Patent Publication Number: US-2009237813-A1

Title: Wireless communication device with magnifying lens

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
     The present invention relates to a wireless communication device, and more specifically, a wireless communication device equipped with a magnifying lens for enabling a user to magnify objects displayed on the information display screen, as well as objects located distally from the display screen. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
     Cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and other mobile communication devices have become ubiquitous electronic devices for enhancing personal communications. These devices not only provide audio communications, but have been augmented with other features and devices, such as cameras, video players, web browsers and video games, among others to enhance the user&#39;s ability to communicate with, and be entertained by, the mobile device. 
     Although mobile devices have been vastly improved in terms of being much more user friendly, having better reception, including more features, and a smaller size that makes them more convenient to transport, some of the features can have drawbacks during operation. For example, the relatively small display screen is often difficult to view or read, especially for those with vision impairments. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,985,311 to Bartone discloses a flip-top cellular phone having a top display screen portion which is hinged to a base portion (with a keypad) in a foldable arrangement in a well known manner. A thin magnifying film, such as a Fresnel lens, is secured to the top portion over the display screen by a pair of cantilever springs. The cantilever springs are biased in an extended position, wherein the springs automatically pop outward when the lid is opened to support the magnifying film at a desired magnifying distance from the screen. The magnifying distance may be determined by the focal point of the magnifying film and the needs of the user. However, by this arrangement, the magnifying lens is limited for only viewing information displayed on the display screen of the cellular phone, as opposed to objects that are positioned laterally with respect to the cellular phone. In addition, the lens and cantilever springs can become an irritant to a user when the top portion of the cellular phone is placed close to the ear of the user during use. 
     Although the flip-screen magnifier described in the Bartone patent can be helpful to view the information shown on a display screen, individuals, such as those with impaired vision, often find a magnifying lens to be helpful for viewing written material (e.g., books, newspapers and the like) or other objects not associated with the display screen. However, many of these individuals also find it inconvenient to carry additional personal accessories such as a magnifying glass. Furthermore, the magnifying lens of the Bartone patent does not permit viewing of objects positioned laterally or adjacent with respect to the cellular telephone. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
     The deficiencies of the prior art can be overcome, as well as other advantages described herein can be achieved, by providing a wireless communication device equipped with a magnifying lens that can be positioned over, as well as laterally with respect to the display screen of the device. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the wireless communication device includes a wireless telephone (hereinafter “phone” or “cell phone”) having a housing with a display screen for displaying information associated with wireless communications, among other telephone and communication features. The display screen is positioned on a surface of the housing. A magnifying lens is mounted in a first position over the display screen for magnifying information displayed on the display screen. A user can adjust (i.e., move) the magnifying lens to a second position that is distally located from the display screen for magnifying objects distally located from the wireless communication device. The housing can be in the form of a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, or any other portable electronic communications device. In the instance where the device is a cellular telephone, the housing can be a drawer type cellular phone, a candy bar type cellular phone, or a flip-top cellular phone, among other configurations of cellular phones. 
     The magnifying lens can be fabricated from plastic or glass. The magnifying lens can be a Fresnel lens or any other type of magnifying device. A Fresnel lens is a thin optical lens consisting of concentric rings of segmental lenses having a short focal length. 
     In one embodiment, the magnifying lens is mounted to the housing by a hinge. The hinge facilitates rotation of the magnifying lens between the first and second positions. The magnifying lens can be rotated by a user about the hinge at least about 45 degrees or greater with respect to the display screen. Preferably, the magnifying lens can be rotated by a user about the hinge at least 180 degrees. 
     In another embodiment, the display screen is recessed within the housing, and the magnifying lens is slidably mounted over the display screen. In this embodiment, the housing. The housing comprises a pair of opposed channels (i.e., an upper channel and a lower channel), which are formed above and below the display screen. The magnifying lens is slidably mounted between the pair of opposed channels. A slot is formed along a sidewall of the housing, and the slot is aligned between the pair of opposed channels and has a length less that the distance between the pair of opposing channels. 
