Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to illuminated display devices and methods of displaying indicia, advertisements, etc. on a changeable illuminated display. The display device comprises a frame structure, a plurality of openings formed in the frame structure, the plurality of openings comprising first and second open spaces disposed at top and bottom positions, respectively, of the frame structure, and the plurality of openings further comprising a third open space disposed between the first and second open spaces. The display device further comprises a compact image display device operable to display an image, the compact image display device held and positioned relative to the frame structure such that first, second, and third different portions of the image, when displayed by the compact image display device, are visible through the plurality of openings first, second, and third open spaces, respectively. Additionally, control circuitry is coupled to the compact image display device.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 120 as a continuation-in-part to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/533,953 entitled “Portable Device Having a Changeable Illuminated Display” filed on Jun. 26, 2012, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 9,637,069 issued May 2, 2017, and under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) from provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/571,473 entitled “Portable Device Having a Changeable Illuminated Display” filed on Jun. 27, 2011 of which each disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, TABLE OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates generally to illuminated display devices and methods of displaying indicia, advertisements, and other information on a changeable illuminated display. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0005]    Illuminated display devices are well known in the art. A common and popular illuminated display device includes an illuminated vehicle license plate frame. Many issued patents are directed to such vehicle license plate frames. Of particular relevance to the subject matter of the instant application is the illuminated license plate frame disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,430,822 to Combs entitled “Electroluminescent Vehicle License Plate Frame for Displaying Advertisement and Associated Method.” Advertising text and designs cut, milled or molded on a front portion of the frame are illuminated by recessed strip lighting. The advertising text and designs are disposed in upper and lower center portions and upper and lower left and right portions of the frame. The frame is designed to be mounted to a vehicle and the recessed strip lighting is powered by a direct current inverter connected to the vehicle&#39;s power source. 
         [0006]    Known license plate frames are limited in several respects. Firstly, known frames are designed to be mounted to a vehicle. This design feature limits the well-known and visually appealing license plate frame structure and motif to vehicle accessory applications. Further, this design feature renders known license plate frames portable only to the extent of the portability of the vehicle to which they are attached. Secondly, known license plate frames do not provide for illuminated changeable displays in a portable device. As is known, advertising text is often cut, milled, molded, stamped and/or painted onto the license plate frame. Thirdly, known license plate frames generally provide an open space for the display of the contents of the license plate to which they are attached. The open space is not used for the display of advertising text or other indicia. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A portable device having a changeable illuminated display of the invention provides a unique device that overcomes the limitations of known illuminated plate frames and provides distinct advantages over existing devices. A portable device consistent with the present invention comprises a light-weight plate frame structure formed to closely receive a compact image display device held within the frame structure. Digital images are displayed by the compact image display device. Due to its small size and construction, the portable device is of light weight and may be attached or hung from a variety of places including the arm of a user to thereby provide a portable and wearable illuminated display device. Digital images are displayable within the license plate frame structure to provide a versatile illuminated display device that may be used in a variety of circumstances and to express a variety of information. 
         [0008]    In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the portable device having illuminated interchangeable displays has a plate frame structure and a compact image display device closely received in the plate frame structure. The compact image display device includes interfaces for connection to external devices from which images for display by the portable device can be transferred. The frame structure has a front structure that includes three open portions whereas the three open portions exposes a portion of the illuminated surface of the compact image display device. The frame structure has a back structure that includes an integral housing for receiving a direct current power source. The compact image display device is closely received between the front and back structures and includes control circuitry coupled in series with the direct current power source. 
         [0009]    In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a strap is receivable in slots formed in the back structure of the frame structure. The strap provides a user with the ability to strap the portable device to a limb including his or her arm. 
         [0010]    In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the portable device is portable. The small size, thin profile, and weight of the portable device make it easily portable and attachable to many structures and place-able upon many surfaces. 
         [0011]    In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the portable device is wearable. The small size and weight of the portable device make it attachable to a limb of the user. 
         [0012]    In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the portable device is versatile. The portable device is designed to display digital images. Changeable images provide the user with a plurality of information including preferences, advertising, logos, and other designs and insignia from which to choose. 
         [0013]    There has been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended herein. 
         [0014]    In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of design and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0015]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other devices for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent devices insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The present disclosure may be better understood and its numerous features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the portable device having a changeable illuminated display in accordance with the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the portable device having a changeable illuminated display of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the portable device having a changeable illuminated display illustrating an image visible through open spaces formed in a front structure of a frame structure in accordance with the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the front structure of the frame structure; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is an end elevation view of the front structure of the frame structure of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of the front structure of the frame structure of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of the front structure of the frame structure of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of a back structure of the frame structure; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of the back structure of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a cutaway view of a battery compartment formed in the back structure of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a bottom plan view of the back structure illustrating a compact image display device closely held in the back structure of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a bottom plan view of the back structure illustrating compact image display device circuitry and slots formed to receive a strap; 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a plan view of the compact image display device; 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  is a plan view of the portable device displaying a digital image from data received wirelessly from an external computing system; 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  is a plan view of a smartphone device displaying a digital image from data received wirelessly from an external computing system; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  is an illustration of attendees of a sports game within a venue having devices with wireless capability to send and receive data to other devices therein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0033]    A portable device having a changeable illuminated display generally designated in accordance with the principles of the invention will now be described with reference to the figures. With initial reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , the portable device having a changeable illuminated display includes a license plate frame structure  12  and a compact image display device  70  closely held within the license plate frame structure  12 . Open spaces  22   a ,  22   b , and  22   c  in the license plate frame structure  12  make visible indicia formed on a digital image  60  underlying the open spaces  22   a ,  22   b , and  22   c.    
