GB2433652A

GB2433652A - Adaptable audiovisual extension device

Info

Publication number: GB2433652A
Application number: GB0526054A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eric Lin
Original assignee: DOEUR INTERNAT CO Ltd
Current assignee: DOEUR INTERNAT CO Ltd
Priority date: 2005-12-21
Filing date: 2005-12-21
Publication date: 2007-06-27
Also published as: GB0526054D0

Abstract

An audiovisual device 1 for playing music or showing video from a portable audiovisual device (eg a mobile phone 2, Fig 4) comprises a main unit 11 and a detachable unit 12. The main unit has hinged loudspeakers 111 and may have a display. The detachable unit slides into a recess 113 in the main unit, and has a connector 122 for a portable audiovisual device. There may be interchangeable detachable units to adapt the main unit to a desired portable audiovisual device.

Description

AN AUDIOVISUAL DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to an audiovisual device, particularly, but not exclusively, for use with a portable audiovisual device to provide audio or visual display.

Background of the Invention

It is becoming increasingly common to use electronics products that are of the latest technology, especially electronics products that incorporate multi-media information technology. A typical example is the increased demand for an audiovisual device that incorporates an internet-audio format such as the MPEG Audio Layer 3 (MP3) which compresses Compact Disc (CD) quality sound while retaining most of its original fidelity. Nowadays, most mobile phones also provide functions to allow users to access the internet and to download and display video clips and music on their mobile phones.

Hence the mobile phone also functions as a portable audiovisual device.

Therefore, if the images or music downloaded from the mobile phone can be displayed on a normal audiovisual device or vice versa, it will an appealing idea for users to display this downloaded data from the mobile phone to the audiovisual device.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention aims to provide an audiovisual device that can incorporate a portable audiovisual device to display images or play music.

In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audiovisual device, the device comprising a first unit and a second unit, wherein said first unit defines a base plane and comprises a controller extending in said base plane and at least one audio signal generation means hingingly engaged with said controller for angular displacement into and out of said base plane, said first unit further defining a recess for removably receiving said second unit, said second unit comprising recess means including connection means, said recess means being operable to receive a portable audiovisual device and said connection means being operable to connect with said device in use.

According to the above aspect of the present invention, said first unit further comprises a visual display means operable to display images.

Preferably, said recess of said first unit is defined by at least three surfaces, herein defined as first surface, second surface and a third surface, wherein said second surface comprises a first electrical connector for receipt of a mating second electrical connector located on a fourth surface of said second unit and is operable to transfer power or signals to or from said second unit and therefrom transfer power or signals to or from said portable audiovisual device.

Preferably, said first surface and said third surface each have a trench for receipt of correspopnding flanges located on a fifth and a sixth surface of said second unit such that, in use, said second unit is slidably mountable on said first unit.

Preferably, said first unit further comprises a foldable support member corresponding to said recess of said first unit for angular displacement into and out of said base plane, said foldable support member being operable to support said portable audiovisual device when said second unit is mounted on said first unit and said portable audiovisual device is mounted on said recess means of said second unit.

Preferably, said second unit is interchangeable with further units to adapt to variations of portable audiovisual device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 illustrates a three-dimensional assembled view of an audiovisual device in accordance with a preferred example of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a three-dimensional assembled view of an audiovisual device in accordance with a preferred example of the present invention; Figure 3 illustrates a three-dimensional assembled view of an audiovisual device in accordance with a preferred example of the present invention; and Figure 4 illustrates a three-dimensional assembled view of an audiovisual device in accordance with a preferred example of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The assembly views of an audiovisual device of the present invention are shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. The audiovisual device comprises a main unit 11 and a detachable unit 12. The main unit 11 further comprises a pair of foldable speakers 111. As shown in Figure 3, the speakers 111 can be folded such that they are perpendicular to the main unit 11. The control function 112 consists of a plurality of key buttons for control functions such as electrical power, volume control and the play button. A U-shaped notch 113 is formed on one side of the main device 11 as shown in Figure 1, wherein sliding trenches are formed on the opposite sides of the U-shaped notch 113. An electrical connector 114 is located at a bottom side of the U-shaped notch 113. Further, a moveable and foldable U-shaped supporting frame 115 is provided on the main unit 11 in respect to the position of the U-shaped notch 113. The main unit 11 of the audiovisual device of the present invention is not limited to the utilization of speakers; other function such as a monitor can be incorporated with the main unit 11 to display images or video clips.

