Abstract:
A device for providing a smartphone user with improved viewing of a smartphone&#39;s display. The device has an attachment interface for mounting, holding and locating a smartphone for optimal viewing. The device includes binocular viewing optics to allow the user to comfortably view all or most of the smartphone&#39;s display simultaneously with both eyes and with significant magnification. Also incorporated into the device is an array of pushbuttons, a touchpad or both that allows the user a means to control the operation of the smartphone, since conventional access to the smartphone&#39;s touchscreen may be precluded by the housing of the device. The device communicates its control signals to the smartphone wirelessly, using one or more wireless protocols compatible with the built-in capability of the smartphone. The device includes a battery for the operation of the electronics, where said battery may be rechargeable. Optionally, the device includes an afocal magnifier lens to alter the effective focal length and hence, the apparent magnification of the built-in front-facing camera of the smartphone.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/018,773, filed Jun. 30, 2014 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/099,591, filed Jan. 5, 2015. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
       [0004]    Not applicable. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention relates to smartphone accessories and more particularly to a device for connecting with a smartphone to provide improved viewing and operation during still or video image capture. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In recent years mobile telephones have become much more than just telephones. Advanced mobile telephones, commonly referred to as “smartphones”, have become powerful, ubiquitous computing devices, providing portable internet access, powerful computer processing ability and media storage. Such devices can access, store and play various media such as movies, photos, music, etc. 
         [0007]    The technical capabilities of the camera(s) and display of smartphones has also been advancing rapidly, to point where a consumer&#39;s smartphone is more likely than not their primary still and video camera. With the smartphone directly connected to the internet, without any extra effort on the part of the user, the user can “instantly” upload and share captured images and video or share imagery in real time with one or more remote participants. 
         [0008]    To the consumer, camera and display capabilities of smartphones have become “selling points” and features on par with any other capabilities and features of smartphones. Along with the camera and display other sensors and capabilities have advanced as well, including: precision location determination (built in GPS) and orientation (3 axis accelerometers, flux-gate compasses and gyroscopes). 
         [0009]    Problems do remain for the smartphone user who is capturing still images or video, particularly when out of doors or at a large venue such as a concert. The display can suffer from “wash-out” and be difficult or impossible to see clearly when the display has direct sunlight or other intense light falling on it. Also, the as viewed resolution of the display may fall far short of the potential resolution, simply due to the (relatively) small size of the display. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The following summary presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the systems and/or methods discussed herein. This summary is not an extensive overview of the systems and/or methods discussed herein. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of such systems and/or methods. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
         [0011]    The present invention provides a device for improving the viewing of the display of a smartphone. The device has a means of locating and retaining the smartphone while the smartphone&#39;s display is viewed by the user through binocular viewing optics. 
         [0012]    The device may not require significant independent computing power, but may use the computing power of the smartphone itself, thereby potentially making the device lighter and less expensive than a “stand-alone” device with the same capabilities. The camera(s), display and sensors of the smartphone may also be used to similar advantage. 
         [0013]    The device incorporates a user interface that may include pushbuttons, touchpad(s) or both. This user interface allows the user to interact with the smartphone (including particular smartphone “apps”) in a natural-feeling and convenient manner, even though the user may not be able to touch the screen of the phone itself. 
         [0014]    The user interface may be accomplished wirelessly through a protocol that is compatible with a built-in capability of the smartphone. 
