Patent ID: 12189278

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention (sometimes referred to herein as the “system”) are directed to modify and/or add light entering a camera lens while capturing photographic still or moving images by placing light sources, transparent, translucent, and/or opaque objects in front of and around the image making lens.

Complex foreground elements in an image, including both naturally present and introduced objects, can provide a sense of depth to images that otherwise might appear flat or ordinary.

When a foreground consisting of real and/or introduced elements in a scene is close enough to the camera lens and that lens has a shallow enough depth of field to obscure the details of the foreground, the natural and introduced foreground elements can be made to create a unique and compelling look not possible when these foreground elements are absent or when those elements are far enough from the front of the lens that their shape and identity is obvious to the viewer. Embodiments of the invention allow the photographer such creative control of the artistic image.

FIG.1is a side view of a system for holding objects at the front of a camera lens according to embodiments of the disclosure.FIG.2is an isometric view of the system illustrated inFIG.1. With reference toFIGS.1and2, a mounting base or mounting100is coupled to the front of a camera lens102on the front of a camera104. The mounting ring100functions as a base to support one or more effect wands106that may be positioned in front of the camera lens102. Although the mounting ring100illustrated in these Figures is shown as round or annular, the mounting ring100can take any shape, such as square, rectangular, oval, etc., but is merely referred to herein as the mounting ring100for convenience. As described below, the wands106are structured to modify the light as it comes into the camera lens, creating visual effects that can be controlled by the photographer. Also as described below, the wands106remain in place after being positioned by the photographer, so the desired effect created by the photographer is repeatable.

In the illustrated embodiments, the wands106may be manually placed and positioned by the photographer, or someone working with the photographer, and are held in place by relatively strong magnets. As best seen inFIG.2, the wands106include a magnetic spherical portion152that seats in a magnetic socket portion of an arm108, which in turn has its own spherical portion that sits within a socket portion of a yoke110. The yoke110is magnetically held or otherwise secured to the base100. Each of the magnetic ball-socket interfaces in the system allows movement at the interface. For instance, the magnetic spherical portion152of the wand106is moveable and positionable relative to the socket portion of the arm108. In addition, the magnetic spherical portion of the arm108is moveable and positionable relative to the socket portion of the yoke110. In operation, the magnetic ball-socket interface of the wand106and arm108allows the photographer to move the wand106into nearly any position relative to the camera lens102. And, once the photographer releases the wand106, the magnetic action of the magnetic ball-socket interface is strong enough to keep the wand in the position set by the photographer. The magnetic ball-socket interface between the arm108and the yoke110operates similarly. Thus, the photographer has nearly complete control of where and how to orient one or more effect wands106within the light path in front of the camera lens102, because the photographer can position the wand wherever desired, and it will remain in place after the photographer has placed it.

FIGS.3,4, and5illustrate the mounting ring100, yoke assemblies110, arm assemblies108, and effect wands106that may be used with the system ofFIG.1, according to embodiments. In the illustrated embodiments, the mounting ring100is mounted to the camera lens102(FIG.1) through mating filter threads116on the back side of the mounting ring100(FIG.5) and the standard filter threads on the camera lens (not illustrated). In some embodiments, the mounting ring100may additionally include a threaded front portion112(FIG.3) to receive one or more standard filters. In this way the mounting ring100preserves the option to use standard filters even though the mounting ring100is mounted to the standard filter threads of the camera lens through its own threads116.

One or more standard filter adaptor rings may be used to couple the mounting ring100to the camera lens102if the mounting threads116of the mounting ring100have a size different than the size of the filter threads of the camera lens. In some embodiments, the mounting ring100may be manufactured in any size to fit any sized filter threads of a camera lens102. In other embodiments, the mounting ring100is manufactured in a limited number of sizes and standard filter adaptor rings are used to adapt any camera lens102to one of the standard sizes of the mounting rings100. In operation, an adaptor ring is first coupled to the filter threads of the camera lens102and then the mounting threads116of the mounting ring100are coupled to the outer edge of the adaptor, which also includes threads. When the threads of the mounting ring and adaptors, if any, are tightened, the mounting ring100is firmly held to the camera lens102to supply a firm base for the remainder of the system. Some embodiments of the mounting ring100may allow the ring to be rotated relative to the camera lens102, while still being firmly mounted to the camera lens. Such an embodiment may include a sliding or bearing surface between the mounting threads116of the mounting ring100and the mounting ring itself.

