Shading mechanism for camera of electronic device as privacy protection visor

Abstract

In a shielding mechanism as a privacy protection shutter for a camera provided at an outer edge portion of a display section of an electronic device, the privacy protection shutter has a rotation shaft portion that becomes the center of rotation, a shielding portion that covers a lens of the camera in order to prohibit photographing based on the camera, and an operation portion for rotating the privacy protection shutter. Thus, in an electronic device in which a camera is built in, a shielding mechanism as a privacy protection shutter for the camera can be provided, which can easily and reliably bring the camera into a shielding state with a small arrangement space, and can reliably allow a user to recognize the shielding state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a shielding mechanism for a camera used in electronic devices, serving as a privacy shield. Background Technology

[0002] Electronic devices, especially laptop computers and tablet computers, often have built-in cameras. These devices allow users to conduct video calls and web conferencing while looking at the other person's face, via analog lines, digital lines, or internet lines.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-274777

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-125051

[0007] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-537855 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] In electronic devices with cameras built in the aforementioned manner, from the perspective of protecting personal privacy, a mechanism is provided that can cover the camera lens, and a mechanism is designed to indicate that the camera of the electronic device is in a covered state and cannot take pictures when the camera lens is covered.

[0010] In the field of miniaturized and thinner electronic devices, ensuring sufficient space for such mechanisms is an important issue, as electronic devices are designed to include mechanisms that can cover camera lenses and display the condition of the covered lenses.

[0011] The purpose of this invention is to provide a privacy shielding mechanism for a camera, which, in an electronic device with a built-in camera, can easily and reliably shield the camera with a small installation space and allows the user to reliably identify the shielding state.

[0012] Solution for solving the problem

[0013] One aspect of the present invention is a privacy shielding mechanism for a camera, which is provided on the outer edge of the display portion of an electronic device.

[0014] The privacy protection shield has: a rotating shaft portion that serves as the center of rotation; a shielding portion that covers the lens of the camera to prevent shooting based on the camera; and an operating portion for rotating the privacy protection shield.

[0015] Invention Effects

[0016] According to the present invention, in an electronic device with a built-in camera, the camera can be easily and reliably made to be in a covered state with a small installation space, and the user can reliably identify the covered state. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the appearance of the electronic device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a plan view of the electronic device according to Embodiment 1.

[0019] Figure 3 This is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the camera-related part in the electronic device of Embodiment 1.

[0020] Figure 4 It is Figure 3 An enlarged view of a portion of the electronic device of Embodiment 1 shown.

[0021] Figure 5 It shows from Figure 4 The diagram shows the transition from the obscured state to the open state where photography can be taken.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a plan view showing the privacy protection shield in Embodiment 1.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a back view showing the privacy protection shield in Embodiment 1.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a perspective view showing the surface side of the privacy protection shield in Embodiment 1.

[0025] Figure 9 This is a perspective view showing the back side of the privacy protection shield in Embodiment 1. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. However, unnecessary detailed descriptions are sometimes omitted in the description of embodiments. For example, detailed descriptions of known matters and repeated descriptions of substantially the same structures are sometimes omitted. This is to avoid making the following description too lengthy and to make it easier for those skilled in the art to understand.

[0027] As a specific embodiment of the privacy-protecting shielding mechanism for a camera in an electronic device according to the present invention, the privacy-protecting shielding mechanism for a camera in a tablet PC (tablet personal computer) will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The privacy-protecting shielding mechanism for a camera according to the present invention is not limited to the structure of the privacy-protecting shielding mechanism for a camera in a tablet PC described in the following embodiments, but includes structures of privacy-protecting shielding mechanisms for cameras in electronic devices based on technologies equivalent to the technical concepts having the technical features described in the following embodiments.

[0028] It should be noted that the inventors have provided the accompanying drawings and the following description in order to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present invention, but do not intend to limit the subject matter of the technical solution described herein.

