Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to compact electronic devices having videographic displays. More particularly, it relates to a portable viewer configured for providing a magnified view of a compact videographic display. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Compact electronic devices including videographic displays have abounded over the past several years. Devices including hundreds of models of cellular phones, iPods™, iPhones™, Blackberry™ and Droid™ devices, e-book readers, and many more include videographic displays that often have small display areas (e.g., only about 6 to less than 15 square inches). Increasingly, many of these devices include software and/or other means for watching video content that may range from video shorts (e.g. seconds or minutes-long) to full length theatrical movies running over two hours long. An increasing number of such devices include a variety of text, text-plus-graphics, text-plus-video, and/or other content that includes material to be read and/or viewed for some other level of detail. For many people, and particularly for individuals who may be prone to eye strain/fatigue or who suffer from (corrected or uncorrected) visual impairments including such typical things as myopia, activities like reading, watching movies, or other extended viewing activities can be difficult on small screens. 
         [0003]    It would be desirable to provide a portable optical magnifier device configured for use with compact electronic devices having a videographic display. Previous devices may not easily be portable and or may use lenses and/or magnification means that distort the images/text. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In one aspect, embodiments of the present invention may include a compactable portable frame housing a magnifying Fresnel lens and configured with a support surface for a compact device including a video display. Certain preferred embodiments may readily be adjustable to accommodate different sizes and types of compact electronic devices, for which a magnified display is desired. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of an optical magnifying device; 
           [0006]      FIGS. 2-4  show actuation and use of an optical magnifying device; 
           [0007]      FIG. 5  shows another embodiment of an optical magnifying device, including audio amplification accessories; and 
           [0008]      FIG. 6  shows a dual-lens embodiment of an optical magnifying device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    Embodiments are described with reference to the drawings in which like elements are generally referred to by like numerals. The relationship and functioning of the various elements of the embodiments may better be understood by reference to the following detailed description. However, embodiments are not limited to those illustrated in the drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and in certain instances details may have been omitted that are not necessary for an understanding of embodiments of the present invention, such as—for example—conventional fabrication and assembly. 
         [0010]    A first embodiment of an optical magnifying device  100  configured to magnify a compact videographic display is displayed with reference to  FIGS. 1-4 .  FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of the device  100  in a deployed configuration;  FIG. 2  shows a method of collapsing an embodiment of the device  100 ;  FIG. 3  shows an embodiment of the device  100  in a nearly-collapsed configuration that—when fully collapsed—will be for transport/storage; and  FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of the device  100  in a deployed configuration with a simulated image. 
         [0011]    The device  100  includes a tray  102 . The tray  102 , which may be constructed of substantially transparent polycarbonate, may be configured as an easel tray including a lip  104  extending up from the upper tray face along one longitudinal edge. Along an edge opposite the lip  104 , a lower support member  106  is hingedly/pivotably attached to the tray  102  along a lower support hinge  105 . The lower support  106  is configured to fold out from the underside of the tray  102  to hold the tray at an angle relative to an underlying surface. Specifically, in one embodiment, the lower support hinge  105  may include an internal detent configured to releasably lock the lower support member  106  at a predetermined angle relative to the tray  102 . 
         [0012]    A lens support stand  110  is hingedly/pivotable mounted to the tray  102  along the same edge as the lower support  106 . The lens support stand  110  includes a pair of rod members  112  connected to the tray  102  by a tray-stand hinge  114 , which may be oriented substantially parallel with the lower support hinge  105 . The tray-stand hinge  114  preferably will include at least one internal detent configured to releasably lock the lens support stand  110  at a predetermined angle relative to the tray  102 . The predetermined angle may be, for example, about 90 degrees. The rod members may be constructed as telescoping in any of a variety of manners well-known in the art, which may provide the ability to focus the image in the lens when using different display devices. 
