DE202023001887U1 - Camera attachment for a monitor or computer - Google Patents

Abstract

Camera attachment for a monitor or laptop, comprising a housing with two opposite side elements which are connected to one another via a cover and a base element, the housing having a front opening and a rear opening,
the front opening is closed by a semi-transparent mirror which is arranged inclined downwards at a predetermined angle,
the outside of the base element can be placed on the monitor or laptop and has recording sections for a camera on its inside,
further comprising a holder for a mirror or a monitor, the mirror or the monitor being arranged below the semi-transparent mirror such that the information displayed on the mirror or monitor is reflected on it.

Description

The present invention relates to a camera attachment for a monitor or a laptop.

More and more employees prefer to work from home. This can be lucrative for employers because, among other things, less office space is required, which is directly reflected in the costs. The problem with this trend is the ever-decreasing contact between employees and the associated loss of know-how. At the same time, it is not possible to bind employees to a company; the feeling of belonging to a company or identification with a company decreases significantly.

In order to prevent these disadvantages, more and more companies are starting to organize regular video calls, for example via Zoom or Teams, and not just for business purposes, in order to promote the necessary contact between employees.

At the same time, corresponding video calls are an important means in daily business transactions to maintain and deepen personal contacts. Particularly in the wake of the Corona crisis, many companies have switched to conducting business and further training via video calls and no longer on a personal basis. These measures can also drastically reduce running costs, as funds for business trips have decreased significantly.

Although video calls have become established in both business and private life, in contrast to personal meetings, it is usually not possible to look the other person directly in the eyes, as the gaze is usually directed away from the camera and towards the monitor or laptop is. This makes it more difficult to capture a direct reaction from the person sitting opposite, and it is more difficult for the speaker to hold the listener's attention.

This problem increases the moment the speaker is forced to resort to prepared content, i.e. to read it out or explain something based on it.

Solutions to this problem can be found, for example, in the area of media, or in television broadcasts or recordings. A news anchor always looks directly into the camera and thereby fixates the audience. This is made possible through the use of a teleprompter.

A teleprompter is a device that displays the text to be spoken in front of the camera during television recordings so that the speaker can read it without having to look away from the camera.

Professional teleprompters used in television studios are mounted on a tripod and/or attached to the camera structure. A camera is either inserted into these teleprompters, i.e. behind the semi-transparent mirror of the teleprompter, or, due to its size, it is completely mounted behind the teleprompter housing.

The corresponding teleprompter 1 is in 1 shown. In detail, the teleprompter comprises a casing or a casing 2, which has a semi-reflective mirror 3 on a front side, and a monitor 4 arranged below the casing 2. The housing is mounted on a camera or a camera lens 5. During use, text is displayed mirror-inverted on the monitor 4. The presenter can then read the reflected text via the semi-reflective mirror 4, which is arranged at the level of the camera lens 5, without having to take his eyes off the camera. Since the camera can film through the semi-reflective mirror without obstructing the view, the presenter's gaze is always directed at the audience so that they feel directly addressed.

The panel 2 provides a uniformly dark background for the text to be read and prevents light incident from the side from entering the housing of the teleprompter and negatively affecting the reflection displayed.

This is a very effective way to maintain eye contact between the speaker and the audience.

1. 1. sehr platzraubend und daher für den Einsatz an einem Büroarbeitsplatz ungeeignet (Stativ, Teleprompter-Vorrichtung, Verkleidung etc.)
2. 2. sehr teuer, da mehrere hochpreisige Einzelkomponenten (Teleprompter, Stativ, Kamera) zusammen betrieben werden müssen
3. 3. unflexibel, da sich die Vorrichtungen nur mit großem Zeit- und Installationsaufwand auf- und abbauen lassen und daher für eine sich verändernde Anwendungsthematik ungeeignet sind
4. 4. bezogen auf Befestigungsvorrichtungen und Größe auf den Einsatz professioneller Kameras und nicht auf die Verwendung von Webcams ausgerichtet

However, this conventional type of teleprompter has a number of disadvantages when used in everyday office life. Common teleprompters are:

