Smartphone monopod with use restriction enforcement

A photographic monopod includes an extendable shaft, a bracket for fixing a photographic device at a first end of the extendable shaft, and a grip at a second end of the extendable shaft. The grip is opposite to the first end of the extendable shaft. The photo graphic monopod further includes a shutter control switch for controlling a shutter of the photographic device, and a shaft extension sensor for sensing a degree to which the extendable shaft is extended. The photographic monopod additionally includes a logic circuit for receiving the degree to which the extendable shaft is extended from the shaft extension sensor and disabling a connection between the shutter control switch and the photographic device when the degree to which the extendable shaft is extended exceeds a threshold.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a smartphone monopod and, more specifically, to a smartphone monopod capable of enforcing restrictions on use.

2. Discussion of Related Art

A selfie stick is monopod used by a user to take a picture of oneself (e.g., a “selfie”) by positioning a smartphone or camera beyond the average range of an arm. The monopod typically will have a metal rod that is usually extendable, with a handle at one end and an adjustable clamp at the other end to hold a user's phone in place. Many selfie sticks have a remote or Bluetooth controls to enable a user to take a picture. As selfie sticks became more and more popular, safety concerns and inconveniences of the product towards others resulted in their being banned in many venues.

Many of these venues are places where guests often like to take pictures of the venue itself and take pictures of themselves. Due to the selfie stick bans and restrictions the related safety issues and inconveniences are eliminated. However, visitors are unable to take selfies with a selfie stick while in these restricted venues.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, a photographic monopod is provided. The photographic monopod includes an extendable shaft, a bracket for fixing a photographic device at a first end of the extendable shaft, and a grip at a second end of the extendable shaft. The grip is opposite to the first end of the extendable shaft. The photo graphic monopod further includes a shutter control switch for controlling a shutter of the photographic device, and a shaft extension sensor for sensing a degree to which the extendable shaft is extended. The photographic monopod additionally includes a logic circuit for receiving the degree to which the extendable shaft is extended from the shaft extension sensor and disabling a connection between the shutter control switch and the photographic device when the degree to which the extendable shaft is extended exceeds a threshold.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the shutter control switch is disposed on the grip.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the photographic monopod further includes a proximity sensor configured to measure a density of individuals proximate to the photographic monopod and to transmit the measured density to the logic circuit. The logic circuit is further configured to disable the connection between the shutter control switch and the photographic device when the measured density exceeds a predetermined crowd pressure threshold.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the shaft extension sensor includes a potentiometer.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the shutter control switch is paired to the photographic device via a wireless connection and the shutter control switch controls the shutter of the photographic device via the wireless connection.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the threshold is received by the logic circuit over a wireless connection.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the threshold is transmitted by a facility within which the photographic monopod is located.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the threshold is received by the logic circuit from the photographic device.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the threshold is received by the logic circuit from a device installed within a facility that the photographic monopod is operated within.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the photographic device is a smartphone.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the photographic device further includes a geolocation device for determining a present geolocation of the monopod, wherein the logic circuit selects the threshold based on the present geolocation of the monopod as determined by the geolocation device.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the geolocation device is disposed within the photographic device.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, a photographic monopod is provided. The photographic monopod includes an extendable shaft, a bracket for fixing a photographic device at a first end of the extendable shaft, and a grip at a second end of the extendable shaft. The grip is opposite to the first end of the extendable shaft. The photographic monopod further includes a shaft extension sensor for sensing a degree to which the extendable shaft is extended. The photographic monopod additionally includes a logic circuit for receiving a threshold value, receiving the degree to which the extendable shaft is extended from the shaft extension sensor, and generating an alert when the degree to which the extendable shaft is extended exceeds the received threshold value.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the logic circuit receives the threshold value over a wireless connection.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the logic circuit receives the threshold value via a manual input.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the logic circuit receives the threshold value based on a present geolocation of the photographic monopod.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the logic circuit additionally locks the extendable shaft from extending further when the degree to which the extendable shaft is extended exceeds the received threshold value.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the logic circuit additionally prevents the photographic device from capturing an image when the degree to which the extendable shaft is extended exceeds the received threshold value.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, a method for controlling a camera function within a smartphone is provided. The method includes mounting the smartphone to an end of an extendable shaft and sensing an extent to which the extendable shaft has been extended. The method further includes transmitting an indication of the extent to which the extendable shaft has been extended to a logic circuit of the extendable shaft. The method additionally includes preventing the smartphone from capturing an image when it is determined, by the logic circuit, that the extent to which the extendable shaft has been extended exceeds a threshold.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept provide photographic monopod and a photographic device attached to the monopod. The monopod includes a means of triggering the photographic device to take a photo. The monopod may receive instructions and take a protective action such as disabling its photo triggering function. According to an exemplary embodiment, instructions may be received by the photographic monopod through, for example, a wireless connection. The photographic monopod may result in venues where selfie sticks are banned allowing selfie sticks to be used in certain parts of the venue.