[0029] The numerical values, shapes, structures, steps (processes, modes), and sequences of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the invention to the content of this disclosure. Elements in the following embodiments not described in the independent claims representing the highest-level concept are described as arbitrary elements. It should be noted that in the embodiments, elements with the same function are sometimes labeled with the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted. Furthermore, for ease of understanding, the drawings are schematically shown with each component as the main element.

[0030] First, various embodiments of the shielding mechanism for a camera in an electronic device as a privacy protection shield according to the present invention are illustrated.

[0031] The first aspect of the present invention provides a privacy-protecting shielding mechanism for a camera in an electronic device. This mechanism is for a camera located on the outer edge of the display portion of an electronic device, and serves as a privacy-protecting shielding mechanism.

[0032] The privacy protection shield has: a rotating shaft portion that serves as the center of rotation; a shielding portion that covers the lens of the camera to prevent shooting based on the camera; and an operating portion for rotating the privacy protection shield.

[0033] The second aspect of the present invention provides a privacy-protecting shielding mechanism for a camera in an electronic device, wherein the privacy-protecting shield in the first aspect has an elongated shape disposed on the outer edge portion of the display unit.

[0034] The rotating shaft is located at one end of the privacy shield along its length, and the shielding portion is located at the other end of the privacy shield along its length.

[0035] The operating part is disposed between the rotating shaft part and the shielding part.

[0036] The third aspect of the present invention provides a privacy protection shielding mechanism for a camera in an electronic device, wherein in a structure in the first or second aspect of the electronic device, multiple devices, including the camera, are arranged side by side on the outer edge of the display portion, and the shielding portion simultaneously covers the multiple devices.

[0037] The fourth aspect of the present invention, a privacy-protecting shielding mechanism for a camera in an electronic device, can be configured such that, in any of the first to third aspects,...

[0038] The operation section is composed of an operation protrusion that protrudes from the operation window formed on the outer edge of the display section of the electronic device, and displays the obscured state in the operation window when the operation section is obscured.

[0039] The fifth aspect of the present invention, a privacy-protecting shielding mechanism for a camera in an electronic device, can be configured such that, in any of the first to fourth aspects,...

[0040] The privacy protection shield has an embedded portion that is held in the body of the electronic device in a manner that maintains the shielding state of the lens covering the camera.

[0041] The sixth aspect of the present invention provides a privacy-protecting shielding mechanism for a camera in an electronic device, which can be configured such that, in any of the first to fifth aspects,...

[0042] The privacy protection panel has ribs and wall thickness to improve rigidity.

[0043] (Implementation Method 1)

[0044] Hereinafter, a privacy-protecting shielding mechanism for a camera in an electronic device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0045] [Overall Structure]

[0046] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the appearance of a tablet PC (personal computer) 1, which is an electronic device according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 This is a top view (plan view) of the tablet PC 1 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 1 and Figure 2For convenience, the X, Y, and Z axes, which are orthogonal to each other, are shown in the diagram. The length (X direction), width (Y direction), and thickness (Z direction) of the tablet PC 1 in Embodiment 1 are described using the X, Y, and Z axes. Furthermore, the Z-direction side of the PC 1 is described as the surface side (top side), the Y-direction side as the back side, and the X-direction side as the right side.

[0047] The tablet PC 1 of Embodiment 1 has a structure that provides the main functions of a tablet PC. Furthermore, various expansion devices providing extended functions are provided in the PC 1 in a detachable manner.

[0048] In Embodiment 1, a personal computer 1 has a display unit 2 on one of its main surfaces. The display unit 2 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) and functions as a pointing device that outputs signals indicating the location of a touch. Furthermore, the personal computer 1 internally includes a control unit, a storage unit, and various input / output interface components. The control unit is, for example, composed of a CPU or an MPU. Based on programs read from the storage unit, the control unit performs calculations using various data to implement various functions of the personal computer 1. The storage unit is, for example, composed of RAM, ROM, HDD, or SSD. Programs (including the OS and various application programs) and various data are stored in the storage unit. The input / output interface components are interfaces for sending and receiving various signals between the computer and expansion devices.

