NL2026379B1 - Set-up camera system for a telephone - Google Patents

Abstract

A phone mount camera system comprising: a handle, and a mount configured to provide a reversible attachment of the handle to a phone, characterized in that the handle comprises: a camera for generating images; at least one transmitter-receiver for providing wireless communication between the camera and the phone for controlling the camera and transmitting the images; and a rechargeable power source for providing electrical power to the camera and the communication means.

Description

Phone Top Camera System The present invention relates to a phone top camera system.

Cameras of smart devices, especially smartphones, are a common tool for capturing everyday images and videos. The main limitation of smartphone cameras is the distance a user can have from his or her phone while using the smartphone's camera. Timers and selfie sticks are common solutions to this problem, but both pose problems of their own. When using timers, a user often places his or her precious smartphone at a distance so that it can easily fall prey to theft. In addition, selfie sticks are still limited to a maximum length and selfie sticks often become impractical beyond one or two meters. Selfie sticks are often also seen in the photo or video captured with the phone's camera. This is seen as ugly by some. In addition, it is annoying to carry a selfie stick everywhere and the selfie stick is therefore often not available when you need it.

There is therefore a need for a camera system that is easy to use for taking selfies without at least one of the aforementioned limitations or one that can offer at least an alternative to the existing systems. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a camera attachment system for a telephone comprising: - a handgrip, and - an attachment formed with portions for providing a reversible attachment of the handgrip to the telephone, the handgrip being provided with - a camera for generating images, — at least one transceiver for providing wireless communication between the camera and the phone for controlling the camera and transmitting the images,

— a rechargeable energy source for providing electrical energy to the camera and the communication means.

In fact, the attachment of the attachment to the telephone can be read as being direct or indirect, thus in the indirect case the attachment is attached to a cover of the telephone. The phone case can be seen as contained within a phone. This means that the attachment of the attachment to the telephone can also be read as the attachment of the attachment to a telephone by means of a telephone case. In such a case, the attachment is effectively attached to the cover.

Optionally, the handle is designed as a handle having the shape of a part of a spheroid, such as a hemispheroid, or of a part of an ovoid, such as a hemiovoid. An advantage is that these round shapes are not experienced as disturbing by the user when the telephone is worn on the body, such as in a trouser pocket. Furthermore, due to this shape, the handle also serves as a handle for normal use of the telephone.

Optionally, the mount is configured as a nanotape, such as a PET nanotape, with a first adhesive surface for attaching the mount to the telephone, and a second adhesive surface for removably attaching the handle to the mount. This makes the adhesive surfaces washable and therefore reusable indefinitely. It will be appreciated that the portions for providing a reversible attachment of the handgrip to the telephone include the first adhesive surface and the second adhesive surface.

Further to the foregoing, the attachment may be designed such that the first adhesive surface has a higher adhesive force than the second adhesive surface. A further advantage is that always a single adhesive surface comes off first when the handle is removed. In this way, only a single surface becomes contaminated. As a result, only one adhesive surface always needs to be cleaned in the event of repeated coupling and disconnection of parts. A further advantage is, for example, the attachment can be attached to a telephone in such a way that power sharing is possible using the Qi standard. The user then does not have to keep looking for the optimum adhesive location for the system to be able to charge as on a telephone after removal, such as with re-attachment of the detachable handle. This is because the attachment remains on the back of the phone as a marking and the only way to attach the handle. This feature is therefore advantageous in combination with other features. Alternatively, the attachment may be provided such that the second adhesive surface has a higher adhesive force than the first adhesive surface. The advantage of this is that the handle can then be attached to other surfaces via this tape with the first adhesive surface.

Optionally, a charging circuit is included within the handle, the charging circuit having a flat charging coil for charging the energy source at an induction field. Optionally, such an induction field may originate from the telephone. Current telephones allow wireless sharing of electricity between devices. An advantage is that the system requires a smaller battery because the handle will almost always be fully charged from the telephone. It is also possible that the system is rechargeable with a wireless charging station that can generate an induction field.

