Abstract:
Examples of cases and other accessories for mobile electronic devices are provided. Some cases are provided to protect mobile electronic devices from unintended forceful contact that could otherwise cause damage to the mobile electronic devices and/or to protect the mobile electronic devices against unwanted and potentially damaging ingress of harmful materials, such as water, dust, dirt, and/other potentially damaging materials. Some cases can include an attachment region that is configured to receive an auxiliary component to be used and/or attached with the mobile electronic device, such as an auxiliary lens or other optical device that can be used and/or attached with an onboard camera of the mobile electronic device.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/936,824 filed on Feb. 6, 2014 and entitled “ACCESSORIES FOR MOBILE DEVICES,” the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made part of this specification for all that it discloses. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     This invention relates generally to cases and other accessories, and specifically to cases and other accessories for mobile electronic devices (e.g., mobile telephones, mobile texting devices, electronic pad devices, laptop computers, desktop computers, gaming devices, and/or devices capable of linking electronically to another device or to a network such as the Internet, etc.) 
     Description of the Related Art 
     In recent years, many advances in computer networking and processing technology have made it possible for mobile devices to include cameras that permit users to capture images. In many cases, these images can be stored, processed, and transmitted. However, there are many design constraints on onboard cameras in mobile devices that can limit the weight, size, expense, shape, adjustability, and overall quality of the lensing systems of such cameras. Consequently, many cameras in communications devices are inadequate for a wide variety of photographic needs and may produce poor quality photographic images. 
     The deficiencies of onboard camera lenses can be addressed by modular or detachable lensing systems. Such lensing systems may be mounted or attached to mobile devices such that one or more auxiliary lenses are positioned substantially over the onboard camera lenses of the mobile devices. The auxiliary lenses can enhance or alter the light that may be captured by the onboard cameras to generate an image. 
     Other accessories may be used with mobile devices, such as protective cases. A case is intended to provide protection for the mobile device, and inhibit wear and/or damage to the mobile device. Conventionally, protective cases cover the exterior of the mobile device, or some portion thereof, to cushion impacts, protect against scratches, etc. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Examples of cases and other accessories for mobile electronic devices are provided. In some embodiments, cases are provided to protect mobile electronic devices from unintended forceful contact that could otherwise cause damage to the mobile electronic devices and/or to protect the mobile electronic devices against unwanted and potentially damaging ingress of harmful materials, such as water, dust, dirt, and/other potentially damaging materials. In some embodiments, cases can include an attachment region that is configured to receive an auxiliary component to be used and/or attached with the mobile electronic device, such as an auxiliary lens or other optical device that can be used and/or attached with an onboard camera of the mobile electronic device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of various inventive features will now be described with reference to the following drawings. Certain comments and descriptions are provided in the drawings as examples, but the comments and descriptions should not be understood to limit the scope of the inventions or to provide the only possible applications, structures, or usage for the illustrated examples. Throughout the drawings, reference numbers may be re-used to indicate correspondence between referenced elements. The drawings are provided to illustrate example embodiments described herein and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates an auxiliary lensing component, a mobile electronic device, and a case for a mobile electronic device attached to a mobile electronic device, the case having an opening configured to receive the auxiliary lensing component or other auxiliary component for use with a mobile electronic device. 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a close-up portion of a corner of the case and mobile electronic device shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2  illustrates another embodiment of a case for a mobile electronic device with an opening, the case being attached to a mobile electronic device. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the case of  FIG. 2  on a mobile electronic device with an auxiliary lensing component in the process of being attached to the mobile electronic device. 
         FIG. 4A-4B  illustrate a rear plan view and a side view of the case and mobile electronic device of  FIG. 2  with an auxiliary lensing component in the process of being attached to the mobile electronic device. 
         FIG. 5A-5C  illustrate a rear plan view and a side view of the case and mobile electronic device of  FIG. 2  with an auxiliary lensing component attached to the mobile electronic device. 
