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Digital Camera Patent Abstract
A digital camera module (100) for a portable electronic device includes
an image-obtaining device (10) for obtaining images, a power source
(105), a shielding apparatus (201), and a controlling device (20).
The image-obtaining device includes a printed circuit board (104)
with an image sensor (103) thereon. The shielding apparatus comprises
a motor (2011), an arbor (2013), and a covering (2012). The arbor
is rotatably mounted on the motor and attached to the covering.
The covering is rotated by the arbor when the motor is activated.
The power source is electrically connected with and provides power
supply to the printed circuit board. The controlling device is connected
with the motor and the power source in series, and controls the
power supply from the power source to the motor. When the controlling
device is switched on, the image-obtaining device is effectively
disabled. The digital camera module thus helps prevent unauthorized
use thereof.
Digital Camera Patent Claims
I claim:
1. A digital camera module for a portable electronic device, comprising:
an image-obtaining device for obtaining images, the image-obtaining
device comprising a printed circuit board with an image sensor attached
thereon; a power source; a shielding apparatus comprising a motor
electrically connected with said power source, and an arbor rotatably
mounted on said motor and attached to a covering, wherein said covering
is rotated by said arbor when said motor is activated; and a controlling
device electrically connected with said power source and said motor
in series, the controlling device controlling power supply from
said power source to said motor.
2. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
covering is made of opaque material.
3. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
controlling device recognizes a unique identity code associated
with the digital camera module.
4. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 3, wherein said
identity code is the phone number of a mobile phone incorporating
the digital camera module.
5. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 3, wherein said
controlling device comprises an adjustable timer, a transceiving
module and an alarm module, said adjustable timer can set a time
limit until which said covering covers the image-obtaining device,
said transceiving module transforms both said identity code and
a working status of said controlling device into high frequency
signals and transmits the signals, said transceiving module can
also receive signals, and said alarm module can trigger an alarm
in response to received signals.
6. A digital camera module for a portable electronic device, comprising:
an image-obtaining device for obtaining images, the image-obtaining
device comprising a printed circuit board with an image sensor attached
thereon; a power source; and a controlling device electrically connected
with said image-obtaining device and said power source in series,
wherein controlling device controls power supply from said power
source to said image-obtaining device.
7. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 6, wherein said
controlling device recognizes a unique identity code associated
with the digital camera module.
8. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 7, wherein said
identity code is the phone number of a mobile phone incorporating
the digital camera module.
9. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 7, wherein said
controlling device further comprises an adjustable timer, a transceiving
module and an alarm module, said adjustable timer can set a time
limit until which the image-obtaining device is disabled, said transceiving
module transforms both said identity code and a working status of
the controlling device into high frequency signals and transmits
the signals, said transceiving module can also receive signals,
and said alarm module can trigger an alarm in response to received
signals.
10. A method for use control of a picture/image-taking module,
comprising the steps of: providing said module in a workable situation;
setting up a controlling device around said module; and disabling
said module by means of said controlling device in case that said
controlling device is activated when said module is moved in a predetermined
area.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said controlling
device cuts off a power supply of said module in said disabling
step.
12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said controlling
device blocks said module from acquiring any picture/image-related
light in said disabling step.
13. The method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising the step
of transmitting an identity code and a current work status of said
module to an outside apparatus periodically after said disabling
step in case that said module is present in said area.
14. The method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising the step
of triggering an alarm after said disabling step in case that said
module is present in said area and enabled.
Digital Camera Patent Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to digital camera
modules, and more particularly to a digital camera module used in
portable electronic devices such as mobile phones and PDAs (Personal
Digital Assistants).
[0003] 2. Prior Art
[0004] Currently, digital camera modules are widely used in a variety
of portable electronic devices. Most portable electronic devices
are becoming progressively more miniaturized over time, and digital
camera modules are correspondingly becoming smaller and smaller.
For example, a digital camera is now widely available as a feature
of a mobile phone. However, the small size of a contemporary digital
camera module makes it easy for a user to surreptitiously take photographs.
Many institutions such as art galleries and banks prohibit photo
taking for security and safety reasons. Yet because of the small
size of the digital camera module, it is difficult for staff or
other people to be vigilant of unauthorized use of the corresponding
portable electronic device.