Further to the foregoing, the charging coil may extend in a coil plane. The attachment, for example designed as nano-tape, extends into an attachment surface. The system can then be designed such that the flushing surface extends parallel to the mounting surface. In this way, a coil axis of the charging coil can be perpendicular to the phone during mounting. This orientation of the coil axis is optimal for receiving an induction field from the telephone. As a result, charging losses can remain low and the charging speed is highest. More particularly, the charging coil is configured in the handle such that in an assembly of the telephone and the system it is substantially coaxial with the induction coil of the telephone.

the charging circuit may further be arranged to detect the disappearance of the induction field, and wherein the system is arranged to activate the camera when it is detected that the induction field disappears. Optionally, also separately from this example, the camera comprises a processing unit for activating the camera on the basis of the detection of the disappearance of the induction field. A sensor, such as a voltmeter, is optionally provided for detecting the loss of the charging circuit. In one example, the induction circuit is therefore provided with a voltmeter for measuring the voltage across the charging coil, the loss of the induction field being detected by the circuit when the value of the sensor measurement changes from 0.1 - 50 Volt, such as from 0.5 - 5 Volts, to almost zero Volts. Alternatively, the circuit may include a power sensor, the induction field being detected by the circuit when the value of the sensor reading changes from 1-30 Watts, such as 5 Watts, to substantially zero Watts. The advantage of this is that the camera only activates when it is needed so that it saves power. The camera may furthermore optionally also be designed with its own processing unit with pre-programmed control. For example, the camera may then be communicatively connected to the power source and/or the charging circuit for detecting the loss of the interrogation field so that the camera is activated. Possibly the reverse is also possible.

For example, optionally and/or alternatively, the charging circuit may be arranged to detect the appearance of the induction field. The system is then arranged to deactivate the camera when it detects that the induction field appears. Optionally, apart from this example, the camera also comprises the aforementioned processing unit for deactivating the camera on the basis of the detection of the appearance of the induction field. Optionally, the aforementioned sensor, such as a voltmeter, is provided for detecting the appearance of the charging circuit. Thus, in one example, the induction circuit is provided with this voltmeter for measuring the voltage across the charging coil, the appearance of the induction field being detected by the circuit when the value of the sensor reading changes from substantially zero volts to 1-50 volts. Alternatively, the circuit may include a power sensor, the induction field being detected by the circuit when the value of the sensor reading changes from substantially zero watts to 1-30 watts, such as 5 watts. This also saves energy. Other solutions for activating or deactivating the camera are also possible.

Optionally, the system includes a switch circuit, wherein the system is arranged to activate the camera when the circuit is broken or closed. Optionally the switch circuit includes a switch, alternatively the switch circuit is provided partly in the attachment and partly in the handle, in this way the user can break the circuit respectively by disconnecting the handle and the attachment, and close optionally, the at least one transceiver comprises a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) transceiver for communicating with the phone for controlling the camera, and a Wi-Fi transceiver by mating the handgrip and attachment together. receiver for communicating with the phone to send the images. By performing external control of the camera via BLE but sending images via Wi-Fi, the system is energy-saving.

Optionally, handle is a molded handle, such as of a polymer or silicone material, for example in a mould. At least the camera, the at least one transceiver and the energy source can be molded inside the handle, but also, for example, the charging circuit. Optionally, for instance when a switch circuit is used, the switch circuit can also be molded-in incorporated within the handle. For example, if the switch circuit comprises a pressure switch, a user can break the circuit, for example by pressing the handle above the switch, and close it again with a repeated push. When only a part of the switch circuit is included in the handle, that part may be molded in. The other part can then for instance be processed inside or on the attachment, for instance as an electrically conductive strip. An advantage is that the camera and the supporting elements are waterproof so that cleaning by rinsing is possible and possibly also underwater images. The handle can optionally also be at least partly transparent.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an assembly of a telephone and the system according to a first aspect of the invention. The handle is reversibly attached to the telephone via the attachment.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of using an assembly according to the second aspect of the invention. The method herein comprises the steps of: - providing an assembly according to claim 12; and — removing at least a portion of the system, such as just the handgrip, from the telephone; - activating the camera (7); and - providing an image from the camera to the telephone.

