U.S. patent application number 16/877481 was filed with the patent office on 2020-11-05 for terminal equipped with removable robotic module.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ramzi Khalil Maalouf, Jinrong Yang. Invention is credited to Ramzi Khalil Maalouf, Jinrong Yang.
Application Number | 20200351446 16/877481 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004969677 |
Filed Date | 2020-11-05 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200351446 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Maalouf; Ramzi Khalil ; et
al. |
November 5, 2020 |
TERMINAL EQUIPPED WITH REMOVABLE ROBOTIC MODULE
Abstract
In an embodiment, a smart terminal is equipped with a removable
robot. In some embodiments, the smart terminal includes a removable
camera module that operates as a drone.
Inventors: |
Maalouf; Ramzi Khalil;
(Chevy Chase, MD) ; Yang; Jinrong; (Shanghai,
CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Maalouf; Ramzi Khalil
Yang; Jinrong |
Chevy Chase
Shanghai |
MD |
US
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004969677 |
Appl. No.: |
16/877481 |
Filed: |
May 18, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15438711 |
Feb 21, 2017 |
10659697 |
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16877481 |
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62297920 |
Feb 21, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/23293 20130101;
H04N 5/23203 20130101; H04N 5/2252 20130101; H04N 5/2257 20130101;
H04N 5/23216 20130101; H04N 5/23296 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/232 20060101
H04N005/232; H04N 5/225 20060101 H04N005/225 |
Claims
1-14. (canceled)
15. A portable electronic device, comprising: a touch-screen
display; an electronic processor coupled to the touch-screen
display; a housing including: an opening on an exterior surface of
the housing; and a longitudinal axis; a rod coupled to the housing
at a first end of the rod, the rod movable along the longitudinal
axis of the housing; and a camera coupled to a second end of the
rod and positionable within the opening on the exterior surface of
the housing, wherein the rod is configurable to, in response to
signals from the electronic processor, retract the camera at least
partially into the housing or extend the camera at least partially
outside of the housing.
16. The portable electronic device of claim 15, further comprising:
one or more electrical actuators operably coupled to the rod,
wherein the electronic processor is electrically coupled to the one
or more electrical actuators, wherein the electronic processor is
configured to: receive a signal from the touch-screen display;
determine a movement direction of the rod based at least in part on
the signal, and operate the one or more electrical actuators to
move of the rod in the movement direction.
17. The portable electronic device of claim 16, wherein the
electronic processor is further configured to display a horizontal
position control button on the touch-screen display, and, in
response to selection of the horizontal position control button,
operate the one or more electrical actuators to rotate the rod 180
degrees about the longitudinal axis of the housing.
18. The portable electronic device of claim 15, wherein the rod is
movable to extend at least a portion of the rod outside of the
housing.
19. The portable electronic device of claim 15, wherein the camera
is configured to rotate with respect to an axis of the rod.
20. The portable electronic device of claim 15, wherein the camera
is pivotable relative to the second end of the rod.
21. A portable electronic device, comprising: a smart terminal
comprising: a touch-screen display; and an electronic processor;
and a removable robotic module removably coupled to the camera, the
robotic module comprising a camera, wherein the smart terminal is
operable to control the camera of the robotic module in response to
user input to the touch-screen display.
22. The portable electronic device of claim 21, wherein the robotic
module further comprises a drone configured to separate from the
smart terminal and move from place to place under the drone's own
power.
23. The portable electronic device of claim 22, wherein the drone
is a removable micro hovering drone.
24. The portable electronic device of claim 21, wherein the smart
terminal further comprises a docking station, wherein the robotic
module is configured to couple on the docking station, wherein the
docking station is configurable to provide power to the robotic
module.
25. The portable electronic device of claim 21, wherein the smart
terminal is configured to operate as a remote control for the
robotic module.
26. The portable electronic device of claim 21, wherein the smart
terminal is configured to operate as a remote control for the
robotic module, wherein the smart terminal comprises an
augmented-reality viewfinder.
27. The portable electronic device of claim 21, wherein the robotic
module comprises a drone device and a camera module movable coupled
to the drone device.
