Mechanism for automatically powering off/on a visual display

A cradle apparatus detects spatial distances from target objects positioned in adjacency to the cradle apparatus, and communicates with a mobile communications device for selectively powering off/on the visual display of the mobile communications device based on its distance from a target object. The cradle apparatus includes a cradle assembly, at least one distance sensor, and sensor support circuitry. The cradle assembly is configured for cradling the communications device and displaying a visual display of the communications device as cradled by the cradle assembly, optionally at an oblique angle relative to a support surface. Each distance sensor is positioned by the cradle assembly for detecting the relative distance of select objects positioned in adjacency to the visual display. The sensor support circuitry communicates each distance sensor to a switch or circuit board for powering off or powering on the visual display depending on its distance from the target object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

“The present invention relates generally to means for automatically powering off and powering on the visual display of a mobile or electronic communications device when the device is positioned within a certain distance from a user's face. A preferred embodiment of the present invention more particularly relates to a cradle or cover apparatus operable to encase or cover or support a mobile or electronic communications device exemplified by a tablet computer for detecting spatial distancing from a user's face and communicating with the communications device for automatically powering off and powering on the communications device depending on spatial distance from the user's face so as to prevent the visual display of the electronic communications device from harming the user's vision.”

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

“Among the many objectives of the invention is the provision of a cover or cradle apparatus that operates to cover or cradle or support and protect a mobile communications device exemplified by a tablet type computer so as to primarily shield the communications device from damage. Users of such devices are often children who often use such devices for educational purposes. It is noted that children are prone to place or position the visual displays of such devices at a position that is considered by some to be too close to the user's face or eyes, potentially causing harm to the user's vision.”

Thus there is a perceived need in the art for a mechanism to safeguard the user from any damage that might occur to the user's eyes or vision by automatically turning off the visual displays of such communications devices when placed within a certain proximity or critical distance relative to the user's face or eyes, and to automatically turn on the visual displays of such communications devices when displaced or repositioned to a position that is outside a certain proximity or critical distance relative to the user's face or eyes.

In certain embodiments, the basic invention may be said to essentially teach or disclose a cradle or device support apparatus for (a) cradling or supporting a mobile communications device, (b) detecting spatial distances from objects positioned in adjacency to the mobile communications device as cradled or supported by the cradle apparatus, and (c) and communicating with the mobile communications device for selectively powering off or powering on the visual display of the mobile communications device depending on its distance from a target object exemplified by a user's face or eyes.

The cradle apparatus according to the present invention essentially comprises a cradle assembly, at least one distance sensor, and sensor support circuitry for powering off or powering on the cradled device with visual display based on proximity of the at least one distance sensor relative to a target object. The cradle assembly is essentially configured for receiving or cradling the mobile communications device and displaying the visual display of the mobile communications device as cradled. The at least one distance sensor is positioned in cooperative association with the cradle assembly for detecting the relative distance of select or target objects positioned in adjacency to the visual display of the mobile communications device as received or cradled by the cradle assembly.

The sensor support circuitry preferably communicates the at least one distance sensor with a circuit or switch for powering off or powering on circuit components housed by the cradle assembly for further powering off the visual display when the cradle assembly is positioned within a select distance from a select object exemplified by a user's face and powering on the visual display when the cradle assembly is positioned outside the select distance from the select object exemplified by a user's face.

Each distance sensor is preferably positioned so as to be substantially coplanar with an anterior surface of the visual display of the mobile communication device as received or cradled by the cradle assembly for enhancing the accuracy of the object-to-device distance measurement. In this regard, it is contemplated that the preferred select distance is a distance value of 10 to 12 inches, which select distance may be adjusted according to the user's needs or preferences.

The cradle assembly preferably comprises an anterior visual display frame portion and a posterior device support portion. The at least one distance sensor may be preferably and posteriorly positioned adjacent at least one sensor aperture formed in the anterior visual display frame portion for detecting the distance of objects anteriorly located relative to the anterior visual display frame portion via the at least one sensor aperture.