One or more exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept provide a method of controlling a camera function within a smartphone. According to an exemplary embodiment, data is transmitted to a logic circuit. The logic circuit may then determine whether the smartphone should be prevented from capturing an image.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals may refer to like elements throughout the specification and drawings.

FIG. 1shows a diagram of a photographic monopod100according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept. The photographic monopod100may include an extendable shaft101, a bracket102, a grip103, a shutter control switch104, an extension sensor106and a sensor circuit110.

The extendable shaft101may be made of metal and may include multiple cylindrical sections (e.g., four sections) attached to each other. Further, the photographic monopod100made of a flexible material such as a plastic. Each section may be smaller in diameter than the previous section and is capable of either extending from its previous section or collapsing within its previous section. For example, the extendable shaft101may be a telescoping supporting rod.

The bracket102may be disposed at one end of extendable shaft101and may be used to fix a photographic device105therein. For example, the bracket102may be placed at the end of the extendable shaft101with the smallest diameter. The photographic device105may be a smartphone.

The grip103may be disposed at another end of the shaft101opposite to the bracket102. For example, the grip103may be disposed at the end of the shaft101with the greatest diameter. The grip103may be made of rubber or synthetic rubber materials.

In exemplary embodiments, the interior of the shaft101where the grip103is disposed may include a rechargeable battery and a USB charging interface.

In addition, the shutter control switch104may be used for controlling a shutter of the photographic device105. Where the photographic device105is a smartphone having an integrated camera, and a smartphone camera may lack an actual shutter, the use of a shutter control switch is used metaphorically to describe the act of capturing an image. Further, the shutter control switch104may be disposed on the grip103or close to the grip103. The shutter control switch104may be paired or otherwise connected to the photographic device105through a wireless connection. The shutter control switch104may control the shutter of the photographic device through a wireless connection. The wireless connection may be, for example, a Bluetooth connection.

In exemplary embodiments, the photographic device could be triggered to take a photo by an acoustic signal, a gesture, a timer, etc.

The photographic monopod100may further include a shaft extension sensor106. The shaft extension sensor106may sense a degree to which the extendable shaft101is extended. For example, the shaft extension sensor106may include a measuring wheel. The shaft extension sensor106may include a potentiometer. The shaft extension sensor106may be disposed above the grip103and may also be disposed on the shaft101. In an exemplary embodiment, there may be at least one shaft extension sensor106on the extendable shaft101. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, there may be a plurality of shaft extension sensor on the extendable shaft101.

The photographic monopod100may include a sensor circuit110. The sensor circuit110may be configured to detect when the monopod100is near a particular object that may be restricted from monopods. The detection of being in close proximity of the restricted object may result in the monopod100vibrating, a light on the monopod flashing, and/or the camera function being disabled. The sensor circuit110may include a radio-frequency identification (RFID) circuit or near field communication (NFC) circuit. Further, the Bluetooth radio of the monopod100may be used to detect when the monopod100is in proximity of the restricted object. For example, the restricted object may utilize a Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) beacon.

Referring back to the grip103; the grip103may include selection buttons107-1and107-2and a display108. The selection buttons107-1and107-2may be used to navigate through a user interface displayed on the display108and input data. The display108may be, for example, a liquid-crystal display (LCD). The display108may also indicate crowd density, crowd pressure, or the density of other stick users in a region of space. Crowd pressure (crowd density multiplied with the variance of speeds in the crowd) is a variable that is considered by a logic circuit405(e.g., as illustrated inFIG. 4) to make a determination regarding the functionality of the photographic monopod, such as, disabling the photographic monopod100. In an exemplary embodiment, the grip103may further include a panic button to help report an incident.

