Lenses for communication devices

• US 9,188,764 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2014
• Issued: 11/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Portero Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Olloclip, LLC
• Inventors: O'Neill, Patrick D.
• Primary Examiner(s): HASAN, MOHAMMED A
• Application Number:
  US14/201,565
• Publication Number:
  US 20140253789A1
• Time in Patent Office: 620 Days
• Field of Search: 359811-827
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 13/001 Miniaturised objectives for electronic devices, e.g. portable telephones, webcams, PDAs, small digital cameras G02B23/243 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 13/02 Telephoto objectives, i.e. systems of the type + - in which the distance from the front vertex to the image plane is less than the equivalent focal length
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 15/10 by adding a part, e.g. close-up attachment
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/002 Mounting on the human body
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/14 adapted to interchange lenses G02B7/027 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/14 interchangeably
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/565 Optical accessories, e.g. converters for close-up photography, tele-convertors, wide-angle convertors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to a lens component having one or more lenses attached to a retainer portion configured to removably attach to communication devices such as mobile phones, tablet computers, media players, and the like. The retainer portion may be configured so as not to interfere with a user'"'"'s view of a display panel of the communication device. In some embodiments, a plurality of lenses may be provided, and the lenses may be removably attached to the retainer portion and may be interchangeable. A structure for providing a flash may also be provided. In some embodiments, additional features may be provided, such as attachment components to facilitate attachment to stability devices, such as tripods, and to user-wearable accessories.

Claims

1. An optical attachment configured to removably attach to a mobile communication device in which there is an onboard camera positioned in an upper middle region on a first face of the mobile communication device, the optical attachment comprising:

a retainer portion configured to be removably attachable to a region of the mobile communication device comprising the onboard camera, the retainer portion comprising a first arm configured to contact the mobile communication device in a middle region along a top edge of the mobile communication device;

the retainer portion comprising a second arm that is separate from the first arm, the second arm configured to contact the mobile communication device in a region along a side of the mobile communication device that is spaced away from a corner of the mobile communication device, the first and second arms comprising hook portions configured to partially overhang onto a second face of the mobile communication device that faces in an opposite direction from the first face of the mobile communication device; and

the retainer portion comprising an intermediate region between the first and second arms, at least a portion of the intermediate region being configured to be positioned near the onboard camera of the mobile communication device when the retainer portion is attached to the mobile communication device; and

an optical portion attached or attachable to the retainer portion in the intermediate region of the retainer portion such that the optical portion is configured to alter light that is received by the onboard camera of the mobile communication device, the optical portion and the retainer portion being separate from the onboard camera of the mobile communication device.

2. A combination of the optical attachment of claim 1 and the mobile communication device.

3. The optical attachment of claim 1 in which the optical portion is a lens.

4. The optical attachment of claim 3 in which the lens is a magnifying lens.

5. The optical attachment of claim 3 in which the lens is a fish-eye lens.

6. The optical attachment of claim 3, in which the lens is a wide-angle lens.

7. The optical attachment of claim 1, in which the optical portion diminishes glare.

8. The optical attachment of claim 1, in which the optical portion filters light.

9. The optical attachment of claim 1, in which the retainer portion is configured to resist sliding when positioned on the mobile communication device.

10. The optical attachment of claim 1, in which the retainer portion is configured to be securely attached to the mobile communication device without requiring dynamic mounts.

11. The optical attachment of claim 1, in which the retainer portion is configured to be securely attached to the mobile communication device without requiring a dynamic mount screw.

12. A method of manufacturing an optical attachment configured to removably attach to a mobile communication device in which there is an onboard camera positioned in a central region on a first face of the mobile communication device, the optical attachment comprising:

providing a retainer portion that is separable from the onboard camera of the mobile communication device, the retainer portion comprising a first arm configured to contact the mobile communication device in a middle region along a top edge of the mobile communication device;

the retainer portion comprising a second arm that is separate from the first arm, the second arm configured to contact the mobile communication device in a region along a side of the mobile communication device that is spaced away from a corner of the mobile communication device, the first and second arms comprising hook portions configured to partially overhang onto a second face of the mobile communication device that faces in an opposite direction from the first face of the mobile communication device; and

the retainer portion comprising an intermediate region between the first and second arms, at least a portion of the intermediate region being configured to be positioned near the onboard camera of the mobile communication device when the retainer portion is attached to the mobile communication device; and

providing an optical portion attached or attachable to the retainer portion in the intermediate region of the retainer portion such that the optical portion is configured to alter light that is received by the onboard camera of the mobile communication device.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing the mobile communication device.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the optical portion is a lens.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the lens is a magnifying lens.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the lens is a fish-eye lens.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the optical portion diminishes glare.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the optical portion filters light.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the retainer portion is configured to resist sliding when positioned on the mobile communication device.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the retainer portion is configured to be securely attached to the mobile communication device without requiring dynamic mounts.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein the retainer portion is configured to be securely attached to the mobile communication device without requiring a dynamic mount screw.