Abstract:
A system for displaying digital photographs and video on the screen of a TV receiver using a digital photo-frame device connected to the TV receiver. The digital photo-frame device has a slot for receiving AC power, a USB slot for receiving digital pictures, and a slot for receiving at least one storage medium having digital photographs or videos thereon. A processor which communicates with a TV remote control thru the TV receiver executes logic based on signals from the remote control to designate one or more digital photographs or videos on the at least one storage medium for viewing on the screen of the TV receiver, and designate one or more digital photographs or video received at the USB slot for viewing on the screen of the TV receiver.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a system and method for viewing digital photos, and more particularly to instantly viewing photos that are on a SD card on the screen of a TV receiver. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Viewing digital pictures and video is known in the prior art. More specifically, by way of example, U.S. PreGrant Publication No. 2009/0231233 to Liberatore discloses a portable digital photo album that allows a user to view and store photos, videos, and other digital media. The digital photo album disclosed is intended to replace the typical photo album. The digital album includes a display unit for displaying digital media, and a storage location for storing digital media to be displayed on at least one display unit. It is intended that the digital photo album change the way digital photos are viewed. Typically, digital photos are viewed on a camera or cell phone, or immediately thereafter when uploaded to a computer or a backup device, or when printed. Using the digital album, a user can store and view collections of photos at a moment&#39;s notice and in a single portable location. 
         [0005]    US PreGrant Publication No. 2005/0162555 to Lan, et al., discloses a digital photo frame device which has a buffer unit that temporarily stores TV signals to be displayed or processed, a compression/decompression engine coupled to the buffer unit for compressing TV signals into an image file or decompressing an image file into TV signals, a video processor which displays the TV signals on a display unit, and an OSD clock display unit that records the current time and stores an OSD time pattern in advance. The OSD clock display unit determines a real-time clock pattern to be displayed and the position of the display, according to the recorded current time and the corresponding OSD time pattern selected when the video processor displays a pre-determined clock background pattern so that the clock background pattern and the real-time clock pattern overlying over the clock background pattern are displayed on the video display in an OSD fashion. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,352,407 to Lan, et al., discloses a digital photo frame device, which has a buffer unit for temporarily storing TV signals whish are displayed or processed; a compression/decompression engine coupled to the buffer unit for compressing TV signals in the buffer unit into an image file or decompressing an image file into TV signals; a video processor for displaying the TV signals temporarily stored in the buffer unit on a display unit; an external storage device pre-saved with data representing various clock background patterns; an interface unit coupled to the buffer unit to write data from the buffer unit to the external storage device or data from the external storage device to the buffer unit; and an OSD clock display unit for recording the current time and storing at least an OSD time pattern in advance; wherein the clock background pattern pre-saved in the external storage device is written to the buffer unit by means of the interface unit so as to be displayed, and wherein the OSD clock display unit determines a real-time clock pattern to be displayed and a position of the display according to the recorded current time and the corresponding OSD time pattern selected when the video processor displays the clock background pattern so that the clock background pattern and the real-time clock pattern overlying over the clock background pattern are displayed on the video display in an OSD fashion. 
         [0007]    US PreGrant Publication No. 2009/0262135 to HUSTON, et al., displays on a TV multiple image layers that may be still or moving video, photos, etc, or a combination thereof which can be overlaid on each other. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,274,482 to Yeh, et al., discloses viewing digital photographs on a television by inserting into the TV a Memory Stick, RTM or other removable medium bearing the photos. Using the TV remote control, viewers can select photos for printing, as well as the quantity to be printed. Viewers can also cause only those photos that have been selected for printing to be displayed, to facilitate further refining the print list. Then, the removable medium can be removed from the TV and inserted into a photo printer to print the selected photos. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,961,904 to Pilu discloses a system for displaying a user&#39;s personal digitized photographic image data in a comparable manner to a photo album. The system includes a gaming console for playing a video game; a television for displaying the video game to the user when connected with the console; and a CD including the user&#39;s digitized photographic image data and a viewing application program. The viewing application program is arranged to configure the gaming console to display the digitized photographic image data on the television when the CD has been read by the gaming console. The system can be configured to permit simultaneous viewing of the user&#39;s image data at remote locations which are connected to the Internet. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed a method and system for displaying digital photographs on the screen of a TV receiver having a TV tuner for presenting television content, a digital photo-frame device adapted to be connected to the TV receiver, and a user operable control device coupled to the digital photo-frame device and to the TV receiver, the digital photo-frame device comprising: 
         [0011]    a slot for receiving AC power; 
         [0012]    a USB slot for receiving digital pictures 
         [0013]    a slot for receiving at least one storage medium having digital photographs thereon and being removable coupled to a camera for receiving digital photographs which are to be displayed on the screen of the TV receiver; 
         [0014]    a processor communicating with the user operable control device and the storage medium when the storage medium having digital photographs thereon is inserted into the slot in the digital photo-frame device, the processor executing logic including at least one of: 
         [0015]    based on signals from the user operable control device, designating one or more digital photographs on the at least one storage medium for viewing on the screen of the TV receiver; 
         [0016]    based on signals from the user operable control device, designating one or more digital photographs received at the USB slot for viewing on the screen of the TV receiver. 
