Mobile device accessories

Abstract

To provide a novel small item for a portable terminal capable of mainly creating new utility value for a light function equipped in the portable terminal and creating a fantastic space depending on a mode.SOLUTION: The present invention can be exemplified by a small item for a portable terminal that projects a certain pattern 6 using light emitted from a light function equipped on the portable terminal. The small item for a portable terminal is primarily composed of a transparent or translucent pedestal 1, a support 2 that stands upright on the pedestal 1, and a transparent or translucent hemisphere 3 that engages with the tip of the support 2 to form a shape resembling an open umbrella, and has decoration 32 that forms the basis of the pattern to be projected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a peripheral device for a mobile device, and more particularly to a small item for a mobile device that projects a certain pattern using the light function of the mobile device. [Background technology]

[0002] It seems that in today's world, almost everyone in junior high school or above owns a mobile device, such as a smartphone. In response to this trend, various peripherals for mobile devices have been proposed. Specific examples of such peripherals include mobile device covers, screen protectors, various straps, selfie sticks, and automatic shutter systems.

[0003] In terms of functionality, in addition to phone calls, emails, and social media, various apps, games, music, and video content have been developed, allowing users to easily download and enjoy these and easily obtain information. High-resolution photo capabilities are also naturally included, and it is no exaggeration to say that they are essential features. Along with the photo function, a light function is usually also provided to provide a light source so that clear photos can be taken even in the dark. Such a light function can also be used as a flashlight, making it useful in emergencies such as power outages.

[0004] The light function is considered to be used as a light source for photography and a flashlight-like function, as well as a light source for small projectors (see Patent Document 1). For example, Patent Document 1 lists the light of a mobile phone as one of the external artificial light sources for a projector unit that is highly economical and portable. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-15324 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Nowadays, it is common for mobile devices to be equipped with a light function for taking photos, but although it functions as a flashlight, it is not very useful.

[0007] To provide a new accessory for a portable terminal that can create new value in using a light function equipped in the portable terminal and can create a fantastic space depending on the mode. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] After extensive research, the inventor came up with the idea of ​​a simple, small item that can project a certain pattern onto the walls or ceiling of a house, and discovered that this could solve the above-mentioned problems, which led to the completion of the present invention.

[0009] The present invention includes, for example, the following inventions. [1] A small item for a mobile device that projects a certain pattern using the light emitted from the light function equipped on the mobile device, characterized in that it is mainly composed of a transparent or semi-transparent base, a support pole that stands upright on the base, and a transparent or semi-transparent hemisphere that engages with the tip of the support pole to form a shape similar to an open umbrella, and has decoration that forms the basis of the pattern to be projected. [2] A small item for a mobile terminal as described in [1] above, having a small hole at the inner zenith portion of the hemisphere for engaging with the tip of the support, and having an engagement portion at the tip of the support that can slide with the small hole. [3] The accessory for a mobile terminal according to [1] or [2] above, wherein the base, the support, and the hemisphere are all made of resin. [4] The accessory for a mobile terminal according to [1] or [2] above, wherein the hemisphere has a mesh structure. [5] The accessory for a mobile device described in [1] or [2] above, wherein the mobile device is a smartphone. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide new value to the light function equipped in a mobile terminal. Furthermore, depending on the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to easily create a fantastical space, such as one at the bottom of the ocean or with sunlight filtering through the trees, in a (small) room, for example. The projected patterns have a planetarium-like feel, and can also have a soothing and relaxing effect by reducing the heart rate and activating the parasympathetic nervous system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a small item for a mobile terminal according to the present invention, in which the broken line indicates the internal state. [Figure 2] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, a front view is shown with the hemisphere lifted off the support. [Figure 3] The left figure shows the bottom view of the hemisphere, and the right figure shows the XX cross section. [Figure 4]

[0033] Figure 1 shows two other hemispheres (woven structures) in front view, with the upper and lower hemispheres displaying different patterns. [Figure 5] 10 shows a usage mode of a small item for a mobile terminal according to the present invention, and schematically shows a state in which a pattern on the small item is projected onto a projection surface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention will be described in detail below.

