Liquid crystal photograph

• US 4,754,271 A
• Filed: 03/10/1987
• Issued: 06/28/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Willie Edwards
• Original Assignee: Willie Edwards
• Inventors: Edwards, Willie
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/024,122
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• Field of Search: 358/909, 364/410, 340/765, 340/784
• US Class Current: 345/98
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2104 for one or a few pictures
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2158 using a detachable storage unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0089 Image display device

Abstract

A device for electronically generating a plurality of single still pictures which are stored in the device'"'"'s self-contained programmed digital memory cartridge and which is displayed on a liquid crystal screen. The device is a structure resembling a thin pocket calculator.

Claims

1. A liquid crystal photograph comprising:

a thin two-piece interconnecting plastic casing having a thickness of approximately one-sixteenth of an inch and is small enough to fit into a shirtpocket;

liquid crystal display means situated upon a first section of said two-piece interconnecting plastic casing for viewing a data-sourced photographic image;

microelectronic circuitry operating means situated within said two-piece interconnecting plastic casing for responding to a plurality of viewer selected input display functions;

externally programmable storage means comprising a second section of said two-piece interconnecting plastic casing for storing within a readable memory data representing a plurality of still picture frames to be viewed on said display means;

control means for controlling reading of said still picture frames from said storage means and for determining the visual duration of said picture frames presented on said liquid crystal display means, including sequencing means responsive to said viewer inputs for providing a plurality of imaging formats ranging from a still picture freeze-frame to a time-delayed auto-sequence to an animated image;

connection means situated upon both pieces of said two-piece interconnecting casing for allowing said storage means comprising said second section to be inserted into said first section whereupon said display section is situated; and

extended energizing means wherein a plurality of solar cells are connected so as to provide a permanence of power to said display to the extent that a viewer may continuously realize said display due essentially to the presence of ambient visible light.

2. A picture display card comprising:

a liquid crystal display means situated upon a bisectional shirtpocket-sized card and having a thickness of approximately one-sixteenth of an inch;

light energy power means for providing sufficient power to said picture display card to effect a picture display on said card as long as visible light is present;

an externally programmable digital data storage means for storing data signals representing a plurality of selectable picture frames within an interchangeable cartridge, said cartridge forming a section of said bisectional card;

microelectronic circuitry means for responding to a plurality of input signals for coordinating selection by a viewer of said picture frames and presentation of said picture frame data to said liquid crystal display means;

connection means on said bisectional card for permitting one section to physically and electrically accommodate the other section in order for said stored picture frame data to be made accessible to said display means; and

automatic sequencing means for enabling a viewer to enact a display mode in which a plurality of said stored picture frames are automatically displayed in periodic succession.

3. A card-thin image portrayal system comprising:

a thin bisectional encasement having a thickness of approximately one-sixteenth of an inch;

digitized picture-frame storage means within one section of said bisectional encasement for storing preprogrammed image signals;

connection means for providing signal continuity between two sections of said bisectional encasement;

liquid crystal display means incorporated within said bisectional encasement for portraying an image;

viewer control means for inputting a plurality of signals by said viewer to effect a plurality of viewing formats of said displays;

microelectronic system control means within said encasement for providing operational display functions of said image portrayal system;

animation means for enabling said image portrayal system to produce a continuous and repetitive live-action display; and

light-based power means for establishing the presentation of said image and maintaining the duration of said image essentially on the basis of the presence of ambient visible light.