IP Library Patent Application 18563320
Patent Application
App. No. 18/563,320

KIOSK HAVING A CAMERA OCCLUDED BY A PHOTOCHROMIC COVER

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
18/563,320
Abstract

A kiosk is provided that includes at least one display, a camera and a photochromic cover overlapping the camera to hide the camera from view.

Claims (35)

1 . A kiosk, comprising:

at least one display;

a camera; and

a photochromic cover overlapping the camera to hide the camera from view.

2 . The kiosk of claim 1 , wherein the kiosk comprises an electric vehicle charging station (EVCS).

3 . The kiosk of claim 1 , wherein the photochromic cover is placed within a bezel adjacent to a display of the kiosk, wherein, under ambient daylight conditions, the photochromic cover matches a tint of the bezel.

4 . The kiosk of claim 1 , wherein the photochromic cover at least partially surrounds the display.

5 . The kiosk of claim 1 , further comprising one or more additional sensors, wherein the photochromic cover overlaps the one or more additional sensors so as to hide the one or more additional sensors from view.

6 . The kiosk of claim 5 , wherein the one or more additional sensors include one or more of the group consisting of: an ultrasound sensor, a depth sensor, a passive infrared (PIR) sensor, a heat infrared (IR) sensor, a proximity sensor, a radar sensor, and a LiDAR sensor.

7 . The kiosk of claim 1 , wherein the photochromic cover spans a top portion of the kiosk.

8 . The kiosk of claim 1 , wherein the camera is a 360 degree camera.

9 . The kiosk of claim 1 , wherein:

the camera is a first camera having a first field of view; and

the kiosk comprises a second camera, wherein:

the second camera has a second field of view different from the first field of view,

a second photochromic cover overlaps the second camera so as to hide the second camera from view.

10 . A method for occluding a camera integrated with a kiosk, comprising:

placing a camera within a kiosk that includes a display;

placing a photochromic cover overlapping the camera so as to hide the camera from view, wherein the photochromic cover becomes more or less tinted based on an amount of ambient light; and

detecting, using the camera viewed through the photochromic cover that changes its tint based on ambient light, an individual passing by the kiosk.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the kiosk comprises an electric vehicle charging station (EVCS).

12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the photochromic cover is placed within a bezel adjacent to a display of the kiosk, wherein, under ambient daylight conditions, the photochromic cover matches a tint of the bezel.

13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the photochromic cover at least partially surrounds the display.

14 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the photochromic cover overlaps one or more additional sensors so as to hide the one or more additional sensors from view.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the one or more additional sensors include one or more of the group consisting of: an ultrasound sensor, a depth sensor, a passive infrared (PIR) sensor, a heat infrared (IR) sensor, a proximity sensor, a radar sensor, and a LiDAR sensor.

16 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the photochromic cover spans a top portion of the kiosk.

17 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the camera is a 360 degree camera.

18 . The method of claim 10 , wherein:

the camera is a first camera having a first field of view; and

the method further comprises:

placing a second camera within the kiosk, wherein the second camera has a second field of view different from the first field of view;

placing a second photochromic cover overlapping the second camera so as to hide the second camera from view, wherein the second photochromic cover becomes more or less tinted based on an amount of ambient light; and

detecting, using the second camera viewed through the second photochromic cover that changes its tint based on ambient light, the individual passing by the kiosk.

19 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising:

in response to detecting, using the camera viewed through the photochromic cover that changes its tint based on ambient light, the individual passing by the kiosk, modifying content displayed on the display.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2025
From: VOLTA CHARGING INDUSTRIES, LLC,
To: ZECO SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 072345/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 24, 2025
From: VOLTA CHARGING, LLC
To: ZECO SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 071034/0172 →