         [0013]    A stand-frame hinge  124  connects an opposite end of the rod members  112  of the lens-support stand  110  to a frame  120 . The stand-frame hinge  124  preferably will include at least one internal detent configured to releasably lock the lens support stand  110  at a predetermined angle relative to the frame  120  (e.g., at 90 degrees, or another desirable angle). The frame  120  is disposed about a high-resolution magnifying Fresnel lens  130 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the stand  110  and frame  120  are configured to support the lens  130  opposite and generally aligned with the tray  102 . In many embodiments, the detents will hold the structural elements such that the lens  130  is generally or substantially parallel with the tray  102 . It will generally be preferable to include a substantially to entirely transparent cover that is configured to be scratch-resistant, where the cover is disposed to protect the Fresnel lens from damage. In some embodiments, it will be preferable that the Fresnel lens be configured to provide a magnified image from a compact display, where the entire image is viewable on the lens and is magnified by at least 1.5× relative to the original display size. In some embodiments, the magnification may be as low as 1.25×, but in preferred embodiments, the magnification will be at least 1.5×, at least 2×, or at least 5×, and may be greater than 5×. The proportions of the lens may be constructed to provide height-width proportions for a specific device (e.g., a specific brand of media player, e-book reader, or the like), and/or may be constructed to provide a particular desired proportion height-width for viewing. 
         [0014]    In embodiments where the detents and other elements are configured to support the lens  130  at a non-parallel orientation relative to the tray  102 , it is preferable that the optical transmission of the lens  130  is calibrated, as well-known in the art, to provide a minimally distorted or substantially undistorted image from a videographic display upon the tray  102 . In one exemplary embodiment, the magnification effect of the lens provides a similar visual perspective to that of a person watching a large-screen television from about 10 feet away, enabling a person to enjoy viewing an enlarged image from a small screen, even in compact quarters (e.g., an airline seat). Those of skill in the art will appreciate that one or more foldable, retractable, and/or removable shades or shrouds (not shown) may also be provided to help control ambient light between the tray  102  and the lens  130 . 
         [0015]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a lens/frame support member  126  may also be provided. The lens/frame support member  126  may be configured to fold down and support the side of the lens frame  120  that is opposite the stand  110 . A tray protrusion  109  may be provided to engage and/or support a lower end of the lens/frame support member  126 . In certain embodiments, the lens/frame support member  126  may have about the same length/height as the stand  110 , but—in other embodiments (e.g., as shown in FIGS.  2 - 3 )—it may have a different length. The support member  126  may also improve the rigidity and stability of the device  100 . 
         [0016]    A method for collapsing or compacting the device  100  for transport/storage is shown with reference to  FIG. 2 . The lens/frame support member  126  may be folded up against the lens  130 . The lens  130  (in its frame  120 ) may be rotated around/along the stand-frame hinge  124  to be substantially parallel with and/or co-planar to the rod members  112  of the stand  110 . The stand  110  can be rotated around/along the tray-stand hinge  114  to fold the stand  110  and lens  130  down to fit near or even flush against the tray  102 . The lower support member  106  can be folded up against the tray along the support-tray hinge  105 . 
         [0017]    In  FIG. 3 , the device  100  is shown as being folded nearly to a storage/transport configuration, which preferably will be rather compact. The rod members  112  of the stand  110  are be folded down along outer edges of the tray  102 . The lens  130  in its frame  120  is shown as folded down along the stand-frame hinge  124  on its way to fit closely substantially parallel-oriented relative to the tray  102 . The lower support member  106  may be folded up against the tray  102  along its hinge  105 . 
         [0018]      FIG. 4  shows the device  100  in a deployed configuration with a compact videographic display device  490  disposed on the tray  102 . The videographic display device  490  is depicted as displaying an image  495  with a simulated magnified image  495   a  shown on the high-resolution Fresnel lens  130 . The lens  130  is oriented apart from and generally parallel to the tray  102 . The tray  102  may also include fastening means (not shown) such as, for example, hook-and-eye fasteners (e.g., Velcro™) slip-resistant silicone or other polymer member(s), clip(s), pegs(s), adhesive region(s), elastic strap(s), or any other appropriate fastening. The fastening means preferably are configured to hold a videographic display device securely upon the tray in a position providing optimal viewing through the lens. 
