Abstract:
Apparatus comprises an electronic display, a processor coupled to the electronic display and configured by software to divide the electronic display into first and second display portions, a frame member including at least two surround members and a divider member. The frame member is secured adjacent the electronic display so that the surround members provide a surround to at least two opposite edges of the electronic display and such that the first display portion of the electronic display is on an opposite side of the divider member to the second display portion of the electronic display, and wherein the processor is configured by software to control the display to provide a first image in the first display portion and a second image in the second display portion, the second image being independent of the first image.

Description:
FIELD  
       [0001]    This invention relates to apparatus comprising an electronic display, a processor and a frame member. 
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]    Digital photograph frames are well-known. They typically comprise a colour liquid crystal display (LCD) and a memory card module. By providing files representing digital photographs on a memory card and inserting the card into the digital photograph frame, a user can obtain display of their digital photographs on a device having the appearance of a conventional photograph frame. Users often like the ability to change the digital photograph being displayed by simple manipulation of a control on the digital photograph frame, compared to the laborious manual replacement process that is required with conventional photograph frames. Users often like also the ability that is present in some digital photograph frames to cycle through a number of different photographs in a slideshow effect. 
         [0003]    It is known for digital photograph frames to be controllable to divide a display into four fields and to display different digital photographs in the different fields. The effect is not unlike that obtained in split screen video systems, such as those found in security camera monitoring stations. 
         [0004]    Digital photograph frames are relatively expensive. A significant part of the cost is made up of the costs of the display. Displays having an aspect ratio of 16:9 tend to be less costly than displays of other aspect ratios for a given size. However, digital photographs typically have an aspect ratio of 4:3. As such, digital photograph frames tend to use more costly 4:3 displays or alternatively utilise image cropping, blank borders and/or stretching in order to accommodate photographs on a display having a different aspect ratio. These techniques are undesirable in that they can reduce the effectiveness of the digital photograph frame and because it can involve a cost in order to provide a digital photograph frame with the ability to apply the techniques. 
         [0005]    The invention was made in this context. 
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]    According to the present invention, there is provided apparatus comprising:
       an electronic display;   a processor coupled to the electronic display and configured by software to divide the electronic display into first and second display portions; and   a frame member including at least two surround members and a divider member,
 
wherein the frame member is secured adjacent the electronic display so that the surround members provide a surround to at least two opposite edges of the electronic display and such that the first display portion of the electronic display is on an opposite side of the divider member to the second display portion of the electronic display, and wherein the processor is configured by software to control the display to provide a first image in the first display portion and a second image in the second display portion, the second image being independent of the first image.
       
 
         [0010]    This invention can provide a digital photograph frame appearing to have plural independent displays although without the costs associated with providing multiple displays. In this way, the digital photograph frame can more closely resemble conventional picture frames, which often have multiple separate framed pictures. In this way, the digital photograph frame can be said to be disguised as a conventional picture frame, and is able to resemble less a conventional digital photograph frame. 
         [0011]    The electronic display may have a 16:9 aspect ratio. The cost advantages of such displays can be utilised in the present invention without the scaling and cropping problems that can be experienced with images having a different aspect ratio, for instance 4:3. This advantage can flow from the fact that the dividing member can hide or obscure an area of the electronic display. The electronic display may instead have a 16:10 aspect ratio, although in this case a narrower divider member may be more appropriate. 
         [0012]    The apparatus may comprise a reader for interfacing with an external memory device. This can allow digital data, particularly image data, easily to be communicated to the apparatus for display on the electronic display. The apparatus may comprise a memory card reader and/or a USB port. 
         [0013]    The apparatus may comprise a remote control receiver module. This can allow control of the apparatus to be achieved by a user without requiring the user to operate physical controls on the apparatus. It can allow the apparatus to be provided without physical controls, or with a reduced number of physical controls. 
         [0014]    The apparatus may comprise a connection to a source of electrical power. 
