Optical redirection adapter

Abstract

An optical redirection adapter for an electronic device having a camera includes a housing. An optical element is attached to the housing and positioned such that, when the adapter is attached the electronic device, the optical element is positioned in the camera's field of view. The optical element reflects light in the camera's field of view from a redirection angle that is offset from the camera's field of view. The optical redirection adapter facilitates ergonomically sound use of the camera.

1 . A barcode reading adapter, comprising:
 a barcode reader adapter housing defining an opening to receive an electronic device and at least one access opening;   an optical element attached to the barcode reader adapter housing, wherein the optical element is aligned with a field of view of a camera of the electronic device, and wherein the optical element reflects light into the field of view of the camera at a redirection angle that is offset from the field of view of the camera such that a reflected image is not flipped or rotated.   
     
     
         2 . The barcode reading adapter according to  claim 1 , wherein the electronic device comprises an illumination element, and wherein the barcode reader adapter housing further comprises:
 an optical opening, wherein the optical element is positioned within the optical opening such that, when the barcode reading adapter is attached to the electronic device, the optical element reflects light from the illumination element of the electronic device at the redirection angle through the optical opening.   
     
     
         3 . The barcode reading adapter according to  claim 1 , wherein the barcode reader adapter housing further comprises an optical opening aligned with an illumination element of the electronic device such that light is reflected from the illumination element at the redirection angle. 
     
     
         4 . The barcode reading adapter according to  claim 1 , further comprising a collimating lens attached to the optical element. 
     
     
         5 . The barcode reading adapter according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one feature on an exterior surface of the electronic device comprises one of a speaker, a microphone, and an external button. 
     
     
         6 . The barcode reading adapter according to  claim 1 , wherein the barcode reader adapter housing further comprises an optical opening and the light is reflected through the optical opening by at least one of a prism, a mirror, or a lens. 
     
     
         7 . The barcode reading adapter according to  claim 1 , wherein the barcode reader adapter housing further comprises an optical opening, and wherein the light that is reflected into the field of view of the camera through the optical opening is from an effective field of view that extends horizontally to a length of a surface of the electronic device. 
     
     
         8 . The barcode reading adapter according to  claim 1 , wherein the redirection angle is between 45 degrees and 115 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The barcode reading adapter according to  claim 1 , wherein the barcode reader adapter housing further comprises an optical opening, and wherein the optical opening is aligned with both the field of view of the camera of the electronic device and an illumination element. 
     
     
         10 . The barcode reading adapter according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an aimer attached to the barcode reader adapter housing, wherein at least one of a beam and a pattern emitted by the aimer corresponds to the field of view of the camera.   
     
     
         11 . The barcode reading adapter according to  claim 10 , wherein the barcode reader adapter housing further comprises an optical opening, and wherein the light is reflected through the optical opening by at least one of a prism, a mirror, or a lens. 
     
     
         12 . The barcode reading adapter according to  claim 11 , wherein the light that is reflected into the field of view of the camera through the optical opening is from an effective field of view that extends horizontally to a length of a surface of the electronic device. 
     
     
         13 . A method of reading a barcode through a barcode reading adapter, comprising:
 receiving an electronic device via an opening of a barcode reader adapter housing of the barcode reading adapter; and   aligning an optical element of the barcode reading adapter with a field of view of a camera of the electronic device, wherein the optical element reflects light into the field of view of the camera at a redirection angle that is offset from the field of view of the camera such that a reflected image is not flipped or rotated.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the redirection angle is between 45 degrees and 115 degrees. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the barcode reader adapter housing is configured to emit light from an illumination element. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the electronic device comprises the illumination element, wherein the barcode reader adapter housing further comprises an optical opening, and wherein the optical element is positioned within the optical opening such that, when the barcode reading adapter is attached to the electronic device, the optical element reflects light from the illumination element of the electronic device at the redirection angle through the optical opening. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 attaching a collimating lens to the optical element of the barcode reader adapter housing.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein at least one feature on an exterior surface of the electronic device comprises one of a speaker, a microphone, and an external button. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the barcode reader adapter housing further comprises an optical opening, and wherein the light is reflected through the optical opening by at least one of a prism, a mirror, or a lens. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the barcode reader adapter housing further comprises an optical opening, and wherein the light that is reflected into the field of view of the camera through the optical opening is from an effective field of view that extends horizontally to a length of a surface of the electronic device.