WO2021182946A1

WO2021182946A1 - Case for a portable electronic communication device

Info

Publication number: WO2021182946A1
Application number: PCT/NL2020/050166
Authority: WO
Inventors: Güven Daniël PAAPST
Original assignee: Paapst Gueven Daniel
Priority date: 2020-03-12
Filing date: 2020-03-12
Publication date: 2021-09-16

Abstract

A case for a portable electronic communication device is provided. The portable electronic communication device may comprise one or more microphones and/or cameras, and the case comprises a case housing providing a chamber for accommodating at least part of the portable electronic communication device, a first attenuation member arranged to attenuate at least one of sound waves and electromagnetic radiation such as light, wherein the first attenuation member is moveably connected to the case housing and is moveable relative to the case housing between an open state and a closed state, such that in the closed state, the first attenuation member is aligned with at least one microphone and/or camera of the portable electronic communication device and in the open state the first attenuation member is not aligned with the at least one microphone and/or camera.

Description

Title: Case for a portable electronic communication device

TECHNICAL FIELD

The aspects and embodiments thereof relate to the field of cases for portable electronic communication devices.

BACKGROUND

Portable electronic communication devices such as smartphones and tablet computers often comprise one or more microphones which can be used for phone calls, video calls, or recording audio. Portable electronic communication devices also often comprise one or more cameras which can be used to take photos and record videos. Cameras may be back-facing or front-facing, wherein the front-facing camera, at the same side as a display screen, can for example be used to take photographs of oneself, so-called selfies.

Because a portable electronic communication device can be expensive and easily damaged, cases are known to provide an extra layer of protection for the portable electronic communication device. These cases may fully surround a portable electronic communication device, or only partly surround a portable electronic communication device, for example leaving open a touch screen.

The cases often comprise one or more openings which align with the one or more microphones and/or cameras comprised by the portable electronic communication device. Hence, for a specific type of portable electronic communication device, a specific type of case may have to be designed to ensure proper alignment of the openings with the one or more microphones and/or cameras of the portable electronic communication device.

By virtue of an alignment between an opening of the case and a microphone, sound waves are not attenuated by the case. By virtue of an alignment between an opening of the case and a camera, light waves are not attenuated by the case. Hence, to be able to use a portable electronic communication device in a case for example to record a video with sound or to interact in a video conference in the same way as if the portable electronic communication device was not provided in the case, any operable microphone and camera should not be attenuated by the case.

If a user wants to put his portable electronic communication device in an enhanced privacy mode, many cover devices are available for selectively obstructing a camera comprised by the portable electronic communication device. US20190369462 Al for example discloses an adhesive cover tab which can be slidingly moved from a closed configuration wherein the cover tab covers a camera opening to an open configuration wherein the cover tab does not visually obstruct the camera opening

SUMMARY

It is preferred to provide a case for a portable electronic communication device comprising one or more microphones and/or one or more cameras. In particular, it is preferred to provide such a case which allows a user to use the full functionality of the one or more microphones and/or one or more cameras whilst also providing the option of selectively substantially disabling the functionality of the one or more microphones and/or one or more cameras.

A first aspect provides a case comprising a case housing providing a chamber for accommodating at least part of the portable electronic communication device, a first attenuation member arranged to attenuate at least one of sound waves and electromagnetic radiation such as light, wherein the first attenuation member is moveably connected to the case housing and is moveable relative to the case housing between an open state and a closed state, such that in the closed state, the first attenuation member is aligned with at least one microphone and/or camera of the portable electronic communication device and in the open state the first attenuation member is not aligned with the at least one microphone and/or camera.

A case is to be understood as an accessory for a portable electronic communication device which at least partially surrounds at least part of the portable electronic communication device, such as a bumper case, sleeve, back cover, flip case, book case, waterproof case, or any other type of accessory. The case may provide protection to specific parts of the portable electronic communication device. However, embodiments of cases are also envisioned which do not provide significant protection to a portable electronic communication devices.

Examples of portable electronic communication devices are phones, smartphones, tablet computers, laptops, or any other electronic device comprising at least one of a microphone and a camera. Hence, portable electronic communication devices may be understood as any device arranged to at least one of record sound and/or video, make a phone call, make a video call, and/or make a photo.