         [0015]    The device may be powered independently from the smartphone, with its own battery. The battery may be of a primary (non-rechargeable) type or it may be rechargeable. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0016]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein: 
           [0017]      FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  1 C and  1 D show an assembly of a smartphone with the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is an oblique view of an embodiment of the invention with a smartphone in an exploded state; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3A  is an oblique view of an embodiment of the cradle assembly of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3B  is an oblique view of an embodiment of the cradle assembly of the invention in an exploded state; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4A  is an oblique view of the an embodiment of the front cover assembly of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4B  is an oblique view of an embodiment of the front cover assembly of the invention in an exploded state; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 5A through 5H  show an assembly of a smartphone into a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is an oblique view of the second embodiment of the invention in an exploded state; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is an oblique view of an embodiment of the retainer assembly of the second embodiment of the invention in an exploded state; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8A  is an oblique view of an embodiment of the touchpad assembly of the second embodiment of the invention in an exploded state; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8B  is an oblique view of an embodiment of the touchpad controller PCB assembly of the second embodiment of the invention in an exploded state; 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is an oblique view of the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is an oblique view of the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 11A  is a plan view of the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 11B  is a front elevation view of the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 11C  is a half-sectioned side elevation view of the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 12A  is a half-sectioned plan view of the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 12B  is a front elevation view of the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 12C  is a detail view of the  FIG. 12A  half-sectioned plan view of the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 13  is an oblique view of the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0037]      FIGS. 14A through 14F  are oblique views of embodiments of components of a third embodiment of the invention that illustrate an attachment of an external camera to the invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 15A  is an oblique view of the third embodiment of the invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 15B  is an oblique view of the third embodiment of the invention with an external camera attached; 
           [0040]      FIG. 16  is an oblique view of the third embodiment of the invention, shown in separated relation to the face and head of a user who is wearing glasses; 
           [0041]      FIG. 17  is an oblique view of the third embodiment of the invention, shown in close relation to the face and head of a user who is wearing glasses; 
           [0042]      FIG. 18A  is a detail oblique view of the third embodiment of the invention, shown in close relation to the face and head of a user who is wearing glasses; 
           [0043]      FIG. 18B  is another detail oblique view of the third embodiment of the invention, shown in close relation to the face and head of a user who is wearing glasses; 
           [0044]      FIG. 19A  is a plan view of the first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0045]      FIG. 19B  is a plan view of the second embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0046]      FIG. 20  is a representation of an appearance of the display, as seen by the user. 
           [0047]      FIG. 21A  is a plan view showing an embodiment of the relationships between the eyelenses, the user&#39;s eyes and the smartphone&#39;s display. 
           [0048]      FIG. 21B  is a half-sectioned plan view of the eyelens, relating to the section line shown in  FIG. 21C . 
           [0049]      FIG. 21C  is a front elevation view of the eyelens. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0050]    One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions are made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
         [0051]    When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present invention, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. 
         [0052]      FIG. 1A through 1D  represent a sequence of actions associated with an exemplary embodiment of preparing the invention for use. 
         [0053]    With reference to  FIG. 1A , an exemplary viewing adapter device  100  having a latch  102  and a front cover assembly  104  is shown with front cover assembly  104  tilted forward and latch  102  released so as to be ready to receive a smartphone  106 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 1B  shows the aforementioned components after the smartphone  106  has been moved fully into its operating position but with the front cover assembly  104  still tilted forward and the latch  102  still disengaged. The placement and location of the smartphone  106  may be aided by guiding rails and a stop surface where these guiding and locating surfaces may be appropriately relieved to accommodate protruding features, such as pushbuttons, that are built into the design of the smartphone  106 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 10  shows the exemplary embodiment of the invention, after having received the smartphone  106  with the front cover assembly  104  raised but not yet secured by the latch  102 . The front cover assembly  104  may include a slide stop feature that acts to locate the smartphone  106  by occupying space behind the smartphone  106  when the front cover assembly  104  is in its closed position. 
         [0056]      FIG. 1D  shows the exemplary embodiment of the invention, now with the smartphone  106  fully inserted and secured by movement of the latch  102 . 
         [0057]    Note that removal of the smartphone  106  from the adapter device  100  will typically entail the reversal of these steps. 
         [0058]    Note that mating surfaces, such as between the front lid assembly  104  and the rest of the viewing adapter device  100 , may incorporate gasketing, sealing materials, sealing surfaces and the like to reduce or eliminate ingress of water, air or other fluids or unwanted substances into the interior of the viewing adapter device  100  when it is closed. Spaces between other surfaces where components may move or not move relative to adjacent surfaces may also, similarly, be provided with sealing means. Over and/or under pressure relief means may also be incorporated into the invention to accommodate for changes in environmental pressures. 