     The magnifying lens can include a pair of axially aligned pins formed on a first end of the magnifying lens that respectively extend within the channels. The magnifying lens is positioned over the display screen in the first position, and slidably extends through the slot at the second position to view objects distal from the housing. 
     In one embodiment, the housing includes at least one biasing spring positioned along a sidewall opposite the sidewall with the slot and adjacent the display screen. The biasing spring is compressed in response to a force directing the magnifying lens inward over the display screen, and expands outward upon removal of the force to thereby slide the magnifying lens to the second position. 
     In yet another embodiment, the magnifying lens is mounted to the housing over the display screen by a pin. The pin facilitates rotation of the magnifying lens between the first position over the display screen and the second position for viewing object distal from the housing. Preferably, the pin is positioned above the display screen and the magnifying lens can be rotated 180 degrees about the pin. 
     For any of the lens mounting techniques described hereinabove, the communications device preferably includes a light emitting element mounted to the back surface of the housing for illuminating the object to be viewed through the lens. A switch is mounted to the housing and is electrically coupled to the light emitting source for providing power to the light emitting element from a power source. The light emitting element is preferably a light emitting diode, although other light emitting elements can be provided, such as a photovoltaic cell, an incandescent bulb, fiber optics, and the like. In one embodiment, the display screen includes a light emitting device for illuminating objects when the magnifying lens is positioned in the second position. 
     Accordingly, the present invention provides a wireless communication device that is equipped with a magnifying lens for conveniently magnifying information shown on a display screen without irritating the user while communicating with the device. The present invention also provides a wireless communication device that is equipped with a magnifying lens for magnifying objects that are not associated with the display screen of the wireless communication device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       The teachings of the present invention can be readily understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a top, front and right side perspective view of a flip-type cellular telephone, in a closed position, and illustrating a first embodiment of a magnifying lens of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the cellular telephone taken along the line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the cellular phone of  FIG. 1 , in an open position, illustrating the magnifying lens positioned over the display screen; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view of the cellular phone taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the cellular phone of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the magnifying lens in use for reading text that is positioned externally from the display screen; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the cellular phone of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the magnifying lens in use for viewing a small object positioned externally from the display screen; 
         FIG. 7  is a top, front and right side perspective view of a cellular phone arranged in an open position and equipped with a second embodiment of the magnifying lens of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a top, front and right side perspective view of a cellular phone arranged in an open position and equipped with a third embodiment of the magnifying lens of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a top, front and right side perspective view of a magnifying lens having a universal pivoting connector for attachment and detachment with a cellular phone; 
         FIG. 10  is a top, front and right side perspective view of the magnifying lens attached to a cellular phone by the universal pivoting connector; 
         FIG. 11  is a partial cross-sectional view of the cellular phone and magnifying lens taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 ; and 
         FIG. 12  is a top, front and right side perspective view of a carrying case for carrying a candy bar type cellular phone and magnifying lens on the belt of a user. 
     
    
    
     To facilitate an understanding of the invention, the same reference numerals have been used, when appropriate, to designate the same or similar elements that are common to the figures. Unless stated otherwise, the features shown and described in the figures are not drawn to scale, but are shown for illustrative purposes only. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     Although the present invention is described herein with reference to a cellular telephone, it should be understood that the apparatus of the present invention may be used on other electronic mobile communication devices, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA, e.g., a BLACKBERRY® communications device), a handheld computer or a video game player among other mobile communication devices. In addition, while the present invention will be described with reference to a folding type (i.e., flip-cover, flip-top or clamshell) cellular phone, those skilled in the art for which the invention pertains will appreciate that the present invention is applicable to other types of cellular phones, such as non flip-type candy bar phones, ultra-thin phones (e.g., RAZR®) or flip-cover slider phones, among other types of cellular phones and mobile communication devices. 
     Referring to the drawings,  FIGS. 1-2  illustrate a folding-type cellular telephone  1  in a closed position, and  FIG. 3  illustrates the cellular phone  1  in an open position. The folding type cellular telephone  1  includes a housing  2  having a base portion  50  coupled (e.g., rotatably coupled) to a top or lid portion  10 . 
