WO2014002091A2

WO2014002091A2 - A user-friendly web camera device

Info

Publication number: WO2014002091A2
Application number: PCT/IL2013/050541
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dov Moran; Uri BRISON
Original assignee: Keyview Cm Ltd
Priority date: 2012-06-28
Filing date: 2013-06-25
Publication date: 2014-01-03
Also published as: WO2014002091A3

Abstract

A webcam device having a maneuverable extendable arm pivotally anchored to an anchor point, (such as a stand-alone, desk-top base in a preferred embodiment of the present invention), and whose miniature video camera, in an unobtrusive manner, can be centrally positioned at about eye level between a user and a computer monitor so as to capture an image of the face and eyes of the user engaged in a conversation with another user and thereby establish virtual eye contact between them.

Description

A USER-FRIENDLY WEB CAMERA DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of computer video web cameras, and more particularly, to a web camera device for capturing facial images of people during video conferencing and video chat so that virtual eye contact may be esta blished.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Current popular video conferencing and video chat software (such as Skype) allow users to chat over the Internet using a video as well as an audio connection. Users on both sides use a computer that is connected to a small web camera (hereinafter referred to as a "webcam") and the video signal data is sent using the video chat software over the Internet. Users can have a conversation and see images of each other while physically being located at geographically very distant locations.

A problem that is apparent in video conferencing and video chat applications is the "view direction problem". In a typical video conferencing application, the image of both parties is displayed on their respective computer display screens. The webcam device is typically located in a central position on top of the display screen of a PC provided with a webcam, but because it is over the line-of-sight of a viewer, eye contact is often not made between those engaged in a video conference or chat session. In some computers as well as in most la ptops provided with a webcam, this feature is built-in and therefore suffers from the disadvantage of being fixed in position and cannot be adjusted.

A webcam device is commonly provided as a peripheral, free-standing device with an adjustable base which is placed on a surface, such as the work desk, but this often means that the webcam is situated well below the head of the user and a webcam shot will be captured at a sharp angle. The webcam device may, of course, be located on any surface availa ble around the display screen, such as on a shelf a bove the PC, but this also tends to skew the image of the user. A free-standing webcam is generally made so as to swivel in several directions and otherwise be adjustable for different shooting angles, but this still does not solve the problem of a frontal shooting angle at eye level.

In general, these prior art examples have a drawback in that when the parties to a call are looking at the video of each other, the webcam device sees each person from a point that may be over 20 centimeters offset from the center of the image on a display screen. Therefore, people conversing over a video conferencing application are never seen face-to-face looking at each other directly without great distortion of the image and hence cannot establish direct eye contact.

But when people talk to each other it is common and necessary to look at each other directly, eye-to-eye. It is even considered poor manners in some cultures to avoid eye-contact while conversing. It is currently not possible to talk to someone over a video conferencing link or video chat and look them in the eye. The parties to a video call always seem to be looking at each other's forehead, neck, ear, or other part of the face. This makes video conferencing and video chat applications less desirable for use and less practical as a business tool.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a webcam device that will ensure having virtual eye contact while talking to one another in a video conference or video chat as in the normal manner of human communication.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages and limitations of prior art webcam devices by providing a webcam device having a maneuverable extendabi n nbe arm pivotally anchored to an anchor point, (such as a stand-alone, desk-top base in a preferred embodiment of the present invention), and whose miniature video camera, in an unobtrusive manner, can be centrally positioned at about eye level between a user and a computer monitor so as to capture an image of the face and eyes of the user engaged in a conversation with another user and thereby establish virtual eye contact between them.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a webcam device embedded into a computer monitor, and having a flexible arm extensible therefrom and retractable thereinto and adjustable to a central position at a bout eye level of a user between the display screen of the PC monitor and the user so as to capture at least a frontal image of the eyes and face of the user.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a webcam device which is embedded into a desktop peripheral unit, such as a keyboard, and which has a semi-flexible, adjustable extendable arm drawn from and retractable thereinto.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a webcam device which is removably attachable to a desktop peripheral unit, such as a keyboard, and which has a thin, semi-flexible, extendable arm that is adjustable to a central position at about eye level of a user between the computer display screen and the user so as to capture at least a frontal image of the eyes and face of the user.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an unobtrusive webcam device which is remova bly attachable directly onto a computer display screen at a central position about eye level to a user so as to capture at least a frontal image of the eyes and face of the user.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a fiber-optic cable (hereinafter "FOC") webcam extendable arm which is almost transparent to a user and retractable when not in use.

