Transformation display device, system and method

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a transformed display device includes: converting at least two different graphic images including a first graphic image and a second graphic image into partial image segments; a graphic surface treatment of forming the partial image segment carrying the at least two different graphic images; and applying the graphical surface treatment to a transform display device. The transformation display apparatus includes a plurality of polyhedrons connected by joint portions and configurable between a first display configuration and a second display configuration. In the first display configuration, adjacent and coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedrons form a first planar display surface carrying consecutive partial image segments of the first graphic image, and in the second display configuration, adjacent and coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedrons form a second planar display surface carrying consecutive partial image segments of the first graphic image. Adjacent and coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedrons form a second planar display surface carrying consecutive partial image segments of the second graphic image.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 383,078, filed on November 10, 2022, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Technical field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to display devices and methods of forming a surface treatment (e.g., a photograph) and applying it to a display device. Background art

[0004] Display devices for presenting static visual media images (such as photographs, paintings, illustrations) typically have a fixed shape and size, which limits how the visual media is displayed and interacted with. For example, photographs, paintings, and illustrations are typically presented in a static frame device in which the photograph, painting, or illustration is stored, and then attached to a wall or placed on a table, stand, or other similar support.

[0005] Recent developments have provided more complex frame systems in which multiple photographs, paintings, or illustrations can be placed in multiple adjacent frames having different shapes and / or sizes and irregular configurations. Recent developments have also provided electronic frames in which a slide show of images can be displayed in a rotating sequence on an electronic screen. However, these new developments in the art still have the above - mentioned drawbacks because the display device itself (e.g., the frame, screen, etc.) is static and non - interactive. Summary of the invention

[0006] Non - limiting examples of the present invention will now be described in the following numbered clauses:

[0007] Clause 1: A method of manufacturing a transformable display device, the method comprising: converting at least two different graphic images including a first graphic image and a second graphic image into partial image segments; forming a graphic surface treatment that bears the partial image segments of the at least two different graphic images; and applying the graphic surface treatment to a transformable display device including a plurality of polyhedra that are connected by joints and are configurable between a first display configuration and a second display configuration such that in the first display configuration, adjacent and coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedra form a first planar display surface that bears a continuous partial image segment of the first graphic image, and in the second display configuration, adjacent and coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedra form a second planar display surface that bears a continuous partial image segment of the second graphic image.

[0008] Clause 2: The method according to Clause 1, wherein the first display configuration and the second display configuration have different shapes.

[0009] Clause 3: The method according to Clause 1 or Clause 2, wherein the first planar display surface and the second planar display surface have different shapes.

[0010] Clause 4: The method according to Clause 3, wherein the first planar display surface has a rhombus shape and the second planar display surface has a triangle shape.

[0011] Clause 5: The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 4, wherein forming the graphic surface treatment includes forming a first graphic surface treatment portion that carries at least one partial image segment of the first graphic image, and forming a second graphic surface treatment portion that carries at least one partial image segment of the second graphic image.

[0012] Clause 6: The method according to Clause 5, wherein forming the graphic surface treatment includes forming the first graphic surface treatment portion that carries at least two partial image segments of the first graphic image, and forming the second graphic surface treatment portion that carries at least two partial image segments of the second graphic image.

[0013] Clause 7: The method according to Clause 5 or Clause 6, wherein applying the graphic surface treatment includes applying at least the first graphic surface treatment portion across the first planar display surface, and applying at least the second graphic surface treatment portion across the second planar display surface.

[0014] Clause 8: The method according to Clause 7, wherein the first graphic surface treatment portion and the second graphic surface treatment portion form a hinge joint.

[0015] Clause 9: The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 7, wherein each partial image segment of the first graphic image is mapped to a facet of the first planar display surface, and wherein each partial image segment of the second planar display surface is mapped to a facet of the second planar display surface.

[0016] Clause 10: The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 9, wherein applying the graphic surface treatment includes applying the partial image segments of the first graphic image to the facets of the first planar display surface, and applying the partial image segments of the second graphic image to the facets of the second planar display surface.

[0017] Clause 11: The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 10, wherein at least four adjacent and coplanar facets form the first planar display surface, and wherein at least six adjacent and coplanar facets form the second planar display surface.

[0018] Clause 12: The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 11, wherein the graphic surface treatment includes triangular partial image segments of the at least two different graphic images.

[0019] Clause 13: The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 12, wherein converting the at least two different graphic images into the partial image segments includes receiving the at least two different graphic images in digital format and dividing the at least two different graphic images into the partial image segments.

[0020] Clause 14: The method according to Clause 13, wherein forming the graphic surface treatment includes printing the partial image segments on at least one substrate.

[0021] Clause 15: The method according to Clause 14, wherein forming the graphic surface treatment includes forming a plurality of graphic surface treatment portions from the at least one substrate.

[0022] Clause 16: The method according to any one of Clauses 13 to 15, wherein converting the at least two graphic images into the partial image segments includes cropping the at least two graphic images based on the shape of the first planar display surface and the shape of the second planar display surface.

[0023] Clause 17: The method according to Clause 16, wherein the shape of the first planar display surface is a rhombus shape and the shape of the second planar display surface is a triangle shape.

[0024] Clause 18: The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 17, wherein in the first display configuration, facets of at least four of the plurality of polyhedra form the first planar display surface.

[0025] Clause 19: The method according to Clause 18, wherein in the second display configuration, facets of at least four of the plurality of polyhedra form the second planar display surface.

[0026] Clause 20: The method according to Clause 19, wherein the first planar display surface and the second planar display surface have the same planar rhombus shape.

[0027] Clause 21: The method according to Clause 19, wherein the first planar display surface has a planar rhombus shape and the second planar display surface has a planar hexagon shape.

[0028] Clause 22: The method according to Clause 19, wherein the first planar display surface has a rhombus shape and the second planar display surface has a planar triangle shape.

[0029] Clause 23: The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 22, the method further comprising providing, via a graphical user interface, a preview of the at least two different graphical images on at least two planar display surfaces including the first planar display surface and the second planar display surface.

[0030] Clause 24: A method of manufacturing a transformable display device, the method comprising: converting at least two different graphical images including a first graphical image and a second graphical image into partial image segments; forming a graphical surface treatment for carrying the partial image segments of the at least two different graphical images; and applying the graphical surface treatment to a transformable display device including a plurality of polyhedra, the plurality of polyhedra being connected by joints and configurable between a first display configuration and a second display configuration, wherein in the first display configuration, adjacent and coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedra form a first planar display surface, and in the second display configuration, adjacent and coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedra form a second planar display surface; wherein each partial image segment of the first graphical image is mapped to a facet of the first planar display surface, and wherein each partial image segment of the second planar display surface is mapped to a facet of the second planar display surface; wherein applying the graphical surface treatment includes applying the partial image segments of the first graphical image to the facets of the first planar display surface, and applying the partial image segments of the second graphical image to the facets of the second planar display surface.

[0031] Clause 25: A method of manufacturing a transformable display device, the transformable display device including a plurality of polyhedra, the plurality of polyhedra being connected by joints and configurable between a first display configuration and a second display configuration, wherein in the first display configuration, adjacent and coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedra form a first planar display surface, and in the second display configuration, adjacent and coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedra form a second planar display surface, the method comprising: converting at least two different graphical images including a first graphical image and a second graphical image into partial image segments; forming a graphical surface treatment for carrying the partial image segments of the at least two different graphical images, wherein each partial image segment of the first graphical image is mapped to a facet of the first planar display surface, and wherein each partial image segment of the second planar display surface is mapped to a facet of the second planar display surface; and applying the graphical surface treatment to the transformable display device by applying the partial image segments of the first graphical image to the facets of the first planar display surface, and applying the partial image segments of the second graphical image to the facets of the second planar display surface.

[0032] Clause 26: A transformable display device, the transformable display device comprising: a plurality of polyhedra, the plurality of polyhedra being connected by joints and configurable between at least a first display configuration and a second different display configuration, wherein each of the plurality of polyhedra comprises a plurality of facets; and at least one graphic surface treatment that presents at least a first set of image segments transformed from a first graphic image and a second set of image segments transformed from a second graphic image, wherein in each of the first display configuration and the second display configuration, at least two of the plurality of polyhedra form a planar display surface, the planar display surface comprising adjacent and coplanar display facets of the at least two polyhedra, wherein the first set of image segments and the second set of image segments presented on the at least one graphic surface treatment are mapped to the facets of the plurality of polyhedra such that the planar display surface formed in the first display configuration continuously presents the first graphic image, and the planar display surface formed in the second display configuration continuously presents the second graphic image.

[0033] Clause 27: The transformable display device according to Clause 26, wherein the at least one graphic surface treatment comprises a decal, a self - adhesive label, an ink printing layer, a paint printing layer, a dye printing layer, etching, engraving, embossing or lettering.

[0034] Clause 28: The transformable display device according to Clause 26 or Clause 27, wherein each image segment comprises a different non - repeating portion of one of the first graphic image and the second graphic image.

[0035] Clause 29: The transformable display device according to any one of Clauses 26 to 28, wherein the at least one graphic surface treatment is provided on a common substrate.

[0036] Clause 30: The transformable display device according to any one of Clauses 26 to 29, wherein the first graphic image and the second graphic image comprise photographs.

[0037] Clause 31: The transformable display device according to any one of Clauses 26 to 30, wherein the at least one graphic surface treatment comprises a plurality of substrates on which a set of image segments is embossed, and wherein the plurality of substrates are applied to the facets.

[0038] Clause 32: The transformable display device according to Clause 31, wherein the plurality of substrates comprise a plurality of decals configured to adhere to the facets.

[0039] Clause 33: The transformable display device according to Clause 31, wherein the plurality of substrates comprise a plurality of self - adhesive labels configured to adhere to the facets.

[0040] Clause 34: The transform display device according to any one of Clauses 31 to 33, wherein at least two image segments are embossed on at least one of the plurality of substrates, and the at least one substrate is applied to two adjacent facets.

