Patent Publication Number: US-2018040264-A1

Title: Device for presenting images in a 3d format

Description:
I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A. Field of Invention 
     Embodiments of the invention generally relate to the field of picture frames for displaying hardcopy three-dimensional images. 
     B. Description of the Related Art 
     Devices are known for displaying overlaid semitransparent images; however, existing devices require a user insert or remove images through slots in, for example, a frame. Others do not fully enclose the image panels, thereby subjecting them to edge-impact damage. Still others do not provide for interchangeable panels, thereby making it difficult for a user to create its own semitransparent image panels. What is needed is a device that fully encloses the edges of each image panel, and allows for interchangeability of panels. 
     Some embodiments of the present invention may provide one or more benefits or advantages over the prior art. 
     II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Some embodiments may relate to a three-dimensional framed display. Displays may comprise a frame member having a polygonal outer perimeter. They may also include an outer perimeter surface, of the frame member, bounded by the polygonal outer perimeter. The display may further include an inner perimeter surface, of the frame member, being disposed within the outer perimeter surface. The inner perimeter surface may define a plurality of ridges and a plurality of troughs, wherein the troughs are identically dimensioned. The display may also include a plurality of channels being defined by the ridges and the troughs, wherein the plurality of channels are parallel to each other and collectively arranged in a fore to aft relation relative to the frame member. The plurality of channels may define a closed loop, and wherein none of the plurality of channels breaks the outer perimeter surface. The display may include a central opening bounded by the inner perimeter surface. The display may include a plurality of transparent panels each panel being received by a channel of the plurality of channels in a loose running fit, and retained by the ridges in a clearance fit. The display may further include a first variable opacity image disposed on a first transparent panel of the plurality of transparent panels. The first transparent panel may be in a foremost position, and the first variable opacity image may be covering a first two-dimensional region of the foremost transparent panel. A second variable opacity image may be disposed on a second transparent panel aft of the foremost transparent panel. The second variable opacity image may be covering a second two-dimensional region of the second transparent panel. The second two-dimensional region may be at least partially visible when the three-dimensional framed display is viewed from a front of the frame member. 
     In some embodiments each of the transparent panels are received about an entire perimeter of the transparent panel by the entire closed loop of the corresponding channel. 
     In some embodiments the frame member comprises a plurality of side members adjoined end-to-end to form the polygonal outer perimeter, the outer perimeter surface, and the inner perimeter surface. 
     In some embodiments the frame member has a geometric center coincident with a geometric center of the central opening. 
     In some embodiments the frame member has a geometric center that is not coincident with a geometric center of the central opening. 
     In some embodiments the plurality of ridges vary in height. 
     In some embodiments the inner perimeter surface defines a geometrically dissimilar polygonal perimeter relative to the outer perimeter surface. 
     Other benefits and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification. 
    
    
     
       III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, wherein like reference numerals indicate like structure, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  is a front elevation view of an embodiment; 
         FIG. 1B  is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A  taken along line  1 B- 1 B; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A ; and 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of an image blending effect enabled by embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A. Definitions 
     As used herein the terms “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “some embodiments”, “other embodiments” and so on are not exclusive of one another. Except where there is an explicit statement to the contrary, all descriptions of the features and elements of the various embodiments disclosed herein may be combined in all operable combinations thereof. 
     Language used herein to describe process steps may include words such as “then” which suggest an order of operations; however, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the use of such terms is often a matter of convenience and does not necessarily limit the process being described to a particular order of steps. 
     Conjunctions and combinations of conjunctions (e.g. “and/or”) are used herein when reciting elements and characteristics of embodiments; however, unless specifically stated to the contrary or required by context, “and”, “or” and “and/or” are interchangeable and do not necessarily require every element of a list or only one element of a list to the exclusion of others. 
     As used herein “adjoined” means to interlock such that the interlocking members are securely fastened to each other and thus have no relative motion, or have a degree of relative motion that does not negate the functionality of the interlocked members. 
     As used herein “bounded by” means to delimit in at least one dimension or degree of freedom. 
     As used herein “coincident” means occupying the same space. 
