Light-emitting sheet for mobile devices

Abstract

This invention provides a light-emitting sheet for mobile devices that does not require a built-in battery and can be attached to the back of a mobile device. [Solution] The device comprises a substrate, a light-emitting circuit 35 provided on the surface of the substrate, and a cover 2 superimposed on the surface of the substrate so as to cover the surface of the light-emitting circuit. The light-emitting circuit consists of an antenna 31 connected by wiring 34a to 34d, a control unit 32, and light-emitting elements 33a to 33c. The entire cover or the portion corresponding to the placement of the light-emitting elements is translucent. The antenna is positioned so as to be near the position of the short-range wireless communication antenna of the mobile terminal when the light-emitting sheet for the mobile terminal is attached to the mobile terminal. The antenna can obtain power via short-range wireless communication transmitted from the mobile terminal in conjunction with the power-up or notification reception of the mobile terminal. The control unit is driven by the power obtained from the antenna, and the light-emitting elements are controlled to emit light in a light-emitting pattern predetermined by the control unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a light-emitting sheet for a mobile terminal.

Background Art

[0002] Accessories for decorating mobile terminals such as smartphones are sold in various forms, and among them, light-emitting accessories are popular.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, conventional light-emitting accessories of the type incorporating a battery for power supply to the light-emitting element have a certain thickness. In a mobile terminal that is often held and operated by hand, it is not desirable for the overall thickness of the mobile terminal to increase by attaching an accessory.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] Therefore, as a means for solving the above problems, the light-emitting sheet for a mobile terminal according to the present invention is a light-emitting sheet for a mobile terminal that can be attached to the back surface of a mobile terminal, a substrate, a light-emitting circuit provided on the surface of the substrate, and has a cover that is overlapped on the surface of the substrate so as to cover the surface of the light-emitting circuit, the light-emitting circuit is composed of an antenna, a control unit, and a light-emitting element connected by wiring, the whole of the cover or a portion corresponding to the location where the light-emitting elements are arranged is translucent, The antenna is positioned such that, when the light-emitting sheet for the mobile terminal is attached to the mobile terminal, it is located near the position of the mobile terminal's short-range wireless communication antenna. The antenna can obtain power via short-range wireless communication transmitted from the mobile terminal in conjunction with the power-on or notification reception of the mobile terminal. The control unit is driven by power obtained from the antenna, The light-emitting element is characterized in that it is controlled by the control unit to emit light in a predetermined light emission pattern.

[0006] The light-emitting sheet for a mobile device according to the present invention may be integrated with a cover case for the mobile device. Alternatively, the light-emitting sheet for a mobile device according to the present invention may constitute a removable part on the back of the cover case for the mobile device. Or, the light-emitting sheet for a mobile device according to the present invention may be a sticker that is directly attached to the back of the mobile device.

[0007] The light-emitting sheet for a mobile terminal according to the present invention comprises a substrate, a light-emitting circuit provided on the surface of the substrate, and a cover superimposed on the surface of the substrate so as to cover the surface of the light-emitting circuit. In the light-emitting sheet for mobile terminals according to the present invention, the cover is made of plastic, and the entire sheet or the portion corresponding to the location of the light-emitting element is translucent.

[0008] When the light-emitting sheet for a mobile terminal according to the present invention is integrated with a cover case for a mobile terminal, the substrate and the cover may constitute the outer and inner surfaces of the cover case for the mobile terminal, respectively, and may have thickness in order to fulfill the function of a cover case for a mobile terminal that protects the device from impacts and the like.

[0009] When the light-emitting sheet for a mobile terminal according to this invention constitutes a removable component on the back of a mobile terminal cover case, the substrate may be a thin sheet and may have an adhesive layer that can be bonded to the mobile terminal cover case. The cover may constitute the outer surface of the component. The cover may also have an edge that can be fitted into the mobile terminal cover case.

[0010] When the light-emitting sheet for a mobile terminal according to this invention is a sticker that is directly attached to the back of the mobile terminal, the substrate and cover are in the form of a thin sheet. The substrate also has an adhesive layer for attaching it to the back of the mobile terminal.

[0011] In the light-emitting sheet for a mobile terminal according to the present invention, the light-emitting circuit consists of an antenna, a control unit, and a light-emitting element connected by wiring. In the light-emitting circuit, the wiring connects the antenna and the control unit. The wiring also connects the control unit and the light-emitting element.

[0012] In the light-emitting sheet for a mobile terminal according to the present invention, the antenna is, for example, a loop antenna. In the light-emitting sheet for a mobile terminal according to the present invention, the control unit is, for example, an IC chip. In the light-emitting sheet for mobile terminals according to the present invention, the light-emitting element is, for example, an LED. In the light-emitting sheet for mobile terminals according to the present invention, the wiring is, for example, an extremely thin metal wire.

