A visual sensor having a light sensitive element and a processor, the processor being adapted to recognize whether a cap is on or off the light sensitive element by recognizing a unique identification pattern coded into the light sensitive element.

An example shutter assembly for protecting cameras, such as webcams, integrated into computing devices is disclosed. The shutter assembly includes an actuator element and shutter element. The actuator element can rotate an axis to pivot the shutter element into and out of the field of view of the camera assembly. The actuator can extend through or be otherwise accessible through the housing of the computing device so that the shutter can move in a plane parallel to the front surface or bezel of the computing device. Because the shutter element operated from a surface other than the front facing surface, the bezel can include a single surface with a window to protect the camera assembly and allow for a touch control capabilities. The shutter element can be disposed between the bezel and the camera assembly to provide privacy from the camera being inadvertently or maliciously activated.

A slide mechanism includes: a slider that is movable between a first position and a second position along an edge wall; a shield cover on the slider, the shield cover being located to cover the front of the camera when the slider is in the first position and located to be away from the front of the camera when the slider is in the second position; a movable magnet at the slider; and a fixed magnet at the chassis. The movable magnet and the fixed magnet are disposed to face each other so that when the slider is in the first position and the second position, the movable magnet and the fixed magnet attract to each other, and when the slider is located between the first position and the second position, the movable magnet and the fixed magnet repel each other.

A camera is configured for use with a removable camera lens cover, which can be secured to or removed from the camera by a user without the use of a tool set. The mechanism which allows the lens cover to be secured to and removed from the camera includes a set of wires embedded into the lens cover and a set of wedges protruding from the lens wall of the camera. To secure the lens cover to the camera, the lens cover is placed onto the front of the camera and rotated until the wires align with corresponding wedges, securing the wires underneath the tapered surface of the wedges. To remove the lens cover from the camera, a force is applied outward and normal to the lens cover, causing the wires to flex outward and enabling the rotation and removal of the lens cover from the camera.

An image capture device may include one or more optical elements. One or more lens covers may be used to cover the optical element(s). Usage of the lens cover(s) with respect to the optical element(s) may be determined. The operation of the image capture device may be changed based on whether the lens cover(s) are on or off the optical element(s).

A lens apparatus includes a lens disposed closest to an object, a holder holding the lens, a cover having a first opening to expose the lens when viewed from an optical axis direction of the lens and being positioned with the holder in the optical axis direction, and an exterior member having a second opening to engage with an outer diameter of the cover. A first gap in a diameter direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction formed between the holder and the cover is larger than a second gap in the diameter direction formed between the exterior member and the cover.

A camera built into a cylindrical housing couples to a stand with a stand member that inserts into an opening having a magnet attracted to ferromagnetic material integrated in the stand member. The stand member may couple to a bracket that holds the camera at a display or to a tripod that places the camera between the display and an end user participating in a video conference. A lens cover couples over a front face of the camera with magnetic attraction and is stored at a rear face of the camera with magnetic attraction. In various embodiments, sensors detect lens cap and/or stand member position to control camera power and/or camera visual image capture operations.

A camera built into a cylindrical housing couples to a stand with a stand member that inserts into an opening having a magnet attracted to ferromagnetic material integrated in the stand member. The stand member may couple to a bracket that holds the camera at a display or to a tripod that places the camera between the display and an end user participating in a video conference. A lens cover couples over a front face of the camera with magnetic attraction and is stored at a rear face of the camera with magnetic attraction. In various embodiments, sensors detect lens cap and/or stand member position to control camera power and/or camera visual image capture operations.

A camera is configured for use with a removable camera lens cover, which can be secured to or removed from the camera by a user without the use of a tool set. The mechanism which allows the lens cover to be secured to and removed from the camera includes a set of wires embedded into the lens cover and a set of wedges protruding from the lens wall of the camera. To secure the lens cover to the camera, the lens cover is placed onto the front of the camera and rotated until the wires align with corresponding wedges, securing the wires underneath the tapered surface of the wedges. To remove the lens cover from the camera, a force is applied outward and normal to the lens cover, causing the wires to flex outward and enabling the rotation and removal of the lens cover from the camera.