In a preferred embodiment, the cradle apparatus according to the present invention comprises at least two distance sensors for enhancing the accuracy of object-to-device distance measurement. A first distance sensor of the at least two distance sensors is preferably positioned adjacent a first sensor aperture formed in a first visual display frame portion of the anterior visual display frame portion and a second distance sensor of the at least two distance sensors is preferably positioned adjacent a second sensor aperture formed in a second visual display frame portion of the anterior visual display frame portion.

The first visual display frame portion may preferably be defined by a select longitudinal end frame portion and the second visual display frame portion may preferably be defined by a select lateral side frame portion extending orthogonally relative to the select longitudinal end frame portion. The at least two distance sensors are thus preferably positioned at longitudinal and latitudinal positions relative the visual display for further enhancing the accuracy of object-to-device distance measurement.

The cradle apparatus according to the present invention may be said to alternatively and basically operate to cradle a visual display, detect spatial distances from objects positioned in adjacency to a cradled visual display, and selectively power on and off the cradled visual display depending on the spatial distancing between the cradled visual display and the target object. The cradle apparatus may thus be said to essentially comprise a cradle assembly, at least one sensor, and certain sensor support circuitry. The cradle assembly is essentially configured for receiving or cradling and simultaneously displaying the visual display.

Each distance sensor is preferably positioned in cooperative association with the cradle assembly for detecting the relative distance of select objects positioned in adjacency to the cradled visual display. The sensor support circuitry communicates each distance sensor with a circuit or switch for powering off the cradled visual display when the cradle assembly is positioned within a select distance from a select object and powering on the cradled visual display when the cradle assembly is positioned outside the select distance from the select object.

The present invention further contemplates certain means for eliminating the cradle apparatus and outfitting an electronic or mobile communications device directly with sensors for detecting spatial distance from a user's face which sensors may operate directly with the computing circuitry and hardware of the outfitted mobile communications device to automatically power off and power on the outfitted device depending on its spatial distance relative to the user's face for enhancing safe use of the outfitted device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings with more specificity, the present invention preferably provides various iterations of a cradle or support apparatus as generally depicted and respectively referenced at10,40, and50. The cradle or support apparatuses10,40, and50according to the present invention basically cradle or support and protect a mobile or electronic communications device as depicted and referenced at11when outfitted thereupon.

For purposes of illustrative and descriptive ease, the mobile or electronic communications device11usable in combination with the cradle apparatuses10,40, and50according to the present invention may by typified or exemplified by a tablet computer apparatus having a visual display as at12. The present invention contemplates further applicability to other similar mobile or electronic communications devices having visual displays, such as smart phones, laptops, and relatively less mobile visual displays such as desktop monitors and the like.

As prefaced above, the cradle apparatuses10,40, and50according to the present invention further operate to detect spatial distance of the cradle apparatuses10,40, and50with cradled device11or cradled visual display12from objects positioned in adjacency to the cradle apparatuses10,40, and50. The spatial distance from the cradle apparatuses10,40, and50to the target object (e.g. a user's face as at13) may then be detected and an object-to-device distance measurement operates to power on or power off the visual display12of the mobile communications device11as cradled or received by the cradle apparatuses10,40, and50.

In this regard, the primary application contemplated by the cradle apparatuses10,40, and50is to prevent any harmful effects that may otherwise occur when a visual display12is placed too close to a user's face13or eyes. The object-to-device distance measurement is the basis for powering off or powering on circuit components housed within the cradle apparatuses10,40, and50for further powering off or powering on the visual display12depending on the relative position of the cradle apparatuses10,40, and50and cradled visual display12relative to the user's face13as generally and comparatively depicted inFIGS. 6-8.

ReferencingFIG. 6, the reader will there consider a critical distance100from the first preferred embodiment or cradle apparatus10relative to the user's face13. When the user's face13is moved or positioned within the critical or select distance100relative to plane101of the visual display12as cradled by the cradle apparatus10, the visual display12of the mobile communications device11is powered off for disenabling the user to view content upon the visual display12as generally depicted inFIG. 7.

When the user's face13is moved outside the critical or select distance100relative to the plane101of the visual display12as cradled by the cradle apparatus10, the visual display12of the mobile communications device11is powered on for enabling the user to view content (as at102) displayed thereupon. While it is contemplated that the preferred critical distance be on the order of 10-12 inches, it is further contemplated that the critical distance100may be adjusted according to the needs or preferences of the user.

