Patent Publication Number: US-7222988-B2

Title: Display device for illuminating optical storage disks for visual display and method of using the same

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Optical storage disks such as compact disks and digital video disks have become common place in most homes. Moreover, although newer technology has displaced portions of the market for optical storage disks, optical storage disks will likely remain in widespread use for years to come. This is especially likely in view of optical storage disks being a preferred tool for use in archiving data due to the permanent manner in which such disks store data. 
   While optical storage disks are provided in blank form with no indicia thereon, it has become increasingly common for optical storage disks to comprise text, graphics, or other visually perceivable indicia screen-printed or otherwise formed on one of the planar surfaces of such disks. This indicia may serve to simply identify and differentiate any given disk from another, or may also serve as a marketing tool by making a disk visually more attractive. For example, movies producers often print elaborate color graphics, similar to those appearing on marquee posters, directly on digital video disks containing their movies. Additionally, with album covers being a thing of the past, and with it being common store numerous optical storage disks together without individual cases, graphics or other indicia printed on such disks often serve to differentiate such disks from each other and serve the same function as the album covers of the past. 
   The inventor of the present invention has developed a new and practical way of utilizing the interesting and attractive indicia printed on optical storage disks. This new and practical way of utilizing such indicia is herein described and explained in the follow sections of this specification. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In general, the inventor of the present invention conceived of a device for illuminating optical storage disks to allow such disks to serve decorative and functional purposes, other than simply serving to store and transmit digital data. The display device is ideally suited to serve as a nightlight for children, and can also be utilized as an advertisement tool to promote the sale of optical storage disks or for any other suitable purpose. 
   In one aspect of the invention, a display device comprises a stem portion. The stem portion comprises at least a portion of at least one light emitting element. The display device is adapted and configured to removably engage with an optical storage disk. As is well known, such optical storage disks have opposite first and second planer surfaces and a central opening that extends through the optical storage disk from the first surface to the second surface. The stem portion of the display device is adapted and configured to extend through the central opening of the optical storage disk when the optical storage disk is engaged with the display device. Additionally, the portion of the at least one light emitting element is adapted and configured to illuminate at least a majority of the first surface of the optical storage disk when the optical storage disk is engaged with the display device and is also configured and adapted to pass through the opening of the optical storage disk. 
   In another aspect of the invention, a method comprises steps of providing an optical storage disk, providing a display device, engaging the optical storage disk with the display device, and illuminating indicia on a surface of the optical storage disk. The optical storage disk has opposite planer surfaces, at least one of which surfaces has indicia thereon. The display device comprises at least one light emitting element and first and second portions. The first portion of the display device is resiliently deflectable relative to the second portion of the display device. The step of engaging the optical storage disk with the display device occurs by resiliently deflecting the first portion of the display device relative to the second portion of the display device. Additionally, the step of illuminating the indicia on the first surface of the optical storage disk is performed via the light emitting element when the optical storage disk is engaged with the display device, and is performed in a manner such that light emitted from the at least one light emitting element is reflected off of the indicia and is viewable by an unaided human eye from a distance of at least five feet. 
   In yet another aspect of the invention, a method comprises a step of promoting the distribution of a product. The distribution of the product may be through sales of the product itself or may be some other form of distribution, such as a giveaway of the product to promote other goods or services. The step of promoting the distribution of the product is performed by presenting the product as being capable of engaging with an optical storage disk, and by presenting the product as being capable of illuminating the optical storage disk when the optical storage disk is engaged with the product for the purpose of visually displaying the optical storage disk. 
   While the principal advantages and features of the invention have been described above, a more complete and thorough understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring to the drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment, which follow. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is perspective view of a first embodiment of a display device in accordance with the invention and is shown with an optical storage disk attached thereto. 
       FIG. 2  is perspective view of the display device shown in  FIG. 1  and is shown with the optical storage disk detached therefrom. 
       FIG. 3  is top view of the display device shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a rear elevation view of the display device shown in  FIGS. 1–3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional elevation view of the display device shown in  FIGS. 1–4  and is taken about the line  5 — 5  shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 6  is a detail view of the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 5  showing a close-up view of the tines of the display device that are used to secure an optical storage disk to the device. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a display device in accordance with the invention showing the rear side of the display device. 
   

   Reference characters in the written specification indicate corresponding items shown throughout the drawing figures. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
   A first embodiment of a display device in accordance with the invention is shown in  FIGS. 1–6 , and is generally indicated by reference numeral  20 . In general, the display device  20  comprises a main body  22  and an illumination system  24 . 