[0049] The personal computer 1 in Embodiment 1 has a structure that allows it to be used in harsh environments for electronic devices, such as outdoor sites and factories. For example, an outer contour portion 3, which is part of the frame, is formed on the outer periphery of the side of the personal computer 1. The outer contour portion 3 is configured to have functions such as shock absorption, dust protection, and drip protection.

[0050] The outer periphery of the side of the personal computer 1, as described in Embodiment 1, is provided with various connection terminals for connecting to external devices. These connection terminals include electrical signal input / output terminals such as expansion bus connectors, external display connectors, USB connectors, LAN connectors, memory card slots, and audio output terminals.

[0051] Furthermore, in the personal computer 1 of Embodiment 1, a face recognition camera 4, an infrared (IR) lamp 5, a front-facing camera 6, a microphone 7, etc., are provided on the rear side of the outer contour portion 3 surrounding the main surface of the display unit 2. Additionally, on the front side of the outer contour portion 3 (in... Figure 2 The bottom side of the paper contains an operation setting section 9, which includes a power button, a display operation button, and other functions.

[0052] It should be noted that the personal computer 1 in Embodiment 1 has a structure with a battery pack mounted on its back side, and is equipped with a rear camera, speaker, etc.

[0053] In the personal computer 1 configured as described in Embodiment 1, from the viewpoint of protecting privacy, a privacy protection shield 10 is provided on the camera-related unit 8, which consists of a face recognition camera 4, an infrared (IR) lamp 5, and a front-facing camera 6. The privacy protection shield 10 functions to block the camera lens so that the face recognition camera 4 and the front-facing camera 6 cannot take pictures, and to display a state where the face recognition camera 4 and the front-facing camera 6 are in a blocked state and not taking pictures. The shielding mechanism of the privacy protection shield 10 is provided on the outer edge of the area that forms the outer side of the display unit 2.

[0054] Figure 3 This is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the camera-related portion 8 formed on the rear side of the outer contour portion 3 of the personal computer 1 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 3 As shown in the enlarged view, the outer contour 3 is provided with an operation window 3a for operating the privacy protection cover 10, a first window 3b for the face recognition camera 4, a second window for the front camera 6, and multiple windows for other microphones, LED indicators, and illuminance sensors. Figure 3 The camera-related unit 8 shown is in a concealed state where the face recognition camera 4, IR light 5, and front camera 6 are covered by the privacy protection shield 10. For example... Figure 3 As shown, in the obscured state, the operation window 3a displays a pointer to the rear side (in... Figure 3 The arrow (▲) on the paper (top side) highlights the operation protrusion 10a, which serves as a privacy screen 10. At this time, the operation protrusion 10a, acting as the operation part, is positioned on the front side of the operation window 3a (in...). Figure 3 (The bottom side is shown in the paper). That is, when the arrow (▲) is displayed on the operation window 3a and is positioned on the front side of the operation window 3a, the obscured state is shown. It should be noted that although it is displayed as an arrow (▲) in this embodiment, as this invention, it is not limited to an arrow (▲). As long as it can be reliably identified by a person who can be the subject in front of the personal computer 1, it can also be configured to be displayed by colored marks, text, symbols, etc.

[0055] Figure 4 exist Figure 3 The enlarged view of the personal computer 1 in Embodiment 1, with the outer outline 3 removed, shows the state (masking state) in which the face recognition camera 4, IR light 5 and front camera 6 are covered by the privacy protection cover 10. Figure 5 This shows how to make the privacy shield 10 from Figure 4 The obscured state shown can be rotated to an open state where the face recognition camera 4, IR light 5, and front camera 6 can be used for shooting.

[0056] like Figure 4 The state of shading and Figure 5 As shown in the open state, the privacy protection shield 10 is a structure that rotates around the rotation axis 10c. The user moves the operation protrusion 10a of the operation window 3a towards the rear side. Figure 4 (in the direction of arrow A) thus rotates the privacy protection shield 10, allowing the face recognition camera 4, IR light 5 and front camera 6 to be exposed from each window and take pictures.

