TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to an attention attracting attachment for a wireless handheld communication device. The attachment has particular, although not exclusive, use in attracting the attention of young children, babies or animals including pets.

BACKGROUND ART

Cameras have become a standard feature of wireless handheld communication devices such as mobile phones or tablets. As a result, many people who would have otherwise not owned and/or used a camera are more frequently taking photographs. This increase in photography has been further stimulated by the growth of social media.

Common subjects of photographs taken by users using e.g. mobile phones or tablets include young children, babies and pets. In general, it is desirable for the subject to be looking at the lens of the camera when the photograph is taken, but attracting the attention of subjects such as young children, babies or pets can be difficult. Further, any attempt to attract the attention of such subjects (e.g. by clicking fingers) can divert attention of the photographer away from the task of taking of the photograph, which can result in poor quality (e.g. blurry, out of focus, badly composed) photographs.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is an attention attracting attachment for a wireless handheld communication device having a camera comprising a lens. The attachment comprises an attractor for attracting the attention of a subject for the purpose of taking a photograph of the subject with the camera; and a mount for mounting the attractor to the device.

The mounting of the attractor to the device means that a user may provide a greater number of useable photographs in which the subject appears to be looking at the viewer. It may achieve these photographs without the requirement of taking as many other photographs. In taking these the photographer may have both hands available to concentrate on the task of taking the photograph. For example, the user does not have to hold e.g. a toy in one hand, or click the fingers of one of their hands in order to attract the attention of the subject. This may result in higher quality photographs on the subject. Similarly, because the attractor is mounted directly to the device, the user of the device may not need to focus on correctly positioning e.g. the toy in order to attract the attention of the subject in the right direction (i.e. the direction of the lens of the camera). That is, the attention of the subject (or subjects) of the photograph will follow the movement of the device, because of the attractor's attachment to the device. This is not necessarily the case if, for example, a user is holding toys or clicking their fingers (for the purpose of attracting the attention of a subject) and the user moves their hands away from the camera.

In one embodiment the attachment may be positionable with respect to the lens such that a subject looking at the attractor will appear to be looking at the lens. Thus, in photographs taken of the subject looking at the attractor, the subject will appear to be looking directly into the lens.

In one embodiment the attachment may be configured such that when the attractor is mounted to the device the attractor is positioned adjacent the lens. This may help to ensure that when the subject is looking at the attractor, the subject will appear to be looking directly into the lens in photographs taken of the subject.

In one embodiment the attractor may comprise a visual and/or auditory stimulus to attract the attention of the subject. Children, babies and pets may be particularly attracted to auditory and visual stimuli.

In one embodiment the attractor may continue to attract attention for an extended period after initial activation of attractor. This may provide the user with time to compose and take the photograph while the subject continues to look at the attractor. That is, the user may not have to continuously activate or employ the attractor while the photograph is being taken. The user can concentrate on the task of taking the photograph rather than attracting the attention of the subject.

In one embodiment the attractor may be secured to the mount by at least one attachment arm. The attractor may be detachably secured to the at least one attachment arm. The attractor may be removed and replaced with another different attractor. Each attractor may be suitable for a different type of subject. For example, one attractor may be suitable for attracting the attention of a baby, whilst another attractor may be suitable for attracting the attention of a dog. This may allow a single attachment to be used for various subject types. Similarly, a subject may lose interest in one type of attractor over time. This interest may be revived by replacing the "used" attractor for a different attractor (still aimed at the same subject type).

In one embodiment the attractor may be movably mounted to an end of the attachment member. Movement of the attractor may provide an auditory and/or visual stimulus to attract the attention of the subject.

In one embodiment the attractor may be a barrel rotatably mounted to the attachment member.

In one embodiment the attractor may comprise one or more walls defining an enclosed interior cavity. The cavity may contain a plurality of attractor elements. Movement of the attractor may cause the attractor elements to collide with one another and the walls of the attractor so as to provide an auditory and/or visual stimulus.

In one embodiment the attractor elements may be spherical. The attractor elements may, for example, be coloured balls. The various colours of the balls may be particularly attention attracting.

In one embodiment at least one wall of the attractor may be transparent or translucent. This may allow the subject to see the movement of items (e.g. attractor elements) located inside the attractor.

