1. Technical Field
The embodiments herein generally relate to an apparatus for positioning a data capturing device, and more particularly to a portable apparatus that allows users to capture their own data without having to hold a data capturing device in their hands.
2. Description of the Related Art
Often, particularly during travels, people have the need to capture their own data (e.g., photos, audio, or video) using a data capturing device such as a camera. Cameras and recorders are a common feature of mobile phones that are typically carried in person, during such travels. However, despite the easy availability of a camera, it is not easy for someone to take a picture that includes himself/herself. Typically, the person needs assistance from someone else to capture the picture, which would typically be a stranger, or a professional. Alternatively, the person can take the picture by holding the mobile phone at a distance, and pointing it to face him/her (i.e., “selfies”).
However, taking one's own picture by holding a device with one's hand is cumbersome, and does not lead to a good quality picture of oneself, as well as one's surroundings. Further it requires one's hand to be free, and does not allow photographs to be taken while moving or performing actions such as walking, running, surfing, auto racing, or cycling. Pictures taken by holding a device with one's hand capture mostly only a person's face (e.g., because of the short distance between the device and person holding it), and do not effectively capture one's surroundings. Moreover, the person may shake the device while taking the picture, which adversely affects picture quality. Also, the user's hand can be extended only up to a limited distance (e.g., length of the person's arm), and not further.
There are wearable cameras such as helmet cameras that enable a user to take ‘action shots’ while on the move, but they only take pictures in front of the user, and not of the user itself. On the other hand, handheld mobile devices such as smartphones need to be held at arm's length without allowing both arms to be free, and do not effectively capture one's surroundings. There are tripod stands that enable cameras to be placed on specific surfaces, however, a surface may not be readily available nearby to place the camera, particularly while the user is on the move or in/on non-stable terrain. Further, when the device is placed on an external surface or when it is held while taking an ‘action shot’ when the user is moving, there is a risk of it falling or getting damaged due to contact with water, ice, or hard ground, etc. Accordingly, there remains a need for an apparatus that allows users to capture their own data without having to hold a data capturing device in their hands, without restricting themselves to a particular location or proximity to a surface.
In view of foregoing, an embodiment herein provides a device accessory system comprising a support structure adapted to attach to a user; a holding assembly comprising a device holder adapted to secure a data capturing device, wherein the data capturing device is adapted to capture data; and an extendable and collapsible flexible positioning system that is positionable at varying lengths and angles to adjust a distance or angle between the data capturing device and the user, wherein the flexible positioning system comprises a first end coupled to the support structure; and a second end coupled to the holding assembly, wherein the data is captured once the flexible positioning system is positioned at a fixed distance or angle from the user, and wherein the user does not have to hold the data capturing device while the data is being captured.
Any of the holding assembly and the device holder may be waterproof. The data may comprise any of audio, video, image, and biometric data. The support structure may be adapted to fit around the user. The support structure may comprise a clip. The support structure may be detachable. The support structure may be adjustable. Any of the holding assembly, the device holder, and the data capturing device may be movable. The device accessory system may further comprise a lock assembly operatively connected to the flexible positioning system. The lock assembly may be positioned adjacent to the first end.
Another embodiment provides a device accessory system comprising a support structure adapted to operatively connect to a user; a holding assembly comprising a device holder adapted to hold a mobile communication device, wherein the mobile communication device is adapted to capture data; an extendable and collapsible flexible positioning system that is positionable at varying lengths and angles to adjust a distance or angle between the mobile communication device and the user, wherein the flexible positioning system comprises a first end coupled to the support structure, and a second end coupled to the holding assembly, wherein the data is captured once the flexible positioning system is positioned at a fixed distance or angle relative to the user, and wherein the data is captured in a hands-free utilization by the user; and a lock assembly operatively connected to the flexible positioning system.
Any of the holding assembly and the device holder may be waterproof. The data may comprise any of audio, video, image, and biometric data. The lock assembly may be positioned adjacent to the first end. The lock assembly may comprise a turner, a locking plug, and a locking groove. The support structure may be adapted to fit around the user. The support structure may comprise a clip. The support structure may be detachable. The support structure may be adjustable. Any of the holding assembly, the device holder, and the mobile communication device may be movable.
These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
As mentioned, there remains a need for an apparatus that allows users to capture their own data without having to hold a data capturing device in their hands, and without restricting themselves to a particular location or proximity to a surface. The embodiments herein achieve this by providing a hands-free device accessory that includes an assembly for accommodating the data capturing device. The hand-free device accessory further includes a support structure that is adapted to fit the body of the user. When using the hands-free device accessory, a user does not have to hold a data capturing device on his/her hand when a data associated with the user is being captured. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to
The holding assembly 104 includes a device holder 108 and may be waterproof. The device holder 108 may be a receptacle which is adapted to hold a data capturing device 107 (e.g., such as the data capturing device 107 of
When the holding assembly 104 is configured as a waterproof protective case, this protects the data capturing device 107, in the device holder 108, from coming into contact with water or other liquids. In one embodiment, the device holder 108 itself acts as a waterproof protective case, and the hands-free device accessory 100 does not require an additional holding assembly 104.
The flexible positioning system 106 is adapted to connect the support structure 102 with the holding assembly 104. In one embodiment, the flexible positioning system 106 connects the support structure 102 with the device holder 108. The flexible positioning system 106 includes a first end 112 and a second end 114. In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiments shown in
For instance, the user may intend to take a self-picture. The user extends the flexible positioning system 106 to the front of the user, and fixes at a position such that the data capturing device 107 focuses the user. The user can then capture their own picture based on the data capturing device 107 at the holding assembly 104 using a timing mechanism on the data capturing device 107 or by audio command, etc. However, the user can also use the hands-free device accessory 100 to capture other data or multimedia content (e.g., an image of another user, surroundings, etc) that is not associated with the user simply by adjusting the position of the hands-free device accessory 100 or holding assembly 104 or data capturing device 107 or simply by the user adjusting his/her own position.
The hands-free device accessory 100 allows a user 202 to capture multimedia content based on a data capturing device 107 without necessarily holding the device 107 with the user's hand (e.g., hands-free). The hands-free device accessory 100 is portable, and is configured to fit the body of the user 202. A position of the flexible positioning system 106, which is attached to the holding assembly 104, is fixed relative to the user 202. Hence, even when the user 202 is in motion, the data capturing device 107 captures data content (e.g., multimedia content) with good quality. The user 202 is free to move anywhere, and still capture his/her own multimedia content (e.g., an image/video/audio/biometric, etc.) without holding the data capturing device 107 with the user's hand. The length of the flexible positioning system 106 is extended and/or contracted such that the user 202 can capture the multimedia content from a desired fixed distance. Also, the flexible positioning system 106 can be fixed at a desired angle with respect to the user 202. The diameter associated with the support structure 102 can be adjusted such that the same hands-free device accessory 100 fits for various users 202. Additionally, while the flexible positioning system 106 is generally shown to be along the same horizontal plane of the user 202 in the various figures, the flexible positioning system 106 may be configured to extend at an angle (e.g., upwards/downwards) from the horizontal plane of the user 202.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.