GB2452550A

GB2452550A - Electronic display device

Info

Publication number: GB2452550A
Application number: GB0717490A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gyoergy Csete De Gyoergyfalva
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-09-08
Filing date: 2007-09-08
Publication date: 2009-03-11
Also published as: GB0717490D0

Abstract

An electronic display device that comprises a housing (2, fig. 1) and a memory for storing image data, the memory contained within the housing. The device further comprises a display screen (1, fig. 1) for displaying the image data, a power storage unit arranged to provide power to the display screen, and an input 15 for direct connection to a computer device, the input comprising means to transfer image data from the computer device to the memory, and to provide power from the computer device to recharge the power storage unit. A second output may be provided for connecting the display to another device, and the connections may be USB or IEEE1394 connectors.

Description

ELECTRONIC DISPLAY DEViCE

Field of the invention

The invention relates to the field of electronic display devices.

Backaround to the invention

Electronic display devices come in many conflguraons and have many different applications. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) devices can be used as televisions, io monitors for laptop and personal computers, and also in frames to display an image in the same way as a photograph frame would.

Electronic photograph frames typically comprise a LCD screen, a memory for storing one or more images, a processor and a power source. They further comprise an input through which image data, for example in the form of a JPEG or GIF file can be loaded into the memory.

A disadvantage of the electronic photograph frame is that it is not truly portable in the sense that for a user to change the image on the photograph frame, he would not only have to have the photograph frame with him, but would also need to have a connecting cable for attaching the photograph frame to a device such as a personal computer. In the situation where a person is not at his own computer, but for example at a friend's house, his friend may show him an Image on a personal computer. If the owner of the photograph frame wishes to load the image into the memory of the photograph frame and display it, he would need to have the photograph frame with him, and also a data cable to connect the photograph frame to the personal computer. 2/8

Summary of the invention

The inventor has realised the problems associated with the prior art photograph frames, and also conceived of a new type of photograph frame that is truly

portable.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provide an electronic display device comprising a housing and a memory contained within the housing, the io memory for storing image data. The device further comprises a display screen for displaying the image data, a power storage unit arranged to provide power to the display screen, and an input for direct connection to a computer device. The input comprises means to transfer image data from the computer device to the memory, and to provide power from the computer device to recharge the power storage unit. The input being directly connectable to a computer device allows image data to be transferred onto the device without requiring a cable connection.

it is preferred that the input is selected from a Universal Serial Bus input and an IEEE1 394 input, as these are most commonly used for both transferring data and providing a power source.

In order to protect the input, the device may further comprise a cover arranged to releasably attach to the housing. When the cover is attached, the input is covered and when the cover is not attached, the input is exposed, thereby allowing a user to connect the input to a computer.

The power storage unit may be selected from one of an electrochemical cell, a capacitor, and a fuel cell. 3/8

In order to keep the device securely about the user's person, the device may further comprise an attachment point located at the housing, for attaching the device to an item such as a key ring.

s The device may further comprise an output for direct connection to an input of a second device. This would allow two users to exchange image data between devices without the need of a computer.

Description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electronic display device according to an embodiment of the invention, both with and without a protective cover in place; Figure 2 is a perspective view of further embodiments of the electronic display device, both with and without a protective cover in place; and Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a further embodiment of the invention, both with and without a protective cover in place.

Detailed descnption of the invention Referring to Figure 1 herein, there is illustrated a perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment of the invention. The device comprises a display 1, a housing 2, controls 3, a cover 4 and a direct connection input 5.

The housing 2 houses a memory, a battery and a processor (not shown). The processor controls the display such that the display I can display images stored in the device memory.

The cover 4 is removably attachable to the housing 2 by any suitable means, such as a mechanical lock, a snap fit or a friction fit When the cover 4 is in place 4/8 on the housing, the direct connection input 5 is covered and not visible. When the cover 4 is removed from the housing 2, the direct connection input 5 is exposed.

s The direct connection input is arranged to co-operate with a direct connection such as that found on a personal computer. It is envisaged that this is a USB connection, although the invention may equally apply to other types of connection that may be used in the future. The direct connection input 5 is used both to load image data into the memory of the device, and also to draw power from the io personal computer to charge the battery.

When the owner of a device is not at his own computer, but sees an image on a second personal computer that he wishes to load onto his display device, he does not require a cable to connect the device to the second personal computer, but removes the cover 4 from the housing and connects the direct connection input 5 directly to the second personal computer. In this way, the battery in the display device can be recharged, and the image on the second persona! computer can be loaded directly into the memory of the display device.

It is envisaged that the display device will be sufficiently small to be attached to a key ring or the like. Referring to Figure 2 herein, there are illustrated several more embodiments of the invention. Embodiment A comprises a heart-shaped housing 8 having a key ring attachment point 7 towards the top of the heart.

Embodiment B has a substantially circular housing 8 in which a key ring attachment point 9 is an opening in the housing 8. Embodiment C has two key ring attachment points 10, 11, and embodiment D has an opening in the cover 12 which can be used as a key ring attachment point 13. Of course, whilst the attachment points are described as key ring attachment points, they may be used to attach the device to other items such as a necklace or a bracelet. 5/8

Furthermore, the display device may further comprise a direct input for connecting to another display device so that image data may be exchanged between two display devices. Referring to Figure 3 herein, there is illustrated a perspective view of a display device with both female 14 and male 15 inputs.

s This allows users of two separate devices to exchange images between their devices without requiring a personal computer or any cables.

It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, io the description refers to an image, but the display device may also display animated images such as GIF files. 6/8

Claims

1. An electronic display device comprising: a housing; a memory contained within the housing, the memory for storing image data; a display screen for displaying the image data; a power storage unit arranged to provide power to the display screen; an input for direct connection to a computer device, the input comprising io means to transfer image data from the computer device to the memory, and to provide power from the computer device to recharge the power storage unit.

2. An electronic display device according to claim 1, wherein the input is selected from a Universal Serial Bus input and an IEEEI 394 input.

3. An electronic display device according to claim I or 2, further comprising a cover arranged to releasably attach to the housing, such that when the cover is attached, the input is covered and when the cover is not attached, the input is exposed.

4. An electronic display device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the power storage unit is selected from one of an electrochemical cell, a capacitor and a fuel cell.

5. An electronic display device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an attachment point located at the housing.

6. An electronic display device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an output for direct connection to an input of a second device. 7/8

7. An electronic display device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an input for direct connection to another display device.

8. A display device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.