Optical adapters for mobile devices with a camera

Abstract

Portable, mobile, lightweight, removable, low cost, easy to manufacture, easy to ship, easy to transport, easy to store, and easy to use optical adapters that provides an effective means of videoconferencing over a mobile phone or other mobile device with a camera. Embodiments include landscape and portrait adapters that can be easily applied, used and removed while maintaining a professional and aesthetic appearance. Small mirrors within the optical adapter allow light from the front of the mobile device to enter the adapter and be conditioned and redirected into the built-in lens of the camera on the back of the mobile device. Novel embodiments include a lens reverser and / or a re-lens. Optical adapters also provide for self-imaging or surveillance. Various protective cases and adapter embodiments are configured to match specific mobile devices.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The following design patent applications are included herein by reference:[0002]U.S. Design patent application, entitled “Optical Adapter for Mobile Device,” docket number “DPE,” filed concurrently on Jun. 29, 2009.[0003]U.S. Design patent application, entitled “Case for Optical Adapter and Mobile Device,” docket number “DPECASE1,” filed concurrently on Jun. 29, 2009.[0004]U.S. Design patent application, entitled “Case for Optical Adapter and Mobile Device,” docket number “DPECASE2,” filed concurrently on Jun. 29, 2009.[0005]U.S. Design patent application, entitled “Case for Optical Adapter and Mobile Device,” docket number “DPECASE3,” filed concurrently on Jun. 29, 2009.BACKGROUND—FIELD OF INVENTION[0006]The present invention relates to optical adapters, in particular optical adapters for mobile devices with still or video cameras.BACKGROUND—DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART[0007]There is often a need or want to see the people we telecommunicate with. This allows u...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]What is needed is a portable, mobile, lightweight, removable, low cost, easy to manufacture, easy to ship, easy to transport, easy to store, and easy to use device that provides an effective means of videoconferencing over a mobile phone, such as the iPhone or other mobile devices with cameras which are not on the same side as the dis

Problems solved by technology

Travel for face-to-face meetings is expensive, as well as bad for the environment.

This equipment is not easily portable or mobile.

People are often confined to the rooms permanently supporting the videoconferencing equipment or the network required for the telecommunication.

However, videoconferencing has not been commercially available for mobile phones, including the iPhone.

One reason videoconferencing is not available on the iPhone, or other cell phones, is that the camera is on the back and so the users cannot see the screen while creating a video image of themselves.

Likewise, because the camera is on the back, users cannot take still pictures or videos of themselves, or people or other objects behind them.

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