Patent Publication Number: US-2005128284-A1

Title: Video conference system with a camera disposed in a computer

Description:
BACKGROUND  
      During a video conference, a camera can be connected to a computer to provide a video and audio interface to a remote location. For example, if participants at two different locations have a camera and computer, a video and audio link can be established so the parties can communicate.  
      The camera and the computer may be sold separately and later connected to establish the video link for the video conference. The camera, for example, may include a base or mount for holding the camera. A connector, such as a universal serial bus (USB) cable, can be connected between the camera and computer for establishing a communication link between these two devices.  
      Portable video conferencing can be utilized if the computer is portable, such as a laptop or notebook computer. A camera associated with a laptop, for example, can enable portable multimedia systems that are capable of video conferencing. Improvements in portable and non-portable multi-media systems are desired.  
     SUMMARY  
      In one embodiment, a portable computer comprises a base portion with a keyboard and an electronic display connected to the base portion. A camera is stored in the base portion, wherein the camera automatically powers on when ejected from the base portion.  
      In another embodiment, a method comprises automatically powering a camera on while ejecting the camera from a computer; and automatically powering the camera off while inserting the camera into the computer.  
      In yet another embodiment, a video conference system comprises a computer and a camera. The camera is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the camera is disposed in the computer in the first position and is mechanically detached from the computer in the second position. The camera is electrically coupled to the computer in the second position.  
      Other embodiments and variations of these embodiments are shown and taught in the accompanying drawings and detailed description.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portable electronic device with a camera according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the portable electronic device of  FIG. 1  with the camera ejected from the portable electronic device.  
       FIG. 3  is a close-up perspective view of the portable electronic device and camera illustrating rotation of the camera about a first axis.  
       FIG. 4  is close-up perspective view of the portable electronic device and camera illustrating rotation of the camera about a second axis.  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the portable electronic device with the camera directed to one of two viewers.  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the portable electronic device with the camera directed to another one of two viewers.  
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the camera mechanically detached from the portable electronic device. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       FIG. 1  shows a portable computing or electronic device  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. For convenience of illustration, the portable electronic device  100  is illustrated as a laptop or notebook computer. Embodiments in accordance with the present invention, though, are not limited to laptop or notebook computers. By way of example, embodiments in accordance with the present invention include, but are not limited to, computers (portable and non-portable), laptops, notebooks, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablet PCs, handheld and palm top electronic devices, compact disc players, portable digital video disk players, radios, cellular communication devices (such as cellular telephones), and other electronic devices and systems whether such devices and systems are portable or non-portable.  
       FIG. 1  shows portable electronic device  100  as a notebook or laptop computer. Portable electronic device  100  includes display portion  102  hinged to a base portion or case  104 . Base portion  104  has a top portion  106 , bottom portion  108 , and four sides designated as front side  112 , back side  114 , left side  116  and right side  118 .  
      The base portion  104  has a generally rectangular or square body and may be configured in many different ways, such as different sizes and shapes. Further, the base portion  104  may comprise and house a variety of different electronic components. By way of example only, the base can house and comprise a central processing unit (CPU), hard drive, memory, infrared ports, disk drives, PC card slots, batteries, USB ports, power connectors, monitor and display connectors, multibays, network connectors, CompactFlash card slots, power connectors, and other input/output (I/O) ports, just to name a few examples.  
      The top portion  106  of base portion  104  also includes a touch-pad  120  and a keyboard  122  with a plurality of keys. The keyboard  122  can function as a traditional “QWERTY” alphanumeric keypad or a traditional numeric keypad. In alternate embodiments, the keyboard  122  comprises a flexible membrane keyboard having touch sensitive or pressure sensitive key areas on a planar surface. The keyboard could comprise opposed flexible plastic or polymeric membranes that house pressure sensitive switches identifiable with particular letters, numbers, symbols, and functions for inputting data into the computing device. Further yet, the keyboard  122  does not have to comprise a flexible membrane configuration or have any particular embodiment. The keyboard, for example, could have a hard plastic outer shell. Pressure or touch sensitive key areas could be disposed along an inner side of this shell.  