Therefore there is provided a webcam device comprising:

a miniature video camera;

an extendable arm, attached at a proximal end thereof to the miniature video camera, and

an anchor point to which the extendable arm is pivotally attached at a distal end,

wherein when the web camera device is operated, and when the extendable arm is pivoted so that the miniature camera is maneuvered into a central user- selected position at eye level between the face of a user and a computer display screen, images captured thereby are centrally focused on the eyes and features of the face of a user in order to establish virtual eye contact between parties engaged in video conferencing and telecommunication.

The present invention, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a video webcam embedded in a computer peripheral device, such as, for example, a keyboard, or alternatively, a computer display screen. The webcam, in a preferred embodiment thereof, has a long, thin and semi-flexible FOC attached to it at a proximal end and the other end is anchored in the peripheral device and from there it is connected to the computer. The FOC transfers the image from the webcam to the computer, in essence providing an extension to the webcam lens. At the end of the video call the user can push it back through the anchor point into a recessed housing provided for that purpose in the computer peripheral device.

If the FOC is pulled out from a keyboard, it can be pushed back there so as to be out of the way. If the FOC is mounted on a computer display screen, the FOC can be pulled from an anchor point located at the top of the screen or from either side or from the bottom, and likewise pushed back when the call is ended.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a tiny camera is pulled to a central place in front of the screen to center the image of a user's face in the captured display. The extendable arm that encloses the camera is very thin and preferably made of a clear material.

A further embodiment of the present invention comprises a webcam device anchored to a stand-alone base placed on the surface in front of the display screen, or from a base hooked to the screen at the top, bottom or either side.

Applications using FOC in this manner are commonplace in medical devices where an FOC is inserted into the human body with minimal intrusion and an image is transferred to a camera outside the body, thus allowing doctors to see inside a patient without the need for major surgery. In the current application a similar technique is used to improve the usability of video conferencing and video chatting.

In the present invention, the fiber-optic camera is composed of a common video capture device IC and an optical fiber extension that allows the image- capturing lens to be maneuvered to a central position that is closer and better centered in relation to the person being imaged than prior art webcams usually allow. This advantage of the webcam device of the present invention results in video images that are displayed in a more natural manner with eye contact established between the parties.

Furthermore, the FOC within the extendable arm is semi-flexible, that is, rigid enough to stand on its own, but a user can flex it somewhat to change its location and orientation in such a way as to overcome the view direction problem in video conferencing and video chatting. The FOC transmits an image of the speaker's face and eyes, usually including a significant portion of the upper torso of a speaker so that body language and facial expressions are easily communicated along with the voice messages.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will be appa rent from the drawings and description contained herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention with regard to the em bodiments thereof, reference is made to the accompa nying drawings, not to scale, in which like numerals designate corresponding elements or sections throughout and in which:

Fig. 1 shows a skewed image of a person engaged in a video conference or chat session captured in a web shot by using a web camera (webcam) as in the prior art;

Fig. 2 shows a general view of the arrangement of a typical PC workstation configured with a webcam device made in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a general view of another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a general view of still another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a general view of yet another embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 6 is a general schematic of one em bodiment of the system components of an extenda ble arm operated in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows a skewed image of a person engaged in a video conference or chat session captured in a web shot by using a web camera (webcam) as in the prior a rt.

The prior art webcams display images of speakers captured at an a ngle to the line of sight from the display screen, resulting in a bsence of any eye contact between the parties. As previously mentioned, eye contact is essential in both business a nd personal communication to establish rapport and promote understanding. It is well understood that the position and movement of the body, gestures and facial expressions are also known to communicate messages comprising what is called body language.

Fig 2 shows a simplified, general view of the arrangement of a typical PC workstation configured with a webcam device made in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The workstation comprises a monitor 20 resting on a base 22, and with a built-in computer display screen 24; two speakers 25a/b; a keyboard 26; and a PC unit 28. In addition, the workstation is configured with a webcam device 30 for transmitting a frontal image of the speaker's face and eyes, usually including a significant portion of the upper torso as well, so that body language and facial expressions are easily communicated along with voice messages during video conferences and online chatting.