         [0017]    The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred feature of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claim, and the accompanying drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference numerals. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a digital photo-frame device which, when connected to a TV receiver, allows a user to immediately view digital photos on the screen of the TV receiver via a USB port on the digital photo-frame device or an SD card located in a port on the digital photo-frame device in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a flow diagram of the logic in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a menu which is displayed on the screen of the TV receiver in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of various functions which, when displayed on the screen of a TV receiver, are available for selection by a viewer in accordance with the principles of the invention; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of another embodiment of a digital photo-frame device which, when connected to a TV receiver, allows a user to immediately view digital photos on the screen of the TV receiver via a USB port on the digital photo-frame device or an SD card located in a port on the digital photo-frame device in accordance with the principles of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 1  there is shown a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a digital photo-frame device which, when connected to a TV receiver, allows a user to immediately view digital photos on the screen of the TV receiver which are received on a USB port on the digital photo-frame device or are on Secure Digital (SD) card located in a port on the digital photo-frame device. Initially, using a digital camera (not shown), a person takes a number of pictures which are stored on a SD card located in the camera. At some time thereafter, when the photos are to be viewed, the user takes the SD card  12  out of the camera and inserts it into an SD card slot  14  in the digital photo-frame device  10 . Device  10  is portable and allows a user to use any TV receiver to easily and conveniently view digital photos and video stored on the SD card. The TV receiver can be any digital receiver including a high definition TV receiver. 
         [0025]    The SD card on which the digital photos or video are stored is a relatively small portable solid state memory device manufactured by various companies which is inserted into a port on the camera for receiving and storing digital photos or video. When the digital photos or video on the SD card is to be viewed, the card is removed from the camera and inserted into an SD card slot in the digital photo-frame device  10  where the contents on the SD card are loaded onto memory  16 . 
         [0026]    The digital photo-frame device  10  includes WI-FI capability which provides data streaming from any computer to allow a user to upload digital photos, video, and music on memory  16 . Device  10  also includes a rechargeable eight hour Lithium Ion battery  18 , a standard AC power port  20 , and can operate at 128 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB or 16 GB. 
         [0027]    The SD card allows a user to take the SD card from a camera and place it into the digital photo-frame device to immediately view the digital photos or video on the screen of a TV receiver. The digital photo-frame device includes a USB port  22  which can be used for uploading the memory  16  with digital photos or video and for charging the Lithium Ion rechargeable battery. One or more standard cables  30  are provided for connecting the digital photo-frame device from an audio/video port  32  to older TVs and component cables are provide for high quality pictures and video enjoyment. A remote or a universal remote is used for positioning a curser on a menu that is displayed on the TV receiver for controlling the digital photo-frame device A processor  24  located in device  10  includes program code that embodies logic which is used in the operation of the device. A TV tuner  36  located in the TV receiver provides programming for the receiver. 
         [0028]    This embodiment of the digital photo-frame device has the following features: a capacity of 128 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB, or 16 GB; WI-FI capability; a rechargeable Lithium Ion eight hour battery; supports photo MP3 and video file formats; and includes a CD having software for WI-FI, photo and video streaming. The device  10  allows a user to turn any TV receiver into a digital photo-frame by connecting the device to a TV receiver and uploading digital pictures and video directly from the USB port or from an SD card that is inserted into the device. 
