Removable optical devices for mobile electronic devices

Abstract

Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to an optical device with one or more optical components (e.g., lenses) attached to a retainer portion or clip. The optical device can be removably attached to mobile electronic 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 mobile device. The optical device may include one or more energy conveying paths to allow energy to be conveyed to and/or from various components of the mobile device, such as flashes or microphones. In some embodiments, additional features may be provided, such as optical components tilted to complement a tilt of an onboard camera of a mobile device, and structures or adapters to reduce friction or allow an optical device to be attached to mobile devices of varying thicknesses.

1 . A removably attachable optical device for use with a mobile electronic device, the optical device comprising:
 a mounting portion comprising a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first and second sidewalls forming a channel, wherein a width of the channel is generally complementary to a first thickness of a first mobile electronic device in a region near an onboard camera lens of the first mobile electronic device, wherein the width of the channel is expandable to be generally complementary to a second thickness of a second mobile device in a region near an onboard camera lens of the second mobile electronic device, and wherein the second thickness is larger than the first thickness; and   an optical component coupled to the mounting portion, wherein the optical component is configured to modify an image of light received by the onboard camera lens of the first mobile electronic device.   
     
     
         2 . The optical device of  claim 1 , wherein the second mobile electronic device comprises the first mobile electronic device to which a screen protector has been attached, and wherein a difference between the second thickness and the first thickness corresponds to a thickness of the screen protector. 
     
     
         3 . The optical device of  claim 1 , wherein the first sidewall comprises one or more protruding structures at least partially extending into the channel and towards the second sidewall, and wherein the one or more protruding structures are configured to facilitate attachment to mobile electronic devices of different thicknesses by reducing friction. 
     
     
         4 . The optical device of  claim 3 , wherein the second sidewall comprises one or more protruding structures at least partially extending into the channel and towards the first sidewall. 
     
     
         5 . The optical device of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the one or more protruding structures comprises a spring-loaded bearing, a ball bearing, a roller bearing, or a bump. 
     
     
         6 . The optical device of  claim 1 , further comprising a retainer clip with a first retainer sidewall and a second retainer sidewall forming a retainer channel, wherein a width of the retainer channel is complementary to an outer thickness of the mounting portion, and wherein the optical component being coupled to the mounting portion comprises the optical portion being attached to the retainer clip and the retainer clip being attached to the mounting portion. 
     
     
         7 . The optical device of  claim 1 , wherein the first sidewall is configured to extend along two generally perpendicular edges of the first mobile electronic device. 
     
     
         8 . The optical device of  claim 1 , wherein the first sidewall comprises an energy conveying path. 
     
     
         9 . The optical device of  claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of the energy conveying path overlaps at least a portion of an input component or output component of the first mobile electronic device. 
     
     
         10 . The optical device of  claim 8 , wherein the energy conveying path is configured to focus sound energy on a microphone of the first mobile electronic device. 
     
     
         11 . The optical device of  claim 1 , wherein the first sidewall comprises an aperture configured to contact a protective structure of the first mobile electronic device, the protective structure generally surrounding the onboard camera lens. 
     
     
         12 . The optical device of  claim 1 , wherein the optical component comprises one of a macro lens, a wide angle lens, a fisheye lens, a telephoto lens, or a lens filter. 
     
     
         13 . The optical device of  claim 1 , wherein an optical axis of the optical component is tilted with respect to a rear face of the first mobile electronic device. 
     
     
         14 . The optical device of  claim 13 , wherein a tilt of the optical component corresponds to a tilt of the onboard camera lens with respect to the rear face of the first mobile electronic device. 
     
     
         15 . A method of manufacturing a removably attachable optical device for use with a mobile electronic device, the method comprising:
 providing a mounting portion comprising a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first and second sidewalls forming a channel, wherein a width of the channel is generally complementary to a first thickness of a first mobile electronic device in a region near an onboard camera lens of the first mobile electronic device, wherein the width of the channel is expandable to be generally complementary to a second thickness of a second mobile device in a region near an onboard camera lens of the second mobile electronic device, and wherein the second thickness is larger than the first thickness; and   providing an optical component configured to be coupled to the mounting portion, wherein the optical component is configured to modify an image of light received by the onboard camera lens of the first mobile electronic device.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the second mobile electronic device comprises the first mobile electronic device to which a screen protector has been attached, and wherein a difference between the second thickness and the first thickness corresponds to a thickness of the screen protector. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first sidewall comprises one or more protruding structures at least partially extending into the channel and towards the second sidewall, and wherein the one or more protruding structures are configured to facilitate attachment to mobile electronic devices of different thicknesses by reducing friction. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the second sidewall comprises one or more protruding structures at least partially extending into the channel and towards the first sidewall. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the one or more protruding structures comprises a spring-loaded bearing, a ball bearing, a roller bearing, or a bump.