Picture Display Case

The present invention relates generally to a case for displaying pictures and more particularly to a case especially adapted to illuminate one or more pictures of a group of pictures selectively for viewing by an audience.

It is frequently desired to present pictures for viewing by an audience. At times a group of pictures may be made available for viewing but one or more pictures of the group are brought to the attention of the audience selectively. This may be done by illuminating the selected pictures of the group.

For example, such an arrangement is conveniently employed when teaching a language. The teacher brings a particular picture to the attention of the students for the purpose of naming it in the language being taught. The particular lesson may require a group of pictures all of which are exposed to the class but the teacher selects the particular picture to be described by illuminating it.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved display case for presenting pictures to an audience.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a picture display case for presenting a group of pictures to an audience that is especially adapted to illuminate one or more of the group selectively, at the discretion of the operator.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a picture display case for receiving a different number of pictures in different patterns for display which will adjust automatically to the number and pattern of pictures displayed to enable the switches to be operated consequently to illuminate the pictures.

The picture display case of the present invention comprises a rectangular frame with space for retaining a box containing an electronic circuit. A light panel of rectangular configuration is fitted into the opening in the frame. The light panel supports the maximum number of lamps required in an appropriate pattern as required for illuminating the pictures either individually or in combinations selectively. These lamps are connected to be controlled by the electronic circuit for operation by a set of switches in a sequence and pattern depending upon the number and pattern of the pictures on display.

In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of dividers are provided for insertion into the frame over the lamp panel. Each divider is provided with a different number of openings in a different pattern and size for accommodating the number and arrangement as well as the size of the pictures that are to be displayed. A chart or picture panel containing the pictures to be displayed is inserted into the frame which results in each one of the pictures being in alignment with one of the coatings in the divider.

The number of pictures on the panel will vary and some panels may have the same number of pictures but in different patterns. The openings in the divider will vary accordingly. Therefore the different panels having different numbers and arrangements of pictures will require different lighting. The lighting is varied by energizing the lamps in different combinations with each combination providing the best lighting for each picture on the particular panel in the frame.

The lighting arrangement is adjusted automatically. Three light sensitive elements are actuated in different combinations to provide the desired switch connections and lighting patterns. To this end three optocouplers are mounted on the light panel for cooperation with reflective material on the back of the dividers. Three locations on the back of the dividers are provided for receiving the reflective material and these locations are in operating alignment with the three optocouplers on the light panel. The presence of the reflective material at a particular location causes a light beam from the optocoupler to be reflected back to the light sensitive element to actuate it and render it conductive to thereby produce a logic 1. The absence of the reflective material, on the other hand, produces a logic 0 by its failure to reflect the light for necessary to activate the optocoupler. These different combinations of logic 1's and logic 0's serve to identify the panels of pictures inserted in the frame.

The electronic circuit utilizes this information not only to establish the lighting arrangement but to connect the switches to accommodate the number of pictures on the picture panel so that the switches can be actuated consecutively beginning with the first one. Thus, if six pictures are on a panel, the first six switches will be operable in numerical order for lighting the individual pictures at the discretion of the operator.

The foregoing and other objects of this invention, which will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, may be achieved by means of the exemplifying apparatus depicted in and set forth in the specification in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a picture case constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention having a fifteen light opening divider installed in the frame and a panel of pictures in position to be slid into the frame over the divider;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the frame for supporting the pictures with its enclosure at the base for containing the associated electric equipment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the frame depicted in FIG. 2 with the lamp panel installed and the switches connected;

FIGS. 4 to 10 are perspective front views of dividers, each with a different number of openings and each identified by reflective material;

FIG. 11 is a perspective rear view of a divider showing recessed areas for accepting light bulbs that are not being used; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the electrical circuitry for controlling the operation of the lamps.

