Privacy device and method for use with network enabled cameras

A privacy device for selectively controlling properties of light entering a lens of an image pickup device, comprising:

• a light filter adapted to be placed across a field of view of the image pick-up device, wherein the light filter includes
• a smart film, wherein a transparency level of the smart film is adjustable as a function of an electrical control signal applied to the smart film;
• a control module electrically connected to the smart film and configured to output the control signal, wherein the control module is on-board the privacy device, and wherein the smart film is configured to transition between a plurality of transparency levels, as a function of the control signal, wherein the plurality of transparency levels are selected from the group consisting of:
• a transparent level, an opaque level, and a semi-transparent level,
• the control module comprising a film control circuit electrically connected to a source of power, wherein the film control circuit is configured to generate the control signal having a voltage level that, when applied across the smart film, is suitable for causing the smart film to transition to one or more of the transparent level and the semi-transparent level,
• the film control circuit further comprising:
• a voltage divider circuit configured to selectively output the control signal having one of a plurality of prescribed voltage levels as a function of a user input, and wherein the plurality of prescribed voltage levels correspond to respective transparency levels of the smart film;
• and
• a power supply as the source of power, wherein the power supply is a DC power supply and is provided on-board the privacy device, and
• wherein the film control circuit comprises one or more of a boost circuit and a charge pump circuit and is configured to output a signal having a voltage level that is greater than a voltage level of the power supply.

A privacy device for selectively controlling properties of light entering a lens of an image pickup device, comprising:

• a light filter adapted to be placed across a field of view of the image pick-up device, wherein the light filter includes
• a smart film, wherein a transparency level of the smart film is adjustable as a function of an electrical control signal applied to the smart film;
• a control module electrically connected to the smart film and configured to output the control signal, wherein the control module is on-board the privacy device, and wherein the smart film is configured to transition between a plurality of transparency levels, as a function of the control signal, wherein the plurality of transparency levels are selected from the group consisting of:
• a transparent level, an opaque level, and a semi-transparent level,
• the control module comprising a film control circuit electrically connected to a source of power, wherein the film control circuit is configured to generate the control signal having a voltage level that, when applied across the smart film, is suitable for causing the smart film to transition to one or more of the transparent level and the semi-transparent level,
• the film control circuit further comprising:
• a voltage divider circuit configured to selectively output the control signal having one of a plurality of prescribed voltage levels as a function of a user input, and wherein the plurality of prescribed voltage levels correspond to respective transparency levels of the smart film;
• and
• wherein the source of power is a 110 V AC power source and wherein the control signal is an AC signal.