Means for carrying a mobile communication device

Abstract

The present invention relates to means for housing and carrying a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, or the like. A means for carrying a mobile communication device with a camera, which can be worn on the body of a user, comprises a pocket for housing a mobile communication device, said pocket having a front wall that faces away from the body of the user, and a rear wall that faces toward the body of the user, wherein at least one upper part of the front wall of the pocket and at least one upper part of the rear wall of the pocket are transparent, and disposed inside the pocket is a means for setting the tilt angle of the mobile communication device when it is housed in the pocket so that the face of the user of the claimed bag can be seen in the field of view of the camera of the mobile communication device through the transparent part of the pocket. The technical result lies in expanding the functional capabilities of a means for carrying a mobile communication device and providing greater user safety and ease of use of a mobile communication device.

Description

[0001] MEANS FOR CARRYING A MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE Field of the invention The present invention relates to the field of personal use items, in particular, to means for placing and carrying a mobile communication device, such as a mobile phone, smartphone, etc. State of the art Mobile communication devices, such as mobile phones or smartphones, are becoming increasingly widely used. At the same time, the constantly growing functionality of such devices determines their widespread distribution among all groups of the population. A mobile phone, in addition to the communicative function, often performs many additional functions, such as an entertainment function, a function for determining location and orientation on the ground (by means of a built-in GPS receiver), a function for providing access to the Internet, multimedia functions, including recording photo and video images, etc.In this case, the constant presence of such devices with oneself is of particular importance for many people. This has led to the fact that in recent years the number of people using mobile communication devices has increased always and everywhere. In such conditions, the means for carrying mobile communication devices, providing convenience for the user, play an important role. One of the popular functions of a modern mobile phone is the ability to check the condition and well-being of the mobile phone user by other interested parties (for example, checking children by their parents or guardians, checking the elderly, people with disabilities, people with certain types of diseases by their relatives, etc.). This is ensured, for example, by providing the ability to determine the location of the mobile phone user, capture audio and video information by the said mobile phone and transmit this information to other authorized persons.It is worth noting that currently a significant part of modern mobile communication devices have at least two camera modules located on opposite sides of the device. On the back side of the device, as a rule, there is a main camera module, which includes one or more cameras, used for taking photos and videos. And on the front side (the side where the main display of the device is located) there is usually an additional camera module, used, for example, for making video calls or taking selfies.

[0002] Here and further in the text, the mentioned scenario, for the purpose of illustration but without limitation, will be explained using the example of ensuring parental control over a child who is a mobile phone user. At the same time, other scenarios falling within the scope of the features of the invention formula are not excluded by the description below.

[0003] Thus, parents can remotely connect to their child's mobile phone using special software, obtain data about his location, and also obtain audio and video data captured by the microphone and video camera built into the mobile phone, in order to be able to make sure that the child is safe.

[0004] However, it is worth noting that the scenario described above has a number of disadvantages. For example, determining the location of the child as being, for example, near the school or at the school does not guarantee that the child is safe. At the same time, capturing a video image for its transmission may not be possible if the mobile phone is in a bag or in a pocket. In such a case, the parent needs to call the child to make sure that he or she is safe. This can cause inconvenience to both the child and the parents.

[0005] A device for placing and carrying a portable electronic device is known from document RU 193463 U1. The known device has a base plate and two retaining means, wherein the base plate is a flat solid support of a rectangular shape, and the retaining means are elements of an elongated flat shape, in addition, one of the retaining means contains a folding elongated valve with one of the paired elements of the locking device, and the second paired element of the locking device is installed on the base plate accordingly at the point of contact with the locking device of the folding valve.

[0006] A bag-cover for a tablet computer is known from document RU 2546458 C2, which is a predominantly sewn product of a flat shape, close to the shape of a tablet computer, contains a front and back wall, fastened together at the bottom or made of a single part, the fold of which forms the bottom of the bag, contains at least one fastener for connecting the front and back walls together on the sides and / or top, is equipped with a removable carrying device and fasteners for attaching it to the bag. According to the invention, the bag-cover has compartments for placing a passport, credit cards, a mobile phone or communicator, and the shape of the compartments is close to the shape of the corresponding items.

