Neck-Mounted Media Player with Ground-Illuminating Flashlight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional smartphone flashlights are not suitable for illuminating the ground in dimly-lit or dark areas during walking or hiking, as they are typically hand-held or mounted on a hat and do not provide a powerful enough beam for safe navigation.
Innovation Solution
A media player device with an integrated flashlight that includes a ground-illuminating LED array directed downward at an acute angle, combined with audio playback capabilities, allowing users to suspend the device around their neck for hands-free illumination and audio playback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional smartphone flashlights are used, then the device is compact and portable, but the illumination intensity is insufficient for walking and hiking in dark areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the orientation dimension of the flashlight beam from horizontal (conventional smartphone flashlight) to downward/ground-directed angle. The flashlight is positioned to illuminate the ground in front of the user's feet, creating a new spatial dimension for light projection that is specifically adapted for walking and hiking scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The media player device integrates multiple functions including audio playback, recording, and ground-illuminating flashlight capabilities into a single device. This multi-functional design allows the device to serve both as an entertainment player and as a specialized illumination tool for outdoor activities, replacing the need for separate devices.
2Ease of operation
If hand-held flashlights are used for ground illumination, then the illumination intensity is sufficient, but the user's hands are occupied and cannot perform other tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to be worn around the user's neck via a lanyard mount, positioning it automatically in a convenient location where it can illuminate the ground without requiring manual holding. The device serves itself by maintaining the optimal position for ground illumination while freeing the user's hands for other activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The flashlight beam is directed at a downward angle relative to the device orientation, creating ground illumination in a different spatial dimension. This angular orientation allows the beam to project onto the ground in front of the user's feet while the device hangs at the user's neck, achieving hands-free operation with effective ground lighting.
3Illumination intensity
If hat-mounted flashlights are used, then the illumination is directed forward, but the device is cumbersome and may not provide sufficient power for extended outdoor use
Solution Approach 1:
The media player device combines audio playback, recording, and flashlight functions in one unit, eliminating the need for separate hat-mounted flashlight devices. The integrated design reduces overall device complexity while maintaining ground illumination capability through the lanyard-mounted configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of mounting the flashlight on the hat (head level), the patent positions the device at neck level with the flashlight beam directed downward at an acute angle. This dimensional change in positioning and beam direction achieves ground illumination without requiring complex hat-mounted structures.
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
Provides a more powerful and convenient means of illumination for users, enabling safe navigation in low-light conditions while allowing for audio entertainment or guidance through music, sermons, or other content.
Implementation Method 1
a first lamp provided at a face of the housing and directed outward at an acute angle with respect to the length of the face of the housing extending between the first end of the housing and a second end of the housing opposite the first end, so that the first lamp provides an illumination beam directed in front of the user's feet
Data Source
AI summary
A media player device having an integrated ground-illuminating flashlight provides hands-free ground illumination while walking. The media player device includes a lanyard attached to a first end of a housing, a first lamp located at a second end of the housing for use as an ordinary flashlight, and a second lamp located on a front side of the housing and directed at an acute angle from the housing toward the second end of the housing, so that the ground in front of a wearer of the media player device is illuminated. A speaker for reproducing the audio generated by the media player device may also be located on the front of the housing to provide audibility of the playback audio, or may alternatively be located on the first end or side of the housing. Controls are provided on the front or side of the housing to provide easy access when wearing the device.