Specialty display window

• US 20030145536A1
• Filed: 02/06/2002
• Published: 08/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andersen Corporation
• Original Assignee: Andersen Corporation
• Inventors: Heikkila, Kurt E., Pylkki, Russell John, Libby, James Brian
• Granted Patent: US 7,426,804 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/201
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 7/28 Other arrangements on doors or windows, e.g. door-plates, windows adapted to carry plants, hooks for window cleaners edge protecting devices for door leaves E06B3/88; special glazing; emergency glazing; double glazing E06B3/66
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/18 involving the use of optical projection means, e.g. projection of images on clouds projection apparatus per se G03B
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/642 Disposition of sound reproducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3141 Constructional details thereof details not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/14

Abstract

A window unit includes a window frame defining a frame perimeter and a window located within the frame perimeter. The window includes a display surface adapted to receive a display image. A display image source is disposed in the window frame and a speaker element is disposed in the window. The window can transform from a first transparent state to a second increased opacity state for receiving the display image on the display surface.

Claims

1. A window unit comprising:

(a) a window frame defining a frame perimeter; and

(b) a window located within the frame perimeter, the window includes a display surface adapted to receive a display image;

(c) a display image source disposed in the window frame; and

(d) a speaker element disposed in the window;

wherein, the window can transform from a first transparent state to a second increased opacity state for receiving the display image on the display surface.

2. The window unit of claim 1 wherein, the window unit comprises a single window.

3. The window unit of claim 1 wherein, the window unit comprises a plurality of windows.

4. The window of claim 2 wherein, the window unit is a picture window.

5. The window of claim 3 wherein, the window unit is a bay window including a main display window between two side windows.

6. The window of claim 5 wherein, the speaker element is disposed in a side window.

7. The window of claim 5 wherein, the speaker element is disposed in each side window.

8. The window of claim 5 wherein, the speaker element is disposed in the main display window.

9. The window of claim 5 wherein, the speaker element is disposed in each side window and main display window.

10. The window of claim 1 wherein, the window frame includes a first pair of opposed frame members, which includes a bottom frame member and a top frame member oriented along a horizontal rigid frame axis and a second pair of opposed rigid frame members, which includes a first side frame member and a second side frame member can be oriented along a vertical frame axis, the display image source disposed in the bottom frame member, top frame member, first side member, or second side member.

11. The window of claim 10 wherein, the display image source is disposed in the bottom frame member.

12. The window of claim 10 wherein, the display image source is disposed in the top frame member.

13. The window of claim 10 wherein, further comprising a second display image source disposed in the bottom frame member, top frame member, first side member, or second side member.

14. A method comprising:

(a) providing a window frame defining a frame perimeter;

(b) providing a window within the frame perimeter, the window includes a display surface adapted to receive a display image;

(c) disposing a display image source in the window frame; and

(d) disposing a speaker element in the window;

wherein, the window can transform from a first transparent state to a second increased opacity state for receiving the display image on the display surface.

15. A patio door unit comprising:

(a) a patio door frame defining a frame perimeter; and

(b) a patio door window located within the frame perimeter, the patio door window includes a display surface adapted to receive a display image;

(c) a display image source disposed in the patio door frame; and

(d) a speaker element disposed in the patio door;

wherein, the patio door window can transform from a first transparent state to a second increased opacity state for receiving the display image on the display surface.

16. The patio door unit of claim 15 wherein, the patio door unit comprises a single patio door.

17. The patio door unit of claim 15 wherein, the patio door unit comprises a plurality of patio door windows.

18. The patio door of claim 15 wherein, the patio door frame includes a first pair of opposed frame members, which includes a bottom frame member and a top frame member oriented along a horizontal rigid frame axis and a second pair of opposed rigid frame members, which includes a first side frame member and a second side frame member can be oriented along a vertical frame axis, the display image source disposed in the bottom frame member, top frame member, first side member, or second side member.

19. The patio door of claim 18 wherein, the display image source is disposed in the bottom frame member.

20. The patio door of claim 18 wherein, the display image source is disposed in the top frame member.