Camera positioning system and method for eye-to-eye communication

• US 6,798,457 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2001
• Issued: 09/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Digeo Incorporated (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Meibos, David W., Hardman, Thomas M., Boyden, James H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Garber, Wendy R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Henn, Timothy J.
• Application Number:
  US09/964,285
• Publication Number:
  US 20030058334A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,098 Days
• Field of Search: 348/373, 348/14.16, 348/374, 348/375, 348/376, 396/419, 396/428, 248/442.2, 248/918
• US Class Current: 348/373
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/144 camera and display on the same optical axis, e.g. optically multiplexing the camera and display for eye to eye contact
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13332 Broadband, CATV, dynamic bandwidth allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13337 Picturephone, videotelephony

Abstract

Eye-to-eye videoconferencing may be carried out through the use of a motion coupling that positions a strut at least partially across a screen, near the eye level of the viewer. A camera may be mounted on a camera portion of the strut to obtain a video image of the viewer. The motion coupling may permit translation or rotation of the strut to reposition the camera. The motion coupling may be selectively lockable through internal,friction or through the use of a locking device. The camera may be movable along the camera portion via a camera translational coupling.

Claims

1. An apparatus for obtaining a video signal from a position proximate an eye level of a person viewing a display screen, the apparatus comprising:

a strut disposed at least partly across the display screen, the strut comprising a first end and a camera portion;

a first translational coupling attached to the first end to couple the first end to a first side of the display screen such that the first end translates substantially perpendicular to the strut;

a camera disposed at the camera portion such that the camera is positioned between the display screen and the person; and

an actuator that moves the first end of the strut along the first translational coupling when activated by a user.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the strut is disposed horizontally.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the strut is disposed vertically.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a camera translational coupling that movably couples the camera to the strut to permit motion of the camera along the camera portion.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the strut further comprises a second end, the apparatus further comprising:

a second translational coupling attached to the second end to movably couple the second end to a second side of the display screen, opposite the first side.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first translational coupling comprises:

a track rigidly affixed to a housing of the display screen; and

a slider rigidly affixed to the first end of the strut, the slider slidably engaging the track to permit motion of the first end along the track.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first translational coupling comprises:

an axle rigidly affixed to the first end of the strut; and

a roller rotationally coupled to the axle and positioned to roll along a housing of the display screen.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first translational coupling comprises:

a worm gear rotationally attached to a housing of the display screen, the worm gear extending along the first side of the display screen; and

a collar threadably coupled to the worm gear and rigidly affixed to the first end to induce translation of the first end in response to rotation of the worm gear.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the camera is disposed at the center of the display screen.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first translational coupling frictionally restricts motion of the strut along the first side such that the camera remains substantially stationary in the absence of force applied by it the user.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism that restricts motion of the strut along the first side such that the camera remains substantially stationary in the absence of force applied by the user.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the locking mechanism comprises:

a series of locking apertures disposed along the first translational coupling; and

a button biased to extend into the locking apertures to fix the position of the strut with respect to the locking apertures.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the locking mechanism comprises:

a threaded hole movable with the strut along the first side; and

a knob with a threaded stem threadable into the threaded role to frictionally arrest motion of the strut.

14. An apparatus for obtaining a video signal from a position proximate an eye level of a person viewing a display screen, the apparatus comprising:

a strut disposed across the display screen, the strut comprising a first end, a second end, and a camera portion between the first and second ends;

a first translational coupling attached to the first end to movably couple the first end to a first side of the display screen;

a second translational coupling attached to the second end to movably couple the second end to a second side of the display screen, opposite the first side; and

a camera disposed at the camera portion such that the camera is positioned between the display screen and the person.

15. An apparatus for obtaining a video signal from a position proximate an eye level of a person viewing a display screen, the apparatus comprising:

a strut disposed at least partly across the display screen, the strut comprising a first end and a camera portion;

a track rigidly affixed to a first side of the display screen;

a slider rigidly affixed to the first end of the strut, the slider slidably engaging the track to permit motion of the first end along the track;

a camera disposed at the camera portion such that the camera is positioned between the display screen and the person; and

an actuator that moves the first end of the strut along the first translational coupling when activated by a user.

16. An apparatus for obtaining a video signal from a position proximate an eye level of a person viewing a display screen, the apparatus comprising:

a strut disposed at least partly across the display screen, the strut comprising a first end and a camera portion;

an axle rigidly affixed to the first end of the strut;

a roller rotationally coupled to the axle and positioned to roll along a first side of the display screen; and

a camera disposed at the camera portion such that the camera is positioned between the display screen and the person.

