U.S. patent application number 16/076509 was filed with the patent office on 2021-07-01 for digital pens with cameras for videoconferencing.
This patent application is currently assigned to HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.. The applicant listed for this patent is HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.. Invention is credited to Ricky Thomas BURKS, Tony MOON.
Application Number | 20210200340 16/076509 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005650122 |
Filed Date | 2021-07-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210200340 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BURKS; Ricky Thomas ; et
al. |
July 1, 2021 |
DIGITAL PENS WITH CAMERAS FOR VIDEOCONFERENCING
Abstract
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.
Inventors: |
BURKS; Ricky Thomas;
(Houston, TX) ; MOON; Tony; (Houston, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P. |
Spring |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT
COMPANY, L.P.
Houston
TX
|
Family ID: |
1000005650122 |
Appl. No.: |
16/076509 |
Filed: |
April 18, 2017 |
PCT Filed: |
April 18, 2017 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2017/028041 |
371 Date: |
August 8, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1616 20130101;
G06F 3/03545 20130101; G06F 1/1686 20130101; G06F 2200/1632
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/0354 20060101
G06F003/0354; G06F 1/16 20060101 G06F001/16 |
Claims
1. A system comprising: a digital pen comprising: a barrel; a
camera mounted along a length of the barrel; and a first set of
magnetic members; and a computing device comprising: a second set
of magnetic members to magnetically couple with the first set of
magnetic members of the digital pen, wherein when the first and
second sets of magnetic members are to magnetically couple with
each other, the camera is to activate for use with the computing
device for videoconferencing.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein an opposing force to be provided
by a user that is greater than the magnetic coupling between the
first and second sets of magnetic members is to detach the digital
pen from the computing device, wherein detaching the digital pen
from the computing device is to deactivate the camera for use with
the computing device.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the computing device comprises a
third set of magnetic members to magnetically couple with the first
set of magnetic members of the digital pen, wherein when the first
and third sets of magnetic members are to magnetically couple with
each other, the camera is to remain deactivated for use with the
computing device for videoconferencing.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein digital pen comprises a
receptacle to accommodate a connector from the computing device, to
power the digital pen when the first set of magnetic members of the
digital pen is to be magnetically coupled to the second or third
sets of magnetic members of the computing device.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first set of magnetic members
of the digital pen is attachable to second set of magnetic members
of the computing device in either a first or second orientation of
the digital pen.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the computing device comprises a
Hall Effect sensor to detect when the first and second sets of
magnetic members are to magnetically couple with each other or
detach from each other.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein when the first and second sets of
magnetic members are to magnetically couple with each other, the
Hall Effect sensor is to generate a first signal to activate the
camera for use with the computing device for videoconferencing.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein when the first and second sets of
magnetic members are to detach from each other, the Hall Effect
sensor is to generate a second signal to deactivate the camera for
use with the computing device.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein magnetic polarities of the first
and second sets of magnetic members provide for the digital pen to
be attachable to the computing device in a single orientation.
10. A digital pen comprising: a barrel; a camera mounted along a
length of the barrel; a first set of magnetic members; a circuit
board disposed within the digital pen, wherein the circuit board is
to activate the camera when the first set of magnetic members is to
magnetically couple with a second set of magnetic members of a
computing device; and a processor to transmit video footage from
the activated camera to the computing device.
11. The digital pen of claim 10, wherein the circuit board is to
deactivate the camera when the first set of magnetic members is to
no longer magnetically couple with the second set of magnetic
members of the computing device.
12. The digital pen of claim 10, wherein the digital pen is to
receive wireless communications from the computing device to
activate the camera when the first set of magnetic members is to
magnetically couple with the second set of magnetic members of the
computing device.
13. The digital pen of claim 10, wherein magnetic polarities of the
first set of magnetic members is to provide for the digital pen to
be attachable to the computing device in a single orientation.
