Phone case with camera

• US 9,966,985 B2
• Filed: 03/17/2017
• Issued: 05/08/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CaseCam
• Original Assignee: Case Cam LLC
• Inventors: DiLaura, Angelo
• Primary Examiner(s): PHU, SANH D
• Application Number:
  US15/461,585
• Publication Number:
  US 20170272112A1
• Time in Patent Office: 417 Days
• Field of Search: 4555751
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/38 Camera cases, e.g. of ever-ready type
• 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: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0264 for a camera module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/185 Improving the rigidity of the casing or resistance to shocks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

A case 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 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, 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 recess of the case;

an attachment mechanism on the adjunct camera operative to attach the adjunct camera to an object; and

a 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 case has an opening for a native camera, the native camera an integrated component of the handheld electronic device.

3. The case as described in claim 1, 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.

4. The case as described in claim 3, wherein the handheld electronic device controls the adjunct camera through the app.

5. The case as described in claim 4, wherein the adjunct camera has an indicator that is activated when the adjunct camera is paired to the handheld electronic device.

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. The case as described in claim 1, further comprising a rechargeable battery that recharges the adjunct camera when the adjunct camera is stored in the recess of the case.

8. The case as described in claim 7, wherein the rechargeable battery recharges through a USB port.

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

an adjunct camera in wireless communication with a handheld electronic device disposed within the 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 recess;

a retractable extender mechanism on the adjunct camera configured for extending the adjunct camera away from the case; and

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

10. The case as described in claim 9, wherein the case has an opening for a native camera, the native camera an integrated component of the handheld electronic device.

11. The case as described in claim 9, wherein the retractable extender mechanism is a 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.

12. The case as described in claim 11, wherein the case has a recess for storing and concealing the telescoping rod, such that when the adjunct camera and the telescoping rod are in the recess, the adjunct camera and the telescoping rod are flush with the case.

13. The case as described in claim 9, 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.

14. The case as described in claim 13, wherein the handheld electronic device controls the adjunct camera through the app.

15. The case as described in claim 14, wherein the adjunct camera has an indicator that is activated when the adjunct camera is paired to the handheld electronic device.

16. The case as described in claim 15, 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.

17. The case as described in claim 9, further comprising a rechargeable battery that recharges the adjunct camera when the adjunct camera is stored in the recess.

18. The case as described in claim 17, wherein the rechargeable battery recharges through a USB port.