Abstract:
A mobile device photo scanner is disclosed. The mobile device photo canner includes a cradle portion configured and arranged to hold a mobile device. The cradle has an opening therethrough configured and arranged to align with a built-in camera of the mobile device. A shroud depends from the cradle portion forming an enclosure beneath the cradle portion and centered beneath the opening, such that a user may use the built-in camera of the mobile device to scan a photograph placed within the shroud portion.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent documents claims priority to earlier filed U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/530,134, filed on Sep. 1, 2011, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/587,479, filed on Jan. 17, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present patent document relates generally to scanning documents, photographs, negatives and slides, and more specifically to an apparatus for using a mobile device, such as a cellphone, with an integrated digital camera to digitally image documents, photographs, negatives and slides. 
         [0004]    2. Background of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Many consumers have had boxes of photographs and 35 mm slides and negatives stored away in their closets and attics, without an easy way of sharing with family and friends. Now that the digital age is upon us, scanning these pictures, slides and negatives has become more common. The disadvantage of today&#39;s scanners, whether they are flatbed or specifically designed for archiving photographs, slides or negatives, is the challenge of getting the photos to where most consumers want to have them available most: their phone. 
         [0006]    Also, as we move into the future, more and more people rely on their smart phones (such as the Apple® iPhone®) as their main device for email, social networking, and communication. 
         [0007]    Today people use their cell phone to show photos instead of carrying them around in their wallet. Once on a cell phone, photos can be shared instantaneously in many social networking platforms at a push of a button. 
         [0008]    Therefore, there is a need in the industry to easily transfer traditional print photographs and slides to a mobile device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention solves the problems of the prior art by providing a mobile device photo scanner that includes 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the mobile device photo scanner; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the mobile device photo scanner of the present invention showing the switch for the lighting module; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  shows a preferred embodiments with a two-part shroud including a first section for scanning 3×5 photographs and a second section for scanning 5×7 photographs; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  shows an alternative embodiment configured to collapse in on itself to permit different size photos to be properly framed within the mobile device photo scanner; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a cross-section of a preferred embodiment of the mobile device photo scanner showing the interior of the lighting module; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  shows another alternative embodiment configured to receive film and slides for scanning; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  shows a translucent perspective view of yet another alternative embodiment of the photo scanner; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  shows a side cross-section view of the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  shows a top view of the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  shows a front view of the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 ; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  shows a bottom view (with the bottom cover removed) of the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an embodiment of the mobile device photo scanner is shown generally at  10 . The photo scanner  10  includes a cradle portion  12  to hold a mobile device  14 , such as a camera-equipped iPhone or iPad brand mobile device, in an adjustable, but steady, position. A shroud portion  16  depends from the cradle portion  12  and flares outwardly forming an open-ended enclosure sized and dimensioned to be fit over a photograph  18  that is desired to be scanned. An opening  19  (best seen in  FIG. 5 ) through the cradle portion  12  is positioned so the camera of the mobile device  14  points into the enclosure of the shroud portion  16  and is aimed towards the open end of the shroud portion  16 . The cradle  12  is further configured to center the camera of the mobile device  14  over the shroud portion  16 . 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the shroud portion  16  may have an opening sized and dimensioned fixed at 3×5 or 5×7 photographs. The shroud portion  16  may be split into two, stackable sections  16   a,    16   b.  The first section  16   a  optimal for 3×5 photographs to be taken, with 5×7 photographs optimally taken by staking the first section  16   a  atop a second section  16   b.    
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the shroud portion  16  may also be configured to be collapsible. That is instead of including two or more stackable sections (as shown in  FIG. 3 ), the shroud portion  16  may be formed of a light-weight, resilient rubber-like material that may be folded in on itself to a smaller dimension. Unfolded, the shroud portion  16  is optimal for scanning larger photographs, whereas, when folded, the shroud portion  16  is optimal for scanning smaller format photographs. 
