Abstract:
According to principles of the embodiments as disclosed herein, a device for monitoring the use of a handheld device is provided which allows for increased accuracy and ease of monitoring the use of handheld devices during usability testing. The device includes a handheld device mount configured to be releasably coupleable to a handheld device. The handheld device mount includes a cavity and a base and opposing first and second sides and first and second sidewalls extending from the base at the sides of the base. The mast has a first and second end. The first end of the mast is coupled to and extends from a third side of the cavity. A camera mount is located at the second end of the mast and configured to receive a camera.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure generally relates to systems, methods, and devices for use in usability testing and more particularly to a device for monitoring the use of a handheld device. 
         [0003]    Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Usability testing includes the evaluation of a product by testing the product on users and observing the way users interact with and use the product. The evaluation of the product&#39;s use and observation sometimes occurs in person and in real time. Many usability tests include provisions for an auditor to observe the users in an unobtrusive way; for example, a one-way mirror may be installed between two rooms, the reflective side facing the testing room, wherein a user interacts with the product, and a transparent side facing an observing room wherein an auditor observes the use of the product. In this way, an auditor may monitor the activities of the user without the user observing the auditor&#39;s movements, note taking, or other actions. This testing setup limits the ability of the auditor to closely monitor some aspects of the user&#39;s interaction with the product. For example, observing small movements and interactions with the product may be difficult when the auditor is in another room and separated from the user by a wall or one-way mirror. 
         [0005]    Usability testing may also include video and audio recording of the user interacting with the product. The video and recording equipment is fixed in positions around the room. Because the video and recording equipment is in a fixed location, the user may be instructed to limit their use to a confined area within the room. For example, in usability testing of handheld devices, the user may be asked to only use the product within a confined space and in a certain orientation within the room so that the video and recording equipment can monitor the user&#39;s interaction with and use of the product. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0006]    According to principles of the embodiments as disclosed herein, a device for monitoring the use of a handheld device is provided. The device allows for increased accuracy and ease of monitoring the use of handheld devices during usability testing. The device includes a handheld device mount configured to releasably couple to a handheld device. The handheld device mount includes a cavity and has a base and opposing first and second sides, and first and second sidewalls extending from the base at the sides of the base. The mast has a first and second end. The first end of the mast is coupled to and extends from a third side of the cavity. A camera mount is located at the second end of the mast and is configured to receive a camera. 
         [0007]    By including a handheld device mount and camera mount at opposite ends of a mast, a handheld device, such as a remote control, and a camera are easily connected to each other and oriented such that the camera has a clear view of a person&#39;s use of a remote control. 
         [0008]    Another embodiment of a device for monitoring the use of the handheld device includes a body that extends longitudinally between a first end configured for gripping by a user and a second end. The device also includes a mast having a first and second end. The first end of the mast is coupled to and extends from the second end of the body. The device may also include a camera mount at the second end of the mast. The camera mount is configured to receive a camera. The device also includes a wireless communication transmitter and a plurality of buttons configured to receive input from a user. 
         [0009]    One method of easily recording usability information includes coupling a handheld device to a cavity. The cavity is defined by a base and opposing first and second sides and first and second sidewalls extending from the base at respective ones of the first and second sides. The method also includes coupling a camera to a camera mount, the camera mount located at a distal end of a mast, the mast extending from a third side of the cavity. The method also includes imaging the handheld device while a user uses the handheld device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or acts. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Some of these elements might be enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility and understanding of the features. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a camera and handheld device coupler according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the camera and handheld device coupler of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the camera and handheld device coupler while it is connecting a camera and handheld device to each other according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the camera and handheld device coupler including the camera and handheld device connected as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is side view of a camera and handheld device coupler according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is top view of a camera and handheld device coupler according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a handheld device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed embodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures associated with usability testing, usability testing systems, and methods of using usability testing systems and devices have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments. 