17. An apparatus for obtaining a video signal from a position proximate an eye level of a person viewing a display screen, the apparatus comprising:

a strut disposed at least partly across the display screen, the strut comprising a first end and a camera portion;

a worm gear rotationally attached along a first side of the display screen;

a collar threadably coupled to the worm gear and rigidly affixed to the first end to induce translation of the first end in response to rotation of the worm gear; and

a camera disposed at the camera portion such that the camera is positioned between the display screen and the person.

18. An apparatus for obtaining a video signal from a position proximate an eye level of a person viewing a display screen, the apparatus comprising:

a strut disposed at least partly across the display screen, the strut comprising a first end and a camera portion;

a first translational coupling attached to the first end to couple the first end to a first side of the display screen such that the first end translates substantially perpendicular to the strut, wherein the first translational coupling comprises an axle rigidly affixed to the first end of the strut and a roller rotationally coupled to the axle and positioned to roll along a housing of the display screen; and

a camera disposed at the camera portion such that the camera is positioned between the display screen and the person.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a camera translational coupling that movably couples the camera to the strut to permit motion of the camera along the camera portion.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the strut further comprises a second end, the apparatus further comprising:

a second translational coupling attached to the second end to movably couple the second end to a second side of the display screen, opposite the first side.

21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first translational coupling frictionally restricts motion of the strut along the first side such that the camera remains substantially stationary in the absence of force applied by the user.

22. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a locking mechanism that restricts motion of the strut along the first side such that the camera remains substantially stationary in the absence of force applied by the user.

23. An apparatus for obtaining a video signal from a position proximate an eye level of a person viewing a display screen, the apparatus comprising:

a strut disposed at least partly across the display screen, the strut comprising a first end and a camera portion;

a first translational coupling attached to the first end to couple the first end to a first side of the display screen such that the first end translates substantially perpendicular to the strut, wherein the first translational coupling comprises a worm gear rotationally attached to a housing of the display screen, the worm gear extending along the first side of the display screen, and a collar threadably coupled to the worm gear and rigidly affixed to the first end to induce translation of the first end in response to rotation of the worm gear; and

a camera disposed at the camera portion such that the camera is positioned between the display screen and the person.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising a camera translational coupling that movably couples the camera to the strut to permit motion of the camera along the camera portion.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the strut further comprises a second end, the apparatus further comprising:

a second translational coupling attached to the second end to movably couple the second end to a second side of the display screen, opposite the first side.

26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first translational coupling frictionally restricts motion of the strut along the first side such that the camera remains substantially stationary in the absence of force applied by the user.

27. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising a looking mechanism that restricts motion of the strut along the first side such that the camera remains substantially stationary in the absence of force applied by the user.

28. An apparatus for obtaining a video signal from a position proximate an eye level of a person viewing a display screen, the apparatus comprising:

a strut disposed at least partly across the screen, the strut comprising a first end and a camera portion;

a rotational coupling attached to the first end to couple the first end to a first side of the display screen such that the first end rotates within a plane substantially perpendicular to a screen portion of the display screen, wherein the rotational coupling comprises;

a male portion; and

a female portion, wherein the male portion is inserted into the female portion such that the female portion rotates around the male portion, wherein the male portion is a rod attached to the display screen, and the female portion is a collar having a bore at one end to receive the rod;

a camera disposed at the camera portion such that the camera is positioned between the display screen and the person; and

a locking mechanism to restrict rotation of the collar about the rod, wherein the locking mechanism comprises;

a plurality of locking apertures arrayed at least partially around an outside diameter of the collar; and

a button located on the rod, wherein the button is biased to extend into the locking apertures to fix the position of the collar with respect to the rod.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the strut is disposed horizontally.

30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the strut is disposed vertically.

31. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising a camera translational coupling that movably couples the camera to the camera portion to permit motion of the camera along the strut.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the camera translational coupling comprises a telescoping segment that slides within the strut, and wherein the camera is attached to the telescoping segment.

33. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the camera translational coupling comprises a gripping sleeve attached to the camera to slidably grip the strut.

34. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the rotational coupling frictionally restricts rotation of the collar about the rod.

35. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the camera is disposed at the center of the display screen.

36. An apparatus for obtaining a video signal from a position proximate an eye level of a person viewing a display screen, the apparatus comprising:

a strut disposed at least partly across the screen, the strut comprising a first end and a camera portion;

a rotational coupling attached to the first end to couple the first end to a first side of the display screen such that the first end rotates within a plane substantially perpendicular to a screen portion of the display screen, wherein the rotational coupling comprises a male portion and a female portion, wherein the male portion is inserted into the female portion such that the female portion rotates around the male portion, wherein the male portion is a rod attached to the display screen, and the female portion is a collar having a bore at one end to receive the rod;

a locking mechanism to restrict rotation of the collar about the rod, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a plurality of locking apertures arrayed at least partially around an outside diameter of the collar and a button located on the rod, wherein the button is biased to extend into the locking apertures to fix the position of the collar with respect to the rod; and

a camera disposed at the camera portion such that the camera is positioned between the display screen and the person.

