Sensor-actuated mask-enhanced digital video frame

Abstract

A framed collectible for displaying a continuously-looping playback of a digital video file is provided, wherein a display panel is controlled by a display controller to play at least one video file in a continuous loop on the display panel only while an output signal from a magnet sensor indicates no proximity to a magnet proximal to the back side of the display panel. The display controller has a printed circuit board that incorporates at least one processor and at least one memory that contains at least one video file. The memory, which in an embodiment can be flash memory, is factory programmed and therefore the memory content cannot be changed by an end user. Packaging for storage and shipping of the framed collectible is also provided, which incorporates a magnet that is sensed by the magnet sensor to keep continuously-looping video playback switched off while the device is stored.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A framed collectible for displaying a continuously-looping playback of a digital video file, the framed collectible comprising:
 a display assembly having a front end and a back end, comprising;
 a display panel proximal to the front end of the display assembly and comprising a front side for displaying a digital video image and a back side; 
 a magnet sensor proximal to the back end of the display assembly; 
 a display controller proximal to the back side of the display panel and electrically connected to the display panel and the magnet sensor, the display controller comprising a printed circuit board having at least one processor and at least one memory that contains at least one video file, wherein the memory is factory programmed and therefore the content of the memory cannot be changed by an end user, and wherein the processor controls the display panel to play the at least one video file in a continuous loop on the display panel only while an output signal from the magnet sensor indicates no proximity to a magnet; 
   a frame comprising:
 a front plate proximal to the front end of the display assembly and comprising a front side, a back side, and a clear lens; 
 an intermediary mask layer comprising a front side and a back side and patterned to cover a portion of the front side of the display panel, the portion in the range of 0% to 100%, wherein the back side of the intermediary mask layer is retained in place against the front side of the display panel by the back side of the front plate; 
 a back plate proximal to the back end of the display assembly and comprising a front side and a back side; and 
   a battery compartment integral to the frame and electrically connected to the display controller and to an external charging/AC power port integral to the frame,   wherein the framed collectible is assembled by engaging the following, listed in order from front to back: the front plate, the intermediary mask layer, the display assembly, and the back plate, and then sealing the assembled framed collectible to form an enclosure.   
     
     
         2 . The framed collectible as in  claim 1 , further comprising an environment sensor configured to trigger the display controller to initiate continuously-looping digital video playback in response to a sensed event in the framed collectible's environment. 
     
     
         3 . The framed collectible as in  claim 2 , wherein the environment sensor is selected from the group consisting of: ambient light sensor and motion sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The framed collectible as in  claim 1 , wherein the memory is flash memory. 
     
     
         5 . The framed collectible as in  claim 1 , wherein the display panel is selected from the group consisting of: thin-film-transistor liquid-crystal display (TFT LCD), organic light-emitting diode (OLED), and electronic paper. 
     
     
         6 . The framed collectible as in  claim 1 , wherein the display controller comprises a playback controller configured to read video data from the at least one video file in the at least one memory when the output signal of the magnet sensor indicates no proximity to a magnet; and
 a display driver configured to receive video data from the playback controller and transmit the video data to the display panel, along with commands to control a display panel backlight.   
     
     
         7 . The framed collectible as in  claim 1 , wherein the display controller further comprises a battery charge controller, electrically connected to the battery compartment and to the other components of the display controller, and wherein the battery charge controller charges the battery when an external power source is connected, and supplies power to all components of the display controller and components that are electrically connected to components of the display controller. 
     
     
         8 . The framed collectible as in  claim 1 , further comprising packaging to protect the framed collectible during storage and shipping, wherein the packaging comprises a magnet that aligns in proximity with the magnet sensor of the framed collectible when the framed collectible is properly and fully inserted into the packaging, resulting in a magnet sensor output signal that causes the display controller to switch power to off, ceasing video playback. 
     
     
         9 . The framed collectible as in  claim 1 , further comprising an external decorative frame surrounding the frame of the framed collectible. 
     
     
         10 . The framed collectible as in  claim 9 , wherein the external decorative frame is made of a material selected from the group consisting of: wood, plastic, and metal. 
     
     
         11 . The framed collectible as in  claim 9 , further comprising a stand to hold the external decorative frame firmly in place at a specific angle, wherein the stand can include inductive changing circuitry to power the framed collectible when the external decorative frame is seated in the stand. 
     
     
         12 . The framed collectible as in  claim 1 , wherein the front plate can be made of clear plastic or acrylic. 
     
     
         13 . The framed collectible as in  claim 1 , wherein the front side of the intermediary mask layer can be decorated with coloring or a custom print, and wherein the intermediary mask layer can include voids that create a custom pattern. 
     
     
         14 . The framed collectible as in  claim 1 , wherein the intermediary mask layer can be made of an opaque or a translucent material. 
     
     
         15 . The framed collectible as in  claim 1 , wherein the intermediary mask layer is made of a material selected from the group consisting of: paper, metal, and wood. 
     
     
         16 . The framed collectible as in  claim 1 , wherein the front side of the back plate can be decorated with coloring or a custom print. 
     
     
         17 . The framed collectible as in  claim 1 , wherein the back plate is made of a material selected from the group consisting of: clear plastic or acrylic, wood, cardboard, and opaque plastic. 
     
     
         18 . A method of forming an intermediary mask layer for use in a framed collectible, the method comprising the steps of:
 obtain source digital video content to be used in a framed collectible;   provide the source digital video content as an input to a software module that analyzes video content to determine parametric functions of the video content, including but not limited to video content focal points, video content densities, and video content velocities as functions of time;   guided by the parametric functions of the source digital video content, fabricating the intermediary mask layer to produce a pattern that will enhance or highlight the source digital video content when played back on a display panel of the framed collectible.   
     
     
         19 . The method as in  claim 18 , wherein the step of fabricating the intermediary mask layer to produce a pattern uses a process selected from the group consisting of: die-cutting, etching, and printing. 
     
     
         20 . A framed collectible for displaying a continuously-looping playback of at least one digital video file, the framed collectible comprising:
 a digital display assembly having: (a) a screen for displaying the at least one digital video file and (b) a display controller comprising a printed circuit board having at least one processor and at least one memory that contains at least one digital video file, wherein the memory is factory programmed and therefore the content of the memory cannot be changed by an end user;   a frame comprising:
 a front plate proximal to the front end of the display assembly; 
 an intermediary mask layer comprising a front side and a back side and patterned to cover at least a portion of the screen surface; 
 a back plate proximal to a rear of the digital display assembly; and 
   a power source operatively connected to the display controller.