The cradle apparatus10according to the present invention preferably comprises a cradle housing or assembly14and sensor support circuitry housed within the cradle housing or assembly14for providing the above-noted functionality. The cradle assembly14is preferably configured for receiving and cradling the mobile communications device11and for readily displaying the visual display12of the mobile communications device11. The cradle assembly14preferably comprises an anterior visual display frame portion as at15and a posterior device-support portion as at16.

The anterior visual display frame portion15preferably comprises at least one, but preferably two sensor apertures as at17for allowing distance sensor(s)18positioned in posterior adjacency to the sensor apertures17to detect object-to-device distance(s). In other words, at least one distance sensor18is preferably posteriorly positioned adjacent at least one sensor aperture17formed in the anterior visual display frame portion15for detecting distance of objects anteriorly located relative to the anterior visual display frame portion15via the sensor aperture(s) or slots17.

It will be understood from a consideration of the illustrative support material submitted in support of these specifications that the cradle apparatus10according to the present invention preferably comprises at least two distance sensors18within the operating circuitry. A first distance sensor18of the at least two distance sensors18is preferably positioned adjacent a first sensor aperture17formed in a first visual display frame portion19of the anterior visual display frame portion15and a second distance sensor18of the at least two distance sensors18is preferably positioned adjacent a second sensor aperture17formed in a second visual display frame portion20of the anterior visual display frame portion15. Highly accurate object-to-device distance measurement data may thereby be collected via triangulation principles in view of the fixed distance between the spaced sensors18that are preferably positioned so as to be substantially coplanar with the anterior surface of the visual display12as at plane101.

ReferencingFIG. 1, the reader will there consider that the first visual display frame portion19may preferably be defined by a select longitudinal end frame portion of the two opposite, upper and lower longitudinal ends21of the cradle assembly14. Further, the second visual display frame portion20may preferably be defined by a select lateral side frame portion of the two laterally opposed lateral side frame portions22. The lateral side frame portions22generally extend orthogonally relative to the longitudinal end frame portions21such that the at least two distance sensors18are preferably positioned at longitudinal and latitudinal positions relative the visual display12for enhancing the accuracy of object-to-device distance measurement data obtained from the distance sensors18for selectively powering off or powering on the visual display12of the mobile communications device11.

ReferencingFIG. 10, the reader will there consider the two spaced distance sensors18respectively positioned at the first visual display frame portion19as preferably defined by a select longitudinal end frame portion of the two opposite, upper and lower longitudinal ends21and at the second visual display frame portion20as preferably defined by a select lateral side frame portion of the two laterally opposed lateral side frame portions22. Comparatively referencingFIGS. 9 and 10the reader will further consider the sensor apertures17visibly located at the anterior side of the anterior visual display frame portion15as depicted inFIG. 9. The distance sensors18are positioned in posterior adjacency to these slots or apertures17as comparatively depicted inFIG. 10.

Further referencingFIG. 9, the reader will there consider circuit components housed within or at the posterior device-support portion16, including a main circuit board as at23, a battery as at24, an electromagnet as at25, and a permanent magnet as at26. These components are preferably covered by a circuit compartment cover as at27.FIG. 11further depicts a sensor strip communication pathway as at28leading from the sensor strip29(outfitted with distance sensors18located at the ends thereof) to the main circuit board23. It is contemplated that electromagnetizing the electromagnet25provides a simple and effective means to selectively and controllably power off and power on the visual display12. In this regard, it is contemplated that magnet placement within the cradle assembly14may be device-specific for enabling the functionality.

The cradle assembly14may further preferably comprise a series of device-cooperative apertures, slots or formations as at30. In this regard, it is well known in the art that communications devices provide certain peripheral input and output features so that users thereof may more effectively operate the devices. The device-cooperative apertures, slots or formations30are formed in the material construction of the cradle assembly14for enabling the user to utilize the device features via the cradle assembly14. The device-cooperative apertures, slots or formations30may include charging apertures, speaker apertures, microphone apertures, headphone jack apertures, volume button apertures, power button apertures, and camera apertures.

