WO2022197311A1

WO2022197311A1 - Light sources for display device

Info

Publication number: WO2022197311A1
Application number: PCT/US2021/023186
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernd KARLSBOECK; Miquel Boleda Busquets; Marti COT
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date: 2021-03-19
Filing date: 2021-03-19
Publication date: 2022-09-22

Abstract

A display device for a computing device includes a housing. The display device includes a display screen disposed in the housing. The display device includes left and right light sources respectively positioned at left and right sides of the housing. Each of the left and right light sources is to output light directed at a specified angle relative to a location that is a specified distance in front of the display screen.

Description

LIGHT SOURCES FOR DISPLAY DEVICE

BACKGROUND

[0001] Videoconferencing permits real-time audio-video communication of people at different locations. In early renditions of videoconferencing, high equipment cost and limited availability of high-speed networks restricted most videoconferencing to dedicated corporate, governmental, and other facilities. A conference room may be fitted with a video camera and a microphone to permit one or multiple individuals to conduct videoconferences with other participants at one or multiple other locations. With decreasing equipment cost and widespread availability of high-speed networks, videoconferencing is more available to individuals almost anywhere they have access to high speed Internet connectivity and laptops or other computing devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] FIGs. 1 A and 1 B are top and side view diagrams, respectively, of an example display device having light sources to illuminate a user in front of the device.

[0003] FIGs. 2A and 2B are top view diagrams of an example display device having positionally adjustable light sources to illuminate a user in front of the device. [0004] FIGs. 3A and 3B are top view diagrams of an example display device having selectively illuminable light sources to illuminate a user in front of the device. [0005] FIGs. 4A and 4B are perspective view diagrams of different example display devices having extendable light sources to illuminate a user in front of the device.

[0006] FIGs. 5A and 5B are perspective view diagrams of an example display device having light sources to illuminate a user in front of the device. [0007] FIGs. 6A and 6B are perspective view diagrams of different example display devices that each have integrated light sources to illuminate a user in front of the device.

[0008] FIGs. 7A, 7B, and 7C are perspective view diagrams of different example portable computing devices that each have a display device with light sources to illuminate a user in front of the display device.

[0009] FIGs. 8A and 8B are perspective view diagrams of an example lighting device attachable to a display device and having light sources to illuminate a user in front of the display device. [0010] FIGs. 9A and 9B are perspective back and front view diagrams, respectively, of another example lighting device attachable to a display device and having light sources to illuminate a user in front of the display device. [0011] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an example display device having light sources to illuminate a user in front of the device. [0012] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an example lighting device attachable to a display device and having light sources to illuminate a user in front of the display device.

[0013] FIG. 12 is a diagram of an example computer-readable data storage medium storing program code executable to cause light sources to illuminate a user in front of a display device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] As noted in the background, videoconferencing is now available to individual users via computers, such as desktop, laptop, and notebook computers, as well as other computing devices, such as smartphones, tablet computing devices, and other types of mobile computing devices. A user can participate in a videoconference with one or multiple other individuals at different locations. For example, a user can, in the comfort of his or her home, or at the office, a hotel, and so on, have a videoconference with colleagues that are each located at a different location. A videoconference in which there are just two participants may be referred to as a videocall.

[0015] The videoconferencing software running on a user’s computing device receives audio and video signals from the videoconferencing software running on each remote user’s computing device. If a user is having a videoconference with n remote participants, the software running on the user’s computing device receives n corresponding audio and video signals, and likewise sends local audio and video signals of the user to the computing devices of the remote participants. The videoconferencing software may display the remote video signals in a grid or other configuration on the display screen, so that each remote participant appears at a different screen location. [0016] In early renditions of videoconferencing restricted to dedicated facilities specially constructed for this purpose, lighting was often professionally designed and installed to ensure that participants were optimally illuminated. By comparison, more recent videoconferencing in which participants use their own computing and other devices in their homes or other locations that are not specially designed for videoconferencing can result in less than optimal participant lighting. A user participating in a videoconference from a relatively unlit room, or having his or her back against an outside window, can result in the user appearing too dark within the video signal sent to the other participants, for instance. [0017] Users may attempt to resolve this issue by turning on lights within the room. However, unless the lighting is properly positioned, undesired shadows may be cast on the users in the video signals sent to the other participants, or the users may seem subjectively tired or haggard to the other participants. Limited solutions to these issues are available in the form of clip-on lights that are attached to the display devices on which the users are viewing the video signals of the other participants. However, such so- called webcam lighting is often unsatisfactory, and can still leave the users poorly lit in their videoconferences.