A portable electronic communication device being accommodated in the chamber of the case housing may imply that the case is force coupled to the portable electronic communication device, for example by a snap-fit or clamping connection. Alternatively or additionally, the chamber of the case housing may be connected otherwise to the portable electronic communication device. For example, a glue or adhesive, a suction cup, or any other connection method may be used.

When an attenuation member is arranged to attenuate sound waves, energy is absorbed from sound waves passing through the attenuation member. Hence, a sound wave having passed through the attenuation member, looses energy, or may even not pass through at all when it is blocked by the attenuation member. The level of attenuation may depend on the frequency of the sound waves. In examples, an attenuation member may also be provided to attenuate sound waves for one or more speakers comprised by the portable electronic communication devices. In certain cases, such speakers may also be used as microphones, as a speaker can be used to convert sound waves into an electric signal which may be recorded by the portable electronic communication device.

When an attenuation member is arranged to attenuate electromagnetic radiation such as light, only a part of the light emitted towards the attenuation member may pass through the attenuation member. In embodiments, the light may be blocked and it may hence be prevented that any light passes through the attenuation member. Light is an example of electromagnetic radiation. When only part of the electromagnetic radiation emitted towards the attenuation member passes through the attenuation member, particular bands of wavelengths, such as visible light, infrared light or particular parts of those spectra may be attenuated more than others.

An attenuation member being aligned with a camera may imply that at least part of the attenuation member is placed in a light path between the camera and a field of view of said camera.

Often, one or more microphones comprised by a portable electronic communication device are provided inside a housing of the communication device. One or more through-holes through the housing are provided for sound waves to reach the microphone or microphones. An attenuation member being aligned with a microphone may imply that at least part of the attenuation member blocks or seals such a through-hole or through-holes associated with the microphone.

The closed state of the case may thus correspond to a privacy state, and the open state of the case may correspond to a usable state wherein sound, photos and/or videos may be recorded. The privacy state may be particularly useful when a user of the portable electronic communication device wants to prevent the communication device from recording sound, photos and/or videos.

In certain cases, the portable electronic communication device may record sound, photos and/or videos without consent and/or knowledge of the user, for example when spyware is installed and running on the portable electronic communication device. By being able to close the case and attenuate sound and/or light for the microphones and/or cameras, regardless whether the portable electronic communication device is in a recording state of recording sound, photos and/or videos, recording of such sound, photos and/or videos may be prevented.

Although a software or hardware switch may also be employed to switch of any microphone and/or camera, with the case according to the first aspect, the user can obtain a visual confirmation that sound and/or light is attenuated or blocked from reaching the microphones and/or cameras. Furthermore, when using a software switch, the user can never be really sure that all the microphones and cameras are disabled. Hardware switches may not be present on many portable electronic communication devices, and when they are present, they may be hard to reach and/or prone to failure after to many usages.

In embodiments, the case housing remains substantially in the same position relative to the portable electronic communication device placed in the chamber when the case is manipulated between the open state and the closed state. Hence, the movement of an attenuation member may be relative to the case housing.

Embodiments of the case may comprise any number of attenuation members, for example one, two, three, four, five or more. In particular, the number of attenuation members may correspond to the number of microphones and cameras comprised by a particular portable electronic communication device. When the case comprises more a plurality of attenuation members, the case may comprise a coupling member for coupling a movement between any of the attenuation members. For example, the coupling member may couple a movement of the first attenuation member to a movement of the second attenuation member, such that a movement of the first attenuation member between the open state and the closed state results in a movement of the second attenuation member between the open state and the closed state. By virtue of the coupling member, a user may be able to change the state of the case between open and close more easily.

A second aspect provides an assembly of a case and a portable electronic communication device, comprising a case according to the first aspect, and a portable electronic communication device at least partially provided in the chamber of the case, wherein the portable electronic communication device comprises a first microphone, in the closed state of the case, the first attenuation element is aligned with the first microphone, and in the open state of the case, the first attenuation element is misaligned with the first microphone.

Given a particular portable electronic communication device, the person skilled in the art will be readily able to deduce the shape of the portable electronic communication device and the location or locations of any microphone and/or camera. Hence, using the present description, the person skilled in the art will be readily able to shape the case housing and position any attenuation member to be aligned with a microphone and/or camera in the closed state, and to be misaligned with said microphone and/or camera in the open state.

