Clip Mounting External Device to Smartphone via Screen Marker Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mounting systems for external devices on smartphones and tablets often face challenges in ensuring proper alignment with the device's features, leading to inefficient use of enhanced capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A device-and-clip system with a first and second clip arm, connected and movable between open and closed positions, along with a releasable toothed locking mechanism, and an application that displays a screen marker to align the external device with the electronic device's features, ensuring accurate positioning and orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mounting system is provided for external devices on smartphones, then the functionality and capability of the smartphone are enhanced, but it is difficult to ensure proper alignment with the smartphone features
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary alignment system consisting of markers on the clip and corresponding markers displayed on the smartphone screen. This intermediary visual reference system mediates between the external device and smartphone features, enabling precise alignment without requiring direct visual estimation or complex mechanical alignment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical alignment mechanisms with a software-based visual alignment system. Instead of using complex mechanical guides or physical alignment features, the system uses software-displayed markers and visual feedback to guide the user in positioning the external device correctly, thereby achieving precise alignment without adding mechanical complexity.
2Reliability
If a clip with multiple clip arms is used to mount external devices, then the attachment security is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the clip into multiple independent clip arms that can be independently positioned and adjusted. Each clip arm can be separately aligned using the visual marker system, allowing the complex multi-arm structure to be managed through simple, repetitive alignment operations rather than requiring complex coordinated adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the clip with a universal alignment mechanism where the same visual marker system and alignment procedure apply to each clip arm regardless of its position or function. This universal approach simplifies the user interface and operation, making the complex multi-functional clip easy to use through consistent alignment procedures across all arms.
3Measurement precision
If an alignment system with screen markers is implemented, then the positioning precision is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-aligning system where the smartphone itself provides the alignment reference through its display screen. The device serves its own alignment function by displaying markers that automatically appear in the correct positions, eliminating the need for external alignment tools or complex manual measurement procedures. The system uses the device's own resources (display, processor) to provide the alignment service.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes visual markers displayed on the screen that can change color or appearance to indicate alignment status. These visual cues provide intuitive feedback to the user, making it easy to understand whether the external device is properly aligned without requiring interpretation of complex measurements or technical parameters.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively aligns external devices like projectors with smartphone features, enhancing functionality and usability by ensuring precise alignment and easy attachment/detachment.
Implementation Method 1
The toothed locking arm is resiliently flexible and includes a locking tooth thereon, and a shoulder on the other of the second clip arm and the external device. The toothed locking arm flexes when slid past the shoulder in a first direction and is urged to a locking position wherein the locking tooth overlaps the shoulder to lock the external device to the second clip arm.
Data Source
AI summary
In an aspect, a device-and-clip system is provided for an electronic device. The system includes an external device that cooperates with at least one electronic device feature on the rear face to perform a selected function. The system includes a clip including a first clip arm having an arm marker thereon and which is engageable with the front face of the electronic device and a second clip arm that is engageable with the rear face of the electronic device. The system further includes an application that is executable to instruct the electronic device to display a screen marker on the display screen in a selected position and in a selected orientation such that positioning and orienting of the first clip arm on the display screen of the smart phone with the arm marker aligned with the position and orientation of the screen marker positions the external device in alignment with the at least one electronic device feature.