16 patents in this list

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In the fast-evolving world of mobile technology, protecting sensitive components like sensors and cameras is crucial. Everyday use exposes these devices to dust, scratches, and impact, which can degrade image quality and sensor performance. Ensuring optimal protection while maintaining functionality is a significant challenge for designers and engineers.

Key obstacles include creating protective mechanisms that do not hinder camera and sensor operations. Balancing durability with ease of use and integrating protective features without adding bulk are ongoing concerns. Professionals in the field strive to develop solutions that address these issues while accommodating the sleek designs consumers demand.

This page explores a range of technical solutions, such as sliding covers, integrated lens enhancements, and anti-glare hoods. These approaches aim to protect mobile cameras and sensors effectively, ensuring high performance under various conditions. By examining these innovations, professionals can better understand how to enhance durability and functionality in mobile device cases.

1. Mobile Phone Shell with Sliding Camera Cover and Locking Slot Mechanism

Shenzhen Yinhao Technology Co., Ltd., 2023

This is a mobile phone shell design with a camera protection mechanism. The shell has a sliding camera cover that can be retracted to protect the camera lens from scratches and impact when not in use. The cover slides along slots with bumps on the shell to lock it in place.

US11770150B2-patent-drawing

2. Smartphone Case with Telescopic Lens, Shutter Button, External Flash, Tripod Mount, and Overheat Detection Sensors

Conor Penfold, 2022

This is a camera-enhancing case for smartphones that improves the camera capabilities of portable electronic devices. The case includes a telescopic lens for optical zoom, a shutter button for easier camera control, an external flash, and a tripod mount. It also has sensors to detect overheating and shut down the phone to prevent damage.

3. Mobile Device Case with Automated Camera Lens Cover Actuation Mechanism

Eric Vélez Justiniano, 2021

This is a mobile device case with 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.

4. 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

5. Smartphone Case with Adjustable Lens Filter Cartridge System

David Graham Clark, 2020

This is a protective case for smartphones that allows lens filters to be added 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.

6. Smartphone Case with Integrated Non-Reflective Camera Hood and Retaining Sheath

BobjGear, LLC, 2020

Protective smartphone case with a built-in camera hood that reduces glare and obstruction when taking photos. The case has a custom fit with a retaining sheath that covers the back and grips the edges of the phone. It has apertures for the camera and flash that surround it with non-reflective hoods. These hoods are shaped and positioned to provide an anti-reflective angle of view compared to the camera lens. This prevents flash glare on photos.

7. Protective Case with Separate Coated Camera and Gasket-Sealed Flash Lens Inserts

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 it against the device's back.

8. Protective Mobile Device Case with Coated Lens Assembly and Water-Resistant Microphone Membrane

OTTER PRODUCTS, LLC, 2020

This is a protective case for mobile devices that preserves camera, flash, and microphone functionality without compromising image quality or audio clarity. The case has a custom lens assembly with coated transparent regions that cover the camera and flash while allowing light through, along with an opening for the microphone. A water-resistant membrane covers the microphone opening. The lens coating proportion sizes are optimized to block excess light while maintaining quality.

US10524552B2-patent-drawing

9. Protective Case with Dual Lens Insert Featuring Flash-Blocking Camera Lens 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. Mobile Device Protective Case with Integrated Lens Assembly and Light-Blocking Coated Transparent Cover

OTTER PRODUCTS, LLC, 2019

Protective case for mobile devices with a lens assembly that protects the 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.

11. Camera and Flash Protective Cover with Differential Thickness and Light-Blocking Coating

OTTER PRODUCTS, LLC, 2019

Protective cover for camera and flash on electronic devices like smartphones that allows the flash to work properly while still protecting the camera. It involves a lens cover with two parts - one near the camera and one near the flash. The part covering the flash has a thinner distance to the device's back surface than the part covering the camera. Additionally, the flash part has a light-blocking coating on its side surface. These design differences enable proper flash illumination by reducing reflections and blocking light from reaching the camera.

US10355735B2-patent-drawing

12. Smartphone Protective Case with Rotatable Dual-Sided Lighting and Integrated Battery Pack

Jakob Spevak, 2019

A protective case for smartphones that includes a lighting device to provide illumination for both the front and back cameras. The protective case has a rotating housing with lights that can be positioned to face either the front or back when using the corresponding camera. The case also contains a battery pack to power the lights and charge the phone.

US20190121392A1-patent-drawing

13. Protective Case with Removable Lens Cover and Multi-Dimensional Storage Compartments for Portable Electronic Devices

Ian F. Lebauer, 2019

Protective case for portable electronic devices with attached lens cover that can be removed or folded back to expose the camera when in use. The case has multiple storage compartments of various sizes to hold everyday items. The storage compartments are arranged in different dimensions to maximize storage space while fitting within the case size.

US10244838B2-patent-drawing

14. Camera and Flash Protective Case Lens with Dual-Portion Design and Integrated Light-Blocking Features

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

15. Protective Case with Hand Securing Portion for Single-Handed Camera Operation

William Samuel Corral, 2018

Protective case for a portable electronic device with camera functionality that allows for steady operation of the camera with a single hand. The case includes a securing portion to accommodate a user's hand, preferably with available room for one to four digits, allowing at least the user's thumb to operate the portable electronic device while all or some of the remainder of the user's hand is securely contained within a securing portion, thereby providing more dexterous control of the portable electronic device in a variety of positions.

US20180212639A1-patent-drawing

16. Case with Integrated Camera Enhancement Components for Portable Electronic Devices

Conor Penfold, 2018

System and method for using a case and/or skin having various components for improving and/or enhancing a camera (e.g., photographic, video, etc.) feature of a portable electronic device, such as a smartphone. The case has features like telescopic lens, filters, tripod mounts, shutter buttons, battery, storage, backup, heat sensors, and even an auxiliary port to enhance the camera on the phone.

US10015295B1-patent-drawing

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Many innovative approaches for producing smartphone cases that safely enclose sensors and cameras are presented in these patents. Integrated lens filters for better performance, smooth, automatic opening and closing mechanisms, and sliding coverings for physical protection are some of them.