Electronic image frame system

Abstract

This invention relates to electronic image frames, and in particular to electronic image frames having an electronics housing portion and a detachable frame portion that is secured in place by a tab and slot mechanism.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to electronic image frames, and in particular to electronic image frames having an electronics housing portion and a detachable frame portion that is secured in place by a tab and slot mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic image frames, also known as digital photo frames, are known in the art. Such devices typically consist of an electronic image display (e.g., a liquid crystal display) and its associated electronics, a power supply, a means for operating the functions of the device (e.g., buttons), a means for acquiring and storing image content (e.g., memory card ports, data ports, etc.), and a decorative housing containing the aforementioned components. Some electronic image frames have a detachable decorative frame that surrounds the display, allowing the attachment of different frames to match a particular style or décor. Such a device is disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20070011929 to Cheng, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. A disadvantage of the electronic image frames of the prior art is that they feature multiple tab and slot mechanisms for attaching the frame to the housing. Such a configuration necessarily limits the size and stability of each tab, increases the difficulty and dexterity needed to attach and remove the frame, and increases the overall complexity of the design of both the housing and the frame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to electronic image frame systems having an electronics housing portion and a detachable frame portion that is secured in place by a single tab and slot mechanism. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the electronic image frame system includes a power cord. In other embodiments, the electronic image frame system includes a data cable (e.g., Universal Serial Bus “USB” cable, IEEE 1394 “FireWire” cable, RJ-45 “Ethernet” cable, etc.) for communication and data transfer with a computing device. In yet other embodiments, the electronic image frame system includes wireless data transmission capabilities. In some embodiments, the electronic image frame system includes a wired or wireless remote control to facilitate operation of the device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A depicts an electronic image frame system in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B depicts an electronic image frame system in an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The electronic image frame systems of the present invention feature an electronics housing portion and a detachable frame portion that is secured in place by a single tab and slot mechanism. In some embodiments of the present invention, the tab is attached to a surface of the housing, and is received in place by a slot in the frame. In preferred embodiments, the width of the tab comprises a substantial portion of the width of the surface of the housing to which it is attached. In particularly preferred embodiments, the width of the tab is at least 50 percent of the width of the surface of the housing to which it is attached. In other embodiments, the width of the tab is between 50 percent and 75 percent of the width of the surface of the housing to which it is attached. In yet other embodiments, the width of the tab is between 75 percent and 100 percent of the width of the surface of the housing to which it is attached. In some embodiments, the tab extends to more than one surface of the housing. In other embodiments, the tab is configured as a unitary ridge protruding from two sides of the housing. In yet other embodiments, the tab is configured as a unitary ridge protruding from three sides of the housing. In some embodiments, the tab is configured as a unitary ridge extending around four sides of the housing. The receiving slot in the frame may be size-matched to the tab. In other embodiments, the slot occupies substantially all of a side of the frame. In yet other embodiments, a single slot spans all four sides of the frame.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the tab and slot mechanism is configured such that the tab is attached to a surface of the frame, and is received in place by a slot in the housing. In preferred embodiments, the width of the tab comprises a substantial portion of the width of the surface of the frame to which it is attached. In particularly preferred embodiments, the width of the tab is at least 50 percent of the width of the surface of the frame to which it is attached. In other embodiments, the width of the tab is between 50 percent and 75 percent of the width of the surface of the frame to which it is attached. In yet other embodiments, the width of the tab is between 75 percent and 100 percent of the width of the surface of the frame to which it is attached. In some embodiments, the tab extends to more than one surface of the frame. In other embodiments, the tab is configured as a unitary ridge protruding from two sides of the frame. In yet other embodiments, the tab is configured as a unitary ridge protruding from three sides of the frame. In some embodiments, the tab is configured as a unitary ridge extending around four sides of the frame. The receiving slot in the housing may be size-matched to the tab. In other embodiments, the slot occupies substantially all of a side of the housing. In yet other embodiments, a single slot spans all four sides of the housing. Other variations are also contemplated.

FIGS. 1A & 1B depict an electronic image frame system in an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic image frame system 100 comprises an electronics housing 110 and a detachable frame 120. The housing 110 features a tab 130 protruding from, and attached to, a side surface. The frame 130 features a slot 140 that is configured to receive the tab 130. When the tab 130 is fitted into the slot 140 of the frame 120, the frame is thereby securely attached to the housing 110. The tab 130 is configured to have a large surface area, which aids in the secure attachment of the frame 120 to the housing 110. The housing may further comprise components for additional attachment points to one or more other sides of the frame (see, e.g., U.S. Patent Publication No. 20070011929). It should be understood that the principles highlighted herein may be applied to (via modification of) a wide variety of commercially available electronic image devices that utilize detachable frames.

All publications and patents mentioned in the above specification are herein incorporated by reference. Various modifications and variations of the described system of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the relevant fields are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An electronic image system comprising:

a. an electronics housing configured to display an electronic image, said housing having a side portion comprising a single tab, where said tab has a length that is at least 50 percent of the length of the side portion of the housing on which it resides, and

b. a frame portion configured for detachable assembly to said electronics housing, said frame portion comprising a slot configured to engage said tab so as to fix said frame portion to said housing.

2. (canceled)

3. An electronic image system comprising:

a. a frame portion configured for detachable assembly to an electronics housing, said frame portion having a side portion comprising a single tab, where said tab has a length that is at least 50 percent of the length of the side portion of the frame on which it resides, and

b. an electronics housing configured to display an electronic image, said housing comprising a slot configured to engage said tab so as to fix said frame portion to said housing.

4. (canceled)