         [0019]    Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims that follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as “comprises” and “comprising,” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is, as “including, but not limited to.” 
         [0020]    References throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
         [0021]    The use of ordinals such as first, second and third does not necessarily imply a ranked sense of order, but rather may only distinguish between multiple instances of an act or structure. 
         [0022]    The headings and Abstract of the Disclosure provided herein are for convenience only and do not limit the scope or meaning of the embodiments. 
         [0023]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show an isometric and top view, respectively, of a handheld device and camera coupler  100 . The handheld device and camera coupler  100  includes a handheld device mount  102  and a camera mount  104  on opposite ends of a mast  106 . The handheld device mount  102  includes a cavity  108  that is configured to receive a handheld device. A base  110  and one or more sidewalls  112  for the cavity  108 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the base  110  may include one or more sides. The base  110  in  FIG. 2  includes a front side  111  and a back side that extends between one or more lateral sides  109 . 
         [0024]    The sidewalls  112  extend up from a surface of the base  110 . As explained in more detail below, the sidewalls may be sized and shaped to correspond with a size and shape of a handheld device such that the sidewalls  112  receive and engage with the body of the handheld device. For example, the inner surface  118  of the sidewalls  112  may have a size and shape that matches the size and shape of the sides of the body of the handheld device. 
         [0025]    The sidewalls may also include one or more upper portions  114 . The upper portions will overlay the top of the handheld device and may have a size and shape that conforms to a size and shape of an upper surface of the handheld device. The upper portions  114  will serve to grip the handheld device in cooperation with the base  110  and sidewalls  112 . 
         [0026]    The sidewalls  112  may also include one or more end portions  122 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the end portions  122  may extend from the sidewalls towards the front of the cavity  108 . The end portions  122  may have a size and shape that conforms to a size and shape of a surface of the end of the handheld device. In some embodiments, the end portions  122  may extend from a first sidewall  112  to a second sidewall  112 , enclosing the front end of the cavity  108 . 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the front end of the handheld device mount  102  may include apertures  120 . The apertures  120  allow wireless signals emitted from the handheld device, for example, infrared light signals, to pass through the apertures  120  and reach their intended receiver, for example a set-top box or television. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, the sidewalls  112  may also be flexible and/or somewhat elastic. For example, the sidewalls  112  may conform to a shape of a handheld device when the device is inserted within the cavity  108 ; but in a rest state, a distance between the sidewalls  112  may be less than the width of the handheld device. In such an embodiment, as the handheld device is inserted into the cavity  108 , the sidewalls  112  are flexed and pushed apart. The sidewalls  112  have some elastic properties and act to return to their original shape. The flexing and deformation of the sidewalls  112  causes the sidewalls  112  to impart a lateral, clamping force onto the handheld device that is inserted within the cavity  108 . 
         [0029]    The upper portions  114  of the sidewalls  112  in cooperation with the base  110  may also impart a clamping force onto the handheld device. For example, a distance between the upper portions  114  and the base of the cavity  108  may be less than a height of the handheld device in a rest state. When the handheld device is inserted into the cavity  108 , the upper portions  114  of the sidewalls  112  are flexed upward, yet they are resilient and impart a return force. The upward flexing of the upper portions  114  of the sidewalls  112  causes them to impart a clamping force onto the handheld device between the base and the upper portions  112  of the cavity  108 . 
         [0030]    The mast  106  extends from the front end of the handheld device mount  102 . The mast  106  includes a material web  125  between two opposing flanges  124 . The web  125  and flanges  124  support and stiffen the mast  106 . For example, the web  125  resists bending forces imparted on the sides of the mast  106 . In  FIG. 2  these bending forces are in a direction left and right across the page. The flanges  124  also resist bending due to forces imparted on the front and back of the mast  106 . In  FIG. 2  these forces are generally into and out of the page. 
