Adaptive Camera Shutter Assembly for Visual and IR Privacy Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable information handling systems face challenges in securely managing access to both visual and infrared cameras, with existing dual shutter and dual actuator systems increasing complexity and cost, and lacking reliable feedback mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A single electromechanical actuator is used to control a shutter assembly that blocks and exposes both visual and infrared cameras, with spring biased connectors for adaptability across different platforms and heights, and a speaker for audible feedback, ensuring secure operation and power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate shutters and actuators are used for visual and infrared cameras, then each camera can be independently protected, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate shutters (visual camera shutter and infrared camera shutter) into a single integrated shutter assembly that can selectively block or expose either camera. This single shutter is controlled by one actuator that can position the shutter in multiple states: blocking both cameras, exposing only the infrared camera, or exposing only the visual camera. This merging approach maintains independent protection capability while reducing system complexity and component count.
2Device complexity
If a single shutter is used for both cameras, then complexity is reduced, but the ability to independently control each camera is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The single shutter assembly is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to be actuated to different positions to selectively expose or block different cameras. The shutter can be positioned to block both cameras, expose only the infrared camera while blocking the visual camera, or expose only the visual camera while blocking the infrared camera. This dynamic adaptability maintains independent camera control functionality despite using a single shutter structure.
3Loss of information
If LED indicators are used to warn users of camera activity, then user awareness is improved, but the indicators can be compromised by logic vulnerabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a passive optical indicator (such as a reflective element or visible marker on the shutter assembly) that provides visual feedback about shutter position and camera exposure status without requiring active electronic control logic. This intermediary indicator mechanism does not depend on software or complex control circuits, making it resistant to logic compromises while still providing reliable user awareness of camera activity state.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces complexity and cost by using a single actuator for both cameras, maintains security by controlling camera power, and provides audible feedback without relying on processing resources, adapting to various camera heights and configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a single electromechanical actuator... provides a single actuation between open and closed positions
Implementation Method 2
A speaker cone in the shutter assembly has a base magnet that interacts with electromechanical actuator magnetic fields at shutter actuation to generate an audible sound
Implementation Method 3
The shutter assembly adapts across plural platforms having cameras of different height with spring biased connectors that extend from the shutter assembly and against the camera module circuit board
Data Source
AI summary
A portable information handling system camera module has a single shutter that slides in response to a single shutter mechanism to manage access for a field of view of both a visual camera and an infrared camera by sliding only between first and second positions, the first position aligning an opening of the shutter with a visual camera and a shield visual camera opening, the second position blocking the opening of the shutter and extending an end of the shutter over infrared camera. The shutter assembly is supported in a spaced relationship to the circuit board by spring biased connectors that provide power to the shutter actuator.