Camera Color-Change Assembly for Visible Privacy Status
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users of electronic devices with camera lenses cannot determine the operational status of the camera lenses based on appearance, leading to unintentional image capture and potential privacy breaches.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing module with a color change assembly that changes color between transparent and opaque states to indicate the operational status of the image capturing unit, controlled by a control unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the camera lens is always visible on the electronic device, then users can see the camera component, but users cannot determine the operational status of the camera
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color change technology to the camera lens cover, which changes color between different states (e.g., transparent/transparent to opaque/opaque or different colors) to indicate the operational status of the camera. When the camera is off, the cover appears in one color state; when the camera is on, it changes to another color state, providing clear visual feedback to users without adding complex electronic displays or additional components.
2Reliability
If the camera lens cover is made opaque to indicate off-state, then privacy is protected, but the aesthetic appearance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-changing material that can switch between transparent and opaque states or between different colors. In the off-state, the cover becomes opaque or changes to a color matching the device housing, maintaining aesthetic appearance while ensuring privacy protection. In the on-state, it becomes transparent or changes to indicate active operation, allowing users to see the camera is functioning without compromising the device's visual design.
3Ease of operation
If the camera lens cover changes color to indicate on-state, then user awareness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color change materials such as electrochromic glass, liquid crystal displays, or other smart materials that can change their optical properties in response to electrical signals. These materials are integrated directly into the camera lens cover assembly, allowing the cover to automatically indicate camera status through color or transparency changes. The manufacturing process involves standard assembly techniques for integrating these materials into the cover structure, maintaining feasibility while achieving the desired user awareness function.
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
Enables users to intuitively determine the operational status of the image capturing unit, preventing unintentional image capture and enhancing privacy by ensuring the camera is turned off when not in use, while maintaining aesthetic consistency.
Implementation Method 1
the color change assembly includes a light guide plate and at least one light source, and the at least one light source faces the light guide plate and is adapted to change a color of the light guide plate
Implementation Method 2
the at least one light source faces the light guide plate and is adapted to change a color of the light guide plate
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging capturing module includes an appearance member, an image capturing unit, a color change assembly, and a control unit. The appearance member has an opening. The image capturing unit is disposed on an inner side of the appearance member and corresponds to the opening. The color change assembly covers the opening. The control unit is coupled to the color change assembly and is adapted to control the color change assembly to change to a first color and a second color. When the color change assembly is the first color, the control unit controls the image capturing unit to turn on. When the color change assembly is the second color, the control unit controls the image capturing unit to turn off.