[0007] However, the mentioned known solutions have the disadvantages described above.

[0008] Also known from the prior art is a means for carrying a mobile communication device, disclosed in document RU 204644 U1 and considered as a prototype. The said means for carrying a mobile communication device containing a camera on the user's body includes a pocket for placing the mobile communication device in it, a transparent area in the outer wall of the pocket located opposite the camera of the mobile communication device, as well as a mirror fixed outside the pocket opposite the said transparent area and made with the possibility of reflecting the face of the user of the mobile communication device in the said camera when carrying the said mobile communication device. However, in this solution, the mirror protrudes beyond the means for carrying the mobile communication device. The said mirror must be brought to an open state for use.In addition, the mobile communication device with the camera must be placed in the said carrying means only in a certain way so that the device camera is located opposite the transparent area and the mirror. The mentioned factors reduce the convenience of using this solution and, therefore, the user's safety.

[0009] Thus, there is a need in the state of the art for developing a means for carrying a mobile communication device that increases the convenience of its use and provides the ability to check the status of the user of the mobile communication device by other authorized persons by receiving data captured by the said device, in particular audio and video data.

[0010] The essence of the invention

[0011] The present invention is directed to solving at least some of the above problems.

[0012] In accordance with the present invention, a means is proposed for carrying a mobile communication device containing a camera on the user's body, comprising a pocket for placing the mobile communication device therein, comprising a front wall facing away from the user's body and a back wall facing the user's body, wherein at least the upper part of the front wall of the pocket and at least the upper part of the back wall of the pocket are made transparent, and in the pocket there is a means for setting the angle of inclination of the mobile communication device when it is placed in the pocket in such a way that the user's face of the bag falls into the viewing angle of the camera of the mobile communication device through the transparent part of the pocket.

[0013] According to one embodiment, said carrying means is a bag.

[0014] According to another embodiment, the bag is secured to the user's body by means of a belt or several belts.

[0015] According to an alternative embodiment, said carrying means is an article of clothing. According to another embodiment, said carrying means is designed to carry the mobile communication device in a horizontal and / or vertical orientation.

[0016] According to another embodiment, said carrying means additionally comprises an upper wall of the pocket, which is made transparent.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the means for setting the angle of inclination of the mobile communication device is a protrusion on which the mobile phone rests when it is placed in a pocket.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the projection is made integral with the back wall of the pocket facing the user's body and ensures that the mobile phone is tilted away from the body of the bag user, or the projection is made integral with the front wall of the pocket and ensures that the mobile phone is tilted toward the body of the bag user.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the projection is made separate from the pocket walls and is designed to be detachably attached to the front or back wall of the pocket by means of fastening means.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the front and back walls of the pocket are made identical.

[0021] According to another embodiment, said carrying means further comprises means for distancing the pocket at a distance from the user's body.

[0022] According to another embodiment, said means is designed to heat the pocket by using energy from a portable battery.

[0023] According to another alternative embodiment, said carrying means is a patch pocket for fastening to an item of clothing.

[0024] According to a second aspect of the invention, a kit is proposed for capturing an image of a user by means of a camera of a mobile communication device while being carried, comprising a means for carrying the mobile communication device in accordance with the present invention, and a means for increasing the viewing angle of the camera of the mobile communication device.

[0025] According to one embodiment, said kit further comprises a mobile communication device with installed software that provides the ability to capture an image of the user's face and monitor the user through remote access to the camera of the mobile communication device.

[0026] According to another embodiment of the kit, the means for increasing the viewing angle of the camera of the mobile communication device includes a lens for a mobile phone camera.

[0027] According to another embodiment of the kit, the lens is a wide-angle lens or a fisheye lens.

[0028] According to another embodiment of the kit, the lens can be detachably or permanently installed on the camera of a mobile phone.

[0029] According to another embodiment of the kit, the means for increasing the viewing angle of the camera of the mobile communication device includes a case with a lens installed thereon, intended for a mobile phone.