Comparatively referencingFIGS. 13 and 13Athe reader will there consider a generic mobile communications device11with visual display12. ReferencingFIG. 13, the reader will there see the locations41of two Hall Effect sensors incorporated into the assemblage of the mobile communications device11. The various cradle apparatuses10,40, and50all preferably comprise a permanent magnet26and an electromagnet25, the latter of which may be incorporated into the circuit board assembly23. ReferencingFIG. 13Athe reader will there note locations referenced at26′ and25′ which respectively represent the spatially intended locations or placements of the permanent magnet26and the electromagnet25relative to the mobile communications device11. It will be recalled that electromagnetizing the electromagnet25provides a simple and effective means to selectively and controllably power off and power on the visual display12.FIGS. 13 and 13Aare presented to help the reader understand how magnet placement within the cradle assemblies may be device-specific for enabling the functionality.

The second preferred embodiment or cradle apparatus40according to the present invention preferably comprises a cradle housing or assembly44and sensor support circuitry housed within a circuit housing portion42of the cradle housing or assembly44for providing the above-noted functionality. The cradle assembly44is preferably configured for receiving and cradling the mobile communications device11and for readily displaying the visual display12of the mobile communications device11. The cradle assembly44further preferably comprises a cradle support mechanism43. The cradle support mechanism43is akin to a kickstand type feature, and enables the user to display the visual display12in a display plane110, which display plane110is preferably obliquely angled (as at angle112) relative to a support surface as at111.

An anterior visual display frame portion preferably comprises an apertured sensor cover as at46for allowing distance sensor(s)18positioned in posterior adjacency to the apertured sensor cover46to detect object-to-device distance(s). In other words, at least one distance sensor18is preferably posteriorly positioned adjacent the apertured sensor cover46formed in the anterior visual display frame portion for detecting distance of objects anteriorly located relative to the anterior visual display frame portion via the apertured sensor cover46.

Comparatively referencingFIGS. 14-19versusFIGS. 20-25, the reader will note that cradle apparatus40has been illustrated to comprise a single sensor18whereas cradle apparatus50has been illustrated to comprise laterally opposed sensors18. As prefaced above, highly accurate object-to-device distance measurement data may thereby be collected via triangulation principles in view of the fixed distance between the spaced sensors18that are preferably positioned so as to be substantially coplanar with the anterior surface of the visual display12.

The cradle assembly44may further preferably comprise a series of device-cooperative apertures, slots or formations as at30. In this regard, it is well known in the art that communications devices provide certain peripheral input and output features so that users thereof may more effectively operate the devices. The device-cooperative apertures, slots or formations30are formed in the material construction of the cradle assembly44for enabling the user to utilize the device features via the cradle assembly44. The device-cooperative apertures, slots or formations30may include charging apertures, speaker apertures, microphone apertures, headphone jack apertures, volume button apertures, power button apertures, and camera apertures.

The third preferred embodiment or cradle apparatus50according to the present invention preferably comprises a cradle housing or assembly54and sensor support circuitry housed within a circuit housing portion52of the cradle housing or assembly54for providing the above-noted functionality. The circuit housing portion52is doubly operable to also receive and hold a mobile communications device11whether the device11is held within a case or cradle or is free of any case or cradle protection. The devices11may also be displayed in either a landscape position or a portrait position.

The cradle assembly54is preferably configured for receiving and cradling the mobile communications device11and for readily displaying the visual display12of the mobile communications device11. The cradle assembly54further preferably comprises a cradle support mechanism53. The cradle support mechanism53is also akin to a kickstand type feature, and enables the user to display the visual display12in a display plane110, which display plane110is preferably obliquely angled (as at angle112) relative to a support surface as at111.

An anterior visual display frame portion preferably comprises an apertured sensor cover as at46for allowing distance sensor(s)18positioned in posterior adjacency to the apertured sensor cover46to detect object-to-device distance(s). In other words, at least one distance sensor18is preferably posteriorly positioned adjacent the apertured sensor cover46formed in the anterior visual display frame portion for detecting distance of objects anteriorly located relative to the anterior visual display frame portion via the apertured sensor cover46.

