Patent Publication Number: US-2011058255-A1

Title: Computer, pda or telephone lens cover

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority of U.S. provisional patent applications No. 61/051,056 filed May 7, 2008 and No. 61/054,687 filed May 20, 2008, both entitled “Computer Camera and Webcam Cover,” and which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to computing devices and cameras. More specifically, the present invention relates to a cover for a camera or projector typically found on computing devices and mobile telephones. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many desktop and laptop computers these days have a small camera lens integrated into the frame of the display or monitor of these computers. The camera lens may then be easily used by the user of the computer to take a picture of himself or herself, or to transmit still or video images while sitting in front of the computer. The ease of use of such a camera lens can also be a drawback, though. A user may not realize that the camera is on and may inadvertently step photographs or transmit still or video images over a network to another location without realizing it. 
     Most mobile telephones now also include a camera lens on their back surfaces (in the case of so-called “candy bar” telephones) allowing a user to snap a photograph while holding the camera. Flip telephones typically include the camera lens on their front surfaces (when closed) so that the camera is in position to take a photograph when the flip telephone is in an open position. More sophisticated devices such as smart telephones and personal digital assistants (PDAs) also include a camera lens on their back surfaces. Similar to the camera in a computer, the user may inadvertently take a photograph or take a movie without knowing it. 
     In addition to a computer, PDA or mobile telephone including a camera lens for taking photographs, many of these devices are beginning to include a projection lens for projecting a still or video image onto a nearby surface. But, an image may be inadvertently projected because the user may not know that the device is on. 
     While many of these devices include an on/off button, a warning light or other visual indicator, the user may still be unaware that the camera lens is taking a picture or the projection lens is projecting an image. Therefore, a device is needed to assure the user that the lens cannot operate when the user does not wish it to operate, and to provide a concrete visual indicator that the lens cannot operate. Further, such a device should be simple and sturdy. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To achieve the foregoing, and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, a camera cover is disclosed that mounts over a camera typically found on computers and telephones such that the camera is covered. 
     The cover may have a shape of a square, round, triangular or oval door or lid that attaches over the built-in camera on computers, laptops, mobile telephones, smart telephones, personal digital assistants, web cameras, etc. It can be open or closed by hand. The exterior may be covered in many different colors as well as with logos and various designs. The cover serves many purposes such as advertising, camera lens protection, and privacy. When the cover is opaque, the camera cannot view objects when the cover is closed, or may not be able to view them clearly. Alternatively, the cover may be translucent in which case although an image may be viewed or transmitted, the image will not be clear. 
     In one embodiment, the cover covers a projection lens of a computer, PDA or mobile telephone. Normally the projection lens is used to project an image or video, but when the cover is closed no projection can occur. If the cover is translucent a distorted image or video would be displayed but would not be recognizable. 
     The cover may be made from a wide variety of materials such as metal, plastic, wood, KEVLAR, vinyl, neoprene, paper, cardboard, recycled materials, etc. In various embodiments, the cover may attach via a self-adhesive backing onto the computer or telephone, clip onto a recessed area of the camera, clip onto the computer display, clip over the camera lens, etc. The size of the cover may range from just large enough to cover the camera or projection lens itself, just large enough to cover the recessed area in which the lens sits, or large enough to easily cover the entire recessed area. 
     As described below, it will be appreciated that the cover may be closed or stay closed using its own weight (gravity), hook-and-loop closures such as VELCRO, snaps, a latch, friction, suction, a zipper or a ZIPLOC-type closure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention, together with further advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a computer onto which the cover of the present invention may be mounted. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a personal digital assistant (PDA) or smart telephone (“smart phone”) onto which the cover of the present invention may be mounted. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a mobile telephone onto which the cover of the present invention may be mounted. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate a first embodiment of the cover of the present invention in which it pivots in order to cover the lens. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a second embodiment in which the cover is mounted upon a mobile telephone. 
         FIGS. 6A ,  6 B and  6 C illustrate a third embodiment in which the cover hinges in order to cover the lens. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate a fourth embodiment in which the cover hinges to cover the lens. 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate a fifth embodiment in which the cover hinges to cover the lens. 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate a sixth embodiment in which the cover slides back and forth in order to cover the lens. 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate a seventh embodiment in which the cover is fixed in place using a snap. 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate an eighth embodiment in which the cover mounts on a hook or pin. 
         FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate a ninth embodiment in which the cover mounts via a suction cup. 
         FIGS. 13A and 13B  illustrate a tenth embodiment in which the cover slides on top of the computer. 
         FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrate an 11th embodiment in which the cover is fixed in place using a ZIPLOC-type closure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Devices Suitable for Use with the Cover 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a computer onto which the cover of the present invention may be mounted. The computer may be any of a wide variety of desktop or laptop computers and may include all its hardware within the display itself or separately. For ease of understanding, only the display  10  is shown. The display includes a screen area  12  where the images on the computer appear and a border area  14 . Border area  14  typically is of metal, glass or plastic (or a combination of materials) and serves not only to encase the display  12  but also to provide support, protection and an area for auxiliary devices such as a camera or projector. 
     As shown, within border area  14  is a camera lens  16  sitting within a circular recessed area  18 . The mechanism of the lens and the camera or projector itself are not shown but are understood by those of skill in the art. Lens  16  may be the lens of any suitable camera for taking still images, may be the lens of a video camera for recording videos or movies, or may be they lens of a projector for projecting images or movies from the computer onto a nearby surface. In particular, the cover may be adapted to cover one of a variety of miniature projection lenses available for computers, PDAs, mobile telephones, and smartphones. Thus, it will be understood that reference to a lens below in the various embodiments including computers, PDAs, telephones, etc., includes both a camera lens and a projection lens. In addition, the cover may fit over the lens on a wrist telephone or “wristphone.” Furthermore, while a recessed area  18  is shown, such an area need not always be present and if so, may come in a variety of shapes, not necessarily circular, and need not necessarily be recessed. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a personal digital assistant (PDA)  20  or smart telephone (“smart phone”) onto which the cover of the present invention may be mounted. The device  20  may also be a standard mobile telephone that is not a flip telephone. Accordingly, device  20  has a back surface  22  and a front surface (not shown). The front surface includes the screen, keyboard, buttons etc., while the back surface  22  includes a lens  26  for taking pictures or projecting images. Lens  26  sits within a square recessed area  28 , both of which are mounted within an area  24 . As will be made apparent below, various embodiments of the cover may be mounted either on border area  14  or upon area  24 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a mobile telephone  30  onto which the cover of the present invention may be mounted. Telephone  30  is a “flip” telephone having a front surface  32  that is normally viewed by the user when the telephone is closed. When the telephone is in use, or when the user desires to take a picture, the telephone is flipped open and thus lens  36  faces away from the user. Lens  36  is typically mounted within a recessed area  38  and may be a still camera lens, a video lens or a projection lens. 
     Cover Embodiments 
     The various embodiments of the cover described below may be implemented upon the computer of  FIG. 1 , the PDA of  FIG. 2  or the mobile telephone of  FIG. 3  as will be appreciated by one of skill in the art. Although specific embodiments are shown below, one of skill will appreciate that the embodiments may be combined to produce an embodiment that is not explicitly shown. For example, the sliding cover of  FIG. 9A  may include a snap such as shown in  FIG. 10A  even know such an embodiment is not explicitly shown. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate a first embodiment of the cover of the present invention in which it pivots in order to cover the lens. Shown is a border area  114  in which sits a camera lens  116  within a recessed area  118 . Border area  114  may correspond to area  14  which is the top part of the display of a laptop or desktop computer, may correspond to area  24  which is a portion of the back surface of a smartphone, or may correspond to area  32  which is the front surface of a flip telephone. Edge  115  is the top edge of the border area  114  meaning that it may correspond to the top edge of display  10 , the top edge of PDA  20 , or the top edge of mobile telephone  30 . 
     As shown, cover  120  includes within its circumference a pivot pin  125  that is affixed to the surface of area  114 . The cover is allowed to pivot around this pin such that in the open position (as shown) the lens  116  is allowed to receive (or project) images. By fixing the cover to the surface fairly tightly with the pivot pin, friction keeps the cover open. The pivot pin is preferably made from metal or plastic and is attached to the computer and the cover using self-adhesive backing. 
     The user rotates the cover downward manually to cover the lens in which case the lens cannot receive outside images or project images. In the case of a laptop or desktop computer, gravity keeps the cover closed after it has been closed, although friction may also be used to keep the cover closed. In the case of a PDA  20  or telephone  30 , friction is preferred to keep the cover closed.  FIG. 4B  is a side view of this embodiment. In the case of a laptop or desktop computer, area  112  corresponds to the screen area  12  formed below the border area  114 . Shown in this view is a narrow gap  128  between the cover  120  and the surface of area  114 . In this embodiment gravity easily keeps the cover closed while other means may be used to keep the cover open (such as hook and loop closures, etc.). Preferably, though, gap  128  is virtually nonexistent and friction between the cover and the surface of area  114  keeps the cover either open or closed after the user has moved it manually. 
