Mobile device cover

Abstract

This mobile terminal cover for covering a mobile terminal comprising a camera and a light-emitting unit is configured so as to form a light-shielding barrel for the lens of the camera by folding a member of a portion of the mobile terminal cover.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a cover for a mobile device such as a smartphone. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, much research and development has been conducted on systems for estimating autonomic nervous system activity. As a technology for estimating autonomic nervous system activity on a daily basis, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose a technology that uses contact sensors to perform estimation without the user's awareness, in order to reduce the effort required from the user.

[0003] However, many of these technologies require long measurement periods to estimate autonomic nervous system activity, which can be burdensome for users. Therefore, as a technology to estimate autonomic nervous system activity in a short time, there is a technique that estimates it from the dynamic characteristics of the pupillary light reflex. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-236754) [Patent Document 2] Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-000283) [Patent Document 3] Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-154482) [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] In order to measure the dynamic characteristics of the pupillary light reflex and estimate autonomic nerve activity, it is conceivable to use a mobile terminal equipped with a camera and a light (e.g., an LED light for flash) (hereinafter, the mobile terminal will be referred to as a "smartphone" as an example). In this method, a light stimulus is applied to the pupil by emitting light, the pupil at that time is photographed with a camera, and the autonomic nerve activity is estimated by analyzing the change in the pupil diameter due to the pupillary light reflex.

[0006] However, considering the use case of performing eye measurements using a smartphone in daily life, the pupil is affected by the intensity of the ambient light during measurement. Therefore, it becomes unclear whether the change in the pupil diameter is due to the influence of the ambient light or due to the change in autonomic nerve activity.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for reducing the influence of ambient light when performing eye measurements using a mobile terminal.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] According to the disclosed technique, there is provided a mobile terminal cover for covering a mobile terminal equipped with a camera and a light emitting unit, configured such that by folding a part of the members in the mobile terminal cover, a light shielding cylinder for the lens of the camera and the light emitting unit is formed, A portion of the aforementioned member is provided with an adhesive member for maintaining the cylindrical shape of the tube. A mobile terminal cover is provided.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the disclosed technique, a technique for reducing the influence of ambient light when performing eye measurements using a mobile terminal is provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] [Figure 1] It is a diagram for explaining Example 1. [Figure 2] It is a diagram for explaining Example 1. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating Example 1. [Figure 4] This is a diagram illustrating Example 1. [Figure 5] This is a diagram illustrating Example 1. [Figure 6] This is a diagram illustrating Example 1. [Figure 7] This is a diagram illustrating Example 2. [Figure 8] This is a diagram illustrating Example 2. [Figure 9] This is a diagram illustrating Example 3. [Figure 10] This is a diagram illustrating Example 3. [Figure 11] This is a diagram illustrating Example 4. [Figure 12] This is a diagram illustrating Example 4. [Figure 13] This is a diagram illustrating Example 5. [Figure 14] This is a diagram illustrating Example 5. [Figure 15] This is a diagram illustrating Example 5. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention (this embodiment) will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are merely examples, and the embodiments to which the present invention is applied are not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0012] In the following description, a smartphone is used as an example of a mobile device to which a cover capable of forming a mechanism for shielding the eyes from ambient light (a mechanism for shielding the camera lens) can be attached. However, the cover according to the present invention is applicable to mobile devices that are not limited to smartphones. Such mobile devices include, in addition to smartphones, mobile phones other than smartphones, tablets, notebook PCs, etc.

[0013] Furthermore, the cover material can be any material that can be used as a cover for a mobile device. For example, the cover material may be metal, glass, plastic, rubber, wood, cloth, or paper.

[0014] Furthermore, the material of the cover and the material of the components that constitute the mechanism for shielding the eyes from ambient light may be the same or different. The material of the components that constitute the mechanism for shielding the eyes from ambient light may be metal, glass, plastic, rubber, wood, cloth, or paper, etc.

