Abstract:
A handwriting device includes a supporting device using two supporting arms with one end slidablely engaged in two respective sliding channel defined in a supporting base and the other end rotatably connected with each other for adjusting the height of a camera module supported by the supporting arms.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates to supports and, particularly, to a support device for a camera of a handwriting device and the handwriting device. The support device and the camera can be folded when the camera is not in use. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Currently, a handwriting device using a camera to acquire writing of a pen (i.e., a stylus) on a board has been proposed. In the handwriting device, the camera is supported above the board, typically by a holding arm perpendicularly extending upwards from a side of the board, and aimed at the board to capture images of the entire board. This holding arm and the camera add substantially to the size of the handwriting device, making the handwriting device cumbersome when the handwriting device is not in use and difficult to be packed up and/or transported. 
         [0005]    Therefore, it is desirable to provide a support device for a camera of a handwriting device and the handwriting device, which can overcome the above-mentioned problems. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is an exploded, isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of handwriting device. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is an assembled, isometric view of the handwriting device of  FIG. 1  when the handwriting device is in use. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional, isometric view taken along the line II-II of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of a portion IV of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is an assembled, isometric view of the handwriting device of  FIG. 1  when the handwriting device is not in use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a handwriting device  10 , according to an exemplary embodiment, is illustrated. The handwriting device  10  includes a writing board  104 , a supporting device  103 , and a camera module  102 . The supporting device  103  includes a supporting base  106 , a first supporting arm  100 , a second supporting arm  101 , and a threaded bolt  1007 . 
         [0012]    The writing board  104  is a rectangular plate, including a writing surface  1044  and a connecting side  1040 . The writing surface  1044  is coated with high reflective material and defines a connecting area  1046  at the periphery adjacent to the connecting side  1040 . The connecting area  1046  is rectangular in shape. 
         [0013]    The first supporting arm  100  is an elongated plate and includes a first pivoting end  1002 , a first sliding end  1000 , a first engaging surface  1003 , and a first roller  1004 . The first engaging surface  1003  defines a first cutout  1005  at the first pivoting end  1002 . The first supporting arm  100  defines a first through hole  1006  at the first pivoting end  1002  where the first cutout  1005  is formed. The second supporting arm  101  is substantially similar to the first supporting arm  100  in shape and includes the counterparts of the first supporting arm  100 , for example: a second pivoting end  1015 , a second sliding end  1011 , a second engaging surface  1013 , a second roller  1014 . The second engaging surface  1013  defines a second cutout  1015  at the second pivoting end  1012 . The second supporting arm  101  defines a second through hole  1016  at the second pivoting end  1012 . 
         [0014]    Also referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the supporting base  106  includes a main body  1060 , a connecting part  1061 , and a supporting part  1062 . The main body  1060  is an elongated cylinder. The length of the main body  1060  is equal to the width of the writing board  104 . The connecting part  1061  is generally a triangular rod equal in length to the connecting area  1046  and includes a side surface  1061  a configured to be connected to the connecting area  1046  and another side surface (not shown) connected to the cylindrical surface of the main body  1060 . In particular, the side surface  1061  a for connecting to the connecting area  1046  is shaped and sized corresponding to the connecting area  1046 . The connecting part  1061  is parallel to the main body  1060 . The supporting part  1062  is generally a rectangular rod equal in length to the main body  1060  and has an edge portion  1062   a  incorporated into the main body  1060  opposite to the connecting part  1061 . The supporting part  1062  is also parallel to the main body  1060 . In this embodiment, the main body  1060 , the connecting part  1061 , and the supporting part  1062  are integrally formed. 
         [0015]    The camera module  102  includes a connecting portion  1020  and a camera  1022 . The camera  1022  includes a spherical end  1023 . The connecting portion  1020  is a cylindrical tube. The connecting portion  1020  defines a receiving cavity  1020   a  at one end of the connecting portion  1020  and a threaded hole (not shown) at the other end of the connecting portion  1020 . 
         [0016]    The supporting part  1062  includes an upper surface  1062   a  parallel to the connecting surface  1061   a . The supporting part  1062  defines a receiving groove  1064  in the upper surface  1062   a . The receiving groove  1064  extends along the longitudinal direction of the main body  1060 . The width of the receiving groove  1064  is greater than the width of the first supporting arm  100  or the second supporting arm  101 . The receiving groove  1064  defines a pair of inner surfaces  1064   a , which are parallel to each other. Each of the inner surfaces  1064   a  defines a sliding channel  1065  along the longitudinal direction of the main body  1060 . Each of the sliding channels  1065  defines a bottom surface  1065   a , a first positioning groove (not shown) on the bottom surface  1065   a  adjacent to the center part of the sliding channel  1065 , and a second positioning groove (not shown) on the bottom surface  1065   a  adjacent to the distal end of the sliding channel  1065 . 
         [0017]    In assembly, the supporting base  106  is connected to the writing board  104  by connecting the connecting surface  1061  a to the connecting area  1046 . The first roller  1004  is rotatably connected to the first engaging surface  1003  adjacent to the first sliding end  1000 . The second roller  1014  is rotatably connected to the second engaging surface  1013  adjacent to the second sliding end  1011 . The first supporting arm  100  and the second supporting arm  101  are slidablely engaged in the supporting base  106  with the first roller  1004  and the second roller  1014  slidablely received in the sliding channels  1065 . The first roller  1004  is received in one sliding channel  1065 , and the second roller  1014  is received in the other sliding channel  1065 . 
         [0018]    The camera  1022  is rotatably connected to the connecting portion  1020  with the spherical end  1023  rotatably and fittingly received in the receiving cavity  1020   a . The first through hole  1006  is aligned with the second through hole  1016 . The first supporting arm  100  is pivotally connected to the second supporting arm  101  via the threaded bolt  1007  passing through the first through hole  1006  and the second through hole  1016 . The camera module  102  is connected to the second supporting arm  101  via the threaded bolt  1007  being screwed into the threaded hole. 
         [0019]    In use, the first supporting arm  100  and the second supporting arm  101  slide toward the center part of the sliding channels  1065 . The first supporting arm  100  and the second supporting arm  101  are positioned by the first roller  1004  and the second roller  1014  sliding into the first positioning grooves adjacent to the center part of the sliding channels  1065 . The camera module  102  is raised up by the first supporting arm  100  and the second supporting arm  101 . The viewing angle of camera  1022  can be adjusted by rotating the camera  1022  about the connecting portion  1020 . 
         [0020]    Also referring to  FIG. 5 , when the handwriting device  10  is not in use, the first supporting arm  100  and the second supporting arm  101  slide away from each other until the first roller  1004  and second roller  1014  slide into the second positioning groove adjacent to the distal end of the sliding channel  1065 . As such, the support device  103  is folded and the size of the handwriting device  10  is reduced to facilitate packing and transporting of the handwriting device  10 . 
         [0021]    While various exemplary and preferred embodiments have been described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art) are intended to also be covered. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.