[0001] Devices, such as laptops, tablets, and display monitors, include built-in cameras. Cameras in such devices may be accessed to capture images and videos for the purpose of photography, videography, video calls, video conferencing, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0002] The following detailed description references the drawings, wherein:

[0003] Figs. 1 (a) and 1 (b) illustrate a device with a shutter element, according to an example;

[0004] Figs. 2(a) and 2(b) illustrate examples of the device with the shutter element and a camera;

[0005] Figs. 3(a) and 3(b) illustrate an example of a shutter element with an actuator having a groove;

[0008] Figs. 4(a) and 4(b) illustrate an example of a shutter element with an actuator having a projection;

[0007] Figs. 5(a) and 5(b) illustrate a device with a shutter element, according to an example; and

[0008] Figs. 8(a) and 8(b) illustrate a device with a shutter element, according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Cameras provided in devices, such as laptops, tablets, and display monitors, may be accessed by users for capturing images and videos. Apart from a user accessing the camera of a device, applications installed on the device may also access the camera to provide functionalities associated with the applications. For example, a video conferencing application that is installed in a device for providing video conferencing functionality may access the camera for a user to share a video with other participants during the video conference.

[0010] Devices having cameras may be connected to networks, such as the internet, for various purposes. While such a device is connected to a network, a malware may be installed in the device which may enable an application of the device to have an unauthorized access to the camera, without the knowledge of the user of the device. Such an unauthorized access of the camera may allow a malicious user to spy onto the user of the device, which may risk the privacy of the user.

[001 1 ] Devices having cameras may have a shutter that can cover or uncover the camera depending on the usage of the camera. The shutter may be actuated directly orthrough an actuator coupled to the shutter. In some examples, slider-type shutters may be slid manually by the user to cover or uncover the camera. Such shutters may cause abrasions or scratches on the lens of the camera or on the bezel of the device. Further, a slot, in which the shutter or an actuator coupled to the shutter is fitted, may have some clearance space for sliding the shutter. Clearance space allows dust and moisture to enter the camera region, which may adversely affect the quality of images and video captured by the camera. Also, water or other fluids may flow through the clearance space, which may damage the camera or other electronic components of the device.

[0012] The present subject matter describes devices with shutter elements for cameras of the devices. A device of the present subject matter includes a contact-less shutter element that can be actuated by a user without causing scratches on the lens of a camera, or on the bezel, of the device. The device of the present subject matter also provides an air-tight sealing between the shutter element and other components of the device, which prevents dust, moisture, and fluids to enter into the camera or the other components of the device from outside.

[0013] In accordance with an example, a device includes an enclosure to hold a display unit and a camera. The display unit may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) unit, a light emitting diode (LED) display unit, and the like. The camera may be a webcam or the like. The enclosure may refer to a housing or a body pane! that holds the display unit and the camera. The enclosure of the device has a passage with an opening on one side of the enclosure. The side of the enclosure, on which the opening of the passage is present, may be a side that is parallel to a plane of the display unit in the enclosure.

[0014] The device also includes a shutter element having an opaque cover element and an actuator coupled to the opaque cover element. The actuator may be fixedly coupled to the opaque cover element. The actuator of the shutter element may pass through the passage and may be actuatable from the opening on the side of the enclosure. The opaque cover element coupled to the actuator moves along with the actuator. Thus, in response to actuation of the actuator, the opaque cover element moves to selectively cover the camera by the opaque cover element. In an example, the actuator may be rotated by a user in a first direction to rotate the opaque cover element to cover the camera, and the actuator may be rotated by a user in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, to rotate the opaque cover element to uncover the camera. In an example, the opaque cover element has a clearance distance from the lens of the camera and bezel of the enclosure. This clearance distance facilitates movement of the opaque cover element without causing scratches on the lens of the camera or on the bezel.

[0015] Further, the device includes an air-tight sealing element between the passage and the actuator passing through the passage. The air-tight sealing element may be a gasket or an o-ring. The air-tight sealing element between the passage and the actuator protects the camera or other components of the device from dust, moisture, and fluids.

[0016] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used In the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar parts. While several examples are described in the description, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the disclosed examples. Instead, the proper scope of the disclosed examples may be defined by the appended claims. [0017] Figs. 1 (a) and 1 (b) illustrate a device 100 with a shutter element 102, according to an example. Fig. 1 (b) shows a cross-sectional view of the device 100 about line A-A in Fig. 1 (a). The device 100 includes an enclosure 104 that can hold a display unit (not shown in Figs. 1 (a) and 1 (b)) and a camera (not shown in Figs. 1 (a) and 1 (b)). The enclosure 104 may be a housing or a body panel of a device such as a laptop, a tablet, and a display monitor. The enclosure 104 has an open region 130 to accommodate the display unit.

[0018] The device 100 includes a passage 108 (shown in Fig. 1 (b)) in the enclosure 104. The passage 106 may refer to a hollow channel in the enclosure 104. The passage 106 has an opening 108 on a side 1 10 of the enclosure 104. The side 1 10 is a side of the enclosure 104 which is parallel to a plane of the display unit, when installed in the enclosure 104. The opening 108 refers to one end of the passage 106. The passage 106 has another opening at the other end thereof. The other opening of the passage 106 is inside the enclosure 104.

