WO2018094369A1

WO2018094369A1 - Protective battery case for a mobile device

Info

Publication number: WO2018094369A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/062653
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marc Barros; Robert John LINCOLN; Miguel Christophy; Erik Hedberg; Kent Suzuki; Josh Baxley; Phillip PASQUAL; Jessica LIVAK; Audrey Louchart
Original assignee: Moment Inc
Current assignee: Moment Inc
Priority date: 2016-11-18
Filing date: 2017-11-20
Publication date: 2018-05-24
Anticipated expiration: 2019-05-18

Abstract

A one-piece protective battery case includes either one composite PC/TPE double shot injection molded material layer, or two material layers including a polycarbonate layer overmolded with an elastomer, for coupling around a mobile device that includes a miniature camera module. A bendable region of the case permits relative rotation of an auxiliary lens attachment section and a battery compartment section for sliding insertion of the mobile device.

Description

PROTECTIVE BATTERY CASE FOR A MOBILE DEVICE

PRIORITY AND RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to each of United States provisional patent applications serial numbers 62/424,318, filed November 18, 2016 and 62/452,951, filed January 31, 2017.

This application is related to United States provisional patent applications serial numbers

62/424,387, filed November 18, 2016, and 62/452,943, filed January 31, 2017; and this application is related to United States patents numbers 9,729,770, 9.467,608, 9,781,319, and 9,596,393, and to United States patent applications serial numbers 29/592,638, filed January 31, 2017, 29/593,579, filed February 9, 2017, 29/593,576, filed February 9, 2017, 15/671,076, filed August 7, 2017, PCT/US16/14652, filed January 25, 2016, 15/289,094, filed October 7, 2016, published as US 2017-0099419 Al, 15/715, 189, filed September 26, 2017, and 15/437,439, filed February 20, 2017, published as US 2017-0223242 Al .

All of the above priority applications and related patents and patent applications are incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND

Embedded devices such as mobile phones, including Android, Apple and Samsung phones, are often equipped with miniature camera modules. These miniature camera modules typically include only a single fixed-focus lens and an image sensor. Some of these devices have software applications downloaded or otherwise stored on them that permit limited choices in pre- capture camera settings, such as exposure duration and flash setting, and some provide limited post-capture image editing capabilities designed to compensate for the inadequacy of the built-in optics. Image processing software is however incapable of providing real images of objects that are too close or too far from the device, or of scenes including multiple objects that require greater depths of field in order to capture them without intolerable amounts of defocus blur or of scenes with moving objects without excessive motion-related blur, among other imaging issues. It is therefore desired to be able to supplement the built-in optics of a miniature camera-enabled embedded device with one or more additional lenses or other optics.

Auxiliary lenses for mobile smartphones with camera modules are typically clipped onto the smartphone. These clip-on lenses put mechanical stresses on the smartphone directly along the optical path of the camera modules that can result in distortional stresses that can

mechanically weaken the device and can distort the optical quality of captured images. Clip-on lenses are also unstable and often move laterally when smartphone precapture settings are being adjusted, during image capture and when the smartphone is being temporarily stored in a bag or pocket or on a table top. It is desired to have a way to attach an auxiliary lens to a mobile device in stable alignment with the optics of the built-in camera module.

Smartphones are used for capturing digital images in a variety of situations. In the past, a person operating a camera could not be in the picture because of the unwieldy nature of the camera and the camera-object distances typically involved in capturing an entire scene that may include multiple persons and perhaps background buildings or other objects. Some conventional cameras include a built-in delay to allow the camera operator to quickly duck into the scene that is based on a predetermined time duration or that uses face recognition techniques wherein image capture awaits a smiling camera operator to enter the scene. Either way, it is difficult to spontaneously, stably and accurately position and direct a camera to capture a picture without being held by a human operator. Today, "selfies" are more commonly made possible because smartphones and other mobile devices with built-in miniature camera modules permit front-side display of the precapture image and these mobile devices are typically lightweight enough to hold in one hand while an image is captured. Nonetheless, it is desired to be able to more easily handle a mobile device during a one-handed image capture.

Mobile devices are used today for talking, texting, social networking, directing us with maps and step by step instructions, playing music, watching television shows and many other things. Conventional mobile devices are small enough so as to not be too unwieldy to carry around all the time. Yet, these mobile devices are processing so much data that charge tends to run out quickly from built-in batteries, often at inconvenient times. It is inconvenient to carry a second device just to charge a mobile device or to use while a primary device is charging. It is desired to have a protective mobile device battery case that includes a rechargeable battery that may be charged automatically when the mobile device is also charged and that may power the mobile device automatically without plugging in to a wall outlet when the charge on the built-in battery of the mobile device runs out.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate in front and rear perspective views an example attachable auxiliary lens 102 configured for coupling with a lens attachment interface of a case for a mobile camera-enabled device in accordance with certain embodiments. Figure 3 illustrates an example of an attachable auxiliary lens assembly 302 that includes an auxiliary lens 102 and a hood 304 in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figure 4 illustrates an example of a mobile phone case with an attached auxiliary lens including a hood in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figure 5 illustrates a front perspective view of an empty mobile device battery case 508 in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate back perspective views of a mobile phone battery case with a top section bent a few degrees backward at a bendable zone sufficient for insertion of the mobile device in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figure 8 illustrates a mobile device battery case that has a mobile device fully inserted into a recess that may be form fit approximately to receive the shape of the back wall and four peripheral walls of the outer housing of the mobile device, in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figure 9 illustrates a front perspective view of a mobile device battery case that has a mobile device fully inserted into a recess that may be form fit approximately to receive the shape of the back wall and four peripheral walls of the outer housing of the mobile device, in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figure 10 is an exploded view of a mobile device battery case in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figure 11 is an exploded view of another mobile device battery case in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figures 12A illustrates a front cut-away view of a mobile device battery case including a skinny battery and a user interface dial in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figures 12B illustrates a front cut-away view of a mobile device battery case including a chubby battery and a user interface dial in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figure 12C illustrates a front cut-away view of a thin mobile device battery case with a chubby battery in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figures 13 A illustrates a front cut-away view of a mobile device battery case including a skinny battery and a user interface dial in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figures 13B illustrates a front cut-away view of a thin mobile device battery case with a skinny battery in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figure 13C illustrates a front cut-away view of an ultra thin mobile device battery case with a chubby battery in accordance with certain embodiments. Figures 14A-14B illustrate side views of rigid material layer components of a mobile device battery case in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figures 15A-15B illustrate front and back perspective views of rigid material layer components of a mobile device battery case in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figure 16A illustrates a partial front view of a mobile device battery case with a bendable zone and auxiliary lens attachment interface in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figure 16B illustrates a partial front perspective view of a rigid material layer component of a mobile device battery case with a bendable zone and auxiliary lens attachment interface in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figure 16C illustrates a cross-sectional view of a mobile device battery case with a bendable zone for insertion of a mobile device in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figure 17A illustrates a partial exploded front perspective view of another mobile device battery case with a bendable zone and a chin in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figure 17B illustrates a front view of the mobile device battery case of Figure 17 A. Figure 17C illustrates a partial exploded front perspective view of a mobile device battery case with an attachable top cap and a chin in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figure 17D illustrates a front view of the mobile device battery case of Figure 17C.

Figure 18A illustrates a cut-away side view of a bottom section of a mobile device battery case that includes lightning interface connector components in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figure 18B illustrates a partial cut-away front view of the mobile device battery case of Figure 14 A.

Figure 19A illustrates a partial cross-sectional side view of a mobile device battery case including a LED charge indicator in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figure 19B illustrates a bottom view of the mobile device battery case of Figure 19A.

Figures 20A-20F illustrate alternative bottom chin insert enclosures for a mobile device battery case in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figure 21 illustrates a shutter button for a mobile device battery case in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figures 22A-22B illustrate front views of a mobile device battery case with a two stage camera shutter button in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figures 23A-23C illustrate switches for a mobile device battery case in accordance with certain embodiments. Figures 24A-24B illustrate cross-section partial side views of mobile device battery cases each including an attached auxiliary lens in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figure 25 illustrates a partial perspective back view of a mobile device battery case including an auxiliary lens attachment aperture in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figures 26A-26B illustrates partial back and front perspective views of a mobile device battery case including an auxiliary lens attachment aperture in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figures 27A-27B illustrate partial back views of a mobile device battery case including an auxiliary lens attachment aperture and spring clip in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figure 28 illustrates a cut-away side view of another mobile device battery case with attached auxiliary lens in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figure 29 illustrates another example of a capture plate in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figures 30A-30P illustrate an example assembly process for a mobile device battery case in accordance with certain embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments include modifications and improvements of embodiments described in the above-identified patents and patent applications. Further embodiments are illustrated in the attached drawings figures. A battery case for a mobile device may include an auxiliary lens attachment interface that uses spring loaded coupling for locking a removable, attachable lens into place along the optical path of the camera module of the mobile device. Embodiments also include modifications and improvements of embodiments described in the above-identified patents and patent applications. Further embodiments are illustrated in the attached drawings Figures.