[0030] Thus, the present invention provides a means for carrying a mobile communication device that has additional functional capabilities. In particular, the present means for carrying a mobile communication device in combination with the mobile communication device itself allows for the verification of the state of the user of said device by other authorized persons by remotely obtaining images of the user's face when carrying said device. This ensures increased security for the user of the mobile communication device. In addition, this improves the convenience of using the mobile communication device, since, for example, parents, in order to ensure the safety of their child, can simply remotely connect to their child's mobile communication device and obtain an image of his face and emotions, and in this case there is no need to call him.

[0031] Brief description of the drawings

[0032] The invention is further explained by a description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] Fig. 1 schematically depicts a top view of a user with a means for carrying a mobile communication device.

[0034] Fig. 2 schematically depicts a side view of a user with a means for carrying a mobile communication device.

[0035] Fig. 3 schematically depicts a side view of a user with a means for carrying a mobile communication device according to an alternative embodiment.

[0036] Implementation of the invention

[0037] The embodiments are not limited to the embodiments described herein; other embodiments of the invention that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to a person skilled in the art based on the information provided in the description and knowledge of the prior art.

[0038] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, schematically shown in Fig. 1, the means for carrying the mobile communication device is a bag 1. The bag 1 for carrying the mobile communication device can be worn on the shoulder, on the chest or at waist level (see Fig. 2). In such a case, the bag can be secured by means of a belt or several straps (not shown). In an alternative embodiment, the bag can be attached to clothing by means of a clip, a snap, Velcro, etc. The bag 1 can be designed to carry the mobile communication device in both horizontal and vertical orientations. The bag can be made of various materials.

[0040] In this exemplary embodiment, a mobile phone 2 is considered as a mobile communication device, having a camera 3 for capturing photo and video images, preferably with two cameras. However, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, etc. can also be considered as a mobile communication device.

[0041] The bag 1 includes a pocket in which a mobile phone 2 can be placed. In one embodiment, the bag 1 can include additional pockets and compartments for placing keys, documents, money, etc. The pocket for the mobile phone 2 is located in the upper part of the bag. Alternatively, the pocket can be located in the front part of the bag or on the side. The mentioned pocket includes at least a front wall of the pocket facing away from the user's body and a back wall of the pocket facing the user's body when carrying the bag. It is worth noting that the bag 1 can be made symmetrical relative to the longitudinal plane of the bag, when the front and back walls of the pocket are made identical, which increases the ease of use of the bag, since the user can put it on without understanding which wall is the front and which is the back. Optionally, the pocket can include an upper and / or lower wall.However, said top and / or bottom wall may be absent when the front wall of the pocket is directly connected to the back wall of the pocket at the top and / or bottom, respectively.

[0042] At least the upper part of the pocket is made transparent. The mentioned transparent upper part of the pocket includes the upper part of the front wall of the pocket facing away from the user's body and / or the upper wall of the pocket. Additionally, the upper part of the back wall of the pocket can also be made transparent.

[0043] In an alternative embodiment, the front wall of the pocket and the back wall of the pocket are completely transparent.

[0044] The pocket is provided with a means for setting the angle of inclination of the mobile communication device when it is placed in the pocket so that the user's face of the bag is included in the viewing angle of the camera 3 of the mobile telephone 2 through the transparent part of the pocket. The means for setting the angle of inclination of the mobile communication device (mobile telephone) in an exemplary embodiment is a protrusion 4 on which the mobile telephone 2 rests when it is placed in the pocket. Protrusion 4 ensures that the mobile telephone is positioned in a horizontal plane or at an angle to the horizontal plane so that the user's face of the bag is included in the viewing angle of the camera of the mobile telephone located in the pocket through the transparent part of the pocket. When positioned at an angle, protrusion 4 can ensure that the mobile telephone 2 is tilted away from the user's body (Fig. 2a) or tilted toward the user's body (Fig. 2b).

[0045] The projection 4 can be made in the form of a bar, shelf, inclined surface, insert, wall of an additional compartment inside the pocket, etc.

[0046] Since at present a significant part of modern mobile phones have at least two camera modules located on opposite sides of the device, such a mobile phone 2 can be placed in a pocket with either side (front or back) facing up, so that the camera 3 of the mobile phone 2 can capture an image of the user's face through the transparent part of the pocket.