The portable electronic communication device may be a foldable device, such as a flip phone, folding phone or foldable tablet. For such devices, a case according to the first aspect is envisioned, of which the case housing is arranged to be folded together with the foldable portable electronic communication device. For example, the case housing may comprise one or more hinges corresponding to one or more hinges comprised by the foldable portable electronic communication device. In other examples, for example when the foldable portable electronic communication device comprises two housing parts which can be rotated relative to one another, the case housing may comprise two separate parts. Each separate part may be connected to one of the housing parts of the foldable portable electronic communication device.

As an option, the foldable portable electronic communication device may be folded between a folded state and an unfolded state. Such devices may substantially only be used for recording video, taking photos, and/or recording audio for example during a phone call in only on of the folded state and the unfolded state. As such, the case according to the first aspect may be arranged to be moved between the open state and the closed state when the foldable portable electronic communication device is folded and unfolded.

In particular, the open state may correspond to the unfolded state, and the closed state may correspond to the folded state. As such, when the user unfolds the foldable portable electronic communication device, the one or more microphones and/or cameras become usable. When the user folds the foldable portable electronic communication device, the one or more microphones and/or cameras are attenuated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the figures,

Fig. 1A schematically depicts a portable electronic communication device;

Fig. IB schematically depicts a case for a portable electronic communication device; Figs. 1C and ID show an assembly of a portable electronic communication device and a case, respectively in a closed state and in an open state;

Figs. 2A and 2B show another embodiment of a case for a portable electronic communication device;

Fig. 2C shows an embodiment of an assembly of a portable electronic communication device and a case;

Fig. 2D shows an embodiment of an assembly of a portable electronic communication device and a case;

Figs. 3A and 3B show a rear view of yet another embodiment of an assembly of a smartphone and a case.; and

Figs. 3C and 3D show a side view of yet another embodiment of an assembly of a smartphone and a case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1A schematically depicts a smartphone 100 as an example of a portable electronic communication device, comprising a phone housing 102 which defines an outer shape of the smartphone 100. The smartphone 100 further comprises a touch screen 104, a front facing camera 106, a power button 108, a switch 110, two volume buttons 112, 114, and a front facing speaker 116.

The smartphone 100 further comprises a plurality of microphones, at a first location 121 on a bottom side of the phone housing 102, at a second location 122 on a front side of the phone housing 102, and at a third location 123 on a rear side of the phone housing 102.

The person skilled in the art will readily appreciate that embodiments of portable electronic communication devices may comprise any combination of any of the components described in conjunction with the smartphone 100 depicted in Fig. 1A. In particular, the location of the microphone or microphones may vary for different embodiments of the portable electronic communication device.

Fig. IB schematically depicts a case 200 for a portable electronic communication device, in particular for the smartphone 100 depicted in Fig. 1A. The case 200 comprises a case housing 202 which provides a chamber 204 for accommodating at least part of the smartphone 100. The case 200 further comprises a first attenuation member 211 and a second attenuation member 212. The chamber 202 is substantially provided between the first attenuation member 211 and the second attenuation member 212.

In this particular example, the first attenuation member 211 is arranged to attenuate sound waves, and the second attenuation member 212 is arranged to not only attenuate sound waves, but also to attenuate light and in particular visible light and/or infrared light. As an option, the first attenuation member 211 comprises a sound absorption element 213. The sound absorption element 213 may comprise foam and flexible and/or resilient foam in particular, an elastomer, other, or a combination thereof.

Fig. 1C shows an assembly 300 of the smartphone 100 and the case 200 shown respectively in Figs. 1A and IB. In particular, the case 200 is in a closed state. The smartphone 100 is accommodated in the chamber 204 of the case housing 202. In the closed state, the first attenuation member 211 is aligned with the microphone of the smartphone 100 present at the first location 121. In particular, when present, the sound absorption element 213 is aligned with the microphone at the first location 121. Hence, sound waves migrating through the air near the first location 121 may be attenuated and hence these sound waves may not reach the microphone at the first location 121, or reach this microphone at a significantly lower amplitude level, power level or energy level. Such significantly lower level may make the sound waves inaudible when recorded by the smartphone 100 or even undetectable by a microphone comprised by the smartphone 100. Furthermore, in the closed state of Fig. 1C, the second attenuation member 212 is aligned with the front facing camera 106. The second attenuation member 212 is here arranged to attenuate light, and hence, light radiated towards the front facing camera 106 may be attenuated before it reaches the camera 106, or the light may be fully blocked. Hence, in the closed state, the camera 106 becomes less usable or even unusable for recording video or taking photos. Furthermore, the second attenuation member 212 is aligned with the microphone at the second location 122. By virtue of the alignment, it may be partially or fully prevented that sound waves reach the microphone at the second location 122 through the second attenuation member 212.

