Patent · US9939714B1 · B1 · US

Intra-oral camera

(11) Publication number

US9939714B1

(21) Application number

15/471,632

(22) Filing date

2017-03-28

(30) Priority date

2017-03-28

(43) Publication date

2018-04-10

(45) Date of grant

2018-04-10

(51) IPC

A61B 1/00; A61B 1/04; A61B 1/06; A61B 1/07; A61B 1/24; A61B 5/00; F16B 1/00; G03B 15/04; G03B 17/56; H04M 1/72409; H04N 5/225

(52) CPC

G03B Apparatus or arrangements for taking photographs or for projecting or viewing them; apparatus or arrangements employing analogous techniques using waves other than optical waves; accessories therefor: 17/565, 15/04, 15/05, 15/14, 17/17, 17/561
A61B Diagnosis; surgery; identification: 1/00052, 1/00101, 1/00105, 1/00126, 1/042, 1/0669, 1/07, 1/24, 1/247, 5/0077, 5/0088, 5/6898
F16B Devices for fastening or securing constructional elements or machine parts together, e.g. nails, bolts, circlips, clamps, clips or wedges; joints or jointing: 1/00, 2001/0035, 2200/83
H04M Telephonic communication: 1/0264, 1/72409, 1/72527
H04N Pictorial communication, e.g. television: 2005/2255, 23/55, 23/555, 23/56, 23/58, 5/2256, 5/2259

(72) Inventors

Andrew Ryan Matthews

(54) Title

Intra-oral camera

(57) Abstract

A periscope module includes a mounting ring for mounting the periscope module over a camera lens of a mobile phone. A first periscope end is for attachment to the mobile phone at the mounting ring. A second periscope end is for capturing images. A periscope tube is connected between the first periscope end and the second periscope end. A light tube is configured for attachment to a light source from the mobile phone. The light tube is configured to receive light into the first periscope end, the light exiting the second periscope end so as to provide illumination for capturing intra-oral images.

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Claims (17)

A periscope module for an intra-oral camera, comprising: a mounting ring for mounting the periscope module over a camera lens of a mobile phone; a first periscope end for attachment to the mobile phone at the mounting ring; a second periscope end for capturing intra-oral images; a periscope tube connected between the first periscope end and the second periscope end; and, a light tube configured for attachment to a light source from the mobile phone, the light tube being configured to forward light into the first periscope end, the light exiting the second periscope end so as to provide illumination for capturing intra-oral images; wherein the light tube rotates around the first periscope end to allow configuration to be mounted at a location of the light source from the mobile phone.
A periscope module as in claim 1 wherein the mounting ring allows swiveling 360 degrees.
A periscope module as in claim 1 wherein the first periscope end includes a magnetic mount for attachment to the mobile phone.
A periscope module as in claim 1 wherein the first periscope includes a click dial connected to the light tube for locking in the rotation of the light tube at a specific location.
A periscope module as in claim 1 wherein the periscope tube includes a swivel point that allows 360-degree swiveling.
A periscope module as in claim 1 wherein material used to construct the periscope module include durable resins and metals that can withstand heat at or above at or above 132° C. (270° F.) used for sterilization and that can withstand chemical disinfection surface wipes.
An intra-oral camera, comprising: a mobile phone including a camera lens and a light source; and, periscope module for an intra-oral camera, comprising: a mounting ring for mounting the periscope module over the camera lens, a first periscope end for attachment to the mobile phone at the mounting ring, a second periscope end for capturing intra-oral images, a periscope tube connected between the first periscope end and the second periscope end, and a light tube configured for attachment to the light source, the light tube being configured to forward light into the first periscope end, the light exiting the second periscope end so as to provide illumination for capturing intra-oral images; wherein the light tube rotates around the first periscope end to allow configuration to be mounted at a location of the light source from the mobile phone.
An intra-oral camera as in claim 7 wherein the first periscope end includes a magnetic mount for attachment to the mobile phone.
An intra-oral camera as in claim 7 wherein the first periscope includes a click dial connected to the light tube for locking in the rotation of the light tube at a specific location.
An intra-oral camera as in claim 7 wherein the periscope tube includes a swivel point that allows 360-degree swiveling.
An intra-oral camera as in claim 7 wherein the mounting ring allows swiveling 360 degrees.
A camera attachment device, comprising: a mounting ring for mounting the camera attachment device over a camera lens of a mobile phone; a first periscope end for attachment to the mobile phone at the mounting ring; a second periscope end for capturing illuminated images; a periscope tube connected between the first periscope end and the second periscope end; and, a light tube configured for attachment to a light source from the mobile phone, the light tube being configured to forward light into the first periscope end, the light exiting the second periscope end so as to provide illumination for capturing illuminated images; wherein the light tube rotates around the first periscope end to allow configuration to be mounted at a location of the light source from the mobile phone.
A camera attachment device as in claim 12 wherein the first periscope end includes a magnetic mount for attachment to the mobile phone.
A camera attachment device as in claim 12 wherein the first periscope includes a click dial connected to the light tube for locking in the rotation of the light tube at a specific location.
A camera attachment device as in claim 12 wherein the periscope tube includes a swivel point that allows 360-degree swiveling.
A camera attachment device as in claim 12 wherein the mounting ring allows swiveling 360 degrees.
A camera attachment device as in claim 12 wherein material used to construct the camera attachment device include durable resins and metals that can withstand heat at or above at or above 132° C. (270° F.) used for sterilization and that can withstand chemical disinfection surface wipes.