         [0059]      FIG. 2  shows an exemplary embodiment of the invention in an exploded state. Latch  102  attaches in hinged fashion to link  122  which in turn attaches, also in hinged fashion, to the housing  120 . The eyelens assembly  134  is captured to the housing  120  by the eyelens retainer  132  having received screw(s)  130  that pass through face adapter  136 . Cradle assembly  124  is attached to housing  120  by means of screw(s)  128 . Front cover assembly  104  is attached in hinged fashion to housing  120 , and switch assembly(s)  126  are bonded or otherwise attached to housing  120 . Smartphone  106  is shown for reference only and may not be permanently assembled to the viewing adapter device  100 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 3A  is an oblique view of an exemplary embodiment of cradle assembly  124  of the invention and  FIG. 3B  shows the cradle assembly  124  of the invention in an exploded state where a battery  156  is captured between cradle  150  and main PCB  152  when assembled with screw(s)  160 . Secondary PCB  154  is attached to cradle  150  by screw(s)  158 . Battery  156 , main PCB  152 , secondary PCB  154  are interconnected with wiring (not shown) which also connects to switch assembly(s)  126 . The main PCB  154  may include components to support the battery charging function (if battery  156  is rechargeable), the wireless communication function and the switch input decoding function. The secondary PCB  154  may incorporate a charging and diagnostics port as well as power switch and status indicator light(s). 
         [0061]      FIG. 4A  is an oblique view of the front cover assembly  104  of an embodiment of the invention and  FIG. 4B  shows the front cover assembly  104  of the invention in an exploded state where afocal magnification lens  182  is attached to lens adapter  184  which is mounted to front cover shell  180  with screw(s)  186 . Window  188  and frame  190  are attached to front cover shell  180  with screw(s)  192 . The afocal magnification lens  182  may have a magnifying power of about 2×, although magnification powers greater than and less than 2× are also contemplated, to “bring distant objects closer” than they would be perceived by the smartphone  106  front facing camera without the afocal magnification lens  182 . 
         [0062]    Embodiments of the window  188  and frame  190  as it interfaces to the front cover shell  180  may incorporate fluid tight sealing means to prevent ingress of fluids, etc. when the viewing adapter device  100  is in use. 
         [0063]      FIGS. 5A through 5H  shows a second embodiment of the invention, and the assembly of a smartphone with cover  210  ito viewing adapter device  200  in a set of sequential steps. 
         [0064]      FIG. 5A  shows the viewing adapter device  200  in a closed position without a smartphone with cover  210  in place. Lever  202  is indicated and shown in its unreleased position.  FIG. 5B  shows the lever  202  rotated approximately  45  degrees clockwise and causing the latch  204  to be moved, thereby disengaging the latch  204  from the catch  208  shown in  FIG. 5C  where the retainer arm assembly is now shown in forward rotated position, ready to receive smartphone with cover  210 .  FIG. 5D  shows smartphone with cover  210  being brought into alignment with viewing adapter device  200  and  FIG. 5E  shows the smartphone with cover  210  having its lower edge engaged with viewing adapter device  200 .  FIG. 5F  shows smartphone with cover  210  rotated parallel to but slightly separated from viewing adapter device  200 .  FIG. 5G  shows smartphone with cover  210  now fully engaged to viewing adapter device  200  but not secured.  FIG. 5H  shows smartphone with cover  210  now secured to viewing adapter device  200  by having rotated retainer arm assembly  206  such that latch  204  engages catch  208 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 6  is an oblique view of an embodiment of viewing adapter device  200  in an exploded state where eyelens assembly  234  is captured by face adapter  236  which is held in place by screw(s)  238  screwed into housing  230 . Pin with retaining clip  242  is inserted into housing  230  and held in place with retaining clip  244 , thereby, along with a recess in housing  230 , providing an attachment point for a neck strap (not shown) on both sides of the viewing adapter device  200 . Touchpad assembly  246  is attached to housing  230  by adhesive or screws (not shown). Retainer assembly  232  is attached to housing  230  by screw(s)  240 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 7  is an oblique view of an embodiment of retainer assembly  232  in an exploded state where retainer arm assembly  206  is also in an exploded state. Nest body  260  and retainer arm  262  are attached together hinge-wise by pin  270  which is retained by retaining clip(s)  272 . Cam  264  is mounted to lever  202  with screw  266  so as to allow a limited rotational movement of about  45  degrees. Assembly of cam  264  and lever  202  captures latch  204  and spring  268 . Spring  268  acts between retainer arm  262  and latch  204  to move the latch  204  in a downwards direction as it appears in this view, while rotating the cam  264  and lever  202  to the position they are shown in in this view. Action of spring  268  allows the retainer arm assembly  206  to “snap” firmly into place when latch  204  engages catch  208 . Rotation of lever  202  releases the retainer arm assembly  206  from its “closed” position. 
