Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application is a Continuation-In-Part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/895,349, filed on May 15, 2013, entitled RECEPTACLE FOR AN IMAGE CAPTURE COMPUTING DEVICE, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/768,751, filed on Feb. 25, 2013, entitled A PLASTIC CASE FOR THE IPAD MINI AND IPAD. IT HAS HANDLES ON THE SIDES, 3 ACCESSORY SHOE AREAS, A TRIPOD MOUNT, AND THE ABILITY TO SCREW ON 37 MM LENSES, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    This disclosure generally relates to the field of image capture. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a stabilization configuration for a receptacle for a mobile computing device that performs image capture. 
         [0004]    2. General Background 
         [0005]    Standard cameras typically allow for utilization of a tripod. For example, a photographer can place a standard camera on a tripod so that movement of the camera during image capture is minimized. The tripod allows a photographer using a standard camera to take pictures without using both hands to stabilize the camera. 
         [0006]    Current mobile computing devices, e.g., tablet devices, smartphones, etc., provide image capture capabilities, e.g., still or motion, that are comparable with standard image capture devices such as standard cameras. Yet the picture quality from such mobile computing devices is often of a lesser quality than that of standard cameras as standard cameras provide users with firmer stabilization abilities than a mobile computing device. Users often have difficulty keeping the mobile computing device stable during image capture. The mobile computing device often wobbles during the image capture, which then results in pictures or videos that are often of a less than ideal quality. 
         [0007]    Further, many applications utilized by mobile computing devices necessitate a particular orientation for image capture. For instance, many social networking applications configured for utilization by mobile computing devices will only display pictures in a particular format, e.g., a user has to scroll vertically rather than horizontally through pictures. A user has to take pictures in a manner consistent with that format to avoid having to crop the pictures. For example, the user would have to crop pictures taken with a mobile computing device horizontally for an application that displays those pictures vertically. The necessity of cropping and/or other image modification techniques may diminish the quality of the captured image. 
         [0008]    Although the vertical format is necessary for image capture for many applications, the vertical format provides less stabilization for a user than the horizontal format. A user may have more difficulty stabilizing a mobile computing device vertically rather than horizontally as the vertical configuration has a lesser width for positioning of the hands of the user than the horizontal configuration. As a result, current mobile computing devices provide limited capabilities to photographers. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    In one aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus has a receptacle configured to receive an image capture computing device and at least one wire that is connectable to the image capture computing device. Further, the apparatus has a first handle that is operably connected to the receptacle and is curved such that the at least one wire is connected directly to the image capture device without obstruction from the first handle. In addition, the apparatus has a second handle that is operably connected to the receptacle. 
         [0010]    In another aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus has a receptacle configured to receive an image capture computing device, a first wire that is connectable to a first side of the image capture computing device, and a second wire that is connectable to a second side of the image capture computing device. Further, the apparatus has a first handle that is operably connected to the first side of the receptacle and is curved such that the first wire is connected directly to the first side of the image capture device without obstruction from the first handle. In addition, the apparatus has a second handle that is operably connected to the second side of the receptacle and is curved such that the second wire is connected directly to the second side of the image capture device without obstruction from the second handle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The above-mentioned features of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of an image capture computing device receptacle. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a back view of the image capture computing device receptacle. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the receiving means. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates a front view of the image capture computing device receptacle with a mobile computing device secured to the image capture computing device receptacle. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates a front view of the image capture computing device receptacle  100  with the mobile computing device secured to the image capture computing device receptacle and the image capture computing device receptacle having a bottom handle. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  illustrates a front view of the image capture computing device receptacle with the mobile computing device secured to the image capture computing device receptacle and the image capture computing device receptacle only having the right handle for a handle. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  illustrates a front view of an image capture computing device receptacle that is configured to receive a smartphone. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  illustrates a back view of the image capture computing device receptacle illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 9A  illustrates a front perspective view of the flat handle configuration of the image capture computing device receptacle. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9B  illustrates a front view of the flat handle configuration of the image capture computing device receptacle illustrated in  FIG. 9A . 