A battery case for a mobile phone or other mobile electronic device may include an interface connector for physically connecting to a mobile phone that is coupled within the case. The case may include a rechargeable battery. The case may be plugged into a wall outlet for charging the rechargeable battery. When a mobile device is coupled within the case, both the mobile device battery and the rechargeable battery of the case may be charged. The rechargeable battery may charge the mobile device battery and/or may power the mobile device.

The battery case may include a microphone that may be substituted for a microphone in the mobile device or that may complement the mobile device microphone or a headset mic or other audio receiver coupled with the mobile device. The case may include a removable memory card slot for expandable memory that may be accessible by a case processor and/or a mobile device processor. The interface may transmit power and data, or a separate physical or wireless interface may be configured to transmit data between the mobile device, the case and the removable memory. A flash drive may be included within or built-into the case housing. The case may include a haptic engine for feedback on user inputs with a shutter, touch slider and/or wheel input device. A second button may be configured as a wheel or tactic slider input device. The rechargeable battery of the case may be configured to power both the case and mobile device, or the case may be powered with a separate case battery.

The battery case may include a lens attachment interface that uses spring loaded coupling for locking a removable, attachable lens into place along the optical path of the camera module of the mobile device. The case may include lens attachment guides that may provide visual direction in placing a removable lens into place along the optical path of the camera module. Lens types may include wide angle, zoom, microscope, telescope and multiple and/or aspherical lens designs may be configured for compensating higher order aberrations. The removable lenses may include hoods and/or a rounded body shapes with flat glass.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate in front and rear perspective views an example attachable auxiliary lens 102 configured for coupling with a lens attachment interface of a case for a mobile camera-enabled device in accordance with certain embodiments. . Lens types may include wide angle, zoom, microscope, or telescoping lens assemblies, and/or multiple lenses, multiple lens groups that may be translatable, rotatable or otherwise adjustable or fixed relative to built-in components such as an image sensor of a mobile device and/or relative to other fixed or adjustable, attachable and/or removable, lens groups that may form an optical assembly capable of imaging objects and scenes onto the image sensor that have far superior image quality or image capture characteristics compared with images that may be captured by a built-in camera module with a single fixed lens, for example, of a conventional mobile device. The lens 102 may include an aspherical lens surface that may be configured for compensating or correcting higher order aberrations such as astigmatism, wide angle distortion and/or oblique aberrations.

Figure 3 illustrates an example of an attachable auxiliary lens assembly 302 that includes an auxiliary lens 102 and a hood 304 in accordance with certain embodiments. The hood 304 may be otherwise configured, e.g., as illustrated and described in multiple examples including those shown and described with reference to Figures 15D, 151, 15K, 38D, 38E, 38F, 39C in US patent no. 9,467,608 which is incorporated by reference. The attachable and removable lens 302 illustrated in the example of Figure 3 may include an attached or integral hood 304 that appears white, diffusive, and/or significantly translucent or opaque. The hood 304 may enclose a 5mm to 75mm length of an optical path from an object-side surface of the auxiliary lens 102 and extending away on the object side of the auxiliary lens 102. The example hood 304 shown in Figure 3 has a circular or modestly elliptical cross-section that increases linearly or uniformly in diameter, area and/or distance from a center line of the optical path as the distance increases further and further from an object-side surface of the lens 102 on an object side of the lens 102 in a direction away from the image end of the optical assembly. The linear and/or uniform increase in diameter of the hood 304 may also change smoothly or abruptly from a first rate to a second slower rate at a distance from the object-side surface of the lens 102 that is between about a tenth and a half of the total hood height, e.g., at a third, fourth or fifth of the total hood height from the object-side surface of the lens 102 on the object side of the lens 102.

Hoods 304 in accordance with alternative embodiments may include different colors, different degrees of diffusivity, opacity, translucency, transmissivity, absorptivity, reflectivity and/or transparency, different sizes in width and/or height, different gradients of increasing width and/or diameter away from an image end of the optical assembly, and/or multiple gradients and/or straight polygonal, hybrid or curved contoured sizes and shapes. Hoods of various height, width and material composition may be used to reduce the amount of unwanted light impacting the image sensor at extreme angles or otherwise that could significantly impact image quality as noise. An attachable and/or removable auxiliary lens assembly 302 in accordance with certain embodiments may include a hood 304 with a rounded body shape with flat or smooth glass.

Figure 5 illustrates a front perspective view of an empty mobile device battery case 508 in accordance with certain embodiments. The empty battery case 508 of Figure 5 defines a recess 509 that is configured in size and shape to securely and comfortably accommodate a mobile device therein such as an iphone or an Android or Samsung device, or another mobile phone or mobile camera-enabled device. Several examples are provided herein of various embodiments of battery cases that are configured for an iphone, while the advantageous features and benefits described in these example embodiments are generally applicable to mobile devices of various shapes, sizes, component architectures and functional capabilities.

A mobile device battery case 508 in accordance with certain embodiments may include a lens attachment interface that also in part or in whole defines a camera aperture or camera-flash aperture. A lens attachment interface 510 may be built into the battery case 508 or may be defined by an attachable component that may include guides or guiding parts that may provide mechanical or visual direction in placing an attachable and removable hooded lens 304 into position along the optical path of the camera module of a mobile device disposed within a battery case 508, such as in the example of Figure 4. A lens attachment aperture 510 in accordance with certain embodiments may be customized for mechanical, electrical and/or optical coupling, and/or for wireless or wired signal coupling, to a particular mobile device or mobile device battery case and may include one or more stops or filters, and may have a shape designed for coupling with a bayonet interface or other mechanical coupling interface of an auxiliary lens 304. A lens attachment aperture 510 may also serve as an optical clipping aperture, and/or may be configured for otherwise blocking, reflecting, redirecting, spectrally filtering and/or absorbing or trapping light.

A battery case 508 may be formed from two different materials that may have been melted and cured together or otherwise blended into a single composite material mold, or double-shot injection molded, or that may be disposed in layers of materials that serve different purposes and thus have one or more different properties such as hardness, elasticity, malleability, durability, deformability, texture, density, or combinations of mechanical and thermal, aesthetic, electrical and/or optical properties. For example, a battery case in accordance with certain embodiments may include a rigid inner layer, e.g., polycarbonate, that has high resistance to being deformed inwardly and significant capacity to maintain its shape under pressure, and a soft elastomeric outer layer that is configured to absorb external impacts by compression in the direction of impact and by spreading laterally away from the impact region such that the inner PC layer experiences a reduced force and is less likely to deform or collapse or become crushed or to otherwise contact or damage the mobile device.

The two or more layers may each be formed from a single uniform, perhaps

monochromatic, material as in the example of Figure 5, that may include a single or composite source material, with or without any volumetric or surface additives, such as glass, metal and/or carbon fibers which may alter one or more aesthetic or mechanical or electrical or thermal properties of one or both material layers of the battery case 508. A battery case 508 with two layers may include a rigid inner layer and a soft, elastic, thermoplastic and/or thermoplastic elastomeric outer layer in certain embodiments, while in other embodiments the battery case 508 may include a soft inner layer and a rigid outer shell or three or more layers. In certain embodiment, a two material layer battery case 508 may include a rigid inner polycarbonate layer or skeleton and a thermoplastic elastomeric or TPE or TPU outer layer. The battery case 508 illustrated in the example of Figure 5 includes a bendable or hingeable zone 512 that facilitates mobile device insertion and removal by bending a few degrees or 10°, or 20°, or 30° or 45° or less such as to permit bottom-first insertion of the mobile device at the bendable zone 512 followed by sliding along or otherwise translating relative to and/or coplanar with a back wall of the battery case 508 until the mobile device is fully inserted without relative rotation other than the bending of the battery case at the bendable zone 512. That is, the mobile device and a back wall of the battery case may remain disposed in approximately coplanar relative disposition during the entire insertion event, thereby preventing bending and gradual weakening of the thin peripheral walls of the battery case during insertion of the device and ensuring that a connector interface, such as a lightning interface, on the bottom peripheral surface of the mobile device, for receiving charge from a wall outlet or other external power source and/or for exchanging data with an external device, is aligned with a complementary lightning connector 514 protruding into the recess 509 from an inner surface of a bottom wall of the battery case 508, such as to automatically couple the mobile device to the lightning connector component 514 when the bottom of the mobile device is slid all the way along the length of the battery case until contact is made with the inner surface of the bottom wall of the battery case.

