GB2534019A

GB2534019A - Attachment for portable electronic device

Info

Publication number: GB2534019A
Application number: GB1521020.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alistair Thomas Paul
Original assignee: CUPRIS Ltd
Current assignee: CUPRIS Ltd
Priority date: 2014-11-27
Filing date: 2015-11-27
Publication date: 2016-07-13
Also published as: GB201521020D0; GB201421098D0

Abstract

A light guide module for a holder 35 that is fittable to a portable electronic device 33 having a camera 45 and a flash 43, such as a camera phone or mobile phone, comprises a solid light guide 65, rather than a bundle of optic fibres, having a chamber within which a cowl 59 extending from a lens holder 55 and lens 57 are located. In use, the lens holder 55 is arranged to be proximate the camera of the device and the light guide 65 has an extending leg portion 67 which may be aligned with varying positions of flashes on different devices and is configured to reflect fight emitted by the flash so that the light extends generally in a direction parallel with the cowl 59 via a tip 39 to illuminate a subject. The arrangement may be used as an otoscope or ophthalmoscope.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No. GII1521020.6 RTM Date:25 April 2016 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: iPhone (page 1, 2, 4, 5, 7) Apple (page 1, 5) Keeler (page 1) Williams Medical Supplies (page 1) Android (page 2) iPod Touch (page 7, 8) Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk/ipo

ATTACHMENT FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE

Field

This invention relates to attachments for portable electronic devices, particularly but not exclusively mobile telephones that have an in-built camera (often colloquially known as "camera phones"). In one illustrative implementation, the invention relates to medical attachments for portable electronic devices. In another illustrative implementation the invention relates to otoscope attachments for portable electronic devices, such as a camera phone (of which the iPhoneTm smart phone is one illustrative 10 example).

In the following description particular reference will be made to medical attachments for smart phones (in particular for the iPhoneTM smart phone sold by Apple Inc), and the problems associated with such devices. It should be remembered, however, that this particular application is merely illustrative of many potential applications for the teachings of the present invention and thus should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention in any way.

Background

Traditional otoscopes (such as the KeelerTM StandardTM 2.8V Otoscope available from Welco, Innovation Centre, 1 Devon Way, Longbridge Technology Park, Birmingham B31 2TS -see also: www.welco.co.uk) comprise a lens array through which a medical practitioner can look, a light source for illuminating the inside of a subject's ear, a shaped housing within which the lens array and light source are located, and a disposable speculum (often referred to as an "otoscope tip") that fits over the end of the housing. By means of such a device, a medical practitioner can look into the ear of a subject to check that the subject's ear is healthy. However, such devices do not enable the practitioner to store images of the subject's inner ear, and hence it is difficult for the practitioner to monitor the condition of the inner ear of a subject throughout successive consultations.

Digital video otoscopes have been developed to address this issue. For example, the "Digital Video Otoscope -Standard" product (available from Williams Medical Supplies Ltd, Craiglas House, The Maerdy Industrial Estate, Rhymney, Gwent NP22 SPY, see also: www.wms.co.uk) comprises a digital video camera that can be plugged into the USB port of a computer, and can be operated to provide a live video image (on the screen of the computer) of a subject's inner ear. Still images can be captured from the video feed and saved to the computer, thereby providing the practitioner with the ability to record images of a subject's inner ear over time. The practitioner is also readily able to send those images to another practitioner, for example for a second opinion regarding a subject's condition.

Digital video otoscopes are a useful development of traditional otoscopes, but as dedicated pieces of equipment they are relatively expensive devices to purchase.

A more recent development contemplates providing a digital otoscope that comprises a camera phone, and an otoscope attachment that can be clipped to the phone so that the camera of the phone can be used to image the inner ear of a subject.

An illustrative example of such an arrangement is disclosed in International PCT Patent Application No. W02012/058641 (filed in the name of: The Regents of the University of California). Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the otoscope attachment 1 disclosed in this PCT application.

As shown, the attachment comprises a primary housing 3 that fits over the end of a camera phone 5 that houses the camera 7 and flash 9. The primary housing includes first and second passageways 11, 13 that align with the camera 7 and flash 9 of the phone respectively, and couples to a secondary housing 15. The secondary housing 15 includes a lens 17 in a third passageway 19 that aligns with the first passageway 11. A tubular cowl 21 extends from the third passageway and into an otoscope tip 23 that couples to the secondary housing 15. An optic fibre bundle 25 surrounds the cowl 21 and locates in a fourth passageway 27 in the secondary housing 15 that is aligned with the second passageway 13 in the primary housing 3.

