Method and apparatus for implementation of close-up imaging capability in a mobile imaging system

Claim 2

An imaging capable mobile terminal comprising: an imaging lens arrangement fixedly disposed in the mobile terminal, wherein the image lens arrangement has a focal length along a first optical path in a first direction, and wherein the focal length in the first direction is equal to a first value; a first optical component, disposed in the optical path, for intercepting and changing at least part of the first optical path to a second optical path in a second direction different from the first direction; and a second optical component, disposal in the second optical path, for changing the focal length of the image lens arrangement such that the focal length of the image lens arrangement in the second direction is equal to a second value different from the first value, said second optical component further comprising a close-up lens recessed from the surface in a wall of the terminal at a predetermined precise distance from said wall surface to provide the correct focus distance between an object surface carrying an object to be imaged and said wall surface in contact with the object surface for close-up imaging.

Claim 3

An imaging capable mobile terminal as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said first optical component comprises a reflector for folding the optical path length of the lens arrangement.

Claim 4

An imaging capable mobile terminal as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said close-up lens is an optical grade plastic.

Claim 5

An imaging capable mobile terminal as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said first optical component comprises a concave reflector placed in front of the lens arrangement to intercept the optical path length of the lens arrangement.

Claim 6

An imaging capable mobile terminal as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said imaging lens arrangement further comprises a camera lens.

Claim 7

An imaging capable mobile terminal as set forth in claim 5 , wherein said camera lens is held in a fixed position and said first optical component is arranged for movement relative to said camera lens to shorten the focal length of the lens arrangement.

Claim 8

An imaging capable mobile terminal as set forth in claim 1 , further including a viewfinder for aiming said lens arrangement at an object to be imaged.

Claim 9

An imaging capable mobile terminal as set forth in claim 1 , further including an illuminating element adjacent said close-up lens for illuminating the object to be imaged carried on the object surface.

Claim 10

Method for close-up imaging in an imaging capable mobile terminal comprising the steps of: providing an imaging lens arrangement fixedly disposed in the mobile terminal, wherein the image lens arrangement has a focal length along a first optical path in a first direction, and wherein the focal length in the first direction is equal to a first value; providing a first optical component, disposed in the optical path, for changing at least part of the first optical path to a second optical path in a second direction different from the first direction; and providing a second optical component, disposed in the second optical path, for changing the focal length of the image lens arrangement such that the focal length of the image lens arrangement in the second direction is equal to a second value different from the first value, wherein the step of providing said second optical component further includes providing a close-up lens recessed from the surface in a wall of the terminal a predetermined precise distance from the wall surface to provide the correct focus distance between an object surface carrying an object to be imaged and the wall surface in contact with the object surface for close-up imaging.

Claim 11

Method for close-up imaging in an imaging capable mobile terminal comprising the steps of: providing an imaging lens arrangement fixedly disposed in the mobile terminal, wherein the image lens arrangement has a focal length along a first optical path in a first direction, and wherein the focal length in the first direction is equal to a first value; providing a first optical component, disposed in the optical path, for changing at least part of the first optical path to a second optical path in a second direction different from the first direction; and providing a second optical component, disposed in the second optical path, for changing the focal length of the image lens arrangement such that the focal length of the image lens arrangement in the second direction is equal to a second value different from the first value, wherein the step of providing said second optical component further includes providing a close-up lens recessed from the surface in a wall of the terminal a predetermined precise distance from the wall surface to provide the correct focus distance between an object surface carrying an object to be imaged and the wall surface in contact with the object surface for close-up imaging.

Claim 12

Method for close-up imaging in an imaging capable mobile terminal as defined in claim 9 , wherein the step of providing said first optical component further comprises providing a reflector for folding the optical path length of the lens arrangement.

Claim 13

Method for close-up imaging in an imaging capable mobile terminal as defined in claim 9 , wherein the step of providing a reflector further comprises placing a concave reflector in front of the lens arrangement for intercepting the optical path length of the lens arrangement.

Claim 14

Method for close-up imaging in an imaging capable mobile terminal as defined in claim 9 , wherein the step of providing said first optical component further comprises hinging said first optical component for intercepting the optical path length of the lens arrangement.

Claim 15

Method for close-up imaging in an imaging capable mobile terminal as defined in claim 9 , wherein the step of providing said first optical component further comprises sliding said first optical component for intercepting the optical path length of the lens arrangement.

Claim 16

Imaging capable mobile terminal comprising: an imaging lens arrangement having a first focal length along a first optical path and a second focal length along a second optical path; an optical component; an optical grade plastic close-up lens integral in a wall of the imaging capable mobile terminal and located along one of said first and second optical paths, said close-up lens being recessed a predetermined precise distance from an outer surface of the imaging capable mobile terminal to provide the correct focus distance from the outer surface for close-up imaging; a camera lens assembly fixedly mounted in the image capable mobile terminal and located along the other of said first and second optical paths; and means for folding said one of said first and second optical paths with the aid of said optical component to direct said one of said first and second optical paths to said camera lens assembly for close-up imaging.

Claim 17

Imaging capable mobile terminal comprising: an imaging lens arrangement having a first focal length along a first optical path and a second focal length along a second optical path; an optical component; an optical grade plastic close-up lens integral in a wall of the imaging capable mobile terminal and located along one of said first and second optical paths, said close-up lens being recessed a predetermined precise distance from an outer surface of the imaging capable mobile terminal to provide the correct focus distance from the outer surface for close-up imaging; a camera lens assembly fixedly mounted in the image capable mobile terminal and located along the other of said first and second optical paths; and means for folding said one of said first and second optical paths with the aid of said optical component to direct said one of said first and second optical paths to said camera lens assembly for close-up imaging.

Claim 18

Imaging capable mobile terminal as defined in claim 14 , wherein said means for folding further comprises a reflector for folding the optical path length of the lens arrangement.

Claim 19

Imaging capable mobile terminal as defined in claim 15 , wherein said reflector further comprises a concave reflector.

Claim 20

Method for close-up imaging in an imaging capable mobile terminal comprising the steps of: providing an imaging lens arrangement having a first focal length along a first optical path and a second focal length along a second optical path; providing an optical component; locating an optical grade plastic close-up lens along said second optical path; mounting the optical grade plastic close-up lens integral in a wall and recessed a predetermined precise distance from an outer surface of the imaging capable mobile terminal to provide the correct focus distance from the outer surface for close-up imaging; locating a camera lens assembly along said first optical path; fixedly mounting the camera lens assembly in the image capable mobile terminal; and folding said second optical path with the aid of the optical component to direct said second optical path to said camera lens assembly for close-up imaging.

Claim 21

Method for close-up imaging in an imaging capable mobile terminal comprising the steps of: providing an imaging lens arrangement having a first focal length along a first optical path and a second focal length along a second optical path; providing an optical component; locating an optical grade plastic close-up lens along said second optical path; mounting the optical grade plastic close-up lens integral in a wall and recessed a predetermined precise distance from an outer surface of the imaging capable mobile terminal to provide the correct focus distance from the outer surface for close-up imaging; locating a camera lens assembly along said first optical path; fixedly mounting the camera lens assembly in the image capable mobile terminal; and folding said second optical path with the aid of the optical component to direct said second optical path to said camera lens assembly for close-up imaging.