         [0067]      FIG. 8A  is an oblique view of an embodiment of touchpad assembly  246  in an exploded state where a number of components are assembled (e.g. sandwiched) together. Surface spacer  292  and flexible gasket  294  are bonded, or otherwise affixed, to touchpad  296  and flexible gasket  294  is also bonded, or otherwise affixed, to touchpad bezel  290 . Stud(s)  302  may be screwed into touchpad bezel  290  providing alignment for touchpad controller PCB assembly  300 . A flat flexible cable (FFC)  298  may provide electrical connections between the touchpad  296  (at a connector not shown) and the touchpad controller PCB assembly  300 . Touchpad assembly  246  may be attached to housing  230  by nuts (not shown) that thread onto stud(s)  302 . 
         [0068]      FIG. 8B  is an oblique view of an embodiment of touchpad controller PCB assembly  300  in an exploded state where switch(s)  310  and electrical connector  312  are soldered to touchpad controller PCB  304 . Switch button(s)  308  are captured in open guideways in switch button frame  306 . Screw(s)  318 , washer(s)  314  and nut(s)  316  hold the stack of components together for assembly into touchpad assembly  246  where the components may be further constrained. Connector  312  interfaces with one end of flat flexible cable (FFC)  298 . Other electrical connections may be provided to a battery (not shown) and charging connector (not shown), etc. Components for providing a wireless interface to the smartphone with cover  210  may be mounted on touchpad controller PCB  304  or on another PCB (not shown). In an exemplary operation, touching the surface spacer  292  results in a position reporting signal being sent to the smartphone with cover  210  and pressing down on surface spacer  292  at any point on its exposed surface results in a switch closure signal being transmitted. Alternatively, the design may incorporate a rigidly fixed touchpad, with or without pushbutton switches, facilitating the use of a tap or other gesture as an alternative or in addition to a pressing action. A rigidly mounted touchpad may also incorporate “force sensing” technology, providing pressure as well as location data when there is a touch input to the touchpad. Haptic feedback means may also be combined with user input devices of either pushbutton or touchpad types so as to improve user experience and/or to provide special or typical tactile feedback to the user. 
         [0069]      FIG. 9  is an oblique view from the viewing direction of an embodiment of viewing adapter device  200  having smartphone with cover  210  in place, suitable for operation. Face adapter  236  is seen at the near end of viewing adapter device  200 . The display of the smartphone is seen through the eyelenses of viewing adapter device  200 . Also seen through the left eyelens is smartphone display-side camera  322  which is exposed by the fact that it is in alignment with a hole in nest body  260 . This arrangement may enable the implementation of eye-tracking during use of the invention. Data from eye-tracking may be used to determine the user&#39;s point-of-interest on the smartphone&#39;s display. This point-of-interest data may be used in real time to direct automatic focusing, exposure, zoom or other front-facing camera functions. Similar interactions with non-real time imagery presented to the user is also enabled, such as eye-tracking panning of imagery in a 360 degree panorama. 
         [0070]      FIG. 10  is top-rear oblique view of an embodiment of viewing adapter device  200  having smartphone with cover  210  in place, suitable for operation. Neck-strap attachment point  324  is shown as is the relief in housing  230  for neck-strap attachment. An exemplary shape of face adapter  236  is seen here, including protrusions and reliefs described later. 