Webcam device 30, in one embodiment of the present invention, comprises an extendable arm 32 having a FOC 44 extending upward from an anchor point 34 at a distal end 39 of FOC 44 and pivotally attached to a base 36. Extendable arm 32 at the proximal end 38 of FOC 44 houses a standard, miniature camera or image capturing device (not visible) which is advantageously positioned and adjusted at a suita ble angle so as to focus the webcam device of the present invention on the face of a user. This provides a direct, frontal image of the user, especially the eyes and other facial features and possibly portions of the upper torso.

Fig. 3 is a general view of another embodiment of the present invention showing a computer peripheral device, notably a keyboard 26, adapted to accommodate the webcam device 30 of the present invention.

Keyboard 26 may be either wired to PC unit 28 (see Fig. 2) or wireless as is known to those skilled in the art. Computer keyboard 26 is shown with several potential anchor points (designated W, E, and N) for pivotally attaching the distal end 39 (arrow) of the extendable arm 32. Anchor point N is used only by way of example, primarily because it is the preferred position and closest to monitor 20 and computer display screen 24. Other loci for the anchor point may be used in alternate embodiments of the present invention as long as they are selected so as to facilitate facial imaging and virtual eye contact between parties to a video chat or conference without interfering with the image of the speaker.

Fig. 4 is a general view of still another embodiment of the present invention wherein the anchor points W, E, N, and S are alternate, preferred positions for the loci of an anchor point around the perimeter of a computer display screen 24. Note that many other positions may also serve the same purpose as long as they enable easy manipulation of the extendable arm 32 (see Fig. 3) so as to position it at eye level in the center of computer display screen 24.

Fig. 5 is a general view of yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein the proximal end 38 (arrow) of webcam device 30 of the present invention is removably attachable by a user to the central surface of computer display screen 24 at eye level utilizing a standard attachment means, such as a small suction cup 40 or other removable mounting means as is known to those skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more hooks (not shown) are conveniently placed on the upper rear of computer monitor 20; hung from one or more clips (not shown) attached to the top of computer monitor 20; or mounted by both hook or clip in the upper front of computer monitor 20 in the frame area of computer display screen 24 in order to keep webcam device 30 motionless and out of the way of the imaging device or camera (not visible) which is disposed in proximal end 38.

Only a small portion of extendable arm 32 extends downward in front of the computer display screen 24, nevertheless, the extendable arm 32 should be almost transparent and very thin along all its length, or at least the length of the small, exposed portion, so as not to obstruct the user's view of the display screen 24 or the operation of the webcam device 30 in capturing the image of the user.

Fig. 6 is a simplified block diagram of the major components of a webcam device configured in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

The major components of webcam device 30 comprise: a capture lens 46 located at the proximal end 38 of FOC 44 that captures the image of a user 50 which is then transmitted to the distal end 39 of webcam device 30 by a length of FOC 44 where the images are captured by a standard video sensor 42, similar to those used in ubiquitous, prior art web camera units. Optionally, a transfer lens 43 may be provided which adjusts the incoming image transmitted through FOC 44. Other methods may be used to accomplish the tasks of lenses 46 and 43 as are known to those skilled in the art, but the use of lenses 46, 43 is illustrated by way of a preferred embodiment of the present invention since most alternatives are more expensive to implement.

It is to be understood that the optical setup described herein for two lenses 43, 46— one at each end of FOC 44— is just one possible embodiment of the present invention and that other possibilities exist as are known to those skilled in the art. It is possible, for example, to provide a webcam device 30 with no lenses at all, or only one lense, or three lenses, etc.

The FOC 44 delivers the image from a typical users' face 50 to the camera video sensor 42 which may be disposed either inside webcam device 30 or in a base 36 (see Fig. 2) below an anchor point 34 (Fig. 2) at the distal end 39 of FOC 44.

Capture lens 46 performs the exact same task of capturing external images and focusing them into webcam device 30 as in prior art devices of the same nature, but in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, capture lens 46 is located at a distance from the video sensor 42 and the image is conveyed to it by the FOC 44. It should be noted that in prior art webcams the capture lens 46 is located directly in front of the video sensor 42, whereas in the present invention it is separated from it by the length of FOC 44, comprising an extendable arm 32.

Alternatively, capture lens 46 may be replaced by a miniature camera/sensor (not shown) that is attached at the proximal end of FOC 44 nearest the face of a user 50, and particularly focused on a frontal view of the face and eyes so as to present a face-to-face video image of the participants in a video conference with good eye contact as in normal direct interaction between two people while in conversation.