      The display portion  102  generally comprises a view screen or panel  130  on a front surface. The screen  130  may be a touch sensitive screen that both displays data and inputs data when touched or activated. In other embodiments, the screen may only be capable of displaying information. In such embodiments, information can be input via a keyboard, a mouse, voice activation, or other means. By way of example, screen  130  may be a backlit color liquid crystal display (LCD). Data may be entered through the screen using, for example, a stylus or a user&#39;s finger. Images that appear on the screen provide a graphical user interface (GUI) and may be controlled with software (including handwriting recognition software) such that displayed images may be contacted or activated to input, edit, alter, or otherwise access information. When a user touches or activates a designated area on the screen, for example, the touch sensitive screen transmits a signal to the CPU.  
      As shown in  FIG. 1 , the display portion  102  is mechanically coupled to the base portion  104  with a hinge assembly  140 . The hinge assembly  140  enables the display portion  102  to pivotally move between an open position and a closed position.  
      As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the base portion  104  includes a cavity, opening, or recess  150  (shown in phantom) accessible from side  116 . The cavity  150  is shaped and sized to house a camera or camera assembly  160 .  
      In one exemplary embodiment, the camera  160  is integrally formed to or permanently attached to the portable electronic device  100 . The camera is movable from a first position or storage position received within the cavity  150  of base portion  104  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) to a second position or ejected position (as shown in  FIG. 2 ). The camera can move between the stored and ejected positions shown along arrow “A” by actuation of a user  162 .  
      A locking mechanism  166  is disposed within cavity  150 . The locking mechanism can be actuated to lock the camera in the cavity  150  or remove or eject the camera. In the storage position (as shown in  FIG. 1 ), the locking mechanism  166  securely retains the camera  160  in cavity  150 . When user  162  pushes on the housing of the camera  160 , the locking mechanism disengages, and the camera ejects from the base portion  104 . Various mechanical mechanisms can be used as a locking mechanism. For example, a spring and latch, disposed within the cavity  150 , can be adapted to engage the camera or camera assembly for holding and releasing the camera. When the camera  160  is pushed into the base portion  104 , the latch disengages and the spring biases the camera out of cavity  150 .  
      Preferably, the camera is in a power-off mode while positioned in the cavity  150  in the storage position. Once the camera moves from the storage position to the ejected position, the camera automatically actuates to a power-on mode. In this regard, an electronic switch  167  can be provided in the cavity  150 . When the camera is ejected, the switch  167  can activate the camera to power-on. Further, when the camera is positioned into the storage position, the switch  167  can activate the camera to power-off. When the camera  160  is pushed into the base portion  104 , the switch  167  automatically activates the camera into the power-off mode (i.e., shuts the camera off). When the camera is pushed and ejected out of the base portion  104 , the switch  167  automatically activates the camera into the power-on mode (i.e., turns the camera on). Thus, a separate on/off switch on the camera or on the portable electronic device  100 , for example, does not have to be manually activated by a user to turn power the camera “on” and “off.” 
      A variety of switches or switch technologies can be used to automatically power the camera on when it is ejected and automatically power the camera off when it is stored. By way of example only, the switch  167  could be provided as a magnetically actuated electrical switch, a microswitch, a pressure switch, or a push-button type switch activated when the camera is moved.  
      As best shown in  FIG. 1 , when the camera  160  is in the storage position, the outer surface or housing of the camera is flush with the side  116  of the base portion  104 . In this position, the exterior surface of the camera provides a protective cover for the camera and, simultaneously, forms part of the side  116 . Preferably, the lens of the camera is not exposed along the side  116  while the camera is in the storage position.  
      As shown in  FIG. 3 , the camera  160  includes a housing  200  having a front face  202  with lens assembly  204  disposed on the front face. The lens assembly  204  is positioned near a top portion  206  of the housing  200  such that the lens points out and away from the front face  202 . The viewing direction of the lens, for example, can be directed perpendicularly away from the front face  202  of the housing  200 .  
      A microphone or audio detector  210  is positioned on the front face  202  of the housing  200 . Further, a light  220 , such as a light emitting diode (LED), can be positioned on the front face  202 . The light  220  can be activated or illuminated to indicate that the camera is on and video and/or audio recording or transmission is occurring.  
      The camera  160  can include various functions or features now known or developed in the future. By way of example only, the camera can comprise an adjustable focus, an on/off switch, a menu display, and/or functional controls for adjusting the mode of operation, to name only a few examples.  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the camera  160  is permanently attached to an adjustable mounting member  170 . The mounting member has an elongated cylindrical or tube shape. A first hinge or pivot assembly  174  is provided on the mounting member  170 . The first hinge assembly  174  enables the camera to rotate about a first axis “A” shown along arrow “B.” Preferably, the camera  160  can rotate a full 360° about axis “A.” 