[0041] Clause 35: The transform display device according to Clause 34, wherein the two adjacent facets are facets of one of the plurality of polyhedrons.

[0042] Clause 36: The transform display device according to Clause 34, wherein the two adjacent display facets are facets of two adjacent polyhedrons.

[0043] Clause 37: The transform display device according to Clause 36, wherein the joint between the two adjacent polyhedrons includes the at least one substrate, that is, the at least one substrate forms a movable hinge, and the at least two image segments embossed on the at least one substrate are divided along the joint.

[0044] Clause 38: The transform display device according to any one of Clauses 34 to 37, wherein the at least two image segments are taken from a common set of image segments and include portions of the same graphic image.

[0045] Clause 39: The transform display device according to any one of Clauses 34 to 38, wherein the at least two image segments are taken from different sets of image segments and include portions of different graphic images.

[0046] Clause 40: The transform display device according to any one of Clauses 34 to 39, wherein the two adjacent display facets form at least a part of one of the planar display surfaces in the planar display surface.

[0047] Clause 41: The transform display device according to any one of Clauses 34 to 40, wherein the two adjacent facets form parts of different planar display surfaces.

[0048] Clause 42: The transform display device according to any one of Clauses 31 to 41, wherein the plurality of substrates include twenty-four substrates on which at least twelve sets of image segments are embossed.

[0049] Clause 43: The transform display device according to any one of Clauses 31 to 42, wherein at least a part of at least one of the sets of image segments is embossed on a separate substrate applied to non-adjacent facets.

[0050] Clause 44: The transform display device according to Clause 43, wherein at least a part of at least one of the sets of image segments is embossed on a common substrate applied to adjacent facets.

[0051] Clause 45: The transformable display device according to any one of Clauses 26 to 44, wherein in at least one of the display configurations in the display configuration, four of the plurality of polyhedra form a non-square rhombus planar display surface, and the non-square rhombus planar display surface includes adjacent and coplanar facets of the four polyhedra.

[0052] Clause 46: The transformable display device according to any one of Clauses 26 to 45, wherein in at least one of the display configurations in the display configuration, at least two of the plurality of polyhedra form a square planar display surface, and the square planar display surface includes adjacent and coplanar facets of the at least two polyhedra.

[0053] Clause 47: The transformable display device according to any one of Clauses 26 to 47, wherein in at least one of the display configurations in the display configuration, at least two of the plurality of polyhedra form a non-square rectangular planar display surface, and the non-square rectangular planar display surface includes adjacent and coplanar facets of the at least two polyhedra.

[0054] Clause 48: The transformable display device according to any one of Clauses 26 to 48, wherein in at least one of the display configurations in the display configuration, six of the plurality of polyhedra form a hexagonal display surface, and the hexagonal display surface includes adjacent and coplanar facets of the six polyhedra.

[0055] Clause 49: The transformable display device according to any one of Clauses 26 to 48, wherein in at least one of the display configurations in the display configuration, eight of the plurality of polyhedra form a triangular planar display surface, and the triangular planar display surface includes adjacent and coplanar facets of the eight polyhedra.

[0056] Clause 50: The transformable display device according to any one of Clauses 26 to 49, wherein the plurality of polyhedra includes twelve polyhedra arranged in a continuous loop and / or chain.

[0057] Clause 51: The transformable display device according to Clause 50, wherein the plurality of polyhedra includes a plurality of different geometric shapes arranged in an alternating sequence.

[0058] Clause 52: The transformable display device according to Clause 51, wherein the plurality of polyhedra includes two different geometric shapes arranged in an alternating sequence.

[0059] Clause 53: The transformable display device according to any one of Clauses 50 to 52, wherein the edge length of each polyhedron in the plurality of polyhedra is one unit, the square root of two units (√(2) units), 2 units, or the square root of three units (√(3) units).

[0060] Clause 54: The transformable display device according to any one of Clauses 50 to 52, wherein the edge length of each polyhedron in the plurality of polyhedra is half of the square root of two units (0.5√(2) units), one unit, the square root of one and a half units (√(1.5) units), or the square root of two units (√(2) units).

[0061] Clause 55: The transformable display device according to any one of Clauses 26 to 54, wherein each polyhedron in the plurality of polyhedra is a tetrahedron.

[0062] Clause 56: The transformable display device according to any one of Clauses 26 to 55, wherein the display configuration of the plurality of polyhedra includes an arrangement of the plurality of polyhedra in different geometric shapes, and the planar display surface formed in each display configuration in the display configuration includes the outermost surface of the geometric shape.

[0063] Clause 57: The transformable display device according to Clause 56, wherein at least one display configuration in the display configuration includes an arrangement of the plurality of polyhedra in a cube.

[0064] Clause 58: The transformable display device according to Clause 56 or 57, wherein at least one display configuration in the display configuration includes an arrangement of the plurality of polyhedra in a cuboid.

[0065] Clause 59: The transformable display device according to any one of Clauses 56 to 58, wherein at least one display configuration in the display configuration includes an arrangement of the plurality of polyhedra in two adjacent cones.

[0066] Clause 60: The transformable display device according to Clause 59, wherein the two adjacent cones are arranged such that their corresponding faces are in abutting engagement.

[0067] Clause 61: The transformable display device according to Clause 59, wherein the two adjacent cones are hingedly connected along their corresponding edges.

[0068] Clause 62: The transformable display device according to any one of Clauses 56 to 61, wherein the display configuration includes an arrangement of the plurality of polyhedra in the same geometric shape.

[0069] Clause 63: The transformable display device according to any one of Clauses 56 to 61, wherein the display configuration includes an arrangement of the plurality of polyhedra in different geometric shapes.

[0070] Clause 64: The transformable display device according to any one of Clauses 26 to 63, wherein at least two planar display surfaces are formed in at least one of the display configurations.

[0071] Clause 65: The transformable display device according to Clause 64, wherein the at least two planar display surfaces are not parallel.

[0072] Clause 66: The transformable display device according to Clause 64, wherein the at least two planar display surfaces are coplanar.

[0073] Clause 67: The transformable display device according to any one of Clauses 26 to 66, wherein each of the plurality of polyhedra includes at least one magnet disposed near at least one of its facets, and the magnet is configured to stabilize the plurality of polyhedra in the display configuration.

[0074] Clause 68: The transformable display device according to Clause 67, wherein each of the plurality of polyhedra includes at least one magnet disposed near each of its facets.

[0075] Clause 69: The transformable display device according to Clause 67 or Clause 68, wherein the at least one magnet of each polyhedron has a polarity opposite to that of the at least one magnet of each adjacent polyhedron.

[0076] Clause 70: The transformable display device according to any one of Clauses 26 to 69, wherein the plurality of polyhedra includes a foldable substrate, and the foldable substrate includes a plurality of facets that are connected to each other and are configured to form the plurality of polyhedra.

[0077] Clause 71: A method of manufacturing a transformable display device, the method comprising: converting at least two different graphic images including a first graphic image and a second graphic image into partial image segments; forming a graphic surface treatment for carrying the partial image segments of the at least two different graphic images; and applying the graphic surface treatment to the transformable display device according to any one of Clauses 26 to 70, such that in a first display configuration, adjacent and coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedra form a first planar display surface carrying a continuous partial image segment of the first graphic image, and in a second display configuration, the adjacent and coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedra form a second planar display surface carrying a continuous partial image segment of the second graphic image.

[0078] Clause 72: A method of manufacturing a transformable display device according to any one of Clauses 26 to 70, the method comprising: converting at least two different graphical images including a first graphical image and a second graphical image into partial image segments; forming a graphical surface treatment carrying the partial image segments of the at least two different graphical images, wherein each partial image segment of the first graphical image is mapped to a facet of a first planar display surface, and wherein each partial image segment of a second planar display surface is mapped to a facet of the second planar display surface; and applying the graphical surface treatment to the transformable display device by applying the partial image segments of the first graphical image to the facets of the first planar display surface and applying the partial image segments of the second graphical image to the facets of the second planar display surface.

[0079] Clause 73: A method of manufacturing a transformable display device, the method comprising: converting at least two different graphical images including a first graphical image and a second graphical image into partial image segments; forming a graphical surface treatment carrying the partial image segments of the at least two different graphical images; and applying the graphical surface treatment to a transformable display device according to any one of Clauses 26 to 70; wherein each partial image segment of the first graphical image is mapped to a facet of a first planar display surface, and wherein each partial image segment of a second planar display surface is mapped to a facet of the second planar display surface; wherein applying the graphical surface treatment includes applying the partial image segments of the first graphical image to the facets of the first planar display surface and applying the partial image segments of the second graphical image to the facets of the second planar display surface. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0080] The following drawings are used to describe non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the views unless otherwise indicated.

[0081] Figure 1A Schematically illustrates surface features of a transformable display device according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0082] Figure 1B Illustrates Figure 1A a schematic diagram of the geometric configuration of a polyhedron of a transformable display device.

[0083] Figure 1C Illustrates for explaining Figure 1B a legend of a line pattern shown.

[0084] Figure 2 Schematically illustrates surface features of a transformable display device incorporating magnetic features according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0085] Figure 3A Schematic diagram illustrating a planar display surface according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0086] Figure 3B Schematic diagram illustrating a planar display surface according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0087] Figure 3C Schematic diagram illustrating a planar display surface according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0088] Figure 3D Schematic diagram illustrating a planar display surface according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0089] Figure 3E Schematic diagram illustrating a planar display surface according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0090] Figure 3F Schematic diagram illustrating a planar display surface according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0091] Figure 3G Schematic diagram illustrating a planar display surface according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0092] Figure 3H Schematic diagram illustrating a planar display surface according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0093] Figure 3I Schematic diagram illustrating a planar display surface according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0094] Figure 3J Schematic diagram illustrating a planar display surface according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0095] Figure 4 Schematic diagram illustrating a transformable display device configurable between different display configurations according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0096] Figure 5A Illustrates Figure 4 Schematic diagram of graphic surface processing applicable to a transformable display device.

