Reflective lens privacy module and display device

Abstract

A reflective lens privacy module includes a housing, a lens, and a cover. The housing includes a chamber formed inside the housing and a through-hole penetrating the housing. The lens is disposed in the chamber and aligned with the through-hole. The cover is disposed in the housing and can cover the through-hole. The cover includes a reflector facing the housing and the lens, and can switch between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the housing. In the retracted position, the cover is close to the housing and covers the lens; in the extended position, the cover and the housing form an angle to expose the lens, allowing ambient light to be reflected to the lens via the reflector. This achieves the effect of preventing the lens from being hacked and exposing personal privacy.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a webcam, and more particularly to a reflective lens privacy module and display device. [Previous Technology]

[0002] Nowadays, work patterns are gradually changing, and the types of work that can be done from home or remotely are constantly increasing. Therefore, to meet the needs of remote work, the demand for network cameras has emerged. However, both external and integrated network camera products can become targets of cybercrime. Hackers can infiltrate a user's home network camera equipment without the user's knowledge and spy on their activities.

[0003] In the prior art, the main way to set up a network camera is to point the lens at the user and to use a cover to shield the lens, which is then moved to shield the lens. However, if the user turns off the computer but forgets to shield the lens, they may be vulnerable to hacking and have their personal privacy exposed. [Summary of the Invention]

[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a reflective lens privacy module and a display device.

[0005] Therefore, the reflective lens privacy module of the present invention includes a housing, a lens, and a cover.

[0006] The housing includes a chamber formed inside the housing and a perforation penetrating the housing.

[0007] The lens is positioned in the chamber and aligned with the perforation.

[0008] The cover is disposed on the housing and can shield the perforation. The cover includes a reflector facing the housing and the lens, and can switch between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the housing. In the retracted position, the cover is close to the housing and shields the lens. In the extended position, the cover and the housing form an angle to expose the lens, allowing ambient light to be reflected to the lens via the reflector.

[0009] In some embodiments, the reflective lens privacy module further includes a transmission structure disposed in the chamber and connected to the cover, and a control unit disposed in the chamber and electrically connected to the lens and the transmission structure. The control unit can be actuated to drive the lens and the transmission structure, so that the transmission structure drives the cover.

[0010] In some embodiments, one end of the cover rotates about the other end of the cover that is pivotally connected to the housing, so that the included angle can be adjusted.

[0011] In some embodiments, the transmission structure includes a motor disposed in the chamber and electrically connected to the control unit, and a linkage disposed in the cover, passing through the housing and connected to the motor. The linkage is used to adjust the angle of the included angle to change the range of ambient light reflected to the lens.

[0012] In some embodiments, the included angle is 40-60°.

[0013] In some embodiments, the reflective lens privacy module also includes a signal light disposed in the housing and electrically connected to the control unit, the signal light being used to indicate the operating status of the lens.

[0014] In some embodiments, when the lens is in the activated state, the cover is in the unfolded position, and when the lens is in the closed state, the cover is in the retracted position.

[0015] Therefore, another object of the present invention is to provide a display device having a reflective lens privacy module.

[0016] Thus, the display device of the present invention includes a housing and a reflective lens privacy module.

[0017] The reflective lens privacy module includes a housing, a lens, and a cover.

[0018] The housing has a chamber formed inside the housing and a perforation through the housing.

[0019] The lens is positioned in the chamber and aligned with the perforation.

[0020] The cover is disposed on the housing and can shield the perforation. The cover has a reflector facing the housing and the lens, and can switch between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the housing. In the retracted position, the cover is close to the housing and shields the lens. In the extended position, the cover and the housing form an angle to expose the lens, allowing ambient light to be reflected to the lens via the reflector.

[0021] In some embodiments, the reflective lens privacy module further includes a transmission structure disposed in the chamber and connected to the cover, and a control unit disposed in the chamber and electrically connected to the lens and the transmission structure. The control unit can be actuated to drive the lens and the transmission structure, so that the transmission structure drives the cover.

[0022] In some embodiments, one end of the cover rotates about the other end of the cover that is pivotally connected to the housing, so that the included angle can be adjusted.

[0023] In some embodiments, the transmission structure has a motor disposed in the chamber and electrically connected to the control unit, and a linkage disposed in the cover, passing through the housing and connected to the motor. The linkage is used to adjust the angle of the included angle to change the range of ambient light reflected to the lens.

[0024] In some embodiments, the included angle is 40-60°.

[0025] In some embodiments, the reflective lens privacy module also includes a signal light disposed in the housing and electrically connected to the control unit, the signal light being used to indicate the operating status of the lens.

[0026] In some embodiments, when the lens is in the activated state, the cover is in the unfolded position, and when the lens is in the closed state, the cover is in the retracted position.

