Case for mobile communication device with flash and camera controls

Abstract

A mobile device case is formed with a hollow case housing for receiving a mobile device and controlling a mobile device camera therein. The mobile device case has a case connector for electronically connecting the case to the mobile device at insertion of the mobile device into the hollow case housing and at least one camera control actuator for controlling operation of the mobile device camera by generating a control signal that is coupled through the case connector to the mobile device, when the mobile device is present in the hollow case housing. The hollow case housing comprises first and second housing sections that connect with respective tongue and groove elements to form the hollow case housing. The generated control signal is coupled through the case connector to the mobile device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A case for controlling a camera within a mobile device, comprising:
 a hollow case housing configured for receiving the mobile device therein;   a case connector for connecting the case to the mobile device at insertion of the mobile device into the hollow case housing;   at least one camera control actuator for controlling operation of the mobile device camera, when the mobile device is present in the hollow case housing; and   wherein the at least one camera control actuator generates case control signals that mechanically communicated to the mobile device camera, or alternatively, the case further comprises cutouts in the hollow case housing that are positioned to allow exposure of and direct access to mobile device camera actuators, when the mobile device is present in the hollow case housing.   
     
     
         2 . A case for controlling a camera within a mobile device, comprising:
 a hollow case housing configured for receiving the mobile device therein;   a case connector for electronically connecting the case to the mobile device at insertion of the mobile device into the hollow case housing;   at least one camera control actuator for controlling operation of the mobile device camera, when the mobile device is present in the hollow case housing; and   a case controller;   wherein the at least one camera control actuator generates case control signals that are processed by the case controller to responsively generate camera control signals that are communicated to the mobile device camera, when the mobile device is present in the hollow case housing.   
     
     
         3 . The case as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the at least one camera control actuator comprises any of the group consisting of an image capture switch, a zoom control switch, a flash control switch and a camera function activation switch. 
     
     
         4 . The case as set forth in  claim 3 , further comprising a flash strobe. 
     
     
         5 . The case as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the flash strobe is actuated by the at least one camera control actuator and synchronized to exhibit a flash with opening of a shutter of the mobile device camera, when the mobile device is present in the hollow case housing. 
     
     
         6 . The case as set forth in claim.  5 , further comprising a flash controller that manages flash parameters including synchronizing the flash with the opening of the shutter of the mobile device camera. 
     
     
         7 . The case as set forth in  claim 5 , further comprising a flash controller that manages flash parameters, wherein the flash controller is coupled via the case connector to the mobile device camera, which synchronizes the flash with the opening of the shutter of the mobile device camera, when the mobile device is present in the hollow case housing. 
     
     
         8 . The case as set forth in  claim 2 , further comprising a battery unit including a battery and a battery charging port for receiving a connector for recharging the battery. 
     
     
         9 . The case as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the battery unit further includes a battery status indicator mounted in the case housing. 
     
     
         10 . A mobile device case formed with a hollow case housing for receiving a mobile device and controlling a mobile device camera therein, the case comprising:
 a case connector for electronically connecting the case to the mobile device at insertion of the mobile device into the hollow case housing; and   at least one camera control actuator for controlling operation of the mobile device camera by generating a control signal that is coupled through the case connector to the mobile device, when the mobile device is present in the hollow case housing; and   wherein the hollow case housing comprises first and second housing sections that connect with respective tongue and groove elements to form the hollow case housing.   
     
     
         11 . The mobile device case as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the first housing section is formed with an ergonomic grip for improved case handling. 
     
     
         12 . The mobile device case as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the first housing section is formed with cut-out areas in order to allow access through the mobile device case of mobile device camera control actuators when the mobile device is present in the hollow case housing. 
     
     
         13 . The mobile device case as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein one of the cut-out areas comprises a camera lens opening in the hollow case housing. 
     
     
         14 . The mobile device case as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the hollow case housing is formed with plastic or metal. 
     
     
         15 . The mobile device case as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the first housing section includes a flash device that is controlled to flash synchronously with image capture by the mobile device camera, when the mobile device is present in the hollow case housing. 
     
     
         16 . The mobile device case as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the first housing section includes a battery unit that supplies electrical power at least for the flash device. 
     
     
         17 . The mobile device case as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the control signal is coupled through the case connector to the mobile device mechanically. 
     
     
         18 . The mobile device case as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the control signal is coupled through the case connector to the mobile device wirelessly. 
     
     
         19 . The mobile device case as set forth in  claim 10 , further comprising a USB port for insertion of a USB connector to connect directly to a mobile device if present in the mobile device case. 
     
     
         20 . The mobile device case as set forth in  claim 2 , further comprising a USB port for insertion of a USB connector to connect directly to a mobile device if present in the mobile device case.