[0047] Thus, the bag 1 allows, by means of the camera 3 of the mobile phone 2, to capture an image of the face and part of the body of the user of the mobile phone through the transparent part of the pocket. The camera of the mobile phone can take photos or video recordings depending on the installed programs. In this case, the camera of the mobile phone can also partially capture an image of the user's surroundings.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, when carrying a bag at the waist level of a person, depending on the viewing angle of the mobile phone camera, the tilt direction provided by the tilt angle setting means, the user's body type and other conditions, the tilt angle of the mobile phone to the horizontal should be in the range of 0-55 degrees. The said tilt angle also depends on the location of the bag on the person's body. For example, when the bag is located in the shoulder area, the above-mentioned range of angles will differ.

[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, said protrusion 4 is made integral with the back wall of the pocket and ensures that the mobile phone is tilted away from the body of the user of the bag (Fig. 2a).

[0050] In an alternative embodiment, the projection 4 can be made integral with the front wall of the pocket and ensures that the mobile phone is tilted toward the body of the bag user, or made integral with the bottom wall of the pocket and can ensure that the mobile phone is tilted both toward the body of the bag user and away from the body of the bag user.

[0051] In yet another alternative embodiment, the projection 4 is made separate from the walls of the pocket and can be releasably attached to said walls by means of various fastening means, such as Velcro, clips, fasteners, etc. In such an embodiment, the projection can be detached by the user from the back wall of the pocket, as disclosed in the exemplary embodiment, and attached, for example, to the front wall of the pocket to set a more suitable viewing angle for the camera 3 of the mobile phone 2.

[0052] In yet another alternative embodiment, the means for setting the angle of inclination of the mobile telephone is the lower wall 5 of the pocket, located horizontally (Fig. 2c, 2d) or at an angle to the horizontal plane (Fig. 2d, 2e) in such a way that the face of the user of the bag 1 through the transparent part of the pocket falls into the viewing angle of the camera 3 of the mobile telephone 2 located in the pocket.

[0053] In some cases, folds of clothing or parts of the user's body may obstruct the view of the mobile phone camera. In order to avoid such situations, the bag 1 in an alternative embodiment comprises a means 6 for distancing the pocket at a distance from the user's body, such as a spacer on the outside of the back wall of the pocket or a thickening on the section of the belt (belt), by means of which the bag 1 is secured to the user's body, between the bag and the user's body. The bag 1 may be designed for a specific model of a mobile phone and, therefore, have dimensions suitable for accommodating the mobile phone of said specific model.In addition, in such a case, taking into account the information about the viewing angle of the camera 3 of a specific model of mobile phone 2, the means for setting the tilt angle of the mobile phone in the pocket of bag 1 can set a more suitable tilt angle of the mobile phone 2 in the pocket for capturing an image of the user's face by said camera 3 through the transparent part of the pocket. Bag 1 can also be made in a universal design, i.e., fit various models of mobile phones.

[0054] The mentioned transparent part of the pocket can be made of glass, plastic (for example, acrylic), transparent film, etc. In this design, the mentioned transparent part of the pocket protects the mobile phone in the bag from moisture and other contaminants.

[0055] The pocket according to the present invention includes an opening through which the mobile phone is placed in the pocket or removed from it. The said opening may be located in the front wall, in the back wall, in any of the side walls, in the top wall or at the junction of any of the said walls of the pocket. The said opening may be closed by means of a zipper. The said zipper prevents the mobile phone from accidentally falling out of the pocket. Instead of the said zipper, Velcro, clips, buttons, etc. may be used. The location of the said opening and the means for closing it are selected in such a way as not to interfere with the mobile phone camera for capturing an image of the user's face. For the same purpose, the walls in the upper part of the pocket may be connected to each other seamlessly.

[0056] In an alternative embodiment, said opening may not be closed.

[0057] An alternative embodiment may provide for heating the pocket using energy from a portable battery (power bank) for use in cold weather.