Reference is now made more particularly to the drawings and specifically to FIG. 1 thereof illustrating a picture display case constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and showing a sheet or panel of pictures 15 in position to be inserted into the case for viewing. The case comprises a frame generally identified by the reference numeral 16 and formed of an enclosure 17 at the bottom for containing the electrical circuitry. In the illustrated embodiment an elongated plastic sheet is formed with the required slots and grooves and then bent to form a top panel 20 with parallel and spaced side panels 18 and 19 disposed at ninety degrees from the top panel 20. The bottom ends of the side panels 18 and 19 are attached to the enclosure 17 to form the frame 16. The rear of this frame is closed by a back panel 21 as shown in FIG. 2 with the front of the frame being open for receiving the operating elements. The back panel 21 is inserted slightly forward in the frame 16 to provide storage space in back of the case.

A structural member 22 extends across the frame between the side panels 18 and 19 with one end of the member 22 being attached to the side panel 19 and its opposite end being attached to the side panel 18. The side panel 18 includes a long longitudinal opening 23 while the panel 19 is provided with a smaller opening 24 for a purpose to be later described. The enclosure 17 contains the electrical circuitry shown schematically in FIG. 12. It is provided with a cover 25 that has three parallel slots 27, 28 and 29 formed in it. These slots extend across the width of the frame 17. The slot 27 serves to receive the bottom edge of the back panel 21 while the bottom edge of a light panel 30, shown in FIG. 3 is disposed within the slot 28. The slot 29 is in position to receive the bottom edge of the picture panel 15. A plurality of holes are formed in the cover 25 to provide air circulation about the electrical components within the enclosure 17. In addition, a handle 26 is attached to the top panel 20 to facilitate handling the unit.

As shown in FIG. 3, a lamp panel 30 is mounted in the frame 16 so that it is positioned in front of the structural member 22 leaving a space between the member 22 and the back panel 21. The lamp panel 30 is retained in position by a pair of slots 32 in the side panels 18 and 19 respectively as well as the slot 28 in the cover 25. The lamp panel 30 includes fifteen light bulbs or lamps 31 which are employed to light the pictures to be displayed in the case. The light bulbs 31 are energized in different combinations depending upon the number and pattern of the openings in the divider that is inserted into the display case. In addition, they are energized at the discretion of the operator for viewing by the audience. To this end, the light bulbs 31 on the panel 30 are controlled by the electronic circuitry in the enclosure 17 and are under the control of the operator by means of a plurality of switches 35. The switches 35 are mounted on a control box 37 that is connected to the electronic circuitry in the enclosure 17 by a conduit 39.

A plurality of dividers illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 11, inclusive, and identified by the reference numerals 40 to 47, respectively, are provided. Any one of these dividers is fitted into the front opening of the frame 16 to overlie the lamp panel 30 for dividing the light emanating from the lamps 31 onto the individual pictures being displayed. To this end, each divider 40 through 47 is provided with a different number of openings depending upon the number of pictures contained on the panel 15 that will be inserted into the frame 16. Thus, the divider 40 includes one large opening for framing a single large picture on the panel 15. On the other hand, the divider 47 shown in FIG. 10 is provided with fifteen openings for accommodating a panel 15 with fifteen separate pictures on it as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The dividers 40 to 47 serve to confine the light onto each individual picture. In order to avoid a concentration of the light into a point on the picture, each lamp is provided with an opaque spot 50 at its top central area which will diffuse the light for uniform application over the entire picture. In addition the dividers 40-47 are covered with a white translucent material 48, as shown in FIG. 10, that will further diffuse the light. The dividers that are not in use can be stored between the light panel 30 and structural member 22 which space is rendered accessible by the opening 23. Moreover the opening 24 on the opposite panel provides access to the space for facilitating the handling of the dividers in storage. Additional dividers can be stored behind the back panel 21.

The panel 15 containing the pictures is inserted into a pair of slots 51 and 52 formed in the panels 18 and 19, respectively. Prior to the insertion of the panel 15, the appropriate divider is fitted into the front opening against the lamp panel 30. The divider 47 is shown partially inserted into the front opening in FIG. 1 and it will be moved in far enough to expose the slots 51 and 52 in front of it. The panel 15 containing the pictures is then slid into the slots 51 and 52 to overlie the divider in the case. Each of the pictures on the sheet 15 will overlie one of the openings in the divider. The pictures are therefor illuminated from the back by an energized lamp 31. The light passes through the cooperating opening in the divider and the translucent material 48 covering the divider and through the translucent material which contains the picture.

