Digital Pen Camera for Videoconferencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable computing devices face challenges in reducing the bezel size of their display members to increase the viewable area, as traditional webcams require additional space and hardware, compromising aesthetics and usability.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a digital pen with a camera that magnetically couples to the computing device, activating only when necessary for videoconferencing, eliminating the need for a webcam and allowing for a reduced bezel design by using magnetic members and a Hall Effect sensor to control camera activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional webcam is integrated into the computing device, then videoconferencing functionality is achieved, but the bezel size increases and viewable area decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The videoconferencing camera function is segmented from the main computing device body and relocated to the digital pen. This allows the computing device to maintain a minimal bezel design while the pen provides camera functionality when needed for videoconferencing.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera hardware is extracted from the computing device and placed in the digital pen instead. This extraction eliminates the need for additional space in the device bezel, allowing full screen real estate to be used for display.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional webcam is integrated into the computing device, then videoconferencing functionality is achieved, but the device complexity and hardware requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The digital pen is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a writing/input tool and as a videoconferencing camera device. This universal design eliminates the need for separate dedicated hardware components.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera functionality is merged with the digital pen, combining two functions (writing input and video capture) into a single device, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the camera is always active for videoconferencing, then video functionality is readily available, but security concerns arise from potential unauthorized recording
Solution Approach 1:
The camera activation state is made dynamic rather than static. The camera activates only when the pen is magnetically coupled to specific areas of the display, and deactivates when moved to storage areas, providing adaptive security based on usage context.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses magnetic coupling detection as feedback to determine camera activation state. When the pen detects magnetic fields from specific display areas, it triggers camera activation; when moved to storage areas with different magnetic signatures, activation is prevented.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces the bezel size of the display member, enhancing aesthetics and increasing the viewable area while addressing security concerns by ensuring the camera is only active during intended use, thus improving user interaction and collaboration.
Implementation Method 1
a Hall Effect sensor to control camera activation
Implementation Method 2
magnetic members and a Hall Effect sensor to control camera activation
Data Source
AI summary
Examples disclosed herein provide a digital pen for a computing device. As an example, the digital pen includes a barrel, a camera mounted along a length of the barrel, and a first set of magnetic members to magnetically couple to a second set of magnetic members of a computing device. Upon the first and second sets of magnetic members magnetically coupling with each other, the camera is to activate for use with the computing device for videoconferencing.