GB2496170A - A mobile computing device cover comprising a weight sensor - Google Patents

A mobile computing device cover comprising a weight sensor Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2496170A
GB2496170A GB1119055.0A GB201119055A GB2496170A GB 2496170 A GB2496170 A GB 2496170A GB 201119055 A GB201119055 A GB 201119055A GB 2496170 A GB2496170 A GB 2496170A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
computing device
mobile computing
cover
weight sensor
text
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1119055.0A
Other versions
GB201119055D0 (en
Inventor
Oliver Bishop
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB1119055.0A priority Critical patent/GB2496170A/en
Publication of GB201119055D0 publication Critical patent/GB201119055D0/en
Publication of GB2496170A publication Critical patent/GB2496170A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
    • H04M1/0202—Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets
    • H04M1/0206—Portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts, e.g. hinged housings
    • H04M1/0208—Portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts, e.g. hinged housings characterized by the relative motions of the body parts
    • H04M1/0214—Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
    • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
    • G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
    • G06F1/1628—Carrying enclosures containing additional elements, e.g. case for a laptop and a printer
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
    • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
    • G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
    • G06F1/1632—External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
    • H04M1/04—Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
    • H04M1/21—Combinations with auxiliary equipment, e.g. with clocks or memoranda pads
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F2200/00—Indexing scheme relating to G06F1/04 - G06F1/32
    • G06F2200/16—Indexing scheme relating to G06F1/16 - G06F1/18
    • G06F2200/163—Indexing scheme relating to constructional details of the computer
    • G06F2200/1633—Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2250/00—Details of telephonic subscriber devices
    • H04M2250/12—Details of telephonic subscriber devices including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Telephone Set Structure (AREA)

Abstract

This invention relates to a cover for a mobile computing device, e.g. a tablet computer or a mobile telephone, for at least partially covering an external surface of the mobile computing device, the cover comprising a weight sensor. The weight sensor, e.g. a strain gauge, is for weighing an external object. The cover may also include communication means to communicate a signal indicating the weight of the external object to the mobile computing device.

