Digital photo frame assembly capable of outer frame substition

Abstract

 A digital photo frame (DPF) assembly capable of outer frame substitution includes a detachable outer frame and a DPF. The detachable outer frame has a hollow portion and a positioning structure. The DPF includes a thin border and a display surface, wherein the thin border has a predetermined thickness and surrounds an outer periphery of the DPF, and the display surface corresponds in position to the hollow portion of the detachable outer frame. The DPF can be settled in the positioning structure of the detachable outer frame via the thin border. The positioning structure also allows a back panel of a traditional picture frame to be assembled with the detachable outer frame.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a digital photo frame (DPF) assembly capable of outer frame substitution. More particularly, the present invention relates to a digital photo frame that is assembled with a detachable and replaceable outer frame by settling a thin border extending from a periphery of the DPF in a positioning structure of the detachable outer frame, so that the detachable outer frame can be replaced by other detachable outer frames having different configurations, as well as be assembled with a back panel of a traditional picture frame.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] Rapid advancement in the digitization technology has brought traditional photography into a new digital era, which not only revolutionizes the photography industry but also signals the decline of conventional film. In addition, the ever-improving digitizing equipment has also changed the forms of image-related peripheral products.

[0003] A convention photo frame is suitable for displaying a photo developed from conventional film. More specifically, the photo is protected with a frame and a protective glazing to facilitate viewing while preventing the photo from damage and discoloring. However, a traditional photo frame can display only one photo at a time and does not allow simultaneous display of a plurality of precious images unless the frame is enlarged or a plurality of photo frames are used. With the advent of digital cameras, peripheral products for accessing digital pictures have been much diversified. For example, various DPF products have been devised for displaying digital images.

[0004] Therefore, it is a major goal of development in related industries to provide a frame capable of displaying not only traditional photos but also digital pictures when the frame is further assembled with a DPF. Moreover, it is highly desirable that the DPF is detachable from the frame and replaceable by a back panel of a traditional picture frame when needed, so that a traditional photo supported on the back panel can be shown through the frame, thereby allowing the frame to exhibit traditional paper-based photos when used with the back panel, and digital pictures when used with the DPF.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0005] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a digital photo frame (DPF) assembly capable of outer frame substitution, wherein a DPF is provided with a unique thin border to be settled in a positioning structure of a detachable outer frame, and the positioning structure allows the detachable outer frame to be assembled interchangeably with the DPF and a hack panel of a traditional picture frame.

[0006] In order to achieve aforementioned objective, the present invention discloses a DPF assembly which includes a detachable outer frame and a DPF. The detachable outer frame has a hollow portion and a positioning structure. The DPF includes a thin border and a display surface, wherein the thin border has a predetermined thickness and surrounds an outer periphery of the DPF, and the display surface corresponds in position to the hollow portion of the detachable outer frame. The DPF can be settled in the positioning structure of the detachable outer frame via the thin border. The positioning structure also allows a back panel of a traditional picture frame to be assembled with the detachable outer frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The present invention as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof will be best understood by referring to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a DPF assembly capable of outer frame substitution according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2A is a perspective view showing a detachable outer frame and a DPF of the DPF assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention in an assembled state;

Fig. 2B is a perspective view showing the detachable outer frame of the DPF assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention when assembled with a back panel of a traditional picture frame;

Fig. 3A is a sectional view showing the detachable outer frame and the DPF of the DPF assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention in the assembled state;

Fig. 3B is a sectional view showing the detachable outer frame of the DPF assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention when assembled with the back panel of a traditional picture frame;

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a DPF assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a schematic drawing showing operation of a latch of the DPF assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6A is a perspective view showing a detachable outer frame and a DPF of the DPF assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention in an assembled state;

Fig. 6B is a perspective view showing the detachable outer frame of the DPF assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention when assembled with a back panel of a traditional picture frame;

Fig. 7A is a sectional view showing the detachable outer frame and the DPF of the DPF assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention in the assembled state;