1. 1. very space-consuming and therefore unsuitable for use in an office workplace (tripod, teleprompter device, panel, etc.)
2. 2. very expensive because several expensive individual components (teleprompter, tripod, camera) have to be operated together
3. 3. inflexible, since the devices can only be set up and dismantled with a lot of time and installation effort and are therefore unsuitable for changing application topics
4. 4. related to mounting devices and size for the use of professional cameras and not aimed at the use of webcams

The object of the present invention is to provide a device for the camera of a laptop or a monitor that makes it possible to establish improved eye contact between users in order to improve the communication effectiveness of the users.

This task is solved by the subject matter of claim 1. Accordingly, a camera attachment for a monitor or laptop comprises a housing with two opposing side elements which are connected to one another via a cover and a base element, the housing having a front opening and a rear opening. The front opening is closed by a semi-transparent mirror, which is arranged inclined downwards at a predetermined angle. The outside of the floor element can be placed on the monitor or laptop and has recording sections for a camera on its inside. The camera attachment further comprises a holder for a mirror or a monitor, the mirror or the monitor being arranged below the semi-transparent mirror in such a way that the information displayed on the mirror or monitor is reflected by the semi-transparent mirror.

The present invention provides a simple solution to achieve more direct contact between interlocutors when using video telephony using a computer or laptop. The improved eye contact between the user and the conversation partners contributes significantly to better interpersonal communication.

Particularly in professional environments in which video calls and conferences are becoming increasingly important, the camera attachment according to the invention can help users communicate their messages more effectively and convincingly. The user no longer has to look to the side to read the text on an external monitor or to look the other person in the eye.

The camera attachment is easy to assemble and use, and it also allows the user to create professional videos with little to no effort. It can be used by professional filmmakers, YouTubers, teachers, business owners, and others who want to record videos and reproduce text accurately. The texts reflected by the camera attachment on the semi-transparent mirror are easily readable for the user, while the text remains invisible for the viewer. This results in improved presentation and increased audience participation.

The present invention thus makes it possible to transfer the full range of functions of a conventional teleprompter into everyday office life without the previously existing problems. In addition to the texts to be read, the live images of conversation partners from the various communication products (Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, etc.) should also be correctly mirrored and not displayed inverted. To display the texts in mirror image on the monitor, the user can access various sites available on the Internet, examples of which are cueprompter.com, telepromptermirror.com or zacue.com.

According to a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the holder can be connected to the housing. This makes it possible to provide a fixed position for the mirror or monitor, making the adjustment much easier.

It was particularly useful here if projections with which the holder can be brought into engagement are arranged on the outside of the side elements. This embodiment is also reflected in a particularly easy assembly of the individual components.

Preferably, the holder can be provided on both sides with a plurality of receiving sections which can be brought into engagement with the projections in order to variably adjust the distance to the semi-transparent mirror. The user can therefore set different distances without much effort, depending on the size of the monitor or laptop used, so that adjustment is also possible here without much effort.

The flexible mount (with tilt function) allows the user to adjust the camera attachment to their needs and find the best angle for a perfect view.

According to a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the holder has a mirror on a lower edge or is connected to it, the mirror having an angle of 45 ° to the screen or the laptop when in use. A commercially available mirror can be used as a mirror here. The holder can be permanently connected to the mirror or this can be combined with the holder if necessary. The angle of 45° ensures that the information on the screen is visible on the semi-transparent rent mirror of the camera attachment is transferred.

According to another preferred embodiment, the side elements can be provided on a lower edge with a stop edge which extends essentially vertically and which, when in use, rests against a front side of the frame of a monitor or a laptop. The provision of a corresponding stop edge determines a fixed position for the camera attachment, while at the same time providing a holding function. By means of the stop edge, the camera attachment surrounds the frame of the monitor or laptop at least in sections and thus stabilizes the position.

