WO2014082304A1

WO2014082304A1 - Mobile device having integral laser diode

Info

Publication number: WO2014082304A1
Application number: PCT/CN2012/085674
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bo NIE
Original assignee: Motorola Mobility Llc
Priority date: 2012-11-30
Filing date: 2012-11-30
Publication date: 2014-06-05

Abstract

A mobile device (2) comprises a laser diode (16) which may emit a substantially coherent laser beam of visible light, and a jack socket (18) into which a jack (22) may be plugged such that information may be transferred from the mobile device to the jack. The jack socket comprises an opening (20) on a surface of the mobile device. The laser diode and the jack socket are arranged such that, when emitted, the laser beam is directed substantially along the central axis of the jack socket towards the opening of the jack socket.

Description

MOBILE DEVICE HAVING INTEGRAL LASER DIODE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to mobile devices having integral laser diodes for emitting laser beams of visible light.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Typically, a laser pointer is a dedicated, handheld device comprising a laser diode that emits a narrow, coherent, low-powered laser beam of visible light. This laser beam may be used to highlight a target by illuminating it with a small bright spot of colored light.

[0003] Such laser pointer devices are powered by batteries that may not be rechargeable. Also, such laser pointer devices can easily be forgotten or lost.

[0004] US 6,327,484 discloses a wireless communications device (e.g. a mobile telephone) that has an integral laser pointer. The laser pointer functionality is provided by a laser diode that is arranged to emit a laser beam from an end portion of an (external) antenna of the wireless communications device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention, and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments.

[0006] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) showing an embodiment of a mobile device;

[0007] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) showing a perspective view of a portion of the mobile device;

[0008] FIG. 3 is a process flow chart showing certain steps of an embodiment of a process of using the mobile device as a laser pointer; and

[0009] FIG. 4 is a process flow chart showing certain steps of an embodiment of a process of using the mobile device as a digital media player. [0010] Persons having skill in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relation other elements to help to improve understanding.

[0011] The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding, while not obscuring the disclosure with details that are readily apparent to persons having skill in the art along with the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Embodiments of the invention include a mobile (i.e. hand-held) device

(such as a wireless communication device, a mobile telephone, a smartphone, a wearable computer, a tablet computer, and a media playback device for playing back digital media, etc.) comprising a laser diode that may emit a substantially coherent laser beam of visible light, and a jack socket into which a jack may be plugged such that information may be transferred from the mobile device to the jack (and therefore, the device that includes the jack). The jack socket comprises an opening in a surface of the mobile device. The laser diode and the jack socket are arranged such that, when the laser beam is emitted, it is directed substantially along a central axis of the jack socket towards the opening of the jack socket.

[0013] In some embodiments, the laser beam may extend away from the mobile device and out of the jack socket opening. Thus, the mobile device may be used to illuminate or highlight, using the laser beam, targets that are remote from the mobile device. In other words, the mobile device may be used as a laser pointer.

[0014] In some embodiments, the mobile device further comprises a media playback module for playing digital media (that may, e.g., be stored on the device). The media playback module may be coupled to the jack socket such that, in use, a signal corresponding to the digital media being played back by the media playback module is transferred from the mobile device to a jack that is plugged into the jack socket. The laser diode may, for at least some of the time that digital media is being played back, emit the laser beam of visible light. This laser light may be incident on the jack, and may be used by the device that comprises the jack, for example, to create a lighting display. The mobile device may further comprise a processor that may control the laser diode depending on certain properties (e.g. tempo, volume, frequency, etc.) of digital media being played by the media playback module.

[0015] In the following description, like reference numerals refer to like elements.

[0016] The following description is based on embodiments of the invention and should not be taken as limiting the invention with regard to alternative embodiments that are not explicitly described herein.

[0017] Apparatus for implementing any of the below described arrangements, and performing the method steps to be described later below, may be provided by configuring or adapting any suitable apparatus, for example one or more computers or other processing apparatus or processors, and/or providing additional modules. The apparatus may comprise a computer, a network of computers, or one or more processors, for implementing instructions and using data, including instructions and data in the form of a computer program or plurality of computer programs stored in or on a machine readable storage medium such as computer memory, a computer disk, ROM, PROM etc., or any combination of these or other storage media.