[0013] When the light-emitting sheet for mobile terminals according to the present invention is attached to a mobile terminal as a component of a cover case for a mobile terminal, or as a sticker to be attached to a mobile terminal, the antenna of the light-emitting sheet for mobile terminals according to the present invention is positioned near the location of the mobile terminal's short-range wireless communication antenna.

[0014] Furthermore, the antenna can receive near-field communication (NFC) signals transmitted from the mobile device upon power-up or notification reception, and obtain power through electromagnetic induction. The obtained power is supplied to the control unit through wiring, driving the control unit. The control unit controls the light-emitting elements to emit light according to a preset light emission pattern.

[0015] Here, "powering on the mobile device" includes not only turning the mobile device on from a powered-off state, but also turning on the screen by pressing the power button from a sleep state. Furthermore, "receiving notifications on the mobile device" includes receiving all notifications that activate near-field communication, such as incoming call notifications.

[0016] In the light-emitting sheet for a mobile terminal according to the present invention, there may be multiple light-emitting elements. The multiple light-emitting elements may light up simultaneously or in conjunction with each other. Furthermore, the light-emitting elements may exhibit a light-emitting pattern in which the light becomes stronger or weaker. Furthermore, the multiple light-emitting elements may exhibit a light-emitting pattern in which the light becomes stronger or weaker simultaneously or in conjunction with each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] Because the light-emitting sheet for mobile devices according to this invention does not require a battery, the entire light-emitting sheet can be made extremely thin. Therefore, the light-emitting sheet for mobile devices according to this invention can be made thin enough to be used without any sense of incongruity, whether as part of a removable component on the back of a mobile device cover case or as a sticker directly attached to the back of a mobile device. Furthermore, since it does not use a battery for illumination, there is no need to replace the battery. Also, since it does not require a battery for illumination, it does not consume the battery of the mobile phone itself.

[0018] The light-emitting sheet for mobile terminals according to this invention is activated and emits light in response to short-range wireless communication transmitted when the mobile terminal is powered on. Therefore, the user can press the power button of the mobile terminal while it is in sleep mode to make the light-emitting sheet for mobile terminals according to this invention light up and see it.

[0019] The light-emitting sheet for mobile terminals according to this invention is activated and emits light in response to short-range wireless communication transmitted in conjunction with the reception of a notification on the mobile terminal. Therefore, even if the mobile terminal is placed face down, or if the display surface is not visible due to being covered by a mobile terminal cover case, the light emission allows the user to know that a notification has been received on the mobile terminal.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a rear view of a light-emitting sheet 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of a light-emitting sheet 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention with the substrate 3 omitted. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front view showing the arrangement of an antenna 31, a control unit 32, and a light-emitting element 33 in a cover case 4 for a portable terminal with the light-emitting sheet 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to the back. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of a portable terminal 5 with a cover case 4 for a portable terminal attached to the back, with the light-emitting sheet 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to the back. In FIG. 4, the portable terminal 5 and the short-range wireless communication antenna 51 of the portable terminal 5 are shown. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a state where a portable terminal 5 is attached to an opening 44 of a portable cover case 4 with the light-emitting sheet 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to the back. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a rear view of a light-emitting sheet 1' according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of a portable terminal 5 with the light-emitting sheet 1' according to another embodiment of the present invention attached to the back. In FIG. 7, the portable terminal 5 and the short-range wireless communication antenna 51 of the portable terminal 5 are shown.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

[0022] The light-emitting sheet 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention constitutes a removable component on the back of a cover case for a portable terminal. As shown in Figure 1, the light-emitting sheet 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is provided with a cover 2 on its back. In the cover 2 shown in Figure 1, portions 21a, 21b, and 21c corresponding to the placement of the light-emitting elements are translucent, but the entire cover 2 may be translucent. The cover 2 also has an edge 22 that can be fitted into a fitting opening 43 of a recess 42 of a cover case 4 for a mobile terminal. The design of cover 2 shown in Figure 1 is not limited to that shown in Figure 1; it may also depict animals or characters, geometric patterns such as spheres or ellipses, and may be colored.

[0023] In one embodiment of the present invention, the light-emitting sheet 1 has its front surface covered by a substrate 3 (not shown). A light-emitting circuit 35 is provided on the surface of the substrate 3 of the light-emitting sheet 1 of this invention. The light-emitting circuit 35 consists of an antenna 31, a control unit 32, and a light-emitting element 33, which are connected by wiring 34. In the front view of Figure 2, the substrate 3 is omitted in order to illustrate each component of the light-emitting circuit 35.

[0024] The antenna 31 is positioned near the location of the short-range wireless communication antenna 51 of the mobile terminal 5, that is, near the rear window 41 of the mobile terminal cover case 4, in order to receive short-range wireless communication from the mobile terminal 5.