Furthermore, it can be provided that a downwardly extending fixing device or stabilizing device is movably arranged on a rear edge of the base, the fixing device resting on the back of the monitor or laptop. The position of the camera attachment is also determined by the fixing device. In combination with the stop edge, the camera attachment can be positioned anywhere. Consequently, the camera attachment is held on the front and back of the laptop or monitor.

Here, the fixing device can preferably be provided with an additional weight at its lower end in order to counteract the weight of the camera attachment with the camera inserted.

According to a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the back of the housing can be closed with a flap. This prevents the entry of additional light and improves the image on the semi-transparent mirror.

Preferably, the flap is movably applied to the cover element. To insert the camera into the housing, the flap can simply be folded up and then rests on the cover element so that the flap does not interfere with access to the interior of the housing.

The camera attachment is compact and lightweight, making it easy to transport and use in different locations. It is ideal for online presentations, video blogs, interviews, training and other applications where it is important to speak precisely and professionally.

• 1 einen üblichen Teleprompter
• 2 ein erfindungsgemäßer Kameraaufsatz gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform
• 3 ein erfindungsgemäßer Kameraaufsatz gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform
• 4 der erfindungsgemäße Kameraaufsatz gemäß 2 oder 3 in einer perspektivischen Darstellung mit Blick auf ein Seitenelement und die Rückseite
• 5 der erfindungsgemäße Kameraaufsatz gemäß 2 oder 3 in einer perspektivischen Darstellung mit Blick auf den halbtransparenten Spiegel und die das Bodenelement
• 6 der erfindungsgemäße Kameraaufsatz gemäß 2 oder 3 in einer perspektivischen Darstellung mit Blick von hinten bei geöffneter Klappe
• 7 eine Seitenansicht der in 3 dargestellten Halterung und
• 8 die Halterung in einer perspektivischen Ansicht.

An embodiment of the present invention is explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. It shows:

• 1 a standard teleprompter
• 2 a camera attachment according to the invention according to a first embodiment
• 3 a camera attachment according to the invention according to a second embodiment
• 4 the camera attachment according to the invention 2 or 3 in a perspective view with a view of a side element and the back
• 5 the camera attachment according to the invention 2 or 3 in a perspective view with a view of the semi-transparent mirror and the floor element
• 6 the camera attachment according to the invention 2 or 3 in a perspective view looking from behind with the flap open
• 7 a side view of the in 3 bracket shown and
• 8th the holder in a perspective view.

The camera attachment 6 according to the invention is in the 2 and 3 shown in use. As is clear, the camera attachment 6 is identical, in 2 the camera attachment 6 is used in combination with a monitor 7, whereas in 3 the camera attachment 6 has an additional holder 8 with a mirror 9.

The construction of the camera attachment is particularly good in the 4 until 6 shown. Here it is clear that the camera attachment 6 comprises a housing consisting of two side elements that are connected to one another via a cover element 11 and a base element 12. The two side elements 10 are arranged parallel to one another, and the cover element 11 and the base element 12 are also arranged parallel to one another. The housing is therefore frame-like and has a front and a rear opening.

As in 4 shown, the side elements are designed obliquely at their front edge 13, ie the edge facing the front opening, so that the corner point between the upper edge 14 of each side element and the front edge 13 extends beyond the corner point between the lower edge 15 and the front edge 13. This gives the front opening a downward inclination.

The front opening is as in 5 shown, closed by a semi-transparent mirror 16. Due to the shape of the side elements, the semi-transparent mirror 16 is underneath tilted downwards at a predetermined angle. The mirror can be connected to the housing in a known manner, for example glued, inserted, etc. The mirror has a reflection of T60/R40 or T70/R30. This ensures that the camera can film unhindered through the mirror and at the same time text or something similar can be displayed on the mirror.

The bottom element 12 can extend completely or in sections between the lower edges 15 of the side elements 10. In the area of the floor element 12, a recording device 17 is provided for a commercially available webcam. This receiving device can be designed in the form of a pedestal or in the form of a receiving opening. It is important here that the recording device 17 is arranged so that the webcam can be arranged behind the mirror 16.

