Removable lenses for mobile devices with on-board camera

• US 10,437,137 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2018
• Issued: 10/08/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Portero Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Portero Holdings, LLC
• Inventors: O'Neill, Patrick D., Pak, Chong, Patrick, Jason, Arato, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): LaBalle, Clayton E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chang, Fang-Chi
• Application Number:
  US16/146,528
• Publication Number:
  US 20190033694A1
• Time in Patent Office: 375 Days
• Field of Search: 396529, 348360, 359703
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/021 for more than one lens
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/565 Optical accessories, e.g. converters for close-up photography, tele-convertors, wide-angle convertors
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/566 Accessory clips, holders, shoes to attach accessories to camera if integral part of camera body G03B17/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0264 for a camera module assembly

Abstract

Disclosed in some examples are auxiliary optical systems for removably attaching to mobile devices, including mobile telephones with onboard cameras, to provide enhanced optical features. Some auxiliary optical systems can be configured to attach to multiple different types and sizes of mobile devices. Some auxiliary optical systems can be configured to attach to a mobile device that includes a protruding onboard camera. For example, in some embodiments, a retainer portion of an auxiliary optical system can comprise a region for receiving the protruding onboard camera in a clearance or friction fit.

Claims

1. A multi-lens system for removable attachment to a mobile device, the mobile device having a top portion with a user-facing onboard camera and an outward-facing onboard camera, the multi-lens system comprising:

a retainer portion defining a channel configured to receive the top portion of the mobile device, the retainer portion including a biasing structure within the channel and configured for engagement of the mobile device adjacent at least one of the user-facing onboard camera or the outward-facing onboard camera;

a first lens component connected to the retainer portion and arranged for optical communication with the user-facing onboard camera; and

a second lens component connected to the retainer portion, positioned opposite the first lens component, and arranged for optical communication with the outward-facing onboard camera.

2. The multi-lens system of claim 1, wherein:

the retainer portion comprises;

a first sidewall portion; and

a second sidewall portion separated from the first sidewall portion by the channel;

the first lens component is connected to the first sidewall portion;

the second lens component is connected to the second sidewall portion; and

when the mobile device is received within the channel, the first lens component is in optical communication with the user-facing onboard camera and the second lens component is in optical communication with the outward-facing onboard camera.

3. The multi-lens system of claim 2, wherein:

the retainer portion further comprises a lens mounting portion protruding from the first sidewall portion or the second sidewall portion; and

one of the first lens component or the second lens component is housed at least partially within the lens mounting portion.

4. The multi-lens system of claim 3, wherein:

one of the user-facing onboard camera or the outward-facing onboard camera define a ring that protrudes from a respective face of the mobile device;

at least one of the first sidewall portion or the second sidewall portion defines a recessed feature along an interior surface of the channel; and

the recessed feature is configured to receive the ring of the one of the user-facing onboard camera or the outward-facing onboard camera.

5. The multi-lens system of claim 3, wherein the first sidewall portion and the second sidewall portion contact respective faces of the mobile device when the mobile device is received within the channel.

6. The multi-lens system of claim 5, wherein the biasing structure comprises:

a restraining member configured for contacting the mobile device; and

a spring configured for biasing the restraining member into the channel.

7. The multi-lens system of claim 1, wherein:

the top portion of the mobile device defines a top surface of the mobile device; and

the retainer portion is configured to seat on the top surface of the mobile device.

8. The multi-lens system of claim 7, wherein:

the top portion of the mobile device further defines opposing comers, each of the opposing comers connected to the top surface; and

the retainer portion is configured to extend over a portion of each opposing comer.

9. A lens system for removable attachment to a mobile device having a protruding onboard camera and a secondary onboard camera opposite the protruding onboard camera, the lens system comprising:

a retainer portion, comprising;

a pair of sidewalls configured to receive the mobile device therebetween, a first sidewall defining a recessed feature configured to receive the protruding onboard camera; and

a moveable portion adjacent the recessed feature and moveable to enlarge a distance between at least two portions of the pair of sidewalls, thereby permitting entry of the mobile device between the pair of sidewalls; and

a first lens component coupled to the retainer portion and in optical communication with the protruding onboard camera when the mobile device is received between the pair of sidewalls; and

a second lens component coupled to the retainer portion and in optical communication with the secondary onboard camera when the mobile device is received between the pair of sidewalls.

10. The lens system of claim 9, wherein the moveable portion is biased for engagement with the protruding onboard camera.

11. The lens system of claim 9, wherein the moveable portion maintains contact with one or more surfaces adjacent the protruding onboard camera when the mobile device is received between the pair of sidewalls.

12. The lens system of claim 9, wherein:

the retainer portion defines an opening through the first sidewall aligned with the first lens component; and

the recessed feature defines a guiding structure for directing the protruding onboard camera from an exterior of the retainer portion toward the opening.

13. The lens system of claim 12, wherein the recessed feature encompasses the opening and defines a seat for the protruding onboard camera.

14. The lens system of claim 9, wherein:

the retainer portion comprises;

a first lens mounting portion connected to, and protruding away from, the first sidewall; and

a second lens mounting portion connected to, and protruding away from, a second sidewall;

the first lens component is housed at least partially within the first lens mounting portion; and

the second lens component is housed at least partially within the second lens mounting portion.

15. A multi-lens system for removable attachment to a mobile device having a protruding onboard camera and a secondary onboard camera opposite the protruding onboard camera, the multi-lens system comprising:

a retainer portion having internal opposing surfaces separated by a gap, the internal opposing surfaces each having an opening arranged for alignment with one of the protruding onboard camera or the secondary onboard camera, one of the internal opposing surfaces including a recessed feature adjacent the opening for the receiving the protruding onboard camera, wherein the retainer portion is arranged to flex for entry of the protruding onboard camera between the internal opposing surfaces and into the recessed feature; and

a pair of lens components, each connected to the retainer portion at a respective one of the openings, wherein, when the protruding onboard camera is positioned between the internal opposing surfaces, each lens component of the pair of lens components is in optical communication with a respective one of the protruding onboard camera or the secondary onboard camera of the mobile device.

16. The multi-lens system of claim 15, wherein each of the internal opposing surfaces is configured to contact a face of the mobile device, thereby resisting sliding of the retainer portion away from the mobile device.

17. The multi-lens system of claim 15, wherein each of the pair of lens components is fixed to the retainer portion.

18. The multi-lens system of claim 15, wherein:

the retainer portion comprises;

an upper wall portion;

a first sidewall portion connected to the upper wall portion and defining a first of the internal opposing surfaces; and

a second sidewall portion connected to the upper wall portion and defining a second of the internal opposing surfaces; and

the first sidewall portion and the second sidewall portion arranged to extend over opposing side edges of the mobile device.

19. The multi-lens system of claim 18, wherein each lens component of the pair of lens components defines an arcuate external surface of the multi-lens system.