[0018] It should be noted that certain of the process steps depicted in the flowcharts of FIGs. 3 and 4 and described below may be omitted or such process steps may be performed in differing order to that presented below and shown in FIGs. 3 and 4. Furthermore, although all the process steps have, for convenience and ease of understanding, been depicted as discrete temporally- sequential steps, nevertheless some of the process steps may in fact be performed simultaneously or at least overlapping to some extent temporally.

[0019] Referring now to the FIGs, FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) showing an embodiment of a mobile device 2. In this embodiment, the mobile device 2 is any appropriate type of mobile device that is capable of storing and playing digital media, such as digital audio files. For example, the mobile device 2 may be wireless communications device (such as a mobile telephone, a smartphone, a tablet computer), a portable media player (such as an MP3 player), etc. In other embodiments, the mobile device 2 may be a wireless communications device that is not be capable of storing and playing digital media. [0020] The mobile device 2 comprises within its housing a switch 4, a media playback module 6, a processor 8, a first driver 10, a second driver 12, a power source 14, a laser diode 16, and an earphone jack socket 18.

[0021] The switch 4 is located on a surface of the mobile device 2, e.g. switch 4 may be located on an edge or perimeter of the mobile device 2. In one example embodiment, the switch 4 is depressable (i.e. switch 4 may be actuated by applying a downward pressure upon a rocker arm or button, for example) by a user of the mobile device 2. In other embodiments, the switch 4 may be a different type of switch. For example, the switch 4 may be a slide switch that may be slid by a user of the mobile device 2. Also for example, the switch 4 may be a digital switch that may be displayed on the mobile device 2 (e.g. on a touch screen display of the mobile device 2) and that may be activated by the user interacting with a user interface for the display of the mobile device 2. As described in more detail later below, the switch 4 may be used, by the user of the mobile device 2, to activate a laser pointer function of the mobile device 2. In other words, the switch 4 may be actuated for selectively enabling a laser pointer functionality of the mobile device 2. The switch 4 may be a dedicated switch, or can be a multi-function switch that may be used for controlling other features of the mobile device 2.

[0022] The switch 4 is connected to the processor 8 such that information (e.g., an indication that the switch 4 has been depressed by the user) may be sent between the switch 4 and the processor 8.

[0023] The media playback module 6 is a module that the user of the mobile device 2 may use to select, and playback, digital media (e.g. that may be stored on the mobile device 2, or may be downloaded or streamed via the Internet etc.). The functionality of the media playback module 6 is described in more detail later below with reference to FIG 4.

[0024] The media playback module 6 is connected to the processor 8 such that information (e.g., an indication that digital media is to be played back by the mobile device 2, and indication of the particular digital media that is to be played back) may be sent between the media playback module 6 and the processor 8.

[0025] As described in more detail later below with reference to FIGs. 3 and 4, the processor 8 is configured to process information received by it from the switch 4 and or the media playback module 6. [0026] In addition to being connected to the switch 4 and the media playback module 6, the processor 8 is also connected, via either the first driver 10 or the second driver 12, to the internal laser diode 16. This connection between the processor 8 and the laser diode 16 (via either the first driver 10 or the second driver 12) is such that the processor may operate, or control, the laser diode 16 using either the first of second drivers 10, 12.

[0027] The first driver 10 is a "laser pointer driver". In other words, the first driver 10 is software that allows the processor 8 to operate the laser diode 16 such that the laser diode 16 operates as described in more detail later below with reference to FIG. 3, i.e. such that the laser diode 16 performs a laser pointer function, i.e. such that the mobile device 2 operates as a laser pointer and thereby is able to provide visible light upon a target remote from the mobile device 2. The first driver 10 is connected to the processor 8 and the laser diode 16 such that this functionality is provided.

[0028] The second driver 12 is a "media laser driver". In other words, the second driver 12 is software that allows the processor 8 to operate the laser diode 16 such that the laser diode 16 operates as described in more detail later below with reference to FIG. 4, i.e. such that the laser diode 16 emits light in time with audio corresponding to the digital media being played back on the mobile device 2. The second driver 12 is connected to the processor 8 and the laser diode 16 such that this functionality is provided.

