Patent Abstract:
Disclosed is a housing for a portable handheld electronic device such as a cellphone. The device has a housing, having a left side and right side. At least one of the left side and right side is provided with integral surface features or surface structures to enhance gripping the cellphone, preferably along the entire length of the phone or within about the top half or one third of the phone.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 62/034,446, filed Aug. 7, 2014. The entirety of the foregoing application is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The capability of small form-factor, low-profile imaging devices continues to advance. For instance, certain point and shoot cameras, action cameras, as well as smartphones and other camera-equipped handheld electronic devices have begun to support still image and motion video capture at relatively high resolution levels and/or frame rates. 
         [0003]    As just one example, the Samsung Galaxy S6 smartphone, which is about 142 millimeters (mm) tall, about 70 mm wide, and only about 7 mm inches thick, has a rear camera with a 16 megapixel (MP) sensor, capable of shooting UHD 4K resolution video (3840×2160 pixels) at 30 frames per second (30 fps). Such high-end capabilities and feature sets were previously only associated with bulkier professional level digital cameras, including digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras and high-end (e.g., cinema grade) digital video cameras. 
         [0004]    Despite these technological advances in some areas, todays more compact image devices are often not compatible with the types of high quality lenses typically used in conjunction with high-end DSLRs and digital video cameras. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In some embodiments, a low profile, positive lock camera component, which is lockable and removable from a camera, is disclosed. The low profile, positive lock camera component includes: a stationary plate having a central aperture; a rotatable lock ring, carried by the stationary plate; and at least two rotatable projections coupled to the lock ring and carried on a camera side of the camera component that is opposite a lens side of the camera component. The rotation of the lock ring rotates the projections about a central axis and also advances the projections along the axis in the direction of the stationary plate. 
         [0006]    The low profile, positive lock camera component of the preceding paragraph can include one or more of the following features: The stationary plate is a portion of a telephone housing. Each of the projections has a compression surface arranged parallel to and facing a compression surface of the stationary plate, and the compression surfaces of the projections move closer to the compression surface as the stationary plate as the projections advance along the axis in the direction in the direction of the stationary plate. The camera component is a camera lens. The camera component is a lens mount adapter. The stationary plate and the rotatable projections comprise a first interface of the lens mount adapter configured to allow for removable attachment of the camera component to a corresponding interface on an imaging device housing, and the camera component further comprises a second interface provided on the lens side of the camera component configured to allow for removable attachment of a camera lens thereto. The camera component is configured to fasten to a corresponding support on a housing of an imaging device, forming an effective flange focal distance of no more than about 25 millimeters. The effective flange focal distance is no more than about 20 millimeters. The effective flange focal distance is 18 millimeters. The effective flange focal distance is 19.25 millimeters. The first mounting interface is a male interface and the second mounting interface is a female interface. The low profile, positive lock camera component includes at least three rotatable projections. The low profile, positive lock camera component includes six rotatable projections centered on 60 degree spacing about the axis. The low profile, positive lock camera component includes four rotatable projections, centered on 90 degree spacing about the axis. The low profile, positive lock camera component includes at least two projections on the stationary plate. The low profile, positive lock camera component includes four projections on the stationary plate. The low profile, positive lock camera component includes six projections on the stationary plate. The rotatable projections are movable between a first position in which they are rotationally aligned with the projections on the stationary plate, and a second position in which they are rotationally offset from the projections on the stationary plate. The low profile, positive lock camera component includes a first plurality of electrical contacts on a camera side of the lens mount, and a second plurality of electrical contacts on a lens side of the lens mount. The first plurality of electrical contacts has a different configuration than the second plurality of electrical contacts. The lock ring is threadably coupled to the stationary plate. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, a support having an aperture configured to receive an optical element is disclosed. The support includes: a support front surface, a support rear surface and a thickness there between; a side wall of the aperture extending between the support front surface and support rear surface; and at least two arcuate flanges extending radially inwardly from the side wall into the aperture, each flange having a flange front surface which is recessed from the support front surface, and a flange rear surface which is recessed from the support rear surface. The support forms a female side of a positive lock mounting system. 
         [0008]    The support of the preceding paragraph can include one or more of the following features: The support includes an optical element seating cavity having a periphery defined by a forward portion of the sidewall which extends from the support front surface to the flange front surfaces. The periphery of the seating cavity is contoured to accommodate a corresponding contoured periphery surface of the optical element. The contour of the periphery of the seating cavity includes a keying feature configured to allow for single-orientation insertion of the optical element into the aperture. The support comprises a surface on a camera. The support comprises a surface on a cell phone. The support is provided on a lens side of a lens mount adapter. The support comprises a plate configured for attachment to a cell phone. The support includes at least four arcuate flanges extending radially inwardly from the side wall into the aperture. The at least four arcuate flanges are substantially equally spaced about the periphery of the aperture. The support includes an alignment keying feature provided on the sidewall configured to provide for single-orientation insertion of the optical element. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, a support having an aperture configured to receive an optical element is disclosed. The support includes: a support front surface, a support rear surface and a thickness there between; a side wall of the aperture extending between the support front surface and support rear surface; and at least two arcuate flanges extending radially inwardly from the side wall into the aperture, each flange having a flange front surface which is recessed from the support front surface, and a flange rear surface which is recessed from the support rear surface. The support does not include a rotatable locking ring or a spring configured to assist in fastening the optical element to the support. 
         [0010]    The support of the preceding paragraph can include one or more of the following features: The support does not implement a bayonet style mount. The support implements a female portion of a positive lock mount. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, an imaging system includes: a housing; at least one image sensor within the housing; a support carried by the housing and having an aperture configured to receive an optical element, wherein light emanating from outside the housing travels through the aperture and is incident on the image sensor. The support includes: a support front surface, a support rear surface, and a thickness there between; a side wall of the aperture extending between the support front surface and support rear surface; and at least two flanges extending radially inwardly from the side wall into the aperture. The support forms a female side of a positive lock mounting interface. 
         [0012]    The imaging system of the preceding paragraph can include one or more of the following features: Each of the flanges has a flange front surface that is recessed from the support front surface, and a flange rear surface which is recessed from the support rear surface. A native flange focal distance of the imaging system is no more than about 15 millimeters. A native flange focal distance of the imaging system is no more than about 10 millimeters. A native flange focal distance of the imaging system is about 8 millimeters. The imaging system includes a lens component implementing the male side of the positive lock mounting interface and configured for removable attachment to the support. The lens component comprises a lens or a lens mount adapter. The lens component comprises a lens mount adapter, and an effective flange focal distance of the imaging system with the lens component attached to the support is no more than about 20 mm. 
         [0013]    In some embodiments, a lens mount adapter, which is lockable and removable from a camera, is disclosed. The lens mount adapter includes: a rotatable lock ring extending circumferentially around a central aperture; a lens flange surface extending circumferentially around the aperture, the lens flange surface normal to a central axis extending through the aperture; a post movably mounted with respect to the lens flange surface; a button coupled to the lock ring. The button engages the post when the lock ring is rotated to a first position and is displaced from the post when the lock ring is rotated away from the first position. 