     To use this embodiment, the pin is inserted through the cover and then one end of the pin (or its base) is adhered to the surface. The user rotates the cover up or down in order to uncover or cover the lens. An attachment means as described herein may be attached to the underside of the cover on the opposite side of the pin in order to attach the cover to the surface so it does not rotate when it is in place. If the cover is affixed tightly between the top of the pin and the surface than friction will hold the cover in place. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a second embodiment in which the cover is mounted upon a mobile telephone  30 . In this embodiment cover  120  also pivots around pivot pin  125  in order to cover or uncover lens  36 . Formed as part of cover  120  is a protuberance  121  of any suitable shape that closes the pivot pin  125 . Thus, the pivot pin is not within the circumference of the cover proper, as it is in  FIG. 4A . In this embodiment, friction again may be used to keep the cover either open or closed. 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate a third embodiment in which the cover hinges in order to cover the lens. The cover includes a fixed portion  142  attached to the top of the computer, a hinge portion  146 , and a movable portion  144 .  FIG. 6A  shows a front view in which the movable portion  144  has been raised upward and the lens  116  is clear, while  FIG. 6B  is a side view of the same situation. When desired, the user manually moves portion  144  downward so that it hangs more or less straight down vertically and covers the camera lens. When used with a computer display  10 , gravity holds the cover down. When used with PDA  20  or telephone  30 , it may be necessary to fix movable portion  144  to surface  114  using hook and loop closures, a snap, a latch, or other techniques described herein. Hinge portion  146  may be a conventional pin-type hinge using rigid materials, or may simply be a crease in flexible materials such as soft plastic. The other embodiments described below in which a hinge is used may also use a pin-type hinge or a crease. 
     To use this embodiment a type of adhesive means on the bottom of the fixed portion is used to attach the cover to the top surface of the computer. The user then rotates the cover forward and down to cover the lens or rotates it upward to uncover the lens. 
       FIG. 6C  illustrates a variation of this embodiment with a laptop computer. Shown is a lower portion of the computer  150 , a display portion  152 , a gap  153  between the two portions, and a hinge mechanism  154 . Preferably, the cover is closed before closing the laptop, thus movable portion  144  is sandwiched between the lower portion  150  and the display  152  within gap  153 . In this embodiment, it is preferable that the thickness of movable portion  144  is in the range of 0.0038 inch to approximately 1/16 inch, although other thicknesses will work as well, depending upon the gap between the body of the laptop and its display when closed. 
     To use this embodiment the user rotates the cover forward and down to cover the lens and then closes the laptop computer with the movable portion of the cover sandwiched between the top portion and the bottom portion of the laptop. 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate a fourth embodiment in which the cover hinges to cover the lens. Shown is a cover  164  attached to a hinge  166  that is affixed to area  114  below the top edge  115 . Hinge  166  may be located substantially below the top edge or may be located flush with the top edge. As shown, the cover is closed and covers recessed area  118  and the lens within it. When used with laptop or desktop computers, gravity holds the lens closed, when used with mobile devices any of the techniques described above for fixing the cover to the body of the device may be used. When open, the cover may fold flat on top of surface  115  if hinge  166  is located flush with the top edge. If hinge  166  is located substantially below the top edge, then a fixing means would normally be needed to affix cover  164  in an open position (such as hook and loop closures, a snap, etc.) to hold the cover against surface  114 . Alternatively, when used with a desktop or laptop computer in which the top edge of the display is tilted away from the user, gravity would hold the cover in an open position. 
     To use this embodiment a type of adhesive means on the bottom of the hinge (or on a base to which the hinge is attached) is used to attach the cover to the front surface of the computer. The user then rotates the cover down to cover the lens or rotates it upward to uncover the lens. 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate a fifth embodiment in which the cover hinges to cover the lens. Shown is a cover  174  attached to a hinge  176  that is affixed to area  114  on the top edge  115 . In this embodiment, cover  174  has an “L” shape. As shown, the cover is closed and covers recessed area  118  and the lens within it. When used with laptop or desktop computers, gravity holds the lens closed, when used with mobile devices any of the techniques described above for fixing the cover to the body of the device may be used. When open, the cover may sit atop surface  115 , resting upon the short portion of the “L” shape. 