           [0022]      FIG. 9C  illustrates a side view of the flat handle configuration of the image capture computing device receptacle illustrated in  FIG. 9A . 
           [0023]      FIG. 9D  illustrates another side view of the flat handle configuration of the image capture computing device receptacle illustrated in  FIG. 9A . 
           [0024]      FIG. 10A  illustrates a rear perspective view of the curved handle configuration of the image capture computing device receptacle. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10B  illustrates a top view of the curved handle configuration of the image capture computing device receptacle. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10C  illustrates a side view of the curved handle configuration of the image capture computing device receptacle. 
           [0027]      FIG. 10D  illustrates a front view of the curved handle configuration of the image capture computing device receptacle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    A receptacle for a computing device that performs image capture is provided. The image capture computing device is received by the receptacle. A user then grasps the receptacle and motions the receptacle to a position for image capture. The receptacle has handles that provide for stabilization of the receptacle and the image capture computing device. As a result, users performing image capture have the ability to capture still images and/or video images with stabilization. In contrast with heavy receptacles that do not have handles, the receptacle for the image capture computing device provides a lightweight configuration that provides stabilization for an image capture computing device. 
         [0029]    Further, the receptacle is configured to provide optimal accessibility to various ports of the mobile computing device. In contrast with a configuration in which wires have to be bent in a manner that may damage the wires and be cumbersome for a user, the receptacle is configured to maximize accessibility to the mobile computing device and minimize interference from the wires. 
         [0030]    In addition, the receptacle may have additional components that allow the user performing image capture to vary image capture conditions. For example, the receptacle may receive a variety of lenses that may be utilized to vary viewing conditions. Further, various lighting and/or audio equipment may be positioned on the receptacle to vary lighting and/or audio conditions. The receptacle may also have a tripod component so that the receptacle may be stabilized with a tripod to minimize motion of the image capture computing device during image capture. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of an image capture computing device receptacle  100 . In one embodiment, the image capture computing device receptacle  100  includes a plurality of handles, e.g., a right handle  102  and a left handle  104 . The front of the image capture computing device receptacle  100  is illustrated from the perspective of what another user views if in front of the image capture computing device  100  when an image is captured by a user such as a photographer. The right handle  102  and the left handle  104  allow the user to perform image capture with minimal wobbling. As a result, the photographer is able to perform image capture with more stabilization and accuracy than without the image capture computing device receptacle  100 . Although the right handle  102  and the left handle  104  are illustrated, the handles may be in other locations, e.g., a top handle and a bottom handle. Further, a single handle or more than two handles may be utilized. The right handle  102  and the left handle  104  are provided merely for illustrative purposes. 
         [0032]    The image capture computing device receptacle  100  also has an aperture  106 . The aperture  106  is configured so that an image capture component, e.g., a lens of a mobile image capture computing device, may be positioned to capture images through the aperture  106 . In one embodiment, the aperture  106  is configured to be in substantial proximity to the image capture component. For example, the aperture may be narrow enough to only be positioned over the lens to minimize reflection. 
         [0033]    In another embodiment, the image capture computing device receptacle  100  has a plurality of accessory receiving means. As an example, the image capture computing device receptacle  100  has a receiving means  108 , a receiving means  110 , a receiving means  112 , and a receiving means  114 . The various receiving means may be utilized to receive accessories such as lighting devices, e.g., lamps, audio devices, e.g., microphones, additional lenses, e.g., wide angle lenses, tripods, and/or the like. For example, the receiving means  114  may receive a tripod mount to provide further stabilization for the image capture computing device receptacle  100  with a tripod. A single or different quantity of receiving means may be utilized from that illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0034]    In one embodiment, the right handle  102  and the left handle  104  are integrated within the same frame as the image capture computing device receptacle  100 . In other words, a single molding may be utilized for the frame and the handles. In an alternative embodiment, the right handle  102  and the left handle are detachable from the frame. 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  illustrates a back view of the image capture computing device receptacle  100 . The back view is from the perspective of the photographer that is placing the mobile computing device in the image capture computing device receptacle  100 . In one embodiment, the image capture computing device receptacle  100  has a receiving means for receiving the image capture computing device receptacle  100 . An example of the receiving means is the lip  202 . The lip  202  may be positioned throughout all of the frame or at least a portion of the frame. A photographer may then snap the mobile computing device within the lip to secure the mobile computing device in the image capture computing device receptacle  100 . As a result, the photographer may easily snap the mobile computing device into position. The lip is only an example of the receiving means. The receiving means may also be a fastening means such as a screw, bolt, nail, clip, and/or the like. 
