronic device in either a generally vertical of generally horizontal orientation. A flexible and adjustable stem attaches the tray to the base. The tray further includes a pair of side adjustment means located on opposing sides configured to adjustably secure opposing sides of the portable electronic device, and a top adjustment means located on a top configured to adjustably secure a top of the portable electronic device. 
     In at least one (1) embodiment, electronic circuitry is also located within the base and configured to be in electrical communication with the camera, the memory card slot, the microphone, and the interface cable. A power cord is configured to be in electrical communication with an external power source and a power switch is in electrical communication between the said power cord and the electronic circuitry. 
     In at least one (1) embodiment, the electronic circuitry comprises voice recognition circuitry to receive a voice command and selectively control said camera, said memory card slot; and said portable electronic device. 
     In at least one (1) embodiment, electronic circuitry commands the camera to record an image, convert it to data, and transfer the data to the memory card. In the event the memory card is full, the electrical circuitry commands the memory card to delete sufficient oldest data in order to transfer said image thereto. 
     It is a further object of the tray to further include a reveal extending generally upward and outward at an obtuse angle from the sill to retain a portion of a lower end of the portable electronic device. 
     It is a further object of the tray to have a tray aperture configured to permit routing of the interface cable therethrough. In at least one (1) embodiment, the aperture is a slot configured to have a width generally coextensive with a width of the portable electronic device in order to accommodate different sizes of connectors and different locations on the portable electronic device to connect to. 
     It is another object of the invention to have a knuckle connecting a second end of the stem to the tray. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide specific features for the pair of side adjustment means and the top adjustment means. Such features may include at least one (1) rod adjustment mount extending outward from the tray, each including a rod clamp, a stabilizer plate, and at least one (1) support rod, each extending outward from the stabilizer plate and slidably attached to an individual rod clamp. Each rod clamp secures an individual support rod such that the stabilizer plate is positioned at a distance relative to the tray. Each stabilizer plate further includes a pad located on a surface facing said tray to protect the portable electronic device during movement and contact of each of the pair of side adjustment means and top adjustment means. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a docking station  10  for a portable electronic device  200  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the apparatus  10  as viewed from the rear in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3 a    is an isolated view of a rod adjustment mount  75  on a tray  70  of the apparatus  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3 b    is an isolated view of an auxiliary aperture  100  in a sill  85  of the apparatus  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an operational block diagram of the apparatus  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart depicting the operational sequence provided by the apparatus  10  in according with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  docking station 
               20  base 
               25  mounting aperture 
               30  mounting fastener 
               35  camera 
               40  memory card slot 
               45  power cord 
               47  microphone 
               50  interface cable 
               55  communication/charging connector 
               60  adjustable stem 
               65  knuckle 
               70  tray 
               75  rod adjustment mount 
               80  rod clamp 
               85  sill 
               90  reveal 
               95  trough 
               100  auxiliary aperture 
               105  first stabilizer 
               110  rod housing 
               115  horizontal support rod 
               120  second stabilizer 
               125  stabilizer inner face 
               130  pad 
               135  top stabilizer 
               140  vertical support rod 
               145  electronic circuitry 
               150  voice recognition circuit 
               155  electronic device interface circuit 
               200  portable electronic device 
               300  first functional block 
               305  second functional block 
               310  third functional block 
               315  first operational block 
               320  fourth functional block 
               325  second operational block 
               330  fifth functional block 
               335  sixth functional block 
               340  seventh functional block 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 5 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one (1) of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a portable electronic device  200  docking station (herein referred to as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a means to secure a portable electronic device  200  to a support structure such as a dashboard, or other permanent structure, within a vehicle in a prominent position so as to allow the operator of that vehicle, or a passenger therein, to operate that portable electronic device  200  in a voice-activated mode. In the ensuing discussion, the front, or the face, of the apparatus  10  will refer to that portion into which the portable electronic device  200  is inserted and retained, while the rear, or back, will refer to that side opposite from the projection of a sill  85  from a tray  70   
