Translucent Camera Cover and Shutter for Standby Privacy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic equipment with image capture devices, such as set-top boxes, continue to record images during standby mode, raising privacy concerns when not in use, as they can capture clear images despite user inactivity.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a shutter and a translucent cover in the electronic equipment casing that can move between different states to either allow clear viewing, blurred viewing, or block the view, along with a control unit to manage power modes based on user presence detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the camera continues to record during standby mode to detect user presence, then the automation of standby mode switching is improved, but user privacy is compromised due to clear image capture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic standby mode switchingVSAvoidprivacy violation

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is divided into a translucent zone and an opaque zone, allowing the system to segment the image capture function into blurred detection (for automation) and blocked recording (for privacy protection). This enables automatic standby switching while preserving user privacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different zones of the cover have different optical properties: the translucent zone allows blurred image capture for motion detection, while the opaque zone blocks clear image capture to protect privacy. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between automation and privacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a translucent cover is used to blur images during standby, then user privacy is protected, but the ability to clearly detect user presence for automation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoiduser presence detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is segmented into translucent and opaque zones, allowing the translucent zone to provide blurred but sufficient motion detection capability while maintaining privacy protection. The segmentation enables adequate measurement precision for automation without compromising privacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Extent of automation

If the shutter is always in the working state to allow image capture, then automation functionality is maintained, but privacy is compromised during standby periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestandby mode detectionVSAvoidcontinuous recording risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shutter and cover are made movable between different states (working/resting and retracted/protection positions) based on operational needs. During standby, the cover moves to the protection state with the shutter in the working state, enabling dynamic adaptation that maintains automation while protecting privacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The translucent cover acts as an intermediary element between the shutter and the external environment during standby mode. It allows the shutter to remain in the working state for motion detection while the cover mediates by blurring the captured images to protect privacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple components (shutter and cover) are added to protect privacy, then privacy protection is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivacy protection capabilityVSAvoidnumber of movable components

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shutter and cover are integrated into a coordinated system where their movements are linked. The cover is integrated into the shutter assembly, allowing them to work together as a unified mechanism for privacy protection while managing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover serves multiple functions: it acts as a protective element, a privacy filter through its translucent zone, and a mechanical component that works with the shutter. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, managing complexity while enhancing privacy protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250392805A1Electronic equipment with translucent cover and associated operating method

Publication Date: 2025.12.25 SAGEMCOM BROADBAND SAS

AI summary

An electronic equipment includes a casing provided with at least one opening, an image capture device, a shutter movably mounted in the casing between a working state and a resting state so that, when the shutter is in its working state, the image capture device views the exterior of the casing via the opening, and, when the shutter is in its resting state, the shutter conceals the opening for the image capture device, the equipment comprising a cover movably mounted in the casing between a retracted state and a protection state so that, when the cover is in its protection state and the shutter is in its working state, the image capture device views the exterior of the casing via the opening and a translucent zone of the cover. A corresponding operating method.