[0018] Techniques described herein better illuminate users participating in videoconferences, including video calls. Left and right light sources are respectively positioned at left and right sides of a display device. Each light source outputs light directed at a specified angle relative to a location that is a specified distance in front of the display device. For example, the location in question may be the assumed or actual position of a user in front of the display device on which the user is viewing the video signals of the other participants of the videoconference. The specified angle may be 45 degrees, which has been determined to be the optimal angle at which to illuminate a user for capturing within a video signal by a webcam or other type of video camera. [0019] FIGs. 1 A and 1 B show top and side views, respectively, of an example display device 100. The display device 100 may be a flat-panel display device used as an only or as an extra display of a computing device like a desktop, laptop, or notebook computer, or another type of computing device such as a tablet computing device, a smartphone, and so on. The display device 100 includes a housing 102 and a display screen 104 disposed in the housing. The display screen 104 may be a flat-panel display screen, such as a liquid-crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, or another type of display. [0020] The display device 100 includes left and right wings 106A and

106B in which left and right light sources 107A and 107B are respectively disposed. The wings 106A and 106B are collectively referred to as the wings 106, and the light sources 107A and 107B are collectively referred to as the light sources 107. The wings 106 are enclosures or housings that may be integrated with or separate from the overall housing 102 of the display device

100. The wings 106 are referred to as such in that each is a structure that projects from a respective side of the housing 102, and does not connotate any functionality having to do with flight, for example.

[0021] The light sources 107A and 107B output light 108A and 108B, respectively, directed at a specified angle 110 relative to a location of a user

112 who is horizontally centered from left to right at a specified distance 114 in front of the display screen 104, as specifically depicted in FIG. 1A. The light 108A and 108B is collectively referred to as the light 108. The specified angle 110 can be 45 degrees, or about 45 degrees in that the angle 110 can be within a predetermined threshold number of degrees of 45 degrees, such as +/- 1-5 degrees as one example.

[0022] The specified distance 114 may be a fixed distance. For example, for a given size of display screen 104, there may be an optimal or other specified distance 114 at which the user 112 is expected to be horizontally centered in front of the screen 104 when using the computing device to which the display device 100 is attached or of which the display device 100 is a part. In this case, the light sources 107 can be preconfigured to output the light 108 directed at the specified angle 110 relative to the location of the user 112 horizontally centered at this distance 114 in front of and the display screen 104.

[0023] The light 108 being directed at the specified angle 110 of 45 degrees relative to the location of the user 112 in front of the display screen 104 has been determined to optimally illuminate the user 112 within a captured video signal. As one example, the display device 100 may include a webcam or other video camera device at the top of the housing 102 that captures a video signal of the user 112 for transmission to other videoconference participants. (The display device 100 may similarly include a microphone that captures an audio signal of the user 112 for transmission to the other video conference participants.)

[0024] In general, for a fixed intensity of the light 108 output by the light sources 107, the larger the light sources 107 are, the better the resulting illumination of the user 112 within the captured video signal. For instance, light sources 107 having a larger surface area from which the light 108 is output provide better illumination of the user 112 than light sources 107 having a smaller surface area from which the light 108 is output. For example, to achieve an overall intensity of light 108, no given point of a light source 107 having a large surface area may have to be particularly bright, such that the user 112 is less likely to be blinded or experience visual discomfort. By comparison, if a light source 107 has just a single point source, to achieve the same overall intensity of light 108 the single point source has to be considerably brighter, and thus more likely to blind the user 112 or cause the user 112 visual discomfort.

[0025] In the example of FIGs. 1 A and 1 B, the surface at which each light source 107 outputs light 108 is colinear or flush with the display screen 104. The specified angle 110 at which each light source 107 output light 108 towards the location of the user 112 in front of the display screen 104 can be measured relative to the center of this surface. Specifically, the specified angle 110 can be defined as the angle between a line horizontally extending from the center of this surface of each light source 107 towards the center of the display screen 104 and a line extending from the center of this surface to the location of the user 112 in front of the display screen 104, as in FIG. 1A. However, in another implementation, the light sources 107 may be positionable so that they can be pointed towards the user 112 instead of being parallel to the display screen 104.

[0026] The light 108 that the light sources 107 each output is further directed downwards vertically towards the location of the user 112 in front of the display screen 104, as specifically depicted in FIG. 1B. That is, the light sources 107 are positioned above the location of the user 112 at the specified distance 114 in front of the display screen 104. The angle at which the light sources 107 are positioned above the location of the user 112 can be shallower than 45 degrees. Outputting light 108 from above the user 112 and thus downwards towards the user 112 can also provide for optimal illumination of the user 112 within the captured video signal, as compared to outputting light from the same height as the user 112 or from below the user 112.

