Low-profile lens mount

Abstract

Disclosed is a housing for a portable handheld electronic device such as a cellphone. The device has a housing, having a left side and right side. At least one of the left side and right side is provided with integral surface features or surface structures to enhance gripping the cellphone, preferably along the entire length of the phone or within about the top half or one third of the phone.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cell phone assembly comprising:
 a housing having a front surface facing a first direction, the front surface including a touch screen;   cell phone electronics supported by the housing;   at least one image sensor supported by the housing;   a rear surface supported by the housing, the rear surface facing a second direction opposite the first direction; and   a socket defined on the rear surface, the socket having a central aperture, the socket configured to removably engage a lens or a lens mount adapter;   wherein the at least one image sensor, the socket, and the lens mount adapter are aligned such that light traveling along an optical path passes through the lens mount adapter and the central aperture of the socket to the at least one image sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The cell phone assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cell phone electronics comprise:
 a mobile communication module configured to transmit and receive wireless signals;   an input/output module enclosed within the housing, the input/output module including one or more of a microphone and a speaker; and   a controller configured to control at least the mobile communication module, the input/output module, and the touch screen.   
     
     
         3 . The cell phone assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the socket comprises a socket front surface, a socket rear surface, and a sidewall extending between the socket front surface and the socket rear surface, the side wall defining a depth of the socket. 
     
     
         4 . The cell phone assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the socket additionally comprises at least two arcuate flanges extending radially between inwardly from the side wall into the central aperture, each arcuate flange having a flange front surface which is recessed from the socket front surface, and a flange rear surface which is recessed from the socket rear surface. 
     
     
         5 . The cell phone assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the socket further comprises an optical element seating cavity having a periphery defined by a forward portion of the side wall which extends from the socket front surface to the flange front surfaces. 
     
     
         6 . The cell phone assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the periphery of the seating cavity is contoured to accommodate a corresponding contoured periphery surface of the lens or the lens mount adapter. 
     
     
         7 . The cell phone assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the contour of the periphery of the seating cavity includes a keying feature configured to allow for single orientation insertion of the lens or the lens mount adapter into the central aperture. 
     
     
         8 . The cell phone assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the socket comprises at least four arcuate flanges extending radially inwardly from the side wall into the central aperture. 
     
     
         9 . The cell phone assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the at least four arcuate flanges are substantially spaced about a periphery of the central aperture. 
     
     
         10 . The cell phone assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the at least four arcuate flanges are circumferentially separated about the periphery of the central aperture by an equal number of intervening recesses. 
     
     
         11 . The cell phone assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the socket further comprises an alignment keying feature provided on the side wall and configured to provide for single orientation insertion of the lens or the lens mount. 
     
     
         12 . The cell phone assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the socket does not include a rotatable locking ring or a spring configured to assist in fastening the lens or the lens mount to the socket. 
     
     
         13 . The cell phone assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the socket does not implement a bayonet style mount. 
     
     
         14 . The cell phone assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the socket comprises a safety mechanism configured to prevent accidental detachment of the lens or the lens adapter. 
     
     
         15 . The cell phone assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the safety mechanism comprises a button, a landing pad, and a post configured to accommodate a corresponding hole on the lens or the lens mount. 
     
     
         16 . The cell phone assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of electrodes on the rear surface configured to electrically communicate with a corresponding plurality of electrodes on the lens or the lens mount adapter. 
     
     
         17 . The cell phone assembly of  claim 1  further comprising at least one light. 
     
     
         18 . The cell phone assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a camera module. 
     
     
         19 . The cell phone assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the camera module comprises at least one camera. 
     
     
         20 . The cell phone assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the camera module comprises at least two cameras.