SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHARGING PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES WITHIN A VEHICLE

An illustrative example embodiment of a system (20) includes a plurality of device chargers (22, 24, 26) configured to charge a power source of a portable electronic device (55). At least one transmitter (56) is associated with a portable electronic device. A plurality of detectors (32, 34, 36) are configured to be supported on a vehicle. The plurality of detectors (32, 34, 36) detect a wireless signal from the transmitter. A controller (40) utilizes information from the detectors regarding a detected wireless signal and determines a location of the transmitter relative to the plurality of device chargers. The controller (40) controls at least a selected one of the device chargers (22, 24, 26) to operate in the charging mode based on a proximity between the determined location of the at least one transmitter (56) and the predetermined location of the selected one of the device chargers (22, 24, 26).