With the attenuation members 211, 212 aligned with the microphones at the first location 121 and the second location 122 and the front-facing camera 106, the smartphone 100 may become unusable for recording sound and video. Hence, an enhanced privacy mode is achieved with the closed state of the case 200.

Fig. ID shows the assembly 300 of Fig. 1C, with the case 200 in an open state. To change from the closed state of Fig. 1C to the open state of Fig. ID, the first attenuation member 211 is moved in a first direction 301 relative to the smartphone 100. Also, the second attenuation member 212 is moved in a second direction 302 relative to the smartphone 100. In this particular example, the first direction 301 is parallel but opposite to the second direction 302 as visualised in Fig. ID with the thick arrows with reference numerals 301, and 302.

With the case 200 in the open state, sound waves can reach the microphones at the first location 121 and the second location 122. Furthermore, light can reach the front-facing camera 106.

Figs. 2A and 2B show another embodiment of a case 200 for a portable electronic communication device comprising one or more microphones and/or cameras. In Fig. 2A, the case 200 is shown in a closed state, and in Fig. 2B, the case 200 is shown in an open state.

The case 200 comprises a case housing 202 defining the chamber 204 for accommodating at least part of a portable electronic communication device. The case 200 further comprises a first attenuation member 211 and a second attenuation member 212, wherein the second attenuation member 212 comprises the optional sound absorption element 213. The sound absorption element 213 may in embodiments comprise silicone.

The case housing 202 comprises, as an option also applicable in further embodiments of cases 200, a set of cams 216. The cams 216 protrude away from the case housing 202, in particular away from the chamber 204. In the particular embodiment of Figs. 2A and 2B, the case 200 comprises four cams 216.

The second attenuation member 212 comprises a groove 218 for accommodating at least part of the cam 216. When the second attenuation member 212 moves between the closed state and the opened state, the cam 216 moves through the groove 218.

By virtue of a cam 216 and groove 218 pair, the movement of an attenuation member relative to the case housing 202 may be restricted in one or two directions. As shown respectively in Figs. 2A and 2B, the cam 216 abuts against a first end 217 of the groove 218 in the closed state, and the cam 216 abuts against a second end 219 of the groove 218 in the open state. When the cam 216 abuts the second end 219, it may be prevented that the second attenuation member 212 is moved to far away from the case housing 202.

The case housing 200 comprises an optional connection member 220 coupling the first attenuation member 211 to the second attenuation member 212. As a further options, a spring 222 as a biasing element is provided. The spring 222 is elongated when the case 200 is moved from the closed state to the open state. Hence, the spring 222 exerts a biasing force when the case 200 is not in the closed state, forcing the case 200 back in the closed state. By virtue of the spring 222, thus, the case 200 may return in the closed state when the attenuation members are not entirely moved into the open state.

A locking mechanism may be provided for keeping an attenuation member in a particular state, for example in the open state or the closed state. The locking mechanism may be arranged such that only when a force threshold is exceeded, the attenuation member can be moved into another state, for example from the open state to the closed state or vice versa.

Fig. 2C shows an embodiment of an assembly 300 of a smartphone 100 as an example of a portable electronic communication device and a case 200, which may be the case 200 shown in Figs. 2A and 2B. The smartphone 100 is provided in the chamber 204 of the case 200.

As an option shown in Fig. 2C, the second attenuation member 212 comprises a notch 232, which allows even in the closed state for the front-facing speaker 116 to be exposed. Next to or alternatively to the front facing speaker 116, the notch 232 may be shaped to expose other components of the smartphone 100. These components may for example be an infrared-light camera, a flood illuminator and a dot projector, which may be used for biometric identification, in particular for face recognition.