FIG. 2shows a diagram of a photographic monopod200according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept. The photographic monopod200is substantially similar to the photographic monopod100ofFIG. 1and for convenience, only the differences will be discussed. Here, the photographic monopod200is receiving instructions over a wireless network from a wireless communication device208(e.g., a server). The instructions may be threshold data received by a logic circuit405(e.g., as illustrated inFIG. 4). The logic circuit405may be disposed in the interior of the shaft101where the grip203is disposed (e.g., as illustrated inFIG. 4). The grip203may further include a speaker207for generating an audible alarm based on determinations made by the logic circuit405.

In an exemplary embodiment, the photographic monopod200may be automatically registered over a wireless network as it enters a restricted area and the photographic monopod200may be addressable thereby. This function may aid users in crowded situations, such as museums and concerts. For example, authorities can send personalized messages to the photographic monopod indicating how the user should move or position themselves. For example, the messages may be “exit through the gate on your left”, disable camera, etc. In addition, the instructions may be based on a real time assessment of crowd density. For example, the monopod200cannot be used when crowd density is greater than 3 people per square yard. In addition, the instructions or data may be available online and the monopod may disclose its location to receive the instructions. Further, instructions may be based on a real-time assessment of how many individuals are using a photographic monopod200receiving crowd related data in an area. This may greatly reduce the chances of a stampede or an injury in crowded situations.

In an exemplary embodiment, the photographic monopod200may receive messages informing the user of nearby locations where the monopod200is allowed and where crowd density is low. For example, if a crowd density is very low in one area of a venue, the monopod100may state, “If you go to room A, selfie-stick use will be allowed now.” Further, the photographic monopod200may join the network of Internet of Things (IoT) enabled devices or access data of devices in a proximity.

FIG. 3shows a diagram of a photographic monopod300according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept. The photographic monopod300is substantially similar to the photographic monopod100ofFIG. 1and for convenience, only the differences will be discussed. Here, the photographic monopod300is receiving instructions from the photographic device305. The instructions may be sent through wireless communication such as a Bluetooth connection, Wi-Fi, and near field communication (NFC). The instructions being sent may be threshold data.

The photographic monopod300may include locking mechanism107for locking the extendable shaft301from extending further based on a determination by the logic circuit704(e.g., will be discussed later with regard toFIG. 7). There may be multiple locking mechanisms107-1to107-4disposed on the extendable shaft301. For example, each locking mechanism107-1to107-4may be disposed on each section of the extendable shaft301.

The photographic monopod300may further include a light308. The light308may function as indicator based on the determination by the logic circuit. For example, the light308may illuminate red to show that the photographic monopod300should not be used. The light308may illuminate yellow to indicate that photographic monopod300may be used when, for example, certain subject matter is in view or a user is in a certain location. The light308may illuminate green to indicate that the photographic monopod300is allowed to be used. For example, the light308may blink or stay on until a condition has changed. For example, if the photographic monopod is not allowed to be used in an area, the light308may blink red or stay illuminated red until the user has left the area. This function enables a user to proceed with caution and withdraw their selfie sticks in areas where the sticks are restricted.

FIG. 4Ashows a block diagram of a section405A of photographic monopod receiving instructions through a wireless connection according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept. The section405A of the photographic monopod may be where the grip405A is disposed. The section405A may include a shaft extension sensor403A, a logic circuit404A and a wireless connection module406A. The above mentioned components may be housed in the interior of the shaft101where the grips is disposed

The shaft extension sensor403A may sense the degree to which the extendable shaft101(e.g., as illustrated inFIG. 1) is extended. The sensed degree may then be sent to the logic circuit404A.

The logic circuit404A may make a determination based on the received sensed degree and instructions received from a cloud server401A through a wireless communication device402A. The instructions received may be threshold data. The determination may be to disable the connection between the shutter control switch104and the photographic device105. The determination may be sent to the wireless communication module406A. The wireless module may be capable, for example, of establishing and maintaining a Bluetooth connection or a Wi-Fi connection. The wireless module406A may also be in communication the photographic device105such as a camera or camcorder or a smartphone or tablet computer401B as illustrated inFIG. 4B. However, for the purposes of providing a clear disclosure, a camera, a camcorder, a smartphone, and a tablet computer may all be referred to as photographic devices105.