In other embodiments, the mounting ring100may be affixed to the front of the camera using other attaching methods, such as strapping or clamping the mounting ring100to the body of the camera, for instance. In other embodiments, the mounting ring100may include a bracket that mounts to a standard tripod socket located on the bottom of most cameras. In such an embodiment, a thumbscrew or other fastener could be used to attach the bracket of the mounting ring100to the camera such that the mounting ring is positioned near the front of the camera lens. Yet other embodiments could include a bracket that mounts to a hot or cold shoe (i.e., a flash mount), while still positioning the mounting ring100near the front of the camera lens. Still other possibilities of mounting the mounting ring or mounting base to the camera or camera lens could include a rail mount, Bayonet mount, and mechanical mounting, such as with screws and/or bolts.

The mounting ring100may be made of metal or other rigid material. In some embodiments the mounting ring100is either manufactured from a magnetic material, such as steel, or includes a magnetic surface coupled to the base material. The mounting ring100may be powder coated for durability and appearance. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting ring100includes a recessed front ring114taking up the majority of the face of the mounting ring100. The front ring114is recessed relative to an inner and outer lip, as illustrated inFIG.4. The inner lip may be formed of the threaded portion112of the mounting ring100, while the outer lip118may be structured as a base or other structure to act as a mechanical mounts to which arm assemblies or other accessories may be attached.

The front ring114of the mounting ring100is sized and structured to accept one or more yoke assemblies110attached at its front surface. Between the inner and outer edges of the front ring mounting ring100, the recessed magnetically receptive front ring114maintains a track for the yoke assembly110, keeping the yoke assembly securely mounted to the mounting ring100even when the yoke assembly is slid around the front of the mounting ring while repositioning the yoke assembly and thus adjusting the position of the effect wand106mounted on the yoke assembly110.

As illustrated inFIG.6, in some embodiments, the yoke assembly110include a yoke frame124and two magnetic sockets130. Each socket130may include a chamfered magnet120and a magnet plug122together forming a somewhat spherically recessed shape structured to receive a magnetic ball. Using a magnet plug122in concert with a magnet120makes a particularly strong magnetic receiver. In some embodiments the magnet120and the magnet plugs are each 6 mm in size, although other sizes, such as smaller or larger sizes may be used. Larger sized magnetic ball and socket joints may require too much force to comfortably manually move the wands106and arms108, while smaller sized magnetic ball and socket joints may not have enough magnetic force to retain the wands and arms in place.

Each yoke assembly110may be magnetically coupled to the front ring114of the mounting ring. Magnetic force to keep the yoke assembly coupled to the front ring114may come from the magnet120and magnet plug122, or may come from another magnet (not shown) attached to the yoke assembly110. Preferably, each yoke assembly110includes two or more magnetic sockets130, spaced apart from one another. Including at least two magnetic sockets130per assembly110spaced apart from one another ensures that the magnets120do not rotate freely, as would be the case if an assembly110only contained one magnetic socket130. Instead, including two magnetic sockets130per assembly110allows the photographer to move the effect wands freely while the assembly110stays securely magnetically attached to the front ring114of the mounting ring100.

The front ring114of the mounting ring100is sized to accept one or more yoke assemblies110. The width of the track of the front ring114may be selected to accommodate movement of the yoke assemblies110. In other words, the width of the track of the front ring may be large enough to give the photographer choice in positioning the yoke assemblies110on the mounting ring. In other embodiments, the width of the track may be sized just large enough to accept one or more yoke assemblies110with limited movement ability. In yet other embodiments, the mounting ring100may be completely filled with an entire ring of 10-20 magnetic sockets (not illustrated). In such an embodiment, the system would not include separate assemblies110, but rather the arms108or wands106could attach directly to one of the permanently mounted sockets on the mounting ring100.

In addition to attaching magnetically, in some embodiments the yoke assembly110may attach to the mounting ring100using temporary or permanent adhesives or mechanical fasteners.

With reference toFIG.7, the arm assembly108may be used in conjunction with a yoke assembly110. The illustrated arm assembly108includes a frame140, a magnetic spherical portion142, and a magnetic socket portion148. Similar to the yoke assemblies110ofFIG.6, the magnetic socket portion148of the arm assembly108includes a small hollow cylindrical magnet144and a small magnet plug146. In some embodiments the magnet144and plug146of the arm assembly108are sized the same as the magnet120and plug120of the yoke assembly110. The length of the frame130of the arm assembly108may be implementation specific. Further, a set of components in the system ofFIG.1may include multiple arm assemblies108having different lengths, which provides the photographer additional flexibility.