     The base portion  50  and top portion  10  of the folding-type phone  1  are connected to each other by at least one hinge  30  to permit rotation between the open and closed positions of the cellular phone  1  in a well known manner. One skilled in the art for which the invention pertains will appreciate that the fastener used to couple the top or lid portion  10  to the base portion  50  is dependent on the style of the cellular telephone. 
     The base portion  50  houses a battery (not shown) to provide power to the cellular telephone  1 . Preferably, the battery is a rechargeable battery, although conventional non-rechargeable batteries can be utilized. A power switch  54  ( FIG. 3 ) is electrically connected between the battery and internal circuitry (not shown) of the cellular phone to turn the cellular phone on and off. The internal circuitry facilitates wireless communications with other communication devices in a well known manner. 
     In one embodiment, an antenna  40  extends from the top surface of the base portion  50  to send and receive wireless communications with other cellular telephones or mobile devices. Alternatively, the antenna  40  can be provided (e.g., flush mounted) within the interior of the base portion  50  in a well known manner. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , the base portion  50  further includes a keypad  51  having user selectable control keys, and a microphone  52 , all of which are accessible to the user from the inner surface  53  of the base portion  50  in a well known manner. The top or lid portion  10  includes an information display screen  11  (i.e., a primary LCD display) and a speaker  12  positioned on the inner surface  13  of the top portion  10 , which are accessible to the user in a well known manner. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the top portion  10  includes an outer cover  14 , which can house an external secondary display panel  64 , such as an LCD display. The LCD display  64  can display, for example, the time and/or the phone number of an incoming or outgoing call. A speaker  62  can also be mounted on the outer cover  14  for providing “hands-free” communications with the phone  1 . 
     In  FIG. 3 , the cell phone includes a magnifying lens  20  mounted according to one embodiment of the present invention. The magnifying lens  20  may be any conventional lens, such as a convex lens fabricated from a transparent material such as glass or plastic. The magnifying lens  20  can be a thin, flat, lightweight plastic lens, such as a Fresnel or other type of magnifying lens. Preferably, the lens  20  has a length and width which is dimensioned to substantially correspond with the dimensions of the display screen  11 . However, the shape and/or size of the lens  20  are not considered limiting. 
     In  FIGS. 2-4 , the magnifying lens  20  is rotatably secured to the top portion  10  by a hinge  21 , which is mounted in a recess or curved edge  22  formed along the inner surface of the top portion  10 . Preferably, the magnifying lens  20  is hinged to one of the lateral edges of the inner surface  13  of the top portion  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 2-4 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , although the magnifying lens  20  is illustratively hinged to the right lateral edge along the inner surface  13  of the top portion  10 , a person skilled in the art for which the invention pertains will appreciate that the mounting location is not considered limiting. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4-6 , the magnifying lens  20  is illustratively shown being pivoted a selective angle with respect to the inner surface  13  of the top portion  10 , such that the lens is displaced from the primary display screen  11 . In this manner, the user can view objects off the screen, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a cross-sectional view of the top portion  10  of the cell phone along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  is shown. One end of the magnifying lens  20  is rotatably attached by the hinge  21 , which extends along the recess  22  formed along the lateral side of the inner surface  13  of the top portion  10  of the phone  1 . Preferably, the user can manually rotate the magnifying lens  20  at least one-hundred and eighty degrees (180°) with respect to the display screen  11  which forms the inner surface  13  of the top portion  10 . 
