Apparatus with adjustable chamber for different sized mobile devices that perform image capture

An apparatus has a left handle, a right handle, an adjustable chamber operably attached to the left handle and the right handle, and one or more adjustable members positioned within the adjustable chamber. The adjustable chamber receives a mobile computing device that performs image capture. Further, the one or more adjustable members retract so that the mobile computing device fits within the adjustable chamber.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure generally relates to the field of image capture. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a configuration that receives different sized mobile computing devices that performs image capture.

2. General Background

Standard cameras typically allow for utilization of a tripod. For example, a photographer can place a standard camera on a tripod so that movement of the camera during image capture is minimized. The tripod allows a photographer using a standard camera to take pictures without using both hands to stabilize the camera.

Current mobile computing devices, e.g., tablet devices, smartphones, etc., provide image capture capabilities, e.g., still or motion, that are comparable with standard image capture devices such as standard cameras. Yet the picture quality from such mobile computing devices is often of a lesser quality than that of standard cameras as standard cameras provide users with firmer stabilization abilities than a mobile computing device. Users often have difficulty keeping the mobile computing device stable during image capture. The mobile computing device often wobbles during the image capture, which then results in pictures or videos that are often of a less than ideal quality.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus has a left handle, a right handle, an adjustable chamber operably attached to the left handle and the right handle, and one or more adjustable members positioned within the adjustable chamber. The adjustable chamber receives a mobile computing device that performs image capture. Further, the one or more adjustable members retract so that the mobile computing device fits within the adjustable chamber.

In another aspect of the disclosure, another apparatus is provided. The other apparatus has a handle, an adjustable chamber operably attached to the handle, and one or more adjustable members positioned within the adjustable chamber. The adjustable chamber receives a mobile computing device that performs image capture. The one or more adjustable members retract so that the mobile computing device fits within the adjustable chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A receptacle for a computing device that performs image capture is provided. The image capture computing device is received by the receptacle. A user then grasps the receptacle and motions the receptacle to a position for image capture. The receptacle has handles that provide for stabilization of the receptacle and the image capture computing device. As a result, users performing image capture have the ability to capture still images and/or video images with stabilization. In contrast with heavy receptacles that do not have handles, the receptacle for the image capture computing device provides a lightweight configuration that provides stabilization for an image capture computing device.

Further, the receptacle is configured to provide optimal accessibility to various ports of the mobile computing device. In contrast with a configuration in which wires have to be bent in a manner that may damage the wires and be cumbersome for a user, the receptacle is configured to maximize accessibility to the mobile computing device and minimize interference from the wires.

In addition, the receptacle may have additional components that allow the user performing image capture to vary image capture conditions. For example, the receptacle may receive a variety of lenses that may be utilized to vary viewing conditions. Further, various lighting and/or audio equipment may be positioned on the receptacle to vary lighting and/or audio conditions. The receptacle may also have a tripod component so that the receptacle may be stabilized with a tripod to minimize motion of the image capture computing device during image capture.

FIG. 1illustrates a front view of an image capture computing device receptacle100. In one embodiment, the image capture computing device receptacle100includes a plurality of handles, e.g., a right handle102and a left handle104. The front of the image capture computing device receptacle100is illustrated from the perspective of what another user views if in front of the image capture computing device100when an image is captured by a user such as a photographer. The right handle102and the left handle104allow the user to perform image capture with minimal wobbling. As a result, the photographer is able to perform image capture with more stabilization and accuracy than without the image capture computing device receptacle100. Although the right handle102and the left handle104are illustrated, the handles may be in other locations, e.g., a top handle and a bottom handle. Further, a single handle or more than two handles may be utilized. The right handle102and the left handle104are provided merely for illustrative purposes.

The image capture computing device receptacle100also has an aperture106. The aperture106is configured so that an image capture component, e.g., a lens of a mobile image capture computing device, may be positioned to capture images through the aperture106. In one embodiment, the aperture106is configured to be in substantial proximity to the image capture component. For example, the aperture may be narrow enough to only be positioned over the lens to minimize reflection.

In another embodiment, the image capture computing device receptacle100has a plurality of accessory receiving means. As an example, the image capture computing device receptacle100has a receiving means108, a receiving means110, a receiving means112, and a receiving means114. The various receiving means may be utilized to receive accessories such as lighting devices, e.g., lamps, audio devices, e.g., microphones, additional lenses, e.g., wide angle lenses, tripods, and/or the like. For example, the receiving means114may receive a tripod mount to provide further stabilization for the image capture computing device receptacle100with a tripod. A single or different quantity of receiving means may be utilized from that illustrated inFIG. 1.

