Patent ID: 12222637

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain aspects of the invention reflect an appreciation that it would be desirable to provide display devices which include embedded camera systems with a privacy function. Certain aspects of the invention reflect an appreciation that certain known embedded camera systems provide a camera active indicia, such as a light indication, when the camera system is active.

Certain aspects of the invention reflect an appreciation that certain known embedded camera systems include mechanical shutter systems. Certain aspects of the invention reflect an appreciation that it is challenging to provide mechanical shutter systems to certain known display devices, such as narrow bezel display devices. With certain narrow bezel display devices there is not enough space on the bezel to allow for a shutter such as an accessory shutter solution.

Accordingly, a system and method are disclosed for providing an information handling system display device with an embedded camera system having an electronic shutter system. In various embodiments, the embedded camera system includes a camera component, an electronic shutter component, a display frame portion, a display device frame portion, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the camera component is embedded along an edge of the display device frame portion. In certain embodiments, the camera component is embedded along a top edge of the display device frame portion. In certain embodiments, the camera component is embedded in a center area of the display device frame portion.

In certain embodiments, the electronic shutter component is mounted along an edge of the display device frame portion. In certain embodiments, the electronic shutter component is mounted along a top edge of the display device frame portion. In certain embodiments, the electronic shutter component is mounted in a center area of the display device frame portion. In certain embodiments, the electronic shutter component is mounted in front of the camera component.

In certain embodiments, the electronic shutter component includes a an electronically controllable obfuscation device. In certain embodiments, when in a camera off mode of operation, the electronic shutter component restricts visual access to a camera component. When in the camera on mode of operation, the electronic shutter component provides visual access to the camera component.

In certain embodiments, the display device frame portion corresponds to a middle frame of the display device. In certain embodiments, the display device frame portion defines a void along a surface of a top panel of the display device frame. In certain embodiments, the camera component, the shutter component, or a combination thereof, are mounted within the void defined along a surface of the top panel of the display device frame.

FIG.1is a generalized illustration of an information handling system100that can be used to implement the system and method of the present invention. The information handling system100includes a processor (e.g., central processor unit or “CPU”)102, input/output (I/O) devices104, such as a display, a keyboard, a mouse, a touchpad or touchscreen, and associated controllers, a hard drive or disk storage106, and various other subsystems108. In various embodiments, the information handling system100also includes network port110operable to connect to a network140, which is likewise accessible by a service provider server142. The information handling system100likewise includes system memory112, which is interconnected to the foregoing via one or more buses114. System memory112further comprises operating system (OS)116. In various embodiments, the information handling system100is coupled with and communicates with a display device120. In certain embodiments, system memory112includes a shutter control system150, a camera control system152, or a combination thereof. In various embodiments, the information handling system is integrated with the display device to provide an all in one (AIO) type information handling system. In certain embodiments, the information handling system includes a portable information handling system which includes an integrated display device.

For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components.

In certain embodiments, the display device120includes an embedded camera system. In various embodiments, the embedded camera system includes a camera component, an electronic shutter component, a display device frame portion, or a combination thereof.

In certain embodiments, the camera component is embedded along an edge of the display device frame portion. In certain embodiments, the camera component is embedded along a top edge of the display device frame portion. In certain embodiments, the camera component is embedded in a center area of the display device frame portion. In various embodiments, the electronic shutter component system performs a shutter obfuscation operation. As used herein, a shutter obfuscation operation broadly refers to electronically controlling operation of the shutter component such that when in a camera off mode of operation, the electronic shutter component restricts visual access to a camera component and when in the camera on mode of operation, the electronic shutter component provides visual access to the camera component.

In certain embodiments, the electronic shutter component includes a an electronically controllable obfuscation device. In certain embodiments, when in a camera off mode of operation, the electronically controllable obfuscation device restricts visual access to a camera component. When in the camera on mode of operation, the electronically controllable obfuscation device provides visual access to the camera component.

FIG.2is a block diagram of an information handling system configuration and fabrication environment200implemented in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In certain embodiments, the information handling system configuration and fabrication environment200may include a repository of information handling system configuration and fabrication data220. In certain embodiments, the repository of information handling system configuration and fabrication data220may be local or may be executed remotely.