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an isometric view of a front face, and  FIG. 2 , an isometric view of a rear face of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  includes a base  20  having a forward-facing camera and a memory card slot  40 , a microphone  47 , a tray  70  with a sill  85  intended for the support of a portable electronic device  200  in a more or less vertical orientation, and a flexible, adjustable stem  60 . It is appreciated that an embodiment of the apparatus  10  can be used with a portable electronic device  200  oriented in a general horizontal orientation with the same features still applying. The base  20  is configured to be generally a truncated, conical shape, of sufficient diameter and height to accommodate the electronic devices intended to be housed therein, with an internal cavity capable of receiving a mounting bracket (not shown). The upper surface of the base  20  is preferably planar and perpendicular to a central axis thereof. In alternate embodiments the upper surface may be hemispherical or arcuate with an orientation other than perpendicular to a central axis. All points on a lower edge of the base  20  would be coplanar. It is envisioned that the base  20  will be permanently fixed to the dashboard, or other structure, with a mounting bracket. Disposed upon the surface of the base  20 , preferably at diametrically opposite locations, will be at least two (2) mounting apertures  25 . The mounting apertures  25  will be provided with mounting fasteners  30  for securing the base  20  to the mounting bracket (not shown), preferably by means of a threaded engagement of the mounting fasteners  30  into the mounting bracket. In an alternate embodiment, another technique may be employed to attach the base  20  to the mounting bracket, such as with the use of set screws or the like. The base  20  may be composed of a stamped, or cast, metal having a protective coating, or plating, to inhibit corrosion as well as increasing aesthetic appeal. It is understood that other materials, such as rigid thermoplastics, may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . A camera  35  will be mounted within a portion of the base  20 , preferably in a location which would yield a forward-facing vantage point as seen by an operator. The camera  35  may be any of a variety of commercially available, low-voltage, digital video image capturing devices, equipped with a wide angle lens, capable of transmitting data to a digital memory card. A memory card slot  40 , containing all necessary electro-mechanical devices necessary to receive, place data onto, and eject a standard, commercially available memory card, will be located at some point along the periphery of the base  20 . Disposed along a forward portion of the base  20  is a power cord  45  with a jack at a first end, configured to be inserted into a standard power receptacle of the vehicle. An interface cable  50  is also attached at a first end to some portion of the base  20  and terminates at a second end with a communication/charging connector  55  for selectively providing power necessary to recharge any power supply inside of the portable electronic device  200 . 
     A first end of an adjustable stem  60  is affixed to a top surface of the base  20 . The adjustable stem  60  is an interconnected, segmented, tubular structure used to support the tray  70 , and thus the portable electronic device  200 , in a spatially adjustable configuration relative to the base  20 . The adjustable stem  60  is preferably composed of metallic segments with a polymer covering secured at both ends. A second end of the adjustable stem  60  is secured to a rear face of the tray  70  at a knuckle  65 . The knuckle  65  is configured to be a rigid union between some projecting feature on the rear face of the tray  70  and an adaptive connector disposed at the second end of the adjustable stem  60 . In an alternate embodiment the knuckle  65  may be provided with some measure of flexibility by utilizing a ball-and-socket joint. 
     The tray  70  is configured to be planar along a front face for the disposition of the portable electronic device  200 . The tray  70  is preferably composed of a rigid thermoplastic material and formed in an injection molding process and as such may be presented in a wide variety of colors and surface texture patterns to suit the taste of a user. It is understood that other materials, such as die cast metals, may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . Disposed along a lower edge of the tray  70  and projecting perpendicularly therefrom is a sill  85  formed as an integral part of the tray  70 . The sill  85  is of a sufficient depth to accommodate one (1) of a variety of portable electronic devices  200  supported thereon. Attached to the sill  85 , and projecting therefrom at an obtuse angle is a reveal 90. The reveal 90 is configured to be of an appropriate height to retain a lower end of a portable electronic device  200  on the sill  85 . The space defined by the front face of the tray  70 , the upper surface of the sill  85 , and a rear face of the reveal 90 is a trough  95 . The trough  95  is configured to be a convergent space from top to bottom. It is this trough  95  which actually accepts a lower end of the portable electronic device  200  for retention. An auxiliary aperture  100 , as seen in  FIG. 3 b   , is disposed in the sill  85  to accommodate the insertion of the communication/charging connector  55  of the interface cable  50  into a charging receptacle on the portable electronic device  200 . The auxiliary aperture  100  is configured to be a slot sufficiently long to provide for a variability of locations of such a charging receptacle on a variety of portable electronic devices  200 . 