[0027] For example, if the light 108 were instead output from the same height as the user 112, the light 108 would be projected within the user 112’s line of sight towards the display screen 104, potentially resulting in undesired visual artifacts, such as reflections in the case in which the user 112 is wearing eyeglasses, as well as potentially causing the user 112 visual discomfort. If the light 108 were instead output from below the user 112, undesired shadows may occur within the captured video signal of the user 112. Outputting the light 108 from above the user 112 and downwards towards the user 112 therefore mitigates these issues.

[0028] The light sources 107A and 107B may further respectively output backlight 116A and 116B, collectively referred to as the backlight 116, towards behind the display device 100. The backlight 116 does not have to be directed at any particular angle, and may further be less bright than the light 108 directed towards the location of the user 112 horizontally centered at the specified distance 114 in front of the display screen 104. Rather, the backlight 116 is more diffuse, and its presence can reduce visual fatigue on the part of the user 112, as compared to a scenario in which there is no visible light behind the display device 100. [0029] In the example of FIGs. 1 A and 1 B that has been described, the light sources 107 of the display device 100 output light 108 that is directed at a specified angle 110, such as 45 degrees, in relation to a location of the user 112 centered a specified distance 114 in front of the display screen 104 that is fixed. As noted, for a given size of a display screen 104, the expected location of the user 112 using the display device 100 in the context of a computing device that the display device 100 is a part of or is connected to may be known. The light sources 107 are therefore preconfigured to output light 108 directed at the specified angle 110 relative to a location that is centered at a fixed specified distance 114 in front of the display screen 104. [0030] However, in other implementations, the light sources 107 may be adjustable in the output of light 108 so that the light 108 remains at the specified angle 110 even if the specified distance 114 of the user 112 in front of the display screen 104 changes (i.e., the distance 114 is adjustable and not fixed). For instance, the user 112 user may manually adjust the specified distance 114 via a control or interface of the display device 100, or the device 100 may include a sensor that detects the location of the user 112 and thus the distance to the user 112 as the specified distance 114. The location may also be adjustable so that it is not centered in front of the display screen 104, but rather is positioned more towards the left or right side of the screen 104, with the light 108 accordingly adjusted to maintain the specified angle 110 in this case as well.

[0031] FIGs. 2A and 2B show top views of the example display device 100 in which the light sources 107 are positionally adjustable so that the specified angle 110 of the light 108 output by the light sources 107 remains fixed (i.e., stays the same) even as the assumed or actual location of the user 112 in front of the display screen 104 changes. Specifically, the wings 106 on which the light sources 107 are disposed are positionally adjustable relative to their respective sides of the housing 102 of the display device 100. This can be achieved via the left and right wings 106A being fixed to left and right rails 202A and 202B, respectively, which are collectively referred to as the rails 202.

[0032] The rails 202 may be extendable outwards from and retractable inwards towards respective sides of the housing 102 so that the wings 106, and thus their light sources 107, can be adjustably positioned closer to or farther from the sides of the housing 102. The wings 106 may be manually pushed towards or pulled away from their respective sides of the housing 102 by the user 112. In another implementation, the wings 106 may be automatedly moved outwards or inwards towards their respective sides of the housing 102 via motors. The rails 202 may be of fixed length and thus may be extendable outwards out of and retractable inwards into the housing 102.

In another implementation, the rails 202 may be of adjustable length, such as in a telescoping manner, and thus extend outwards from and retract inwards towards the housing 102 without extending out of or retracting into the housing 102.

[0033] In FIG. 2A, the location of the user 112 horizontally centered in front of the display screen 104 has moved from an initial position closer to the display screen 104, as indicated by dashed lines, to a current position farther from the screen 104, as indicated by solid lines. That is, the specified distance 114 of the user 112’s location to the display screen 104 has increased. As noted above, the specified distance 114 may be provided by the user 112 him or herself via a control or interface of the display device 100, or a sensor may detect the distance from the display screen 104 to the user 112 as the specified distance 114.

[0034] To maintain the direction of light 108 output by the light sources 107 at a fixed specified angle 110 relative to the location of the user 112, the wings 106 and therefore the light sources 107 are positionally adjusted relative to their respective sides of the housing 102 in correspondence with the changing specified distance 114. At the initial position of the user 112’s location in front of the display screen 104, the wings 106 and their light sources 107 are closer (and adjacent) to the sides of the housing 102, as indicated by dashed lines. By comparison, at the current position of the user 112’s location, the wings 106 and their light sources 107 are farther from the sides of the housing 102, as indicated by solid lines. Therefore, the specified angle 110 at which the light 108 output by the light sources 107 relative to the user 112’s location remains fixed, such as at 45 degrees.