         [0031]    The mast  106  may also include an aperture  120 . The aperture  120  may allow wireless signals emitted from the handheld device, for example, infrared light signals, to pass through the apertures  120  and reach their intended receiver, for example, a set-top box or television. In some embodiments, the mast may be fabricated from material that is transparent to the wireless signals such that the wireless signals pass through the mast with little or no attenuation. 
         [0032]    The lower end of the mast  106  is coupled to the handheld device mount  102 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the lower end of the mast is integral with the handheld device mount  102 . In some embodiments, the mast  106  may be releasably coupled to the handheld device mount  102 . 
         [0033]    The second or distal end of the mast  106  is at an end of the mast  106  opposite the first end of the mast  106  that is coupled to the handheld device mount  102 . A camera mount  104  is located at the distal end of the mast  106 . The length, position, and orientation of the mast facilitate placing the camera mount at a location from which a camera may have an unobstructed view of the handheld device mounted in the handheld device mount  102 , when the camera is mounted to the camera mount  104 . 
         [0034]    The camera mount  104  may include a base  137 . The base  137  may extend from the second or distal end of the mast  106 . The base  137  provides a platform for the camera mounting structure. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the camera mounting structure includes him a hoop  126  mounted to the base  137  via an extension  138 . The hoop  126  includes an inner surface  130  that defines an aperture  128 . The inner surface  130  is sized and shaped to securely hold a camera within the aperture  128  of the hoop  126 . In some embodiments, the camera and inner surface  130  are friction- or press-fit together such that the friction between the inner surface  130  of the hoop  126  and an outer surface of the camera holds the camera within the aperture  128 . 
         [0035]    Although the hoop  126  is shown as circular in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the inner surface  130 , the hoop  126 , and the aperture  128  may have a noncircular shape. For example, the inner surface  130  and the hoop  126 , may be square, rectangular, or other shape that conforms to the outer surface of a camera. 
         [0036]    The camera mount  104 , and in particular the base  137 , may include cable management features. The cable management features may aid in reducing tangling and catching of the cables that extend from the camera mounted on the handheld device and camera coupler  100  during usability testing. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the base  137  includes a cable routing slot  132  connected to a cable routing aperture  136 . As discussed in more detail below with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the cable routing slot  132  and aperture  136  aid in controlling the location of tables that may attach to a camera mounted on the camera mount  104 . 
         [0037]    The base  137  may also include additional cable management features, for example, the cable clip  134 . The cable clip  134  extends from a bottom surface of the base  137  and includes an opening to receive and hold one or more cables. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show an embodiment of a handheld device and camera coupler  100  with a handheld device  150  coupled to the handheld device mount  102  and a camera  170  coupled to the camera mount  104 . The handheld device  150  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  is a TV and set-top box remote control. In some embodiments, the handheld device  150  may be a tablet, smart phone, or other handheld device. 
         [0039]    The handheld device  150  includes a body  155 . The body  155  houses the internal components  160  of the handheld device  150 . The components  160  of the handheld device  150  may include a processor, memory, input, output circuitry, communication components and other electrical components associated with a remote control or other handheld device. The internal components  160  are coupled to the inputs  154  located on an upper surface  153  of the handheld device  150 . The internal components receive inputs from the input  154  or measure the state of the inputs  154  to determine the actions requested by a user. Based on a user&#39;s input, the internal components  160  of the remote control, for example, a processor, may issue commands that are transmitted via communication components within the handheld device  150 . For example, the handheld device  150  may include an infrared transmitter as part of the internal components  160 . The infrared light transmitted by the infrared transmitter may pass through a window  158  at the end of the handheld device  150 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the apertures  120  facilitate the transmission of infrared signals through the front of the handheld device  150  and the handheld device and camera coupler  100 . 
         [0040]    In some embodiments, internal components  160  may include other types of wired or wireless communication. For example, the remote control may transmit information and commands via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Z-wave, or other communication methods. 