   The main body  22  of the display device  20  is preferably formed as a monolithic piece of plastic and preferably comprises a stem  26 , a generally flat circular surface  28 , a base portion  30 , and a semi-annular rim portion  32 . The circular surface  28  of the main body  22  preferably has a diameter slightly larger than a standard one-hundred and twenty millimeter diameter compact disk. The base portion  30  preferably comprises an interior cavity  34  that is shaped receive and support a pair of standard AA-sized batteries  36 , and a flat bottom surface  38 . The rim portion  32  preferably protrudes forward from and partially around the circular surface  28  of the main body  22 , and preferably blends smoothly into the base portion  30 . The stem  26  preferably comprises a first cylindrical tube-shaped portion  40  that is integrally formed with the main body  22  and that protrudes perpendicularly outward from the center of the circular surface  28 . The stem also preferably comprises a second cylindrical tube-shaped portion  42  that is axially aligned with the first tube-shaped portion  40  and that extends from the terminal end portion  44  of the first tube-shaped portion  40 . The second tube-shaped portion  42  of the stem  26  preferably has the same diameter as the first tube-shaped portion  40  and is made of substantially transparent material. The second tube-shaped portion  42  is preferably bonded to the first tube-shaped portion  40 . Alternatively, the second tube-shaped portion  42  and the first tube-shaped portion  40  can be configured to have interlocking geometry that allows such portions of the stem  26  to be snap-fit together. Still further, the stem  26  preferably comprises a cap  47  that extends around and closes the terminal end portion  46  of the second tube-shaped portion  42 . 
   In addition to the above-mentioned components, the main body  22  of the display device  20  preferably comprises a plurality of resiliently deflectable tines  48  and a plurality of access openings  50 . The tines  48  extend from the circular surface  28  and preferably are circumferentially spaced from each other around the stem  26 . The tines  48  are similar in form and function to the resiliently deflectable tines of a standard jewel case of the type used to store compact disks and digital video disks. More particularly, the tines  48  are shaped and configured to engage with the standard fifteen millimeter opening that extends through a compact disk or other optical storage disk in a manner such that the optical storage disk can be removably secured to the display device  20 . The access openings  50  are preferably cylindrical and extend through main body  22  and the circular surface  28  thereof. 
   The illumination system  24  of the display device  20  preferably comprises a light emitting diode  52 , a plurality of electrically conductive wires  54 , the pair of batteries  36 , a contact plate  56 , a compression spring  58 , and a manually operated single-pole electrical switch  60 . The phrase “light emitting diode” (hereafter LED) as used herein should be interpreted broadly to encompass standard LEDs as well as the emitters that that often form only a portion of an LED. The LED  52  of the illumination system  24  is preferably a one watt Luxeon® Emitter produced by Lumileds Lighting U.S., LLC., which is configured to emit a one-hundred and ten degree conical beam of light. The LED  52  is preferably positioned adjacent the terminal end portion  46  of the second tube-shaped portion  42  of the stem  26 , and within the cap  47 , in a manner such that the LED is oriented to emit light toward the circular surface  28  of the main body  22 . The electrical switch  60  is positioned partially within the base portion  30  of the main body  22  of the display device  20 . The compression spring  58  and the contact plate  56  are positioned within the interior cavity  34  of the base portion  30  and are positioned such that the batteries  36  are biased to each other in series and to the contact plate  56  by the compression spring  58 . Preferably, the compression spring  58  engages the negative terminal of the batteries  36  and the contact plate engages the positive terminal of the batteries. A first  62  one of the wires  54  preferably electrically connects the contact plate  56  to a first terminal of the electrical switch  60 . A second  64  one of the wires  54  preferably electrically connects the other terminal of the switch to a terminal of the LED  52  by passing through the center of the stem  26 . A third  66  one of the wires  54  preferably passes through the center of the stem  26  and electrically connects the other terminal of the LED  52  to the compression spring  58 . Configured in this manner, the batteries  36  are able to supply power to the LED  52  and the switch  60  is capable of opening and closing the circuit so as to turn the LED on and off. 
   In use, the bottom surface  38  of the base portion  30  of the display device  20  can be placed on a horizontal surface in manner such that the display device is supported by the horizontal surface with its circular surface  28  oriented in a generally vertical manner. Additionally, an optical storage disk  68  can be attached to and supported by the display device  20  by passing the stem  26  of the display device through the center opening  72  of the disk. During the attachment of the disk  68  to the display device  20 , the center opening  72  of the disk engages with the tines  48  of the display device. The tines  48  are configured and adapted to resiliently deflect radially inward as they engage with the disk  68  and thereby releasably secure the disk to the display device  20  via a frictional force. This prevents the optical storage disk  68  from becoming dislodged from the display device  20  without applying a threshold separating force therebetween. Preferably, the disk  68  is attached to the display device  20  in a manner such that the reward flat surface of the disk (the side without visually pleasing indicia) engages against the circular surface  28  of the display device. 
