Patent Abstract:
An illumination frame attaches to a laptop computer, computer notebook, table or other communications device having a camera. The frame has a series of light arrays that illuminate an object placed before the camera so that it is more easily and clearly viewed. The arrays provide lighting from many different angles. The lights include diffuse lenses to soften the light applied of an object being viewed.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER 
       [0004]    Not Applicable 
       PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
       [0005]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0007]    This invention relates to a device for illuminating objects being viewed by a camera. More particularly, this invention relates to an illumination frame for a webcam that illuminates a person or object viewed using a communications device such as a webcam. 
         [0008]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0009]    Video conference calls are a common method for people to communicate when the parties are remote and wish to be simultaneously viewed. Online viewing via the internet has grown increasingly popular for social purposes as well. This images and video are commonly acquired through a small video camera on a communications device. Communications devices include desktop computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, cellular phones, flat screens, televisions and other devices that includes a still or video camera for capturing images to be shared. 
         [0010]    It is desirable to appear as attractive and appealing as possible in the images obtained via communications devices. For example, in online chatting or dating sites, a user desires to appear as attractive as possible. However, because these cameras and communications devices are usually not located in a photography studio or other ideal environment, images are not always their clearest and most appealing. 
         [0011]    Poor lighting is one of the primary reasons for the poor appearance of images that are viewed from webcams on communications devices. The image is not as accurate and the individual does not appear as attractive as they otherwise would in person. Proper lighting ensures an aesthetically pleasing appearance of an individual&#39;s face. 
         [0012]    Those skilled in the art of the motion picture and/or photography industries will appreciate that lighting of an object or person being viewed may be difficult and have developed complex methods of illuminating their subject matter. However, such elaborate lighting fixtures are impractical for use with a webcam on a communications device. Using a simple bright light may be uncomfortable for the person being viewed. 
         [0013]    Accordingly, there is a need to provide proper lighting for users that are viewed through a webcam to ensure that they appear aesthetically pleasing. It is therefore desirable to provide a system and method for applying light to an object or person being viewed that effectively improves its appearance without be uncomfortable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The present invention provides an illumination frame comprising an elongate base having a plurality of lights, a first end, and a second end, a first arm having a plurality of lights and a tension clip, the first arm being pivotally attached to the first end of the base and a second arm having a plurality of lights and a tension clip, the second arm being pivotally attached to the second end of the base. 
         [0015]    The present invention further provides an illumination frame wherein the lights include a diffusing lens. 
         [0016]    The present invention further provides a method of illuminating an object being observed through a camera proximal to a monitor comprising arranging about the monitor a frame comprising a base, a first arm and a second arm, wherein each of the base, first arm and second arm have a linear light array. 
         [0017]    Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a system and means for illuminating an object or person being viewed by a camera, and specifically a webcam. It is another object of the present invention to provide a system and means to improve the aesthetic quality of a person or object being viewed by a webcam. 
         [0018]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system and means of illuminating a person in front of a webcam without causing discomfort. 
         [0019]    These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims. There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the illumination frame and a tablet; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a front view of another embodiment of the illumination frame; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the illumination frame of  FIG. 2  attached to a tablet; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4 . is a perspective view of the illumination frame of  FIGS. 2 and 3  attached to a laptop monitor; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the illumination device of  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4  collapsed to a storage configuration; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the illumination frame; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the illumination frame of  FIG. 6  attached to a computer monitor. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1 . shows an illumination frame  10  for use with, e.g., a tablet internet device  12 . The frame  10  may be comprise of four rectilinear light arrays  18 . The frame  10  may be substantially rectangular and made of a material, such as for example metal, plastic or a lightweight composite, that may be optionally rigid, semi-rigid or flexible. The frame  10  may be removably attachable to the outside edges  14  of the tablet  12 . The frame  10  may include one or more clips  16  for removable attachment to the outside edges  14  of the tablet  12 . Optionally, clips  16  may be tension clips, clamps or similar devices that may allow removable attachment to the tablet. Optionally, the frame may be attachable to the tablet by adhesives. 
         [0029]    One of the light arrays  18  may include an aperture  20  aligned with the position of a webcam  22  on the tablet  12 . In this embodiment, each of the light arrays  18  has a substantially linear arrangement of individual lights  24 . The individual lights  24  of the light arrays  18  may be LED lights, incandescent bulbs or other devices for emanating light. Optionally, the lights may be configured in a nonlinear pattern along the arrays  18 , such as for example a zig-zag pattern or in a series of light clusters. Optionally, each of the arrays  18  may be a single elongate light source rather than a series of individual lights. Preferably the light arrays  18  provide illumination to an object in front of the webcam  22  from a plurality of angles, thereby minimizing shadows on the object viewed and otherwise enhancing the view of the webcam  22 . 
