Patent Description:
<CIT> describes sensors and other components that can be disposed beneath a variable transparency layer of a mobile device. By modifying how much voltage is applied to the variable transparency layer, a component, such as a camera, can be readily hidden when not in use.

A device includes a shutter configured to block light transmission in a first state and permit light transmission in a second state in response to a sufficient voltage being applied across the shutter. The shutter is supported over a camera lens of a device. A controller is coupled to the shutter to selectively apply the voltage. The controller comprises a timer settable to a time during which the voltage is applied.

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments which may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural, logical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following description of example embodiments is, therefore, not to be taken in a limited sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

<FIG> is a block diagram of an electronic device <NUM> having a camera with a lens <NUM> and a shutter <NUM> coupled to cover the camera lens <NUM>. The shutter <NUM> may be formed with a layer that is normally opaque such that the shutter blocks light transmission to the lens <NUM>. The shutter changes to substantially transparent to permit light transmission to the lens <NUM> in response to a suitable voltage being applied across the shutter <NUM>. The shutter <NUM> and layer may be formed as a plate having sufficient area to cover or sufficiently obscure the camera lens <NUM> while voltage is applied. Device <NUM> may be a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop computer, a camera coupleable to a computer, or other device for which a user of the device may wish to ensure controllable privacy.

The terms opaque and transparent may be interpreted to a means that no light, or very little light preventing images from being discerned, or all light or a significant amount of light from which images may be discerned respectively. In further embodiments, the amount of light blocked may simply be different to varying degrees depending on whether voltage is applied, or not applied. In still further embodiments, varying amounts of voltage may be applied as desired to modify the amount of light blocked or transmitted.

In one embodiment, the shutter <NUM> is formed from with a polymer dispersed liquid crystal that is thin and can easily be applied to or incorporated into a display screen <NUM>, such as a touch screen of the device <NUM>. Various means for supporting the shutter <NUM> over the camera lens <NUM> of device <NUM> include a suitable transparent adhesive applied to the shutter <NUM> to adhere it to the screen <NUM>, which may be formed of glass. Other means include forming various layers of the shutter <NUM> directly on the screen <NUM>. Further means include utilizing a frame to hold the shutter and attaching the frame to the screen <NUM>. Still further means may be used to secure the shutter over one or more camera lenses in further embodiments. The shutter may be coupled to a device bus for receiving power. The device bus may also provide signals to control the shutter as discussed in further detail below.

Device <NUM> may further include a vibration sensing device <NUM> to operate as a switch to control the state of the shutter as described in further detail below.

<FIG> is a block schematic representation of shutter <NUM> illustrating electrical connections to further electronics generally at <NUM>. Shutter <NUM> is coupled via positive and negative conductors <NUM> and <NUM> to a controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is coupled to the shutter <NUM> to selectively apply voltage via conductors <NUM> and <NUM> to cause the shutter <NUM> to turn opaque.

Controller <NUM> includes a timer <NUM> that is settable to a time during which the voltage is applied. The time may be preselected, such as <NUM> minutes, or may be specified by a user of the device <NUM>. In one example, a signal may be provided via communication line <NUM> to the controller via a trusted privacy module <NUM>. Communication line <NUM> is also representative of a receiver or transceiver for receiving wireless control signals from device <NUM> or other device, such as a remote control, wireless keyboard, mouse, or other device.

In some examples the signal may be generated based on a meeting on a user's calendar, with the signal specifying the length of the meeting for use in setting the timer <NUM>. The user may be provided an option of whether or not to send the signal in response to the meeting starting or about to start. The option may be tied into a video conferencing application like Zoom® or Teams® message asking whether or not video is desired for the meeting.

The trusted privacy module <NUM> may be configured to receive the input signal from a remote source requesting application of the voltage. The trusted privacy module <NUM> may then verify the source of the input signal. Public/private key encryption may be used for verification. Thus the input signal may include a public key that allowed decrypting the signal by use of the private key to verify that the signal originated from a trusted source, such as device <NUM>, or other authorized device.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an alternative shutter <NUM> coupled to a controller <NUM>. Shutter <NUM> is represented in cross section to illustrate various layers. A first conductive layer <NUM>, such as a plate, is coupled to the controller <NUM> via a first voltage conductor <NUM>. A second conductive layer <NUM>, such as a plate, is coupled to the controller <NUM> via a second voltage conductor <NUM>. A polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) layer <NUM> is dispersed between the first and second conductive layers <NUM> and <NUM> such that when voltage is applied by the controller <NUM> across the first and second voltage conductors <NUM> and <NUM>, the layer <NUM> becomes substantially opaque.

The polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer <NUM> consists of microdroplets of liquid crystals encapsulated in a polymer matrix. The liquid crystals respond to an electrical charge. In a static state, the liquid crystal molecules remain in a randomized configuration that refracts light that enters the layer, making it appear opaque. In response to an electric field, the molecules line up with the direction of the electric field, allowing light to pass through the layer as the layer is now transparent. When the electric field or electric charge is removed, the molecules or droplets again become randomly oriented. The incoming light is heavily scattered and does not pass through the layer, resulting in a fully or at least partially blocked image.

Shutter <NUM> may also include a transparent touch sensitive layer <NUM> that is coupled to the controller via conductor <NUM>. The touch sensitive layer <NUM> may include capacitive sensors that change in capacitance in response to an object, such as a finger or other conductive object comes near or into contact with layer <NUM>. The conductor <NUM> may include multiple conductors coupled to the capacitive sensors to facilitate sensing. Touch sensitive layer <NUM> may thus operate as a switch that is activatable by a user to cause application of the voltage via conductors <NUM> and <NUM> to cause the controller <NUM> to switch on the voltage to turn layer <NUM> transparent. If touched again, the voltage may be removed, turning layer <NUM> opaque.

Alternatively, the switch can be the vibration sensing device <NUM>, such as a hall effect sensor or nano-wire vibration sensor that is responsive to a knock or user strike proximate or sufficiently close to the sensing device <NUM> such that vibrations created by the knock or strike can be detected such that a signal responsive to the knock or strike is provided to the controller <NUM>. Still further, a microphone may be used to detect sound associated with knocks. The microphone may be already built into device <NUM> to provide signals to the controller <NUM>. The sensing device <NUM> may be located proximate, such as close to or nearby the shutter as shown in <FIG>, or anywhere else desired.

Layer <NUM> thus operates as a user activated switch. Other forms of user activated switches may be used in further embodiments, such as button switches, motion sensors, or other types of switches.

In some examples, various touches or sequences of touches may be used to program a controller <NUM> timer <NUM>. For instance, one tap or knock on layer <NUM> may set time <NUM> for <NUM> minutes, resulting in voltage being applied across layer <NUM> for one hour. Two taps may cause different control actions based on the current state of control. If no voltage is being applied, two taps may cause the voltage to be applied. Two more taps may then disable the voltage, returning layer <NUM> to the opaque state. In another embodiment, if no voltage is being applied, a number of taps in somewhat rapid succession may increment the timer <NUM> by <NUM> minutes for each tap in succession. Rapid succession may be interpreted as taps within at least <NUM> to <NUM> seconds in one embodiment. The time between taps corresponding to rapid succession may be set by a user in further embodiments. Still further, following the rapid taps, a single tap may be used to return the layer <NUM> to opaque by removing the voltage.

In one example, shutter <NUM> may include a transparent adhesive layer <NUM> suitable for attaching the shutter <NUM> to screen <NUM> to cover lens <NUM>. In still further embodiments, the layers of shutter <NUM> may be formed directly on the screen <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram of an integrated shutter system <NUM>. Integrated shutter system <NUM> includes a shutter <NUM> coupled to a controller <NUM> for controlling the shutter <NUM> between opaque and transparent states. Controller <NUM> includes a power source, such as a battery <NUM> for powering the controller and providing energy to apply voltage to the shutter <NUM> in a controlled manner. A user activatable switch <NUM>, such as a touch sensitive layer, may also be included to toggle the shutter <NUM> between opaque and transparent states. A frame <NUM> may be included to support the shutter system <NUM> components and attach the frame <NUM> to a display to cover a camera lens via adhesive or other means for so attaching the frame <NUM> to the display.

In one embodiment, the controller <NUM> may include a wireless receiver or transceiver to receive control signals wirelessly, such also act to switch states of the shutter portion <NUM>. As before, a trusted privacy module may be used to verify the origin of such wireless control signals.

<FIG> is a block diagram of an alternative shutter system <NUM>. In one embodiment, shutter system <NUM> includes multiple lateral shutter portions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, each positionable over respective lenses <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The shutter portions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are each laterally electrically isolated from each other. Each portion is coupled to a first voltage rail <NUM>, such as a negative rail coupled to a controller <NUM>. Each portion is also coupleable to a second voltage rail <NUM> via respective switches <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Second voltage rail <NUM> is also coupled to controller <NUM>. In various embodiments, the lenses may have different functions, such as wide angle or telephoto, or may be coupled to different types of cameras, such as infrared or regular RGB cameras. PDLC may be optimized to reflect infrared light in some embodiments.