Description

MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICE COVER
This invention relates to a mobile computing device cover.
Mobile computer devices, such as tablet computers and mobile telephones, often use a separate cover to protect the device. That is, mobile devices are generally expensive and desirable consumer products. However, the internal parts may be damaged if the device is dropped from a significant height, and the external parts (such as a touch-sensitive screen) may be damaged or scratched. Covers are therefore used to protect the mobile computing device, and thus retain a high resale value. Another purpose of the conventional cover is to enhance the look of the product. For example, the cover may include an aesthetically pleasing design.
It is desirable to provide an improved cover for a mobile computing device.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a mobile computing device cover, for at least partially covering an external surface of a mobile computing device, comprising a weight sensor.
The cover of the present invention therefore offers additional functionality for the mobile computing device in the form of a weight sensor. Therefore, for example, the user may look at a recipe on the device, whilst weighing out the required quantity of ingredients on the weight sensor. The weight sensor may therefore indicate the weight/mass of the ingredient to the user, such that the user may discern when the required quantity of ingredient has been successfully weighed out.
The skilled reader will understand that the terms weight' and mass' are often used interchangeably when discussing technology for measuring the weight/mass of an object.
Conventionally, the term weight' is predominantly used to describe a reading of a weight sensor, despite the reading having been converted to units of mass. Thus, this description uses the term weight' to cover both eventualities.
The cover may further comprise communication means, for transmitting a signal from the weight sensor to the mobile computing device. Therefore, the signal produced by the weight sensor may be transmitted to the mobile computing device to be used as a data input.
Therefore, a software application on the mobile computing device (such as a cooking recipe application) may determine if the user has weighed out the required quantity of ingredient and give feedback to the user.
The cover may include a first portion, for at least partially covering the external surface of the mobile computing device, and a second portion including the weight sensor. The weight sensor may therefore be positioned on a separate part of the cover to the device covering portion, thus ensuring that external objects to be weighed do not come into contact with the device.
The first portion and second portion of the cover may be attached by a hinge. Therefore, the second portion may simply be folded out such that the weight sensor and screen are side by side. Alternatively, the second portion may slide out from the first portion.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, and with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mobile computing device cover of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the cover in a closed state; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the mobile computing device cover of Figure 1, showing the cover in an open state; Figure 3 is a schematic view of the mobile computing device cover of Figure 1, showing internal components thereof; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the mobile computing device cover of Figure 1, showing an object being weighed on a second portion of the cover.
A preferred embodiment of a mobile computing device cover 1 of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The cover 1 includes a first portion 3 and a second portion 5. In this embodiment, the first portion 3 covers most of the mobile computing device, such that only the useable parts (e.g. the screen, the data/charging port, the buttons, microphone, speakers and any other useable part) are exposed. The first portion 3 is attached to the second portion 5 via a hinge running along one side of the cover 1, such that the two portions 3, 5 are relatively foldable between an open and closed state.
In Figure 1, the cover 1 is shown in its closed state, such that the first portion 3 and second portion 5 lie flat upon each other. The second portion 5 therefore covers the screen of the mobile computing device.
Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the cover 1 in its open state, such that the second portion 5 is folded about the hinge to lie alongside the first portion 3. In this embodiment, the second portion 5 includes an internal strain gauge 7. An area 9 above the strain gauge 7 is marked by a perimeter, for a user to place an object in order to influence the strain gauge 7.
Therefore, when the user places an object in the area 9 of the second portion 5, the strain gauge 7 produces a signal indicating the weight of the object. In this embodiment, the second portion 5 also includes a Bluetooth device 11, for communicating the signal to the mobile computing device.
The signal may therefore be processed by the mobile computing device to provide additional functionality to the user. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the user may operate a cooking recipe application on the mobile computing device, and the user may weigh out each ingredient as specified by a particular recipe. Once the signal from the weight sensor indicates that the weight of the ingredient equals that required by the recipe, the application may then indicate this to the user.
As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, the cover 1 also includes a battery 13 for powering the strain gauge 7 and Bluetooth device 11. The battery 13 is connected to a charging port 15, such that it may be recharged from an external power source.
The skilled person will understand that the weight sensor of the cover of the present invention may be utilized in many ways by the device (thus not exclusively in cooking recipe applications). For example, internet browser applications may also use the signal indicating the weight of an object.
Furthermore, the skilled person will understand that the strain gauge is not the only form of weight sensor suitable for the present invention. Indeed, any other form of load cell, or means to produce a signal indicating the weight of an object, may be used. For example, a piezoelectric sensor may replace the strain gauge.
The skilled person will also understand that alternative communication means for transmitting the signal indicating the weight of the object to the device may be used. For example, there may be a wired data connection with the device. Furthermore, the communication means is not an essential element of the invention. Rather, the strain gauge may independently indicate the weight of the object to the user, e.g. through a separate display on the second portion of the cover.
The skilled person will also understand that the weight sensor (and means of communicating the signal) may be powered by any suitable means. For example, the second portion of the cover may be wired to the device for receiving power, such that the weight sensor and communication means are powered directly from the device (this may work in conjunction with a wired data connection). Alternatively, the second portion of the cover may use removable batteries, or the batteries may be recharged wirelessly e.g. by inductive charging.
The cover may also include solar panels.
The skilled person will also understand that the foldable firstlsecond portion arrangement described above is not essential to the invention. For example, the cover may be configured such that the second portion slides out from the first portion. Furthermore, the cover may not be provided in distinct portions. That is, the cover may be provided as a single member having the weight sensor thereon.
The skilled person will understand that any combination of features is possible without departing from the scope of the invention, as claimed.