One or more cutouts 516A as illustrated in the example of Figure 5, and/or one or more perforated quasi-buttons 616B as illustrated in the example of Figure 6, may be provided at positions along any of the four peripheral walls to facilitate actuation of an adjacent button or other controller, switch or actuator on the mobile device. Audio openings 520A, 520B are illustrated in Figure 5, e.g., in two sections on either side of a lightning connector 514. These audio openings 520A, 520B are provided for receiving external sounds, such as from a speaking voice, through an outer front-facing and/or bottom facing surface of a bottom peripheral wall of the battery case 508 to effectively reach a microphone on the mobile device and/or for expelling sounds from an audio speaker on the mobile device.

The battery case 608 is shown in back perspective view with a top section bent a few degrees backward at a bendable zone 612 just sufficient for insertion of the mobile device 621 by sliding in coplanar juxtaposition with the back wall of the battery case 608. The bending of the battery case 608 at the bendable zone 612 by only a few degrees does not cause so much weakening of the battery case at the bendable zone 612 as to compromise the strength and integrity of the battery case 608 as a single piece, two layer protective battery case 608. A perforated quasi-button 616B is provided in the example of Figure 6 at a location that will be adjacent to a mobile device button 617B when the mobile device is fully inserted into the battery case 608. A camera flash aperture 610 is also defined in the back wall of the battery case 608 to permit transmission of light from a camera flash 611 A through the aperture 610 to illuminate an object or scene and to permit transmission of light reflected from the object or scene to traverse an optical path of the camera module of the mobile device to be focused and captured at the image sensor 61 IB of the camera module of the mobile device. The camera flash aperture 610 may include a continuous area cutout as in the example of Figure 6 or may include multiple cutouts such as a first camera cutout and a second, separate flash cutout.

Figure 7 illustrates a battery case 708 having a mobile device partially inserted such that the top of the battery case is rotated a few degrees by hinging at the bendable zone 712. A camera-flash aperture 710 is disposed and configured for advantageous illumination and capture of digital images with the camera module of the mobile device, and also for coupling an attachable auxiliary lens into the optical path of the camera module to enhance one or more imaging characteristics, qualities or capabilities of the camera module 71 IB of the mobile device. A mobile device button, switch, controller or actuator 717A may be manipulated by the user of the mobile device through the cutout 716A, and a pair of perforated quasi-buttons 716B are shown in Figure 7 in proximate disposition along a side wall of the battery case 708 for adjusting a mobile device volume up and down by actuating, respectively, separate up and down volume control buttons on the mobile device.

Figure 8 illustrates a mobile device battery case 808 that has a mobile device 821 fully inserted into a recess 809 that may be form fit approximately to receive the shape of the back wall and four peripheral walls of the outer housing of the mobile device 821. The battery case 808 of Figure 8 defines a window or opening in a front wall of the battery case 808 in certain embodiments that has at least an approximately same size and shape as a touch screen display on the mobile device which itself occupies substantially the front surface of the mobile device, such that only a thin periphery overlaps the front surface of the mobile device just at the very edges of the mobile device in certain embodiments the extent of overlap is not more than the thickness of the outer wall of the mobile device housing. Alternatively, the battery case 808 may not have a front wall or front facing surface at all, and instead may have only a back wall and four peripheral side walls. The battery case 808 defines audio in and/or audio out cavities 820A, 820B in a front-facing strip of surface at the bottom of the battery case 808 on either side of a lightning connector interface 814. A further audio in and/or audio out cavity 830 is defined in this example embodiment in a bottom facing outer peripheral surface. Figure 9 illustrates a front perspective view of a mobile device battery case that has a mobile device fully inserted into a recess that may be form fit approximately to receive the shape of the back wall and four peripheral walls of the outer housing of the mobile device, in accordance with certain embodiments. The fully inserted mobile device includes a touch screen user interface that is fully user accessible. A digital data and electrical power interface recess, e.g., lightning recess connector, that is centered within the bottom peripheral side surface of the mobile device is accessible in the example of Figure 9 through a compatible connector recess that is also centered within the bottom peripheral side surface of the battery case.

In addition, a first pair or first pairs of front-facing case audio openings and/or a pair of bottom-facing audio openings 920A, 920B are defined on either side of the lightning connector interface 914, to transmit sounds both to a microphone and from a speaker that are disposed on either side of the lightning connector interface recess on the device and directed outward from the outer surface of the bottom peripheral side wall of the mobile device, wherein although not shown in Figure 9, a similarly spaced second pair of audio openings are defined in the top facing surface of the bottom case wall each immediately proximate one of the microphone and speaker components of the mobile device. The volumes of space between the first and second pairs of audio openings is configured in certain embodiments for transmission, rather than absorption or scattering, of sounds transmitting those paths. In certain embodiments, those paths include air- filled volumes that may approximate hollow rectangular, L-shaped or T-shaped volumes, in accordance with alternative embodiments.

Figure 9 also illustrates a camera shutter button 923 and/or an user interface button 923, wheel 923, touchpad 923, or a wired or wireless coupling interface configured for connecting an external user input device through the lightning connector 914 to command the mobile device to capture photos, open apps, adjust settings, edit, share, direct and/or control the mobile device by tapping, scrolling, turning, swiping or otherwise haptically actuating the UI button 923. The UI button 923 is advantageously positioned at a traditional location for a camera shutter button 923 at a top peripheral surface on the right side at a comfortably accessible location for actuation by a right index finger of a mobile device user.

Figure 10 illustrates schematically an exploded view of a mobile device battery case 1008 that is configured in accordance with certain embodiments for protecting an inserted mobile device from drops, shocks, shakes and/or other localized impact events by advantageously overmolding a rigid inner material layer 1032, that may include double shot injection molded polycarbonate and/or a PC/PBT blend, with an soft overmold material layer 1038, that may include double shot injection molded thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or TPU. The battery case 1008 also provides a reliable auxiliary lens interface for enhancing image capture quality and/or capability.

The battery case 1008 also includes a rechargeable case battery 1060 that automatically electrically connects to and charges an inserted mobile device in need of recharging. The case battery 1060 advantageously automatically significantly increases a total mobile charge that is available to an inserted mobile device. In alternative embodiments, the case may be waterproof or airtight or configured with an architecture of stiffener components, carbon fibers, graphene and/or glass fibers to protect the mobile device from crush events at depths in water or from other protracted pressure events, or may be otherwise customized for particular persons, conditions and/or events as may be requested by a user and/or predicted for the user by social media and/or by data tracking.

The battery case 1008 in the example of Figure 10 includes external data/power connector 1014 or lightning connector 1014, audio openings 1020A, 1020B, and a shutter button 1023 A, each having been introduced above with reference to alternative embodiments. Figure 10 further illustrates a shutter switch flexible printed circuit (FPC) 1023B, a button bracket 1023C and a FPC assembly 1023D which couples the shutter button 1023A through button cavity 1023E to the lightning connector 1014 to permit communication of user input shutter button commands to the mobile device, e.g., to control a camera module UI, for manipulating presets and post-capture editing and other image capture control, display, storage, management and/or sharing.

The shutter button 1023A may be connected to control the mobile device using a C12B FPC assembly to hot bar solder a C12 controller to the printed circuit board (PCB) 1064 of the mobile device case 1008. The PCB 1064 may include a C37 female connector, a case battery level indicator LED, a tact switch and/or ground spring contacts. An IO trim 1062 may be formed from CNC machined aluminum.

A bottom chin enclosure component 1066 may be provided at the bottom of the case 1008. The chin enclosure 1066 may have been formed by a process including single or double shot injection molding of polycarbonate. For example, a first shot may provide a PC clear mold, and a second shot may provide a light pipe for transmitting light from a case battery level indicator LED. A top chin enclosure component 1068 may have also been formed by a process including injection molding of polycarbonate. The top chin component 1068 may include a die cut acoustic mesh 1070 and die cut closed cell foam acoustic gaskets 1072.

A battery form 1074 may be die cut closed cell foam added to a back side surface of a case battery 1060. A battery cover 1076 may include stamped 0.25mm metal that is securely encloses the battery 1060 within a user-inaccessible battery compartment that is locked down with multiple screws and/or adhesives or other measures for securing the battery 1060 out of sight within a permanently sealed battery compartment. A cosmetic die cut matte black label may be coupled to a back surface of the metal battery cover 1076.

A capture plate 1042 is also illustrated in Figure 10. The capture plate 1042, alone or in combination with a catch mechanism such as a spring clip 1044, are coupled to an image-facing surface of rigid layer 1032 at a bottom edge of a periphery that defines a lens attachment aperture 1010 in accordance with certain embodiments for facilitating optical precise, mechanically stable coupling of an auxiliary lens 102, 304 at an object end of a camera module to improve the imaging capability of the built-in camera module optics of the mobile device. In certain embodiments, the spring clip may 1044 be heat staked to an imaging facing surface of a rigid case material layer 1032 at a bottom edge of a lens attachment aperture 1010 which also may serves as a camera-flash opening. The capture plate 1042 may be ultrasonically welded to an image facing surface of the spring clip 1044.

