CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of United States Patent Application 63/391,165, filed on July 21, 2022, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to object supports.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Some environments have few locations where an occupant may securely place an object. As an example, occupants of vehicles typically hold the object or place the object in a predetermined location, such as a cup holder, that may be inconvenient.

SUMMARY

[0004] One aspect of the disclosure is an object support that includes a table, an accessory housing, and a cover. The table is connectable to a vehicle, the table having a top surface and a channel defined in the top surface, the channel extending curvilinearly at least partially around a central portion of the top surface of the table, wherein the table is rotatable relative to the vehicle about a table axis. The accessory housing is disposed in the channel, wherein the accessory housing is configured to receive an object. The cover connectable to the table and is configured to selectively cover a portion of the channel.

[0005] Another aspect of the disclosure is a vehicle that includes an interior and a table that is located in the interior. The table includes a top surface and a channel defined in the top surface and extending at least partially around a table axis to define a profile on the top surface, the table axis extending through a central portion of the top surface and in a direction generally orthogonal to the top surface. An accessory housing is connectable to the table at one or more locations within the channel, the accessory housing configured to receive an object. A cover is connectable to the table to cover a portion of the channel, the cover having a geometry that matches a portion of the profile of the channel. The table is rotatable relative to the interior about the table axis. [0006] Another aspect of the disclosure is a table that includes a base and a tabletop rotatably connected to the base. The tabletop includes a top surface, and a channel defined in the top surface and extending continuously along the top surface to define a circular profile on the top surface. An accessory housing is disposable within the channel at one or more locations, the one or more locations including a receiving space configured to receive the accessory housing. A cover has a geometry that matches a portion of the circular profile of the channel, wherein the cover is connected to the tabletop adjacent to the channel, and the cover is moveable along the channel to selectively cover a portion of the channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIGS. 1A-1D are schematic side view illustrations of a vehicle having a table in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view illustration of the vehicle of FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 3 A is a schematic front view of the vehicle showing another embodiment of the table in a first configuration.

[0010] FIG. 3B is a schematic front view of the vehicle showing the table of FIG. 3A in a second configuration.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a top view of the table of FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a top view of another embodiment of the table.

[0013] FIG. 6A is a partial cross-sectional view of the table of FIG. 1 taken along line A-A in FIG. 3 and including an accessory housing according to a first example.

[0014] FIG. 6B is a partial cross-sectional view of the table of FIG. 1 and including the accessory housing according to a second example.

[0015] FIG. 7A is a partial cross-sectional view of the table of FIG. 1 taken along line B-B in FIG. 3 and including a cover according to a first example.

[0016] FIG. 7B is a partial cross-sectional view of the table of FIG. 1 and including the cover according to a second example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] An occupant in an environment may choose to use an object. In a dynamic environment, such as a vehicle, occupants may benefit from convenient locations for placing and/or securing objects. The disclosure herein is directed to a table that is configured for use within an interior of a vehicle, such as within a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The table includes features that enable use of an object during travel. The table may also be configured such that the features are usable by multiple occupants positioned throughout the passenger compartment.

[0018] FIG. 1 A is a schematic side view illustration of a vehicle 100 that includes a passenger compartment 102 (e.g., an interior of the vehicle 100), seats 104, and a table 106. The table 106 and components that are associated with the table 106 define an object support, as will be described further herein. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view illustration of the vehicle 100 including the passenger compartment 102, the seats 104, and the table 106. The vehicle 100 may be a road going vehicle, such as a passenger automobile or a cargo vehicle, that includes features that are typically found in conventional examples of such vehicles, such as a frame, a body, wheels, a propulsion system, a steering system, a suspension system, and a battery. The passenger compartment 102 is defined within the body of the vehicle 100 and is configured to house passengers who are traveling in the vehicle 100. Such passengers may herein be referred to as occupants. The seats 104 and the table 106 are located within the passenger compartment 102. The seats 104 may include armrests 108 and may be provided in any suitable arrangement. For example, all of the seats 104 may face frontward. When implemented as frontward facing seats, as shown in FIG. IB, the seats 104 may be front row seats that are positioned adjacent to and facing an instrument panel 103a and a windshield 103b of the vehicle 100, with the table 106 between the seats 104 and the instrument panel 103a, and without intervening seats positioned between the seats 104 and the instrument panel 103a. Alternatively, when implemented as frontward facing seats, as shown in FIG. 1C the seats 104 may be located in a second or subsequent row of seats with the table 106 located between the seats 104 (e.g., a first row of seats) and another row of seats 105 (e.g., a second row of seats) that faces away from the seats 104. As another example, as shown in FIG. ID, some of the seats 104 may face forward and some of the seats 104 may face rearward, such that two rows of the seats 104 (e.g., a first row of seats and a second row of seats) face each other with the table 106 positioned between the two rows of the seats 104. Furthermore, the seats 104 may be moveable and/or reconfigurable (e.g., to face different directions, change position, and/or change shape, such as by reclining).