In one embodiment the mount may comprise a clamp assembly able to retain the attachment to the device.

In one embodiment the clamp assembly may comprise laterally moveable clamping arms. The clamping arms may be arranged to receive and clamp the mobile phone or tablet therebetween. The lateral movement of the clamping arms may allow the attachment to be mounted to a range of variously sized devices, and may allow the mounting of the attachment to a single device in a number of various orientations. In one embodiment the clamp assembly may further comprise a biasing member attached to, and extending between, the clamping arms to urge the clamping arms towards one another.

In one embodiment the attachment may be configured such that when the attachment is mounted to the device the attractor is generally centrally positioned in a lateral plane with respect to the device. The attractor may remain centrally positioned in the lateral plane when the attachment is mounted to various devices of different sizes. That is, extension and retraction of the clamping arms may not affect the central position of the attractor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the attachment mounted to a mobile phone;

Figure IB is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of the attachment shown in Figure 1A;

Figure 1C is a front perspective view of the embodiment of the attachment shown in Figure 1 A and Figure IB;

Figure ID is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of the attachment shown in Figure 1 A, Figure IB and Figure 1C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to accompanying drawings which form a part of the detailed description. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, depicted in the drawings and defined in the claims, are not intended to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilised and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and illustrated in the drawings can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated in this disclosure. Referring firstly to Figure 1, the attention attracting attachment 110 is shown mounted to a wireless handheld communication device 112 in the form of a mobile phone having a camera with a lens 114. The attachment 110 comprises a mount 116, for mounting the attachment 110 to the device 112, and an attractor 118. In use, the attractor 118 can be used to attract the attention of a subject (e.g. a young child, baby, pet, etc.) for the purpose of taking a photograph of the subject with the camera of the mobile phone 112.

Due to the arrangement of the mount 116, the attachment 110 is mountable at various locations on the device 1 12. In the illustrated embodiment the attachment 110 is mounted to the device 112 so as to be adjacent to the lens 114 of the camera. When in this position, the proximity of the attractor 118 to the lens 114 means that when the subject looks at the attractor 118, it will appear as if the subject is looking at the lens 114. As a result, in photographs taken of the subject looking at the attractor 118 it will appear as if the subject is looking directly into the lens 114 of the camera.

The attractor 118 is secured to the mount 116 by two attachment arms 120 that extend from the mount 116 (away from the device when mounted thereto). The attachment arms 120 have a proximal end positioned near the position at which the camera is attached to the arms. The arms are spaced so as to receive the attractor between their distal ends 122. At their distal ends 122, each attachment arm 120 comprises an enlarged retaining portion in the form of a circular disc 124. As is described in more detail below, these circular discs 124 facilitate securement of the attractor 118 between the attachment arms 120.

In the illustrated form, the attractor 118 is a barrel having an enclosed interior cavity 126 defined by a curved circumferential sidewall 128 and two generally planar end walls 130. The sidewall 128 comprises radially spaced and longitudinally extending (i.e. generally from one end wall to the other) grooves 132. These grooves 132 improve traction between the sidewall 128 and e.g. a user's finger and also increase the overall structural rigidity of the attractor 118. Each end wall 130 comprises an aperture 134. The apertures 134 are circular and sized so as to closely correspond to the the circumference of the distal ends 122 of the attachment arms 120. When assembled, the distal ends 122 of the attachment arms 120 pass through the apertures 132 and into the cavity 126 of the attractor 118. The inner edges of the apertures 134 and outer circumferential surfaces of the attachment arms 120 form bearing surfaces that support rotatable movement of the attractor 118 relative to the mount 116 about a central longitudinal axis of the attractor 118 (i.e. the axis extending between the distal ends 122 of the attachment arms 120). In some forms the circumferential side wall comprises a plurality of sidewalls connected at the grooves 132 wherein the grooves are in the form of joints between these sidewalls. The plurality of side walls form a tubular cavity that, with end walls, define the interior cavity and comprise the attractor.

When the attractor 118 is secured to the attachment arms 120, the circular discs 124 are located within the cavity 126 and bear against the inner surfaces of the end walls 130. This restricts axial movement of the attractor 118 between the attachment arms 120 (i.e. it limits movement of the attractor 118 to rotational movement) and prevents the attractor 118 from unintentionally disengaging from the attachment arms 120 (e.g. by sliding off the attachment arms 120).