In one embodiment, the right handle102and the left handle104are integrated within the same frame as the image capture computing device receptacle100. In other words, a single molding may be utilized for the frame and the handles. In an alternative embodiment, the right handle102and the left handle are detachable from the frame.

FIG. 2illustrates a back view of the image capture computing device receptacle100. The back view is from the perspective of the photographer that is placing the mobile computing device in the image capture computing device receptacle100. In one embodiment, the image capture computing device receptacle100has a receiving means for receiving the image capture computing device receptacle100. An example of the receiving means is the lip202. The lip202may be positioned throughout all of the frame or at least a portion of the frame. A photographer may then snap the mobile computing device within the lip to secure the mobile computing device in the image capture computing device receptacle100. As a result, the photographer may easily snap the mobile computing device into position. The lip is only an example of the receiving means. The receiving means may also be a fastening means such as a screw, bolt, nail, clip, and/or the like.

FIG. 3illustrates a side view of the receiving means202. The receiving means202is illustrated as a lip only for illustrative purposes as various other receiving means may be utilized.

FIG. 4illustrates a front view of the image capture computing device receptacle100with a mobile computing device402secured to the image capture computing device receptacle100. The mobile computing device402may be a tablet device, smartphone, or any other mobile device. Further, the mobile computing device402may have an image capture component, e.g., a built in camera, for still or motion image capture. Various accessories404,406, and408may be connected to the receiving means108,110, and112. The receiving means108,110, and112may be a lip, screw, bolt, nail, clip, and/or the like. Further, a lens accessory412is positioned over the aperture106.

Although a frame single frame is illustrated inFIG. 4, multiple frames may alternatively be utilized to secure the mobile computing device402. In other words, the image capture computing device receptacle100may comprise multiple parts such as a front portion and a back portion to secure the mobile computing device402to the image capture computing device receptacle100. Accordingly, the image capture computing device receptacle100is not limited to a single frame as multiple frames may alternatively be utilized.

AlthoughFIGS. 1-4illustrated two handles, a single handle or more than two handles may be utilized.FIG. 5illustrates a front view of the image capture computing device receptacle100with the mobile computing device402secured to the image capture computing device receptacle100and the image capture computing device receptacle100having a bottom handle502. Alternatively, the right handle102, the left handle104, and the bottom handle502may be considered a single handle. Further,FIG. 6illustrates a front view of the image capture computing device receptacle100with the mobile computing device402secured to the image capture computing device receptacle100and the image capture computing device receptacle100only having the left handle104for a handle.

AlthoughFIGS. 4-6illustrate the mobile computing device402as a tablet device, a smartphone may alternatively be utilized. Accordingly,FIG. 7illustrates a front view of an image capture computing device receptacle700that is configured to receive a smartphone. The image capture computing device receptacle700has a right handle702and a left handle704. The image capture computing device receptacle700also has an aperture706.FIG. 8illustrates a back view of the image capture computing device receptacle700illustrated inFIG. 7.

FIGS. 9A-9Dillustrate various views of a flat handle configuration of the image capture computing device receptacle100illustrated inFIG. 1. The flat handle configuration has handles that are in vertical alignment with the vertical plane that goes through the image capture computing device receptacle100. As a result various wires that are plugged into the mobile computing device402ofFIG. 4have to be bent, twisted, etc. to have accessibility to receiving ports of the mobile computing device402ofFIG. 4. Such wires may be utilized to connect the image capture computing device100to various accessories, other devices, etc. The ports may be based on various technologies such as USB, Ethernet, etc.

FIG. 9Aillustrates a front perspective view of the flat handle configuration of the image capture computing device receptacle100. The right handle102and the left handle104are in vertical alignment with the image capture computing device receptacle100. As a result, a lighting cable901and a headphone cable902do not have direct accessibility to receiving ports of the mobile computing device402. Therefore, the cables901and902have to be significantly bent, e.g., at approximate ninety degree angles, to obtain access to the receiving ports of the mobile computing device402ofFIG. 4.

Such awkward bending may lead to significant damage or wear and tear of the cables901and902. Further, the cables901and902may easily become unplugged from the receiving ports of the mobile computing device402ofFIG. 4as such bending does not allow for secure plugging of the cables901and902. Such unplugging may lead to significant disruptions during filming, image capture, etc.

Further, the bending of the cables901and902interferes with a user's ability to comfortably grip the handles102and104. For example, the bends of the cables901and902may occupy significant amounts of gripping space between the handles102and104and the portion of the image capture computing device receptacle100that encapsulates the mobile computing device402. As a result, the bends of the cables901and902may block certain portions of the handles102and104from being gripped by the user.

