Abstract:
Disclosed is a device that attaches to a smart phone to provide a portable fan and text display. Using either an iOS or OTG (Android) connection, fan blades are powered by the smart phone connection, providing a cooling breeze that can directed toward an individual. In addition, LEDs are mounted on one of the fan blades and are synchronized to illuminate during fan blade rotation to provide persistence of vision, wherein text images are readable by the human eye. Text messages can be preprogrammed or, in an alternative embodiment, entered directly from the smart phone.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    In accordance with 37 C.F.R. §1.76, a claim of priority is included in an Application Data Sheet filed concurrently herewith. Accordingly, the present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/444,108, entitled “SMART PHONE FAN AND LED DISPLAY”, filed Jan. 9, 2017. The contents of which the above-referenced application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to portable fans, and more specifically, to a portable phone fan capable of displaying text messages. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Numerous systems for producing visual text images are known in the industry. One such technology utilizes rotating assemblies having intermittently illuminated elements to produce images. The rotation of an element, combined with changing illuminated segments, produces flashing frames that the eye interprets as an image. This effect is known as persistence of vision, which can be used to synchronize individual illuminating lights at specific positions during the rotation of the element. 
         [0004]    U.S. Publication No. 2004/0102223 discloses a rotating LED device that displays data by synchronizing the illumination display of a row of rotating LEDs. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,585 discloses a battery operated amusement device that spins an array of lights. A small control circuit is located on the rotating member which contains predetermined embedded ornamental patterns that cause the light array to illuminate in a predetermined pattern, synchronous to their speed. This causes an ornamental lighted display of shapes, colors, images or text to appear, depending on the predetermined pattern data integral to the control circuit. 
         [0006]    U.S. Publication No. 2004/0105256 discloses generating windmills, decorative spinners, and ornamental devices powered by solar or wind energy. In operation, as the windmill turns, sets of small LEDs scan rotational patterns of light, creating an ornamental effect. 
         [0007]    CN204089226U translation discloses a fan with USB charger, and has a support that is mounted in the fan main structure to which the battery box is provided, and indicating lamp support frame that is set with the indicating lamp. 
         [0008]    CN204511932(U) translation discloses a superminiature USB electric fan, including base, motor, fan head, flabellum, connection shaft, USB interface, A motor contact, B motor contact, A base contact, B base contact and wire. The base right side is equipped with USB interface, the motor is connected with the base through a connected shaft, the overhead flabellum that is equipped with the fan is connected to the shaft and the fan head of the motor. The motor is equipped with A motor contact and B motor contact, wherein the wire and A base contact are passed through to A motor contact, and B motor contact is through a wire and B base contact connection. The base top is located to A base contact and B base contact. The superminiature USB electric fan is supplied power such as from the “external treasured” [sic] that charges accessible USB interface, and this product is equipped with a battery inside, and goes back to accessible USB interface and supplies power to other electrical apparatus, and the function is various. This product is small and light, the function is various, the controllability is strong, and greatly facilitates people&#39;s daily life. 
         [0009]    CN204783761(U) translation “discloses a mini USB fan of multi-functional rotation, rotate the casing under and including last rotation casing on rotate and be equipped with the assembly chamber in the casing, the assembly intracavity is equipped with the motor, the motor is connected with the fan flabellum, on rotate the casing and rotate the casing under with through pivot swing joint the connecter that is connected with compatible USE and cell-phone on the casing and connects rotates down, the connector is connected with the motor electricity. The utility model discloses a fan inserts the mobile device, insert the motionless condition of end under, the fan rotates 180 degrees according to about the plastic housing center (left and right sides). Can be used for the mobile device square with fan work in the other direction, make things convenient for the mobile device can the front reverse side compatible, the compatibility of frequent plug or reduction equipment and single face, specifically the utility model discloses a neotype connector can compatible USB and the connector that connects of cell-phone, and the practicality is stronger.” 
         [0010]    Scanning technology is also known as “propeller clocks” comprised of a rotating LED array that spin, much like an airplane propeller. Most of these devices take the form of a rotating array of LEDs, a motor system to power the rotation, a system of delivering power to the motor and rotating LEDs, and a system to synchronously energize the LEDs, thus allowing the rotating array to visually display one or more desirable patterns. 
         [0011]    While the prior art devices are capable of providing relatively simple displays, none of the prior art devices are capable of providing a portable fan operated by a smart phone and a means for programming directly from the smart phone. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0012]    The present invention is a device that attaches to a smart phone to provide a portable fan and text display. In a preferred embodiment, the device attaches to a smart phone having either an iOS (Apple) or USB-OTG (Android) connection. The fan blades are powered by the smart phone connection, providing a cooling breeze that can directed toward an individual. A pivot mount allows the smart phone to be placed in various positions. LEDs are mounted on one of the fan blades and are synchronized to illuminate during fan blade rotation to provide persistence of vision, wherein text images are readable by the human eye. The motor used for the fan blades is a high efficient, low current drawn motor so as not to cause a significant power drain on the smart phone battery. 