28. The portable electronic device of claim 21, wherein the robotic
module comprises a drone device and a camera module movably coupled
to the drone device, wherein the robotic module further comprises a
rod coupled between the drone device and the camera module, wherein
the rod is configured to rotate the camera module relative to the
drone device.
29. The portable electronic device of claim 21, wherein the robotic
module comprises a drone device and a camera module movably coupled
to the drone device, wherein the robotic module further comprises a
rod coupled between the drone device and the camera module, wherein
the drone device is configurable to move the rod to extend and
retract the camera module relative to the drone device.
30. A portable electronic device, comprising: a smart terminal
comprising: a housing comprising a recess; a touch-screen display;
and an electronic processor; and a removable camera module
removably at least partially in the recess, the camera module
comprising one or more cameras, wherein the smart terminal is
operable to control at least one of the one or more cameras of the
removable camera module in response to user input to the
touch-screen display.
31. The portable electronic device of claim 30, wherein the recess
comprises a channel along a top edge of the housing of the smart
terminal.
32. The portable electronic device of claim 30, wherein the smart
terminal further comprises a docking station, wherein the removable
camera module is configured to couple on the docking station,
wherein the docking station is configurable to provide power to the
removable camera module.
33. The portable electronic device of claim 30, wherein the smart
terminal is configured to operate as a remote control for the
removable camera module.
34. The portable electronic device of claim 30, wherein the
removable camera module comprises a drone device.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application is a continuation of, and claims priority
to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/438,711, entitled "PORTABLE
ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH RETRACTABLE ANTENNA ROD FOR A CAMERA" filed
Feb. 21, 2017 (the "711 application"). The '711 application and
this application claim priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/297,920, "TERMINAL EQUIPPED WITH A REMOVABLE
ROBOTIC MODULE", filed Feb. 21, 2016 (the "'920 application"). The
entire contents of both the '711 application and the '920
application are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set
forth herein.
BACKGROUND
Field
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of soap and
methods of making and using soap. More specifically, embodiments
herein relate to methods of managing consumption of soap.
Description of the Related Art
[0003] Portable electronic devices (such as mobile phones) include
cameras to capture pictures and video. The cameras in most portable
electronic devices are fixed to the devices such that they are
limited to capturing pictures and video in a single direction. Many
portable electronic devices include a second camera positioned on
an opposite side from the first camera in order to capture pictures
and video in more than one direction.
SUMMARY
[0004] The disclosure provides a portable electronic device
including a housing, a retractable antenna rod, and a camera. The
housing includes an opening on a side of the housing and a
longitudinal axis. The retractable antenna rod extends out from the
opening and is coupled to the housing at a first end of the
retractable antenna rod. The retractable antenna rod is movable
along the longitudinal axis of the housing. The camera is coupled
to a second end of the retractable antenna rod. The camera is
positionable within the opening of the housing when the retractable
antenna rod is retracted into the housing.
[0005] The disclosure also provides a portable electronic device
including a housing, a retractable antenna rod, and a camera. The
housing includes an opening on a side of the housing. The
retractable antenna rod extends out from the opening and is coupled
to the housing at a first end of the retractable antenna rod. The
retractable antenna rod is movable between a retracted position and
an extended position. The camera is coupled to a second end of the
retractable antenna rod. The camera is positioned outside of the
housing when the retractable antenna rod is in the extended
position. The camera is positioned within the housing when the
retractable antenna rod is in the retracted position.
[0006] A portable electronic device including a housing, a
retractable antenna rod, and a camera. The housing includes an
opening on a side of the housing and a longitudinal axis. The
retractable antenna rod extends out from the opening and is coupled
to the housing at a first end of the retractable antenna rod. The
retractable antenna rod is movable along the longitudinal axis of
the housing. The camera is coupled to a second end of the
retractable antenna rod. The camera is positionable within the
opening of the housing when the retractable antenna rod is
retracted into the housing
[0007] Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by
consideration of the detailed description and accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a portable electronic device with a
retractable antenna rod in an extended position, in accordance with
some embodiments.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a diagram of the portable electronic device in
FIG. 1 with the retractable antenna rod in a retracted
position.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the portable electronic device
in FIG. 1, in accordance with some embodiments.