FIG. 9Billustrates a front view of the flat handle configuration of the image capture computing device receptacle100illustrated inFIG. 9A. Further,FIG. 9Cillustrates a side view of the flat handle configuration of the image capture computing device receptacle100illustrated inFIG. 9A. The cables901and902are illustrated as being significantly bent at almost ninety degree angles. In addition,FIG. 9Dillustrates another side view of the flat handle configuration of the image capture computing device receptacle100illustrated inFIG. 9A.

The lighting cable901and the headphone cable902are only provided as examples of cables that may be utilized with the receiving ports of the mobile computing device402. Other types of cables may also be utilized. Further, devices other than cables that may be received by the mobile computing device402, e.g., USB devices, etc., may also be received by the receiving ports of the mobile computing device402.

In yet another implementation, an apparatus has an adjustable chamber that accommodates different sized mobile computing devices402(FIG. 4). The adjustable chamber adjusts in size to fit the dimensions of a particular mobile computing device402. Accordingly, the same apparatus may be utilized to perform image capture for different sized mobile computing devices402(e.g., different sized smartphones, tablet devices, etc.).

FIG. 10illustrates a front perspective view of an apparatus1000with an adjustable chamber1001. In one embodiment, the apparatus1000also has a left handle1002and a right handle1003that may be be utilized by a user to hold the apparatus1000to perform image capture with a mobile computing device402(FIG. 4) positioned within the adjustable chamber1001.

In one embodiment, the adjustable chamber1001is adjusted via one or more adjustable members1004. For example, two adjustable members1004may be perpendicularly situated with respect to the left handle1002and the right handle1003; such adjustable members1004may also be positioned toward the right portion of the adjustable member1001to allow room for the mobile computing device402(FIG. 4) to be inserted from the left side of the adjustable chamber1001. Further, the two adjustable members1004may be positioned at the top and bottom (from the orientation of being perpendicular to the handles1002and1003), respectively, of the adjustable chamber1001.

A mobile computing device402(FIG. 4) is inserted into the adjustable chamber1001by pressing an edge (e.g., bottom portion that is deemed a right portion when placed into the adjustable chamber1001) of the mobile computing device402against edges of the two adjustable members1004. The two adjustable members1004then adjust (e.g., slide, retract, compress, etc.) toward the right portion of the adjustable chamber1001until the opposing edge (e.g., top portion that is deemed a left portion when placed into the adjustable chamber1001) of the mobile computing device402abuts firmly against the left portion of the adjustable chamber1001.

As an example, a mobile phone402that is seven inches in length (measured from top to bottom) may necessitate that the two adjustable members1004adjust one half inch for the mobile phone402to firmly fit into the adjustable chamber1001; whereas, another mobile phone402that is seven one half inches in length may necessitate that the two adjustable members1004adjust one inch for the mobile phone402to firmly fit into the adjustable chamber1001.

In one embodiment, the width of the adjustable chamber1001is larger enough to accommodate the widest mobile computing device402; as a result, space may be present between the edges of right and left (top and bottom when placed in the adjustable chamber1001) sides of the mobile computing device402and edges of the adjustable chamber1001. In other words, the adjustable members1004may apply enough horizontal pressure to the top or bottom portion (depending on the direction of insertion into the adjustable chamber1001) so that the mobile computing device402remains firmly in place within the adjustable chamber1001without necessitating pressure from the top and bottom edges of the adjustable chamber1001.

Further, in one embodiment, the adjustable members1004, or portions thereof, are received within member enclosures1005. For example, the adjustable members1004may have sliding grooves that contact sliding rails, or vice versa, within the member enclosures1005so that the adjustable members1004may slide, or partially slide, within the member enclosures1005to allow the mobile computing device402(FIG. 4) to fit within the adjustable chamber1001. As another example, the adjustable members1004may be operably connected to one or more springs enclosed within the member enclosures1005so that the one or more springs compress as necessary to allow the mobile computing device402to fit within the adjustable chamber1001.

Although the adjustable members1004are depicted inFIG. 10as being a plurality, a single adjustable member1004may be used instead. Alternatively, more than two adjustable members1004may also be used.

To provide additional tightness to the fit of the mobile computing device402(FIG. 4) within the adjustable chamber1001, two flaps1006may be positioned on the left side of the adjustable chamber1001. For example, the two flaps1006may be positioned to enclose corners, or portions of corners, of the portion of the mobile computing device402positioned within the left side of the adjustable chamber1001. In other words, the adjustable chamber1001may have a fixed receiving area (e.g., flaps1006) and a dynamic receiving area (e.g., adjustable members1004). Accordingly, a user may use an edge of a mobile computing device402to adjust the adjustable members1004via pressure and may use an opposing edge of the mobile computing device402to anchor the mobile computing device402within the flaps1006.

