SYSTEM FOR CHANGING THE VISUAL EFFECT OF A SUBSTRATE

Abstract: A system and method for changing the visual effect of an object or substrate (10) wherein the substrate (10) includes any object worn by a user, for example, such as clothing (15) or footwear (15), or objects used as a form of artwork (15) or articles of furniture (15). A display unit (45) having a visual effect and bonded to the substrate (10). A control circuit (30) is provided for configuration or the display unit (45). Power is provided to the control circuit (30) and the display unit (45) through a power unit (40). A different visual effect for the display unit (45) is selected using an input device (55) such as a remote control unit (20) or an input device (55) coupled to the control circuit (30). The input device (55) provides an activating signal for activation of the control circuit (30) according to preprogrammed instructions corresponding to the different visual effect. When the control circuit (30) is activated, the visual effect of the display unit is changed to the different visual effect according to the preprogrammed instructions, wherein the visual effect of the substrate (10) is also changed. Preferably, the display unit (45) includes a plurality of pixels (25) formed into a matrix and embedded on the substrate (10) using a silicon gel, thermosetting polymer or a variety of polymers.

Description: APPLICATION FOR PATENT Title: SYSTEM FOR CHANGING THE VISUAL EFFECT OF A SUBSTRATE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates to the field of electro-optical or visual effects of various objects and artworks and more particularly to changing the visual effect of the objects and artworks. Description of the Related Art The creation and display of new art forms, particularly commercial art forms, and the use of wearing apparel and footwear including a wide array of colors, patterns, images and commercial insignia has grown increasingly popular to attract the attention and interest of both the user and the viewer. With the advent of new electro-optic technologies, ever-new opportunities have arisen from the ability to create images in a variety of locations for a variety of purposes. An object of the present invention is to provide a system for changing the visual effect of any object, such as wearing apparel or home decor, without changing the object itself providing an endless array of visual variety to interest the user and viewer. The present invention creates a changeable color, image, pattern and/or text on the surface of an object. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention discloses a system and method for changing the visual effect of an object or substrate including a display unit having a visual effect and bonded to the substrate. A control circuit is provided for configuration of the display unit. Power is provided to the control circuit and the display unit through a power unit. A different visual effect for the display unit is selected using an input device such as a remote control unit or an input device coupled to the control circuit. The input device provides an activating signal for activation of the control circuit according to preprogrammed instructions corresponding to the different visual effect. When the control circuit is activated, the visual effect of the display unit is changed to the different visual effect according to the preprogrammed instructions, wherein the visual effect of the substrate is also changed. Preferably, the display unit includes a plurality of pixels formed into a matrix and embedded on the substrate using a polymer such as a silicon gel. The substrate includes, but is not limited to, any object worn by a user, for example, such as clothing or wearing apparel, or footwear. Alternatively, the substrate includes objects used as a form of artwork or articles of furniture. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention may be better understood, and its numerous objects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. Figures 1 A-1C are schematic views of the present invention wherein the substrate is an article of clothing such as a shirt; Figure 2 is a schematic view of the present invention wherein the substrate is an article of footwear such as a shoe; Figure 3 is a schematic view of the present invention wherein the substrate is an article of furniture such as a table; Figure 4 is a schematic view of the present invention wherein the substrate is an article such as a wall hanging; and Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating the method for changing the visual effect of a substrate according to the present invention; Figure 6 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the system of the present invention; and Figure 7 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the system of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following sets forth a detailed description of the best contemplated mode and embodiments for carrying out the invention. The description is intended to be illustrative of the invention and should not be taken to be limiting. Figures 1-4 illustrate the system 15 of the present invention for changing the visual effect of various substrates 10. For example, Figures 1 A-1C are schematic views of a substrate 10 including wearing apparel, such as the shirt illustrated. Figure 2 is a schematic view of a substrate 10 including footwear, such as the shoe illustrated. Figure 3 is a schematic view of a substrate 10 including an article of furniture, such as the table illustrated. Figure 4 is a schematic view of a substrate 10 such as the wall hanging illustrated. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system 15 includes a display unit 45 having a visual effect and bonded to the substrate 10. The visual effect of the display unit 45 may include any combination of colors, images, patterns and/or text. Preferably, the display unit 45 includes a plurality of pixels (picture elements) 25 formed into matrix and embedded on the substrate 10. A control circuit 30 is coupled to the display unit 45 for configuration of the plurality of pixels 25. An input device, such as remote control unit 20 including a transmitter, provides an activating signal for activating the control circuit 30. A different visual effect for the display unit 45 is selected using the remote control unit 20. The control circuit 30 is activated according to preprogrammed instructions corresponding to the selected different visual effect. In another embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the input device 55 is coupled to the control circuit 30 and includes one or more switches for selecting the different visual effect and for providing the activating signal to the control circuit 30. The control circuit 30 includes, for example, a receiver 35 for receiving the activating signal wherein the control circuit 30 is activated. When the control circuit 30 is activated, the visual effect of the display unit 45 is changed to the selected different visual effect according to preprogrammed instructions, wherein the visual effect of the substrate 10 to which the display unit 45 is affixed is also changed. A power unit 40 provides power to the control circuit 30. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of pixels 25 are embedded on the substrate 10 using a polymer. Examples of such a polymer include a silicon gel, thermosetting polymer or a variety of polymers. A housing cavity 50, also including, for example, a thermosetting polymer, contains the control circuit 30 and the power unit 40 in one embodiment, and the control circuit 30, the power unit 40 and the input device 55 in the other embodiment wherein the housing cavity 50 is bonded to the substrate 10 with the thermosetting polymer. However, the control circuit 30, the power unit 40 and the input device 55 can be attached to the substrate 10 using any suitable and reliable means. The display unit 45 and plurality of pixels 25 may include various shapes, as shown on the shirts in Figures 1 A-l C, to provide different visual effects. Alternatively, the plurality of pixels 25 may be embedded on the substrate so as to entirely cover the substrate or object. The system of the present invention may be used on a variety of substrates. The substrate 10 may include various objects worn by a user including any article of clothing or wearing apparel, such as shirts, skirts, pants, jackets or hats, or an article of footwear, such as sneakers or the shoe shown in Figure 2. The system of the present invention may be used as a form of artwork on objects including articles of furniture, such as the table shown in Figure 3, as a framed wall hanging, such as is shown in Figure 4, or simply on the wall itself. The flow chart of Figure 5 illustrates the method for changing the visual effect of a substrate according to the present invention wherein a substrate is provided per block 95. At block 100 a display unit having a visual effect is bonded to the substrate. Preferably, the display unit includes a plurality of pixels formed into a matrix, which are embedding on the substrate using a thermosetting polymer per block 105. A control circuit is provided at block 110 for configuration of the display unit and power is provided to the control circuit and the display unit per block 115. At block 120 a different visual effect for the display unit is selected. At block 125 an activating signal for activation of the control circuit according to preprogrammed instructions corresponding to the different visual effect is transmitted to the control circuit and the control circuit is activated per block 130. The visual effect of the display unit is changed to the selected visual effect according to the preprogrammed instructions per block 135. In the application of the system, an operator or users selects a desired visual effect, for example, using the remote control unit, and the preprogrammed instructions corresponding to the selected visual effect is transmitted to one or more control units for reconfiguration of the display unit and plurality of pixels to the selected visual effect. For example, the system may be devised such that the activation signal may be transmitted to a large number of objects, such as all the sneakers having a particular coded sequence for receiving the activation signal wherein all of the sneakers change from a blue color (an initial visual effect) to a red color (a different visual effect). In another embodiment, an individual having the system of the present invention applied, for example, to a wall or an article of -furniture in their home may change the visual effect or "look" of their home by using an input device coupled to the control circuit of the system to select a desired visual effect of the display unit and plurality of pixels of the system. Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the remote control unit 20 in greater detail wherein the remote control unit 20 includes a processor 70, a memory 65 coupled to the processor 70, and a transmitter 60. A software module including the preprogrammed instructions for configuration of the display unit 45 are stored, for example, in the memory 65. The software module and preprogrammed instructions include, for instance, a palette of system colors, and the resolution, brightness and intensity of the colors, as well as sequence codes for patterns, images and text. The display unit 45 is bonded to the substrate 10. Alternatively, the system of the present invention can be implemented in hardware, such as an application specific integrated circuit as shown in Figure 7. In Figure 6, the control circuit 30 is coupled to a receiver 35 for receiving the activating signal transmitted from the transmitter 60 of the remote control unit 20. The control circuit 30 includes, for example, a graphics controller 75, which produces control signals for energizing the display unit 45 according to the preprogrammed instructions for corresponding visual effects. The graphics controller 75 provides the signals required for the individual pixels (such as the intensity and color signal), as well as the synchronization signals for the horizontal and vertical lines of the pixel matrix. In another embodiment, illustrated in Figure 7, the activating signal is transmitted to the control circuit 30 from an input device 55 coupled to the control circuit 30. The input device includes one or more switches or buttons for selecting a visual effect. The system of the present invention is implemented in hardware wherein the control circuit 30 includes an application specific integrated circuit (IC) which implements the preprogrammed instructions for configuration of the display unit and provides the control signals required for the individual pixels. While preferred embodiments have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustrations and not limitations.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: L A system for changing the visual effect of a substrate comprising: a display unit having a visual effect and bonded to the substrate; a control circuit for configuration of the display unit; an input device for selecting a different visual effect for said display unit and for providing an activating signal for activation of the control circuit according to preprogrammed instructions corresponding to said different visual effect; a power unit for providing power to the control circuit and the display unit; and wherein, when the control circuit is activated, the visual effect of the display unit is changed to the different visual effect according to the preprogrammed instructions. 2. A system, as recited in claim 1 , wherein said display unit includes a plurality of pixels formed into a matrix and wherein said plurality of pixels is embedded on the substrate. 3. A system, as recited in claim 2, wherein said plurality of pixels are embedded on the substrate using a polymer. 4. A system, as recited in claim 1 , wherein said input device includes a remote control unit having a transmitter for providing said activating signal and wherein the control circuit includes a receiver for receiving the activating signal. 5. A system, as recited in claim 4, wherein said remote control unit further comprises: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor; and wherein said preprogrammed instructions are stored in said memory. 6. A system, as recited in claim 1 , wherein said input device is coupled to said control circuit and includes one or more switches for providing said activating signal to said control circuit. 7. A system, as recited in claim 6, wherein said control circuit further comprises: an application specific integrated circuit for implementing said preprogrammed instructions. 8. A system, as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a housing cavity for containing the control circuit and the power unit. 9. A system, as recited in claim 8, wherein said housing cavity includes a polymer and is bonded to the substrate using said polymer. 10. A system, as recited in claim 1, wherein the substrate is wearing apparel. 11. A system, as recited in claim 1 , wherein the substrate is footwear. 12. A system, as recited in claim 1, wherein the substrate is an article of furniture. 13. A method for changing the visual effect of a substrate comprising: bonding a display unit having a visual effect to the substrate; providing a control circuit for configuration of the display unit; providing power to the control circuit and the display unit; selecting a different visual effect for said display unit; transmitting an activating signal for activation of the control circuit according to preprogrammed instructions corresponding to said different visual effect; and changing the visual effect of the display unit to said different visual effect according to said preprogrammed instructions. 14. A method, as recited in claim 13, wherein the display unit includes a plurality of pixels formed into a matrix, the method further comprising: embedding said plurality of pixels on the substrate using a polymer. 15. A method, as recited in claim 13, wherein the step of transmitting said activating signal further comprises: transmitting said activating signal from a remote control unit having processor and a memory coupled to the processor wherein said preprogrammed instructions are stored in said memory. 16. A method, as recited in claim 13, wherein the step of transmitting said activating signal further comprises: transmitting said activating signal to the control circuit through the use of one or more input devices coupled to the control circuit. 17. A method, as recited in claim 13, further comprising: containing the control circuit and the power unit in a housing cavity. 18. A method, as recited in claim 17, wherein said housing cavity includes a polymer, the method further comprising: bonding said housing cavity to the substrate using said polymer. 19. A method, as recited in claim 13, wherein the substrate is wearing apparel. 20. A method, as recited in claim 13, wherein the substrate is footwear. 21. A method, as recited in claim 13, wherein the substrate is an article of furniture.

Inventors: HARRISON DONALD G, HARRISON, DONALD, G.
Applicants: UBERTECH PRODUCTS INC, UBERTECH PRODUCTS, INC.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: G09G3
IPC codes: A43B3, A47B13, G06F3, G09G3