         [0034]    The license plate frame structure  12  is preferably formed of a lightweight material such as plastic and is preferably 8¼ inches long by 4¼ inches wide by 1 inch thick. The license plate frame structure  12  has a front structure  20  and a back structure  40 . The front structure  20  has a thin profile of preferably ½ inch, side portions  26  and end portions  28  ( FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 ). Front and back structures  20  and  40  are shown in subsequent figures as being separate and generally rectangular structures but one skilled in the art will recognize that the front and back structures  20  and  40  may be formed as one structure as for example by injection molding. 
         [0035]    Open spaces  22   a  and  22   b  are formed in the front structure  20  and are rectangular in shape and of generally equal area. Open spaces  22   a  and  22   b  are disposed in the center top and center bottom of the front structure  20 ,  25  respectively. Open spaces  22   a  and  22   b  are preferably 3¾ inches long and one half inch wide. Open space  22   c  is disposed between open spaces  22   a  and  22   b  and has a generally rectangular shape with one irregularly shaped side having five segments that together provide the upper right and left open spaces of open space  22   c . Open space  22   c  is preferably 7½ inches long by 2⅜ inches wide through its central extent and 2¾ inches wide at the widest extent of the upper right and left open spaces. Open space  22   c  is the space generally reserved for display of the license plate information in known license plate frames. Open spaces  22   a ,  22   b , and  22   c  provide visual access to indicia  62   a ,  62   b , and  62   c  formed on portions of the digital image  60  exposed thereby. 
         [0036]    With particular reference to  FIG. 3 , the representative phrase  62   a  “A DIEHARD” formed on the digital image  60  is visible through the open space  22   a . The representative phrase  62   b  “FAN” formed on the digital image  60  is visible through the open space  22   b . Other representative phrases and insignia  62   c  formed on the digital image are visible through the open space  22   c . An advantage of the invention lies in the fact that the larger open space  22   c  is available for the display of information in addition to the relatively smaller open spaces  22   a  and  22   b.    
         [0037]    The digital image  60  includes information that may include partial phrases that when combined form another phrase such as the combination of the representative phrase  62   a  “A DIEHARD” and the representative phase  62   b  “FAN” to provide the representative phase “A DIEHARD FAN”. The phrases  62   a  and  62   b  are advantageously positioned in the license plate frame structure  12  (in open spaces  22   a  and  22   b ) such that the two phrases are customarily combined by the eye of a viewer to form the representative phrase “A DIEHARD FAN”. The information displayed in the open space  22   c  adds context to the combined phrase and displays the user&#39;s loyalty (in the case of a sports team and/or sports player as illustrated). The representative phrases  62   a  “A DIEHARD” and  62   b  “FAN”, as well as the representative phrases  62   c  are illustrative only and a plurality of digital images  60  provide information including other combinations of phrases in a plurality of areas of interest to a user including sports teams and players, musical performers and groups, alma maters and the like. 
         [0038]    The back structure  40  of the license plate frame structure  12  has a thin profile of ½ inch and a battery compartment  80  having a wall  82  of preferably ¾ inch that serves as a pedestal upon which to place upright the portable device  10  upon a flat surface such as that of a desktop or a surface adjacent a rear  5  window of a vehicle. The wall  82  is coplanar with a side wall  46  of the back structure  40  ( FIG. 9 ). 
         [0039]    The back structure  40  also has a switch  84  coupled to a control circuit as further described below. Operation of the switch  84  opens and closes  10  the circuit that powers the compact image display device  70 . 
         [0040]    The battery compartment  80  is sized and configured to receive two AA batteries  86   a  and  86   b  ( FIG. 10 ). Batteries  86   a  and  86   b  are connected in series to control circuitry  30  ( FIG. 12 ), the switch  84  and the compact image  15  display device  70 . 
         [0041]    The compact image display device  70  is preferably a thin LCD display electrically coupled to, and controlled by, the control circuitry  30 . The compact image display device  70  is preferably rectangular and is 7⅞ inches long by 3⅞ inches wide ( FIG. 13 ). The control circuitry  30  has coupled thereto a USB interface  94  and a Secure Digital Card interface  96  ( FIG. 2 ). Interfaces  94  and  96  provide connectivity to devices from which images for display on the compact image display device  70  can be provided to the control circuitry  30 . The control circuitry  30  may include a memory coupled thereto for storing images. 
         [0042]    The back structure  40  of the license plate frame  12  is sized and configured to closely receive the compact image display device  70  as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . Ribs  42  formed on an inside surface of the back structure  40  support and position the compact image display device  70  within the back structure  40 . 