37. An apparatus for obtaining a video signal from a position proximate an eye level of a person viewing a display screen, the apparatus comprising:

a strut disposed at least partly across the screen, the strut comprising a first end and a camera portion;

a rotational coupling attached to the first end to couple the first end to a first side of the display screen, wherein the rotational coupling comprises;

a male portion; and

a female portion, wherein the male portion is inserted into the female portion such that the female portion rotates around the male portion, wherein the male portion is a rod attached to the display screen, and the female portion is a collar having a bore at one end to receive the rod;

a camera disposed at the camera portion such that the camera is positioned between the display screen and the person;

a camera translational coupling that movably couples the camera to the strut to permit motion of the camera along the strut; and

a locking mechanism to restrict rotation of the collar about the rod, wherein the locking mechanism comprises;

a plurality of locking apertures arrayed at least partially around an outside diameter of the collar; and

a button located on the rod, wherein the button is biased to extend into the locking apertures to fix the position of the collar with respect to the rod.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the strut is disposed horizontally.

39. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the strut is disposed vertically.

40. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the camera translational coupling comprises a telescoping segment that slides within the strut, and wherein the camera is attached to the telescoping segment.

41. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein th e camera translational coupling comprises a gripping sleeve attached to the camera to slidably grip the strut.

42. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the rotational coupling frictionally restricts rotation of the collar about the rod.

43. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the camera is disposed at the center of the display screen.

44. A method for obtaining a video signal from a position proximate an eye level of a person viewing a display screen, the method comprising:

providing a strut comprising a first end and a camera portion;

attaching a first translational coupling to the first end of the strut;

disposing a camera at the camera portion;

disposing the first translational coupling to permit motion of the first end along a first side of the display screen, substantially perpendicular to the strut;

utilizing the first translational coupling to move the first end such that the strut extends at least partially across the display screen to position the camera between the display screen and the person, proximate the eye level of the person;

providing an actuator; and

utilizing the actuator to move the first end of the strut along the first translational coupling when activated by a user.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the strut extends horizontally.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein the strut extends vertically.

47. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

movably coupling the camera to the camera portion with a camera translational coupling; and

utilizing the camera translational coupling to move the camera along the camera portion toward the eye level of the person.

48. The method of claim 44, wherein the strut further comprises a second end and a second translational coupling attached to the second end of the strut, the method further comprising:

utilizing the second translational coupling to move the second end in tandem with the first end.

49. The method of claim 44, wherein providing the first translational coupling comprises providing a track and a slider rigidly affixed to the first end of the strut, the slider slidably engaging the track to permit motion of the first end along the track.

50. The method of claim 44, wherein providing the first translational coupling comprises providing an axle rigidly affixed to the first end of the strut and a roller rotationally coupled to the axle to roll along the first side of the display screen.

51. The method of claim 44, wherein providing the first translational coupling comprises providing a worm gear and a collar threadably coupled to the worm gear and rigidly affixed to the first end such that rotation of the worm gear induces translation of the first end of the strut.

52. The method of claim 44, wherein the camera is positioned at the center of the display screen.

53. The method of claim 44, wherein the first translational coupling frictionally resists motion of the strut along the first side, the method further comprising:

maintaining the camera proximate the eye level via frictional resistance of the first translational coupling.

54. The method of claim 44, further comprising providing a locking mechanism that is selectively lockable to restrain translation of the strut, the method further comprising:

locking the locking mechanism to maintain the camera proximate the eye level.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein locking the locking mechanism comprises inserting a button into one of a series of locking aperture disposed along the first translational coupling.

56. The method of claim 54, wherein locking the locking mechanism comprises threading a knob with a threaded stem into a threaded hole that moves with the strut to frictionally arrest motion of the strut.

57. A method for obtaining a video signal from a position proximate an eye level of a person viewing a display screen, the method comprising:

providing a strut comprising a first end, a second end, and a camera portion between the first and second ends;

attaching a first translational coupling to the first end of the strut;

attaching a second translational coupling to the second end of the strut;

disposing a camera at the camera portion;

disposing the first translational coupling to permit motion of the first end along a first side of the display screen;

disposing the second translational coupling to permit motion of the second end along a second side of the display screen, opposite the first side; and

utilizing the first and second translational couplings to move the first and second ends such that the strut extends at least partially across the display screen to position the camera between the display screen and the person, proximate the eye level of the person.

58. A method for obtaining a video signal from a position proximate an eye level of a person viewing a display screen, the method comprising:

providing a strut comprising a first end and a camera portion;

rigidly affixing a slider to the first end of the strut;

disposing a track to slidably receive the slider;

disposing a camera at the camera portion;

attaching the track along a first side of the display screen to permit motion of the first end along the first side;

sliding the slider within the track to move the first end such that the strut extends at least partially across the display screen to position the camera between the display screen and the person, proximate the eye level of the person;

providing an actuator; and

utilizing the actuator to move the first end of the strut along the first translational coupling when activated by a user.