Controller <NUM> controls the switches via one or more control lines indicated at <NUM>. The controller <NUM> can thus control each switch independently and thus control each shutter portion <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> to be opaque or transparent. The control may be performed in response to signals received by the controller <NUM> from either touch sensors associated with each shutter portion, or signals received from remote devices as previously described. If touch sensors are used, a user may slide a finger across the portions to control the shutters. Controller <NUM> may also include a power source, such as a battery <NUM>, or may also or alternatively receive power from a device such as device <NUM>.

<FIG> is flowchart illustrating a method <NUM> of controlling a shutter according to an example embodiment. Method <NUM> includes an operation <NUM> that receives an open shutter signal. In response to the open shutter signals, a voltage is applied at operation <NUM> across a first transparent conductive layer and a second transparent conductive layer forming a stack of layers covering a camera lens of a device, such that a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer dispersed between the first and second conductive layers transitions from an opaque state to a transparent state.

At operation <NUM>, a timer is set for a selected amount of time in response to receiving the open shutter signal. The timer counts down at decision operation <NUM> and at operation <NUM>, the voltage is stopped or discontinued in response to the timer expiring or in response to a block signal being received.

In one embodiment, method <NUM> further optionally verifies at operation <NUM> that the open shutter signal is received from a trusted source via key based encryption. The open shutter signal may be received in response to user interaction with a touch sensitive layer of the stack of layers.

In a further embodiment, the open shutter signal is received for one or more lateral sections of the stack of layers covering one or more corresponding lenses such that each lens may be blocked from receiving light, or not blocked from receiving light independently.

<FIG> is a block schematic diagram of a computer system <NUM> to implement one or more controllers and devices, as well as for performing methods and algorithms according to example embodiments. All components need not be used in various embodiments.

One example computing device in the form of a computer <NUM> may include a processing unit <NUM>, memory <NUM>, removable storage <NUM>, and non-removable storage <NUM>. Although the example computing device is illustrated and described as computer <NUM>, the computing device may be in different forms in different embodiments. For example, the computing device may instead be a smartphone, a tablet, smartwatch, smart storage device (SSD), or other computing device including the same or similar elements as illustrated and described with regard to <FIG>. Devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches, are generally collectively referred to as mobile devices or user equipment.

Although the various data storage elements are illustrated as part of the computer <NUM>, the storage may also or alternatively include cloud-based storage accessible via a network, such as the Internet or server-based storage. Note also that an SSD may include a processor on which the parser may be run, allowing transfer of parsed, filtered data through I/O channels between the SSD and main memory.

Memory <NUM> may include volatile memory <NUM> and non-volatile memory <NUM>. Computer <NUM> may include - or have access to a computing environment that includes - a variety of computer-readable media, such as volatile memory <NUM> and non-volatile memory <NUM>, removable storage <NUM> and non-removable storage <NUM>. Computer storage includes random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technologies, compact disc read-only memory (CD ROM), Digital Versatile Disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of storing computer-readable instructions.

Computer <NUM> may include or have access to a computing environment that includes input interface <NUM>, output interface <NUM>, and a communication interface <NUM>. Output interface <NUM> may include a display device, such as a touchscreen, that also may serve as an input device. The input interface <NUM> may include one or more of a touchscreen, touchpad, mouse, keyboard, microphone, camera, one or more device-specific buttons, one or more sensors integrated within or coupled via wired or wireless data connections to the computer <NUM>, and other input devices. The computer may operate in a networked environment using a communication connection to connect to one or more remote computers, such as database servers. The remote computer may include a personal computer (PC), server, router, network PC, a peer device or other common data flow network switch, or the like. The communication connection may include a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or other networks. According to one embodiment, the various components of computer <NUM> are connected with a system bus <NUM>.

Computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium are executable by the processing unit <NUM> of the computer <NUM>, such as a program <NUM>. The program <NUM> in some embodiments comprises software to implement one or more methods described herein. A hard drive, CD-ROM, and RAM are some examples of articles including a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as a storage device. The terms computer-readable medium, machine readable medium, and storage device do not include carrier waves to the extent carrier waves are deemed too transitory. Storage can also include networked storage, such as a storage area network (SAN). Computer program <NUM> along with the workspace manager <NUM> may be used to cause processing unit <NUM> to perform one or more methods or algorithms described herein.

Claim 1:
A shutter system for providing controllable privacy, comprising:
a shutter (<NUM>, <NUM>) supported over a camera lens of a device, the shutter configured to block light transmission in a first state and permit light transmission in a second state in response to a sufficient voltage being applied across the shutter; and
a controller (<NUM>, <NUM>) coupled to the shutter to selectively apply the voltage,
characterized in that
the controller comprises a timer (<NUM>, <NUM>) settable to a time during which the voltage is applied.