Abstract:
A digital picture frame includes a display on which images are displayed; a detachable and re-attachable apparatus that includes: (i) a mounting base; (ii) a transparent overlay mounted in the mounting base; wherein the overlay spans the display and includes a first side that receives pressure from a user for indicating a mode preference and a second side opposite the first side; (iii) a plurality of activation mechanisms each of which activates a mode preference and are adjacent the second side of the transparent overlay; wherein a particular activation mechanism is activated when user pressure is received within a predetermined spatial relationship to the particular activation mechanism; and (iv) an attachment mechanism that permits the apparatus to be attached and detached from the display.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to image displays and more particularly to an assembly that is attachable to the display and that functions as a user-interface so that the display is less likely to be damaged due to ordinary usage. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A wide variety of touch sensitive display devices are known to those of skill in the art of user interface technology. Such display devices are known in the art as touch screen systems. In particular, highly sensitive finger-tip or stylus detection, touch screen systems are well known and are commonly used in a wide variety of applications. Examples of such touch sensitive display devices include, but are not limited to, resistant to touch detection systems, capacitive touch detection systems, and other forms of touch detection. Such touch sensitive display systems can have integral touch sensitive technology or such technology can be added separately. For example, the Magic Touch Add-On Touch Screen sold by KEYTEC, Garland, Tex., USA is an add on device that can be mounted to the face of a display such as an LCD monitor and that provides a touch sensitive area through which the images presented by the LCD monitor can be seen. Such a Touch Screen Kit is fixed onto the display and then linked to an input port of a personal computer. The computer must have a driver installed to interpret the signals provided by the touch screen kit. It will be appreciated that such systems are complex systems that add significantly to the costs of display devices that incorporate such screens. 
         [0003]    There have been some efforts to reduce the costs of such display systems resulting for example, in the systems that are described in GB2180342 entitled “Pressure Sensitive Device” and in Roberts US Patent Application Number 2003/0210235 A1. These efforts generally describe the use of transparent sheets that are positioned between an image presentation area and a user. The transparent sheets are physically connected to pressure sensitive touch sensors. Each of the touch sensors produces a sensor signal in response to a touch applied to the touch surface. A control system coupled to the touch sensors, receives sensor signals and develops a plurality of reference levels for a force sensitive touch signal, selects or more of the plurality of reference levels based on information acquired from the touch signal, and determines the touch location using the selected reference levels. 
         [0004]    Even where such systems are used, cost and complexity problems remain and these cost and complexity challenges impose a difficult decision on the designers and manufacturers of display devices. In particular, for some cost conscious display device users, touch sensitive interactions may be of little interest, while for other users, the range of additional interaction opportunities enabled by touch sensitive displays may be considered essential. This places a manufacturer and designer of such systems to make a difficult design choice as to whether to incorporate a touch sensitive display system and the extra cost associated therewith into a particular model of display device. 
         [0005]    Further complicating this design decision is the problem of service life. The very technology that makes such touch sensitive systems capable of accurately sensing contact can also make such systems vulnerable to damage through repeated use or through incidental contact. Over time, continuous usage of the interface may necessitate the interface needing repair or replacement. Due to the integration of the components of the kiosk or picture frame, components integrally connected to the display may also need replacing. In any event, repair or replacement costs are undesirable. 
         [0006]    What is still needed in the art is a way to provide a touch sensitive capability for a display device when desired and in a manner that has long service life and that provides adequate sensitivity to touch. Further, a need exists for a removable interface that is cost efficient so that maintenance costs are reduced. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above. Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the invention, the invention resides in a digital picture frame comprising: (a) a display on which images are displayed; (b) a detachable and re-attachable sub-assembly comprising: (i) a mounting base; (ii) a transparent overlay mounted in the mounting base; wherein the overlay spans the display and includes a first side that receives pressure from a user for indicating a mode preference and a second side opposite the first side; (iii) a plurality of activation mechanisms each of which activates a mode preference and are adjacent the second side of the transparent overlay; wherein a particular activation mechanism is activated when user pressure is received within a predetermined spatial relationship to the particular activation mechanism; and (iv) an attachment mechanism that permits the sub-assembly to be attached and detached from the display. 