As a further option shown in Fig. 2C, a speaker passage 234 is provided through the case housing 202, the first attenuation element 211 and the optional sound absorption element 213. Via the speaker passage 234, sound waves generated by a speaker comprised by the smartphone 100 may pass through the case housing 202, the first attenuation element 211 and the optional sound absorption element 213.

As an even further option shown in Fig. 2C, a cable passage 236 is provided through the case housing 202, the first attenuation element 211 and the optional sound absorption element 213. Via this cable passage 236, a cable, such as a charging and/or syncing cable, may be passed through the case housing 202, the first attenuation element 211 and the optional sound absorption element 213 to reach a connector comprised by the smartphone 100.

In Fig. 2D, an embodiment of the assembly 300 comprising an embodiment of the case 200 and the smartphone 100 is shown, wherein the case 200 is in the open state. In this open state, the front-facing camera 106 is not blocked by the second attenuation member 212. Hence, the front facing camera 106 can be used for recording videos and taking photos.

Furthermore, the first attenuation member 211 is moved away from the chamber 204 in which the smartphone 100 is provided. With this movement, a sound wave passage 238 is opened up, which sound wave passage 238 allows sound waves to pass through the case housing 202 to a microphone comprised by the smartphone 100.

As an option which can also be used for any other embodiments of the case 200, the first attenuation member 211 comprises a dummy plug 240. When the case 200 is in the closed state, the dummy plug 240 is inserted into a female minijack connector comprised by the portable electronic communication device. The dummy plug 240 preferably comprises two, three or four contact points to mimic an electric or electronic behaviour of a headset with at least a microphone and optionally one, two or more speakers. This may lead to the portable electronic communication device determining that a microphone is connecting, which may circumvent the usages of other microphones comprised by the portable electronic communication device by the device shutting off microphones comprised by the portable electronic communication device upon detection of a headset.

When the case 200 is transitioned from the closed state to the open state, the dummy plug 240 is pulled out of the female minijack connector, which may allow usage of the other microphone(s), comprised by the portable electronic communication device. The dummy plug 240 may be embodied to correspond to a female connector comprised by the portable electronic communication device. In particular embodiments, the dummy plug 240 is a 3.5 mm jack, headphone jack, phone jack, 6.35 mm jack plug, USB plug such as a microUSB plug or a USB-C plug, Lightning connector, 30-pin dock connector, or any other type of connector usable with a female port comprised by a portable electronic communication device.

Figs. 3A and 3B show a rear view of another embodiment of an assembly 300 of a smartphone 100 and a case 200. In particular, the case 200 is shown in a closed state in Fig. 3A, and in an open state in Fig. 3B. To transition from the closed state to the open state, a first attenuation member 211 and a second attenuation member 212 of the case 200 are moved in a first direction 301.

Contrary to the embodiment shown in Fig. ID, where the first direction 301 was substantially parallel to an elongation direction of the smartphone 100, in the embodiment of Figs. 3A and 3B, the first direction 301 is substantially perpendicular to the elongation direction of the smartphone 100. Other embodiments are envisioned wherein any of the first direction 301, the second direction 302, and any other movement direction of any component of the case, for example any attenuation member, is at an angle relative to an elongation direction of the portable electronic communication device for which the case 200 is designed.

In examples, the movement direction of any attenuation member relative to the case housing may a movement over a substantially straight line, may be a rotation, swivelling motion, hinging motion, or any other movement.

As an option which is also applicable in other embodiments of the case 200, the first attenuation member 211 can be moved independently of the second attenuation member 212. As such, for example, the user of the case 200 may only allow usage of a rear-facing camera 107 and optional rear facing microphone 123 of the smartphone 100 without allowing usage of a microphone at the first microphone location 121, or vice versa.

Figs. 3C and 3D schematically depict another embodiment of an assembly 300, comprising an embodiment of a case 200 (shown cross- hatched) and a tablet 100. The tablet 100 is provided in the chamber 204 of the case housing 202, and comprises a rear-facing camera 107.

The case 200 comprises a first attenuation member 211 which is rotationally connected to the case housing 202. As such, by rotating the first attenuation member 211 around a first hinge 311 in a first direction 301 which is here as an example a clockwise rotational direction, the first attenuation member 211 can be moved between the closed state as shown in Fig. 3C and the open state as shown in Fig. 3D.

