Optical adapters for mobile devices with a camera
First Claim
1. An optical adapter for use with a mobile device having a display on the front of the mobile device and a camera lens on the back of the mobile device, the optical adapter comprising,a) an top mirror positioned to reflect light coming from the front of the mobile device,b) a bottom mirror positioned to reflect light coming from the top mirror to the camera lens, andc) a housing enclosing the top mirror and the bottom mirror and holding the top mirror and the bottom mirror in place relative to each other a first predetermined top angle for the top mirror and a second predetermined angle for the bottom mirror,wherein the bottom mirror about the same size as the camera lens,wherein the top mirror is larger than the camera lens,wherein the housing is configured to attach to the mobile device and position the optical adapter in a predetermined location relative to the camera lens,whereby one or more objects located on the front side of the mobile device,which is opposite from the side having the camera, lens is visually captured by a digital camera chip sensor in the mobile device creating a digital image.
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Abstract
Portable, mobile, lightweight, removable, low cost, easy to manufacture, easy to ship, easy to transport, easy to store, and easy to use optical adapters that provides an effective means of videoconferencing over a mobile phone or other mobile device with a camera. Embodiments include landscape and portrait adapters that can be easily applied, used and removed while maintaining a professional and aesthetic appearance. Small mirrors within the optical adapter allow light from the front of the mobile device to enter the adapter and be conditioned and redirected into the built-in lens of the camera on the back of the mobile device. Novel embodiments include a lens reverser and/or a re-lens. Optical adapters also provide for self-imaging or surveillance. Various protective cases and adapter embodiments are configured to match specific mobile devices.
163 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An optical adapter for use with a mobile device having a display on the front of the mobile device and a camera lens on the back of the mobile device, the optical adapter comprising,
a) an top mirror positioned to reflect light coming from the front of the mobile device, b) a bottom mirror positioned to reflect light coming from the top mirror to the camera lens, and c) a housing enclosing the top mirror and the bottom mirror and holding the top mirror and the bottom mirror in place relative to each other a first predetermined top angle for the top mirror and a second predetermined angle for the bottom mirror, wherein the bottom mirror about the same size as the camera lens, wherein the top mirror is larger than the camera lens, wherein the housing is configured to attach to the mobile device and position the optical adapter in a predetermined location relative to the camera lens, whereby one or more objects located on the front side of the mobile device, which is opposite from the side having the camera, lens is visually captured by a digital camera chip sensor in the mobile device creating a digital image.
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23. A method of videoconferencing using a mobile device having a display on one side of the mobile device and having a camera lens on an opposite side as the display side, wherein the mobile device is configured to capture video from rays of light that enter the camera lens, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) providing an optical adapter configured to mount on the mobile device, said optical adapter comprising; i) a re-lens configured to be in line with the camera lens, ii) a top mirror positioned to reflect light coming from the display side of the mobile device, iii) a bottom mirror positioned to reflect light coming from the top mirror to the camera lens through the re-lens, iv) a housing enclosing the top mirror, the bottom mirror, and the re-lens, wherein the housing holds the top mirror, the bottom mirror, and the re-lens in place relative to each other, b) providing a computer program to be run on a processor in the mobile device, c) executing the computer program to repeat the following substeps; i) capturing a frame of video from the rays of light originating from a person on the display side of the mobile device, ii) transmitting the frame of video over a network, whereby the person views the video being captured on the display.
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24. A protective cover for a mobile device and an optical adapter,
wherein the optical adapter is configured reflect light from a display side of the mobile device to a camera lens on the opposite side of the mobile device, wherein the protective cover is configured to cover at least a portion of the mobile device, and wherein the protective cover is further configured to cover the optical adapter.
Specification