[0097] Figure 5B Illustrates using Figure 5A Schematic diagram of a planar display surface formed by graphic surface processing.

[0098] Figure 5C Illustrates using Figure 5A Schematic diagram of a planar display surface formed by graphic surface processing.

[0099] Figure 5D Illustrates using Figure 5A Schematic diagram of a planar display surface formed by graphic surface processing.

[0100] Figure 5E Illustrates a schematic diagram of a flat display surface formed by graphic surface treatment using Figure 5A .

[0101] Figure 5F Illustrates a schematic diagram of a flat display surface formed by graphic surface treatment using Figure 5A .

[0102] Figure 6 Illustrates a transformable display device configurable between different display configurations according to another example of the present disclosure.

[0103] Figure 7A Illustrates a schematic diagram of graphic surface treatment applicable to a transformable display device Figure 6 .

[0104] Figure 7B Illustrates a schematic diagram of a flat display surface formed by graphic surface treatment using Figure 7A .

[0105] Figure 7C Illustrates a schematic diagram of a flat display surface formed by graphic surface treatment using Figure 7A .

[0106] Figure 7D Illustrates a schematic diagram of a flat display surface formed by graphic surface treatment using Figure 7A .

[0107] Figure 7E Illustrates a schematic diagram of a flat display surface formed by graphic surface treatment using Figure 7A .

[0108] Figure 8 Illustrates a transformable display device configurable between different display configurations according to yet another example of the present disclosure.

[0109] Figure 9A Illustrates a schematic diagram of graphic surface treatment applicable to a transformable display device Figure 8 .

[0110] Figure 9B Illustrates a schematic diagram of a flat display surface formed by graphic surface treatment using Figure 9A .

[0111] Figure 9C Illustrates a schematic diagram of a flat display surface formed by graphic surface treatment using Figure 9A .

[0112] Figure 9D Illustrates a schematic diagram of a flat display surface formed by graphic surface treatment using Figure 9A .

[0113] Figure 10A A flowchart illustrating a method according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0114] Figure 10B Illustrates Figure 10A a flowchart of additional steps of the method of.

[0115] Figure 10C Illustrates Figure 10A a flowchart of additional steps of the method of.

[0116] Figure 11 Illustrates a substrate for use in a method according to an example of the present disclosure in Figures 10A to 10C .

[0117] Figure 12A A schematic diagram illustrating the geometric configuration of a polyhedron for transforming one or more display devices according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0118] Figure 12B Illustrates a legend for explaining the line pattern shown in Figure 12A .

[0119] Figure 12C Schematically illustrates a surface feature of a transformable display device having a polyhedron incorporating Figure 12A according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0120] Figure 12D Schematically illustrates a surface feature of a transformable display device having a polyhedron incorporating Figure 12A according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0121] Figure 12E Schematically illustrates a surface feature of a transformable display device having a polyhedron incorporating Figure 12A according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0122] Figure 12F Schematically illustrates a surface feature of a transformable display device having a polyhedron incorporating Figure 12A according to an example of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0123] Reference is made to Figures 1A to 12F , and the following disclosure generally relates to customizable transformable display devices and methods for manufacturing such devices. The transformable display devices discussed below address the above disadvantages in existing display devices by providing a display device that can be physically manipulated into different display configurations having different shapes and by providing different display surfaces for presenting different visual media items applied to the display device.

[0124] A general introduction is provided first, followed by a detailed description of representative embodiments.

[0125] Reference Figures 4 to 9D , the following reference Figures 4 to 9D and Figures 1A to 1C The transformable display devices 402, 602, 802 of the type discussed with reference to the schematic diagrams below can be physically manipulated to achieve various display configurations, wherein a plurality of polyhedra connected by joints form a geometry having one or more external planar display surfaces, and the one or more external planar display surfaces are composed of adjacent and coplanar facets of at least two of these polyhedra. Such planar display surfaces are particularly suitable for projecting graphic images distributed on the facets forming each of these planar display surfaces, such as drawings, pictures or photographs.

[0126] In this way, one or more physical graphic surface treatments composed of a collection of fragments (partial image fragments) of different graphic images can be applied to some or all of the facets 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144 of the plurality of polyhedra 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128. When the transformable display device 102 is manipulated into various different display configurations (e.g., having different overall geometries), the facets 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144 (i.e., display facets) to which one or more graphic surface treatments are applied of the different polyhedra 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 are placed in different positional arrangements relative to each other. When a display configuration is achieved, at least two display facets become positioned adjacent and coplanar to each other to form a planar display surface, and the planar display surface continuously presents at least one of the graphic images segmented within at least one graphic surface treatment.

[0127] As the transformable display device 102 is further manipulated, the display facets become rearranged relative to each other, and the image fragments formed by one graphic image can be pulled apart or hidden within the geometry of the transformable display device 102, and different geometries can be achieved that form different planar display surfaces presenting different graphic images.

[0128] Accordingly, the present disclosure provides an interactive and transformable transformable display device that can be physically manipulated to present different continuous graphic images in a dynamic and engaging manner, which provides visual and tactile feedback when different display configurations are achieved and different graphic images are continuously presented. Additionally, as the following reference Figure 2As discussed, the transformable display device can be arranged in different three-dimensional geometries and stabilized by optional magnets 210, 212. Thus, the transformable display device can be maintained in any of the different display configurations and is suitable for presenting any of the graphical images in a static manner when not being manipulated.

[0129] The present disclosure also provides the exemplary methods or processes described below Figures 10A to 10C that utilize the interactive and transformable nature of the transformable display device to provide a transformable display device with display facets that are imprinted with a plurality of partial image segments, e.g., a plurality of partial image segments obtained from a graphical image received from or selected by a third party (e.g., a consumer). The transformable display device can be manipulated and rearranged as described above to continuously present the received graphical image.

[0130] According to one example, the graphical image presented by the transformable display device is a photograph selected or provided by a consumer, such as a personal photograph or a family photograph. According to another example, the graphical image presented by the transformable display device is a photograph, a drawing, an image, or other graphics for a common theme (e.g., promotional items or collectibles). According to yet another example, the graphical images presented by the transformable display device can be arranged sequentially such that when the transformable display device is manipulated through different display configurations, the transformable display device shows a sequential story or event. Advantageously, these methods enable mass customization of the transformable display device. For example, these methods can be performed using different graphical images of different consumers.

[0131] A detailed description of representative embodiments will now be provided.

[0132] Figures 1A to 1C The surface features of a representative transformable display device 102 suitable for customization according to the method of the present disclosure are schematically illustrated. The transformable display device 102 includes a plurality of polyhedra 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 that are connected by joints (e.g., active hinges) 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168 and can be configured between different display configurations, as will be described below. As Figure 1B shown, each of the plurality of polyhedra 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 includes a plurality of facets 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144.

[0133] As Figure 1AAs shown, a plurality of polyhedra 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 include twelve polyhedra that are joined together in a chain (here, a continuous loop arrangement 104) through joints. Each of the polyhedra 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 can be a solid body, optionally having a cavity formed therein, and can be formed of a thermoplastic polymer (e.g., PLA) or other rigid material. For clarity, the polyhedra described herein are not limited to completely solid bodies. In some embodiments, one or more of these polyhedra can be hollow (i.e., having a cavity therein), and can have one or more incisions from its volume. Although a representative embodiment including twelve polyhedra is described herein, the transformable display device and method are not limited to twelve polyhedra. In fact, the transformable display device of the present disclosure can include twenty-four polyhedra or other numbers of polyhedra.

[0134] The polyhedra 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 are hingedly coupled together in an end-to-end chain configuration (e.g., an open chain or a continuous loop) at joints 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168. It should be understood that the joints 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168 can be formed in any suitable structure to achieve the display configuration to be described below. By way of example, the joints 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168 can be formed as hinges (e.g., living hinges) by one or more graphic surface treatments to be applied to the transformable display device 102, as will be described below.

[0135] According to another example, the joints 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168 are integrally formed with the polyhedrons 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 (e.g., living hinges) and extend directly from one of the polyhedrons to the adjacent polyhedron. In such an example, the joints 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168 may be formed as a flexible polymer strip of the same or similar material as the outer shell of the polyhedron. In another example, the joints 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168 are formed as one or more internal flexible connecting strips (e.g., of a thin flexible polymer, metal, or textile) extending between adjacent polyhedrons and configured to be anchored within an interior cavity of the adjacent polyhedrons.

[0136] In any embodiment, the engagement portions may each exclude a hub portion.

[0137] By manipulating the polyhedrons 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, the transformation display device 102 can be arranged into many different display configurations in which multiple polyhedrons form geometric shapes having at least one flat or substantially flat outer or outermost surface composed of adjacent and coplanar facets 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144. Figure 4 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 Representative display configurations are illustrated, including one or more cuboid display configurations 608, 808 formed by two hinged parallelepipeds, one or more display configurations 404, 406, 408, 604, 606, 806 formed by two adjacent cones 422 hingedly connected along their respective edges, and one or more cube display configurations 804. One or more display configurations 404, 604, 806 can be formed by two adjacent cones 422, which are arranged with their respective faces in abutting engagement. It should be understood that the various display configurations described above are exemplary, and many other display configurations can be implemented depending on the specific geometry of the transformation display device 102.

[0138] return Figures 1A to 1C, the transformable display device 102 is formed in a continuous loop arrangement 104 of twelve hingedly connected polyhedra 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, where each polyhedron is a tetrahedron, i.e., a polyhedron having four polyhedral (e.g., triangular) faces. Each polyhedron 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 is hingedly connected to two adjacent polyhedra by two joints in the respective joints 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168. In any embodiment, each polyhedron may have at least four faces.

