Abstract:
Holding apparatuses accommodate mobile devices for display and/or interaction in set positions. Apparatuses include a stand and a moveable holder to which a mobile device secures. The holder can be positioned at a number of different angles, orientations, and locations through proper stand-holder joining. The joining may use locks or resistance pieces that prevent rotation or other movement without human force. The holder may be sized and shaped to accommodate a number of different portable electronic devices, with openings, spaces, and locking mechanisms, if any, positioned based on anticipated presence of mobile device features in the holder. Holding apparatuses can include or omit electronics and power sources. Holding apparatuses may be any desired material, including frictional, adhesive, magnetic, or design-based materials. Sound-carrying passages may passively direct audio from a portable electronic device to a front speaker for amplification and direction to a viewer.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Portable electronic devices often include large screens or other viewable features as well as speakers or other auditory devices for performance and consumption of videos, applications, video calls, and other media. Such devices have become increasingly powerful while decreasing in size and weight, allowing them to be transported nearly anywhere for media consumption. Resultantly, many users may use or watch a performance through a mobile device while engaging in other activities, such as cleaning, working, holding on a telephone, cooking, receiving instruction, waiting for an appointment or travel, readying for bed, eating, etc. Typically, users may prop mobile devices against a wall or lay devices flat on a surface for viewing and other media consumption. Users may also place mobile devices in a case that includes a support or prop to allow static positioning of the device upright on a flat surface. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    Example embodiments include apparatuses that hold mobile devices in desired positions for display and/or interaction. Example embodiments include a base and a viewer that are moveable relative to one another so that a mobile device secured to the viewer—such as in a frame, receiver, sleeve, gripping surface, etc.—can be positioned at a number of different angles, orientations, and locations. The base and the viewer can be joined in any way to provide for desired movement and positioning, including a ball-and-socket type joint with appropriate clearances. The socket—such as one including a ball-shaped cavity—can capture the ball while still permitting rotation of the viewer about three rectilinear axes. The joining may use locking devices, like frictional or adhesive surfaces or latches or locking pieces, that prevent rotation or other movement without human force, so that the mobile device can be continuously displayed at a set position. Example embodiments may be sized and shaped to accommodate a number of different portable electronic devices. Openings, spaces, and locking mechanisms can be positioned based on anticipated presence of mobile device features. Example embodiments can be fabricated and compatible with or without additional electronics. For example, some example consoles may be entirely plastic so as to reduce manufacturing costs, with no electrical options. Sound-carrying passages may passively direct audio from a portable electronic device in the console to a front speaker for amplification and direction to a viewing user. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]    Example embodiments will become more apparent by describing, in detail, the attached drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like reference numerals, which are given by way of illustration only and thus do not limit the example embodiments herein. 
           [0004]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of an example embodiment mobile device console. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of another example embodiment mobile device console. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of another example embodiment mobile device console. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the example embodiment mobile device console of  FIG. 3  in a first configuration. 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the example embodiment mobile device console of  FIG. 3  in a second configuration. 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the example embodiment mobile device console of  FIG. 3  in a third configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    Because this is a patent document, general broad rules of construction should be applied when reading it. Everything described and shown in this document is an example of subject matter falling within the scope of the claims, appended below. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely for purposes of describing how to make and use example embodiments. Several different embodiments not specifically disclosed herein may fall within the claim scope; as such, the claims may be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only example embodiments set forth herein. 
         [0011]    It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, “and” and “or” are equivalent to the term “and/or,” which includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
         [0012]    It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected,” “coupled,” “mated,” “attached,” or “fixed” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). Similarly, a term such as “communicatively connected” includes all variations of information exchange routes between two devices, including intermediary devices, networks, etc., connected wirelessly or not. 
         [0013]    As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” and the plural form “indicia” are intended to include both the singular and plural forms, unless the language explicitly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not themselves preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
         [0014]    It should also be noted that the structures and operations discussed below may occur out of the order described and/or noted in the figures. For example, two operations and/or figures shown in succession may in fact be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved. Similarly, individual operations within example methods described below may be executed repetitively, individually or sequentially, so as to provide looping or other series of operations aside from the single operations described below. It should be presumed that any embodiment having features and functionality described below, in any workable combination, falls within the scope of example embodiments. 