[0011] FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 are exemplary screenshots of a
touch-screen display included in the portable electronic device in
FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a system with a
removable robotic camera module.
[0013] FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the system with a
robotic camera module in home position.
[0014] FIG. 9 illustrates the system with RCM camera lens component
on a retractable antenna rod on RCM main body component.
[0015] FIG. 10 illustrates a system with an RCM camera module is a
swivel mode.
[0016] FIG. 11 illustrates a system an RCM camera module in a tilt
mode.
[0017] FIG. 12 illustrates a system an RCM camera module with an
RCM functioning as a micro drone.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] For ease of description, each of the exemplary systems
presented herein is illustrated with a single exemplar of each of
its component parts. Some examples may not describe or illustrate
all components of the systems. Other exemplary embodiments may
include more or fewer of each of the illustrated components, may
combine some components, or may include additional or alternative
components.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a diagram of one exemplary embodiment of a
portable electronic device 2. In the embodiment illustrated, the
portable electronic device 2 is a mobile phone. In other
embodiments, the portable electronic device 2 can include other
types of devices (for example, tablets, smart terminals, and the
like). The portable electronic device 2 in FIG. I includes, among
other things, a housing 4, a touch-screen display 6, and a camera
8. The camera 8 includes, among other things, an optical sensor 10
and a light source 12. The camera 8 is coupled to the housing 4 via
a retractable antenna rod 14.
[0020] The housing 4 includes an opening 15 at a first end 16 of
the housing 4. The retractable antenna rod 14 extends away from the
opening 15. The retractable antenna rod 14 includes a first end 17
and a second end 18. The retractable antenna rod 14 is coupled at
the first end 17 to a portion of the housing 4 located within the
opening 15. The camera 8 is coupled to the second end 18 of the
housing 4. In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the
camera 8 is coupled to the second end 18 of the housing 4 via a
ball bearing connector 19.
[0021] As explained below in more detail, the retractable antenna
rod 14 enables movement of the camera 8 relative to the housing 4
(for example, movement in the direction of arrow 20 and 22). FIG. 1
illustrates the camera 8 positioned in an extended position when
the camera 8 is positioned outside of and a distance away from the
housing 4 in the direction of arrow 22. FIG. 2 illustrates the
camera 8 positioned in a retracted position. In the retracted
position, the camera 8 (and the retractable antenna rod 14) is
positioned within the housing 4.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a diagram of one exemplary embodiment of the
portable electronic device 2. In the embodiment illustrated, the
portable electronic device 2 includes an electronic processor 24
(for example, a microprocessor, or other electronic controller), a
memory 26, a microphone 28, a speaker 30, a transceiver 32, the
touch-screen display 6, the camera 8, and electrical actuators 34.
The electronic processor 24, the memory 26, as well as the other
various modules are coupled by a bus 36, or are coupled directly,
by one or more additional control or data buses, or a combination
thereof.
[0023] The memory 26 may include read only memory (ROM), random
access memory (RAM), other non-transitory computer-readable media,
or a combination thereof. The electronic processor 24 is configured
to retrieve instructions and data from the memory 26 and execute,
among other things, instructions to perform the methods described
herein. The microphone 28 captures audio data and the speaker 30
outputs audio data.
[0024] The transceiver 32 is configured to provide communications
between the portable electronic device 2 and one or more additional
portable electronic devices within a communication system. The
transceiver 32 transmits signals to one or more communication
networks and receives signals from the communication networks. In
some embodiments, signals include, for example, data, audio data,
video data, image data, data packets, or any combination thereof.
In some embodiments, the transceiver 32 includes a separate
transmitter and receiver. The communication network may be
implemented using various networks, for example, a cellular
network, the Internet, a Bluetooth.TM. network, a wireless local
area network (for example, Wi-Fi), a wireless accessory Personal
Area Networks (PAN), cable, an Ethernet network, satellite, a
machine-to-machine (M2M) autonomous network, and a public switched
telephone network.
[0025] The touch-screen display 6 is a touch-sensitive interface
that displays visual output, for example, webpages and other
graphical user interfaces (GUIs) generated by software applications
executed by the electronic processor 24. The touch-screen display 6
also receives user input using detected physical contact, for
example, detected capacitance or resistance. Based on the user
input, the touch-screen display 6 outputs signals to the electronic
processor 24 which indicate positions on the touch-screen display 6
currently being selected by physical contact. In some embodiments,
the touch-screen display 6 includes a liquid crystal display
(LCD).