[0029] The battery 14 may be a rechargeable and a replaceable battery, but need not be replaceable by a typical user of the mobile device 2. In one embodiment, the battery 14 is coupled to the components of the mobile device 2 that are to be powered. The battery is connected to inter alia to the processor 8, the first driver 10, the second driver 12, and the laser diode 16 such that the battery 14 provides power to those components. The battery 14 may also be connected to one or more other components of the mobile device 2 such that power is supplied, by the battery 14, to those other components.

[0030] The internal laser diode 16 may be operated (e.g. by the processor 8) such that it emits a narrow coherent low-powered laser beam of visible light from within the housing of the mobile device 2. This initial internal light beam may be directed, propagated, or transmitted (for example by optical components, such as mirrors, lenses, MEMS, or spatial light modulators) to be used to highlight something of interest by illuminating it with a small bright spot of colored light. Preferably, the power of the laser diode is less than or equal to 5 mW.

[0031] The terminology "earphone jack socket" is used herein to refer a socket, i.e. a hole, that is configured to receive an earphone jack (which may also be called an audio jack, phone jack, phone plug, jack plug, jack socket, stereo plug, mini-stereo, headphone jack, microphone jack, tiny telephone connector, bantam plug, etc.). The earphone jack socket 18 is a socket in the mobile device 2. The earphone jack socket 18 is located on an edge of the mobile device 2. In one example embodiment, the earphone jack socket 18 is configured to receive a 3.5mm earphone jack, i.e. an earphone jack having a diameter of 3.5mm (approximately 1/8 inch). However, in other embodiments, the earphone jack socket 18 may be configured to receive differently sized jacks, e.g. a 6.35 mm (approximately ¼ inch) or 2.5 mm (approximately 3/32 inch) jack.

[0032] The laser diode 16 may be located at an end of the earphone jack socket

18. In particular, the laser diode 16 may be located at the end of the earphone jack socket 18 that is furthest away from an opening of the earphone jack socket 18 (i.e. the opening through which an earphone jack may be inserted into the earphone jack socket 18).

[0033] Also, the laser diode 16 and the earphone jack socket 18 are arranged such that the internal laser beam of visible light emitted by the laser diode 16 is emitted outwards from the earphone jack socket 18. In other words, the laser diode 16 and the earphone jack socket 18 are arranged such that the laser beam of visible light emitted by the laser diode 16 travels from the laser diode 16 (from the end of the earphone jack socket 18 at which the laser diode 16 is located), along the length of the earphone jack socket 18 (e.g. substantially along a central, or longitudinal, axis of the earphone jack socket 18), and out of an external opening of the earphone jack socket 18.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) showing a perspective view of a portion of the mobile device 2.

[0035] The portion of the mobile device 2 shown in FIG. 2 is a cut-away portion so that components inside the mobile device 2 (i.e. the laser diode 16 and the earphone jack socket 18) can be seen.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, the laser diode 16 is located at the end of the earphone jack socket 18 that is furthest away from the opening 20 of the earphone jack socket 18. The laser diode 16 is arranged such that the laser beam of visible light emitted by the laser diode 16 is shone along the length of the earphone jack socket 18 and out of the opening 20.

[0037] The earphone jack socket 18 may be configured to receive a 3.5mm earphone jack 22. The earphone jack 22 may be inserted in to the earphone jack socket 18 via the opening 20, by a user, by moving the earphone jack 22 along the dotted line shown in FIG. 2 and indicated by the reference numeral 24.

[0038] In one embodiment, the earphone jack 22 is the jack connector of a set of earphones 26 (i.e., either in-ear headphones or over-the-ear headphones) that are connected to the earphone jack 22 by a connecting cable 28.

[0039] In one embodiment, the cable 28 includes optical fibers. Each of these optical fibers has one end located at (or integral with) the earphone jack 22, and the other end located at an outer surface of an earphone 26. The optical fibers are such that, as described in more detail later below with reference to FIG. 4, when the earphone jack 22 is inserted into the earphone jack socket 18, and when the laser diode 16 emits laser light, that light travels along the optical fibers from an end of the optical fibers at or in the earphone jack 22, along the cable 28, into the earphones 26, and out of another end of the optical fiber. The light travelling within the optical fibers is emitted from each of the earphones 26. Thus, a lighting display may be created by the set of earphones 26.