     In one embodiment as shown in  FIG. 3 , the user can rotate the magnifying lens  20  at an angle away from the display screen  11  by grasping the free end  24  of the lens opposing the hinge  21 , and then rotating the lens  20 , as illustrated by the rotated lens positions shown in phantom. The magnifying lens  20  is returned to its non-extending state in a similar manner by rotating the lens in the opposite direction back over the display screen  11 . Although not shown in  FIG. 4 , a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the magnifying lens  20  can be rotated more than 180 degrees, that is, from the non-extended position over the display screen  11  to a position that extends until the lens  20  comes into contact with the external side wall  15  of the top cover  10 . Accordingly, the magnifying lens  20  can be used to magnify information displayed on the display screen  11  when the lens  20  is positioned over the display screen  11 . Further, the magnifying lens  20  can be used to magnify an object near the cellular phone  1  when the lens  20  is rotated away from the display screen  11 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the angle of the magnifying lens  20  can be easily adjusted such that a user can conveniently view an object positioned distally from the cellular phone  1 . In  FIG. 5 , the magnifying lens  20  is shown rotated approximately 90 degrees with respect to the display screen  11  to view, for example, text that is written on a document or book. In  FIG. 6 , the lens  20  is illustratively shown as being rotated approximately 45 degrees to magnify a non-text object, such as keyhole or any other object requiring magnification by the user. 
     In one embodiment, the display screen  11  can be used as a source of light  66  to provide illumination through the lens to assist the user in better viewing an object (e.g., text). Referring to  FIG. 1 , an on/off switch  61  is mounted on the side of the top portion  10  of the cellular phone  1 . In one embodiment, the light switch  61  can be used to turn the display screen light on in conjunction with or independently of the magnifying lens  20 . The light  66  emitted from the display screen  11  radiates through the lens  20  when extended up to approximately 90 degrees to help illuminate and magnify an object for viewing, for example, in the dark. 
     In a preferred embodiment, a secondary light source, such as a light emitting diode (LED)  60  is mounted on the outer surface of the top portion  10 , although other light emitting sources can be implemented, such as an incandescent bulb, photovoltaic devices or fiber optics, among other light emitting devices. The light radiating from the secondary light source  60  helps to enable the user to view distal objects by illuminating an object directly, without the light passing through the magnifying lens  20 . The on-off switch  61  is electrically coupled between the LED  60  and the battery of the cellular phone  1  to manually turn the LED  60  on and off. Although the on-off switch  61  is illustratively installed on a sidewall of the top portion  10 , a person skilled in the art will appreciate that both the switch  61  as well as the LED  60  can be positioned at other convenient locations on the housing  2  of the cellular phone  1 , such as the outer surface of the base portion  50 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , preferably the switch  61  is a three-way switch mounted on the outer cover  14  of the cellular phone  1 . The switch  61  can be manually set from a central “off” position to a first “on” position (e.g., labeled “DL”) to turn the light of the display screen  11  on continuously. In other words, the display screen power-saving feature of turning of the display screen light off after a predetermined time (e.g., fifteen or thirty seconds) is overridden. 
     Alternatively, the switch  61  can be manually set to a second “on” position to activate the secondary light source  60 , either independently or in conjunction with using the magnifying lens (e.g., labeled “ML”). In this manner, the user can manually set the switch  61  to turn the secondary light source  60  “on” and then use the cellular telephone  1  as a “flashlight” to view and/or magnify distal objects. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , alternative embodiments of the magnifying lens  20  are illustratively shown. Referring to  FIG. 7 , the display screen  11  is recessed within the inner surface  13  of the top portion  10 , and a lateral slot  42  having a substantially rectangular cross section is formed along the sidewall  15  of the top portion  10  over the display screen  11 . The slot  42  is dimensioned to receive the magnifying lens  20  of the present invention. 
     A pair of lower and upper channels  44 ,  45 , respectively, each having a rectangular cross-sectional shape is formed in the inner surface  13  of the outer cover  14 . The upper channel  45  is formed above the display screen  11 , and the lower channel  44  is formed below the display screen  11 . The channels  44  extend inward from the lateral slot  42  to the opposing side  15  of the inner surface  13  away from the slot  42 . The depth and width of the slot  42  and the pair of opposed channels  44 ,  45  are dimensioned such that the magnifying lens  20  can be slidably extended from and retracted over the display screen  11 . Accordingly, the inner surface  13  and outer edge of the display screen  11  forms a pair of opposing tracks for retaining the magnifying lens  20 . 
