A mobile device case for coupling around a mobile device that includes a miniature camera module has defined therein a lens attachment aperture shaped both to permit light from an object to be captured as a digital image to travel along the optical path of the miniature camera module to a built-in image sensor of the miniature camera module of the mobile device, and to facilitate stable coupling of an auxiliary lens in optical alignment with the miniature camera module. The case comprises electric circuit components positioned to balance an attached auxiliary lens approximately at a grip location.

A flash device system for photographic purposes includes: a flash holder having a battery accommodating cavity formed therein; a flash housing hinged onto the flash holder; and a battery, wherein the battery accommodating cavity includes: electrical access contacts; a battery locking protruding element; and a battery locking cavity, wherein the battery locking protruding element and the battery locking cavity are arranged on opposite inner side walls of the battery accommodating cavity and, wherein the battery comprises: electric contacts for engagement with the electrical access contacts in the battery accommodating cavity; a cavity locking protruding element and a cavity locking cavity for engagement with the corresponding battery locking protruding element and battery locking cavity in the battery accommodating cavity. The flash device system can also include a battery charger.

A flash system for an electronic device includes a ring-shaped light guide having a central opening. A camera lens is positioned in or behind the opening. A first light emitting diode (LED) is mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB), and the LED and PCB are encapsulated by a molded light guide of the flash system. An identical LED and PCB are encapsulated at an opposite end of the molded light guide (i.e., 180 degrees away). The back surfaces of each PCB diffusively reflects light from the LED on the other PCB. Light extraction features on the light guide surface uniformly leak out light from the LEDs. The light emission profile of the light guide has a peak axially aligned with the central opening of the light guide and rolls off to the edge of the camera's field of view.

A device for taking images of an article, the device including: a reflective optical system extending around an axis of symmetry, including a recess centered on the axis of symmetry and including at least one reflecting surface facing towards the axis of symmetry; and at least one imager arranged to capture at least one image of at least a portion of the article as reflected by the reflecting surface(s) substantially parallel to the axis of symmetry when the reflective optical system is arranged around the portion of the article.

A flash system for an electronic device includes a ring-shaped light guide having a central opening. A camera lens is positioned in or behind the opening. A first light emittting diode (LED) is mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB), and the LED and PCB are encapsulated by a molded light guide of the flash system. An identical LED and PCB are encapsulated at an opposite end of the molded light guide (i.e., 180 degrees away). The back surfaces of each PCB diffusively reflects light from the LED on the other PCB. Light extraction features on the light guide surface uniformly leak out light from the LEDs. The light emission profile of the light guide has a peak axially aligned with the central opening of the light guide and rolls off to the edge of the camera's field of view.

A mobile device case for coupling around a miniature camera-enabled mobile device a case shutter button mechanism for actuating the miniature camera module of the mobile camera system. A half-press or single tap triggers a precapture settings menu and a full-press or double tap triggers capture of an image.

A mobile device case is configured to facilitate coupling of an auxiliary lens assembly along an optical path of a miniature camera module of a mobile device. A case processor and electrical circuitry embedded within the case are configured to detect the presence of the auxiliary lens assembly that is coupled to the lens attachment interface. A lens recognition sensor is coupled to the case processor and electrical circuitry and is configured to identify the auxiliary lens with a specific lens type.

A mobile device case for coupling around a mobile device that includes a miniature camera module has defined therein a lens attachment aperture shaped both to permit light from an object to be captured as a digital image to travel along the optical path of the miniature camera module to a built-in image sensor of the miniature camera module of the mobile device, and to facilitate stable coupling of an auxiliary lens in optical alignment with the miniature camera module. The case comprises electric circuit components positioned to balance an attached auxiliary lens approximately at a grip location.

A flash system for an electronic device includes a ring-shaped light guide having a central opening. A camera lens is positioned in or behind the opening. A first light emittting diode (LED) is mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB), and the LED and PCB are encapsulated by a molded light guide of the flash system. An identical LED and PCB are encapsulated at an opposite end of the molded light guide (i.e., 180 degrees away). The back surfaces of each PCB diffusively reflects light from the LED on the other PCB. Light extraction features on the light guide surface uniformly leak out light from the LEDs. The light emission profile of the light guide has a peak axially aligned with the central opening of the light guide and rolls off to the edge of the camera's field of view.

A mobile device case is configured to facilitate coupling of an auxiliary lens assembly along an optical path of a miniature camera module of a mobile device. A case processor and electrical circuitry embedded within the case are configured to detect the presence of the auxiliary lens assembly that is coupled to the lens attachment interface. A lens recognition sensor is coupled to the case processor and electrical circuitry and is configured to identify the auxiliary lens with a specific lens type.