         [0025]    It should be understood that the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  may also have shroud portion  16  configured to optimally scan other size photographs, such as 4×6, 8×10, wallet and the like. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a light module  20  is included to provide indirect lighting within the enclosure of the shroud portion  16 . The light module  20  may be integrated with the cradle portion  12  or be a separate unit that attaches to the shroud portion  16  and cradle portion  12 . The light module  20  includes one or more lights  22  that are recessed in one or more channels  24 . The channels  24  redirect light from the lights  22  towards the open end of the shroud portion  16 . The use of indirect lighting reduces glare. The lights  22  may be battery powered or include an input for an external power source. A switch  26  is provided to manually turn the lights  22  on and off. Once the photo is in focus, which can be viewed on the preview screen of most mobile devices  14 , the user can take a snapshot with the built-in camera on the mobile device  14 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the mobile device photo scanner  10  may also allow a camera-equipped mobile device  14  to focus on slides and negatives  28  placed in holders  30  and slid through the shroud portion  16  in the same way. Specifically, the shroud portion  16  may include a pair of spaced apart tray openings  32  to permit a negative tray or film tray to be slid into the enclosure and positioned below the cradle portion for scanning. The shroud portion  16  enclosure includes a backlight assembly  34  to shine indirect light through the film or negative  28  for scanning. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, the mobile device scanner shroud portion  16  includes a third section  16   c  that is interchangeable with the first section  16   a  (described above) that includes the tray openings  32  for the tray  30  and the backlight assembly  34 . 
         [0029]    Alternatively the first section  16   a  of the shroud portion  16  may include fittings to hold the backlight assembly  34 , which may be configured to be removable, and blanks from the tray openings  32  to permit the negative or slide holders  30  to be inserted into the shroud portion  16 . 
         [0030]    Regardless, while scanning a negative  28 , mobile device  14  must be configured to invert the image to its “positive”. The user may use a photography software application running on the mobile device  14  to render the proper image from the negative  28  and store it. 
         [0031]    The photo snapshot taken by the mobile device&#39;s  14  camera could be used in conjunction with a photography software application or with the native built-in camera application of the mobile device  14 . Once the photo is digitally scanned on stored on the mobile device  14 , the photo can be shared as the user wishes. For instance, the user could show people the photo in person on the mobile device&#39;s  14  screen, or uploading to a social networking site, or send the photo via email or MMS messaging as the user desires. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 7-11 , another alternative embodiment of the mobile device photo scanner is shown generally at  100 . The photo scanner  100  includes a cradle portion  102  to hold a mobile device  14 , such as a camera-equipped iPhone or iPad brand mobile device, in an adjustable, but steady, position. A shroud portion  104  depends from the cradle portion  102  and flares outwardly forming an enclosure that is closed by a bottom portion  106 . A slot  108  in the side is configured to receive a slidable tray  110  sized and dimensioned to hold a photograph that is desired to be scanned. An opening  112  (best seen in  FIGS. 9 and 11 ) through the cradle portion  102  is positioned so the camera of the mobile device  14  points into the enclosure of the shroud portion  104  and is aimed towards the open end of the shroud portion  102  and at the bottom portion  106 . The cradle portion  102  is further configured to center the camera of the mobile device over the shroud portion  102  and onto the slidable tray  110 . 
         [0033]    Different slidable trays  110  may be used to capture 3×5 or 4×6 photographs, although the shroud portion  102  and slidable trays  110  may be enlarged to receive other sized photographs. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 11 , a pair of light modules  114  is included to provide indirect lighting within the enclosure of the shroud portion  102 . Each light module  114  is disposed within the shroud portion  102  below an overhang  116  to prevent direct light shining towards the camera on the mobile device  14 . Specifically these light modules  114  are underneath the tray loading openings  118 , described further below. Each light module  114  includes one or more lights  120 . The use of indirect lighting reduces glare. The lights  120  may be battery powered or include an input for an external power source. A switch  122  is provided to manually turn the lights  120  on and off. Once the photo is in focus, which can be viewed on the preview screen of most mobile devices  14 , the user can take a snapshot with the mobile device&#39;s  14  camera. 
         [0035]    As mentioned above, the mobile device photo scanner  100  may also allow a camera-equipped mobile device  14  to focus on slides and negatives  28  placed in holders  30  and slid through the device. Specifically, the shroud portion  102  may include a pair of spaced apart tray openings  118  to permit a negative tray or film tray  30  to be slid into the enclosure and positioned below the cradle portion  102  for scanning. The light modules  114  therefore function as backlighting for the negatives or slides  28  and provide direct lighting on photographs. 
         [0036]    The mobile device photo scanner  100  may also include a handhold  124  formed on or between the shroud portion  102  to allow the mobile device photo scanner  100  to be easily carried. 
         [0037]    It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.