[0035] In FIG. 2B, the location of the user 112 in front of the display screen 104 has moved from an initial position horizontally centered in front of the screen 104, as indicated by dashed lines, to a current position closer to the left of the display screen 104, as indicated by solid lines. The specified distance 114 of the user 112’s location in front of the display screen 104 remains the same from the initial position to the current position, however.

The horizontal location of the user 112 between the left and right sides of the display screen 104 may be manually user-provided via a control or interface, or a sensor may detect the horizontal location of the user 112 in this respect. [0036] To maintain the direction of light 108 output by the light sources 107 at a fixed specified angle 110 relative to the location of the user 112, the wings 106 and therefore the light sources 107 are positionally adjusted relative to their respective sides of the housing 102 in correspondence with distances of the user 112’s location relative to the sides of the housing 102.

At the initial position of the location of the user 112 horizontally centered in front of the display screen 104, the wings 106 and their light sources 107 are positioned relative to the sides of the housing 102 as indicated by dashed lines. By comparison, at the current position of the user 112’s location, the wings 106 and their light sources 107 are positioned relative to the sides of the housing 102 as indicated by solid lines.

[0037] From the initial position of the location of the user 112 horizontally centered in front of the display screen 104 to the current position of the user 112’s location towards the left side of the screen 104, the left wing 106A and the left light source 107A are positionally adjusted farther from the left side of housing 102. By comparison, from the initial to the current position of the location of the user 112, the right wing 106B and the right light source 107B are positionally adjusted closer to the right side of the housing 102. Therefore, the specified angle 110 at which the light 108 output by each light source 107 relative to the user 112’s location remains fixed, such as at 45 degrees.

[0038] FIGs. 3A and 3B show top views of the example display device 100 in which the light sources 107 are selectively illuminated so that the specified angle 110 of the light 108 that the light sources 107 output remains fixed (i.e., stays the same) even as the assumed or actual location of the user 112 in front of the display screen 104 changes. The wings 106 on which the light sources 107 are disposed extend from respective sides of the housing 102 of the display device, and may be fixably (as opposed to adjustably) positioned relative to these sides. For instance, in one implementation, the wings 106 may be detachably connected to the housing 102.

[0039] In this case, each wing 106 may have an electrical connector that mates with a corresponding connector on a respective side of the housing 102 of the display device 100. Each wing 106 may have one or multiple stabilizing rods that are inserted into corresponding holes at a respective side of the housing 102 (e.g., above or below the connector) so that the wings 106 remain attached to the housing 102 without undue stress on the connectors. The stabilizing rods may instead extend from the sides of the housing 102 and be inserted into corresponding holes of the wings 106.

[0040] The light sources 107 are selectively illuminated in that different portions of each light source 107 can be independently illuminated without illuminating other portions of the light source 107. For example, the light sources 107 may each be an array of light-emitting elements, such as light- emitting diodes (LEDs). Each light-emitting element can be independently illuminated. Therefore, different sub-arrays, including different columns and/or rows, of the light-emitting elements of each light source 107 can be illuminated without illuminating the other elements.

[0041] In FIG. 3A, the location of the user 112 horizontally centered in front of the display screen 104 has moved from an initial position closer to the display screen 104, as indicated by dashed lines, to a current position farther from the screen 104, as indicated by solid lines. That is, the specified distance 114 of the user 112’s location to the display screen 104 has increased. As noted above, the specified distance 114 may be provided by the user 112 him or herself via a control or interface of the display device 100, or a sensor may detect the distance from the display screen 104 to the user 112 as the specified distance 114.

[0042] To maintain the direction of light 108 output by the light sources 107 at a fixed specified angle 110 relative to the location of the user 112, the light sources 107 are selectively illuminated in correspondence with the changing specified distance 114. Specifically, different portions 302A and 302B of the left and right sources 107A and 107B, respectively, are illuminated depending on the specified distance 114. The illuminated portions 302A and 302B are collectively referred to as the portions 302 of the light sources 107.

[0043] At the initial position of the user 112’s location in front of the display screen 104, the portions 302 of the light sources 107 that are illuminated are closer to the sides of the housing 102, as indicated by dashed lines. By comparison, at the current position of the user’s 112 location, the illuminated portions 302 of the light sources 107 are farther from the sides of the housing 102, as indicated by solid lines. Therefore, the specified angle 110 at which the light 108 output by the light sources 107 relative to the user

112’s location remains fixed, such as at 45 degrees.