         [0043]    In the embodiment illustrated, the front structure  20  is joined and secured to the back structure  40  by means of screws. The compact image display device  70  is held closely within the license plate frame structure  12  formed by the joining of the front and back structures  20  and  40 . The front and back structures  20  and  40  have coextensive sides that form the sides of the license plate frame structure  12  when joined. 
         [0044]    The back structure  40  also has a ¾ inch strap  90  that is receivable  10  in slots  92   a  and  92   b  formed in spaced relationship one to the other ( FIG. 2  and  FIG. 8 ). The strap  90  is preferably adjustable and allows the portable device  10  to be hung from a variety of places such as from mirrors and refrigerator door handles as well as from a user&#39;s limb, and more particularly from a user&#39;s arm. 
         [0045]    The illustrative embodiment of the portable device having a changeable illuminated display described above provides a portable, light-weight, placeable, and wearable license plate frame structure formed to closely receive a compact image display device that displays a digital image. Digital images are displayed within the license plate frame structure to provide a versatile display device that may be used in a variety of circumstances and to express a variety of information. 
         [0046]      FIG. 14  is a plan view of the portable device  10  displaying digital image  60  data received wirelessly from an external computing system (not shown). In the embodiment shown, portable device  10  can receive and transmit wireless signals to an external computing system. Particularly, portable device  10  can receive data wireless via WiFi, a technology for wireless local area networking with devices based on IEEE 802.11 standards. As known in the art, WiFi-compatible devices can connect to the Internet via a WLAN network and a wireless access point. 
         [0047]    As such, a system employing the present invention may include computing devices that employ WiFi wireless capability. For instance, a system employing WiFi capability may include a wireless router, modem (e.g., Broadband modem), and any of several personal computing devices (e.g., smartphones, 2:1 computer, laptops, tablets, etc.). 
         [0048]    Accordingly, the present invention includes a system or method for wireless transmitting data (e.g., image data) to a portable device  10 . As such, a portable device  10  can display images stored on the device  10  in addition to those that are sent to the device  10  from an external device. It should be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that the present invention is not limited to WiFi and may employ other wireless technologies such as, but not limited to, WAN, WLAN, Digital, Analog, Line-of-site, Non-line-of-site, Simplex, Half-/full Duplex, Point-to-point, Multipoint, Frequency Division Multiplexing System, Spread Spectrum, and other suitable technologies. 
         [0049]      FIG. 15  is a plan view of a smartphone device  100  displaying a digital image  101  from data received wirelessly from an external device. Smartphone device  100  can receive a plurality of data from an external computing system via the device&#39;s  100  wireless electronic circuitry. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, smartphone device  100  can display the same images as displayed by the portable devices  100  in the previous figures. For example, smartphone device  100  can display changeable images which provide the user with a plurality of information such as, but not limited to, preferences, advertising, logos, and other designs and insignia from which a user can choose. The smartphone device  100  may employ haptics (e.g., vibration) or other functions on the smartphone device  100  to provide further effects. 
         [0050]    It should be understood that smartphone device  100  includes memory such as, but not limited to, random access memory (RAM) and device memory. In some embodiments, smartphone device  100  includes a port for a secure digital (SD) card. The smartphone device&#39;s  100  memory can store digital data that can be displayed at any time. In some embodiments, a wireless signal sent to the smartphone device  100  can trigger the device  100  to display one or more digital images that are stored thereon. 
         [0051]    Furthermore, smartphone device  100  may have software applications downloaded thereon which may provide access to a plurality of digital images and data. For example, smartphone device  100  may have a “sports team” software application such that a user can access specific digital images or other indicia related to a specific sports team. For example, a Penguins fan may have a Penguins software application downloaded on the fan&#39;s smartphone device  100 . The Penguins software application may have digital images of the Penguin team&#39;s logo and other team indicia. During a game, a fan can exhibit on the smartphone device&#39;s  100  display digital images as shown in the following figure. 
         [0052]    In addition, a smartphone device  100  may be networked to portable devices (as the exemplary devices shown in  FIGS. 1-13 . As such, smartphone device  100  may transmit and receive data from these portable devices such that a user can operate two or more devices within the network simultaneously. 
         [0053]      FIG. 16  is an illustration of attendees of a sports game within a venue having devices  150  with wireless capability to send and receive data to other devices  150  therein. For example, a coliseum, where games are to be played, may be equipped with several routers to connect devices to the Internet and to transmit data between devices located in the coliseum. 
         [0054]    In another embodiment of the present invention, fans within close proximity of each other within a venue may share the digital images on their devices with each other. Digital images (or other data) may be shared by any suitable means known in the art such as, but not limited to, Bluetooth, Zigbee, infrared transmission, or any other suitable technology. 
         [0055]    The devices  150  may be used during live games (or other live events) to promote team spirit and fan comradery. In addition, these devices  150  may increase fan participation during a live sports game. As attendees of a live game (or other live event) use the device  150 , they become more active during the game thereby creating a more enjoyable experience regardless of the outcome of the game. 
         [0056]    The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.