[0026] The optical sensor 10 in the camera 8 captures optical
signals. For example, the optical sensor 10 may include
charged-coupled devices (CCDs) that capture an image, a series of
images, video, and the like. The light source 12 includes a light
emitting device such as one or more light emitting diodes
(LEDs).
[0027] The electrical actuators 34 are operably coupled to the
camera 8 and to the retractable antenna rod 14 to cause
translational, rotational, and pivotal movements of the camera 8
and the retractable antenna rod 14. Translational, rotational, and
pivotal movements of the camera 8 and the retractable antenna rod
14 are explained in more details below. The electrical actuators 34
include, for example, electrical motors. In some embodiments, the
portable electronic device 2 includes separate electrical actuators
34 to perform each different type of movement of the camera 8 and
the retractable antenna rod 14. For example, a first electrical
actuator causes translational movement of the camera 8 and the
retractable antenna rod 14 relative to the housing 4, a second
electrical actuator causes rotational movement of the camera 8 and
the retractable antenna rod 14, and a third electrical actuator
causes pivotal movement of the camera 8 relative to the retractable
antenna rod 14.
[0028] In some embodiments, the electronic processor 24 controls
the movement of the camera 8 and the retractable antenna rod 14 via
a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed on the touch-screen
display 6. FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 illustrate exemplary screenshots
displayed by the touch-screen display 6.
[0029] In FIG. 4, the touch-screen display 6 displays a camera
viewing area 38 of the current images captured by the optical
sensor 10 in the camera 8. The touch-screen display 6 in FIG. 4
also displays a vertical position control button 40, a horizontal
position control button 42, and a tilt position control button 44.
In FIG. 4, the vertical position control button 40 is selected. The
vertical position control button 40 regulates vertical movement of
the camera 8 (for example, movement in the direction of arrow 20
and 22). In other words, translational movement of the camera 8
along a longitudinal axis 45 of the housing 4. When the vertical
position control button 40 is selected, the electronic processor 24
receives a signal from the touch-screen display 6 indicating a
request from a user to move the camera 8 in the direction of arrow
20 and 22. In response to receiving the signal, the electronic
processor 24 sends a signal to the electrical actuators 34 which
causes the retractable antenna rod 14 to either retract toward the
housing 4 or extend away from the housing 4.
[0030] In FIG. 5, the horizontal position control button 42 is
selected. The horizontal position control button 42 regulates
horizontal movement of the camera 8 (for example, movement in the
direction of arrow 46 and 48). In other words, rotational movement
of the camera 8 about the longitudinal axis 45 of the housing 4.
When the horizontal position control button 42 is selected, the
electronic processor 24 receives a signal from the touch-screen
display 6 indicating a request from a user to rotate the camera 8
in the direction of arrow 46 and 48. In response to receiving the
signal, the electronic processor 24 sends a signal to the
electrical actuators 34 which causes the retractable antenna rod 14
(and the camera 8) to rotate.
[0031] In some embodiments, the electronic processor 24
continuously rotates the camera 8 as long as the horizontal
position control button 42 remains selected. In other embodiments,
the electronic processor 24 rotates the camera 8 by a set amount
each time the horizontal position control button 42 is selected.
For example, in some embodiments, the electronic processor 24
rotates the camera 8 by 180 degrees each time the horizontal
position control button 42 is selected. By having the camera 8
rotate, the portable electronic device 2 can captures images on
multiple sides of the housing 4 with a single camera.
[0032] In FIG. 6, the tilt position control button 44 is selected.
The tilt position control button 44 regulates tilting movements of
the camera 8 (for example, movement in the direction of arrow 50
and 52). In other words, pivotal movement of the camera 8 with
respect to (or relative to) the longitudinal axis 45 of the housing
4. When the tilt position control button 44 is selected, the
electronic processor 24 receives a signal from the touch-screen
display 6 indicating a request from a user to pivot the camera 8 in
the direction of arrow 50 and 52. In response to receiving the
signal, the electronic processor 24 sends a signal to the
electrical actuators 34 which causes the camera 8 to pivot relative
to the second end 18 of the retractable antenna rod 14.