Fig. 7B is a sectional view showing the detachable outer frame of the DPF assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention when assembled with the back panel of a traditional picture frame;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view showing a detachable outer frame of a DPF assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention when assembled with the back panel of a traditional picture frame ; and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing assembly of a detachable outer frame and a DPF of a DPF assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a digital photo frame (DPF) assembly 1 capable of outer frame substitution according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the DPF assembly 1 comprises a detachable outer frame 11, a positioning structure 12, a DPF 13, a thin border 14 and a cover plate 15. The detachable outer frame 11 has a hollow portion 111 and is formed with the positioning structure 12. The positioning structure 12 comprises a slide groove 121 and an inner slide groove 122, both provided on an inner periphery 112 of the detachable outer frame 11, wherein the inner slide groove 122 is located between the slide groove 121 and the cover plate 15.

[0009] When the DPF 13 is not assembled with the detachable outer frame 11, the inner slide groove 122 allows a back panel 2 of a traditional picture frame to be inserted therein along with at least one paper-based photo 3, thereby turning the DPF assembly 1 into a traditional picture frame. Thus, contents of the photo 3 are displayed through the hollow portion 111 of the detachable outer frame 11. The thin border 14 surrounds an outer periphery of the DPF 13 and has a predetermined thickness d which is smaller than a thickness D of the DPF 13. In addition, the predetermined thickness d of the thin border 14 corresponds roughly to a groove width of the slide groove 121. Besides, the outer periphery of the back panel 2 has a dimension, shape and thickness similar to those of the thin border 14.

[0010] Figs. 2A and 2B are perspective views showing respectively the detachable outer frame 11 and the DPF 13 of the DPF assembly 1 capable of outer frame substitution according to the first embodiment of the present invention in an assembled state, and the detachable outer frame 11 and the back panel 2 in an assembled state.

[0011] The slide groove 121 and the inner slide groove 122 have a common opening 113 on one lateral side 114 of the detachable outer frame 11, so that the thin border 14 of the DPF 13 can be inserted into the slide groove 121 through the opening 113 until a display surface 131 of the DPF 13 corresponds in position to the hollow portion 111 of the detachable outer frame 11.

[0012] The cover plate 15 is glued to a first side 115 of the detachable outer frame 11 so as to cover the hollow portion 111 of the detachable outer frame 11 and correspond in position to the display surface 131 of the DPF 13, thereby protecting the display surface 131 from being damaged by external forces. In this embodiment, the cover plate 15 can be made of a transparent material, such as one of glass, plastic and acrylic. The DPF assembly 1 capable of outer frame substitution further comprises a stand 16 disposed on a backside 132 of the DPF 13 for adjusting a supporting angle formed between the stand 16 and the DPF 13, thereby changing a viewing angle of the DPF assembly 1 capable of outer frame substitution.

[0013] Since the DPF 13 is assembled with the detachable outer frame 11 via the thin border 14 and the positioning structure 12, the detachable outer frame 11 can be detached and then replaced by other detachable outer frames having different styles, colors, patterns and shapes to produce various visual effects and add to the variability in physical appearance of the DPF 13.

[0014] Fig. 3A is a sectional view showing the detachable outer frame 11 and the DPF 13 of the DPF assembly 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention in the assembled state. As shown in the drawing, the display surface 131 of the DPF 13 has a periphery protrudingly provided with a protective strip 17 having a predetermined thickness and interposed between the cover plate 15 and the display surface 131, thereby providing extra protection to the display surface 131 against external compression. The DPF 13 further comprises a display module 133, a frame body 134, a memory module 135, a control module 136, an input module 137, an audio-frequency output module 138 and a power module 139.

[0015] The display module 133 is provided on the frame body 134 so as to be framed and secured therein and to correspond in position to the opening 113 of the detachable outer frame 11. The display module 133 of the DPF 13 is configured to display digital images and can be a liquid crystal display (LCD) device or an e-paper (electronic paper) display device.