Claims (1)

  1. <claim-text>CLAIMS1. A mobile computing device cover, for at least partially covering an external surface of a mobile computing device, comprising a weight sensor.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A mobile computing device cover as claimed in Claim 1, further comprising a communication means, for transmitting a signal from the weight sensor to the mobile computing device.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A mobile computing device cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, having a first portion for at least partially covering the external surface of the mobile computing device, and a second portion including the weight sensor.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A mobile computing device cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first portion and second portion are attached by a hinge.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A mobile computing device cover substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.</claim-text>
GB1119055.0A 2011-11-04 2011-11-04 A mobile computing device cover comprising a weight sensor Withdrawn GB2496170A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1119055.0A GB2496170A (en) 2011-11-04 2011-11-04 A mobile computing device cover comprising a weight sensor

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1119055.0A GB2496170A (en) 2011-11-04 2011-11-04 A mobile computing device cover comprising a weight sensor

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201119055D0 GB201119055D0 (en) 2011-12-21
GB2496170A true GB2496170A (en) 2013-05-08

Family

ID=45421267

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1119055.0A Withdrawn GB2496170A (en) 2011-11-04 2011-11-04 A mobile computing device cover comprising a weight sensor

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2496170A (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITUB20160011A1 (en) * 2016-02-04 2017-08-04 Me Te Da Srl CASE FOR INTERACTIVE PORTABLE TERMINAL, IN PARTICULAR A SMARTPHONE, PROVIDING A WEIGHT DETECTOR DEVICE
US11983037B2 (en) 2012-03-14 2024-05-14 Popsockets Llc Gaming controller docking accessory for mobile electronic devices

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2427979A (en) * 2005-06-30 2007-01-10 Philip Holland A radiotelephone with weighing means
CN101651727A (en) * 2009-06-22 2010-02-17 李秀 Portable electronic device capable of weighing
CN201418110Y (en) * 2009-06-15 2010-03-03 李秀 Portable electronic device capable of weighing

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2427979A (en) * 2005-06-30 2007-01-10 Philip Holland A radiotelephone with weighing means
CN201418110Y (en) * 2009-06-15 2010-03-03 李秀 Portable electronic device capable of weighing
CN101651727A (en) * 2009-06-22 2010-02-17 李秀 Portable electronic device capable of weighing

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11983037B2 (en) 2012-03-14 2024-05-14 Popsockets Llc Gaming controller docking accessory for mobile electronic devices
US11989057B2 (en) 2012-03-14 2024-05-21 Popsockets Llc Collapsible stand docking accessory for mobile electronic devices
US11989058B2 (en) 2012-03-14 2024-05-21 Popsockets Llc Docking accessory platform for mobile electronic devices
ITUB20160011A1 (en) * 2016-02-04 2017-08-04 Me Te Da Srl CASE FOR INTERACTIVE PORTABLE TERMINAL, IN PARTICULAR A SMARTPHONE, PROVIDING A WEIGHT DETECTOR DEVICE

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201119055D0 (en) 2011-12-21

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7741569B2 (en) Electronic weight scale
GB2458848A (en) Weighing device
KR101212963B1 (en) Mobile communication terminal device
US20130154914A1 (en) Casing
US20160231166A1 (en) Weigh measuring scales for baggage
GB2496170A (en) A mobile computing device cover comprising a weight sensor
CN103076078A (en) Mobile phone serving as electronic scale
CN103424171A (en) Weighing electronic apparatus
CN201772920U (en) Portable household electronic scale
CN104457945A (en) Electronic scale
EP2015036A1 (en) Portable weighing apparatus
TW201738537A (en) Weighing system, handhold device and handhold assembly
US20130335905A1 (en) Foldable keyboard
CN101651727B (en) Portable electronic device capable of weighing
US8044817B2 (en) Portable electronic device distress detection system
CN204030637U (en) A kind of multi-functional portable power source device
CN204313938U (en) Portable handheld electronic scale
CN203719754U (en) Industrial electronic scale
CN201674559U (en) Mobile phone with weighing function
CN104198022A (en) Portable electronic scale
CN105784091A (en) Intelligent electronic scale
CN206095383U (en) Brightening agent weighing device
CN105973393A (en) Dual-range electronic scale
CN103994811A (en) Multifunctional electronic portable scale
CN202364275U (en) Cell phone with weighing function

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)