In operation, the magnetic spherical portion148of the arm assembly is inserted into one of the magnetic socket portions130of the yoke assembly110. Then, the wand106, and specifically the magnetic spherical portion152of the wand106is inserted into the magnetic socket portion148of the arm assembly108. This combination with two separate magnetic ball-socket joints (one at the junction of the yoke assembly110with the arm assembly108, and one at the junction of the arm assembly108and the wand106, as illustrated inFIGS.1and2) provides the photographer a large amount of freedom in positioning the various effect wands relative to the camera lens102. Also, since each yoke assembly110includes at least two magnetic socket portions130, this allows each yoke assembly110to support two separate effect wands106, each of which is separately positionable by the photographer. Further, the wands106may be positioned over or partially over one another to combine the effects of the wands106. Yet further, each additional yoke assembly110supports an additional two wands106, and there is space for many yoke assemblies110to be placed on the mounting ring100. A photographer, therefore, has a large amount of artistic control by selecting and positioning an almost unlimited combination of effect wands, each having its effect on the light entering a camera lens102, effectively giving the photographer complete control as to how to compose her image.

Although the embodiment described above is a magnetic ball-socket articulating joint structure, other articulating joint structures may be used in other embodiments. For example, one such articulating joint structure can be formed of any mechanically articulating joints, such as a friction joint or ratchet joint between two separate pieces that allow the effect wands106to be moved into place, and then retain their place after being positioned. Further, what is described as an articulating joint structure may not, in fact, be an articulating structure at all, but could be formed of a single piece of material that may be manipulated to place the effect wand106in a position where it remains after being positioned. For example, the arms or other structures that couple to the effect wands106could be formed of a bendable or pliable material, such as metal wire, or metal wire coated in plastic or other material, which retains its position after being moved.

FIG.8is a top view of an effect wand106that may be used with the system ofFIG.1, according to embodiments. As described above, the effect wand106may include a magnetic spherical portion152located between a handle154and an effect portion156. The effect portion156of a wand106is generally used to modify light from a subject as it enters the camera lens102. In many embodiments the effect portion156is made from crystal, glass, or plastic, each of which having various effects on the resulting image. The effect portion156may be formed of different shapes as well, such as prism or partial prisms, round, or hemispherical, for instance. In some embodiments the effect portion156may be a film, such as a diffraction film clamped to the handle154. In particular embodiments, the effect portion156of a wand may include one or more of the following: crystal spear, crystal seahorse, cylindrical lens, diffraction grating film, optical window with facets at edges, 40/60/80 degree triangle prism, equilateral triangle prism, optical window ring, mirrors or mirrored windows, rods or tubes, colored or patterned film, containers filled with liquids or amorphous solids, transparent liquid crystal display.

In other embodiments, the effect portion156of the wand106may include various shapes that are opaque to the light entering the camera lens102. By moving such opaque wands106the photographer can create shade, shadows, occlusions and other effects based on the controllable absence of light.

In yet other embodiments the effect wand106may include a light source in its effect portion156. The light source may be battery powered or solar powered, for instance. In other instances the light source may be chemical-luminescent, such as glow sticks. In embodiments where the effect wand106includes a light source, the photographer is able to add sources of light in specific portions of the resulting image. By placing light sources on wands106that are easily moved and remain in position once so moved, the photographer is provided a great deal of creative control not previously available.

Although the embodiments described above used manual manipulation of the wands106, in other embodiments, the handle154of the wand assembly106can be inserted into a motorized or mechanized accessory whereby the objects move at a user adjustable speed allowing circumferential, radial, pitch, yaw, roll, and distance movements from the photographic lens. In such an embodiment movements can be made to match a predetermined path as programmed by the user.

In some embodiments, the wand assembly106can take on motorized movement based on an accelerometer in a phone attached to the camera, giving the user the ability to send objects sweeping and rotating, among other possible actions, through an image in conjunction with the panning and raising and lowering of the camera taking the images.

In other embodiments, motorized movement of the effect wands106is determined by the camera taking the still or moving images with that camera communicating wired or wirelessly with the motors determining the action of the wand assemblies, bringing a natural or decidedly unnatural movement to the objects or lights being placed in front of the camera based on the movement of the camera.

