Motorized Phone Mount for Hands-Free Video Call Framing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
During video calls on mobile communication devices, users often struggle to maintain optimal framing and positioning of the device, leading to difficulties in engaging participants and ensuring clear communication due to the need to hand-hold the device or use a selfie stick.
Innovation Solution
A mobile communication device assembly with a housing, controller, and angular adjustment assembly that includes a motor and gear system, allowing for hands-free automatic tracking and tilt adjustment of the device to maintain optimal framing and participant engagement during video calls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user hand-holds the mobile communication device during video calling, then the device can be positioned and framed manually, but it becomes difficult to maintain continuous and optimal framing of participants
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile communication device performs automatic framing and positioning of participants through image recognition technology. The device captures images, identifies participant locations, and automatically adjusts camera parameters without requiring continuous manual intervention, thereby maintaining reliable and continuous optimal framing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual positioning system with an automated image recognition and processing system. Instead of relying on manual camera adjustment, the system uses software-based participant detection and automatic framing algorithms to achieve and maintain optimal participant visibility
2Length of moving object
If a user uses a selfie stick during video calling, then the device can be extended for better positioning, but it increases the complexity of the setup and reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the positioning function from the physical extension mechanism (selfie stick) and implements it through software-based image recognition and automatic framing. The system processes captured images to determine optimal framing and automatically adjusts camera parameters, eliminating the need for physical extension devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical selfie stick extension system with an automated digital imaging and processing system. The system uses image capture, participant detection algorithms, and automatic framing to achieve proper positioning without requiring physical device extension
3Ease of operation
If the mobile communication device is placed on a surface during video calling, then hands-free operation is achieved, but automatic tracking and positioning capabilities are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile communication device performs self-tracking by continuously capturing images, identifying participant locations through image recognition, and automatically adjusting camera parameters. This self-service capability enables the device to maintain accurate participant framing while operating in hands-free mode on a surface
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where captured images are processed to detect participant positions, and this information feeds back to automatically adjust camera framing and positioning. This continuous feedback mechanism enables effective automatic tracking while the device operates hands-free on a surface
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
Enables continuous and automatic placement of the mobile communication device for optimal participant engagement, enhancing video call clarity and user experience by adjusting the device's position and angle without human intervention.
Implementation Method 1
an angular adjustment assembly mounted in the housing and including a first motor electrically coupled to the controller; a first gear assembly driveably coupled to the first motor
Data Source
AI summary
In an example implementation, a mobile communication device assembly includes a housing having an opening configured and sized to support a display screen of a mobile communication device. A controller is mounted in the housing and configured to communicably couple to the mobile communication device. An angular adjustment assembly is mounted in the housing and including a first motor electrically coupled to the controller; a first gear assembly driveably coupled to the first motor; and a support member coupled to the first gear assembly and extendable, with the first gear assembly, from a first position flush with the housing to a second position angularly extended from the housing.