         [0071]      FIG. 11A  is a plan view of an embodiment of viewing adapter device  200  having smartphone with cover  210  in place, suitable for operation. An exemplary shape of the top edge of face adapter  236  is seen clearly here. 
         [0072]      FIG. 11B  is an elevation view from the viewing direction of an embodiment of viewing adapter device  200  having smartphone with cover  210  in place, suitable for operation. Two separate exemplary viewing lenses are seen here. 
         [0073]      FIG. 11C  is a half section side elevation view of an embodiment of viewing adapter device  200  having smartphone with cover  210  in place, suitable for operation, the section line being shown in  FIG. 11B . The (left) eyelens  320  is seen here as well as an exemplary shape of the face adapter  236 . 
         [0074]      FIG. 12A  is a half section top plan view of an embodiment of viewing adapter device  200  having smartphone with cover  210  in place, suitable for operation, the section line being shown in  FIG. 12B . Exemplary shape and orientation of (both) eyelens(s)  320  is seen here along with the nose relief in face adapter  236 . The relief in housing  230  at neck-strap attachment point  324  is seen here. Exemplary eyelens(s)  320  are also seen to be wedge-shaped and angled towards their mid-line. Exemplary eyelens  320  is plano-convex with an effective focal length of about 100 mm, although other focal lengths are contemplated, and is comprised of a moldable, low-dispersion glass so as to be manufacturable by molding at a low cost with high quality. The exemplary lens arrangement as shown allows comfortable viewing without interocular lens separation for most users. The lens focal length and distance to the smartphone&#39;s display is such that the apparent viewing distance and focusing required for the user&#39;s eyes allows the user to view the smartphone&#39;s display interchangeably with distance viewing. If the user wears glasses (or contact lenses) for distance viewing they will be able to view the smartphone&#39;s display with those glasses. If the user doesn&#39;t use glasses for distance viewing, they will view the smartphone&#39;s display without glasses. 
         [0075]      FIG. 12B  is an elevation view from the viewing direction of an embodiment of viewing adapter device  200  having smartphone with cover  210  in place, suitable for operation. 
         [0076]      FIG. 12C  is a detail view presenting a portion of  FIG. 12A  at a larger scale. The display-side face of smartphone  350  held snugly against nest body  260  while a step incorporated into the design of nest body  260  locates the smartphone  350  laterally by engaging with the inner edge of smartphone cover  352 . Nest body  260  has a step on the side opposite the smartphone  350  that engages the housing  230 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 13  is an oblique view from the smartphone with cover  210  attachment and bottom viewing direction of viewing adapter device  200  having smartphone with cover  210  in place, suitable for operation. Neck-strap attachment point  324  is seen in this view. The surface of attachment interface  360  is shown. Attachment interface  360  provides a flat and horizontal mounting surface to facilitate attachment of viewing adapter device  200  to various mounts including conventional photographic tripods. 
         [0078]      FIG. 14A  shows the rear, mounting interface side of an embodiment of a detachable camera  400  which includes an exemplary mounting interface on camera detail  402  comprising a set of radially arranged tabs. 
         [0079]      FIG. 14B  shows the front, lens side of an embodiment of a detachable camera  400  in a fully retracted or standby state. 
         [0080]      FIG. 14C  shows exemplary retainer arm with camera interface  404  having attachment detail  406 . Retainer arm with camera interface  404  can be directly substituted for previously described retainer arm  262  thereby providing the capability to mount detachable camera  400 . 
         [0081]      FIG. 14D  shows an embodiment of a detachable camera  400  aligned but separated from retainer arm with camera interface  404 . 