[0139] Eight of the twelve polyhedra 106, 108, 112, 114, 118, 120, 124, 126 are tetrahedra A1, A2 of the first type having the Figure 1B and Figure 1C first geometric structure described in. (Tetrahedron types A1 and A2 are mirror images of each other). The remaining four polyhedra 110, 116, 122, 128 are tetrahedra of the second type having a different second geometric structure described in Figure 1B and Figure 1C . (Tetrahedron types B1 and B2 are mirror images of each other). As used herein, two or more polyhedra may be of a single type (i.e., the first type or the second type) if they are identical to each other despite any differences in surface treatment. For example, two mirror-image polyhedra are identical and thus can both be of the first type or the second type.

[0140] The polyhedra 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 are hingedly connected in a repeating alternating sequence consisting of two of the first type, one of the second type, two of the first type, and one of the second type. Again, if the polyhedra of the first type are represented as types "A1" and "A2" that are mirror images of each other, and the polyhedra of the second type are represented as types "B1" and "B2" that are mirror images of each other, then the polyhedra 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 are connected in the following sequence starting from the polyhedron 106 shown on the left side of Figure 1A : A1, A2, B1, A2, A1, B2, A1, A2, B1, A2, A1, B2. Thus, the transformable display device 102 includes eight polyhedra A1 / A2 of the first type and four polyhedra B1 / B2 of the second type.

[0141] Figure 1B shows the geometric structures of the first type of polyhedra A1 / A2 and the second type of polyhedra B1 / B2 of the transform display device 102. The relative proportions and relationships between the side lengths of each polyhedron in the first type A1 / A2 and the second type B1 / B2 of polyhedra are in Figure 1C the illustrated legend. The sides illustrated by the solid line cases have a unit length, which can be scaled up or down proportionally in different embodiments. Regardless of the numerical value of the solid line pattern unit, the relative relationships between different sides remain constant between different embodiments. Again, regardless of the numerical value of the solid line pattern length, the sides illustrated by the long dashed - short dashed line cases have side lengths equal to √(2)(unit length) (i.e., the square root of twice the unit length), the sides illustrated by the dashed line cases have side lengths equal to √(3)(unit length) (i.e., the square root of three times the unit length), and the sides illustrated by the double - dotted line cases have side lengths equal to 2(unit length).

[0142] Figure 1B schematically represents the geometric structure of the first type of polyhedron A1 / A2. As shown, the polyhedron A1 / A2 is a tetrahedron having four facets 130, 132, 134, 136 and six edges. In Figure 4 the legend shown in C provides the relative lengths of each edge. Two edges have an edge length of one unit (solid line pattern), two edges have an edge length of √(2) units (long dashed - short dashed pattern), one edge has an edge length of √(3) units, and one edge has a length of 2 units. Due to the edge length relationships, all the facets 130, 132, 134, 136 are right - angled triangles, and the second facet 132 and the third facet 134 are isosceles triangles.

[0143] Figure 1B also schematically represents the geometric structure of the second type of polyhedron B1 / B2. As shown, the polyhedron B1 / B is a tetrahedron having four facets 138, 140, 142, 144 and six edges. In Figure 1C the illustrated legend provides the relative lengths of each edge. Two edges have an edge length of 1 unit (solid line pattern), two edges have an edge length of √(2) units (long dashed - short dashed pattern), one edge has an edge length of √(3) units, and one edge has a length of 2 units. Due to the edge length relationships, all four facets 138, 140, 142, 144 are right - angled triangles. In addition, the first facet 138 and the fourth facet 144 are congruent, and the second facet 140 and the third facet 142 are also congruent.

[0144] will Figure 1BThe first polyhedron type A1 / A2 in [description] is compared with the second polyhedron type B1 / B2. Obviously, the second smallest face 132 of the polyhedron of the first type A1 / A2 coincides with the second smallest face 140 and the third smallest face 142 of the polyhedron of the second type B1 / B2. This coincidence, together with other edge relationships of the two types of polyhedra A1 / A2, B1 / B2, and the above-mentioned ordered sequence of the polyhedra of the first type A1 / A2 and the second type B1 / B2 in the continuous loop arrangement 104, and the placement of the joints 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, enables the second smallest face 132 of one polyhedron in the first type of polyhedron A1 / A2 to abut against the second smallest face 140 or the third smallest face 142 of one polyhedron in the second type of polyhedron B1 / B2, thereby forming a configuration with three orthogonal faces. This configuration with three orthogonal faces is useful for constructing various parallelepiped and pyramid configurations (such as Figure 4 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 -shown display configurations 404, 406, 408, 604, 606, 608, 804, 806, 808).

[0145] Figure 2 Schematically illustrates the surface features of another exemplary transformable display device 202 incorporating optional magnetic features. As shown, the transformable display device 202 is of the same type as the transformable display device 102 described above with reference to Figures 1A to 1C , but it should be understood that Figure 2 -shown magnetic features can be applied to transformable display devices having various different shape configurations. The transformable display device 202 includes twelve polyhedra 204 of the above-mentioned first type A1 / A2 and second type B1 / B2. According to an example, each of the polyhedra 204 includes at least one magnet 210, 212 disposed near at least one of its small faces 206, 208. The magnets 210, 212 are configured to stabilize the polyhedra 204 in various display configurations. The magnets 210, 212 can also be arranged and positioned to provide an attractive tactile feedback when the transformable display device 202 implements any of the various display configurations. As used herein, "magnet" includes both permanent magnets (e.g., ferrite magnets) and temporary magnets (e.g., iron wafers that have a magnetic field after being in close contact with a permanent magnet).

[0146] A representative and non-limiting polar arrangement will now be described. In Figure 2The magnet 210 indicated by a plus sign (“+”) in the positive magnetic facet 206 in [the device] indicates a magnet 210 having a positive magnetic polarity, and the magnet 212 indicated by a minus sign (“-”) in the negative magnetic facet 208 indicates a magnet 212 having a negative magnetic polarity. In particular, at least one of the magnets 210, 212 is disposed on each polyhedron 204 at a position and has a polarity selected to be magnetically coupled to at least one of the magnets 212, 210 of opposite polarity positioned on another polyhedron 204, for example, when the display device 202 is manipulated into different display configurations.

[0147] According to Figure 2 the example illustrated, each polyhedron in the polyhedra 204 has at least one positive magnet 210 disposed near each positive magnetic facet 206 and one negative magnet 212 disposed near each negative magnetic facet 208, that is, four magnets 210, 212 for each polyhedron 204. In the example illustrated, each of the magnets 210, 212 is embedded in each facet 206, 208, for example, in a recess (on the outer or inner surface) formed in the facet itself. In other examples, each of the magnets 210, 212 may be disposed within an internal cavity of each polyhedron 204 and positioned close enough to the associated facets 206, 208 such that the magnetic field of the magnet extends through the facets 206, 208. For example, in some examples, each of the magnets 210, 212 may be held within a groove, slot, and / or track disposed within the cavity. In some other examples, one or more of the magnets 210, 212 may be positioned within a bracket (such as a bracket disposed near a vertex at the edge of the polyhedron 204) such that the magnetic field from the magnets 210, 212 extends through more than one facet 206, 208 of the polyhedron 204.

[0148] According to Figure 2 the example of [the device], to facilitate magnetic coupling of the polyhedra 204, each polyhedron 204 includes magnets 210, 212 all having a single polarity (“+” or “-”), and adjacent polyhedra 204 include magnets 212, 210 all having the opposite polarity (“-” or “+”), and so on, in an alternating manner throughout the plurality of polyhedra 204.

[0149] According to an alternative example, one or more of the polyhedra 204 have fewer than four magnets, such as one, two, or three magnets 210, 212. According to another alternative example, each of the polyhedra 204 may include a single magnet 210, 212 centrally embedded within the polyhedron 204.

[0150] It should be understood that the magnets 210, 212 can be of any type suitable for stabilizing and holding the polyhedra 204 in various display configurations while also allowing manipulation and rearrangement of the polyhedra relative to each other. According to an example, all of the magnets 210, 212 are permanent magnets that generate a constant magnetic field even in the absence of an induction field or current. According to another example, some of the magnets 210, 212 can be temporary magnets that exhibit magnetism only when placed near an induction magnetic field (such as that provided by a permanent magnet) or current.

[0151] Figures 3A to 3J Schematically depicted are various exemplary planar display surfaces, each planar display surface including adjacent and coplanar facets of at least two polyhedra. The planar display surfaces 302, 312, 322, 328, 334, 340, 350, 360, 366, 380 can be achieved by manipulating the transformable display device 102 described above Figures 1A to 1C into different display configurations. Figures 3A to 3J Shown are Figure 1C the edge lengths of the facets forming the planar display surfaces 302, 312, 322, 328, 334, 340, 350, 360, 366, 380 in the same pattern as shown in the legend of Figures 3A to 3J Accordingly, it should be understood that Figure 1C the planar display surfaces 302, 312, 322, 328, 334, 340, 350, 360, 366, 380 shown have relative dimensions that can be determined according to

[0152] Figure 3A Shown is a large square planar display surface 302 formed by four adjacent and coplanar display facets 304, 306, 308, 310 of four polyhedra among a plurality of polyhedra. The large square planar display surface 302 has four sides shown in a double-dashed line pattern, which indicates that the sides of the planar display surface 302 all have a length equal to 2 units.

[0153] Figure 3B Shown is a first medium square planar display surface 312 formed by four adjacent and coplanar display facets 314, 316, 318, 320 of four polyhedra among a plurality of polyhedra. The medium square planar display surface 312 has four sides shown in a long dashed - short dashed line pattern, which indicates that the sides of the planar display surface 312 all have a length equal to √(2) units.

[0154] As used herein, a "medium" planar display surface transform display device has a larger surface area than a "small" planar display surface of a device of the same or similar shape, and has a smaller surface area than a "large" planar display surface of the same or similar shape of the same transform display device. A "small" planar display surface has a smaller surface area than another planar display surface of the same or similar shape of the same transform display device. A "large" planar display surface has a larger surface area than another planar display surface of the same or similar shape of the same transform display device.

[0155] Figure 3C Shown is a second medium square planar display surface 322 formed by two adjacent and coplanar display facets 324, 326 of two of a plurality of polyhedra. The medium square planar display surface 324 has four sides shown in a long dash - short dash pattern, which indicates that the sides of the planar display surface 322 all have a length equal to √(2) units.

