Patent Publication Number: US-2006014564-A1

Title: External illumination device for a mobile phone

Description:
BACKGROUND  
      1. Field of Invention  
      The present invention relates to an external illumination device for a mobile phone. More particularly, the present invention relates to the external illumination device powered by the mobile phone.  
      2. Description of Related Art  
      During a meeting or a presentation, the presenter usually needs a pointer to assist the presentation process. In view of this need, a pointer utilizing a light beam for indication has been developed. Generally, the pointer utilizes a laser diode as a light source. The laser diode can generate high intensity, focused light beam for indication. The pointer employing a laser diode is usually powered by a battery.  
      However, except as a pointer during the presentation, this type of laser diode pointer has no other function in daily life. Therefore, most people are unwilling to spend money on it. Besides, due to the size of the battery, this type of laser diode pointer is usually too bulky to carry easily. The result is that even if the speaker does own a laser diode pointer, the speaker frequently forgets to bring laser diode pointer.  
      A similar situation occurs when people enter a totally dark environment, such as a parking lot. When people enter an environment without illumination, they usually wish to have a handy illumination device that can provide a temporary light source on the spot. However, it is impossible for people to bring a bulky flashlight with them all the time. Most of the time, people still don&#39;t have a handy illumination device and get stuck in a dark environment.  
      For the forgoing reasons, there is a need for a handy pointer and an illumination device that are easy to carry. Further, both of them can acquire electricity easily from a mobile phone.  
     SUMMARY  
      It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide an external illumination device, which is connected to a mobile phone via an audio jack and powered by the battery in the mobile phone.  
      It is another objective of the present invention to provide an external illumination device, which is connected to a mobile phone via an I/O connector and powered by the battery in the mobile phone.  
      In accordance with the foregoing and other objectives of the present invention, an external illumination device for a mobile phone is proposed. The mobile phone has an audio jack into which the external illumination device connects. The external illumination device includes an illumination unit and a plug. The illumination unit generates light and the plug is plugged into the audio jack of the mobile phone. The external illumination device is powered by the battery in the mobile phone via the audio jack.  
      In accordance with another objective of the present invention, an external illumination device for a mobile phone is proposed. The mobile phone has an I/O connector where the external illumination device connects. The external illumination device includes an illumination unit and a plug. The illumination unit generates light and the plug is plugged into the I/O connector of the mobile phone. The external illumination device is powered by the battery in the mobile phone via the I/O connector.  
      The present invention provides an external illumination device for a mobile phone. By connecting the external illumination device to the mobile phone, which most people carry on their person in everyday life, the user can easily obtain a temporary light source or a pointer at anytime.  
      It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are by examples, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:  
       FIG. 1  is a side view according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is block diagram according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  is a side view according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 4  is block diagram according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.  
       FIG. 1  is a side view according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. The external illumination device  14  according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an illumination unit  14   a  and a plug  14   b . The plug  14   b  of the external illumination device  14  is plugged into the audio jack  12  of the mobile phone  10 . The external illumination device  14  can be powered by the battery of the mobile phone  14  via the audio jack  12 . The illumination unit  14   a  can be a laser diode lamp for use a pointer for presentation, or a light emitting diode lamp for general illumination purposes.  
      The external illumination device  14  is activated by the analog switch  16  provided on the mobile phone  10 . By switching the analog switch  16  to the V bat  state, the electricity in the battery of the mobile phone  10  is supplied to the external illumination device  14 .  
       FIG. 2  is a detailed block diagram according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. The mobile phone  10  has an audio jack  12 , an analog switch  16 , a battery  18  and communication circuitry  19 . The external illumination device  14  includes an illumination unit  14   a  and a plug  14   b . The audio jack  12  has first pin  12   a , a second pin  12   b , a third pin  12   c , and a fourth pin  12   d . By plugging the plug  14   b  into the audio jack  12 , the external illumination device  14  is connected to the mobile phone  10 .  
      The battery  18  provides electricity both for the communication circuitry  19  and the illumination device  14 . The audio jack  12  is connected in parallel to the communication circuitry  19  and controlled by the analog switch  16 . When the analog switch  16  is closed, the battery  18  provides electricity to the external illumination device  14  via the second pin  12   b  of the audio jack  12 .  
      Further, by programming the circuitry of the mobile phone, the external illumination device can also be activated by the function keys on the mobile phone. For example, by pressing one or several function keys on the mobile phone, the user can directly activate the external illumination device without utilizing the analog switch. This further facilitates the usage of the external illumination device.  
      In addition to the audio jack, the I/O connector of the mobile phone can also be employed as the connection between the mobile phone and the illumination device.  FIG. 3  illustrates a side view according to another embodiment of the present invention. The external illumination device  34  includes an illumination unit  34   a  and a plug  34   b . The plug  34   b  of the external illumination device  34  is plugged into the I/O connector  32  of the mobile phone  30 . The external illumination device  34  is powered by the battery of the mobile phone  34  via the I/O connector  32 . The illumination unit  34   a  can be a laser diode lamp for a pointer for presentations, or a light emitting diode lamp for general illumination purposes.  
      The external illumination device  34  can be activated by the analog switch  36  provided on the mobile phone  30 . By switching the analog switch  36  to the V bat  state, the electricity in the battery of the mobile phone  30  is supplied to the external illumination device  34 .  
       FIG. 4  is a detailed block diagram according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The mobile phone  30  has an I/O connector  32 , an analog switch  36 , a battery  38  and communication circuitry  39 . The external illumination device  34  includes an illumination unit  34   a  and a plug  34   b . By plugging the plug  34   b  into the I/O connector  32 , the external illumination device  34  is connected to the mobile phone  30 .  
      The battery  38  provides the electricity both for the communication circuitry  39  and the illumination device  34 . The I/O connector  32  is connected in parallel to the communication circuitry  39  and controlled by the analog switch  36 . When the analog switch  36  is closed, the battery  38  provides electricity to the external illumination device  34  via the I/O connector  32 .  
      Further, by programming the circuitry of the mobile phone, the external illumination device can also be activated by the function keys on the mobile phone. For example, by pressing one or several function keys on the mobile phone, the user directly activates the external illumination device without utilizing the analog switch. This further facilitates the usage of the external illumination device.  
      Further, a bracket can be attached to the mobile phone so the external illumination device can be stored inside. Alternatively, a hook can be attached to the mobile phone so the external illumination device can be hung on the hook.  
      The present invention provides an external illumination device that a user plugs into the mobile phone to acquire a temporary light source for illumination or indication. Additionally, the external illumination device is compatible with all mobile phones having an audio jack or an I/O connector.  
      It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.