         [0029]    With this invention a person can easily and conveniently view digital photos and videos which are displayed on screen  38  of a TV receiver using a conventional wireless TV remote control device  40  having buttons with arrows for moving a curser on the TV receiver up, down, left and right, a select button and numeric buttons. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a flow diagram of logic in accordance with the principles of the invention. Starting at block  40 , a person inserts a SD card into a digital camera prior to taking any pictures. The person using the camera takes pictures which are stored on the SD card in the camera, block  42 . When the pictures are to be viewed, the SD card is removed from the camera, block  44 , and is inserted into the SD card slot in Digital photo-frame device, block  46 . Using the remote control, the user operates the device via the TV receiver to show the pictures or video, block  48 , and views the various photos or video on the screen of the TV receiver, block  50 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a block diagram of a menu which is displayed on the screen of the TV receiver in accordance with the principles of the invention. The various functions of the menu displayed can be selected by using the arrow buttons of the universal remote to position a curser on top of the function desired and then pressing the select button on the remote. In an exemplary embodiment, selecting box  60  will display a media list and show a sub-menu for playing pictures and videos. Selecting box  64  will display a music list and show a sub-menu for playing music. Selecting box  68  will display a list of available devices and show a sub-menu for streaming pictures and video. Selecting box  72  will display a media list and show a sub-menu for the list. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a block diagram of various functions which, when displayed on the screen of a TV receiver, are available for selection by a viewer in accordance with the principles of the invention. Box  80  is the software for uploading pictures or videos on the SD card to the screen of the TV receiver. Box  84  is the software for uploading a MP3 player. With a MP3 payer, a user can create personalized music lists and have access to thousands of songs. Some devices provide additional technology, like video and photo viewing. Box  88  is the software for uploading and showing the digital pictures or video on the screen of a TV receiver. Box  92  is the software for showing the available devices such as cameras and other available devices. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of another embodiment of a digital photo-frame device which, when connected to a TV receiver, allows a user to immediately view digital photos and videos on the screen of the TV receiver via a USB port on the digital photo-frame device or an SD card located in a port on the digital photo-frame device. 
         [0034]    Initially, using a digital camera (not shown), a person takes a number of pictures which are stored on a Secure Digital (SD) card located in the camera. At some time thereafter, when the pictures are to be viewed, the user takes the SD card  12  out of the camera and inserts it into the SD card slot  14  in the digital photo-frame device  10 . Device  10  is portable and allows a user to turn any TV receiver into a digital photo-frame to easily and conveniently view each of the pictures or videos on the SD card. The TV receiver can be any digital receiver including a high definition TV receiver. 
         [0035]    The SD card on which the photographs are stored is a relatively small portable solid state memory device manufactured by various companies which is inserted into a slot on the camera for receiving digital photos or videos. When the photos or videos on the SD card are to be viewed, the card is removed from the camera and inserted into the SD card slot in the digital photo-frame device  10  where the contents on the SD card are uploaded and stored on memory  16 . Processor  24  communicates with memory for accessing the photos or videos. Digital photo-frame device  10  also includes a standard AC power slot  20 . The digital photo-frame device can support 1 GB, 2 GB and 4 GB and can receive an SD card from a digital camera to allow a user to instantly view the photos or videos from the SD card on the screen of a TV receiver. A USB port  22  is provided for uploading the memory with pictures. Standard cables are provide for connecting the digital photo-frame device to older digital TVs, and component cables are provide for high quality pictures and video enjoyment. A wireless remote is used to show digital photos and videos on the screen of a TV receiver. A processor  24  in the digital photo-frame device  10  can accesses memory  16 . A TV tuner  36  provides programming for the TV receiver. Cable  30  connects audio/video port  32  in the device  10  to TV receiver  34 . 
         [0036]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the viewer can view digital or video photo on the screen using a conventional wireless TV remote control device  40 . This embodiment of the digital photo-frame device has the following features: a capacity of 1 GB, 2 GB and 4 GB; and supports all photo MP3 and video file formats. It does not have WI-FI capability, does not have a rechargeable battery; and does not have the ability to run software. It does allow a user to turn any TV receiver into a digital photo-frame by uploading digital pictures directly to the digital photo-frame device via the USB port or by inserting an SD card into the device and connecting it to a TV receiver. 
         [0037]    While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are entitled.