[0156] Figure 3D Shown is a small square planar display surface 328 formed by two adjacent and coplanar display facets 330, 332 of two of a plurality of polyhedra. The small square planar display surface 328 has four sides shown in a solid line pattern, which indicates that the sides of the planar display surface 328 all have a length equal to 1 unit.

[0157] Figure 3E Shown is a small non - square rectangular planar display surface 334 formed by two adjacent and coplanar display facets 336, 338 of two of a plurality of polyhedra. The small rectangular planar display surface 334 has two opposite sides shown in a solid line pattern and two opposite sides shown in a dashed line pattern, which indicates that the sides of the planar display surface 334 have lengths equal to 1 unit and √(3) units, respectively.

[0158] Figure 3F Shown is a large non - square rectangular planar display surface 340 formed by four adjacent and coplanar display facets 342, 344, 346, 348 of four of a plurality of polyhedra. The large rectangular planar display surface 340 has two opposite sides shown in a dashed line pattern and two opposite sides formed by two edge lengths shown in a solid line pattern, which indicates that the sides of the planar display surface 340 have lengths equal to √(3) units and 2 units (i.e., 1 unit multiplied by 2), respectively. According to the example, the large rectangular planar display surface 340 is composed of two small rectangular planar display surfaces 334 arranged side by side as Figure 3E shown.

[0159] Figure 3GShows a non-square rhombic planar display surface 350 formed by four adjacent and coplanar display facets 352, 354, 356, 358 of four polyhedra among a plurality of polyhedra. The rhombic planar display surface 350 has four sides shown in a double-dashed line pattern, indicating that the sides of the planar display surface 350 all have a length equal to 2 units.

[0160] Figure 3H Shows an hourglass-shaped planar display surface 360 formed by two adjacent and coplanar display facets 362, 364 of two polyhedra among a plurality of polyhedra that meet at a point. The hourglass-shaped planar display surface 360 has two opposite sides shown in a double-dashed line pattern, indicating that the opposite sides of the planar display surface 360 have a length equal to 2 units, and has two intersecting sides formed by two edge lengths shown in a long-dashed line - short-dashed line pattern, indicating that the intersecting sides of the planar display surface 360 have a length equal to 2√(2) units (i.e., √(2) units multiplied by 2). According to the example, the hourglass-shaped planar display surface 360 is formed by two opposite facets 362, 364, and these two opposite facets can also form Figure 3A A part of the large square planar display surface 302 shown.

[0161] Figure 3I Shows a hexagonal planar display surface 366 formed by six adjacent and coplanar display facets 368, 370, 372, 374, 376, 378 of six polyhedra among a plurality of polyhedra. The hexagonal planar display surface 366 has two opposite sides in a double-dashed line pattern and two sets of opposite sides in a long-dashed line - short-dashed line pattern, indicating that the sides of the planar display surface 366 have lengths equal to 2 units and √(2) units respectively. According to the example, the hexagonal planar display surface 366 is formed by the Figure 3A Shown large square planar display surface 302 with two additional facets 372, 378 extending from its opposite sides.

[0162] Figure 3J Shows a triangular planar display surface 380 formed by eight adjacent and coplanar display facets 382, 384, 386, 388, 390, 392, 394, 396 of eight polyhedra among a plurality of polyhedra. The triangular planar display surface 380 has two sides each formed by two edge lengths shown in a double-dashed line pattern and one side formed by four edge lengths shown in a solid line pattern, indicating that the sides of the planar display surface 380 all have a length equal to 4 units (i.e., 2 units multiplied by 2 and 1 unit multiplied by 4) to form an equilateral triangle.

[0163] Figure 4Illustrates a representative transform display device 402 according to an example of the present disclosure. According to this example, the transform display device 402 has the same structure and geometry as the transform display device 102 discussed above with reference to Figures 1A to 1C As shown, the transform display device 402 can be configured between different display configurations 404, 406, 408 corresponding to the geometry in which one or more planar display surfaces 410, 412, 414 are formed. The transform display device 402 has the graphical surface treatment as described below with reference to Figures 5A to 5F The graphical surface treatment described.

[0164] More specifically, the transform display device 402 can be configured as at least one display configuration 404 composed of two hingedly connected triangles or cones 422, which are arranged such that their respective faces are in abutting engagement to form a non-square rhombus planar display surface 410 that continuously presents a first graphical image 416. The transform display device 402 can also be configured as at least one display configuration 406 also composed of two hingedly connected cones 422, which are rotated apart about their hinge connection to form a hexagonal planar display surface 412 that continuously presents a second graphical image 418. The transform display device 402 can further be configured as at least one display configuration 408 composed of two hingedly connected cones 422, which are rotated apart about their hinge connection to form a triangular planar display surface 414 that continuously presents a third graphical image 420.

[0165] Figures 5A to 5F Schematically depicts an exemplary physical graphical surface treatment 501 that can be applied to a transform display device including Figure 4 The transform display device 402 shown, such that the transform display device 402 continuously presents a plurality of graphical images 416, 418, 420 within the planar display surfaces 410, 412, 414, as discussed above.

[0166] Figure 5A Schematically shows the graphical surface treatment 501 as it can be applied to each display facet among the plurality of facets of each polyhedron distributed in the polyhedron of the transform display device 402. Figures 5B to 5F Schematically shows possible planar display surfaces 503, 511, 515, 516, 517, 518, 531, 532, 533, 534, 555, 556 that continuously present up to twelve graphical images 504, 512, 519, 522, 525, 528, 535, 540, 545, 550, 557, 566.

[0167] As Figure 5AAs shown, the graphic surface treatment 501 presents multiple sets of partial image segments (to be described below), which are formed by dividing each of the graphic images 504, 512, 519, 522, 525, 528, 535, 540, 545, 550, 557, 566 into at least two parts, and the at least two parts correspond to the display facets forming the flat display surfaces 503, 511, 515, 516, 517, 518, 531, 532, 533, 534, 555, 556. Each image segment includes a part of one of the graphic images 504, 512, 519, 522, 525, 528, 535, 540, 545, 550, 557, 566. As Figures 5A to 5F shown, the image segments formed by each of the graphic images 504, 512, 519, 522, 525, 528, 535, 540, 545, 550, 557, 566 are provided with a surface pattern unique to the corresponding graphic image 504, 512, 519, 522, 525, 528, 535, 540, 545, 550, 557, 566. Thus, Figures 5A to 5F illustrates the spatial relationship between the individual image segments in each set when separated on the graphic surface treatment 501 (when the graphic surface treatment is applied to the facets of the transformable display device 402 in the ring arrangement 104 as Figure 1A shown), and when adjacent and coplanarly arranged with each other in the flat display surfaces 503, 511, 515, 516, 517, 518, 531, 532, 533, 534, 555, 556.

[0168] It should be understood that the surface pattern provided as Figures 5A to 5F shown is for facilitating the illustration and understanding of the spatial relationship between the image segments in each set. According to the example, Figures 5A to 5F at least a part of the image segments shown are partial image segments that are converted from and / or combined from the complete graphic images to form a merged graphic image composed of different and non-repeating partial image segments. According to a specific example, all partial image segments are different and non-repeating. In other words, some or all of the partial image segments of the graphic images are non-repeating and do not present a repeating pattern or a part of a pattern that can form a chain of repeating pattern units. Figure 4 Examples of graphic images 416, 418, 420 composed of different and non-repeating partial image segments are provided.

[0169] As Figure 5BAs shown, the graphic surface treatment 501 is configured such that a first graphic image 504 composed of a set of image segments 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510 is continuously presented within a hexagonal planar display surface 503, which corresponds to the hexagonal planar display surface 412 formed in the Figure 4 double - cone display configuration 406 shown and Figure 3I the hexagonal planar display surface 366 shown.

[0170] As Figure 5C shown, the graphic surface treatment 501 is configured such that a second graphic image 512 composed of a set of image segments 513, 514 is continuously presented within an hourglass - shaped planar display surface 511 corresponding to the Figure 3H hourglass - shaped planar display surface 360 shown. According to an example, when the transform display device 402 is in another double - cone display configuration having the same shape as the Figure 4 double - cone display configuration 406 shown, the hourglass - shaped planar display surface 511 can be formed. In other words, the geometry of the double - cone display configuration 406 can be achieved by different transformations or rearrangements of the polyhedron of the transform display device 402, and thus different planar display surfaces of the same size and shape can be formed.

[0171] As Figure 5D shown, the graphic surface treatment 501 is configured such that a third graphic image 519 composed of a set of image segments 520, 521, a fourth graphic image 522 composed of a set of image segments 523, 524, a fifth graphic image 525 composed of a set of image segments 526, 527, and a sixth graphic image 528 composed of a set of image segments 529, 530 are continuously presented within corresponding small - square planar display surfaces 515, 516, 517, 518 corresponding to the Figure 3D small - square planar display surface 328 shown. According to an example, the small - square planar display surfaces 515, 516, 517, 518 are formed as the top and bottom surfaces of the cuboid display configuration of the transform display device 402, where two of the small - square planar display surfaces 515, 516, 517, 518 are coplanar and arranged side - by - side on each of the top and bottom edges of the cuboid. Additionally, the cuboid can be composed of two smaller cuboids connected by hinge joints.

[0172] As Figure 5EAs shown, the graphic surface treatment 501 is configured such that the seventh graphic image 535 composed of a set of image segments 536, 537, 538, 539, the eighth graphic image 540 composed of a set of image segments 541, 542, 543, 544, the ninth graphic image 545 composed of a set of image segments 546, 547, 548, 549, and the tenth graphic image 550 composed of a set of image segments 551, 552, 553, 554 are continuously presented within the corresponding non-square rhombus planar display surfaces 531, 532, 533, 534, and these non-square rhombus planar display surfaces correspond to those in Figure 4 the non-square rhombus planar display surfaces 410 formed in the abutting cone display configuration 404 shown and Figure 3G the non-square rhombus planar display surfaces 350 shown. According to an example, when the transform display device 402 is in one of the abutting cone display configurations having the same shape as the abutting cone display configuration 404 shown in Figure 4 the non-square rhombus planar display surfaces 531, 532, 533, 534 can be formed. In other words, the geometry of the abutting cone display configuration can be achieved through different transformations or rearrangements of the polyhedron of the transform display device 402, and thus different planar display surfaces of the same size and shape can be formed.

