A mobile phone device

Abstract

A mobile phone device comprising a case and a toy, wherein the case is adpated to fit over the mobile phone and the toy comprises one or more displaceable sections and the toy is arranged to connect t

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mobile phone device, in particular a device for protecting a mobile phone, or similar portable electronic equipment, as well as providing a toy for mechanical interaction - additional to the electronic functionality. Background Many people find social situations problematic, and can find it helpful to have distractions available. Commonly therefore the mobile equipment can provide more than one purpose, allowing users to have access to useful technical features as well as a welcome distraction. However at other occasions the user may feel uncomfortable using the equipment as this may be too obvious in the situation. Prior Art KR 10 2021 0 101 541 (KIM) discloses a mobile phone case having a fidget function, which enables a user to use various fidget functions by a switch part, a cutter part, a cap part, a sawtooth part, a button part, and a round part to solve a problem that the fidget function is not various, thereby solving a problem that the existing fidget function is not diverse. According to the present invention, a spinner mobile phone case comprises: a mobile phone case made of silicone to protect a mobile phone body; a switch part formed in an on / off button shape to use various fidget functions; a cutter part formed in a cutter knife shape to use the various fidget functions, a cap part formed in a ballpoint pen cap shape to use the various fidget functions; a sawtooth part formed in a sawtooth shape to use the various fidget functions; a button part formed in a small button shape to use the various fidget functions; and a round part made of plastic and used by rotation to use the various fidget functions. US 2018 0 332 155 (BABBAGE et al) discloses a fidget tool phone case comprising: a case body having an outside, and a plurality of phone function apertures disposed from the outside to the inside; a lock pin engageable with the lock aperture of the bearing axle; wherein the spinner arm is configured to spin freely relative the case body; wherein the the spinner housing, the spinner base, the bearing, and the spinner hub comprise a spinner assembly. US 9 853 675 (CHEN) discloses a mobile phone cover, comprising: a resilient mobile phone back configurable to attach to a mobile phone; a plurality of fidgets manipulably affixed to the resilient mobile phone back, the plurality of fidgets configured to provide a user with sensory feedback that is tactile or audible or both. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a mobile phone device comprising a case and a toy, wherein the case is adapted to fit over the mobile phone and the toy comprises one or more displaceable section and the toy is arranged to connect to the case using a reversible connection means. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a rotatable section and fixed base, so as to allow the rotatable section to be rotated in relation to the base, and the base fixed to the case. In some such embodiments of the device the fixed base is adapted to connect to the case at a connection means, which may be envisaged to be a displaceable connection means in some embodiments so as to allow the toy to be temporarily disconnected from the case. For example, in some embodiments of the device the connection means comprises a ferromagnetic connection means. Such ferromagnetic connection means may be as is common to the field, so as to allow the connection means to be used for other standardised purposes, such as vehicle mounting. Other embodiments may comprise bayonet connection means or other clip fitting means or spring fitting plunger connection means. In some embodiments of the device the connection means comprises a raised lip and a matching indentation so as to ensure correct matching, ensuring the toy may be easily connected to the case, for example without looking. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises adapted to provide haptic feedback when the section displaces, such as to allow for a user to displace the section repeatedly, obtaining reassurance or distraction from the feedback. In some embodiments of the device the displaceable section is adapted to displace continuously and the haptic feedback is provided by teeth meeting indentations for example, providing repeating bumps as the section rotates for example, where the displaceable section comprises a rotating dial. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises the displaceable section comprises a rotatable switch, such that the displaceable section may serve a function as a control switch for selecting functionality for a digital or mechanical feedback control means. It may be envisaged that in order to engage such functionality or switch the displaceable section may require the user to change the section in some way, for example by disconnecting the toy from the case, so as to allow the toy to be set for later discreet use in a particular format or functionality. In some embodiments of the device a pointer on the displaceable section points to one or more marking, so as to provide an easy visual guide to functionality setting for example. Such pointerand markings may be raised so as to allow for location in limited visibility conditions. In some embodiments of the device the displaceable section comprises a button, which may be used to select or actuate a functionality that has been selected. In some embodiments of the device the toy comprises a hinged ring, which hinged ring may be envisaged to aid in rotating the displaceable section of the toy, and / or which may provide a stand for the toy or device, and thereby mobile phone. In some embodiments of the device the toy is connected is located onto the rear face of the case, for example such that such a ring may extend therefrom to allow viewing of video content for example. In some embodiments of the device the toy comprises a battery to enable digital functionality and a vibration motor, for example three modes: Mode 1: Tally mode - set for 5 minutes - the user has to press and hold for 5 mins to get a tally. Mode 2: Stopwatch - The stopwatch vibrates to start after clicking - then vibrates twice to say the time has ended. Mode 3: Breathing - Vibrate once to inhale, vibrate twice to hold breath, vibrate three times to exhale. In some embodiments of the device the toy comprises a display screen to allow for setting of functionality as well as a button control means. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention from the rear of the case; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the toy from the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, with stand ring hinged out; Figure 6 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the toy as shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the case from the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figures 8 show diagrammatic rear and side views of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, respectively; and Figure 9 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, with stand ring hinged out. Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of a mobile phone device 199 generally comprising a case 100 and a toy 99, wherein the case is adapted to fit over the mobile phone and the toy comprises one or more displaceable section. In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises a case that is a mobile phone case, which clips around the sides and extends over the rear face of a mobile phone, with perforations 15 or deformably displaceable covers 12 for technical features of the mobile phone, all in a manner as is common in the art. The case is formed as a monolithic injection moulded part, for example in relatively rigid plastics such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or the like. The toy 99 is located on the rear face of the case, and is wholly displaceable therefrom. The toy connects onto the case, as shown in Figure 1, with a ferromagnetic connection means comprising neodymium magnets inset into the toy and a ferromagnetic plate inset into the case. The toy has a circular footprint and a flat face 10 facing the connection means, wherein the magnet 30 is annular and surrounds a central circular hole 1. At the top of the hole is a charging socket 2 used to charge an internal battery, and in the hole is a display screen, which is available when the toy is disconnected from the case. A circular raised lip 4 surrounds the hole, and is discontinuous at the socket 2. The rear of the toy is otherwise flat and planar, matching the rear face of the case. The rear face of the case comprises a matching indentation 14, into which the lip is fit, so as to match the toy and case together easily and without looking, ensuring that all parts of the toy and case are matched and in place, ensuring that the user is enabled to interact with the toy in the same manner each time even without looking, providing greater reassurance. The display screen may comprise a light emitting diode (LED) screen or a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen or similar. The display provides information on settings that are controlled by a rotatable dial. The rotatable dial 3 is provided by the displaceable section that is also used to provide haptic feedback. The dial housing has a plurality of teeth disposed on an inner circumference thereof; or a plurality of engagement teeth disposed on an outer edge wherein each of the plurality of engagement teeth is disposed to be engageable with an outer circumference of the housing to provide a continuous bump interface for haptic feedback. Additionally the dial is adapted to provide a rotatable switch that has four perpendicular positions, having a pointer provided by a hinge 9 on its circumference and being surrounded by an annular outer with four markings 8. The pointer is provided by the shoulder hinge of a ring 5, that is hinged so as to allow the ring to be used as stand for the device and mobile phone when the ring is hinged outwards, as shown in Figure 9, so as to allow the mobile phone to be used as a screen for watching audiovisual content for example. Opposing the hinge 9 is a cut out 6 to allow the ring 5 to be displaced outwards. In addition or the alternative the ring may be used to turn the dial more easily or more satisfyingly. In this way the displaceable section 3 is enabled to rotate continuously on a fixed base section, which fixed section in the pictured embodiment comprises a circular section 7, with the screen and hole on a rear face, and with a button 21 on a front face. Between the screen and the button is a housing that houses the battery and a printed circuit board (PCB). The button is depressed to select a setting as selected by the dial. The dial and screen are only engaged when the toy is displaced from the case, wherein the toy comprises a light sensor on the rear face that is covered when the toy is in place on the case. The exploded view shows the following parts: Mag-safe case magnet 13 and induction charger guide 16 Case housing Injection moulded TPU, Polycarbonate 41 Mag-safe magnet 30 Base, injection moulded ABS 7 LCD screen 29 PCB - Custom electronics 28 Rechargeable battery 27 Dial - Aluminium or electroplated polymer 3 Hinge with pin 9 Kickstand ring - Injection moulded ABS 5 Module housing - Injection moulded ABS 26 Button PCB - Custom electronics 25 Snap dome button 24 Snap dome button cover - Injection moulded silicone 23 Tactile button cap - Injection moulded ABS 21 Button bevel - Injection moulded ABS 22 The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A mobile phone device comprising a case and a toy, wherein the case is adapted to fit over the mobile phone and the toy comprises one or more displaceable section and the toy is arranged to connect to the case using a reversible connection means.

