Prompting device

• US 8,350,960 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2009
• Issued: 01/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Richard William Deotte
• Original Assignee: Richard William Deotte
• Inventors: DeOtte, Richard William
• Primary Examiner(s): MOE, AUNG SOE
• Application Number:
  US12/558,120
• Publication Number:
  US 20100182513A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,215 Days
• Field of Search: 348/375, 348/722, 348/373, 348/61, 348/14.01, 348/14.16, 348/14.08, 353/119, 353/122, 353/103, 353/113, 353/29, 353/98, 396/1, 715/202
• US Class Current: 348/375
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2222 Prompting

Abstract

The prompting device has a frame, a plurality of reflective panes, and support members and may be used on a desktop by a home or small business user to read a script in a natural manner while speaking to a camera or other video capturing device. In the preferred embodiment, the frame has a user side and a camera side, and is lightweight and readily collapsible such that it may be easily stored when not in use. A collecting pane reflects an image onto a viewing pane, so as to create a displayed image which may be viewed by a user. The viewing pane is generally transparent allowing a user to be recorded or photographed through the viewing pane. In another embodiment the prompting device has an opaque cover. The support assemblies are adjustable in height and the panes have an adjustable angle. In another embodiment the support assemblies are hangers. In another embodiment the image is an image reflected from a computer monitor and may be scrolling text.

Claims

1. A prompting device comprising:

a support, a first reflective pane and a second reflective pane coupled to said support, and hangers, said hangers being capable of being used to suspend the device over a computer screen;

wherein said first reflective pane is capable of reflecting an image onto said second reflective pane so as to create a displayed image which may be viewed by a user while a camera captures a user image through said second reflective pane; and

wherein said prompting device is structured and arranged so as to be capable of being used on a desktop.

2. The prompting device of claim 1 wherein said support is a frame.

3. The prompting device of claim 1 further comprised of support members capable of maintaining the device in a generally upright position.

4. The prompting device of claim 3 wherein said support members are comprised of legs.

5. The prompting device of claim 1 wherein said first reflective pane has an angle, said angle being adjustable.

6. The prompting device of claim 1 wherein said second reflective pane has an angle, said angle being adjustable.

7. The prompting device of claim 1 wherein said second reflective pane has a height, said height being adjustable.

8. The prompting device of claim 1 wherein said first reflective pane has a height, said height being adjustable.

9. The prompting device of claim 1 wherein said hangers are adjustable.

10. The prompting device of claim 1 further comprising a cover capable of reducing a glare on said second reflective pane.

11. The prompting device of claim 1 wherein said first reflective pane has an opaque side.

12. The prompting device of claim 1 wherein said second reflective pane is transparent.

13. The prompting device of claim 1 wherein said displayed image is reflected from a computer screen.

14. The prompting device of claim 1 wherein said displayed image comprises scrolling text.

15. The prompting device of claim 1 wherein the prompting device is collapsible such that it may be easily stored when not in use.

16. A prompting device capable of being used on a desktop, said prompting device comprising:

a frame, a first reflective pane, a second reflective pane, and hangers, said hangers being capable of being used to suspend the device over a computer screen;

wherein said first and second reflective panes are slideably coupled to said frame;

said first and second reflective panes each having an adjustable angle and height; and

wherein said first reflective pane is capable of reflecting an image onto said second reflective pane so as to create a displayed image which may be viewed by a user while a video is taken of said user through said second reflective pane.

17. The prompting device of claim 16 wherein the prompting device is collapsible such that it may be easily stored when not in use.

18. A prompting device comprising:

a frame, a first reflective pane, a second reflective pane, a plurality of legs, and a computer screen, said legs and first and second reflective panes being coupled to said frame;

wherein said first reflective pane is capable of reflecting an image from said computer screen onto said second reflective pane so as to create a displayed image which may be viewed by a user while a camera captures a user image through said second reflective pane; and

wherein said prompting device is structured and arranged so as to be capable of being used on a desktop.

19. The prompting device of claim 18, wherein said legs are adjustable and structured and arranged so as to be capable of maintaining the device in a generally upright position.

20. The prompting device of claim 18, said first and second reflective panes each having an angle, said angle of each being adjustable.

21. The prompting device of claim 18, said first and second reflective panes each having a height, said height of each being adjustable.

22. A method of using a prompting device comprising the steps of:

providing a prompting device comprising a support, a first reflective pane, a second reflective pane, and one or more hangers, said first and second reflective panes and said one or more hangers being coupled to said support;

using the one or more hangers to suspend the device over a computer screen;

displaying a displayed image on the second reflective pane, said displayed image having been reflected from the first reflective pane;

providing a camera for capturing a user image through said second reflective pane; and

using said camera to capture the user image while a user views the displayed image on the second reflective pane.

23. A method of using a prompting device comprising the steps of:

providing a prompting device and a computer screen, said prompting device comprising a frame, a first reflective pane, a second reflective pane, a plurality of legs, said legs and first and second reflective panes being coupled to said frame;

positioning said prompting device between a user and said computer screen;

displaying a displayed image on the second reflective pane, said displayed image having been reflected from the first reflective pane;

providing a camera for capturing a user image through said second reflective pane; and

using said camera to capture the user image while the user views the displayed image on the second reflective pane.