[0019] The table 106 may include a base 110 that is connected to the vehicle 100 and a tabletop 112 that is connected to the base 110. Tn some embodiments, base 110 may be fixedly connected to the vehicle 100 such as to allow minimal movement of the base 110 relative to the vehicle 100 during normal use. In other embodiments, the base 110 may be movable with respect to the vehicle 100. For example, the base 110 may be pivotally connected to the vehicle 100 to allow rotational movement of the base 110 relative to the vehicle 100. In the illustrated implementation, the base 110 is secured to a lower portion of the passenger compartment (i.e., a floor), by connection to a frame and/or body of the vehicle 100, either directly or indirectly. The base may be secured to the vehicle 100 by any conventional means, such as welding, fastening, clamping, or the like. The base 110 may be any geometry that is suitable to support the tabletop 112 during use. For example, the base 110 may be cylindrical (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), prismatic, frustoconical, or any other geometry. The base 110 may be formed from any generally rigid material that is suitable to support the tabletop 112 during use. For example, the base 110 may be formed from a polymer, a composite, wood, glass, metal, or combination thereof. In the illustrated implementation, the base 110 is a one-piece structure, but multi-part structures may be used. As an example, the base may have a multi-part telescoping arrangement by which the height of the tabletop 112 may be adjusted.

[0020] The tabletop 112 may include a top surface 114 on which an object 116 (e.g., at least one object) may be placed. In some embodiments, the top surface 114 may be planar (i.e., has minimal curvature). The tabletop 112 may be formed from any generally rigid material that is suitable to support the object 116 during use. For example, the tabletop 112 may be formed from a polymer, a composite, wood, glass, metal, or combination thereof. Furthermore, the tabletop 112 may be formed from the same material as the base 110 or may be formed from a different material. The tabletop 112 may also include one or more accessory housings 118 disposed on the tabletop 112 and/or connected to the tabletop 112 to facilitate use of the object 116 by an occupant. As an example, the accessory housing 118 may include one or more receptacles that are configured to hold and/or connect to the object 116, as will be explained herein.

[0021] The tabletop 112 may be rotatable relative to the passenger compartment 102 and/or the base 110 about a table axis 120. The table axis 120 may extend through a central portion 122 of the top surface 114 and in a direction generally orthogonal to the top surface 114. The tabletop 112 may also be translatable relative to the passenger compartment 102 and/or the base 110. For example, the tabletop 112 may be moveable in a fore-aft direction, a left-right direction, or a direction that is a combination thereof. The combined rotation and translation of the tabletop 112 relative to the passenger compartment 102 and/or the base 110 enables the tabletop 112 to be positioned such that the tabletop 112 is positioned adjacent to and occupant and is usable by the occupant, and such that one or more of the accessory housings 118 are accessible to the occupant to allow the occupant to use the object 116. Additionally, the tabletop 112 may be rotated and translated such that the tabletop 112 and one or more of the accessory housings 118 are accessible to multiple occupants located throughout the passenger compartment 102. For example, where a single occupant desires to use the object 116 during travel, the tabletop 112 may be positioned directly in front of the occupant such that one or more of the accessory housings 118 are near the occupant. As another example, where two occupants seated adjacent to one-another each desire to use the object 116 during travel, the tabletop 112 may be positioned between the two occupants such that one or more of the accessory housings 118 are near each of the occupants.

