Smart Case For Mobile Photography

Abstract

A mobile device case is configured to facilitate coupling of an auxiliary lens assembly along an optical path of a miniature camera module of a mobile device. A case processor and electrical circuitry embedded within the case are configured to detect the presence of the auxiliary lens assembly that is coupled to the lens attachment interface. A lens recognition sensor is coupled to the case processor and electrical circuitry and is configured to identify the auxiliary lens with a specific lens type.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A protective mobile device case that is configured for coupling around a camera-enabled mobile device that includes a miniature camera module embedded within the mobile device, which itself includes a built-in lens and an image sensor for capturing digital images, a processor configured for processing the digital images, and a mobile device display for viewing the digital images, wherein the case comprises:
 a case housing that includes a unitary component that is configured to couple around a back plane and top, bottom, left and right sides of a camera-enabled mobile device, wherein the unitary component is flexible for receiving and removing the camera-enabled mobile device;   a lens attachment interface that defines a camera-flash aperture in the case at a location that permits transmission of a camera flash to illuminate objects in a scene and that permits transmission of image data for capturing an image of the objects in the scene focused by the built-in lens onto the image sensor;   electrical circuitry that is programmable by a software application in accordance with a lens recognition process, selectable pre-capture settings or post-capture image editing or combinations thereof;   wherein said lens attachment interface is embedded within or integral with the case and configured for coupling a removable lens assembly to the case in stable alignment along the optical path of the miniature camera module; and   a battery installed in the case that is configured for powering the electrical circuitry of the case or for powering the mobile device when the device battery is low or out of power, or combinations thereof.