         [0014]    The lens mount adapter of the preceding paragraph can include one or more of the following features: The button and post engage one another via a tongue and groove connection. Actuation of the button when the button is engaged with the post causes the post to move from an extended position in which the post extends beyond the flange surface to a retracted position in which the post does not extend beyond the flange surface. The post is mounted to a spring, the spring changing from a relaxed state to a compressed state when the button moves from the extended position to the retracted position. The lens mount adapter includes at least two rotatable projections coupled to the lock ring, and the rotation of the lock ring rotates the projections about a central axis and also advances the projections along the axis. The lens mount adapter includes a stationary plate threadably connected to the lock ring, and the rotation of the lock ring in a first direction advances the projections along the axis in a direction of the stationary plate, and rotation of the lock ring in a second direction advances the projections along the axis in a direction away from the stationary plate. The lens mount adapter is configured to allow for an effective flange focal depth of less than or equal to about 25 mm when attached to a corresponding support provided on a housing of an imaging device. The lens mount adapter is configured to allow for an effective flange focal depth of less than or equal to about 20 mm when attached to a corresponding support provided on a housing of an imaging device. The lens mount adapter is configured to allow for an effective flange focal depth of 18 mm when attached to a corresponding support provided on a housing of an imaging device. The lens mount adapter is configured to allow for an effective flange focal depth of 19.25 mm when attached to a corresponding support provided on a housing of an imaging device. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments, a low-profile lens component includes: a rotatable lock ring extending circumferentially around a central aperture; a lens interface provided on a camera side of the lens component; a spring-mounted post protruding from a surface on the lens interface when in a spring-relaxed state; a mechanically actuatable control. The control is arranged with respect to the post such that actuation of the control when the lock ring is rotated to a first position overcomes a spring-force of the spring-mounted post, causing the post to retract so that it no longer protrudes from the surface on the lens interface. The control cannot be actuated to cause the post to retract when the lock ring is rotated away from the first position. 
         [0016]    The low-profile lens component of the preceding paragraph can include the following feature: The surface on the lens interface is a flange front surface. 
         [0017]    Further features and advantages of the inventions described herein will become apparent from the detailed description which follows when considered together the attached drawings and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIGS. 1A-1B  show examples of imaging systems incorporating mounting interfaces, in accordance with certain embodiments. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a lens mount adapter, spaced apart from a support of an imaging device, in accordance with certain embodiments. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of a lens spaced apart from a support of an imaging device, in accordance with certain embodiments. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3A  is a front elevational view of an aperture in the support of  FIGS. 2A-2B , in accordance with certain embodiments. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 3B-3C  show back and front perspective views, respectively, of the lens mount adapter shown in  FIG. 2A  and the lens shown in  FIG. 2B . 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is an elevational view of an optical component engaged in a corresponding aperture of a support of an imaging device. 
           [0024]      FIGS. 5A-5B  are side elevational views of a low-profile lens and a Micro Four Thirds mount, respectively, connected to a support via an inverted positive lock (PL) mount configuration, according to certain embodiments. 
           [0025]      FIGS. 6A-6B  show front and rear perspective exploded views, respectively, of the rotating lock ring, fixed flange ring, and rotating flange ring of the lens mount adapter shown in  FIG. 2A . 
           [0026]      FIG. 6C  is a cross-sectional view of the rotating lock ring, fixed flange ring, and rotating flange ring of the lens mount adapter shown in  FIG. 2A , in an assembled configuration. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6D  shows an exploded view of an example of an intermediate lens mount adapter configured to receive a second lens mount adapter. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6E  shows an example of an intermediate lens mount adapter of  FIG. 6D  in an assembled configuration, with a second lens mount adapter attached thereto. 
           [0029]      FIG. 7A  shows a perspective cut-away views of a lens mount adapter including a lens safety release mechanism, showing the release mechanism when the rotational lock ring (not shown) is in a first rotational position, in accordance with certain embodiments. 
           [0030]      FIG. 7B  shows a perspective cut-away view of the lens mount adapter of  FIG. 7A , showing the release mechanism when the rotational lock ring (not shown) is in a second rotational position. 
           [0031]      FIGS. 7C-7D  show components of the lens safety release mechanism of  FIG. 7A . 
           [0032]      FIG. 8A  shows a perspective another embodiment of a lens, spaced apart from another embodiment of a support of an imaging device, in accordance with certain embodiments. 
           [0033]      FIG. 8B  shows a front elevational view of the support of shown in  FIG. 8A . 
           [0034]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating various electronic aspects and features of a device in accordance with embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0035]      FIG. 1A  illustrates an imaging system  100 , which includes an imaging device  102  and a detachable lens  104 . The imaging device  102  can be a hand-held electronic device such as a digital camera or a camera-equipped cellphone. The imaging system  100  implements a mounting system  118  which, as will be discussed in more detail, can be an inverted positive lock (PL) mounting system provide a low-profile similar to a conventional bayonet type mounting system, while providing the robust clamping of a PL mount. The inventions herein are applicable to any of a variety of handheld electronic devices including camera-equipped devices with or without cellphone functionality, such as digital still and motion cameras, smartphones, personal navigation devices, mobile internet devices, handheld game consoles, or devices having any or a combination of the functions discussed in connection with  FIG. 9 , below. 
         [0036]    The imaging device  102  includes a housing  106  and at least one image sensor  108  within the housing  106 . The image sensor  108  is arranged within the housing  106  such that when the lens  104  is attached to the camera housing  106 , light traveling along an optical path of the imaging system  100  passes through optics  110  supported by the lens  104  and then through an aperture (not shown) provided on a front surface  112  of the housing  106 . The optics  110  can include one or more refractive pieces of glass, for example, arranged to provide focus and/or zoom. 
         [0037]    The image sensor  108  can be any type of video sensing device, including, for example, but without limitation, CMOS, CCD, vertically-stacked CMOS devices such as the Foveon® sensor, or a multi-sensor array using a prism to divide light between the sensors. For instance, the camera includes a capability for capturing still images with various and/or adjustable resolutions and aspect ratios for example but without limitation, as high as 6144×3160 pixels or higher with aspect ratios such as 2:1, 2.4:1, 16:9, etc, and a capability for capturing motion images at resolutions up to about “6K” or higher including for example, but without limitation, 6K (2:1, 2.4:1), 5K (Full Frame, 2:1, 2.4:1 and Anamorphic 2:1), 4.5K (2.4:1), 4K (16:9, HD, 2:1 and Anamorphic 2:1), 3K (16:9, 2:1 and Anamorphic 2:1), 2K (16:9, 2:1 and Anamorphic 2:1), 1080p RGB (16:9), 720p RGB (16:9) and other resolutions and formats, depending on the size of the image sensor used in the imaging device  102  and the capacity of the supporting electronics. Additionally, the device  102  can be configured to include a number of compression options, including compressed raw mosaic image sensor data, compressed fully rendered video data and uncompressed video data. An onboard memory preferably comprises a capacity of at least about 64 GB, and, in various implementation, at least about 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB. In some embodiments, the memory can be attached to a separate recording unit that is directly or indirectly removably attachable to the housing  106 . Where imaging device  102  is a phone, it can include a slot or cavity for receiving at least one, and preferably two or more SIM cards, to enable the phone to receive two or more phone numbers. 
         [0038]    Where the imaging device  102  is a phone, it can include two cameras, such as one facing outwardly from the front of the phone and one facing outwardly from the rear of the phone. In one embodiment, the illustrated sensor  108  forms part of the camera that faces outwardly from the rear of the phone. 
         [0039]    The imaging device  102  also includes a support  114 , which is configured to engage and disengage with a corresponding mount  116  provided on the lens  104  during respective attachment and detachment of the lens  104  from the camera body  106 . The support  114  and the mount  116  together form a mounting system  118 . According to certain embodiments, the mount  116  is a male oriented interface including a rotatable lock ring and one or more rotatable flanges for securing a positive lock with the female oriented support. 