[0016] The memory module 135 provides the digital images to be displayed and played back by the display module 133. The memory module 135 can be one of a re-writable non-volatile memory, a flash memory, an electric programmable read-only memory (EPROM) and a micro hard drive (micro-HD).

[0017] The control module 136 controls the display module 133 to display the digital images and stores the digital images into the memory module 135. The input module 137 is disposed at a predetermined location on the frame body 134 for controlling the display module 133, via the control module 136, to change the images on display. In addition, the input module 137 may further comprise a plurality of push buttons 1371, which are located on the backside 132 of the DPF 13 in this embodiment. However, in another embodiment, the push buttons 1371 may also be furnished on the front-side of the DPF 13.

[0018] The audio-frequency output module 138 is disposed on the backside 132 of the DPF 13 and configured to output an audio-frequency signal. With the audio-frequency output module 138 capable of playing music or sound, the DPF assembly 1 can provide both audio and video functions.

[0019] The power module 139 supplies necessary electric power to the DPF 13 and can be one of a lithium battery, a nickel-hydrogen battery, a hydrogen-oxygen battery, a carbon-zinc battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, a fuel cell and a rechargeable battery. In addition, the power module 139 can also make external connection via one of a USB port and an AC/DC transformer for re-charging the battery. However, in another embodiment, it is possible that the power module 139 contains no battery at all and is directly connected to an external power source (not shown in figures) such like a 110∼220 volts AC power supply or a 5/9/12 volts DC power supply compatible with USB standards. It is understood that the DPF 13 of the present invention may be further provided with a connection device (not shown) for connecting with external devices so as to receive external digital images. The connection device can be a card reader, a Bluetooth wireless module, a wireless network module, a USB port, a network port or connection devices of other kinds.

[0020] Fig. 3B is a sectional view showing the detachable outer frame 11 of the DPF assembly 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention when assembled with the back panel 2 of a traditional picture frame. When the DPF 13 is not assembled with the detachable outer frame 11, the inner slide groove 122 allows the back panel 2 of a traditional picture frame to be disposed therein. Thus, the photo 3 is sandwiched between the cover plate 15 and the back panel 2 and corresponds in position to the hollow portion 111 of the detachable outer frame 11. In other words, since the inner slide groove 122 allows the back panel 2 of a traditional picture frame to be disposed therein, the detachable outer frame 11 can be converted at will either into a traditional picture frame or a DPF.

[0021] Presently, commercially available DPFs are generally provided with such components as a display module, a memory module, a control module and a power module, so as to have an overall thickness D at least greater than 8 mm. By contrast, the back panel 2 of a traditional picture frame typically has a thickness of only 0.5 ∼ 5 mm and therefore cannot share the same detachable outer frame with the DPF 13 having an overall thickness D greater than 8 mm. Therefore, as a unique feature of the present invention, the DPF 13 is provided on the outer periphery thereof with the thin border 14 whose thickness d is smaller than 5 mm and thus similar to the thickness of the back panel 2, thereby allowing the DPF 13 of the present invention to share the same detachable outer frame 11 with the back panel 2. In addition, the positioning structure 12 of the detachable outer frame 11 according to the present invention is uniquely formed with the two slide grooves 121 and 122 mainly because of the protective strip 17 provided protrudingly on the periphery of the display surface 131 of the DPF 13 and having the predetermined thickness. These two slide grooves 121 and 122 allow the protective strip 17 to be interposed between the cover plate 15 and the display surface 131 when the thin border 14 on the outer periphery of the DPF 13 is received in the slide groove 121, thereby providing further protection to the display surface 131 against external compression. On the other hand, the back panel 2, having no display surfaces that need protection, can be inserted directly into the inner slide groove 122, thereby pressing the photo 3 against an inner surface of the cover plate 15 to prevent the photo 3 from wrinkling.

