Magnetic Camera Attachment to Display Panel for Natural Eye Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated cameras in portable information handling systems have limited utility due to their small size, which restricts the camera lens and display presentation area, leading to unnatural images during video conferences as users tend to look away from the camera while interacting with larger peripheral displays.
Innovation Solution
A camera system with a magnetically attached cylindrical housing that couples to a display panel's front face, allowing the camera to capture images with a field of view originating from the display panel surface, ensuring the user appears to be looking at the camera and the video conference window simultaneously, while minimizing disruption during movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a camera is integrated into a portable information handling system, then the device portability is improved, but the camera lens size and image quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is separated from the portable information handling system and placed on the display panel instead. This segmentation allows the camera to be independently positioned to capture natural eye contact while the portable device remains thin and portable.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera is moved from the integrated position within the portable device to a separate dimension on the display panel surface. This dimensional change enables larger lens size and better image quality without compromising the portability of the main device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a camera is placed on a bracket coupled to the display perimeter, then the camera field of view can be adjusted, but the user appears to look away from the camera creating unnatural images
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is pre-positioned on the display panel at the optimal location where the lens is aligned with the user's eye level. This preliminary positioning ensures that the user naturally looks at the camera during video conferences, eliminating the need for complex brackets and adjustments while achieving natural-looking images.
3Manufacturing precision
If a peripheral camera is used with a peripheral display, then better image quality is achieved, but the camera placement becomes difficult and interferes with desktop usage
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is merged with the display panel by mounting it directly on the panel surface. This combination eliminates the need for separate brackets or stands, making camera placement simple while maintaining good image quality. The camera becomes an integrated part of the display setup rather than a separate peripheral device.
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
The camera system provides improved video conference interactions by ensuring the user is captured looking directly at the camera and the active speaker, maintaining eye contact, and reducing image quality issues and desktop interference.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet disposed at an opposing end, the magnet providing magnetic attraction to hold the camera against a display panel surface
Data Source
AI summary
A camera integrates a magnet at one end of a cylindrical housing to magnetically attract and attach the camera to a front side of a peripheral display, such as to support a video conference through an information handling system interfaced with the display. Camera orientation at a display panel front face is detected, such as with an accelerometer or with analysis of a visual image captured by the camera module, so that the camera orientation is presented with an orientation indicator at the camera front face, such as an LED that illuminates with a predetermined color to indicate an upright vertical orientation. In one alternative embodiment, a gimble interfaced with the camera module and cylindrical housing actuates to adjust the camera module to the upright vertical orientation.