Prior art

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 7841729, a search of the USPTO database was conducted. The following are the patent citations listed within US7841729 and their potential anticipation of the claims:

Cited Prior Art for US7841729:

1. US3604913A

   • Full Citation: US3604913A, Richard C. Crete, "Photographic lighting assembly"
   • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: 1971-09-14, Filing: 1969-02-07
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a photographic lighting assembly, which generally relates to providing illumination for photography.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent broadly covers lighting for photographic purposes. It may anticipate aspects of Claims 1 and 10 related to using a light source for illumination, but specific elements like the toroidal bulb shape, reflector configuration, or integration with a communication terminal's frame would need detailed comparison.

2. US20060007666A1

   • Full Citation: US20060007666A1, Cook Kenneth O, "Light modifier"
   • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: 2006-01-12, Filing: 2004-07-08
   • Brief Description: This reference details a light modifier, likely for shaping or diffusing light from a source.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference might anticipate elements of Claim 1 related to a reflector projecting emitted light, and Claim 8, which discusses a piece of fabric for diffusing light. The specific toroidal shape and integration within a terminal frame, as claimed in US7841729, would need to be thoroughly analyzed against the details of this prior art.

3. US20070121343A1

   • Full Citation: US20070121343A1, Tandberg Telecom As, "Illumination device"
   • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: 2007-05-31, Filing: 2005-11-01
   • Brief Description: This patent describes an illumination device. It likely pertains to lighting solutions, potentially within the context of communication or display systems given the assignee.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This general "illumination device" could potentially anticipate the broad concept of providing illumination for a user in front of a web camera, as outlined in the preambles of Claims 1 and 10. A detailed comparison of its structural features (bulb shape, reflector, arm, integration) would be necessary to determine anticipation of the specific limitations of Claims 1 and 10.

4. US20070139515A1

   • Full Citation: US20070139515A1, General Instrument Corporation, "Lighting for video systems"
   • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: 2007-06-21, Filing: 2005-12-21
   • Brief Description: This reference discusses lighting specifically for video systems.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Given its focus on "lighting for video systems," this patent is highly relevant. It could potentially anticipate the core purpose of US7841729 (illuminating users for a webcam) and may contain features related to lighting for optimal viewing. A detailed analysis comparing the specific configurations of the bulbs, reflectors, adjustability, and integration within a terminal frame (as claimed in Claims 1 and 10) against the teachings of US20070139515A1 would be crucial to determine actual anticipation.

It is important to note that a full anticipation analysis under 35 U.S.C. § 102 would require a detailed claim-by-claim comparison of every element of the independent and dependent claims of US7841729 against the disclosures of each piece of prior art. The brief descriptions above provide an initial assessment of potential relevance.