     As used herein for the purpose of describing channels the phrase “closed loop” means to sweep out a path where no end of the path is discernable, in the same sense that a circle or ring is a closed loop; however, a closed loop path is not limited to circles or rings, and may in fact take on polygonal forms. 
     As used herein “clearance fit” means any fit where the fitting members may slide freely relative to each other, and includes loose-running fits, free-running fits, close-running fits, and sliding fits. The term “clearance fit” is not intended to restrict the invention to a particular ISO or ANSI standards. 
     As used herein “variable opacity image” means that the visible spectrum opacity of a given image may vary in an X-Y plane of the image according to any optical density gradient pattern between 100% opacity to some lower limit up to including 0%. Moreover, opacity need not be constant over the visible spectrum. Accordingly, some light frequencies may be passed more efficiently than others, thus imparting color. 
     As used herein the term “perimeter” taken by itself refers to an abstract measure, and is not intended to denominate a structure. However, “perimeter” may be used as a descriptor of a structural component and thus may be part of a phrase denominating a structure. For example, the term “outer perimeter” indicates an abstract measure herein, while “outer perimeter surface” denominates a structural element characterized by an outer perimeter. 
     As used herein the term “geometrically similar” is intended to have its ordinary mathematical meaning indicating identical shapes that may differ only in size. Conversely, the meaning of “geometrically dissimilar” is intended to indicate shapes that are not identical without regard to size. 
     B. Discussion 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same,  FIG. 1A  is an overall view of an embodiment showing a three-dimensional framed display  100 . The display  100  includes a frame member  110 , which includes an upper side member  110 U, a bottom side member  110 B, a left side member  110 L, and a right side member  110 R. The side members  110 U,  110 B,  110 L, and  110 R are adjoined end-to-end to form the rectangular frame member  110 . The frame member  110  as drawn defines a polygonal outer perimeter  112 P, or more specifically a rectangular outer perimeter  112 P as indicated by the dashed line  112 P in  FIG. 1A . As used herein, the term “outer perimeter” indicates the gross form or shape defined by the frame member  110  outermost from a central point  120 . 
     Furthermore, the frame member  110  has an outer perimeter surface  112 . The outer perimeter surface  112  is an outermost boundary surface of the frame member  110  from a central point  120 , and is thus bounded by the outer perimeter  112 P of the frame member  110 . Similarly, the frame member  110  also has an inner perimeter surface  114  which is an inner-most boundary of the frame member  110  relative to a central point  120 , and is thus bounded by an inner perimeter(s) of the frame member  110 . In the illustrated embodiment  100 , the inner and outer perimeter surfaces  112 ,  114  are parallel to each other; however, this is principally for convenience in illustration rather than functionality. The skilled artisan will readily appreciate that the inner and outer surfaces  112 ,  114  need not be parallel or geometrically similar; however, the inner perimeter surface  114  is within or encompassed by the outer perimeter surface  112 . 
     The embodiment  100  of  FIG. 1A  further includes a fore surface  116 F and an aft surface  116 A. The frame member  110  having a volume bounded by fore, aft, inner, and outer surfaces  116 F,  116 A,  114 ,  112  necessarily has not only surface, but also interior regions  150  as shown in  FIG. 1B . As used herein, the term “interior” refers to the closed space bounded by one or more surfaces, and particularly the material occupying such space. 
     The inner perimeter surface  114  comprises a plurality of channels collectively indicated by reference character  122 , and individually by  122   a,    122   b , and  122   c.  The channels  122  are recesses in, or recessions from, the inner perimeter surface  114  in to the frame interior  150 , for example and without limitation, by milling. The channels  122  are defined by a plurality of ridges  123  and troughs  127 . 
     Thus, the inner perimeter surface  114  can be said to define the channels and/or the plurality of ridges  123  and troughs  127 . Each of the troughs  127  are identically dimensioned, so that panels  124  are interchangeable between channels  122   a,    122   b , and  122   c.  By “identically dimensioned” it is contemplated that the troughs are so dimensioned as to accommodate panels  124  having the same maximum length, width, and thickness. Accordingly, each channel  122  defines a central opening  118  having the same height  160 H and the same width  160 W as measured between opposing troughs. Thus, each embodiment has a plurality of central openings equal in number to the number of channels. Notably, the ridges  123  need not be identically dimensioned for purpose of interchangeability, and instead may vary in their height, i.e. the height of the sidewall  123 S, as measured from the troughs  127  creating variations in the inner perimeter surface  114 . Thus, the inner perimeter surface  114  may be geometrically dissimilar to the outer perimeter surface  112  while maintaining interchangeability of panels  124 . For purposes of describing and claiming the invention, the sidewalls  123 S are regarded as a component of the ridges  123  and not as a component of the troughs  127 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1A , the channels  122   a,    122   b,    122   c  follow parallel closed-loop paths around the entire inner perimeter of the frame member  110  and are arranged in a fore to aft spacing in the inner perimeter surface  114  relative to the frame member  110 . Thus, panels  124  may be stacked within the frame member  110  as shown in  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 2  within the display  100  so that a person viewing the display from the front will perceive a composite image. Moreover, the edges of each panel  124  engage an entire channel  122  throughout its entire closed-loop path, thereby supporting and protecting the entire perimeter of the panel  124 . This guards against edge impact, and also has a stabilizing effect preventing the panels  124  from flexing. 
     With continuing reference to  FIG. 1A , the frame member  110  defines a central opening  118  bounded by the inner perimeter surface  114 . The frame member  110  of the present embodiment  100  is shown having a geometric center  120  coincident with the geometric center of the central opening  118 . This symmetry is not a requirement of the invention, but merely reflects the geometry of the present embodiment. 
     While the channels  122   a,    122   b,    122   c  are recessed into the frame interior  150 , no channel breaks through to the outer perimeter surface  112 , and the channels  122   a,    122   b,    122   c  each define a generally rectangular cross section (see  FIG. 1B ) having vertical sidewalls  123 S and horizontal ridges  123  and troughs  127 . Accordingly, the frame member  110  is adapted to receive a transparent panel  124  in each channel  122   a,    122   b,    122   c.  Moreover, the channels  122  are so dimensioned as to receive the panels  124  in a clearance fit such as, without limitation, a loose running fit, which is advantageous for easy manual assembly of the device  100 . For instance, a frame member  110  may be partially assembled by adjoining three of four sides  110 L,  110 B,  110 R, manually sliding the panels  124  into place, and adjoining the fourth side  110 U. In such embodiments, a clearance fit provides ease of assembly. 
     In some embodiments, the device  100  may be provided to end users partially assembled so that the end user may insert its own panels  124 . Such embodiments may include pre-fitted structure for the end user to easily adjoin the fourth side with, for instance, a rod-and-hole interference fit or other means commonly known in the art. A hole  210  for receiving a dowel rod is shown in  FIG. 2 . Moreover, the invention is not limited to embodiments having three channels  122  or three transparent panels  124 . Embodiments may be readily scaled to include any number of channels and panels. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates how embodiments form a composite image. For simplicity, a two-panel example is described. As shown in  FIG. 3  transparent panels  124   a,    124   b  may each include different variable opacity images  412 ,  422 . The example of  FIG. 3  shows a fore panel  124   a  having three 50% opacity white rectangles with 100% opacity black outlining, and an aft panel  124   b  having a 100% opacity house shape with a black vertical line fill pattern. When the two panels  124   a  and  124   b  are overlaid they produce composite image  248 . Reference character  432  indicates the region where  422  shows through  412 . Accordingly, a depth effect or three-dimensional effect is produced as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Further, the variable opacity of the images may provide varying degrees of perceived blending of the stacked images. Thus, a viewer may see through a partially transparent front image to simultaneously view one or more images behind it. If each of the stacked images is partially transparent along the same line of sight then the image perceived by an observer will be a composite image. In some embodiment the variable opacity of images may be used to produce lighting effects by permitting predetermined amounts of light transmission through an image. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses may be changed or modified without departing from the general scope of the invention. The invention is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.