GB2502511A

GB2502511A - Device for mounting a smart phone or tablet computer onto a television.

Info

Publication number: GB2502511A
Application number: GB201205878A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Nolan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-04-02
Filing date: 2012-04-02
Publication date: 2013-12-04
Also published as: GB201205878D0

Abstract

Disclosed is a device that mounts a computing and communications device (CCD), such as a tablet computer or a smart phone, equipped with a video camera onto a television. The device has a bracket configured to engage the television and a bracket to hold the CCD. The CCD bracket is connected to the television bracket via a horizontal pivot, so that the CCD can rotate relative to the television. The device may have an elongate spine extending from the television bracket to the CCD bracket pivot. The device may have a hinge joint in between the ends of the spine, the joint dividing the spine into a pair of sections movable about the joint, and shaped so the CCD holding bracket is moveable between a position behind the television and in front of it.

Description

"A mounting assembly"

Introduction

This invention relates to a mounting assembly for mounting a computing tablet or a smartphone equipped with a video camera onto a television.

Video calls are becoming an increasingly popular way for individuals to make contact with friends, relatives and business associates. It is generally accepted that video calls result in a richer, more enjoyable call experience than traditional, audio-only calls. In addition to the increase in popularity of video calls, more and more people are purchasing computing tablets and sniartphones which are capable of handling video calls. Although effective at handling video calls, there are however problems with using smartphones or computing tablets for video calls.

One problem with using a smartphone or a computing tablet to handle a video call is that due to the diminutive size of the screen, the call experience for the user is not as good as it could be. Broadly speaking, the larger the screen size, the better the user's call experience will be. The small screen size of computing tablets and smartphones do not result in the optimal user video call experience. Secondly, as the smartphone and tablets aie hand held devices with relatively narrow angled video cameras, they are really only suitable for one-to-one calls and are not suited to many-to-one or many-to-many calls.

This is due to the fact that in order to get multiple parties "in shot" of the camera, the camera and hence the smartphone or the computing tablet will have to be placed a significant distance from the parties. At a distance, it will be difficult for those parties to see the screen of the smartphone or computing tablet thereby detracting from their video call experience.

One solution to the above-mentioned problems has been to provide a wired connection from the smartphone or the computing tablet to a television (or other monitor) so that the video stream can be viewed on the larger television screen. This solution is not entirely satisfactory either. The video camera on the smartphone or the computing tablet used for video calls is typically of a type with relatively low picture resolution. For example, the iPad 3 (iPad is a Registered Trade Mark, ®) has a camera for video calls with a cameia resolution of 0.3 Megapixels. Although this degree of resolution is sufficient for video calls displayed on a small screen, once it is displayed on a larger screen the video content becomes noticeably pixelated which detracts from the user's video call experience.

Another problem with this solution is that the smartphone or computing tablet with the video camera will be mounted adjacent the television. Typically, the smartphone or computing tablet will be lent upright against the television. This often does not lead to a flattering or preferred camera angle. By placing the camera in this position, i.e. below and perhaps to one side of the caller(s), as the user(s) look directly at the television screen during the call, it will appear to the other party(ies) on the call that the first party(ies) is looking above them and in some cases to one side of them which has an unnatural appearance and is detrimental to the other party's video call experience. It is preferable to have the camera mounted slightly above and centrally relative the television screen as this provides the best visual representation of the call party.

Throughout the remainder of this specification, for reasons of brevity, the terms smartphone and computing tablet will hereinafter be referred to collectively as a computing and communications device (COD).

It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution to at least one of the above-identified problems.

Statements of Invention

According to the invention there is provided a mounting assembly for mounting a computing and communications device (COD) equipped with a video camera onto a television, the mounting assembly comprising a television engaging bracket configured to releasably engage a television and a COD engaging bracket configured to releasably engage a COD, the COD engaging bracket being pivotally connected to the television engaging bracket about a substantially horizontal pivot axis which in use is substantially parallel to the plane of a television screen, to permit rotation about the horizontal pivot of the COD engaging bracket and a COD mounted in the OCD engaging bracket.

