Ornament apparatus, system and method

• US 7,248,230 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2003
• Issued: 07/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gregory A. Piccionelli
• Original Assignee: Gregory A. Piccionelli
• Inventors: Piccionelli, Gregory A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Kevin M.
• Application Number:
  US10/366,008
• Publication Number:
  US 20040085258A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,622 Days
• Field of Search: 345 11- 34, 345/904, 315/178, 315/291, 315/185.R, 315/185.S, 362/122, 362/123, 362/237, 362/257, 362/561, 362/565, 362/567, 362/688, 362/562, 362/564, 362/583, 340/825.49, 340/7.46
• US Class Current: 345/2.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 33/08 Christmas tree decorations
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 33/0809 involving motion
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 33/0818 specially adapted for emitting sound
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/04 the elements being switches safety devices F21V25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/165 following a pre-assigned programmed sequence; Logic control [LC]

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an ornamental system, apparatus and method that is dynamically modifiable. Embodiments of the ornament system comprise a processor, at least one ornamental member and a data controller. The processor is a computer which stores user input data for transmission and transmits a request for the transmission of data files. The ornamental member is configured to receive and display image data stored in a database, wherein the stored data can be changed at anytime. Embodiments of the present invention can be coupled to other ornamental systems across a wide area network, wherein users can share data files for display.

Claims

1. An ornamental system for use on a Christmas tree for the transmission and display of user defined data, comprising:

storage means for storing user defined data;

an ornamental member configured to attach to a Christmas tree, the ornamental member having an electronic display capable of displaying one or more of the following group;

image data, text data and graphic data; and

a controller, the controller being coupled to the ornamental member and the storage means, and being configured to control the selection of user defined data for transmission to the ornamental member.

2. An ornamental system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ornamental member comprises:

a body;

a display member; and

a receiving member;

the display member and receiving member being coupled to the body, and the display member being in electronic communication with the receiving member.

3. An ornamental system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a user interface, the user interface being configured to receive data markers from a user and store the data markers in the storage means, the data markers being associated with predefined user data, wherein the controller selects data markers from the storage means and causes the transmission of the data associated with the data markers to the ornamental member; and

a receiving member, wherein the transmitted data is received by the receiving member and transmitted for display on the display member.

4. An ornamental system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the data markers consist of any in the following group:

data files consisting of instructions for the display of user defined data, data location identifiers and data source identifiers.

5. An ornamental system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the instructions for the display of data is selected from the group consisting of instructions associated with the timing of the transmission, the data to display, and instructions to randomly display data.

6. An ornamental system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a central processor, a central storage database and a plurality of remote processors, the central processor and remote processors being coupled together on a computer network, wherein each processor in the plurality of processors reside in geographically distinct locations.

7. An ornamental system as claimed in claim 1, the ornamental system operating on a computer network further comprising:

a central processors, and

a user processor, the user processor residing in a geographically remote location from the central processor, the user processor being coupled to at least one ornamental member

a central storage database;

means for receiving user defined data from the central database;

means for transmitting selected data to the user processor, wherein the user processor transmits the selected data to the ornamental member for display on the display member.

8. An ornamental system as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of ornamental members, wherein at least two of the plurality of ornamental members are configured to display data cooperatively in a predefined manner.

9. An ornamental system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the display data is selected from the group consisting of text, graphics, video and audiovisual.

10. An ornamental system as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least some of the plurality of ornamental members further comprise a sound generating device, and wherein the cooperative display of data is selected from the group consisting of:

sequentially displaying image data from one ornamental member to another ornamental member;

producing coordinated audible sounds from one ornamental member to another ornamental member;

producing an audible musical composition wherein each instrument producing the musical composition is associated with a specific ornamental member such that the musical sound for that instrument is transmitted via the specific ornamental member; and

serially producing audible sound from the sound generating device of an individual ornamental member, wherein one ornamental emember produces a sound which substantially ceases prior to the commencement of a sound produced by one or more ornamental members.

11. An ornamental system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the image data is video data.

12. An ornamental system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user defined data is selected from the group consisting of:

data markers, image data, text data, and graphic data.

13. An ornamental system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an artificial Christmas tree having artificial limbs, branches and needles, wherein at least one of the limbs, branches or needles comprise an attachment means configured to receive the ornamental member.

18. An ornamental member as claimed in claim 12 further comprising a camera and sound capturing device, the camera and sound capturing device being coupled to the body.

14. An ornamental member being configured to attach to a Christmas tree and being configured to receive input data from a data source, comprising:

a body;

a display member, the display member being configured to display one or more of the following group of input data;

image data, text data and graphic data; and

a receiving member, the receiving member being configured to receive the input data;

the display member and receiving member being coupled to the body, and the display member being in electronic communication with the receiving member.

15. An ornamental member as claimed in claim 14, wherein the body comprises a hollow interior and the display member is disposed within the interior of the body.

16. An ornamental member as claimed in claim 14, wherein the data source is selected from the group consisting of a processor, video player, CD player, and a network server.

17. An ornamental member as claimed in claim 14, further comprising an auditory generating device, the auditory generating device being coupled to the body and being configured to generate audible sound.

19. An ornamental member as claimed in claim 14, wherein the body further comprises an inner diameter and an outer diameter, and further comprising a plurality of display members, wherein at least one display member is disposed within the interior of the body and at least one display member is disposed on the outer diameter, and wherein the input data displayed on the display residing within the interior of the body and on the outer diameter is coordinated.

20. An ornamental member as claimed in claim 19, wherein the coordinated data display on the display members creates the effect of motion.

21. An ornamental member as claimed in claim 14, wherein the display member comprises a plurality of display member elements, wherein each display member element is capable of displaying a portion of an image data file, where in the portions of the image files for at least two of the plurality of display member elements collectively display the image file.

22. An ornamental member as claimed in claim 14, further comprising:

a controller, the controller being coupled to the body and being configured to control the selection of input data from the data source for transmission to the ornamental member.

23. An ornamental member as claimed in claim 14, wherein the display member is selected from the group consisting of:

a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, and a bioluminescent display device.

24. An ornamental member as claimed in claim 14, wherein the body further comprises shape reconfiguration means, wherein the shape reconfiguration means being capable of reshaping the body in response to or in coordination with selected input data displayed on the display member, and wherein the body is configured to respond to the shape reconfiguration means.

25. An interactive ornamental system for use on a Christmas tree for the transmission and display of data, comprising:

storage means for storing data;

a plurality of ornamental members configured to attach to a Christmas tree, each ornamental member comprising;

an electronic display capable of displaying one or more of the following group;

image data, text data and graphic data; and

at least one sensor;

a first controller, the controller being coupled to the ornamental member and the storage means, and being configured to control the selection of data for transmission to the ornamental member; and

a second controller for use by an end user, the second controller being configured to transmit at least one signal to the sensor of any of the plurality of ornamental members selected by the end user, wherein upon successful transmission of the signal to the selected ornamental member, the first controller selects new data for transmission to the ornamental member.