[0173] As Figure 5F shown, the graphic surface treatment 501 is configured such that the eleventh graphic image 557 composed of a set of image segments 558, 559, 560, 561, 562, 563, 564, 565 and the twelfth graphic image 566 composed of a set of image segments 567, 568, 569, 570, 571, 572, 573, 574 are continuously presented within the corresponding triangular planar display surfaces 555, 556, and these triangular planar display surfaces correspond to those in Figure 4 the triangular planar display surfaces 414 formed in the double cone display configuration 408 shown and Figure 3J the triangular planar display surfaces 380 shown. According to an example, when the transform display device 402 is in one of the double cone display configurations having the same shape as the double cone display configuration 408 shown in Figure 4 the triangular planar display surfaces can be formed. In other words, the geometry of the double cone display configuration can be achieved through different transformations or rearrangements of the polyhedron of the transform display device 402, and thus different planar display surfaces of the same shape and size can be formed.

[0174] According to an example, the graphic surface treatment 501 may include decals, self-adhesive labels, ink printing layers, paint printing layers, dye printing layers, etching, engraving, embossing, or lettering.

[0175] According to another example, the graphical surface treatment 501 may include, for example, one or more decals or adhesive labels disposed on the substrate 502.

[0176] According to Figures 5A to 5F the example shown, the graphical surface treatment 501 includes image segments corresponding to all the facets of the plurality of polyhedra of the transformable display device 402, and is applied to each of these facets. Thus, each facet of the plurality of facets of each polyhedron is a display facet that presents an image segment. It should be understood that the graphical surface treatment 501 may be distributed over the plurality of facets of the polyhedra of the transformable display device 402 in a manner such that the graphical surface treatment 501 is not applied to all the facets. For example, the graphical surface treatment 501 may include fewer graphical images, so that some of the facets of the plurality of polyhedra may be left blank. According to another example, each polyhedron includes at least one display facet to which the graphical surface treatment 501 is applied.

[0177] The graphical surface treatment 501 is shown in Figure 5A as a single continuous arrangement of image segments. However, in any implementation, the graphical surface treatment 501 may include a plurality of graphical surface treatment portions, for example, a first graphical surface treatment portion carrying at least one partial image segment of a first graphical image, and a second graphical surface treatment portion carrying at least one partial image segment of a (different) second graphical image. Each graphical surface treatment portion may extend across one, two, or more facets. Any graphical surface treatment portion that extends across two or more facets may form a joint, such as a flexible hinge.

[0178] According to Figures 4 to 5F the example, the transformable display device 402 may be configured between nine different display configurations (i.e., one cuboid display configuration, four abutting cone display configurations 404, two double-cone display configurations 406, and two double-cone display configurations 408), wherein twelve planar display surfaces 503, 511, 515, 516, 517, 518, 531, 532, 533, 534, 555, 556 are formed, such that twelve graphical images 504, 512, 519, 522, 525, 528, 535, 540, 545, 550, 557, 566 can be continuously presented by manipulation and rearrangement of the transformable display device 402.

[0179] Thus, the graphical surface treatment 501 enables a plurality of graphical images (here twelve) to be divided into partial image segments, distributed across the graphical surface treatment, and applied to the transformable display device such that consecutive portions of each image are displayed on each planar display surface.

[0180] Figure 6Illustrates a transformable display device 602 according to another example of the present disclosure. According to this example, the transformable display device 602 has the same structure and geometry as the transformable display device 102 discussed above with reference to Figures 1A to 1C As shown, the transformable display device 602 can be configured between different display configurations 604, 606, 608 corresponding to the geometry in which one or more planar display surfaces 610, 612, 614 are formed. The transformable display device 602 has the graphic surface treatment as described below with reference to Figures 7A to 7E Description.

[0181] More specifically, the transformable display device 602 can be configured as at least one display configuration 604 composed of two hinged cones 422 ( Figure 4 shown in), the two hinged cones being arranged such that their respective faces are in abutting engagement to form a non-square rhombus planar display surface 610 that continuously presents a first graphic image 616. The transformable display device 602 can also be configured as at least one display configuration 606 also composed of two hinged cones, the two hinged cones being rotated apart about their hinge connection to form a large square planar display surface 612 that continuously presents a second graphic image 618.

[0182] The transformable display device 602 can further be configured as at least one cuboid display configuration 608 that forms a large non-square rectangular display surface 614 that continuously presents a third graphic image 620. The cuboid can be composed of two smaller cuboids connected by hinges.

[0183] Figures 7A to 7E Schematically depicts a graphic surface treatment 701 that can be applied to a transformable display device including the Figure 6 shown transformable display device 602, such that the transformable display device 602 continuously presents a plurality of graphic images 616, 618, 620 within the planar display surfaces 610, 612, 614, as discussed above. Figure 7A Schematically shows the graphic surface treatment 701 as the graphic surface treatment can be applied to each display facet among the plurality of facets of each polyhedron distributed in the polyhedron of the transformable display device 602. Figures 7B to 7E Schematically shows possible planar display surfaces 703, 704, 715, 716, 727, 728, 729, 730, 751, 752, 753, 754 that continuously present up to twelve graphic images 705, 710, 717, 722, 731, 736, 741, 746, 755, 760, 765, 770.

[0184] As Figure 7AAs shown, the graphic surface treatment 701 presents multiple sets of partial image segments (to be described below), which are formed by dividing each of the graphic images 710, 712, 718, 720, 730, 732, 734, 736, 746, 748, 750, 752 into multiple partial image segments. The multiple partial image segments correspond to the display facets that form the flat display surfaces 706, 708, 714, 716, 722, 724, 726, 728, 738, 740, 742, 744. Each image segment includes a part of one of the graphic images 710, 712, 718, 720, 730, 732, 734, 736, 746, 748, 750, 752. As Figures 7A to 7E shown, the image segments formed by each of the graphic images 710, 712, 718, 720, 730, 732, 734, 736, 746, 748, 750, 770 are provided with a surface pattern unique to the corresponding graphic images 705, 710, 717, 722, 731, 736, 741, 746, 755, 760, 765, 770. Therefore, Figures 7A to 7E illustrates the spatial relationship between the individual image segments in each set when separated on the graphic surface treatment 701 (when the graphic surface treatment is applied to the facets of the transformable display device 602 in the ring arrangement 104 as Figure 1A shown), and when adjacent and coplanarly arranged with each other on the flat display surfaces 703, 704, 715, 716, 727, 728, 729, 730, 751, 752, 753, 754.

[0185] It should be understood that the surface pattern provided Figures 7A to 7E as shown is for facilitating the illustration and understanding of the spatial relationship between the image segments in each set. According to the example, Figures 7A to 7E at least a part of the image segments shown are transformed from the complete graphic image and / or combined to form partial image segments of a merged graphic image composed of different and non-repeating partial image segments. According to a specific example, all partial image segments are different and non-repeating. In other words, some or all of the partial image segments of the graphic images are non-repeating and do not present a repeating pattern or a part of a pattern that can form a chain of repeating pattern units. Figure 6 Examples of graphic images 616, 618, 620 composed of different and non-repeating partial image segments are provided.

[0186] The graphic surface treatment 701 is shown as an arrangement of graphic surface treatment portions, for example, a first graphic surface treatment portion carrying at least one partial image segment of a first graphic image, and a second graphic surface treatment portion carrying at least one partial image segment of a (different) second graphic image. Each graphic surface treatment portion extends across Figure 7A one of the facets. In any embodiment, any graphic surface treatment portion may extend across two or more facets and may form a joint, such as a living hinge.

[0187] As Figure 7B shown, the graphic surface treatment 701 is configured such that a first graphic image 705 composed of a set of image segments 706, 707, 708, 709 and a second graphic image 710 composed of a set of image segments 711, 712, 713, 714 are continuously presented within corresponding large square planar display surfaces 703, 704, which correspond to the large square planar display surfaces 612 formed in the Figure 6 double - cone display configuration 606 shown and Figure 3A the large square planar display surface 302 shown. According to an example, when the transform display device 602 is in one of a plurality of double - cone display configurations having the same shape as the Figure 6 double - cone display configuration 606 shown, the large square planar display surfaces 703, 704 can be formed. In other words, the geometry of the double - cone display configuration can be achieved by different transformations or rearrangements of the polyhedron of the transform display device 602, and thus different planar display surfaces of the same size and shape can be formed.

[0188] As Figure 7C shown, the graphic surface treatment 701 is configured such that a third graphic image 717 composed of a set of image segments 718, 719, 720, 721 and a fourth graphic image 722 composed of a set of image segments 723, 724, 725, 726 are continuously presented within corresponding medium square planar display surfaces 715, 716 corresponding to the Figure 3B medium square planar display surface 312 shown. According to an example, the medium square planar display surfaces 715, 716 are formed as the top and bottom surfaces of a cube display configuration.

[0189] As Figure 7DAs shown, the graphic surface treatment 701 is configured such that a fifth graphic image 731 composed of a set of image segments 732, 733, 734, 735, a sixth graphic image 736 composed of a set of image segments 737, 738, 739, 740, a seventh graphic image 741 composed of a set of image segments 742, 743, 744, 745, and an eighth graphic image 746 composed of a set of image segments 747, 748, 749, 750 are continuously presented within corresponding non-square rhombus planar display surfaces 727, 728, 729, 730, which correspond to the non-square rhombus planar display surfaces 610 formed in the abutting cone display configuration 604 shown in Figure 6 and the non-square rhombus planar display surface 350 shown in Figure 3G According to an example, when the transform display device 602 is in one of a plurality of abutting cone display configurations having the same shape as the abutting cone display configuration 604 shown in Figure 6 non-square rhombus planar display surfaces 722, 724, 726, 728 can be formed. In other words, the geometry of the abutting cone display configuration can be achieved by different transformations or rearrangements of the polyhedron of the transform display device 602, and thus different planar display surfaces of the same size and shape can be formed.