As will be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the art, when the camera phone flash 9 is operated, light from the flash is gathered by the optic fibre bundle and emitted from the end of the fibre bundle surrounding the cowl. The light illuminates the ear of the subject, and light reflected from the inner ear travels through the otoscope tip 23, through the cowl 21 and lens 17, and into the camera 7 of the camera phone 5. Whilst the arrangement proposed in this application functions adequately, a limitation is that it can only be used with one particular type of camera phone (in particular, the iPhoneTM 4) as different types and models of camera phone have different arrangements of camera and flash (for example, the camera and flash of an iPhoneTm 4 are in a different location to the camera and flash of an iPhoneTm 5 or AndroidTM phone). An associated consequence of this arrangement is that if the practitioner using this particular type of otoscope attachment should change their smart phone, then they will often have no option but to dispose of the entire otoscope attachment and purchase a replacement that is specifically designed for use with their new model of smart phone.

Another limitation of the arrangement proposed in this PCT application is that it is relatively difficult to properly assemble the optic fibre bundle 25 in the housing 15 so that it is both aligned with the cowl 21 and secured in the secondary housing 15. A consequence of this arrangement is that manufacture of these devices is relatively expensive and cumbersome. It is also the case that the inclusion of the optic fibre bundle guide greatly increases the manufacturing cost of the attachment.

Aspects of the present invention have been devised with the foregoing problems in mind.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a lightguide module for an attachment that is finable to a portable electronic device having a camera and a flash, the lightguide comprising: a lens holder having a bore in which a lens is located, the lens holder including a proximal surface configured to be proximate the camera of the portable electronic device when the lightguide module is in use therewith; a tubular cowl extending from the lens holder, the cowl being operative to reduce the amount of light entering the camera from sources other than a subject being illuminated; and a solid lightguide having a chamber within which said cowl and said lens holder are located in use, the lightguide having a proximal surface configured to be proximate the flash of the portable electronic device when the lightguide module is in use therewith, said lightguide being configured to reflect light emitted by said flash so that said light extends generally in parallel with said cowl to illuminate a subject.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to an attachment for a portable electronic device that includes a camera, the attachment comprising: a device-specific holder that is attachable to the electronic device, the holder comprising a camera port through which light can travel to the camera in the device and a light port through which light can travel from a light source (such as a flash for example) associated with the device, a device-independent lightguide module having a lightguide camera port and a lightguide light port, wherein light can travel through each of the ports and the module can be retained in the holder; and a device-independent retainer that co-operates with the holder to retain the lightguide module in the holder in such a position that the lightguide and holder camera ports are aligned with one another, and the lightguide and holder flash ports are aligned with one another.

An advantage of this arrangement, as compared with the arrangement described in the abovemenfioned International PCT Patent Application No. W02012/058641 is that if a user should opt to change the electronic device with which they use the attachment, for example to a newer model, then the user need only replace the holder. In contrast with the system described in International PCT Patent Application No. W02012/058641, a user who changes the telephone with which the attachment is used must purchase a completely new attachment specifically designed for that new telephone.

In this aspect of the invention a device specific component is a component that can only be used with one specific model or type of electronic device, whereas a device independent component can be used with more than one model or type of electronic device (for example, an iPhoneTM 4, an iPhoneTM 4S or an iPhoneTM 5).

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lightguide module for an attachment that is fittable to a portable electronic device, the lightguide comprising a hollow outer housing that defines: a camera port through which light can pass to a camera, an illumination port that is proximate said camera port and through which light can pass from source of illumination, and a subject port spaced from said illumination and camera ports and through which light can pass to and from a subject; and a cowl provided within the outer housing adjacent the camera port, wherein the cowl comprises a hollow elongate body and is configured and arranged to shield said camera port from light entering said lightguide module from said illumination port, and said outer housing includes a light reflective internal surface configured to direct light from said illumination port towards said subject port.

An advantage of this arrangement, as compared with that disclosed in International PCT Patent Application No. W02012/058641 is that by avoiding the use of optic fibres, the assembly of the lightguide is greatly facilitated and the lightguide itself is much less expensive to produce.

Other features of these and other aspects of the invention are set out in the accompanying claims, and elsewhere in the specification.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Various aspects of the teachings of the present invention, and arrangements embodying those teachings, will hereafter be described by way of illustrative example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art iPhoneTM otoscope attachment; Fig. 2 is perspective view of an attachment configured as an otoscope; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an attachment configured as an ophthalmoscope; and Fig. 4 is an illustrative cross-sectional view along the line A-A of Fig. 1; Figs. 5(a) to 5(c) are different views of a lightguide, and Figs. 6 and 7 are exploded views (from different angles) of the components of the attachment, minus the holder that couples to the phone.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

As mentioned above, in the following description particular reference will be made to medical attachments for smart phones (in particular for the iPhoneTM smart phone sold by Apple Inc) or other hand-holdable electronic devices, and the problems associated with such attachments. It should be remembered, however, that this particular application is merely illustrative of many potential applications for the teachings of the present invention and thus the following detailed description should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention in any way.