   With an optical storage disk  68  attached to the display device  20  as described above and as shown in  FIG. 1 , a person can then utilize the illumination system  24  of the display device to illuminate the indicia  70  on the forward flat surface of the disk. This is done by simply switching the electrical switch  60  in a manner to close the circuit between the batteries  36  and the LED  52 . The light emitted from the LED  52  is directed toward the forward face of the optical storage disk  68  and passes through the transparent second tube-shaped portion  42  of the stem  26  of the display device  20 . The stem  26  is preferably dimensioned such that the LED  52  is positioned in a manner such that the one-hundred and ten degree conical beam of light emitted from the LED illuminates the entire forward face of the disk  68  without also directly illuminating the rim portion  32  or the base portion  30  of the display device  20 . When desired, the electrical switch  60  of the display device  20  can be switched in a manner to open the electrical circuit and thereby turn off the LED  52 . 
   At any desired time, the optical storage disk  68  can be removed from the display device  20  and can be replaced by another optical storage disk to thereby change the display illuminated by the display device. This is preferably done by simply inserting one or more fingers through the access openings that extend through the circular surface  28  of the display device  20  from the rear of the display device, and by pressing on the rearward flat surface of the optical storage disk  68  with the threshold separating force sufficient to overcome the frictional force generated by the resiliently deflected tines  48  of the display device. After removing the optical storage disk  68  from the display device  20 , another disk can be attached to the display device in same manner as the previous disk was attached to the display device. 
   In view of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the display device  20  can placed on a table, shelf, or any other suitable object having a generally flat horizontal surface. Alternatively, it should also be appreciated that the display device can be adapted and configured to be suspended from a wall or other vertical surface by a nail, a magnet, or by other suitable means. Additionally, it should be appreciated that the display device can serve as a nightlight or as a means for decorating a room by displaying a graphic image or other indicia on a optical storage disk in a an illuminated manner. Still further, the display device  20  can be used to promote the sale of optical storage disks by displaying a sample of such disks in an attractive and eye-catching manner. It is also envisioned that the display devices  20  may be distributed as gift items for promoting other goods or services. Preferably, the display device is packaged in packaging that contains indicia that explains or illustrates the use of the display device to support and illuminate optical storage disks. 
   A second embodiment of a display device  100  in accordance with the invention is shown in  FIG. 7 . This display device  100  is essentially identical to the embodiment of the display device  20  previously described, with a few differences. In particular, the display device  100  shown in  FIG. 7  has a pair of electrically conductive tines  102  configured as a standard male fitting for connection to a standard electrical outlet. Thus, it should be appreciated that this display device  100  does not need batteries and that the internal cavity of the base portion of the display device can house a rectifier, resistors, or other electrical components that may make up portions of the illumination system of the display device and that adapt the illumination system for use in connection with alternating current supplied by a standard electrical outlet. As such, it should be appreciated that this embodiment of a display device  100  is suited to be supported from and powered by a standard electrical outlet. 
   While the present invention has been described in reference to specific embodiments, in light of the foregoing, it should be understood that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings is intended to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense and that various modifications and variations of the invention may be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the following claims. For example, a display device could be configured without a stem portion and have one or more light emitting elements positioned around the perimeter of an optical storage disk attached thereto. Additionally, a display device in accordance with the invention needs not necessarily have a means for securing an optical storage disk thereto and, instead, could merely support such an optical storage disk. Still further, it should be appreciated that the light emitting element does not have to produce light itself. For example, the stem of a display device could take the form of a molded piece of transparent plastic that is formed to serve as a conduit for light and to evenly disperse such light. In such a display device, the light source could be a bulb, LED, or the like positioned elsewhere on the device and that is configured to transmit light into the molded piece of transparent plastic. Further more, power for illumination could be provided by a standard plug and cord, either with or without a transformer. Additionally, a display device in accordance with the invention could be configured to support and illuminate two or more optical storage disks positioned side-by-side or facing opposite directions. Still further, the source of illumination could comprise or consist of electroluminescence material. Thus, other possible variations and modifications should be appreciated. 
   Furthermore, it should be understood that when introducing elements of the present invention in the claims or in the above description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be open-ended and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Similarly, the term “portion” should be construed as meaning some or all of the item or element that it qualifies.