WO2008138933A1

WO2008138933A1 - Display unit

Info

Publication number: WO2008138933A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/055857
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew Efstathiou; Anthony Efstathiou
Original assignee: Digital Memorabilia Limited
Priority date: 2007-05-14
Filing date: 2008-05-13
Publication date: 2008-11-20
Also published as: GB0709235D0

Abstract

Adisplay unit comprisesdisplaymeans for holding an article for display purposes and content delivery means for delivering electronic media content that is relevant to the article, the content delivery means being adaptedto be integrated within the display unit. The unit provides an opportunity to display an articlein conjunction with relevant electroniccontent.

Description

Display Unit

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a display unit and, in particular, to a display unit for displaying items of memorabilia.

Background of the Invention

Fans of sport, films, music and other types of entertainment often collect memorabilia associated with a particular subject in which they are interested and display that memorabilia in their homes or work places. Memorabilia of this nature includes items of clothing, music manuscripts, musical instruments, autographs, motion picture props and sporting articles. Such fans also tend to collect audio and/or video material associated with the subject of their interest, including recordings of specific motion pictures in the case of film fans, television footage of key sporting events in the case of sport fans, and audio and/or video recordings in the case of music fans. However, there is no convenient way of displaying this material in combination with items of memorabilia. As a result, fans are not usually able to appreciate all of the material that they possess in connection with a particular subject simultaneously. Furthermore, a fan's interest in a particular item of memorabilia is not always clear to third parties because the item of memorabilia tends to be displayed without context, which is disadvantageous.

Sellers of memorabilia and other merchandise can also experience difficulty when trying to sell items "out of context" because consumers do not always fully appreciate the significance and value of the items of merchandise being sold.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved means of displaying memorabilia and merchandise. Summary of the Invention

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display unit comprising display means for holding an article for display purposes and content delivery means for delivering electronic media content that is relevant to the article, the content delivery means being adapted to be integrated within the display unit. The unit provides an opportunity to display an item of memorabilia, such as a film prop, in conjunction with relevant audio and/or video content, for example, a scene from the film in which the prop was used, which puts the item of memorabilia in context and helps people to enjoy and appreciate it to a full extent.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the content delivery means comprises an audio and/or video player. Preferably, the content delivery means further comprises a screen. In a further preferred embodiment, the content delivery means is capable of receiving data via an input, by means of a wireless communication link or from a removable storage device. This allows a user to upload new content to the unit, thus providing variety in the content delivered.

The display unit preferably has a closeable opening for providing access to the content delivery means and/or display means.

Preferably, the unit has a proximity sensor that is adapted to respond to movement in the vicinity of the unit to cause audio and/or video content to be selectively delivered from the content delivery means. This can avoid content being delivered when there is nobody in the vicinity of the unit to appreciate it. In a further preferred embodiment, the content delivery means is configured to cease delivering audio and/or video content after a predetermined time.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only, which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a perspective front view of a display in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a front view of the display of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows an enlarged front view of a first part of the display of Figure 1, and

Figure 4 shows a rear view of a second part of the display of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a display unit 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

The display unit 1 is in the form of a picture frame with a wooden surround or outer frame Ia and a central display portion Ib that is covered with glass. The unit 1 includes a content delivery means 2 with an audio and video or "multimedia" player 3 and a flat panel liquid crystal display screen 4, as well as a display means 5 for holding an item of memorabilia or merchandise, such as a football shirt. The display means 5 is preferably embodied as a cavity within the unit 1 that is large enough to wholly contain the item of memorabilia or merchandise. A control panel 6 connected to the audio and video player 3 is arranged on the underside of the display unit 1 and is intended to be accessible to users, so that the audio and video player 3 can be conveniently controlled. A switch 7 on the front of the display unit 1 allows the audio and video player 3 and the screen 4 to be selectively activated or de-activated. The switch 7 includes a neon light for indicating the activation status of the audio and video player 3 and the screen 4.

