Wearable Camera Privacy Cover Actuator Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable devices with cameras raise privacy concerns as users may be unaware when data is being captured, leading to potential socially or legally unacceptable actions, and there is a need to inform bystanders about camera activity while preventing unauthorized data capture.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a camera cover that can be moved between a closed and open position using an actuator, with indicators visible to bystanders, to inform them when the camera is active or inactive, and requiring mechanical user input to switch modes, enhancing privacy control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a camera is included in a wearable device to capture images and video, then the device functionality and utility are improved, but privacy concerns and potential misuse increase
Solution Approach 1:
The camera cover is positioned to occlude the camera lens before the device is activated or before capture is initiated. This preliminary physical blocking prevents any potential unauthorized capture from occurring before the user consciously decides to activate the camera function, thereby addressing privacy concerns while preserving camera functionality when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera cover acts as an intermediary physical barrier between the camera lens and the external environment. It mediates the capture process by requiring deliberate user action to move from the occluded (private) state to the open (functional) state, thus preventing accidental or unauthorized capture while allowing intentional capture when desired.
2Extent of automation
If the camera can operate autonomously with computer vision applications, then the device intelligence and automation are improved, but the risk of unintentional data capture increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera cover ensures that the camera lens is occluded before any autonomous computer vision processing begins. This preliminary physical blocking guarantees that even if the processor is actively running computer vision algorithms, no data can be captured without the cover being deliberately moved to the open position by the user, thus preventing unintentional capture while maintaining automation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The occluded state of the camera cover serves as a preliminary anti-action that counteracts any potential autonomous capture behavior. By maintaining the physical barrier before automation activates, the system preemptively prevents harmful unintended capture while allowing beneficial automation to function when properly activated.
3Loss of information
If indicators are added to show camera activity to bystanders, then transparency and privacy awareness are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding complex electronic indicator systems, the patent uses the camera cover's physical state (open or closed position) as a visual copy or representation of camera activity status. When the cover is open, it visually indicates the camera is active; when closed, it indicates the camera is inactive. This eliminates the need for separate LED indicators or display elements, maintaining transparency while avoiding increased complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera cover serves multiple functions: it physically blocks the lens for privacy protection, and simultaneously serves as a visual indicator of camera status for bystander awareness. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate indicator components, thereby providing transparency without increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and devices for controlling camera privacy in wearable devices are described. A camera cover can be provided that is movable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the camera cover can occlude a field of view of a camera, such that the camera cannot capture meaningful data. In the open position, the camera cover can be at least partially out of the field of view of the camera, such that the camera can capture meaningful data. The camera cover can be positioned within a housing of the wearable device, and an actuator can be positioned external to the housing of the wearable device. A user can move the camera cover by moving the actuator.