[0019] The shutter element 102 has an opaque cover element 1 12 and an actuator 1 14 coupled to the opaque cover element 1 12. In an example, the actuator 1 14 may be integrated with the opaque cover element 1 12, such that the opaque cover element 1 12 and the actuator 1 14, in combination, form a single- piece shutter element. The actuator 1 14 is passed through the passage 106, such that the actuator 1 14 is visible and can be accessed and actuated from the opening 108 on the side 1 10 by a user. In an example, the actuator 1 14 may be rotatable inside the passage 106, about a longitudinal axis 1 16 of the actuator 1 14. Since the opaque cover element 1 12 is coupled to the actuator 1 14, the opaque cover element 1 12 moves in conjunction with the actuator 1 14. The passage 106 and the shutter element 102 are placed in the enclosure 104, such that the opaque cover element 1 12 of the shutter element 102 in a first position is able to cover the camera when installed in the enclosure 104, and in a second position is able to uncover the camera. The opaque cover element 1 12 of the shutter element 102 is placed in the enclosure 104, such that a gap is present between the opaque cover element 1 12 and the camera, and between the opaque cover element 1 12 and enclosure 104, which makes the shutter element 102 contact-less. Such a shutter element moves without causing scratches on the lens of the camera or on the surface of the enclosure 104.

[0020] Fig. 1 (a) indicates an example location of a camera in the enclosure 104 by a dashed circle 1 18. in Fig. 1 (a), the first position of the opaque cover element 1 12 is shown, in which the opaque cover element 1 12 covers the camera. The actuator 1 14 is actuated to rotate in a direction referenced by 120, to the second position to selectively cover / uncover the camera by the opaque cover element 1 12.

[0021] The device 100 further includes an air-tight sealing element 122 disposed between the passage 106 and the actuator 1 14. The air-tight sealing element, referred to as a sealing element 122 hereinafter, may be a gasket or an o-ring, or the like. The sealing element 122 between the passage 106 and the actuator 1 14 protects the camera and other components of the device 100 from dust, moisture, and fluids.

[0022] in an example, the side 1 10 of the enclosure 104, on which the opening 108 of the passage 106 is present, is a front bezel of the enclosure 104. For such an example, the device 100 with the shutter element 102 and a camera 202 is as shown in Fig. 2(a). The actuator 1 14 is accessible from the opening 108 in the front bezel of the enclosure 104 and is rotated to selectively cover / uncover the camera 202.

[0023] In an example, the side 1 10 of the enclosure 104, on which the opening 108 of the passage 106 is present, is a rear side of the enclosure 104 opposite to a front bezel of the enclosure 104. For such an example, the device 100 with the shutter element 102 and a camera 204 is as shown in Fig. 2(b). The actuator 1 14 is accessible from the opening 108 in the rear side of the enclosure 104 and is rotated to selectively cover / uncover the camera 204.

[0024] In an example, the actuator of the shutter element may include a groove accessible from the opening 108 to manually rotate the actuator. Figs. 3(a) and 3(b) illustrate an example of a shutter element 300 with an actuator 302 having a groove 304. Fig. 3(b) shows a cross-sectional view of the shutter element 300 about a line B-B in Fig. 3(a). An opaque cover element 306, similar to the opaque cover element 1 12 described with respect to Figs. 1 (a) and 1 (b), is coupled to the actuator 302. The groove 304 refers to a slot at an end 308 of the actuator 302, which can be accessed by a tool having a flat end or a coin to rotate the actuator 302, thereby rotating the opaque cover element 306 to cover or uncover a camera installed in an enclosure of a device.

[0025] In an example, the actuator of the shutter element may include a projection accessible from the opening 108 to manually rotate the actuator. Figs. 4(a) and 4(b) illustrate an example of a shutter element 400 with an actuator 402 having a projection 404. Fig. 4(b) shows a cross-sectional view of the shutter element 400 about a line C-C in Fig. 4(a). An opaque cover element 406, similar to the opaque cover element 1 12 described with respect to Figs. 1 (a) and 1 (b), is coupled to the actuator 402. The projection 404 refers to an extension at an end 408 of the actuator 402, which can be accessed by a user by hands to rotate the actuator 402, thereby rotating the opaque cover element 406 to cover or uncover a camera installed in an enclosure of a device.

[0026] Figs. 5(a) and 5(b) illustrate a device 500 with a shutter element 502, according to an example. Fig. 5(b) shows a cross-sectional view of the device 500 about line D-D in Fig. 5(a). The device 500 includes an enclosure 504. The enclosure 504 may be a housing or a body panel of a device such as a laptop, a tablet, and a display monitor. As shown, the enclosure 504 includes a display unit 506 and a camera 508. The display unit 506 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) unit, a light emitting diode (LED) display unit, or the like. The camera 508 may be a webcam or the like.

