Electronic shutter for concealing and revealing a camera

A method comprising:

• detecting, at a controlling circuit for an optical structure comprising a medium, a first condition of a signal, wherein the first condition indicates an activation of a camera, the camera comprising a lens for capturing an image of an environment and a contrast surface surrounding at least a portion of the lens;
• controlling, by the controlling circuit in response to the first condition, the optical structure so that the medium attains a transparent optical state such that light from the environment passes through the medium to the lens and such that the contrast surface is visible through the medium;
• detecting, at the controlling circuit, a second condition of the signal, wherein the second condition indicates a deactivation of the camera;
• and
• controlling, by the controlling circuit in response to the second condition, the optical structure such that the medium attains a non-transparent optical state that prevents visual detection of the lens and the contrast surface from the environment.

An eyewear device comprising:

• a frame configured to be worn by a user;
• at least one user lens mounted in the frame;
• a camera mounted in the frame proximate the user lens, wherein the camera comprises a camera lens and a contrast surface surrounding at least a portion of the camera lens;
• an optical structure mounted in the frame, the optical structure overlapping the camera lens and the contrast surface, the optical structure comprising a medium;
• a camera activation element mounted in the frame, wherein the camera activation element is triggered by the user to activate and deactivate the camera;
• and
• a controlling circuit mounted in the frame that:
• controls, in response to an activation of the camera, the optical structure so that the medium attains a transparent optical state such that light from the external environment passes through the medium to the camera lens and such that the contrast surface is visible through the medium;
• and
• controls, in response to a deactivation of the camera, the optical structure such that the medium attains a non-transparent optical state in a manner that prevents visual detection of the camera lens and the contrast surface from the external environment.