Integral eye-path alignment on telephony and computer video devices using a pinhole image sensing device

• US 6,888,562 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2003
• Issued: 05/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Houghton, Philip, Rambo, Darwin
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Wing F.
• Application Number:
  US10/397,712
• Publication Number:
  US 20040189794A1
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 348 1401- 1416, 382/280
• US Class Current: 348/14.16
• 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

Abstract

A two-way visual communication device and methods for operating such a device are disclosed. An embodiment of the disclosed invention may comprise a visual display device and one or more pinhole imaging devices positioned within the active display area of the visual display. An image processor may be used to analyze the displayed image, and to select the output signal from one of the pinhole imaging devices. The image processor may also modify the displayed image in order to optimize the degree of eye contact as perceived by the far-end party.

Claims

1. A two-way visual communication device comprising:

a visual display device for displaying an image represented by a first signal; and

at least one imaging device disposed within the active area of the visual display device, the at least one imaging device being arranged so that the field of view of the at least one imaging device is directed at a user viewing the visual display device, the at least one imaging device producing a second signal, the at least one imaging device being disposed within functional elements on the viewing side of the visual display device, and wherein an image displayed on the visual display device is modified in order to align a feature of the image proximate the aperture of the at least one imaging device.

2. The two-way visual communication device of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one image processor for processing at least one of the first signal and the second signal.

3. The two-way visual communication device of claim 1 wherein the at least one imaging device is disposed behind the image plane of the visual display device, the aperture of the at least one imaging device being aligned with a transparent window within the active area of the visual display device.

4. The two-way visual communications device of claim 3 wherein the optical characteristics of the visual display device in the viewing area proximate the transparent window have been adapted to minimize the visibility of the opening.

5. The two-way visual display device of claim 1 wherein the aperture of the at least one imaging device is disposed proximate the center of the active area of the visual display device.

6. The two-way visual communication device of claim 1 wherein the visual display device is one of at least a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, and a light emitting diode display.

7. A machine-readable storage, having stored thereon a computer program having a plurality of code sections for implementing a two-way visual communication device, the code sections executable by a machine for causing the machine to perform the operations comprising:

displaying an image;

selecting an output of one of a plurality of imaging devices, the selecting being based upon the image being displayed; and

transmitting the selected output.

8. The machine-readable storage of claim 7 wherein the displaying comprises:

modifying the image in order to position a feature of the image proximate the aperture of one of the plurality of imaging devices.

9. A two-way visual communication device comprising:

a visual display device for displaying an image represented by a first signal; and

a plurality of imaging devices, the plurality of imaging devices being arranged in spaced relation to one another within the active area of the visual display device, the field of view of each of the plurality of imaging devices being directed at a user viewing the visual display device, each of the plurality of imaging devices producing an output signal, the output signals collectively forming a plurality of output signals, and wherein the image displayed on the visual display device is modified to align a feature of the image proximate the aperture of one of the plurality of imaging devices.

10. The two-way visual communication device of claim 9 further comprising:

at least one image processor for processing at least one of the first signal and the plurality of output signals.

11. The two-way visual communication device of claim 10 wherein the processing comprises selecting one of the plurality of output signals based upon the first signal.

12. A method of operating a two-way visual communication device, the two-way visual communication device comprising a visual display device and a plurality of imaging devices, each of the plurality of imaging devices having an output, the method comprising:

displaying an image;

selecting the output of one of the plurality of imaging devices, the selecting being based upon the image being displayed; and

transmitting the selected output.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the displaying comprises:

modifying the image in order to position a feature of the image proximate the aperture of one of the plurality of imaging devices.

14. A two-way visual communication device comprising:

a visual display device for displaying an image represented by a first signal;

a plurality of imaging devices arranged in spaced relation to one another within the active area of the visual display device, the field of view of each of the plurality of imaging devices being directed at a user viewing the visual display device, each of the plurality of imaging devices producing an output signal, the output signals collectively forming a plurality of output signals; and

at least one image processor for selecting one of the plurality of output signals based upon the first signal.

15. The two-way visual communication device of claim 14 wherein the image displayed on the visual display device is modified to align a feature of the image proximate the aperture of one of the plurality of imaging devices.

16. The two-way visual communication device of claim 14 wherein the plurality of imaging devices is disposed within functional elements on the viewing side of the visual display device.