[0044] In another implementation, the light sources 107 can be selectively illuminated in correspondence with the specified distance 114 by selectively changing the intensity of the illumination over the surfaces of the light sources 107. For example, at the initial position of the user 112’s location in front of the display screen 104, as indicated by dashed lines, the light source portions 302 indicated by dashed lines may be illuminated at highest intensity. The other portions are illuminated at lower intensity, either uniformly or at decreasing intensity with increasing distance from the portions 302 illuminated at highest intensity. Similarly, at the current position of the user 112’s location in front of the display screen 104, as indicated by solid lines, the light source portions 302 indicated by solid lines may be illuminated at highest intensity, with the other portions illuminated at lower intensity. [0045] In FIG. 3B, the location of the user 112 in front of the display screen 104 has moved from an initial position horizontally centered in front of the screen 104, as indicated by dashed lines, to a current position closer to the left of the display screen 104, as indicated by solid lines. The specified distance 114 of the user 112’s location in front of the display screen 104 remains the same from the initial position to the current position, however. The horizontal location of the user 112 between the left and right sides of the display screen 104 may be manually user-provided via a control or interface, or a sensor may detect the horizontal location of the user 112 in this respect. [0046] To maintain the direction of light 108 output by the light sources 107 at a fixed specified angle 110 relative to the location of the user 112, the light sources 107 are selectively illuminated in correspondence with distances of the user 112’s location relative to respective sides of the housing 102. At the initial position of the location of the user 112 horizontally centered in front of the display screen 104, the portions 302 of the light sources 107 that are illuminated are indicated by dashed lines. By comparison, at the current position of the user 112’s location, the illuminated portions 302 of the light sources 107 are indicated by solid lines.

[0047] From the initial position of the location of the user 112 horizontally centered in front of the display screen 104 to the current position of the user 112’s location towards the left side of the screen 104, the portion 302A of the left light source 107A that is illuminated is farther to the left side of the housing 102. By comparison, from the initial to the current position of the location of the user 112, the portion 302B of the right light source 107B that is illuminated is closer to the right side of the housing 102. Therefore, the specified angle 110 at which the light 108 output by each light source 107 relative to the user 112’s location remains fixed, such as at 45 degrees.

[0048] In another implementation, the light sources 107 can be selectively illuminated in correspondence with distances of the user 112’s location relative to respective sides of the housing 102 by selectively changing the intensity of the illumination over the surfaces of the light sources 107. For example, at the initial position of the user 112’s location centered in front of the display screen 104, as indicated by dashed lines, the light source portions 302 indicated by dashed lines may be illuminated at highest intensity. The other portions are illuminated at lower intensity, either uniformly or at decreasing intensity with increasing distance from the portions 302 illuminated at highest intensity. Similarly, at the current position of the user 112’s location towards the left of the display screen 104, as indicated by solid lines, the light source portions 302 indicated by solid lines may be illuminated at highest intensity, with the other portions illuminated at lower intensity. [0049] FIGs. 4A and 4B show perspective views of the example display device 100 in an implementation in which the wings 106 and thus the light sources 107 are positionally adjustable relative to the sides of the housing 102 of the display device 100. The display device 100 includes the display screen 104 disposed within the housing 102 as before. The wings 106 may be rotatable or foldable from a position inside or against the sides of the housing 102 to a position in which they extend from and above the sides of the housing 102, per arrows 402 in FIG. 4A. If positionable against (as opposed to inside) the sides of the housing 102, the wings 106 may further be rotatable or foldable against the backside of the housing 102. In either such position, the wings 106 therefore remain out of the way when the light sources 107 are not needed, and/or for transport or storage of the display device 100. Furthermore, when extended from and above the sides of the housing 102, the wings 106 may be positionally adjustable farther away from the sides of the housing 102 via rails as has been described, per arrows 404 in FIG. 4B. [0050] FIGs. 5A and 5B show perspective views of the example display device 100 in different implementations in which the wings 106 and thus the light sources 107 may be positionally fixed (i.e., not adjustable) relative to the sides of the housing 102 of the display device 100. The display device 100 includes the display screen 104 disposed within the housing 102 as before. The wings 106 may be detachably connected to the sides of the housing 102 as has been described. However, the wings 106 may instead be rotatable or foldable against or inside the sides of the housing 102, per arrows 502, and/or rotatable or foldable against the backside of the housing 102, per arrows 504, in order to remain out of the way when the light sources 107 are not needed or for transport or storage of the display device 100.