[0013] 1. Small items for mobile terminals according to the present invention The accessory for a mobile terminal of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the "accessory of the present invention") is an accessory for a mobile terminal that projects a certain pattern using light emitted from the light function equipped on the mobile terminal, and is characterized by being mainly composed of a transparent or semi-transparent base, a support pole that stands upright on the base, and a transparent or semi-transparent hemisphere that engages with the tip of the support pole to form a shape resembling an open umbrella, and having decoration that forms the basis of the pattern to be projected.

[0014] The accessory of the present invention is primarily comprised of the base, the support, and the hemisphere, and basically consists of only these three elements, but other elements can be added as long as they do not impair the effects of the present invention or the functions of each element. Examples of such other elements include decorative pieces that form the basis of the projected pattern and adhesive layers for fixing the base to the light portion of the mobile device. In the present invention, "primarily comprised" means that, as described above, the accessory basically consists of only these three elements, but does not exclude the inclusion of other elements to a certain extent.

[0015] The small object of the present invention has a decoration that forms the basis of the pattern to be projected, and this decoration is mainly applied to the hemisphere. However, the decoration may also be applied to the base or support other than the hemisphere. Furthermore, since the small object of the present invention has decoration that serves as the basis for the pattern to be projected, the entire small object or hemisphere of the present invention can also be said to be a kind of three-dimensional GOBO.

[0016] 1.1 Base The small item of the present invention includes a transparent or semi-transparent base (hereinafter also simply referred to as "base"). The degree of translucency is not particularly limited as long as it allows light to pass through and a certain pattern to be projected, but low transparency may reduce the amount of light transmitted, which may result in insufficient pattern projection. Since a higher amount of light transmitted is preferable, a lower degree of translucency is usually preferable. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the base may be decorated with a color or pattern that will form the basis of the pattern to be projected.

[0017] The shape of the base is not particularly limited as long as it can be placed on the mobile terminal (light portion) and can support the support pole (described later) upright, and examples of the planar shape when viewed from directly above include a circle, an ellipse, a diamond, and polygons such as a triangle, a square, a pentagon, a hexagon, and an octagon. Of these, shapes such as a circle and an ellipse are preferred. The bottom surface of the base that comes into contact with the mobile terminal is usually flat, considering that the small item of the present invention will be placed on the mobile terminal (light portion), but it may also be uneven or embossed, for example.

[0018] The size of the base (the length of the base plane) should be slightly larger than the size of the light portion of the mobile terminal to be used. If it is too small, for example, the small item of the present invention cannot be placed stably and may fall over. Specifically, for example, the major and minor diameters are both within the range of about 10 mm to 35 mm, preferably within the range of 15 mm to 30 mm, and more preferably within the range of 18 mm to 25 mm. The thickness of the base is, for example, within the range of 1 mm to 5 mm, and preferably within the range of 2 mm to 4 mm.

[0019] The material of the base is not particularly limited as long as it is transparent or translucent and allows light to pass through, but specific examples include resin, glass, and light-transmitting natural or synthetic minerals (colorless minerals, colored minerals). Of these, resin is preferred from the standpoints of ease of processing and weight. The resin may be either natural or synthetic, but synthetic resin is preferred. Examples of synthetic resin include polystyrene; polycarbonate; nylon; urethane; liquid urethane; thermosetting resins such as epoxy resin; and ultraviolet-curing resins (UV resins) such as acrylic resin and epoxy resin.

[0020] 1.2 Struts The small item of the present invention includes a support (hereinafter simply referred to as a "support") that stands upright on the above-mentioned base. The support pillar usually stands upright from the center of the base. However, the present invention does not exclude a support pillar that stands upright at a position slightly off-center. The base and support pillar may be bonded by an appropriate method, or may be detachable. The base and support pillar may also be integrated. An integrated structure is preferable, as it can reduce unnecessary shadows during light irradiation. If the support pillar is detachable, this can be achieved, for example, by drilling a hole in the base through which the support pillar will stand and fitting the support pillar into the hole. As mentioned above, the support may be decorated with colors, patterns, or other decorations that will form the basis of the pattern to be projected.