         [0015]    As used herein, “mobile device” and “portable electronic device” are used interchangeably to describe non-stationary electronics with capability of audiovisual performance and local powering, such as with an internal battery. Under this definition, mobile devices include at least tablet computers, phones, laptops, wearable computers, monitors, readers, etc. Where example embodiments are configured to interact with mobile devices, this requires a purposeful design to accommodate, through shaping, sizing, and functionality, one or more third-party mobile device(s). 
         [0016]    The inventor has recognized that mobile devices are increasingly being used like television sets, except that unlike typical TVs, portable electronics do not occupy a stationary location within a household or other viewing area. This often results in portable electronic devices being laid flat or propped up in viewing areas while the human user goes about other tasks or focuses on watching. The inventor has recognized that typical props, such as walls or supports or extensions in device cases, do not permit flexibility in device positioning for viewing. Nor do typical props offer a stable viewing location with any resistance to falling, vibration, or incidental bumping. Nor do typical props account for speaker positioning and acoustical loss due to propping. To overcome these newly-recognized problems as well as others, the inventor has developed systems that allow flexible and stable mobile device positioning without sacrificing portability of the device, while potentially enhancing acoustic and user interaction with mobile devices being viewed or otherwise used. 
         [0017]    The present invention is devices or systems for holding and displaying a portable electronic device. In contrast to the present invention, the few example embodiments and example methods discussed below illustrate just a subset of the variety of different configurations that can be used as and/or in connection with the present invention. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of an example embodiment portable electronic device console  100 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , example embodiment console  100  includes a movable frame  110  shaped to accommodate a portable electronic device. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , frame  110  may include an inset  111  of a standard mobile device size. In this way, a mobile device can be set into inset  111  and retained in the same for viewing. For example, inset  111  may be sized to the dimensions of known mobile devices, such as mobile phones, tablet computers, wearable electronics, handheld game consoles, GPS devices, laptop computers, personal readers, etc. Inset  111  may further include sizeable elements, such as a compressible foam, moldable putty, or adjustable edges, to accommodate devices of several different sizes. Similarly, movable frame  110  may include different or additional capturing structures, like extensions, adhesives, suction cups, etc. that accommodate portable electronic devices and maintain the same in relative positioning with frame  110 . 
         [0019]    Inset  111  may include a bevel, ledge, or capturing extension about one or more edges of inset  111  to prevent a portable electronic device inserted therein from easily falling out or changing relative position. Similarly, inset  111  may include a frictional or adhesive structure to secure mobile devices therein. For example, a foam tape, rubber backing, Velcro, or non-sticky adhesive surface may be affixed within inset  111  to better capture a mobile device inserted therein. Still further, inset  111  may include a movable release and/or lock to allow a mobile device to be inserted into inset  111  and subsequently held in place by engagement of the lock. For example, a mobile device may be slid into inset  111  in a single direction, such as in the horizontal x dimension, behind a catching ledge. When fully slid into inset  111 , a moveable extension from an edge of inset  111  may be engaged to block the mobile device from exiting inset  111 , regardless of orientation, gravity, or other forces. 
         [0020]    Inset  111  may include an access break  112  that allows a user to access controls of mobile devices contained therein. For example, access break  112  may extend through a ledge or bevel of inset  111  or be a hole that allows a user to depress volume, power, or other controls, as well as access ports or jacks in, a mobile device in inset  111 . Of course, several access breaks  112  may be included for several disparately-located controls and/or access points. 
         [0021]    Mobile frame  110  may further include one or more speakers  115  opening from a front or side. Speaker  115  may be electronic and use a local or remote power source. An electronic speaker  115  may amplify audio output from a mobile device via a receiver or microphone in frame  110 ; an electronic speaker  115  may also connect via a dock, data port, or headphone jack to a mobile device to output amplified audio from the device. Speaker  115  may also be passive. As described in further detail below, speaker  115  may be connected to speakers of a mobile device so as to passively amplify and/or direct sound to a user at a front of example embodiment console  100 . In this way, example embodiment console  100  may lack any electronics or powered features or connections, and a mobile device used therein may be powered solely by its battery. This may simplify and increase portability of some example embodiments lacking external power options. 
