Camera Privacy Shutter With Electromagnetic Hold And Spring Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital cameras lack a secure privacy shutter mechanism that ensures automatic closure after use, leaving users vulnerable to unauthorized access when connected to smart devices in home environments.
Innovation Solution
A camera with a privacy shutter mechanism that includes an electromagnet and a magnetic material to hold the shutter open during use and automatically close when the camera is turned off, using a spring bias for closure and a manual override button for convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a manual privacy shutter is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of automatic closure is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical shutter system with an electromechanical system. An electromagnet is introduced to work alongside the mechanical spring-loaded shutter, enabling automatic closure through electrical control when the camera is turned off, while maintaining the simplicity of the mechanical closure mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter mechanism is designed to automatically close itself when the camera is powered down. The spring loading system provides self-actuating closure without requiring user intervention, and the electromagnet ensures the shutter returns to the closed position reliably when power is removed.
2Ease of operation
If the shutter is always closed for privacy, then security is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is pre-loaded with a spring mechanism that automatically activates upon powering down the camera. This preliminary mechanical preparation ensures that the shutter will close immediately and reliably when power is removed, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring privacy protection is automatically restored.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnet provides automated control to replace manual shutter operation. When the camera is turned off, the electromagnet de-energizes and allows the spring mechanism to automatically close the shutter, combining electrical automation with mechanical reliability for both convenience and security.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a simple mechanical shutter is used, then the device complexity is low, but the object-generated harmful factors increase due to potential unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electromagnet to replace the purely mechanical shutter control system. This electromechanical enhancement ensures the shutter automatically closes when the camera is powered down, preventing unauthorized access while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that builds upon the existing mechanical shutter design.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded mechanism is pre-configured to automatically close the shutter when power is removed. This preliminary mechanical arrangement creates an automatic protective action that prevents unauthorized access before any potential threat can occur, ensuring privacy protection is actively maintained through automatic closure.
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
Ensures secure and automatic shutter closure, preventing unauthorized access by ensuring the shutter is always closed when the camera is not in use, enhancing user privacy and security.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnet operable to hold the privacy shutter in the second position by acting on the piece of magnetic material
Implementation Method 2
a spring biasing the privacy shutter towards the first position
Data Source
AI summary
A camera comprises a camera lens, a privacy shutter movable between a first position in which it obstructs the camera lens and a second position in which the camera lens is exposed, and a spring that biases the privacy shutter towards the first position. A piece of magnetic material is coupled to the privacy shutter, and an electromagnet is operable to hold the privacy shutter in the second position by acting on the piece of magnetic material. The camera may further comprise a switch located on the camera to deenergize the electromagnet.