[0022] The rotational and translational movement of the tabletop 112 relative to the passenger compartment 102 and/or the base 110 may be provided by any conventional mechanism. For example, the base 110 may be connected to the tabletop 112 with an arm having multiple articulating segments. As another example, the tabletop 112 may be connected to the base 110 by a track that allows the tabletop 112 to translate (e.g., by sliding) with respect to the base 110. As another example, the base 110 may be connected to the vehicle 100 by a track that allows the base 110 and the tabletop 112 to translate with respect to the vehicle 100. As another example, the tabletop 112 may include a turntable and the base 110 may include a track on which the turntable travels. As another example, the tabletop 112 may be connected to the base 110 by a pivot joint. As another example, the base 110 may be connected to the vehicle 100 by a pivot joint and the tabletop 112 may be connected to the base 110 (e.g., fixed thereto) for rotation with the base 110. The foregoing structures may be combined in various ways to achieve a desired range of motion for the tabletop 112 with respect to the vehicle 100.

[0023] FIGS. 3A and 3B show front views of an alternative embodiment in which the base 110 is omitted and the tabletop 112 is connected to the vehicle 100 by a base 310. The base 310 is similar to the base 110 except as described herein. The base 310 is configured to be secured to one or more of the seats 104. For example, the base 310 may be secured to the armrest 108 of one of the seats 104 (as shown in FIGS 3 A and 3B). As another example, the base 310 may be secured to a seatback of one of the seats 104. The base 310 may be secured to one or more of the seats 104 by any of the structures described with respect to connection of the base 110 to the vehicle 100.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a top view of the table 106 with hidden components illustrated with dotted lines and movable positions of components illustrated with dashed lines. The tabletop 112 may be defined within a periphery 423 having any shape. For example, the shape of the periphery 423 may be a square with rounded corners (as shown in FIG. 4), a circle, a rectangle, a triangle, or any other shape. The tabletop 112 may include a channel 424 defined in the top surface 114. The channel 424 may extend curvilinearly around the central portion 122 of the top surface 114 to define a channel profile 426 on the top surface 114. The channel 424 may extend around the central portion 122 to any length, may extend curvilinearly at least partially around the central portion 122, and in some embodiments may extend continuously around the central portion 122 to form a closed geometry. The channel profile 426 may have any shape, or any portion of any shape. For example, the shape of the channel profile 426 may be a circle, a portion of a circle (as shown in FIG. 4), an ellipse, a portion of an ellipse, or any other shape or portion of a shape. [0025] The channel 424 may have any depth that is less than a thickness of the tabletop 112 and may have any width that is less than the length of the channel 424. In some embodiments, one or more of the accessory housings 118 may be disposed within the channel 424 (as shown in FIG. 4). Furthermore, in some embodiments one or more of the accessory housings 118 may be relocatable within the channel 424, such as by connection of the accessory housings 118 to the channel 424 at two or more predetermined locations that are defined within the channel 424. In such embodiments, the channel 424 may include one or more receiving spaces 428 at the predetermined locations that are configured to receive one or more of the accessory housings 118. In other embodiments, one or more of the accessory housings 118 may be translatable along the channel 424. In such embodiments, for example, the accessory housings 118 may be disposed on a carriage and the channel 424 may include a track on which the carriage travels. As another example, the accessory housings 118 may have a geometry that is complementary to a geometry of the channel 424 such that the accessory housings 118 are slidable within the channel 424. The term “complementary,” as used herein, refers to a geometry (e g., the geometry of the accessory housings 118) that may be received by another geometry (e.g., the geometry of the channel 424), such that the geometries engage each other to define a desired position of the geometries relative to each other. The relative position of the geometries may deviate slightly as a result of variations in the geometries resulting from manufacturing tolerances, deviations, or the like.

[0026] The tabletop 112 may further include a cover 430 that is configured to selectively cover (e.g., obstruct, hide, etc.) or reveal portions of the channel 424, including, in some embodiments, one or more of the accessory housings 118, one or more of the receiving spaces 428, or other features disposed within the channel 424. In some embodiments, the cover 430 may have a geometry that is complementary to a portion of the channel profile 426. In such embodiments, the cover 430 may only extend to cover a portion of the length of the channel 424 (as shown in FIG. 4). In other embodiments, the cover 430 may have a geometry that is complementary to an entirety of the channel profile 426 (i.e., extends to cover the entire length of the channel 424). Thus, in some embodiments, the cover 430 may have a geometry that matches a portion of the profile of the channel 424. Thus, in some embodiments, the channel 424 defines the channel profile 426 on the top surface 114 of the tabletop 112, and the cover has a geometry that matches a portion of the channel profile 426 of the channel 424. In embodiments where the geometry of the cover 430 is complementary to either a portion of the channel profile 426 or the entirety of the channel profile 426, the geometry of the cover 430 may not match the channel profile 426 exactly. For example, the cover 430 may have a width that is slightly larger or smaller than a width of the channel profile 426 to facilitate an engagement of the cover 430 with features located along the sides of the channel 424.

