# US 10,375,284 B2 · Smart case for mobile photography > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,375,284 B2 - Document ID: US10375284B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/010,919 - Filed: 2018-06-18 - Published: 2019-04-04 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2015-01-27 - Assignees: Moment Inc - Applicants: Moment Inc - Inventors: Marc Barros; Erik Hedberg; Josh Baxley; Amanda Kirk; Bradley G. Castaneda; Zachary Reed; Steve McCallion; Wesley Glen Wirth; Robert John Lincoln; Russell Hudyma; Michael Thomas; Eric Davis; Arash Ghorbani - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10375284B2 ## CPC - G02B 13/001: {Miniaturised objectives for electronic devices, e.g. portable telephones, webcams, PDAs, small digital cameras (G02B23/243 takes precedence)} - A45C 11/00: Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 (specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48) - A45C 13/001: {Accessories} - A45C 13/002: {Protective covers} - A45C 13/1076: {with a snap action (A45C13/12 takes precedence)} - A45F 5/00: Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping - G02B 7/02: for lenses {(supports for magnifying lenses G02B25/002)} - G02B 7/14: adapted to interchange lenses {(G02B7/027 takes precedence)} - G03B 15/0442: {Constructional details of the flash apparatus; Arrangement of lamps, reflectors, or the like (G03B15/0484 takes precedence)} - G03B 17/14: interchangeably - G03B 17/56: Accessories (carrying-cases A45C11/38) - G03B 17/565: {Optical accessories, e.g. converters for close-up photography, tele-convertors, wide-angle convertors} - G03B 17/566: {Accessory clips, holders, shoes to attach accessories to camera (if integral part of camera body G03B17/02)} - H04B 1/3888: Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers - H04M 1/0264: {for a camera module assembly} - H04N 23/51: Housings - H04N 23/54: Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils - H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof - H04N 23/56: provided with illuminating means - H04N 23/57: Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices - H04N 23/60: Control of cameras or camera modules - H04N 23/63: by using electronic viewfinders - H04N 23/632: {for displaying or modifying preview images prior to image capturing, e.g. variety of image resolutions or capturing parameters} - H04N 23/64: {Computer-aided capture of images, e.g. transfer from script file into camera, check of taken image quality, advice or proposal for image composition or decision on when to take image} - H04N 23/65: Control of camera operation in relation to power supply - H04N 23/66: Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices - H04N 23/663: for controlling interchangeable camera parts based on electronic image sensor signals - H04N 23/73: by influencing the exposure time - A45C 11/002: {for storing portable handheld communication devices, e.g. pagers or smart phones} - G03B 2206/00: Systems for exchange of information between different pieces of apparatus, e.g. for exchanging trimming information, for photo finishing - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - A45C: PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS - A45F: TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THE BODY - 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 (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) - H04B: TRANSMISSION - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract A mobile device case is configured to facilitate coupling of an auxiliary lens assembly along an optical path of a miniature camera module of a mobile device. A case processor and electrical circuitry embedded within the case are configured to detect the presence of the auxiliary lens assembly that is coupled to the lens attachment interface. A lens recognition sensor is coupled to the case processor and electrical circuitry and is configured to identify the auxiliary lens with a specific lens type. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A protective mobile device case that is configured for coupling around a camera-enabled mobile device that includes a miniature camera module embedded within the mobile device, which itself includes a built-in lens and an image sensor for capturing digital images, a processor configured for processing the digital images, and a mobile device display for viewing the digital images, wherein the case comprises: (i) a case housing that includes a unitary component that is configured to couple around a back plane and top, bottom, left and right sides of a camera-enabled mobile device, wherein the unitary component is flexible for receiving and removing the camera-enabled mobile device; (ii) a lens attachment interface that defines a camera-flash aperture in the case at a location that permits transmission of a camera flash to illuminate objects in a scene and that permits transmission of image data for capturing an image of the objects in the scene focused by the built-in lens onto the image sensor, wherein said lens attachment interface is embedded within or integral with the case and configured for coupling a removable lens assembly to the case in stable alignment along the optical path of the miniature camera module; (iii) electrical circuitry that is programmable by a software application in accordance with selectable pre-capture settings, including: (a) lighting and exposure adjustment options, (b) flash options, (c) auto-focus options, (d) face detection/tracking focus or manual focus selection, (e) image size, (f) scene mode, (g) ISO, (h) white balance, (i) color effect, (j) timer, (k) geotagging, (l) shutter sound options, (m) normal or high dynamic range options, (n) panorama, continuous shot or portrait options, (o) time catch shot selection, or (p) a voice shutter option, or (q) combinations thereof; and (iv) a battery installed in the case that is configured for powering the electrical circuitry of the case or for powering the mobile device when the device battery is low or out of power, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The protective mobile device case of claim 1, wherein the case comprises a case shutter button for actuating the miniature camera module of the mobile device, comprising a half-press feature for adjusting pre-capture settings and a full-press feature for capturing an image. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The protective mobile device case of claim 1, wherein the case comprises a capacitive slider feature or an aperture exposing a camera slider to scroll through pre-capture menu items, select certain items, adjust certain pre-capture settings or capture an image, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 4 A protective mobile device case for coupling around a mobile device that includes a miniature camera module, comprising: (i) a lens attachment interface comprising a case housing configured both to securely couple around at least a portion of the periphery and back of the camera-enabled mobile device and to define therein a lens attachment aperture shaped both to permit light from an object to be captured as a digital image to travel along the optical path of the miniature camera module to a built-in image sensor of the miniature camera module of the mobile device, and to facilitate stable coupling of a removable lens in optical alignment with the miniature camera module; (ii) electrical circuitry including a processor that is programmable by a software application in accordance with selectable pre-capture settings, including: (a) lighting and exposure adjustment options, (b) flash options, (c) auto-focus options, (d) face detection/tracking focus or manual focus selection, (e) image size, (f) scene mode, (g) ISO, (h) white balance, (i) color effect, (j) timer, (k) geotagging, (l) shutter sound options, (m) normal or high dynamic range options, (n) panorama, continuous shot or portrait options, (o) time catch shot selection, or (p) a voice shutter option, or (q) combinations thereof; and (iii) a battery installed in the case that is configured for powering the electrical circuitry of the case or for powering the mobile device when the device battery is low or out of power, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The protective mobile device case of claim 4, wherein the case comprises a case shutter button for actuating the miniature camera module of the mobile device, comprising a half-press feature for adjusting pre-capture settings and a full-press feature for capturing an image. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The protective mobile device case of claim 4, wherein the case comprises a capacitive slider feature or an aperture exposing a camera slider to scroll through pre-capture menu items, select certain items, adjust certain pre-capture settings or capture an image, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The protective mobile device case of claim 4, comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) having said electrical circuitry including said processor coupled thereto. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The protective mobile device case of claim 4, wherein the lens attachment aperture comprises an hourglass shape including a camera half and a flash half. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The protective mobile device case of claim 8, wherein the camera half of the camera flash aperture comprises a lens attachment aperture. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The protective mobile device case of claim 8, wherein the camera half is raised out of plane with the flash half to accommodate coupling with a coupling interface of a removable lens assembly. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The protective mobile device case of claim 8, wherein the camera half has an elongated shape to accommodate coupling with an elongated coupling interface of a removable lens assembly by insertion and rotation. ### Claim 12 (depends on 4) The protective mobile device case of claim 4, wherein said lens attachment interface comprises a micro-bayonet interface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The protective mobile device case of claim 12, wherein said lens attachment interface is configured for coupling with removable lens assemblies comprising multiple lens types including wide angle and telephoto lens types. ### Claim 14 A protective mobile device case for coupling around a mobile device that includes a miniature camera module, comprising: (i) a lens attachment interface comprising a case housing configured to securely couple around at least a portion of the periphery of the camera-enabled mobile device; (ii) a case processor and electrical circuitry embedded within the case that are configured to detect the presence of a removable lens coupled stably in said optical alignment with said miniature camera module; (iii) wherein the case is configured to define therein a lens attachment aperture shaped both to permit light from an object to be captured as a digital image to travel along the optical path of the miniature camera module to a built-in image sensor of the miniature camera module of the mobile device, and to facilitate stable coupling of a removable lens in optical alignment with the miniature camera module; (iv) a case shutter button mechanism for actuating the miniature camera module of the mobile camera system, and (v) wherein the case including said processor and electrical circuitry is programmable by a software application in accordance with selectable pre-capture settings, including: (a) lighting and exposure adjustment options, (b) flash options, (c) auto-focus options, (d) face detection/tracking focus or manual focus selection, (e) image size, (f) scene mode, (g) ISO, (h) white balance, (i) color effect, (j) timer, (k) geotagging, (l) shutter sound options, (m) normal or high dynamic range options, (n) panorama, continuous shot or portrait options, (o) time catch shot selection, or (p) a voice shutter option, or (q) combinations thereof. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The protective mobile device case of claim 14, wherein said coupling interface comprises a micro-bayonet interface. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The protective mobile device case of claim 14, wherein the case shutter mechanism is configured for user actuation of a half-press feature for adjusting said pre-capture settings and of a full-press feature for triggering capture of an image. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The protective mobile device case of claim 14, wherein the case comprises a case shutter button for actuating the miniature camera module of the mobile device, comprising a half-press feature for adjusting said pre-capture settings and a full-press feature for capturing an image. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The protective mobile device case of claim 14, wherein the case comprises a capacitive slider feature or an aperture exposing a camera slider to scroll through pre-capture menu items, select certain items, adjust certain pre-capture settings or capture an image, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The protective mobile device case of claim 14, wherein the lens attachment interface is configured for adhesive coupling to the mobile device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The protective mobile device case of claim 14, wherein the coupling interface of the removable lens assembly comprises a micro-bayonet design for rotatable coupling with the lens attachment interface.