14. A system comprising: a digital pen comprising: a barrel; a
camera mounted along a length of the barrel; and a first set of
magnetic members; and a computing device comprising: a second set
of magnetic members to magnetically couple with the first set of
magnetic members of the digital pen; and a Hall Effect sensor to
detect when the first and second sets of magnetic members are to
magnetically couple with each other, wherein upon detection, the
camera is to activate for use with the computing device for
videoconferencing.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein when the Hall Effect sensor is
to detect an absence of a magnetic field between the first and
second sets of magnetic members, the camera is to deactivate for
use with the computing device.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The emergence and popularity of mobile computing has made
portable computing devices, due to their compact design and light
weight, a staple in today's marketplace. Computing devices, such as
notebook computers and tablet computers, generally include a
display member that is utilized to provide a viewable display to a
user. The viewable display may be a touchscreen, allowing the user
to interact directly with what is displayed by touching the screen
with simple or multi-touch gestures. As an example, an input
device, such as a digital pen, may be used with a computing device,
to capture handwriting or brush strokes of a user. The computing
device may convert handwritten analog information, provided by the
digital pen, into digital data, enabling the data to be utilized in
various applications on the computing device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002] FIGS. 1A-D illustrate a system that includes a computing
device and a digital pen with a camera that may be used with the
computing device for videoconferencing, according to an
example;
[0003] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section of the digital pen,
according to an example; and
[0004] FIG. 3 illustrates internal components of a digital pen,
according to an example.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0005] Examples disclosed herein provide a digital pen with a
camera to be used with a computing device for videoconferencing. As
an example, videoconferencing enables remotely located users at
different sites to simultaneously collaborate with one another via
interactive audio/video transmissions. A user at one location can
see and interact with users at other locations in real-time and
without noticeable delay. By making a camera available on the
digital pen, the bezel of a display member of the computing device
may be reduced by removing hardware relating to a webcam. Reduction
in the bezel of the display member may be desirable for aesthetic
purposes, and also to increase the surface area of the viewable
display.
[0006] With reference to the figures, FIGS. 1A-D illustrate a
system 100 that includes a computing device 120 and a digital pen
110 with a camera 114 that may be used with the computing device
120 for videoconferencing, according to an example. As will be
further described, the camera 114 may be activated only when the
digital pen 110 is to magnetically couple to certain areas of the
computing device 120, thereby avoiding security concerns involved
with camera hacking, where a user of the computing device 120 may
be inadvertently recorded by a malicious source via the camera 114.
Similar to how the digital pen 110 may be wirelessly connected to
the computing device 120 to capture handwriting or brush strokes of
a user, for example, via Bluetooth, the camera 114 may be
wirelessly connected to be used by the computing device 120, when
the digital pen 110 is to magnetically couple to the certain areas
of the computing device 120. However, as an example, the camera 114
may rather activate only after a direct wired connection between
the digital pen 110 and the computing device 120, as will be
further described.
[0007] As an example, the computing device 120 may be a notebook
computer, with a display member 122 that is rotatably connected to
a base member 124. However, the computing device 120 is not limited
to a notebook computer, but may correspond to other devices with a
display member, such as a tablet computer. By making the camera 114
of the digital pen 110 available to be used with the computing
device 120, for example, for videoconferencing, the display member
122 of the computing device 120 may be manufactured without a
webcam. As an example, mounting a web camera along a top side or
border of a display member of a computing device may require
additional spacing along the top side, for example, 15-20 mm. In
addition, cables for enabling the webcam, which may run from the
base member of the computing device and along a side border of the
display member, may require additional spacing along the side
border of the display member, for example, at least 6.5 mm.
However, by manufacturing the display member 122 without a webcam,
the bezel of the display member 122 may be reduced, thereby
reducing the dimensions of the top side 130 and the side border(s)
132. As an example, the bezel may be reduced to no more than 5 mm
along the borders of the display member 122, including the top side
130 and the side border(s) 132. Reduction in the bezel of the
display member 122 may be desirable for aesthetic purposes, and
also to increase the surface area of the viewable display.
[0008] Referring to FIG. 1A, the digital pen 110 includes a barrel
112, with the camera 114 mounted along a length of the barrel 112.
As illustrated, the camera 114 is mounted so that it points out
from a side of the digital pen 110. Disposed within the digital pen
110 is a first set of magnetic members 116a-b for coupling with
magnetic members disposed within the computing device 120.