         [0082]      FIG. 14E  shows an embodiment of a detachable camera  400  mounted to retainer arm with camera interface  404 . The mounting operation is accomplished by matching the protrusions of mounting interface on camera  402  with the recesses of attachment detail  406 , fully inserting these details together and then rotating the full body of detachable camera  400  till a spring-loaded pin in detachable camera  400  engages a matching hole that is incorporated into attachment detail  406 . Removal of the detachable camera  400  requires the movement of a lever on the body of the detachable camera  400  to disengage said pin, and with the pin disengaged, the detachable camera  400  body is rotated in the opposite direction of its rotation for attachment to detach it. 
         [0083]      FIG. 14F  shows an embodiment of a detachable camera  400  with extended camera lens  408  fully extended and mounted to retainer arm with camera interface  404 . 
         [0084]      FIG. 15A  is a smartphone-side oblique view of an embodiment of viewing adapter device  200  with retainer arm with camera interface  404  substituted for retainer arm  262 . 
         [0085]      FIG. 15B  is a smartphone-side oblique view of an embodiment of viewing adapter device  200  with detachable camera  400  mounted. Extended camera lens  408  is fully extended representing operational mode. 
         [0086]      FIG. 16  is a smartphone-side oblique view of an embodiment of viewing adapter device  200  with detachable camera  400  mounted shown aligned with but separated from the face of a person  450  with eyeglasses  452 . 
         [0087]      FIG. 17  is a smartphone-side oblique view of an embodiment of viewing adapter device  200  with detachable camera  400  mounted shown aligned and close to the face of a person  450  with eyeglasses  452 . 
         [0088]      FIG. 18A  shows the arrangement of  FIG. 17  but from a downward-looking viewpoint. Note that face adapter  236  includes exemplary detail forehead conformal curve  500 . 
         [0089]      FIG. 18B  shows the arrangement of  FIG. 17  but from an upward-looking viewpoint. Note that face adapter  236  includes exemplary eyeglasses side relief  502  and nose relief  504  details. 
         [0090]    The combination of forehead conformal curve  500 , eyeglasses side relief  502  and nose relief  504  provides face adapter  236  with an optimized capability to provide: shielding from ambient light, alignment and positioning of the viewing adapter device  200  in use, stabilization of viewing adapter device  200  when it is in contact with the face of a person  450 , and the freedom for the user to wear their eyeglasses  452 . Face adapter  236  may be comprised of or otherwise incorporate soft and/or flexible, or other suitable, materials to further enhance its function as contacting surface with the face of the user. 
         [0091]      FIG. 19A  is a top plan view of an embodiment of viewing adapter device  100  showing exemplary physical button one  550  through physical button ten  568  arranged in two groups of five each linearly disposed towards the upper side corners of viewing adapter device  100 . 
         [0092]      FIG. 19B  is a top plan view of an embodiment of viewing adapter device  200  showing exemplary touchpad active area  580  as it is centrally located on the top surface of viewing adapter device  200 . 
         [0093]      FIG. 20  shows the smartphone&#39;s display area  620  and an exemplary embodiment of how virtual button one  600  through virtual button ten  618  may be incorporated into the information display of the smartphone. 
         [0094]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention having physical buttons, physical button one  550  through physical button ten  568  may be mapped to functions indicated by the display states of virtual button one  600  through virtual button ten  618 . Physical buttons may incorporate capacitive touch or other suitable sensing means, such as optical reflection or beam interruption, to allow the software of the smartphone to be notified that a button is being touched, but not pressed. This “touched but not pressed” state may be indicated on the display by highlighting of touched button(s) of the smartphone for clear feedback to the user, since user will not be able to see their hands while viewing with the invention. 
         [0095]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention without physical buttons that map to the smartphone display, the user&#39;s touch on the touchpad active area  580  may be substituted for a touch on the touchscreen of the smartphone itself. The X-Y grid of the touchpad active area  580  may be mapped 1:1 to the smartphone&#39;s display area  620  to provide the user with a familiar and easy to use control interface. A “cursor” or other visual indication of one or multiple touches may be provided on the smartphone&#39;s display. Tapping or firmly pressing on the touchpad active area  580  may substitute for the commonly used “touch up inside” means for activating a button within the software of the smartphone. 
