ID Card Holder Camera Aperture Discreet Surveillance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional personal surveillance systems, such as camera-equipped helmets, are bulky and obtrusive, while discreet miniaturized cameras suffer from poor performance and are not suitable for environments like hospitals and schools, where they may be easily knocked off or lack battery life.
Innovation Solution
A surveillance system integrated within an electronic identity card holder, featuring a camera aperture on one side and an optically transparent region on the card, allowing discreet monitoring without the appearance of a camera, enabling better camera technology without size-related obtrusiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a camera is integrated into an identity card holder, then the camera becomes discreet and less obtrusive, but the camera aperture requires an optically transparent region that may compromise card security features
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only a specific region of the identity card transparent (the portion covering the camera aperture) while keeping the rest of the card opaque and secure. This allows the camera to function discreetly through the transparent window while the surrounding card material maintains its security features and appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent region acts as an intermediary element that allows optical passage for the camera aperture while being integrated into the opaque card structure. This mediator enables the camera function without compromising the overall card design or security features.
2Measurement precision
If better camera technology is used, then image quality and performance improve, but the camera size increases making it more obvious and less discreet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the identity card holder as a carrier housing for the camera system. By integrating the camera into the card holder structure rather than making the card itself the camera body, larger high-performance camera components can be accommodated while maintaining the appearance of a standard identity card.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent region is positioned precisely at the camera aperture location, allowing the camera to capture images through this localized area while the rest of the card maintains its normal appearance. This localized transparency enables high-performance camera integration without making the device obtrusive.
3Measurement precision
If the camera is positioned to capture candid footage, then accurate incident recording is achieved, but the camera must be positioned where it could be easily knocked off or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the camera with the identity card holder structure, integrating it into a protective housing rather than leaving it exposed. The card holder itself serves as both the carrier for the identity card and the protective enclosure for the camera, providing structural protection while maintaining discreet positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera is positioned within the protected interior space of the card holder, behind the transparent aperture but shielded by the card holder structure. This pre-positioning within a protective enclosure cushions the camera against physical damage while allowing it to capture candid footage through the aperture.
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
Provides accurate and candid footage of incidents without altering behavior, as the camera is disguised within a standard-looking identity card holder, allowing for improved camera performance and reduced visibility.
Implementation Method 1
The card has an optically transparent region that is configured so that the optically transparent region overlies the camera aperture when the card is received in the slot of the holder
Data Source
AI summary
A surveillance system comprising an electronic identity card holder 100 and corresponding identity card 170. The card holder 100 comprises a slot 150 for receiving an identity card 170. The slot 150 has a first side 150a and an opposing second side 150b. The first side 150a of the slot 150b comprising a viewing window 140 positioned to allow viewing of the second side 150b of slot 150. The card holder 100 also has a camera housed within the holder 100, and the camera has a camera aperture 196 provided on the second side 150b of the slot 150. The corresponding identity card 170 comprises an optically transparent region 175 that is configured to overlie the camera aperture 196 when the identity card 170 is received in the slot 150 of the holder 100.