Abstract: The invention concerns a method (200) and control system (100) for alerting a user of a mobile communication device (110). The method includes the steps of receiving (216) a communication request at the mobile communication device in a vehicle (114), detecting (224) whether a predetermined vehicle condition is present in response to the receipt of the communication request, assigning (226) a predetermined alert mode based on the presence of a predetermined vehicle condition and alerting (234) a user of the mobile communication device of the communication request in accordance with the assigned predetermined alert mode.

Abstract: A system (100) and method (200) for preventing unauthorized use of a device (114). The system (100) includes a biometric reader (110) and an authentication unit (112). The biometric reader (110) measures a biometric characteristic and transmits the measured biometric characteristic to the authentication unit (112) over a communications link (118). The device (114) is embedded within a garment (116), and the authentication unit (112) transmits an authorizing signal to the device (114) when the authentication unit (112) biometrically identifies a user. In one arrangement, the authentication unit (112) can include a database (134) for storing authorized biometric samples. The authentication unit (112) can compare the measured biometric characteristic with the authorized biometric samples when the authentication unit (112) receives the measured biometric characteristic from the biometric reader (110).

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus (100) for indication of a charging condition. The apparatus includes an indication circuit (126) having at least one electromagnet (120) and a charge control circuit (128) for controlling charging current to a portable device (110). The indication circuit causes the apparatus to electromagnetically engage the portable device and the charge control circuit provides charging current to the portable device during the engagement. The indication circuit also causes the apparatus to electromagnetically decouple the portable device when the portable device is charged to a predetermined level to permit a user to remove the portable device from the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention concerns a connector (110). The connector includes at least one tunnel (124) having a first portion (126) and a second portion (128) and at least one pin (120). At least a portion of the pin is positioned within the tunnel. The first portion of the tunnel has a first inner surface (140). The first inner surface forces at least a portion of the pin in at least a first predetermined direction as the connector engages a corresponding connector (112). Contaminants are at least partially removed from at least one of the pin and the corresponding connector as the first inner surface forces the pin in the first predetermined direction.

Abstract: A charging system (100) for charging electronic devices. The charging system (100) includes a power distributor (110) and a power receiver (112) in which the power distributor (110) transfers power to the power receiver (112) when the power receiver (112) engages the power distributor (110). The power receiver (112) induces a charging current in an article that is supported by the power receiver (112). The power receiver (112) can include an inductor plate (146) having a first charging coil (148), and the article can be a garment (156) having an embedded electronic device (158). The garment (156) can include a second charging coil (162), and the first charging coil (148) can induce the charging current in the second charging coil (162).