Security camera privacy shutter

• US 10,182,213 B2
• Filed: 06/02/2014
• Issued: 01/15/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Inventors: Brunson, Nic, Shearer, Wade, Warner, Michael, Walger, Stefan, Child, Michael David
• Primary Examiner(s): Vaughn, Jr., William C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Uhl, Lindsay J
• Application Number:
  US14/293,924
• Publication Number:
  US 20150350612A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,688 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19617 Surveillance camera constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19619 Details of casing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A method for improving privacy of security cameras is described. In one embodiment, predetermined events are monitored via a security camera. The security camera may include an optical barrier. At least one of the predetermined events is detected via the security camera. Based on detecting at least one of the predetermined events, the optical barrier is repositioned, via the security camera, in relation to a camera lens of the security camera.

Claims

1. A method for improving privacy of security cameras, comprising:

monitoring, via a security camera, an area to detect predetermined events, the security camera comprising an optical barrier, wherein at least one of the predetermined events indicate a change in status of a security system associated with the security camera;

detecting, via the security camera, at least one of the predetermined events within the monitored area;

based on detecting a change from a first status of the security system to a second status of the security system, repositioning, via the security camera, the optical barrier to cover a camera lens of the security camera, wherein repositioning the optical barrier comprises vertically pivoting the optical barrier from a first plane associated with the security camera to a second plane associated with the security camera;

upon repositioning the optical barrier to cover the camera lens of the security camera, activating a first visual indicator to emit light in a first pattern, wherein the first pattern is associated with the second status of the security system and the camera lens of the security camera being covered;

detecting a presence of a device associated with an occupant of the area, wherein the presence of the device is detected by the security camera while the camera lens of the security camera is covered by the optical barrier;

determining, via the security camera, an identity of the occupant based at least in part on the device associated with the occupant;

detecting a change in status of the security system associated with the security camera from the second status of the security system to the first status of the security system based at least in part on the determined identity of the occupant;

automatically repositioning, via the security camera, the optical barrier to uncover the camera lens of the security camera based at least in part on the detected change in the status; and

upon repositioning the optical barrier to uncover the camera lens of the security camera, activating a second visual indicator to emit light in a second pattern, wherein the second pattern is associated with the first status of the security system and the camera lens of the security camera being uncovered.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

upon detecting at least one of the predetermined events, repositioning the optical barrier to obstruct a field of view of the security camera.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the optical barrier is configured to be visible within predetermined distance from the security camera when the optical barrier is obstructing the security camera'"'"'s field of view.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the first visual indicator is located on the optical barrier.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

deactivating the first visual indicator upon repositioning the optical barrier to uncover the cameras lens.

6. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

generating a notification upon repositioning the optical barrier.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the predetermined events comprises:

receiving a remote request to activate the camera;

verifying an identity associated with the remote request; and

upon verifying the identity, implementing a notification and activating the camera.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the predetermined events comprises:

detecting a voice command from an occupant of a premises where the security camera is located.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the predetermined events comprises:

detecting initiation of communications between an occupant of a premises where the security camera is located and an administrator associated with the security camera.

10. A computing device configured for improving privacy of security cameras, comprising:

a security camera;

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor;

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to;

monitor an area to detect predetermined events, the security camera comprising an optical barrier, wherein at least one of the predetermined events indicate a change in status of a security system associated with the security camera;

detect at least one of the predetermined events within the monitored area;

based on detecting a change from a first status of the security system to a second status of the security system, reposition the optical barrier to cover a camera lens of the security camera, wherein repositioning the optical barrier comprises vertically pivoting the optical barrier from a first plane associated with the security camera to a second plane associated with the security camera;

upon repositioning the optical barrier to cover the camera lens of the security camera, activate a first visual indicator to emit light in a first pattern, wherein the first pattern is associated with the second status of the security system and the camera lens of the security camera being covered;

detect a presence of a device associated with an occupant of the area, wherein the presence of the device is detected by the security camera while the camera lens of the security camera is covered by the optical barrier;

determine an identity of the occupant based at least in part on the device associated with the occupant;

detect a change in status of the security system associated with the security camera from the second status of the security system to the first status of the security system based at least in part on the determined identity of the occupant;

automatically reposition the optical barrier to uncover the camera lens of the security camera based at least in part on the detected change in the status; and

upon repositioning the optical barrier to uncover the camera lens of the security camera, activate a second visual indicator to emit light in a second pattern, wherein the second pattern is associated with the first status of the security system and the camera lens of the security camera being uncovered.

11. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

upon detecting at least one of the predetermined events, repositioning the optical barrier to obstruct a field of view of the security camera.

12. The computing device of claim 11, wherein the optical barrier is configured to be visible within a predetermined distance from the security camera when the optical barrier is obstructing the security camera'"'"'s field of view.

13. The computing device of claim 11, wherein the first visual indicator is located on the optical barrier.

14. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

deactivate the first visual indicator upon repositioning the optical barrier to uncover the cameras lens.

15. The computing device of claim 11, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

generate a notification upon repositioning the optical barrier.

16. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

receive a remote request to activate the camera;

verify an identity associated with the remote request; and

upon verifying the identity, implement a notification and activate the camera.

17. A computer-program product for improving privacy of security cameras, the computer-program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions thereon, the instructions being executable by a processor to:

monitor, via a security camera, an area to detect predetermined events, the security camera comprising an optical barrier, wherein at least one of the predetermined events indicate a change in status of a security system associated with the security camera;

detect at least one of the predetermined events within the monitored area;

based on detecting a change from a first status of the security system to a second status of the security system, reposition the optical barrier to cover a camera lens of the security camera, wherein repositioning the optical barrier comprises vertically pivoting the optical barrier from a first plane associated with the security camera to a second plane associated with the security camera;

upon repositioning the optical barrier to cover the camera lens of the security camera, activate a first visual indicator to emit light in a first pattern, wherein the first pattern is associated with the second status of the security system and the camera lens of the security camera being covered;

detect a presence of a device associated with an occupant of the area, wherein the presence of the device is detected by the security camera while the camera lens of the security camera is covered by the optical barrier;

determine an identity of the occupant based at least in part on the device associated with the occupant;

detect a change in status of the security system associated with the security camera from the second status of the security system to the first status of the security system based at least in part on the determined identity of the occupant;

automatically reposition the optical barrier to uncover the camera lens of the security camera based at least in part on the detected change in the status; and

upon repositioning the optical barrier to uncover the camera lens of the security camera, activate a second visual indicator to emit light in a second pattern, wherein the second pattern is associated with the first status of the security system and the camera lens of the security camera being uncovered.

18. The computer-program product of claim 17, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

upon detecting at least one of the predetermined events, reposition the optical barrier to obstruct a field of view of the security camera.