The handle can optionally be removed from the telephone together with or without the attachment.

Optionally, the telephone is provided with an induction coil for generating an induction field, the handle comprising a charging circuit provided with a flat charging coil for charging the energy source at the induction field. The method then further comprises a step of detecting the loss of the induction field with the charging circuit. That is, the absence of the induction field. The camera is then activated when the loss of the induction field is detected. It should be clear that activating only has to mean turning on the camera.

Further, the step of activating the camera may include identifying the camera with the at least one transceiver on a Wi-Fi network, such as the network to which the phone is connected, and connecting the camera to the Wi-Fi network for sending images to the phone over the Wi-Fi network.

Optionally, the phone and camera communicate with each other via the BLE transceiver. For this purpose, the telephone is also equipped with its own BLE transceiver for BLE communication. Through BLE, the phone sends the network identification, also known as the SSID, of the Wi-Fi network and the password so that the camera can connect to the network. Optionally, for example when no Wi-Fi network is available, the phone can generate its own Wi-Fi network, such as through a standard hot-spot function. The camera then connects to the hot spot.

For example, the telephone may be provided with a pre-programming, such as an application, for establishing the image connection between telephone and camera.

The present invention is discussed in more detail herein with reference to the Figures: Figs. 1 shows a schematic representation of the camera system according to the invention; - fig. 2 shows a schematic view of the camera system in front view; - fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of an assembly of telephone and camera system according to the invention; and - FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the assembly.

Where the same reference numerals are used, reference is made to the same characteristic.

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a set-up camera system 1 according to the invention. The system 1 consists of an attachment 3 and a handle 5. In this example, the attachment is designed as a double-sided nano-tape and serves to attach the handle 5 to a telephone.

100. The telephone 100 is shown in Figure 3 which shows an assembly 1000 of the telephone 100 and the system 1. The handle 5 in this example comprises a camera 7 and at least one transceiver 9, 11. The camera 7 is in this example uses a 4K camera and can therefore generate high quality images. In this example, the at least one transceiver consists of a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) transceiver 9, and a Wi-Fi transceiver 11. Optionally, this BLE transceiver 9 and this Wi-Fi transceiver 11 integrated in a single transceiver circuit 10. Such integration of parts, however, is entirely optional and thus shown in broken lines ---. The BLE transceiver 9, enables Bluetooth communication between the camera 7 and the phone 100, and is therefore communicatively connected to the camera 7. This enables the camera to quickly exchange relatively small information packets with a phone, which means fast and allows effective control of the camera 7 through the telephone 100. Therefore, in this example, the phone is provided with a pre-program, such as an application, that allows the user of the phone 100 to control the camera via Bluetooth. However, any images are not sent via a Bluetooth connection between the phone 100 and the camera 7. The Wi-Fi transceiver is communicatively connected to the camera and is designed to connect the camera to a Wi-Fi network (not shown, but common} Such a Wi-Fi network can be, for example, a network that the phone is also connected to, but can also be generated by the phone itself. known by the term Wi-Fi hotspot generation.The camera can then exchange images with the telephone 100 via the connection to the Wi-Fi network. The handle 5 further comprises a rechargeable energy source 13 for supplying electrical energy to the camera and the means of communication Such energy source may be a capacitor, a battery or a combination of capacitor and battery Since the thinness of the system is relevant to the carrying For comfort it is important that the battery thickness remains limited, so in this example a lithium-ion battery was chosen because it has a high energy density. In order to further limit the thickness of the system, in this example the handle 5 has a charging circuit 14 with a flat charging coil 15 for contactless charging of the rechargeable energy source 13 by means of an induction field I. This field is shown in Figure 3 as coming from the phone

100. To this end, the telephone 100 has, for example, an induction coil 101. However, the charging circuit 15 and its charging coil 14 are optional elements.