Description

Cameras on mobile phones are able to capture photographs and videos. Most cameras on mobile phones have fixed-focus lenses and sensors whose small size limit their performance in poor lighting. Photoflash is often provided by a light-emitting diode (LED) source which illuminates less intensely over a much longer exposure time than a traditional flash strobe.

FIG. 1 shows a mobile phone with a camera and LED flash source prepared for mounting a periscope module in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a periscope module mounted on a mobile phone in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a light tube connected to a periscope module mounted on a mobile phone in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a light tube connected to a periscope module ready to be mounted on a mobile phone in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a periscope module mounted on a mobile phone used as an intra-oral camera in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show various configurations of a periscope that can be used with an intra-oral camera.

FIG. 1 shows a mobile phone 10. Around a camera lens 11 is placed a periscope mounting ring 13 with a magnet 15 used to hold a periscope module in place. A ring attachment 14 located around LED light source 12 has a phone adherence portion that adheres to mobile phone 10 and a light tube adherence portion that adheres to a light tube 31, shown in FIG. 3. The light tube adherence portion rotates with respect to the phone adherence portion so that light tube 31 when attached to the light tube adherence portion can rotate with respect to LED light source 12.

Citations (21)

US3382781A
US4484805A
US5290168A
US5469236A
US20020077069A1
US7104792B2
US9325884B2
US8577212B2
US20130188943A1
US20160224820A1
US20130330684A1
CN202841268U
US20160370991A1
CN103458165A
CN104367382A
WO2015082300A1
US20150172522A1
US9454066B2
US20160346494A1
US20160256240A1
CN205157878U

