Method and system for capturing video on a personal computer

• US 20050068423A1
• Filed: 09/30/2003
• Published: 03/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Ledbetter, Carl, Adams, Aditha May, Kaneko, Steve, Magendanz, Chad, Bear, Eric Gould
• Granted Patent: US 7,548,255 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/207.990
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/04 Exchange of auxiliary data, i.e. other than image data, between monitor and graphics controller
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q

Abstract

A system and method for improved video capture on a personal computer is provided. The personal computer is equipped with video controls and a camera with a privacy lens cover. A sensor for sensing when the lens cover is closed may be used along with an actuator for mechanically opening the lens cover, so that the system may optionally open the lens cover automatically for video capture applications. A user may easily capture a video stream or still images using the video controls provided. A user may also answer an incoming phone call that supports video by pressing the camera button or, optionally, the user can set a preference so that the camera is automatically enabled whenever answering a call that supports video. Additionally, the system may automatically transition to or from video anytime during a call.

Claims

1. A computer system for capturing video, comprising:

an operating system operably coupled to a hardware interface;

a camera operably coupled to the hardware interface; and

a privacy mechanism operably coupled to the hardware interface for preventing the camera from capturing video.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a sensor operably coupled to the camera for sensing the position of a lens cover.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the sensor comprises a toggle switch.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a video control operably coupled to the hardware interface.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the video control further comprises an indicator that uses at least one member of the set comprising visual, audible, and tactile representations.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein a button of the video control resides on a computer housing.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein a button of the video control resides on a computer keyboard.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein a button of the video control resides on a computer monitor.

9. The system of claim 4, wherein a button of the video control resides on a communications panel.

10. The system of claim 4, wherein a button of the video control resides on a remote control.

11. The system of claim 4, wherein a button of the video control resides on the camera.

12. The system of claim 4 wherein the video control comprises a shutter button.

13. The system of claim 4 wherein the video control comprises a capture button.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the operating system comprises a component with control handling logic for communicating the position of the lens cover to an application program.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the operating system comprises a component with logic for controlling an indicator of a video control button.

16. A camera for a computer system, comprising:

a camera housing with a lens cover; and

a sensor operably coupled to the camera for sensing the position of the lens cover to determine a state of operation in the computer system for capturing video.

17. The camera of claim 16 further comprising an actuator for moving the lens cover.

18. A method for capturing video in a computer system, comprising the steps of:

receiving an input signal from a video control requesting a change in a state of operation of control handling logic for capturing video in the computer system;

changing the state of operation of the control handling logic for capturing video; and

executing a mode of operation for capturing video for the changed state.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of saving the video on a computer-readable medium.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein receiving an input signal from a video control comprises receiving an input signal from a capture button.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein receiving an input signal from a video control comprises receiving an input signal from a shutter button.

22. The method of claim 18 wherein changing the state of operation of the control handling logic for capturing video comprises changing the state of operation of the control handling logic to stopped.

23. The method of claim 18 wherein changing the state of operation of the control handling logic for capturing video comprises changing the state of operation of the control handling logic to capturing.

24. The method of claim 18 wherein changing the state of operation of the control handling logic for capturing video comprises changing the state of operation of the control handling logic to paused.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein changing the state of operation of the control handling logic for capturing video comprises activating an indicator using at least one member of the set comprising visual, audible, and tactile representations.

26. The method of claim 18 wherein executing a mode of operation for capturing video comprises capturing a still image.

27. The method of claim 18 wherein executing a mode of operation for capturing video comprises capturing a video stream.

28. The method of claim 18 wherein executing a mode of operation for capturing video comprises moving a lens cover to uncover a lens.

29. The method of claim 18 wherein executing a mode of operation for capturing video comprises moving a lens cover to cover a lens.

30. The method of claim 18 wherein executing a mode of operation for capturing video comprises streaming video for preview on a display.

31. The method of claim 18 wherein executing a mode of operation for capturing video comprises adding video to an existing telephone call.

32. The method of claim 18 wherein executing a mode of operation for capturing video comprises disconnecting video from an existing telephone call.

33. The method of claim 18 wherein executing a mode of operation for capturing video comprises connecting a telephone call.

34. The method of claim 18 wherein executing a mode of operation for capturing video comprises terminating a telephone call.

35. The method of claim 18 wherein executing a mode of operation for capturing video comprises the steps of:

verifying the camera lens is uncovered; and

capturing the video.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein the step of verifying the camera lens is uncovered further comprises automatically opening a movable lens cover to uncover the camera lens.

37. The method of claim 35 wherein the step of verifying the camera lens is uncovered further comprises the steps of:

determining the camera lens is covered; and

automatically opening a movable lens cover to uncover the camera lens.

38. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method of claim 18.

39. A method for capturing video in a computer system, comprising the steps of:

receiving an input signal from a video control requesting a change in a state of operation of a control handling logic in the computer system for selecting a type of video to capture;

changing the state of operation of the control handling logic for selecting the type of video to capture; and

executing a mode of operation for capturing the selected type of video.

40. The method of claim 39 further comprising the step of saving the selected type of video on a computer-readable medium.

41. The method of claim 39 wherein selecting the type of video to capture comprises selecting a still image.

42. The method of claim 39 wherein selecting the type of video to capture comprises selecting a video stream.

43. The method of claim 39 wherein selecting the type of video to capture comprises answering an incoming telephone call.

44. The method of claim 39 wherein selecting the type of video to capture comprises adding a video stream to an audio telephone call.

45. The method of claim 39 wherein selecting the type of video to capture comprises adding a video stream to instant messaging.

46. The method of claim 39 wherein executing a mode of operation for capturing the selected type of video comprises the steps of:

automatically opening a movable lens cover to uncover the camera lens; and

capturing the type of video selected.

47. The method of claim 39 wherein executing a mode of operation for capturing the selected type of video comprises the steps of:

determining the camera lens is uncovered; and

capturing the type of video selected.

48. The method of claim 39 wherein executing a mode of operation for capturing the selected type of video comprises the steps of:

determining that there is insufficient light for capturing the type of video selected; and

broadcasting a still image.

49. The method of claim 48 wherein the still image comprises an image defined by the user.

50. The method of claim 48 wherein the still image comprises the last frame captured with sufficient light.

51. The method of claim 39, wherein changing the state of operation of the control handling logic for selecting the type of video to capture comprises activating an indicator using at least one member of the set comprising visual, audible, and tactile representations.

52. The method of claim 39 wherein receiving an input signal from a video control comprises receiving an input signal from a shutter button.

53. The method of claim 39 wherein receiving an input signal from a video control comprises receiving an input signal from a capture button.

54. A system for capturing video, comprising the steps of:

means for sending an input signal for requesting a change in a state of operation of a control handling logic in the computer system for selecting a type of video to capture;

means for changing the state of operation of the control handling logic for selecting the type of video to capture; and

means for executing a mode of operation for capturing the selected type of video.

55. The system of claim 54 wherein the means for executing a mode of operation for capturing the selected type of video comprises means for automatically activating a privacy mechanism operably coupled to the camera.

56. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable components, comprising:

a video control for inputting a command to an application having video capture functionality; and

an operating system having a component operably coupled to the video control and the application, the component receiving the input command from the video control and sending the input command to the application.

57. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions, comprising:

detecting an input signal from a video control requesting a change in a state of operation of a control handling logic in a computer system for selecting a type of video to capture;

changing the state of operation of the control handling logic for selecting the type of video to capture; and

executing a mode of operation for capturing the selected type of video.