         FIGS. 6-9  illustrate front perspective views of another embodiment of a case for a mobile electronic device in respective opening, adjusting, and retaining stages for preparing to receive an auxiliary lensing component or other auxiliary component for use with a mobile electronic device. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a front perspective view of the case and mobile electronic device of  FIG. 6  in a horizontal orientation with a close-up view of a portion of the underside of the case and mobile electronic device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The present disclosure relates generally to protective cases and other accessories for mobile devices. Many different structures, features, steps, and processes are shown and/or described in discrete embodiments for convenience, but any structure, feature, step, or process disclosed herein in one embodiment can be used separately or combined with or used instead of any other structure, feature, step, or disclosed in any other embodiment. Also, no structure, feature, step, or processes disclosed herein is essential or indispensable; any may be omitted in some embodiments. 
     The terms “mobile electronic devices” and “mobile devices” in this specification are used in their ordinary sense, and include mobile telephones, mobile texting devices, media players, electronic tablet devices, laptop computers, desktop computers, gaming devices, wearable electronic devices (e.g., “smart watches” or “smart eyewear”), and/or mobile electronic communication devices capable of linking electronically to another device or to a network such as the Internet, etc. Some mobile electronic devices include one or more onboard cameras that can be used for various imaging purposes, such as photography and video recording. For example, imaging accessories can be used with a mobile device to stabilize the mobile device, adjust focus, provide light, change angle, and the like. Imaging devices can include a retainer for connecting an imaging device to a mobile electronic device, a lens, a light-modifying device and/or a positioning device (e.g., a lens hood, a camera stand, etc.), a light source, a lens cover, a lens filter, etc. 
     The term “lens” in this specification is used in its ordinary sense, and includes powered lenses (e.g., lenses that focus, magnify, enlarge, or otherwise alter the direction of light passing through the lens), plano lenses (e.g., lenses that are generally planar, lenses that do not taper in thickness, and/or lenses that are not powered), simple lenses, compound lenses, generally spherical lenses, generally toroidal lenses, generally cylindrical lenses, etc. Any imaging device described or illustrated in this specification can include a retainer attached to one or more lenses or optical regions with one or more different features, including but not limited to a constant or variable magnifying lens, a wide-angle lens, a fish-eye lens, a telescopic lens, a macro lens, a constant or variable polarizing lens, an anti-reflection lens, a contrast-enhancing lens, a light-attenuating lens, a colored lens, or any combination of the foregoing, etc. An imaging device can comprise a retainer with a plurality of attachment regions for removably or permanently attaching multiple lenses to the same retainer. For example, in some embodiments, a first lens is attached to a first side of the retainer and a second lens is attached to a second side of the retainer. 
     Protective cases can include a body portion that covers the exterior of mobile devices or some portion thereof to cushion impacts, protect against scratches, and the like. Protective cases can include access regions, including exposed regions, moveable access regions, external actuators, cutaways, or openings for accessing features and components of the mobile device on which the cases are installed, such as one or more onboard cameras, screens, buttons, electrical connectors, lenses, optical elements, etc. However, it can be difficult to attach an accessory or some other auxiliary structure to a mobile device when the mobile device is generally surrounded by the protective case. For example, the protective case may not permit direct access to the mobile device, or the auxiliary structure may be specially sized for attachment to a mobile device with a housing of a particular shape and size. As a result, the auxiliary structure may not fit appropriately on the mobile device when the mobile device is covered by the protective case. In addition, some protective cases may not provide all of the features desired by a user. Some examples of removable accessories for mobile electronic devices (including the Olloclip® lens accessory) that can be used with the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrated and described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,279,544, which is titled “Selectively Attachable and Removable Lenses for Mobile devices” and which issued on Oct. 2, 2012, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     Some aspects of this disclosure relate to protective cases and modular accessories for use with a mobile device. The protective cases can expose one or more areas or components of a mobile device such that an accessory may be used with the mobile device. For example, an auxiliary lensing component may be used with a mobile device when an onboard camera lens, or some portion of the device that includes the camera, is exposed by the protective case. The terms “lensing component” or “lens” or any derivatives thereof and related terms are used in accordance with their customary meanings and includes any optical structure that alters or modifies one or more characteristics of light (including but not limited to magnification, attenuation, darkening, polarization, filtering, reflection, glare, color, image field, image shape, etc.) In some embodiments, an accessory may be added or attached to or used with a mobile device, and the protective case can protect both the mobile device and the accessory while the accessory is in use. For example, a lensing component may be attached to a mobile device, and the device with the lensing component added may be inserted into a protective case. In some embodiments, separate components may be used to protect the accessory and the mobile device (e.g., a protective enclosure for the mobile device and a separate protective component for the accessory). 
