FEEDBACK SYSTEM FOR OPTIMIZING EXPOSURE

Description

This claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/179,304, filed May 18, 2009.

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates a feedback system implemented into a display device involving a mounted light source whose brightness is controlled by a mounted camera sending information to a processor within the display device.

II. Background of the Invention

Methods of communication have evolved over centuries to its present state of efficiency and affordability. The prior art includes communication devices that allow two (or more) parties to speak in real time and observe each other via cameras and display screens. Sound and picture information may be sent over the internet or wirelessly, i.e. via wireless communication devices utilizing radio signals gathered by antennas on the receiving end.

Lighting determines the contrast and hence quality of a picture or video captured by a camera. Exceedingly bright light results in overexposure and poor image quality, sometimes known as whiteout. Conversely, an insufficient amount of light underexposes the image resulting in a dark image. To date, no prior art has proposed a method of automatically controlling picture exposure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to control picture exposure by means of a feedback system. A processor within the display device uses colorimetry to analyze a picture captured by a camera in real time and control the intensity of light being outputted by a light source mounted on or within the display device. This ensures proper exposure and optimum picture quality being captured by the camera.

Accordingly, in one aspect a system includes a video display, a light source associated with the display for projecting light onto a user of the display who is facing the display, and a camera positioned to image a user facing the display. A processor that may control the display receives signals from the camera and responsive thereto establishes an output of the light source.

The camera may be mounted on the display whereas the light source may be mounted on an edge of the display or inside a bezel of the display. The processor can use colorimetry information from the camera to establish the output of the light source, which output may be, e.g., brightness and/or color temperature.

In another aspect, a method includes imaging a user of a video display associated with a light source illuminating the user, and based on the imaging act, establishing an indicia of illumination of the light source to achieve a desired illumination of the user.

In another aspect, a system has a video display, a light source projecting light onto a user of the display who is facing the display, and an imager positioned to image a user facing the display. A processor receives signals from the imager and responsive thereto establishes an output hue, and/or a brightness, of the light source.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display device, showing interior components systematically,

FIG. 2 is an anterior view of a display device illustrating possible camera and light source configuration.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a display device (exterior shell is shown to be transparent) and its user to illustrate the arrangement of the system including camera and light source.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a display device 10 includes a video display screen 12 and bezel casing 14. The display device may be, but is not limited to, a computer laptop or TV. The display screen 12 may be an LCD display or any other mode of display screen. The bezel 14 may be comprised of plastic; however it is not limited to a plastic medium. Interior components are shown and include a tuner 16, medium 18, and microprocessor 20. These internal constituents are shown to present functioning aspects of the display device, however are not limited to the tuner 16, medium 18, and processor 20. The processor 20 controls the output of an image presented on the display screen.

Moving in reference to FIG. 2, an anterior perspective of the display device 10 is shown with a front view of the display screen 12 and bezel casing 14. A camera 22 is mounted on the bezel 14 in a forward facing position enabling image capture of objects, particularly the display device user, in front of the display device 10. The camera 22 may comprise a casing of various shapes and mediums and its mounting configuration in relation to the display device 10 is not limited to that which is shown. A light source 24 is shown to be mounted on the bezel 14 in the upper right hand corner of the display device 10.

The light source 24 may be mounted on the edge of the display device 10 or disposed within the bezel 14. Various light intensities are capable of being outputted by the light source 24. Further, the light source 24 is turned on when the camera 22 is activated and may be, but is not limited to, white LED lights suitable for human colorimetry.

Another variation of the light source 24 could employ different color LEDs with independent control to optimize not only the lumen level, but also the color temperature of the lighting source and hence the person. In such an embodiment the hue is effectively controlled by controlling the illumination of red, green and blue LEDs in the light source.

Now referring to FIG. 3, a side view of the display device 10 and a display device user 26 is shown to illustrate a two dimensional perspective of the user 26 being in front of the display device 10. The bezel 14 is shown to be transparent (dotted lines) to enable viewing of internal components including the tuner 16, medium 18, and processor 20. The camera 22 and light source 24 are also shown in a configuration similar to that of FIG. 2. The light source 24 illuminates the face of the user 26.

In addition to controlling the picture imaged on the display screen, the processor 20 receives signals from the camera 22 and responds by varying the light intensity, or brightness, and/or the color temperature of the light being outputted by the light source 24 to optimize, from a colorimetry standpoint, the image captured by the camera. The processor 20 uses colorimetry to analyze the amount of illumination on the face of the user 26 from the camera 22 and determine the output of the light source 24 in terms of brightness. The dotted lines with arrows demonstrate the light waves leaving the light source 24, bouncing of the face of the user 26, and being received by the camera 22.

Furthermore, relatively inexpensive cameras may be used that do not necessarily reproduce color or brightness accurately, since the lighting of the light source may be adjusted to compensate.