      The mounting member  170  may be hollow or otherwise adapted to carry or house a conduit  176  for electrically coupling the camera  160  to the portable electronic device  100 . For example, the conduit  176  can electrically couple the camera to a circuit board  178 , power supply, processor, and/or other electronic components housed within the base portion  104 . Further, the conduit  176  can be electrically coupled to the switch  167  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) so the camera automatically turns on when moved to the ejected position and automatically turns off when moved to the storage position.  
      As best shown in  FIG. 4 , a second hinge or pivot assembly  180  is provided on the mounting member  170 . The second hinge assembly  180  enables the camera to rotate about a second axis “B” shown along arrow “C.” Preferably, the camera  160  can rotate a full 360° about axis “C.” 
      As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the camera  160  can fully rotate or adjust about two different axes. Rotation can occur along a single axis, or the rotation can simultaneously occur along both axes. The camera is thus able to accommodate a plurality of different viewing angles for the lens assembly  204 . In order to move or adjust the position of the camera, a user can manually move or rotate the camera about axes “A” and “B.” 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  show two possible viewing scenarios to illustrate the adjustability of the camera  160 . In  FIG. 5 , the portable electronic device  100  is situated on a table  300  with a first user or participant  302  situated in front of the screen  130  while a second user or participant  304  is situated to the side of the screen  130 . The camera  160  is rotated slightly counterclockwise about axis “A” ( FIG. 3 ) so the viewing angle  310  of the camera is directed to the first user  302 .  
      In  FIG. 6 , the portable electronic device  100  is situated on the table  300  with the first user  302  situated in front of the screen  130  while the second user  304  is situated to the side of the screen  130 . The camera  160  is rotated about axis “B” ( FIG. 4 ) so the viewing angle  320  of the camera is directed to the second user  304 .  
      In the exemplary embodiments discussed in connection with  FIGS. 1-6 , the camera  160  is permanently attached to the portable electronic device  100 . Other embodiments are also within the scope of the invention. The camera could be removable from the portable electronic device. For example, once the camera is ejected from the cavity  150 , the camera could be detached from mounting member  170  and moved or positioned to a variety of locations without being restrained to rotation or movement about two different axes. The camera could then be re-attached to the mounting member and inserted back into the storage position in cavity  150 .  
      Looking to  FIG. 7 , the camera  160  is unattached from the mounting member  170  (see  FIG. 3 ) and can freely move in any direction. For convenience of illustration, the camera  160  is placed on table  300 . In this position, for example, the camera  160  could be situated so the viewing angle  310  is directed to the first user  302 . Alternatively, the camera could be situated so the viewing angle  320  is directed to the second user  304 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 7 , the camera  160  is mechanically unattached to the portable electronic device  100 . At the same time, however, the camera call be in electrical communication with the portable electronic device. A variety of wireless technologies can be used to establish signal communication between the camera and portable electronic device. For example, radio frequency (RF) can be used. The camera can include an RF antenna or transmitter. When an RF current is supplied to the antenna, an electromagnetic field is created that propagates through space to a corresponding RF receiver located in the portable electronic device. As one specific illustration, Bluetooth® wireless technology can be used to establish a wireless link between the camera and the portable electronic device.  
      Further, the camera  160  can include a rechargeable power supply to power the camera while it is physically removed or unattached from the portable electronic device  100 . Various rechargeable power supplies and batteries are known in the art and can be utilized with embodiments in accordance with the present invention. Looking to  FIG. 3 , for example, the rechargeable power supply can be located in the housing  200  and electrically coupled to the portable electronic device via conduit  176 . When the camera is attached to the mounting member  170 , the rechargeable power supply can be recharged. Recharging could occur, for example, if the camera were removed from the portable electronic device (as shown in  FIG. 7 ) and subsequently re-attached to the mounting member  170 .  
      In one exemplary embodiment, the camera  160  and the portable electronic device  100  comprise a multi-media system. The multi-media system is adapted, for example, to perform video conferencing. The camera, though, is not limited to a video camera or a camera adapted for use with video conferencing or multi-media presentations. The camera, for example, can be a digital camera for taking still digital photographs and/or digital video.  
      While the invention has been disclosed with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate, upon reading this disclosure, numerous modifications and variations. It is intended that the appended claims cover such modifications and variations and fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.