       Example 1 
       [0019]    One example of an optical display device, with dimensions that may be useful for certain applications, is described with reference to  FIG. 1 . In the exemplary embodiment, the height of the deployed device  100  from the tray end to the frame end of the stand&#39;s rod members  112  may be about 4 inches. The exterior dimensions of the frame  130 , which is oriented parallel to the tray  102 , are about 4.5 inches wide by about 6.5 inches long. The tray  102  is about 3 inches wide and about 5 inches long. The hinges  114 ,  124  are configured to hold the stand  110  perpendicular relative to both the tray and the frame  120 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 5  shows another embodiment of the optical magnifying device  100 , which includes a pair of audio speakers  550 . The speakers  550  may be configured for wired or wireless connection to a device to be rested on the tray  102 . Other embodiments may include only one speaker or more than two speakers. The speakers  550  preferably are configured to connect to and amplify sound from an electronic device (such as a videographic display device such as a compact media player, smartphone, etc.) positioned on the tray  102 . The speakers may include internal amplifier means, or an external amplifier means may be included with the magnifying device  100 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of an optical magnifying device  600 , configured with two display lenses  630   a ,  630   b . The device  600  includes a tray  602 . The tray  602  may be configured as an easel tray including a lip  604  extending up from the upper tray face along one longitudinal edge. Along an edge opposite the lip  604 , a lower support member  606  is hingedly/pivotably attached to the tray  602  along a lower support hinge  605 . The lower support  606  is configured to fold out from the underside of the tray  602  to hold the tray at an angle relative to an underlying surface (e.g., by including an internal detent configured to releasably lock the lower support member  606  at a predetermined angle relative to the tray  602 ). 
         [0022]    A lens support stand  610  is hingedly/pivotable mounted to the tray  602  along the same edge as the lower support  606 . The lens support stand  610  includes a pair of rod members  612  connected to the tray  602  by a tray-stand hinge  614 , which may be oriented substantially parallel with the lower support hinge  605 . The tray-stand hinge  614  preferably will include at least one internal detent configured to releasably lock the lens support stand  610  at a predetermined angle relative to the tray  602 . The predetermined angle may be, for example, about 90 degrees. 
         [0023]    Two frame portions  620   a ,  620   b  of the double-frame  620  are attached to the stand  610  and are disposed to encompass about a pair of high-resolution Fresnel lenses  630   a ,  630   b . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the stand  610  and frame  620  are configured to support the lens  630  opposite the tray  602 . The double-frame  620  is configured to support the lenses  630   a ,  630   b  at an obtuse angle relative to each other, and oriented opposite and spaced apart from the tray  602  to magnify a videographic display oriented thereupon. Because the lenses  630   a ,  630   b  are disposed at a non-parallel orientation relative to the tray  602 , it is preferable that the optical transmission of the lens  630   a ,  630   b  are calibrated, as well-known in the art, to provide a minimally distorted or substantially undistorted image from a videographic display of a compact electronic device (such as, for example, the device  690  having a videographic display  695 ) disposed upon the tray  602 . Those of skill in the art will also appreciate that more than two lenses may be mounted in a display device of the present invention, so as to provide magnified viewing from a single device for two or more people. 
         [0024]    Those of skill in the art will appreciate that embodiments not expressly illustrated herein may be practiced within the scope of the present invention, including that features described herein for different embodiments may be combined with each other and/or with currently-known or future-developed technologies while remaining within the scope of the claims presented here. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting. And, it should be understood that the following claims, including all equivalents, are intended to define the spirit and scope of this invention. Furthermore, the advantages described above are not necessarily the only advantages of the invention, and it is not necessarily expected that all of the described advantages will be achieved with every embodiment of the invention.

Technology Category: 3