The circuit housing portion52of the cradle housing or assembly54may further preferably comprise a mechanism for adjusting the overall length of the housing portion52for accommodating cradles and mobile communications devices11having differing widths.FIGS. 24 and 25depict the circuit housing portion52in an extended or expanded state or configuration for structurally cooperating with cradles and mobile communications devices11having relatively larger widths whereasFIGS. 22 and 23depict the circuit housing portion in a reduced or closed configuration to accommodate cradles and mobile communications devices11having relatively smaller widths. In this regard, the circuit housing portion52comprises an upper housing portion as at51, a lower housing portion as at55, and a central housing portion as at56. The upper housing51portion and lower housing portion55are telescopically translatable relative to the central housing portion56. The cradle support mechanism53is preferably pivotal attached to the lower housing portion55.

The cradle assembly54may further preferably comprise a series of device-cooperative apertures, slots or formations as at30. In this regard, it is well known in the art that communications devices provide certain peripheral input and output features so that users thereof may more effectively operate the devices. The device-cooperative apertures, slots or formations30are formed in the material construction of the cradle assembly54for enabling the user to utilize the device features via the cradle assembly54. The device-cooperative apertures, slots or formations30may include charging apertures, speaker apertures, microphone apertures, headphone jack apertures, volume button apertures, power button apertures, and camera apertures.

The present invention preferably contemplates outfitting a mobile or electronic communications device11with automatic means or a mechanism for automatically powering off and powering on the visual display12of the mobile or electronic communications device11. As prefaced above, the mobile communications device mechanism for powering off and powering on the visual display12of mobile or electronic communications device11according to the present invention operates to detect spatial distance of the mobile or electronic communications device11from objects positioned in adjacency to the mobile or electronic communications device11. The spatial distance from the mobile or electronic communications device11to the target object (e.g. a user's face13) may then be detected and an object-to-device distance measurement operates to power on or power off the visual display12of the mobile communications device11as outfitted with the automatic means for powering off and powering on the mobile or electronic communications device11.

In this regard, the primary application contemplated by the mobile communications device mechanism for powering off and powering on the mobile or electronic communications device11is to prevent any harmful effects that may otherwise occur when a visual display12is placed too close to a user's face13or eyes. The object-to-device distance measurement is the basis for powering off or powering on circuit components housed within or directly upon the mobile or electronic communications device11for further powering off or powering on the visual display12depending on the relative position of the mobile or electronic communications device11relative to the user's face13as generally and comparatively depicted inFIGS. 28-30.

ReferencingFIG. 28, the reader will there consider a critical distance100from the mobile or electronic communications device11relative to the user's face13. When the user's face13is moved or positioned within the critical or select distance100relative to plane101of the visual display12of the mobile or electronic communications device11, the visual display12of the mobile communications device11is powered off for disenabling the user to view content upon the visual display12as generally depicted inFIG. 29.

When the user's face13is moved outside the critical or select distance100relative to the plane101of the visual display12, the visual display12of the mobile communications device11is powered on for enabling the user to view content (as at102) displayed thereupon as generally depicted inFIG. 30. While it is contemplated that the preferred critical distance be on the order of 10-12 inches, it is further contemplated that the critical distance100may be adjusted according to the needs or preferences of the user.

The mobile communications device mechanism for powering off and powering on the visual display12of the mobile or electronic communications device11may preferably be exemplified by at least one distance or proximity sensor18and sensor support circuitry as described hereinabove. The sensors can be mounted within the device11, on the device, or coplanar with the visual display or screen12.

It is contemplated the at least one sensor18and sensor support circuitry operate in conjunction with the circuitry and software of the mobile or electronic communications device11, including its camera feature and central processing unit/chip along with an optional or alternative mobile application operable in conjunction with the camera and/or proximity sensors installed on/in the mobile or electronic communications device11to support the functionality herein described.

The sensors and sensor support circuitry may comprise or preferably be exemplified by integrated modules, including an infrared emitter (IRED), proximity sensor (PS), and signal conditioning IC. Filtron technology may be adopted for robust background light cancellation. Lower power consumption: 12C (SMBus compatible) interface. Floor life: 168 H, MSL 3, according to J-STD-020. Output type: 12C bus (ALS/PS). Operation voltage: 2.5 V to 3.6 V.

