RELATED TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a camera apparatus that covers the camera lens to prevent accidental or unauthorized camera use, when the camera is not in use.

STATE OF THE ART

Today there are cameras in many devices such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops, personal computers to take photos and videos. Said cameras can be used for purposes such as video calling, live broadcasting on social media etc. in addition to taking photos or videos.

Especially in today's world where touch screen devices are widely used, people can activate their cameras without knowing and unintentionally take photos/videos and even share these.

Many devices can be set to camera off mode in settings. However, device cameras can be activated without authorization by remote intervention to the devices through some pirated software and applications.

People try to prevent these risks by covering the device cameras with black tape and similar articles.

Additionally, there are various cover structures which are developed for cameras.

An example of this is the invention no. WO2019005735 named “Cover apparatus and method for covering the mobile device camera”. In the said invention, covers to prevent the camera function of the mobile device and the methods of using these covers are described.

Cover structures can be used to cover the cameras of some devices. However, present cover structures are not suitable for using in all devices as the design and size of each device differ. On the other hand, cover structures that are attached to devices such as mobile phones with front cameras, cover the screen, albeit partially. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to prevent the use of device cameras accidentally or without user authorization through a camera structure that can be integrated to all devices.

Another object of the invention is to eliminate the need for using an external cover or apparatus through the camera lens being covered by the protection plate in the apparatus structure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1. View of the camera apparatus when the protection plate is covered

Figure 2. View of the camera apparatus when the protection plate is uncovered

Figure 3. View of the camera apparatus when the protection plate covers the camera

REFERENCE NUMBERS IN THE DRAWINGS

1. Camera apparatus

1.1. Camera

1.1.1. Camera lens

1.2. Protection plate

1.3. Protection plate housing

1.4. On-off button

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The camera apparatus (1) of the invention, being able to be applied to all devices suitable for camera use, consist of: a camera (1.1) with a camera lens (1.1.1); protection plate (2) preventing the camera (1.1) from recording any images and sounds in cases where the camera (1.1) is not actively used by automatically covering the camera lens (1.1.1) and when the camera (1.1) button of the device is pressed, automatically uncovering the camera lens (1.1.1) for normal use of the camera; a protection plate housing (1.3) where the protection plate (1.2) is positioned and an on-off button where the protection plate (1.2) is manually enabled to cover and uncover the camera lens (1.1.1).

The camera (1.1) can be manufactured in different sizes depending on the device it is to be implemented such as televisions, tablets, computers, mobile phones etc. The camera lens can be manufactured with the standard lens values of 1 mm-3 mm height and 3 mm-1.3 cm width. The standard lens size of the camera lens is 1 mm.

The protection plate (1.2) of the camera apparatus is black and made of iron. When the camera is not in use, the protection plate (1.2), coming out of the protection plate housing (1.3), moves automatically over the camera lens (1.1.1) either automatically or by manual intervention by the user via the on/off button (1.4) and stops when it covers the camera lens (1.1.1) completely. Thereby, the recording of sounds and images by the camera (1.1) is prevented.

When the camera (1.1) is to be used, the protection plate (1.2) rapidly returns back from the camera lens (1.1.1) to the protection plate housing (1.3), with the right returning back, the camera lens (1.1.1) is uncovered and the camera (1.1) can proceed to be used normally.

The protection plate (1.2) can be integrated into the devices in such a way that it can be controlled manually from the keys of the device to which it is applied, as well as the on-off buttons (1.4) which the camera apparatus (1) has in its structure. For example, the protection plate (1.2) can be switched on and off by pressing the volume buttons of a mobile phone. Thereby the protection plate can be provided by being switched on and off via the buttons of the device in case the there is a problems with respect to the automatic or manual operation of the camera apparatus (1).

If the camera apparatus (1) is applied to devices controlled remotely such as computers, television etc. the protection plate (1.2) can be turned on-off on the camera lens (1.1.1) by means of a remote.

Optionally, the camera apparatus (1) can be integrated to the device software to which it is applied and the camera lens (1.1.1) and microphone can be activated or deactivated for all applications in the device according to the opening and closing of the camera (1.1).

Camera apparatus can be applied to the devices that comprise and can comprise cameras such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops, personal computers. The camera apparatus (1) is manufactured in different sizes and designs according to the devices to which it will be applied and integrated into the structures of the devices in the manufacturing stage.