     Additional aspects of the disclosure relate to modular accessories that may be used with a protective case and a mobile device. In some embodiments, a case can include at least first and second separable parts. For example, a basic, low-weight, low-profile, foundational, or “sleek” first case part may provide basic protection for a mobile device, generally closely conforming to the exterior shape of the mobile device, while providing a low profile and a low amount of extra bulk and weight to the device. Such a case may be desirable for regular use due to the small amount of bulk and weight that it adds to the device. However, a user may also desire some additional features, such as those provided by larger or heavier cases and accessories, on an as-needed basis. To provide additional features and components to basic, low-profile, foundational, minimal, or “sleek” cases, modular accessories may be added to the cases by way of one or more additional parts, as desired. For example, battery packs, tripod mounts, and the like may be added. In some embodiments, the modular accessories may be added to the mobile device instead of or in addition to a protective case. 
       FIGS. 1-5  show a mobile device  2734 , a protective case  2710 , and an auxiliary lens component  2750 . The protective case  2710  may include a case body with an opening  2712  that is sized and positioned such that one or more components of a mobile device  2734  (e.g., an onboard camera lens  2740  and/or a flash component  2744 ) may be used when the protective case  2710  is installed on the mobile device  2734 . As shown, the case body can have a smooth, curvilinear shape, without a protruding edge or a protruding border. The opening  2712  can have any suitable shape in a particular application. For example, as illustrated, the opening  2712  can comprise one or more curved upper and/or lower sides, which in some embodiments can meet in one or more pointed regions. As shown, the opening  2712  can comprise a tear-drop shape. In some embodiments, as illustrated, the opening  2712  is not a circle. In some embodiments, as illustrated, an upper edge of the opening  2712  generally follows or generally corresponds to the shape of the outer perimeter of a corner region of the case, with a vertical straight portion, a corner portion (which can be curved, as shown), and/or a horizontal straight portion. 
     In some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG. 1A , the opening  2712  may be substantially or entirely surrounded by some portion of the case  2710 , such as a narrow ridge or arch  2711  of case material extending along an upper portion of a side edge and/or a side portion of a top edge (e.g., forming a corner-protecting region, in some instances). In some embodiments, the narrow ridge or arch  2711  forms an attachment region or a portion thereof. As illustrated, the narrow ridge or arch  2711  can have a thickness (between the front and rear faces of the device) that is approximately the same as or no larger than the thickness of the edge region of the mobile electronic device  2734  to which the case  2710  is configured to attach. As illustrated, the upper and/or side edges of the case can comprise an access portion that is thinner or narrower than that rest of the respective upper and/or side edges of the case. In some embodiments, as shown, the attachment region comprises thinner or narrower portions on or along multiple regions of the case, such as at or along a top portion and/or a side portion, forming a corner access region to facilitate removable attachment of an auxiliary component (e.g., an auxiliary lens) in a corner region of the case and/or mobile electronic device. As illustrated, the external outer perimeter of the attachment region can extend along a portion of the outer perimeter of the case, such as along at least a portion of the outermost upper edge and/or outermost side edge of the case. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the front-to-back thickness of the case  2710  (e.g., the distance between the front and back surfaces of the case) can be less in the attachment region  2711  near or generally surrounding the opening  2712  (labeled as T 1  in  FIG. 1B ) than in one or more other regions of the case, such as in another corner (e.g., labeled as T 2  in  FIG. 1B ) or along one or more side portions or edges of the case (e.g., labeled as T 3  in  FIG. 1B ) that are spaced from or adjacent to the opening  2712 . For example, in some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the case at one or more interior side edges  2708  of the opening can have a maximum front-to-back thickness that is greater than the maximum front-to-back thickness of the arch or narrow ridge or attachment region  2711 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the front-to-back thickness along one or more edges, such as a top edge and/or a side edge, of the case  2710  can vary, such as by being narrower along a first portion of the edge (such as in a corner or in a middle region of the edge) than along a second portion of the edge (such as in one or more middle and/or side regions of the edge). For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , T 1  can be less than T 2  and/or less than T 3 . As shown, at least a portion of one or more of the interior side edges  2708  of the opening can be curved. In some embodiments, by providing a thinner attachment region on the case  2710  in the narrow ridge or arch  2711 , as illustrated, the same auxiliary lens component  2748  can be used on a mobile device with or without a case. In some embodiments, as illustrated, the thickness of the case  2710  when attached to the mobile device  2734  in the attachment region  2711  can be sufficiently close to the thickness of the mobile device by itself (e.g., along an edge of the mobile device, as shown) that the retainer portion  2754  can flex or bend, and/or compress slightly more in its interior, if needed, when attaching to a mobile device with a case, while still being configured to maintain a sufficiently tight fit (e.g., a friction fit) when attaching to a mobile device  2734  without a case. The opening  2712  may be configured to facilitate use of additional accessories with the mobile device  2734  when the protective case  2710  is installed, even if such accessories may be designed for use with a mobile device  2734  that has no protective case installed. 
