Mobile terminal device comprising vibrating component having light effects

Abstract

Mobile phones use light signaling or vibrational effects to silently indicate to a user that e.g. a telephone call is incoming. The present invention provides a method, a component for generating vibrational effects combined with light effects and a mobile device implementing this component. The generation of the light effects is obtained from at least one light emitter ( 200, 201 ) having at least one light path ( 300 ), wherein said at least one light emitter ( 200, 201 ) is disposed relative to said mass ( 100 ) such that said mass ( 100 ) periodically blocks said light path ( 300 ) while moving, for generating light effects.

1 . Apparatus, comprising:
 a mass moveably mounted in said apparatus, and   a driver associated with said mass for driving said mass, thereby generating vibration effects, wherein said apparatus further comprises:   at least one light emitter having at least one light path, wherein said at least one light emitter is disposed relative to said mass in such way that said mass periodically blocks said light path while moving, for generating light effects combined with said vibration effects.   
   
   
       2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said mass is mounted on an eccentric pivot and said driver is for rotating said mass on said pivot. 
   
   
       3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one light emitter is a light emitting diode. 
   
   
       4 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one light emitter is adaptable to emit light of different colors. 
   
   
       5 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least an area of a surface of said mass reflects light, refracts light, is structured and/or is colored. 
   
   
       6 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said mass has a semi-cylindrical or a hemispherical shape. 
   
   
       7 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least said mass and said at least one light emitter are accommodated in a housing, wherein said housing comprises at least one translucent area arranged within said at least one light path. 
   
   
       8 . Apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said translucent area is at least partially transparent and/or at least partially opaque. 
   
   
       9 . Apparatus comprising:
 a mass moveably mounted in said component, and   a driver for driving said mass for generating vibrational effects,   
     said apparatus further comprising:
 at least one light emitter each having at least one light path for observation, 
 
     wherein said at least one light emitter is disposed relative to said mass in such way that said mass periodically blocks said light path while moving, for generating light effects combined with said vibrational effects. 
   
   
       10 . Apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said mobile terminal has a housing containing said component, wherein said housing has at least one translucent area arranged within said at least one light path. 
   
   
       11 . Apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said apparatus is a mobile phone. 
   
   
       12 . Apparatus containing a component for generating vibrational effects combined with light effects according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       13 . Method, comprising:
 moving a mass for generating vibrational effects, and   blocking a light path by said moving mass for generating light effects combined with said vibrational effects.   
   
   
       14 . Method according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 periodically driving said mass and   periodically blocking said light path.   
   
   
       15 . Method according to  claim 13 , wherein said moving comprises:
 rotating said mass on an eccentric pivot for generating said vibrational effects.   
   
   
       16 . Method according to  claim 13 , comprising flashing said at least one light path. 
   
   
       17 . Method according to  claim 13 , wherein the generated light effect is used in games and/or music listening and/or call alarms. 
   
   
       18 . Apparatus, comprising:
 mass means for being moveably mounted in said apparatus;   driver means for driving said mass means for generating vibration effects;   emitter means disposing relative to said mass means for periodically blocking a light path of said emitter while moving, for generating light effects combined with said vibration effects.   
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said mass means is mounted on an electric pivot and said driver is for rotating said mass means on said pivot. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said emitter means comprises a light emitting diode.