[0015] (Summary of the embodiment) It is known that regularly monitoring autonomic nervous system activity is useful for managing mental and physical health.

[0016] Furthermore, the pupil is one of the organs known to be closely related to autonomic nervous system activity, and it is known that changes in autonomic nervous system activity can cause changes in pupil size. While pupil size changes depending on the amount of light entering the eye, it is known that even with the same amount of light, the change is not constant and varies depending on the state of autonomic nervous system activity.

[0017] Therefore, regularly measuring pupil size is beneficial for monitoring autonomic nervous system activity and is effective for managing physical and mental health. The camera built into smartphones is a useful sensor for regularly measuring pupil size.

[0018] On the other hand, when considering use cases where eye-related measurements are performed using smartphones on a daily basis, the pupil size is affected by the intensity of ambient light during measurement, making it unclear whether changes in pupil diameter are due to ambient light or changes in autonomic nervous system activity.

[0019] To eliminate the effects of ambient light, one could consider attaching a mechanism to the smartphone that shields the eye from ambient light, similar to conventional pupil measurement devices. However, carrying such a mechanism and attaching it to the smartphone each time a measurement is taken would significantly impair user convenience.

[0020] To solve the above problems, this embodiment utilizes a smartphone cover that has been conventionally used and is equipped with a folding mechanism for propping up, as a mechanism (light-shielding mechanism) for blocking ambient light when measuring pupil size using a smartphone.

[0021] In other words, by devising a folding method for a smartphone cover that can be folded to become a smartphone stand, a mechanism is realized that blocks ambient light from reaching the pupil when measuring pupil size using the camera on the back of the smartphone.

[0022] This makes it possible to create a smartphone cover that can be used for pupil measurement while maintaining the same portability as conventional smartphone covers. Examples of the configuration of the smartphone cover will be explained below using Examples 1 to 5.

[0023] (Example 1) Example 1 describes a basic configuration example of a smartphone cover 100 that has a mechanism to block the influence of ambient light, which can cause noise, when measuring pupil size using a light (which may also be called a light-emitting part) installed in the smartphone.

[0024] Figure 1 shows an example of a smartphone cover 100, attached to a smartphone, viewed from the side of the smartphone with the camera. In Figure 1, the dotted lines on the surface of the smartphone cover 100 indicate valley fold lines, and the solid lines indicate cut lines.

[0025] The smartphone cover 100 has a folding mechanism and a peeling mechanism, and using these mechanisms, it connects the user's eye to the camera area D, which has a camera 1 and a flashlight 2 mounted on the back of the smartphone. cam A cylindrical portion 110 can be provided to cover it in a cylindrical shape.

[0026] The portion of the smartphone cover 100 before it is assembled as the cylindrical portion 110 will be referred to as the cylindrical portion forming portion 110'. In the example shown in Figure 1, the upper end of the cylindrical portion forming portion 110' is approximately at the top of the smartphone, but this is just an example. The upper end of the cylindrical portion forming portion 110' may be at a point away from the top of the smartphone. This upper end is indicated by a cut line.

[0027] Camera area D cam This refers to the structural component typically found in smartphones, which combines camera 1 and light 2, but is not limited to that.

[0028] Furthermore, the peeling mechanism means that the cylindrical portion forming part 110' peels off (separates) from the part of the smartphone cover 100 that covers the smartphone. However, when the cylindrical portion 110 is formed from the cylindrical portion forming part 110', the part where the cylindrical portion forming part 110' was located may leave the smartphone exposed.

[0029] Figure 2 shows an example of a smartphone cover 100 in which the cylindrical portion 110 is formed using a folding mechanism and a peeling mechanism. The cylindrical portion 110 and the camera area D cam By tilting the cylindrical portion 110 outward (to the right in the case of Figure 2) along the valley fold line that forms the boundary, the cylindrical portion 110 can be used as a smartphone stand mechanism, as shown in Figure 3.