         [0096]    Physical buttons may be combined with a touchpad in another embodiment of the invention. In an exemplary embodiment the operation of physical buttons may be communicated to the smartphone using a standard wireless keyboard protocol, while touchpad input may be communicated to the smartphone using a standard wireless trackpad protocol, although other means of communication are also contemplated. 
         [0097]      FIG. 21A  shows the viewing optics of an exemplary embodiment of the invention where a left eyelens  640  and a right eyelens are symmetrically opposed across an axis of symmetry  652  with an eyelens separation distance  638  of 2.5 mm. Both eyelenses are planoconvex with the flat (plano) side of each eyelens at an eyelens tilt  654  angle of 2.5 degrees from perpendicular to the axis of symmetry  652 . The pair of eyelenses are located with an eyelens to smartphone separation distance  648  of 100 mm between the pair of eyelenses and the smartphone display surface  636  which is perpendicular to the axis of symmetry  652  and has a smartphone display width  650  dimension of 103.9 mm. The user&#39;s left eye  644  and right eye  646  are shown with an interocular distance  656  of 65 mm and an eye relief  658  of 15 mm. 
         [0098]      FIG. 21B  is a horizontal cross-section of the exemplary right eyelens  642  showing a center thickness  662  of 7.25 mm, and inner edge thickness  666  of 5.72 mm and an outer edge thickness  668  of 2.92 mm. The convex surface of the lens has a radius of curvature  664  of 74.3 mm with an offset distance  660  of 5 mm between the center of curvature (and horizontal point of tangency) and the lens mid-plane  661 . 
         [0099]      FIG. 21C  is an elevation view of exemplary right eyelens  642  showing a eyelens width dimension  670  of 40 mm, an eyelens height dimension  672  of 30 mm and an eyelens corner radius  674  dimension of 6 mm. 
         [0100]    The two exemplary eyelenses are of identical design to each other and are constructed of moldable low dispersion glass and rigidly fixed in a common housing. Alternatively, the lenses may be constructed of plastic or other suitable optical material (instead of moldable low dispersion glass), they may be adjustable as to separation distance, they may have anti-reflection or other coatings and they may each be comprised of differing optical materials so as to minimize chromatic aberrations. In another alternative, the lenses may incorporate aspherical surfaces, fresnel type surfaces or holographic imaging surfaces. 
         [0101]    The exemplary detachable camera  400  may communicate with the invention and/or smartphone using wireless interfaces such as wi-fi, NFC and Bluetooth and/or hardwired electrical and optical data transport means. Mounting of the detachable camera  400  may be sensed and specific configuration, and other, information about the detachable camera  400  may be communicated to automatically configure the smartphone&#39;s software to operate with the particular camera unit. 
         [0102]    In some embodiments of the invention, the smartphone mounting interface, such as cradle assembly  124  and retainer assembly  232 , may be a modular component of a complete viewing adapter device assembly where a variety of specific smartphone mounting interface designs are produced to support the use of smartphones of varying models from multiple manufacturers with a more limited number of main viewing adapter device housing assemblies. 
         [0103]    As an alternative, or in addition, to the detachable camera  400  as shown, one or more cameras may be incorporated into the housing or the smartphone mounting interface of the invention. In some embodiments a pair of cameras, or a single camera, suitably located relative to the smartphones front-facing camera with, for example, an approximately 65 mm horizontal separation can be used to capture stereoscopic images or video for later “3D” playback or viewing. Larger horizontal separation is also contemplated and may be used, as is suitable, for special effect or range finding. 
         [0104]    A detachable or built-in added camera may also include its own data storage and other capabilities. Said exemplary camera may be sensitive to non-visible or extremely low-intensity light for thermal or night vision capabilities. 
         [0105]    A detachable or built-in optical device with “time-of-flight” optical range measuring or area scanning/ranging capability can be incorporated into the invention. 
         [0106]    The invention can be operated with “smartphone like” devices such as Apple&#39;s iPod Touch and also tablet devices from a variety of manufacturers. These devices can be described as combining a computer with a display and integrated touchscreen in a handheld unitary package 
         [0107]    This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.