The walls 128, 130 of the attractor 118 are transparent. The interior cavity contains a plurality of attractor elements, in the form of attractive balls 136, which are visible through the transparent walls 128, 130. Rotation of the attractor 118 relative to the mount causes these balls 136 to collide with one another and with the inner-surfaces of the attractor 118 walls 128, 130. This movement of the balls 136 is facilitated by friction between the sidewall 128 and the balls 136, and by two longitudinal ridges 138 extending between the end walls 130 along the internal surface of the sidewall 128. The collisions produce a rattle-like noise that provides an auditory stimulus, while the colour and movement of the balls 136 provide a visual stimulus. In use, these stimuli attract the attention of a subject to the attractor 118. While holding the device 112 a user can spin the attractor 118 with their finger to attract the attention of the subject (e.g. child, baby or pet). Once the subject is looking at the attractor 118 (and appearing to look at the lens 114 of the device 112), the user can take a photograph of the subject using the camera. Due to the rotational inertia of the attractor 118, it continues to spin for an extended period of time (e.g. 1 to 3 seconds) after the initial spinning movement has been initiated by the user. Hence, a user does not need to continue to spin the attractor 118 while attempting to take a photograph (i.e. to maintain the attention of the subject). The extended period of spinning time maintains the attention of the subject and thus allows the user to steady and aim the device before taking a photograph of the subject, which may help to avoid blurry or poorly composed photographs.

In the illustrated form, the attractor 118 is detachable from the attachment arms 120 so as to be interchangeable with another attractor of a different type, material, shape, colour, etc. This interchangeability is possible because the attractor 118 is formed of first and second separable halves. That the attractor 118 can be opened by separation of the halves means that the balls 136 can be replaced with another type of attractor element (e.g. miniature models such as animals, small cubes, flakes, and other attractive material that engages the eye)

The mount 116 mounts the attachment 110 to the device 112 (e.g. the mobile phone) by way of a clamp assembly having laterally moveable first 138a and second 138b clamping arms. In use, the device 112 is positioned between the clamping arms 138a, 138b, which can move towards one another to clamp the device 112 (thereby securing the attachment 110 to the device 112). This clamping of the device 112 is assisted by clamping projections 140 located at the distal end of each clamping arm 138a, 138b. The projections 140 are formed of a softer material (e.g. rubber or silicone) than the remainder of the clamping arms 138a, 138b to provide improved grip and to avoid damage being caused to the device 112 by the clamp assembly when the device 112 is clamped. The projections 140 are tapered away from the distal ends of the clamping arms 138a, 138b to restrict movement of the device 112 away from the mount 116 when clamped. The further grip provided by the projections 140 may ensure that the attachment 110 is not separated from the device 112 when e.g. the attractor 118 is being spun by a user.

The clamping arms 138a, 138b comprise corresponding first 142a and second 142b guide portions extending generally perpendicularly from the clamping arms 138a, 138b. The guide portions 142a, 142b are both in the form of U-shaped channels. The second guide portion 142b is received in the first guide portion 142a so as to be slideably mounted within the first guide portion 142a (i.e. in a telescoping arrangement) along a lateral axis (i.e. the direction of clamping) of the mount 116.

Each guide portion 142a, 142b comprises a hook member 144. A biasing member, in the form of a tension spring 146 (in other embodiments the biasing member may be a rubber band), is attached at each end to one of the hook members 144. The bias of the tension spring 146 is such that it urges the hook members 144 towards one another, which in turn urges the guide portions 142a, 142b and the clamping arms 138a, 138b towards one another. In this way, the tension spring 146 provides the force required to retain the device 112 between the clamping arms 138a, 138b.

