IP Library Granted Patent US 11,582,341
Granted Patent B2
US 11,582,341 · App. 16/950,903 · Granted Feb 14, 2023

Camera opening for smartphone case to reduce flash glare

Inventor: Markus Diebel (San Francisco, CA)
Assignee: Vinci Brands LLC
H04M1/7246G03B17/02G03B17/56H04B1/3888H04M1/0264H04W52/0296G03B2215/0503Y02D30/70
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,582,341
App. No.
16/950,903
Granted
Feb 14, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A case for portable electronic devices such as smartphones includes a feature to prevent glare from a flash from affecting images and video captured by a camera lens and also may include a battery to extend battery life of the electronic device. Smartphones have telephony, Internet connectivity, and camera and video features. Photos and video may be uploaded through the Internet or sent to other phones. The case has a hole for a camera flash of the smartphone. The edging of the hole is colored black or another dark color to prevent glare from appearing in the photos or video taken by the smartphone when using the camera flash.

Claims (18)

1. A method comprising:

providing a base layer of a case for a portable electronic device, wherein the base layer has an interior side, an exterior side, and a base layer thickness between the interior and exterior sides, and wherein the base layer is oriented in a portrait orientation in a first direction and a landscape, orientation in a second direction;

providing sidewalk transverse to the base layer, wherein the sidewalk extend from the base layer, and wherein the sidewalls and interior side form a compartment configured to reversibly receive a portable electronic device;

providing an opening in the base layer, wherein the opening extends from the interior side to the exterior side of the base layer, and wherein the opening has an opening length and opening width, wherein the opening width is longer than the opening length; and

coupling a ring to the opening, wherein the ring comprises a dark color, wherein the ring comprises a ring inner length and a ring inner width, and wherein the ring inner width is longer than the ring inner length, the ring inner width increases in a direction from the interior side to the exterior side of the base layer, and the ring inner length increases in a direction from the interior side to the exterior side of the base layer.

2. A protective case for reversibly receiving and retaining a portable electronic device, the case comprising:

a base layer that has an interior side, an exterior side, and a base layer thickness between the interior and exterior sides, wherein the base layer is oriented in a portrait orientation in a first direction and a landscape orientation in a second direction;

sidewalk transverse to the base layer, wherein the sidewalk extend fro the base layer, and wherein the sidewalk and interior side form a compartment configured to reversibly receive a portable electronic device;

an opening in the base hoer, wherein the opening extends from the interior side to the exterior side of the base layer, and wherein the opening has an opening length and opening width, wherein the opening width is longer than the opening length; and

a ring coupled to the opening in the base layer, wherein the ring is a dark color, wherein the ring comprises a ring inner length and a ring inner width, and wherein the ring inner width is greater than the ring inner length, the ring inner width increases in a direction from the interior side to the exterior side of the base layer, and the ring inner length increases in a direction from the interior side to the exterior side of the base layer.

3. The case of claim 2 wherein the ring inner width is less than the opening width, and the ring inner length is less than the opening length.

4. The case of claim 2 wherein the ring has a ring outer width that is greater than the ring inner width, and the ring has a ring outer length that is greater than the ring inner length.

5. The case of claim 2 wherein an edging of the ring is rounded.

6. The case of claim 2 Wherein the ring comprises a ring outer length and a ring outer width, and wherein the ring outer length is about constant in a direction from the interior side to the exterior side of the base layer and the ring outer width is about constant in a direction from the interior side to the exterior side of the base layer.

7. The case of claim 2 wherein the ring comprises a ring outer length and a ring outer width, and wherein at least a portion of the ring outer width is greater than a minimum width of the opening width and at least a portion of a ring outer length is greater than a minimum length of the opening length.

8. The case of claim 2 wherein the exterior side of the base layer is a black color and the ring is a black color.

9. The case of claim 2 wherein the ring is a first color, the exterior side of the base layer is a second color, and the first color is darker than the second color.

10. The case of claim 2 wherein the ring is a first color, the exterior side of the base layer is a second color, and the first color is different from the second color.

Assignments (6)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 24, 2025
From: VINCI BRANDS LLC
To: ACS GROUP ACQUISITION LLC
Reel/Frame 070610/0783 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 24, 2025
From: ACS GROUP ACQUISITION LLC
To: VEVEY LLC
Reel/Frame 070610/0873 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 9, 2022
From: ARMOR ACQUISITION LLC
To: VINCI BRANDS LLC
Reel/Frame 059912/0179 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 17, 2021
From: INCASE DESIGNS CORP.
To: ARMOR ACQUISITION LLC
Reel/Frame 058176/0805 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 6, 2021
From: ARMOR ACQUISITION LLC
To: SIENA LENDING GROUP LLC
Reel/Frame 057112/0057 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2021
From: DIEBEL, MARKUS
To: INCASE DESIGNS CORP.
Reel/Frame 057098/0328 →
Continuity (9)
Continuation 16397821 · Apr 29, 2019
Continuation 15857413 · Dec 28, 2017
Continuation 15097212 · Apr 12, 2016
Continuation 13966189 · Aug 13, 2013
Continuation 13894329 · May 14, 2013
Continuation 13622904 · Sep 19, 2012
Continuation 13185200 · Jul 18, 2011
Provisional Application 61365302 · Jul 16, 2010
Related Publication 20210075904A1 · Mar 11, 2021