Camera positioning system and method for eye-to eye communication

• US 6,943,843 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2001
• Issued: 09/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2001
• 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., Christensen, Kory D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Garber, Wendy R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Henn, Timothy J
• Application Number:
  US09/966,334
• Publication Number:
  US 20030058363A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,447 Days
• Field of Search: 348/14.01, 348/14.16, 348/211.2, 348/373, 348/374, 348/375, 348/376, 345/158, 345/175, 345/207
• 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

Abstract

Eye-to-eye videoconferencing may be carried out through the use of a camera secured to an attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanism removably secures the camera to a screen portion of a display screen such that the camera is disposed between the display screen and a person engaged in videoconferencing. In one embodiment, the attachment mechanism is a suction cup. In one alternate embodiment, the attachment mechanism takes the form of first and second strips of double-sided tape. In another alternate embodiment, the attachment mechanism includes first and second magnets removably secured to front and back sides of a flat panel display. Magnetic force between the first and second magnets removably secures the camera to a screen portion of the flat panel display.

Claims

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

a camera having a housing and a lens; and

an attachment mechanism comprising first and second magnets, wherein the first magnet is secured to the housing, and wherein magnetic force between the first and second magnets removably secures the housing to a screen portion of the display such that the camera is disposed between the display and the person, and wherein the magnetic force alone secures the second magnet to a back side of the display.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the camera is a wireless camera.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the wireless camera operates according to a protocol selected from the group consisting of:

IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, Bluetooth, HiperLan, and HiperLan/2.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display comprises a flat panel display.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a camera holder having a pocket, wherein the camera holder is affixed to the display such that the camera is able to rest within the pocket.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the camera further comprises an adjustable tilt setting.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the lens is exposed while the camera rests inside the pocket.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the camera is disposed in the center of the screen portion.

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

providing a camera having a housing and a lens;

providing an attachment mechanism comprising first and second magnets;

securing the first magnet of the attachment mechanism to the housing;

removably securing the first magnet of the attachment mechanism directly to a screen portion of the display such that the camera is disposed between the display and the person; and

removably securing the second magnet of the attachment mechanism to a back side of the display such that the second magnet is secured only by a magnetic force.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein providing a camera comprises providing a wireless camera.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein providing a wireless camera comprises providing a wireless camera that operates according to a protocol selected from the group consisting of:

IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.11a IEEE 802.11b, Bluetooth, HiperLan, and HiperLan 2.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the display comprises a flat panel display.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

providing a camera holder having a pocket; and

affixing the camera holder to the display such that the camera is able to rest within the pocket.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein providing a camera comprises providing a camera with an adjustable tilt setting.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising inserting the camera inside the camera holder such that the lens is visible while the camera rests inside the pocket.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the camera is disposed in the center of the screen portion.

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

a camera housing;

a camera lens contained within the housing, the lens being configured to cause the convergence of light rays passing through the lens;

a first magnet that exerts a magnetic force to removably secure the housing to a screen portion of the display such that the lens is disposed between the display and the person; and

a second magnet that is secured to a back side of the display by only the magnetic force.

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

providing a camera having a housing and a lens;

providing a first magnet;

providing a second magnet; and

removably securing the housing directly to a screen portion of the display using a magnetic force exerted by the first and second magnets, wherein the camera is disposed between the display and the person, wherein the second magnet is secured to a back side of the display only by the magnetic force.