# US 11,451,692 B2 · Systems and methods for secure video devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,451,692 B2 - Document ID: US11451692B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/657,214 - Filed: 2019-10-18 - Published: 2021-04-22 - Granted: 2022-09-20 - Earliest claimed: 2019-10-18 - Assignees: Roo, Inc. - Applicants: Roo, Inc. - Inventors: Jingren Xu; Maximus Yaney; Dhruv Garg - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11451692B2 ## CPC - G06F 21/83: input devices, e.g. keyboards, mice or controllers thereof - H04N 23/57: Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices - G02F 1/137: characterised by the electro-optical or magneto-optical effect, e.g. field-induced phase transition, orientation effect, guest-host interaction or dynamic scattering - G06F 21/6245: {Protecting personal data, e.g. for financial or medical purposes} - G06F 21/84: output devices, e.g. displays or monitors - H04N 23/54: Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils - H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof - G02F 1/1334: based on polymer dispersed liquid crystals, e.g. microencapsulated liquid crystals - G02F 1/15: based on an electrochromic effect - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G02F: OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS ## Abstract Systems and methods for secure video devices are provided. A video device includes a privacy module that can be automatically or manually activated to obscure the field of view of the video device. The video device also includes a visual indicator for indicating when the camera has been activated, in order to alert individuals within view of the camera that the camera is active. The system can automatically detect when a privacy breach occurs (e.g., if an unauthorized user gains access to the camera) and can automatically activate the privacy module in response to the detected privacy breach in order to obscure the field of view of the camera and maintain the privacy of individuals within the field of view of the camera. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A secure video device, comprising: a camera for capturing video or still images; and a privacy module coupled to the camera and in communication with a computing device, wherein the computing device detects unauthorized access to the camera by an unauthorized user attempting to electronically access the camera and, in response to detection of unauthorized access, activates the privacy module to obscure the field of view of the camera to secure the camera; wherein the privacy module includes a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) module with a PDLC wafer, the PDLC wafer including a glass window layer, an optically-clear adhesive (OCA) layer, a PDLC film layer, and copper film contacts; and wherein the PDLC wafer is mechanically and electrically connected to a printed circuit board (PCB) of the privacy module by way of one or more conductive gaskets and springs. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The video device of claim 1, wherein the privacy module further comprises drive circuitry for driving the PDLC module. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The video device of claim 2, wherein the drive circuitry comprises one or more switches for selectively applying power to the PDLC module, an oscillator, and a boost driver. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The video device of claim 1, wherein the computing device comprises a smart phone or a remote computer system. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The video device of claim 1, wherein the privacy module is in wireless communication with the computing device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The video device of claim 1, wherein the privacy module further comprises a visual indicator that illuminates when the camera is active. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The video device of claim 1, further comprising a pivotable mount for pivotably mounting the video device to a surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The video device of claim 1, wherein the privacy module is removably mounted to the camera. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The video device of claim 1, wherein the camera illuminates a subject area using infrared light when the camera is active. ### Claim 10 A method for securing a video device, comprising: detecting at a computing system in communication with a camera and a privacy module unauthorized access to the camera by an unauthorized user attempting to electronically access the camera; and in response to detection of unauthorized access to the camera, activating the privacy module to obscure the field of view of the camera to secure the camera; wherein the privacy module includes a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) module with a PDLC wafer, the PDLC wafer including a glass window layer, an optically-clear adhesive (OCA) layer, a PDLC film layer, and copper film contacts; and wherein the PDLC wafer is mechanically and electrically connected to a printed circuit board (PCB) of the privacy module by way of one or more conductive gaskets and springs. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising illuminating a visual indicator of the privacy module when the camera is active. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising illuminating a subject area using infrared light when the camera is active. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the step of activating the privacy module further comprises activating the PDLC module to obscure the field of view of the camera.