Likewise, the ceiling element 11 also extends between the upper edges 14 of the side elements 10. A rear flap 19 can be arranged on a rear edge 18 of the ceiling element 11, which closes the rear opening when in use, but allows access to the interior of the camera attachment at any time. At the same time, the rear flap 19 prevents light from entering the interior of the camera attachment, so that the transmission to the semi-transparent mirror is not impaired by unwanted light.

The rear flap 19 can have any shape as long as the rear opening is completely closed, for example as in 6 shown, be angled. Essentially, the rear flap 19 extends along the rear edges of the side panels.

The camera attachment 6 also has a stop edge 20 in the area of the side elements, more precisely on the lower edge 15 of the side elements 10. In the area of this stop edge 20, the side element extends vertically downwards over the lower edge 15, so that an angled recess 21 is created, which extends from the stop edge 20 to the rear edge 21 of the side element 10.

In use, i.e. H. When assembled, the camera attachment 6 is placed on the screen 23 or laptop so that the stop edge 20 rests on the front of the screen frame. Thus, on the one hand, the position of the camera attachment 6 on the screen is precisely determined, and on the other hand, the camera attachment 6 is fixed by the stop edge 20. In order to prevent damage to the screen frame, 9 rubber elements can be provided on the inside of the stop edge and on the inside of the semi-transparent mirror, which are arranged between the camera attachment and the frame.

Above the attachment edge 20, projections 24 are arranged on the outside of the side elements 10, on which the holder 8 can be arranged. The position of these projections ensures that the bracket 8 extends downward in front of the screen.

In order to prevent the position of the camera attachment 6 from changing during use, a fixation 26 is also movably arranged on a rear edge 25 of the floor element 12. The fixation 26 can have any shape as long as it provides a fixation on the back of the screen or laptop that cooperates with the stop edge 20 on the front. Preferably, the fixation 26, which is in the 4-6 shown, be designed as an angle element that presses against the back of the screen or laptop. Due to the movable design, the fixation 26 can be folded back when placed and only folded down to the back of the screen after the camera attachment has been positioned. The fixation 26 can be of any length and can also be provided with a weight in order to counteract the weight caused by the overhanging transparent mirror 9.

Here too, at the end of the fixation, i.e. H. 26 rubber stoppers may be arranged at the end of the fixation that comes into contact with the back of the screen in order to avoid damage to the screen.

At the in 2 illustrated embodiment, the camera attachment according to the invention is used in combination with a freely positionable monitor 7. In this embodiment, a desk top, a book or any form of additional elevation can serve as a holder for the monitor 7.

The monitor 7 is set in such a way that the text or the images of conversation partners displayed on the screen are displayed in mirror image during a video call due to its configuration settings. The monitor 7 has its own light source; for example, a tablet etc. can be used as a monitor. This enables texts or scripts to be projected evenly onto the semi-transparent mirror 9. The images or texts displayed in this way are reflected by the monitor 7 onto the semi-transparent mirror 9 of the camera attachment and displayed legibly again thanks to the resulting reflection.

The user can now read the mirrored text or make eye contact with the person they are talking to without taking their eyes off the camera. The camera films through the semi-transparent mirror without obstructing the view.

While a corresponding monitor 7 in combination with a screen represents a particularly suitable solution, the monitor 7 hinders access to the keyboard when using a laptop. To enable free access to the keyboard here, you can do as in 3 shown, the camera attachment 6 can also be used in combination with a holder 8.

A corresponding holder 8 is in the 7 and 8th shown.

As shown, the holder 8 included two side sections 27, each of which is triangular. The triangles are arranged so that they taper upwards when in use. In use, the longest outer edge 28 of the holder is arranged parallel to the screen. An angle of 45° is formed between the longest outer edge and the lower edge 29 adjacent to the lower end. The lower edge 29 of the side sections 27 arranged parallel to one another also serves to fix or fasten the mirror 9. The mirror 16 can be inserted into corresponding receiving slots in the area of the mutually facing sides of the lower edges 29. However, any other form of attachment of the mirror is equally possible.