Figure 11 illustrates schematically an exploded view of a mobile device case 1108 that is configured in accordance with the battery case of Figure 10, except the case 1108 of Figure 1108 does not include a case battery for automatically powering an inserted mobile phone when the charge on the mobile device runs out. The case 1108 of Figure 11 does include a bendable region 1112 to facilitate insertion of the mobile device into a case 1108 including a TPE/TPU material layer 1138 that has a continuous, closed peripheral side wall and a first rigid material layer section 1132A above the bendable region 1112 and a second rigid section 1132B below the bendable region 1112, as well as the chin enclosure 1166, 1168 which could be counted as a third rigid section 1132C. The case 1108 also has a lens attachment aperture 1110 that may have a capture plate 1142 and/or spring clip 1144 coupled to the inner surface of a first rigid region 1132A at an edge of the aperture 1110 on the image side. The case 1108 of Figure 11 also includes a shutter button 1123 A and button bracket 1123C for communicating commands to the mobile device as described with reference to Figure 10. Figure 12A illustrates a battery case 1208 A that has a long skinny battery 1260 A and a long skinny open space alongside including the entire left side of the case 12108 A in front view that is partly occupied by a UI dial 1223F which adds scrolling capability, similar to mouse- wheel scrolling, by turning the dial 1223F. The battery case 1208B of Figure 12B includes a short chubby battery 1260B and an open space 1279B at the bottom of the battery case 1208B that is partly occupied by the UI dial 1223F. The battery case 1208C of Figure 12C includes a battery 1260C that occupies the entire battery compartment space and thus has reduced thickness or more charge if same thickness. The battery case 1208C uses the button 1223A instead of the more bulky yet more versatile dial 1223F of Figures 1208 A, B.

Figure 13A illustrates a battery case 1308A that has a long skinny battery 1360A and a long skinny open space alongside including the entire left side of the case 1308 A in front view that is partly occupied by a UI dial 1323F which adds scrolling capability, similar to mouse- wheel scrolling, by turning the dial 1323F. The battery case 1308B of Figure 13B includes battery 1360A and open space 1379A which is entirely open and not partly occupied by the dial 1323F as in the example of Figure 13A. The battery case 1308B may optionally have a shutter button 1323A as described with reference to Figure 10. Figure 13C includes a chubby battery 1360B and leaves a bottom volume of the case 1308C devoid of any battery or dial.

Figures 14A-14B illustrate side views of a rigid material layer 1432 that is configured for a two material layer battery case that also may include a soft outer layer and/or alternatively a soft inner layer or a soft interlaced layer and/or soft interlocking layer having outer sections for protection against drops and inner sections that may be configured to directly cushion an inserted mobile device to avoid damage or data error or losses from a shaking event. Figures 14A-14B show top rigid section 1432A and bottom rigid section 1432B that are connected by a thin bendable rigid material region 1412.

Figures 15A-15B are front and rear perspective views, respectively, of a mobile device battery case 1508 that includes a single rigid material case body layer 1532 with a top rigid part 1532A, that defines a lens attachment aperture 1510, and a bottom rigid part 1532B and a bendable region 1512 coupled between the top and bottom sections 1532A,B and coupling sections 1532A, B together as a single rigid case body component 1532. Nonetheless, the top part 1532A can be rotated around the bendable region 1512 as an axis of rotation as far as to form obtuse angles even approaching completely folding the top part 1532A onto the bottom part 1532B, particularly in embodiments that include only a thin soft layer or no soft layer. The bendable region 1512 in the embodiment of Figures 15A-15B is so thin that bending is easy at the bendable region 1512 but is strong in its ability to resist torsion, tearing, stretching, creasing, crumpling or separating from either of the top rigid part 1532A or the bottom rigid section 1532B.

The battery case 1508 is shown in Figure ^λ 15A with battery cover 1576 providing an opaque, secure battery compartment enclosure that is not expected to be opened, nor to have the battery or anything else removed from it nor to have anything placed into it at any time during the lifetime of the battery case 1508. The battery cover 1576 is affixed by multiple screws and/or alternatively bolts with lock-nuts and in certain embodiments the battery cover 1576 is spot welded, heat staked and/or ultrasonically welded, or riveted together with polycarbonate and/or thermoplastic to seal the rechargeable case battery (see battery 1060 of Figure 10) within the battery compartment connected to a power connector across which data may also be communicated.

The thin metal battery cover 1576 in the example embodiment of Figure 15A has approximately a same width as the case 1508 and has a height that is shorter than the bottom section 1532B height by a distance between the bottom elastomer peripheral wall of the battery case 1508 and the bottom wall of the rechargeable case battery compartment. This space at the bottom of the battery case 1508 of Figures 15A-15B contains an assembled chin enclosure including top chin section 1566 and a bottom chin section 1568 that are joined to define by enclosure a path for sound to travel from outside the battery case 1508 to a microphone at the bottom of the inserted mobile device and from an audio speaker also at the bottom of the inserted mobile device and out of the battery case 1508 to an ear or an external microphone.

Figures 16A-16C illustrate variations of battery cases 1608 that include one-piece rigid material layer component 1632 that includes a top section 1632A defining a lens attachment aperture 1610 with capture plate 1642 and/or spring clip 1644, step or other catch component in certain embodiments and bottom section 1632B that includes a battery compartment with a rechargeable case battery for powering an inserted mobile device that would otherwise be useless with a dead battery. A bendable section 1612 serves to join the top and bottom sections 1632A, 1632B and permits insertion of a mobile device into the case by sliding in approximately coplanar juxtaposition with the plane of the back wall of the case 1608. The rechargeable case battery 1660 is connected to a connector that can charge a mobile device when it has run out of charge and can be plugged into the wall outlet for recharging the mobile device first and then the rechargeable case battery 1660. The rechargeable case battery compartment 1660 shown in cross-sectional partial side view in Figure 16C is bolted and/or tightly-screwed shut in four or five or six or more locations although only one screw, rivet or bolt 1680 is shown in the partial side view of Figure 16C.

Figures 17A-17B schematically illustrates perspective and front views, respectively, for another battery case 1708 A in accordance with certain embodiments. The case 1708 A includes a hinge 1712 or bendable region 1712 that is centered left side wall to right side wall on the battery case 1708, but the hinge 1712 has significantly less width than the battery case 1708, e.g., 25%, 30%, 35%, 40% or 45% less width than the battery case 1708A. The hinge 1712 is formed from hard plastic such as polycarbonate and may include a cross hatch pattern to resist tearing or deforming in response to unevenly applied external forces that may exert torsional or rotational stresses. The narrower width of the hinge 1712 permits torsional rotations without tearing at the ends.

Figures 17C-17D schematically illustrate a battery case that includes a top cap 1732 that couples together with a bottom section 1738 at multiple snaps ^λ 1782 on either left or right peripheral sides of the case 1708B. A mobile device may be inserted into the case 1708B when the top cap 1732 is unsnapped from the bottom section 1738, and the mobile device may be securely enclosed within the case 1708B when the cap 1732 is snapped back together with the bottom section 1738 by coupling the snaps 1782 together. Although not seen in Figures 17B- 17D, the case battery is disposed under the battery covers 1776A-1776B, respectively, and connected to an interface for receiving charge from a wall outlet and for providing charge to an inserted mobile device when charge is needed or requested or determined to be needed either by a case monitoring circuit or an external circuit or as shown on a battery level indicator.

Figure 18A illustrates a cut-away side view of a bottom section of a mobile device battery case that includes lightning interface connector components in accordance with certain embodiments. The battery case 1808 of Figures 18A-18B includes a lightning connector 1814 that a properly inserted mobile device will automatically electrically and mechanically connect to. A rechargeable case battery 1860 is connected electrically and mechanically to a

programmed or programmable three way connector 1884 that serves as a control intersection for (i) the mobile phone through the lightning connector 1814, (ii) for the rechargeable and recharging case battery 1860 through a feedthrough connection 1885 from inside a sealed and opaque rechargeable and recharging case battery compartment 1860, and (iii) for an external power and/or external data exchange interface 1886. Figure 18B illustrates a partial cut-away front view of the mobile device battery case of Figure 18 A. Figure 19A illustrates a partial cross-sectional side view of a mobile device battery case 1908 including a rechargeable case battery charge level indicator LED 1989 in accordance with certain embodiments. The LED 1989 is coupled to a main PCB 1964 in this example that includes a circuit for monitoring a charge level of a rechargeable case battery that Is not shown in Figures 19A-19B. The LED 1989 is hooked up to the rechargeable case battery and feels the precise voltage level of the case battery. The LED 1989 is electroluminescent such that ground state carriers within the LED can jump up to a higher energy state, but not to higher energy states than the voltage on the case battery multiplied by the charge of an electron. As the case battery voltage decreases more and more higher energy states are excluded for transitioning because the energy gap between the excited state or higher energy state is simply greater than the product of the case battery voltage and the charge value of the carriers. As blue photons have higher individual energies than green or yellow photons which have higher energy than red photons, it is not surprising that the LED will glow green when the case battery is fully charged and change to yellow and then orange and then red and then dead as the voltage on the rechargeable case battery gets lower and lower.