         [0040]    In another embodiment of an imaging system  101 , shown in  FIG. 1B , the mount  116  of the mounting system  118  is implemented on a lens mount adapter  120  instead of a lens  104 . The lens mount adapter  120  incorporates an adapter mount  122  on a lens side of the adapter  120 , allowing for the use of a wide variety of lenses and corresponding lens mount types with the imaging system  101 . In this manner, imaging systems incorporating the mounting system  118  can optionally be used with a wide variety of different lenses. For instance, due to the non-standardization of lens mounts among the various lens manufacturers, adapters  120  are contemplated to implement a third party mount  122  so as to adapt to any of the following lens mounts: Pentax Q-mount; D-mount (8 mm movie cameras); CS-mount (surveillance cameras); Nikon 1-mount; C-mount (Bolex, Eclair and Bell &amp; Howell); Fujifilm X-mount; Canon EF-M-mount; Sony E-mount; Sony FZ-mount; Micro Four Thirds System; Samsung NX-mount; RED ONE interchangeable mount; Leica M-mount; M39 (Leica) Screwmount; Olympus PEN F; Contax G-mount; Contax RF-mount; Nikon S-mount; Olympus Four Thirds System; Konica AR-mount; Canon FL-mount; Canon FD-mount; Start (Soviet SLR) Minolta SR-mount; Fujica X-mount; Canon EF mount; Canon EF-S-mount; Praktica B-mount; Signa SA-mount; Minolta/Konica Minolta/Sony A-mount; Pentax K-mount; M42; Contax C/Y-mount; Olympus OM-mount; Nikon F-mount; Leica R-Complementary mount; Sony B4-mount; Contax N-mount; Arri STD; Arri B; Arri PL; T-mount; Panavision PV-mount; OCT-19; Mamiya 645; Contax 645; Pentax 645; Hasselblad 2000 &amp; 500; Pentax 6x7. Lenses having any of the foregoing mounts may be directly mountable to a complementary mount onto the adapter mount  122 . 
         [0041]    In certain other embodiments not illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1B , the lens mount adapter  120  is an intermediate adapter in that it does not actually include the adapter mount  122  or directly attach to a lens. Instead, the intermediate adapter includes an interface provided on a lens side of the adapter and that is configured to attach to a second lens mount adapter. The second lens mount adapter would include a lens mount of the desired type. An example of such a configuration is shown and described with respect to  FIGS. 6D and 6E  below. 
         [0042]    In yet further implementations, the mounting system  118  can be implemented such the support  114  is provided on an intermediate component in the optical path instead of being provided on the housing  106  of the imaging device  102 . For instance, the support  114  can be provided on the lens side of a lens mount adapter, while the camera side of the lens mount adapter would include a different type of mount, configured to engage with a corresponding interface on the camera or other imaging device. 
         [0043]    The lens mount adapter  120  can further include a lens release mechanism for preventing unwanted detachment of a lens from the adapter  120 . As will be described in further detail herein, the lens release mechanism can include a button arranged on a rotating lock ring of the adapter, where positioning the button on the lock ring maintains a low-profile of the adapter and allows for reduced flange focal distances. Rotation of the lock ring moves the button from a first position in which it engages with a lens release pin (e.g., via a tongue and groove mechanism) to a second position in which it decouples from the release post. 
         [0044]    The mounting systems described herein according to some embodiments can be implemented on a camera-equipped contoured cellphone such as any of the cellphones described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/247,160, titled “Cellphone With Contoured Surfaces”, filed on Apr. 7, 2014 (the &#39;160 application), and which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. For instance, any of the supports described herein, including the supports  114  of  FIGS. 1A-1B  and the support  220  of  FIGS. 2A-2B  can be implemented on a rear surface of one of any of the contoured profile cellphones described in the &#39;160 application. The inverted positive lock mounts described herein can allow for the attachment of relatively large, heavy lenses, either directly to the support, or via the use of the lens mount adapters described herein, and the contoured profile can provide a grip that is particularly useful when handling the cellphone under the added bulk of such lenses. 
       Lens Mount System Examples 
       [0045]      FIGS. 2A-2B  respectively illustrate an lens mount adapter  224  and lens  225  that may be utilized with a handheld imaging device, such as the imaging device  100  of  FIG. 1 . For instance, the lens  225  of  FIG. 2B  may be the lens  104  of  FIG. 1A , and the lens mount adapter  224  of  FIG. 2A  may be the lens mount adapter  120  of  FIG. 1B . Moreover, the support  220  shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  may be the support  114  shown in  FIGS. 1A-1B , and can be provided on or form at least a portion of the front surface of a camera or other imaging device. 
         [0046]    Where the support  220  is provided on an imaging device, it may be referred to as a native or built-in lens mount of the imaging device. For instance, the support  220  may be provided on or otherwise form at least a portion of the housing of a cellular phone, or a wall on a camera body. The support  220  is provided with a central aperture  222 , typically aligned with the optical axis of the assembled camera or other imaging device. The support  220  can also be a plate such as for removable attachment to a camera, cellphone, or other imaging device. 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 2A , the support has an aperture  222  configured to removably receive the lens mount adapter  224  or other compatible optical component. In general, any of a variety of complementary engagement structures may be provided on the periphery of the aperture  222  and a corresponding periphery of the lens mount adapter  224  or other compatible optical component. The complementary engagement structures preferably allow the lens mount adapter  224  to be securely connected to the support  220 , but also be removable. As will be discussed further, the aperture  222  can further be configured to removably receive other optical components having a similar engagement structure for attachment to the support, such as a lens  225  ( FIG. 2B ), or an intermediate lens mount adapter configured to removably receive a lens mount ( FIGS. 6D-6E ). 
         [0048]    Lens mount adapter  224  may be provided with a first set of complementary engagement structures for attachment to the support  220 , and a second set of engagement structures configured to removably receive a conventional, commercial lens. The lens mount adapter  224  is considered to have a lens side  234  which contains a mount for a lens. While the illustrated lens mount adapter  224  is configured for attachment to a lens having a Sony E-mount interface, the lens mount adapter  224  can in various embodiments be configured for attachment to a lens having a different mount interface type, including one of any of the lens mounts described herein. Referring now to  FIG. 2B , the lens side  234  of the lens  225  contains lens optics, which can include one or more pieces of refractive glass designed to provide focus and/or zoom. For instance,  FIG. 2A  shows a front surface of a front most optical element  277  of the lens  225 , and  FIG. 3B  shows the back surface of a rear-most optical element  275  of the lens  225 . 
         [0049]    A camera side  236  opposes the lens side  234 , and, although referred to as a camera side, it is understood that this is a directional reference only as the mount adapter  224  may be attached to any of a variety of support structures. For reference purposes, the support  220  is referred to as having a lens mount side  243  and opposing sensor side  245 . 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the aperture  222  is provided with a contoured peripheral edge  226 . At least a first recess  228  extends in a radial outward direction from an axis extending through the center of the aperture  222 . In the illustrated embodiment, a second recess  230  is circumferentially separated from the first recess  228  by a first support flange  232 . The peripheral edge  226  may be provided with two or three or four or five or six or seven or eight or more recesses similar to recess  228 , such as, referring to  FIG. 3A , third, fourth, fifth, and sixth recesses  231 ,  233 ,  235 ,  239 , and an equal number of intervening flanges  232 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 2A , the camera side  236  of the lens mount adapter  224  includes at least a first rotating mount flange  238  dimensioned such that the lens mount adapter  224  can be positioned within the aperture  222  with the rotating mount flange  238  passing through one of the recesses in of the peripheral edge  226  of the aperture, such as the first recess  228 . In the illustrated embodiment, the lens mount adapter  224  is provided with six rotating mount flanges  238 ,  239 ,  240 ,  241 ,  242 ,  244  ( FIG. 3B ), circumferentially spaced approximately equal distance around the periphery of the lens mount adapter  224 . Typically, the lens mount adapter  224  will be provided with a number of rotating mount flanges that is equal to the number of recesses  228  provided on the support  220 . Referring again to  FIG. 3A , the mounting system can include an alignment or keying mechanism. For instance, the periphery  226  of the support  220  can in some embodiments including the illustrated embodiment further include an alignment notch  221  or other alignment feature. The notch  221  is shaped such that a corresponding to alignment flange  223  provided on the surface plate  248  can pass through the alignment notch  221  upon insertion of the lens mount adapter  224  into the aperture  222 . This provides a single rotational orientation in which the lens mount adapter  224  can be successfully inserted into the aperture  222 . In other embodiments, such as where the lens mount adapter  224  does not electrically connect with the imaging device, the alignment feature is not provided, and the illustrated lens mount adapter  224  can be inserted in any of six different rotational orientations. Other configurations of the alignment feature are possible, such as where the alignment notch is disposed on the lens mount adapter  224  and the alignment flange is disposed on the support  220 . One alternative embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 8A-8B , described below. 