[0190] As Figure 7E shown, the graphic surface treatment 701 is configured such that a ninth graphic image 755 composed of a set of image segments 756, 757, 758, 759, a tenth graphic image 760 composed of a set of image segments 761, 762, 763, 764, an eleventh graphic image 765 composed of a set of image segments 766, 767, 768, 769, and a twelfth graphic image 770 composed of a set of image segments 771, 772, 773, 774 are continuously presented within corresponding large non-square rectangular planar display surfaces 751, 752, 753, 754, which correspond to the large non-square rectangular planar display surfaces 614 formed in the cuboid display configuration 608 shown in Figure 6 and the large non-square rectangular planar display surface 340 shown in Figure 3F According to an example, when the transform display device 602 is in the same shape as the cuboid display configuration 608 shown in Figure 6When the cuboid display configuration 608 shown is one of a plurality of cuboid display configurations of the same shape, large non-square rectangular planar display surfaces 738, 740, 742, 744 can be formed. In other words, the geometry of the cuboid display configuration can be achieved by different transformations or rearrangements of the polyhedron of the transformable display device 602, so different planar display surfaces of the same size and shape can be formed. According to an example, the cuboid display configuration 608 is formed by two smaller hingedly connected cuboids. The four large non-square rectangular display surfaces 738, 740, 742, 744 can include two sets of opposite side surfaces of the cuboid formed when the smaller cuboids rotate relative to each other between two abutting positions.

[0191] According to an example, Figure 7A The graphical surface treatment 701 shown can include a plurality of graphical surface treatment portions carried on a substrate 775 on which a set of image segments is imprinted, and the plurality of graphical surface treatment portions are subsequently applied to the display facets of the transformable display device 602. The substrate 775 can be cut from a common parent substrate 702. According to this example, the plurality of substrates 775 include a plurality of decals or adhesive labels configured to adhere to the display facets. According to a specific example, the graphical surface treatment 701 can include twenty-four substrates 775 on which twelve sets of image segments are imprinted.

[0192] As shown, two or more image segments can be imprinted on any one of the substrates 775, and the substrate 775 can be applied to two adjacent display facets of two adjacent polyhedra of the transformable display device 602. In other words, the substrate 775 can be configured to bridge the joint between two adjacent polyhedra. As Figure 7B shown, the image segments 706, 707 imprinted on one of the substrates 775 can be taken from a common set of image segments and include portions of the same graphical image 705, thus forming a part of one of the planar display surfaces 703. As Figure 7A and Figure 7B shown, the graphical image 705 is composed of a set of image segments 706, 707, 708, 709, and the set of image segments is imprinted on two separate substrates 775 (two image segments on each substrate 775), and when the transformable display device 602 is in Figure 1A the ring arrangement 104 shown, the two separate substrates are applied to non-adjacent display facets.

[0193] According to an example, one or more of the substrates 775 can be combined with joints 776 (e.g., movable hinges), and these joints form the above reference Figures 1A to 1CAt least part of the structure of the joints 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168 of the transformable display device 102 described is shown. Thus, the joints between the adjacent polyhedra to which the substrate 775 is applied, either alone or in combination with other structures, may include the substrate 775 itself. According to another example, the joints between the adjacent polyhedra include two substrates 775 applied to the opposing adjacent display facets of two adjacent polyhedra. As Figure 7A and Figure 7B shown, the image segments 706, 707, 708, 709 imprinted on the substrate 775 incorporating the joint 776 may be divided along the joint 776.

[0194] According Figures 6 to 7E to an example, the transformable display device 602 may be configured between nine different display configurations (i.e., one cubic display configuration, four abutting cone display configurations 604, two bi-cone display configurations 606, and two rectangular parallelepiped display configurations 608), in which twelve planar display surfaces 703, 704, 715, 716, 727, 728, 729, 730, 751, 752, 753, 754 are formed such that twelve graphic images 710, 712, 718, 720, 730, 732, 734, 736, 746, 748, 750, 770 can be continuously presented by manipulation and rearrangement of the transformable display device 602.

[0195] Figure 8 An illustration of a transformable display device 802 according to an example of the present disclosure is shown. According to this example, the transformable display device 802 has the same structure and geometry as the transformable display device 102 discussed above with reference to Figures 1A to 1C . As shown, the transformable display device 802 may be configured between different display configurations 804, 806, 808 corresponding to geometries in which one or more planar display surfaces 810, 812, 814, 816 are formed. The transformable display device 802 has the graphic surface treatment as described below with reference to Figures 9A to 9D .

[0196] More specifically, the transformable display device 802 may be configured to form at least one cubic display configuration 804 of a medium square planar display surface 810 that continuously presents a first graphic image 818. The transformable display device 802 may further be configured to be composed of two hinged cones 422 ( Figure 4At least one display configuration 806 (shown in FIG. 0), in which two hinged cones are arranged such that their respective faces are in abutting engagement to form a non-square rhombus planar display surface 812 that continuously presents a second graphical image 820. The transform display device 802 can also be configured as at least one cuboid display configuration 808, which forms a first small non-square rectangular planar display surface 814 that continuously presents a third graphical image 822 and a second small non-square rectangular planar display surface 816 that continuously presents a fourth graphical image 824.

[0197] Figures 9A to 9D Schematically depicts a graphical surface treatment 901 that can be applied to a transform display device including Figure 8 the transform display device 802 shown in FIG. 0 such that the transform display device 802 continuously presents a plurality of graphical images 818, 820, 822, 824 within the planar display surfaces 810, 812, 814, 816, as discussed above. Figure 9A Schematically shows the graphical surface treatment 901 as it can be applied to each display facet among the plurality of facets of the polyhedra distributed in the transform display device 802. Figures 9B to 9D Schematically shows possible planar display surfaces 904, 905, 906, 907, 908, 909, 932, 933, 934, 935, 956, 957, 958, 959, 960, 961, 962, 963 that continuously present up to eighteen graphical images 910, 913, 916, 921, 924, 927, 936, 941, 946, 951, 964, 967, 970, 973, 976, 979, 982, 985.

[0198] As Figure 9A shown, the graphical surface treatment 901 presents a plurality of sets of image segments (to be described below), the plurality of sets of image segments being formed by dividing each of the graphical images 910, 913, 916, 921, 924, 927, 936, 941, 946, 951, 964, 967, 970, 973, 976, 979, 982, 985 into a plurality of parts that correspond to the display facets forming the planar display surfaces 904, 905, 906, 907, 908, 909, 932, 933, 934, 935, 956, 957, 958, 959, 960, 961, 962, 963. Each image segment includes a part of one of the graphical images 910, 913, 916, 921, 924, 927, 936, 941, 946, 951, 964, 967, 970, 973, 976, 979, 982, 985. AsFigures 9A to 9D As shown, each image segment formed by each of the graphical images 910, 913, 916, 921, 924, 927, 936, 941, 946, 951, 964, 967, 970, 973, 976, 979, 982, 985 is provided with a surface pattern unique to the corresponding graphical image 910, 913, 916, 921, 924, 927, 936, 941, 946, 951, 964, 967, 970, 973, 976, 979, 982, 985. Thus, Figures 9A to 9D illustrates the spatial relationship between the individual image segments in each set when separated on the graphical surface treatment 901 (when the graphical surface treatment is applied to the facets of the transform display device 802 in the ring arrangement 104 as shown in Figure 1A ), and when arranged adjacent to and coplanar with each other on the flat display surfaces 904, 905, 906, 907, 908, 909, 932, 933, 934, 935, 956, 957, 958, 959, 960, 961, 962, 963.

[0199] It should be understood that the surface pattern shown in Figures 9A to 9D is provided to facilitate the illustration and understanding of the spatial relationship between the image segments in each set. According to the example, Figures 9A to 9D at least a portion of the image segments shown are transformed from and / or combined with the complete graphical image to form partial image segments of a merged graphical image composed of different and non-repeating partial image segments. According to a specific example, all partial image segments are different and non-repeating. In other words, some or all of the partial image segments of the graphical images are non-repeating and do not present a repeating pattern or a part of a pattern that can form a chain of repeating pattern units. Figure 8 Examples of graphical images 818, 820, 822, 824 composed of different and non-repeating partial image segments are provided.

[0200] As Figure 9BAs shown, the graphic surface treatment 901 is configured such that a first graphic image 910 composed of a set of image segments 911, 912, a second graphic image 913 composed of a set of image segments 914, 915, a third graphic image 916 composed of a set of image segments 917, 918, 919, 920, a fourth graphic image 921 composed of a set of image segments 922, 923, a fifth graphic image 924 composed of a set of image segments 925, 926, and a sixth graphic image 927 composed of a set of image segments 928, 929, 930, 931 are continuously presented within corresponding medium square planar display surfaces 904, 905, 906, 907, 908, 909. Four of these medium square planar display surfaces 904, 905, 907, 908 correspond to the medium square planar display surfaces 810 formed in the front surface of the cube display configuration 804 shown in Figure 8 and the medium square planar display surface 322 shown in Figure 3C . Two of these medium square planar display surfaces 906, 909 correspond to the medium square planar display surface 312 shown in Figure 3B and may also correspond to the top and bottom surfaces of the cube display configuration 804 shown in Figure 8 . According to the example, the medium square planar display surfaces 904, 905, 906, 907, 908, 909 are formed as the six side surfaces of the cube display configuration 804 shown in Figure 8 . The adjacent side surfaces of the cube display configuration 804 are not parallel to each other.