Thus, they are also shown with broken lines --- in Figures 1 and 2. In this example, the charging coil 14 and the induction coil 101 are configured to cooperate to induce electrical energy in the charging coil.

The induction coil 101 belongs to a telephone with standard 'powershare' capabilities.

For this, the phone can meet the international Qi standard.

As an example from the 2017 version 1.2.2 of the Qi specification, such as for transmitting 5 Watts, the induction coil may have a 20 turns coil in a flat face wound on a mold with a 19mm inner diameter and outer diameter of 40 mm, with a shield under the soft iron coil with a diameter of at least 4 mm, giving an inductance of 24 + 1 microhenries.

This inductor 101 is generally part of a series resonant circuit (not shown, but conventional} placed within the telephone with a capacitor (not shown, but conventional} of 200 nF to yield a resonant circuit with a natural resonance at ~ 140 kHz when coupled to the receiver coil, such as the charging coil 14. This series resonant circuit can be driven by an H-bridge circuit arrangement from the DC power source, such as a battery from the telephone itself (not shown, but common). power, the voltage in the capacitor can reach 50 Volts.

Other Qi charge transmitters, i.e. also other induction coils than the induction coil 101 presented herein, are also possible.

The charging circuit 15 is in fact also a resonant circuit according to the said Qi standard.

Because the circuit is present in the system, the camera can be used repeatedly for a short time with the option of intermediate charging.

This eliminates the need for a high-capacity energy source for long-term use.

The presented energy source 13 is therefore designed in this example for a maximum battery life of 30 minutes.

The charging coil 14 of the circuit 15 is further visible in Figure 2 which shows cross-section A-A of the handle 5. Cross-section A-A in this example corresponds to a coil plane of the coil

14. The charging coil may also have a round shape, or any other shape as long as it extends in the same plane. Returning to Figure 1, it can be seen that the handle 5 is constructed as a partial spheroid, namely one such as hemispheroid with a diameter of 30 mm - 70 mm, here 50 mm. However, this could possibly also be a partial ovoid, such as a hemiovoid, possibly with an effectively same largest diameter as the diameter mentioned above.

Due to this shape, the handle can be thin, in this example 6 - 15 mm, here 8 mm, and the system lies comfortably in the hand.

Apart from this example, the handle may also have small studs (not shown, but usual} for increasing the grip on the handle.

The handle 5 is a molded handle, in this example of a silicone material, but it may also be of a polymeric material or a rubber.

The advantage of the silicone material, such as a silica gel, is that the handle itself can also stick to certain surfaces.

In fact, all components are potted.

However, in the event that the material is a non-transparent material, a recess may be provided (not shown, but conventional) in the handgrip so that the camera lens is not visually obstructed by the molded and cured material.

Optionally, the handgrip 5 can also comprise a local memory 8 to which the camera can write images, for instance when the camera cannot temporarily make a connection with Wi-Fi, so that they can still be sent via Wi-Fi or read out at a later time. are connected via a USB port (not shown, but usual). The handle optionally includes a Wi-Fi on/off sensor (not shown, but common) connected to the Wi-Fi transceiver.

Optionally, after casting and curing, the handle can be provided with another recess {not shown, but usual} so that the USB port is available to the user.

Optionally, the port can be covered with a cap (not shown, but usual), so that the system remains watertight.

Figure 1 further shows that the attachment 3 is designed as a nanotape, in this example as a PET nanotape.

The attachment therefore has a first adhesive surface 3.1 for attaching the attachment to the telephone, and a second adhesive surface 3.2 for removably attaching the handle to the attachment. Nanotape is a tape in which the adhesive surfaces derive their adhesion, also known as adhesive strength, exclusively from Van der Waals forces instead of molecular bonds. Nanotape is characterized in that every adhesive surface is covered with nanostrings, such as nanotubes, possibly with end branches. This is not to be confused with adhesives such as self-adhesive polymers, such as polypropylene, or glue.

