Housing with light source and spacer for mobile device imaging
A housing includes an attachment mechanism, a light source including at least one light distributed around a first surface, and a spacer extending from the first surface by a first distance to maintain a fixed focal distance between a camera of a mobile device and an object to be imaged, the spacer forming at least a partially enclosed light shield that blocks external light.
1 . A housing, comprising:
an attachment mechanism directly attachable to a mobile device;
a light source comprising a plurality of lights evenly distributed in a circular pattern around a first surface of a substrate, the substrate coupled to the attachment mechanism and defining an opening configured to align with a camera of the mobile device without directly contacting a lens of the camera; and
a spacer extending from the first surface by a first distance to maintain a fixed focal distance between a camera of a mobile device and an object to be imaged, the spacer forming at least a partially enclosed light shield that blocks external light.
2 . The housing of claim 1 , wherein an interior surface of the spacer has a non-reflective material.
3 . The housing of claim 1 , wherein the first distance of the spacer is adjustable to accommodate different focal distances.
4 . The housing of claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a magnetic attachment element.
5 . The housing of claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a clip-on mechanism.
6 . The housing of claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a cutout to slide the housing onto the mobile device.
7 . The housing of claim 1 , further comprising a wireless charging element coupled to the attachment mechanism.
8 . The housing of claim 7 , wherein the wireless charging element draws power from the mobile device to power the light source.
9 . The housing of claim 1 , wherein the spacer includes a spacer ring.
10 . The housing of claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises a plurality of discrete LED lights distributed evenly around the first surface to provide uniform illumination.
11 . A method, comprising:
directly attaching a housing to a mobile device, the housing comprising:
an attachment mechanism;
a light source comprising a plurality of lights evenly distributed in a circular pattern around a first surface of a substrate, the substrate coupled to the attachment mechanism and defining an opening configured to align with a camera of the mobile device without directly contacting a lens of the camera; and
a spacer extending from the first surface by a first distance to maintain a fixed focal distance between a camera of the mobile device and an object to be imaged, the spacer forming at least a partially enclosed light shield that blocks external light.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein an interior surface of the spacer has a non-reflective material.
13 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising adjusting the first distance of the spacer to accommodate a different focal distance.
14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a magnetic attachment element.
15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a clip-on mechanism.
16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a cutout to slide the housing onto the mobile device.
17 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising wireless charging the light source via a wireless charging element coupled to the attachment mechanism.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the wireless charging element draws power from the mobile device to power the light source.
19 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the spacer includes a spacer ring.
20 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the light source comprises a plurality of discrete LED lights distributed evenly around the first surface to provide uniform illumination.