The provision of receiving sections, in particular receiving slots, which interact with a frame of a mirror makes it possible to disassemble the holder easily so that it can be stored in a particularly space-saving manner. A corresponding embodiment has proven particularly useful for users who travel a lot.

The angle of 45° ensures that the mirror has an optimal position in order to transfer the content displayed on the screen to the semi-transparent mirror of the camera attachment 6. This mirror 9 reflects the image of the screen and transfers it to the semi-transparent mirror, so that when the user looks at the camera attachment and the mirrored text or images, it gives the impression that he is looking directly into the camera, while he is actually looking at the semi-transparent mirror of the camera attachment.

The speaker can read the text on the mirror while maintaining eye contact with the camera. The ability to speak more fluently and with natural intonation improves the quality of content and speeds up the workflow when creating videos.

Likewise, the holder can also be used in combination with a mobile phone, the mobile phone being able to be arranged on the mirror 9, for example. This makes it possible to transfer texts to the semi-transparent mirror 9. In this context, it must be taken into account that every text to be transmitted must be displayed in mirror image on the mobile phone.

On the inside of the side sections 27 of the holder 8, a large number of receiving sections 30 are arranged parallel to one another.

In use, these receiving sections interact with the projections 24 on the side elements 10 of the camera attachment 6. The user can adjust the height of the holder as required. In this way, the mount can be easily adjusted to the screen size.

Here too, rubber stoppers can be arranged on the holder or on the mirror to prevent the screen from being scratched. Corresponding rubber stoppers are then arranged on the edges directly adjacent to the screen or on the edges resting on it.

Reference symbols

1

Teleprompter

2

Cladding or covering

3

Mirror

4

monitor

5

Camera lens

6

Camera attachment

7

monitor

8th

bracket

9

Mirror

10

Page elements

11

Ceiling element

12

Floor element

13

leading edge

14

Top edge

15

Bottom edge

16

Mirror

17

Recording device

18

rear edge

19

back flap

20

stop edge

21

recess

22

trailing edge

23

Screen

24

head Start

25

trailing edge

26

Fixation

27

Page sections

28

Outer edge

29

lower edge

30

Recording sections

Claims (12)

Camera attachment for a monitor or laptop, comprising a housing with two opposite side elements which are connected to one another via a cover and a base element, the housing having a front opening and a rear opening, the front opening is closed by a semi-transparent mirror which is arranged inclined downwards at a predetermined angle, the outside of the base element can be placed on the monitor or laptop and has recording sections for a camera on its inside, further comprising a holder for a mirror or a monitor, the mirror or the monitor being arranged below the semi-transparent mirror such that the information displayed on the mirror or monitor is reflected on it. Camera attachment Claim 1 , characterized in that the holder can be connected to the housing. Camera attachment Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that projections are arranged on an outside of the side elements, with which the holder can be brought into engagement. Camera attachment according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the holder has a mirror on a lower edge or can be connected to it, the mirror having an angle of 45° to the screen or the laptop when in use. Camera attachment according to one of the Claims 2 until 4 , characterized in that the holder is provided on both sides with a plurality of receiving sections which can be brought into engagement with the projections in order to variably adjust the distance to the semi-transparent mirror. Camera attachment according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that the side elements are provided on a lower edge with a substantially vertically extending stop edge which, when in use, rests against a front side of the frame of a monitor or a laptop. Camera attachment Claim 6 , characterized in that the stop edge is attached approximately 5-10 mm from the front edge of the side element. Camera attachment according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 , characterized in that the semi-transparent mirror has an inclination of 45° to the screen when in use Camera attachment according to one of the Claims 1 until 8th , characterized in that a downwardly extending fixing device or stabilizing device is movably arranged on a rear edge of the base, the fixing device resting on the back of the monitor or laptop. Camera attachment Claim 9 , characterized in that the fixing device is provided with an additional weight at a lower end. Camera attachment according to one of the Claims 1 until 10 characterized in that the rear opening can be closed by a flap. Camera attachment Claim 11 , characterized in that the flap is movably placed on the ceiling element.

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