The case 200 comprises a second attenuation member 212 which is rotationally connected to the case housing 202. As such, by rotating the second attenuation member 212 around a second hinge 312 in a second direction 302 which is here as an example a counter-clockwise rotational direction, the second attenuation member 212 can be moved between the closed state as shown in Fig. 3C and the open state as shown in Fig. 3D.

Any hinge may be provided with a locking mechanism for locking a rotation of an attenuation member connected to the case housing via said hinge. The locking mechanism may be arranged for locking the attenuation member in the closed state, in the open state, and/or in any rotational position between the closed state and the open state. For rotating the attenuation member, a particular locking force or torque provided by the locking mechanism has to be overcome.

Any embodiment of the case 200 may comprises one or more actuators arranged to actuate one or more attenuation members and/or coupling members. As such, for example using an electric actuator, one or more attenuation members may be automatically moved between the open state and the closed state. In such embodiments, the portable electronic communication device may act as the controller for controlling the one or more actuators. In further examples, a control signal may be send wirelessly to the actuator using for example Bluetooth. Alternatively, the case may comprise a physical connector, such as a USB-C or Lightning connector, and the control signal may be send via the physical connector.

The figures only schematically depict several of the envisioned embodiments of cases according to the first aspect. The person skilled in the art will appreciate that many options exist to move an attenuation member between an open and closed state. In particular embodiments, a user operable mechanism may be provided comprising for example a push button or rotatable knob, to allow a user to conveniently move any attenuation member between the open and closed state. In particular, one user operable mechanism may be used to move more than one attenuation member between the open and closed state.

Claims

1. Case for a portable electronic communication device comprising one or more microphones and/or cameras, the case comprising: a case frame arranged to engage with at least part of the portable electronic communication device in a substantially rigid connection; a first attenuation member arranged to attenuate at least one of sound waves and electromagnetic radiation such as light, wherein the first attenuation member is moveably connected to the case housing and is moveable relative to the case housing between an open state and a closed state, such that in the closed state, the first attenuation member is aligned with at least one microphone and/or camera of the portable electronic communication device and in the open state the first attenuation member is not aligned with the at least one microphone and/or camera.

2. Case according to claim 1, further comprising a second attenuation member arranged to attenuate at least one of sound waves and electromagnetic radiation such as light, wherein the second attenuation member is moveably connected to the case frame and is moveable relative to the case frame between an open state and a closed state, such that in the closed state, the second attenuation member is aligned with at least one further microphone and/or camera of the portable electronic communication device and in the open state the second attenuation member is misaligned with the at least one further microphone and/or camera.

3. Case according to claim 2, further comprising a coupling member for coupling a movement of the first attenuation member to a movement of the second attenuation member, such that a movement of the first attenuation member between the open state and the closed state results in a movement of the second attenuation member between the open state and the closed state.

4. Case according to claim 3, wherein the coupling member is arranged to couple a movement of the first attenuation member in a first direction into a movement of substantially equal magnitude of the second attenuation member in a second direction.

5. Case according to claim 3, wherein the coupling member is arranged to couple a movement of the first attenuation member in a first direction into a movement of substantially equal magnitude of the second attenuation member in the first direction.

6. Case according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first attenuation member is arranged to attenuate sound waves.

7. Case according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first attenuation member is arranged to attenuate electromagnetic radiation.

8. Case according to any of the claims 2-7, wherein the second attenuation member is arranged to attenuate sound waves.

9. Case according to any of the claims 2-8, wherein the second attenuation member is arranged to attenuate electromagnetic radiation.

10. Case according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a first of the case frame and the first attenuation member comprises a cam, and a second of the case frame and the first attenuation member comprises a grooves for accommodating at least part of the cam, wherein in the open state, the cam abuts an end section of the groove.

11. Case according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a biasing element, connected between the case frame and the first attenuation member, wherein the biasing element biases the first attenuation member in the closed state.

12. Case according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the case is arranged to be used with a foldable portable electronic communication device and the case frame comprises one or more hinges corresponding to one or more hinges comprised by the foldable portable electronic communication device.

13. Assembly of a case and a portable electronic communication device, comprising: - a case according to any of the preceding claims; and a portable electronic communication device at least partially provided in the chamber of the case, wherein the portable electronic communication device comprises a first microphone, in the closed state of the case, the first attenuation element is aligned with the first microphone, and in the open state of the case, the first attenuation element is misaligned with the first microphone.