         [0052]    Referring again to  FIG. 2A , the lens mount adapter  224  is provided with a rotatable locking ring  246 , which rotates relative to a surface plate  248  and causes the rotating mount flanges to rotate relative to the surface plate  248 . The lens mount adapter  224  is mounted on the support  220  by advancing the lens mount adapter  224  along the optical axis such that each rotating mount flange passes through the corresponding recess of the support  220 . Once the lens mount adapter  224  is seated on the support  220 , rotation of the lock ring rotates each rotating mount flange such that it becomes positioned underneath (on the sensor side  245 ) of the corresponding support flange, such as support flange  232 . The foregoing enables a secure, interference fit as can be seen, for example, in  FIG. 4  which is a view from inside of a camera of an embodiment of a lens mount adapter having four rotating mount flanges. As seen therein, each of the four rotating mount flanges  238 ,  240 ,  242  and  244  have been rotated out of alignment with the corresponding recess  230 , and into engagement with the corresponding support flange. 
         [0053]    A further feature of the lens mount adapter  224  according to certain embodiments, including the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2A , is a fixed surface plate  248 . See, e.g. FIGS.  2 A and  6 A- 6 B. The fixed surface plate  248  is provided with a contoured or otherwise noncircular outer periphery, such that the plate  248  can seat within a complementary cavity of the support  220 . In the illustrated embodiment, the outer periphery of the complementary cavity defines a seating surface  250 , and is formed by the portion of the periphery of the aperture  222  that resides between the front (lens mount side) surfaces of the support flanges and the front surface  252  of the support  220 . When the lens mount adapter  224  is fully inserted in the aperture  222 , and the fixed surface plate  248  is therefore fully seated within the complementary cavity, the front (camera side  236 ) surface of the surface plate  248  abuts against an interfering surface of the support  220 , which is formed at least partially by the front (lens mount side  243 ) surfaces of the support flanges  232 , and which is spaced in the direction of the camera from the plate front surface  252 . The outer periphery of the seating surface  250  can be shaped to correspond to the periphery of the surface plate  248 , thereby preventing rotation of the fixed surface plate  248  with respect to the support  220 . In one implementation of the invention, the seating surface  250  is recessed from the plate front surface  252  by a dimension that is approximately equal to the thickness of the fixed surface plate  248 . In this manner, fixed surface plate  248  drops into the seating surface  250  and provides a flush interface with and smooth continuous surface with the plate front surface  252 . 
         [0054]    In one implementation, the locking ring  246  is connected to or with respect to the rotating mount flanges, such that rotation of the locking ring  246  in a first direction draws the rotating mount flanges in the direction of the lens mount adapter  224  (towards the lens side  234 ), and rotation of the locking ring  246  in a second direction advances the rotating mount flanges in the direction of the camera (towards the camera side  236 ). In this manner, as the locking ring  246  is rotated to rotationally advance the rotating mount flanges into the position illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the rotating mount flanges are simultaneously advanced in the direction of the fixed surface plate  248 , thereby applying compression or pinching of the support flanges  232  between the corresponding rotating mount flanges and the fixed plate  248 . This compression provides a secure positive lock (PL) between the lens mount adapter  224  and the support  220 . For example, connection between the lens mount adapter  224  or other optical component and the support  220  will not be susceptible to substantial play due to vibrations or movement of the camera. As will be described further with respect to, e.g.,  FIG. 6C , in some embodiments including the illustrated embodiment, the locking ring  246  is directly coupled the rotating mount flanges and threadably connected to the fixed surface plate  248 . In such configurations, rotation of the locking ring  246  causes movement of the locking ring  246  and rotating mount flanges along the optical axis with respect to the fixed surface plate  248 , where the direction of the movement along the optical axis is determined by the direction of the rotation. 
         [0055]    By way of summary of aspects of the mounting action of the lens mount adapter  224  and support  220  according to some embodiments, referring to  FIGS. 2A-3B , the lock ring  246  is initially rotated to an unlocked position. In the illustrated embodiment, when the lock ring is in the unlocked position, the rotating flanges are aligned with corresponding fixed flanges  291  on the periphery of the fixed surface plate  248 . The user aligns the rotating flanges, fixed flanges  291 , and alignment tab  223  of the lens mount adapter  224  with the corresponding recesses  230  and the alignment notch  221  of the support  220 , and inserts the lens mount adapter  224  into the aperture  222 . As the lens mount adapter  224  is alignably inserted into the aperture  222  in the direction of the sensor, the rotating flanges pass through and clear the corresponding support recesses. Meanwhile the fixed plate  248  is oriented such that the contour of its periphery, including the keying feature, flanges, and recesses, are aligned with the corresponding contour defined by the periphery of the seating cavity  250 . The adapter  224  continues to be axially inserted into the aperture until the front (camera side  235 ) surface of the fixed plate  248  contacts the front surfaces of the support flanges  232 . At this point, the fixed plate is seated against the seating surface  250 . The user now rotates the lock ring  246 , causing the rotating flanges to begin to slide in behind (sensor side  245 ) the support flanges  232 . At the same time, the rotation causes the rotating flanges to move towards the fixed plate  248 , causing the support flanges  232  to be pinched between the rear surfaces (lens side  225 ) of the rotating flanges and the front surface (camera side  236 ) of the fixed plate  248 . The lock ring  246  is rotated until achieving a locked position, such as the one shown in  FIG. 4 . To release the adapter  224 , the lock ring  246  is rotated by the same amount in the reverse direction, and the adapter  224  is removed from the aperture  222 . 
         [0056]    Such a locking mechanism provides a reliable connection with very little play between the support  220  and the lens mount adapter  224 , which can be particularly beneficial during motion shooting. Moreover, according to some embodiments including the illustrated embodiments, an optical component such as the lens  225  or lens mount adapter  225  (e.g., the male-oriented side of the mounting interface) includes the movable, mechanically active components involved in the locking function, such as the rotating lock ring  246  and the rotating flanges. In contrast, the support  220  (e.g., the female-oriented side of the mounting interface) according to certain such embodiments includes only mechanically passive, non-moving components involved in the locking function, such as the support flanges  232  and seating cavity  250 . For instance, the support  220  according to various implementations does not include a spring such as a deflecting or coiled spring for providing a securing force between the lens component and the support, or a rotatable lock ring. Among other potential drawbacks, inclusion of a spring such as in a bayonet style lens mount could allow for play between the lens component and the support  220  during motion. Moreover, the front and back of the support flanges  232  are parallel, allowing for fixed-surface to fixed-surface pinching of the support flanges  232  between the corresponding surfaces of the fixed plate  248  and rotating flanges as described, with substantially no non-normal forces. Inclusion of a spring could create some degree of non-normal force, reducing the effectiveness of the lock. In alternative embodiments, a spring may be included to aid in the clamping force. 