For example, the shaft extension sensor403A may measure the length to which the extendable shaft101is extended so that the logic circuit404A may determine whether the measured length of extension meets or exceeds the threshold value. For example, where the shaft sensor403A measures the length of extension of the extendable shaft to be 20 inches and the threshold value is 19 inches, the logic circuit404A may determine that the threshold has been violated. The threshold value may be sent to the logic circuit404A from the cloud server401A. After determining that the threshold has been violated, the logic circuit404A may take remedial action, for example, by disabling the connection between the shutter control switch104and the photographic device105until the user has retracted the extendable shaft101to the point where the threshold is no longer violated. Thereafter, the logic circuit404A may re-enable the disabled connection.

In an exemplary embodiment, the photographic monopod100may receive compliance instructions through the wireless connection. For example, a museum may broadcast a signal that selfie sticks cannot be used in the room with a particular painting, between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm or when crowd density exceeds a threshold. For example, the compliance instructions may be received by the logic circuit404A. The instructions may also be displayed on the display108of the monopod.

In an exemplary embodiment, the logic circuit may also use threshold data based on crowd density and risk calculations (e.g., consideration of ceilings, nearby users, nearby amusement park rides, etc.) to make determinations.

FIG. 4Bshows a photographic device401B according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept. The photographic device401B may be, for example, a smartphone. The photographic device401B may include a Bluetooth module402B, a Wi-Fi module404B, a Central Processing Unit (CPU)405B, a memory403B and a camera406B.

The Bluetooth module402B and the Wi-Fi module404B may be used to communicate with the wireless connection module406of the photographic monopod.

FIG. 5shows a block diagram of a section of photographic monopod receiving instructions from a photographic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept. The section of the photographic monopod may be where the grip501is disposed and has substantially the same components illustrated inFIG. 4A. In this exemplary embodiment, the logic circuit504receives the degree to which the extendable shaft is extended from the shaft extension sensor503and receives threshold data from the photographic device502. The determination made by the logic circuit may be substantially the same as inFIG. 4A.

FIG. 6shows a block diagram of a section601of photographic monopod according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept.

The section601of the photographic monopod is substantially similar to the section ofFIG. 4A. The section of the photographic monopod may be where the grip is disposed. The section601includes a geolocation device602, a shaft extension sensor603, a logic circuit604and a wireless connection module605.

In this exemplary embodiment, logic circuit604may receive the degree to which the extendable shaft101is extended from the shaft extension sensor603. The geolocation device602may determine the present geolocation of the monopod. The present location may be sent to the logic circuit. The logic circuit may select a threshold based on the present geolocation and make a determination with the received degree from the shaft extension sensor603.

The geolocation device602may use a Global Positioning System (GPS) and may include a GPS receiver.

For example, the shaft extension sensor may determine the length of extension of the shaft to be 20 inches. The geolocation device602may determine the present geolocation to be within Museum D. The logic circuit may receive the data and may find that Museum D may allow selfie sticks to be extended by no more than 19 inches. The logic circuit will determine that the threshold value has been exceeded (e.g., 20 in.>19 in.) and decide to disable the connection between the shutter control switch104and the photographic device105in response to the violation of the threshold. The determination may be sent to the wireless connection module605, which may then interrupt, un-pair, or otherwise disable the wireless connection.

It is to be understood that articulation of the extendable shaft101may be performed either manually, for example, by the user pulling the ends of the extendable shaft101apart, or articulation may be performed mechanically, for example, using an actuator. In an exemplary embodiment, the extendable shaft101may be locked by the logic circuit to prevent a manual extension of the shaft. Where the shaft101extends mechanically, articulation beyond the threshold value may be prevented.

FIG. 7shows a block diagram of a section701of photographic monopod receiving instructions from a manual input702according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept. The section701of the photographic monopod is the grip601of the photographic monopod. The section701includes a shaft extension sensor703, a logic circuit704, a locking mechanism705and a speaker706.

In this exemplary embodiment logic circuit704may receive the degree to which the extendable shaft101is extended from the shaft extension sensor603. The logic circuit704may receive a manual input of a threshold from a user through, for example, the selection buttons107-1and107-2as illustrated inFIG. 1. Based on the received degree and the threshold, the logic circuit may make a determination. The logic circuit may also determine to send a signal to the locking mechanism705to lock the extendable shaft101. The logic circuit may determine to generate an alert through the speaker706.