[0027] The advantages of the present invention are as follows: The display device of the present invention, by setting the reflective lens anti-peeping module, makes the viewing direction of the lens face the side of the housing, and through the configuration of the angle between the cover and the housing, the light of the surrounding environment is reflected to the lens by the reflector. The user can judge whether the lens is in the activated state by the unfolded position of the cover, and when the cover 23 is in the retracted position, it completely blocks the lens 22 from capturing the image of the external environment. This can effectively prevent the lens 22 from being hacked and exposing personal privacy.

Implementation Method

[0028] Referring to FIG1, an embodiment of the display device of the present invention includes a housing 1 and a reflective lens privacy module 2 disposed on the side of the housing 1.

[0029] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the reflective lens privacy module 2 includes a housing 21, a lens 22, a cover 23, a transmission structure 24, a control unit 25, and a signal light 26.

[0030] The housing 21 is disposed on the side of the housing 1 and has a chamber 211 formed inside the housing 21 and a through hole 212 that passes through the housing 21 and communicates with the chamber 211. In this embodiment, the housing 21 is disposed on the bottom side of the housing 1, and the through hole 212 is formed on the bottom side of the housing 21 to accommodate the configuration of the lens 22.

[0031] The lens 22 is disposed in the chamber 211 and aligned with the perforation 212, so that ambient light can enter the lens 22 through the perforation 212.

[0032] Referring to Figures 3 to 6, the cover 23 is disposed on the housing 21 and can cover the perforation 212. The cover 23 includes a reflector 231 facing the housing 21 and the lens 22, and can switch between a retracted position (Figures 3 and 4) and an unfolded position (Figures 5 and 6) relative to the housing 21. In the retracted position, the cover 23 is close to the housing 21 and covers the lens 22, and because the cover 23 is close to the housing 21, the reflector 231 cannot reflect ambient light to the lens 22. In the unfolded position, the cover 23 and the housing 21 form an angle Θ, exposing the lens 22, so that ambient light is reflected to the lens 22 via the reflector 231.

[0033] One end of the cover 23 rotates about the other end of the housing 21 pivotally connected to the cover 23, so that the included angle Θ can be adjusted to change the incident angle of the incident light to the reflector 231.

[0034] The transmission structure 24 is disposed in the chamber 211 and connected to the cover 23. The transmission structure 24 has a motor 241 disposed in the chamber 211 and electrically connected to the control unit 25, and a linkage 242 disposed in the cover 23, passing through the housing 21 and connected to the motor 241. Specifically, the cross-section of the shaft of the motor 241 is circular, the cross-section of the linkage 242 is fan-shaped, and the arc-shaped top surface of the linkage 242 contacts the shaft of the motor 241. Thereby, the linkage 242 is used to adjust the angle Θ by rotating the cover 23 connected to the linkage 242 as the motor 241 rotates, thereby changing the range of ambient light reflected to the lens 22.

[0035] The control unit 25 is disposed in the chamber 211 and electrically connected to the lens 22 and the transmission structure 24. Specifically, the control unit 25 includes components such as a circuit board (not shown in detail), a control IC, and a USB port, and can be actuated to drive the lens 22 and the transmission structure 24, so that the transmission structure 24 drives the cover 23 and drives the lens 22 to switch from the closed state to the operating state.

[0036] The indicator light 26 is disposed on the housing 21 and electrically connected to the control unit 25. The indicator light 26 can be driven by the control unit to indicate the operating status of the lens 22. When the lens 22 is in the closed state and the cover 23 is in the retracted position, the indicator light 26 is in the off state (e.g., off). When the lens 22 is in the open state and the cover 23 is in the open position, the indicator light 26 is in the on state (e.g., constantly lit). In this way, the user can know the operating status of the lens 22 from the indicator light 26.

[0037] Referring to Figures 1, 3 and 4, in this embodiment, when installed, the reflective lens privacy module 2 is disposed on the side of the housing 1, and the perforation 212 faces away from the housing 1, so that the lens 22 also faces away from the housing 1.

[0038] Furthermore, the reflective lens privacy module 2 is disposed on the bottom side of the housing 1, with the perforation 212 facing downwards from the housing 1, so that the viewing direction of the lens 22 is downwards. The rear end of the cover 23 is pivotally connected to the housing 21, and the reflector 231 is disposed on the top surface of the cover 23. When the lens 22 is closed, the cover 23 is in the retracted position and the indicator light 26 is off. By having the cover 23 close to the housing 21, ambient light is prevented from being reflected by the reflector 231 to the closed lens 22, thus preventing the lens 22 from capturing images due to the obstruction of the cover 23.

