Patent Application
20120200756
The invention relates to the field of flat screen displays, and more particularly, to methods and techniques of utilizing flat screen displays to emulate a window.
Flat Screen Displays (FSD) are also known as Flat Screen Televisions and are manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and including large sizes. The intended use for FSD's are for computer displays, television and presentation displays. Next generation FSD are thin and light weight. This has opened up opportunities to mount flat screens and televisions on walls. Some have used this as a source for movies or to share pictures from a computer and some have utilized such to display a picture or even a fire place. In addition to this FSD's are used as monitors for security or surveillance. A camera is set outside and a signal is transmitted back to the FSD showing a view of the grounds being surveyed.
The prized office in a building has windows. Window offices can enhance the work environment. Windows however are restricted to outside walls. Some buildings will use a skylight in interior areas to bring in sunlight as an attempt to promote an enhanced work environment. In many homes there are basements which cannot have windows and many times a window may be desired that a builder did not put in and it is many times cost prohibitive to add windows.
The concept of utilizing a television or a monitor as a window has not been conducive given the nature of the physical size and awkward shape of the monitor or television. The newer and more advanced displays have a flat front glass piece which has a similar look as a window. This still appears to look like a display and it is still not a window. A need exists to convert flat screen technology providing the same appearance and function of a window. In addition to these flat displays, next generation displays will be large and flexible and will be much larger, thus allowing oversized windows or even full wall sized windows to be mimicked.
Therefore it is a primary object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to improve over the state of the art.
It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide methods and processes for utilizing displays such as FSDs and proper window sill designs to give the appearance of a window.
It is a still further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide one or more cameras that may face any direction on the outside of the building and use video from the one or more cameras to effectively add windows to interior walls.
It is another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide a modified system to include a FSD, supporting aesthetic window borders and a camera will be integrated for a window quality experience.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a flat screen display window system includes a flat screen display, a window frame operatively connected to the flat screen display, the window frame and flat screen display configured to simulate an appearance of a window, and a video source operatively connected to the flat screen display to provide a video signal to the flat screen display.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for enhancing appearance of a room is provided. The method includes providing a flat screen display window system comprising a flat screen display and a frame operatively connected to the flat screen display, the frame configured to simulate an appearance of a window and mounting the flat screen display window system at a position within the room so as to simulate the appearance of the window.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a flat screen display window system is provided. The system includes a flat screen display, a window frame operatively connected to the flat screen display, the window frame and flat screen display configured to simulate an appearance of a window, and a camera operatively connected to the flat screen display, the camera configured to acquire video imagery for display on the flat screen display.
Utilizing a FSD and a designed boarder with window sills, a method to assemble this that allows for a tight against the wall system is developed. A boarder may tightly couple to the monitor to give it the appearance of an embedded piece of glass within the frame. The window sill below may be tightly coupled to the glass on the display giving the appearance of a solid piece. The sill and borders will be designed in such a manner as to allow a tightly coupled connection with the display glass, but also allow for tight contact with the wall it is to be mounted on. All wires may be placed behind the wall, hidden for effect. If the FSD needs to have air flow, the window frame may be specially designed to ensure air flow without compromising the tight fit or look.
Once mounted on the wall, the FSD Window System may appear to look like a dark window. The FSD typically has a receiver and can handle video and including live video. A camera strategically set outside can be transmitted back to the FSD Window System thus displaying in real time and brilliant, life like colors from the out doors. The solid wall may look exactly like an exterior wall with a window.
The FSD Window System placed in an inner office building can also serve multi purpose, 1) as a window to the outside, 2) as a picture or painting, 3) as a monitor to display what is on a computer or 4) a television. A switch may be set up to allow the FSD Window system to switch to any mode. Where the FSD Window System serves as window to the outside, the FSD Window System may provide a view similar to what one would expect to see from a window of the office building, or may provide a view similar to what one would expect to see from a window looking out to a different location which may be geographically remote from the inner office building.
As shown in
As previously explained, various video sources may be used to provide video to the flat screen display 18 which may correspond with what one looking through an actual window would expect to see. The video can come from any number of sources including from a camera providing a view generally corresponding to a view if there was an actual window present.
As illustrated in
Although various embodiments are shown or discussed herein, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific disclosure as the present invention contemplates various and numerous variations, options, and alternatives.
This application is a non-provisional application of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/439,434, filed Feb. 4, 2011, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61439434 | Feb 2011 | US |
