Accessory for portable imaging device

Abstract

An apparatus for attachment to a portable image capture and storage device. The apparatus includes an auxiliary lens and an elastic band coupled thereto. The auxiliary lens is shaped for image alteration of an image obtained by the portable image capture and storage device. The auxiliary lens characterized by an optical axis extending from a base of the lens to a crown of the lens. The elastic band extends, at least in part, in a lateral direction, substantially orthogonal to the optical axis, from the auxiliary lens. The elastic band in combination with the auxiliary lens forms a closed loop whereby the apparatus is removably attachable to a peripheral portion of the image capture and storage device to alter the appearance of the image obtained by the portable image capture and storage device.

1 . An apparatus for attachment to a portable image capture and storage device, the apparatus comprising:
 an auxiliary lens shaped to alter an image obtained by the portable image capture and storage device, the auxiliary lens characterized by an optical axis extending from a base of the lens to a crown of the lens; and   an elastic band having an aperture disposed therein, the auxiliary lens positioned in the aperture such that the auxiliary lens in combination with the elastic band coupled thereto form a closed loop, the auxiliary lens and the elastic band coupled such that the auxiliary lens is positioned in a plane of the elastic band, whereby the apparatus is removably attachable to a peripheral portion of the image capture and storage device to alter the appearance of the image obtained by the portable image capture and storage device.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture has a plurality of diameters such that the elastic band extends from a peripheral portion of the auxiliary lens and from the base of the auxiliary lens. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture is configured in a counter-bored geometry. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the shape of the aperture corresponds to a peripheral portion of the auxiliary lens. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary lens includes a groove disposed in a peripheral portion of the lens, the elastic band coupled to the auxiliary lens via engagement of the elastic band in the groove. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the elastic band is coupled to the auxiliary lens via an adhesive. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the periphery of the auxiliary lens and the aperture have a circular geometry. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the periphery of the auxiliary lens and the aperture have a non-circular geometry. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic band is closed loop. 
     
     
         10 . A method of manufacturing an apparatus for attachment to a portable image capture and storage device, the method comprising:
 forming an aperture in an elastic band; and   positioning an auxiliary lens in the aperture such that the auxiliary lens is positioned in a plane of the elastic band, the auxiliary lens shaped for image alteration of an image obtained by the portable image capture and storage device, the auxiliary lens characterized by an optical axis extending from a base of the lens to a crown of the lens, the auxiliary lens positioned in the aperture such that the auxiliary lens in combination with the elastic band coupled thereto form a closed loop, whereby the apparatus is removably attachable to a peripheral portion of the image capture and storage device to alter the appearance of the image obtained by the portable image capture and storage device.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein positioning the auxiliary lens in the aperture further comprises stretching the aperture. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the aperture has a plurality of diameters and wherein positioning the auxiliary lens in the aperture further comprises positioning the auxiliary lens in the aperture such that the elastic band extends from a peripheral portion of the auxiliary lens and from the base of the auxiliary lens. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein forming the aperture in the elastic band further comprises forming the aperture in a counter-bored geometry. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the counter bore includes a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the auxiliary lens. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein forming the aperture in the elastic band further comprises forming the aperture to have a geometry corresponding to a peripheral portion of the auxiliary lens. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the auxiliary lens has a circular periphery. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the auxiliary lens includes a groove disposed in a peripheral portion of the auxiliary lens and wherein positioning the auxiliary lens in the aperture further comprises positioning the auxiliary lens in the aperture such that the elastic band is coupled to the auxiliary lens via engagement of the elastic band and the groove. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising coupling the elastic band to the auxiliary lens via an adhesive. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein forming the aperture in the elastic band comprises forming the aperture with a punching mechanism. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the elastic band is closed loop. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus for attachment to a portable image capture and storage device, the apparatus comprising:
 an auxiliary lens shaped to alter an image obtained by the portable image capture and storage device, the auxiliary lens characterized by an optical axis extending from a base of the lens to a crown of the lens;   a frame coupled to a peripheral portion of the auxiliary lens; and   an elastic band having a first end coupled to and extending from a first portion of the frame, the elastic band extending from the first end of the elastic band to a second end of the elastic band, the second end of the elastic band coupled to and extending from a second portion of the auxiliary lens such that the auxiliary lens in combination with the frame and the elastic band coupled thereto form a closed loop, the auxiliary lens and the elastic band coupled via the frame such that the auxiliary lens is positioned in a plane of the elastic band, whereby the apparatus is removably attachable to a peripheral portion of the image capture and storage device to alter the appearance of the image obtained by the portable image capture and storage device.