[0030] Here, as shown in Figure 4, the width of the smartphone user's eyes is w eye , vertical width h eye Let's assume that... Also, as shown in Figure 5, the width of the cylindrical part 110 that folds into a cylindrical shape is w, and the height is h.

[0031] In the example shown in FIG. 5, when measuring the pupillary light reflex, it is assumed that the smartphone with the smartphone cover 100 is used horizontally. Therefore, in the state assembled as the cylindrical portion 110, the width of the cylindrical portion 110 in the direction parallel to the longer side of the smartphone is defined as the "lateral width", and the width in the direction substantially perpendicular thereto is defined as the "vertical width". However, this is just an example, and the "lateral width" and "vertical width" in the cylindrical portion 110 may be opposite to those shown in FIG. 5. That is, w in the cylindrical portion forming portion 110' in FIG. 5 may be set as h, and h may be set as w.

[0032] Also, for the camera area D cam let the lateral width be w cam and the vertical width be h cam Also, for the smartphone, let the lateral width be w phone and the vertical width be h phone and let the distance between the upper end of the smartphone and the upper end of D cam be p cam (<h phone / 2).

[0033] Determine the above w cam , h cam , w cam , h phone , p phone so as to realize a cylindrical portion 110 that can simultaneously cover the eye and the portions D of the camera 1 and the light 2 of the smartphone and can be leaned against. cam

[0034] The lateral width w and the vertical width h of the cylindrical portion 110 are determined by the lateral width w eye and the vertical width h eye of the eye, and the vertical h cam and the lateral width w cam of the area D of the smartphone. cam

[0035] Regarding w and h, the following conditions are satisfied because it is necessary to be able to cover both the user's eye and D cam and the member (cylindrical portion forming portion 110') before being assembled as the cylindrical portion 110 should be within the height range of the smartphone.

[0036] w≧w eye w≧w cam h≧h eye h≧h cam 2(w+h)≦h phone Figure 5 shows the symbols for the cut lines and valley fold lines on the smartphone cover 100. l3~l8, l 12 The dots indicate the cutting lines, l1, l9~l 11 The arrow indicates a valley fold line.

[0037] For example, in the case shown in Figure 5, if p cam If the length is greater than l1, then the cylindrical portion 110 is in region D cam It will no longer be able to cover it.

[0038] Therefore, in this embodiment, regarding whether l1 and l2 are cut lines or valley fold lines, p cam and h phone It is determined according to the size. Specifically, p cam +2w+h≦h phone In this case, l1 is the valley fold line and l2 is the cutting line. Also, p cam +2w+h>h phone In this case, l1 is the cutting line and l2 is the valley fold line. Figure 6 shows a smartphone cover when l1 is the cutting line and l2 is the valley fold line. As shown in the example in Figure 6, when w and h are used, it is assumed that the measurement will be taken with the smartphone in a vertical position.

[0039] Note that the folding structure of the component (tube-forming portion 110') in the smartphone cover for forming the cylindrical portion 110 shown in Example 1 is just one example. Any structure is acceptable as long as it allows the smartphone to stand on its own when folded and can block ambient light. For example, the folding structure may be designed to be symmetrical with respect to the center of the smartphone.

[0040] Furthermore, the measurements taken using the smartphone with a smartphone cover in Example 1 are not limited to pupillary light reflection; any measurement related to the eye and requiring consideration of ambient light effects, such as fundus images or iris images, may be used. Also, any method of switching on the camera for shooting is acceptable.

[0041] Furthermore, although the cylindrical portion 110 is shaped like a rectangular prism in Example 1, this shape may be circular or elliptical. In other words, the cylindrical portion forming part 110' may be configured so that the cylindrical portion 110 is a cylinder or an elliptical prism.

[0042] (Example 2) Next, Example 2 will be described. Example 2 is based on Example 1, and the following will mainly describe the differences from Example 1.