The attachment is further designed such that the second adhesive surface 3.2 has a higher adhesive force than the first adhesive surface 3.1. This is a property on which the respective surfaces can be formed. In this example, the respective adhesive surfaces 3.1 and . have

3.2 essentially the same surface size. Therefore, the first adhesive surface is designed with a higher adhesive density, i.e. a higher adhesive force per square meter (N/m²) than the second adhesive surface. In this way, the handle 5 can be removed from the phone together with the attachment 3. The handle 3 is then stuck to another surface 200 with the attachment 3 so that it faces the user for a selfie. This surface is shown in Figure 4 and can in principle be any surface, such as a wall, window, tree, shelf, car frame, mirror, plastic panel, etc., because the attachment is designed as a nanotape.

Figure 3 actually shows how the assembly 1000 is provided. It is in fact in this way that a user will carry the assembly with him during conventional use. The system 1 is glued to a back of the telephone 100 so as to make use of inductive charging via the telephone. If it is desired to use the system 1 which is part of such an assembly 1000, one can count on the following steps.

Step 1. In this step, the user will remove the handle 5 from the telephone 100, the attachment 3 comes along with the handle 5. This is shown in Figure 4. With this removal, the handle 5 is then moved beyond a range of the induction field I. moved. This happens quite quickly as the induction field I of the phone usually extends effectively only a few millimeters or centimeters from the phone. Step 1 leads to step 2.

Step 2. In this step, the induction circuit 15 detects that there is no appreciable electrical voltage on coil 14 on the coil. Optionally, this is determined with a sensor (not shown, but usual), such as a voltmeter. The induction circuit is communicatively connected to the camera 7 which is pre-programmed to activate when the voltage of the coil is lost. Step 2 leads to step 3.

Step 3. In this step, the camera activates itself based on the detection of the loss of the induction field. Such activation includes, also apart from this example, that the at least one transceiver (9, 11) becomes active to connect to the telephone and to send images from the camera to the telephone. In this activation step, the camera thus establishes a connection to the telephone by means of the at least one transceiver. Step 3 leads to step 4.

Step 4. In this step, the camera transmits images to the phone, such as via Wi-Fi, and records images based on instruction, such as over Bluetooth, from the user via the phone. Step 4 leads to step 5 Step 5. In this step the user places the handle 5 back on the telephone together with the attachment 3. In this step the camera 7 will learn by means of the charging circuit 14 that the induction field is present. In response, the camera will deactivate itself. Such deactivation also includes deactivating the at least one transceiver. Step 5 leads to step 6.

Alternatively, in this step the user will place the handle 5 back on the telephone together with the attachment 3. the camera 7 will hear from the charging circuit 14 that the induction field is present. In response to this, the camera will remain active. For example, in this alternative step, the user turns off the camera using the application on the phone. The camera then receives, for example, a switch-off signal via Bluetooth. If the camera is not turned off, the camera will continue to provide images to the phone even during charging. Alternative Step 5 also leads to step 6. Step 6. In step 6, the energy source 13 will be charged by means of the charging circuit 14 until it is full. The induction field can then remain present, but no current will then be drawn from the coil until the next use. This will keep the electrical loss to a minimum. Optionally, the handgrip is provided with a signal light (not shown, but usual}, such as an LED, which lights up when the camera is active, and which is extinguished when the camera is inactive. Optionally, the signal light can also take on a color on based on battery charge.

Alternatively, the system 1 may also be provided with a switch to manually control activation.

Thus, a camera system is provided that is ready for use at all times within 3 seconds and can be pasted anywhere for the best recordings, and is always loaded as it is stuck on your phone. More generally, the system takes the following steps when removing the camera handle from the phone: - camera detects no more charging; — camera "asks" via bluetooth to phone which Wi-Fi network to use; If the phone is connected to a Wi-Fi network (eg home or office), the phone will transmit the Wi-Fi network SSID and password to the camera via Bluetooth. The moment the camera is connected to the network, it gives its acquired IP address to the phone via bluetooth, the phone can then connect to the camera via the Wi-Fi network with a camera application, or other pre-programming. Optionally, the user can disconnect the Wi-Fi connection by closing the application on the phone, or after replacing the camera on the phone.

