Method and system for capturing video on a personal computer

• US 7,548,255 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2003
• Issued: 06/16/2009
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Misleh; Justin P
• Application Number:
  US10/677,118
• Publication Number:
  US 20050068423A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,086 Days
• Field of Search: 348/14.01, 348/207.7, 348/207.11
• US Class Current: 348/207.11
• 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. In a computer system that has a camera for capturing video and that receives telephone calls, a method for commencing a video capture simultaneously with answering a telephone call, the method comprising:

receiving a telephone call that supports video at the computer system;

displaying an indication to a user of the computer system that the telephone call has been received;

in response to the user pressing a button of the computer system, simultaneously answering the telephone call and commencing a video capture;

streaming the captured video in conjunction with the telephone call; and

in response to the user closing a lens cover of the camera, ending the video capture without hanging up the telephone call such that the telephone call transitions to an audio only state.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

subsequent to the user closing the lens cover of the camera and in response to the user opening the lens cover of the camera, recommencing the video capture.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the button is located on one of the following:

the camera,

a computer monitor,

a computer keyboard,

a computer housing,

a communications panel, and

a remote control.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the button comprises one of a capture button and a shutter button.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining that there is insufficient light for capturing the video and in response, streaming a still image.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the still image comprises the last frame captured prior to determining that there is insufficient light for capturing the video stream.

7. A computer storage medium having stored computer-executable instructions which when executed by a computer system having a camera for capturing video perform a method for commencing a video capture simultaneously with answering a telephone call, the method comprising:

receiving a telephone call that supports video at the computer system;

displaying an indication to a user of the computer system that the telephone call has been received;

in response to the user pressing a button of the computer system, simultaneously answering the telephone call and commencing a video capture;

streaming the captured video in conjunction with the telephone call; and

in response to the user closing a lens cover of the camera, ending the video capture without hanging up the telephone call such that the telephone call transitions to an audio only state.

8. The computer storage medium of claim 7 further comprising:

subsequent to the user closing the lens cover of the camera and in response to the user opening the lens cover of the camera, recommencing the video capture.

9. The computer storage medium of claim 7 wherein the button is located on one of the following:

the camera,

a computer monitor,

a computer keyboard,

a computer housing,

a communications panel, and

a remote control.

10. The computer storage medium of claim 7 wherein the button comprises one of a capture button and a shutter button.

11. The computer storage medium of claim 7 further comprising:

determining that there is insufficient light for capturing the video and in response, streaming a still image.

12. The computer storage medium of claim 11 wherein the still image comprises the last frame captured prior to determining that there is insufficient light for capturing the video stream.

13. A computer system that has a camera for capturing video and that receives telephone calls comprising:

a processor; and

a memory in communication with the processor having stored thereon instructions which when executed cause the processor to perform a method for commencing a video capture simultaneously with answering a telephone call, the method comprising;

receiving a telephone call that supports video at the computer system;

displaying an indication to a user of the computer system that the telephone call has been received;

in response to the user pressing a button of the computer system, simultaneously answering the telephone call and commencing a video capture;

streaming the captured video in conjunction with the telephone call; and

in response to the user closing a lens cover of the camera, ending the video capture without hanging up the telephone call such that the telephone call transitions to an audio only state.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the performed method further comprises:

subsequent to the user closing the lens cover of the camera and in response to the user opening the lens cover of the camera, recommencing the video capture.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the button is located on one of the following:

the camera,

a computer monitor,

a computer keyboard,

a computer housing,

a communications panel, and

a remote control.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein the button comprises one of a capture button and a shutter button.

17. The system of claim 13 wherein the performed method further comprises:

determining that there is insufficient light for capturing the video and in response, streaming a still image.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the still image comprises the last frame captured prior to determining that there is insufficient light for capturing the video stream.