GB2525663A

GB2525663A - Support for a device

Info

Publication number: GB2525663A
Application number: GB1407737.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Thompson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-05-01
Filing date: 2014-05-01
Publication date: 2015-11-04
Also published as: GB201407737D0

Abstract

A support 1 for a handheld communication device 3, the support has a first connector 5 arranged to connect to an electrical fitting (such as a light bulb socket) and a second connector 7 arranged to connect the support to a handheld communication device so that the device can be supported by the electrical fitting. Aspects include: the first connector may be electrically connectable to the electrical fitting; an electrical connector (23) may be provided for making an electrical connection with a communication device mounted on the support; a charging circuit (25) may be arranged between the first connector and the electrical connector.

Description

SUPPORT FOR A DEVICE

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a support for a device such as a mobile telephone.

Background to the Invention

Devices that facilitate the capture and transmission of photographs and videos are widely used to communicate between individuals. For example, two individuals or a group of individuals that are remote from one another may take part in a video call using a video capture device such as a mobile telephone. Each user that has access to a video capable device may transmit their image as well as sound to each other user's device.

This is achieved by the user holding a device and directing the device's camera lens toward themselves so that their image can be captured and transmittedto otherdevices. A problem with this approach is that the user often has difficulty correctly aligning the capture device and holding it steady and it occupies at least one of the user's hands thereby preventing the user from carrying out other activities whilst making a call, It can also be tiring holding a device in position for increased lengths of time. A typically comfortable holding position often leads to m unflattering image of the target which dissuades people from using image capture devices for video calls. A video call also tends to be more power hungry than ordinary telephone calls and so drains the battery life of the device more quickly.

It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to mitigate the above difficulties.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a support for a handheld communication device, the support comprising a first connector arranged to connect the support to an electrical fitting and a second connector arranged to connect the support to a handheld communication device, such that the handheld communication device can be supported by the electrical fitting.

Advantageously, the support can be connected to the light bulb socket of a reading lamp so that, when a mobile phone is connected to the support, the position ofthe phone can be adjusted in space by manoeuvring the position ofthe reading lamp. Thus, a user will not become tired through having to hold the mobile phone for long periods of time and the device can be positioned to take a more flattering image of the user.

Furthermore, the user will have both hands free to do other activities whilst making a call.

The electrical fitting to which the support can be connected may comprise a light bulb socket.

The support may comprise a light source.

The second connector may be arranged to connect the support to an image capture device.

The support may further comprise a projection to enable the position of the support and the fitting to which the support may be connected to be adjusted.

The first connector and the second connector may be separated from each other and a body ofthe support may be shaped so that, when the first connector is connected to an electrical fitting, the second connector is positioned remote from the electrical fitting and outside of apparatus in which the electrical fitting is incorporated.

The support may comprise an electrical connector for making an electrical connection to a device mounted on the support.

The first connector may be electrically connectable to the electrical fitting, The second connector may be arranged to support a device in a position at which a viewing screen or image capture lens on the device is substantially unobscured by the support.

The support may be intended to be connected to an adjustable lamp. The support may be intended to be connected to an adjustable lamp comprising an adjustable arm or leg.

Part of the support between the first connector and the second connector may be adjustable to enable the position ofthe first connector relative to the second connector to be adjusted.

The first connector may be disconnectable from the rest of the support to enable other types of first connectors to be attached to the rest of the support so that the support can be connected to different types of electrical fitting.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light bulb socket comprising a support according to the first aspect.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lamp comprising a support according to the first aspect.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of positioning a handheld communications device to enable communication with a remote communications device comprising the steps of providing a support according to the first aspect; connecting the support to an electrical filling; connecting a handheld communications device to the support; and positioning the support such that the handheld communications device is oriented in a desired position.

Detailed Description of the Invention

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood an embodiment/embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Fig. I shows a user holding a handheld mobile telephone device in a conventional manner; Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross section view of a support according to the invention; Fig. 3 shows a side view of a support according to the invention; Fig. 4 shows a front view of the support shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 shows different types of light bulb mounts; Fig. 6 shows a support according to the invention inserted into an adjustable

table lamp; and

Fig. 7 shows the arrangement of Fig. 6 in a different orientation.

S

With reference to the drawings, there is shown a support for a mobile telephone or smart phone 3. The support I is made from moulded plastics material and comprises an Edison screw mount 5 at one end and a mobile telephone receiving port 7 at the other end of the support I The Edison screw mount 5 is arranged to fit a corresponding threaded socket of, for example, a flexible table lamp such as an Anglepoise® lamp 9 which may be adjusted into different positions. Whilst an Edison screw mount is used in this embodiment, it will be apparent that any other suitable light bulb fitting may be used such as a bayonet style fitting, bi-pin connector or wedge base depending upon the light bulb socket with which it is desired to connect the support. A selection of different connector types is shown in Fig. 5, It is envisaged that the light bulb connector may be detachable from the rest of the support so that different connectors may be interchanged as desired depending upon the type of light bulb socket to which it is intended to connect the support.