[0021] The tip of the support engages with the hemisphere (described later), usually engaging with the inner zenith portion of the hemisphere. When the tip of the support and the inner zenith portion of the hemisphere are not glued but are detachably engaged, it is preferable that the tip of the support has, for example, a spherical or abacus-shaped engaging portion. Such an engaging portion is suitably provided about 1 to 2 mm from the tip of the support, and is preferably made of a material different from the material that forms the hemisphere or small hole (described later). Specific examples of such materials include acrylic resin and acrylic beads. This allows the entire hemisphere to rotate and swing more smoothly.

[0022] The shape of the support pillar is not particularly limited as long as it is elongated, and examples of the front shape include elongated rectangles, trapezoids, triangles, etc. Of these, elongated trapezoids and elongated triangles are preferred as the front shape. Examples of the planar shape or cross-sectional shape of the support pillar include circles, ellipses, rhombuses, and polygons such as triangles, squares, pentagons, hexagons, and octagons. Of these, hexagonal and octagonal cross-sectional shapes are preferred, as well as circles and ellipses. Therefore, shapes such as polygonal pyramids, such as hexagonal pyramids and octagonal pyramids, and cones and elliptical pyramids are preferred as support pillars.

[0023] The length of the support pillar from the surface of the base is, for example, suitably in the range of 10 mm to 30 mm, preferably in the range of 12 mm to 25 mm, and more preferably in the range of 15 mm to 20 mm.The width (thickness) of the support pillar at its widest point (usually the base or the part in contact with the base) is suitably in the range of 2 mm to 6 mm, and preferably in the range of 3 mm to 5 mm.

[0024] Examples of materials for the support include resin, glass, light-transmitting natural or synthetic minerals (colorless minerals, colored minerals), as well as wood and metal. Among these, resin is preferred from the viewpoints of ease of processing and weight. Specific examples of resin include the same resins as those listed in the section on the base above. The material for the support may be the same as or different from the material for the base, but it is preferable that they are the same material.

[0025] 1.3 Hemisphere The small item of the present invention includes a transparent or semi-transparent hemisphere (hereinafter simply referred to as "hemisphere") that engages with the tip of the support rod to form a shape similar to an open umbrella. The hemisphere is usually a hemispherical shell with a hollowed-out interior. The hemisphere is the basic element for creating the pattern projected onto the target. Therefore, at least this hemisphere is usually decorated with various colors, patterns, etc. The hemisphere can be said to be the basic gobo in the small items of the present invention.

[0026] The degree of translucency is the same as that of the base. In the small item of the present invention, the hemisphere is in an upside-down bowl-like position, and when engaged with the support, it takes on a shape resembling an open umbrella. Therefore, in the small item of the present invention, the hemisphere can also be called the umbrella part. In addition, the small item of the present invention can also be said to have a mushroom-like shape in appearance.

[0027] The planar shape of the hemisphere is basically circular, but it does not have to be a perfect circle and may be elliptical or polygonal, such as a hexagon or octagon. Furthermore, the hemisphere or its surface may have a closed structure with no gaps overall, or a mesh-like structure with gaps (see Figure 4).

[0028] When the inner zenith portion of the hemisphere and the tip or engaging portion of the support pole are not glued but detachably engaged, it is preferable that the inner zenith portion of the hemisphere have a small hole. The tip or engaging portion of the support pole fits into this small hole, and the hemisphere and the support pole are detachably engaged. In this case, the hemisphere usually simply rests on the tip or engaging portion of the support pole, and the tip or engaging portion of the support pole is moderately restrained within the small hole, allowing the hemisphere to rotate and swing smoothly and stably.

[0029] The small hole may be formed by slightly recessing the inner zenith portion of the hemisphere, or by separately fabricating a small hole and attaching it to the inner zenith portion of the hemisphere. Examples of the planar shape of the small hole include a triangular pyramid, a square pyramid, a pentagonal pyramid, a hexagonal pyramid, an octagonal pyramid, a cylinder, and a hemisphere (bowl-shaped). Among these, a hemisphere (bowl-shaped) is preferred to achieve smooth movement of the hemisphere. The size of the small hole, in terms of the major diameter of the opening, is preferably within the range of 1 mm to 3 mm.

[0030] The size of the hemisphere, in terms of outer diameter or outer major axis, is suitably within the range of, for example, 20 mm to 40 mm, preferably within the range of 22 mm to 35 mm, and more preferably within the range of 24 mm to 30 mm. When the hemisphere is in the form of a hemispherical shell, the thickness of the shell is, for example, about 1 mm to 2 mm.

