US 2017/0374274 A1 · TRANSPARENT LENS ELEMENT IN CONVERTIBLE BASE FOR CAMERA CAPTURE PASS-THROUGH

Abstract

A convertible computer includes a transparent optical element in the keyboard base that provides light pass-through for the camera but does not interfere with the user's experience. The transparent optical element may include a transparent glass or plastic element that maintains the imaging specifications of the rear-facing camera. In some implementations, the transparent optical element can maintain the f-number of the optical system that includes the camera and the transparent optical element and may not affect image quality of images captured by the camera. In some arrangements, the transparent optical element can include an optical system that can increase the light-gathering ability of the camera (e.g., decreases f-number), effectively converting the camera lens into a macro lens. In other arrangements, the transparent optical element can include an optical system that can improve the imaging of distant objects (e.g., increases f-number), effectively converting the camera lens into a telephoto lens.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A convertible computer system comprising:

a monitor;
a base;
and
a hinge element arranged to pivotably position the base about the hinge element with respect to the monitor;
the monitor including (i) a first side having a display and (ii) a second side facing opposite the first side, the second side having a first camera;
the base including (i) a physical keyboard and (ii) a base area adjacent to the keyboard;
the system being configured to be operated in one of a laptop mode and a tablet mode according to, respectively, whether the base faces the first side of the monitor or the base faces the second side of the monitor;
and
the base further including a transparent optical system having a set of optical surfaces including an external surface positioned within the base area and being aligned with the first camera when the system is in tablet mode, the camera and the transparent optical system as aligned in tablet mode together forming a second camera.

6 more elements

A computer program product comprising a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium which stores instructions that, when executed by a controller of a computer system, cause the controller to carry out a method, the computer system having a monitor, a base, and a hinge element arranged to pivotably position the base with respect to the monitor, the monitor including (i) a first side having a display and (ii) a second side facing opposite the first side, the second side having a first camera, the base including a keyboard and a base area adjacent to the keyboard, the method comprising:

receiving an indication that the computer system has transitioned from a laptop mode to a tablet mode, the computer system being in one of the laptop mode and the tablet mode according to, respectively, whether the base faces the first side of the monitor or the base faces the second side of the monitor;
in response to receiving the indication, (i) forming a second camera from the first camera and a transparent optical system, the transparent optical system having a set of optical surfaces including an external surface positioned within the base area of the base and being aligned with the first camera when the system is in tablet mode and (ii) displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) on the display of the monitor, the GUI being configured to accept input from a user;
receiving input from the user via the GUI;
and
in response to receiving the input via the GUI, adjusting imaging properties of the second camera.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Transparent lens element in convertible base for camera capture pass-through

Life of this patent

Transparent lens element in convertible base for camera capture pass-through

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21