Electro-Optical Switch for Privacy-Controlled Image Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for controlling image capturing in 3C devices, such as mechanical lens covers, are inconvenient and ineffective for timely privacy protection, as they obstruct light routes but do not easily allow for the interruption of image recording.
Innovation Solution
A switchable image capturing system incorporating at least one image sensor, a lens assembly, and an electro-optical switch controlled by a microcontroller, which can modulate light transmission to start or stop image capture based on user commands, using electrochromic or light-shielding layers to control light passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical lens cover is used to obstruct light routes, then the image capturing can be interrupted, but the convenience of using the product is negatively affected and timely privacy protection is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical lens cover system with an electro-optical switch system. The electro-optical switch uses electrical signals to control the transmission state of the lens assembly, allowing image capturing to be interrupted or resumed through electrical control rather than mechanical obstruction. This substitution eliminates the need for physical lens covers while maintaining privacy protection capability and significantly improving user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from mechanical position (lens cover opening/closing) to electrical signal (voltage applied to electro-optical switch). By controlling the transmission rate of the lens assembly through voltage changes, the system achieves timely privacy protection while maintaining continuous operational capability, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If a mechanical lens cover is used to obstruct light routes, then light transmission can be blocked, but the device complexity increases and timely control of image recording is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical lens cover system with an electro-optical switch system. The electro-optical switch uses electrical signals to control the transmission state of the lens assembly, allowing image capturing to be interrupted or resumed through electrical control rather than mechanical obstruction. This substitution eliminates the need for physical lens covers while maintaining privacy protection capability and significantly improving user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic control mechanism where the lens assembly transmission state can be changed in real-time based on user needs. The electro-optical switch enables the system to transition between different transmission states (obstructed and transmitted) dynamically, providing timely control of image recording without requiring complex mechanical structures.
3Ease of operation
If an electro-optical switch is used to control light transmission, then timely control of image capture is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electro-optical switch is integrated into the existing lens assembly structure, serving multiple functions: it controls light transmission, enables timely privacy protection, and maintains compatibility with existing image sensing systems. By making the lens assembly multi-functional through the integration of the electro-optical switch, the patent achieves timely control of image capture while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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 timely and convenient control of image capture, enhancing user privacy by allowing the system to interrupt or resume filming according to user needs without the need for mechanical obstructions, thus improving convenience and security.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the electro-optical switches changes the transmission rate thereof according to a control signal to obstruct a travel route of the light or to make the light pass through each of the electro-optical switches
Implementation Method 2
each of the electro-optical switches comprises a first substrate, a first transparent conductive layer, an auxiliary electrode layer, an electrolyte layer, an electrochromic layer, a second transparent conductive layer, and a second substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A switchable image capturing system is provided. Through modulating light by an electro-optical switch, the light intake received by the lens assembly and the image sensor may be changed. Specifically, when the electro-optical switch receives a positive voltage, the electro-optical switch obstructs the light so that the lens assembly and the image sensor are not able to image by receiving the light; when the electro-optical switch receives a negative voltage, the electro-optical switch allows the light to pass through so that the lens assembly and the image sensor is able to image by receiving the light. Through the configuration in the aforementioned statements, the image time of the image sensor may be controlled to interrupt or continue filming according to the user's needs.