Abstract:
A system and method for updating or changing a digital display device for presenting and showing wall art, the device comprising a flat LCD display configured with a processing element for receiving, storing, selecting and presenting images from external sources. The digital display device communicates with an external service or server that stores images, and sound files, sent to the display device. The processing element has storage for storing images and communications means, such as WIFI, for receiving images from external sources. Images and sound files are received and stored in the processing element, wherein images are displayed and sounds played based upon selection by an external selection device, or images may be selected for display based upon a time of day, date or may be selected based upon some pre-determined criteria, such as season or time of the year. An external server may update the display based upon a subscription service or business arrangement between the owner of the updateable wall art and a seller of digital content.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention is related to visual display devices; more specifically the invention relates to a large display device hung on a wall to display digital works of art or commercial photography and a business method for updating those works of art and photos. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    With the advent of inexpensive high-definition flat screen LCDs (liquid crystal displays), new applications for visual display are now possible. These displays, now found in stores everywhere, are capable of displaying in very high resolution using millions of colors. 
         [0003]    One such application is the utilization of LCD technology in updateable wall art, and methods for updating such displays. 
       OBJECTS 
       [0004]    Therefore in view of the desirability and need for a system and method for changing or updating an adaptable digital display displaying wall art, an invention is disclosed having a number of objects and benefits. 
         [0005]    A first object is a digital display for use on a wall or in a room, the display accepting updates of images from an external source, wherein the source is a business that updates digital wall display devices. (Do we need this sentence? It sounds like the one below it. YES.) 
         [0006]    A second object is a a wall mounted digital display that accepts images for display and sound files for playing, the images and sound sent via communications transmission from an external server based upon a business arrangement. 
         [0007]    A third object is a device that displays images and sound from updateable files that are updated based upon a time or some other criteria by accessing an external server according to the criteria. 
         [0008]    Other benefits and advantages of the invention will appear from the disclosure to follow. In the disclosure reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. This embodiment will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made in details of the embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    According to the stated objects and benefits, a system and method for updating a digital display device presenting and showing wall art, the device comprising a flat LCD display configured with a processing element for receiving, storing, selecting and presenting images and playing sound files sent from external sources. 
         [0010]    Images and sound are received and stored in the processing element, wherein images are displayed based upon selection by an external selection device or server, or images may be selected for update and eventual display based upon a time of day, date or may be selected based upon some pre-determined business arrangement, such as a subscription by the updateable wall art owner to a business service. 
         [0011]    The business arrangement may include the updateable wall display owner obtaining downloads of images based upon a time interval of update or based upon the occurrence of a season, or may be based upon a subscription, such as the owner subscribing to digital prints of museum art. 
         [0012]    As an example, a museum may, using the system and method of the invention, provide updateable display devices, and based upon donations or subscriptions to the museum, the museum, will send images or sound recordings to the subscriber. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates or shows a conceptual view of the device mounted upon a wall and displaying a digital image. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  shows a view of the digital display device wherein an external device selects an image (stored in the device) for display. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  shows the display enclosed or included in a frame, whereby the device is mounted on a wall. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  shows the device having a digital storage device (such as a USB drive, or a DVD) for storing images for display. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  shows the device having a communications interface for receiving images for display. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  shows a block diagram of the display device. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7A  illustrates the components of the processing element used for receiving, storing, selecting and displaying images. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7B  illustrates use of an external selection device for selecting an image for display. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  illustrates a logical diagram for practicing the system and method of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  illustrates a museum—having art objects, sending images and/or sound files to museum members or benefactors.  FIG. 9  illustrates the use of the invention as a service to museum benefactors. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An Exemplary Embodiment 
       [0023]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 A,  7 B, and  8 , an exemplary embodiment of the invention is disclosed. In the accompanying figures and description that follows, the invention is disclosed in the context of a service or business method that employs LCD displays, computer networks and telecommunications systems and software to provide a service wherein images and, optionally, sound recordings, may be transmitted to LCD displays. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  illustrates a digital display device  1000  for displaying one or more internally stored digital images. The display device  1000  may be mounted on a wall or may, using a holder, be set upon furniture or anywhere in a home or office. 
         [0025]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , the display device comprises an LCD (liquid crystal display), each pixel of the LCD typically consisting of a layer of molecules aligned between two transparent electrodes, and two polarizing filters, the axes of polarity of which are perpendicular to each other. With no liquid crystal between the polarizing filters, light passing through one filter would be blocked by the electrodes. 
         [0026]    The surfaces of the electrodes that are in contact with the liquid crystal material are treated so as to align the liquid crystal molecules in a particular direction. This treatment typically consists of a thin polymer layer that is unidirectionally rubbed using a cloth (the direction of the liquid crystal alignment is defined by the direction of rubbing). Before applying an electric field, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules is determined by the alignment at the surfaces. In a twisted nematic device (still the most common liquid crystal device), the surface alignment directions at the two electrodes are perpendicular, and so the molecules arrange themselves in a helical structure, or twist. 