[0051] The difference between FIGs. 5A and 5B is that the light sources 107 are panel light sources in FIG. 5A and are tubular light sources in FIG. 5B. For example, in the case in which the light sources 107 are panel light sources, each light source 107 may include an array of light-emitting elements and thus may be selectively illuminated as has been described. In the case in which the light sources 107 are tubular light sources, the tubular light sources may each be a fluorescent, compact fluorescent, or halogen light source, as well as another type of tubular light source.

[0052] FIGs. 6A and 6B show perspective views of the example display device 100 in different implementations in which the light sources 107 are integrated within the housing 102 of the display device 100. The display device 100 includes the display screen 104 disposed within the housing 102 as before. The display device 100 has a bezel 602, and the left and right light sources 107A and 107B are respectively integrated within left and right portions of the bezel 602. The display device 100 may further include a top light source 107C positioned at the top side of the housing 102, such as via integration within a top portion of the bezel 602, to output light directed downwards the aforementioned location in front of the display screen 104, as in FIG. 6B. In one implementation, the display device 100 may include just the top light source 107C and not the left and right light sources 107A and 107B, so that multiple display devices 100 may be placed side be side without any light sources 107 between contiguous display screens 104. [0053] The display device 100 that has been described can be an external display device that is communicatively connected to a computing device, such as a desktop, laptop, or notebook computer, or another type of computing device like a tablet computing device, smartphone, and so on. The display device 100 may further be integrated within an all-in-one (AIO) computing device, such as an AIO computer. In this case, the housing 102 of the display device 100 also includes the computing components of the AIO computing device, including a processor, memory, non-volatile storage device, and so on. The display device 100 may further be integrated within a portable computing device, such as a laptop or notebook computer.

[0054] FIGs. 7A, 7B, and 7C shows perspective views of different such example portable computing devices 700. Each portable computing device 700 includes the housing 102 of the display device 100 within which the display screen 104 is disposed. The housing 102 is an upper housing of the computing device 700, which also includes a lower housing 702 rotatably attached to the housing 102. The computing device 700 can include a keyboard 704 and a touchpad 706 or other pointing device disposed within the housing 702 as shown.

[0055] In FIG. 7A, the display device 100 of the portable computing device 700 includes light sources 107A, 107B, and 107C at the left, right, and top sides, respectively, integrated within the bezel 602 of the housing 102.

The display device 100 of FIG. 7 A is thus consistent with the example display device 100 of FIG. 6B that has been described. In another implementation, the display device 100 of FIG. 7A may not include the top light source 107C, as in the already described FIG. 6A. [0056] In FIG. 7B, left and right light sources 107A and 107B are disposed on a frame 712. The frame 712 is rotatable between a not-in-use position against the lower housing 702 to an in-use position against the bezel 602 of the housing 102 of the display device 100, per arrow 714. The middle of the frame 712 is empty. In the not-in-use position, the light sources 107 adjacently face the lower housing 702, and therefore are not able to be used. Because the middle of the frame 712 is empty, the keyboard 704 and touchpad 706 are not blocked by the frame 712 and are still able to be used. [0057] In the in-use position of the frame 712, the light sources 107 face outwards, and therefore can be used. That is, in the in-use position, the light sources 107 are positioned similar to what is shown in FIG. 7 A. Because the middle of the frame 712 is empty, the display screen 104 remains visible through the frame 712. The light sources 107 can also include a top light source 107C as in FIG. 7 A. The frame 712 may be magnetically or otherwise detachably secured to the housing 102 in the in-use position and/or to the housing 702 in the not-in-use position.

[0058] In FIG. 7C, the display device 100 of the portable computing device 700 includes left and right light sources 107A and 107B disposed on respective wings 106A and 106B at the sides of the housing 102. The wings 106 and thus the light sources 107 are slidable from a hidden position within or behind the housing 102 to an exposed position extending from the housing 102, per arrows 722. As such, when light sources 107 are not in use, or for storage or transport of the computing device 700, the wings 106 can be slidable into or behind the housing 102. [0059] The display device 100, be it an external display device communicatively connectable to a computing device or a display device integrated within an AIO or portable computing device, has been described as including the light sources 107 for outputting light directed at a specified angle relative to a location of a user at a specified distance in front of the display device 100. However, the light sources 107 may instead be part of a separate lighting device that is removably attachable to an existing display device 100 that does not include the light sources 107, be it an external display device or a display device integrated within an AIO or portable computing device. For instance, in the case in which the light sources 107 are disposed within wings that are detachably connectable to the display device 100 as has been described in relation to FIGs. 3A, 3B, 5A, and 5B, the wings can be considered as constituting a bracket attachable to the display device, with this bracket and the light sources 107 themselves constituting the lighting device. [0060] FIGs. 8A and 8B show perspective views of another such example lighting device 800 that is attachable to a display device 100. Referring first to FIG. 8A, the lighting device 800 includes a bracket 802 that is attachable to the display device 100. Specifically, the bracket 802 includes wings 106A and 106B respectively disposed on rails 804A and 804B, which are collectively referred to as the rails 804. The bracket 802 further includes left, right, and top stops 806A, 806B, and 806C, which are collectively referred to as the stops 806. The left and right stops 806A and 806B respectively terminate the left and right rails 804A and 804B.