By having such a mounting assembly, the COD can be used normally when waiting for a call and can then be pivoted around, in some cases through almost 180°, so that it is possible to use a higher definition camera on the rear of the COD for the call. Many CCDs include a second camera with a higher resolution than the first video call camera which is typically used for taking high definition pictures or capturing high definition video content. For example, the iPad 3 ® tablet has a 5 Megapixel camera on the rear side of the tablet as opposed to a 0.3 Megapixel video call camera on the front or screen side of the tablet. The 5 Megapixel camera will provide a far sharper image and will not appear pixelated on most sizes of television screens. By allowing the COD to rotate about the pivot, it will be possible to angle the camera of the COD correctly to the desired angle with ease. Furthermore, by allowing the CCD to lotate about a pivot, this will allow use of the touchscreen of the CCD to make or receive the call before the COD is pivoted around so that the higher resolution camera on the rear of the COD can be used for the duration of the call. In addition to the above, the construction of mounting assembly will allow the COD with the camera to be mounted securely in a desired location on the television, preferably centrally at the top of the television. This position is the recommended location to provide the best video call experience for the viewer of the video content captured by that video camera.

In one embodiment of the invention theie is provided a mounting assembly in which the television engaging biacket is arranged to be connected to a mounting bracket receiving section of the television. This is a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention. By connecting the television engaging bracket to the mounting bracket receiving section (that section usually reserved for wall mounting the television), a very firm connection between the mounting assembly and the television will be created thereby obviating the possibility of the OOD falling or becoming detached.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a mounting in which the television engaging bracket further comprises a mounting portion for connection to the television and a substantially upright elongate spine extending upwardly from the mounting portion, the COD engaging bracket being pivotally mounted adjacent the uppermost end of the elongate spine.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a mounting assembly in which there is provided a hinge joint intermediate the ends of the elongate spine, the hinge joint dividing the elongate spine into a pair of sections moveable relative to each other about the hinge joint. By providing a hinge joint, the CCD may be moved from a position in front of the television with the touch screen accessible to a user to a position to the rear of the television where the CCD will not interrupt the user's view of the television during a call.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a mounting assembly in which the elongate spine is slidably mounted on the mounting portion and there is provided means to releasably secure the elongate spine in position relative to the mounting portion.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a mounting assembly in which the elongate spine is extensible in length.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a mounting in which the OCD engaging bracket can pivot through an angle of no less than 90°. By allowing the OCD engaging bracket to pivot through such an angle, it will be possible to use the screen of the COD while it is in the bracket before rotating the COD through the angle to a position where the camera can be used for a video call.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a mounting in which the CCD engaging bracket can pivot through an angle of approximately 160°.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a mounting assembly in which the COD engaging bracket comprises a sleeve and in which the television engaging bracket comprises a pair of adjustment arms, one either side of the sleeve, extending upwardly from the pivot point, each adjustment arm being cranked intermediate its ends. This is seen as a simple configuration of device to provide. Preferably, there is further provided a pair of locking pins, one either side of the sleeve, each of which is provided for releasable engagement of one of the adjustment arms.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a mounting assembly for mounting a computing and communications device (OCD) equipped with a video camera onto a television, the mounting assembly comprising a television engaging bracket configured to releasably engage a television and a COD engaging bracket configured to releasably engage a CCD, in which the television engaging bracket is configured to engage the mounting bracket receiving section of the television. This is seen as a particularly advantageous aspect of the present invention. By having a mounting assembly that engages the mounting bracket receiving section of the television, i.e. that portion of the television normally reserved for a wall mounting bracket, the mounting assembly will provide a very secure mounting for the COD