In certain embodiments, the user device204is used to exchange information between the user202and a product configuration system250, and a custom product fabrication system250, through the use of a network240. In certain embodiments, the network240may be a public network, such as a public internet protocol (IP) network, a physical private network, a wireless network, a virtual private network (VPN), or any combination thereof. Skilled practitioners of the art will recognize that many such embodiments are possible and the foregoing is not intended to limit the spirit, scope or intent of the invention. As used herein, a user device204refers to an information handling system such as a personal computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, a mobile telephone, or other device that is capable of communicating and processing data. In certain embodiments, the user device204may be configured to present a configuration and/or fabrication system user interface (UI)240. In certain embodiments, the configuration and/or fabrication system UI240may be implemented to present a graphical representation242of configuration and/or fabrication information.

In various embodiments, the configuration and/or fabrication system UI240may be presented via a website. In certain embodiments, the website may be provided by the product configuration system250. For the purposes of this disclosure a website may be defined as a collection of related web pages which are identified with a common domain name and is published on at least one web server. A website may be accessible via a public IP network or a private local network.

A web page is a document which is accessible via a browser which displays the web page via a display device of an information handling system. In various embodiments, the web page also includes the file which causes the document to be presented via the browser. In various embodiments, the web page may comprise a static web page, which is delivered exactly as stored and a dynamic web page, which is generated by a web application that is driven by software that enhances the web page via user input to a web server.

In certain embodiments, the user device204may be implemented to interact with the product configuration system250, which in turn may be executing on a separate information handling system200. In various embodiments, the product configuration system250interacts with a custom product fabrication system252. In various embodiments, the custom product fabrication system252fabricates products.

In various embodiments, the fabricated product includes a display device. In various embodiments, the display device includes an embedded camera system. In various embodiments, the embedded camera system includes a camera component, an electronic shutter component, a display device frame portion, or a combination thereof.

In certain embodiments, the camera component is embedded along an edge of the display device frame portion. In certain embodiments, the camera component is embedded along a top edge of the display device frame portion. In certain embodiments, the camera component is embedded in a center area of the display device frame portion.

FIGS.3A and3B, generally referred to asFIG.3, respectively show a front view and an exploded perspective view of a display device300having an embedded camera system310. In certain embodiments, the display device300includes a display frame component312, a frame component314, a front deco component316, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, a display318is mounted to the display frame component312. In certain embodiments, the display device frame component314is integrated within a middle frame component of the display device300. In certain embodiments, the front deco component350is mounted along an edge of the display frame component.

In certain embodiments, the embedded camera system310includes a camera component320having an associated electronic shutter component, a display device frame portion330, a display device frame portion340, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the display device frame portion330is integrated within the display frame component312of the display device300. In certain embodiments, the display device frame portion340is integrated within the display device frame component314of the display device300.

In certain embodiments, the camera component320is embedded along an edge of the display device frame portion340. In certain embodiments, the camera component320fits within a notch defined by the display device frame portion330. In certain embodiments, the camera component320is embedded along a top edge of the display device frame portion340. In certain embodiments, the camera component320is embedded in a center area of the display device frame portion340.

In certain embodiments, the shutter component322is mounted along an edge of the display frame portion330. In certain embodiments, the associated electronic shutter component is mounted along a top edge of the display frame portion330. In certain embodiments, the camera component320, the associated electronic shutter component or a combination thereof, are mounted in a center area of the display device frame portion.

FIG.4shows a cut away side view of a portion of a display device400having an embedded camera system405. In certain embodiments, display device400corresponds to display device300. In certain embodiments, the embedded camera system405corresponds to embedded camera system310.

In certain embodiments, the display device400includes a display portion412, a support frame portion414, a rear frame portion416, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the display frame portion412includes a display component420, a front display panel422, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, one or both the display component420and the front display panel422are mounted to the display frame portion412. In certain embodiments, the display device frame portion414is integrated within a middle frame component of the display device400. In certain embodiments, the rear frame portion416is mounted along an outside edge of the support frame portion414.

In certain embodiments, the embedded camera system405includes a camera component430, an associated electronic shutter component432, a display frame portion440, a display device frame portion442, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the display frame portion440is integrated within the display frame portion412of the display device400. In certain embodiments, the display device frame portion442is integrated within the display device frame portion414of the display device400.

In certain embodiments, the camera component430is embedded along an edge of the display device frame portion440. In certain embodiments, the camera component430fits within a void defined by the display frame portion440. In certain embodiments, the camera component430is embedded along a top edge of the display device frame portion442. In certain embodiments, the camera component430is embedded in a center area of the display device frame portion442.

