Detachable lens shuttering apparatus for use with a portable communication device

Abstract

An apparatus for use with an electronic device having a camera. The apparatus comprises a structure configured to detachably couple to the device, and a shutter supported by the structure and comprising a lens shutter configured to obscure a lens of the camera when in an engaged position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for use with a portable communication device having opposing front and rear surfaces, a peripheral edge surface between the front and rear surfaces, a first camera on the rear surface, a second camera and a display respectively on the front surface, and a microphone, the apparatus comprising:
 a structure configured to detachably couple to the communication device and cover at least a portion of the front, rear, and peripheral edge surfaces of the communication device;   a user-actuatable switch supported by the structure; and   a shutter supported by the structure and coupled to the switch, the shutter operable in a first state and a second state in response to the switch, and configured to avoid obscuring the microphone when in either the first state or the second state, the shutter comprising:
 a first lens shutter configured to obscure a lens of the first camera when the shutter is in the first state and to be substantially non-obscuring with respect to the first camera lens when the shutter is in the second state; and 
 a second lens shutter configured to obscure a lens of the second camera when the shutter is in the first state and to be substantially non-obscuring with respect to the second camera lens when the shutter is in the second state; 
   wherein the first and second lens shutters operate in tandem in the first and second states.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the switch is a mechanical switch; and   the first lens shutter and the second lens shutter each comprises an opaque coating or material.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the switch is an electrical switch;   the first lens shutter and the second lens shutter each comprises an opto-electric element; and   the structure is configured to support a battery coupled to the switch and each of the opto-electric elements.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the shutter has a generally U-shaped configuration comprising a first elongated section supporting the first lens shutter and a second elongated section supporting the second lens shutter; and   the first elongated section is spaced apart from the second elongated section by a distance slightly greater than a thickness of portable communication device.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second lens shutters are configured to move into and out of an obscuring relationship with respect to the first and second camera lenses in response to movement of the switch. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a power source supported by the structure. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the switch is configured to move between a first position and a second position; and   the power source and the shutter are configured to move with the switch.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the shutter and the switch remain positionally fixed when the shutter is in the first state and the second state. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the switch comprises a slider configured to be manually slid between a non-engaged position and an engaged position;   the shutter is mechanically coupled to the switch and slides in tandem with the switch;   the first and second lens shutters are configured to respectively obscure the lens of the first and second cameras when the switch is slid to the engaged position; and   the first and second lens shutter are configured to respectively avoid the lens of the first and second cameras when the switch is slid to the non-engaged position.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a motor and a battery are supported by the structure; and   the motor is configured to move the first and second lens shutters into and out of an obscuring relationship with respect to the first and second camera lenses in response to actuation of the switch.   
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for use with a portable communication device having a camera, a microphone, and a display, the apparatus comprising:
 a structure configured to detachably couple to the communication device;   a user-actuatable switch supported by the structure; and   a shutter supported by the structure and coupled to the switch, the shutter operable in a first state and a second state in response to the switch, the shutter comprising:
 a lens shutter configured to obscure a lens of the camera when the shutter is in the first state and to be substantially non-obscuring with respect to the camera lens when the shutter is in the second state; 
   wherein the shutter is configured to avoid obscuring the microphone when in either the first state or the second state.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the switch is a mechanical switch; and   the lens shutter comprises an opaque coating or material.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the switch is an electrical switch;   the lens shutter comprises an opto-electric element; and   the structure is configured to support a battery coupled to the switch and the opto-electric element.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the lens shutter is configured to move into and out of an obscuring relationship with respect to the first camera lens in response to movement of the switch. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , comprising a power source supported by the structure. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the switch is configured to move between a first position and a second position; and   the power source and the shutter are configured to move with the switch.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the shutter and the switch remain positionally fixed when the shutter is in the first state and the second state. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the structure comprises:
 a two-part case or cover; and   one or more features that facilitate attachment and detachment of the case or cover respectively to and from the communication device.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the switch comprises a slider configured to be manually slid between a non-engaged position and an engaged position;   the shutter is mechanically coupled to the switch and slides in tandem with the switch;   the lens shutter is configured to obscure the lens of the camera when the switch is slid to the engaged position; and   the lens shutter is configured to avoid the lens of the camera when the switch is slid to the non-engaged position.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein:
 a motor and a battery are supported by the structure; and   the motor is configured to move the lens shutter into and out of an obscuring relationship with respect to the camera lens in response to actuation of the switch.