Patent Abstract:
An apparatus is described for demonstrating a screen display of a device. The apparatus includes a base member to which a camera mount and a device mount are coupled at opposite ends thereof. A handle is coupled to a side opposite that of the camera and device mounts and centrally along the length of the base member. The handle includes a passage within which a camera cable is retained. The device mount includes a mounting bracket at a distal end that magnetically couples to a clip attached to a device to be demonstrated. The clip is coupleable to the mounting bracket in a plurality of rotational orientations. The apparatus rigidly maintains the orientation of the device and camera while a user caries and moves the apparatus during demonstration of the device. An image/video of the device&#39;s screen display is optically captured and presented to an audience.

Full Description:
SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the invention are defined by the claims below, not this summary. A high-level overview of various aspects of the invention are provided here for that reason, to provide an overview of the disclosure, and to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described in the Detailed-Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. In brief and at a high level, this disclosure describes, among other things, a handheld apparatus for demonstration of a device&#39;s screen display to an audience. The apparatus includes a base member having a device mount located at a first end and a camera mount located at an opposite second end thereof. The device mount being adjustable to retain a device, such as a mobile phone, a tablet device, or the like, and to properly locate the device within the field of view of a camera mounted in the camera mount. The apparatus also includes a handle coupled to the base member. 
     The apparatus is thus useable by a presenter to capture an image of a display screen of a device mounted in the device mount. The captured image can be presented to an audience of one or more people via one or more monitors that display the captured image. The apparatus is also preferably of a lightweight and user-friendly construction that enables the presenter to easily carry and use the apparatus during demonstration of the device mounted therein. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of an apparatus for demonstrating a screen display of a device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an elevational view from a camera-mount end of the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an elevational view of from a device-mount end of the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an elevational side-view of the device-mount end of the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a side perspective view of the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1  showing a device and clip detached from the device mount in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the device mount of the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1  with the device and clip detached in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a device having a clip affixed thereto in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 11  is graphical representation of an exemplary image captured by a camera of an apparatus for demonstrating a screen display of a device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The subject matter of select embodiments of the invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. But the description itself is not intended to necessarily limit the scope of claims. Rather, the claimed subject matter might be embodied in other ways to include different components or combinations of components similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly described. 
     Further, components of the apparatus described herein can be manufactured by any desired methods and from any desired materials. For example, components might be machined, injection molded, cast, or combinations thereof from a plastic, metal, composite material or the like. Exemplary methods and materials described herein are intended to aid description of embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit such. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 1-10 , a screen-display-demonstration apparatus  10  is described in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus  10  includes a base member  12 , a camera mount  14 , a device mount  16 , and a handle  18 . The base member  12  comprises an elongate body  20  having a first end  22  and a second end  24 . The first end  22  of the base member  12  is configured to couple to the camera mount  14 . In an embodiment, an aperture  26  is disposed near the first end  22  of the base member  12  to receive a coupling feature of the camera mount  14 . The aperture  26  might comprise a slot extending along and parallel to the length of the base member  12  to enable adjustment of a mounting position of the camera mount  14  along the length of the base member  12 . In another embodiment, the camera mount  14  is integral with the first end of the base member  12 . 
     The second end  24  of the base member  12  is configured to couple to the device mount  16 . In an embodiment, an aperture  28  is provided near the second end  24  to receive a coupling feature of the device mount  16 . The aperture  28  might comprise a slot extending generally perpendicular to the length of the base member  12  to enable side-to-side adjustment of the device mount  16  with respect to the base member  12 . In another embodiment, the aperture  28  extends in any of a variety of directions to enable adjustment of the mounting position of the device mount  16  with respect to the base member  12 . The second end  24  might also be of greater width than the remainder of the base member  12  to increase the size of the aperture  28  and thus the positional adjustability of the device mount  16 . 
     A central portion  30  of the base member  12  is configured to couple to the handle  18 . In an embodiment, one or more apertures  32  are provided in the central portion  30  to enable coupling of the handle  18  to the base member  12 . The apertures  32  might also enable adjustment of the position of the handle  18  along the length of the base member  12 . In an embodiment, the handle  18  is integral with the base member  12 . 
     Although apertures  26 ,  28 , and  32  are described for coupling the camera mount  14 , the device mount  16 , and the handle  18  to the base member  12 , it is recognized that other methods and features are available by which such couplings and adjustability might be achieved. For example, the base member  18  might include one or more rails or tracks along which a mating feature of the camera mount  14 , device mount  16 , and/or handle  18  might slide. Or other features like snap-fittings, friction fittings, or quick-release fittings might be employed. Such methods and features are understood as falling within the scope of embodiments of the invention and are not describe further herein to avoid obscuring this description of embodiments of the invention. 