         [0041]    The body  155  of the handheld device  150  includes two sides  156 , a bottom surface  157 , and the upper surface  153 . The handheld device  150  extends longitudinally between a first end  152 , generally used as the gripping end or holding end of the handheld device  150 , and a second end  159 , also referred to as the a distal end or the coupling end of the handheld device  150 . 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the handheld device  150  is coupled to the handheld device and camera coupler  100  via the handheld device mount  102 . The handheld device  150  is inserted into the cavity  108  where the sidewalls  112  of the handheld device mount  102  hold onto the handheld device  150  via its the second end  159 . The sidewalls  112  may exert a clamping force on the sides  156  of the body  155  of the handheld device  150  or may otherwise couple to the handheld device  150 . 
         [0043]    In  FIGS. 3 and 4  the camera  170  is shown mounted to the handheld device and camera coupler  100 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the camera  170  has a cylindrical body with a circular cross section. The camera  170  is inserted into the aperture  128  of the hoop  126  where the inner surface  130  of the hoop  126  engages with the outer surface of the camera  170  to hold the camera in place. In some embodiments, an outer diameter of the body of the camera  170  may be larger than a diameter of the aperture  128  such that the camera  170  is press-fit into aperture  128  and a hoop or clamping force imparted by the hoop  126  holds the camera  170  in place. 
         [0044]    The camera  170  may be adjusted with respect to the camera mount  104 . For example, the camera may be adjusted further into or out of the hoop  126  such that it is closer to or further from the handheld device  150 . The arrangement of the camera  170  within the camera mount  104  gives the camera a clear and unobstructed view of the upper surface  153  and the inputs  154  of the handheld device  150 . 
         [0045]    The camera  170  includes a power and communication cable  172  that provides power to the camera and facilitates between the camera  170  and, for example, a recording device or display, not shown. 
         [0046]    In some embodiments, the camera may be wireless and include wireless communication capabilities, such as Wi-Fi, internal power storage, such as batteries, and internal storage, such as flash memory storage. In such embodiments, a power and communication cable  172  may not be used. 
         [0047]      FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of a handheld device and camera coupler  200  that includes a hinged mast  106 . The handheld device and camera coupler  200  includes a handheld device mount  202  and a camera mount  204  attached to opposite ends of a mast  206 . 
         [0048]    The mast  206  includes a lower hinge  180   a  and an upper hinge  180   b . The hinges  180   a ,  180   b  allow the mast and, in particular, the camera mount  204  to be positioned and oriented relative to a handheld device coupled to the handheld device mount  202 . The lower hinge  180   a  includes a pin  182   a  and a complementary socket  184   a,  which may be, for example, a knuckle. Friction between the pin  182   a  and the socket  184   a  holds the position and orientation of the mast  206  during use; but with appropriate force, the friction between the pin  182   a  and the socket  184   a  may be overcome to facilitate repositioning of the mast  206 . 
         [0049]    Similarly, the upper hinge  180   b  includes a pin  182   b  and a complementary socket  184   b,  which may be, for example, a knuckle. Friction between the pin  182   b  and the socket  184   b  holds the position and orientation of the camera mount  204  during use, but with appropriate force, the friction between the pin  182   b  and the socket  184   b  may be overcome to facilitate repositioning of the camera mount  204 . 
         [0050]    In some embodiments, the pins  182   a,    182   b  of hinges  180   a,    180   b  may be a ball. In such embodiments, the hinges  180   a,    180   b  may be ball and socket hinges. In some embodiments, other hinge arrangements may be used, for example, a knuckle and pin arrangement may be used. 
         [0051]      FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of a handheld device and camera coupler  300  with a threaded camera mount  304  and a simplified handheld device mount  302  at opposite ends of a mast  306 . The camera mount  304  shown in  FIG. 6  includes a camera mount aperture  336 . The camera mount aperture  336  may be configured to facilitate coupling of a camera to the handheld device and camera coupler  300 . In some embodiments, a fastener such as a bolt may pass through the aperture  336 . The head of the fastener may engage with a bottom surface of the camera mount  304  while a threaded end of the fastener engages with a socket on a camera. 