         [0036]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the receiving means  202 . The receiving means  202  is illustrated as a lip only for illustrative purposes as various other receiving means may be utilized. 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  illustrates a front view of the image capture computing device receptacle  100  with a mobile computing device  402  secured to the image capture computing device receptacle  100 . The mobile computing device  402  may be a tablet device, smartphone, or any other mobile device. Further, the mobile computing device  402  may have an image capture component, e.g., a built in camera, for still or motion image capture. Various accessories  404 ,  406 , and  408  may be connected to the receiving means  108 ,  110 , and  112 . The receiving means  108 ,  110 , and  112  may be a lip, screw, bolt, nail, clip, and/or the like. Further, a lens accessory  412  is positioned over the aperture  106 . 
         [0038]    Although a frame single frame is illustrated in  FIG. 4 , multiple frames may alternatively be utilized to secure the mobile computing device  402 . In other words, the image capture computing device receptacle  100  may comprise multiple parts such as a front portion and a back portion to secure the mobile computing device  402  to the image capture computing device receptacle  100 . Accordingly, the image capture computing device receptacle  100  is not limited to a single frame as multiple frames may alternatively be utilized. 
         [0039]    Although  FIGS. 1-4  illustrated two handles, a single handle or more than two handles may be utilized.  FIG. 5  illustrates a front view of the image capture computing device receptacle  100  with the mobile computing device  402  secured to the image capture computing device receptacle  100  and the image capture computing device receptacle  100  having a bottom handle  502 . Alternatively, the right handle  102 , the left handle  104 , and the bottom handle  502  may be considered a single handle. Further,  FIG. 6  illustrates a front view of the image capture computing device receptacle  100  with the mobile computing device  402  secured to the image capture computing device receptacle  100  and the image capture computing device receptacle  100  only having the left handle  104  for a handle. 
         [0040]    Although  FIGS. 4-6  illustrate the mobile computing device  402  as a tablet device, a smartphone may alternatively be utilized. Accordingly,  FIG. 7  illustrates a front view of an image capture computing device receptacle  700  that is configured to receive a smartphone. The image capture computing device receptacle  700  has a right handle  702  and a left handle  704 . The image capture computing device receptacle  700  also has an aperture  706 .  FIG. 8  illustrates a back view of the image capture computing device receptacle  700  illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0041]      FIGS. 9A-9D  illustrate various views of a flat handle configuration of the image capture computing device receptacle  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The flat handle configuration has handles that are in vertical alignment with the vertical plane that goes through the image capture computing device receptacle  100 . As a result various wires that are plugged into the mobile computing device  402  of  FIG. 4  have to be bent, twisted, etc. to have accessibility to receiving ports of the mobile computing device  402  of  FIG. 4 . Such wires may be utilized to connect the image capture computing device  100  to various accessories, other devices, etc. The ports may be based on various technologies such as USB, Ethernet, etc. 
         [0042]      FIG. 9A  illustrates a front perspective view of the flat handle configuration of the image capture computing device receptacle  100 . The right handle  102  and the left handle  104  are in vertical alignment with the image capture computing device receptacle  100 . As a result, a lighting cable  901  and a headphone cable  902  do not have direct accessibility to receiving ports of the mobile computing device  402 . Therefore, the cables  901  and  902  have to be significantly bent, e.g., at approximate ninety degree angles, to obtain access to the receiving ports of the mobile computing device  402  of  FIG. 4 . 
         [0043]    Such awkward bending may lead to significant damage or wear and tear of the cables  901  and  902 . Further, the cables  901  and  902  may easily become unplugged from the receiving ports of the mobile computing device  402  of  FIG. 4  as such bending does not allow for secure plugging of the cables  901  and  902 . Such unplugging may lead to significant disruptions during filming, image capture, etc. 