[0027] Further, as shown in Fig. 5(b), the enclosure 504 includes a passage 510 with an opening 512 on a side 514 of the enclosure 504. The passage 510 and the opening 512 are similar to the passage 106 and the opening 108, respectively, as shown and described with reference to Figs. 1 (a) and 1 (b). The side 514, on which the opening 512 of the passage 510 is present, is a side of the enclosure 504 opposite to a front bezel 516 of the enclosure 504. The side 514 is also parallel to a plane of the display unit 506. The side 514 may refer to a rear or back side of the enclosure 504, which is opposite to a side from which the display unit 506 displays content to a user. [0028] As shown, the shutter element 502 has an opaque cover element 518 and an actuator 520 coupled to the opaque cover element 518. The shutter element 502 may be similar to the shutter element 102 shown and described with reference to Figs. 1 (a) and 1 (b). In an example, the actuator 520 may be integrated with the opaque cover element 518. The actuator 520 passes through the passage 510. The actuator 520 is accessible from the opening 512 on the side 514 and is rotatable inside the passage 510 to selectively cover the camera 508 by the opaque cover element 518. The actuator 520 is rotatable about a longitudinal axis 522 of the actuator 520. Similar to as described with respect to Figs. 1 (a) and 1 (b), the passage 510 and the shutter element 502 are placed in the enclosure 504, such that the opaque cover element 518 in a first position is able to cover the camera 508, and in a second position is able to uncover the camera 508. In Fig. 5(a), the first position of the opaque cover element 518 is shown, in which the opaque cover element 518 covers the camera 508. The actuator 520 is actuated to rotate in a direction referenced by 524, to the second position to uncover the camera 508.

[0029] The device 500 further includes an air-tight sealing element 528 between the passage 510 and the actuator 520. The air-tight sealing element 528 may be a gasket or an o-ring, or the like

[0030] In an example, the actuator 520 of the shutter element 502 may include a groove accessible from the opening 512 to manually rotate the actuator 520. The groove in the actuator 520 may be similar to the groove 304 in the actuator 302 shown and described with reference to Figs. 3(a) and 3(b)

[0031 ] In an example, the actuator 520 of the shutter element 502 may include a projection accessible from the opening 512 to manually rotate the actuator 520. The projection in the actuator 520 may be similar to the projection 404 of the actuator 402 shown and described with reference to Figs. 4(a) and 4(b).

[0032] Figs. 8(a) and 8(b) illustrate a device 800 with a shutter element 602, according to an example. Fig. 6(b) shows a cross-sectional view of the device 800 about line E-E in Fig. 8(a). The device 800 includes an enclosure 604 with a front bezel 618. The enclosure 804 may be a housing or a body panel of the device 600. As shown, the enclosure 604 includes a display unit 606 and a camera 608. The display unit 606 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) unit, a light emitting diode (LED) display unit, or the like. The camera 608 may be a webcam or the like. The front bezel 616 is parallel to a plane of the display unit 606. The front bezel 616 is on a side of the enclosure 604 from which the display unit 606 displays content to a user.

[0033] Further, as shown in Fig. 6(b), the enclosure 604 includes a passage 610 with an opening 612 in the front bezel 616 of the enclosure 604. The passage 610 and the opening 612 are similar to the passage 106 and the opening 108, respectively, as shown and described with reference to Figs. 1 (a) and 1 (b). As shown, the shutter element 602 has an opaque cover element 618 and an actuator 620 coupled to the opaque cover element 618. The shutter element 602 may be similar to the shutter element 102 or 502 shown and described earlier.

[0034] The actuator 620 passes through the passage 610. The actuator 620 is accessible from the opening 612 in the front bezel 616 to rotate the actuator 620 to selectively cover the camera 608 by the opaque cover element 618. The actuator 620 is rotatable about a longitudinal axis 622 of the actuator 620. Similar to as described with respect to Figs. 1 (a) and 1 (b), the passage 610 and the shutter element 602 are placed in the enclosure 604, such that the opaque cover element 618 in a first position is able to cover the camera 608, and in a second position is able to uncover the camera 608. In Fig. 6(a), the first position of the opaque cover element 618 is shown, in which the opaque cover element 618 covers the camera 608. The actuator 620 is actuated to rotate in a direction referenced by 624, to the second position to uncover the camera 608.

[0035] The device 600 further includes an air-tight sealing element 626 disposed between the passage 610 and the actuator 620. The air-tight sealing element 626 may be a gasket or an o-ring, or the like.

[0036] In an example, the actuator 620 of the shutter element 602 may include a groove accessible from the opening 612 to manually rotate the actuator 620. The groove in the actuator 620 may be similar to the groove 304 in the actuator 302 shown and described with reference to Figs. 3(a) and 3(b). [0037] In an example, the actuator 820 of the shutter element 602 may Include a projection accessible from the opening 512 to manually rotate the actuator 620. The projection in the actuator 620 may be similar to the projection 404 of the actuator 402 shown and described with reference to Figs. 4(a) and 4(b).

[0038] Although examples for the present disclosure have been described in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not limited to the specific features described herein. Rather, the specific features are disclosed and explained as examples of the present disclosure.