In certain embodiments, the electronic shutter component432is mounted in front of a lens of the camera component430. In certain embodiments, the electronic shutter component is along a top edge of the front panel display422. In certain embodiments, the camera component430, the electronic shutter component432or a combination thereof, are mounted in a center area of the display device frame portion.

FIGS.5A and5B, generally referred to asFIG.5, show cut away side views of an electronic shutter component500. More specifically,FIG.5Ashows a cut away side view of an electronic shutter component500in a camera off mode of operation andFIG.5Bshows a cut away side view of an electronic shutter component500in a camera on mode of operation. When in the camera off mode of operation, the electronic shutter component restricts visual access to the camera lens505. When in the camera on mode of operation, the electronic shutter component provides visual access to the camera lens505.

In certain embodiments, the electronic shutter component500includes an electronically controllable obfuscation device510. In certain embodiments, the electronically controllable obfuscation device510includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel. In certain embodiments, the LCD panel is an electronically modulated optical device that uses the light modulating properties of liquid crystals to control whether the shutter component500is functioning in a camera off mode of operation or a camera on mode of operation.

In certain embodiments, the electronically controllable obfuscation device510includes a switchable film polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) device. In certain embodiments, when the switchable film polymer dispersed liquid crystal device is configured in a natural state, the PDLC molecules are arranged in a way that causes light waves to refract through and reflect away from the surface of the device, thus distorting the state of the device to present as frosted. In certain embodiments, when the switchable film polymer dispersed liquid crystal device is configured in an active state (such as when a voltage differential is applied to the switchable film polymer dispersed liquid crystal device (see e.g.,FIG.5B)) the PDLC molecules are polarized, thus allowing light to pass through the switchable film polymer dispersed liquid crystal device. In certain embodiments, the switchable film polymer dispersed liquid crystal device includes a polymer dispersed liquid crystal core layer which includes liquid crystal droplets516suspended in a polymer film.

In certain embodiments, the electronically controllable obfuscation device510is mounted between the camera lens505and a viewing aperture512defined by a display device housing520. In certain embodiments, the viewing aperture512is defined by an outer fame portion514of the display device (also referred to as the black matrix of the display device). In certain embodiments, the electronically controllable obfuscation device510is mounted within a void of the display device housing520.

In certain embodiments, electronic shutter component500includes a sealant portion530which separates the electronically controllable obfuscation device510from a main display532of the display device. In certain embodiments, the electronic shutter component500includes a second sealant portion534positioned along a top edge of the electronically controllable obfuscation device510. In certain embodiments, the sealant portion530and the sealant portion534are integrated within a single sealant component. In certain embodiments, the single sealant component is substantially (i.e., +/−10%) circularly shaped. In certain embodiments, the single sealant component provides a substantially (i.e., +/−10%) circularly shaped electronically controllable obfuscation device510. In certain embodiments, the main display532includes an LCD panel. In certain embodiments, the LCD panel of the main display532is separated from the LCD panel of the electronically controllable obfuscation device510by the sealant portion530.

In certain embodiments, the display device housing520includes an inner shutter wall portion540, an outer shutter wall portion542, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the inner shutter wall portion540, the outer shutter wall portion542, or a combination thereof, are configured from an optically clear material. In certain embodiments, the optically clear material includes a clear plastic material. In certain embodiments, the clear plastic material includes a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic material.

In certain embodiments, the inner shutter wall portion540includes an inner wall electrically conductive edge portion544. In certain embodiments, the outer shutter wall portion542includes an outer wall electrically conductive edge portion546. In certain embodiments, the inner wall electrically conductive edge portion544, outer wall electrically conductive edge portion546, or a combination thereof, include one or more respective Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) layers.

FIG.6shows a cut away side view of an electronic shutter component600. When in the camera off mode of operation, the electronic shutter component restricts visual access to the camera lens605. When in the camera on mode of operation, the electronic shutter component provides visual access to the camera lens605. In certain embodiments, the electronic shutter component600includes an electronically controllable obfuscation device610. In certain embodiments, the electronically controllable obfuscation device610includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel. In certain embodiments, the LCD panel is an electronically modulated optical device that uses the light modulating properties of liquid crystals to control whether the shutter component600is functioning in a camera off mode of operation or a camera on mode of operation.