         [0015]    The apparatus may comprise a module for connecting the apparatus to an external network. The module may allow the apparatus to be connected directly to a telephone network, for instance. 
         [0016]    The frame member may include four surround members, the frame member being secured adjacent the electronic display so that the surround members provide a surround to four edges of the electronic display. This can provide a frame that completely surrounds a square or rectangular electronic display, with the display being divided by the divider member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0017]    Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a digital photograph frame in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is schematic illustration of the  FIG. 1  digital photograph frame in an exploded view; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating components of the  FIGS. 1 and 2  digital photograph frame and their interconnection. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]    A digital photograph frame  10  in accordance with the presence invention is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The digital photograph frame  10  comprises generally a frame member  11 , a stand member  12  and first and second picture areas  13 ,  14 . In the first picture area  13 , the digital photograph frame  10  displays a digital image representing some flowers, and in the second picture area  14  is displayed a digital image representing a house. 
         [0022]    The frame member  11  includes a perimeter formed by a left vertical frame member  15 , a right vertical frame member  16 , a bottom horizontal frame member  17  and a top horizontal frame member  18 . The left vertical frame member  15  is connected to the bottom horizontal frame member  17  at its lower end, and is connected to the top horizontal frame member  18  at its upper end. Similarly, the right vertical frame member  16  is connected to the bottom horizontal frame member  17  at its bottom end and to the top horizontal frame member  18  at its top end. 
         [0023]    Connected from a point half way along the left vertical frame member  15  to a point half way along the right vertical frame member  16  is a frame divider member  20 . The frame divider member  20  separates the first picture area  13  from the second picture area  14 . The length of the frame divider member  20  is equal to the lengths of the bottom and top horizontal frame members  17 ,  18 . The frame divider member  20 , the bottom horizontal frame member  17  and the top horizontal frame member  18  extend parallel to one another, and each is perpendicular to the left and right vertical frame members  15 ,  16 . 
         [0024]    In this embodiment, the widths of the left and right horizontal frame members  15 ,  16 , the bottom and top horizontal frame members  17 ,  18  and the frame divider member  20  are approximately equal. Furthermore, the widths of these members are substantially uniform for their entire length. However, in other embodiments (not shown) the relevant dimensions of these members  15 - 18 ,  20  may vary. Furthermore, the frame members may have different cross-sectional profiles. For instance, instead of being rectangular the cross-sectional profiles of the frame members may be trapezoidal, or may have a curved upper surface. The frame members may have any suitable shape. 
         [0025]    In this embodiment, the frame members are formed unitarily from a plastics material. However, the frame members may alternatively be formed separately and subsequently connected together. The frame members may be made of any other suitable material, for instance, metal or wood. The frame member  11  may be painted, or its surface may be treated in some other fashion. Alternatively, the frame member  11  may have an uncoated surface. Advantageously, the surface of the frame member is smooth, so as to facilitate easy cleaning. 
         [0026]    The stand member  12  is connected at one end to the reverse side of the digital photograph frame  10 . The stand member  12  is hingedly coupled to the frame member  10  such that the other, free end of the stand member  12  may be held some distance from the base of the digital photograph frame  10 . In this way, the digital photograph frame  10  may be supported in an upright position by placement of the free end of the stand member  12  and the base of the digital photograph frame  10  on a surface, for instance a table or shelf. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the frame member  11  is shown separated from an electronic display  25 . The electronic display is in this embodiment a liquid crystal display (LCD). The LCD  25  is supported on a substrate  26 . The substrate  26  may incorporate a circuit board (not shown). 
         [0028]    The LCD  25  has a length along its longest side of 15.5 cm, and a length along its shortest side of 8.7 cm. The LCD  25  thus is a 7 inch (17.78 cm) display having an aspect ratio of 16:9. 