[0040] In other embodiments, the earphone jack 22, the earphones 26, and/or the cable 28 may comprise different means for using the laser beam emitted by the laser diode to create a lighting display. For example, the outer casings of the jack 22, the earphones 26, and/or the cable 28 may be made or a light scattering material (e.g. made of transparent, semi-transparent or translucent, material e.g. plastic). Thus, light emitted by the laser diode 16 and incident on the jack 22 may be transferred, to some extent, along the cable to the earphone 26, and may be emitted from the surfaces of the jack 22, the earphones 26, and/or the cable 28.

[0041] In another embodiment, the visible light within opening 20 may pulsate rhythmically, (i.e., a measured regularity), as a result of processor 8 controlling light emission from laser diode 16.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a process flow chart showing certain steps of an example embodiment of a process of using the mobile device 2 as a laser pointer.

[0043] At step s2, the user of the mobile device 2 depresses or actuates the switch 4 on the mobile device 2. In other words, the user switches on (using the switch 4) the laser pointer functionality of the mobile device 2. [0044] At step s4, a signal corresponding to the depression of the switch 4 (i.e. a signal indicating that the user has "switched on", or activated, the laser pointer functionality of the mobile device 2) is sent to, and received by, the processor 8 (e.g. from the switch 4).

[0045] At step s6, the processor 8 processes the received input to determine that the laser diode 16 is to be activated.

[0046] At step s8, the processor 8 controls, using the first driver 10, the laser diode such that the laser diode 16 is activated. In other words, using the first driver 10, the processor 8 controls the laser diode 16 such that it emits a narrow coherent low- powered laser beam of visible light. Processor 8 may also control other parameters for the laser diode as well beyond coherence. For example, the processor 8 is configured to operate the laser diode 16 depending on one or more parameters relating to digital media being played by the media playback module 6.

[0047] At step slO, the laser beam of visible light emitted by the laser diode 16 travels, from the end of the earphone jack socket 18 at which the laser diode 16 is located, along the length of the earphone jack socket 18, and out of the opening 20 of the earphone jack socket 18. The laser beam of visible light emitted by the laser diode 16 is directed away from the mobile device 2.

[0048] At step si 2, the user of the mobile device 2 uses the mobile device 2 as a laser pointer. For example, the user may move the mobile device 2 such that the laser beam of visible light emitted by the mobile device is directed towards targets that the user wishes to highlight or illuminate.

[0049] The laser pointer functionality of the mobile device 2 may be switched off using the switch 4, e.g. by the user releasing the switch such that the switch is no longer depressed, or by the user depressing the switch 4 again, or by the user performing any other appropriate action, including a predetermined gesture capable of being analyzed by processor 8 as detected by a sensor such as an touch sensor, accelerometer, magnetometer, barometer, proximity sensor or gyroscope, for example.

[0050] Thus, an embodiment of using the mobile device 2 as a laser pointer is provided.

[0051] FIG. 4 is a process flow chart showing certain steps of an embodiment of a process of using the mobile device 2 as a digital media player.

[0052] At step sl4, the user of the mobile device 2 inserts the earphone jack 22 into the earphone jack socket 18 via the opening 20; thus, the earphone jack socket 18 receives the earphone jack 22. This is performed by the user moving the earphone jack 22 in the direction 24. Inserting the earphone jack 22 into the earphone jack socket 18 positions a free end of the earphone jack 22 proximate to, and facing, the laser diode 16.

[0053] At step si 6, the user selects, using the media playback module 6, digital audio that is to be played back by the mobile device 2. In other embodiments, a different type of digital media may be selected for playback. The digital audio selected for playback by the user may, for example, be music. Any appropriate process for selecting digital audio may be used to select digital audio for playback by the mobile device 2. Hence, media playback module 6 plays selected media for mobile device 2.