[0027] The cover 430 may be positioned adjacent to the channel 424 such that the cover 430 extends over the channel 424. In some embodiments, the cover 430 may be positioned within the channel 424 such that a top surface of the cover 430 is flush with the top surface 114 of the tabletop 112. In other embodiments, the cover 430 may be positioned within the channel 424 such that the top surface of the cover 430 is sub -flush with the top surface 114. In yet another embodiment, the cover 430 may be positioned within or above the channel 424 such that the top surface of the cover is proud of the top surface 114.

[0028] In some embodiments where the geometry of the cover 430 is complementary to only a portion of the channel profile 426 (i.e., does not extend to cover the entire length of the channel 424), the cover 430 may be movable along the channel 424 to selectively reveal and cover portions of the channel 424, for example, between a first position depicted in solid lines and a second position depicted in dashed lines in FIG. 4. In other embodiments, the cover 430 may be removable from, and reconnectable to, the tabletop 112 to selectively reveal and cover portions of the channel 424.

[0029] The cover 430 may be a unitary body or may include two or more sections that are connected to each another. For example, in embodiments where the channel profde 426 has a circular, or semicircular, shape the cover 430 may be comprised of a unitary body, wherein a consistent radius of the channel profile 426 enables the cover 430 to move along the channel 424 without the cover 430 deforming (i.e., without changing shape in response to an inconsistent radius along the channel profile 426). As another example, in embodiments where the channel profile 426 has a noncircular shape, the cover 430 may be comprised of two or more sections that are pivotally connected to each another, wherein an inconsistent radius of the channel profile 426 requires the cover 430 to deform as the cover 430 moves along the channel 424.

[0030] FIG. 5 shows a top view of an alternative embodiment in which the tabletop 112 is omitted and is substituted by a tabletop 512. The tabletop 512 is similar to the tabletop 112 except as described herein. The tabletop 512 has a circular shape that is defined by a circular periphery 523. The tabletop 512 also includes a channel 524 that extends continuously around a central portion 522 of a top surface 514 to define a channel profile 526 having a circular shape. In this embodiment, a diameter 532 of the channel profile 526 is smaller than a diameter 534 of the circular periphery 523, such that the channel 524 is defined within the circular periphery 523. Furthermore, the tabletop 512 may include a cover 530 having a geometry that is complementary to an entirety of the channel profile 526 (i.e., extends to cover an entire length of the channel 524). In this embodiment, the cover 530 may be configured to be removable from the tabletop 512 to selectively reveal and cover portions of the channel 524.

[0031] FIG. 6A is a partial cross-sectional view of the table 106 taken along line A-A in FIG. 3 and including one of the accessory housings 118 according to a first example. FIG. 6B is a partial cross-sectional view of the table 106 and including one of the accessory housings 118 according to a second example. The accessory housings 118 may have any geometry that enables the accessory housings 118 to be disposed within the channel 424. For example, the accessory housings 118 may define a profile that is circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, triangular, or any other shape.

[0032] The accessory housings 118 may include various features that enable the use of the object 116 by an occupant during travel. The features may be or include receptacles that are configured to receive the object 116 and/or secure the object 116 to the tabletop 112. Examples of features include, but are not limited to, a cup holder 636 (as shown in FIG. 6A), and an electrical outlet 638 (as shown in FIG. 6B). In FIG. 6A, the object 116 is represented by a container 640. In FIG. 6B, the object 116 is represented by an electrical plug 642. Each of the accessory housings 118 may include a single feature that is configured for use with the object 116. In one example, a first one of the accessory housings 118 may include the cup holder 636, and a second one of the accessory housings 118 may include the electrical outlet 638. In another example, a single one of the accessory housings 118 may include both of the cup holder 636 and the electrical outlet 638, and/or other types of features.