However, if the phone is connected to a mobile network, the phone will set up an access point (local Wi-Fi network), also known as a hotspot.

When the access point is set up, the SSID and password to be used will be passed on to the camera via bluetooth. The moment the camera is connected to the access point, it transmits its obtained IP address to the phone via bluetooth, the phone can then connect to the camera via the camera application via the access point network (Wi-Fi). After closing the application, or after putting the camera back on the phone, the Wi-Fi connection is disconnected.

In the event that the phone does not support wireless charging, the camera is connected via bluetooth, communication takes place in exactly the same way, only the camera no longer activates automatically when you remove the phone. A switch can be provided for this purpose.

Alternatively, the camera must first be turned on and then set up with the phone in Bluetooth connection. Closing the app can therefore lead to the camera being turned off.

The system also offers solutions in the context of surveillance, because the camera can be placed almost anywhere, at least temporarily. If necessary, the system can be used to assist with parking. A user can then stick the system on the bumper or elsewhere on the car so that the user has a view of the parking space available to him or her. Where the system receives an induction field from a charging station, it may optionally function indefinitely and provide images to the telephone. In such a case, the system may be arranged so that the camera does not turn off when it receives an induction field. In such a case, the system continuously provides images to the telephone.

Where in specific examples it is mentioned that the handle 5 is placed on the telephone together with the attachment 3, the attachment 3 may alternatively also be designed to remain on the telephone. In such a case, the handle is placed back on the attachment left behind on the telephone.

Claims (12)

CONCLUSIONS A telephone mount camera system (1) comprising: - a handle (5), and - a mount (3) formed with portions for providing a reversible attachment of the handle (5) to a telephone (100), with characterized in that the handle (5) comprises: - a camera (7) for generating images, - at least one transceiver (9, 11} for providing wireless communication between the camera and the telephone for controlling the camera and transmitting the images, and — a rechargeable energy source (13) for supplying electrical energy to the camera and the communication means. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the handle is designed as a partial spheroid, such as hemispheroid, or partial ovoid, such as hemiovoid. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the attachment (3) is in the form of a nanotape, such as a PET nanotape, with an adhesive surface (3.1) for attaching the attachment to the telephone, and a second adhesive surface (3.2) for detachable attachment of the handle to the attachment. The system according to claim 3, characterized in that the second adhesive surface (3.1) has a higher adhesive force than the first adhesive surface (3.2). The system according to any one of the preceding claims 1-4, characterized in that the handle (5) comprises a charging circuit (14) provided with a flat charging coil (15) for charging the energy source at an induction field (I), such as from the telephone (100) or a wireless charging station. The system according to claim 5, characterized in that the charging coil (15) extends in a coil plane, and wherein the mounting piece extends in a mounting surface, the coil surface extending parallel to the mounting surface. The system according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the charging circuit is arranged to detect the induction field, and wherein the system is arranged to activate the camera when the induction field is absent. The system according to claim 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that the charging circuit is arranged to detect the induction field, and wherein the system is arranged to deactivate the camera when the induction field is present. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the system comprises a switch circuit (20), the system being arranged to activate the camera when the circuit is broken or closed. The system according to any one of the preceding claims 1-9, characterized in that the at least one transceiver (9, 11) comprises a Bluetooth Low Energy transceiver (9) for communicating with the telephone for controlling the camera, and a Wi-Fi transceiver (11) for communicating with the phone for transmitting the images. The system according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that the handle is a molded handle, such as of a polymer or silicone material, wherein at least the camera, the at least one transceiver (9, 11) and the energy source are encased within the handgrip, and optionally wherein the handgrip is at least partially transparent to the camera. Method for using an assembly according to claim 12, comprising the steps of: - providing an assembly according to claim 12; and — removing at least a portion of the system, such as just the handgrip, from the telephone; - activating the camera (7); and - providing an image from the camera to the telephone.