     The camera mount  14  includes a body  34 , a first end  36  configured to couple to the base member  12 , and a second end  38  configured to couple to a camera  40 . The body  34  is of a size and dimensions sufficient to support the camera  40  in a position suitable to enable the camera  40  to capture an image of a device  42  mounted on the device mount  16  as described below. In an embodiment, the body  34  comprises a cylindrical standoff of sufficient length to position the camera  40  at a distance from the base member  12  that is approximately equal to the center of the device  42  when mounted in the device mount  16 . In an embodiment, a plurality of camera mounts  14  might be provided for use with the apparatus  10  for demonstrating devices  42  of a variety of sizes and configurations. In another embodiment, the camera mount  14  has an adjustable length. 
     The first end  36  of the camera mount  14  includes a threaded recess (not shown) for threadably receiving a stud  44  with an enlarged end. The stud  44  is inserted through the aperture  26  of the base member  12  and into the camera mount  14 . The stud  44  can be tightened to rigidly maintain the position of the camera mount  14  in the aperture  26  or can be loosened to enable adjustment of the position. 
     The second end  38  of the camera mount  14  includes a threaded stud (not shown) or other feature that enables coupling to the camera  40 . In an embodiment, the camera  40  includes a threaded recess that allows the camera  40  to be threadably coupled to the camera mount  14 . 
     The camera  40  depicted in  FIGS. 1-6  and  8  is a lipstick-style, high-definition camera, such as a model HD-RH1 video camera from Iconix of Santa Barbara, Calif. However, any video or still camera product or technology is useable in embodiments of the invention. The camera  40  is also depicted as employing hardwire communications, e.g. a cable, but wireless technologies might be used. In an embodiment, the camera might also include or be associated with one or more microphones or sound capturing devices configured to capture sounds produced by the device  42 . In another embodiment, a separate microphone is mounted on the apparatus  10 , such as along the base member  12 . 
     As best depicted in  FIGS. 7-9 , the device mount  16  comprises a body  46 , a mounting arm  48 , and a mounting bracket  50 . A first end  52  of the body  46  is configured to couple to the base member  12 , such as via a threaded stud  54  that is disposed through the aperture  28  and threadably coupled to a wing-nut  56  or other similar configurations. The first end  52  might also include a portion  58  of increased dimensions over that of the remainder of the body  46  to provide additional stability or support for the device mount  16 . In an embodiment, multiple device mounts  16  can be coupled to the apparatus  10  simultaneously to enable multiple devices  42  to be mounted on the apparatus  10  at one time. Or the device mount  16  might be configured to receive more than one device  42  at a time. 
     A second end  60  of the body  46  of the device mount  16  is configured to pivotably couple to the mounting arm  48 . In an embodiment, the second end  60  includes a pair of parallel flanges  62  extending from the second end  60  between which a tang  64  on the mounting arm  48  is inserted in a manner similar to a clevis and tang. A bolt  66  or other fastener is inserted through the flanges  62  and tang  64  and threadably coupled to a nut  68  to pinch the tang  64  between the flanges  62 . The pinching of the tang  64  provides friction between the tang  64  and the flanges  62  to maintain the position of mounting arm  48  with respect to the body  46 . It is understood that a variety of similar configurations are known in the art to accomplish a similar purpose—such configurations are understood as falling within the scope of embodiments of the invention described herein. For example, a plurality of radial ribs might be provided on the mating faces of the flanges  62  and the tang  64  to provide rigid, step-wise positioning or a form of ball-and-socket coupling or gimbal mount might be employed. 
     In an embodiment, the device mount  16  is extendable in length such that the second end  60 , and thus, the bracket  50  can be provided at a variety of distances from the base member  12 . In another embodiment, a plurality of device mounts  16  are provided, each having a different length and being selectable to provide the second end  60  at a desired distance from the base member  12 . The orientation of the mounting arm  48  with respect to the body  46  might also provide similar adjustability. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the mounting bracket  50  is disposed opposite the tang  64  on the mounting arm  48 . The mounting bracket  50  provides a first mating surface  70  with one or more recesses  72  and one or more magnets  74  disposed therein. The recess  72  is configured to accept a mating protuberance  76  on a clip  78  coupled to the device  42 . Interaction of the recess  72  and protuberance  76  prevent rotational and lateral movement in the plane of the mounting surface  70 . In an embodiment, the recess  72  and protuberance  76  have a cross pattern, but any desired pattern might be used. In another embodiment, the recess  72  and protuberance  76  can be aligned in a plurality of orientations. For example, when using a cross pattern the recess  72  and protuberance  76  can be coupled in two different orientations that are rotated 90° from one another. Or, when using, for example, a star pattern, the recess  72  and protuberance  76  might be oriented in any number of rotationally different positions. 