With the above caveat in mind, reference will now be made to Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings in which there is depicted a perspective view of an illustrative attachment 31 that embodies the teachings of the present invention, and which has been fitted to a portable electronic device -in this example an iPhoneTM 33. In this instance, the attachment 31 functions as an otoscope.

The otoscope attachment comprises a a holder 35 that has been fitted to the rear of the phone 33. In the preferred embodiment the holder 35 is sufficiently flexible to allow it to be clipped to the back of the telephone. The holder 35 can be left on the telephone permanently (to act as a protector for the phone), or it may be unclipped from the phone when the attachment is not in use. Advantageously, as shown, the holder does not cover the buttons of the phone, and thus does not prevent the phone from being used as normal, when the holder is coupled to the phone.

A retainer 37 is coupled to the holder 35 and functions as a means for coupling a lightguide module (not visible in Fig. 2) to the holder, and hence to the telephone 33.

The retainer 37 also functions as a carrier for, in this particular example, an otoscope tip 39 that has been fitted to the retainer.

Fig. 3 depicts another attachment that embodies the teachings of the present invention. The holder 35 of this arrangement is the same as the holder 35 of the otoscope depicted in Fig. 2. In this instance, however, an ophthalmoscope tip 41 has been fitted to the holder 35. The ophthalmoscope tip 41 of this embodiment also functions to couple a lightguide module (also not visible in Fig. 3) to the phone. In one envisaged implementation of these embodiments, the holder 35 may be the only "phone specific" component of the attachment. Thus, if a user should change their phone, they need only buy a new holder as all the remaining components of each attachment may be reused.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the attachment along the line A-A of Fig. 2. The phone 33 comprises a flash unit 43 that is located in the rear of the phone 33, adjacent to a camera 45. The holder 35 includes a flash port 47 that is configured to align with the flash unit 43 of the phone 33, and a camera port 49 that is configured to align with the camera of the phone 33.

The retainer 37 couples to the holder, and includes a peripheral grip 51, for example an 0-ring, that makes it easier for a user to couple and decouple the retainer 37 to the holder. In an envisaged implementation, the retainer 37 is configured to be twisted relative to the holder to couple and decouple it therefrom. A variety of alternative arrangements will be immediately apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art.

The retainer 37 functions as a carrier for an otoscope tip 39, that may -in one envisaged implementation -be twist-fitted to the retainer 37. The retainer 37 also functions as a means for coupling a lightguide module to the phone 33.

The lightguide module comprises a number of discrete components that are fitted together to enable light from the flash 43 to illuminate a subject, and to enable light reflected back from that subject to be captured by the camera 45.

In particular, the lightguide module comprises a module support 53 that functions as a support for the various components of the lightguide module. The module support 53 includes a camera aperture 54 defined by walls of the support 53, and is configured to locate within the camera port 49 of the holder 35. A lens holder 55 is mounted on the support 53 and functions as a carrier for a lens 57 that is configured to focus light returning from a subject onto the camera 45 in the phone 33. A cowl 59 engages with the lens holder 55 to prevent light from the flash 43 from impinging directly upon the camera 45 in the phone 33, and a second lens holder 61 is coupled to the end of the cowl 59 remote from the camera 45 and functions as a carrier for another lens 63 The cowl 59 is configured to fit within a through-hole formed in a solid lightguide 65 that surrounds the cowl 59. The lightguide is configured to direct light from the flash 43 so that the flash light is substantially co-axial with light returning from the subject to the camera 45, and may be of any suitable substantially transparent material (such as glass or plastics. The exterior of the lightguide 65, i.e. the surfaces that lie closest to the retainer 37 and/or the cowl 59 may optionally be coated with a reflective material in order to enhance reflection of light from the flash 43 and out of the otoscope tip 39.

In this particular embodiment, the lightguide 65 includes a leg portion 67 that extends laterally from that portion of the lightguide which surrounds the cowl 59. The leg portion 67 is shaped to internally reflect light from a camera flash towards the otoscope tip 39 irrespective of where the flash unit 43 of the camera 33 abuts against the leg portion 67 of the lightguide.

This arrangement is particularly advantageous as it allows for the position of the flash to vary relative to the camera, for example from phone model or device type (and/or make) to phone model or device type (and/or make) without appreciably adversely affecting the amount of light that is internally reflected towards the otoscope tip 39. To enhance this effect yet further, it is also proposed to form a surface 69 of the leg portion as a plate that glows at least substantially uniformally over its entire surface area irrespective of where the surface of the leg portion 67 is illuminated by the flash 43; It is this aspect of the present invention that allows the same retainer and lightguide module to be used with different makes or models of phone (or indeed with different types of devices -for example, an iPhoneTm and an iPod TouchTm) simply by choosing a holder that is appropriate for the particular type, make or model of device that the attachment is to be used with.