The features of the control panel 6 are shown in more detail in Figure 3. Speakers 8 are located at each side of the control panel 6 and a power input 9 and data input 10 are located substantially centrally on the panel 6. A volume control 11 is also arranged on the control panel. The power input 9 is connectable to mains electricity, to provide a power source for the unit 1. However, the audio and video player 3 also has a rechargeable cell (not shown) in the form of a lithium battery that is capable of providing power. The data input 10 is a universal serial bus port, which provides a means for data to be uploaded to the player 3. In addition, the audio and video player 3 is configured to receive data by means of a wireless communication link, such as a Bluetooth® or WIFI link. It is also possible to transfer data to the player 3 from a removable storage device 12, such as a secure digital card or compact flash card, which is insertable in the player 3, as shown in Figure 4. There is an in-built storage device (not shown) in the player 3 for storing the uploaded content.

In order to provide user access to the player, which is required for inserting a removable storage device 12, a closeable opening (not shown) is provided in the back of the unit 1. This opening is in the form of a door. In addition to the switch 7 on the front of the display unit 1, the audio and video player 3 and screen 4 can be controllable remotely, by means of an infrared controller (not shown). The audio and video player 3 is also programmable so that it can automatically be de-activated after the content has been played a predetermined number of times or after a predetermined period of time.

A proximity sensor (not shown) in the form of a light sensor can also be provided in the unit 1 for detecting when a person is in the vicinity of the unit 1. The audio and video player 3 and screen 4 are programmable to be activated or de-activated in response to feedback from the sensor. Figures 3 and 4 show holes 13 and 14 on the control panel 6 and screen

4, respectively; these holes provide a means of integrating the control panel 6 and screen 4 with the unit 1. The unit 1 includes a bracket (not shown) to which the control panel 6 and/or screen 4 can be attached by means of mechanical fasteners, such as screws, that are inserted in the holes 13 and 14. To use the unit 1, a user needs to press the switch 7 so that both the audio and video player 3 and the screen 4 are activated; the switch 7 will be lit by the neon light to indicate that the player 3 and the screen 4 are switched on. User preferences can be input via a menu of options which is presented to the user on the screen 4. Such preferences include a selection of the audio and/or video content to be played and a determination of whether the player 3 should cease to deliver content after a predetermined time or after certain content has been delivered for a particular number of times.

Once the user has indicated preferences, the player 3 will start to deliver the content selected by the user. If no preferences have been indicated by the user, the player 3 will deliver the content sequentially in the order in which it is stored and continue to deliver content until it is de-activated by the user. At any time, the user can control the volume of the audio content using the volume control 11. Similarly, the user can de-activate the player 3 and screen 4 at any time by pressing the switch 7, even if this conflicts with the previously input user preferences. The remote infra-red controller (not shown) can also be used at any time to control the player 3 and screen 4. If the user has requested that the player 3 deliver audio and/or video content for a predetermined time only, the predetermined time will be recorded by a timer (not shown) and the player 3 and screen 4 will be de-activated automatically when the timer indicates that the relevant time period has expired. Similarly, if the user has requested that the content or a part of the content only be delivered once (or any other number of specified times), the player 3 and screen 4 will be de-activated as soon as that has been done.

It is also possible for a user to provide instructions for the player 3 and screen 4 to be activated in response to feedback from the proximity sensor which indicates that a person is in the vicinity of the unit 1. Similarly, the user can request that the player 3 and screen 4 be de-activated when the proximity sensor detects that there is no longer a person in the unit's vicinity.

The controlled delivery of content by any of the means described above enables a user to play only selected audio and video content, for example, a single film clip, and/or to ensure that the audio and video player 3 does not continue to deliver content repeatedly, which might be useful in cases where a user moves away from the display unit 1 or falls asleep, so that they are no longer aware that the audio and video player 3 is delivering content. Such control of the delivery of content also allows energy to be conserved.

