Abstract:
A gemstone viewer for personal communications devices for viewing a gemstone surface on which has been formed an image or inscription such as an identification number. In one embodiment, the viewer is mounted to employ the camera and LED light source of the personal communications device. The viewer directs the light from the light source as a light beam along a path incident to the surface of the gemstone containing the inscription. The gemstone spectrally reflects the light beam along a path back toward and through a magnifying lens to the camera lens of the personal communications device thereby enhancing the magnifying properties of the camera lens to produce a viewable light image that reveals the inscription on the viewing screen of the personal communications device. In another embodiment, the viewer is aligned to the front facing camera of the personal communications device, and includes its own light source.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/901,445, filed May 23, 2013, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/652,072, filed May 25, 2012. All of the information disclosed in those applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to an apparatus for viewing a gemstone with an image or identification number etched into its surface. 
         [0003]    It is known to etch a microscopic or nano-inscription on the table of the diamond using any one of a number of known techniques including plasma etching, ion beam, or lasers. The inscription is of such a small size as to be invisible to the naked eye. The inscription is nearly impossible to read even by a skilled jeweler using a common 10× loupe because the proper viewing angle is difficult to achieve. The images engraved, which can include individual characters (i.e., letters and/or numbers) such as an identification number, conventionally have a length of ranging from about 300 to 1200 microns. The inscription is typically etched to a depth of about 10 to 80 nanometers. The difficulty in viewing the inscription is accentuated by the translucent nature of diamonds and other gemstones, which allows light to pass through both the nano-inscroption polished area formed by the engraving process and the surrounding surface of the gemstone, (for example, the polished table facet). 
         [0004]    The conventional method of viewing the inscription employed a high (65×, for example) magnification lens and camera with an electronic display screen to view the microscopic inscription. Such systems are expensive, cumbersome and complicated to use, which reduces the value of the inscription because most retailers and consumers do not have access to such equipment, and thus cannot see or make use of the inscription. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,468,786 and 8,035,807, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, and invented by the same inventors as the present invention and owned by the same assignee, disclose a less expensive and more effective viewer (referred to hereinafter as an Engraved Gemstone Viewer) using the concept of illuminating the surface of the polished diamond in such a way as to create a spectral light reflection much like that of a mirror. The Engraved Gemstone Viewer is effective but lacks the convenience of being with the person at all times that engraving might be needed to be viewed, and further, lacks a way to memorize the image for later recall, comparison analysis, or remote communication of the information contained in the image. 
         [0006]    The present invention is intended to provide solutions to these and other problems and improvements over the structures and methods described above. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention provides a gemstone viewer for working with an electronic device having a camera lens. According to the invention, the gemstone viewer includes a base having an integral light source and a portal disposed in a bottom plane, one or more mirrors, a viewer lens, and a focusing glass or other optically clear structure, with the viewer lens positioned between the optically clear structure and the camera lens. The optically clear structure and the viewer lens are held at a sufficient distance from each other such that the camera lens is properly focused through the viewer lens to the surface of a gemstone when the surface of the gemstone is placed against the optically clear structure. The one or more mirrors are arranged to direct light from the integral light source off the surface of the gemstone to the camera lens. 
         [0008]    In one variety, the base is removably secured to the electronic device. A removable retaining ring may hold the optically clear structure in place, and the optically clear structure is positioned to receive a gemstone thereon. The invention may also include a gemstone retention clip to secure a gemstone to the optically clear structure. The invention may also include a cover associated with the base, wherein the viewer lens is connected to the cover. The integral light source may be powered by a battery. The one or more mirrors may be attached to the base. A cover may be associated with the base, with the optically clear structure connected to the cover. 
         [0009]    Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective top-side view of the engraved gemstone viewer according to the present invention, mounted on an Apple® iPhone®. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective bottom-side view of the engraved gemstone viewer shown in  FIG. 1 , mounted on an Apple® iPhone®. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the engraved gemstone viewer shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged top plan view of the engraved gemstone viewer shown in  FIG. 1 , shown with a portion of the personal communications device included, shown in phantom, for positioning purposes only. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a side sectional view of the engraved gemstone viewer shown in  FIG. 4 , taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of the engraved gemstone viewer shown in  FIG. 1 , mounted on an Apple® iPhone®. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a side sectional view of the engraved gemstone viewer for smartphones shown in  FIG. 6 , taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the engraved gemstone viewer. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a side sectional view of the engraved gemstone viewer shown in  FIG. 8 , taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an engraved gemstone viewer according to the present invention, mounted on an Apple® iPad®. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an alignment washer in accordance with the present invention, mounted on an Apple® iPad®. 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is another perspective view of the engraved gemstone viewer of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is a top view of the engraved gemstone viewer of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  is a section view of the engraved gemstone viewer of  FIG. 10  taken generally along the line  14 - 14  in  FIG. 13 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  is another section view of the engraved gemstone viewer of  FIG. 10  taken generally along the line  15 - 15  in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 16  is a schematic view of the engraved gemstone viewer of  FIG. 10  showing the orientation of the lens and mirrors. 