         [0008]    These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
       Advantageous Effect of the Invention 
       [0009]    The present invention has the advantage of preserving the integrity of displays by providing a user interface which prevents damage to the display due to user contact and the like during operation and which is cost efficient, detachable, seam-less to the user and can be retrofitted to existing displays. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent when taken in conjunction with the following description and drawings wherein identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical features that are common to the figures, and wherein: 
           [0011]    While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter of the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a top view of the sub-assembly of the present invention designed for removable attachment to a display; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1  through line  2 - 2 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a partially-exploded perspective view of the sub-assembly attached to a decorative cover which together form an assembly; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the assembly and a display in their non-attached state; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the assembly when the assembly and the display are attached; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the sub-assembly of  FIG. 4 ; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the assembly and the display in their attached state of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    Turning now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there are shown a top and cross-sectional view of the sub-assembly  10  that attaches to a display  20  (see  FIG. 4 ). The sub-assembly  10  includes a rectangular-shaped bracket  30  having a rectangular-shaped hollowed-out portion  40  through which the display  20  is eventually viewed when the display  20  is disposed underneath the hollowed-out portion  40 . It is noted that the bracket  30  also includes a pedestal portion  50  and a lip portion  60  extending perpendicular from the pedestal portion  50 . Four supports  70  are disposed on the pedestal portion  50  for supporting a transparent cover glass  80  that rests (i.e., abuts) thereon. The cover glass  80  includes four groups of finger projections  90 , three in each group, that provide increased flexibility near the corner sections of the cover glass  80 , and the middle finger projection of each group  90  rests respectively on a support  70 . The cover glass  80  is transparent so that the display  20 , when attached, is viewable by a viewer through the cover glass  80 . An interface activator  100 , preferably a magnet, also is disposed on the pedestal portion  50  so that, when a user presses the cover glass  80  in the vicinity of the interface activator  100 , the interface activator  100  is activated as will be described in detail hereinbelow. The interface activator  100  is adhered to the cover glass  80  via any suitable adhesive and is in a slightly spaced-apart relationship when the pedestal portion  50  is its normal non-compressed state (user pressure is absent), and the interface activator  100  is moved toward the pedestal portion  50  when the user presses against the cover glass  80 . When the user presses against the cover glass  80 , the interface activator  100  may contact the pedestal portion  50  or may be in closer spaced-apart relationship with the pedestal portion  50  than when in its normal state. It is noted that when two interface activators  100  share a portion of its predetermined spatial relationship and, when the user presses the shared spatial relationship, a time delay is enabled in order to determine which interface activator  100  is more likely desired. It is noted that, although a magnet is preferably shown as the interface activator  100 , a mechanical switch, reflective surface or the like may also be used. Those skilled in the art will recognize that, according to the type of interface activator  100  that is used, the sensor  180  (see  FIG. 7 ) will be a corresponding receiving sensor that functionally works with the chosen interface activator  100 . 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown the sub-assembly  10  in the lower portion of the drawing and, in the upper portion of the drawing, there is shown a wooden frame or a wood-simulated frame  110  disposed over the sub-assembly  10  so that the an aesthetically-pleasing design is presented on the user-viewable side of the assembly  120  (hereinafter the sub-assembly  10  and the frame together are referred to as the assembly  120  both of which are self-contained when either separate or when assembled together). The frame  110  is disposed around a periphery of the cover glass  80  (shown in the lower portion of drawing) and may be designed in a manner representative of designs of picture frames for still images. That is, the frame  110  may be wood or wood-simulated, brass or brass-simulated, or any number of other materials typically used for still image picture frames. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown the assembly  120  and a representative display  20  over which the assembly  120  is placed. It is noted that the display  20  may be a digital picture frame, television, kiosk or the like. The viewing portion  130  of the display  20  is placed beneath and spanning the hollowed-out portion  40  and, since the cover glass  80  is transparent, the display  20  is viewable by a user. The representative display  20  includes an encasing  140  surrounding the viewing portion  130 , and the surface of the viewing portion  130  is not flush with the surface of the encasing  140 , but is slightly below the encasing level so that, when the assembly  120  is attached thereto, the display surface is not damaged or the like. 
