13 patents in this list

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In the fast-evolving world of mobile photography, attaching lenses to phone cases presents unique engineering challenges. The seamless integration of lenses into cases enhances photography but demands precise alignment and secure attachment. As mobile devices become more sophisticated, ensuring lenses are both accessible and protected is crucial for capturing high-quality images on the go.

Professionals face the challenge of designing cases that can accommodate various lens types while maintaining device protection. Balancing durability, ease of use, and aesthetic appeal is no small task. Each design must account for different phone models, ensuring compatibility without compromising functionality or style.

This page explores a range of solutions from recent research, focusing on practical designs like integrated auxiliary lenses, automatic lens covers, and slide-in lens cartridges. These innovations improve mobile photography by offering secure attachment, enhanced protection, and user-friendly operation, ensuring that lenses are ready to perform whenever needed.

1. Mobile Device Case with Integrated Auxiliary Lens, Ergonomic Grips, and Remote Camera Control Features

Moment Inc, 2021

This mobile device case can use additional lenses, provide stabilization, improve ergonomics, and enable remote control of the phone camera. The case has an integrated auxiliary lens that aligns with the built-in camera optics. It also has handles and grips for easier one-handed use. The case may have adjustable components like a lens actuator and a camera mount to remotely attach and control the phone camera.

US20210240056A1-patent-drawing

2. Mobile Device Case with Automatic Camera Lens Cover Mechanism Linked to Device Lock Status

Eric Vélez Justiniano, 2021

This mobile device case has a camera lens cover that automatically opens and closes when the phone is unlocked and locked. When the phone is locked, the cover is closed. When the phone is unlocked, the cover automatically opens.

3. Mobile Device Case with Mechanically Coupled Dual Lens Covers

Eric Vélez Justiniano, 2020

A mobile device case with a first and a second lens cover that moves together. When the first cover is opened, it automatically opens the second cover and vice versa. This simultaneous and automatic opening is achieved by mechanically coupling the covers.

US20200319530A1-patent-drawing

4. Smartphone Case with Adjustable Lens Filter Cartridge System

David Graham Clark, 2020

This is a protective case for smartphones that allows adding lens filters to the phone's camera. The case has openings to expose the camera lens and filter cartridges that can be slid into different positions. The cartridges contain multiple lens filters, such as ND, polarizer, and color filters, that can cover the camera lens when desired.

5. Waterproof Smartphone Case with Interchangeable Conductive Lenses on Internal Track System

CRAIG HERMAN, 2020

A waterproof smartphone case that can have different lenses easily swapped into it. When closed, the case has a watertight seal to protect the phone from water damage. It has an internal track where lenses can slide in and out. The lenses include options like magnifying, prescription, anti-glare, or privacy lenses. They are made of conductive material to maintain touchscreen functionality.

US20200099414A1-patent-drawing

6. Mobile Camera System with Integrated Lens Interface and Lens Recognition Electronics

Moment Inc, 2020

The mobile camera system has an integrated lens interface and an optimized case for attaching auxiliary lenses to a mobile device. The system includes a mobile device with a miniature camera module, a case with a lens attachment interface that can mechanically couple a removable lens to the device, and lens recognition electronics to identify the specific lens type attached. The case also has an optimized design with a balanced weight and ergonomic grip for one-handed use.

US20200036875A1-patent-drawing

7. Protective Case with Separate Camera and Flash Lens Inserts Featuring Coated Side Surface and Gasket Seal

OTTER PRODUCTS, LLC, 2020

Protective case for electronic device cameras and flashes that provides improved protection from scratches and damage while also maintaining proper flash and camera functionality. The case has a lens insert that covers the camera and flash. The insert has separate lens portions for the camera and flash. The camera lens has a coated side surface to block light reflections and a thicker bottom portion. The flash lens has a gasket to seal against the device's back.

8. Smartphone Camera System with Embedded Lens Interface and Lens Type Detection Mechanism

Moment Inc, 2020

This smartphone camera system allows attaching auxiliary lenses and recognizes the lens type to optimize image processing. The system includes a case with an embedded lens interface that precisely aligns an attached removable lens with the built-in camera module. The case has electronics to detect and identify the lens type. It also features a shutter button and grip ergonomics for stable one-handed photography.

9. Protective Case with Dual Lens Insert for Camera and Flash, Featuring Flash-Blocking Coating

OTTER PRODUCTS, LLC, 2019

A protective case with a lens insert that covers the camera and flash of an electronic device. The lens insert has a lens covering the camera and a separate lens covering the flash. The camera lens has a coating that blocks light from the flash.

10. Protective Mobile Device Case with Integrated Adjustable Auxiliary Lens System

Moment Inc, 2019

A protective case for a mobile device, such as a smartphone, that has an integrated auxiliary lens system to enhance the device's camera capabilities. The case has a built-in lens module that aligns with the device's existing camera optics when the device is inserted into the case. The lens module can be adjustable and may have multiple lenses for zoom or other effects. The case protects the device and provides stable optical alignment without stressing or distorting the camera. It may also have other features like drop protection, audio pass-through, and waterproofing.

11. Mobile Device Protective Case with Integrated Lens Assembly and Water-Resistant Microphone Membrane

OTTER PRODUCTS, LLC, 2019

Protective case for mobile devices with a lens assembly that protects camera, flash and microphone while maintaining good optical and audio quality. The lens assembly has a transparent lens covering the camera and flash, with portions coated in light-blocking material to reduce light transmission. A water-resistant membrane covers the microphone.

12. Dual-Port Camera Lens with Integrated Flash Gasket and Selective Light-Blocking Coating

OTTER PRODUCTS, LLC, 2019

Camera lens designs for protective cases that allow unobstructed flash output while providing protection for both the camera and flash. The lens has two portions, one for the camera and one for the flash, with the flash portion closer to the device. The camera portion has a partially coated side to block light while the flash portion has a light-blocking gasket.

US20190081652A1-patent-drawing

13. Smartphone Case with Adjustable Pivoting Magnifying Lens

Elise Brisco, Andrew Shaifer, 2018

A multifunctional smartphone case that allows users to see their screens without glasses. The case has a adjustable, pivoting magnifying lens attached to the cover. This lens can be rotated or detached to provide different magnification levels and angles for viewing the phone screen or other small print.

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Several innovative solutions to adding lenses to phone covers are presented in these patents. The array of mobile phone photography accessories that are accessible to consumers has expanded, and these advances allow people to capture better pictures with their phones.