IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,744,979
Granted Patent B2
US 12,744,979 · App. 18/773,098 · Granted Sep 22, 2026

Camera housing with expansion module

Inventor: Nicholas D. Woodman (Big Sky, MT)
Assignee: Woodman Labs, Inc.
H04N23/51G03B17/02G03B17/08G03B17/56H04N23/50H04N23/531H04N23/60H04N23/63H04N23/663G03B2206/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,744,979
App. No.
18/773,098
Granted
Sep 22, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A camera expansion device includes a housing and a power supply within the housing. The power supply is configured to power an imaging device. The camera expansion device includes a securing structure extending from the housing for securing the housing to a separate mounting device and an interface configured to facilitate power transfer between the camera expansion device and the imaging device.

Claims (50)

1 . A camera system comprising:

a camera comprising:

a camera body;

a microphone located within the camera body;

a lens window connected to a front face of the camera body wherein the lens window comprises a waterproof seal that assists in maintaining the camera as waterproof;

a first fastening structure;

a first connector that is a groove in the camera; and

a shutter button;

an expansion module that is detachably coupled to the camera, the expansion module comprising:

a second connector adapted to fit into the groove of the first connector so that the first connector and the second connector are in communication; and

a second fastening structure connectable to the first fastening structure so that the expansion module is connected to the camera when the first fastening structure and the second fastening structure are connected.

2 . The camera system of claim 1 , wherein the camera includes a microphone.

3 . The camera system of claim 1 , wherein the expansion module includes a display screen that allows stored images, videos, or previews of images from the camera to be displayed.

4 . The camera system of claim 3 , wherein the camera does not have a built-in display.

5 . The camera system of claim 4 , wherein the expansion module includes display control logic that adds display functions to the camera because the camera does not include the built-in display.

6 . The camera system of claim 1 , wherein the second connector is reciprocal to the first connector so that the second connector fits into the groove within the camera.

7 . The camera system of claim 6 , wherein the expansion module comprises an expansion function button.

8 . A camera system comprising:

a camera comprising:

a camera body;

a microphone located within the camera body;

a lens window connected to a front face of the camera body wherein the lens window comprises a waterproof seal that assists in maintaining the camera as waterproof;

a first connector that is a groove in the camera; and

a shutter button that is configured to operate the camera;

an expansion module that is detachably coupled to the camera, the expansion module comprising:

a second connector adapted to fit into the groove of the first connector so that the first connector and the second connector serve to both secure the expansion module to the camera body and provide an electrical connection between the expansion module and the camera body when the expansion module is coupled to the camera;

a display screen that allows stored images, videos, or previews to be displayed; and

an expansion function button that is configured to operate the expansion module.

9 . The camera system of claim 8 , wherein the camera further comprises a first fastening structure, and wherein the expansion module further comprises a second fastening structure that is configured to connect the expansion module to the camera when the first fastening structure and the second fastening structure are connected.

10 . The camera system of claim 8 , wherein the first connector electrically connects the camera with the expansion module via the second connector.

11 . The camera system of claim 8 , wherein camera includes an internal battery.

12 . The camera system of claim 11 , wherein the display screen is detachable and the expansion module comprises an expansion battery that supplements the internal battery when the expansion battery is added to the camera.

13 . A camera system comprising:

a camera comprising:

a camera body;

a lens window connected to a front face of the camera body, wherein the lens window comprises a waterproof seal that assists in maintaining the camera as waterproof;

a first connector located on a back face of the camera body; and

a shutter button that operates the camera;

an expansion module that is detachably coupled to the camera, the expansion module comprising:

a second connector that is reciprocal to the first connector so that the second connector is adapted to secure the first connector so that the camera body and the expansion module are secured together;

a display screen that displays stored images, videos, or previews;

and

a microphone configured to capture audio when the camera captures images.

14 . The camera system of claim 13 , wherein the camera comprises an internal battery and the expansion module comprises an expansion battery that is configured to be added to the camera when the display screen is detached.

15 . The camera system of claim 14 , wherein the camera does not have a built-in display.

16 . The camera system of claim 13 , wherein the camera and the expansion module snap together to form a connection via a first fastening structure of the camera and a second fastening structure of the expansion module.

17 . The camera system of claim 16 , wherein the first fastening structure and the second fastening structure are detachably coupled so that the first fastening structure is detachable from the second fastening structure, and the shutter button is covered by a pliable material so that the shutter button is configured to be manipulated through the camera body.

18 . The camera system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more securing structures that are configured to secure the camera to mounting devices.

19 . The camera system of claim 8 , wherein the expansion module is a door that covers a back face of the camera.

20 . The camera system of claim 13 , wherein first connector is a female portion and the second connector is a male portion that is configured to extend into the female portion to both secure the expansion module to the camera body and provide an electrical connection.

Assignments (4)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 4, 2025
From: GOPRO, INC.
To: FARALLON CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.L.C., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 072340/0676 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 4, 2025
From: GOPRO, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 072358/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 30, 2024
From: WOODMAN, NICHOLAS D.
To: WOODMAN LABS, INC.
Reel/Frame 069077/0516 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 30, 2024
From: WOODMAN LABS, INC.
To: GOPRO, INC.
Reel/Frame 069276/0419 →
Continuity (11)
Continuation 17331171 · May 26, 2021
Continuation 16516846 · Jul 19, 2019
Continuation 16426065 · May 30, 2019
Continuation 15612917 · Jun 2, 2017
Continuation 15187708 · Jun 20, 2016
Continuation 14132554 · Dec 18, 2013
Continuation 13665594 · Oct 31, 2012
Continuation 13469926 · May 11, 2012
Division 12498890 · Jul 7, 2009
Provisional Application 61078756 · Jul 7, 2008
Related Publication 20250047961A1 · Feb 6, 2025
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