Digital picture frames and methods of photo sharing

Abstract

A picture frame and methods of use. The picture frame includes a housing with a display area on a first side and a back panel on an opposite second side from the display. The back panel includes an asymmetrical nonplanar shape and/or an off-center rotatable stand. A network connection allows digital frames to upload of photos from electronic devices or from photo collections of community members. An integrated camera is used to automatically determine an identity of a frame viewer and can capture gesture-based feedback. The displayed photos are automatically shown and/or changed according to the detected viewers. The photos can be filtered and cropped at the receiver side. Clustering photos by content is used to improve display and to respond to photo viewer desires.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A picture frame, comprising:
 a display;   a housing including the display on a first side and a back panel on an opposite second side from the display, the back panel including an asymmetrical nonplanar shape.   
     
     
         2 . The frame according to  claim 1 , wherein the back panel comprises an oblique pyramidal shape. 
     
     
         3 . The frame according to  claim 2 , wherein the oblique pyramidal shape is recessed into the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The frame according to  claim 3 , further comprising a power port within the oblique pyramidal shape. 
     
     
         5 . The frame according to  claim 1 , wherein the back panel comprises four trapezoidal sections disposed about a power port, each having a different size and shape. 
     
     
         6 . The frame according to  claim 1 , wherein the back panel comprises four irregular trapezoidal sections. 
     
     
         7 . The frame according to  claim 6 , further comprising an off-center rotating stand centered between the four irregular trapezoidal sections. 
     
     
         8 . The frame according to  claim 1 , further comprising a rotating stand disposed over a power port within the back panel. 
     
     
         9 . The frame according to  claim 8 , wherein the stand rotates to sit the frame upon either of a pair of perpendicularly abutting frame sides, the frame comprises a touch bar disposed on each of a second pair of perpendicularly abutting frame sides, and the touch bar controls a digital photo change on the display. 
     
     
         10 . A picture frame, comprising:
 a display;   a housing including the display on a first side and a back panel on an opposite second side from the display, the back panel including an off-center rotatable stand.   
     
     
         11 . The frame according to  claim 10 , wherein the back panel comprises an asymmetrical nonplanar shape. 
     
     
         12 . The frame according to  claim 11 , wherein the asymmetrical nonplanar shape comprises an oblique pyramidal shape including four irregular trapezoidal sections surrounding a stand attachment, and further comprising a power port recessed within the stand attachment. 
     
     
         13 . The frame according to  claim 10 , wherein the back panel comprises an off-center power port. 
     
     
         14 . The frame according to  claim 13 , wherein the power port is within a stand attachment. 
     
     
         15 . The frame according to  claim 14 , wherein the stand attachment comprises a two direction slide mechanism or a rotating joint. 
     
     
         16 . The frame according to  claim 10 , wherein the back panel comprises a power port, wherein the stand is disposed over the power port. 
     
     
         17 . The frame according to  claim 10 , wherein the stand rotates to sit the stand upon either of a pair perpendicularly abutting frame sides. 
     
     
         18 . The frame according to  claim 17 , wherein the frame comprises a touch bar disposed on each of a second pair of perpendicularly abutting frame sides. 
     
     
         19 . The frame according to  claim 10 , further comprising a stop mechanism configured to limit a rotation of the stand to 90 degrees. 
     
     
         20 . The frame according to  claim 19 , comprising a rotation limiter within a stand attachment on the back panel.