The detachable unit 12 comprises a cavity 121 for positioning a portable audiovisual device, a mobile phone 2 is used here as an example, wherein an electrical connector 122 is located inside the cavity 121 for electrical connection with the mobile phone 2.

An electrical connection 123 is located on one side of the detachable unit 12 corresponding to the electrical connector 114 of the main unit 11 such that, in use, electrical connector 123 of the detachable unit 12 is connected to the electrical connector 114 of the main unit 11. Protruding ribs are formed on both sides of the detachable unit 12, corresponding to the sliding trenches of the U-shaped notch 113.

Figure 4 illustrates a three-dimensional view of an audiovisual device in accordance with another preferred example of the present invention. In Figure 4, the detachable unit 12 fits perfectly into the U-shaped notch 11 3 of the main unit 11. The e]ectrical connector 123 of the detachable unit 12 is connected to the electncal connector 114 of the main unit 11. The electrical connector 122 located inside the cavity 121 of the detachable unit 12 connects to the electrical connector located at the bottom surface of the mobile phone 2. The electrical connector 123 of the detachable unit 12 is correspondingly connected (not shown) to the electrical connector 122 such that the mobile phone 2 is essentially connected to the main unit 11 when electrical connector 123 is connected with electrical connector 114. The moveable U-shaped supporting frame 115 of the main unit 11 is adjustable in accordance with the size of the mobile phones to provide supplementary support. When the mobile phone 2, the detachable 12 and the main unit 11 are assembled, information or data can be transmitted between the mobile phone 2 and the main unit 11 so that the image or music can be displayed either from the mobile phone 2 or the main unit 11. Moreover, the mobile phone 2 located in the detachable unit 12 can be recharged simultaneously while the image or the music is displayed.

The detachable unit 12 is designed in such a way that different types of the mobile phones can be utilized in the present invention by simply changing the detachable unit 12. Tn other words, various detachable units are designed with specific mobile phone connections in order to fit and accommodate with different types of mobile phones so that by simply changing the detachable unit 12, different types of mobile phones 2 can be interchanged to incorporate with the main unit 11 of the audiovisual device of the present invention. In other words, different types of mobile phones 2 can be utilized to incorporate with the audiovisual device of the present invention to display information, video clips or music. Thus, the present invention provides an audiovisual device that is not limited to one type of mobile phone 2.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples to be considered as exemplary only, with the scope of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS: An audiovisual device comprising a first unit and a second

unit, wherein: said first unit defining a base plane and comprising a controller extending in said base plane and at least one audio signal generation means hingingly engaged with said controller for angular displacement into and out of said base plane; said first unit further defining a recess for removably receiving said second unit; said second unit comprising recess means including connection means; said recess means being operable to receive a portable audiovisual device and said connection means being operable to connect with said device in use.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said first unit further comprises a visual display means operable to display images.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said recess of said first unit has at least three surfaces, herein defined as a first surface, a second surface and a third surface, wherein said second surface comprises a first electrical connector for receipt of a mating second electrical connector located on a fourth surface of said second unit and is operable to transfer power or signals to or from said second unit and therefrom transfer power or signals to or from said portable audiovisual device.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said first surface and said third surface each have a trench for receipt of matching flanges located respectively on a fifth and a sixth surface of said second unit such that, in use, said second unit is slidably mounted on said first unit.

5. The device of any preceding claim, wherein said first unit further comprises a foldable support member corresponding to said recess of said first unit for angular displacement into and out of said base plane, said foldable support member being operable to support said portable audiovisual device when said second unit is mounted on said first unit and said portable audiovisual device is mounted on said recess means of said second unit.

6. The device of any preceding claim, wherein said second unit is interchangeable to adapt to variations of portable audiovisual device.

7. The device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.