# US 11,442,281 B2 · Systems and devices for controlling camera privacy in wearable devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,442,281 B2 - Document ID: US11442281B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/951,491 - Filed: 2020-11-18 - Published: 2021-05-20 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2019-11-18 - Applicants: Google LLC - Inventors: Joshua Tiffin; Joshua Moore; Adam Carvalho - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11442281B2 ## CPC - G02B 27/0176: {characterised by mechanical features} - G02B 27/0172: {characterised by optical features} - G03B 11/043: {Protective lens closures or lens caps built into cameras} - G03B 17/02: Bodies - G03B 17/561: {Support related camera accessories} - G03B 29/00: Combinations of cameras, projectors or photographic printing apparatus with non-photographic non-optical apparatus, e.g. clocks or weapons; Cameras having the shape of other objects (combinations with flash apparatus G03B15/03) - G03B 30/00: Camera modules comprising integrated lens units and imaging units, specially adapted for being embedded in other devices, e.g. mobile phones or vehicles - H04N 13/344: with head-mounted left-right displays - H04N 23/51: Housings - G02B 2027/0134: {of stereoscopic type} - G02B 2027/0138: {comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera} - G02B 2027/0154: {with movable elements} - G02B 2027/0178: {Eyeglass type (eyeglass details G02C)} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract Systems and devices for controlling camera privacy in wearable devices are described. A camera cover can be provided that is movable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the camera cover can occlude a field of view of a camera, such that the camera cannot capture meaningful data. In the open position, the camera cover can be at least partially out of the field of view of the camera, such that the camera can capture meaningful data. The camera cover can be positioned within a housing of the wearable device, and an actuator can be positioned external to the housing of the wearable device. A user can move the camera cover by moving the actuator. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A wearable device comprising: a support structure including a housing; a camera carried by the support structure; a camera cover carried by the support structure, the camera cover distinct from the camera and movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the camera cover occludes a field of view of the camera, and in the second position the camera cover is at least partially out of the field of view of the camera; a barrier disposed in the housing so as to seal the camera and camera cover within the housing; and an actuator coupled to the camera cover to move the camera cover between the first position and the second position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The wearable device of claim 1 further comprising a first member, the actuator coupled to the camera cover via the first member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The wearable device of claim 2 wherein the camera cover is rotatable about a pivot. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a sliding actuator slidable along a first axis between a third position and a fourth position, wherein in the third position the actuator holds the camera cover in the first position, and in the fourth position the actuator holds the camera cover in the second position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The wearable device of claim 4, further comprising a cam to translate the camera cover in a direction non-parallel to the first axis when the actuator transitions between the third position and the fourth position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The wearable device of claim 1, further comprising a bias member which biases the camera cover towards either the first position or the second position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The wearable device of claim 1, further comprising at least one restrain member which limits a range of motion of the camera cover. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The wearable device of claim 1 wherein the actuator is magnetically coupled to the camera cover. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The wearable device of claim 1 wherein the actuator comprises a mechanical actuator which is operated by mechanical force applied by a user. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The wearable device of claim 1 wherein the actuator includes a motor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The wearable device of claim 1 wherein the support structure comprises: a first arm to be positioned on a first side of a head of a user; a second arm to be positioned on a second side of the head of the user opposite the first side; and a front frame coupled to the first arm and the second arm and configured to carry an eyeglass lens, the front frame to be positioned on a front of the head of the user. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The wearable device of claim 11, wherein the camera, the camera cover, and the actuator are disposed on the front frame. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The wearable device of claim 12, wherein the camera and the camera cover are disposed on a first surface of the front frame and the actuator is disposed on a second surface of the front frame, the second surface being different from the first surface. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The wearable device of claim 1, further comprising a detection circuit to determine whether the camera cover is in the first position or the second position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The wearable device of claim 14, wherein the actuator is magnetically coupled to the camera cover, and the detection circuit comprises a magnet sensor to determine whether the camera cover is in the first position or the second position. ### Claim 16 A head-mounted display (HMD) device, comprising: a first arm; and a frame coupled to the first arm, the frame comprising: a housing; a display; a camera; a camera cover distinct from the camera and movable between a first position and a second position to at least partially occlude a field of view of the camera, and in the second position the camera cover is at least partially out of the field of view of the cameras; and a barrier disposed within the housing so as to seal the camera and camera cover in the housing. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The HMD device of claim 16, wherein the camera cover is magnetically secured in one of the first position and the second position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The HMD device of claim 16, further comprising: an actuator to assist moving the camera cover between the first position and the second position. ### Claim 19 A method, comprising: receiving an input signal at an actuator of a head-mounted display (HMD) device; and in response to the input signal, moving a camera cover of the HMD device from a first position to a second position to at least partially occlude a field of view of the camera, wherein the HMD device includes a barrier disposed in a housing of the HMD device so as to seal the camera and camera cover within the housing of the HMD device.