         [0029]    The first picture area  13 , that is defined by the left and right vertical frame members  15 ,  16 , the top horizontal frame member  18  and the frame divider member  20 , is shown in  FIG. 2  as being located at the uppermost end of the LCD  25 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the top, left and right edges of the first picture area  13  are close to the edges of the LCD  25 . The second picture area  14 , which is defined by the left and right vertical frame members  15 ,  16 , the bottom horizontal frame member  17  and the frame divider member  20 , is shown located at the bottommost part of the LCD  25 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the left, right and lower edges of the second picture area  14  are located close to the corresponding edges of the LCD  25 . 
         [0030]    The bottommost edge of the first picture area  13  is separated from the uppermost edge of the second picture area  14  by a distance that is equal to the width of the frame divider member  20 . 
         [0031]    In this embodiment, the width of the frame divider member  20 , and thus the separation between the first and second picture area  13 ,  14 , is 2.5 cm. The longest dimension of each of the first and second picture areas  13 ,  14  is 8.50 cm, and the shortest dimension of each of the first and second picture areas  13 ,  14  is 6.38 cm. Also, the distance between the left and right sides of each of the first and second picture areas and the corresponding edge of the LCD  25  is 1.2 mm. The distance between the top of the first picture area  13  and the top edge of the LCD  25  is 1.2 mm. The distance between the bottom edge of the second picture area  14  and the bottom edge of the LCD  25  is 1.2 mm. 
         [0032]    Consequently, each of the first and second picture areas  13 ,  14  has an aspect ratio of 4:3. Additionally, a distance slightly greater than 1 mm is provided between the edge of each of the first and second picture areas  13 ,  14  and the edge of the LCD  25 . This allows some misalignment between the frame member  11  and the LCD  25  without any part of the substrate  26  being visible within the first and second picture areas  13 ,  14 . 
         [0033]    Although not visible in the Figures, the substrate  26  is secured to the frame member  11  so as to prevent movement therebetween. Once assembled, a user is unable to remove the frame member  11  from the digital photograph frame. This helps to ensure that the first and second picture areas  13 ,  14  remain aligned with the LCD  25 . 
         [0034]    Components of the digital photograph frame  10  are illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The LCD display  25  is shown to be connected to a processor  13 . The processor is in two-way communication with a USB connector  31 , a memory card module  32 , a telephone interface  33  and an internal memory  34 . The processor  30  also is connected to receive signals from an infra-red receiver  35 . The processor  30  and all of the other components of the digital photograph frame  10  shown in  FIG. 3  are provided with electrical power by a power supply connector  36 . 
         [0035]    The processor  30  operates under control of software that is stored in non-volatile memory within the digital photograph frame  10 . The internal memory  34 , if present, may serve as this memory. Alternatively, a separate memory (not shown) may be used for this purpose. 
         [0036]    The power supply connector  36  may be connectable to a source of mains electricity (not shown). Alternatively, the power supply connector  36  may be connectable to a mains transformer, such that the digital photograph frame  10  receives a DC power supply derived from a mains power supply. Alternatively, the power supply connector  36  may be a connection to one or more batteries. In this connection, the digital photograph frame  10  may include a battery compartment for accommodating such batteries. 
         [0037]    The internal memory  34  is optional. If present, it may be constituted by a flash memory, or a non-volatile memory. The capacity of the internal memory  34  may take any suitable value. For instance, the capacity may be 128 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB, 1 GB or a higher value. A function of the internal memory  34  is to store image files locally on the digital photograph frame  10 . In this way, the digital photograph frame  10  can display images even in the absence of an external source of image data. 
         [0038]    The USB connector  31  is connectable to external USB devices. In this way, the digital photograph frame can connect with a USB flash memory drive, a USB hard disk storage drive or other external storage. The processor  30  may be arranged to retrieve image data from a device connected to the USB connector  31  in any suitable way. 
         [0039]    The memory card module  32  is able to receive external memory cards (not shown). The memory card module  32  may take any suitable form. For instance, the memory card module  32  may be an SD (secure digital) memory card reader. The processor  30  may control the reading and writing of data between a memory card inserted into the memory card module  32  and the internal memory  34  in any suitable way. 
