Privacy ensuring covert camera

摘要

A device for monitoring a privacy sensitive area, includes an image receiving device, such as a camera, disposed inside a housing chassis. The image receiving device includes a camera lens. Additionally, a movable obstruction member configured to selectively obstruct a camera lens is disposed on the device and is configured to change a position to selectively obstruct or expose the camera lens. The position of the movable obstruction member is dependent upon a threat level received by the device.

主权项

1. A device for monitoring an area, the device comprising;
a housing chassis having an external appearance of a non-image-receiving device; an image receiving device disposed inside said housing chassis, said image receiving device including a camera lens; a movable obstruction member having a masking element obstructing and disguising the existence of said image receiving device inside said housing chassis while said movable obstruction member is in a first position, said masking element preserving said external appearance in said first position, wherein said masking element comprises a hole in said movable obstruction member, said hole preserving said external appearance by providing access to another feature of said device in said first position and exposing said camera lens in said second position; wherein said movable obstruction member is configured to move to a second position within said housing chassis in relation to said camera lens in response to a monitoring status signal, said movable obstruction member exposing said camera lens when in said second position.