A light pipe 1990 is optically coupled at one end to the output of the LED 1989. The light pipe 1990 is mechanically coupled to the PCB 1964. The other end of the light pipe is directed towards an exit cavity 1992. A user can tell what the approximate charge level of the case battery is by looking at the exit cavity and determining what color the light is that is coming out of the cavity 1992 having travelled to the exit cavity 1992 along the light pipe 1990 upon emission from or exiting from the LED device 1989 and at the other end.

Figure 19B illustrates a bottom view of the mobile device battery case of Figure 19A. A charge port 1914 and audio cutouts 1920A and 1920B are disposed left and right of the charge port 1914. A position of the charge indicator cavity 1992 may be selected from any position not already adapted for another purpose, and in this case the LED cavity 1992 is disposed just right of the left audio cutout 1920 A at the bottom of the battery case 1908.

A battery case may in certain embodiments include a single multicolor case battery level indicator LED 1989, and no other light sources, although a camera-flash aperture and open front face allow light from a camera flash and touch screen display of an iphone to get out. The optical path of light from the battery case power level indicator LED may be completely transparent within the emission spectrum of the LED 1989. There may be additional case material disposed between the exit surface of the battery level indicator LED 1989 and an inner surface of an outer wall of the case housing and a cavity in the case housing such that the optical path can be made to be approximately completely transparent.

The optical path of light emitted by LED 1989 may include a polycarbonate resin light pipe 1990 within a battery case housing. The PC light pipe 1990 may be particularly selected for its diffusive properties although polycarbonate can be prepared with various optical properties depending on the application. The PC light pipe 1990 may be used as a diffuser in the battery case and may have a substantially flat, zero absorption spectrum at all visible wavelengths 400- 800nm (and well into the infrared to around 1 lOOnm). See, e.g., Figure 1.38 on page 43 of Laser Welding of Plastics (chapter 1 : Material Properties of Plastics) by Rolf Klein, published in 2011 by Wiley and incorporated by reference, for a transmission spectrum of PC.

A battery case may include a light controller operably coupled to the LED 1989 other than the rechargeable case battery which is the power source for the LED 1989. The light controller may permit user adjustment of intensity, color or pattern of emitted and/or viewed LED light and/or a viewing angle or a pattern of light output from multiple LEDs in certain embodiments. The LED 1989 may be coupled electrically to the rechargeable case battery and may emit spectra that may vary only based upon the voltage level of the rechargeable case battery. A battery case in certain embodiments does not include a separate light controller nor any additional control of the output of the LED 1989, which may depend entirely on the rechargeable case battery voltage as its power source which varies solely on its percentage level of full charge. A PC light pipe 1990 may be disposed on a PC board next to an exit face of a battery level indicator LED 1989 or coupled to the exit face of the LED 1989 inside a back wall of a battery case housing,

Figures 20A-20F schematically illustrate alternative bottom chin insert enclosures 2066 in accordance with certain embodiments. These bottom chins 2066 are configured for coupling with top chin counterpart sections 2068. The combined counterpart top chin 2066, bottom chin 2068 enclosures are configured for disposition at the bottom of a battery case 2008 in certain embodiments, within a relatively small volume (see elements identified with reference numerals 566, 568 in Figure 5, 866,868 in Figure 8, , 966, 968 in Figure 9, 1566, 1568 in Figure 15, 1766, 1768 in Figure 17, 1866, 1868 in Figure 18, for example ). These combined chin enclosures are configured to transmit and direct sounds to ears, microphones and/or recording devices and are configured to be shaped around the lightning connector or other power/data interface that feeds through the center of the bottom volumes of battery cases in certain embodiments that contain a chin combination enclosures for transmitting sounds along quasi-closed paths within the chin enclosures between audio openings in the case and audio openings in the inserted mobile device.

Figure 21 illustrates a shutter button for a mobile device battery case in accordance with certain embodiments. A shutter button 2123A which is directly touched and actuated by a user is not shown in Figure 21 as being disposed on the outermost surface, but see Figures 9- 13 A, 17A, and 17C, including the shutter button elements identified by reference numerals ending in "23" or particularly "23 A." A microswitch 2123B, bracket 2123C, and FPC 2123D are all shown in Figure 21 (and, e.g., Figure 10) as part of an UI assembly that permits direct UI control of the inserted mobile device as an alternative to touch screen UI control provided with certain battery cases in accordance with certain embodiments described herein. Once FPC 2123D is properly coupled to the lightning connector or other such charge/data connector (see, e.g., 1014, 1114, 1814 in Figures 10, 11 and 18, respectively), particularly those that connect directly with an inserted mobile device enclosed within the battery case.

Figures 22A-22B illustrate front views of a mobile device battery case with a two stage camera shutter button 2223 in accordance with certain embodiments. Figure 23 C shows a UI dial 2223 that functions like other embodiments of shutter buttons 2223 but also provides scrolling or mouse-wheel navigation by turning the dial in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figures 23 A-23B illustrate shutter button switches 2323 or mobile device control UI switches 2323 for controlling an inserted mobile device with a UI control switch that is built into a mobile device battery case in accordance with certain embodiments. Each switch 2323 includes a shutter button 2323 A, a microswitch 2323B, a bracket 2323C, and a flexible printed circuit (FPC) 2123D. The brackets 2323C may be securely coupled to the polycarbonate shell of a battery case in certain embodiments at a location that defines complementary bracket-to-PC coupling components 2190.

Figures 24A-24B illustrate cross-section partial side views of mobile device battery cases

2408A, 2408B each including an attached auxiliary lens 2402A, 2402B in accordance with certain embodiments. Figure 24A schematically illustrates an auxiliary lens 2402A, 2402B coupled to a lens attachment aperture 241 OA, 2410B, respectively. A capture plate 2442 and spring clip 2444 are coupled to an image-facing TPE/TPU surface at an edge of a lens attachment aperture 241 OA in Figure 24 A. Figure 24B illustrates a bayonet interface of an attachable auxiliary lens 2402B may be outside a camera stack up such that one millimeter may e saved over the embodiment of Figure 24A wherein the bayonet is in the camera protrusion stack up due to a design choice relating to the width of certain components that are disposed around lens attachment aperture 241 OA, 241 OB

Figure 25 illustrates a partial perspective rear view of a mobile device battery case 2508 including an auxiliary lens attachment aperture 2510 and a bendable region 2512 or hinge 2512 is provided by thinning a polycarbonate or other rigid material layer 2532 that is disposed beneath the elastomer 2538 shown in the example of Figure 25 in accordance with certain embodiments. The sideways hourglass shape of the lens attachment aperture 2510 is formed in the rigid material layer 2532 in certain embodiments around the camera and flash components of the mobile device that is disposed within the case 2508.

The lens attachment aperture 2510 may be in certain embodiments configured such that when an auxiliary lens (not shown in Figure 25, but see Figures 1-3) is coupled to the lens attachment aperture 2510, the auxiliary lens is automatically precisely located and stably coupled within an optical assembly, including one or more lenses, of a mobile device camera module, that also includes an image sensor disposed approximately coplanar with a focal plane of the optical assembly, upon locking the auxiliary lens into position by rotation or translation of the lens through a catch or trap location or for example until the auxiliary lens meets a mechanical barrier to further movement.

In certain embodiments, an auxiliary lens includes a bowtie-shaped or otherwise elongate-shaped interface coupling that can be easily inserted through the aperture 2510 when the bowtie or the elongate-shaped interface coupling of the attachable lens has its long axis aligned approximately in parallel and with a direction of translation of the lens, with the bowtie or other elongated auxiliary lens coupling leading, toward the aperture 2510 ideally within a plane defined by translation of either long axis toward the other. The bowtie or other elongate shaped component is then translated straight through the aperture 2510 until a capture plate (see components 2642, 2742 and 2842 that are found respectively at Figures 26B, 27B, and 28A, and 1042 of Figure 10) is encountered

Figures 26A-26B illustrate partial back and front perspective views of a mobile device battery case 2608 including an auxiliary lens attachment aperture 2610 in accordance with certain embodiments. A bayonet cutout 2661 is defined in a peripheral edge 2663 of the lens attachment aperture 2610, so that a bayonet interface component may be rotated to align an elongated bayonet edge with an elongated direction of the lens attachment aperture 2610 to penetrate the aperture 2610. Then, the bayonet may be turned to couple the auxiliary lens in overlapping manner beneath the peripheral edge 2663 that defines the narrow dimension of the lens attachment aperture 2610. A capture plate and spring clip 2644 may be used to guide and stop the movement of the auxiliary lens with bayonet shaped interface coupler, or formed with another elongate or irregular polygon and/or curved shape, that is not a circle, and/or to otherwise penetrate the aperture 2610 in a first orientation and then rotate to a second orientation for tripping a catch 2651 and securing the auxiliary lens into position to enhance the imaging quality and/or capability of the mobile device.