         [0040]    The telephone interface  33  is connectable to a telephone network. In this way, data can be communicated between the digital photograph frame  10  and a network-connected device that is coupled to the telephone interface  33 , so as to communicate image between the internal memory  34  and the external device. 
         [0041]    Telephone network related information, such as caller ID information, can be displayed when a call is received. An image associated with a caller ID (as set by a user in advance) may be displayed with the caller ID. This can allow a user easily to see the identity of a person calling. The image may alternatively be displayed without the caller ID information. This function is optional. 
         [0042]    Image data may be communicated between the internal memory  34  and devices connected externally to any of the USB connector  31 , the memory card module  32  and the telephone interface  33  in any suitable manner. 
         [0043]    The infra-red receiver  35  is operable to translate received infra-red signals into control signals, which are received by the processor  30 . In this way, a user can control the digital photograph frame  10  using an infra-red remote control device (not shown). The functions of the digital photograph frame  10  that can be operated by the remote control device may be of any suitable type. 
         [0044]    The processor  30  is operable to provide data to the display  24  such as to cause images dependent on images stored in the internal memory  34  or received via any of the USB connector  31 , the memory card module  32 , and the telephone interface  33  to be displayed so as to be visible by the user. In particular, the processor is configured to control the display  25  to display two different images simultaneously. 
         [0045]    The processor  30  is configured to control a first image to be displayed on an uppermost half of the LCD  25 , and the second image to be displayed on a lowermost half of the LCD  25 . In this way, a different image is displayed in the part of the LCD that incorporates the first picture area  13 . The two images are independent of one another. The two different images may be received from the same one of the possible sources of images, namely the internal memory  34 , the USB connector  31 , the memory card module  32  and the telephone interface  33 , or they may be sourced from different ones of these image sources. Additionally, the images displayed on each of the picture areas  13 ,  14  is controllable by the user, for instance, through the infra-red receiver  35 . In particular, a user may control the additional photograph frame to display two different still images in the different picture areas  13 ,  14 . Alternatively, the user may control the digital photograph frame  10  to provide additional still image in one of the first and second picture areas  13 ,  14  and to provide a slide show of different images in the other one of the picture areas  13 ,  14 . Alternatively, a user may control the digital photograph frame so as to provide a still image or a slideshow of images in one of the picture areas  13 ,  14  and to provide a clock and/or calendar display in the other one of the picture areas  13 ,  14 . 
         [0046]    In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the digital photograph frame  10  is provided with one or more electrical switches, through which a user may input commands into the digital photograph frame  10 . 
         [0047]    The processor  13  may be configured to control the LCD  25  to display the image that is visible in the first picture area  13  contiguous with the image that is visible in the second picture area  14 . Alternatively, the processor  30  may control the LCD  25  to display the images that are visible in the first and second picture areas  13 ,  14  separated by an area, co-located with the frame divider member  20 , absent of any image. The user&#39;s experience is the same in either case. 
         [0048]    The components shown in  FIG. 3  are mounted on the substrate  26 . Advantageously, the components are located on a surface of the substrate  26  opposite to the LCD  25  and are protected by a housing member (not shown). In this case, apertures in the housing member allow access of USB devices into the UBS connector  31 , access of memory cards into the memory card module  32 , and access of a telephone cable into the telephone interface  33 . Also, a sensor forming part of the infra red receiver  35  is located on a front or side face of the digital photograph frame  10 . 
         [0049]    It will be appreciated that the above-described embodiments are purely illustrative, and not limiting on the scope of protection to which we are entitled. For instance, the electronic display  25  need not be an LCD display, but instead could be an organic light emitting diode display, an e-ink display, or some other display technology. Additionally, the digital photograph frame may include more than one frame divider member, dividing the area of the electronic display  25  into more than two distinct picture areas. All alternative embodiments will be conceivable by the persons skilled in the art. The scope of protection is limited only by the appended claims.