The user can manipulate the audio and/or video content to be delivered by uploading new content to the player 3 by means of the data input 10 or by inserting a removable storage device 12 into the player through the door (not shown) in the rear of the unit 1 and downloading content from the device 12. The user can also send data to the player 3 by means of a wireless communication link, such as a Bluetooth® or WIFI link. The possibility of adding data to the player 3 permits users to change the audio and/or video content that can be delivered by the player 3 and to tailor the content according to their preferences. For example, multiple items of content relating to an article of memorabilia, such as different scenes from a motion picture, may be uploaded and cycled over time so that there is variety in the content delivered by the player 3.

The lithium battery (not shown) provides power to the player 3 and screen 4; when it discharges through use, it can be re-charged by the user by connecting the power input 9 to mains electricity. Mains electricity can be permanently connected to the power input 9, if desired, and can act as an alternative power source.

The frame Ia, central display portion Ib, audio and video player 3, screen 4 and switch 7 can be manufactured as separate components and combined to form the unit 1. The screen 4 and audio and video player 3 are both attached to a bracket (not shown) on the rear of the central display portion Ib and connected to one another electrically. The positioning of the bracket is such that the screen 4 overlaps with a pre-formed cavity in the central display portion Ib to ensure that it will be visible to users from the front of the unit 1, while the control panel 6 of the audio and video player 3 fits in a pre-formed gap on the underside of the frame Ia, so that it is accessible to users. The switch 7 is inserted in a pre-formed cavity in the front of the frame Ia to ensure that it is accessible to users, and is then electrically connected to the audio and video player 3. An item of memorabilia is inserted into the display means 5 and the central display portion Ib, glass cover (not shown) and a back portion (not shown) are placed within the frame Ia, so that all of the components are secured within the unit 1. The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples of the invention. Further embodiments of the invention are envisaged. For example, the display unit 1 could be in the form of a closed box with at least one transparent surface, through which the displayed item of memorabilia can be viewed. It is envisaged that such a box would include a platform on which the item of memorabilia would be presented. The audio and video player 3 could be located outside the box but in its vicinity.

Although the audio and video player 3 and screen 4 have been described as separate components above, they could be integrated. Similarly, the switch 7 could be integral with the audio and video player 3. Separate switches could be provided for the audio and video player 3 and screen 4, so that they could be activated and de-activated independently of one another, which may be of interest if only audio content is required to be delivered, for example. Alternatively, the switch 7 could be programmed to selectively turn on the player 3 and screen 4 in response to a predefined sequence of presses of the switch 7. As an alternative to a screen, it is envisaged that the content delivery means 2 could include a projector. The audio and video player 3 could be replaced by an audio player or a video player.

Various types of audio and/or video player are envisaged, including digital versatile disc (DVD) players, such as high definition digital versatile disc players (HDVD), and Blu-Ray® systems.

In the embodiment of the invention described above, the switch 7 is illuminated when the player 3 and screen 4 are switched on. However, it is envisaged that the switch 7 could be illuminated when the audio and video player 3 and the screen 4 are switched off, so that the light can direct users to the location of the switch 7, which may not otherwise be visible, for example, due to darkness. It is not essential that the light in the switch 7 is a neon light. Furthermore, it is envisaged that the light be independent of the switch 7 and merely connected to it.

It is not necessary for the screen 4 to be a liquid crystal flat panel display. Instead, the screen 4 could be any type of digital screen or an analogue screen. It is also envisaged that the screen 4 could be covered by a two-way mirror so that it has the appearance of a mirror when the screen 4 is de-activated but displays video content when the screen 4 is activated.

Although the frame Ia is described as being made of wood above, it could be made of any suitable material, such as metal or plastics. Similarly, the glass cover on the central display portion Ib of the unit 1 could be replaced by a cover made from any other suitable material, such as Perspex®. Instead of mounting the screen 4 in the unit by attaching it to a bracket with mechanical fasteners, it could be held in place by means of a close fit, by adhesion or by any other suitable means. It will also be appreciated that the relative location of each of the features of the control panel 6 described above can be varied.

