System and method for a grooming mirror in a portable electronic device with a user-facing camera

• US 20120257000A1
• Filed: 04/07/2011
• Published: 10/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tara Chand Singhal
• Original Assignee: Tara Chand Singhal
• Inventors: Singhal, Tara Chand
• Granted Patent: US 8,767,030 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/14.02
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/005 Input arrangements through a video camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2007/145 Handheld terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 provided with illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/632 for displaying or modifying preview images prior to image capturing, e.g. variety of image resolutions or capturing parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/67 Focus control based on electronic image sensor signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A system for a grooming mirror in a portable electronic device with a user-facing CCD camera has a makeup function that when activated activates the user-facing camera on the device, the camera captures images of a user'"'"'s face and displays live images of the user face on the screen, wherein, the device functions as a grooming mirror for the user. The makeup function operates on the captured images to crop and digitally focus the images to show close up images of the user face, thus the device functions as a mirror for the face for grooming and applying cosmetics. The device has a feature to put on hold a face to face communication function, while the user uses the makeup function for grooming and to apply cosmetics. The device is equipped with a user-facing light that is activated to light up the face for the camera.

Claims

1. A system for a grooming mirror in a portable electronic device, comprising:

a. a portable electronic device has a display screen, a storage memory, a CPU, a user-facing charge coupled device (CCD) camera, and a makeup function logic operative from the memory;

b. the makeup function when activated activates the user-facing camera on the device, the camera captures live images of a user'"'"'s face and the logic enhances the images of the user face and displays live images of the user face on the screen, wherein, the device functions as a grooming mirror for the user.

2. The system as in claim 1, further comprising:

the makeup function operates on the captured images to crop and digitally focus the images to show close up images of the user face, thus the device functions as a mirror for the face for grooming and applying cosmetics.

3. The system as in claim 2, further comprising:

the makeup function provides user controls on the device that display digitally focused close up images from one of the images of, (i) an entire face, (ii) hair and forehead, (iii) eyes, (iv) cheeks and nose, (v) lips and chin, and (vi) throat area on the screen, wherein a close up viewing of these parts of the facial images is displayed on the screen for the purpose of grooming and applying cosmetics.

4. The system as in claim 1, further comprising:

the device equipped with a user-facing light that is activated to light up the face for the camera.

5. The system as in claim 1, the makeup function further comprising:

a feature to create a makeup gallery that stores static pictures of facial makeups and displays them individually and side by side on the screen for comparison.

6. The system as in claim 1, further comprising:

the device is of the size of a handheld smart phone with a touch screen, alternatively, the device is of the size of a tablet computer with a touch screen.

7. The system as in claim 1, further comprising:

the device has a touch screen and uses touch screen controls to adjust the face image on the screen.

8. The system as in claim 1, further comprising:

the makeup function enables light and darkness control of the face image on the screen.

9. The system as in claim 1, further comprising:

a. the device equipped with a wireless communication function;

b. a feature to switch between the makeup function and the communication function, wherein a user may apply makeup while waiting for a communication function to begin.

10. The system as in claim 9, further comprising:

a feature to put on hold a face to face communication function, the user uses the makeup function to apply cosmetics before resuming the face to face communication function.

11. The system as in claim 10, further comprising:

getting an optional feedback from a face to face communication party to see and review the cosmetic features as part of a demonstration to make a sale of the cosmetic item.

12. A mobile portable wireless communication device, comprising:

a. the portable electronic device has a display screen, a storage memory, a CPU, a user-facing CCD camera, a communication function, and a makeup function logic;

b. the makeup function when activated activates the user-facing camera on the device, the camera looks at a user'"'"'s face and displays a continuing series of images of the user face on the screen, thereby, the device functions as a grooming mirror for the user.

13. The device as in claim 12, further comprising:

the makeup function before displaying the image, operates on the image to crop and adjust the image in size to fill the screen that show a close up image of the user face, enabling the device to function as a makeup mirror for the purpose of seeing the face and grooming and applying cosmetics.

14. The device as in claim 12, further comprising:

the makeup function provides user controls on the device that enable one of the close up images of, an entire face, hair, forehead, eyes, cheeks, nose, lips, chin and throat or a combination of any of them to be displayed on the screen, thereby a close up viewing of these parts of the facial image is displayed on the screen for the purpose of grooming and applying cosmetics to these parts of the face.

15. The device, as in claim 12, comprising:

a feature to switch between the makeup function and the communication function, enabling a user to apply makeup while waiting for a communication function to begin or load on the device.

16. The device, as in claim 12, comprising:

a feature to put on hold a face to face communication function, while the user uses the makeup function for grooming and to apply cosmetics.

17. The device, as in claim 12, comprising:

the device has a user-facing light and a feature to activate the user-facing light when the makeup function is activated.

18. A method for a grooming mirror in a portable electronic device, comprising the steps of:

a. operating a makeup function logic in a portable electronic device that has a display screen, a storage memory, a CPU, and a user-facing camera;

b. activating the makeup function activates the user-facing camera on the device that is looking at a user'"'"'s face and displaying the face image on the screen, thereby, the device functions as a makeup mirror for the purpose of seeing the face on the screen.

19. The method as in claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

operating on the images, by the makeup function, to crop and adjust the images in size to fill the screen that show a close up image of the user face, enabling the device to function as a makeup mirror for the purpose of seeing the face and applying cosmetics on the face.

20. The method as in claim 18, further comprising:

providing user controls on the device by the makeup function that enable one of the close up images of, an entire face, forehead, eyes, cheeks, nose and lips and chins or a combination of any of them to be displayed on the screen, thereby a close up viewing of these parts of the facial image is displayed on the screen for the purpose of applying cosmetics to these parts of the face.