The mobile telephone port 7 at the other end of the support I comprises a channel 11 of substantially uniform depth and width formed into the body 13 ofthe support 1 and arranged to capture edges of a mobile telephone 3. The depth and width of the channel 7 is chosen so that it can accommodate mobile telephones of different widths and thicknesses. The front face of the support 1 adjacent the receiving channel 7 is partially cut away to form a viewing aperture 15 so that the screen of the mobile telephone 3 and its video capture lens are substantially unobscured by the support 1 when the mobile telephone 3 is mounted within the channel 7. The remaining part of the front face of the support I forms flanged ends 17 that capture the edges of the mobile telephone 3 and prevent it from falling through the aperture 15 from the channel 7 when mounted in position.

The body 13 of the support I is tapered from the mobile telephone port 7 toward the screw mount 5 so as to form a relatively narrow neck 19 that extends from the port 7 to the mount 5, This facilitates mounting of the support ito a light bulb socket which may be, for example, deeply recessed within a lamp and otherwise inaccessible due to the mobile telephone abutting against parts ofthe lamp. This is particularly useful where the light socket fitting is surrounded by a shade which would otherwise limit the ability of the support to connect a handheld device which would otherwise abut against the edges of the shade. A handle 21 is formed at the other end of the support 1 beneath the telephone port 7 to enable the support I and the lamp 9 to which the support 1 is connected to be easily manoeuvred and manipulated.

The base ofthe telephone port 7 comprises an electrical connector 23 arranged to be inserted into the power port ofthe mobile telephone 3. the support 1 is arranged to be electrically connected to the light bulb socket so that the support 1 can draw electricity from the mains supply of the lamp 9 via the screw mount 5 and divert the electricity to the mobile telephone to permit the telephone to be charged when connected to the support. Charging of the mobile telephone can therefore take place even when the phone is in use, for example, during a video call. The support therefore comprises a charging circuit 25 arranged between the mount 5 and the electrical connector 23 to enable the mobile telephone to use mains electricity to recharge its battery.

The support may optionally comprise a light source such as an LED which is arranged at the telephone port end of the support. The light source may draw its power from the mains supply via the screw mount 5 so that the support can simultaneously operate as a lamp and a smart phone support. Thus, the lamp into which the support is inserted may continue to perfonn the ifmnction of a lamp even when the support is arranged to hold a video capture device such as a smart phone. Furthermore, the lamp will illuminate the field of view ofthe video capture device to enable clearer and brighter images to be taken.

In use, the support 1 is inserted into the light bulb socket of any suitable desired lamp that can accommodate the shape of the support I when a mobile telephone 3 is connected thereto. The support I is arranged so that the mobile telephone port 7 is in a substantially upright receiving orientation. When the support t is correctly seated and positioned, a mobile telephone 3 is inserted into the channel II of the port until the power connector 23 is inserted into the power port of the mobile telephone 3. When the mobile telephone 3 is securely seated within the port 7, provided the lamp 9 has some adjustability or flexibility, the support 1 can be moved using the handle 21 which in turn manipulates the lamp 9. Thus, the support I and lamp 9 can be urged into a desired position in space so that the image capture lens of the mobile telephone is directed toward the user or any other desired object as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, Whilst the above described embodiment is intended to be connected to a mobile telephone, the support could be arranged to connect to any other suitable image capture device such as a portable tablet computer, video camcorder or digital camera. The type of mount could also be changed so that the support could be connected to different types of electrical fittings such as plug sockets or car cigar lighters.

The above embodiments are described byway of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope ofthe invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1, A support for a handheld communication device, the support comprising a first connector aranged to connect the support to an electrical fitting and a second connector arranged to connect the support to a handheld communication device, such that the handheld communication device can be supported by the electrical fitting.
2. A support as claimed in claim I, wherein the electrical fitting comprises a light bulb socket.
3. A support as claimed in claim I or claim 2, wherein the second connector is arranged to connect the support to an image capture device.
4, A support as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a projection to enable the position of the support and the fitting to which the support may be connected to be adjusted.
5. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first connector and the second connector are separated from each other and wherein a body of the support is shaped so that, when the first connector is connected to an electrical fitting, the second connector is positioned remote from the electrical fitting and outside of apparatus in which the electrical fitting is incorporated.
6. A support as claimed in any preceding claim comprising an electrical connector for making an electrical connection to a device mounted on the support.
7. A support as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first connector is electrically connectable to the electrical fitting.
8, A support as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a charging circuit arranged between the first connector and the electrical connector to enable electricity to be diverted from the electrical fitting to a handheld communications device so that a battery of the handheld communications device can be recharged using electricity from the electrical fitting.
9. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second connector is arranged to support a device in a position at which a viewing screen or image capture lens on the device is substantially unobscured by the support.
10. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support is intended to be connected to an adjustable lamp.
11. A support as claimed in claim 10, wherein the support is intended to be connected to an adjustable lamp comprising an adjustable arm or leg.

12, A support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein part of the support between the first connector and the second connector is adjustable to enable the position of the first connector relative to the second connector to be adjusted.H. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first connector is disconnectable from the rest of the support to enable other types of first connectors to be attached to the rest of the support so that the support can be connected to different types of electrical fitting. l0N. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a light source.5, A support as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.16. A light bulb socket comprising a support as claimed in any preceding claim.7. A lamp comprising a support as claimed in of claims Ito 5.18. A method of positioning a handheld communications device to enable communication with a remote communications device comprising the steps of: providing a support as claimed in any of claims ito t5; connecting the support to an electrical fitting; connecting a handheld communications device to the support; and positioning the support such that the handheld communications device is oriented in a desired position.