IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,453,516
Granted Patent B2
US 7,453,516 · App. 10/455,283 · Granted Nov 18, 2008

Flexible camera lens barrel

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,453,516
App. No.
10/455,283
Granted
Nov 18, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A compact flexible camera lens barrel designed for use with mobile telephones. The lens barrel may be used separately or in conjunction with a camera housing. The lens barrel is designed for use with a variety of different components including cover glass, cover plastics, flanges, gaskets and the like. The components do not affect the original z-height of the lens barrel.

Claims (32)

1. A flexible camera lens barrel, comprising:

(a) a top portion comprising a top surface and a first edge protruding upwardly from the top surface and configured to receive a transparent component the first edge defining an upper-most region of a finished lens system including the lens barrel;

(b) a body portion joined to a bottom surface of the top portion for attachment to a camera, wherein the top portion and the body portion define a fixed height of the lens barrel; and

(c) the transparent component disposed over the top surface of the top portion so that a top surface of the transparent component is not above the first edge.

2. A flexible camera lens barrel as recited in claim 1 , wherein the transparent component comprises a cover glass.

3. A flexible camera lens barrel as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a flange configured to engage the top surface of the top portion of the lens barrel and including an aperture for receiving the transparent component.

4. A flexible camera lens barrel as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a gasket configured to engage the top surface of the top portion of the lens barrel and including an aperture for receiving the transparent component.

5. A flexible camera lens barrel as recited in claim 1 , wherein the top portion of the flexible camera lens barrel further comprises a second edge.

6. A flexible camera lens barrel as recited in claim 1 , wherein the top portion of the flexible camera lens barrel further comprises a third edge.

7. A flexible camera lens barrel as recited in claim 1 , wherein the top portion of the flexible camera lens barrel further comprises a fourth edge.

8. A flexible camera lens barrel as recited in claim 5 , wherein the top portion of the flexible camera lens barrel further comprises a third edge.

9. A flexible camera lens barrel as recited in claim 8 , wherein the top portion of the flexible camera lens barrel further comprises a fourth edge.

10. A flexible camera lens barrel as recited in claim 9 , wherein the first edge is adjacent to the second edge, the second edge is adjacent to the third edge, and the third edge is adjacent to the fourth edge to define a thread for attaching a flange to the top portion of the flexible camera lens barrel, and the flange is configured to engage the top surface of the top portion of the lens barrel and includes an aperture for receiving the transparent component.

11. A flexible camera lens barrel as recited in claim 9 , wherein the first edge is adjacent to the second edge, the second edge is adjacent to the third edge, and the third edge is adjacent to the fourth edge to define a groove for attaching a cover glass, as the transparent component, to the top portion of the flexible camera lens barrel.

12. A flexible camera lens barrel as recited in claim 9 , wherein the first edge is adjacent to the second edge, the second edge is adjacent to the third edge, and the third edge is adjacent to the fourth edge to define a thread for receiving a gasket to the top portion of the flexible camera lens barrel and the gasket is configured to engage the top surface of the top portion of the lens barrel and includes an aperture for receiving the transparent component.

13. A camera for a mobile telephone, comprising:

(a) a camera housing;

(b) a lens barrel attached to the camera housing, the lens barrel comprising a top portion comprising a top surface and a first edge protruding upwardly from the top surface configured to receive a transparent component the first edge defining an upper-most region of a finished lens system including the lens barrel; and

(c) a body portion attached to a bottom surface of the top portion, wherein the top portion and body portion define a fixed height of the lens barrel;

(d) a lens disposed in the lens barrel; and

(e) the transparent component disposed over the top portion so that a top surface of the transparent component is not above the first edge.

14. A flexible camera lens barrel as recited in claim 13 , wherein the transparent component comprises a cover glass.

15. A flexible camera lens barrel as recited in claim 13 , further comprising a flange configured to engage the top surface of the top portion of the lens barrel and including an aperture for receiving the transparent component.

16. A flexible camera lens barrel as recited in claim 13 , further comprising a gasket configured to engage the top surface of the top portion of the lens barrel and including an aperture for receiving the transparent component.

17. A flexible camera lens barrel as recited in claim 13 , wherein the top portion of the flexible camera lens barrel further comprises a second edge.

18. A flexible camera lens barrel as recited in claim 13 , wherein the top portion of the flexible camera lens barrel further comprises a third edge.

19. A flexible camera lens barrel as recited in claim 13 , wherein the top portion of the flexible camera lens barrel further comprises a fourth edge.

20. A flexible camera lens barrel as recited in claim 17 , wherein the top portion of the flexible camera lens barrel further comprises a third edge.

21. A flexible camera lens barrel as recited in claim 20 , wherein the top portion of the flexible camera lens barrel further comprises a fourth edge.

22. A flexible camera lens barrel as recited in claim 19 , wherein the first edge is adjacent to the second edge, the second edge is adjacent to the third edge, and the third edge is adjacent to the fourth edge to define a thread for attaching a flange to the top portion of the flexible camera lens barrel, and the flange is configured to engage the top surface of the top portion of the lens barrel and includes an aperture for receiving the transparent component.

23. A flexible camera lens barrel as recited in claim 19 , wherein the first edge is adjacent to the second edge, the second edge is adjacent to the third edge, and the third edge is adjacent to the fourth edge to define a groove for attaching a cover glass at the transparent component, to the top portion of the flexible camera lens barrel.

24. A flexible camera lens barrel as recited in claim 19 , wherein the first edge is adjacent to the second edge, the second edge is adjacent to the third edge, and the third edge is adjacent to the fourth edge to define a thread for receiving a gasket to the top portion of the flexible camera lens barrel and the gasket is configured to engage the top surface of the top portion of the lens barrel and includes an aperture for receiving the transparent component.

Assignments (1)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 017206 FRAME: 0666. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded May 6, 2016
From: AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 038632/0662 →