Abstract:
A method for displaying pictures in a digital photo frame includes establishing a solid figure in three-dimensional space, attaching the pictures to different faces of the solid figure, and rotating the solid figure with the pictures attached thereon to dynamically display the pictures in three-dimensional space.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a system and method for displaying pictures in a digital photo frame. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    A typical digital photo frame usually includes a display screen, a card reader, and a control chip. Pictures stored in the typical digital photo frame can be dynamically displayed on the display screen one by one. However, the typical digital data frame can only display the pictures in two-dimensional space. 
         [0005]    What is needed, therefore, is a system and method for displaying the pictures of a digital photo frame in three-dimensional space. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a digital photo frame; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  illustrates a system in which the two-dimensional pictures are displayed in three-dimensional space; and 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for displaying pictures in the digital photo frame. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         [0010]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a digital photo frame includes a storage module  10  for storing digital image files, a central processing unit (CPU)  20  for processing the digital image files to be displayed, a display screen  30 , and an image management module  40  for processing the digital image files to be displayed in a three-dimensional view. 
         [0011]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , an embodiment of a system for showing the pictures in three-dimensional space includes a three-dimensional frame of reference  110 , a three-dimensional exemplary solid  figure 120  shown with pictures A, B, C, attached thereon, a virtual light source  130 , and a virtual camera  140 . The solid  figure 120  with the attached pictures is displayed on the display screen  30  of the digital photo frame. 
         [0012]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , is a flowchart for displaying the pictures in the digital photo frame. Depending on the embodiment, certain of the steps described below may be removed, others may be added, and the sequence of steps may be altered. 
         [0013]    In a block S 01 , a model of a solid  figure 120  in three-dimensional space is constructed. The solid  figure 120  has a plurality of surfaces, a plurality of edges, and a plurality of corners. For example, a cuboid solid figure has six surfaces, twelve edges, and six corners. 
         [0014]    Continuing to a block S 02 , a three-dimensional frame of reference  110  is established. 
         [0015]    Moving to a block S 03 , a virtual light source  130  and a virtual camera  140  are positioned in the frame of reference. The virtual light source  130  enables the pictures to be visible. The virtual camera  140  acts as a view point of the pictures on the solid  figure 120 . A location of the virtual camera  140  determines a viewing angle the digital images are displayed. 
         [0016]    Continuing to a block S 04 , coordinates of the corners and the edges of the solid  figure 120  are mapped in the frame of reference  110  to obtain a precise location of the solid  figure 120  in the frame of reference  110 . 
         [0017]    Moving to a block S 05 , pictures stored in the digital photo frame are selected and attached to the surfaces of the solid  figure 120 . For example, if the solid  figure 120  is cuboid, six pictures will be attached to the six surfaces of the solid  figure 120 . 
         [0018]    Continuing to a block S 06 , coordinates of pixels of the pictures are calculated according to the location of the pictures attached to the solid figure in the frame of reference. 
         [0019]    Moving to a block S 07 , the solid  figure 120  with the attached pictures is displayed on the display screen  30 . 
         [0020]    Continuing to a block S 08 , the solid  figure 120  together with the pictures is rotated to dynamically present the pictures as if they are three-dimensional. 
         [0021]    Moving to a block S 09 , the location of the virtual camera  140  is changed to present the pictures at various view angles. 
         [0022]    Continuing to a block S 10 , an intensity of the virtual light source  130  is changing to present the pictures within various luminous intensities. 
         [0023]    It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description of preferred embodiments, together with details of the structures and functions of the preferred embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.