Patent Publication Number: US-7581849-B2

Title: Digital picture display ornament with LEDs

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/890,896 filed Feb. 21, 2007. The disclosure of the provisional application is incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to ornaments, and more specifically to an ornament in which a plurality of light emitting diodes are disposed about a digital picture display to create special lighting effects to capture a user&#39;s attention. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Digital cameras have become the preferred choice for a large number of consumers due in part to the convenience of not being required to purchase and develop photographic film. Most digital cameras employ a charge coupled device, which includes a large number of diodes called pixels that convert photons into electrons. An electrical charge is accumulated by each pixel as it receives light and determines the intensity of the light. Various methods of using red, blue and green filters produce the full color image. The digital camera captures images and stores pictures in non-volatile memory using techniques well known in the field. The digital images can be downloaded to a computer using a serial, parallel, SCSI or universal serial bus port. Removable memory is also common in digital cameras in addition to using floppy disks or writeable CDs. 
   There have been attempts to develop devices other than computers or printers that are capable of receiving and displaying digital pictures. By way of example, note U.S. Pat. No. 6,975,308 to Bietto that discloses a picture frame for displaying digital images taken by a digital camera. The frame of Bietto may be a wall mounted frame or desk top frame and displays digital pictures when a motion sensor of the frame is activated. A shortcoming of this prior art is that the frame is a conventional type frame and is not adaptable to accentuate the digital images being displayed using specialized lighting effects. 
   Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,271 to Edwards that discloses a liquid crystal display for viewing digitally encoded pictures. The display of Edwards is described as approximately one-sixteenth of an inch in thickness and small enough to fit in a shirt pocket. Similar to the shortcomings of Bietto, the display does not accentuate the digital image being displayed. Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a more elaborate device for displaying digital images that captures the user&#39;s attention. 
   Another need exists in the art for an improved digital picture display that is customized to coordinate to a particular time of year or holiday. 
   Another need exists in the art for an improved digital picture display that is readily adaptable to suspend from a Christmas tree limb as an ornament. 
   Another need exists in the art for an improved digital picture display that is adaptable to display digital images stored and formatted as either JPEG, bmp, png, or gif files. 
   Another need exists in the art for an improved digital picture display that can be powered by connecting to a string of lights using a vacated light bulb socket. 
   It is, therefore, to the effective resolution of the aforementioned problems and shortcomings of the prior art that the present invention is directed. 
   However, in view of the prior art at the time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art how the identified needs could be fulfilled. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention is a digital picture display ornament comprising an exterior housing of a transparent material and an opaque internal casing. The exterior housing includes a front circular face with an annular sidewall extending rearward from the periphery of the front circular face. A rectangular boss is disposed concentrically on the rear surface of the front face to secure a liquid crystal display (“LCD”). The LCD screen is in electrical communication with electronics stored within the ornament. The internal casing is removably slipped snugly within the exterior housing with a friction fit. The rear surface of internal casing includes multiple user interface controls so that the user can activate and control the microprocessor of the ornament and to download digital pictures to non-volatile memory within the internal casing. A plurality of primary light emitting diodes (“LED”) are disposed on the rear surface of the transparent front face of the exterior housing. The primary LEDs are disposed and orientated such that when illuminated the primary LEDs illuminate graphic elements of a decorative sheet secured to the front face of the exterior housing. The periphery of the internal casing includes a pair of concentric sidewalls wherein a plurality of secondary LEDs are housed therein. The internal casing has a plurality of notches disposed in the outer sidewall of the pair of concentric sidewalls for receiving the secondary LEDs. The outer sidewall of the internal casing slides adjacent to the transparent sidewall of the external housing so that the secondary LEDs illuminate outwards from the internal casing and produce a glow to the periphery of the ornament. 
   It is therefore a primary object of the invention to provide a more elaborate device for displaying digital images that captures the user&#39;s attention. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved digital picture display that is customized to coordinate to a particular time of year or holiday. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved digital picture display that is readily adaptable to suspend from a Christmas tree limb as an ornament. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved digital picture display that is adaptable to display digital images stored and formatted as either JPEG, bmp, png, or gif files. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved digital picture display that can be powered by connecting to a string of lights using a vacated light bulb socket. 