         [0057]    Referring now to  FIG. 5A , there is illustrated a side elevational view of a lens mount adapter  260 , such as an Micro 4/3 (MFT) adapter, mounted to a support plate  220 .  FIG. 5B  shows a lens  265  mounted to a support plate  220 . The mounting mechanism described herein enables a low stack height of a conventional bayonet type mounting system, yet provides the high clamping strength of a PL (positive lock) mount. The mount also enables a very shallow back focus, or flange focal distance  262 . 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the native flange focal distance  262  of the mounting system can be measured from the flange front surface  264  of the support  220  to an image plane  266  formed by one or more image sensors  267 . Referring briefly to  FIG. 2A , the flange front surface the support  220  of  FIG. 2A  would comprise the substantially flat, contiguous face  252  of the support which is co-planar with the opening of the aperture  222 , but would not include the button  280  or any other portions protruding from or recessed from the face. Referring again to  FIGS. 5A-5B , the native flange focal distance  262  can range from less than 15 mm to less than about 12 mm, or to preferably less than 10 mm. In one embodiment, the native flange focal distance  262  is 8 mm. The lens mount adapter  260  of  FIG. 5A  includes an adapter mount  261 , which can be a female Micro 4/3 bayonet-style mount, allowing for attachment of a lens having a male Micro 4/3 mount. With the adapter  260  attached, the effective focal depth  263  of the system can be measured between the image plane  266  and a lens mounting flange  269  of the adapter mount  261 . The shallow native flange focal distance  262  enables the interchangeable use of a wide variety lenses on the camera, including lens those having mounting systems with relatively shallow flange focal distances (e.g., Sony E-mount at 18 mm or Micro 4/3 mount at 19.25 mm) as well those having significantly larger flange focal distance. For instance, lens mount adapters can implement mounting systems having flange focus depths ranging from less than 15 mm and preferably less than about 20 mm up to greater than 45 mm or greater than 50 mm as known in the art can be art, including mounting systems compatible with any of the commercially available lens mounts described herein. 
         [0059]    The terms “back focus”, “back focus distance”, “flange focal distance”, and “flange focal depth” are used interchangeably herein, and can generally correspond to a distance between a native mounting flange and an image plane (e.g., the distance  262  shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B ) or, where a lens mount adapter is used, the distance between a mounting flange or surface of the adapter and the image plane (e.g., distance  263  shown in  FIG. 5A ). It can also be beneficial to reduce the distance between the rearmost portion of optics in the lens, such as a rear apex of a convex lens. This distance can depend on the design of the lens, and this distance in some cases may be less than the flange focal distance  262 . For instance, referring to  FIG. 5B , in some embodiments, when the lens  265  is inserted in the aperture, the apex of a rear-most optical element  275  (visible on the lens  225  shown in  FIG. 3B ) within the lens  265  can reside on the image sensor side of the support  220 . This can result in a back of lens-to-image plane distance  271  that is less than the flange focal depth  262 . In various embodiments, the back of lens-to-image plane distance  271  range from no more than about 15, 10, or 8 mm, to preferably no more than about 5 mm. In one embodiment, the lens-to-image plane distance  271  is about 2 mm, and the flange focal distance  262  is about 8 mm. 
         [0060]    According to certain embodiments, the lens mount adapter  224  additionally maintains the opto-electro-mechanical functionality, by accommodating the signal/power pass through that many of the modern lens mount formats require. Alternatively, the mount can also function as a “dome” mount (opto-mechanical only). For this purpose, referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the camera side  236  of the lens mount adapter  224  and that of the lens  225  contain a plurality of electrodes  251  configured to match the pattern of the plurality of electrodes  253  provided on the imaging device (e.g., camera body or cellphone body) to which the lens mount adapter  224  will be attached. The alignment mechanism including the notch  221  and flange  223  can ensure proper connection between the electrodes  251  of the lens mount adapter  224  and the electrodes  253  of the imaging device. The lens side  234  of the lens mount adapter  224  contains a second plurality of electrodes  254  ( FIG. 3C ), such as pogo pins, for providing electrical communication with a paired lens. Thus, if the mount provided on the lens side of the adapter  224  is configured for mechanical fastening to a Sony E-mount lens or an MFT lens, the electrical connectors on the lens side of the mount will be configured to cooperate with the same E-mount or MFT lens, while the electrical connectors on the camera body side of the lens mount will correspond to the electrical connector pattern of the intended camera body. 
         [0061]    Turning now to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , front and rear exploded perspective views are shown of a rotating lock ring  246 , a fixed surface plate  248 , and a rotating flange support ring  237  of the lens mount adapter  224  shown in  FIG. 2A . Similar to the lock ring  246  and the rotating flange support ring  237 , the illustrated fixed surface plate  248  is annular. The surface plate  248  additionally supports a set of fixed flanges  258 . The rotating flange support ring  237  supports the rotating flanges  238 ,  239 ,  240 ,  241 ,  242 ,  244  and is configured to couple to the rotating locking ring  246 . For instance, the illustrated support ring  237  includes a set of three tabs  249  which pass through corresponding slots  247  in the fixed surface plate  248 . The tabs  237  are secured to the lock ring  246  via insertion of screws, bolts or other fasteners through the pairs of fastener openings  257  provided on the locking ring  246  and into corresponding female fastener holes provided on the tabs  249 . Although three coupling tabs  249  are shown, one, two, or more than three tabs can be used depending on the embodiment. The lock ring  246  and the rotating ring  237  can be connected in other ways, depending on the embodiment, such as through a molded connection, or with an adhesive. As shown, the slots  247  included on the periphery of the surface plate  248  are elongate and curved along the periphery of the fixed surface plate ring  248 . This not only allows the tabs  249  to pass through, thereby enabling connection of the lock ring  246  to the flange support ring  237 , but also allows the joined lock ring  246 /flange support ring  237  to rotate with respect to the fixed surface plate ring  248  during attachment and detachment of the lens mount adapter  224  from the imaging device. The fixed surface plate  248  supports a threaded annular surface  255  extending in the direction of the lock ring  246  from the support plate  248 , and configured to mate with a corresponding threaded surface  256  provided on the interior periphery of the lock ring  246 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 6C  shows a cross-sectional view of the lock ring  246 , fixed surface plate ring  248 , and rotating flange support ring  237  of  FIGS. 6A-6B , in an assembled configuration.  FIG. 6C  shows the tab  249  of the rotating flange support ring  247  passing through the slot  247  of the fixed surface plate  248 , and coupling the support ring  247  to the rotating ring  246 .  FIG. 6C  also shows the connection between the threaded surface  255  the fixed surface plate  248  and the threaded surface  256  of the lock ring  246 . Rotation of the locking ring  246  engages the threaded connection, resulting in movement of the locking ring  246  and flange support ring  247  along the optical axis relative to the fixed surface plate  248 , where one of the locking ring  246  and the flange support ring  247  moves closer to the support plate  248 , and the other moves farther from the support plate  248 , depending on the direction of the rotation. Referring to  FIGS. 2A ,  6 B, and  6 C, this mechanism allows for compression of the lens mount side  243  of the flanges  232  of the support  220  between the lens side  234  of the flanges of the rotating flange support ring  237  and the camera side  236  of the fixed surface plate  248 . 
         [0063]    While  FIGS. 6A-6C  have been described with respect to the lens mount adapter  224 , other optical components such as a lens can include similar components to those shown in  FIGS. 6A-6B  which function together to engage with the support  220  of an imaging device to provide positive locking functionality. For instance, the lens  225  shown in  FIG. 2B  includes a lock ring  246 , fixed surface plate ring  248 , and rotating flange support ring  237  that function in a similar manner. As another example,  FIG. 6D  shows an embodiment of a lens mount adapter  270  including a lock ring  246 , fixed surface plate  248 , and rotating flange support ring  247  similar to those shown in  FIG. 6C . However, the lens mount adapter  270  is an intermediate adapter in that it does not directly attach to a lens, but instead includes a front ring  272  configured to accept a separate lens mount adapter. For instance,  FIG. 6E  shows the lens mount adapter  270  in an assembled configuration, and with a second lens mount adapter  274  installed thereon. The second lens mount adapter  274  includes a lens mount interface  276 , which according to various implementations can implement any of the commercially available lens mount systems described herein, such as a Canon EF bayonet-style interface or a Nikon F-mount just to name two possibilities. 