Furthermore, it is envisaged that further features could be included on the control panel, such as a colour intensity or brightness control.

The audio and video player 3 does not have to have two sources of power, i.e. mains electricity and a battery, as described above. It is envisaged that means to connect to either of these power sources could be provided as alternatives. If a battery is used as a power source, it will be appreciated that it does not have to be a rechargeable battery.

It is envisaged that any type of proximity sensor could be used in place of a light sensor. An acoustic sensor could be used as an alternative, for example.

It will be appreciated that a plurality of means of uploading data to the player 3, i.e. uploading from a data input 10, wireless uploading and uploading from a removable storage device 12, does not have to be provided. Any one of these means could be provided in isolation or in combination with any of the other described means (other than the combination described above). To provide increased control over the audio and/or video content that can be delivered by the player 3, it is envisaged that means will be provided for deleting content. Furthermore, in-built storage device in the player 3 could be omitted.

It may be desirable for a user to upload personal content, such as a video recording of a friend or relative playing a sport, and combine that with a piece of personal memorabilia, such as a photograph or item of personal clothing, in the unit 1. For this reason, it is envisaged that the whole of the back of the unit 1 could be removable to allow access not only to the player 3 but also to the display means 5. Alternatively, the unit 1 could be supplied as a kit of parts for assembly by the user.

Various ways of ensuring that the player 3 and screen 4 are switched off automatically are described above. It is also envisaged that the player 3 and screen 4 could be programmable to be automatically switched on at a predetermined time. Although an infrared controller is mentioned above as a means of controlling the player 3 and screen 4 remotely, it is envisaged that any suitable type of remote controller could be used.

It is also envisaged that a plurality of display means 5 could be included, so that multiple items of memorabilia or merchandise could be displayed in a single unit 1.

It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, or any combination of any other of the embodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A display unit comprising display means for holding an article for display purposes and content delivery means for delivering electronic media content that is relevant to the article, the content delivery means being adapted to be integrated within the display unit.

2. A display unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the content delivery means comprises an audio and/or video player.

3. A display unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the content delivery means has an input for receiving data.

4. A display unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein the input is a universal serial bus port.

5. A display unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the content delivery means is adapted to receive data by means of a wireless communication link.

6. A display unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the content delivery means is connectable to a removable storage device.

7. A display unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the content delivery means has an in-built storage device.

8. A display unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the content delivery means further comprises a screen.

9. A display unit as claimed in claim 8, wherein the screen is a digital screen.

10. A display unit as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the screen is a flat panel screen.

11. A display unit as claimed in claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein the screen is a liquid crystal display screen.

12. A display unit as claimed in claim 8, 9, 10 or 11, wherein the screen is covered by a two-way mirror.

13. A display unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the content delivery means is adapted to be powered by mains electricity.

14. A display unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the content delivery means is adapted to be powered by at least one rechargeable cell.

15. A display unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a closeable opening for providing access to the content delivery means and/or display means.

16. A display unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a proximity sensor that is adapted to respond to movement in the vicinity of the unit to cause audio and/or video content to be selectively delivered from the content delivery means.

17. A display unit as claimed in claim 16, wherein the proximity sensor is a light sensor.

18. A display unit as claimed in claim 16, wherein the proximity sensor is an acoustic sensor.

19. A display unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the content delivery means is controllable remotely.

20. A display unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the content delivery means is configured to cease delivering audio and/or video content after a predetermined time.

21. A display unit as claimed in claim 20, wherein the predetermined time is measured by a timer.

22. A display unit as claimed in claim 20, wherein the predetermined time is dependent on the duration of at least a part of the audio and/or video content to be delivered.

23. A display unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display means comprises a cavity within the display unit.

24. A display unit as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the display means comprises a platform within the display unit.

25. A display unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display unit is configured as a picture frame.

26. A display unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display unit is in the form of a closed box with at least one transparent surface.