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention will now be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a rear view of a mounting assembly according to the invention; Figure 2 is side view of the mounting assembly shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the mounting assembly shown in Figure 1 mounted on a television with the tablet's touchscreen presented to the user; Figure 4 is a side view of the mounting assembly shown in Figure 1 mounted on a television with the tablet's video camera facing the user; Figure 5 is a side view of an alternative construction of mounting assembly with the tablet's touchscreen presented to the user; Figure 6 is a side view of the mounting assembly shown in Figure 5 mounted on a television with the tablet's video camera tacing the user; Figure 7 is a front view of a third embodiment of mounting assembly according to the invention; Figure 8 is a side view of the mounting assembly shown in Figure 7; Figure 9 is a side view of the mounting assembly shown in Figure 7 mounted on a television with the tablet's touchscreen presented to the user; and Figure 10 is a side view of the mounting assembly shown in Figure 7 mounted on a television with the tablet's video camera facing the user.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown a mounting assembly, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, comprising a television engaging bracket 3 and a computing and communications device (COD) engaging bracket 5. The COD bracket 5 is pivotally connected to the television engaging bracket to permit limited rotation about the pivot of a COD 7 mounted in the COD bracket 5. The television engaging bracket comprises a mounting portion 9 for engagement of a television and an elongate spine 11 extending upwardly from the mounting portion. The CCD bracket is pivotally mounted on the television engaging bracket about a pivot 13 adjacent the uppermost end 15 of the elongate spine. There is further provided a hinge joint 17 intermediate the ends of the elongate spine 11 dividing the elongate spine into a pair of spine sections 19, 21. The spine sections 19, 21 move relative to each other by pivoting about the hinge joint 17.

The elongate spine 11 is slidably mounted on the mounting portion 9 and there are provided a pair of locking nuts 23, 25 operable to releasably secure the elongate spine in position relative to the mounting portion 9.

Referring specifically to Figures 3 and 4, there are shown a pair of views of the mounting assembly mounted on a television set 26 and with a CCD 7, in this case an iPad ®, mounted in the COD bracket 5. The television engaging bracket 3 is mounted on the mounting bracket receiving section of the television usually provided for wall mounting the television. In Figure 3, the CCD 7 is located in front of the television with the front side 27 of the COD 7, i.e. that portion of the CCD with the touchscreen controls thereon, facing towards the user (not shown). In this position, the user may instigate or accept a video call. Once the call has been established, if they have not already done so, the user can operate the touchscreen controls to instruct the COD to use the high definition camera located on the rear side 29 of the CCD for the video call. The user then rotates the COD 7 up and over the television by pivoting the COD bracket and hence the COD about the pivot 13 and the hinge joint 17 until the CCD is in the position shown in Figuie 4. Effectively, the CCD is rotated through 1800 relative to a horizontal axis. In this position, a camera 31 located adjacent the top of the iPad ® 7 will be above the level of the television and capable of capturing video images of one or more users positioned in front of the television. An electrical cable (not shown) will be provided to connect the CCD with the television. In this way, the screen of the television may be used to display the other party(ies) on the call. When it is desired to terminate the call, the user will pivot the iPad back about the pivot point 13 and hinge joint 17 from the position shown in Figure 4 to the position shown in Figure 3 in which position they will be able to access the touchscieen controls on the front 27 of the iPaci once more.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, there is shown an alternative embodiment of mounting biacket accoiding to the present invention, indicated geneially by the ieference nurneial 51, wheie like parts have been given the same reference numeial as before. The mounting bracket 51 comprises a television engaging bracket 53 and a CCD engaging bracket 55. The CCO engaging bracket 55 comprises a sleeve 57 for reception of the CCD 7. Parts of the sleeve have been removed in order to show how the CCD 7 sits in the sleeve 57. A kick stand 59 is mounted on the sleeve 57 about a hinge (not shown) to permit the mounting assembly to support the CCD in a substantially upiight configuration as shown in Figure 5, such as on a table or a countertop. In this position, the user can access the touchscreen controls on the front 27 of the COD 7 to initiate oi receive a call.

