Back Panel for a Portable Electronic Device with Different Camera Lens Options

• US 20120147193A1
• Filed: 12/09/2010
• Published: 06/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Tsai, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 8,638,369 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/164
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0264 for a camera module assembly

Abstract

A portable electronic device includes a digital imaging subsystem with a lens having an optical axis. A case encloses and supports the digital imaging subsystem in a first defined positional relationship to the case. A removable panel is coupled to the case and held in a second defined positional relationship to the case that covers the digital imaging subsystem without the removable panel being directly connected to the digital imaging subsystem. An optical component is supported by the removable panel such that the optical component is aligned with the optical axis and alters optical characteristics of the digital imaging subsystem. The device may include a power supply and an electronic control system coupled to the digital imaging subsystem and the power supply enclosed in and supported by the case. Electrical connectors may couple the power supply and the electronic control system to an electrical component on the removable panel.

Claims

1. A portable electronic device comprising:

a digital imaging subsystem that includes a lens having an optical axis;

a case that encloses and supports the digital imaging subsystem in a first defined positional relationship to the case;

a removable panel coupled to the case, the removable panel being held by the case in a second defined positional relationship to the case that covers the digital imaging subsystem without the removable panel being directly connected to the digital imaging subsystem; and

an optical component supported by the removable panel such that the optical component is aligned with the optical axis and alters optical characteristics of the digital imaging subsystem.

2. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the optical component is an infrared (IR) cut filter that reduces the transmission of infrared light to the digital imaging subsystem.

3. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the optical component is a close up lens that reduces the minimum focal distance of the digital imaging subsystem.

4. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the optical component is a lens baffle that reduces the transmission of extraneous light to the digital imaging subsystem.

5. The portable electronic device of claim 1, further comprising:

a power supply;

an electronic control system coupled to the digital imaging subsystem and the power supply;

a first electrical connector coupled to the power supply and the electronic control system;

wherein the power supply, the electronic control system, and the electrical connector are enclosed in and supported by the case; and

wherein the removable panel includes

a second electrical connector that is coupled to the first electrical connector when the removable panel is coupled to the case, and

an electrical component that is coupled to the second electrical connector.

6. The portable electronic device of claim 5, wherein the optical component is an optical image stabilizer and the electrical component is an interface that couples the optical image stabilizer to control signals from the electronic control system and power from the power supply.

7. The portable electronic device of claim 5, wherein the optical component is an optical zoom assembly that adjusts the focal length of the digital imaging subsystem and the electrical component is an interface that couples the optical zoom assembly to control signals from the electronic control system and power from the power supply.

8. The portable electronic device of claim 5, wherein the optical component is a mechanical shutter that controls admission of light to the digital imaging subsystem and the electrical component is an interface that couples the mechanical shutter to control signals from the electronic control system and power from the power supply.

9. The portable electronic device of claim 5, further comprising a stroboscopic flash supported by the removable panel, wherein the electrical component is an interface that couples the stroboscopic flash to control signals from the electronic control system and power from the power supply.

10. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the removable panel can be selectively held by the case in the second defined positional relationship to the case and a third defined positional relationship to the case, wherein the second and third defined positional relationships provide different optical characteristics of the digital imaging subsystem.

11. The portable electronic device of claim 10, wherein one positional relationship of the removable panel provides unaltered optical characteristics of the digital imaging subsystem.

12. A portable electronic device comprising:

a first means for acquiring a digital image that includes a lens having an optical axis;

a second means for enclosing and supporting the first means in a first defined position;

a third means for removably covering the first means that is held in a second defined position by the second means without the third means being directly connected to the first means; and

a fourth means for altering optical characteristics of the first means, the fourth means supported by the third means such that the fourth means is aligned with the optical axis.

13. The portable electronic device of claim 12, wherein the fourth means is for reducing the transmission of infrared (IR) light to the first means.

14. The portable electronic device of claim 12, wherein the fourth means is for reducing the minimum focal distance of the digital imaging subsystem.

15. The portable electronic device of claim 12, wherein the fourth means is for reducing the transmission of extraneous light to the digital imaging subsystem.

16. The portable electronic device of claim 12, further comprising:

a fifth means for supplying power;

a sixth means for providing electronic control signals to the first means;

a seventh means for coupling the fifth means and the sixth means to the third means.

17. The portable electronic device of claim 16, wherein the fourth means is for optically stabilizing an image formed in the first means, the fourth means coupled to the seventh means to receive control signals from the sixth means and power from the fifth means.

18. The portable electronic device of claim 16, wherein the fourth means is for adjusting the focal length of the first means, the fourth means coupled to the seventh means to receive control signals from the sixth means and power from the fifth means.

19. The portable electronic device of claim 16, wherein the fourth means is for controlling admission of light to the first means, the fourth means coupled to the seventh means to receive control signals from the sixth means and power from the fifth means.

20. The portable electronic device of claim 16, further comprising an eighth means for momentarily illuminating a subject, the eighth means supported by the third means, the eighth means coupled to the seventh means to receive control signals from the sixth means and power from the fifth means.

21. The portable electronic device of claim 12, wherein the third means can be selectively held by the second means in the second defined position and a third defined position, wherein the second and third defined positions provide different optical characteristics of the first means.

22. The portable electronic device of claim 21, wherein one positional relationship of the third means provides unaltered optical characteristics of the first means.

23. A method of assembling a portable electronic device, the method comprising:

providing a case;

assembling a digital imaging subsystem to the case in a first defined positional relationship to the case, the digital imaging subsystem including a lens having an optical axis; and

coupling a removable panel to the case to cover the digital imaging subsystem, the removable panel being held by the case in a second defined positional relationship to the case without the removable panel being directly connected to the digital imaging subsystem, the removable panel including an optical component supported by the removable panel such that the optical component is aligned with the optical axis and alters optical characteristics of the digital imaging subsystem.

24. A method of assembling a portable electronic device of claim 23, the method further comprising:

assembling a power supply to the case;

assembling an electronic control system to the case;

coupling the electronic control system to the digital imaging subsystem and the power supply;

assembling a first electrical connector to the case;

coupling the first electrical connector to the power supply and the electronic control system;

assembling a second electrical connector to the removable panel;

assembling an electrical component to the removable panel;

coupling the second electrical connector to the first electrical connector by coupling the removable panel to the case.