[0058] According to an additional aspect of the present invention, a kit is proposed for capturing an image of a user by means of a camera of a mobile communication device while being carried, providing the possibility of capturing an image of the user's face and monitoring the user by means of remote access to the camera of the mobile communication device. Said kit includes the above-described means for carrying the mobile communication device, as well as means for increasing the viewing angle of the camera of the mobile communication device.

[0059] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the means for increasing the viewing angle of a camera of a mobile communication device includes a lens for a camera of a mobile phone, such as a wide-angle lens, a fisheye lens, etc. Said lens can be detachably or permanently mounted on the camera of the mobile phone. Options for attaching the lens to the mobile phone include, but are not limited to, a screw connection, a latch, a clip, a hinged connection, glue, double-sided adhesive tape, etc. When the lens and the mobile phone are detachably connected, the lens can be designed to be completely removed from the mobile phone or moved away from the camera.

[0060] Such a lens, installed on a mobile phone camera, allows for an increase in the camera's viewing angle and, when the mobile phone is placed in a bag, allows for a more reliable capture of the user's face image, increases the area of ​​the user's surroundings that falls within the camera's viewing angle and is captured by said camera, and also allows for an increase in the range of tilt angles of the mobile phone in said bag, at which the capture of the user's face image by the mobile phone camera is ensured.

[0061] In an alternative embodiment, the means for increasing the viewing angle of the camera of the mobile communication device includes a case with said lens installed thereon, intended for a mobile phone. In such a case, the case can be put on the mobile phone to implement the functions described above and can be removed from the mobile phone when said lens is not needed.

[0062] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a kit for capturing an image of a user's face and remotely monitoring the user of a mobile communication device is proposed, which includes the above-described means for carrying the mobile communication device, as well as a mobile communication device with appropriate software installed for placement in said means for carrying, which provides the ability to capture an image of a user's face and monitor the user by means of remote access to the camera of the mobile communication device. Said kit may optionally include a means for increasing the viewing angle of the camera of the mobile communication device, described above.

[0063] An exemplary application scenario of the present invention will now be described.

[0064] The child, who in this example is a mobile phone user, places the mobile phone in the pocket of the bag according to the present invention when he / she is outside the home. Parents who want to ensure the safety of their child by means of special software can connect to the child's mobile phone from their mobile phone or personal computer. The said software can provide the ability to connect only for authorized persons for security purposes. When connecting, parents can receive information about the location of their child. In addition to this, parents can also receive an image captured by the camera of the mobile phone located in the bag according to the present invention. The camera of the mobile phone, due to the positioning of the mobile phone in the bag at an angle, can capture an image of the face of the mobile phone user through the transparent part of the bag pocket.Thus, parents, having received an image (s) of the child's face and emotions, can make sure online at any time that everything is okay with the child. In addition, parents can also receive audio information captured by the microphone of a mobile phone to assess the situation.

[0065] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, instead of a bag, the means for carrying the mobile communication device is an item of clothing, such as a jacket, a down jacket, a coat, a sweater, etc. Said item of clothing includes a pocket in which the mobile communication device can be placed, as in the embodiment described above. The pocket can be located at chest level, at waist level, or in any other suitable place. The remaining features of this embodiment are similar to the exemplary embodiment described above.

[0066] It is also worth noting that the means for carrying the mobile communication device may be a patch pocket that can be attached (sewn) onto ready-made clothing. The remaining features of this embodiment are similar to the exemplary embodiment described above.

[0067] Thus, the present invention provides a means for carrying a mobile communication device that has additional functional capabilities. In particular, the present means for carrying a mobile communication device in combination with the mobile communication device itself allows for the verification of the state of the user of said device by other authorized persons by remotely obtaining images of the user's face when carrying said device. This ensures increased security for the user of the mobile communication device. In addition, this improves the convenience of using the mobile communication device, since, for example, parents, in order to ensure the safety of their child, can simply remotely connect to their child's mobile communication device and obtain an image of his face and emotions, and in this case there is no need to call him.

[0068] The functionality of an element indicated in the description or claims as a single element may be implemented in practice by means of several components of the device, and vice versa, the functionality of elements indicated in the description or claims as several separate elements may be implemented in practice by means of a single component.

