Camera housing with integrated expansion module

Abstract

A camera housing includes an integrated expansion module for providing expanded functionality to a camera (e.g., a display screen). Different embodiments of the housing include different expansion modules for adding a variety of features to the camera when the camera is placed in the housing. Thus, a user may modify features of a camera by swapping the housing. Furthermore, a user may add a feature to an existing camera without needing to purchase a new camera.

1 . A camera system comprising:
 a camera body having a height of approximately 4 to 6 centimeters, a width of approximately 5 to 7 centimeters, and a depth of approximately 2 to 4 centimeters, the camera body having a front face including a lens and a back face including a first portion of a communicative interface, each of the front face and the back face having the height of approximately 4 to 6 centimeters and the width of approximately 5 to 7 centimeters; and   a detachable camera expansion module having a height of approximately 4 to 6 centimeters, a width of approximately 5 to 7 centimeters, the first detachable camera expansion module having a front face including a second portion of the communicative interface to couple to the first portion of the communicative interface, and the detachable camera expansion module to process data received from the camera body via the communicative interface, the front face of the detachable camera expansion module each having the height of approximately 4 to 6 centimeters and the width of approximately 5 to 7 centimeter.   
     
     
         2 . The camera system of  claim 1 , wherein the detachable camera expansion module extends a depth of the camera system when coupled to the camera body. 
     
     
         3 . The camera system of  claim 1 , wherein the detachable camera expansion module comprises a display screen to display images or video received from the camera body via the communicative interface. 
     
     
         4 . The camera system of  claim 1 , wherein the detachable camera expansion module comprises control buttons for controlling a function of the camera body. 
     
     
         5 . The camera system of  claim 1 , wherein the detachable camera expansion module comprises a wireless module configured to wirelessly transmit digital data to a receiving device. 
     
     
         6 . The camera system of  claim 1 , wherein the detachable camera expansion module comprises a wireless module configured to receive signals for controlling operation of the camera system with a wireless remote controller communicatively coupled to the wireless module. 
     
     
         7 . The camera system of  claim 6 , wherein the wireless remote controller comprises at least one control button. 
     
     
         8 . The camera system of  claim 1 , wherein the camera body comprises a first portion of a hinge structure, and the detachable camera expansion module comprises a second portion of the hinge structure, wherein the first portion of the hinge structure is detachably coupled to the second portion of the hinge structure and wherein the first portion and second portion of the hinge structure form a hinge when coupled. 
     
     
         9 . The camera system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first portion of a camera housing structured to at least partially enclose the camera body and the first detachable camera expansion module;   a door portion of the camera housing;   an first hinge structure located near an edge of the first portion of the housing;   a second hinge structure located near an edge of the door portion of the housing, the first hinge structure for coupling to the second hinge structure, wherein the first hinge structure and the second hinge structure form a hinge when coupled such that the door portion of the camera housing and the first portion of the camera housing are pivotally attached about the hinge;   a first fastening structure on the first portion of the camera housing;   a second fastening structure of the door portion of the camera housing, the second fastening structure for detachably coupling to the first fastening structure such that the door portion of the camera housing is secured to the first portion of the camera housing in a closed position when the first fastening structure is coupled to the second fastening structure.   
     
     
         10 . The camera system of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the communicative interface comprises a groove and wherein the second portion of the communicative interface comprises an electrical connector that fits with the groove. 
     
     
         11 . A camera system comprising:
 a camera body comprising a front side having a camera lens and a back side having a first portion of a communicative interface, the first portion of the communicative interface comprising a groove; and   a detachable camera expansion module comprising a front side including a second portion of the communicative interface to couple to the first portion of the communicative interface, the second portion of the communicative interface comprising a connector structured to fit within the groove, and the first detachable camera expansion module comprising a back side including a display screen to display images or videos received from the camera body via the communicative interface.   
     
     
         12 . The camera system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a second detachable camera expansion module swappable with the first detachable camera expansion module, the second detachable camera expansion module comprising a front side including a second portion of the communicative interface to couple to the first portion of the communicative interface, and the second detachable camera expansion module to perform an electronic function different than the first detachable camera expansion module based on digital data received from the camera body via the communicate interface.   
     
     
         13 . The camera system of  claim 12 , wherein the second detachable camera expansion module comprises a wireless module configured to wirelessly transmit or receive data. 
     
     
         14 . The camera system of  claim 11 , wherein the camera body comprises a first portion of a hinge structure, and the first detachable camera expansion module comprises a second portion of the hinge structure, wherein the first portion of the hinge structure is detachably coupled to the second portion of the hinge structure and wherein the first portion and second portion of the hinge structure form a hinge when coupled. 
     
     
         15 . The camera system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a first portion of a camera housing structured to at least partially enclose the camera body and the first detachable camera expansion module;   a door portion of the camera housing;   an first hinge structure located near an edge of the first portion of the housing;   a second hinge structure located near an edge of the door portion of the housing, the first hinge structure for coupling to the second hinge structure, wherein the first hinge structure and the second hinge structure form a hinge when coupled such that the door portion of the camera housing and the first portion of the camera housing are pivotally attached about the hinge;   a first fastening structure on the first portion of the camera housing;   a second fastening structure of the door portion of the camera housing, the second fastening structure for detachably coupling to the first fastening structure such that the door portion of the camera housing is secured to the first portion of the camera housing in a closed position when the first fastening structure is coupled to the second fastening structure.   
     
     
         16 . The camera system of  claim 11 , wherein the camera body has a first width, a first height, and a first depth, and wherein the camera system has the first width, the first height, and a second depth greater than the first depth when the first detachable camera expansion module is coupled to the camera body. 
     
     
         17 . The camera system of  claim 16 , wherein the first width comprises approximately 5 to 7 centimeters, the first height comprises approximately 4 to 6 centimeters, and the first depth comprises approximately 2 to 4 centimeters. 
     
     
         18 . A camera system comprising:
 a camera body comprising a front side having a camera lens and a back side having a first portion of a communicative interface; and   a first detachable camera expansion module comprising a front side including a second portion of the communicative interface to couple to the first portion of the communicative interface, and the first detachable camera expansion module comprising a back side including a display screen to display images or videos received from the camera body via the communicative interface.   
     
     
         19 . The camera system of  claim 18 , wherein the camera body has a first width, a first height, and a first depth, and wherein the camera system has the first width, the first height, and a second depth greater than the first depth when the first detachable camera expansion module is coupled to the camera body. 
     
     
         20 . The camera system of  claim 19 , wherein the first width comprises approximately 5 to 7 centimeters, the first height comprises approximately 4 to 6 centimeters, and the first depth comprises approximately 2 to 4 centimeters.