[0033] In an embodiment, a smart terminal is equipped with a
removable robot. In certain embodiments, built-in sensors of a
smart terminals are replaced with removable intelligent
multifunctional robotic modules.
[0034] In an embodiment, a smart terminal is equipped with
removable robots, to improve their technology and to increase their
value, freedom, efficiency and convenience by replacing their
built-in unintelligent sensors with removable intelligent Robotic
Modules. For example, integrating within the ST a removable micro
hovering drone--a Robotic Camera Module (RCM)--to replace the
built-in image sensors. The RCM's Rotating Telescopic Retractable
Antenna Rod allows the attached camera lens to extend out of and
beyond the frame of the ST, then to swivel and tilt to capture
fixed or 360-degree panoramic images along all 3 axes (radar-like),
for greater flexibility, stealth, quality, and clarity (no flipping
selfies). Remove the RCM from its docking station, pair it with its
host ST, and turn the latter into an augmented-reality
viewfinder.
[0035] Embodiments may include every field of current and future
robotics applications, including technology, IOT, health care,
education, medical, security, household appliances, construction,
communication, gaming, drones etc. For an illustrative example,
systems, methods and devices are described herein that integrate a
smart terminal and a removable micro hovering drone--a Robotic
Camera Module (RCM)--equipped with multi-sensors and technological
devices, and a power and communication docking port to replace the
current built-in image sensors.
[0036] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a system with a
removable robotic camera module. The system includes robotic camera
module 101, terminal 102, and power & communication docking
port 103, and smart terminal 104.
[0037] FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the system with a
robotic camera module in home position. In normal (home) position,
the RCM 101 is seamlessly located within its host smart terminal
104, connected to the ST's docking station 103), with the top
portion of the camera lens component flush within the ST's frame.
When the camera application is activated, images are captured in
customary point and shoot mode using the RCM's camera.
[0038] The RCM is also equipped with a Rotating Telescopic
Retractable Antenna Rod (RTRA) 107 attached to the main body 108 of
the RTRA on one end, and to the camera lens component 105 (via a
ball bearing connector (D) on the other, allowing the camera lens
to extend out of and beyond the frame of the ST, then rotate
(swivel) and tilt - much like the movement of a high technology
radar to capture images along all 3 axes within a 360-degree
spectrum.
[0039] FIG. 9 illustrates the system with RCM camera lens component
105 on retractable antenna rod 107 on RCM main body component 108.
The Vertical position control Function 109 is used to lift the RTRA
and camera lens up to several inches past the smart terminal
frame.
[0040] FIG. 10 illustrates a system with an RCM camera module is a
swivel mode. Once the bottom of the camera lens component clears
the ST's frame and reaches its desired height, the Horizontal
position control Function 110 is activated to radially rotate
(swivel) the RTRA to any angle, such that the sensors can capture
fixed or panoramic images along the 360-degree horizontal
plane.
[0041] For example, flat frontal and back facing images (normal use
and selfies, respectively) would have the camera lens parallel to
the plane of the ST's frame, while right and left flat position
images would have the camera lens perpendicular to the plane of the
ST's frame.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 11, in combination with the aforementioned
Vertical and Horizontal position functions, the Tilt position
control Function 111, which controls the ball-bearing connector 106
at the camera lens end of the RTRA, allows the camera lens 105 to
additionally capture angular tilt images, for the ultimate in
flexibility and coverage along all 3 axes within a 360-degree
spectrum.
[0043] These functions, separately or in combination, all provide
for a greater image selection spectrum, flexibility, stealth,
quality (HD/DSLR), and clarity (no more flipping images on
selfies). When the RCM 101 is removed from its docking station
within its host ST 104, it now functions as an autonomous hovering
micro drone, which, when paired with its host ST, turns the latter
into a remote control 112 with an augmented-reality viewfinder
113.
[0044] This disclosure is not limited in its application to the
examples provided, the embodiments discussed, or to the details of
construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the
foregoing description or drawings. The disclosure is capable of
other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways.
* * * * *