         [0044]    Further, the bending of the cables  901  and  902  interferes with a user&#39;s ability to comfortably grip the handles  102  and  104 . For example, the bends of the cables  901  and  902  may occupy significant amounts of gripping space between the handles  102  and  104  and the portion of the image capture computing device receptacle  100  that encapsulates the mobile computing device  402 . As a result, the bends of the cables  901  and  902  may block certain portions of the handles  102  and  104  from being gripped by the user. 
         [0045]      FIG. 9B  illustrates a front view of the flat handle configuration of the image capture computing device receptacle  100  illustrated in  FIG. 9A . Further,  FIG. 9C  illustrates a side view of the flat handle configuration of the image capture computing device receptacle  100  illustrated in  FIG. 9A . The cables  901  and  902  are illustrated as being significantly bent at almost ninety degree angles. In addition,  FIG. 9D  illustrates another side view of the flat handle configuration of the image capture computing device receptacle  100  illustrated in  FIG. 9A . 
         [0046]    The lighting cable  901  and the headphone cable  902  are only provided as examples of cables that may be utilized with the receiving ports of the mobile computing device  402 . Other types of cables may also be utilized. Further, devices other than cables that may be received by the mobile computing device  402 , e.g., USB devices, etc., may also be received by the receiving ports of the mobile computing device  402 . 
         [0047]      FIGS. 10A-10D  illustrate various views of a curved handle configuration of the image capture computing device receptacle  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The curved handle configuration has a right curved handle  1002  and a left curved handle  1004 . The curved handles  1002  and  1004  may or may not have ribbed configurations for gripping the curved handles  1002  and  1004 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 10A  illustrates a rear perspective view of the curved handle configuration of the image capture computing device receptacle  100 . The curved handles  1002  and  1004  have a curvature that allows direct accessibility for the cables  901  and  902  to the receiving ports of the mobile computing device  402 . In other words, the curvature of the curved handles  1002  and  1004  is such that the cables  901  and  902  may have horizontal alignment with the horizontal plane of the mobile computing device  402 . The curvature may be at angles of approximately ten degrees to ninety degrees. 
         [0049]      FIG. 10B  illustrates a top view of the curved handle configuration of the image capture computing device receptacle  100 . The cables  901  and  902  are plugged into receiving ports of the mobile computing device  402  without any bending, twisting, etc. as the curved handles  1002  and  1004  do not interfere with the accessibility of the cables  901  and  902  to the mobile computing device  402 . In other words, the curved handles  1002  and  1004  are not an obstruction for the cables  901  and  902 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 10C  illustrates a side view of the curved handle configuration of the image capture computing device receptacle  100 . The curvature of the right curved handle  1002  allows for direct accessibility for the cable  901  to the receiving port of the mobile computing device  402  and space for the user to grip the right curved handle  1002  without interference from the right curved handle  1002 .  FIG. 10D  illustrates a front view of the curved handle configuration of the image capture computing device receptacle  100 . 
         [0051]    The configurations provided for herein allow a user to avoid the inefficiencies of the process of prior configurations of mounting, removing, and remounting a mobile computing device from a mounting configuration. The configurations provided for herein allow a user to perform image capture functionality and non-image capture functionality with the image capture computing device without removing the image capture computing device from the image capture computing device receptacle  100 . As a result, a user has fewer interruptions while performing image capture and non-image capture functionality with the image capture computing device receptacle  100 , which may lead to a more efficient and accurate image capture than prior configurations. 
         [0052]    In various embodiments, the actuators for any of the configurations may be situated on the handles  102  and  104 . In various other embodiments, the actuators for any of the configurations may be situated on the image capture receptacle  100 . 
         [0053]    A variety of types of materials may be utilized for the image capture computing device receptacles. For example, plastic, carbonite, metal, or the like may be utilized. 
         [0054]    It is understood that the apparatuses described herein may also be applied in other types of apparatuses. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various adaptations and modifications of the embodiments of the apparatuses described herein may be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the apparatuses. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the present apparatuses may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Technology Category: h