59. A method for obtaining a video signal from a position proximate an eye level of a person viewing a display screen, the method comprising:

providing a strut comprising a first end and a camera portion;

rigidly affixing an axle to the first end of the strut;

rotationally coupling a roller to the axle;

disposing a camera at the camera portion;

disposing the roller to roll along a first side of the display screen; and

rolling the roller along the first side to move the first end such that the strut extends at least partially across the display screen to position the camera between the display screen and the person, proximate the eye level of the person.

60. A method for obtaining a video signal from a position proximate an eye level of a person viewing a display screen, the method comprising:

providing a strut comprising a first end and a camera portion;

rigidly affixing a collar to the first end of the strut;

threadably coupling a worm gear to the collar,

disposing a camera at the camera portion;

rotationally attaching the worm gear to a first side of the display screen; and

rotating the worm gear to induce translation of the first end such that the strut extends at least partially across the display screen to position the camera between the display screen and the person, proximate the eye level of the person.

61. A method for obtaining a video signal from a position proximate an eye level of a person viewing a display screen, the method comprising:

providing a strut comprising a first end and a camera portion;

attaching a rotational coupling to the first end of the strut, wherein the rotational coupling comprises;

a male portion; and

a female portion, wherein the male portion is inserted into the female portion such that the female portion rotates around the male portion, wherein the male portion is a rod attache to the display screen, and the female portion is a collar having a bore at one end to receive the rod;

disposing a camera at the camera portion;

disposing the rotational coupling to permit rotation of the first end within a plane substantially perpendicular to a screen portion of the display screen;

utilizing the rotational coupling to move the first end such that the strut extends at least partially across the display screen to position the camera between the display screen and the person, proximate the eye level of the person;

providing a locking mechanism to restrict motion of the collar about the rod; and

locking the locking mechanism to maintain the camera proximate the eye level, wherein locking the locking mechanism comprises inserting a button located on the rod into one of a plurality of locking apertures arrayed at least partially around an outside diameter of the collar.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the strut is disposed horizontally.

63. The method of claim 61, wherein the strut is disposed vertically.

64. The method of claim 61, further comprising:

movably coupling the camera to the camera portion with a camera translational coupling; and

utilizing the camera translational coupling to move the camera along the camera portion toward the eye level of the person.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein the camera translational coupling comprises a telescoping segment that slides within the strut, and the camera is attached to the telescoping segment.

66. The method of claim 64, wherein the camera translational coupling comprises a gripping sleeve attached to the camera to slidably grip the strut.

67. The method of claim 61, wherein the rotational coupling frictionally restricts motion of the collar about the rod, the method further comprising:

maintaining the camera proximate the eye level via frictional resistance of the rotational coupling.

68. The method of claim 61, wherein the camera is disposed at the center of the display screen.

69. A method for obtaining a video signal from a position proximate an eye level of a person viewing a display screen, the method comprising:

providing a strut comprising a first end and a camera portion;

attaching a rotational coupling to the first end of the strut, wherein the rotational coupling comprises;

a male portion; and

a female portion, wherein the male portion is inserted is into the female portion such that the female portion rotates around the male portion, wherein the male portion is a rod attached to the display screen, and the female portion is a collar having a bore at one end to receive the rod;

movably coupling a camera to the camera portion with a camera translational coupling to permit motion of the camera along the strut;

disposing the rotational coupling to permit rotation of the first end with respect to the display screen;

utilizing the rotational coupling to move the first end such that the strut extends at least partially across the display screen;

utilizing the camera translational coupling to position the camera between the display screen and the person, proximate the eye level of the person;

providing a locking mechanism to restrict motion of the collar about the rod; and

locking the locking mechanism to maintain the camera proximate the eye level, wherein locking the locking mechanism comprises inserting a button located on the rod into one of a plurality of locking apertures arrayed at least partially around an outside diameter of the collar.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein the strut is disposed horizontally.

71. The method of claim 69, wherein the strut is disposed vertically.

72. The method of claim 69, wherein the camera translational coupling comprises a telescoping segment that slides within the strut, and wherein the camera is attached to the telescoping segment.

73. The method of claim 69, wherein the camera translational coupling comprises a gripping sleeve attached to the camera to slidably grip the strut.

74. The method of claim 69, wherein the rotational coupling frictionally restricts motion of the collar about the rod, the, method further comprising:

maintaining the camera proximate the eye level via frictional resistance of the rotational coupling.

75. The method of claim 69, wherein the camera is disposed at the center of the display screen.