The nine opening divider 46 shown in FIG. 11 includes a pair of recessed areas 49 for accepting light bulbs 31 on the light panel 30 that are not being used. Similar storage spaces can be furnished in the other dividers if required. The pictures on the panel 15 will correspond in number and arrangement with the number and arrangement of the openings in the various dividers 40 to 47 inclusive. It will therefore be necessary to energize the lamps 31 in different combinations to accommodate the particular divider in the frame 16 for lighting the accompanying pictures on the panel 15. Moreover, there are fifteen switches 35 for activating the fifteen lamps 31 in the sequence from 1 to 15. This is convenient if a sheet 15 containing 15 pictures and the divider 47 is in the display case. However, if a panel 15 with six pictures and the divider 43 are in the case, the operator would have to manually operate the switches one, three, seven, nine, thirteen and fifteen to illuminate the respective pictures. Other combinations of switches would have to be memorized or listed to accommodate the eight different patterns of pictures provided in this exemplary embodiment.

The present invention contemplates simplifying this entire procedure by suitable electronic circuitry and two processor appropriately programmed so that if the divider 43 containing six openings is placed in the frame along with a panel 15 containing six pictures arranged in the same manner, the unit automatically adjusts so that switches 1 to 6 are employed for lighting the six individual pictures. In like manner, if divider 44 were inserted into the case 16 the electronic circuitry would automatically adjust to accommodate the openings in the divider 44 by operating switches one to eight for lighting the eight individual pictures on the sheet 15. The lights would accommodate the arrangement of the eight openings in the divider 44 as distinguished from the eight openings in the divider 45 which are in a different arrangement. However, if the divider 45 were placed in the frame 16, switches one to eight would still be used but they would activate the lights in a different manner than when the same switches are activated with the divider 44 in the frame 16.

In order to accomplish this, each of the dividers 40 to 47 inclusive is identified when it is placed in the frame 16 overlying the light panel 30. To this end, three optocouplers or photocouplers 55, 56 and 57 are mounted on the light panel 30 as clearly shown in FIG. 3. These three optocouplers are rendered conductive in different combinations for identifying each of the dividers 40 to 47. The optocouplers include a light sensitive element and generate a beam of light which is directed away from the unit. However, if the light strikes a reflective material it reflects back onto the unit to activate the light sensitive element and render the unit conductive. Therefore, each of the dividers 40 to 47 is provided with a space on its back surface for receiving a reflective material 60 which cooperates with the optocouplers 55, 56 and 57 for activating them. The reference material 60 is placed on the back of the dividers in a different combination for each divider for activating the photo-couplers in various combinations to identify the particular divider in the frame 16. Thus, it will be noted that the divider 40 shown in FIG. 4 has a single opening and it has one reflective element on its right side in back so that the optocoupler 55 will be activated. This identifies the panel 15 with one large picture on it and it will only be necessary to activate the first of the switches 35 for energizing all of the lamps 31 on the lamp panel 30. On the other hand, the divider 43 includes a reflective material 60 on its left side rear location, as viewed in FIG. 7, for activating the optocoupler 57. This will cause the lamps 1, 3, 7, 9, 13 and 15 to be activated respectively by the actuation of the first six of the fifteen switches 35. The dividers are provided with the identifying reflective material at both their top and bottom rear edges, as shown, so that they can be installed in either position.

A rotary switch 58 is mounted on the end of the box 37 for automatic operation. Position "1" on this switch is the "off" position enabling the lights to be energized by the manual operation of the switches 35 selectively. However, for automatic operation of the lights, either in sequence or at random, the rotary switch 58 is moved from its "off" position to one of the numbers on the dial. The timing of the light energization is regulated by the position of the rotary switch with the time of energization of each lamp in the automatic mode increasing as the switch is positioned to a higher number. The lamp energization is the shortest when the rotary switch is positioned to the number "2" on the dial and the maximum time of energization of each lamp occurs when the switch is set to the number "16".