A further advantage of this particular lightguide, as compared -for example -with the arrangement of Fig. 1, is that this lightguide is significantly less expensive to manufacture than optic fibres (it can be injection moulded, for example). It is also easier to assemble than the arrangement shown in Fig.1, and thus the assembly costs for the device depicted in Fig. 4 are far less than those of devices of the type depicted in Fig. 1.

Referring now to Figs. 5a to 5c of the accompanying drawings, there are depicted various different views of a preferred configuration for the aforementioned lightguide 65. Figs 5(a) and 5(b) are underneath perspective views of the lightguide showing an end of the aforementioned through-hole 71 arranged to receive the cow1,59, and the configuration of the leg portion 67, and Fig. 5(c) is a side elevation of the lightguide 65.

Figs. 6 and 7 are exploded views (from different angles) of the components of the attachment, minus the holder that attaches to the phone. As shown, the module support 53 includes both the aforementioned camera aperture 54 and a leg slot 56 in which the leg portion 67 of the lightguide 65 locates. The lens holder 55 rests on the support, and the cowl 59 rests on the lens holder 55. The second lens holder 61 couples the second lens 63 to the top of the cowl 59. The cowl 59 and lens holders 61, 55 fit within the through-hole 71 of the lightguide 65, and the leg portion 67 of the lightguide 65 locates in the leg slot 56 of the support 53. The retainer fits over the lightguide 65 and the module support 53 and couples these components to the holder (not shown). The peripheral grip 51 extends around the periphery of the retainer 37, and an otoscope tip 39 fits to a conical extension 74 of the retainer 37.

It will be appreciated that whilst various aspects and embodiments of the present invention have heretofore been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the particular arrangements set out herein and instead extends to encompass all arrangements, and modifications and alterations thereto, which fall within the scope of the appended claims. For example, whilst particular mention is made of camera-equipped mobile telephones, it will be apparent that the teachings of the invention may be employed with other camera equipped devices that may not include phone functionality (such as the aforementioned iPod TouchTm, for example). In addition, whilst mention is made herein of a flash and flash illumination, it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that such devices may be configured to provide constant illumination, instead of flash illumination. As such, references to "flash illumination" should only be interpreted to mean illumination that comes from the flash.

It is also anticipated that whilst it is preferred for the lightguide to include a through-hole, it is not necessary for the lightguide to have an aperture at each end. The upper end of the lightguide (i.e. that end furthest from the camera) could include a flat optically transparent section that lies above the second lens. In this arrangement the lightguide would have a chamber in which the cowl, lens holders and lenses are located. It should also be noted that whilst the accompanying claims set out particular combinations of features described herein, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the particular combinations hereafter claimed, but instead extends to encompass any combination of features herein disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A lightguide module for an attachment that is fittable to a portable electronic device having a camera and a flash, the lightguide comprising: a lens holder having a bore in which a lens is located, the lens holder including a proximal surface configured to be proximate the camera of the portable electronic device when the lightguide module is in use therewith; a tubular cowl extending from the lens holder, the cowl being operative to reduce the amount of light entering the camera from sources other than a subject being illuminated; and a solid lightguide having a chamber within which said cowl and said lens holder are located in use, the lightguide having a proximal surface configured to be proximate the flash of the portable electronic device when the lightguide module is in use therewith, said lightguide being configured to reflect light emitted by said flash so that said light extends generally in parallel with said cowl to illuminate a subject.
2. A lightguide module according to Claim 1, wherein said lightguide includes a leg portion extending generally transversely from the periphery of the lightguide.
3. A lightguide module according to Claim 2, wherein said leg portion includes a proximal surface, and the leg is configured so that light is substantially uniformally reflected irrespective of which part of said proximal surface is illuminated by light from said flash.
4. A lightguide module according to Claim 3, wherein said proximal surface of said leg portion comprises a glow surface that is configured to emit light at least substantially uniformally over its entire surface area irrespective of where the proximal surface of the leg portion is illuminated by the flash.
5. A lightguide module according to Claim 4, wherein said lightguide is substantially transparent.
6. A lightguide module according to Claim 5, wherein said lightguide module is of plastics or glass.
7. An attachment for a portable electronic device, the attachment comprising a holder attachable to said device, a lightguide module according to any preceding claim, and a retainer configured to couple the lightguide module to said holder.
8. An attachment according to Claim 7, wherein said retainer can be decoupled from said holder.
9. An attachment according to Claim 7 or 8, wherein said holder is device specific, whereas said retainer and lightguide module are device independent.
10 An attachment according to any of claims 7 to 9, further comprising a tip that is releaseably attachable to said retainer.
11 An attachment according to Claim 10, wherein said tip comprises an otoscope tip or an ophthalmoscope tip.
12. An attachment or a lightguide module substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of Figs. 2 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.