Lens connection module and connection adapter for same

{
  "publication_number": "US2012236424A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Lens connection module and connection adapter for same",
  "abstract": "A lens connection module is disclosed, which can be magnetically installed on an image capture device having a light entry opening and a first magnetic unit, and comprises a lens connection body and a second magnetic unit installed on the lens connection body for magnetically connecting to the first magnetic unit. The lens connection body includes a light collecting pathway corresponding to the light entry opening and extending along a light axis, the first magnetic unit has at least one ferromagnetic component arranged on the front face in a radially asymmetric manner, and the second magnetic unit has a magnetic component corresponding to the ferromagnetic component and installed on a joint face. As such, the lens connection module allows quick installation onto and detachment from the image capture device, thereby increasing application flexibility and operation convenience of the image capture device.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A lens connection module, adapted for being magnetically mounted on an image capture device which is formed with a light entry opening and provided with a first ferromagnetic unit, wherein the image capture device comprises a front face corresponding to the light entry opening, the lens connection module comprising: a lens connection body, comprising a joint face for facing toward the light entry opening and a light entry face opposite to the joint face, wherein the lens connection body is formed with a light collecting pathway corresponding to the light entry opening and extending along a light axis, and wherein the first ferromagnetic unit includes at least one ferromagnetic component arranged on the front face in a radially asymmetric manner with respect to the light axis; and a second magnetic unit, mounted on the lens connection body and adapted to magnetically connect the joint face to the first ferromagnetic unit, wherein the second magnetic unit includes a magnetic component corresponding to the ferromagnetic component of the first ferromagnetic unit and arranged on the joint face in a radially asymmetric manner with respect to the light axis. 2. The lens connection module according to claim 1, wherein the lens connection body comprises: a base unit, including the joint face and a pathway wall which defines the light collecting pathway; and an optical lens unit provided on the pathway wall. 3. The lens connection module according to claim 1, wherein the lens connection body comprises: a base unit, including the joint face and a pathway wall which defines the light collecting pathway; and an external lens mounted on the base unit in a manner corresponding to the light axis. 4. The lens connection module according to claim 2 wherein the image capture device includes a body and a light collecting lens protruding from the body, and the pathway wall of the base unit is sleeved internally with the light collecting lens. 5. The lens connection module according to claim 3 wherein the image capture device includes a body and a light collecting lens protruding from the body, and the pathway wall of the base unit is sleeved internally with the light collecting lens. 6. The lens connection module according to claim 1, further comprising a light supplement unit. 7. The lens connection module according to claim 6, wherein the light supplement unit includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) with an adjustable light exit angle. 8. The lens connection module according to claim 7, wherein the light supplement unit includes a plurality of reflective mirrors with an adjustable angle. 9. The lens connection module according to claim 6, wherein the light supplement unit includes a filter. 10. A connection adapter for a lens connection module, adapted for being magnetically mounted on an image capture device which is formed with a light entry opening and provided with a first ferromagnetic unit, and adapted for mounting an external lens in front of the light entry opening of the image capture device, wherein the image capture device comprises a front face corresponding to the light entry opening, the connection adapter comprising: a base unit, comprising a joint face for facing toward the light entry opening, wherein the base unit includes a pathway wall which defines a light collecting pathway extending along a light axis and adapted to engage the external lens, and wherein the first ferromagnetic unit includes at least one ferromagnetic component arranged on the front face in a radially asymmetric manner with respect to the light axis; and a second magnetic unit, mounted on the base unit and adapted to magnetically connect the joint face to the first ferromagnetic unit, wherein the second magnetic unit includes a magnetic component corresponding to the ferromagnetic component of the first ferromagnetic unit and arranged on the joint face in a radially asymmetric manner with respect to the light axis."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "1. Field of the Invention\n\nThe present invention generally relates to a lens connection module and a connection adapter for the same. In particular, the invention relates to a lens connection module magnetically installed on an image capture device and a connection adapter for the same.\n\n2. Description of Related Art\n\nAs digital cameras and mobile phones provide features like immediate image preview and easy exportation to computer-related devices, they have been quickly replacing conventional film cameras and become the mainstream on current camera market. Typically, the zoom adjustment in this type of image capture devices spans at most approximately a range of ten something folds, which supports only image shooting for general views, but not applicable for significant zoom-in or zoom-out landscape photography. To resolve these issues, it is quite often to externally connect a high magnification lens, a micro-lens or a short-range light supplement device to the image capture device. Conventional lens connection modules establish the connection essentially by means of, for example, a threaded connection ring.\n\nIn a typical single lens camera, the front end of the lens is internally threaded and, therefore, it is relatively convenient to attach an additional filter, a polarized lens, a connection ring or other peripheral equipments thereto.",
  "cpc": [
    "G02B 7/14",
    "G02B 7/022",
    "G03B 17/12",
    "G03B 17/565"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "G02B 7/02",
    "G02B 7/14",
    "G03B 17/12",
    "G03B 17/56"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Lumos Technology Co Ltd"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Chih-Yi Yang"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2012-03-15",
  "publication_date": "2012-09-20",
  "priority_date": "2011-03-16",
  "application_number": "US-201213421842-A",
  "family_id": "46757046",
  "cited_by_count": 18,
  "citations": [
    "US3896463A",
    "JPH08227096A",
    "US20030053804A1",
    "US20060233545A1",
    "US20100225429A1"
  ]
}