[0033] In embodiments where one or more of the accessory housings 118 includes the cup holder 636, the cup holder 636 may be configured to secure the container 640 (e.g., a cup) therein. The cup holder 636 may include a substantially cylindrical opening having a size that facilitates the insertion of the container 640 therein, where the container 640 is commonly sized (e.g., where the container 640 is a commonly sized cup). The cup holder 636 may also be configured to secure the object 116 therein, where the at least one object has a substantially cylindrical geometry. The cup holder 636 may further include features for securing the container 640 or the object 116 therein. For example, the cup holder 636 may include elastically deforming protrusions disposed on the sides of the cup holder 636 that squeeze the container 640 when the container 640 is inserted into the cup holder 636. As another example, the cup holder 636 may include magnets that retain the container 640 when the container 640 is inserted into the cup holder 636 where the container 640 includes ferromagnetic portions.

[0034] In embodiments where one or more of the accessory housings 118 include the electrical outlet 638, the electrical outlet 638 may be any conventional electrical outlet that is operable to provide electrical power to electrically powered devices that include an electrical plug 642, e.g., by conductive contact of portions of the electrical outlet 638 with portions of the electrical plug 642. Examples of the electrically powered devices that include the electrical plug 642 include, but are not limited to, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. In embodiments where one or more of the accessory housings 118 include the electrical outlet 638, electrical power may be transmitted from the battery of the vehicle 100 to the accessory housings 118 through the base 110 and the tabletop 112. In such embodiments, the electrical power may be transmitted through any conventional means, including through wires that electrically connect the battery of the vehicle 100 to the accessory housings 118. To supply power to the electrical plug 642 or other powered components that are associated with the accessory housings 118, the channel 424 and the accessory housings may include electrical contacts 644, 645 (FIG. 6B) that are complementary with one another and configured to allow supply of electrical power from the tabletop 112 to the accessory housings 118. Other configurations may be used, such as inductive power transfer configurations.

[0035] In embodiments where the channel 424 includes one or more of the receiving spaces 428, one or more of the accessory housings 118 may be inserted into one or more of the receiving spaces 428 to secure the accessory housings 118 to the tabletop 112. The receiving spaces 428 may have any shape that facilitates a mating engagement with the accessory housings 118. For example, where the accessory housings 118 have a round profile, the receiving spaces 428 may also have a round profile to be complementary to the accessory housings 118.

[0036] In some embodiments, one or more of the receiving spaces 428 may include an engagement feature that is configured to secure one or more of the accessory housings 118 within the receiving spaces 428. Examples of the engagement feature include, but are not limited to, a groove 646 (as shown in FIG. 6A), a magnet 648 (as shown in FIG. 6B), or any other feature that is operable to secure the accessory housings 118 within the receiving spaces 428. Although the engagement feature (e.g., the groove 646 or the magnet 648) is shown singly, multiple engagement features may be included, and thus, the receiving spaces 428 may include one or more engagement features.

[0037] Furthermore, in some embodiments, one or more of the accessory housings 118 may include a complementary engagement feature (e.g., at least one complementary engagement feature) that is configured to engage with the engagement feature of the receiving spaces 428. For example, where the engagement feature of one or more of the receiving spaces 428 is the groove 646, the complementary engagement feature may be a flange 652 (as shown in FIG. 6A) that is configured to be received by the groove 646 to secure the accessory housings 118 within the receiving spaces 428. As another example, where the engagement feature of one or more of the receiving spaces 428 is the magnet 648, the complementary engagement feature may be a ferromagnetic portion 654 (as shown in FIG. 6B) that is configured to magnetically connect to the magnet 648 to secure the accessory housings 118 within the receiving spaces 428.

Additionally, in embodiments where one or more of the accessory housings 118 include the ferromagnetic portion 654 and one or more of the receiving spaces 428 includes the magnet 648, the ferromagnetic portion 654 and the magnet 648 may be configured to transmit electrical power therebetween to electrically connect the accessory housings 118 to the tabletop 112. [0038] FIG. 7A is a partial cross-sectional view of the table 106 taken along line B-B in FIG. 3 and including the cover 430 according to a first example. FIG. 7B is a partial cross-sectional view of the table 106 and including the cover 430 according to a second example. In some embodiments, the channel 424 may include a retention feature that is configured to secure the cover 430 to the tabletop 112. Multiple retention features may be included, and the channel 424 may, therefore, include at least one retention feature. In some embodiments, the retention feature may allow movement of the cover 430 along the channel 424 without removal of the cover 430 from the tabletop 112 (e.g., by sliding). In other embodiments, the retention feature may be configured to enable the cover 430 to be removed from the tabletop 112 when the cover 430 is pulled away from the tabletop 112 with a certain amount of force. Examples of retention features include a groove 758 (FIG. 7A), and a magnet 760. Other structures that are operable to secure the cover 430 to the tabletop 112 may be used as implementations of the retention feature.

