Auxiliary optical components for mobile devices

• US 9,454,066 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2015
• Issued: 09/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Portero Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Olloclip, LLC
• Inventors: O'Neill, Patrick D., Pak, Chong, Cantor, Joshua, Patrick, Jason, Arato, Daniel, Nguyen, Ryan, O'Neill, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Hernndez Hernndez, Nelson D.
• Application Number:
  US14/743,593
• Publication Number:
  US 20150370150A1
• Time in Patent Office: 467 Days
• 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 15/10 by adding a part, e.g. close-up attachment
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/021 for more than one lens
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/14 adapted to interchange lenses G02B7/027 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/56 Accessories carrying-cases A45C11/38
• 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 1/21 Combinations with auxiliary equipment, e.g. with clocks or memoranda pads
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof

Abstract

A multi-lens system can be configured to be selectively attachable to a mobile electronic device having a user-facing onboard camera lens and an outward-facing onboard camera lens. The multi-lens system can attach to the mobile electronic device in at least a first position and a second position. The first lens component in the first position is configured to be in optical alignment with the user-facing onboard camera lens and simultaneously the second lens component is configured to be in optical alignment with the outward-facing onboard camera lens. The first lens component in the second position is configured to be in optical alignment with the outward-facing onboard camera lens and simultaneously the second lens component is configured to be in optical alignment with the user-facing onboard camera lens. A portable attachment accessory can be configured to be selectively attachable to a lens system that is configured to receive a portion of a mobile electronic device.

Claims

1. A multi-lens system configured to be selectively attachable to a mobile electronic device having a user-facing onboard camera lens and an outward-facing onboard camera lens, the multi-lens system comprising:

a lens mounting portion;

a first lens component mounted to or configured to be mounted to the lens mounting portion; and

a second lens component mounted to or configured to be mounted to the lens mounting portion;

wherein the multi-lens system is configured to be selectively attachable to the mobile electronic device in at least a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the first lens component is configured to be in optical alignment with the user-facing onboard camera lens and simultaneously the second lens component is configured to be in optical alignment with the outward-facing onboard camera lens, and wherein in the second position the first lens component is configured to be in optical alignment with the outward-facing onboard camera lens and simultaneously the second lens component is configured to be in optical alignment with the user-facing onboard camera lens.

2. The combination of the multi-lens system of claim 1 and the mobile electronic device.

3. The multi-lens system of claim 1, wherein the first and second lens components each comprise optical axes that are generally parallel to each other when mounted to the lens mounting portion.

4. The multi-lens system of claim 3, wherein the optical axis of the first lens component is spaced away from the optical axis of the second lens component.

5. The multi-lens system of claim 1, wherein the mounting portion is configured to extend less than the entire distance across the top portion of the mobile electronic device when attached to the mobile electronic device.

6. The multi-lens system of claim 1, wherein the mounting portion is configured to provide a secure and snug fit on the mobile electronic device when attached.

7. The multi-lens system of claim 1, wherein the mounting portion is configured to be slide resistant when attached to the mobile electronic device.

8. The multi-lens system of claim 7, wherein the mounting portion is configured to be attached to the mobile electronic device in a single sliding motion, without requiring permanent mounts or dynamic mounts.

9. The multi-lens system of claim 8, wherein the mounting portion is configured to be attached to the mobile electronic device by a friction fit.

10. The multi-lens system of claim 9, wherein at least four different optical capabilities are provided by the optical component.

11. The multi-lens system of claim 1, wherein the multi-lens system is configured to be used with mobile devices of different sizes.

12. The multi-lens system of claim 1, wherein the multi-lens system is configured to be used with mobile devices with different onboard camera locations.

13. The multi-lens system of claim 1, wherein the mounting portion is formed as a unitary component.

14. A combination of two or more multi-lens systems as in claim 1.

15. The combination of claim 14, wherein the two or more multi-lens systems are removably attachable to each other.

16. The combination of claim 15, further comprising at least one auxiliary device.

17. The combination of claim 16, wherein the at least one auxiliary device comprises one or more auxiliary speakers, lens flash, lens mount, filters, or cold shoe.

18. A portable attachment accessory configured to be selectively attachable to a lens system that is configured to receive a portion of a mobile electronic device, the portable attachment accessory comprising:

a first mating portion and a second mating portion, each of the first and second mating portions being configured to couple the portable accessory insert to the lens system, wherein the first mating portion is configured to be coupled with a first alignment portion of the lens system and the second mating portion is configured to be coupled with a second alignment portion of the multi-lens;

a first body portion comprising a support surface;

a second body portion attached to the first body portion; and

a gap comprising first and second sides, wherein the distance between the first and second sides generally corresponds to a thickness of a portion of the mobile electronic device;

wherein the gap is configured to receive the mobile device between at least the first and second sides, and wherein the support surface is configured to support the portable accessory insert and the mobile device in a generally upright position.

19. The combination of the portable attachment accessory of claim 18 and the lens system.

20. The combination of the portable attachment accessory of claim 18 and the mobile electronic device.

21. The portable attachment accessory of claim 18, wherein at least a portion of one of the first and second body portions is made of a slide resistant material.

22. The portable attachment accessory of claim 18, wherein the first body portion and the second body portion are movable with respect to each other.

23. The portable attachment accessory of claim 22, wherein the first body portion and the second body portion are pivotable with respect to each other.

24. The portable attachment accessory of claim 18, further comprising an attachment loop configured to accept one of the following:

a belt, strap of a bag or backpack, a lanyard.