     To use this embodiment a type of adhesive means on the hinge (or on a base to which the hinge is attached) is used to attach the cover to the top surface of the computer. The user then rotates the cover forward and down to cover the lens or rotates it upward to uncover the lens. 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate a sixth embodiment in which the cover slides back and forth in order to cover the lens. Shown is a cover  186  in a closed position covering the lens. The cover is mounted in two sliding tracks  181  and  182 . Preferably, these tracks are recessed elongated cavities within the computer frame as shown in  FIG. 9B . The cover  186  includes flanges  183  and  184  attached to the cover that extend inside cavities  181  and  182  in order to keep the cover in place, yet allow it to slide back and forth. As shown, each flange extends away from the center of the cover and up inside each cavity in order to hold the cover in place. The cavities and flanges may take other forms as well. For example, both cavities and flanges may extend in opposite directions (i.e., toward the center of the cover), one flange may extend away from the center of a cover and the other flange may extend toward the center of the cover, or the cavities may have different shapes. When the user desires to use the lens, the cover  186  is slid to the left. The cover may be constructed to slide to the right and left, as well as up and down. 
     To use this embodiment the recessed grooves are formed within the front surface of the computer or telephone. The flanges of the cover are then each inserted into their respective grooves, thus holding the cover in place. The user slides the cover in front of the lens to disable it or slides the cover away from the lens to uncover it and allow the lens to operate. Any of a variety of attachment means (snap, VELCRO, etc.) may be attached to the underside of the cover in order to hold the cover in place on the front surface of the device when it is desired that the cover not move. Alternatively, a tight fit with the flanges in the grooves (or of the cover against the surface) may create enough friction to hold the device in place until the user moves it manually. 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate a seventh embodiment in which the cover is fixed in place using a snap. As shown, cover  196  is mounted to the body of the computer, PDA or telephone using a hinge mechanism  194 . The hinge mechanism may be as described in any of the embodiments herein or maybe any other suitable type hinge. The cover is shown in the open position. When closed, a snap is used to hold the cover closed. The snap includes a male portion  191  and a female portion  192 . The snap may be a traditional snap or may be a pin type snap in which a pin  191  is inserted into recess  192 , in either case, friction holds the cover in place when closed. The hinge portion  194  may be mounted below the top edge  115 , flush with the top edge, or on top of the device itself as shown in previous embodiments. 
     To use this embodiment an adhesive is applied to one side of the hinge (or to a base on which the hinge is formed) and the assembly is adhered to the front surface of the device. A male snap is formed on the underside of the cover and the corresponding female portion is formed within the front surface of the device. The user rotates the cover downward and snaps it in place to cover the lens, and raises the cover upward to uncover the lens. Any of a variety of attachment means may be formed on the outer surface of the cover and on the front surface (above the lens) in order to hold the cover in an open position. 
       FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate an eighth embodiment in which the cover mounts on a hook or pin. As shown, a cover  206  includes a hole in itself  203  and is hanging upon a hook, pin or other protuberance  202  from the computer body. In this position, the lens is open and the cover is stored out of the way. The computer (or PDA or telephone) body also includes a second hook, pin or protuberance  201  formed or mounted substantially above the lens  116 . To cover the lens, the user simply removes the cover from hook  202  and places it over hook  201 . Although the hook  201  is shown in the shape of a straight pin, it will be appreciated that hook  201  may take any form as long as it protrudes far enough from surface  114  in order to hook and hold cover  206  through hole  203 . Further, although hole  203  is shown as being round, it may be any shape. This embodiment is most suitable for a laptop or desktop computer in which gravity holds the cover in place. Of course, any of the other embodiments shown herein describing means for holding the cover to a surface (i.e., hook and loop closure, snap, ZIPLOC, etc.) may also be used. Hooks  201  and  202  (and the other means described herein used to attach the cover to the computer) may be affixed to the computer body using self adhesive. The adhesives are preferably of the type where a paper backing is peeled off, thus exposing the adhesive. The user then applies pressure to mount the adhesive and the device to which it is attached onto the computer or telephone. Where more strength is required, a strong glue or an epoxy glue (either a one part or two part) may be applied to a portion of the cover and then the cover is installed in place. 
     To use this embodiment two hooks are formed on the front surface of the device or are adhered to the front surface using any of a variety of adhesives. The user places the cover on the hook above the lens in order to cover it and move the lens to the other hook to uncover it. The second hook is located far enough away from the lens such that when the cover is placed upon it the lens is not obscured. 
       FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate a ninth embodiment in which the cover mounts via a suction cup. As shown, a suction cup  222  is mounted to the surface  114  in order to completely cover the recessed area  118  that includes the lens. If area  118  is not recessed, than the diameter of cup  222  may be the same as area  118  or slightly smaller, as long as it substantially covers the interior lens. Suction cup  222  includes a handle or rear portion  224 . Even those shown as having a clinical shape, this handle may take any of a wide variety of forms. Attached to the rear of handle  224  is a cord, string, wire or other flexible connector that mounts to the computer body using a mount  229 . Although the mount is shown on top of the computer, the mount may also be on the rear of the computer or on its front surface. In order to use the lens, the user removes the suction cup from the surface and places it to one side, on top or to the rear of the computer. The suction cup may be made from rubber, vinyl or plastic, for example. 
     To use this embodiment a cord is attached to the rear of a suction cup and the other end of the cord is affixed (using adhesive, a snap, a screw, pressure, etc.) to the top, rear or front surface of the electronic device. The suction cup proper is then placed over the lens and force is applied to utilize suction to hold the cup in place. This embodiment works well upon a surface such as glass, metal or smooth plastic. When pulled off by the user the suction cup remains attached to the device and hangs to the side or to the back out of the way. 
       FIGS. 13A and 13B  illustrate a tenth embodiment in which the cover slides on top of the computer. As shown, cover  240  is basically a U-shaped piece of material having a top portion  241 , a rear portion  242  and a front portion  243 .  FIG. 13A  shows the cover in an open position in which it is not covering lens  116 . By sliding the cover to left the user may cover the lens to prevent it from operating. Although the cover is shown having portions  242  and  243  which are symmetrical (i.e., having the same length), it will be appreciated that these portions may have different lengths. For example, rear portion  242  need only be long enough so that it engages the rear of the computer display in order to hold the cover in place. Likewise, front portion  243  should be long enough to just substantially cover (or completely cover) the lens  116  although it of course may be longer. And, although gaps are shown between front and rear portions  242  and  243  and the body of the display, these gaps may be nonexistent in which friction operates to hold the cover in place. This cover is most suitable for the display of a laptop or desktop computer although it may be used with a PDA or mobile telephone as long as sufficient friction exists between the front and rear portions and the body of the device in order to hold cover in place. 
     Alternatively, the lower ends of portions  242  and  243  may include flanges that engage with recessed tracks within the display body as shown in  FIG. 9B  in order to hold the cover in place. In other words, the front of the display would include an elongated recessed track below the lens and the rear of the display would include a similar recessed track. 
     To use this embodiment the user places the cover onto the top edge of the computer, PDA or telephone. The cover may be slid in one direction to cover the lens or may be slid in the other direction to uncover the lens. Any of the variety of attachment means described herein may be used to fix the cover in one place; the attachment means is formed on the inside of the cover between the cover and the front, rear or top surface of the electronic device. The attachment means may hold the cover over the lens or out of the way to the side of the lens. To use friction, the cover is designed such that it is barely fits over the edge of the electronic device and significant force is needed to move the cover in either direction. 
       FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrate an 11th embodiment in which the cover is fixed in place using a ZIPLOC-type closure. As shown, cover  256  is in place covering a lens and recessed area. In this embodiment, the cover is made from a soft, pliable type of plastic or vinyl. The hinge portion  254  is formed by affixing the plastic or vinyl to the surface  114  using adhesive, and the hinge itself is formed by a crease in the plastic or vinyl. When folded up to cover the lens, the cover is affixed to the surface  114  using a ZIPLOC-type closure  252 . The female portion of the closure is adhered to the surface  114  using adhesive, while the male portion is attached to the inner side of the cover itself. The female and male portions may also be switched. 
     To use this embodiment the hinge portion is adhered to the surface using any of the variety of adhering or attachment means described herein. The user closes the cover by moving it upward (or downward) and sealing the closure  252 . To open the cover, the user unseals the closure  252  and bends the cover away from the lens. 
     In addition to the covers described above being mounted directly on to the computer, PDA or telephone as shown, the cover and its hinge, tracks, snap, hooks, etc., may be mounted or attached onto the case in which the computer, PDA or telephone is enclosed. For example, gluing, vulcanization, stitching, rivets, friction, snaps, and other techniques may be used to affix the cover to the case. 
     The cover may have all different shapes and sizes, for example, ranging from ⅝ inch square by 1/16 inch thick to 1¼ inch square by ⅛ inch thick, as well as rounds from ½ inch diameter to 1 inch in diameter. The actual size and shape will depend upon the size of the lens to be covered, the available surface area around the lens (so as not to obstruct any screen of the device), and whether the cover is for a computer display, a PDA or a mobile telephone. The size may vary widely depending upon the device and the needs of the designer. 
     Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the described embodiments should be taken as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention should not be limited to the details given herein but should be defined by the following claims and their full scope of equivalents.