   These and other important objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become clear as this description proceeds. 
   The present invention, accordingly, comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts that will be exemplified in the description set forth hereinafter and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of the digital display ornament showing an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a rear view of the digital display ornament showing an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a rear view of the exterior housing of the digital picture display ornament in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the internal casing of digital picture display ornament with the cover removed showing the electrical elements therein; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the exterior housing of the digital picture display ornament in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of the internal casing of the digital picture display ornament shown without the electrical elements for clarity; 
       FIG. 7  is a front view of the digital picture display ornament with a decorative sheet applied to the front of exterior housing in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing the digital picture display ornament resting on a flat surface in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , shows the front of digital picture display ornament  100 . Ornament  100  is generally cylindrical in shape including an exterior housing  110  having a front circular face  120  for receiving a decorative sheet as explained below. A sidewall extends rearward from the periphery of front circular face  120  forming a void to house the internal casing of ornament  100  within exterior housing  110 . Both the sidewall of ornament  100  and front face  120  are completely comprised of a rigid transparent material such as polyethylene as will be explained below. A rectangular boss disposed concentrically on the rear surface of front face  120  allows a liquid crystal display (“LCD”)  130  to be firmly secured therein so that LCD screen  130  does not move but is viewable through a front surface of the completely transparent front face  120 . LCD screen  130  is in electrical communication with electronics stored within the internal casing of ornament  100 . 
   The rear of ornament  100  is visible in  FIG. 2 , which shows the thickness of the sidewall of exterior housing  110  extending rearward from the periphery of front face  120 . Internal casing  210  includes a rear circular face having a sidewall extending from the periphery forming a void to house various electronic elements for ornament  100 . Internal casing  210  is removably slipped snugly within exterior housing  110  with a friction fit. A rounded protrusion  220  is disposed at a top portion of internal casing  210  for hanging ornament  100  from a tree limb or nail, for example. The sidewall of exterior housing  110  includes a reciprocal aperture orientated to receive rounded protrusion  210  completely therein so that exterior housing  110  has a smooth circular appearance along the periphery. 
   A retractable leg stand  230  is pivotally mounted to the rear surface of internal casing  210 . Leg stand  230  swings outwardly from a stored position of internal casing  210  to an angled position with a first end resting on a flat surface (not shown). A second end of leg stand  230  is hingedly mounted to the ornament  100  such that ornament  100  is supported in an upright position so that LCD screen  130  is easily viewable. The sidewall of exterior housing  110  includes a reciprocal aperture orientated to receive the first end of leg stand  230  when leg stand  230  is in a stored position. 
   The rear surface of internal casing  210  includes multiple user interface controls so that the user can activate and control the microprocessor of ornament  100 . For example, menu button  240  is disposed on the rear surface of internal casing  210  to turn electronics of ornament  100  on and off or to access the menu screen. Universal serial bus (“USB”) port  250  allows the user to download digital pictures to non-volatile memory within internal casing  210 . A pair of scroll buttons  260  (one “up” and one “down” button) allows the user to select pictures and also to select and scroll through features on the menu screen. A power port  270  is provided so that an external power source can be coupled to ornament  100 . Reset button  280  allows the user to clear the non-volatile memory of downloaded digital pictures. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3  shows a rear view of exterior housing  110  with internal casing  210  removed so that the rear surface of the front face  120  can be seen. A rectangular boss  310  disposed concentrically on the rear surface of front face  120  secures LCD screen  130 . A leg stand aperture  330  is formed in the sidewall of exterior housing  110  so that the first end of leg stand  230  fits snugly therein when stand  230  is in a stored position. As discussed above, an upper aperture  320  is formed in the sidewall of exterior housing  110  for receiving rounded protrusion  210  therein so that it is not visible from the front view of exterior housing  110 . 