     For example, an auxiliary lens component  2748  may be used in conjunction with an onboard camera lens  2710  of the mobile device  2734  even though the case  2710  is installed on the mobile device  2734 . Any features, structures, steps, or methods of the lens component  2748  may be similar in any respects or the same in any respects as other lens components described herein and/or in U.S. Pat. No. 8,279,544. As shown, the lens component  2748  can include a retainer portion  2754  and a mounting portion  2750 . Various optical elements, such as lenses, lens filters, and the like may be mounted to the lens component  2748  via the mounting portion  2750 . In one specific, non-limiting embodiment, the lens component  2748  may be an Olloclip® 3-in-1 Photo Lens, 4-in-1 Photo Lens, 3-in-1 Macro Lens, or some other auxiliary lens component manufactured by olloclip, LLC in Huntington Beach, Calif. In some embodiments, as illustrated, the attachment region of the case is the portion of the case that is covered or obscured or bounded by the auxiliary lens component or other auxiliary component when such component is removably attached to the mobile electronic device, or to the case, or to the mobile electronic device and to the case. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the opening  2712  of the case  2710  can permit access to a corner area  2742  of the mobile device so that a lens component  2748  can be attached to the mobile device at the corner area  2742 . The lens component  2748  can snap into place and/or be held by a frictional fit without the use of any dynamic mounting structure such as fasteners, clips, etc. on the mobile device  2734 . The opening  2712  may be sized to permit attachment of the lens component  2748  (or some other accessory) to the corner area  2742  of the mobile device  2734  without exposing the corner area  2742  to the environment when the lens component  2748  is attached. For example, the opening  2712  may extend laterally less than or equal to about half of the lateral width of the mobile device or case  2710 , and extend longitudinally less than or equal to about a quarter of the longitudinal height of the mobile device or case  2710 . In some embodiments, the opening  2712  may be about ⅓ the lateral width of the mobile device or case  2710 , and/or about ⅕ of the longitudinal height of the mobile device or case  2710 . In some embodiments, the size and/or shape of the opening may be complementary to the specific accessory to be attached (such as a specific lens component  2748 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2, 3, 4A, and 4B , an access region of the case can comprise an open region, such as an open corner, without an arch or other protective region of case material surrounding or bordering a portion of the access region. In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 2 , and as with the case illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the lens component  2748  may contact, fit against, generally match the contour of, or abut against, an edge  2708  or multiple edges of the opening  2712  when installed on the mobile device  2734 . This contact with the edge  2708  or edges may help to automatically adjust the position of the lens component  2748  when mounted onto the mobile device. The edge  2708  may be sized, shaped, and/or positioned to inhibit or prevent the lens component  2748  from being inserted further onto the mobile device  2734  than is desirable. For example, the edge  2708  and/or the opening itself may facilitate proper alignment of a lens of the lens component  2748  with the onboard camera lens  2740  of the mobile device  2734 . In some embodiments, the attachment between the case and the retainer, or between the case and the mobile electronic device, or among the case, the retainer, and the mobile electronic device, is secure and resists slipping or sliding during normal use. As illustrated, in some embodiments, the attachment region can be configured to receive the auxiliary component in a single slide-on motion using a friction fit, without requiring any dynamic connection (e.g., without requiring a screwing or turning action, or without requiring a clip, a snap, or a slider, etc.) and/or without requiring a magnetic connection. However, any of these of these or other connection means can be used in suitable embodiments. 