[0043] In Example 2, magnets are provided in a portion of the cylindrical portion forming part 110' of the smartphone cover 100, and in a portion of the portion of the smartphone cover 100 other than the cylindrical portion forming part 110'. This improves the stability of the assembled cylindrical portion 110.

[0044] Figure 7 shows an example of the configuration of a smartphone cover 100 with added magnets. Figure 7 shows an example where l1 is a cut line. As shown in Figure 7, magnets a, b, c, and d are added. Magnets a and b in the cylindrical part forming section 110' are bonded together by magnetic force when assembled to the cylindrical part 110, and magnets c and b are also bonded together by magnetic force. Figure 8 shows an example of the configuration when the cylindrical part 110 is assembled from the cylindrical part forming section 110'.

[0045] After forming the cylindrical portion 110 by folding the cylindrical portion forming part 110' of the smartphone cover, pupil measurement can be performed, for example, while maintaining the cylindrical shape by hand.

[0046] However, users may find it cumbersome to maintain the cylindrical shape by hand. Therefore, in Example 2, as shown in Figure 7, the stability of the assembly part can be improved by attaching a magnet to a part of the smartphone cover 100.

[0047] Figure 7 shows an example of how to attach the magnets. Any method of attaching the magnets is acceptable as long as it improves the stability of the cylindrical shape.

[0048] Furthermore, the materials used for bonding are not limited to magnets. For example, Velcro (registered trademark) may be used instead of magnets, or in addition to magnets. Other materials besides magnets and Velcro (registered trademark) may be used as long as they can improve the stability of the cylindrical shape. Materials used for bonding, such as magnets and Velcro (registered trademark), may be collectively referred to as adhesive materials.

[0049] (Example 3) Next, Example 3 will be described. Example 3 is based on Example 1, and the differences from Example 1 will be mainly described below. Note that Example 3 and Example 2 may be combined.

[0050] Most smartphone covers are made of hard materials, and when the cylindrical part 110 made of such material is worn against the eye, the user may experience discomfort.

[0051] Furthermore, if a soft material is used for the smartphone cover to reduce discomfort caused by hardness, the strength of the cylindrical part 110 will be insufficient, resulting in a lack of stability when propping up the smartphone, and potentially preventing the cylindrical part 110 from functioning as a smartphone stand. Also, adding a new mechanism to the eyepiece structure solely for the purpose of reducing discomfort would compromise portability.

[0052] Therefore, in Example 3, the ring portion of a ring strap conventionally attached to a smartphone cover, which is made of a soft material such as silicone, is used.

[0053] Figure 9 shows an example of the configuration of the smartphone cover 100 in Embodiment 3. Figure 9 shows the cylindrical portion 110 already assembled. As shown in Figure 9, the ring portion 120 of the ring strap is shaped to be attachable to the cylindrical portion 110.

[0054] As shown in Figure 10, the ring portion 120 is constructed such that the dimensions of the inner rectangle of the ring portion 120 are the dimensions w × h of the outer rectangle of the cylindrical portion 110. Furthermore, when the ring portion 120 is attached, the height of the ring portion 120 from the surface of the smartphone cover 100 is made greater than the height of the cylindrical portion 110. By attaching the ring portion 120 with this structure to the cylindrical portion 110 like an eyepiece, the soft ring portion 120 comes into contact with the area around the eye, thereby reducing discomfort during measurement. The ring portion 120 may also be called a "cover".

[0055] (Example 4) Next, Example 4 will be described. Example 4 may be applied to a smartphone cover 100 (the shape before assembling the cylindrical portion 110) having the configuration of Examples 1 and 2, or it may be applied to a smartphone cover that does not have the configuration of Examples 1 and 2.

[0056] In Example 4, as shown in Figures 11(a) and (b), the camera area D of the smartphone cam By modifying the structure of the smartphone cover 100 around the ring, the ring portion 120 of the smartphone's ring strap in Embodiment 3 can be attached to the smartphone cover 100, thereby realizing a hood-type mechanism (a mechanism that blocks ambient light from reaching the eyes).