         [0013]    The text messages can be preprogrammed by a computer, or in an alternative embodiment, programmed directly from the smart phone. For instance, the smart phone operator may write their own text for display by the fan blades, or the operator may upload characters to display, such as Emojis. The smart phone connection, either directly or wirelessly, allows the transfer of text images for purposes of displaying on the rotatable fan blade assembly by feeding a controller that operates the LEDs. The LEDs are synchronized to light-up specific elements of the assembly at specific times and/or positions during rotation. The synchronized lights then display the predetermined text, or character, that is pre-loaded, programmed, or otherwise provided to the LEDs. 
         [0014]    Accordingly, it is an objective of the instant invention to provide a portable fan and display apparatus for use with smart phones. 
         [0015]    It is a further objective of the instant invention to provide a display apparatus having the capability of using either preprogrammed text messages or text messages created on the smart phone. 
         [0016]    It is yet another objective of the instant invention to provide a rotational display and fan drawing minimal current, yet capable of moving a large volume of air sufficient to provide a cooling effect. 
         [0017]    Still another objective of the instant invention is to provide a display device that can be used to display smart phone emojis. 
         [0018]    Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of one embodiment of the instant invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a left-side view of the embodiment in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the embodiment in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a right-side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a rear view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is an electrical schematic of the LED circuit; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment with 2-in-1 connector terminal; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a left-side view of the alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a front view of the alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is a right-side view of the alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  is a top view of the alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  is a bottom view of the alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 15  is an exploded view of the alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 16  is an alternate exploded view of the alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 17  is a close up view of the 2-in-1 terminal adapter shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 18  is an electrical schematic of the 2-in-1 connector; 
           [0037]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the device with 2-in-1 connector, with the connector attached; 
           [0038]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 19 , with the 2-in-1 connector removed; 
           [0039]      FIG. 21  is a left-side view of the alternate embodiment of  FIG. 19  shown with the base in a reversed position, and the 2-in-1 connector attached; 
           [0040]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the alternate embodiment of  FIG. 19  shown with the 2-in-1 connector removed; and 
           [0041]      FIG. 23  is an exploded view of the alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , shown with alternate terminal adapters. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0042]    While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-8 , set forth is a smart phone fan and LED display device  10  comprising a housing  12 , having an upper section  14  and a lower section  16 . A base  18  is rotatably coupled to the lower section  16  and allows rotation of the base in relation to the housing  12  from a forward to rearward position, approximately 180 degrees. 
         [0044]    The base  18  includes a centrally disposed wheel knob  20  positioned between spaced apart support knobs  22  and  24 . A right trim  26  cover and a left trim  28  cover secures the wheel knob  20  along axle  30 , which allows manual rotation of the housing  12  in relation to the base  18 . Attachment screw  32  further secures the axle  30  in position to prevent disengagement, and can be used to cause a frictional engagement of the knobs, so that the housing  12  and base  18  will stay in a position upon rotation. This allows the device to be attached to a phone that is laying on a table, and permit the housing to be placed at an angle to allow the fan blades to freely rotate, wherein the smart phone operates as a stand and power supply. 
         [0045]    The base  18  includes a terminal adapter  36  and a terminal  40 . The terminal is electrically coupled to the switchboard  42 , although in an alternate embodiment the terminal adapter  36  and the switchboard  42  could be wirelessly coupled. The terminal  40  is either an iOS or USB-OTG terminal, and may be interchanged so that the device would work on either an Apple-type or Android-type smart phone. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , the device is provided with either a USB-OTG terminal or an iOS terminal. An adapter (not shown) can be utilized to convert from a USB-OTG terminal to a iOS terminal. The terminal  40  can be inserted into a corresponding phone receptacle in either a forward or rearward position. 
         [0046]    The motor  50  used for rotation of the fan blades  60  is insertable into the upper section  14  of the housing  12 , leaving rotation shaft  52  extending out of the housing  12  for connection to the fan blade  60 . Power to the motor  50  is received through the terminal  40  which is electrically coupled to the switchboard  42 . Alternatively, the low current draw from the motor  50  allows the base  18  to transfer the necessary current through the wall of the knob  20 . 
         [0047]    The switch  54  provides an on/off operation between the terminal  40  and the motor  50 . A circuit wafer  56 , positioned over the motor  50 , contains preprogrammed text messages to be delivered through the LEDs  78 . The shaft  52  is coupled to a leaf fan blade  60 . The leaf fan blade  60  has a raised trailing edge  62  and inward positioned leading edge  64 , wherein rotation of the fan blade  60  causes a displacement of air and a cooling effect when directed toward an individual. The fan blade  60  has a bottom cover  66  with ramps  70  and  72  to cause the leading edge  64  and trailing edge  62  of the fan blade  60  to be placed at a curved position. 
         [0048]    The top cover of the blade  73  includes reciprocal ramps  76  so as to maintain the blade  60  in the curved position. The blade  60  is preferably made out of a flexible plastic, which allows non-marring of surfaces and individuals should either be impacted while the blade  60  is rotating. One of the blades includes LEDs  78 , which are coupled to the circuit wafer  56  and programmed with text messages, making the device  10  ideal for promotional displays. 