     A plurality of rod adjustment mounts  75  is disposed, preferably in a uniform pattern, on a rear face of the tray  70  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . These rod adjustment mounts  75  accommodate the insertion of cylindrical horizontal support rods  115  of a first stabilizer  105  and a second stabilizer  120  as well as a vertical support rod  140  of a top stabilizer  135 . The rod adjustment mounts  75  are each provided with a rod clamp  80  which is a friction device intended to secure the relative positions of the horizontal support rods  115  and the vertical support rod  140 . It is envisioned that the rod clamps  80 , as more clearly depicted in  FIG. 3 a   , would be comprised of a thermoplastic material, so as to obviate scoring of the support rods  115 ,  140 , having an internal diameter appropriately sized to result in a slight interference fit with the diameter of the support rods  115 ,  140 . The first stabilizer  105  and the second stabilizer  120  are each generally rectangular polyhedrons with at least two (2) rod housings  110  disposed along a rear face thereof. The rod housings  110  are each configured to receive and retain a horizontal support rod  115  within a cylindrical cavity (not shown) therein. The horizontal support rods  115  are each composed of a rigid thermoplastic, or metallic, cylinder. The first stabilizer  105  and the second stabilizer  120  are preferably composed of a rigid thermoplastic and formed in an injection molding process. Disposed along a stabilizer inner face  125  of each stabilizer  105 ,  120  is at least one (1) pad  130 . The pad  130  is composed of rubber, or a rubber-like material, intended to present a resilient, high-friction surface for the retention of the portable electronic device  200 . The first stabilizer  105  is intended to be attached to a first side of the tray  70  by the insertion of the horizontal support rods  105  into the rod adjustment mounts  75 . The second stabilizer  120  is attached in a symmetrical manner to a second side of the tray by the insertion of the horizontal support rods  105  retained within the rod housings  110  of the second stabilizer  120  into the rod adjustment mounts  75 . 
     A top stabilizer  135  is configured to be a rigid thermoplastic rectangular polyhedron with preferably one (1) rod housing  110  disposed along a rear face in a manner similar to the first stabilizer  105  and the second stabilizer  120 . The rod housing  110  of the top stabilizer  135  will receive and retain a vertical support rod  140 . The top stabilizer  135  is attached to an upper end of the tray  70  by the insertion of the vertical support rod  140  retained within the rod housing  110  into the rod adjustment mount  75 . In use, a portable electronic device  200 , such as a smart phone, is inserted into the trough  95  and placed upon the sill  85  with a rear face of the portable electronic device  200  in contact and supported in part by the vertical front face of the tray  70 . The first stabilizer  105  and the second stabilizer  120  are adjusted in turn to fit snugly against the vertical side edges of the portable electronic device  200 . The top stabilizer  135  is then adjusted to fit snugly against the upper edge of the portable electronic device  200 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an operational block diagram of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. All electrical power to the apparatus  10 , but not necessarily to the portable electronic device  200 , is supplied via the power cord  45 . The electronic circuitry  145  within the base  20  is in electrical communication with the power cord  45 , the interface cable  50 , the camera  35 , the microphone  47 , and the memory card slot  40 . Prior to operating the vehicle, a user would check the battery charge level of the portable electronic device  200 , place the portable electronic device  200  into the apparatus  10  as previously described, insert a memory card into the memory card slot  40 , and connect the power cord  45  of the apparatus  10  to a standard power receptacle within the vehicle. If the battery of the portable electronic device  200  requires immediate recharging, then the user would insert the communication/charging connector  55  of the interface cable  50  into the charge receptacle of the portable electronic device  200 . This may require routing portions of the interface cable  50  through the auxiliary aperture  100  in the sill  85 . When electrical power is supplied to the apparatus  10  the electrical circuitry  145  energizes the camera  35  and the memory card slot  40 . The camera  35  begins to record images available from that vantage point and transfers the data to the memory card in the memory card slot  40 . When the memory card has been filled to available capacity, the electronic circuitry  145  signals the memory card slot  40  to rewrite the oldest image in a continuous loop format. Such a format ensures that the latest image captured by the camera  35  are always available for subsequent viewing. 