     In some embodiments, the edge  2708  of the opening, as illustrated, can be configured to contact, fit against, generally match the contour of, or abut against, the outer edge of the retainer portion  2754  of an auxiliary lens component, along the entire or substantially the entire length of the edge  2708 , on a front and/or rear face of the case  2710 . As shown in the figures, the retainer portion  2754  may abut against the edge  2708  when the retainer portion  2754  is attached to a mobile electronic device  2734  in the case  2710  because the thickness of the mobile electronic device  2734  and case  2710  (from the front face of the mobile electronic device  2734  to the back face of the case  2710 ) at the edge  2708  is greater than the thickness of the mobile electronic device  2734  and case  2710  at the attachment region  2711 . In some embodiments, there is essentially no gap, or there are no substantial gaps, between the outer edge of the retainer portion  2754  and the edge  2708  of the opening  2712 , along the entire or substantially the entire length of the edge  2708 , on a front and/or rear face of the case  2710 . In some embodiments, the opening  2712  may be positioned in different areas of the case  2710 , such as close to or generally aligned with a midpoint of the upper edge of the case  2710 , thus allowing for differently-shaped lens component  2748  and/or different onboard camera lens  2740  locations. 
     In some embodiments, because the case  2710  can ensure proper alignment of the lens component  2748  with the onboard camera lens of the mobile device  2734 , the lens component  2748  does not need to be specially designed for use with the specific mobile device  2734 . Instead, the lens component  2748  can be a more general lens component  2748  configured for use with a range of mobile devices, and the case  2710  for a particular mobile device  2734  can facilitate proper installation and alignment. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 5A-5C , the case  2710  may prevent insertion of the mobile device  2734  all the way into the lens component  2748 , resulting in a void  2760  within the retainer portion of the lens component  2748 . Even though the mobile device  2734  has not been inserted all the way into the lens component  2748 , the lens component  2734  may be properly aligned with the onboard camera lens of the mobile device  2734 . 
       FIGS. 6-10  show another embodiment of a protective case  3210  installed on a mobile device  3220 . In this illustrated example, the protective case  3210  is a “bumper” style case configured to protect the edges of the mobile device  3210  while leaving the front and/or rear face of the mobile device  3210  partially or completely exposed. However, as with all examples in this specification, any structure, feature, step, or process disclosed herein in one embodiment can be used separately or combined with or used instead of any other structure, feature, step, or disclosed in any other embodiment. For example, the protective case  3210  can be a case with a rear face that extends across a rear portion of the mobile electronic device. 
     In some embodiments, as shown, the protective case  3210  includes a first portion  3212  and a second portion  3214 . The first portion  3212  is configured to be movable with respect to the second portion  3214  in order to facilitate use of an accessory with the mobile device  3220 , such as a lens component  3230 . For example, the first portion  3212  may be an arm configured to pivot and/or “swing” away from a first position in which it protects or covers or surrounds a portion of the mobile device  3220  (e.g., a corner portion  3222 ), and toward a second position in which the previously protected or covered or surrounded portion of the mobile device  3220  is exposed. The corner portion  3222  may include a component, such as an onboard camera lens (not shown—on the reverse side of the mobile device  3220 ). When the first portion  3212  is moved away from the corner portion  3222 , an accessory (e.g., a lens component  3230 ) may be removably attached to the mobile device  3220  at the corner portion  3222  (e.g., for use with the onboard camera lens of the mobile device  3220 ). 
     As illustrated, the first portion  3212  can comprise an angled body with an upper portion  3219 , a corner portion  3225 , and a lower portion  3223 . The angled body, or any portion thereof, can be rigid, while still sufficiently flexible to bend as needed to insert a mobile phone within the case  3210 . As shown, the upper and lower portions  3219 ,  3223  can be oriented generally perpendicularly such that each of these portions  3219 ,  3223  converges at the corner portion  3225 . As illustrated in the figures, the corner portion  3225  can comprise a curved region in some embodiments. 