         [0027]    Because the liquid crystal material is birefringent, light passing through one polarizing filter is rotated by the liquid crystal helix as it passes through the liquid crystal layer, allowing it to pass through the second polarized filter. Half of the incident light is absorbed by the first polarizing filter, but otherwise the entire assembly is transparent. 
         [0028]    When a voltage is applied across the electrodes, a torque acts to align the liquid crystal molecules parallel to the electric field, distorting the helical structure (this is resisted by elastic forces since the molecules are constrained at the surfaces). This reduces the rotation of the polarization of the incident light, and the device appears gray. If the applied voltage is large enough, the liquid crystal molecules are completely untwisted and the polarization of the incident light is not rotated at all as it passes through the liquid crystal layer. This light will then be polarized perpendicular to the second filter, and thus be completely blocked and the pixel will appear black. By controlling the voltage applied across the liquid crystal layer in each pixel, light can be allowed to pass through in varying amounts, correspondingly illuminating the pixel. 
         [0029]    The optical effect of a twisted nematic device in the voltage-on state is far less dependent on variations in the device thickness than that in the voltage-off state. Because of this, these devices are usually operated between crossed polarizers such that they appear bright with no voltage (the eye is much more sensitive to variations in the dark state than the bright state). These devices can also be operated between parallel polarizers, in which case the bright and dark states are reversed. The voltage-off dark state in this configuration appears blotchy, however, because of small thickness variations across the device. 
         [0030]    Both the liquid crystal material and the alignment layer material contain ionic compounds. If an electric field of one particular polarity is applied for a long period of time, this ionic material is attracted to the surfaces and degrades the device performance. This is avoided by applying either an alternating current, or by reversing the polarity of the electric field as the device is addressed (the response of the liquid crystal layer is identical, regardless of the polarity of the applied field). 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  shows the device  2000  comprising a display device  2100  mounted within a frame  2200 . Images may be selected for display by an external selector  2300  similar to a television remote control. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  shows the removal of the frame  3200  from the display device  3100 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  shows the device  4000  having a display  4100  with internal components for storing and displaying digital images. In  FIG. 4 , a storage device  4750  is shown as part of the device  4000 . The storage device  4750  may be a USB (“jump”) drive, or a CD or DVD drive. 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  illustrates the device  4100  having a recess  4101  for attachment and a recess  4102  for receiving  4102  for accepting a communications module  4780 . The communications module  4780  may operate as a WIFI device, or any spread spectrum communications device, or may utilize DSL or cable modems for sending and receiving. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  shows the device as a block diagram, the device comprising a display element  6100  a communications element  6780  and as a processing element  6700 , which controls the display  6100  and the communications element  6780 . The processing element  6700  is programmed to receive and store images and sound files by the communications element  6780  by means of the WIFI device shown in  FIG. 4  as  4780 . The processing element  6780  also stores images and sound files in its storage or memory, and by some external means responds to commands to select an image for display and a sound file to play or to receive an image or sound file for storage in its memory. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7A  shows an exemplary embodiment of the processing element implemented as a computer  7700 . 
         [0037]    With reference to  FIG. 7A , control, access and update of the display device may be implemented; for example, within a computing environment  7700 , which includes at least one CPU  7720  and memory  7740 . In  FIG. 7A , this most basic configuration  7700  is included within a dashed line. The CPU  7720  executes computer-executable instructions and may be a real or a virtual processor. In a multi-processing system, multiple processing units execute computer-executable instructions to increase processing power. The memory  7740  may be volatile memory (e.g., registers, cache, RAM), non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM, EEPROM, flash memory, etc.), or some combination of the two. The memory  7740  stores executable software—instructions and data  7730 —written and operative to execute and implement the software applications required for an interactive environment supporting practice of the invention. 
         [0038]    The computing environment shown in  FIG. 7A  may be implemented within the display device and is also representative of an external server that may update the display device according to a subscription service or business arrangement. 
         [0039]    The computing environment may have additional features. For example, the computing environment  7000  includes storage  7750 , one or more input devices  7760 , one or more output devices  7770 , and one or more communication connections or interfaces  7780 . An interconnection mechanism (not shown) such as a bus, controller, or network interconnects the components of the computing environment, for example, computers having images which may be transferred to the invention. Typically, operating system software (not shown) provides an operating environment for other software executing in the computing environment, and coordinates activities of the components of the computing environment. 
         [0040]    The storage  7750  may be removable or non-removable, and includes magnetic disks, CD-ROMs, DVDs, or any other medium which can be used to store information and which can be accessed within the computing environment. For example, the storage may store images that are to be displayed on the updateable wall art. The storage  7750  also stores instructions for the software  7730 , and is configured, for example, to store signal processing algorithms, databases storing image files, database software systems, intermediate results and data generated from inputs. 