         [0052]    In some embodiments, for example as shown in  FIG. 6 , the aperture  336  of the camera mount  304  is threaded, and includes threads  326 . The threads  326  of the aperture  336  may be of a ¼-20 type thread that is a common size in the photographic industry for tripod mounts. A ¼-20 type threaded socket is generally included in the body of most cameras. In some embodiments, the threads  326  of the aperture  336  may be of a ⅜-16 type thread that is also a common size in the photographic industry for tripod mounts. 
         [0053]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , in some embodiments, a handheld device mount may be simplified. For example, the sidewalls  312  of the handheld device mount  302  extend up from a surface of the base  310 , but do not include the one or more end portions  122  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  that extend from the sidewalls  112  towards the front of the cavity  108 . This simplified handheld device mount  302  provides a lighter-weight structure as compared to the handheld device mount  102  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 7  shows a handheld device  750  with a mast  706  and associated camera mount  704  that extends directly from the body of the handheld device  750 . 
         [0055]    The mast  706  extends from the front end of the handheld device  750 . The mast  706  includes a first end  707  coupled directly to the handheld device  750  camera mount  704  at a second end  708 . 
         [0056]    The second or distal end  708  of the mast  706  is at an end of the mast  706  opposite the first end  707  of the mast  706  that is coupled to the handheld device. A camera mount  704  is located at the distal end of the mast  706 . The length, position, and orientation of the mast facilitate placing the camera mount at a location from which a camera may have an unobstructed view of the handheld device  750 , when the camera is mounted to the camera mount  704 . 
         [0057]    The camera mount  704  may include a base  737 . The base  737  may extend from the second or distal end of the mast  706 . The base  737  provides a platform for the camera mounting structure. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7  the camera mounting structure includes a hoop  726  mounted to the base  737  via an extension  738 . The hoop  726  includes an inner surface  730  that defines an aperture  728 . The inner surface  730  is sized and shaped to securely hold a camera within the aperture  728  of the hoop  726 . In some embodiments, the camera and inner surface  730  are friction- or press-fit together such that the friction between the inner surface  730  of the hoop  726  and an outer surface of the camera holds the camera within the aperture  728 . 
         [0058]    As with the hoop  126  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the hoop  726 , the inner surface  730 , and the aperture  728 , although shown as circular in the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , may have a noncircular shape. For example, the inner surface  730  and the hoop  726  may be square, rectangular, or other shape that conforms to the outer surface of a camera. 
         [0059]    The camera mount  704 , and in particular the base  737 , may include cable management features. For example, The base  737  includes a cable routing slot  732  connected to a cable routing aperture  736  and a cable clip  734 . The cable clip  734  extends from a bottom surface of the base  737  and includes an opening to receive and hold one or more cables. 
         [0060]    The handheld device  750  includes a body  755 . The body  755  houses the internal components of the handheld device  750 . The components of the handheld device  750  may include a processor, memory, input, output circuitry, communication components and other electrical components associated with a remote control or other handheld device. The internal components are coupled to the inputs  754  located on an upper surface  753  of the handheld device  750 . The internal components receive inputs from the input  754  or measure the state of the inputs  754  to determine the actions requested by a user. Based on a user&#39;s input, the internal components of the remote control, for example, a processor, may issue commands that are transmitted via communication components within the handheld device  750 . For example, the handheld device  750  may include an infrared transmitter as part of the internal components. The infrared light transmitted by the infrared transmitter may pass through a window  758  at the end of the handheld device  750 . The body  155  of the handheld device  750  includes two sides  756 , a bottom surface  757 , and the upper surface  753 . The handheld device  750  extends longitudinally between a first end  752 , generally used as the gripping end or holding end of the handheld device  750 , and a second end  759 , also referred to as the a distal end of the handheld device  750 . 
         [0061]    The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments. 
         [0062]    These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.