Video camera with privacy

• US 10,306,125 B2
• Filed: 10/08/2015
• Issued: 05/28/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Belkin International Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Belkin International Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Zeira, Ohad, Neu, Thorben, Plummer, Jon, Honda, Dale, Lane, Steve, August, Joseph, Taylor, Peter, Seil, Oliver Duncan, Wick, Michael, Saangloef, Paer, Glidden, Matt
• Primary Examiner(s): Duley, Janese
• Application Number:
  US14/878,698
• Publication Number:
  US 20160105598A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,328 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet

Abstract

Systems and methods are described for a network video camera device. Specifically, various techniques and systems are provided for embodiments of a network video camera with a blocking mechanism for privacy and control of the blocking mechanism. Embodiments of the present invention include a network video capture device. The network video capture device comprises a lens connected to a housing; a blocking mechanism, wherein the a blocking mechanism is configured to selectively block the lens from capturing video images, and wherein the blocking mechanism includes a physical body; an indication device, wherein the indication device is configured to provide visible feedback that the lens is blocked; and a circuit board having a data processor, a wireless transceiver, and a memory configured to store a customizable setting associated with the blocking mechanism.

Claims

1. A network video capture device, comprising:

a housing in an environment, the housing including a lens connected to the housing, and the housing including an outer surface;

a blocking mechanism directly coupled to the housing, wherein the blocking mechanism includes an orifice configured to allow the lens to capture light from the environment when the blocking mechanism is in a first position relative to the housing such that the orifice overlaps with the lens, and wherein the blocking mechanism is configured to block the lens from capturing substantially any light from the environment when the blocking mechanism is in a second position relative to the housing such that the orifice does not overlap with the lens;

wherein the network video capture device provides visual indication when the lens is blocked by the blocking mechanism; and

a circuit board having a data processor, a wireless transceiver, and a memory configured to store a customizable setting associated with the blocking mechanism.

2. The network video capture device of claim 1, wherein the circuit board is configured to detect an occurrence of an event, and cause the blocking mechanism to block the lens from capturing video images, wherein the blocking mechanism is caused to block the lens when the occurrence of the event is detected.

3. The network video capture device of claim 1, wherein the blocking mechanism is made up of a part of the housing.

4. The network video capture device of claim 1, wherein the lens is configured to operate as a motion sensor, and wherein the blocking mechanism is temporarily deactivated after motion is detected by the lens.

5. The network video capture device of claim 1, wherein when the lens is blocked by the blocking mechanism, the network video capture device is configured to capture audio.

6. The network video capture device of claim 1, wherein the circuit board is configured to generate a command, wherein the command is configured to cause a network device to perform an operation, and wherein the network device and the network video capture device are connected to a local area network over which the command can be transmitted.

7. The network video capture device of claim 1, wherein the customizable setting includes a time period for blocking video capture.

8. The network video capture device of claim 1, wherein the network video capture device includes an LED, a video display, or an audio speaker that provides visual indication when the lens is blocked by the blocking mechanism.

9. The network video capture device of claim 1, wherein the network video capture device comprises a second lens, and wherein the lenses comprise a video capture lens configured to capture video images and a motion sensor lens configured to detect motion.

10. A network video capture device system, comprising:

a lens;

a housing connected to the lens, wherein the housing includes an inner shell and an outer shell, wherein the outer shell includes an orifice, and wherein the lens is connected to the inner shell;

an arm connected to the lens and to the housing, the arm configured to move the lens while the housing is kept stationary, wherein the outer shell of the housing is configured to allow the lens to capture video when the lens is aligned with at least a portion of the orifice of the outer shell, and wherein the outer shell of the housing is configured to prevent the lens from capturing video when the lens is not aligned with at least a portion of the orifice of the outer shell; and

a processor configured to store a customizable setting associated with the arm and configured to transmit communications to an external network device, wherein the communications include instructions to control the arm.

11. The network video capture device system of claim 10, wherein the network video capture device provides visible feedback that the lens is blocked.

12. The network video capture device system of claim 11, wherein the visible feedback is a part of the housing or the lens.

13. The network video capture device system of claim 11, wherein the network video capture device includes an LED, a video display, or an audio speaker to provide the visible feedback.

14. The network video capture device system of claim 10, wherein the lens is configured to operate as a motion sensor, and wherein the housing is temporarily deactivated after motion is detected by the lens.

15. The network video capture device system of claim 10, wherein when the lens is blocked by the housing, the network video capture device is configured to capture audio.

16. The network video capture device system of claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to generate a command, wherein the command is configured to cause a network device to perform an operation, and wherein the network device and the network video capture device are connected to a local area network over which the command can be transmitted.

17. The network video capture device system of claim 10, wherein the customizable setting includes a time period for blocking video capture.

18. The network video capture device system of claim 10, wherein the network video capture device comprises a second lens, and wherein the lenses comprise a video capture lens configured to capture video images and a motion sensor lens configured to detect motion.

19. The network video capture device system of claim 10, wherein the data processor is located within the housing.