Abstract:
An axillary recording module is provided for mounting engagement to a cellphone. The recording module comprises a housing defining a forward cellphone receiving well and a rear camera module compartment. A camera module is disposed within the camera module compartment and extendable upwardly therefrom. The camera module being communicable with the cellphone to facilitate viewing images captured by the camera module on the cellphone.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to a smartphone camera accessory, and more particularly, to an axillary recording module adapted to interface with a smartphone to facilitate capturing images from vantage point that cannot be reached by using a smartphone by itself. 
         [0004]    For many years now conventional cellphones and smartphones have incorporated camera modules that allow the smartphone to take and display images. Such camera equipped cellphones may be used to take images of a variety of different scenes, but require that the cellphone/camera module be within the reach of the user, in order to properly aim and “click” the image. 
         [0005]    More recently it has become popular to use cellphones to take self-images or “selfies” which may then be uploaded to various social media sites to show some activity that the user is engaged in. While the camera may be held at arm&#39;s length to provide a wider view of the selfie, the user again is constrained arm&#39;s length to be able to expand the field of view. Moreover, the ability to accurately frame and construct the image scene is limited by the fact that the image previewed on the cellphone is an arm&#39;s length away, which may make focusing and framing more uncertain. 
         [0006]    Some devices have been proposed which will allow selfies to be taken from greater distance. Once such device includes an arm which extends to a cellphone receiving bracket, to which the cellphone may be secured. Wiring from the cellphone to the other end of the arm allows the user to click pictures on the cellphone, while the cellphone is extended beyond the arm&#39;s length of the user. While this allows for wider self-portrait images, and facilitates images from positions more spaced from the user, it remains subject to limitations respecting the ability of the user to readily aim and preview the images to be taken, as the preview images is similarly spaced from the user, and therefore more difficult to see. 
         [0007]    In order to address these limitations on conventional devices and techniques for taking selfies, it desirable to provide a device and technique for taking selfies wherein the camera module may be spaced from the user, beyond arm&#39;s length, but still allow the user to easily see the image being captured, in order to better assure that the image satisfies the needs and wants of the user. It is also preferable if such a device has the ability to take images in a variety of directions, for use in other applications, such as taking images from above a crowd of people. 
         [0008]    It is further desirable if such a device would allow for wireless communication between a remote camera module and a local cellphone display that may be used by the user to “click” and control the camera module. 
         [0009]    These and other objects and advantages may be implemented through the present invention, in the various embodiments described and illustrated below. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0010]    An axillary recording module is provided for mounting engagement to a cellphone. The recording module comprises a housing defining a forward cellphone receiving well and a rear camera module compartment. A camera module is disposed within the camera module compartment and extendable upwardly therefrom. The camera module is communicable with the cellphone to facilitate viewing of the images captured by the camera module on the cellphone. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment the camera module the camera module includes a local wireless communication circuit for wireless communication of images captured by the camera module directly to the cellphone. In another embodiment the local wireless communication circuit is disposed with the camera module compartment, in wired communication with the camera module, for wireless communication of images and control signals between the camera module compartment and the cellphone. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment, a camera module output port is provided, in communication with the camera module, for outputting images captured by the camera module via wired communication. 
         [0013]    The axillary recording module may further comprise a cellphone, disposed in the cellphone receiving well, the cellphone being in communication with the camera module for receiving and displaying images captured by the camera module. 
         [0014]    As described above, the cellphone may be in wireless communication with the camera module, or connected to the camera module by hardwire extending from the cellphone to a camera module output port. 
         [0015]    The camera module compartment may define a camera module void, for receiving and exposing the camera module for taking pictures while the camera module is stored in the camera module compartment. 
         [0016]    The camera module is preferably extendable from a first position within the camera module void to a second position elevated from the camera module void. The camera module is operative to capture images when the camera module is disposed within the camera module void, as well as when the camera module is elevated above the camera module void. 
         [0017]    The camera module may be connected to a telescopically extendable arm, having a first distal portion pivotally connected to the camera module and the second proximal portion connected to the camera module compartment. The camera module is preferably rotatable about the extendable arm first portion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a cellphone axillary recording module, in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the axillary recording module; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the axillary recording module; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a rear view of the axillary recording module; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a right side view of the axillary recording module; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a left side view of the axillary recording module; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the axillary recording module; 
           [0026]      FIGS. 8A-8C and 9  illustrate different fields of movement of the camera module; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  illustrates an embodiment having wireless communication capability disposed within the camera module compartment, with optional hardwire connection of the axillary recording module to another device; 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  is a bottom view of the embodiment shown at  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  is a side section view of the axillary recording module across the plane shown at  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  is a side sectional view of the axillary recording module, along the plane shown at  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 14  is a circuit diagram illustrating components of an exemplary camera module; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 15  illustrates an alternate embodiment wherein the wireless communication capability disposed in the camera module compartment, without optional hardwire connection. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]    The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein, including the use of components having alternate shapes, sizes, communications capabilities and other features. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments. 
