13 patents in this list
Updated: May 25, 2024
An increasing number of enthusiasts for mobile phone photography are using cases with detachable lenses. With these cases, users can equip their smartphones with features like telephoto zoom, wide-angle photography, and special effects, turning them into multipurpose cameras.
This trend creates new design issues as well as interesting opportunities for mobile photography. This page examines innovations that address these issues.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.