Mobile Phone Grip Attachment with External Camera Controls

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile phone camera users face difficulties in taking photographs or videos with one hand due to the cumbersome process of using touch screen phones, which require both hands for operation, lacking a hand grip similar to traditional cameras.

Innovation Solution

A grip attachment for mobile phones that includes an enlarged grip extension with a locking mechanism for secure attachment, external controls such as a shutter release button, and various interface options like pin connectors, Bluetooth, or Infrared for controlling camera functions without touching the screen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a touch screen camera phone is used, then camera functionality is integrated into the mobile phone, but the user cannot easily hold and operate the camera with one hand

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera functionalityVSAvoidone-hand operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The grip attachment is a separate detachable component that segments the camera operation function from the main phone body, allowing the grip with controls to be held in one hand while the phone is secured in the grip structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The grip attachment serves as an intermediary device between the user's hand and the camera phone, providing external controls and ergonomic support that enable one-hand operation while maintaining full camera functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If both hands are used to operate the camera, then full control of camera functions is achieved, but the operation becomes cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol capabilityVSAvoidhand coordination requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The grip attachment segments the control functions by placing external controls directly on the grip structure, allowing the thumb to access controls while the fingers secure the phone, eliminating the need for two-hand coordination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring the user to reach across the phone to access controls on the screen, the controls are inverted and placed on the grip extension, making them accessible from the opposite direction with the thumb

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS8244299B1Grip attachment for a mobile phone

Publication Date: 2012.08.14 BISHOP JOHN

AI summary

A grip attachment for an electronic device, such as a mobile phone, which enables a user to grasp and control a camera of the mobile phone with one hand. The grip attachment includes a main body and an enlarged grip extension attached to a first end of the main body. The enlarged grip extension is sized and shaped to enable a user's hand to hold the grip extension and attached mobile phone with one hand. The grip attachment also includes a locking mechanism for attaching the attachment grip to a portion of a mobile phone protective case. A second end of the grip extension includes a connector for interfacing with a connector of the mobile phone. The grip extension includes an external control located on an outer surface of the grip attachment for activating a camera control of the mobile phone.