         [0034]    Referring to the drawings,  FIGS. 1 and 2  are perspective drawings of one embodiment of a cellphone axillary recording module  10 , in accordance with the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, module  10  includes a housing  11  and a camera module  13  (shown in a deployed or extended position), that is extendable upwardly from the housing  11 . More specifically, the housing  11  includes a forward, cellphone receiving well  15  and rear camera module compartment  17 . The camera module compartment  17  defines a camera module compartment void  19 , into which camera module  13  may be disposed when the camera module is in its stowed/un-deployed position. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show front and rear views of the module  11 . As shown at  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the cellphone receiving well  15  defines an optional aperture  21  which continues through the camera module compartment  17 , as shown at  FIGS. 2 and 4 . The aperture  21  is provided to accommodate a camera mounted on the rear surface of a conventional cellphone. Aperture  21  therefore permits the cellphone to take images, using the cellphone internal camera, instead of the camera module  13 .  FIGS. 4 and 6  illustrate the orientation of the camera module, within the camera module receiving compartment  17 , when the camera module  13  is disposed in its stowed position. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 5 and 6  show side views of the axillary recording module  10 . Apertures  23   a ,  23   b , and  23   c  are exemplary of apertures, intended to allow access to the controls, e.g. for power, volume increase and volume decrease, formed on the side of cellphone. Insofar as the arrangement and orientation of controls may vary on different cellphones, it is anticipated that the location, shape, and number of apertures, extending into the cellphone receiving well will also vary, depending upon the particular cellphone that may be used with the axillary recording module. 
         [0037]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the axillary recording module  10 , showing a tab  31  engageable to the bottom surface  33 , at the bottom of the camera module compartment  17 . The tab  31  is wired to wireless communication circuit  65 , which in turn is connected to camera module  13 , via spool  45  and connector  47 . The same connections may be used to charge the camera module  13  from the cellphone. When tab  31  is not used as a hardwired connection to a cellphone, the wireless communication circuit  65  can operate to facilitate wireless communication between the camera module  13  and the cellphone. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 8A-8C  provide different views showing the adjustability of the camera module  13  to view different areas. As shown at  FIG. 8B , the camera module  13  is connected to a first end  35  of extendable arm  37  via a pivotable ball joint  39 . Second end  41  of extendable arm  37  is connected to surface  43  of module  10 . The extendable arm  37  is telescopically extendable from its stowed position (as shown at  FIGS. 10, 12, and 13 ) to the deployed position, as shown best at  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0039]    Referring again to  FIGS. 8B and 8C , ball joint  39  allows the camera module to swivel about, or rotate around the joint  39  to vary the direction and angle of the field of view of camera module  13 .  FIG. 9  shows the top view of camera module  10  in different orientations. 
         [0040]      FIG. 10  illustrates one embodiment of the camera module wherein the camera module is hardwired to a wire spool  45  via connector cable  47 . In accordance with the embodiment shown at  FIG. 10 , as the camera module  13  is elevated from its stowed position to a partially deployed or fully deployed position the spool  45  is unwound and deploys upwardly as the camera module  13  is elevated. The spool  45  terminates in a conductor  49  which is engaged to wireless communication circuit  65 . Tab  31 , connected to wireless communication circuit  65 , may be used to connect the camera module to a cellphone input. When a cable is not used, the output port  51  may be covered by tab  31  as shown at  FIG. 11 . Additional aperture(s) may be provided to facilitate connection of a charging cable to a cellphone when the cellphone is disposed within the cellphone receiving well  15 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 12  illustrates exemplary cellphone  12  disposed with the cellphone receiving well  15 .  FIG. 12  also provides further illustration of the telescoping segments of the extendable arm  37 , which may be disposed within housing  57 , disposed in the cellphone module compartment  17 . The telescoping sections are extendable from compartment  57  as the camera module  13  is extended from the cellphone compartment  17 . 
         [0042]      FIGS. 2, 14, and 15  illustrate wireless communication features that may be implemented within the present invention.  FIG. 2  generally illustrates the wireless communication capability of the camera module  13  (e.g. Bluetooth™ or WiFi) to communicate with a cellphone disposed in the cellphone receiving well, or otherwise in the general vicinity of module  10 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 14  illustrates an exemplary camera module circuit diagram. As shown at  FIG. 14 , camera module  61  includes an optical image recorder or camera  63 , local wireless communication circuit  65  and power supply  67 . Wireless communication circuit  65  facilitates wireless communication between the camera module and the cellphone  20 , which allows the cellphone to receive and display live images from the camera  63 , and to command the camera  63  to click a selected image. The cellphone may further be operative to further regulate the operation of camera  63 , e.g. by activating the zoom features, swivel/rotation commands, or other commands that may be executed by the camera  63 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 15  illustrates an embodiment where the camera module  13  does not include a local wireless communication circuit, which may, under such circumstances, be disposed with the camera module compartment  17 . 
         [0045]    As it will be apparent to those skilled in the art the particular arrangement of features in the present invention, including the position of the various elements, the means for connecting and communicating between those elements and the applications that may be implemented using those elements may be varied to accommodate different components having different sizes, shapes, and capabilities, without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is not be limited by the illustrated embodiments.