[0022] Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a DPF assembly 1 a capable of outer frame substitution according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the DPF assembly 1a capable of outer frame substitution has a positioning structure 12a comprising a receiving groove 123 and at least one rotatable latch 124. The receiving groove 123 is formed centrally on a detachable outer frame 11 as a stepped groove tapering from a hollow portion 111 of the detachable outer frame 11. A DPF 13 is provided with a thin border 14 that can he settled in the receiving groove 123. The rotatable latches 124 are disposed at predetermined locations on a second side 116 (an opposite side of a first side 115) of the detachable outer frame 11 and serve to secure the thin border 14, or a back panel 2 of a traditional picture frame, settled in the receiving groove 123. In addition, a cover plate 15a is centrally formed with a through hole (not numbered in the drawing) whose dimension is substantially identical to that of a display surface 131 of the DPF 13, thereby allowing digital images displayed on the DPF 13 to be viewed through the cover plate 15a. In this embodiment, the cover plate 15a may be made of an opaque material such as wood, plastic, metal, ceramic or leather.

[0023] Fig. 5 is a schematic drawing showing operation of the latches 124 of the DPF assembly 1a capable of outer frame substitution according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The latches 124 are pivotally connected to the second side 116 of the detachable outer frame 11. In this preferred embodiment, the latches 124 are located at opposite locations on the second side 116. In order to move the latches 124 to a closed position and thereby secure the thin border 14 or the back panel 2 in the receiving groove 123, each of the latches 124 can be rotated about a rotation axis defined by an end thereof toward the receiving groove 123. When rotated by an appropriate angle, the other end of each of the latches 124 will be located above the receiving groove 123 to secure the thin border 14 or the back panel 2 firmly in the receiving groove 123. When it is desired to remove the thin border 14 of the DPF 13 or the back panel 2 of a traditional picture frame from the receiving groove 123, the latches 124 are rotated outward in a direction opposite to that described above, so that the other ends of the latches 124 are displaced from above the receiving groove 123.

[0024] Figs. 6A and 6B are perspective views showing respectively the detachable outer frame 11 and the DPF 13 of the DPF assembly 1a capable of outer frame substitution according to the second embodiment of the present invention in an assembled state, and the detachable outer frame 11 and the back panel 2 in an assembled state.

[0025] Referring to Fig. 6A, the DPF 13 is assembled with the detachable outer frame 11 of the DPF assembly 1a capable of outer frame substitution by being placed into the receiving groove 123, with the thin border 14 being secured in the receiving groove 123 by the latches 124.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 6B, when the DPF 13 of the DPF assembly 1a capable of outer frame substitution is not assembled with the detachable outer frame 11, the back panel 2 of a traditional picture frame can be placed in the receiving groove 123 and secured therein by the latches 124 on the detachable outer frame 11.

[0027] Figs. 7A and 7B are sectional views showing respectively the detachable outer frame 11 and the DPF 13 of the DPF assembly 1a capable of outer frame substitution according to the second embodiment of the present invention in the assembled state, and the detachable outer frame 11 and the back panel 2 of a traditional picture frame in the assembled state.

[0028] The receiving groove 123 of the DPF assembly 1a capable of outer frame substitution can selectively receive the back panel 2 of a traditional picture frame or the thin border 14 of the DPF 13, so that the back panel 2 or the DPF 13 is secured in the receiving groove 123 by the latches 124. Thus, the DPF assembly 1a capable of outer frame substitution can be converted at will either into a traditional picture frame or a DPF.

[0029] Fig. 8 is a sectional view showing a detachable outer frame 11b of a DPF assembly 1b capable of outer frame substitution according to a third embodiment of the present invention when assembled with the back panel of a traditional picture frame. In this embodiment, the DPF assembly 1b comprises the detachable outer frame 11b and the DPF 13 assembled together and is not provided with a cover plate. The detachable outer frame 11b has a positioning structure 12b comprising a receiving groove 123. The receiving groove 123 has an inner periphery (i.e., a periphery adjacent to a hollow portion 111 of the detachable outer frame 11b) formed with an inner edge 117 and an inner recess 118. The inner edge 117, the inner recess 118 and the receiving groove 123 substantially form an outwardly tapering stepped groove structure. The inner edge 117 is sized to match an outer peripheral dimension of a protective strip 17 of the DPF 13. Therefore, when a thin border 14 of the DPF 13 is placed and secured in the receiving groove 123 of the detachable outer frame 11b, the protective strip 17 fits snugly inside the inner edge 117, thereby giving the DPF assembly 1b an integral frontal look.