[0061] The rails 804A, the rails 804B, or both the rails 804A and 804B are slidable, per arrows 805, through an adjoining component 808 of the bracket 802 at which the top stop 806C is disposed, so that the distance between the stops 806A and 806B can be adjusted to match the width of the housing 102 of the display device 100. The lighting device 800 can then be lowered onto the housing 102, per arrow 807, until the top stop 806C rests on top of the housing 102. The stops 806 may be magnetically, adhesively, or otherwise secured to the housing 102 in an implementation.

[0062] Once the lighting device 800 has been so attached to the housing 102 of the display device 100, the wings 106 can be rotated from behind the housing 102. Referring to FIG. 8B, such rotation is specifically depicted in relation to the left wing 106A on which the left light source 107 is disposed, per arrow 810. The wings 106, and thus their light sources 107, may then be rotated upwards and extended away from the display device 100, as has been described above in relation to FIGs. 4A and 4B. Each light source 107 can thus be positioned to a respective side of the display device 100 to output light at a specified angle relative to a location that is a specified distance in front of the display screen 104 of the display device 102 as has been described.

[0063] FIGs. 9A and 9B show perspective views of another example of the lighting device 800 attachable to a display device 100. FIG. 9A shows the back of the display device 100, whereas FIG. 9B shows the front of the device 100. Referring first to FIG. 9A, the lighting device 800 again includes a bracket 802 that is attachable to the display device 100 and that includes side stops 806A and 806B at which rails 804A and 804B of the bracket 802 respectively terminate. The stops 806 are also top stops; that is, there may not be a separate top stop as in FIGs. 8A and 8B. [0064] The rails 804 are telescopingly slidable in relation to one another through an adjoining component 808 of the bracket 802 so that the distance between the stops 806 can be adjusted to match the width of the housing 102 of the display device 100. When lowered onto the housing 107, the stops 806 rest on top of the housing 100. The stops 806 may be magnetically, adhesively, or otherwise secured to the housing 102 in an implementation. [0065] Wings 106A and 106B of the bracket 808 are adjustably mounted to the stops 806A and 806B via respective multijointed articulating arms 902A and 902B, which are collectively referred to as the multijointed articulating arms 902. As specifically depicted in relation to the articulating arm 902B per arrow 904, the arms 902 are each independently adjustable to extend its respective wing 106 farther from or closer to the housing 102 of the display device 100. As specifically depicted in relation to the wing 106B per arrow 906, the wings 106 are further movable upwards and downwards (i.e., vertically) relative to its respective articulating arm 902 to position the wing 106 higher or lower relative to the housing 102.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 9B, the multijointed articulating arms 902 are also each independently rotatable relative to their respective stops 806, per arrow 908. Therefore, the wings 106 and their respective light sources 107 can be accordingly rotated towards the front or rear of the display device 100. Via adjustment of the articulating arms 902 per FIGs. 9A and 9B, the light sources 107 can thus each be positioned to a respective side of the display device 100 to output light at a specified angle relative to a location that is a specified distance in front of the display screen 104 of the display device 102 as has been described. [0067] FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of an example display device 100 for a computing device. The display device 100 includes a housing 102, and a display screen 104 disposed in the housing 102. The display device 100 includes left and right light sources 107 respectively positioned at left and right sides of the housing 102 to each output light directed at a specified angle relative to a location that is a specified distance in front of the display screen 104. For instance, the location in question may be the location of the user of the computing device. The display device 100 may also include a control or interface 1002 and/or a sensor 1004. [0068] The control or interface 1002 permits the user to manually adjust the specified distance of the location in front of the display screen 104 in relation to which the light sources 107 each output light at the specified angle. In the case of a control, for instance, the control may be a physical control on the display device 100. In the case of an interface, the interface may be a user interface provided by the display device 100 itself. The interface may instead be an electrical or communications interface by which the display device 100 is communicatively connected to the computing device. As such, the user may adjust the specified distance via a user interface provided by the computing device, which is then communicated to the display device 100 over the electrical or communications interface. By comparison, the sensor 1004 can detect the distance of the user in front of the display screen 104.