While the above descriptions contain much specificity, this specificity should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of the invention. In certain embodiments, the basic invention may be said to essentially teach or disclose a cradle apparatus for (a) cradling a mobile communications device, (b) detecting spatial distances from objects positioned in adjacency to the mobile communications device as cradled by the cradle apparatus, and (c) and communicating with the mobile communications device for selectively powering off or powering on the visual display of the mobile communications device.

The cradle apparatus essentially comprises a cradle assembly, at least one distance sensor, and sensor support circuitry for powering off or powering on the visual display based on proximity of the at least one distance sensor relative to a target object. The cradle assembly is essentially configured for receiving the mobile communications device and displaying the visual display of the mobile communications device. The at least one distance sensor is positioned in cooperative association with the cradle assembly for detecting the relative distance of select or target objects positioned in adjacency to the visual display of the mobile communications device as received or cradled by the cradle assembly.

The sensor support circuitry preferably and essentially communicates the at least one distance sensor with a circuit or switch for powering off or powering on circuit components housed by the cradle assembly for further powering off the visual display when the cradle assembly is positioned within a select distance from a select object exemplified by a user's face and powering on the visual display when the cradle assembly is positioned outside the select distance from the select object exemplified by a user's face.

Each distance sensor is preferably positioned so as to be substantially coplanar with an anterior surface of the visual display of the mobile communication device as received or cradled by the cradle assembly for enhancing the accuracy of the object-to-device distance measurement. In this regard, it is contemplated that the preferred select distance is a distance value of 10 to 12 inches, which select distance may be adjusted according to the user's needs or preferences.

The cradle assembly preferably comprises an anterior visual display frame portion and a posterior device support portion. The at least one distance sensor is preferably posteriorly positioned adjacent at least one sensor aperture formed in the anterior visual display frame portion for detecting the distance of objects anteriorly located relative to the anterior visual display frame portion via the at least one sensor aperture.

In a preferred embodiment, the cradle apparatus according to the present invention comprises at least two distance sensors for enhancing the accuracy of object-to-device distance measurement. A first distance sensor of the at least two distance sensors is preferably positioned adjacent a first sensor aperture formed in a first visual display frame portion of the anterior visual display frame portion and a second distance sensor of the at least two distance sensors is preferably positioned adjacent a second sensor aperture formed in a second visual display frame portion of the anterior visual display frame portion.

The first visual display frame portion may preferably be defined by a select longitudinal end frame portion and the second visual display frame portion may preferably be defined by a select lateral side frame portion extending orthogonally relative to the select longitudinal end frame portion. The at least two distance sensors are thus preferably positioned at longitudinal and latitudinal positions relative the visual display for further enhancing the accuracy of object-to-device distance measurement.

Summarized in a different manner, the cradle apparatus according to the present invention may basically operate to (a) cradle a visual display, (b) detect spatial distances from objects positioned in adjacency to a cradled visual display, and (c) selectively power off and on the cradled visual display depending on its spatial distance from a target or select object. The cradle apparatus may thus be said to essentially comprise a cradle assembly, at least one sensor, and certain sensor support circuitry. The cradle assembly is essentially configured for receiving or cradling and simultaneously displaying the cradled visual display.

Each distance sensor is preferably positioned in cooperative association with the cradle assembly for detecting the relative distance of select objects positioned in adjacency to the cradled visual display. The sensor support circuitry communicates each distance sensor with a circuit or switch for powering off the cradled visual display when the cradle assembly is positioned within a select distance from a select object and powering on the cradled visual display when the cradle assembly is positioned outside the select distance from the select object.

In an alternative embodiment the present invention contemplates a certain mobile communications device mechanism outfittable upon a mobile communications device for (a) detecting spatial distances from objects positioned in adjacency to a visual display of the mobile communications device, and (b) selectively powering off and on the visual display, said means comprising: at least one distance sensor for detecting the relative distance of select objects positioned in adjacency to the mobile communications device; and circuitry for communicating the at least one distance sensor to a circuit for selectively powering off the visual display when the visual display is positioned within a select distance from a select object and powering on the visual display when the visual display is positioned outside the select distance from the select object.

Although the cradle apparatus according to the present invention has been described by reference to a number of different embodiments, aspects, and features, it is not intended that the novel apparatus be limited thereby, but that modifications thereof are intended to be included as falling within the broad scope and spirit of the foregoing disclosure, the appended drawings, and the following claims.