[0005] Therefore, a digital camera module that can overcome the
above-described problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide
a digital camera module which can help prevent unauthorized use
thereof.
[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned object, in an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention, a digital camera module for a portable
electronic device includes an image-obtaining device for obtaining
images, a power source, a shielding apparatus, and a controlling
device. The image-obtaining device includes a printed circuit board
with an image sensor attached thereon. The shielding apparatus comprises
a motor, an arbor, and a covering. The arbor is rotatably mounted
on the motor and attached to the covering. The covering is rotated
by the arbor when the motor is activated. The power source is electrically
connected with and provides power supply to the printed circuit
board. The controlling device is electrically connected with the
motor and the power source in series, and controls the power supply
from the power source to the motor. Once the controlling device
is switched on, the power source provides power to the motor immediately.
The motor is activated and rotates the arbor, and the arbor rotates
the covering until the covering covers the lens structure of the
image-obtaining device. Thus the photo-taking function of the digital
camera module is ineffectual because no external light can reach
the image-obtaining device.
[0008] In another embodiment of the present invention, a digital
camera module for a portable electronic device includes an image-obtaining
device for obtaining images, a power source, and a controlling device.
The image-obtaining device includes a printed circuit board with
an image sensor attached thereon. The controlling device is electrically
connected with the image-obtaining device and the power source in
series, so that the controlling device controls power supply from
the power source to the image-obtaining device. Once the controlling
device is switched on, the power source stops providing power to
the image-obtaining device immediately. Thus the photo-taking function
of the digital camera module is ineffectual, because the image-obtaining
device is disabled.
[0009] In each of the above-described embodiments of the present
invention, the controlling device can be voluntarily switched off
by the user, or switched off by the user at the behest of a member
of staff of secured premises. Either way, the digital camera module
is made ineffectual for the time being.
[0010] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention
will become more apparent from the following detailed description
when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of electrical and physical
relationships between components of a digital camera module in accordance
with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of electrical and physical
relationships between components of a digital camera module in accordance
with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, a picture/image-taking module like
a digital camera module 100 in accordance with the first preferred
embodiment of the present invention is used in a portable electronic
device such as a mobile phone. The digital camera module 100 includes
an image-obtaining device 10, a controlling device 20, and a shielding
apparatus 201. The shielding apparatus 201 is set in front of the
image-obtaining device 10. The controlling device 20 is electrically
connected with both the image-obtaining device 10 and the shielding
apparatus 201.
[0014] The image-obtaining device 10 includes a pair of lenses
101, a filter 102, an image sensor 103, a printed circuit board
104, and a power source 105. The lenses 101 are provided in front
of the image sensor 103. More than a pair of lenses 101 can be provided
if desired. The filter 102 is provided between the lenses 101 and
the image sensor 103, for reducing the amount of red light that
reaches the image sensor 103. The image sensor 103 is a CCD (Charge
Coupled Device) sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor)
sensor, and is attached on the printed circuit board 104 for transforming
optical signals into electronic signals. The power source 105 is
electrically connected with and provides power to the printed circuit
board 104. It is to be understood that, in practice, the image-obtaining
device 10 can also be provided with other suitable structures known
in the art.
[0015] The shielding apparatus 201 includes a motor 2011, a covering
2012 made of opaque material, and an arbor 2013. The motor 2011
is electrically connected with the controlling device 20. One end
of the arbor 2013 is rotatably mounted on the motor 2011, and an
opposite end of the arbor 2013 is attached to the covering 2012.
In its normal position, the covering 2012 does not cover the image-obtaining
device 10. However, when the motor 2011 is activated, the arbor
2013 is rotated so that the covering 2012 covers the image-obtaining
device 10.
[0016] The controlling device 20 is electrically connected with
the motor 2011 and the power source 105 in series. The controlling
device 20 can switch the circuit between the motor 2011 and the
power source 105 on or off. That is, the controlling device 20 controls
the electrical energy supply from the power source 105 to the motor
2011, and thus controls rotation of the motor 2011. The controlling
device 20 includes an adjustable timer (not shown), a transceiving
module (not shown) and an alarm module (not shown), and recognizes
an identity code such as the phone number or another unique number
of the mobile phone. The controlling device 20 transforms the identity
code and the working status of the controlling device 20 into high
frequency signals, and transmits the signals. The controlling device
20 also receives signals, and can be trigger an alarm in response
to received signals.