[0054] At step si 8, a signal corresponding to the selection of digital audio by the user is sent to, and received by, the processor 8 (e.g. from the media playback module 6). This signal may, for example, identify the digital audio that is to be played back, and/or may comprise the digital audio itself.

[0055] At step s20, the processor 8 processes the received input to determine that the laser diode 16 is to be activated. The processor 8 may also determine how the laser diode 16 is to be activated, including enabling pulsating, rhythmic synchronization with audio (either digital or analog) and controlling the intensity of the visible beam emitted from laser diode 16. In this embodiment, the processor 8 determines a pattern with which to alternately activate and deactivate the laser diode 16. This pattern may, for example, be determined dependent upon the results of analysis performed on the digital audio that is to be played back, or may be determined using some properties or parameters of the digital audio that is to be played back.

[0056] For example, in some embodiments, the processor 8 determines a tempo of music that is to be played back. This may, for example, be performed by the processor 8 analyzing the digital audio file of the music, or by the processor retrieving that tempo information from a different entity (e.g. via the Internet). Using this tempo information, the processor 8 may then determine a pattern for switching the laser diode 16 on and off at the determined tempo (i.e. such that the laser diode 16 would be alternately switched on and off in time with the music).

[0057] At step s22, the selected digital audio is played, processed, and controlled by the mobile device 2. This playback of the digital audio is so that the user can listen to that audio using the earphones 26. In this embodiment, the playback of the digital audio is performed in a conventional manner. For example, the media playback module 6 may send an electronic signal corresponding to the selected audio to the earphone jack socket 18, which may then be transferred to the earphone jack 22, and converted, by the earphones 26, to audible sound.

[0058] At step s24, as the digital audio is being played back, the processor 8 controls, using the second driver 12, the laser diode 16 such that the laser diode 16 is activated in accordance with the pattern determined by the processor 8 at step s20. In other words, using the second driver 12, the processor 8 controls the laser diode 16 such that it emits a narrow coherent low-powered laser beam of visible light in accordance with the determined pattern. Thus, for example, in some embodiments, the processor 8 controls the laser diode 16 so that laser light is emitted by the laser diode 16 in time or synchronization with the music being played back.

[0059] At step s26, the laser beam of visible light emitted by the laser diode 16 travels, from the end of the earphone jack socket 18 at which the laser diode 16 is located, onto the earphone jack 22 (e.g. onto the free end of the earphone jack 22) that has been inserted into the earphone jack socket 18. In other words, the light emitted by the light diode 16 is incident on the earphone jack 22, at which is located one end of the optical fibers running through the cable 28.

[0060] At step s28, the light emitted by the laser diode 16 travels, from the earphone jack 22, along the optical fibers that are within the cable 28, to the earphones 26. The light is emitted from the ends of the optical fibers that are located at a surface of the earphones 26.

[0061] Thus, the earphones 26 appear to flash, i.e. give off light or be illuminated in intermittent bursts. This flashing of the earphones 26 and/or the cable 28 may tend to be in accordance with the auditory pattern determined (at step s20) by the processor 8. Thus, for example, the earphones 26 may appear to flash in time with the digital audio being played back by the mobile device 2.

[0062] Thus, an embodiment of using the mobile device 2 as a digital media player is provided.

[0063] Advantageously, the above described mobile device may be used as a laser pointer.

[0064] The widespread and everyday use of mobile devices such as cellular telephone, portable media players, and the like, means that it tends to be unlikely that a person would not carry with them such a mobile device. Thus, the integration of a laser pointer with such a mobile device advantageously means that a person need never be without a laser pointer. Dedicated laser pointers tend to be easier to forget compared to mobile devices such as cellular telephone, portable media players, and the like, as they tend not to be so frequently used by people.

[0065] The laser pointer provided by the above described mobile device may be recharged (i.e. as the battery is a rechargeable battery), thereby eliminating any need for a special recharging device for recharging batteries used in conventional laser pointers.