[0057] Figure 6 and Figure 7 This diagram shows only a plan view (surface side) and a rear view (rear side) of the privacy protection panel 10. The privacy protection panel 10 has an elongated shape, with a rotating shaft portion 10c at one end along its length, and a shielding area with a shielding portion 10b formed at the other end along its length. Figure 6 As shown in the plan view, an operating protrusion 10a is shown on the surface side of the privacy protection shield 10, and on the rear side of the operating protrusion 10a (in Figure 6 An arrow (▲) is shown on the paper (top side). A rotating shaft portion 10c, which serves as the center of rotation, is formed at the left end of the privacy protection shield 10. That is, the rotating shaft portion 10c is fixed by an axis so that it can rotate relative to the main body of the personal computer 1. In the privacy protection shield 10, a shielding portion 10b, which can shield the face recognition camera 4, the IR lamp 5, and the front camera 6, is formed on the opposite side of the rotating shaft portion 10c, i.e., the right end side. An operating protrusion 10a is provided in the privacy protection shield 10 between the rotating shaft portion 10c and the shielding portion 10b, and is located near the rotating shaft portion 10c. In this embodiment, the operating protrusion 10a is formed in the length of the privacy protection shield 10 in the longitudinal direction at a position near the rotating shaft portion 10c within a range of 30 to 40% of the total length. Therefore, in the privacy protection shield 10, by moving the operating protrusion 10a near the rotation shaft portion 10c toward the back side (upper side) or the front side (lower side), the shielding portion 10b on the opposite side of the rotation shaft portion 10c, i.e. the right end side, is moved significantly.

[0058] The privacy shield 10 is a plate-like component with multiple ribs 10e formed to ensure its rigidity. Additionally, as... Figure 6 As shown, in the privacy protection panel 10, on the front side of the operating protrusion 10a ( Figure 6 An insert portion 10d is formed on the lower side of the paper surface. The front end (lower end) of the insert portion 10d is thinner and has a gradually thickening shape. The insert portion 10d is inserted into and held in a recess (not shown) formed in the main body of the personal computer 1 in the shielded state, and the privacy protection shield 10 can reliably maintain the shielded state.

[0059] like Figure 7 As shown, a clicking protrusion 10f is formed on the back of the privacy screen 10. The clicking protrusion 10f is a structure that contacts a protrusion (not shown) located near the main body of the personal computer 1, and a clicking sound is produced when the user passes over the protrusion. Therefore, when the user operates the operation protrusion 10a of the privacy screen 10 to move from the covered state to the open state or from the open state to the covered state, a clicking sound is heard and a small impact is felt by the finger, thereby confirming the operation status.

[0060] Figure 8 and Figure 9 This is a 3D image of only the privacy shield 10. Figure 8 Primarily showing the surface side, Figure 9 Primarily showing the rear side. For example... Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the privacy shield 10 has multiple ribs 10e with varying thicknesses. In particular, the back side where the operating protrusion 10a is formed is thicker, resulting in a wall thickness portion 10g. This increases the rigidity of the privacy shield 10 by forming multiple ribs 10e and the wall thickness portion 10g. Furthermore, the shape (including thickness) of the privacy shield 10 in this embodiment is determined considering the placement positions of various devices (e.g., microphones) within the storage space of the personal computer 1. For example, it has a slit shape to prevent the microphone 7 from being blocked in the shielded state.

[0061] [Effects, etc.]