         [0022]    Referring to the upper portion of  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 6 , the assembly  120  is shown having the previously discussed components—the bracket  30 , supports  70 , interface activator  100 , cover glass  80 , and frame  110 . It is noted that the frame  110  includes notched-out portions  160  into which fits a projection  170  (see  FIG. 7 ) of the display  20  so that the assembly  120  and display  20  are integrated and stabilized as a single unit. It is noted that, although a frame  110  is shown for providing the means to which the sub-assembly  10  is attached to the display  20 , various other mechanisms may be used in lieu of the notched-out portion  160  of the frame  110 . For example, those skilled in the art may alter the bracket  30  so that it is the mechanism by which the sub-assembly  10  is attached to the display  20 . Still further, the cover glass  80  may be altered with an extension that extends over the bracket  30  and connects to the display  20 . It will also be appreciated that in still other embodiments, the interface activators  100  themselves can be used to join the cover glass  80  to display  20 , such as by providing removable mounting features such as spongy adhesive tape, threads, magnetic features, or adhesives on the interface activators  100  so as to allow these devices to be used to provide the physical link between the cover glass  80  and the display device  20 . 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , there is shown the assembly  120  mounted on the display  20 , and referring to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a cross-sectional view of the assembly  120 . As best seen in  FIG. 7 , the display  20  includes four Hall-Effect sensors  180  (only two of which are visible from the cross section) each of which is mated with an interface activator  100 . In operation, when the user presses against the cover glass  80  near a particular interface activator  100 , the interface activator  100  is moved toward downwardly and the magnetic field between the interface activator  100  and the Hall-Effect sensor  180  is altered causing the sensor  180  to send a signal to the processor  190  that the user wishes a mode of operation or function associated with that particular interface activator  100  to be activated (i.e., a touch activated feature). The processor  190 , in turn, directs the corresponding mode of operation (function) or feature to be activated or altered accordingly. Although a Hall-Effect sensor  180  is preferred, the sensor  180  may also be an optical sensor or the like so that it functionally works with the interface activator  100  as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
         [0024]    From the foregoing, it can be appreciated that, since the user presses the cover glass  80 , the display  20  is not the user interface for the user so that it is not exposed to typical degradation caused by ordinary use. It is appreciated that the assembly  120  is relatively inexpensive as compared to the display  20  and is more easily replaced or repaired than the display  20 . As an illustrative embodiment, if the display  20  is a digital picture frame, the display may display “arrows” or the like indicating fast forwarding of images or reverse sequencing of images respectively spatially close to a particular interface activator  100 . The user presses the cover glass  80  near the desired “arrow” in which case the particular function or feature is activated accordingly. 
         [0025]    It will be appreciated from the foregoing that a designer or manufacturer of display devices will, using the devices described herein be able to provide a display device to which touch sensitive capabilities can be added as desired, either by a customer after purchase or otherwise. This simplifies the designers challenge in designing such systems as a non-touch sensitive model can be designed and manufactured with low cost, replaceable, touch sensitive capabilities added thereto as desired. 
         [0026]    The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
       Parts List  
       [0000]    
       
           10  sub-assembly 
           20  display 
           30  bracket 
           40  hollowed-out portion 
           50  pedestal portion 
           60  post portion 
           70  supports 
           80  cover glass 
           90  finger projections 
           100  interface activator 
           110  frame 
           120  assembly 
           130  viewing portion 
           140  encasing 
           160  notched-out portion 
           170  projection 
           180  sensors 
           190  processor