         [0022]    Mobile frame  110  may be translatable and/or rotatable in any dimension. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , frame  110  may rotate in any or all of three perpendicular axes x, y, and/or z in horizontal, vertical, and/or depth dimensions, respectively. Similarly, mobile frame  110  may be translatable in any of the x, y, and/or z directions. In this way, a user may rotate or move frame  110  holding a mobile device to any desired location or angle in order to optimize viewing and/or interaction. Such movement can be achieved via any number of moving and joining structures, some of which are described below. 
         [0023]    Example embodiment console  100  further includes a base  140  that securely sits on a surface. Base  140  may be relatively heavy and/or have a larger area expanding about mobile frame  110  to provide leverage against forced applied to frame  110  and/or prevent tipping and/or slipping of console  100 . Base  140  may further include adhesive surfaces or locking mechanisms, like suctions or clamping grips, that prevent slipping or tipping as well as permitting base  140  to be secured to non-flat, horizontal, or irregular surfaces without relative movement. Base  140  and mobile frame  110  may be connected in any way that permits articulation of frame  110  in any desired dimension(s) and/or axi(e)s. For example, a neck  130  may extend between base  140  and frame  110  and secure the two together. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of another example embodiment mobile device console  200  shown as a cut-out profile. It is understood that example embodiment consoles  100  and  200  may include interchangeable parts and may include optional features useable by either. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , mobile frame  210  includes an inset  211  with a capturing edge  212  at a bottom of inset  211 . In this way, a mobile device may be slid into inset  211  (such as in a depth direction into  FIG. 2 ) behind capturing edge  212 . Inset  211  may be formed with a bevel from frame  210 , such that a mobile device slid into inset  211  in this example cannot move in any other dimension. Inset  211  and/or capturing edge  212  may include adjustable sizing or compressible or deformable lining, such as a foam tape about inset  211 , to accommodate devices of somewhat varying size and may further include high-friction surfaces, adhesives, locks, and/or clamps to retain a portable electronic device within inset  211  once inserted. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , example embodiment console  200  may include a speaker  215  at a front of frame  210  where a retained mobile device may be viewed and/or interacted with. Speaker  215  may be a passive speaker, connecting to a speaker of the mobile device through a passage, such as an amplifying channel  216  in frame  210 . Amplifying channel  216  may be a hollow space with high acoustic transmission, so as to direct and amplify sound from a mobile device secured with frame  210  out of speaker  215 . Amplifying channel may include a narrower opening in frame  210  next to an anticipated audio output of a mobile device and gradually widen to speaker  215 . In this way, amplifying channel  216  may concentrate and direct sound output to a front of console  200  where a user will view or interact with a mobile device inserted therein. Amplifying channel  216  may be positioned with a speaker location of several known devices. For example, amplifying channel  216  may open near a bottom or side of inset  211  where a speaker of a corresponding smartphone, media player, tablet computer, smart watch, etc. would be located. In this way, inset  211 , frame  210 , amplifying channel  216 , and other features of example embodiment console  200  may be sized and positioned for a particular mobile device and/or class of devices. 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , a base  240  connects to mobile frame  210  via a neck  230 . In example embodiment console  200 , mobile frame  210  is rotatable in multiple dimensions through ball  235  at an end of neck  230  and socket  213  in frame  210 . Socket  213  may completely or partially surround ball  230  so as to prevent base  240  from becoming separated from frame  210 , while permitting rotation of frame  210 . Socket  213  may form a larger cavity or flange about a base of ball  235  to permit greater degrees of rotation of frame  210 , such as 90-degree or greater rotation in any dimension. Alternatively, socket  213  may be shaped in a more surrounding configuration to permit less rotation. Still further, socket  213  may include irregular spaces, flanges, or cut outs from frame  210  to allow rotation or other movement of frame  210  only in specific dimensions. 