     It is envisioned that alternate embodiments may be equipped with ON/OFF switches for selectively activating and deactivating the electronic circuitry  145 . Various inputs from the camera  35  and/or the microphone  47  are provided as an input signal to the electronic circuitry  145 . Output actions by the electronic circuitry  145  will be performed based upon internal operating sequences to be described herein below. Voice signals are sent to a voice recognition circuit  150  for further processing. Actionable events from the voice recognition circuit  150  are returned to the electronic circuitry  145  as appropriate. Video signals are passed to the memory card slot  40  for storage as aforementioned described. Control signals are returned from the memory card slot  40  to the electronic circuitry  145  as required to indicate capacity as well as possible viewing on the portable electronic device  200  by passing the video signals along the interface cable  50  and the communication/charging connector  55 . It is envisioned that the apparatus  10  will work with a wide variety of manufacturer&#39;s makes and models of various portable electronic devices  200 , all of which requires varying input and output parameters of the communication/charging connector  55 . This variable control is accomplished by an electronic device interface circuit  155  which conditions the input/output signals that are passed along the interface cable  50  and subsequently the communication/charging connector  55 . 
     Referring finally to  FIG. 5 , a flow chart depicting the operational sequence provided by the apparatus  10  in according with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted. The sequence is initiated at a first functional block  300  which obtains the analog voice signal from the microphone  47  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ). A second functional block  305  then passes the signal along the voice recognition circuit  150  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ). The digital command, if any, is obtained at a third functional block  310 . A first operational block  315  then determines if the command is actionable. A negative response returns control the first functional block  300 , while a positive response then results in a logic sequence being performed at a fourth functional block  320 . It is then necessary to determine if the resultant logic sequence needs to be performed internal to the apparatus  10 , such as control of the camera  35  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) or external to the apparatus  10  such as texting, phone communication, or the like as performed by the portable electronic device  200  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). Said decision is performed at a second operational block  325 . A negative response results in said action being performed by the electronic circuitry  145  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) at a fifth functional block  330 , while a positive response requires further conditioning of the command at a sixth functional block  335  by the interface circuit  155  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) prior to sending the conditioned command at a seventh functional block  340 , whereupon logic control returns the first functional block  300  in a cyclical manner. 
     In accordance with the invention, the illustrated embodiment can be utilized by an enabled user in a simple and straightforward manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring a model of the apparatus  10  having a desired style to suit the taste of a user; installing the mounting bracket permanently to the dashboard, or other suitable surface, at the discretion of the user; mounting the base  20  to the mounting bracket by adjusting the mounting fasteners  30 ; checking the battery charge level of the portable electronic device  200 ; placing the portable electronic device  200  into the apparatus  10  as previously discussed; adjusting the first stabilizer  105 , the second stabilizer  120 , and the top stabilizer  135  for a secure fit of the portable electronic device  200  in the apparatus; inserting a memory card into the memory card slot  40 ; connecting the power cord  45  to a convenient standard power receptacle in the vehicle; connecting the interface cable  50  to the portable electronic device  200  if the battery requires recharging; activating the portable electronic device  200  and driving normally while utilizing the portable electronic device  200  in a hands-free, voice-activated manner. Various commands will be performed internal to the apparatus  10  such as camera  35  control of the memory card slot  40 . Other commands will be passed to the portable electronic device  200  via the interface cable  50  and the communication/charging connector  55 . The portable electronic device  200  should be removed from the apparatus  10  upon arriving at the desired destination. Subsequent utilization of the apparatus  10  would not require those steps involved with the original installation. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.