         [0041]    The input device(s)  7760  may be a touch input device such as a keyboard, mouse, pen, or trackball, a voice input device, a scanning device, or another device that provides input to the computing environment. For audio or video, the input device(s) may be a sound card, video card, TV tuner card, or similar device that accepts audio or video input in analog or digital form. The output device(s)  7770  may be a display, printer, speaker, or another device that provides output from the computing environment. 
         [0042]    The communication interface  7780  enables the operating system and software applications to exchange messages over a communication medium with the invention. The communication medium conveys information such as computer-executable instructions, and data in a modulated data signal. A modulated data signal is a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, the communication media include wired or wireless techniques implemented with an electrical, optical, RF, infrared, acoustic, or other carrier. 
         [0043]    The communications interface  7780  is used to communicate with external devices such as a communications enabled controller for selecting images. For example, the interface  7780  may be attached to a network, such as the Internet, whereby the computing environment  2000  interchanges command, control and feedback signals with other computers, which may store images for display. 
         [0044]    Software  7730  in the processing element  7700  is programmed to present images according to several criteria; among these are (1) time-of-day; (2) day of week or month; (3) holidays or special occasions. 
         [0045]      FIG. 7B  illustrates an external device, for example a hand-held control device  7800  for selecting images for display. In  FIG. 7B , the control device is equipped with an input  7810 , such as a touchpad or keypad  7810 . The control device  7800  communicates with the processing element in the display  7700  by WIFI means  7820 . From the keypad  7810  an image is selected and the selection is communicated to the processing element  7700 , which retrieves the selected image from the processing element storage  7750 , which is displayed upon the display  7100 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 8  illustrates an alternative method by which the updateable wall art display receives updates. In  FIG. 8 , the device of the updateable wall art  8100  is furnished with a communications means  8200  in accordance with the previous description recited. An external server  8300  is in communications with the device  8100 , for example by Internet access and communications means  8400 . Based upon a subscription or service contract or business relationship, the server  8300 , at a time or place dictated by the service agreement, forms a connection with the processing element within the device  8100 . Upon establishing connection, the server  8300  transmits images to the device  8100 . After update the processing element in the device  8100  displays images received from the server  8300  update. 
         [0047]    The server  8300  may update images in the device  8100  according to a service contract or business arrangement. Images may be updated based upon a season or time of year or some other prearranged occasion. Images sent by the server may be classical art, Christmas or other seasonal images. The images may be augmented by sound, such as may be found in an MPEG or AVI file. 
         [0048]    The business arrangement for acquiring the images is the purchase of one image at a time or packs of images that are shown in a timed sequence on the display  7100 . The selection of digitized art available for customers to purchase is as varied as the art found in a commercial gallery. Prospective buyers can browse categories of images, view thumbnail versions of available images, search for particular types of images, search by artist, or specially request a particular image. Owners of the device can purchase more than one image at a time, and more than one type of image at a time. Images are sold via an online payment service (like Paypal) or secure server accepting credit or debit cards. 
         [0049]    The images are high resolution digitized versions of works of original art. In their original form, the images that are digitized can be any two dimensional media (oil, watercolor, ink, pencil, etc.) Original works of art include commercial still photography of all kinds, such as single and family portraits, landscape, nature, sports, etc. Original works of art can include famous two dimensional art that is in the public domain and does not require a license from the artist. This includes ancient drawings, hieroglyphics, scrolls, religious art, master works, maps/charts, early photography (daguerreotype, glass plate, etc.), and book prints/plates. The images can be moving images, either digital video or the digitized versions of analog videos or films. Moving images can be prerecorded or live images. Prerecorded images can be commercial or private films. Live digital video can be streaming images of attractive or famous places (Times Square, Eiffel Tower, Great Wall of China) with normal day to day activity occurring in the moving image. 
         [0050]    Artists or photographers agree to license or sell their works through a business arrangement. The arrangement can be a short or long term license, or outright sale. Payments to artists or photographers can be a sale price for each image or video, a sale prices for sets/collections of images or videos, or be a variable fee based on the number of their images that are downloaded, the number of times an image is shown on a device  7100 , or the time a video is streamed to a device  7100 . Artists can be represented by a commercial art/photography broker or auction house, or they can represent themselves. Commercial photography businesses can use the business arrangement as an alternative means of reaching a national or international marketplace. 
         [0051]      FIG. 9  depicts a museum utilizing the system and method of the invention to provide facsimile of its collections to subscribers, patrons and benefactors. Referring to  FIG. 9 , a museum  9800  has a collection of art objects  9810 , which may comprise images (paintings, lithographs, posters, etc.) and sound files (recordings of native chants, etc.). A benefactor of the museum acquires or is provided by the museum, an updateable device  9200 . As part of the subscription or patronage to the museum  9800 , a server  9300  associated with the museum  9800  accesses to updateable device, and transmits images and or sound files  9810  from a database  9370  attached to the server  9300  to the updateable wall device  9200 . The database  9370  has scanned or copied images or sound files  9810  of the museum&#39;s collection.