Lenses for communication devices
View Patent ↗Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to a lens component having one or more lenses attached to a retainer portion configured to removably attach to communication devices such as mobile phones, tablet computers, media players, and the like. The retainer portion may be configured so as not to interfere with a user's view of a display panel of the communication device. In some embodiments, a plurality of lenses may be provided, and the lenses may be removably attached to the retainer portion and may be interchangeable. A structure for providing a flash may also be provided. In some embodiments, additional features may be provided, such as attachment components to facilitate attachment to stability devices, such as tripods, and to user-wearable accessories.
1. An optical attachment configured to removably attach to a mobile communication device in which there is an onboard camera positioned in an upper middle region on a first face of the mobile communication device, the optical attachment comprising:
a retainer portion configured to be removably attachable to a region of the mobile communication device comprising the onboard camera, the retainer portion comprising a first arm configured to contact the mobile communication device in a middle region along a top edge of the mobile communication device; the retainer portion comprising a second arm that is separate from the first arm, the second arm configured to contact the mobile communication device in a region along a side of the mobile communication device that is spaced away from a corner of the mobile communication device, the first and second arms comprising hook portions configured to partially overhang onto a second face of the mobile communication device that faces in an opposite direction from the first face of the mobile communication device; and the retainer portion comprising an intermediate region between the first and second arms, at least a portion of the intermediate region being configured to be positioned near the onboard camera of the mobile communication device when the retainer portion is attached to the mobile communication device; and
an optical portion attached or attachable to the retainer portion in the intermediate region of the retainer portion such that the optical portion is configured to alter light that is received by the onboard camera of the mobile communication device, the optical portion and the retainer portion being separate from the onboard camera of the mobile communication device.
2. A combination of the optical attachment of claim 1 and the mobile communication device.
3. The optical attachment of claim 1 in which the optical portion is a lens.
4. The optical attachment of claim 3 in which the lens is a magnifying lens.
5. The optical attachment of claim 3 in which the lens is a fish-eye lens.
6. The optical attachment of claim 3 , in which the lens is a wide-angle lens.
7. The optical attachment of claim 1 , in which the optical portion diminishes glare.
8. The optical attachment of claim 1 , in which the optical portion filters light.
9. The optical attachment of claim 1 , in which the retainer portion is configured to resist sliding when positioned on the mobile communication device.
10. The optical attachment of claim 1 , in which the retainer portion is configured to be securely attached to the mobile communication device without requiring dynamic mounts.
11. The optical attachment of claim 1 , in which the retainer portion is configured to be securely attached to the mobile communication device without requiring a dynamic mount screw.
12. A method of manufacturing an optical attachment configured to removably attach to a mobile communication device in which there is an onboard camera positioned in a central region on a first face of the mobile communication device, the optical attachment comprising:
providing a retainer portion that is separable from the onboard camera of the mobile communication device, the retainer portion comprising a first arm configured to contact the mobile communication device in a middle region along a top edge of the mobile communication device; the retainer portion comprising a second arm that is separate from the first arm, the second arm configured to contact the mobile communication device in a region along a side of the mobile communication device that is spaced away from a corner of the mobile communication device, the first and second arms comprising hook portions configured to partially overhang onto a second face of the mobile communication device that faces in an opposite direction from the first face of the mobile communication device; and the retainer portion comprising an intermediate region between the first and second arms, at least a portion of the intermediate region being configured to be positioned near the onboard camera of the mobile communication device when the retainer portion is attached to the mobile communication device; and
providing an optical portion attached or attachable to the retainer portion in the intermediate region of the retainer portion such that the optical portion is configured to alter light that is received by the onboard camera of the mobile communication device.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising providing the mobile communication device.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the optical portion is a lens.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the lens is a magnifying lens.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the lens is a fish-eye lens.
17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the optical portion diminishes glare.
18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the optical portion filters light.
19. The method of claim 12 , wherein the retainer portion is configured to resist sliding when positioned on the mobile communication device.
20. The method of claim 12 , wherein the retainer portion is configured to be securely attached to the mobile communication device without requiring dynamic mounts.
21. The method of claim 12 , wherein the retainer portion is configured to be securely attached to the mobile communication device without requiring a dynamic mount screw.