     Axially aligned upper pin  46  and lower pin  49  are each formed or mounted to an end of the magnifying lens  20 . The pins can be fabricated from any semi-rigid material, such as plastic, metal, or other well-known material. The pins  46 ,  49  serve as guide pins within the channels  44 , as well as end-stops to prevent the magnifying lens  20  from being pulled completely out of the slot  42 . As described above, the upper channel is positioned above the slot  42  and the lower channel is positioned below the slot  42 . The pins  46 ,  49  are dimensioned to extend within and slide along each channel (i.e., track) between the opposing sidewalls  15  of the top portion  10 . When the magnifying lens  20  is in a fully extended position, the upper pin  46  abuts the interior surface of the sidewall  15  above the slot  42  and the lower pin abuts the interior surface of the sidewall  15  below the slot  42 , since the length of the slot  42  is less than the combined length of the magnifying lens  20  and the guide pins  46 ,  49 . 
     In one embodiment, the pins  46  are spring loaded for insertion into the slot  42  and channels  44 . That is, the pins can be compressed inwardly towards each other to facilitate insertion of the magnifying lens  20  into the slot  42  and channels  44 . Once the lens  20  is inserted through the slot  42 , the spring loaded pins expand outward into the channels  44 , thereby securing the magnifying lens  20  within the channels  44  and slot  42 . 
     Alternatively, the pins  46  can be fixedly attached to the opposed end of the lens  20 . In this embodiment, the lens  20  and pins  46  are positioned over the display screen  11  and channels  44 ,  45 , respectively, prior to the inner surface  13  and outer cover  14  of the top portion  10  of the cellular phone  1  being assembled. 
     In one embodiment, the magnifying lens  20  can be extended from the display screen  11  by grasping the free end of the lens  20  and sliding the lens  20  outward in the direction illustrated by arrow  47 . Alternatively, the magnifying lens  20  can be “spring loaded”, such that the user pushes the lens  20  inwardly in a direction opposite to arrow  47  in  FIG. 7 , and one or more biasing springs  48  compress and subsequently push the lens  20  outwardly through the slot  42 . In this embodiment, the one or more biasing springs  48  are mounted along the interior surface of the sidewall  15  (e.g., the left sidewall shown in  FIG. 7 ) which is located opposite the sidewall with the slot  42  formed therein. In either embodiment, the lens  20  is retracted manually over the display screen  11  by sliding (i.e., pushing) the lens  20  in the opposite direction of arrow  47 , i.e., through the slot  42  and over the display screen  11 . 
     In still another preferred embodiment, referring to  FIG. 8 , a pivot pin  92  is mounted on the inner surface  13  of the top portion  10 , for example between the upper portion of the display screen  11  and below the speaker  12 . In one embodiment, the magnifying lens  20  is sized to overlay the display screen  11  and includes an upper portion  94  that extends above the display screen  11 . The upper portion  94  of the lens  20  includes an aperture  91  at a distal end  93  that is sized to receive the pivot pin  92 . Preferably, the magnifying lens  20  can be rotated 360 degrees about the pivot pin  92 . In this manner, the magnifying lens  20  can be positioned over the display screen  11  to permit the user to magnify the information displayed on the screen  11 . Alternatively, the user can rotate the magnifying lens  20  about the pin  92  to magnify objects away from the display screen  11 . 
     Although the magnifying lens  20  is illustratively shown as being centrally mounted over the display screen  11  via the pin  92 , such pin position is not considered limiting, as the pin  92  and aperture pair  91  can be located, for example, proximate a sidewall  15 . Further, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the pin/aperture pair can be configured such that the pin is formed as a part of the magnifying lens  20  and the aperture  91  is formed on the inner surface  13  of the housing  2 . Preferably, for either of the embodiments of  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the light source  60  is mounted to the outer cover  14  of the top portion  10  to permit the user to illuminate non-display screen objects, as described above with respect to  FIGS. 1-6 . 
