Optical redirection adapter

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9696612-B2
Application number	US-201615082393-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 28, 2016
Priority date	Feb 20, 2013
Publication date	Jul 4, 2017
Grant date	Jul 4, 2017

Abstract

An optical redirection adapter for an electronic device having a camera includes a housing and an optical element. The optical element is attached to the housing and positioned such that, when the adapter is attached the electronic device, the optical element is positioned in the camera's field of view. The optical element reflects light in the camera's field of view from a redirection angle that is offset from the camera's field of view. The optical redirection adapter facilitates ergonomically sound use of the camera.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An optical redirection adapter, comprising:
a housing having an opening shaped to correspond to an outer shape of an electronic device; and
an optical element attached to the housing and positioned such that, when the electronic device is in the opening, the optical element is positioned in a field of view of a camera of the electronic device, and the optical element reflects light into the camera's field of view from a redirection angle of approximately 90 degrees;
wherein the optical element comprises a prism, mirror, lens, or any combination thereof; and
wherein the optical element is positioned such that, when the electronic device is positioned in the opening, the optical element reflects light from an illumination element of the electronic device at a redirection angle of approximately 90 degrees.

2. The optical redirection adapter according to claim 1 , wherein the housing attaches to the electronic device via a positive latch.

3. The optical redirection adapter according to claim 1 , comprising a shock-resistant surface on the exterior of the housing.

4. The optical redirection adapter according to claim 1 , wherein, when the electronic device is in the opening, the optical element reflects light into the camera's field of view from a location along the electronic device's width that is different from the location of the camera's field of view along the electronic device's width.

5. The optical redirection adapter according to claim 1 , wherein the optical element is positioned in the housing such that, when the electronic device is in the opening, the optical element is immediately adjacent the camera's external components.

6. The optical redirection adapter according to claim 1 , wherein:
the housing attaches to the electronic device via a friction fit between the housing and the electronic device; and
the housing comprises a notch for adjusting the strength of the friction fit between the housing and the electronic device.

7. The optical redirection adapter according to claim 1 , wherein, when the electronic device is in the opening, the optical element reflects light into the camera's field of view such that a reflected image is not flipped or rotated.

8. An optical redirection adapter, comprising:
a housing having an opening shaped to correspond to an outer shape of an electronic device; and
an optical element attached to the housing and positioned such that, when the electronic device is in the opening, the optical element is positioned in a field of view of a camera of the electronic device and the optical element reflects light into the camera's field of view from a redirection angle of approximately 90 degrees;
wherein the optical element comprises a combination of prisms, mirrors, and/or lenses; and
wherein the optical element is positioned such that, when the electronic device is in the opening, the optical element reflects light from an illumination element of the electronic device at a redirection angle of approximately 90 degrees.

9. The optical redirection adapter according to claim 8 , wherein, when the electronic device is in the opening, the optical element reflects light into the camera's field of view from the center of the electronic device's width.

10. The optical redirection adapter according to claim 8 , wherein:
the housing attaches to the electronic device via a friction fit between the housing and the electronic device; and
the housing comprises a notch for adjusting the strength of the friction fit between the housing and the electronic device.

11. The optical redirection adapter according to claim 8 , wherein the housing attaches to the electronic device via a positive latch.

12. The optical redirection adapter according to claim 8 , comprising a rubber surface on the exterior of the housing.

13. The optical redirection adapter according to claim 8 , wherein, when the electronic device is in the opening, the optical element reflects light into the camera's field of view such that a reflected image is not flipped or rotated.

14. An optical redirection adapter, comprising:
a housing having an electronic device receiving opening;
an optical element in the housing and positioned such that, when the adapter is attached to an electronic device, the optical element is positioned in a field of view of a camera of the electronic device, the optical element reflects light into the camera's field of view from a redirection angle of approximately 90 degrees, and the optical element reflects light from an illumination element of the electronic device at a redirection angle of approximately 90 degrees; and
wherein the optical element comprises a prism, mirror, lens, or any combination thereof.

15. The optical redirection adapter according to claim 14 , wherein:
when the adapter is attached to the electronic device, the optical element reflects light into the camera's field of view from a location along a width of the electronic device that is different from the location of the camera's field of view along the electronic device's width.

16. The optical redirection adapter according to claim 14 , wherein, when the adapter is attached to the electronic device, the optical element reflects light into a field of view of a camera of the electronic device from a redirection angle that is offset from the camera's field of view.

17. The optical redirection adapter according to claim 14 , wherein the optical element is positioned in the housing such that, when the adapter is attached to the electronic device, the optical element is immediately adjacent the illumination element.

18. The optical redirection adapter according to claim 14 , when the electronic device is in the electronic device receiving opening, the optical element reflects light into the camera's field of view such that a reflected image is not flipped or rotated.

19. The optical redirection adapter according to claim 14 , wherein the housing attaches to the electronic device via a positive latch.

Assignees

• Hand Held Prod Inc

Inventors

• Anderson Donald

Classifications

• G03B17/565 Primary

  Optical accessories, e.g. converters for close-up photography, tele-convertors, wide-angle convertors · CPC title

• G03B17/17

  with reflectors arranged in beam forming the photographic image, e.g. for reducing dimensions of camera · CPC title

• G02B17/008

  Systems specially adapted to form image relays or chained systems · CPC title

• F21V7/0008

  providing for indirect lighting · CPC title

• H04N23/55

  Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof · CPC title