For example, the shaft extension sensor703may determine that the extension length of the extendable shaft101is 20 inches. That determination is then sent to the logic circuit704. The logic circuit may receive threshold data providing a threshold value of 19 inches. The logic circuit may receive the threshold data, manually, from a user. The logic circuit704may then determine that the shaft101is extended beyond the 19 inch threshold value (e.g., 20 in.>19 in.) and decide to generate an alarm through the speaker706and lock the shaft101from extending further in response to the violation of the threshold.

FIG. 8shows a graph illustrating crowd pressure data. The graph illustrates crowd pressure over a period of time in a particular region. The x-axis represents pressure (1/s2) (e.g., crowd pressure) and the y-axis represents time (h). The graph indicates as time increases so may the crowd pressure. A crowd pressure threshold801may be set. For example, the threshold801may be set at 0.02 1/s2. When the pressure crosses the threshold801, a disaster may occur, e.g., stampede. The threshold801may also indicate that the photographic monopods may be dangerous at that level. The crowd pressure data may be sent to the logic circuit. Beyond the threshold801the logic circuit may disable the photographic monopod.

In exemplary embodiments, assessments of the crowd pressure can be based on video, audio, floor vibrations, oxygen/CO2sensors of which may be disposed on either the photographic device or the monopod. The logic circuit may base determinations on data and forecasts of crowd characteristics based on the collected from the sensors to make.

FIG. 9shows a flowchart of the method of controlling a camera function within a smartphone according to embodiment of the present disclosure.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, a method for controlling a camera function within a smartphone is provided. The method includes mounting the smartphone to an end of an extendable shaft (S901) and sensing an extent to which the extendable shaft has been extended (S902). The method further includes transmitting an indication of the extent to which the extendable shaft has been extended to a logic circuit of the extendable shaft (S903). The method additionally includes preventing the smartphone from capturing an image when it is determined, by the logic circuit, that the extent to which the extendable shaft has been extended exceeds a threshold (S904).

In S901, mounting the smartphone to an end of an extendable shaft may include mounting the smartphone on the bracket102at the end of the shaft. The extendable shaft101may be extended manually (e.g., a user physically extending the shaft) or mechanically. For example, the monopod100may include an actuator to extend or retract the extendable shaft101at the control of the user. In such a case, extension may be limited by the threshold value and extension beyond the threshold value may be prevented.

However, where extension is manual, in S902, the shaft extension sensor106may sense the extent to which the extendable shaft101has been extended.

In S903, the shaft extension sensor106may transfer an indication of the extent to which the extendable shaft101has been extended to the logic circuit404A of the extendable shaft101.

In S904, the logic circuit404A may prevent the smartphone from capturing an image when the logic circuit404A determines that the extent to which the extendable shaft101has been extended is beyond the threshold. In exemplary embodiments, preventing the smartphone from capturing the image may include the logic circuit disabling the connection between the shutter control switch104and the smartphone. In an exemplary embodiment, the connection may be disabled by deactivating the wireless connection between the shutter control switch104and the smartphone.

In some circumstances, the threshold may be set as zero inches to signify that either selfie sticks, or the use of any photographic device, may be prohibited in the present area. In these instances, image capture may be blocked without regard to the extent of extension of the extendable shaft101.

The method of controlling a camera function within a smartphone according to embodiments of the present disclosure may accordingly result in the prevention of selfie sticks from being used in restricted areas, and may limit the use of selfie sticks to predetermined lengths of extension that are geographically defined, or otherwise spatially limited.

FIG. 10shows an example of a computer system which may implement a method and system of the present disclosure. The system and method of the present disclosure may be implemented in the form of a software application running on a computer system, for example, a mainframe, personal computer (PC), handheld computer, server, etc. The software application may be stored on a recording media locally accessible by the computer system and accessible via a hard wired or wireless connection to a network, for example, a local area network, or the Internet.

The computer system referred to generally as system900may include, for example, a central processing unit (CPU)1001, random access memory (RAM)1004, a printer interface1010, a display unit1011, a local area network (LAN) data transmission controller1005, a LAN interface906, a network controller1003, an internal bus1002, and one or more input devices1009, for example, a keyboard, mouse etc. As shown, the system1000may be connected to a data storage device, for example, a hard disk,1008via a link1007.

Exemplary embodiments described herein are illustrative, and many variations can be introduced without departing from the spirit of the disclosure or from the scope of the appended claims. For example, elements and/or features of different exemplary embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosure and appended claims.