[0066] Also, advantageously, the above described mobile device may be used for digital media playback. During such playback, the mobile device may emit laser light so as to light-up at set of earphones connected to the mobile device. The set of earphones may be lit up in a pattern that corresponds to media being played on the mobile device. In other words, whilst the mobile device is playing back media, the mobile device may emit light so as to create, using at set of earphones connected to the mobile device, a lighting display. This lighting display tends to look attractive e.g. to the user. This lighting display may enhance the user's listening experience.

[0067] In the above embodiments, the battery of the mobile device powers the other components of the mobile device. In other embodiments, the mobile device may also comprise power conversion circuitry for providing that the voltage rating of the battery meets the requirements of one or more of the other components of the mobile device.

[0068] In the above embodiments, the laser diode is configured to emit a laser beam of visible light directly into the earphone jack socket. In other embodiments, the mobile device may include one or more optical lenses that are configured to focus and/or concentrate the laser beam prior to that beam leaving the mobile device. Such lenses may, for example, be positioned between the laser diode and the earphone jack socket. Also, in other embodiments, the mobile device may include one or more optical filters (e.g. colored filters) that are configured to filter the laser beam prior to that beam leaving the mobile device. For example, the filters may change the color of the light leaving the mobile device. Such filters may, for example, be positioned between the laser diode and the earphone jack socket.

[0069] In some embodiments, the processor may be configured to operate one or more filters so as to switch between how the light emitted from the laser diode is filtered (e.g. to switch between the light being filtered and not filtered, or to switch from using one filter to using a different filter, etc.). Thus, a wide variety of lighting displays may be created by the mobile device. [0070] In the above embodiments, the lighting display functionality of the mobile device is illustrated using an earphone set (comprising earphones, a cable, and an earphone jack) which is plugged into the earphone jack socket. However, in other embodiments, a different device may be plugged into the earphone jack socket (i.e. a different device may be attached to the mobile device). For example, in other embodiments, a headset, or a set of loudspeakers may be plugged into the mobile device. In these other embodiments, the other device plugged into the jack socket of the mobile device is configured to convert (e.g. using optical fibers or other means) into a light display.

[0071] In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described.

However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings.

[0072] The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.

[0073] Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "has", "having," "includes", "including," "contains", "containing" or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by "comprises ...a", "has ...a", "includes ...a", "contains ...a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms "a" and "an" are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms "substantially", "essentially", "approximately", "about" or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term "coupled" as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is "configured" in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

[0074] It will be appreciated that some embodiments may be comprised of one or more generic or specialized processors (or "processing devices") such as microprocessors, digital signal processors, customized processors and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and unique stored program instructions (including both software and firmware) that control the one or more processors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of the method and/or apparatus described herein. Alternatively, some or all functions could be implemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of certain of the functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches could be used.

[0075] Moreover, an embodiment can be implemented as a computer-readable storage medium having computer readable code stored thereon for programming a computer (e.g., comprising a processor) to perform a method as described and claimed herein. Likewise, computer-readable storage medium can comprise a non-transitory machine readable storage device, having stored thereon a computer program that include a plurality of code sections for performing operations, steps or a set of instructions.

[0076] Examples of such computer-readable storage mediums include, but are not limited to, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) and a Flash memory. Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein will be readily capable of generating such software instructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.

[0077] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

Claims

1. A mobile device comprising:

An internal laser diode, the laser diode being operable so as to emit a substantially coherent laser beam of visible light; and a jack socket, the jack socket comprising an opening on a surface of the mobile device, the jack socket being configured to receive a jack; wherein the laser diode and the jack socket are arranged such that, when emitted, the laser beam is directed substantially along a central axis of the jack socket towards the opening of the jack socket and away from the laser diode.

2. The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein the mobile device is a device selected from the group of devices consisting of: a wireless communication device, a mobile telephone, a smartphone, a wearable computer, a tablet computer, and a media playback device for playing back digital media.

3. The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein, when the jack socket is not obstructed, when emitted, the laser beam extends from the mobile device such that a target remote from the mobile device may be illuminated by the laser beam.

4. The mobile device according to claim 3, wherein the mobile device further comprises a switch for activating and deactivating the laser diode.

5. The mobile device according to claim 1, the mobile device further comprising an optical lens configured to focus the laser beam emitted from the laser diode prior to said laser beam entering the jack socket.