       Release Mechanisms 
       [0064]    As described, the optical components described herein such as the lens mount adapter  224 , lens  225 , and lens mount adapter  270  can be fastened to the support  220  via aligned insertion into the aperture  222 , and subsequent rotation to secure a positive lock. In addition to the rotational locking function it can be desirable to further reduce the chances of accidental detachment of the optical component from the support  220 . Thus, returning to  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B,  3 A, and  3 B, a safety mechanism can be provided to prevent accidental detachment. The illustrated safety mechanism includes a button  280  provided on the support  220  including a landing pad  282  and a post or pin  284 . Referring to  FIG. 3B , the safety mechanism further includes at least one hole  286  provided on the lens mount adapter  224  and lens  225 , on the rear/camera side  236  of the outer periphery of the lock ring  246 . The hole  286  is shaped to accommodate the post  284 , and as shown, is located on a portion  288  of the rear/camera side  236  of the lock ring  246  that is exposed by one of recesses in the fixed support plate  248 . Referring now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , when a user aligns the flanges/recesses of the lens mount adapter  224  or other optical component with the corresponding flanges/recesses of the periphery of the support  220 , as well as the alignment flange  223  of the lens mount adapter  224  with the alignment notch  221  of the support  220 , and inserts the lens mount adapter  224  into the aperture  222 , the post  284  of the support and hole  286  on the lens mount are out of alignment. In particular, the button  280  is spring-loaded, and when the user inserts the lens mount adapter  224 , the portion  288  of the rear/camera side  236  of the lock ring  246  will contact the post  284 , depressing the button, including the post  284 . When the user rotates the lens mount adapter  224  into a positively locked, fastened position, the post  284  will eventually align with the hole  286 , and the spring will urge the post  284  to extend into the hole  286 , thereby preventing rotation and accidental detachment of the lens mount adapter  224 . When a user desires to detach the lens mount adapter  224  or other optical component, the user presses the pad  282  of the button, causing the post  284  to retract from the hole  286 , allowing rotation and detachment of the lens mount adapter  224  from the support  220 . 
         [0065]    It can also be undesirable for a lens to detach from the lens mount adapter  224 . Thus, returning to  FIG. 2A , the lens mount adapter  224  can include a safety mechanism for preventing unwanted detachment of a lens (not shown) from the lens mount adapter  224 . The safety mechanism includes a button  290  or other control having a finger landing pad  291 , and further includes a spring-loaded post or pin  292 . The pin  292  is slidably mounted in a corresponding cavity of the lens mount adapter  224 , where a hole in the flange front surface  227  of the lens mount adapter  224  defines an opening to the cavity. When in a spring-relaxed, extended position, the pin  292  extends beyond the opening of the cavity, beyond the front flange surface  227 . Similar to the safety mechanism described above between the lens mount adapter  224  and the support  220 , when the user inserts the lens in the lens mount adapter  224 , the post  292  is initially depressed via contact with a rear flange surface of the lens. Then, following rotation of the lens to secure the lens to the lens mount adapter  224 , the post  292  aligns with the hole provided on the lens, and the spring urges the post  292  into the hole on the lens, thereby prevents rotation of the lens and accidental detachment of the lens from the lens mount adapter  224 . 
         [0066]    The button  290  as shown in  FIG. 2A  is coupled to the post  292 , and when a user wants to remove the lens, the user presses down on the landing pad  291  of the button  290 , causing the pin  292  to retract from the hole. Eventually, the pin  292  is flush with or recessed with respect to front flange surface  227  of the lens mount adapter  224 , allowing rotation and subsequent detachment of the lens from the lens mount adapter  224 . 
         [0067]    As shown, the button  290  can be located on or otherwise coupled to the rotating lock ring  246 . For instance, the button  290  can be mounted with respect to a cut-out  259  ( FIG. 6A ) formed in the lock ring  264 . As shown in  FIG. 6A , the cut-out  259  of the illustrated embodiment is formed in the front (lens side  234 ) edge of the periphery of the lock ring  246 , and is shaped to accommodate the size of the button  290  and to also allow for movement of the button  290  when pressed by a user. Inclusion of the button  290  on or otherwise coupled to the lock ring  246  allows for reduced stack height of the lens mount adapter  224 , maintaining a corresponding reduced effective flange focal distance. However, because the lock ring  246  and button  290  are movable while the post  292  is fixed, rotation of the locking ring  246  will cause displacement of the button  290  with respect to the post  292 . This is shown in the views of the partial lens mount adapter  224  shown in  FIGS. 7A  (button  290  and post  292  aligned) and  7 B (button  290  and post  292  displaced from one another), where the lock ring is not shown for the purposes of illustration.  FIGS. 7C-7D  show components of the safety mechanism of the lens mount adapter  224 . As shown, a post support  293  carries the post  292 , and has a lower portion which houses a spring  295 . A tongue  295  extends from the post support  293  in the direction of the button  290 . The button  290  is independently spring-loaded, and includes a lower portion  296  accommodating a pair of springs  297 . There is a groove  298  cut into the side of the button that faces the center of the lock ring  246 . 
         [0068]    When the button  290  and post support  293  are aligned ( FIGS. 7A and 7C ), the tongue  295  of the post support  293  slides into the groove  298  of the button  290 . In this aligned state, when the user pushes down on the landing pad  291 , the upper surface of the tongue  295  interferes with movement of the upper surface of the groove  295 , causing the post support  293  and post  292  to move downward along with the button  290 , thereby allowing for rotation and detachment of the lens. On the other hand, when the button  290  and post support  293  are not aligned ( FIG. 7B ) due to rotation of the lock ring  246 , the button  290  and post support  293  are disengaged, and pushing down on the button  290  will not move the post  292 . 
         [0069]    As indicated, by enabling decoupling of the button  290  from the post  292 , the above-described release mechanism allows for positioning of the button  290  on the movable lock ring, thereby maintaining the reduced the stack height of the lens mount adapter  224  and a relatively short effective flange focal distance, which can be any of the flange focal distances described herein. As just a couple of examples, lens mounts adapters incorporating such a release mechanism can implement a Sony E-mount interface having a flange focal distance of about 18 mm or a Micro 4/3 lens mount interface having a flange focal distance of about 19.25 mm. 
         [0070]    While the illustrated pin  292  is cylindrical, other shapes can be used, such as a rectangular prism. In some implementations multiple pins can be included on the front flange surface of the lens mount adapter  224 , such as where all of the pins are coupled to the same button, or alternatively where a separate button is provided for each pin. 
         [0071]    In another embodiment, the button is arranged in a similar position to that shown in  FIG. 7A  with respect to the lock ring and the post. However, the button is not movable, and is instead affixed to or otherwise permanently coupled to the post. In this embodiment, in order to allow for the rotational movement of the lock ring, an elongate arcuate cut-out is formed along a portion of the lock ring. The button sits in the cut-out, such that during rotation of the lock ring  246  the button remains in the cut-out and does not hit the lock ring  246 . The arcuate cut-out in such a configuration can have an arc length sufficient to allow the lock ring to fully rotate between locked and unlocked positions without hitting the button. 
       Additional Features and Embodiments 
       [0072]      FIG. 8A  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of an optical component  225 , spaced apart from another embodiment of an aperture on an optics support  220  of an imaging device. The optical component  225  can be a lens, a lens mount, or a lens mount adapter, for example.  FIG. 8B  shows a front elevational view of the optics support  220  of shown in  FIG. 8A . The optical component  225  includes components which function in the same or similar fashion to the similarly numbered components described above, such as with respect to  FIGS. 2A-2B ,  3 A- 3 C, and  6 A- 6 D. One difference is that the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 8A-8B  include four rotating flanges  238 ,  240 ,  242 , and  244  and corresponding recesses  228 ,  230 ,  234 ,  236  in the support periphery, rather than six. In addition, the alignment feature  221  on the optics support  220  of  FIGS. 8A-8B  is a flange  221 , and the corresponding alignment feature  223  on fixed plate  248  of the optical component  225  is a notch, which is generally the reverse of the alignment system depicted in the of the earlier figures. 
