Reversible Multi-Lens System for Mobile Camera Versatility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices' onboard cameras face design constraints that limit their weight, size, quality, and versatility, resulting in inadequate photographic capabilities and lower image quality due to limitations in lens systems and attachment structures.

Innovation Solution

A reversible multi-lens system that can be removably attached to mobile devices, featuring interchangeable lenses for both user-facing and outward-facing cameras, allowing for automatic alignment and easy switching between different optical enhancements without manual adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If interchangeable lens components are provided for mobile devices, then versatility and feature choices are improved, but device complexity and incompatibilities in attachment structures increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveversatilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer portion is designed with a universal attachment structure that can accommodate multiple lens components with different functions (wide-angle, telephoto, macro, etc.). The standardized attachment interface allows a single retainer to work with various interchangeable lenses, providing multi-functionality without requiring different attachment mechanisms for each lens type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The camera system is divided into separate, interchangeable lens components rather than a fixed integrated unit. Each lens can be independently attached or detached from the retainer portion, allowing users to segment the optical system according to specific photographic needs while maintaining a common mounting interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If fixed lens systems are used in mobile devices, then device complexity is reduced, but photographic quality and image options deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidphotographic quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The lens system transitions from a static, fixed configuration to a dynamic, reconfigurable system. The interchangeable lens components can be swapped to change optical characteristics (focal length, aperture, field of view), allowing the camera to adapt its photographic quality and capabilities based on the specific imaging task rather than being constrained by a single fixed lens design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3158380B1Auxiliary optical components for mobile devices
Publication Date: 2020.01.15 PORTERO HOLDINGS LLC
  • EP3158380B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3158380B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3158380B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~1D

AI summary

A multi-lens system can be configured to be selectively attachable to a mobile electronic device having a user-facing onboard camera lens and an outward-facing onboard camera lens. The multi-lens system can attach to the mobile electronic device in at least a first position and a second position. The first lens component in the first position is configured to be in optical alignment with the user-facing onboard camera lens and simultaneously the second lens component is configured to be in optical alignment with the outward-facing onboard camera lens. The first lens component in the second position is configured to be in optical alignment with the outward-facing onboard camera lens and simultaneously the second lens component is configured to be in optical alignment with the user-facing onboard camera lens. A portable attachment accessory can be configured to be selectively attachable to a lens system that is configured to receive a portion of a mobile electronic device.