Enhanced information handling device cover

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10516816-B2
Application number	US-201414547734-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 19, 2014
Priority date	Nov 19, 2014
Publication date	Dec 24, 2019
Grant date	Dec 24, 2019

Abstract

One embodiment provides a system, including: an information handling device comprising a camera; and a cover for the information handling device, comprising: a movable area obscuring and exposing the camera; at least one button controlling activation of the camera; and a communication mechanism facilitating communication between the cover and the information handling device. Other aspects are described and claimed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system, comprising:
an information handling device having an integral camera, wherein at least one lens of the integral camera is located on a side substantially opposite a display side of the information handling device; and
a removable cover for the information handling device, wherein the removable cover comprises a section covering at least a portion of the side having the lens, comprising:
a movable area of the section of the removable cover, the movable area comprising a corner of the section and the movable area obscuring and exposing the at least one lens of the camera and controlling activation of camera software associated with the camera upon exposure of the lens, wherein the activation of the camera software comprises displaying operating functions associated with the camera software on a display device of the information handling device;
at least one button integral to the movable area and controlling a function of at least one of: the camera and the camera software, wherein the at least one button is on a side of the movable area facing outwards with respect to the information handling device when the movable area is folded down and exposing the at least one lens; and
a communication mechanism integrated into the removable cover and facilitating communication between the removable cover and the information handling device, wherein the facilitating communication comprises communicating a signal from the at least one button to the information handling device to perform the function.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one button is integrated into the movable area.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controlling a function of the activated camera comprises actuating the shutter of the camera.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controlling a function of the activated camera software comprises starting a video capture mode of the camera.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein an actuation of the at least one button for a predetermined duration activates a capture mode.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the cover further comprises a zoom control for the camera.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the zoom control is selected from the group consisting of: a switch, a mechanical slider, a capacitive sensor, and multiple buttons.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the cover further comprises a toggle controlling a capture mode of the camera.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the cover further comprises a flash.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the information handling device comprises a second flash.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the communication mechanism comprises a system which communicates using a short range wireless communication protocol.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the communication mechanism comprises electrical connectors which are coupled to the information handling device using a connection port on the information handling device.

13. A method, comprising:
receiving, through a communication mechanism operatively coupled to a removable cover for an information handling device, a user input, the user input comprising exposing a lens of a camera integral to the information handling device, wherein the lens of the camera is located on a side substantially opposite a display side of the information handling device, wherein the removable cover comprises a section covering at least a portion of the side having the lens, wherein the exposing comprises the user operating a movable area of the section of the removable cover, the movable area comprising a corner of the section, and wherein the exposing activates camera software associated with the camera upon exposure of the lens, wherein the activation of the camera software comprises displaying operating functions associated with the camera software on a display device of the information handling device;
receiving a user input from at least one button integral to the movable area controlling at least one function of at least one of: the camera and the camera software, wherein the at least one button is on a side of the movable area facing outwards with respect to the information handling device when the movable area is folded down and exposing the at least one lens, wherein the received user input actuates a shutter of the camera, wherein the user input from at least one button provides a signal, communicated through the communication mechanism to the information handling device, to perform the function; and
receiving, using a processor, the image captured by the camera responsive to actuation of the shutter.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the activating the camera comprises automatically starting a capture mode of the camera.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the activation of the camera software comprises starting a video capture mode of the camera and wherein the image comprises a continuous image feed.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the user input comprises an actuation of the button for a predetermined duration for activating a capture mode of the camera.

17. The method of claim 13 , further comprising receiving a user input actuating a zoom control for the camera.

18. The method of claim 13 , further comprising receiving a user input actuating a toggle controlling the capture mode of the camera.

19. A device, comprising:
a processor;
a communication mechanism operatively coupled to the processor;
a camera operatively coupled to the processor;
a memory device that stores instructions executable by the processor to:
receive, through the communication mechanism, a user input, the user input comprising exposing a lens of the camera, wherein the lens of the camera is located on a side substantially opposite a display side of the device, wherein the user input comprises operating a movable area of a section of a removable cover on the device, the section covering at least a portion of the side having the lens, the movable area comprising a corner of the section, and wherein the exposing activates camera software associated with the camera upon exposure of the lens, wherein the activation of the camera software comprises displaying operating functions associated with the camera software on a display device of the information handling device;
receiving a user input from at least one button integral to the movable area controlling at least one function of at least one of: the camera and the camera software, wherein the received user input actuates a shutter of the camera, wherein the at least one button is on a side of the movable area facing outwards with respect to the information handling device when the movable area is folded down and exposing the at least one lens, wherein the user input from at least one button provides a signal, communicated through the communication mechanism to the information handling device, to perform the function; and
receive the image captured by the camera responsive to actuation of the shutter.

20. A removable cover, comprising:
a section covering at least a portion of a side of an information handling device, the side comprising a lens of a camera of the information handling device and the side being substantially opposite a display side of the information handling device;
a movable area of the section of the removable cover, the movable area comprising a corner of the section and obscuring and exposing the lens and controlling activation of camera software associated with the camera upon exposure of the lens, wherein the activation of the camera s

Assignees

• Lenovo Singapore Pte Ltd

Inventors

• Luttrell Wesley Abram
• Osborne Christopher Miles
• Schantz Daniel Jordan
• Conzola Vincent Charles

Classifications

• A45C11/38

  Camera cases, e.g. of ever-ready type · CPC title

• H04N23/51 Primary

  Housings · CPC title

• H04N23/66 Primary

  Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices · CPC title

• H04N23/60

  Control of cameras or camera modules · CPC title

• H04N5/232

  Electricity · mapped topic