[0039] The cover 430 may include a complementary retention feature (e.g., at least one complementary retention feature) that is configured to engage with the retention feature of the channel 424. In implementations in which the retention feature of the channel 424 is the groove 758, the complementary retention feature of the cover 430 may be a protrusion 764 (as shown in FIG. 7A) that is configured to be received by, and move through, the groove 758. The engagement between the groove 758 and the protrusion 764 may secure the cover 430 to the tabletop 112 while enabling the cover 430 to move along the channel 424. In implementations in which the retention feature of the channel 424 is the magnet 760, the complementary retention feature may be a ferromagnetic portion 766 (as shown in FIG. 7B) that is configured to magnetically connect to the magnet 760. The engagement between the magnet 760 and the ferromagnetic portion 766 may secure the cover 430 to the tabletop 112 while enabling the cover 430 to move along the channel 424. Alternatively, the engagement between the magnet 760 and the ferromagnetic portion 766 may enable the cover 430 to be removed from the tabletop 112 when the cover 430 is pulled away from the tabletop 112 with a certain amount of force.

[0040] As described above, one aspect of the present technology is the gathering and use of data available from various sources for use during operation of the vehicle 100 or the table 106 As an example, such data may identify the user and include user-specific settings or preferences. The present disclosure contemplates that in some instances, this gathered data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact or locate a specific person. Such personal information data can include demographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, email addresses, twitter ID's, home addresses, data or records relating to a user’s health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying or personal information.

[0041] The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information data, in the present technology, can be used to the benefit of users. For example, a user profile may be established that stores historical use information that allows adjusting operation of the vehicle 100 according to user preferences. Accordingly, use of such personal information data enhances the user’s experience.

[0042] The present disclosure contemplates that the entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use of such personal information data will comply with well-established privacy policies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities should implement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining personal information data private and secure. Such policies should be easily accessible by users, and should be updated as the collection and/or use of data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonable uses of the entity and not shared or sold outside of those legitimate uses. Further, such collection/sharing should occur after receiving the informed consent of the users. Additionally, such entities should consider taking any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access to such personal information data and ensuring that others with access to the personal information data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluation by third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adapted for the particular types of personal information data being collected and/or accessed and adapted to applicable laws and standards, including jurisdiction-specific considerations. For instance, in the US, collection of or access to certain health data may be governed by federal and/or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); whereas health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly. Hence different privacy practices should be maintained for different personal data types in each country.

[0043] Despite the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates embodiments in which users selectively block the use of, or access to, personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, in the case of storing a user profile for adjusting the configuration of the table 106, the present technology can be configured to allow users to select to "opt in" or "opt out" of participation in the collection of personal information data during registration for services or anytime thereafter. In another example, users can select not to provide data regarding usage of specific applications. In yet another example, users can select to limit the length of time that application usage data is maintained or entirely prohibit the development of an application usage profile. In addition to providing “opt in” and “opt out” options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notifications relating to the access or use of personal information. For instance, a user may be notified upon downloading an app that their personal information data will be accessed and then reminded again just before personal information data is accessed by the app.

[0044] Moreover, it is the intent of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and handled in a way to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risk can be minimized by limiting the collection of data and deleting data once it is no longer needed. In addition, and when applicable, including in certain health related applications, data de-identification can be used to protect a user’s privacy. De-identification may be facilitated, when appropriate, by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of data stored (e.g., collecting location data at a city level rather than at an address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data across users), and/or other methods.

[0045] Therefore, although the present disclosure broadly covers use of personal information data to implement one or more various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the various embodiments can also be implemented without the need for accessing such personal information data. That is, the various embodiments of the present technology are not rendered inoperable due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data For example, needed information may be determined each time the table 106 is used, and without subsequently storing the information or associating with the particular user