           [0026]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the base of the engraved gemstone viewer of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 18  is a top view of the base of  FIG. 17 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 19  is a section view of the base of  FIG. 18  taken generally along the line  19 - 19  in  FIG. 18 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 20  is an enlarged view of the light image produced by the viewer, showing an identification number. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]    The present invention generally relates to an engraved gemstone viewer  10  for personal communications device. The viewer  10  is generally shown in the drawing figures in the form of an embodiment specifically adapted to an Apple® iPhone®, although the viewer that is the subject of the invention is adaptable to be used with any smartphone, personal communications device or personal productivity device  1  with an integrated camera and a light source, such as an LED light, normally to provide photo lighting or “flash” capabilities. Such smartphone, personal communications or personal productivity devices could also include for example, a Samsung® Galaxy®, or a tablet-style computer such as an Apple® iPad®. According to the invention, the viewer  10  has a base  12  (shown generally roughly square in shape in the embodiment shown although many other shapes would function equally well) to receive the corner of a personal communications device  1  where the camera lens and light source are positioned on the back side of the personal communications device. In the embodiment shown, the base  12  has a top plane  14  and bottom plane  16  spaced apart by two adjoining side planes  18 ,  20 , which preferably is formed unitarily but may as well be formed of parts and assembled. The base  12  is open on the opposing two adjoining sides so as to accommodate the thickness of the personal communications device  1  that is received through the two open sides. Preferably the top plane  14 , bottom plane  16  and two side planes  18 ,  20  of the base  12  are precisely spaced so as to make frictional contact with the personal communications device  1 , to thereby secure the viewer  10  to the personal communications device without applying additional pressure or mechanical means. In alternative embodiments of the viewer  10 , the base  12  may have a different shape and size so as to correctly orient the device to receive a different model of smartphone or personal communications device, with the camera lens and light source in respectively different positions based on the positioning of the equipment in the personal communications device. 
         [0031]    A viewer body  22 , shown to have a funnel shape in this embodiment, is attached to or formed integrally with the bottom plane  16 , and projects away from personal communications device  1 . The viewer body  22  is a structure sized to accommodate a magnifying lens  24  generally at the level of the bottom plane  16 , and generally coaxially aligned with but not contacting the lens  2  of the camera or body of the personal communications device  1 . The bottom plane  16  is open to allow an unobstructed path for light to pass through the magnifying lens  24  to the lens  2  of the camera of the personal communications device  1 . The magnifying lens  24  is of such a calibration as to visually enlarge objects in the view of the camera of the personal communications device  1  beyond that which is otherwise possible by the unaided lens of the camera itself. 
         [0032]    As shown in more detail in  FIGS. 6-9 , the opposite end of the viewer body  22  terminates at a plane, generally not parallel to the plane of the magnifying lens, where a focusing glass  26  is removably held in place by a removable retaining ring  28 . The focusing glass  26  and the magnifying lens  24  are held at the correct distance from each other by the viewer body  22  such that the camera of the personal communications device  1  is properly focused through the magnifying lens at the top of the viewer body to the surface of a gemstone  3  ( FIG. 5 ), such as a diamond, placed against the outside surface of the focusing glass at the bottom of the viewer body. The optimal angle for the plane of the focusing glass  26  compared to the plane of the magnifying lens  24  is determined by the focal length of the magnifying lens in relation to the location of the light source  4 . In this embodiment, the angle would be between about 5 degrees and 25 degrees, and most preferably about 13 to 16 degrees. 
         [0033]    The bottom plane  16  of the base  12  also has an opening  29  leading to a channel  30  to allow an unobstructed path for light from the light source  4  of the personal communications device  1  to pass through channel  30  oriented toward the focusing glass  26 . As described above, then, the focusing glass  26  is oriented at an angle so the diamond  3  making contact with the focusing glass will receive the light beam path as directed to it from the light source  4  and reflect the light beam path back to, and through, the magnifying lens  24  to the camera lens  2  of the personal communications device  1 . 
