Phone adapter for optical devices

• US 9,411,215 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2015
• Issued: 08/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: FeraDyne Outdoors, LLC
• Original Assignee: FL Archery Holdings LLC
• Inventors: Hunt, Fred H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nazrul, Shahbaz
• Application Number:
  US14/965,179
• Publication Number:
  US 20160097968A1
• Time in Patent Office: 243 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/00 Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 11/045 Lens hoods or shields
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/48 adapted for combination with other photographic or optical apparatus
• 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: H04N 1/00246 with an optical device, e.g. an optical viewing aid
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00307 with a mobile telephone apparatus constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00557 Connection or assembly of components or elements H04N1/00538 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0063 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera

Abstract

An adapter that optically couples a camera on a mobile device to an eye piece of an optical device. The adapter includes a base plate configured to retain the mobile device without obstructing a display screen on the mobile device. The base plate includes an optical interface configured to attach to the eye piece of the optical device. A mounting structure is configured to secure the optical interface to the eye piece of the optical device. The mounting structure includes a high friction interface that prevents rotation of the adapter relative to the eye piece. An adjustment system with threaded micro-adjust mechanisms is configured to move the base plate relative to the optical interface in at least two degrees of freedom to optically couple the camera on the mobile device with an optical axis of the eye piece. Images captured by the optical device are displayed on a viewing screen of the mobile device.

Claims

1. An adapter that facilitates images captured by an optical device to be displayed on a viewing screen of a mobile device, the adapter comprising:

a base plate including a bottom support configured to retain the mobile device without obstructing the viewing screen;

an optical interface attached to the base plate and configured to attach to an eye piece of the optical device;

a first threaded member configured to move the base plate in a transverse direction relative to the optical interface to facilitate optically coupling a camera on the mobile device with an optical axis of the eye piece; and

a second threaded member configured to move the base plate in a longitudinal direction relative to the optical interface to facilitate optically coupling the camera with the optical axis.

2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the optical interface comprises a mounting structure that prevents rotation of the adapter relative to the eye piece.

3. The adapter of claim 2, wherein the mounting structure provides a friction interface with the eye piece that prevents rotation.

4. The adapter of claim 2, wherein the mounting structure comprises a strap that wraps around an outer surface of the eye piece.

5. The adapter of claim 1, further comprising a third threaded member configured to allow the base plate to pivot about the optical interface.

6. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the base plate comprises at least one spring loaded support that compressively engages the mobile device.

7. The adapter of claim 1, wherein a software application is installed on the mobile device to provide at least one of training, education, and coaching for a user.

8. An adapter that facilitates images captured by an optical device to be displayed on a viewing screen of a mobile device, the adapter comprising:

a base plate including a bottom support configured to retain the mobile device without obstructing the viewing screen;

an optical interface attached to the base plate and configured to attach to an eye piece of the optical device;

a first threaded member configured to move the base plate in a first direction relative to the optical interface to facilitate optically coupling a camera on the mobile device with an optical axis of the eye piece; and

a second threaded member configured to move the base plate in a second direction relative to the optical interface to facilitate optically coupling the camera with the optical axis.

9. The adapter of claim 8, wherein the first direction is a longitudinal direction and the second direction is a transverse direction.

10. The adapter of claim 8, wherein the first direction is a longitudinal direction and the second direction is a rotational direction that allows the base plate to pivot about the optical interface.

11. The adapter of claim 8, wherein the first direction is a transverse direction and the second direction is a rotational direction that allows the base plate to pivot about the optical interface.

12. The adapter of claim 8, wherein the optical interface comprises a mounting structure that prevents rotation of the adapter relative to the eye piece.

13. The adapter of claim 12, wherein the mounting structure provides a friction interface with the eye piece that prevents rotation of the adapter.

14. The adapter of claim 12, wherein the mounting structure comprises a strap that wraps around an outer surface of the eye piece.

15. The adapter of claim 8, further comprising a third threaded member configured to allow the base plate to move relative to the optical interface.

16. The adapter of claim 15, wherein the first direction is a longitudinal direction, the second direction is a rotational direction, and the third threaded member allows the base plate to pivot about the optical interface.

17. The adapter of claim 8, wherein the base plate comprises at least one spring loaded support that compressively engages the mobile device.

18. The adapter of claim 8, wherein a software application is installed on the mobile device to provide at least one of training, education, and coaching for a user.

19. The adapter of claim 8, wherein the optical interface comprises a shroud that engages with a rear surface of the mobile device.

20. The adapter of claim 19, wherein a camera lens of the mobile device is aligned with an opening surrounded by the shroud to reduce the amount of ambient light reaching the lens.