Webcam illuminator device

• US 7,841,729 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2008
• Issued: 11/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pathway IP LLC
• Original Assignee: Splashlight Studios
• Inventors: Geddes, Henry
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar; Stephen F
• Assistant Examiner(s): CRANSON JR, JAMES W
• Application Number:
  US12/011,090
• Publication Number:
  US 20080180933A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,041 Days
• Field of Search: 362/3, 362/8, 362/16, 362/11
• US Class Current: 362/16
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/02 Illuminating scene
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 provided with illuminating means

Abstract

An illuminator device for illuminating one or more users in front web camera and a communication terminal having a bulb for emitting light; a reflector operatively associated with the bulb for projecting the emitted light; and an arm disposed between the bulb and the terminal for connection to the terminal are provided. The bulb is positionable relative to the web camera to provide optimal viewing of the user through the web camera. An illuminator device for illuminating one or more users in front of a webcamera and a communications terminal having a frame and a screen having a plurality of bulbs, wherein the plurality of bulbs are disposed in the frame of the terminal to provide illumination to the face or faces of the users.

Claims

1. An illuminator device for illuminating one or more users in front of a web camera and a communication terminal comprising:

a bulb having a toroidal shape for emitting light;

a reflector having a circular configuration to conform to the toroidal shape of said bulb for projecting the emitted light; and

an arm disposed between said bulb and the terminal for connection to the terminal, wherein said bulb is positionable relative to the web camera to provide optimal viewing of the user through the web camera.

2. The illuminator device of claim 1, wherein said reflector is positioned proximate said bulb to project light towards a face of said user or said users.

3. The illuminator device of claim 1, wherein said reflector is lined with a reflective material or film.

4. The illuminator device of claim 1, wherein said arm is a flexible arm that permits said bulb to be positioned relative to the web camera.

5. The illuminator device of claim 1, wherein said arm is connected to the terminal by a clamp.

6. The illuminator device of claim 5, wherein the clamp is movable along an edge of the terminal to adjust the location of said bulb.

7. The illuminator device of claim 1, wherein the arm has a base that supports the illuminator device on a flat surface adjacent to the terminal.

8. The illuminator device of claim 1, wherein said reflector has a piece of fabric thereon disposed between said bulb and a user'"'"'s face for diffusing the light emitted from said bulb.

9. The illuminator device of claim 8, wherein said fabric is silk or muslin.

10. An illuminator device for illuminating one or more users in front of a web camera and a communications terminal having a frame and a screen comprising:

a plurality of bulbs, wherein said plurality of bulbs are disposed in the frame of the terminal and one of said plurality of bulbs surrounds the web camera.

11. The illuminator device of claim 10, wherein one of said plurality of bulbs is on one side of the web camera and another of said plurality of bulbs is on the other side of the web camera.

12. The illuminator device of claim 10, wherein in each of said plurality of bulbs are rectangularly shaped.

13. The illuminator device of claim 10, wherein said plurality of bulbs are a plurality of electrodes spaced in the frame of the screen.