     The clip  78 , as best shown in  FIG. 10 , includes a second mating surface  80  and a mounting surface  82 . The second mating surface  80  includes the protuberance  76  and one or more magnets  84 . The one or more magnets  84  are disposed within the clip  78  such that they align with mating magnets  74  in the mounting bracket  50  to magnetically couple the clip  78  to the mounting bracket  50 . In another embodiment, one or more clips, snap-fit fittings, friction-fit fittings or other features are employed instead of or in addition to the magnets  74  and  84  to couple the clip  78  to the bracket  50 . 
     The mounting surface  82  of the clip  78  is configured to be coupled to the device  42 . The mounting surface  82  may include one or more features to aid in coupling to the device  42 , such as for example and not limitation, double sided tape, an adhesive, a glue, a reusable adhesive layer, suction cups, magnets, clips, arms, or the like. The mounting surface  82  is a flat surface. Or the mounting surface  82  is contoured to the shape of a device  42  to be mounted thereon or to accommodate the coupling features described above. In an embodiment, the clip  78  is configured to couple to multiple devices  42  simultaneously to enable the multiple devices to be mounted on the apparatus  10  at one time. 
     The clip  78  is configured to not interfere with features of the device  42  that is coupled thereto. For example, the clip  78  is configured so as not to obscure a camera lens  86 , sensor  88 , or other features like switches or buttons on the device  42 . In an embodiment, a plurality of clips  78  is provided to enable interchangeability between a number of devices  42  on the apparatus  10 . 
     The handle  18  is configured to couple to the base member  12  along the central portion  30  thereof and to a side opposite that of the camera mount  14  and the device mount  16 . In an embodiment, the handle  18  includes a pair of threaded recesses (not shown) in an upper surface  90  into which a pair of fasteners  92  can be inserted to couple the handle  18  to the base member  12 . The handle  18  can be of any desired configuration and in some embodiments is of a pistol-grip-type configuration. 
     The handle  18  includes a passage  94  through which a cable  96  for the camera  40  is routed. As best depicted in  FIG. 8 , in an embodiment, the passage  94  is formed by a channel  98  in the handle  18  and an insert  100  disposed in the channel  98 . The insert  100  is slideably removable from the channel  98  and is configured to provide an entrance  102  and an exit  104  from the passage  94  for the cable  96 . The insert  100  may be retained in the channel  98  by friction fit and/or may include one or more features, such as magnets, clips, tabs, or the like. In an embodiment, the insert  100  includes a pair of magnets  106  that magnetically couple to a pair of magnets (not shown) disposed in a corresponding surface of the channel  98 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 1-10 , the assembly and operation of the apparatus  10  is described in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Initially, the camera mount  14 , device mount  16 , and handle  18  are coupled to the base member  12 . In an embodiment, the couplings may be made snug, but not tightened to allow ease of adjustment upon full assembly. The camera  40  is coupled to the camera mount  14  using a threaded stud and is directed toward the device mount  16 . The insert  100  is removed from the channel  98  of the handle  18  and the camera cable  96  is inserted into the channel  98 . The insert  100  is re-inserted into the channel  98  to capture the cable  96  therein. 
     The clip  78  is affixed to the device  42  that is to be demonstrated using double-sided tape or other adhesive placed on the mounting surface  82  of the clip  78 . The device  42  comprises any device having a screen display that is to be captured by the camera  40 . The device  42  might be, for example and not limitation, a mobile device, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a personal data assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, a mobile/portable gaming device, or the like. In another embodiment, the device  42  includes any object of which an image is to be captured. Such objects might include a watch, jewelry, a toy, collectibles, a tool, or the like. 
     The clip  78  is positioned on the back side of the device such that it does not interfere or obscure any camera lenses  86  or sensors  88  on the device  42 . The clip  78  is also oriented to provide a desired orientation of the device  42  when the clip is coupled to the device mount  16 . For example, the clip  42  is oriented such that the device  42  will be held in a portrait or landscape orientation when coupled to the mounting device  16 . The device  42  with the clip  78  affixed thereto is coupled to the device mount  16  by inserting the protuberance  76  of the clip  78  into the recess  72  and allowing the magnets  74 ,  84  to couple together. 
