Rotating Camera Polarizer for Glass Reflection Cancellation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Screen reflections on participants' glasses during videoconferencing can cause distractions and privacy/security concerns, necessitating a solution to filter out reflected polarized light effectively.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a camera with a privacy shutter that includes a polarizer capable of rotating to match the orientation of the display polarizer, thereby filtering out reflected polarized light.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a camera is integrated into a display device for videoconferencing, then communication functionality is improved, but screen reflections on participants' glasses cause distractions and privacy concerns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevideoconferencing functionalityVSAvoidscreen reflection on glasses

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A polarizing filter is introduced as an intermediary component between the camera and the reflected light. This polarizer selectively blocks polarized light from reflections on participants' glasses while allowing non-polarized or differently polarized light to pass through, thereby eliminating the harmful reflection effect without compromising the videoconferencing functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the polarization parameter of light by using a rotatable polarizing filter. By adjusting the polarization angle of the filter, the system can selectively block reflected polarized light while transmitting desired light, thus transforming the light's polarization state to achieve reflection cancellation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a polarizer is added to filter reflected polarized light, then reflection reduction is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereflected polarized lightVSAvoidcamera structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The privacy shutter mechanism is designed to serve multiple functions: it can block the camera lens for privacy protection and simultaneously position a polarizing filter in front of the lens to reduce reflections. By making one component perform multiple functions, the patent avoids adding separate mechanisms, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving reflection reduction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the privacy shutter and polarizing filter into a single integrated component. The polarizer is positioned within the privacy shutter assembly, allowing both the privacy function and reflection reduction function to be achieved through one unified structure rather than separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Effectively reduces glare and reflection on users' glasses by aligning the polarizer with the display polarizer, enhancing privacy and reducing visual distractions during videoconferencing.

Implementation Method 1

a privacy shutter configured to selectively rotate a polarizer to a first orientation or a second orientation. One of the first orientation or the second orientation is used to filter reflected polarized light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarisation: Polarisation

Data Source

PatentUS12530059B2Camera integrated glass reflection cancellation

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

An information handling system has a camera disposed in a display device, and a privacy shutter configured to selectively rotate a polarizer to a first orientation or a second orientation. One of the first orientation or the second orientation is used to filter reflected polarized light.