[0031] The material of the hemisphere is not particularly limited as long as it is transparent or translucent and allows light to pass through, but specific examples include the same materials as those of the base. Similar to the base material, resin is preferred from the viewpoints of ease of processing and weight. The material of the hemisphere may be the same as or different from the material of the base or the support, but is preferably the same material. The material of the small hole may also be the same as or different from the material of the hemisphere, but is preferably the same material.

[0032] The decorative materials used to decorate the hemisphere, such as colors and patterns, should also be light-transmitting. For example, finely chopped colored resin, paper, or fiber can be scattered inside or on the surface of the hemisphere. The same applies to decorating the base or support. The decoration can also be achieved by forming the hemisphere into a mesh-like structure or by providing appropriate gaps on the surface of the hemisphere. In this case, a certain pattern based on the mesh or gaps is projected onto the target.

[0033] 2. How to make and use When making a small item of the present invention made of resin, for example, liquid resin is poured into appropriate molds to form the base, support, and hemisphere, and each part can be created by a means appropriate to the properties of the resin liquid, such as by exposing the resin to sunlight or ultraviolet light if the resin liquid hardens with light or ultraviolet light, and then combining the parts to create the small item made of resin of the present invention. The base and support can also be made as a single unit. It is preferable to use a liquid resin that becomes transparent when hardened. When using a resin liquid that hardens when heated, heat is applied after pouring it into the mold, so a heat-resistant mold must be used. Decorative materials such as colors and patterns are usually added before the resin hardens. The small articles of the present invention can also be produced using a so-called 3D printer.

[0034] When a smartphone is used as the mobile terminal, the accessory of the present invention can be used, for example, as follows: The accessory of the present invention is placed on the light portion, usually located on the back of the smartphone, and the projection space, such as a room, is darkened. The smartphone's light function is turned on to turn on the light. The light source projects a pattern based on the color, pattern, or other decoration of the accessory of the present invention as a gobo onto the projection target (see Figure 5). In an embodiment where the hemisphere is not attached to the support rod and is movable, for example, the smartphone can be moved up and down, forward and backward, and left and right while lightly holding the base of the accessory with one's hand to prevent it from coming off the light portion. This can rotate and rock the hemisphere, projecting a fantastical pattern onto the projection target, e.g., a scene reminiscent of the ocean floor or sunlight filtering through the trees. Such a fantastical space can be easily created, for example, in a (small) room. The projected pattern, with its planetarium-like feel, can also have a soothing and relaxing effect by reducing heart rate and activating the parasympathetic nervous system.

[0035] In cases where there is little space to place the accessory of the present invention, such as in the case of a smart watch, where the light function is installed on a thin side, a certain pattern can be projected onto the target device in the same manner as described above by, for example, holding the base of the accessory of the present invention in your hand and shining a light from a smart watch or the like onto the bottom of the base.

[0036] There are no particular limitations on the portable terminal that can be used as long as it has a light function, and examples include smartphones, tablet terminals, smart watches, and mobile phones, with smartphones being preferred.

[0037] The projection destination may be either flat or three-dimensional as long as a pattern or the like can be projected onto it, and is not particularly limited. Specific examples of projection surfaces include the walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, sliding doors, shoji screens, curtains, tatami mats, exterior walls, screens, etc. of a room, and projection objects include furniture, bedding, plaster statues, houses, buildings, etc. [Example]

[0038] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments of the present invention shown in the drawings. An example of the small item of the present invention is the one shown in FIG.

[0039] The accessory A of the present invention shown in Figure 1 comprises a circular, transparent resin base 1 and a long, hexagonal pyramidal support post 2 made of the same resin that is integral with the base 1 and stands upright near the center of the base 1, with an engagement part 21 made of an abacus-shaped acrylic bead at the tip of the support post 2. The engagement part 21 fits into a small hole 31 (not shown in Figure 1) at the zenith of the inside of a transparent, closed-structure hemisphere 3 that is studded with small pieces 32 made of colored resin that transmit light, and the engagement part 21 and the small hole 31 engage with each other, forming an overall umbrella-like or mushroom-like shape.