Figures 27A-27B illustrate partial back views of a mobile device battery case including an auxiliary lens attachment aperture 2710, a capture plate 2742 and spring clip 2744 with a catch 2651 in accordance with certain embodiments. A bayonet shaped coupling interface 2770 includes a pair of bayonet edges 2771 A, 2771B. The bayonet was inserted through the aperture 2710 in an orientation that was rotated by π/2 radians or 90° from that shown in Figure 27A. When the bayonet edge 2771 A made contact with the capture plate 2742, translational movement was stopped and the bayonet was rotated to the position shown in Figure 27A fixed behind the latch 2751 or spring clip 2744. Figure 27B indicates a direction of movement of the catch 2751 as the bayonet edge 277 IB rotated into the locked position shown in both Figures 27 A and 27B.

Figure 28 illustrates a cut-away side view of another mobile device battery case 2808 with attached auxiliary lens 2802 with hood 2806 in accordance with certain embodiments. A rechargeable case battery 2860 is shown beside an inserted mobile device and connected to charging interfacing 2862 for providing charge flow across the lightning connector 2814 and into the mobile device to charge the mobile device.

Figure 29 illustrates a side gate capture plate 2942 in accordance with certain

embodiments. Figures 30A-30P illustrate an example assembly process for an example mobile device battery case in accordance with certain embodiments.

Many different embodiments of a protective battery case for a mobile device have been described. A protective case for a mobile device in accordance with additional embodiments may include one or more of the following features. A protective battery case for a mobile device may comprise a one-piece protective case made of a single, uniform TPE/PC composite material using double shot injection molding. Alternatively, a battery case may include two or more layers. A soft elastomer layer may be overmolded onto a rigid material layer, wherein the two material layer battery case still comprises a one-piece case.

A charger for a battery case may be contained entirely within a one-piece, single TPE/PC or TPU/PC or TPU blend/PC composite material protective case that extends entirely around five sides of an inserted phone or other mobile device. A battery case may be disposed in a wholly enclosed compartment that is fixed shut, such that the battery is not visible even when no phone is inserted within the case,

The rechargeable case battery may be secured within a battery compartment such that the case battery is not readily removable. Preferably, there should be one or more screws that would have to be removed using a screwdriver to open the battery compartment and remove the battery from the case, or the battery compartment may be sealed or locked shut in another way that takes multiple steps and preferably a tool such as an alien wrench or a screwdriver is required.

In alternative embodiments, a case battery or battery pack may be visible, accessible or readily removable or replaceable, or combinations thereof. In some of these alternative embodiments, one or more replaceable case batteries are used to power or recharge the mobile device when the mobile device runs out of charge, while in other embodiments, a durable rechargeable case battery is used that may be readily accessible or replaceable or not.

In certain embodiments, the battery case has a uniformly dark black or deep blue color. For example, a Matte black or midnight blue color may be uniform for the whole visible outer elastomer layer of the case. An inner edge of case material that defines a camera-flash aperture may have a same dark color as the rest of the case and a lens attachment aperture may be formed from the same case material. The color of the periphery around the lens attachment aperture and/or a camera-flash opening, or one or none or both may be darker or lighter in color around an inner edge of the camera-flash aperture and/or lens attachment interface than the rest of the case.

An additive may be mixed with the thermoplastic or polycarbonate material during a single or double shot injection molding process of forming the single material, or soft outer layer of a two or more layer design, or double shot injection molding of a uniform PC/thermoplastic composite. The additive would accordingly include a volumetric additive and could serve one or more functional and/or aesthetic objectives, such as strengthening the battery case material by adding glass fibers or carbon fibers or other fibers or elongate nano, molecular, micro and/or macro sized particulates or strengthening components. Another characteristic, attribute or physical parameter of all of part of a battery case such as an electrical, thermal, mechanical or chemical property may be adjusted using a volumetric additive. A surface additive may alternatively or additionally be introduced on an outer case surface as a finish or protective coating, layer, film or particulate additive , or as an aesthetic option for a user.

A camera-flash aperture and/or a lens attachment interface of a battery case in certain embodiments may include a bevel or may appear to include a bevel or may be defined by a straight, uniform peripheral edge from outer to inner surface. A camera-flash aperture may be formed in a soft outer material layer that is a uniform cutout, while a separate lens attachment interface may have a bevel or customized shape to fit an auxiliary lens coupling component, and may have a built-in or integral capture plate and/or catch or spring clip, or may be coupled permanently or temporarily at a peripheral edge of a lens attachment aperture to facilitate coupling with an attachable lens and/or to enhance a precision and/or stability of alignment and/or relative disposition within an optical assembly of a camera module of a mobile device that is inserted within the case.

An outer surface dimension of a camera-flash aperture, with or without lens attachment interface coupled or integrated therewith, may be larger or smaller or a same size as the same inner surface dimension of the camera flash aperture. In certain embodiments, the outer dimension may be larger particularly for a reduction optical system and vice-versa for an optical assembly that provides magnification of small objects such as a microscope objective. In certain embodiments, the inner or outer dimensions of both a camera flash aperture and lens attachment interface may be larger, smaller or the same. The lens attachment aperture will typically be smaller than a camera flash opening, or may include a segment that protrudes into the camera flash opening, e.g., as in embodiments that include a capture plate.

A certain surface dimension of a camera-flash aperture of the case, with or without the lens attachment interface coupled or integrated therewith, may include a single cutout and no light isolation mechanism protruding between the camera and flash components on the camera module of the device, or a camera and flash may be separated for a particularly mobile device or certain imaging applications may produce enhanced images when separate camera and flash openings are used to transmit out of the battery case flash illumination and/or receive into the battery case focusing component rays for forming images on a camera module image sensor and presenting them on a display.

An otherwise hollow case volume may have disposed therein a chin combination to enhance sound propagation and/or reduce noise for sounds generated from a speaker and/or received at a microphone of the mobile device. The sound propagation pathway or pathways provided by the chin combination may comprise sound reflecting inner and outer wall surfaces, wherein care may be taken not to use sound absorbing materials on the inner surfaces, although if volume is not an issue than the chin combination enclosure may be configured to enhance the sounds by including sound dampening areas or surfaces along a sound path from a mobile device speaker and/or to a mobile device microphone. A battery case in certain embodiments may include a set of one or more inner case audio openings immediately proximate iphone or other mobile device speakers and/or a speaker or speakers and a mic. Another set of outer case audio openings may be defined in the outer wall of the battery case, which may be small and irregularly shaped due to component clutter or may be similar in size to the inner audio openings and/or may be larger such as to expand or compress the sound depending on which direction through the chin enclosure that the sound is propagated. A battery case may include inner case audio openings and outer case audio opening that face perpendicular or parallel directions, such as a case with downward facing inner audio openings and outer audio opening that are defined in a front surface, bottom surface, one or two side surfaces or rear surface, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, inner and outer audio openings respectively face downward from the bottom and out of the front, and these may be spaced apart by between 1.0mm and 8.5 mm in certain embodiments. The shape of the sound path provided by a chin combination may be rounded or boxy with or without any rectangular or equivalent sides.

A battery case in certain embodiments may be entirely open in the front such that an entire front surface of an inserted mobile device is directly accessible and not overlapping by any front surface area of the case, or an overhang may overlap a peripheral edge of a front surface of a mobile device without actually forming a front surface. A peripheral wall may be continuous and form a closed path that snugly fits a mobile device periphery. The battery case may elastically or frictionally grip or overlap a front surface periphery of an inserted mobile device such as by overhanging the phone around the entire periphery or one or more opposed pairs of periphery segments, and any part of the entire lengths of the top and bottom and left and right sides may participate to hold the mobile device in a form fit recess defined at a front wall or front facing surface of a front or back wall of the battery case. A back side of a battery case may have one or more small or large windows or cutouts for built-in components such as a display or a USB or other power, data, wired, wireless, satellite or other antenna or communications or network interfacing transmitter, receiver, UI, audio or visual or other display components. In certain embodiments, the battery case has a solid continuous back wall, except for a hidden or otherwise inaccessible rechargeable battery compartment or a camera-flash aperture or a lens attachment aperture or a case battery voltage or charge level indicator LED cavity or audio opening, or combinations thereof.