   A plurality of primary light emitting diodes (“LED”)  360  are disposed on the rear surface of transparent front face  120 . The primary LEDs  360  are disposed and orientated such that when illuminated, primary LEDs  360  illuminate and are visible through the transparent front face  120 . Primary LEDs  360  can be any desired color but are preferably white light. The front face  120  is adapted to receive a decorative sheet of similar size and shape of front face  120 . The user selected decorative sheet includes a design so that primary LEDs  360  illuminate strategically placed graphic elements. The decorative sheet does not allow light to pass through any place other than at the illumination of the LED. For example, in one embodiment the decorative sheet may have graphic elements that appear to be Christmas lights. Accordingly, when primary LEDs  360  are illuminated, it appears that the Christmas light graphic elements of the decorative sheet are illuminated. 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , primary LEDs  360  are in electrical communication with circuitry  440  and microprocessor  450  that controls turning primary LEDs  360  off and on. A first set of wiring  340  and second set of wiring  350  provide electrical communication between primary LEDs  360  mounted on face plate  120  that illuminate the graphic elements of the decorative sheet and circuitry  440  mounted within internal casing  210 . 
   The internal casing  210  includes a pair of concentric sidewalls wherein a plurality of secondary LEDs  430  are housed therein. The internal casing has a plurality of LED notches disposed in the outer sidewall of the pair of concentric sidewalls for receiving the secondary LEDs. The outer sidewall of the internal casing  210  slides adjacent to the sidewall of external housing  110 , which is transparent as discussed above. Accordingly, when the secondary LEDs  430  are illuminated, light is reflected outwards from internal casing  210  and passes through the transparent sidewall of the exterior housing  110  and is visible to the user. Secondary LEDs  430  can be any desired color but are preferably multi colored. Secondary LEDs  430  are in electrical communication with microprocessor  440  that controls turning secondary LEDs  430  on and off. Microprocessor  440  also controls LCD screen  130  for displaying and accessing digital photographs from memory of ornament  100 . 
   In one embodiment, a power source is provided to ornament  100  by standard AC power. In another embodiment, an internal power supply, such as a battery, is provided. In yet another embodiment, plugging into a string of Christmas tree lights provides the power source for ornament  100 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a cross sectional view of exterior housing  110  is shown where sidewall  510  extends from front face  120  to form a void for receiving internal casing  210 . In the preferred embodiment, sidewall  510  is a solid transparent plastic material. In an alternative embodiment, sidewall  510  is comprised of a translucent material. In another alternative embodiment, sidewall  510  is not a solid material but is filled with fluid to enhance the illumination from secondary LEDs  430  and to act as a heat exchanger to cool the circuitry housed within internal casing  210 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 6 , outer sidewall  620  of internal casing  210  is concentric with inner sidewall  610  forming a narrow channel therebetween. Secondary LEDs  430  are placed within the channel of internal casing  210  so that a glowing illumination is projected from ornament  100 . Microprocessor  440  and associated circuitry is mounted to base  630  of internal casing  210 . 
   Decorative sheet  710  is secured to front face  120  of ornament  100 . Graphic elements  730  are in the form and appearance of Christmas tree lights. Accordingly, as primary LEDs  360  are illuminated, graphic elements  730  glow from underneath providing an appearance that graphic elements  730  are illuminated. Accordingly, as digital pictures are displayed on LCD screen  130 , graphic elements are illuminated by primary LEDs  360  providing a desirable frame for the pictures. Moreover, secondary LEDs  430  illuminate the periphery of ornament  100  providing a lighting effect that ornament  100  is glowing. Decorative sheet  710  may have the appearance and graphic elements related to a specific holiday or time of year, for example, Thanksgiving or summer, so that the present invention is not intended to be limited in scope by the example of decorative sheet  710  provided herein. 
   Ornament  100  is adaptable to be hanging from a hook in a vertical position or supported at an angled position by leg stand  230  as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
   The particular embodiments disclosed above and in the drawings are illustrative only, as the invention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the invention. 
   It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention, which as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between. 
   Now that the invention has been described,