6. The mobile device according to claim 1, the mobile device further comprising one or more filters configured to filter the laser beam emitted from the laser diode prior to said laser beam entering the jack socket.

7. The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein the mobile device further comprises a media playback module; the media playback module is configured to playback digital media; and the media playback module is operatively coupled to the jack socket such that, when a jack is plugged into the jack socket, a signal corresponding to the digital media being played back by the media playback module is transferred from the mobile device to the jack via the jack socket.

8. The mobile device according to claim 7, wherein, the media playback module and the laser diode are operatively coupled together such that, for at least some of the time that digital media is being played back by the media playback module, the laser diode is activated so that it emits the laser beam of visible light.

9. The mobile device according to claim 7, wherein the mobile device further comprises a processor; the processor is operatively coupled to the media playback module and the laser diode; and the processor is configured to operate the laser diode depending on one or more parameters relating to digital media being played by the media playback module.

10. The mobile device according to claim 9, wherein the digital media being played by the media playback module comprises digital audio, and the processor is configured to alternately activate and deactivate the laser diode in time with the digital audio.

11. A method of manufacturing a mobile device, the method comprising: providing an internal laser diode, the laser diode being operable so as to emit a substantially coherent laser beam of visible light; and providing a jack socket, the jack socket comprising an opening, the jack socket being configured to receive a jack; and aligning the laser diode and the jack socket such that, when emitted, the laser beam is directed substantially along a central axis of the jack socket towards the opening of the jack socket.

12. A method of using a mobile device, the mobile device being in accordance with claim 1, the method comprising activating, by a user of the mobile device, the laser diode so as to emit a substantially coherent laser beam of visible light along a central axis of the jack socket and out of the opening of the jack socket.

13. The method according to claim 12, the method further comprising moving, by the user, the mobile device such that the laser beam of visible light is directed towards a target that the user wishes to highlight or illuminate, thereby illuminating the target with the laser beam.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein activating the laser diode comprises the user activating a switch coupled to the mobile device that is also operatively coupled to the laser diode, therein switching the laser diode from being deactivated to being activated.

15. A media playback device for playing digital media, the media playback device comprising: a mobile device according to claim 8; and a further device, the further device comprising: a jack, the jack being configured to be received by the jack socket of the mobile device; and light emitting means at least part of which is disposed proximate to the jack; wherein the mobile device and the further device are configured such that: when the jack is plugged into the jack socket, and when the media playback module is played back, a signal corresponding to the digital media being played back by the media playback module is sent from the mobile device to the further device via the jack and jack socket; and when the jack is plugged into the jack socket, and when the laser diode emits the laser beam, the laser beam is at least partially transferred from the mobile device to the light emitting means of the further device, and the visible light is subsequently emitted by the light emitting means.

16. A method of using a media playback device, the media playback device being in accordance with claim 15, the method comprising: inserting the jack of the further device into the jack socket of the mobile device; playing back, by the media playback module, digital media such that a signal corresponding to the digital media being played back is transferred from the mobile device to the further device via the jack socket and the jack; and activating, via a gesture, the laser diode so as to emit a substantially coherent laser beam of visible light along a central axis of the jack socket and onto the light emitting means such that the laser beam of visible light is at least partially transferred from the mobile device to the light emitting means of the further device; and thereafter, emitting by the light emitting means, the visible light.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the mobile device is a device selected from the group of devices consisting of: a wireless communication device, a mobile telephone, a wearable computer, a smartphone, a tablet computer, and a media playback device for playing back digital media.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the mobile device further comprises a processor; the processor is operatively coupled to the media playback module and the laser diode; and the method further comprises, determining, by the processor, values of one or more parameters relating to the digital media being played by the media playback module; and the activating of the laser diode is performed by the processor depending on the determined parameter values.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the digital media being played by the media playback comprises digital audio, and the processor alternately activates and deactivates the laser diode in time with the digital audio.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the mobile device further comprises one or more filters; and the method further comprises filtering, by the one or more filters, the laser beam emitted from the laser diode prior to said laser beam entering the jack socket; wherein the filtering of the laser beam is performed, by the processor, depending on the determined parameter values.