With reference toFIG.9, some disclosed embodiments further include a mounting mechanism160that has its own magnetic socket that is able to connect arms108and wands106to a camera and lens combination that lacks filter threads. The camera could be a stand-alone camera, such as a conventional film or digital point-and-shoot or single-lens reflex camera, or a camera integrated into another device, such as a mobile device, computer, or phone164. This mounting mechanism, in various embodiments, could take the form of a clamp with a magnetic socket130similar to that used in the yoke assembly110, could be integrated into a phone case, or utilize and existing lens mount in the form of a bayonet or screw mechanism initially intended to mount auxiliary lenses. In other embodiments, the mounting mechanism160could use other methods of attaching to a device to allow a wand106to be positioned in the light path of a camera lens, such as temporary or permanent adhesives, friction mounts, etc.

As described herein, embodiments of the invention are directed to a system for holding objects at the front of a camera lens. Elements of various described embodiments provide a magnetically based system that allows for circumferential adjustment, radial adjustment, pitch adjustment, yaw adjustment, roll adjustment, and distance from the photographic lens adjustment, and incorporates a mechanically tensioned ball and socket system with lens filter-thread mounted base, a clamped mounted base, and a rack mounted base. The above-described system allows artistic control to those using lenses with filter threads, lenses with no threads, and lenses that are part of a larger support system. All methods of mounting the system at the front of a cameras lens are contemplated. These mounting options provide additional artistic control for a user of a camera and lens, allowing the user to create repeatable images that cannot be created with currently available filter systems or through currently practiced methods employed to place objects in front of a camera lens.

Accordingly, at least some embodiments of a system for holding objects at the front of a camera lens include a magnetically receptive mounting ring and at least one magnet used to connect the magnetically receptive ring to various objects. The mounting ring that mounts on the camera also includes a portion that receives the magnets that hold objects around and in front of the camera lens.

In at least some embodiments of the system, magnets used to secure the objects to the magnetically receptive ring are cylindrical with an internal chamfer and a through hole in order to make contact with the maximum surface area and hold fast to a spherical magnetically receptive surface incorporated into the handle of objects and universal clips, allowing objects to be mounted onto the system and moved, while retaining their position when adjustment has been completed. Accordingly, to increase tension on the spherical magnetically receptive portion of the handle of objects and universal clips, these hollow chamfered cylindrical magnets may incorporate a magnetically receptive cylindrical plug that nearly fills the hollow portion of the magnet. These magnetically receptive cylindrical plugs push against the spherical surface of the handle as well as the cylindrical surface of extension arms and other accessories, increasing tension on the handle and other accessories, further ensuring that the objects stay secure when adjustment has been completed.

Based on the above-described examples and description, embodiments of the invention allow the attachment of objects, optics, lights, motors etc, in front of a camera lens by way of magnets, pins, bolts, clamps, or other mechanical means. In some embodiments an articulated mechanism mounted on the system is attached to the front of a camera lens to hold accessories in place and allow for the manipulation of effect-producing objects. These objects are securely mounted to, and removable from the articulated mechanism by magnetism, threads, clamp, adhesive, or other mechanical means.

Various embodiments of the disclosure provide for an articulated mechanism utilizing magnets, friction-fit ball and socket, ratcheting hinge, or other means or mechanism to allow for circumferential adjustment, radial adjustment, pitch adjustment, yaw adjustment, roll adjustment, and distance from the photographic lens adjustment of effect-producing objects.

Various embodiments allow for the attachment of traditional round or square filters to be used with or separately from other objects and/or articulated arms.

Various embodiments allow for the attachment of motors to move or rotate articulated arms, objects or light sources coupled to the effect-producing objects, wands, or articulating arms.

Various embodiments allow for the attachment of an illumination device to cast light on objects held in the system for the purpose of creating a different or more intense effect than when using objects not being illuminated. Alternatively, attached illumination devices may be used to illuminate the photographic subject.

Another application of an attached illumination device is to project light into the camera lens in order to create effects due to this additional light causing flare, ghosting and reduced contrast. Illumination devices mount to system with the option to utilize an articulated arm allowing manipulation of the position and direction of the light being produced.

This written description makes reference to particular features. It is to be understood that the disclosure in this specification includes all possible combinations of those particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in the context of other aspects and embodiments.

Also, when reference is made in this application to a method having two or more defined steps or operations, the defined steps or operations can be carried out in any order or simultaneously, unless the context excludes those possibilities.

Furthermore, the term “comprises,” “includes” and its grammatical equivalents are used in this application to mean that other components, features, steps, processes, operations, etc. are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” or “which comprises” components A, B, and C can contain only components A, B, and C, or it can contain components A, B, and C along with one or more other components.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.