Record as JSON

{
  "publication_number": "US9939714B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Intra-oral camera",
  "abstract": "A periscope module includes a mounting ring for mounting the periscope module over a camera lens of a mobile phone. A first periscope end is for attachment to the mobile phone at the mounting ring. A second periscope end is for capturing images. A periscope tube is connected between the first periscope end and the second periscope end. A light tube is configured for attachment to a light source from the mobile phone. The light tube is configured to receive light into the first periscope end, the light exiting the second periscope end so as to provide illumination for capturing intra-oral images.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A periscope module for an intra-oral camera, comprising: a mounting ring for mounting the periscope module over a camera lens of a mobile phone; a first periscope end for attachment to the mobile phone at the mounting ring; a second periscope end for capturing intra-oral images; a periscope tube connected between the first periscope end and the second periscope end; and, a light tube configured for attachment to a light source from the mobile phone, the light tube being configured to forward light into the first periscope end, the light exiting the second periscope end so as to provide illumination for capturing intra-oral images; wherein the light tube rotates around the first periscope end to allow configuration to be mounted at a location of the light source from the mobile phone.",
    "2. A periscope module as in claim 1 wherein the mounting ring allows swiveling 360 degrees.",
    "3. A periscope module as in claim 1 wherein the first periscope end includes a magnetic mount for attachment to the mobile phone.",
    "4. A periscope module as in claim 1 wherein the first periscope includes a click dial connected to the light tube for locking in the rotation of the light tube at a specific location.",
    "5. A periscope module as in claim 1 wherein the periscope tube includes a swivel point that allows 360-degree swiveling.",
    "6. A periscope module as in claim 1 wherein material used to construct the periscope module include durable resins and metals that can withstand heat at or above at or above 132° C. (270° F.) used for sterilization and that can withstand chemical disinfection surface wipes.",
    "7. An intra-oral camera, comprising: a mobile phone including a camera lens and a light source; and, periscope module for an intra-oral camera, comprising: a mounting ring for mounting the periscope module over the camera lens, a first periscope end for attachment to the mobile phone at the mounting ring, a second periscope end for capturing intra-oral images, a periscope tube connected between the first periscope end and the second periscope end, and a light tube configured for attachment to the light source, the light tube being configured to forward light into the first periscope end, the light exiting the second periscope end so as to provide illumination for capturing intra-oral images; wherein the light tube rotates around the first periscope end to allow configuration to be mounted at a location of the light source from the mobile phone.",
    "8. An intra-oral camera as in claim 7 wherein the first periscope end includes a magnetic mount for attachment to the mobile phone.",
    "9. An intra-oral camera as in claim 7 wherein the first periscope includes a click dial connected to the light tube for locking in the rotation of the light tube at a specific location.",
    "10. An intra-oral camera as in claim 7 wherein the periscope tube includes a swivel point that allows 360-degree swiveling.",
    "11. An intra-oral camera as in claim 7 wherein the mounting ring allows swiveling 360 degrees.",
    "12. A camera attachment device, comprising: a mounting ring for mounting the camera attachment device over a camera lens of a mobile phone; a first periscope end for attachment to the mobile phone at the mounting ring; a second periscope end for capturing illuminated images; a periscope tube connected between the first periscope end and the second periscope end; and, a light tube configured for attachment to a light source from the mobile phone, the light tube being configured to forward light into the first periscope end, the light exiting the second periscope end so as to provide illumination for capturing illuminated images; wherein the light tube rotates around the first periscope end to allow configuration to be mounted at a location of the light source from the mobile phone.",
    "13. A camera attachment device as in claim 12 wherein the first periscope end includes a magnetic mount for attachment to the mobile phone.",
    "14. A camera attachment device as in claim 12 wherein the first periscope includes a click dial connected to the light tube for locking in the rotation of the light tube at a specific location.",
    "15. A camera attachment device as in claim 12 wherein the periscope tube includes a swivel point that allows 360-degree swiveling.",
    "16. A camera attachment device as in claim 12 wherein the mounting ring allows swiveling 360 degrees.",
    "17. A camera attachment device as in claim 12 wherein material used to construct the camera attachment device include durable resins and metals that can withstand heat at or above at or above 132° C. (270° F.) used for sterilization and that can withstand chemical disinfection surface wipes."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Cameras on mobile phones are able to capture photographs and videos. Most cameras on mobile phones have fixed-focus lenses and sensors whose small size limit their performance in poor lighting. Photoflash is often provided by a light-emitting diode (LED) source which illuminates less intensely over a much longer exposure time than a traditional flash strobe.\n\nFIG. 1 shows a mobile phone with a camera and LED flash source prepared for mounting a periscope module in accordance with an embodiment.\n\nFIG. 2 shows a periscope module mounted on a mobile phone in accordance with an embodiment.\n\nFIG. 3 shows a light tube connected to a periscope module mounted on a mobile phone in accordance with an embodiment.\n\nFIG. 4 shows a light tube connected to a periscope module ready to be mounted on a mobile phone in accordance with an embodiment.\n\nFIG. 5 shows a periscope module mounted on a mobile phone used as an intra-oral camera in accordance with an embodiment.\n\nFIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show various configurations of a periscope that can be used with an intra-oral camera.\n\nFIG. 1 shows a mobile phone 10. Around a camera lens 11 is placed a periscope mounting ring 13 with a magnet 15 used to hold a periscope module in place. A ring attachment 14 located around LED light source 12 has a phone adherence portion that adheres to mobile phone 10 and a light tube adherence portion that adheres to a light tube 31, shown in FIG. 3. The light tube adherence portion rotates with respect to the phone adherence portion so that light tube 31 when attached to the light tube adherence portion can rotate with respect to LED light source 12.",
  "cpc": [
    "G03B 17/565",
    "A61B 1/00052",
    "A61B 1/00101",
    "A61B 1/00105",
    "A61B 1/00126",
    "A61B 1/042",
    "A61B 1/0669",
    "A61B 1/07",
    "A61B 1/24",
    "A61B 1/247",
    "A61B 5/0077",
    "A61B 5/0088",
    "A61B 5/6898",
    "F16B 1/00",
    "F16B 2001/0035",
    "F16B 2200/83",
    "G03B 15/04",
    "G03B 15/05",
    "G03B 15/14",
    "G03B 17/17",
    "G03B 17/561",
    "H04M 1/0264",
    "H04M 1/72409",
    "H04M 1/72527",
    "H04N 2005/2255",
    "H04N 23/55",
    "H04N 23/555",
    "H04N 23/56",
    "H04N 23/58",
    "H04N 5/2256",
    "H04N 5/2259"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A61B 1/00",
    "A61B 1/04",
    "A61B 1/06",
    "A61B 1/07",
    "A61B 1/24",
    "A61B 5/00",
    "F16B 1/00",
    "G03B 15/04",
    "G03B 17/56",
    "H04M 1/72409",
    "H04N 5/225"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Andrew Ryan Matthews"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2017-03-28",
  "publication_date": "2018-04-10",
  "grant_date": "2018-04-10",
  "priority_date": "2017-03-28",
  "application_number": "US-201715471632-A",
  "family_id": "61801236",
  "cited_by_count": 32,
  "citations": [
    "US3382781A",
    "US4484805A",
    "US5290168A",
    "US5469236A",
    "US20020077069A1",
    "US7104792B2",
    "US9325884B2",
    "US8577212B2",
    "US20130188943A1",
    "US20160224820A1",
    "US20130330684A1",
    "CN202841268U",
    "US20160370991A1",
    "CN103458165A",
    "CN104367382A",
    "WO2015082300A1",
    "US20150172522A1",
    "US9454066B2",
    "US20160346494A1",
    "US20160256240A1",
    "CN205157878U"
  ]
}

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