Display panel with three-dimensional effect

Abstract

At least one embodiment of the invention pertains to a display device having a first panel and a second panel, the first and second panels positioned substantially coplanar with each other and at a distance from each other to create a three dimensional effect of the images displayed on the first and second panels. According to one embodiment of the invention, the second panel includes an image that defines a frame through which an image on the first panel is visible or perceivable.

1 . A display apparatus comprising: 
 a housing structure;    a first display panel coupled to the housing structure and having a scenery thereon; and    a second display panel coupled to the housing structure and mounted in front of the first display panel, the second display panel mounted substantially coplanar with the first display panel, the second display panel having an image that permits viewing of the scenery on the first display panel, the first display panel and second display panel positioned apart from each other at a distance of between one-eighth (⅛) of an inch and twenty (20) inches to create a perception of depth when viewing the scenery on the first display panel.    
   
   
       2 . The display apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a light source mounted within the housing structure, wherein the light source is mounted behind the first display panel and the first display panel permitting some light from the light source to pass through.    
   
   
       3 . The display apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the image on the second display panel defines a frame through which the scenery on the first display panel can be viewed.  
   
   
       4 . The display apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the image on the second display panel includes angled features that contribute to a three-dimensional effect when overlaid on the scenery of the first display panel.  
   
   
       5 . The display apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the second display panel is spaced between half an inch and three-quarters of an inch from the first display panel.  
   
   
       6 . The display apparatus of  claim 1  wherein features of the image on the second display panel are proportionally larger than features of the scenery of the first display panel to create an illusion of depth between the images.  
   
   
       7 . The display apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the image on the second display panel includes two windows partially opened towards the scenery on the first display panel to create a three-dimensional illusion.  
   
   
       8 . The display apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the scenery of the first display panel is changeable such that it can be replaced with a second scenery as desired.  
   
   
       9 . The display apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the image of the second display panel is changeable such that it can be replaced with a second image as desired.  
   
   
       10 . The display apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a movable object mounted within the housing structure that can be activated to move and create a moving effect within the scenery of the first display panel.  
   
   
       11 . The display apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising: 
 a sound unit mounted within the housing structure for storing pre-recorded sounds;    an audio speaker mounted within the housing structure and communicatively coupled to the sound unit to receive sound signals from the sound unit and emit corresponding sounds; and    a volume control coupled to the sound unit to permit selecting a desired volume level.    
   
   
       12 . The display apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising: 
 a remote control to control the light source, volume, or movement of the movable object.    
   
   
       13 . A decorative display apparatus comprising: 
 a housing structure;    a light source mounted within the housing structure;    a first display panel coupled to the housing structure and mounted in front of the light source, the first display panel having a first image that permits some light from the light source to pass through; and    a second display panel coupled to the housing structure and mounted in front of the first display panel, the second display panel mounted substantially coplanar with the first display panel, the first display panel and second display panel positioned apart from each other at a distance of between one-eighth (⅛) of an inch and twenty (20) inches to create a perception of depth when viewing the first image on the first display panel, the second display panel having a second image thereon that allows viewing of the first image on the first display panel, the second image including angled perspective lines to enhance the perception of depth of the first image.    
   
   
       14 . The decorative display apparatus of  claim 13  wherein features of the second image on the second display panel are proportionally larger than features of the first image of the first display panel to create an illusion of depth between the images.  
   
   
       15 . The decorative display apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising: 
 a movable object mounted within the housing structure that can be activated to move and create a moving effect within the first image of the first display panel.    
   
   
       16 . The decorative display apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the second display panel is spaced between one half inch to three-quarters of an inch from the first display panel.  
   
   
       17 . The decorative display apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising: 
 a sound unit mounted within the housing structure for storing pre-recorded sounds;    an audio speaker mounted within the housing structure and communicatively coupled to the sound unit to receive sound signals from the sound unit and emit corresponding sounds;    a volume control coupled to the sound unit to permit selecting a desired volume level.    a remote control to control the light source and sound unit.    
   
   
       18 . A method for creating a three-dimensional effect on a display panel, comprising: 
 creating a first image on a first display panel;    creating a second image on a second display panel;    positioning the first display panel in front of, and substantially coplanar with, the second display panel, the first image on the first display panel permitting viewing of the second image on the second display panel, the first display panel and second display panel positioned apart from each other at a distance of between one-eighth (⅛) of an inch and twenty (20) inches to create a perception of depth when viewing the second image on the second display panel; and    arranging a moving display apparatus behind the second display panel; and    arranging a light source behind the moving display apparatus to provide light through the first display panel and create a moving illusion within the second image.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the first display panel and second display panel are spaced approximately one half inch to three-quarters of an inch apart.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the first image and second image are replaceable with other images as desired.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising: 
 scaling the features of the first image on the first display panel proportionally larger than features of the second image on the second display panel to create an illusion of depth between the images.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the first image includes two windowpanes with lines that enhance the perception of depth of the second image, the windowpanes partially opened towards the second image on the second display panel to create a three-dimensional illusion.