Referring to the computing device 120, at least a second set of
magnetic members 126a-b and a third set of magnetic members 128a-b
may be disposed within the computing device 120, for coupling with
the first set of magnetic members 116a-b of the digital pen 110. As
will be further described, the second set of magnetic members
126a-b may correspond to the area of the computing device 120 where
the digital pen 110 may magnetically couple, for activating the
camera 114, to be used by the computing device 120 for
videoconferencing. The third set of magnetic members 128a-b may
correspond to the area of the computing device 120 where the
digital pen 110 may magnetically couple, but the camera 114 may
remain deactivated. As an example, when the user attaches the
digital pen 110 to the area of the computing device 120 where the
third set of magnetic members 128a-b is disposed, the user may be
intending to store the digital pen 110 to the computing device 120
and not have access to the camera 114.
[0009] Although two magnetic members are illustrated in each set
found in the digital pen 110 and computing device 120, the number
of magnetic members may vary. In addition, the number of sets of
magnetic members found in the computing device 120, and their
placement, may vary. For example, besides having just one set of
magnetic members for activating the camera 114 when the digital pen
110 is magnetically attached to the computing device 120 (e.g., the
second set of magnetic members 128a-b), there may be additional
sets of magnetic members, for example, along a side border of the
display member 122. In addition the third set of magnetic members
128a-b, where the digital pen 110 may be stored (and the camera 114
remains deactivated), may be found along a side of the base member
124, rather than along a side border of the display member 122, as
illustrated.
[0010] Referring to FIG. 1B, magnetically coupling the first and
second sets of magnetic members 116a-b, 126a-b with each other may
activate the camera 114 for use with computing device 120 for
videoconferencing, according to an example. Detection for
attachment of the digital pen 110 to the computing device 120, in
order to activate the camera 114, may vary. As an example, a Hall
Effect sensor 134 may be used for detecting the magnetic coupling
of the first and second sets of magnetic members 116a-b, 126a-b.
Referring to a first orientation of the digital pen 110 illustrated
in FIG. 1A, the Hall Effect sensor 134 may detect the presence of a
magnetic field, for example, the magnetic field generated when
magnetic member 116a is placed within proximity of the magnetic
member 126a. The Hall Effect sensor 134 may be a part of the
magnetic member 126a, or a separate element, as illustrated, which
is within proximity of the magnetic member 126a to detect the
magnetic field generated when the first set of magnetic members
116a-b is placed within proximity.
[0011] The Hall Effect sensor 134 can respond to the presence (or
absence) of the magnetic field by generating a signal. As an
example, rather than detecting whether or not there is a magnetic
field, the Hall Effect sensor 134 may generate the signal based on
whether the magnetic field is above or below a threshold value.
This signal may then be used to activate or deactivate the camera
114 of the digital pen 110. As an example, as the digital pen 110
is placed within proximity of the computing device 120, for
example, as the user is in the process of magnetically attaching
the digital pen 110 to the computing device 120, although the Hall
Effect sensor 134 may detect a magnetic field, the Hall Effect
sensor 134 may generate the signal only after the magnetic field
reaches or exceeds the threshold value (e.g., when the magnetic
attachment between the digital pen 110 and the computing device 120
is completed). As an example, once the Hall Effect sensor 134
generates the signal, wireless communications between the digital
pen 110 and the computing device 120 may activate the camera 114
for use by the computing device 120 for videoconferencing.
[0012] Although the digital pen 110 may be battery-operated, power
may be provided by the computing device 120 to charge the digital
pen 110, once the digital pen 110 is magnetically attached to the
computing device 120 (e.g., via either the second set of magnetic
members 126a-b or the third set of magnetic members 128-b). As an
example, wireless inductive charging may be provided. However, a
direct wired connection that is established when the digital pen
110 magnetically attaches to the computing device 120 may provide
power as well. For example, the digital pen 110 may include a
receptacle (not illustrated) to accommodate a connector (not
illustrated) from computing device 120, to power the digital pen
110 when the first set of magnetic members 116a-b of the digital
pen 110 is to be magnetically coupled to the second or third sets
of magnetic members 126a-b, 128a-b of the computing device 120. In
addition, activation of the camera 114 may occur from the direct
wired connection, rather than signaling from the Hall Effect sensor
134, according to an example.
[0013] As an example, when an opposing force is provided by the
user that is greater than the magnetic coupling between the first
and second sets of magnetic members 116a-b, 126a-b, the digital pen
110 may detach from the computing device 120. The releasing force,
or opposing force, required to overcome the magnetic coupling
between the magnetic members may be determined by controlling the
field strength of the magnetic members. Upon detachment, the Hall
Effect sensor 134 may then no longer detect the magnetic field
generated between magnetic members 116a, 126a, or the magnetic
field detected may fall below the threshold value. As a result, the
Hall Effect sensor 134 may either no longer generate the signal
used above, or generate another signal, which is used to deactivate
the camera 114 for use with the computing device 120. By using a
mechanism such as the Hall Effect sensor 134, the camera 114 of the
digital pen 110 may be activated or deactivated by physically
attaching or detaching the digital pen 110 from the second set of
magnetic members 126a-b, respectively. As a result, security
concerns involved with camera hacking may be avoided, as described
above.
[0014] FIG. 1C illustrates a second orientation of the digital pen
110, where the camera is facing outward (world-facing mode),
according to an example. By reversing the orientation from the
first orientation illustrated in FIG. 18, the Hall Effect sensor
134 may detect the presence of the magnetic field generated when
magnetic member 116b is placed within proximity of the magnetic
member 126a. As described above, the Hall Effect sensor 134 can
respond to the presence (or absence) of the magnetic field by
generating a signal. As an example, rather than detecting whether
or not there is a magnetic field, the Hall Effect sensor 134 may
generate the signal based on whether the magnetic field is above or
below a threshold value. This signal may then be used to activate
or deactivate the camera 114 of the digital pen 110.
[0015] According to an example, magnetic polarities of the first
and second sets of magnetic members 116a-b, 126a-b may provide for
the digital pen 110 to be attachable to the computing device 120 in
only a single orientation (e.g., the first orientation illustrated
in FIG. 18). With regards to magnetic polarity, magnetic elements
having the same polarity (e.g., N-N or S-S) may generate a negative
or repulsive magnetic force, whereas those corresponding magnetic
elements having opposite polarities (e.g., N-S) will generate a
positive or attractive magnetic force. Referring to FIG. 18, a
north pole of the magnetic member 116a of the digital pen 110 may
generate a positive or attractive magnetic force with a south pole
of the magnetic member 126a of the computing device 120. Similarly,
a south pole of the magnetic member 116b of the digital pen 110 may
generate a positive or attractive magnetic force with a north pole
of the magnetic member 126b of the computing device 120. This
positive or attractive magnetic force may be generated when the
digital pen 110 is placed within proximity of the computing device
120.
[0016] As a result of controlling the magnetic polarities of the
magnetic members, the digital pen 110 may only attach to the
computing device 120 in a specific orientation. For example, it may
not be desirable to attach the digital pen 110 to the computing
device 120 in an orientation that is reversed from what is
illustrated in FIG. 1B (e.g., 116b to 126a and 116a to 126b).
Therefore, any attempt made to attach the digital pen 110 and
computing device 120 in a reverse orientation may generate a
repulsive magnetic force rather than an attractive magnetic
force.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 10, magnetically coupling the first and
third sets of magnetic members 116a-b, 128a-b with each other may
cause the camera 114 to remain deactivated, according to an
example. For example, when the user attaches the digital pen 110 to
the area of the computing device 120 where the third set of
magnetic members 128a-b is disposed, the user may be intending to
store the digital pen 110 to the computing device 120 and not have
access to the camera 114. As an example, the third set of magnetic
members 128a-b may not include a Hall Effect sensor, similar to the
Hall Effect sensor 134 for the second set of magnetic members
126a-b. As a result, when the digital pen 110 is to magnetically
attach to the computing device 120 via the third set of magnetic
members 128a-b, no signal is generated to activate or deactivate
the camera 114 and, thus, the camera 114 is to remain
deactivated.
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section of the digital pen 110
illustrated in FIG. 1A, according to an example. After magnetic
attachment, as the digital pen 110 is to rest along an edge of
either the display member 122 or base member 124, the digital pen
110 may include a flat surface 202 that provides stability as the
digital pen 110 is magnetically attached to the computing device
120. As an example, the edge of either the display member 122 or
base member 124 that accommodates the digital pen 110 may have a
corresponding flat surface as well.
[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates internal components of a digital pen 300,
according to an example. Elements in FIG. 3 may share the reference
numeral of similar elements of digital pen 110. As an example,
internal components of digital pen 300 may be used for activating
or deactivating camera 114 to be used with a computing device
(e.g., computing device 120), as will be further described. As
described above, once the Hall Effect sensor 134 of computing
device 120 detects a magnetic field that indicates the magnetic
members 114a-b of the digital pen is magnetically attached to a
certain area of the computing device 120 (e.g., second set of
magnetic members 126a-b), wireless communications between the
digital pen and the computing device 120 may activate the camera of
the digital pen for use by the computing device 120 for
videoconferencing. However, a direct wired communication, as
described above, may also activate the camera of the digital pen.
Referring to FIG. 3, the wireless communications between digital
pen 300 and the computing device 120 (or wired connection) may
trigger a switch on a circuit board 302 to activate elements of the
circuit board 302, such as the camera 114.
[0020] As used herein, a circuit board refers to a board which
mechanically supports and electrically connects electronic
components using conductive tracks, pads and/or other features. For
instance, circuit board 302 may include copper tracks and
conductive surfaces attached to a substrate. Various electrical
components, such as capacitors and resistors, may be soldered to
circuit board 302. As mentioned, circuit board 302 may be used to
activate and deactivate the camera 114. As shown in FIG. 3, camera
114 may be coupled to circuit board 302. In some examples, circuit
board 302 may control camera 114. Said differently, camera 114 may
be activated via a switch on the circuit board 302. Thus, when the
switch on the circuit board 302 is triggered by the wireless
communications between digital pen 300 and the computing device 120
(or wired connection), circuit board 302 may activate camera 114.
Camera 114 may be deactivated by the circuit board 302 in response
to the Hall Effect sensor 134 no longer detecting a magnetic field
(or failing below a threshold). In such an example, the switch on
the circuit board 302 may be triggered to deactivate the camera
114.
[0021] Digital pen 300 may further include a processor 304.
Processor 304 may be a hardware processor such as a central
processing unit (CPU), a semiconductor based microprocessor, and/or
other hardware devices suitable for retrieval, reception, and/or
execution of instructions. In some examples, processor 304 may be
coupled to circuit board 302. In such examples, processor 304 may
be activated upon activation of circuit board 302. That is,
processor 304 may be activated when the switch on the circuit board
302 is triggered by the wireless communications between digital pen
300 and the computing device 120 (or wired connection). In some
examples, processor 304 may be activated in response to activation
of camera 114.
[0022] In some examples, processor 304 may be coupled to camera
114. In such examples, processor 304 may receive information and
instructions from camera 114. For example, when camera 114 is
activated, camera 114 may begin capturing video footage. Processor
304 may then receive the captured video footage from camera 114. In
some examples, processor 304 may further transmit the video footage
to a computing device (e.g., computing device 120) to be used for
videoconferencing.
[0023] It is appreciated that examples described may include
various components and features. It is also appreciated that
numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough
understanding of the examples. However, it is appreciated that the
examples may be practiced without limitations to these specific
details. In other instances, well known methods and structures may
not be described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the
description of the examples. Also, the examples may be used in
combination with each other.
[0024] Reference in the specification to "an example" or similar
language means that a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic described in connection with the example is included
in at least one example, but not necessarily in other examples. The
various instances of the phrase "in one example" or similar phrases
in various places in the specification are not necessarily all
referring to the same example.
[0025] It is appreciated that the previous description of the
disclosed examples is provided to enable any person skilled in the
art to make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to
these examples will be readily apparent to those skilled in the
art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to
other examples without departing from the spirit or scope of the
disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be
limited to the examples shown herein but is to be accorded the
widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features
disclosed herein.
* * * * *