         [0073]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating various additional electronic aspects and features of a device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For instance, the housing of the embodiments described above may be utilized with electronic devices having any of a variety of features, and the following is illustrative only and not limiting on the present inventions. Additional details of potential electronic aspects can be found, for example, in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0055394, published Feb. 27, 2014, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein. 
         [0074]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , an electronic device  300  such as a cellphone or other camera-equipped handheld electronic device in accordance with an embodiment may be connected to an external device by using an external connection device, such as a sub-communication module  330 , a connector  365 , and an earphone connecting jack  367 . The electronic device  300  may be the imaging device  102  of  FIGS. 1A-1B , for example, and may implement or be configured for use with any of the mounting systems described herein, including any of the inverted positive lock mounting systems. The “external device” may include a variety of devices, such as earphones, external speakers, Universal Serial Bus (USB) memories, chargers, cradles/docks, Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) antennas, electronic payment related devices, health care devices (e.g., blood sugar testers), game consoles, vehicle navigations, and the like, which are removable from the electronic device and connected thereto via a cable. The “external device” may also include a short range communication device that may be wirelessly connected to the electronic device  300  via short range communication, such as BLUETOOTH, a short range wireless communications technology at the 2.4 GHz band, commercially available from the BLUETOOTH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP, INC., a Near Field Communication (NFC), and the like, and a communication device using WI-FI DIRECT, a wireless technology for data exchange over a computer network, commercially available from the WI-FI ALLIANCE, a wireless Access Point (AP), and the like. Furthermore, the external device may include any other device, such as a cell phone, a smartphone, a tablet PC, a desktop PC, a server, and the like. 
         [0075]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , the electronic device  300  includes a display unit  390  and a display controller  395 . The electronic device  300  also includes a controller  310 , a mobile communication module  320 , the sub-communication module  330 , a multimedia module  340 , a camera module  350 , a Global Positioning System (GPS) module  355 , an input/output module  360 , a sensor module  370 , a storage  375 , and a power supply  380 . The sub-communication module  330  includes at least one of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)  331  and a short-range communication module  332 , and the multimedia module  340  includes at least one of a broadcast communication module  341 , an audio play module  342 , and a video play module  343 . The camera module  350  includes at least one of a first camera  351 , a second camera  352 , a third camera  353  and the input/output module  360  includes at least one of buttons  361 , a microphone  362 , a speaker  363 , a vibration motor  364 , the connector  365 , and a keypad  366 . In some embodiments, the second and third cameras  352 ,  353  can both be disposed on the backside of the device  300 , so to accommodate various types of photographic tools, including 3-D still photography or motion video, as well as other types of effects. Additionally, the electronic device  300  can include one or more lights  354 ,  356 . 
         [0076]    The controller  310  may include a Central Processing Unit (CPU)  311 , a Read Only Memory (ROM)  312  for storing a control program, such as an Operating System (OS), to control the electronic device  300 , and a Random Access Memory (RAM)  313  for storing signals or data input from an external source or for being used as a memory space for working results in the electronic device  300 . The CPU  311  may include a single core, dual cores, triple cores, or quad cores. The CPU  311 , ROM  312 , and RAM  313  may be connected to each other via an internal bus. 
         [0077]    The controller  310  may control the mobile communication module  320 , the sub-communication module  330 , the multimedia module  340 , the camera module  350 , the GPS module  355 , the input/output module  360 , the sensor module  370 , the storage  375 , the power supply  380 , the display unit  390 , and the display controller  395 . 
         [0078]    The mobile communication module  320  connects the electronic device  300  to an external device through mobile communication using at least a one-to-one antenna or a one-to-many antenna under the control of the controller  310 . The mobile communication module  320  transmits/receives wireless signals for voice calls, video conference calls, Short Message Service (SMS) messages, or Multimedia Message Service (MMS) messages to/from a cell phone, a smartphone, a tablet PC, or another device, with the phones having phone numbers entered into the electronic device  300 . 
         [0079]    The sub-communication module  330  may include at least one of the WLAN module  331  and the short-range communication module  332 . For example, the sub-communication module  330  may include either the WLAN module  331  or the-short range communication module  332 , or both. 
         [0080]    The WLAN module  331  may be connected to the Internet in a place where there is a wireless Access Point (AP), under the control of the controller  310 . The WLAN module  331  supports the WLAN Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.11x standard. The short-range communication module  332  may conduct short-range communication between the electronic device  300  and an image rendering device under the control of the controller  310 . The short-range communication may include communications compatible with BLUETOOTH, a short range wireless communications technology at the 2.4 GHz band, commercially available from the BLUETOOTH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP, INC., Infrared Data Association (IrDA), WI-FI DIRECT, a wireless technology for data exchange over a computer network, commercially available from the WI-FI ALLIANCE, NFC, and the like. 
         [0081]    The electronic device  300  may include at least one of the mobile communication module  320 , the WLAN module  331 , and the short-range communication module  332  based on the performance requirements of the electronic device  300 . For example, the electronic device  300  may include a combination of the mobile communication module  320 , the WLAN module  331 , and the short-range communication module  332  based on the performance requirements of the electronic device  300 . 
         [0082]    The multimedia module  340  may include the broadcast communication module  341 , the audio play module  342 , or the video play module  343 . The broadcast communication module  341  may receive broadcast signals (e.g., television broadcast signals, radio broadcast signals, or data broadcast signals) and additional broadcast information (e.g., an Electric Program Guide (EPG) or an Electric Service Guide (ESG)) transmitted from a broadcasting station through a broadcast communication antenna under the control of the controller  310 . The audio play module  342  may play digital audio files (e.g., files having extensions, such as mp3, wma, ogg, or way) stored or received under the control of the controller  310 . The video play module  343  may play digital video files (e.g., files having extensions, such as mpeg, mpg, mp4, avi, move, or mkv) stored or received under the control of the controller  310 . The video play module  343  may also play digital audio files. 
         [0083]    The multimedia module  340  may include the audio play module  342  and the video play module  343  except for the broadcast communication module  341 . The audio play module  342  or video play module  343  of the multimedia module  340  may be included in the controller  310 . 
         [0084]    The camera module  350  may include at least one of the first camera  351  and the second camera  352  for capturing still images or video images under the control of the controller  310 . Furthermore, the first or second camera  351  or  352 , respectively, may include an auxiliary light source (e.g., a flash) for providing an amount of light for capturing an image. The first camera  351  may be placed on the front of the electronic device  300  and the second camera  352  may be placed on the back of electronic device  300 . Alternatively, the first and second cameras  351  and  352 , respectively, are arranged adjacent to each other (e.g., the distance between the first and second cameras  351  and  352 , respectively, may be in the range of 1 cm. to 8 cm.), capturing 3 Dimensional (3D) still images or 3D video images. For instance, the first and/or second cameras  351 ,  352  can comprise any of the imaging devices and mounting systems described herein, and may implement any of the mounting systems described herein or appropriate components thereof. 
         [0085]    The GPS module  355  receives radio signals from a plurality of GPS satellites in orbit around the Earth, and may calculate the position of the electronic device  300  by using time of arrival from the GPS satellites to the electronic device  300 . 
         [0086]    The input/output module  360  may include at least one of the plurality of buttons  361 , the microphone  362 , the speaker  363 , the vibrating motor  364 , the connector  365 , and the keypad  366 . 
         [0087]    The at least one of the buttons  361  may be arranged on the front, side or back of the housing of the electronic device  300 , and may include at least one of a power/lock button, a volume button, a menu button, a home button, a back button, and a search button. 