2. A mobile phone device according to claim 1 comprising a rotatable section and fixed base.

3. A mobile phone device according to claim 2 wherein the fixed base is adapted to connect to the case at a connection means.

4. A mobile phone device according to claim 3 wherein the connection means comprises a ferromagnetic connection means.

5. A mobile phone device according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the connection means comprises a raised lip and matching indentation so as to ensure correct matching.

6. A mobile phone device according to any preceding claim adapted to provide haptic feedback when the section displaces.

7. A mobile phone device according to claim 6 wherein the section is adapted to displace continuously and the haptic feedback is provided by teeth meeting indentations.

8. A mobile phone device according to any preceding claim wherein the section comprises a rotating dial.

9. A mobile phone device according to any preceding claim wherein the displaceable section comprises a rotatable switch.

10. A mobile phone device according to any preceding claim wherein a pointer on the displaceable section points to one or more marking.

11. A mobile phone device according to any preceding claim wherein the displaceable section comprises a button.

12. A mobile phone device according to any preceding claim wherein the toy comprises a hinged ring.

13. A mobile phone device according to any preceding claim wherein the connected is located onto the rear face of the case.1014. A mobile phone device according to comprises a battery.

15. A mobile phone device according to comprises a display screen.

16. A mobile phone device according to comprises a button control means.any preceding claim wherein the toyany preceding claim wherein the toyany preceding claim wherein the toy