In certain embodiments, a spring or elastic component may be heat staked or otherwise coupled in place between two rigid material layer components to provide a compression tendency to a portion of the case and/or between the two rigid material layer components in certain embodiments. This spring in these embodiments may be configured to provide an enduring grip around the periphery of the phone, or particularly at the top of the phone to counter any stretching wearing around a hinge region or bendable zone that permits insertion of the mobile device without removing a top, bottom or side peripheral wall portion for that purpose, or a top, bottom, left side or right side peripheral wall segment of a battery case may be removable and reattachable such as by providing a first hinge for rotating a peripheral segment out of the way to permit insertion of a mobile device after which the peripheral segment is rotated back into place. A coupling or locking mechanism may be included at an opposite end of the rotatable peripheral segment as the first hinge for securing the segment within the periphery of the battery case.

A battery case in certain embodiments may include a processor or a switch for opening and closing an electrical connection between the rechargeable case battery and a mobile device battery. In certain embodiments, when a phone is inserted into the battery case and connected to a lightning connector or other power connector, the rechargeable case battery may be

automatically connected to the phone and charging the phone. A battery case may include a voltage or current monitoring circuit and trigger certain events when certain levels are measured. The battery case in certain embodiments does not monitor any electrical quantities or data, while in other embodiments, a mobile device battery charge level is monitored by the battery case so that when the battery case is plugged into a wall outlet, the phone battery is recharged first until the phone battery level is fully charged, and then the case battery is recharged.

A battery case in certain embodiments includes no user-actuatable switch interfaces, neither for actuating a power switch, nor particularly for manipulating volume switches, a silent mode switch or a power button of the mobile device or a shutter button, dial, wheel, touchpad or other UI device that may be wired or wirelessly coupled to the mobile device for controlling the mobile device.

A battery case may define apertures in a back wall such as a camera-flash aperture and/or a battery level indicator LED cavity, which are small, off-center and neither circular nor matching a shape of the outer periphery of the case in certain embodiments. A relatively small camera flash aperture may have a chamfered shape and a very small single LED cavity may be off-center defined in the back wall or in one or the four side peripheral walls, and may be defined in the front face, bottom face or a side wall of the bottom peripheral segment, of a battery case in certain embodiments. A battery case in certain embodiments includes a substantially continuous back wall and outer peripheral wall portions and encloses a rechargeable battery for charging an inserted device, a PCB with or without a processor, one or more lightning connectors or power and/or data connectors, chin combination components, auxiliary lens attachments and interface components, a three way intersection interface for coordinating flow of charge and/or data between the battery case, the mobile device and external power and/or data sources outside the battery case.

A battery case in certain embodiments may optionally include a Bluetooth radio and/or a wifi receiver/transmitter and/or another kind of wireless or wired communication, for facilitating communication of text and/or data between a battery case in accordance with certain

embodiments and an insert mobile device and/or an external device.

A battery case in certain embodiments may include multiple materials of different shapes, sizes, rigidity, texture, elasticity, or other parameter may be coupled together in abutting relationship to enclose a mobile device. A single composite material layer for a battery case may be made by single or double shot injection molding. Two sections of a battery case may be integral with each other or adjacent to each other or overlapping each other or coupled together directly or via a coupling interface component or coupling process.

In certain embodiments, a battery case may charge an inserted mobile device whenever the device is plugged into the battery case. Alternative battery case embodiments include a switch for manually starting and stopping charge flow, and or for directing charging to one or multiple devices that connected together. In another embodiment, a battery case can have multiple devices that connected respectively at multiple charge/power connectors available within multiple mobile device compartments within the battery case. In some of these embodiments, the battery case may have a UI for determining which device to charge or for setting charging priorities for charging certain devices (ipod, iphone, ipad, iwatch) from the rechargeable case battery or from the wall outlet, and/or for setting priorities for charging from certain charging sources (e.g., battery case 1, battery case 2, wall outlet, laptop 1).

A battery case may use a wire connection to charge an inserted mobile device, and/or may use induction or wireless charging. A battery case in accordance with several illustrated embodiments may include a form fitting design. For engineering purposes, a battery case may purposefully include a 0.1mm gap or a 0.5mm or less gap in certain areas to allow for manufacturing and material tolerance. A battery case may be form fit to a phone or other mobile device, or alternatively spaced may be provided for adding cushions that may be removed and replaced with other optical or UI components. A battery case may have cushions with flanges extending beyond an outer battery case wall.

A battery case may have an earbud aperture or two earbud apertures and/or USB, lightning, or other connector interfaces for peripheral and/or accessory items. A battery case may be configured to couple to a stand or vehicle mount accessory and/or a mount accessory may be built into the battery case or carried in a compartment.

While an exemplary drawings and specific embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated, it is to be understood that that the scope of the present invention is not to be limited to the particular embodiments discussed. Thus, the embodiments shall be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive, and it should be understood that variations may be made in those embodiments by workers skilled in the arts without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In addition, in methods that may be performed according to preferred embodiments herein and that may have been described above, the operations have been described in selected typographical sequences. However, the sequences have been selected and so ordered for typographical convenience and are not intended to imply any particular order for performing the operations, except for those where a particular order may be expressly set forth or where those of ordinary skill in the art may deem a particular order to be necessary.

A group of items linked with the conjunction "and" in the above specification should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping in accordance with all embodiments of that grouping, as various embodiments will have one or more of those elements replaced with one or more others. Furthermore, although items, elements or components of the invention may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated or clearly understood as necessary by those of ordinary skill in the art.

The presence of broadening words and phrases such as "one or more," "at least," "but not limited to" or other such as phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. The use of the terms "system" or "assembly" does not imply that the components or functionality described or claimed as part of the assembly are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of a system, e.g., a case and a lens attachment interface may be combined in a single package or separately maintained and may further be manufactured, assembled or distributed at or through multiple locations. In addition, all references cited above and below herein, as well as the background, invention summary, abstract and brief description of the drawings, are all incorporated by reference into the detailed description of the preferred embodiments as disclosing alternative embodiments. Several embodiments of point action cameras have been described herein and schematically illustrated by way of example physical, electronic and optical architectures. Other point action camera embodiments and embodiments of features and components of point action cameras that may be included within alternative embodiments, may be described at one or a combination of U.S. patents nos. 7,612,997, 8,244,299, 8,593,745, 8,843,177, US published patent applications nos. 2006/0124676, 2012/0282977, 2014/0071547, 2014/0226268,

2014/0071547, 2013/0063554, 2010/0253826, 2009/0299813, 2002/0000689, 2001/0121116, 2009/0089842, 2008/0276293, 2008/0271105, 2008/0271104, 2008/0172708 and/or European patent no. EP2613448.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A one-piece, two material layer protective battery case for coupling around a mobile device that includes a miniature camera module, comprising:

a one-piece rigid material layer case skeleton that includes a bendable region coupled between a lens attachment interface section and a battery compartment section;

a one piece elastomeric material case housing formed over the skeleton that includes a back wall and a continuous peripheral side wall defining a mobile device recess that is shaped to receive a mobile device enclosing back and side walls of the mobile device, wherein said one piece elastomeric case housing encloses therein said one-piece rigid material layer case skeleton and has defined therein an open front, window or front wall opening configured for accessing a touchscreen display of the mobile device, a power connector interface aperture for connecting to external power and communicating data, and a camera lens aperture configured to permit coupling of an auxiliary lens to the lens attachment interface for capturing digital images with the miniature camera module;

a rechargeable case battery coupled within the battery compartment section and configured to power the mobile device when the mobile device is low on battery power or is out of battery power;

a power connector interface connected to the rechargeable case battery and configured for providing electrical recharging of the mobile device and rechargeable case batteries, and for communicating data;

wherein said bendable region comprises a hinge permitting rotation of the lens attachment interface section relative to the battery compartment section for sliding insertion of the mobile device into the mobile device recess defined in the elastomeric case housing.

2. The battery case of claim 1, wherein said mobile device recess is form fit to receive the back and side walls of an outer housing of a mobile device.

3. The battery case of claim 1, wherein said open front, window or front wall opening has an approximately same size and shape as a touch screen display on the mobile device.

4. The battery case of claim 3, wherein said open front, window or front wall opening has an approximately same size and shape as a front surface of the mobile device

5. The battery case of claim 4, wherein said peripheral side wall of said elastomeric case housing comprises a thin periphery that overlaps the front surface of the mobile device not more than a thickness of the peripheral side.

6. The battery case of claim 4, wherein said elastomeric case housing includes no front wall nor front facing surface at all.

7. The battery case of claim 4, wherein said elastomeric case housing only includes said back wall and continuous peripheral side wall.

8. The battery case of claim 1, wherein said bendable region of the skeleton comprises less rigid material per unit length than either of said lens attachment interface and battery compartment sections.

