Systems and methods involving edge camera assemblies in handheld devices

An image capture casing for a handheld mobile communications device having an upward facing display surface and an opposing lower surface, the image capture casing comprising:

• a housing for surrounding at least a portion of the handheld mobile communications device;
• at least one image sensor mounted in the housing and having at least one optical axis configured to be oriented at a fixed obtuse angle with respect to the lower surface when the handheld mobile communications device is retained by the housing, wherein the at least one image sensor is oriented such that when the housing is held by a walking user at an acute angle with respect to a plane on which the user walks, the at least one optical axis generally faces in a walking direction of the user;
• an aperture configured to enable an optical axis of at least one additional image sensor of the handheld mobile communications device to pass therethrough, and wherein the at least one additional image sensor is distinct from the at least one image sensor mounted in the housing;
• and
• circuitry for conveying from the at least one image sensor mounted in the housing, image data for real-time display on the display surface.

A handheld mobile communications device for presenting a real-time view of an environment in front of a user while the user interacts with displayed information, the handheld mobile communications device comprising:

• a housing generally having a central axial plane;
• a touch-sensitive display on a first side of the housing;
• a back on a second side of the housing, opposite the first side;
• a peripheral edge surface between the first side and the second side;
• and
• at least one image sensor fixedly secured within the housing and having a fixed optical axis at a non-orthogonal angle relative to each of the first side of the housing, the second side of the housing, and the central axial plane, wherein the fixed optical axis of the at least one image sensor is tilted at an angle of between about 5° and about 80° relative to the central axial plane.

A removable case for a handheld mobile communications device having an upward facing display surface and an opposing lower surface, the case comprising:

• a housing for surrounding at least a portion of the handheld mobile communications device;
• a connector for making electrical connection with a port in the handheld mobile communications device when the handheld mobile communications device is seated in the housing;
• at least one image sensor mounted in the housing and having at least one optical axis configured to be oriented at a fixed obtuse angle with respect to the lower surface when the handheld mobile communications device is retained by the housing, wherein the at least one image sensor is oriented such that when the housing is held by a walking user at an acute angle with respect to a plane on which the user walks, the at least one optical axis generally faces in a walking direction of the user and wherein a field of view of the at least one image sensor is greater than 180 degrees;
• and
• circuitry for conveying from the at least one image sensor, image data for real-time display on the display surface.