[0040] The hemisphere 3 is not adhered to the support 2, but merely rests, so to speak, on the engagement portion 21 of the support 2, and can be easily detached from the support 2 and easily moved. Therefore, the hemisphere 3 can be rotated or swung smoothly and stably.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows two different forms of hemisphere 3. While the hemisphere 3 in FIG. 1 is a closed structure with no gaps, both hemispheres 3 in FIG. 4 are mesh structures with many gaps. This mesh structure forms the basis of the pattern projected onto the projection destination 5. The hemispheres 3 (mesh structures) in the upper and lower figures in FIG. 4 can project different patterns.

[0042] Fig. 5 shows an example of how the accessory of the present invention is used. In Fig. 5, accessory A of the present invention is placed on the light portion 4 on the back of smartphone B, and the light of smartphone B is turned on. The light source shines on the base and hemisphere of accessory A of the present invention, and a pattern 6 based on the decoration such as the color and pattern applied to accessory A of the present invention as a gobo is projected onto projection destination 5. When smartphone B is gently moved up and down or back and forth and left and right, hemisphere 3 of accessory A of the present invention also sways and rotates at the same time, and the pattern 6 projected onto projection destination 5 also sways at the same time.

[0043] In the small item A of the present invention shown in Figure 1, when hemisphere 3 was made, hemisphere 3 was colored a relatively deep blue overall, with many small, light-transmitting resin pieces of blue, light blue, or green scattered throughout. Then, small item A of the present invention having hemisphere 3 decorated in this way was placed on light portion 4 on the back of smartphone B as shown in Figure 5, and base 1 was lightly held in place by hand so that small item A of the present invention would not come off light portion 4. While gently moving smartphone B up and down and back and forth and left and right, the light from smartphone B was shone onto small item A of the present invention, and a pattern based on the color of hemisphere 3 and the decoration was projected onto the ceiling of a room, creating a fantastical space that made one feel as if they were in the deep sea, even while inside the house.

[0044] Separately, for the accessory A of the present invention having a hemisphere 3 decorated in the same manner as above except that the entire hemisphere 3 was colored pale blue (light blue), a pattern based on the color and decoration of the hemisphere 3 was projected onto the ceiling of a room in the same manner as above, creating a fantastical space that made one feel as if they were in shallow waters, even while inside the house. When the entire hemisphere 3 was colored a blue somewhere between deep blue and pale blue, a fantastical space that made one feel as if they were in the ocean, somewhere between deep and shallow waters, was created.

[0045] In another embodiment, small green leaf-shaped pieces, small green leaf-shaped pieces with only the outline of a leaf, and small green leaf-shaped pieces with an outline and short lines inside were joined together, using spacers as needed, to create a small item of the present invention in which the hemisphere 3 has a mesh-like structure with many gaps, as shown in Figure 4 (lower diagram). When a pattern based on the mesh-like structure of such a small item of the present invention was projected onto the ceiling of a room in the same manner as above, a fantastical space was created, as if sunlight was filtering through the trees, even while inside the house. [Industrial Applicability]

[0046] The small item of the present invention can provide new value to the light function equipped in portable terminals, and is therefore useful in the portable terminal-related industry. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] A. Small item of the present invention B. Smartphone 1 pedestal 2 pillars 21 Engagement portion 3 hemispheres 31 Small hole 32 small pieces of resin 4 Light part 5 Projection destination 6 Pattern 7 Camera part

Claims

1. A small item for a mobile device that projects a certain pattern by transmitting light emitted from a light part equipped on the mobile device, A transparent or semi-transparent base, a support standing upright on the base, and a transparent or semi-transparent hemisphere to be held up to the light, The hemisphere has a decoration that forms the basis of the pattern to be projected, and is configured to engage with the tip of the support at an inner zenith portion and cover the tip, The accessory for a mobile terminal is characterized in that the engagement is such that the hemisphere can swing or rotate around the point of engagement as a fulcrum and the support as a base axis.

2. 2. The accessory for a mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the inner zenith portion of the hemisphere has a small hole for engaging with the tip of the support, and the tip of the support has an engaging portion that is slidable with the small hole.

3. The small item for a mobile terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base, the support, and the hemisphere are all made of resin.

4. The small item for a mobile terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hemisphere has a mesh structure.

5. The accessory for a mobile terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mobile terminal is a smartphone.

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