         [0088]    The microphone  362  generates electric signals by receiving voice or sound under the control of the controller  310 . 
         [0089]    The speaker  363  may output sounds externally corresponding to various signals (e.g., radio signals, broadcast signals, digital audio files, digital video files or photography signals) from the mobile communication module  320 , sub-communication module  330 , multimedia module  340 , or camera module  350  under the control of the controller  310 . The speaker  363  may output sounds (e.g., button-press sounds or ringback tones) that correspond to functions performed by the electronic device  300 . There may be one or multiple speakers  363  arranged in at least one position on or in the housing of the electronic device  300 . 
         [0090]    The vibrating motor  364  may convert an electric signal to a mechanical vibration under the control of the controller  310 . For example, the electronic device  300  in a vibrating mode operates the vibrating motor  364  when receiving a voice call from another device. There may be at least one vibration motor  364  inside the housing of the electronic device  300 . The vibration motor  364  may operate in response to a touch activity or continuous touches of a user over the display unit  390 . 
         [0091]    The connector  365  may be used as an interface for connecting the electronic device  300  to the external device or a power source. Under the control of the controller  310 , the electronic device  300  may transmit data stored in the storage  375  of the electronic device  300  to the external device via a cable connected to the connector  365 , or receive data from the external device. Furthermore, the electronic device  300  may be powered by the power source via a cable connected to the connector  365  or may charge the battery using the power source. 
         [0092]    The keypad  366  may receive key inputs from the user to control the electronic device  300 . The keypad  366  includes a mechanical keypad formed in the electronic device  300 , or a virtual keypad displayed on the display unit  390 . The mechanical keypad formed in the electronic device  300  may optionally be omitted from the implementation of the electronic device  300 , depending on the performance requirements or structure of the electronic device  300 . 
         [0093]    An earphone may be inserted into the earphone connecting jack  367  and thus, may be connected to the electronic device  300 . 
         [0094]    A stylus pen  368  may be inserted and removably retained in the electronic device  300 , and may be drawn out and detached from the electronic device  300 . 
         [0095]    A pen-removable recognition switch  369  that operates in response to attachment and detachment of the stylus pen  368  is equipped in an area inside the electronic device  300  where the stylus pen  368  is removably retained, and sends a signal that corresponds to the attachment or the detachment of the stylus pen  368  to the controller  300 . The pen-removable recognition switch  369  may have a direct or indirect contact with the stylus pen  368  when the stylus pen  368  is inserted into the area. The pen-removable recognition switch  369  generates the signal that corresponds to the attachment or detachment of the stylus pen  368  based on the direct or indirect contact and provides the signal to the controller  310 . 
         [0096]    The sensor module  370  includes at least one sensor for detecting a status of the electronic device  300 . For example, the sensor module  370  may include a proximity sensor for detecting proximity of a user to the electronic device  300 , an illumination sensor for detecting an amount of ambient light of the electronic device  300 , a motion sensor for detecting the motion of the electronic device  300  (e.g., rotation of the electronic device  300 , acceleration or vibration applied to the electronic device  300 ), a geomagnetic sensor for detecting a point of the compass using the geomagnetic field, a gravity sensor for detecting a direction of gravity, and an altimeter for detecting an altitude by measuring atmospheric pressure. At least one sensor may detect the status and generate a corresponding signal to transmit to the controller  310 . The sensor of the sensor module  370  may be added or removed depending on the performance requirements of the electronic device  300  of the electronic device  300 . 
         [0097]    The storage  375  may store signals or data input/output according to operations of the mobile communication module  320 , the sub-communication module  330 , the multimedia module  340 , the camera module  350 , the GPS module, the input/output module  360 , the sensor module  370 , the display unit  390  under the control of the controller  310 . The storage  375  may store the control programs and applications for controlling the electronic device  300  or the controller  310 . 
         [0098]    The term “storage” refers to the storage  375 , and also to the ROM  312 , RAM  313  in the controller  310 , or a memory card (e.g., a Secure Digital (SD) card, a memory stick, and the like) installed in the electronic device  300 . The storage may also include a non-volatile memory, a volatile memory, a Hard Disc Drive (HDD), a Solid State Drive (SSD), or the like. 
         [0099]    The power supply  380  may supply power to at least one battery placed inside the housing of the electronic device  300  under the control of the controller  310 . The at least one battery powers the electronic device  300 . The power supply  380  may supply the electronic device  300  with the power input from the external power source via a cable connected to the connector  365 . The power supply  380  may also supply the electronic device  300  with wireless power from an external power source using a wireless charging technology. 
         [0100]    The display controller  395  receives information (e.g., information to be generated for making calls, data transmission, broadcast, or photography) that is processed by the controller  310 , converts the information to data to be displayed on the display unit  390 , and provides the data to the display unit  390 . The display unit  390  displays the data received from the display controller  395 . For example, in a call mode, the display unit  390  may display a User Interface (UI) or a Graphic User Interface (GUI) with respect to a call. The display unit  390  may include at least one of liquid crystal displays, thin film transistor-liquid crystal displays, organic light-emitting diodes, flexible displays, 3D displays, electrophoretic displays, and the like. 
         [0101]    The display unit  390  may be used as an output device and also as an input device, and for the latter case, may have a touchscreen panel to operate as a touch screen. The display unit  390  may send to the display controller  395  an analog signal that corresponds to at least one touch to the UI or GUI. The display unit  390  may detect the at least one touch by a user&#39;s physical contact (e.g., by fingers including a thumb) or by a touchable input device (e.g., the stylus pen). The display unit  390  may also receive a dragging movement of a touch among at least one touch and transmit an analog signal that corresponds to the dragging movement to the display controller  395 . The display unit  390  may be implemented to detect at least one touch in, for example, a resistive method, a capacitive method, an infrared method, an acoustic wave method, or the like. 
         [0102]    The term ‘touches’ are not limited to physical touches by a physical contact of the user or contacts with the touchable input device, but may also include touchless proximity (e.g., maintaining a detectable distance less than 1 mm. between the display unit  390  and the user&#39;s body or touchable input device). The detectable distance from the display unit  390  may vary depending on the performance requirements of the electronic device  300  or structure of the electronic device  300 , and more particularly, the display unit  390  may output different values (e.g., current values) for touch detection and hovering detection to distinguishably detect that a touch event occurred by a contact with the user&#39;s body or the touchable input device and a contactless input (e.g., a hovering event). Furthermore, the display unit  390  may output different values (e.g., current values) for hovering detection over distance from where the hovering event occurs. 
         [0103]    The display controller  395  converts the analog signal received from the display unit  390  to a digital signal (e.g., in XY coordinates on the touch panel or display screen) and transmits the digital signal to the controller  310 . The controller  310  may control the display unit  390  by using the digital signal received from the display controller  395 . For example, in response to the touch event or the hovering event, the controller  310  may enable a shortcut icon displayed on the display unit  390  to be selected or to be executed. The display controller  395  may also be incorporated in the controller  310 . 
         [0104]    Further, the display controller  395  may determine the distance between where the hovering event occurs and the display unit  390  by detecting a value (e.g., a current value) output through the display unit  390 , convert the determined distance to a digital signal (e.g., with a Z coordinate), and provide the digital signal to the controller  310 . 
         [0105]    Furthermore, depending on implementations, the electronic device  300  may have two or more display units. 
         [0106]    The display unit  390  may include at least two touchscreen panels for detecting touches or proximity thereto by the user&#39;s body or the touchable input device to receive both inputs by the user&#39;s body or the touchable input device simultaneously. The at least two touchscreen panels provide different output values to the display controller  395 , and the display controller  395  may differentiate inputs by the user&#39;s body and inputs by the touchable input device through the touchscreen by differently recognizing the values input from the at least two touchscreen panels.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6