9. The battery case of claim 1, wherein said bendable region of the skeleton is thinner than either of said lens attachment interface and battery compartment sections in the plane of the back wall or normal to the plane of the back wall or both.

10. The battery case of claim 1, wherein said elastomeric material case housing comprises less elastomeric material per unit length over said bendable region than over said battery compartment section.

11. The battery case of claim 1, wherein said elastomeric material case housing comprises less elastomeric material per unit length over said lens attachment interface section and bendable region than over said battery compartment section.

12. The battery case of claim 1, wherein said bendable region is configured to permit insertion of said mobile device by sliding in approximately coplanar juxtaposition with the plane of the back wall of the battery compartment section of the case without removing a section of the continuous peripheral side wall.

13. The battery case of claim 1, wherein said bendable region comprises between 25%- 45% less width from left side wall to right side wall than the battery compartment section.

14. The battery case of claim 1, wherein said bendable region is centered on, and thinner than, the battery compartment section from left side wall to right side wall.

15. The battery case of claim 1, wherein the one-piece rigid material layer skeleton case comprises polycarbonate.

16. The battery case of claim 1, wherein the one-piece rigid material layer skeleton case comprises a rigidity of at least a texture MT-1 1010.

17. The battery case of claim 1, wherein said bendable region of the skeleton comprises a cross hatch pattern that is configured to resist tearing or deforming in response to torsional or rotational stresses.

18. The battery case of claim 1, wherein said bendable region of the skeleton is at least 25%) thinner from back to front of the case than the battery compartment section.

19. The battery case of claim 18, wherein said bendable region of the skeleton is also at least 25%) thinner from back to front of the case than the lens attachment interface section.

20. The battery case of claim 18, wherein said bendable region of the skeleton is also at least 25%o thinner from left side wall to right said wall of the case than the battery compartment section.

21. The battery case of claim 20, wherein said bendable region of the skeleton is also at least 25%) thinner from left side wall to right said wall of the case than the lens attachment interface section.

22. The battery case of claim 1, wherein the bendable region of the skeleton comprises a spring or other elastic component heat staked or otherwise coupled to provide a compression tendency between said lens attachment interface and battery compartment sections of the skeleton.

23. The battery case of claim 1, further comprising a catch for locking the lens attachment interface and battery compartment sections relatively rotated at the bendable region during insertion of the mobile device.

24. The battery case of claim 1, wherein said bendable region is configured for hinging said lens attachment interface and battery compartment sections to form an angle of 45° or less.

25. The battery case of claim 1, wherein said power connector interface is disposed at a periphery location for coupling with a complementary connector port of the mobile device as a catch at the end of the sliding insertion for automatically coupling the mobile device to the power connector interface for receiving charge from a wall outlet or other external power source or for exchanging data with an external device, or both.

26. The battery case of claim 1, wherein the lens attachment interface comprises a capture plate and a catch for locking said auxiliary lens in stable optical alignment with the miniature camera module.

27. The battery case of claim 1, comprising an arrangement of elements configured to have a center of gravity approximately at an image capture grip location of the case housing when the mobile device is inserted into the mobile device recess.

28. The battery case of claim 1, further comprising a case processor and electrical circuit components that are configured to detect the presence of an auxiliary lens coupled stably in said optical alignment with said miniature camera module.

29. The battery case of claim 28, wherein said case processor is programmable in accordance with a lens recognition process, selectable precapture settings or post-capture image editing or combinations thereof.

30. An auxiliary optical assembly for a mobile device that includes a miniature camera module, comprising:

a removable lens assembly including a lens holder, a lens coupled to the lens holder, and a coupling interface; and

a battery case as in any of claims 1-29.

31. A mobile camera system, comprising:

a camera-enabled, mobile device; including a miniature camera module embedded within the mobile device including a built-in lens and an image sensor for capturing digital images; a mobile device processor configured for processing the digital images;

a mobile device display for viewing the digital images; and

an auxiliary optical assembly as in claim 30.

32. A mobile camera system, comprising:

a mobile device display for viewing the digital images;

a battery case as in any of claims 1-29; and

an auxiliary lens coupled to the lens attachment interface and stably aligned along the optical path of the miniature camera module.

33. A one-piece, one composite material layer protective battery case for coupling around a mobile device that includes a miniature camera module, comprising:

a one-piece, one material layer case housing comprising a polycarbonate and

thermoplastic elastomer composite material that includes a bendable region between a lens attachment interface section and a battery compartment section;

wherein said one-piece, one composite material layer case housing comprises a back wall and a continuous peripheral side wall defining a mobile device recess that is shaped to receive a mobile device enclosing back and side walls of the mobile device, wherein said one piece one material layer case housing has defined therein an open front, a window or front wall opening configured for accessing a touchscreen display of the mobile device, a power connector interface aperture and a camera lens aperture for connecting an auxiliary lens to the lens attachment interface;

34. The battery case of claim 33, wherein said mobile device recess is form fit to receive the back and side walls of an outer housing of a mobile device.

35. The battery case of claim 33, wherein said open front, window or front wall opening has an approximately same size and shape as a touch screen display on the mobile device.

36. The battery case of claim 35, wherein said open front, window or front wall opening has an approximately same size and shape as a front surface of the mobile device

37. The battery case of claim 36, wherein said peripheral side wall of said case housing comprises a thin periphery that overlaps the front surface of the mobile device not more than a thickness of the peripheral side.

38. The battery case of claim 36, wherein said case housing includes no front wall nor front facing surface at all.

39. The battery case of claim 36, wherein said case housing only includes said back wall and continuous peripheral side wall.

40. The battery case of claim 33, wherein said bendable region of the case housing comprises less composite material per unit length than said battery compartment section.

41. The battery case of claim 33, wherein said bendable region of the case housing is thinner than said battery compartment section in the plane of the back wall or normal to the plane of the back wall or both.

42. The battery case of claim 33, wherein said bendable region of the case housing comprises less composite material than each of said lens attachment interface section and battery compartment section.

43. The battery case of claim 33, wherein said bendable region is configured to permit insertion of said mobile device by sliding in approximately coplanar juxtaposition with the plane of the back wall of the battery compartment section of the case without removing a section of the continuous peripheral side wall.

44. The battery case of claim 33, wherein said bendable region is 25%-45% thinner front to back wall than the battery compartment section.

45. The battery case of claim 33, wherein said bendable region of the case housing comprises a cross hatch pattern that is configured to resist tearing or deforming in response to torsional or rotational stresses.

46. The battery case of claim 33, wherein said bendable region of the case is at least 25% thinner from back to front of the case than the battery compartment section.

47. The battery case of claim 46, wherein said bendable region of the case is also at least 25%) thinner from back to front of the case than the lens attachment interface section.

48. The battery case of claim 33, wherein said one piece, one composite material layer housing comprises a double shot injection molded housing.

49. The battery case of claim 33, further comprising a spring or other elastic component heat staked or otherwise coupled to the case to provide a compression tendency between said lens attachment interface and battery compartment sections of the case.

50. The battery case of claim 33, further comprising a catch for locking the lens attachment interface and battery compartment sections relatively rotated at the bendable region during insertion of the mobile device or coplanar after insertion of the mobile device, or both.

51. The battery case of claim 33, wherein said bendable region is configured for hinging said lens attachment interface and battery compartment sections to form an angle of 45° or less.

52. The battery case of claim 33, wherein said power connector interface is disposed at a periphery location for coupling with a complementary connector port of the mobile device as a catch at the end of a sliding insertion of the mobile device for automatically coupling the mobile device to the power connector interface for receiving charge from a wall outlet or other external power source or for exchanging data with an external device, or both.

53. The battery case of claim 33, comprising an arrangement of elements configured to have a center of gravity approximately at an image capture grip location of the case housing when the mobile device is inserted into the mobile device recess.

54. The battery case of claim 33, wherein the lens attachment interface comprises a capture plate and a catch for locking said auxiliary lens in stable optical alignment with the miniature camera module.

55. The battery case of claim 33, further comprising a case processor and electrical circuit components that are configured to detect the presence of an auxiliary lens coupled stably in said optical alignment with said miniature camera module.

56. The battery case of claim 55, wherein said case processor is programmable in accordance with a lens recognition process, selectable precapture settings or post-capture image editing or combinations thereof.

57. An auxiliary optical assembly for a mobile device that includes a miniature camera module, comprising: a removable lens assembly including a lens holder, a lens coupled to the lens holder, and a coupling interface; and

a battery case as in any of claims 33-56.

58. A mobile camera system, comprising:

a mobile device display for viewing the digital images; and

an auxiliary optical assembly as in claim 57.

59. A mobile camera system, comprising:

a mobile device display for viewing the digital images;

a battery case as in any of claims 33-56; and