     The apparatus  10  may be adjusted to provide desired positioning of the various components thereon. The mounting arm  48  is pivotally adjusted about the second end  60  of the device mount  16  to place the device  42  in a desired position. The device mount  16  is adjusted with respect to the base member  12  as desired. The camera mount  14  may also be adjusted along the length of the base member  12 . And the handle  18  can be adjusted along the length of the base member  12  to provide a desired weight distribution with respect to the handle  18  for ease in handling. The adjustments preferably place the camera  40  and a display surface  108  of the device  42  in a suitable orientation to capture an image or video of a display produced on the display surface  108 . The various adjustments are retained by tightening their couplings to generally rigidly retain the orientation of the device  42  with respect to the camera  40 . 
     A user can thus use the apparatus  10  to demonstrate the device  42  and present the display produced on the display surface  108 . The user grasps the handle  18  in one hand while using their other hand to interact with the device  42 . The apparatus  10  retains the orientation of the camera  40  and the device  42  while the user can move around a stage or room carrying the apparatus  10 . The camera  40  captures an image  110  or video of the display surface  108  in which the position of the display surface  108  remains static while the user moves about the stage/room, as depicted in  FIG. 11 . The image  110  or video can be recorded and/or presented on one or more associated monitors, projection screens, or the like to an audience of one or a plurality of people. 
     Various visual effects or alterations may be applied to the image/video  110  captured by the camera  40  before presentation to the audience. For example, portions  112  of the image/video  110  might be blacked out (as depicted by shading in  FIG. 11 ) or enhanced to increase visibility of the display surface  108 . In an embodiment, portions  112  of the field of view of the image/video  110  captured by the camera  40  that lie outside the display surface  108  are blacked out. Such might allow viewers to more easily concentrate or have their attention drawn to the display surface  108  being demonstrated. Blacking out these portions  112  might also relieve any disorientation or motion-sickness-type effects that might be felt by viewers if they were to view a constantly moving image adjacent to the display surface  108 . 
     In an embodiment, a hood or shield (not shown) is provided to reduce glare on the display surface  108  of the device  42 . The hood may be coupled to the device  42 , the clip  78 , the device mount  16 , or to the apparatus  10  generally. The hood might project about the display surface  108  to shield the display surface  108  from environmental lighting such as spot lights commonly used on stages. 
     An exemplary implementation of the apparatus  10  is now described in accordance with embodiments of the invention. In this example, a new, touch-screen, smart phone device, such as the device  42 , is to be unveiled to an audience in an auditorium for a product roll-out. The device  42  is coupled to the clip  78  and is placed on the device mount  16  in a portrait orientation. A presenter carries the apparatus  10  with the device  42  coupled thereto on stage and begins his/her presentation. With reference to  FIG. 11 , an image  110  of the display surface  108  or user interface generated by the device  42  on the display surface  108  thereof is optically captured by the camera  40 . Portions  112  of the image  110  depicting background outside the display surface  108  of the device  42  are cropped, cut, or blacked out (as depicted by shading in  FIG. 11 ) and the edited image  110  is presented on a plurality of monitors in the auditorium for the audience to view. As such, the device  42  is statically located within the image  110  presented to the audience even though the device  42  and camera  40  are being moved about by the presenter. 
     The presenter interacts with the device  42  and the image  110  of his/her interactions and the resulting display screens are presented to the audience. The configuration of the camera  40  and the device  42  allow the presenter to access and view the device  42  without being obstructed by the camera  40  or the apparatus  10 . And when the presenter wishes to change the orientation of the device  42  to landscape, the device  42  is easily decoupled from the device mount  16 , rotated approximately 90°, and re-coupled to the device mount  16  using the recess  72 , protuberance  76 , and magnets  74 ,  84 . Similarly, the presenter may switch the device  42  with a second product to be demonstrated by decoupling the device  42  and replacing it with the second product that has a second clip affixed thereto. If necessary, adjustments to the orientation of the camera  40  and the second product may also be easily performed as described previously. In an embodiment, a plurality of devices is mounted on the apparatus  10  to allow side-by-side demonstration of the plurality of devices. 
     In an embodiment, the apparatus  10  is configured to be of a generally light-weight design. The components of the apparatus  10  may be manufactured from light weight materials, such as plastics, aluminum, composites, or the like. As such, user fatigue during demonstration of the product is reduced. 
     Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the scope of the claims below. Embodiments of the technology have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this disclosure after and because of reading it. Alternative means of implementing the aforementioned can be completed without departing from the scope of the claims below. Certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5