[0062] The camera privacy shielding mechanism of Embodiment 1 for an electronic device, configured as described above, can easily and reliably shield the camera with a small installation space, and allows the user to reliably identify the shielding state. In the camera privacy shielding mechanism of Embodiment 1, a camera privacy shield (10) with a rotation axis (10c) is provided in the side-by-side arrangement direction to simultaneously shield the lenses of multiple cameras (4, 6) arranged side by side. The multiple cameras (4, 6) arranged side by side are simultaneously shielded by a shielding part (10b) provided on the side opposite to the rotation axis (10c) of the camera privacy shield (10). An operating part (operating protrusion: 10a) for rotating the camera privacy shield (10) is provided between the rotation axis (10c) and the shielding part (10b). In particular, the operating part (operating protrusion: 10a) is positioned closer to the rotating shaft part (10c) than the middle position between the rotating shaft part (10c) and the shielding part (10b). Therefore, a small movement of the operating part (operating protrusion: 10a) becomes a large movement at the shielding part (10b), thereby enabling the simultaneous shielding of the lenses of multiple cameras (4, 6) arranged side-by-side. Thus, according to the present invention, in a narrow space such as the outer edge of the display section of an electronic device, multiple elements can be simultaneously shielded by a single rotation of a privacy shield with a simple structure, in both the camera-related part and the shielding mechanism serving as a privacy shield.

[0063] The invention has been described in some detail in the embodiments, but the structure is illustrative, and the disclosure of the embodiments should be appropriately varied in structural details. In this invention, the substitution, combination, and order of the elements in the embodiments can be implemented without departing from the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.

[0064] As described above, embodiments have been explained as examples of the technology of the present invention. Therefore, detailed descriptions and drawings are disclosed. Therefore, the constituent elements described in the detailed descriptions and drawings sometimes include elements that are not essential for solving the problem. Therefore, although these non-essential constituent elements are described in the detailed descriptions and drawings, they should not be directly considered as essential.

[0065] The above-described embodiments are for illustrating the implementation of the technology in this invention. Therefore, various changes, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc., can be made within the scope of the technical solution or its equivalents.

[0066] Industrial availability

[0067] This invention reliably enables a camera installed in an electronic device to be in a shielded state through a simple structure, and enables the user to reliably identify the shielded state. Therefore, it is useful in various electronic devices equipped with cameras.

[0068] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0069] 1. Personal Computer (PC)

[0070] 2 Display Section

[0071] 3 outer contour

[0072] 3a Operation Window

[0073] 3b First Window

[0074] 3C Second Window

[0075] 4 facial recognition cameras

[0076] 5 IR (Infrared) Lamps

[0077] 6. Front-facing camera

[0078] 7 microphones

[0079] 8. Camera-related parts

[0080] 9. Operation Setting Section

[0081] 10 Privacy protection blinds

[0082] 10a Operating protrusion

[0083] 10b Shielding area

[0084] 10c Rotating shaft

[0085] 10d Embedded Part

[0086] 10e Ribs

[0087] 10f Click-like protrusion

[0088] 10g wall thickness.

Claims

1. A shielding mechanism for a camera of an electronic device as a privacy protection shutter, which is a shielding mechanism for a camera provided at an outer edge portion of a display section of an electronic device as a privacy protection shutter, wherein the privacy protection shutter has a rotation shaft portion that becomes the center of rotation, a shielding portion that covers a lens of the camera in order to prohibit photographing based on the camera, and an operation portion for rotating the privacy protection shutter, the privacy protection shutter has an elongated shape provided at the outer edge portion of the display section, the rotation shaft portion is provided at one end portion in the length direction of the privacy protection shutter, and the shielding portion is provided at the other end portion in the length direction of the privacy protection shutter, the operation portion is provided between the rotation shaft portion and the shielding portion.

2. The shielding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein in a structure in which a plurality of devices including the camera are provided side by side at the outer edge portion of the display section of an electronic device, the shielding portion is configured to cover the plurality of devices at the same time.

3. The shielding mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation portion is configured by an operation protrusion that is provided protruding from an operation window formed at the outer edge portion of the display section of an electronic device, and is configured to display a shielding state in the operation window in a shielding state.

4. The shielding mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the privacy protection shutter has an embedded portion that is held to the main body of the electronic device in a manner that maintains a shielding state that covers the lens of the camera.

5. The shielding mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the privacy protection shutter has a rib and a wall thickness portion that increase rigidity. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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