         [0034]    In alternative embodiments, the path of the light source  4  could be oriented toward the magnifying lens so that the path of the light from the light source leads to the magnifying lens and then to the surface of the diamond  3 , which in turn reflects the path of light back to, and through, the magnifying lens  24  to the lens  2  of the camera of the personal communications device. Such oriented paths of light beams, and the angles required, are disclosed in the Engraved Gemstone Viewer patents as referenced above. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 12-19  show yet another embodiment of a gemstone viewer  150  in accordance with the invention. Unlike the embodiments described above that rely on a light source provided by the electronic communication device  1 , the front facing cameras on typical tablet computers  152  do not include a light source. To overcome this limitation, gemstone viewer  150  includes an internal light source to provide the illumination necessary for the camera to take a useable photo of a gemstone  3 . Of course, this embodiment may be used with any camera that does not have its own light source without departing from the invention. 
         [0036]    Gemstone viewer  150  includes a base  154  having an integral light source  156  powered by a battery  158 , and controlled by a switch  160 . The base  154  also includes a portal  162  that, when installed on the tablet computer, allows the front facing camera to view the inside of gemstone viewer  150 . The base further includes a one or more mirrors  164  that direct light from the integral light source  156  through the gemstone  3  and then to the camera. As shown in  FIG. 15 , the integral light source  156  includes a lamp  166  and a lamp housing  168 . The lamp housing  168  includes an opening  169  that directs a focused beam of light  170  toward one of the mirrors  164 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 16  shows one embodiment of the mirrors  164  that directs the beam of light  170  from a horizontal path, to the gemstone  3 , and finally to a vertical path to allow the camera  151 , or alternatively the user&#39;s naked eye, to view the magnified and illuminated gemstone. As shown the beam of light  170  contacts a first mirror  164 ′ disposed at a first angle from horizontal. The angles identified herein are preferred for the present embodiment, but any angles that result in a beam of light passing to a gemstone  3 , a lens  174 , and finally to an orientation correct to align with the camera lens, or alternatively the user&#39;s naked eye, may be used without departing from the invention. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 16  shows the first angle is preferably an angle of 57.5°, which causes the beam of light to have an angle of incidence with the gemstone of 25°. After the beam of light  170  passes off the gemstone, it passes through a lens  174  before contacting a second mirror  164 ″ that is disposed at an angle of about 63.6° from the path of light. Finally, the beam of light  170  reflects off of the second mirror  164 ″ and contacts third mirror  164 ′″, which is disposed at an angle of about 51.1° from the path of light after it reflects off of the second mirror. 
         [0038]    In the embodiment shown, gemstone viewer  150  is aligned with a front facing camera  151  on a tablet computer  152 . As shown, the gemstone viewer  150  is aligned with the front facing camera using an alignment washer  153 . The alignment washer  153  is removably affixed to the tablet computer  152  so that the front facing camera  151  is centered inside the washer. The alignment washer  153  may be removably affixed to the tablet computer  152  by adhesive or any other suitable means. The gemstone viewer  150  includes an alignment recess  155  that aligns with the alignment washer  153  to axially align the portal  162  to the front facing camera  151 . The gemstone viewer  150  will also work without an alignment washer  153  by simply manually aligning the portal  162  to the front facing camera  151 . 
         [0039]    One of the further advantages of this embodiment is that, besides being capable of being used with the front facing camera  151  of an electronic communications device that does not have its own light source, gemstone viewer  150  can also be used with the user&#39;s naked eye looking into the portal  162 . This eliminates the need for a user to carry a portable electronic device with a camera. In either case, the gemstone viewer  150  allows the front facing camera  151  or the user&#39;s naked eye to read an inscription  202  (see  FIG. 20 ) on the gemstone  3 , which is otherwise invisible to the naked eye. 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIG. 13 , a cover  172  is removably attached to the base  154 . The cover  172  provides an enclosure that encloses and protects the integral light source  156  and the mirrors  164 . Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 15 , the cover includes a lens  174  and a focusing glass  176 , which is really any type of optically clear structure. As in the previously described embodiments, the focusing glass  176  and lens  174  are positioned to allow the front facing camera of the tablet computer  152  to focus on a gemstone placed on the focusing glass. 
         [0041]    The embodiment shown also includes a gemstone retention clip  178  that secures a ring or loose gemstone  3  to the focusing glass  176 . As shown, the gemstone retention clip  178  is removably attached to the cover  172 , which allows rings and gemstones of varying sizes to be placed between the gemstone retention clip and the focusing glass  176 . To secure a loose gemstone  3 , gemstone retention clip  178  includes a recess  180  to accommodate the culet of a diamond. Of course, alternative recesses could be formed to accommodate other gemstone shapes without departing from the invention. 
         [0042]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, the drawings show and the specification describes only some of the preferred embodiments of the invention. It should be understood that the drawings and specification are to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention. They are not intended to limit the broad aspects of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. That function is left to the claims, which follow.