[0069] While exemplary embodiments have been described in detail and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are illustrative only and that the invention is not to be limited to the specific arrangements and structures shown and described, since various other modifications may be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0070] The application does not indicate specific software and hardware for implementing the present invention, but a person skilled in the art should understand that the essence of the invention is not limited to a specific software or hardware implementation, and therefore any software and hardware known in the prior art can be used to implement the invention.

[0071] Elements mentioned in the singular do not exclude a plurality of elements unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0072] The features mentioned in various dependent claims, as well as the implementations disclosed in various parts of the description, can be combined to achieve useful effects, even if the possibility of such a combination is not explicitly disclosed.

Claims

Invention formula 1. A means for carrying a mobile communication device containing a camera on the body of a user, comprising a pocket for placing the mobile communication device therein, comprising a front wall facing away from the body of the user, and a back wall facing towards the body of the user, wherein at least the upper part of the front wall of the pocket and at least the upper part of the back wall of the pocket are made transparent, and in the pocket there is a means for setting the angle of inclination of the mobile communication device when it is placed in the pocket in such a way that the face of the user of the bag falls into the viewing angle of the camera of the mobile communication device through the transparent part of the pocket.

2. A means for carrying a mobile communication device according to paragraph 1, wherein said means for carrying is a bag.

3. A means for carrying a mobile communication device according to paragraph 2, wherein the bag is secured to the user’s body by means of a belt or several straps.

4. A means for carrying a mobile communication device according to paragraph 1, wherein said means for carrying is an item of clothing.

5. A means for carrying a mobile communication device according to any one of paragraphs 1-4, wherein said means for carrying is designed with the possibility of carrying the mobile communication device in a horizontal and / or vertical orientation.

6. A means for carrying a mobile communication device according to any of paragraphs 1-4, additionally comprising an upper wall of the pocket, which is made transparent.

7. A means for carrying a mobile communication device according to any one of paragraphs 1-4, in which the means for setting the angle of inclination of the mobile communication device is a protrusion on which the mobile communication device rests when it is placed in a pocket.

8. A means for carrying a mobile communication device according to item 7, in which the protrusion is made integral with the rear wall. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) pocket facing the body of the user and ensures the tilt of the mobile communication device away from the body of the user of the means for carrying the device, or the protrusion is made integral with the front wall of the pocket and ensures the tilt of the mobile communication device toward the body of the user of the means for carrying the device.

9. A means for carrying a mobile communication device according to item 7, in which the projection is made separate from the walls of the pocket and is designed with the possibility of being detachably attached to the front or back wall of the pocket by means of fastening means.

10. A means for carrying a mobile communication device according to any one of paragraphs 1-3, wherein the means for carrying the mobile communication device is made symmetrical relative to the longitudinal plane, when the front and back walls of the pocket are made identical.

11. A means for carrying a mobile communication device according to any one of paragraphs 1-3, wherein said means for carrying additionally comprises a means for distancing the pocket at a distance from the user's body.

12. A means for carrying a mobile communication device according to any one of paragraphs 1-4, wherein said means is designed with the possibility of heating the pocket by using energy from a portable battery.

13. A means for carrying a mobile communication device according to paragraph 1, wherein said means for carrying is a patch pocket for fastening to an item of clothing.

14. A kit for capturing an image of a user using a camera of a mobile communication device during transportation, comprising a means for carrying the mobile communication device according to item 1, and a means for increasing the viewing angle of the camera of the mobile communication device.

15. The kit according to item 14, additionally containing a mobile communication device with installed software that provides the ability to capture a face image. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) user and monitoring the user through remote access to the camera of the mobile device.

16. The kit according to item 14, wherein the means for increasing the viewing angle of the camera of the mobile communication device includes a lens for a mobile phone camera.

17. The kit according to claim 16, wherein the lens is a wide-angle lens or a fisheye lens.

18. The kit according to item 16, in which the lens can be detachably or permanently installed on the camera of a mobile phone.

19. The kit according to item 14, in which the means for increasing the viewing angle of the camera of the mobile communication device includes a case with a lens installed on it, intended for a mobile phone. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

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