If the miniature camera is at the end of extendable arm 32, then there are electrical wires (not shown) inside extenda ble arm 32 that transfer the image data electrically. However, if the miniature camera/sensor is in the anchor point 34 (see Fig. 2), such as a free-standing base 36, a keyboard 26, or a display screen 24, the extendable arm 32 contains a FOC 44 that transfers the image itself (light) from the front lens 46 to a sensor 42 inside the anchor point 34, such as free-standing base 36 external to webcam 30. Alternatively, the extendable arm 32 need not comprise a FOC 44, but can be any thin cable type known to those skilled in the art. The ca ble is connected at a distal end 39 either directly to a processor (not shown) mounted in a free-standing base 36 (see Fig. 2) or directly to a processor component (not shown) within the user's computer 28 (see Fig. 2).

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the proximal end 38 (arrow) of extendable arm 32 can be fitted directly with an image-capturing sensor, as is known by those skilled in the prior art, instead of a miniature webcam.

Optionally, a miniature microphone (not shown), like the kind used in cellular phones, can be mounted alongside a video camera or sensor at the proximal end 38 of the extendable arm 32 to facilitate both video and audio transmission during chats or video conferences without the need for cumbersome headphones fitted with a microphone, or a separate, desk-type microphone unit which reduces the amount of free work space on a user's desktop

It will therefore be appreciated that the device described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings is set forth merely for purposes of example and that many other variations, modifications, and applications of the present invention may be made.

Having described the present invention with regard to certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the description is not meant as a limitation, since further modifications may now become apparent to those skilled in the art, and it is intended to cover such modifications as fall within the scope of the description, associated drawings, and the appended claims.

Claims

We claim:

1. A web camera device comprising:

a miniature video camera;

an extendable arm, attached at a proximal end thereof to said miniature video camera, and

an anchor point to which said extendable arm is pivotally attached at a distal end,

wherein when said web camera device is operated, and when said extendable arm is pivoted so that said miniature camera is maneuvered into a central user-selected position at eye level between the face of a user and a computer display screen, images captured thereby are centrally focused on the eyes and features of the face of a user in order to establish virtual eye contact between parties engaged in video conferencing and telecommunication.

2. The web camera device of claim 1, wherein said extendable arm is extendable from said anchor point for use, and retractable thereinto for storage after use.

3. The web camera device of claim 2, wherein at least a major portion of said extendable arm is concealed from view when retracted for storage.

4. The web camera device of claim 1, wherein said extendable arm comprises a fiber-optic cable.

5. The web camera device of claim 4, wherein, said fiber-optic cable remains stationary when maneuvered into said central position.

6. The web camera device of claim 4, wherein when said fiber optic cable is positioned in front of said computer display screen, said web camera device is characterized as of minimal dimensions so as to reduce interference with viewing said computer display screen.

7. The web camera device of claim 1, wherein said anchor point comprises an independent, free-standing base.

8. The web camera device of claim 1, wherein said anchor point comprises a peripheral unit.

9. The web camera device of claim 1, wherein, said peripheral unit comprises a computer keyboard.

10. The web camera device of claim 1, wherein said anchor point has a locus defined by and within the framed perimeter of said computer display screen.

11. The web camera device of claim 10, wherein said locus lies at said anchor point selected from one of the following positions: on either side of said computer display screen; at the bottom of said computer display screen; and at the top of said computer display screen.

12. The web camera device of claim 1 further comprising:

a capture lens for capturing digital images;

a transfer lens mounted within said free-standing base to adjust the incoming images transmitted by said fiber-optical cable; and

a video sensor disposed within said free-standing base to receive and process said incoming images from said miniature video camera.

13. The web camera device of claim 12, wherein said capture lens is disposed at the extreme tip of the proximal end of said fiber-optic cable.

14. The web camera device of claim 12, wherein said capture lens is disposed at the distal end of said fiber-optic cable within said anchor point.

15. The web camera device of claim 14, wherein said anchor point comprises an independent, free-standing base.

16. The web camera device of claim 14, wherein said anchor point comprises a peripheral unit.

17. The web camera device of claim 16, wherein, said peripheral unit comprises a computer keyboard.

18. The web camera device of claim 1, wherein said miniature video camera is removably attachable directly onto said computer display screen at a central position about eye level to a user so as to capture a frontal image of the eyes and face of the user in an unobtrusive manner.

19. The web camera device of claim 18, wherein said miniature video camera is attached to said computer display screen by a mounting means.

20. The web camera device of claim 19, wherein said mounting means is selected from the group: a hook, a clip, a suction cup, and any combination thereof.