The invention has been described to include the dividers 40 to 47 for the purpose of providing a frame for each of the pictures on the panels 15 as a convenient arrangement for confining the available light to the area of the picture being viewed to thereby concentrate such light over the entire picture area. Other means of concentrating the light may be employed. For example, the dividers could be omitted when the light bulbs 31 are arranged to focus the light or provide a collimated light beam that encompasses the entire area of the picture and is confined to that area. In such case the reflective material 60 would be placed directly on the picture panels 15 for identifying the number of pictures on the panel and their pattern.

The circuitry for controlling the operation of the fifteen lamps 31 in the switches 35 is illustrated in FIG. 12. The lamp and electrical circuit are energized by a direct current source of 28 volts which proceeds through a conduit 64 to a voltage divider 65. The latter serves to reduce the voltage of the source to five volts which is transmitted through a conductor 66 and through a branch conductor 67 to a conductor 68 for energizing the electronic circuitry. The voltage from the regulator 65 also flows through the conductor 66 into a delay circuit 70 which delays the flow of the voltage to a relay 69 until the electronic circuit is operating. The energization of the relay 69 closes a normally open contact 77 which completes a circuit from the 28 volt source to the fifteen lamps 31 for energizing them under the control of the electronic circuitry.

As previously mentioned, the three optocouplers 55, 56 and 57 are activated in different combinations for regulating the operation of the lamps 31 in conjunction with the fifteen switches 35. All three optocouplers 55, 56 and 57 are connected to an optocoupler circuit 71 which has three outputs 72, 73 and 74 that are connected to a receive processor 75. The outputs 72, 73 and 74 are associated with the optocouplers 55, 56 and 57 respectively and transmit a signal to the receive processor if the associated optocoupler has been activated by the reflective material 60.

The receive processor 75 utilizes these signals to regulate the operation of the switches 35 for activating the lamps 31 in the manner previously described so that the switches will operate in sequence beginning with the first switch for activating the lamps 31 in the proper combination to light the pictures on the panel 15. The program listing for causing the central processing unit to operate in this manner is furnished in the attached Appendix. The switches 35 are connected to a transmit processor 76 contained in the control box 37. The transmit processor generates data that indicates the actuation of the individual switches and this information is transmitted to the receive processor.

The receive processor 75 is provided with fifteen outputs 79 with every one of the outputs 79 communicating with a different one of the lamps 31. The outputs 79 are connected to an overload protector 80 which serves to protect the circuit. The overload protector 80, in turn, has fifteen outputs 81 and each of these outputs 81 is connected to a separate transistor in a transistor array generally identified by the reference numeral 85. The transistors in the transistor array 85 are rendered conductive by a high level logic output in the conductors 81 for the purpose of energizing the lamps 31. Whether or not a particular transistor in the transistor array 85 is rendered conductive depends, of course, upon whether its associated output 79 from the receive processor 75 is transmitting the required voltage. When a particular transistor in the array 85 is rendered conductive, it completes the 28 volt circuit for its associated lamp through an associated conductor 86 and its collector and emitter (not shown) to ground for energizing the lamp with which it cooperates.

The foregoing describes an improved picture display case in which sheets containing pictures in different numbers and different arrangements can be illuminated by a panel of lights energized in different combinations. Depending upon the number and arrangement of the pictures, the switches for activating these lights function in sequence beginning with the first switch, regardless of the number and arrangement of pictures, for the convenience of the operator.

Although the illustrative embodiment of the invention has been described in considerable detail for the purpose of fully disclosing a practical operative structure incorporating the invention, it is to be understood that the particular apparatus shown and described is intended to be illustrative only and that the various novel features of the invention may be incorporated in other structural forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the subjoined claims. ##SPC1##