The CCD engaging biacket 55 is pivotally connected to the television engaging biacket 53 about a pivot point 61 and an adjustment arm 63, cranked intermediate its ends, extends upwardly from the pivot point 61. A pair of locking pins 63, only one of which is shown, are provided either side of the CCD engaging bracket 55 for releasably engaging the adjustment arm 63. In this way. the locking pins can be made to engage the adjustment arm in a plurality of locations along it length. The position at which the adjustment arm is engaged by the locking pin will in turn affect the angle with which the COD makes with the horizontal when mounted on the top of the television set 26 (as shown in Figure 6). This will facilitate camera angle adjustment as well as televisions of varying thickness.

Referring to Figures 7 to 10 inclusive, there is shown a further still embodiment of mounting assembly according to the present invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 71, where like parts have been given the same reference numeral as before. The mounting assembly 71 comprises a television engaging bracket 73 and a CCD engaging bracket 75. The television engaging bracket 73 comprises a mounting portion 77 and an elongate, bifurcated tuning fork shaped spine 79 extending upwardly from the mounting portion 77. The bifurcated spine comprises a pair of arms 81, 83, each of which has a part of the COD engaging bracket mounted thereon. The CCD engaging bracket 75 comprises a pair of abutment members 85, 87, each of which is pivotally mounted on one of the aims 81, 83 respectively. The abutment members are free to rotate about their mounting and are capable of engaging a COD therebetween.

Referring specifically to Figures 9 and 10, there is shown a pair of views of the mounting assembly 71 mounted on a television set 26 and with a COD 7, in this case an iPad ®, mounted in the CCD bracket 75. In Figure 9, the COD 7 is pivoted in the mounting assembly 71 with the front face of the COD 7 with the touchscreen controls thereon facing the user. In this position, the user can initiate or accept a video call. The user can also switch the active camera for the video call to the high definition camera 31 on the rear 29 of the COD 7. Once ready for the video call, the COD is rotated in its COD engaging bracket anti-clockwise through appioximately 120° until the rear side of the OCD 7 and hence the high definition camera 31 is facing the user above the top of the television set 26, as shown in Figure 10. Once the call is over, the CCD can be rotated once more in a clockwise direction to terminate the connection or to perform another action on the COD 7.

It will be understood from the foregoing that by having the COD engaging bracket 5, 55, pivotally mounted on the television engaging bracket 3, 53, 73, it is possible to use the touchscreen even when the device is mounted on the television and thereafter adjust the OCD engaging bracket so that (a) the high definition camera on the rear of the COD 7 can be used for the video call and (b) the COD can be adjusted to the desired camera position and angle by the user. Depending on the make/model of television, the make/model of the COD 7 and the position of the user relative to the television, the angle between the COD engaging bracket and the television engaging bracket will vary in order to obtain the optimum camera angle for video call user experience. This is achievable using the mounting assemblies according to the present invention.

Preferably, the COD bracket 5 is a quick-release bracket that can engage and disengage the COD in a fast, efficient manner. Similarly, the television engaging bracket 3 is also a quick release bracket that can engage and disengage the television in a fast, efficient manner. It is envisaged that other types of brackets could be used to equal effect. For example, spring loaded clamps or adjustable clamps with over centre locking members could be provided for one or both of the COD bracket and the television engaging bracket. Preferably, the COD bracket 5 and/or the television engaging bracket 3 will be dimensioned to receive a plurality of different types of devices, for example, different makes/models of televisions, one or more disparate makes/models of CCDs including different makes/models of computing tablets, different makes/models of smartphones, or even one or more makes/models of smartphones and one or more makes/models of

computing tablets.

In addition to the above, it is envisaged that an indexing system may be provided intermediate the television engaging bracket 3, 53, 73 and the COD engaging bracket 5, 55, 75 to control the positioning of the COD engaging bracket relative to the television engaging bracket.

In this specification, the terms "comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising" and the terms "include includes, included and including" are all deemed totally interchangeable and should be afforded the widest possible interpretation.

The invention is in no way limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described but may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the claims.