The flaps1006may be composed of a rigid material (e.g., plastic) or a flexible material (e.g., rubber). Although more than one flap1006is illustrated, a single flap1006may be used instead (e.g., a single corner flap, an edge flap, etc.). The flaps1006may be flexible to allow for positioning of the mobile computing device402within the flaps1006; alternatively, the flaps1006may be rigid. In another embodiment, a retention mechanism (e.g., a lip) other than a flap1006may be used to maintain the positioning of the edge of the mobile computing device that is opposite to the edge being positioned via the adjustable members1004.

In yet another embodiment, at least one adjustable member1004is positioned on each of the left and right side of the adjustable chamber1001. Accordingly, a fixed receiving area is not required as multiple dynamic receiving areas may be used instead. Further, at least one adjustable member1004may be additionally positioned on the top and/or bottom side of the adjustable chamber1001for additional pressure; in other words, a space between the top and/or bottom portion of the mobile computing device402may be removed for additional tightness. In addition, more or less flaps1006than those illustrated inFIG. 10may be utilized in varying positions of the adjustable chamber1001.

FIG. 11illustrates a front perspective view of the apparatus1000illustrated inFIG. 10with the mobile phone402inserted into the apparatus1000. The two adjustable members1004have been partially retracted into the member enclosures1005to accommodate the particular dimensions of the mobile phone402. Further, in the illustrated example, only portions of edges of the adjustable members1004—as opposed to the entirety of the edges—contact portions of edges of the mobile phone402. Mobile phones of varying dimensions will have edges that occupy differing portions (possibly the entirety) of edges of the adjustable members1004.

Further,FIG. 12illustrates an internal, front perspective view of the apparatus1000illustrated inFIG. 10without the adjustable members1004or the mobile phone402. Accordingly, the member enclosures1005are illustrated as empty enclosures that may receive the adjustable members1004. As an example, a sliding rail1201, which may connect to a sliding groove1301(FIG. 13) of an adjustable member1004is illustrated.FIG. 13illustrates a front perspective view of the adjustable member1004. The sliding groove1301, which receives the sliding rail1201of the member enclosure1005, is illustrated. Alternatively, the member enclosure1005may have the sliding groove1301, and the adjustable member1004may have the sliding rail1201.

Additionally,FIG. 14illustrates a rear perspective view of the apparatus1000illustrated inFIG. 11with the mobile phone402inserted into the apparatus1000. In one embodiment, the apparatus1000has a rear layer1401that has an aperture1402for an image capture lens1403of the mobile computing device402. In one embodiment, the aperture1402is positioned directly to the rear of at least one of the flaps1006illustrated inFIG. 10. The aperture1402may also be positioned in a section of the rear layer1401other than the section having the member enclosures1005so that the aperture1402does not interfere with the connection of an adjustable member1004within a member enclosure1005.

In one embodiment, the rear layer1401has different shapes corresponding to different portions of the front of the apparatus1000(e.g., a first shape corresponding to the portion of the apparatus1000that receives the mobile computing device402, a second shape corresponding to a member enclosure1005, etc.). In another embodiment, the rear layer1401has a flat shape irrespective of corresponding portions on the front of the apparatus1000.

FIG. 15illustrates a rear perspective view of the apparatus1000illustrated inFIG. 10with an enhancement lens1501. In one embodiment, the enhancement lens1501is operably attached to a portion of the apparatus1000that is situated to the left of the left handle1002; in other words, the enhancement lens1501may be operably attached to the right edge (from the rear perspective) that abuts the portion of the apparatus1000at which the one or more flaps1006(or other retention mechanisms) are situated (as illustrated from the front perspective inFIG. 10). Alternatively, the enhancement lens1501may be operably attached to another edge that also abuts a portion of the apparatus1000at which the one or more flaps1006are situated. Alternatively, the enhancement lens1501may be operably attached to the left handle1002, right handle1003, or a portion of the apparatus1000abutting the member enclosure1005.

A lens connector (e.g., clip, pin, bolt, etc.)1502may be used to adhere the enhancement lens1501to the apparatus1000. The lens connector1502may be integrated within the apparatus1000or may be a detachable accessory.

Although the apparatus1000illustrated inFIGS. 10-15is illustrated as receiving the mobile computing device402, the apparatus1000may be configured to receive a case for the mobile computing device402instead. A variety of types of materials may be utilized for the apparatus1000and/or image capture computing device receptacles. For example, plastic, carbonite, metal, or the like may be utilized.

It is understood that the apparatuses described herein may also be applied in other types of apparatuses. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various adaptations and modifications of the embodiments of the apparatuses described herein may be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the apparatuses. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the present apparatuses may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.