     The present invention provides a wireless communication device (e.g., a cellular phone  1 , personal digital assistant (PDA), and the like) that is equipped with a magnifying lens for conveniently magnifying information shown on a display screen without irritating the user during wireless communications. The magnifying lens is also configured to enable a user to magnify objects that are not associated with the display screen of the wireless communication device. Advantageously, the user can magnify objects distally located from the communication device without having to carry a separate magnifying device. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , another embodiment of a magnifying lens  20  that can be attached to the housing  2  of the cellular phone  1  is shown. The magnifying lens  20  includes a universal pivoting connector  110  that can be inserted into an opening such as the earphone jack on the housing  2  of the cellular phone  1 . Accordingly, the magnifying lens  20  of  FIG. 9  can be considered an accessory component that is provided with the cellular phone  1  or available as an after-market accessory. 
     The magnifying lens  20  includes the lens portion  92  having a peripheral edge  94 , such as a pair of opposed lateral edges and opposed top and bottom edges. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the universal pivoting connector  110  is, for example, attached to the left peripheral edge and proximate the upper edge, although the location for attachment thereof is not considered limiting. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , the magnifying lens  20  of  FIG. 9  illustratively shown coupled to the cellular phone  1 . Specifically, one end of the universal pivoting connector  110  is inserted into a port, for example, the earphone jack  56  formed in the housing  2  (e.g., the top portion  10 ) of the cellular phone  1 . The universal pivoting connector  110  allows the user to manually rotate the magnifying lens  20  approximately 180 degrees or greater with respect to the information display screen  11 . The magnifying lens  20  is illustratively shown in a first position lateral to the information display screen  11  (drawn in phantom in  FIG. 10 ) and rotated about 180 degrees over the information display screen  11 , as depicted by the arrow  96 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , a partial cross sectional view of the magnifying lens  20  and universal pivoting connector  110  is shown inserted into the earphone jack  56  of the cellular phone  1  along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 . The universal pivoting connector  110  enables the user to manually adjust the positioning of the magnifying lens  20  with respect to the cellular phone  1  along two perpendicular axes such as an X-axis and a Y-axis. 
     In one embodiment, the universal pivoting connector  110  includes a first member  112  rotatably attached to a second member  116  via a pin  120 . The first member  113  includes a shaft  114  forming a first end of the first member, and the shaft is dimensioned to be inserted and secured, for example, in the earphone jack  56  of the cellular phone  1 , illustratively along the X-axis. Preferably, the first member  112  of the pivoting connector  110  can rotate about the shaft  114  along the X-axis three-hundred and sixty (360) degrees, as illustrated by arrow  120 . Preferably the second member  116  is L-shaped such that a first end  118  of the second member  116  is rotatably attached to an opposed second end of the first member  112 . 
     Furthermore, a second end  122  of the second member  116  is attached to the peripheral edge  94  of the magnifying lens  20 . In one embodiment, the second end  122  of the second member  116  is fixedly attached to the magnifying lens  20 . Preferably, the second end  122  of the second member  116  is rotatably attached to the magnifying lens  20 , for example, by a ball joint. In this manner, the magnifying lens can be rotated about the X-axis along the shaft  114  by rotating either the first member  114  about the shaft  114  or the magnifying lens  20  about the second end  122  of the second member  116 . 
     Moreover, the connection of the first member  112  with the second member  116  via the pin  120  permits the user to rotate the second member  116  and, therefore, the magnifying lens with respect to the first member approximately one-hundred and eighty (180) degrees or greater, as illustratively drawn in phantom in  FIG. 11 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , a carrying case  140  is shown having a first pocket  142  having a dimension for retaining the cellular phone  1 , and a second pocket  144  formed over the first pocket  142  that is dimensioned to retain the magnifying lens  20 . In this manner, the user can conveniently carry both the cellular phone  1  and magnifying lens  20 , for example, on or clipped to the belt of the user. The user can remove and use the either the cellular phone  1  or the magnifying lens  20  independently as separate components, as well as attach the magnifying lens  20  to the cellular phone  1  in a manner described above. 
     Although various embodiments that incorporate the teachings of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other varied embodiments that still incorporate these teachings.