In the illustrated embodiment, the attractor 118 is adapted such that it will remain in a selected position with respect to the device 112 when mounted on the device. Lateral movement of the clamping arms 138a, 138b does not generally affect the positioning of the attractor 118 in relation to the attachment 110. In the illustrated form the attractor is adapted to remain in a centralised position with respect to the device 112 when mounted. That is, the attractor 118 remains generally centrally positioned laterally with respect to the device 112 when the clamping arms 138a, 138b are moved (i.e. to vary the gap between the clamping arms 138a, 138b for mounting to devices 112 of various dimensions). To provide this centralisation of the attractor 116, the attachment arms 120 are supported on the mount 116 by a floating platform 148. The floating platform 148 is mounted across the open sides of the generally U-shaped guide portions 142a, 142b. This mounting of the platform 148 is such that it is able to float laterally (i.e. being generally restricted except for along the lateral axis) with respect to the guide portions 142a, 142b. In one embodiment, although not apparent from the Figures, the guide portions 142a, 142b comprise internal abutment ridges, and the floating platform 148 comprises corresponding external abutment ridges (located at an end of, and partway along the platform 148). When the clamping arms 138a, 138b are fully extended, these abutment ridges abut against one another so as to limit lateral movement of the floating platform 148, thereby holding the platform 148 in a central position relative to the clamping arms 138a, 138b. In other embodiments the location of these ridges may be adapted so as to position the platform 148 off-centre (i.e. so as to be especially suited to devices 112 having lenses that are not centrally located). In other embodiments the attractor is manually moveable with respect to the device so that a user can position the attractor as best suits their needs.

Variations and modifications may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the disclosure.

For example, the movement of the attractor may not be a rotation movement. The attractor may instead be slideably moveable. The attachment arms may be connected and a series of rings may be located on the arms so as to be slideable from one end to the other. The attractor may be suspended on a single attachment arm to sway with respect to the arm in response to contact or movement of the device. Alternatively, the attractor may be mounted to the attachment arms or mount by a flexible and/or elastic member so that pulling the attractor away from the mount and letting go causes it to rebound back towards the mount or bounce around so as to provide a visual and/or auditory stimulus.

The attractor may take various forms. In the illustrated embodiment the attractor is a barrel having a cavity, but in other forms the attractor may be in the shape of a cube, a sphere, a bone (e.g. for a dog) or other novelty item that may or may not contain a cavity or transparent walls. The auditory stimulus of the attractor may come from some other mechanism than colliding balls. For example, the attractor may be in the form of a "squeaky toy" that emits a high pitched squeaking sound to attract the attention of a subject.

In the illustrated embodiment the entire attractor is transparent. In other

embodiments, some or wall of the walls of the attractor may be opaque. The opaque walls may be a high contrast colour to enhance the visual attention attracting capabilities of the attractor. For example, half of the attractor may be transparent and the other half may be a high contrast colour. This may create an attention attracting visual effect when the attractor is e.g. spun.

The interior of the attractor may have more (e.g. four) or less ridges to agitate, or facilitate collisions between, the balls. Other features may be used in the interior of the attractor to facilitate collisions upon movement of the attractor. In some embodiments, moveable blades may be located within the walls of the attractor. These may be rotated or moved rather than the entire attractor in order to facilitate collisions.

The attractor elements of the illustrated embodiments are spherical coloured balls, but in other embodiments may take various other shapes. For example, the attractor elements may be diamond shaped and may be reflective or refractive so as to further enhance the visual attraction of the attractor.

In some forms the attractor includes means of retaining the attention of the subject for a period of time after the attractor has been activated or moved initially. In some forms the attractor attracts attention when actuated through a change in state of a visual or auditory feature of the attractor and the attractor is configured such that the change in state is ongoing after actuation of the attractor. In the illustrated form, the barrel will rotate for a time after initial movement by the user. In alternative embodiments the attractor may continue to sway, may move in response to air movement, may continue to make a noise. In some forms the attractor includes lights and sounds which continue after the initial movement.

As set forth above, the attractor may be interchangeable. The mechanism for interchanging the attractor is not limited to forming the attractor in separable halves. For example, the mechanism may instead comprise a clipping arrangement, whereby the attractor is clipped between the attachment arms, or directly to the floating platform or mount. The mount itself may not be a clamping assembly. It may alternatively be in the form of a suction member that enables mounting of the attachment to a device by creating a negative fluid pressure between the suction member and a surface of the device.

In some forms the attention attracting assembly may be fitted to any camera device.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding summary except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprising" is used in the sense of "including", that is, the features as above may be associated with further features in various embodiments.