[0025] Antenna 31 is connected to control unit 32 by wiring 34a. Control unit 32 is connected to light-emitting element 33a by wiring 34b, light-emitting element 33b by wiring 34c, and light-emitting element 33c by wiring 34d. When antenna 31 receives short-range wireless communication and obtains power, power is supplied to control unit 32 through wiring 34a, and then to light-emitting elements 33a to 33c through wirings 34b to 34d, causing light-emitting elements 33a to 33c to emit light. When power is supplied to control unit 32, light-emitting elements 33a, 33b, and 33c light up in a blinking pattern, blinking several times in sequence. Note that the number and arrangement of light-emitting elements and wiring are not limited to those shown in Figure 2. Also, the order of illumination and the intensity of the light are not limited to the illustrated light-emitting pattern.

[0026] As shown in Figure 4, in the light-emitting sheet 1 of this invention, the antenna 31, the control unit 32, the light-emitting elements 33a to 33c, and the wiring 34a to 34d are all provided on the surface of the substrate 3 and covered by the cover 2. The cover 2 is superimposed on the surface of the substrate 3.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, the light-emitting sheet 1 of this invention is fixed by fitting the edge 22 of the cover 2 into the fitting opening 43 of the recess 42 on the back of the cover case 4. The removable component on the back of the mobile device cover case that constitutes the light-emitting sheet of this invention may be fixed to the back of the mobile device cover case with an adhesive layer.

[0028] As shown in Figure 5, the light-emitting sheet 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is attached to the back of the mobile device cover case 4. The mobile device cover case 4 is attached to the mobile device 5 through the opening 44 of the mobile device cover case 4.

[0029] Another embodiment of the present invention, the light-emitting sheet 1', is a sticker that is directly attached to the back of a mobile device. As shown in Figure 6, the light-emitting sheet 1' of the present invention has no edges. In the light-emitting sheet 1' of the present invention shown in Figure 6, the cover 2 has light-transmitting portions 21a, 21b, and 21c corresponding to the placement of the light-emitting elements, but the entire cover 2 may also be light-transmitting.

[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, the light-emitting sheet 1' has its front surface covered by a substrate 3 (not shown). Similar to the light-emitting sheet 1 of the present invention, a light-emitting circuit 35 is provided on the surface of the substrate 3 of the light-emitting sheet 1' of the present invention. In the light-emitting sheet 1' of the present invention, as shown in the front view of Figure 2, the light-emitting circuit 35 consists of an antenna 31, a control unit 32, and a light-emitting element 33 connected by wiring 34.

[0031] As shown in Figure 7, the substrate of the light-emitting sheet 1' of the present invention has an adhesive layer 36 for attachment to the back of a mobile terminal. The light-emitting sheet 1' of the present invention is directly attached to the back of the mobile terminal 5 by the adhesive layer 36. The antenna 31 of the light-emitting sheet 1' of the present invention is positioned near the location of the short-range wireless communication antenna 51 of the mobile terminal 5 in order to receive short-range wireless communication from the mobile terminal 5.

[0032] As shown in Figure 7, in the light-emitting sheet 1' of the present invention, the antenna 31, the control unit 32, the light-emitting elements 33a to 33c, and the wiring 34a to 34d are all provided on the surface of the substrate 3 and covered by the cover 2. The cover 2 is superimposed on the surface of the substrate 3. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0033] 1, 1' Light-emitting sheet for mobile terminals according to the present invention 2 Covers 21a, 21b, 21c: Parts corresponding to the placement of the light-emitting elements. 22 En 3 circuit boards 31 Antenna 32 Control Unit 33a, 33b, 33c Light-emitting elements 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d wiring 35 Light-emitting circuit 36 Adhesive layer 4. Cover cases for mobile devices 41 Rear window 42 recess 43. Fitting opening 44 openings 5 Mobile devices 51 Short-range wireless communication antenna

Claims

1. A light-emitting sheet for mobile devices that can be attached to the back of a mobile device, circuit board and A light-emitting circuit provided on the surface of the substrate, The substrate has a cover that is superimposed on the surface of the substrate so as to cover the surface of the light-emitting circuit, The light-emitting circuit consists of an antenna, a control unit, and a light-emitting element connected by wiring. The entire cover or the portion corresponding to the location of the light-emitting element is translucent, The antenna is positioned such that, when the light-emitting sheet for the mobile terminal is attached to the mobile terminal, it is located near the position of the mobile terminal's short-range wireless communication antenna. The antenna can obtain power via short-range wireless communication transmitted from the mobile terminal in conjunction with the power-on or notification reception of the mobile terminal. The control unit is driven by power obtained from the antenna, A light-emitting sheet for a mobile terminal, characterized in that the light-emitting element is controlled by the control unit to emit light in a predetermined light-emitting pattern.

2. The light-emitting sheet for a mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the light-emitting sheet for the mobile terminal constitutes a removable component on the back of the cover case for the mobile terminal.

3. The light-emitting sheet for a mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the light-emitting sheet for the mobile terminal is a sticker that is directly attached to the back of the mobile terminal.

Images