         [0030]    The lights  24  optionally include one or more diffusing lenses to soften the light they emit. By using a plurality of relatively soft lights  24 , a person or animal being viewed by the webcam  22  may not experience the discomfort associated with exposure to high intensity light. 
         [0031]    The frame may be include batteries to supply power to the lights. Optionally, the frame may include a power cord  26 . The power cord  26  may be adapted to connect to an A.C. power source such as a wall socket or may optionally connect to a USB port of the tablet. This embodiment includes a plug  29  for connection to a standard wall socket. 
         [0032]    The lights of the frame  10  may be controlled by a simple on/off switch  28  on the power cord  26  or on the frame  10 . Alternatively, the intensity of the light emitted by the arrays  18  may be attenuated by an adjustable switch. If the frame is powered by a cord connected to a USB port of the tablet, the intensity of emitted light may be adjusted by software that attenuates the power supplied to the lights. Software may also optionally actuate the light arrays semi-automatically, for example only actuating the lights when the webcam is in use. It may be desirable to provide software or other light controlling means to allow the lights to alter the color of the emitted light, or to blink in various patterns. 
         [0033]      FIG. 1  shows the illumination device used with a webcam on a tablet type internet device. However, the device may be used with any communications device, loosely defined as any device used to capture video or still images that may or may not include instantaneous access to the internet or other communication medium and may include, but is not limited to, desktop computers, laptop computer, tablets, smartphones, cell phones, televisions, flat screen televisions, monitors and other devices that may incorporate a video or still image capturing camera. 
         [0034]      FIG. 2  shows an illumination frame  40  having three adjustable arrays. The primary array  42  has two distal pivot points  44 . Side arrays  46  are attached to the primary array  42  at the pivot  44  points and may be adjustably pivoted in relation to the primary array  42 . 
         [0035]    The illumination frame  40 , as with the illumination frame  10  of  FIG. 1 , may be made of various and sundry materials, such as for example metal, plastic or a lightweight composite, that may be optionally rigid, semi-rigid or flexible. The side arrays  46  may include one or more clips  48  which may be tension clips, clamps or similar devices that may allow removable attachment to a tablet, computer monitor or other device having a camera. Optionally, the frame  40  may be attachable by adhesives. The lights  50  of frame  40  may include diffusing lenses and the arrays may be arranged linearly or in different patterns. In this embodiment, the lights  50  are arranged in an incongruent manner along the primary array  42  and each of arrays  46 . The lights  50  of the frame  40  may be controlled by a simple switch or by software, as explained supra. 
         [0036]      FIG. 3 . shows the illumination frame  40  of  FIG. 2  attached to a tablet internet device  54 . Because the side arrays  46  are adjustably pivotable in relation to the primary array  42 , the frame  40  may be adjusted to accommodate and attach to tablets of varying size. In  FIG. 3  the width of the tablet  54  is less than the length of the primary array  42 . The side arms  46  are pivotably adjusted such that the frame  40  lies flush with three of the four edges of the tablet  54  and clips  48  attach the illumination frame  40  to the tablet  54 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  shows the illumination frame  40  attached to a monitor  58  of a laptop  60 . The width of the laptop  60  is different than the width of the tablet  54 . The illumination frame  40  may be adjusted to suit either device. 
         [0038]      FIG. 5  shows the illumination frame  40  collapsed for easy storage or transport. The side arrays  46  may be pivoted such that they are parallel to and flush with the primary array  42 , forming a compact configuration. 
         [0039]      FIG. 6  shows an illumination frame  70  having a primary array  72  that may be adjusted to alter its length. The primary frame  72  has two slidably engaged and partially overlapping sections  74  and  76 . These sections may be slidably adjusted to alter the length of the primary array. The side arrays  78  may extend from the primary array  72 . The side arrays  78  may be pivotably attached to the ends of the primary array  72  to allow adjustment as shown in  FIGS. 2-5 . Optionally, the side arrays  78  may extend from the primary array  72  perpendicularly without the ability to pivot, as the illumination frame shown in  FIG. 1 . The illumination frame  70  may optionally include a fourth array extendable between the distal ends of the side arrays. Slidable adjustment of may be facilitated by any of the methods known in the art for sliding two straight objects, such as for example the sliding mechanisms of a slide-rule calculator or a telescope. 
         [0040]      FIG. 7  shows an illumination frame  82  attached to a computer monitor  83 . Illumination frame  82  has a primary array  84  comprised of two slidably adjustable portions  86  and  88  and sliding-engagement point  90 . The illumination frame  82  has two side arrays  92  perpendicular to the primary array  84 . The illumination frame  82  also includes a lower array  94  comprised of two slidably adjustable portions  96  and  98  that connect at sliding-engagement point  100 . 
         [0041]    Whereas, the present invention has been described in relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention. Descriptions of the embodiments shown in the drawings should not be construed as limiting or defining the ordinary and plain meanings of the terms of the claims unless such is explicitly indicated. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5