Phone case with camera

• US 10,298,728 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2018
• Issued: 05/21/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CaseCam
• Original Assignee: Case Cam LLC
• Inventors: DiLaura, Angelo
• Primary Examiner(s): Trinh, Sonny
• Application Number:
  US15/948,268
• Publication Number:
  US 20180227401A1
• Time in Patent Office: 407 Days
• Field of Search: 4555751
• CPC Class Codes: 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
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 15/00 Purses, bags, luggage or other receptacles covered by groups A45C1/00 - A45C11/00, combined with other objects or articles A45C1/08, A45C3/14, A45C11/321, A45C13/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/002 for portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/003 for portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0256 wherein the modules are operable in the detached state, e.g. one module for the user interface and one module for the transceiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0264 for a camera module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/03 Constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. telephone hand-sets
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces

Abstract

A case, an accessory and a system for wirelessly pairing, storing and charging an adjunct camera to a handheld electronic device, such as a smartphone. A software application on the device controls the adjunct camera. In one embodiment, the case provides a telescopic rod to elevate the adjunct camera. In another embodiment, the telescopic rod attaches to the smartphone directly. In another embodiment, the case provides a cable on a retractor reel operative for connecting the adjunct camera to the case. The adjunct camera is selectively detachable from the case and attachable to a user or other object for hands-free operation once the software app is engaged. The case or the accessory, the adjunct camera, the electronic device and the app comprise a system for capturing, streaming and saving video and photos by expanding the reach of the native camera function of the electronic device.

Claims

1. A case for a handheld electronic device, comprising:

an adjunct camera in wireless communication with a handheld electronic device disposed within a case, wherein the adjunct camera has a lens and a flash, the lens and flash facing inwardly toward the handheld electronic device when the adjunct camera is stored in the case;

a telescoping rod on the adjunct camera configured for extending the adjunct camera away from the case;

a notch in a back of the case, the notch below a native camera in the handheld electronic device, the notch configured to allow the native camera to be unobstructed; and

a recess adjacent to the notch, the recess for storing the adjunct camera such that when the adjunct camera is in the recess the adjunct camera is flush with the case.

2. The case as described in claim 1, wherein the telescoping rod has a top end with a swivel joint connecting the adjunct camera to the rod, the swivel joint allowing the adjunct camera to rotate into a plurality of positions.

3. The case as described in claim 2, further comprising a fastener on the adjunct camera operative to attach the adjunct camera to an object.

4. The case as described in claim 3, wherein the adjunct camera pairs with the handheld electronic device disposed within the case via an app on the handheld electronic device, the app allowing images to be selectively saved, shared and streamed by the handheld electronic device directly from the adjunct camera.

5. The case as described in claim 4, wherein the handheld electronic device controls the adjunct camera through the app.

6. The case as described in claim 5 wherein the adjunct camera goes into a sleep mode when the app is open and the adjunct camera is not in use, maintaining the pairing of the handheld electronic device and the app.

7. An accessory for a handheld electronic device, comprising:

an adjunct camera having a lens and a flash in wireless communication with a handheld electronic device;

a telescoping rod on the adjunct camera configured for extending the adjunct camera away from the handheld electronic device, the telescoping rod having a top end with a swivel joint connecting the adjunct camera to the rod, the swivel joint allowing the adjunct camera to rotate into a plurality of positions, the telescoping rod having a bottom with J-hook configuration, the bottom of the telescoping rod configured for preferably grasping a bottom edge of the handheld electronic device, the J-hook configuration at the bottom of the telescoping rod having a cutout configured to not obscure a control on the handheld electronic device when grasping the bottom edge of the handheld electronic device; and

an app on the handheld electronic device wherein the adjunct camera pairs with the handheld electronic device, the app allowing images to be selectively saved, shared and streamed by the handheld electronic device directly from the adjunct camera, the handheld electronic device controlling the adjunct camera through the app, the adjunct camera going into a sleep mode when the app is open and the adjunct camera is not in use, maintaining the pairing of the handheld electronic device and the app with the adjunct camera.

8. An accessory for a handheld electronic device, comprising;

an adjunct camera having a lens and a flash in wireless communication with a handheld electronic device;

a telescoping rod on the adjunct camera configured for extending the adjunct camera away from the handheld electronic device, the telescoping rod having a top end with a swivel joint connecting the adjunct camera to the rod, the swivel joint allowing the adjunct camera to rotate into a plurality of positions, the telescoping rod having an inverted U-shape bottom configured for preferably grasping a top edge of the handheld electronic device; and

an app on the handheld electronic device wherein the adjunct camera pairs with the handheld electronic device, the app allowing images to be selectively saved, shared and streamed by the handheld electronic device directly from the adjunct camera, the handheld electronic device controlling the adjunct camera through the app, the adjunct camera going into a sleep mode when the app is open and the adjunct camera is not in use, maintaining the pairing of the handheld electronic device and the app with the adjunct camera.