Magnetic Ferromagnetic Camera Cover for Thin-Bezel Privacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with external cameras are vulnerable to nefarious entities gaining control or access to the camera, as the camera is often visible and accessible, leading to potential unauthorized use.
Innovation Solution
A ferromagnetic cover is magnetically coupled to the camera housing, which can be positioned to obscure the lens, thereby preventing unauthorized access and maintaining a thinner bezel design without mechanical fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical fastener is used to secure the camera cover, then the camera cover can be reliably secured, but the bezel thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical fastening system with a magnetic field-based securing system. Magnets embedded in the bezel create magnetic attraction forces that hold the camera cover in place without requiring mechanical fasteners, thereby maintaining reliable securing while reducing bezel thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of materials by using ferromagnetic materials in the camera cover that respond to magnetic fields. This allows the cover to be secured through magnetic attraction rather than mechanical means, resolving the contradiction between reliability and thickness.
2Ease of operation
If the camera is made visible and accessible on the external surface, then image capture functionality is promoted, but unauthorized access and privacy security are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the camera cover dynamic by allowing it to be magnetically attached and detached. The cover can be positioned to obscure or expose the camera lens as needed, enabling users to control camera accessibility and prevent unauthorized access while maintaining ease of operation when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic camera cover serves as an intermediary between the user and the camera lens. It provides a controllable barrier that can be easily deployed or removed, allowing users to manage privacy security without permanently blocking camera functionality.
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
The ferromagnetic cover effectively mitigates unauthorized camera use by obscuring the lens and promotes a thinner bezel design, enhancing privacy and security for electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
a ferromagnetic cover disposed in the recess and magnetically coupled to the first magnet and the second magnet
Data Source
AI summary
Example implementations relate to ferromagnetic covers. For instance, in an example housing can include a bezel including first opening extending through a recess included in the bezel, a first magnet and a second magnet in an internal volume of the housing, and a ferromagnetic cover disposed in the recess and magnetically coupled to the first magnet and the second magnet, where the ferromagnetic cover includes a second opening to obscure a viewing portion of the first opening with the continuous portion when the ferromagnetic cover is positioned adjacent to a first side surface of the recess.