         [0028]    Ball  235  may include a gripping or adhesive surface that secures with socket  213  when not subject to user or other forces intended to move frame  210  relative to base  240 . For example, ball  235  may include a rubberized or other highly-frictional surface that requires purposeful force to move frame  210  and socket  213  relative to ball  235 . Or for example, ball  235  may be covered with small bumps as regular intervals, and socket  213  may have similarly-shaped divots; such bumps and divots may lock frame  210  at any one of several positions and/or orientations, while allowing movement between positions under appropriate human force. Ball  235  and/or socket  213  may further include tracks, blocks, magnets, keepers, ratchets, and any other mechanism to control relative movement of the two. In this way, frame  210  may be moveable to any desired position under human force, and surfaces on ball  235  and/or socket  213  may retain that desired position absent human manipulation. It is further understood that ball  235  may be ellipsoidal or any other shape to produce desired movement and/or complete or partial securing with respect to base  240 . 
         [0029]    Ball  235  is shown in  FIG. 2  as mating with socket  213  vertically below and horizontally behind a center of inset  211 . Through this positioning, inset  211  and any portable electronic device inserted therein will be vertically above a point of rotation of frame  210  when in the position of  FIG. 2 . This positioning may allow a user more leverage to rotate frame  211  when grasped about a mobile device in inset  211  by providing additional torque against ball  235  in any orientation. Of course, socket  213  may be positioned anywhere in frame  210  so as to enable any relative movement of an inset  211  and mobile device therein and base  240  or ball  235 . Still further, weights or appropriate mass positioning in frame  210  may balance frame  210  against an expected mobile device weight and allow even, or at least static, positioning of frame  210  at any orientation. 
         [0030]    Base  240  and neck  230  may be shaped and positioned in any manner with respect to each other and frame  210 . For example, neck  230  may be telescoping or articulating with respect to base  240  in order to permit translation of frame  210  in a desired direction, such as at a desired viewing height. Or base  240  and neck  230  may be static or rigidly affixed so as to permit only rotation of frame  210 . 
         [0031]    Example embodiment console  200  may be fabricated of any desired material(s). For example, base  240 , neck  230 , and frame  210  may be entirely molded of a resilient plastic, simplifying manufacturing processes and costs. Additional gripping, compressible, or adhesive materials may be added to the plastic at various positions to accommodate functionality discussed above. Still further, individual components of example embodiment console  200  may be individually manufactured from metals, woods, glass, etc. and assembled. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of an example embodiment portable electronic device console  300  illustrating another joining option between base  340  and frame  310  via neck  330 , ball  335 , and cavity  313 , useable with any other example embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 3 , cavity  313  may be irregular and hollowed out in specific dimensions. Ball  335  may be joined in a partially-surrounding area so as to prevent translation of frame  310  with respect to base  340  but allow rotation. Cavity  313  may be shaped to permit simultaneous rotation of 360-degrees about a vertical y axis, at least 90-degrees about a horizontal x axis, and a variable about of rotation about a depth z axis depending on rotation in other axes, permitting a mobile device held by frame  310  to be viewed at several different orientations, including both landscape and portrait positions with respect to a vertical. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 4-6  are further illustrations of example embodiment console  300  showing use of the same in several different orientations. As shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , example console  300  may be rotated in several different directions to produce a watchable vantage of any orientation or positioning, based on user needs. The viewer and base of the console  300  may remain in static orientation once set by a user, such that console  300  can achieve and maintain any desired viewing angle, direction, or orientation through use of proper joints between the two. 
         [0034]    Some example embodiments being described here, it is understood that one or more examples and components thereof may be used in combination and/or in duplication to produce multiple options and functionalities for viewing communications devices. It will further be appreciated by one skilled in the art that example embodiments may be varied through routine experimentation and without further inventive activity. For example, although a ball and socket joint is shown at a particular position in some examples, it is understood that multiple extension cylinders with resistance may be used between a base and frame to produce desired relative positioning. Variations are not to be regarded as departure from the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.