[0057] Specifically, as shown in Figure 12, a hood-type mechanism is constructed by adding a groove C to the smartphone cover 100 that allows the ring portion 120 to be attached.

[0058] The vertical and horizontal dimensions w×h of the ring portion 120 shown in Figure 11(b) match the dimensions w×h of the groove C. Similar to the cylindrical portion 110 in Example 1, the ring portion 120 is positioned between the eye and the camera area D. cam It is necessary to cover both but not to fold, so the conditions for w and h in C and ring portion 120 in Example 4 are as follows.

[0059] w≧w eye w≧w cam h≧h eye h≧h cam (Example 5) Next, Example 5 will be described. Example 5 can be implemented in combination with any of Examples 1 to 4.

[0060] In Example 5, the camera area D of the smartphone cam By attaching the macro lens to the smartphone cover 100 so that it covers the main lens, it becomes possible to photograph the pupil more clearly. The macro lens can be attached and removed as needed.

[0061] Figure 13 shows the camera area D in the smartphone cover 100. cam Figure 14 shows that a member 140 having a macro lens 130 is attached to the part shown. Figure 14 shows the cylindrical part 110 assembled and equipped with the macro lens 130. Note that in Figure 14, the ring part 120 of Embodiment 4 may be used instead of the cylindrical part 110.

[0062] Any method is acceptable for attaching the member 140 having the macro lens 130 to the smartphone cover 100. For example, as shown in Figure 15 (cross-sectional view of the smartphone cover 100), the member 140 is attached to the camera area D of the smartphone cover 100. cam You can also fit it into the recess in that part.

[0063] Typical smartphone cameras are suited for long-distance shots and not for close-ups. Therefore, as described above, in Example 5, the smartphone camera area D cam In camera area D cam A component 140 having a macro lens 130 of similar size is attached. This makes it possible to capture clearer images of the pupil in close-up shots.

[0064] (Effects of the embodiment) The technology according to this embodiment makes it possible to reduce the influence of ambient light when measuring eye function using a mobile device.

[0065] (Note) This specification discloses at least the following types of mobile device covers: (Additional note 1) A mobile device cover for a mobile device equipped with a camera and a light-emitting unit, A mobile device cover configured such that a light-shielding tube for the camera lens is formed by folding a part of the mobile device cover. (Additional note 2) A portion of the aforementioned member is provided with an adhesive member for stabilizing the cylinder. Mobile device cover as described in Appendix 1. (Additional note 3) The mobile device includes a strap connected to the mobile device cover and a cover connected to the strap, wherein the cover is made of a softer material than the component and is configured to be attachable to the cylinder. A mobile device cover as described in Appendix 1 or 2. (Additional note 4) The camera is equipped with a mechanism for fitting a macro lens for close-up photography so as to cover the camera lens. A mobile device cover as described in any one of the appendices 1 through 3.

[0066] Although this embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this specific embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention as described in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0067] 1 lens 2 Lights 100 Smartphone Covers 110 Cylinder part 110´ Cylindrical part forming part 120 Ring section 130 Macro Lens 140 components

Claims

1. A mobile device cover for a mobile device equipped with a camera and a light-emitting unit, The mobile device cover is configured to be folded to form a light-shielding tube for the camera lens and the light-emitting part. A portion of the aforementioned member is provided with an adhesive member for maintaining the cylindrical shape of the tube. Mobile device cover.

2. A mobile device cover for a mobile device equipped with a camera and a light-emitting unit, The mobile device cover is configured to be folded to form a light-shielding tube for the camera lens and the light-emitting part. The mobile device includes a strap connected to the mobile device cover and a cover connected to the strap, wherein the cover is made of a softer material than the component and is configured to be attachable to the cylinder. Mobile device cover.

3. The camera is equipped with a mechanism for fitting a macro lens for close-up photography so as to cover the camera lens. A mobile device cover according to claim 1.

Images