[0017] In use of the digital camera module 100, a typical application
environment is described as follows. A surveillance apparatus (not
shown) is installed in a place where photo taking is forbidden,
such as an art gallery. The surveillance apparatus can receive and
transmit radio frequency signals, and can analyze received signals
and detect the absence of signals previously received. When the
surveillance apparatus detects abnormal signals or the improper
absence of signals, it triggers an alarm.
[0018] Normally, the photo-taking function of the digital camera
module is enabled, and the controlling device 20 is switched off
at this time. When the user of the mobile phone comes to the art
gallery, a guard employed at the entrance to the art gallery can
switch the controlling device 20 on. The power source 105 provides
power to the motor 2011, the motor 2011 is activated and rotates
the arbor 2013, and the arbor 2013 rotates the covering 2012 in
a first direction until the covering 2012 covers the lenses 101
of the image-obtaining device 10. In this position, virtually no
external light can reach the image-obtaining device 20. Thus the
photo-taking function of the digital camera module 10 is ineffectual.
At the same time, the guard enters the identity code of the mobile
phone into the surveillance apparatus. From this time on, the controlling
device 20 periodically transmits signals on the working status (i.e.,
"ineffectual") of the mobile phone to the surveillance
apparatus.
[0019] The user can turn on the adjustable timer, and set a time
limit. When the adjustable timer reaches the time limit, the controlling
device 10 automatically switches on the circuit between the power
source 105 and the motor 2011. The power source 105 provides power
to the motor 2011 again, the motor 2011 is activated and rotates
the arbor 2013, and the arbor 2013 rotates the covering 2012 in
a second direction opposite to the first direction until the covering
2012 is rotated completely away from covering the image-obtaining
device 10. Thus the image-obtaining device 10 is returned to its
normal status, and the photo-taking function of the digital camera
module 100 is effectual again. Immediately, because the controlling
device 20 is still switched on, the transceiving module transforms
the identity code and the new working status of the controlling
device 20 into high frequency signals, and transmits the signals
to the surveillance apparatus. The surveillance apparatus receives
and analyzes the broadcast signals. Because the signals indicate
that the photo-taking function of the digital camera module 100
is effectual, the surveillance apparatus immediately activates an
alarm and sends alarm signals to the controlling device 20. The
alarm module of the controlling device 20 is thus triggered, and
sounds an alarm. The present invention makes it easy for a member
of staff of the art gallery to find the mobile phone that has an
unauthorized effectual photo-taking capability. When the user leaves
the art gallery, the guard deletes the identity code of the mobile
phone from the surveillance apparatus. Thereafter the surveillance
apparatus cannot monitor and control the photo-taking function of
the digital camera module 100 any more.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 2, a digital camera module 200 in accordance
with the second preferred embodiment of the present invention includes
an image-obtaining device 12, and a controlling device 22. The controlling
device 22 is electrically connected with the image-obtaining device
12.
[0021] The image-obtaining device 12 has a structure similar to
that of the image-obtaining device 10 of the first embodiment. The
image-obtaining device 12 includes a pair of lenses 121, a filter
122, an image sensor 123, a printed circuit board 124, and a power
source 125. The lenses 121 are provided in front of the image sensor
123. More than a pair of lenses 121 can be provided if desired.
The filter 122 is provided between the lenses 121 and the image
sensor 123, for reducing the amount of red light that reaches the
image sensor 123. The image sensor 123 is a CCD sensor or a CMOS
sensor, and is attached on the printed circuit board 124 for transforming
optical signals into electronic signals. The power source 125 is
electrically connected with and provides power to the printed circuit
board 124.
[0022] The controlling device 22 is electrically connected with
the printed circuit board 124 and the power source 10 in series.
