Touch Screen Display Camera Placement for Conferencing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conferencing systems with touch screen displays face challenges in camera placement, as top-mounted cameras provide awkward views and fail to capture users standing to the sides, while bottom-mounted cameras are too low and inconvenient, especially with larger screens where space constraints limit the camera's field of view.

Innovation Solution

A communication system with first and second cameras mounted on opposite sides of the touch screen display, each with a field of view pointed inward, allowing for effective capture of users standing in front of or beside the screen, and a conferencing subsystem to manage and control the transmission of touch screen and video signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a camera is mounted on top of the touch screen display, then the camera is positioned to capture video images, but the view appears awkward like a security camera and fails to capture users standing to the sides

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera view qualityVSAvoidcoverage of users in different positions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single camera function into multiple cameras positioned at different locations (top and bottom of the display). Each camera captures a different field of view, with the top camera capturing users from a higher angle and the bottom camera capturing users from a lower angle, together providing comprehensive coverage of all user positions around the display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds vertical dimension to camera placement by positioning cameras at both the top and bottom of the display rather than relying on a single horizontal position. This vertical segmentation allows each camera to capture different angular perspectives, with the bottom camera specifically capturing users standing to the sides who would be outside the top camera's field of view.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If a camera is mounted on the bottom of the screen, then the camera is positioned lower, but the view becomes awkward and the field of view is limited by the table height

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera positioningVSAvoidfield of view
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of multiple cameras (top-mounted and bottom-mounted) to combine their respective fields of view. The bottom camera's limited field of view is compensated by the top camera's broader perspective, creating a composite view that captures all users regardless of position. The system integrates inputs from both cameras to provide complete coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Area of stationary object

If the touch screen display becomes larger, then the display area increases, but camera placement becomes more challenging and the field of view is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidcamera field of view
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the camera system into multiple units positioned at different vertical locations on the large display. This segmentation allows each camera to be optimized for its specific position, with the top camera capturing the upper portion and users at a distance, while the bottom camera captures the lower portion and users standing nearby or to the sides, together providing comprehensive coverage of the entire large display area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3047356B1Configuration of a touch screen display for conferencing
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3047356B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3047356B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3047356B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A communication system includes a touch screen display device with first and second cameras mounted on opposite sides of the touch screen display device so a field of view for each camera is pointed inward relative to the touch screen display device. A conferencing subsystem controls conferencing communication to send and receive touch screen display signals and video signals.