[0069] FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of an example lighting device 800 attachable to a display device. The lighting device 800 includes a bracket 802 attachable to the display device, and left and right light sources 107 attached to or disposed on the bracket 802 and respectively positionable at left and right sides of the display device. Each light source 107 outputs light directed at a specified angle relative to a location that is a specified distance in front of the display device. The location in question may be the location of the user of a computing device to which the display device is connected or of which the display device is a part.

[0070] FIG. 12 shows an example non-transitory computer-readable data storage medium 1200 storing program code 1202. The program code 1202 is executable by a device, such as a display device for a computing device or the computing device itself. The program code 1202 is executable to determine a distance of a location in front of the display device (1204). The location in question may be the location of the user of the computing device. The distance of the location in front of the display device may be determined via being manually specified or adjusted by the user, or via being detected by a sensor of the display device. The program code 1202 is executable to then cause left and right light sources respectively positioned at left and right sides of the display device to each output light at a specified angle relative to the location that is the determined distance in front of the display device (1206). [0071] Techniques have been described for illuminating a user positioned in front of a display device for improved lighting of the user during videoconferencing. Light is directed to the user’s location at a specified angle at which optimal illumination of the user may occur. The location at which the light is directed at the specified angle may be an assumed or expected location, or may be adjustable, such that the light is correspondingly adjustable to maintain the specified angle at which the light is directed relative to this location.

Claims

We claim:

1. A display device for a computing device, the display device comprising: a housing; a display screen disposed in the housing; and left and right light sources respectively positioned at left and right sides of the housing to each output light directed at a specified angle relative to a location that is a specified distance in front of the display screen.

2. The display device of claim 1 , wherein the specified angle is about 45 degrees.

3. The display device of claim 1 , wherein the specified distance that the location is in front of the display screen is adjustable, the specified angle is fixed, and display device further comprises one or both of: a control or interface to permit a user to manually adjust the specified distance; a sensor to detect a distance to a user in front of the display screen as the specified distance.

4. The display device of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a bezel, and the left and right light sources are respectively integrated within left and right portions of the bezel.

5. The display device of claim 1 , further comprising: left and right wings respectively extending from and detachably connected to the left and right sides of the housing, wherein the left and right light sources are respectively disposed on the left and right wings.

6. The display device of claim 1 , further comprising: left and right wings respectively extending from and positionally adjustable relative to the left and right sides of the housing, wherein the left and right light sources are respectively disposed on the left and right wings.

7. The display device of claim 6, wherein the left and right wings are positionally adjusted relative to the left and right sides of the housing in correspondence with the specified distance that the location is in front of the display device, to maintain the light output by each of the left and right light sources at the specified angle as the specified distance changes.

8. The display device of claim 7, wherein the left and right wings are positionally adjusted relative to the left and right sides of the housing in further correspondence with distances of the location relative to the left and right sides of the housing, to maintain the light output by each of the left and right light sources at the specified angle as the distances of the location relative to the left and right sides of the housing change.

9. The display device of claim 1 , further comprising: left and right wings respectively extending from the left and right sides of the housing, wherein the left and right sources are selectively illuminated in correspondence with the specified distance that the location is in front of the display device, to maintain the light output by each of the left and right light sources at the specified angle as the specified distance changes.

10. The display device of claim 9, wherein the left and right sources are selectively illuminated in further correspondence with distances of the location relative to the left and right sides of the housing, to maintain the light output by each of the left and right light sources at the specified angle as the distances of the location relative to the left and right sides of the housing change.

11. The display device of claim 1 , wherein the light output by each of the left and right light sources is further directed downwards towards the location.

12. The display device of claim 1 , further comprising: a top light source positioned at a top side of the housing to output light directed downwards towards the location in front of the display screen.

13. A lighting device for a display device, the lighting device comprising: a bracket attachable to the display device; and left and/or right light sources attached to or disposed on the bracket and respectively positionable at left and right sides of the display device to each output light directed at a specified angle relative to a location that is a specified distance in front of the display device.

14. The lighting device of claim 13, wherein the bracket comprises: left and right wings to respectively extend from the left and right sides of the display device, wherein the left and right light sources are respectively disposed on the left and right wings.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable data storage medium storing program code executable by a processor to: determine a distance of a location in front of a display device; and cause left and right light sources respectively positioned at left and right sides of the display device to each output light at a specified angle relative to the location that is the determined distance in front of the display device.