In certain embodiments, the electronically controllable obfuscation device610includes a switchable film polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) device. In certain embodiments, when the switchable film polymer dispersed liquid crystal device is configured in a natural state, the PDLC molecules are arranged in a way that causes light waves to refract through and reflect away from the surface of the device, thus distorting the state of the device to present as frosted. In certain embodiments, when the switchable film polymer dispersed liquid crystal device is configured in an active state (such as when a voltage differential is applied to the switchable film polymer dispersed liquid crystal device) the PDLC molecules are polarized, thus allowing light to pass through the switchable film polymer dispersed liquid crystal device. In certain embodiments, the switchable film polymer dispersed liquid crystal device includes a polymer dispersed liquid crystal core layer which includes liquid crystal droplets616suspended in a polymer film.

In certain embodiments, the electronically controllable obfuscation device610is mounted between the camera lens605and a viewing aperture612defined by a display device housing620. In certain embodiments, the viewing aperture612is defined by a front deco portion614of the display device housing620. In certain embodiments, the electronically controllable obfuscation device610is mounted within a void of the display device housing620.

In certain embodiments, electronic shutter component600includes a sealant portion630which separates the electronically controllable obfuscation device610from a main display632of the display device. In certain embodiments, the electronic shutter component600includes a second sealant portion634positioned along a top edge of the electronically controllable obfuscation device610. In certain embodiments, the sealant portion630and the sealant portion634are integrated within a single sealant component. In certain embodiments, the single sealant component is substantially (i.e., +/−10%) circularly shaped. In certain embodiments, the single sealant component provides a substantially (i.e., +/−10%) circularly shaped electronically controllable obfuscation device610. In certain embodiments, the main display632includes an LCD panel. In certain embodiments, the LCD panel of the main display632is separated from the LCD panel of the electronically controllable obfuscation device610by the sealant portion630.

In certain embodiments, the display device housing620includes an inner shutter wall portion640, an outer shutter wall portion642, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the inner shutter wall portion640, the outer shutter wall portion642, or a combination thereof, are configured from an optically clear material. In certain embodiments, the optically clear material includes a clear plastic material. In certain embodiments, the clear plastic material includes a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic material.

In certain embodiments, the inner shutter wall portion640includes an inner wall electrically conductive edge portion644. In certain embodiments, the outer shutter wall portion642includes an outer wall electrically conductive edge portion646. In certain embodiments, the inner wall electrically conductive edge portion644, outer wall electrically conductive edge portion646, or a combination thereof, are patterned. In certain embodiments, the inner wall electrically conductive edge portion644, outer wall electrically conductive edge portion646, or a combination thereof, are patterned to apply a voltage differential across the electronically controllable obfuscation device610. In certain embodiments, the inner wall electrically conductive edge portion644, outer wall electrically conductive edge portion646, or a combination thereof, are patterned to apply a voltage differential across the switchable film polymer dispersed liquid crystal device. In certain embodiments, the inner wall electrically conductive edge portion644, outer wall electrically conductive edge portion646, or a combination thereof, include one or more respective Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) layers.

FIG.7shows a front view of a portion of a display device700having an integrated camera system and associated electronic shutter component. In certain embodiments, the display device700includes an outer frame portion710of a display device housing (also referred to as the black matrix of the display device). In certain embodiments, the outer frame portion710includes a first electrically conductive signal path712, a second electrically conductive signal path714, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the first electrically conductive signal path712transmits a ground signal. In certain embodiments, the second electrically conductive signal path714transmits a voltage signal. In certain embodiments, the second electrically conductive signal path714functions as an on/off transmission line.

In certain embodiments, a viewing aperture716is defined by the outer fame portion710of the display device. In certain embodiments, an electronically controllable obfuscation device720is mounted between a camera lens and the viewing aperture716. In certain embodiments, the outer frame portion710includes the first electrically conductive signal path712, the second electrically conductive signal path714, or a combination thereof, are coupled to the electronically controllable obfuscation device720.

In certain embodiments, the electronically controllable obfuscation device510is mounted between the camera lens505and a viewing aperture512defined by a display device housing520. In certain embodiments, the viewing aperture512is defined by an outer fame portion514of the display device (also referred to as the black matrix of the display device). In certain embodiments, the electronically controllable obfuscation device510is mounted within a void of the display device housing520.

The present invention is well adapted to attain the advantages mentioned as well as others inherent therein. While the present invention has been depicted, described, and is defined by reference to particular embodiments of the invention, such references do not imply a limitation on the invention, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The invention is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those ordinarily skilled in the pertinent arts. The depicted and described embodiments are examples only, and are not exhaustive of the scope of the invention.

Consequently, the invention is intended to be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects.