`(19) World Intellectual Property
`Organization
`International Bureau
`(43) International Publication Date
`26 September 2013 (26.09.2013)
`
`(10) International Publication Number
`WO 2013/140359 A2
`
`P O P C T
`
`(51) International Patent Classification:
`H04L 5/ 4 (2006.01)
`(21) International Application Number:
`
`PCT/IB20 13/052240
`
`(22) International Filing Date:
`
`2 1 March 2013 (21 .03.2013)
`English
`English
`
`(25) Filing Language:
`(26) Publication Language:
`(30) Priority Data:
`61/613,900
`2 1 March 2012 (21.03.2012)
`3 August 2012 (03.08.2012)
`61/679,561
`24 October 2012 (24. 10.2012)
`61/718,045
`(71) Applicant: SVIP LLC, SERIES 9 [US/US]; 155 Island
`Drive, Palo Alto, California 94301 (US).
`
`(72) Inventor: SHALON, Tadmor; 155 Island Drive, Palo
`Alto, California 94301-3127 (US).
`(81) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
`kind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM,
`AO, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BH, BN, BR, BW, BY,
`BZ, CA, CH, CL, CN, CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM,
`DO, DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, GT,
`HN, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KM, KN, KP,
`KR, KZ, LA, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LY, MA, MD,
`ME, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MY, MZ, NA, NG, NI,
`NO, NZ, OM, PA, PE, PG, PH, PL, PT, QA, RO, RS, RU,
`RW, SC, SD, SE, SG, SK, SL, SM, ST, SV, SY, TH, TJ,
`TM, TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VC, VN, ZA,
`ZM, ZW.
`(84) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
`kind of regional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH,
`
`[Continued on nextpage]
`
`(54) Title: APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR IMAGING IN VIDEO CALLS
`(57) Abstract: Apparatus and system for facilitating video
`communication between two devices which enable, among
`other things, maintenance of eye contact.
`
`106
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`104
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`(cid:4242)
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`105
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`FIG. 1
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`202
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`201
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`205
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`w o 2013/140359 A2 1II III IIII IIII I11 IIII 11II llll I I I I III
`GM, KE, LR, LS, MW, MZ, NA, RW, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, Declarations under Rule 4.17:
`UG, ZM, ZW), Eurasian
`(AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, RU, TJ, — of inventorship (Rule 4.17(iv))
`TM), European
`(AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK,
`Published:
`EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU,
`IE,
`IS,
`IT, LT, LU,
`LV, MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, — without international search report and to be republished
`SM, TR), OAPI
`(BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GQ,
`upon receipt of that report (Rule 48.2(g))
`GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG)
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`i ll
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`APPL-1010 / Page 2 of 47
`APPLE INC. v. COREPHOTONICS LTD.
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`APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR IMAGING IN VIDEO CALLS
`
`Field
`
`One or more embodiments relate to imaging in applications such as, for example
`and without limitation, video conferencing.
`Background
`Many personal video conferencing systems are problematic because they make
`it difficult for a user (a "local person") and a participant (a "remote person") to maintain
`eye contact. This is problematic because eye contact is important for telepresence and
`effective communication.
`In typical prior art video conferencing systems, cameras are
`located on a side or a top of a viewing screen so that, when a user follows his/her
`instincts to look at a participant's eyes, the image of the user's eyes results in disrupted
`eye contact between the user and the participant.
`Such prior art video conferencing
`systems are further problematic because they do not enable gaze awareness —gaze
`awareness is an ability to tell what someone is looking at by watching the direction of
`his/her eyes.
`In face-to-face communication, gaze awareness and eye contact are
`important because gaze awareness and eye contact serve, among other things, as signals
`for turn-taking in a conversation.
`In addition, gaze awareness and eye contact express
`attributes such as attentiveness, confidence and cooperativeness. For example, people
`using increased eye contact get more help from others, generate more learning as
`teachers, and have better success in job interviews.
`awareness with
`gaze
`create
`to
`Several
`attempts
`have
`been made
`videoconferencing systems using specialized hardware (see an article by J. Gemmell et
`al. entitled "Gaze Awareness for Video-conferencing: a Software Approach" in IEEE
`MultiMedia , pp. 26-35, Oct-Dec 2000). The article states: "Among the hardware
`techniques that support gaze-aware videoconferencing systems are half- silvered mirrors
`and pinhole cameras in displays. The Virtual Space and Hydra systems support gaze
`awareness by deploying a small display and camera for each party.
`If you place the
`display far enough away from users, they're unlikely to notice the angle between the
`camera and the display images."
`In addition to the problems discuss above, these personal video conferencing
`systems are typically used under ambient conditions that include poor and mixed-color
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`APPL-1010 / Page 3 of 47
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`lighting, distracting backgrounds and noisy soundscapes. This is problematic not only
`because poorly lit images do not look good, but also that poorly lit images are noisy,
`which noisy images produce video stutter during Internet transmission.
`Lastly,
`these personal video conferencing systems are problematic because
`traditional webcams have a wide angle lens that is oriented in a landscape mode. As a
`result, when a user is positioned close to the webcam, his/her face is distorted by the
`wide angle lens.
`Summary
`One or more embodiments solve one or more of the above-identified problems.
`In particular, one or more such embodiments provide one or more of the following
`during a video call and/or a video conference: (a) improved eye contact between a user
`and a participant; (b) improved gaze awareness between the user and the participant; (c)
`an improved user image with respect to lighting even where the user is in a poorly-lit
`ambient; (d) an improved user image wherein background in the user ambient is muted;
`(e) an improved user image wherein lens distortion is reduced; and (f) reduced or
`eliminated video stutter
`for
`the user
`image which results in improved Internet
`communication.
`Brief Description of the Drawings
`includes a camera
`that
`FIG. 1 shows orthogonal views of an embodiment
`module disposed at the tip of a transparent arm, an illuminator, a microphone and a
`magnetic coupler.
`includes a camera
`that
`FIG. 2 shows a front view of another embodiment
`module disposed at the tip of an ultra-thin, displaceable arm, a USB cable and a
`magnetic coupler.
`includes a camera
`that
`FIG. 3 shows orthogonal views of an embodiment
`module disposed at the tip of an ultra-thin camera module arm, an illuminator, a USB
`cable, and a carrying case capable of holding the camera module, the camera module
`arm, the illuminator, and the USB cable.
`FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in use where the embodiment is mounted on a
`laptop computer for use in a video call or video conference.
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`includes a camera
`that
`FIG. 5 shows orthogonal views of an embodiment
`module disposed at the tip of an ultra-thin, displaceable camera module arm, and a data
`port coupler.
`includes a camera
`that
`FIG. 6 shows orthogonal views of an embodiment
`module and an illuminator mounted on a fixture housing, a retractable, flexible camera
`module arm attached to the fixture housing, wherein the fixture housing is capable of
`storing the camera module arm.
`includes a camera
`that
`FIG. 7 shows orthogonal views of an embodiment
`module disposed at the tip of an ultra-thin camera module arm, the camera module arm
`being built into a tablet device and being capable of rotating onto a display screen of the
`tablet, and an illuminator built into a display screen bezel of the tablet.
`FIG. 8 shows two embodiments in use during a video call or video conference.
`FIG. 9 shows an embodiment that includes a miniature camera module disposed
`on a retractable camera module arm that moves behind a mobile device wherein the
`retractable camera module arm is fabricated using nitinol and a magnet wire harness.
`FIG. 10 shows an embodiment that includes a miniature camera module attached
`to on an ultra-thin, retractable, camera module arm that moves onto a top bezel of a
`mobile device.
`FIG. 11 shows an MIPI mobile device interface flex PCB ("printed circuit
`board") with shielding used to fabricate one or more embodiments: (a) disposed in a flat
`configuration (i.e., with a BGA sensor module at the bottom before being folded and
`attached to nitinol wires; and (b) in a folded position where it is connected to a camera
`module.
`FIG. 12 is a schematic of camera imager support electronics used to fabricate
`one or more embodiments, which electronics may be positioned near an imager in the
`camera module to reduce conductor count in a transparent or ultra-thin camera module
`arm connected to the camera module.
`FIG. 13 illustrates the quantum efficiency of an imager spectral filter having an
`IR notch near 810nm overlaid with the imager's spectral sensitivity curves.
`FIG. 14 is a graph that indicates gaze angles useful in maintaining eye contact.
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`Description
`One or more embodiments are camera systems or systems that provide one or
`more of the following during a video call and/or a video conference: (a) improved eye
`contact between a user and a participant; (b) improved gaze awareness between the user
`and the participant; (c) an improved user image with respect to lighting even where the
`user is in a poorly-lit ambient; (d) an improved user image wherein background in the
`user ambient is muted; (e) an improved user image wherein lens distortion is reduced;
`and (f) reduced or eliminated video stutter for the user image.
`In accordance with one or more embodiments, an inventive camera system may
`be built into a device, for example and without limitation, into a device display screen
`In accordance with one or more embodiments where the camera system is built
`bezel.
`into the device, a camera module and a camera module arm of the camera system (as set
`forth in detail below) may be stored in a slot built into the device display screen bezel
`(i.e., an embedded storage slot).
`In accordance with one or more such embodiments, a
`thumb activated turn knob is disposed flush with the bezel, and the thumb activated turn
`knob includes a rotation hinge/helical cam causes the camera module to lift up and
`rotate 90 degrees from its position in the embedded storage slot and to swing onto the
`device display screen to a portrait mode for use in a video call. Further, in accordance
`with one or more such embodiments where the camera module of the camera system is
`stored in the embedded storage slot in the device display screen bezel, a camera in the
`camera module (as described below) may be used as a camera for the device. Further,
`in accordance with one or more embodiments where the camera system is built into the
`device, a camera module arm of the camera system may be disposed, at least in part, in
`or on the back of the device. Still further, in accordance with one or more still further
`In accordance
`embodiments, an inventive camera system is an add-on to the device.
`with one or more such embodiments where the camera system is an add-on, the camera
`module arm and the camera module may be stored, i.e., when not deployed for use
`during a video call or video conference, in a housing which is attachable to the device.
`In accordance with one or more such embodiments, a thumb activated turn knob is
`disposed flush with the housing, and the thumb activated turn knob includes a rotation
`hinge/helical cam that causes the camera module to lift up and rotate 90 degrees from its
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`position in the embedded storage slot and to swing onto the device display screen to a
`portrait mode for use in a video call or video conference.
`One or more such embodiments are a camera system for use with a device,
`which camera system comprises: (a) a camera module; (b) a camera module arm that is
`mechanically and electrically connected to the camera module, which camera module
`arm: (i) may be electrically connected to camera system electronics, which camera
`system electronics is, in turn, electrically connectable to device system electronics, or
`(ii) may be electrically connectable to device system electronics; and (c) a housing that
`is mechanically connected to the camera module arm, may hold camera system
`electronics, and is mechanically connectable to the device.
`For purposes of this
`document, the term device or the term communications device means a device and/or a
`device system that includes a display screen and is capable of receiving images from a
`camera or over a communications channel (for example, and without limitation, the
`Internet) and displaying the images on the display screen. Such a device includes,
`without
`limitation, a personal computer
`("PC"), a laptop computer, a tablet, a
`smartphone, and so forth.
`In accordance with one or more such embodiments,
`the
`housing is attachable to the device, and the camera module is positionable with respect
`to a device display screen. Further, in accordance with one or more such embodiments,
`the camera module arm is capable of movement which enables the camera module to be
`positioned with respect to the device display screen. In particular, in a video call and/or
`video conference between a user and a participant, the camera module may be deployed,
`i.e., positioned, with respect to an image of the participant on the device display screen
`to provide eye contact between the user and the participant.
`In accordance with one or more such embodiments, camera system electronics is
`disposed in, or is affixed to, the housing in electrical contact with the camera module
`arm, which camera system electronics receives and processes image information
`transmitted thereto from the camera module and outputs processed signals to a
`connector, which connector is capable of transmitting the processed signals to the
`device system electronics.
`In accordance with one or more alternative embodiments,
`the camera module arm transmits image information from the camera module to the
`device system electronics.
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`the device system
`In accordance with one or more alternative embodiments,
`electronics receives and processes image information transmitted thereto from the
`camera module.
`In accordance with one or more alternative embodiments, the camera
`module arm transmits image information from the camera module to the device system
`electronics.
`the camera system
`In accordance with one or more further embodiments,
`electronics includes a processor that executes software which, in response to image
`information transmitted thereto, processes the image (as described below) and outputs
`the processed image to the device system electronics.
`In response, the device system
`electronics transmits the processed image over a communications channel such as, for
`example and without limitation, the Internet, to another device. In accordance with one
`or more such further embodiments, the device system electronics includes a processor
`that executes software which, in response to image information transmitted thereto,
`processes the image (as described below) and transmits the processed image over a
`communications channel such as, for example and without limitation, the Internet, to
`another device.
`One or more embodiments are a camera system for use with a device, which
`camera system comprises: (a) a camera module; and (b) a camera module arm, which
`camera module arm: (i) may be electrically connected to camera system electronics,
`which camera system electronics is, in turn, electrically connectable to device system
`electronics, or (ii) may be electrically connectable to device system electronics.
`In
`accordance with one or more such embodiments, the camera module is positionable
`with respect to a device display screen. Further, in accordance with one or more such
`embodiments,
`the camera module arm is capable of movement which enables the
`camera module to be positioned with respect to the device display screen.
`In particular,
`in a video call and/or video conference between a user and a participant, the camera
`module may be deployed, i.e., positioned, with respect to an image of the participant on
`the device display screen to provide eye contact between the user and the participant.
`In accordance with one or more such embodiments, camera system electronics is
`disposed in or on the device in electrical contact with the camera module arm, which
`camera system electronics receives and processes image information transmitted thereto
`from the camera module and outputs processed signals to the device system electronics.
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`the camera module arm
`In accordance with one or more alternative embodiments,
`transmits image information from the camera module to the device system electronics.
`In accordance with one or more further embodiments,
`the camera system
`electronics includes a processor that executes software which, in response to image
`information transmitted thereto, processes the image (as described below) and outputs
`the processed image to the device system electronics.
`In response, the device system
`electronics transmits the processed image over a communications channel such as, for
`example and without limitation, the Internet, to another device.
`In accordance with one
`or more such further embodiments, device system electronics includes a processor that
`executes
`software which,
`in response to image information transmitted thereto,
`processes the image (as described below) and transmits the processed image over a
`communications channel such as, for example and without limitation, the Internet, to
`another device.
`For sake of the discussion that follows: (a) embodiments of a built-in camera
`system (referred to as camera system 100) includes a camera module (referred to as
`camera module 110), and a camera module arm (referred to as camera module 120); and
`(b) embodiments of an add-on camera system (referred to as camera system 200)
`include a camera module (referred to as camera module 210), a camera module arm
`(referred to as camera module arm 220) and a housing (referred to as housing 230).
`In accordance with one or more embodiments, camera module arm 120 is
`mechanically and electrically connected to camera module 110, and camera module arm
`120 is capable of movement which causes camera module 110 (for example, a miniature
`camera) to be positioned with respect to a device display screen.
`In accordance with
`one or more embodiments, camera module arm 220 is mechanically and electrically
`connected to camera module 210, and camera module arm 220 is capable of movement
`which causes camera module 210 (for example, a miniature camera) to be positioned
`with respect to a device display screen.
`Camera Module
`In accordance with one or more embodiments of camera system 100, a miniature
`camera module 110 is attached to camera module arm 120, and camera module arm 120
`is fabricated (as described below) so that camera module 110 can be positioned in a
`stable and repeatable manner on a device display screen.
`In particular, as will be
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`described below, camera module 110 can be positioned with respect to an image of a
`participant on the device display screen to provide eye contact between a device user
`and the participant during a video call and/or video conference.
`In accordance with one
`or more embodiments of camera system 200, a miniature camera module 210 is
`attached to camera module arm 220, and camera module arm 220 is fabricated (as
`described below) so that camera module 210 can be positioned in a stable and
`repeatable manner on a device display screen. In particular, as will be described below,
`camera module 210 can be positioned with respect to an image of a participant on the
`device display screen to provide eye contact between a device user and the participant
`during a video call and/or video conference.
`In accordance with one or more embodiments, camera module 110 (or camera
`module 210) includes a miniature camera which comprises, for example and without
`limitation, an OmniVision OVM7695 sensor or an OmniVision OVM7239 sensor (both
`of which are available from OmniVision, Inc. of Santa Clara, California) and a suitable
`lens system (as described below).
`In accordance with one or more such embodiments,
`camera module 110 (or camera module 210) is approximately 3 mm by 3 mm to 5 mm
`In accordance with one or more such
`in cross section and 2 mm to 3 mm deep.
`embodiments, camera imager support electronics (FIG. 12 is a schematic of camera
`imager support electronics used to fabricate one or more embodiments) is disposed in
`camera system electronics (see above).
`The inventor has discovered that cameras (sometimes referred to as webcams)
`for devices such as PCs and smartphone typically have a landscape orientation.
`Although the landscape orientation may be suitable for group video conference calls,
`the inventor has discovered that, for most video calls (for example, personal video
`calls), a portrait orientation provides a better image than the landscape orientation. As
`in accordance with one or more embodiments that effectuate the inventor's
`such,
`discovery, camera module 110 (or camera module 210), when deployed in position for
`use, is oriented so that the camera lens is disposed in a portrait orientation rather than a
`landscape orientation.
`In addition, the inventor has discovered webcams typically use a wide angle lens
`(for example, a 15-30 mm effective DSLR lens), and that such a wide angle lens distorts
`the image of a user's face when the user is close to the device display screen and the
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`webcam (for example, and without limitation, during a personal video call). As such, in
`accordance with one or more embodiments that effectuate a solution to the inventor's
`discovery, the camera lens has a 50-80 mm focal length. As a result, and in accordance
`with one or more such embodiments,
`the camera optics are suited for close range
`portrait photography. For example, in accordance with one or more such embodiments,
`the camera optics has a low F number lens such as, for example and without limitation,
`an F number in a range from about 2 to about 3 to provide a shallow depth of focus that
`blurs the background and a flattering 50-70 mm DSLR equivalent
`lens angle of
`approximately 40 degrees field of view.
`Camera Module Arm
`Positioning a camera module at a relevant location (for example, a location that
`enables a user and a participant to maintain eye contact during a video call or video
`conference) on a device display screen during a video call/video conference requires
`meeting a challenge. The challenge is how to transmit control/data/power signals via a
`minimally obscuring camera module arm that: (a) is mechanically robust enough for
`consumer use; and (b) orients the camera module in a repeatable manner on the device
`display screen.
`types of camera module
`several
`there
`As described below,
`arm
`are
`embodiments,
`including,
`for example and without
`limitation,
`the following.
`In
`accordance with a first type of camera module arm embodiment, the camera module
`arm comprises a semi-rigid (for example and without limitation, nitinol or other flexible
`material) that is laminated with thin wires or a flex circuit board (the flexible material
`enables the camera module arm to attain a repeatable location during deployment
`without having the arm break during use).
`In use, i.e., when deployed for use, the
`camera module arm is oriented like a blade perpendicular to the device display screen
`(such an orientation may be seen, for example, in one of the views in FIG. 3 and the
`views in FIG. 5). As such, the camera module arm has a profile on the device display
`screen (i.e., a footprint on the device display screen) whose width is less than an amount
`which is in a range from about 0.3 mm to about 0.5 mm.
`In accordance with one or
`more such embodiments, the camera module arm is mounted so that it can swing from a
`first position (for example, off the device display screen) when not in use, i.e., when not
`deployed for use, to a second position on the device display screen when in use, i.e.,
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`Some issues that are overcome to provide such first
`when deployed for use.
`embodiments include: (i) how to connect the wires/flex circuit board in the camera
`module arm to the camera module without connectors in some embodiments since the
`connectors might make the footprint of the camera module on the device display screen
`too big (as described below), and (ii) how to laminate the wires/flex printed circuit
`board ("PCB") to the semi-rigid, flexible member (stainless steel, nitinol, and so forth)
`without increasing the bulk or the profile of the camera module arm (as described
`below).
`In accordance with a second type of camera module arm embodiment, the
`camera module arm is the same as in the first embodiment, but as a difference (i.e.,
`instead of being mounted so that it can swing from a first position, off the device
`display screen when not deployed for use, to a second position, on the device display
`screen when deployed for use) the camera module arm is mounted so that it can be
`retracted into the device display screen bezel (see for example, the views of FIG. 10) or
`through the device display screen bezel to the back of the device (see for example, the
`views of FIGs. 8 and 9). An issue that
`is overcome to provide such second
`embodiments, in addition to the issues addressed with respect to the first embodiments,
`is that any camera module arm that is bendable will have mechanical hysteresis when it
`is deployed from a curved, retracted position (whether the curve results from being
`positioned in the device display screen bezel or the curve results from being curved
`through the device display screen bezel and onto the back of the device), and thus, not
`attain a repeatable desired deployment position on the device display screen. As
`described below, the use of nitinol enables the issue to be resolved.
`In accordance with
`a third type of camera module arm embodiment, the camera module arm comprises a
`rigid, transparent member that, when deployed, is oriented parallel to the device display
`In accordance with one or more such embodiments,
`the rigid,
`transparent
`screen.
`member is made of a suitable, strong material such as, for example, and without
`limitation, polycarbonate.
`Further,
`the signal/power conductors are transparent or
`mostly transparent.
`In accordance with one or more such embodiments, the camera
`module arm can be rotated from a first position (for example, off the device display
`screen) when not in use, i.e., when not deployed for use, to a second position on the
`device display screen when in use, i.e., when deployed for use (see, for example, views
`in Figs. 1 and 7).
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`In accordance with one or more embodiments, camera module arm 120 (or
`camera module arm 220) comprises a polycarbonate (or other suitable transparent
`polymer) pendant arm having wires (for example, miniature wires) embedded therein.
`In accordance with one or more such embodiments, camera module arm 120 (or camera
`module arm 220) can be made of 0.01" thick polycarbonate or a material having similar
`In accordance with one or more such
`properties and a suitably small
`thickness.
`the wires are, for example and without limitation, 30 micron diameter
`embodiments,
`wire (for example, 50 gauge insulated wire (also referred to herein as ultra-thin wire)
`In accordance with one or
`disposed, for example, in twisted pairs to minimize EMI).
`more such embodiments, the wires are embedded in camera module arm 120 (or camera
`module arm 220) or they are laminated onto camera module arm 120 (or camera module
`arm 220) using a flexible glue such as, for example and without limitation, UV cured,
`Dymax® 3025 encapsulant or clear, UV cured, Dymax® 9001-EV3 encapsulant (both
`of which are available from Dymax® Corporation, website address www.dymax.com).
`As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate, the wires carry power, clock,
`data and control signals or additional signals required by standard interfaces such as the
`standard MIPI camera interface.
`In accordance with one or more embodiments, camera module arm 120 (or
`camera module arm 220) has a thickness in a range between about 1 mm to about 3 mm.
`In addition, and in accordance with one or more embodiments, camera module arm 120
`is pivoted on a hinge which is affixed to the device display screen bezel, refer FIG. 7),
`or camera module arm 220 is pivoted on a hinge which is affixed to housing 130.
`In
`accordance with one or more such embodiments,
`the hinge allows only 90 degrees of
`rotation to insure that electrical connectors between camera module arm 120 (or camera
`In accordance with one or
`module arm 220) and other electronics do not overextend.
`more further embodiments, camera module arm 120 can be mounted on the top of the
`device display screen, either from a bezel or from a housing of the device system
`electronics, and camera module arm 220 can be mounted on housing 230.
`In accordance with one or more further embodiments, a nitinol wire (available
`from NDC Inc. of Freemont California), for example and without limitation, a 0.08"
`diameter nitinol wire, is embedded in, or is attached to, camera module arm 120 (or
`camera module arm 220). As the inventor has discovered, the embedded or attached
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`nitinol enables camera module arm 120 to maintain a lateral flexibility, which lateral
`flexibility enables camera module arm 120 to slide: (a) in and out of an aperture in a
`device display screen bezel to a guide or slot, for example and without limitation, a
`concealed guide or slot, that is embedded in the device display screen bezel (refer to
`FIG. 10) —camera module arm 120 bends along its short axis (where the short axis faces
`the user if the slot is configured sideways along the device display screen bezel); or (b)
`in and out of a channel in the device display screen bezel to a device electronic system,
`wherein the channel extends through the bezel from the front to the back of the device
`(refer to FIG. 9) (camera module arm 120 bends by 90 degrees where camera module
`arm 120 passes through the device display screen bezel to the back of the device), and
`wherein the sliding occurs as a result of a user's pushing attached camera module 110
`up or down with respect to the aperture or the channel in the bezel, respectively. Where
`the device display screen bezel
`includes a slot:
`(a) in a retracted position, camera
`module arm 120 is stored in the camera arm slot, and flexible wiring connects the wires
`or traces in camera module arm 120 to any camera system electronics disposed in the
`slot; and (b) in a deployed position, camera module arm 120 is disposed partially in the
`slot and partially on the device display screen. As the inventor has also discovered, the
`embedded or attached nitinol enables camera module arm 220 to maintain a lateral
`flexibility, which lateral flexibility enables camera module arm 220 to slide in and out
`of an aperture in housing 230 to a guide or slot, for example and without limitation, a
`concealed guide or slot, that is embedded in housing 230 —camera module arm 220
`bends along its short axis (where the short axis faces the user if the slot is configured
`sideways along housing 230), wherein the sliding occurs as a result of a user's pushing
`attached camera module 110 up or down with respect to the aperture or the channel in
`the bezel. Where housing 230 includes a slot: (a) in a retracted position, camera module
`arm 220 is stored in the camera arm slot, and flexible wiring connects the wires or
`traces in camera module arm 220 to any camera system electronics disposed in the slot;
`and (b) in a deployed position, camera module arm 220 is disposed partially in the slot
`and partially on the device display screen. As a result, such embodiments enable
`horizontal and vertical positioning of camera module 110 (or camera module 210) with
`respect to the device display screen.
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`In accordance with one or more such embodiments where a nitinol wire is
`embedded in camera module arm 120 (or camera module arm 220), wires affixed to, or
`embedded in, a po