Laptops and desktop computers are susceptible to hacking in a way that a hacker can invade privacy by looking through the computer's webcam. Hackers may spy on family members and obtain sensitive information about both children and adults.
Children may be on the computer and end up talking to and seeing strangers they do not know. People may be unaware that their webcam is active and end up having sensitive or private conversations.
The present subject matter provides users with a small, latched cover installed over a computer webcam. It also allows users to block the webcam from unauthorized users and notify the computer user when the webcam is active. The present subject matter enables users to simply secure cover into place over the webcam with the green side facing outward or flip it to the red side to block use of the webcam as needed via a one-way film.
This protects the computer owner by preventing the camera being active during sensitive or private conversations.
The present subject matter is a specialized camera cover for a webcam. The cover is rounded in shape, thin, and comprised of plastic or other suitable material. The cover uses an adhesive to attach to the front of the camera opening. The cover is designed such that one side will show red when the cover is closed, and the other side will show green when open.
The red side has a one-way film cover to prevent the webcam from viewing the computer user and his/her room. The cover helps protect a user's privacy and ensure they know when the webcam is active.
In some embodiments, the cover has a pivotably hinged middle point with a finger tab which allows the user to flip the cover either open or closed. The tab is held in its open or closed position by friction.
When the cover is open, a circular opening over the camera allows the camera to have unencumbered visual access to the room. Furthermore, the present subject matter has a red coloring to allow the user to visually recognize that the camera has full visual access to the room.
When the cover is closed, the circular opening is covered by the finger tab, and visual access to the room is denied. Additionally, the present subject matter has a green coloring when privacy cover is closed so the user can visually recognize that the camera no longer has full visual access to the room.
In some embodiments, the privacy cover for cameras uses a sliding tab to adjust from open to closed.
In this embodiment, the present subject matter is of a single color and does not provide any type of colorized indication of whether the camera has full visual access to the room. There is a raised tab which allows the user to slide the tab over the camera to restrict visual access to the room and user.
In some embodiments, the present subject matter has a length of 12.5 mm, a width of 7 mm, and a height of 1.3 mm. The circular opening which allows the camera access to the room has a 4.6 mm diameter.
This application relates back to U.S. 63/338,239 filed on May 4, 2022. and incorporates that application in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63338239 | May 2022 | US |