[0039] Referring to Figures 3 and 5, in this embodiment, when the lens 22 is to be moved from the closed state to the open state, and the cover 23 is to be moved from the closed position to the open position, the control unit 25 can be actuated to drive the lens 22 to start and the motor 241. The motor 241 drives the linkage 242 by friction, and drives one end of the cover 23 connected to the linkage 242 to rotate about the other end of the cover 23 pivotally connected to the housing 21. As the included angle Θ between the cover 23 and the housing 21 gradually increases, the lens 22 is exposed, allowing some of the ambient light to be reflected to the lens 22 via the reflector 231. By continuously driving the motor 241, when the lens 22 is activated, the cover 23 is in the unfolded position and the indicator light 26 is activated. The front side of the housing 1 exposes the reflector 231, allowing light from the surrounding environment to be captured to be reflected by the reflector 231 onto the lens 22, thus completing the change of the cover 23 from the retracted position to the unfolded position. In this way, the user located in front of the display device can use the reflective lens privacy module 2 for video calls. Furthermore, since the reflective lens privacy module 2 is located on the bottom side of the housing 1, the image-taking direction of the reflector 231 on the cover 23 is more likely to be aimed at the user's upper body and face, making it more suitable for video calls and other purposes. However, depending on the application, the reflective lens privacy module 2 can also be located on different sides of the display device, and the reflective lens privacy module 2 can also be used with electronic devices other than the display device or independently, and is not limited to the foregoing description.

[0040] Referring to Figure 6, preferably, the included angle Θ formed between the cover 23 and the housing 21 is between 40 and 60°, within which the reflector 231 and the lens 22 can cooperate to produce the desired image.

[0041] In summary, the display device of the present invention, by setting the reflective lens privacy module 2, makes the viewing direction of the lens 22 face the side of the housing 1, and through the configuration of the angle Θ between the cover 23 and the housing 21, the light of the surrounding environment is reflected to the lens 22 by the reflector 231. The user can judge whether the lens 22 is in the activated state by the unfolded position of the cover 23, and when the cover 23 is in the retracted position, it completely blocks the lens 22 from capturing the image of the external environment. In this way, the lens 22 can be effectively prevented from being hacked and exposing personal privacy, so the purpose of the present invention can be achieved.

[0042] However, the above description is only an embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the scope of the patent application and the contents of the patent specification shall still fall within the scope of the patent of the present invention. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0043] Other features and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented in the embodiments with reference to the drawings, wherein: FIG1 is a perspective view of a housing and a reflective lens privacy module connection relationship of an embodiment of the display device of the present invention; FIG2 is an exploded view of the reflective lens privacy module of the embodiment; FIG3 is a perspective view of a cover of the reflective lens privacy module of the embodiment in a retracted position, the portion of the housing is drawn in dashed lines to show the appearance inside the housing; FIG4 is a cross-sectional view along section IV-IV of FIG3, illustrating the cover of the embodiment in the retracted position; FIG5 is a perspective view of the cover of the reflective lens privacy module of the embodiment in an unfolded position, the portion of the housing is drawn in dashed lines to show the appearance inside the housing; and FIG6 is a cross-sectional view along section VI-VI of FIG5, illustrating the cover of the embodiment in the retracted position.

Claims

1. A reflective lens privacy module, comprising: a housing, including a chamber formed inside the housing and a through hole through the housing; a lens disposed in the chamber and aligned with the through hole; and a cover disposed in the housing and capable of covering the through hole, the cover including a reflector facing the housing and the lens. A transmission structure is disposed in the chamber and connected to the cover, and includes a motor disposed in the chamber and a linkage disposed in the cover, passing through the housing and connected to the motor. The linkage is used to adjust the angle formed between the cover and the housing to change the range of ambient light reflected to the lens. A control unit is disposed in the chamber and electrically connected to the lens and the motor. The control unit can be actuated to drive the lens and the transmission structure, so that the transmission structure drives the cover, causing one end of the cover to rotate about the other end of the cover that is pivotally connected to the housing as an axis, so that the angle can be adjusted, and the cover can change between a closed position and an open position relative to the housing. In the closed position, the cover is close to the housing and blocks the lens. In the open position, the angle is formed between the cover and the housing and the lens is exposed, so that ambient light is reflected to the lens through the reflector.

2. The reflective lens privacy module as described in claim 1, wherein, The included angle is 40-60°.

3. The reflective lens privacy module as described in claim 1 further includes a signal light disposed in the housing and electrically connected to the control unit, the signal light being used to indicate the operating status of the lens.

4. The reflective lens privacy module as described in claim 1, wherein, When the lens is in the activated state, the cover is in the unfolded position; when the lens is in the closed state, the cover is in the retracted position.

5. A display device comprising: a housing; and a reflective lens privacy module as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, disposed on a side of the housing, wherein, When the cover is in the unfolded position, the reflector is exposed on the front side of the housing.

6. The display device as claimed in claim 5, wherein, The reflective lens privacy module is located on the bottom side of the housing, with the lens facing downwards. The rear end of the cover is pivotally connected to the housing, and the reflector is located on the top surface of the cover.

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