     A mobile electronic device  3220  can be positioned in or attached to the case  3210 . The case  3210  can be configured in a first or standard position. For example, in some embodiments of the first or standard position of the case  3210 , the upper portion  3219  of the first portion  3212  is oriented substantially horizontally and the lower portion  3225  of the first portion  3212  is oriented substantially vertically. In the first or standard position, an end of the first portion  3212  is removably attachable to an end of the second portion  3214 , and the first and second portions  3212 ,  3214  are generally aligned along a first vertical edge of the mobile device. The case  3210  in the first or standard position can extend around the perimeter of the mobile device or a portion thereof in a manner that protects the mobile device from damaging contact, such as when the mobile device is dropped or hit against another object. In some embodiments, the case  3210  in the first or standard position can extend all the way around the entire perimeter of the mobile device. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 6-7 , the case  3210  can be moved from the first or standard position to a second or transitory stage by detaching the first portion  3212  from the second portion  3214 , pivoting the first portion  3212  upwardly such that an edge of the first portion moves in generally the same plane as the front face of the mobile device by pivoting the first portion at a first pivot point  3226  on a top edge of the case  3210 . In this transitory stage, a region (e.g., a corner region  3222 ) of the mobile device is exposed outside of or through the case such that one or more auxiliary components  3230  (such as an auxiliary lens) can be brought into functional contact with and/or attached to the case, as illustrated. 
     From there, the first portion  3212  can be rotated around the top edge of the case at a second rotation point on a top edge of the case  3210  until the first portion  3212  is oriented generally parallel with but generally opposite from its initial orientation in the standard position, as shown. The axes of rotation of the first pivot point  3226  and the second rotation point  3228  can be different from each other. In the illustrated example, the axes of rotation of the first and second rotation points  3226 ,  3228  are generally perpendicular to each other. In some embodiments, as illustrated, the first pivot point  3226  and the second rotation point  3228  can be located adjacent to each other or in generally the same location or region on the case  3210 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 8-9 , the first portion  3212  can be moved into a third or component-securing position by pivoting the first portion  3212  back downward until the first portion  3212  is generally aligned along a second vertical edge  3231  of the mobile device that is generally opposite from the first vertical edge of the mobile device, as shown in  FIG. 9 . In some embodiments, the case  3210  can include a securing system that includes one or more securing components that help to secure the lens component  3230  (or some other auxiliary component) in a desired position. For example, the case  3210  may include multiple (e.g., two or more) locking components, such as locking tabs  3216  and  3218 . The locking tabs  3216 ,  3218  may be secured to the case  3210 , and may partially overlap a portion of the lens component  3230  to secure the lens component  3230  in place. In some embodiments, one or more of the locking tabs  3216 ,  3218  may be movable with respect to the case  3210 . For example, a locking tab  3216  may pivot with respect to the second portion  3214  of the case when the first portion  3212  pivots, moving the locking tab  3216  into a retaining position, covering or blocking or locking into a portion of the lens component  3230  to inhibit the removal of the lens component  3230  while the locking tab  3216  is in the retaining position. In this example, a user may pivot the first portion  3212  to expose the corner portion  3222  of the mobile device and attach the lens component  3230 . The pivoting of the first portion  3212  may automatically pivot the locking tab  3216  into a position where the locking tab  3216  can partially overlap or otherwise help secure the lens component  3230 . The user may move the first portion  3212  into a second position with respect to the second case portion  3214 , as seen in  FIG. 9 . In moving the first portion  3212  into the second position, the locking tab  3216  may be urged toward the lens component  3230  to secure the lens component  3230  to the mobile device. This example is just one type of a securing system. Many different types of securing systems can be used with one or more different types of securing components than are illustrated. 
     In some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the second portion  3212  of the case  3210  may be configured to facilitate activation of an actuator (such as a button or some other component) of the mobile device  3220  when in the second position. For example, the second portion  3212  may include an actuator  3240  that allows a user to activate an underlying button of the mobile device  3200 , an aperture that allows access to a button or other actuator of the underlying mobile device  3220 , or the like. This feature can allow a user to activate a photo-capturing procedure or other feature of the mobile device when a portion of the case would otherwise block or impede access to the underlying actuator. In some embodiments, as illustrated, the actuator on the case is larger or in some other way more accessible or easier to use than the underlying actuator on the mobile device. 
     Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. It is also contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combine with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed invention.