The controlling device 22 can switch the circuit between the printed
circuit board 124 and the power source 125 on or off. When the controlling
device 22 is switched on, the power source 125 stops providing power
to the printed circuit board 124, and thus the photo-taking function
of the digital camera module 200 cannot be operated. The controlling
device 22 includes an adjustable timer (not shown), a transceiving
module (not shown), and an alarm module (not shown), and recognizes
an identity code such as the phone number or another unique number
of the mobile phone. The controlling device 22 transforms the identity
code and the working status of the mobile phone into high frequency
signals, and transmits the signals. The controlling device also
receives signals, and can be trigger an alarm in response to received
signals.
[0023] In use of the digital camera module 200, a typical application
environment is described as follows. A surveillance apparatus (not
shown) is installed in a place where photo taking is forbidden,
such as an art gallery. The surveillance apparatus can receive and
transmit radio frequency signals, and can analyze received signals
and detect the absence of signals previously received. When the
surveillance apparatus detects abnormal signals or the improper
absence of signals, it triggers an alarm.
[0024] Normally, the photo-taking function of the digital camera
module 200 is enabled, and the controlling device 22 is switched
off at this time. When the user of the mobile phone comes to the
art gallery, a guard employed at the entrance to the art gallery
can switch the controlling device 22 on. The power source 125 stops
providing electrical energy to the printed circuit board 124. Thus
the photo-taking function of the digital camera module 200 is ineffectual.
At the same time, the guard enters the identity code of the mobile
phone into the surveillance apparatus. From this time on, the controlling
device 22 periodically transmits signals on the working status (i.e.,
"ineffectual") of the mobile phone to the surveillance
apparatus.
[0025] The user can turn on the adjustable timer, and set a time
limit. When the adjustable timer reaches the time limit, the power
source 125 automatically starts to provide power to the printed
circuit board 124. Thus the image-obtaining device 12 is returned
to its normal status, and the photo-taking function of the digital
camera module 200 is effectual again. Immediately, because the controlling
device 22 is still switched on, the transceiving module transforms
the identity code and the new working status of the controlling
device 22 into high frequency signals, and transmits the signals
to the surveillance apparatus. The surveillance apparatus receives
and analyzes the broadcast signals. Because the signals indicate
that the photo-taking function of the digital camera module 200
is effectual, the surveillance apparatus immediately activates an
alarm and sends alarm signals to the controlling device 22. The
alarm module of the controlling device 22 is thus triggered, and
sounds an alarm. The present invention makes it easy for a member
of staff of the art gallery to find the mobile phone that has an
unauthorized effectual photo-taking capability. When the user leaves
the art gallery, the guard deletes the identity code of the mobile
phone from the surveillance apparatus. Thereafter the surveillance
apparatus cannot monitor and control the photo-taking function of
the digital camera module 200 any more.
[0026] In both digital camera modules 100, 200, when the controlling
device 20, 22 is switched on, the photo-taking function is ineffectual.
It is possible for the user to switch off the controlling device
20, 22 himself/herself, and thus make the digital camera module
100, 200 effectual. However, if the adjustable timer has been turned
on and has not yet reached the time limit, the user cannot switch
off the controlling device 20, 22 himself/herself. If the user switches
off the controlling device 20, 22 himself/herself, for example in
a case when the adjustable timer has not been turned on at all,
the surveillance apparatus detects the absence of the signals previously
transmitted periodically. The surveillance apparatus accordingly
triggers its alarm, and sends alarm signals to trigger the alarm
module of the digital camera module 100, 200.
[0027] It is to be understood that if the digital camera module
100, 200 is used in a portable electronic device such as a mobile
phone or a PDA, the transceiving module of the controlling device
20, 22 can be incorporated as part of the normal antenna device
of the portable electronic device. Further, the alarm module of
the controlling device 20, 22 can be incorporated as part of the
normal voice module of the portable electronic device.
[0028] Unlike conventional digital camera modules, the digital
camera module 100, 200 of the present invention helps prevent unauthorized
use thereof. When the controlling device 20, 22 is switched on,
the image-obtaining device 10, 12 is effectively disabled.
[0029] It is believed that the present invention and its advantages
will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be
apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of
its material advantages. The examples hereinbefore described are
merely preferred or exemplary embodiments of the invention.
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