VIDEO CAMERA WITH PRIVACY

• US 20160105598A1
• Filed: 10/08/2015
• Published: 04/14/2016
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 10,306,125 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 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.

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 indication device is a part of the blocking mechanism or the lens.

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

5. The network video capture device of claim 1, wherein when the lens is blocked by the blocking mechanism, the lens is configured to operate as a motion sensor.

6. 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.

7. 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, wherein the network device and the network video capture device are connected to a local area network.

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

9. The network video capture device of claim 1, wherein the one or more indication devices include an LED, a video display, or an audio speaker.

10. 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.

11. A network video capture device system, comprising:

a lens;

a housing connected to the lens;

a linking device connected to the lens and to the housing, the linking device configured to move the lens towards the housing, wherein when the lens is proximate to the housing, the housing blocks the lens; and

a processor configured to store a customizable setting associated with the linking device and configured to transmit communications to the network video capture device, wherein the communications include instructions to control the linking device.

12. The network video capture device system of claim 11, further comprising:

an indication device, wherein the indication device is configured to provide visible feedback that the lens is blocked.

13. The network video capture device system of claim 12, wherein the indication device is a part of the housing or the lens.

14. The network video capture device system of claim 12, wherein the indication device includes an LED, a video display, or an audio speaker.

15. The network video capture device system of claim 11, wherein when the lens is blocked by the housing, the lens is configured to operate as a motion sensor.

16. The network video capture device system of claim 11, wherein when the lens is blocked by the housing, the network video capture device is configured to capture audio.

17. The network video capture device system of claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to generate a command, wherein the command is configured to cause a network device to perform an operation, wherein the network device and the network video capture device are connected to a local area network.

18. The network video capture device system of claim 11, wherein the customizable setting includes a time period for blocking video capture.

19. The network video capture device system of claim 11, 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.

20. The network video capture device system of claim 11, wherein the data processor is located within the housing.