[0030] Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing assembly of a detachable outer frame 11c and a DPF 13 of a DPF assembly 1c capable of outer frame substitution according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this fourth embodiment, the detachable outer frame 11b of the DPF assembly 1c has a positioning structure 12b formed with only one slide groove 121. Therefore, both a thin border 14 of the DPF 13 and a back panel 2 of a traditional picture frame have thicknesses matching a groove width of the slide groove 121 so as to be inserted therein. As such, an area (width) where the detachable outer frame 11 c and a cover plate 15 are bonded is increased as compared with the first embodiment of the present invention, thereby enhancing a bonding strength between the detachable outer frame 11c and the cover plate 15. Other components and structures of the DPF assembly 1c in the fourth embodiment are generally the same as their counterparts in the first embodiment and therefore, for the sake of brevity, will not be described herein.

[0031] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A digital photo frame assembly capable of outer frame substitution, comprising:

a detachable outer frame, having a hollow portion and a positioning structure;

a digital photo frame (DPF), comprising a thin border having a predetermined thickness and surrounding an outer periphery of the DPF, and a display surface corresponding in position to the hollow portion of the detachable outer frame, wherein the thin border is sized and shaped according to the positioning structure, so that the DPF can be settled in the positioning structure of the detachable outer frame via the thin border; and

a stand, provided on a backside of the DPF for adjusting a supporting angle formed between the stand and the DPF.

2. The digital photo frame assembly of Claim 1, wherein the predetermined thickness of the thin border is smaller than 5 mm and the positioning structure comprises:

a slide groove, disposed on an inner periphery of the detachable outer frame and having a first opening located on a lateral side of the detachable outer frame, so that the thin border of the DPF can be inserted into the slide groove through the first opening; and

an inner slide groove, disposed on the inner periphery of the detachable outer frame and having a second opening located on the same lateral side of the detachable outer frame where the first opening of the slide groove is located, so that a back panel of a traditional picture frame and at least one photo can be placed in the inner slide groove through the second opening.

3. The digital photo frame assembly of Claim 1, wherein the predetermined thickness of the thin border is smaller than 5 mm and the positioning structure further comprises: a receiving groove and at least one latch, in which the receiving groove is formed centrally on the detachable outer frame as a stepped groove tapering from the hollow portion of the detachable outer frame, so that the thin border of the DPF or a back panel of a traditional picture frame can be received in the receiving groove and be secured therein by the latch.

4. The digital photo frame assembly of Claim 1, wherein the display surface of the DPF has a periphery protrudingly provided with a protective strip having a predetermined thickness for protecting the display surface.

5. The digital photo frame assembly of Claim 1, further comprising a cover plate covering the hollow portion and corresponding in position to the display surface of the DPF, wherein the cover plate is made of a transparent material selected from the group consisting of glass, plastic and acrylic.

6. The digital photo frame assembly of Claim 1, wherein the DPF further comprises:

a display module for displaying a digital image;

a frame body for framing and thereby securing the display module therein;

a memory module for storing the digital image and providing the digital image to the display module for display;

a control module for controlling the display module to present the digital image;

an input module disposed at a predetermined location on the frame body for enabling a user to input a control signal for operating the control module;

an audio-frequency output module for outputting an audio-frequency signal; and

a power module for providing necessary electric power to the DPF.

7. The digital photo frame assembly of Claim 6, wherein the display module is either a liquid crystal display (LCD) device or an e-paper (electronic paper) display device.

8. The digital photo frame assembly of Claim 6, wherein the power module can make external connection via one of a USB port and a transformer.

9. The digital photo frame assembly of Claim 6, wherein the control module is disposed on either a backside or a front side of the DPF and comprises a plurality of push buttons.

Drawing