         [0049]    Alternatively, the text messages can be entered by the operator of the smart phone that the device  10  is attached to, wherein the text messages can be customized by the individual operator while the device  10  is in use. Further, the operator may simply upload certain images, such as emojis. Unique to this device  10  is the ability for the terminal  40  to be designed for connection to a smart phone using either an iOS or USB-OTG charging receptacle, wherein power can be drawn from the smart phone battery for use in powering the fan and display mechanism. In programming the display message, a user will be able to select the position and orientation of the message relative to the circle drawn by the spinning fan blades. 
         [0050]    It should be noted that the motor  50  is rotating a lightweight plastic band at a relatively slow speed, and the efficiency of the motor  50  causes a negligible effect on the battery life of the smart phone. 
         [0051]    In addition, as previously mentioned, as opposed to programming the text images to display using the smart phone powering the device  10 , the power and text images can also be applied remotely. This can be used in the case where the device  10  is used in a promotional aspect, where security is needed for entering of text messages. The text messages can be programmed remotely or at the operator&#39;s site using a computer attached to the Internet. In this embodiment, the text signals are preferably forwarded wirelessly, but can also be forwarded through electrically coupling the device  10  to the computer. 
         [0052]    A smart phone app is available from the Applicant that allows the operator of the smart phone to use the app for purposes of importing, manipulating, storing and selectively displaying various images that are either recognized by the public as being unique, or in many instances, where the individual feels most comfortable with the technology. 
         [0053]      FIGS. 9-18, and 23  show an alternate embodiment of the device  100 , whereby the terminal adapter  136  can be removed and reversed to provide either iOS or USB-OTG terminals  140 , 141 . In this embodiment, the terminal adapter  136  is convertible, wherein positioning the adapter  136  in a first orientation allows terminal  140  to attach to an iOS receptacle, and positioning the adapter  136  in a second orientation allows terminal  141  to attach to a USB-OTG receptacle. Changing the orientation of the terminal adapter  136  in relation to the base  118  allows for ease of adaption to either type of smart phone receptacle. 
         [0054]    In this embodiment, the adapter  136  includes a two-part housing with an upper piece  142  and a lower piece  144 . On the upper housing piece  142  there is a button  146  which engages with an opening  148  in the base  118  to maintain the position of the terminal adapter  136  within the base  118 . 
         [0055]    The upper and lower housing pieces  142 , 144  are disposed around a central terminal member  150 . The iOS terminal  140  is on a first end of the central terminal member  150 , and the USB-OTG terminal  141  is on the second end of the central terminal member  150 . The central terminal member also has a plurality of contacts  152  so that when the terminal adapter  136  is disposed within the base  118 , the contacts  152  provide electrical contact with a terminal circuit board  154 . The terminal circuit board  154  is disposed within the base  118  and provides electrical coupling between the terminal adapter  136  and the switchboard  42 .  FIG. 18  shows an electrical schematic view of the 2-in-1 connector. 
         [0056]    When the terminal adapter  136  is engaged within the base  118 , a user can depress the button  146  to allow the terminal adapter  136  to slide out of the base  118 . This allows the user to reverse the orientation of the terminal adapter  136 . In this way, the user can adapt the device  100  for use with either an iOS-based or USB-OTG based smart phone. 
         [0057]    In  FIG. 23 , two different terminal adapters  136 , 236  are shown for use with the device  100 . In addition to the terminal adapter  136 , described above for use with an iOS terminal  140  and an android terminal  141 , the device  100  can also be provided with a terminal adapter  236  which has both a micro-USE terminal  241  and a USB-type C terminal  242 . 
         [0058]    Terminal adapter  236  has includes a two-part housing with an upper piece  242  and a lower piece  244 . On the upper housing piece  242  there is a button  246  which engages with an opening  148  in the base  118  to maintain the position of the terminal adapter  236  within the base  118 . 
         [0059]    The upper and lower housing pieces  242 , 244  are disposed around a central terminal member  250 . The micro-USB terminal  241  is on a first end of the central terminal member  250 , and the USB-Type C terminal  240  is on the second end of the central terminal member  250 . The central terminal member  250  also has a plurality of contacts  252  so that when the terminal adapter  236  is disposed within the base  118 , the contacts  252  provide electrical contact with a terminal circuit board  154 . The terminal circuit board  154  is disposed within the base  118  and provides electrical coupling between the terminal adapter  236  and the switchboard (not shown in  FIG. 23 ). 
         [0060]    When the terminal adapter  236  is engaged within the base  118 , a user can depress the button  246  to allow the terminal adapter  236  to slide out of the base  118 . This allows the user to reverse the orientation of the terminal adapter  236 . In this way, the user can adapt the device  100  for use with a smart phone using either a micro-USB connection or a USB-Type C connection. 
         [0061]      FIGS. 19-22  show an alternate embodiment of device  100  with a 2-in-1 terminal adapter  136 . 
         [0062]    All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. It is to be understood that while certain forms of the invention are illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein. 
         [0063]    One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art, which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. 
         [0064]    Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.