[0201] As Figure 9C shown, the graphic surface treatment 901 is configured such that a seventh graphic image 936 composed of a set of image segments 937, 938, 939, 940, an eighth graphic image 941 composed of a set of image segments 942, 943, 944, 945, a ninth graphic image 946 composed of a set of image segments 947, 948, 949, 950, and a tenth graphic image 951 composed of a set of image segments 952, 953, 954, 955 are continuously presented within corresponding non-square rhombus planar display surfaces 932, 933, 934, 935, and these non-square rhombus planar display surfaces correspond to the non-square rhombus planar display surfaces 812 formed in the abutting cone display configuration 806 shown in Figure 8 and the non-square rhombus planar display surface 350 shown in Figure 3G . According to the example, when the transformation display device 802 is in a state with Figure 8When the abutting cone display configuration shown is one of a plurality of abutting cone display configurations of the same shape, non-square rhombus planar display surfaces 932, 933, 934, 935 can be formed. In other words, the geometry of the abutting cone display configuration can be achieved by different transformations or rearrangements of the polyhedron of the transformable display device 802, so different planar display surfaces of the same size and shape can be formed.

[0202] As Figure 9D shown, the graphic surface treatment 901 is configured such that the eleventh graphic image 964 composed of a set of image segments 965, 966, the twelfth graphic image 967 composed of a set of image segments 968, 969, the thirteenth graphic image 970 composed of a set of image segments 971, 972, the fourteenth graphic image 973 composed of a set of image segments 974, 975, the fifteenth graphic image 976 composed of a set of image segments 977, 978, the sixteenth graphic image 979 composed of a set of image segments 980, 981, the seventeenth graphic image 982 composed of a set of image segments 983, 984, and the eighteenth graphic image 985 composed of a set of image segments 986, 987 are continuously presented within the corresponding small non-square rectangular planar display surfaces 956, 957, 958, 959, 960, 961, 962, 963. The small non-square rectangular planar display surfaces 956, 957, 958, 959, 960, 961, 962, 963 correspond to the small non-square rectangular planar display surfaces 814, 816 formed in the Figure 8 cuboid display configuration 808 shown and Figure 3E the small non-square rectangular planar display surface 334 shown. According to the example, the cuboid display configuration 808 is formed by two smaller hinged parallelepipeds. The eight small non-square rectangular planar display surfaces 956, 957, 958, 959, 960, 961, 962, 963 can include the side surfaces of two smaller hinged parallelepipeds that are alternately shown when the smaller cuboids rotate relative to each other between two abutting positions.

[0203] According to the example, the graphic surface treatment 901 can include a plurality of graphic surface treatment portions carried on a substrate 903 on which a set of image segments is embossed, and the plurality of graphic surface treatment portions are subsequently applied to the display facets of the transformable display device 802. The substrate 903 can be cut from a common parent substrate 902. According to this example, the plurality of substrates 903 include a plurality of decals or adhesive labels configured to adhere to the display facets.

[0204] As shown, two or more image segments may be embossed on any one of the substrates 903 in the substrate 903, and the substrate 903 may be applied to two adjacent display facets on one of the plurality of polyhedra. According to Figure 9A In the example shown, the graphic surface treatment 901 includes twelve substrates 903 to be applied to each of the corresponding polyhedra. Thus, the image segments embossed on each of the substrates 903 are taken from different sets of image segments and include portions of different graphic images. In addition, the adjacent display facets of each polyhedron to which one of the substrates 903 is applied form portions of different planar display surfaces.

[0205] According to Figures 8 to 9D the example, the transform display device 802 may be configured between seven different display configurations (i.e., one cube display configuration 804, four abutting cone display configurations 806, and two cuboid display configurations 808), in which eighteen planar display surfaces 904, 905, 906, 907, 908, 909, 932, 933, 934, 935, 956, 957, 958, 959, 960, 961, 962, 963 are formed, such that eighteen graphic images 910, 913, 916, 921, 924, 927, 936, 941, 946, 951, 964, 967, 970, 973, 976, 979, 982, 985 can be continuously presented by the manipulation and rearrangement of the transform display device 802.

[0206] A method for manufacturing a graphic surface treatment (including the above examples) will now be described. The terms used hereinafter have the meanings previously defined herein. Advantageously, the method enables the mass customization of transform display devices, including but not limited to those transform display devices previously described. For example, the following method enables one or more graphic images to be distributed on the graphic surface treatment and applied to a transform display device such that the transform display device presents one or more graphic images on its planar display surface. The method may be repeated based on different graphic images, for example, performed using graphic images received from a first party (e.g., a first consumer) in a first instance, performed using different graphic images received from a second party (e.g., a different second consumer) in a second instance, and performed using different graphic images from n different parties in n other instances.

[0207] The transform display device provided by the following method may have the geometry of any one of the transform display devices 102, 202, 402, 602, 802 described above with reference to Figures 1A to 9D However, the following method is applicable to additional transform display devices having different geometries.

[0208] Figure 10AA flowchart of a method 1000 for fabricating a graphic surface treatment and a transformable display device in accordance with an example of the present disclosure is provided.

[0209] As shown, method 1000 includes: an optional conversion step 1002 in which at least two different graphic images (e.g., digital formats of different photos, pictures, illustrations, etc.), including a first graphic image and a second graphic image, are converted into partial image segments (e.g., digital partial image segments); a forming step 1004 that forms a physical graphic surface treatment (e.g., one or more decals) of the partial image segments carrying at least two different graphic images; and an application step 1006 in which the graphic surface treatment is applied to a transformable display device (e.g., using a fixture or a workpiece to assist in applying one or more decals to the facets of the transformable display device).

[0210] Consistent with previous examples, the transformable display device to which the graphic surface treatment is applied includes a plurality of polyhedra that are connected by joints and configurable between at least a first display configuration and a second display configuration (optionally, the display configurations as described above). In the first display configuration, adjacent and coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedra form a first planar display surface (e.g., a rhombic planar display surface), and in the second display configuration, adjacent and coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedra form a second planar display surface (e.g., a triangular planar display surface).

[0211] In any implementation, method 1000 can be performed with one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty or more different graphic images, each of which is mapped to a different planar display surface of the transformable display device. Thus, the number of graphic images and planar display surfaces can be linearly scaled up or down. For example, each step of method 1000 can be performed with eight, ten or twelve different graphic images and a transformable display device configurable between display configurations each having eight, ten or twelve different planar display surfaces (i.e., the planar display surfaces mapped to each graphic image).

[0212] In any embodiment, the transform display device can be configured between at least two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve or more display configurations, and any number of display configurations can be different from other display configurations. In any embodiment, each of the different display configurations forms a planar display surface having a shape different from other planar display surfaces. For example, any embodiment may include display configurations that form a planar display surface having any combination of the following shapes: rhombus (e.g., non-square rhombus), square, rectangle, quadrilateral, triangle (pyramid), and diamond.

[0213] Convert the graphic image, form a graphic surface treatment and apply it to the transform display device such that in a first display configuration, a first planar display surface carries a continuous partial image segment of a first graphic image (e.g., the entire first graphic image), and in a second display configuration, a second planar display surface carries a continuous partial image segment of a second graphic image (e.g., the entire second graphic image).

[0214] In any embodiment, each graphic image in the graphic images is mapped to a different planar display surface of the transform display device, which planar display surface has n facets. The mapping step can be performed as part of the conversion step 1002 or the forming step 1004.

[0215] In any embodiment, each graphic image in the graphic images is converted into a plurality of partial image segments, each partial image segment having a shape corresponding to a facet of the planar display surface of the transform display device. For example, each graphic image in the graphic images is mapped to a different planar display surface having n facets and then converted into n partial image segments, each partial image segment having a shape corresponding to one of the facets of the planar display surface, e.g., such that all partial image segments of the graphic image can be arranged according to the shape of the mapped planar display surface and continuously show the graphic image (or a part thereof).

[0216] In any embodiment, the graphic surface treatment is formed by preparing physical partial image segments (e.g., decals, adhesive labels, ink printed layers, paint printed layers, dye printed layers, etching, engraving, embossing, or lettering) of the graphic image, wherein each of the physical partial image segments in the physical partial image segments is mapped to a facet of a single planar display surface of the transform display device that is mapped to the graphic image, i.e., having the same size and the same shape as the facet, e.g., such that all partial image segments of the graphic image can be arranged according to the shape of the mapped planar display surface and continuously show the graphic image (or a part thereof).

[0217] In any implementation, graphical surface treatment is applied by applying a physical part image segment of the graphical image (e.g., a decal, a sticker label, an ink printing layer, a paint printing layer, a dye printing layer, an etching, a carving, an embossing, or a lettering) for each graphical image to a facet of the single planar display surface of the transformable display device that is mapped to the graphical image, such that all part image segments of the graphical image can be arranged according to the shape of the mapped planar display surface and the graphical image (or a part thereof) is continuously shown.

[0218] According to an example, part image segments of one or both of the first graphical image and the second graphical image are each different from other part image segments. In other words, part image segments of one or both of the graphical images are non-repetitive and, in some implementations, do not present a repetitive pattern or a part of a pattern that can form a chain of repetitive pattern units.

[0219] According to an example, during the transformation step 1002, the first graphical image and the second graphical image are separated or divided into part image segments, where each part image segment includes a part of the corresponding graphical image.

[0220] It should be understood that according to one or more alternative examples of the present disclosure, the transformation step 1002 is optional and this transformation step is not required in all cases to implement the transformable display device. For example, a set of part image segments can be generated, which will be formed into a graphical surface treatment, applied to the transformable display device, and combined into a desired or planned combined image when the set of part image segments is arranged on the planar display surface.

[0221] According to an example, during the forming step 1004, the part image segments are arranged into a distribution of image segments that includes part image segments transformed from the first graphical image and the second graphical image. The distribution includes part image segments transformed from each of the first graphical image and the second graphical image, which are separated and then grouped together or scattered in an ordered manner to correspond to the relative positioning of the facets of a plurality of polyhedra that will form the first planar display surface when the plurality of polyhedra are physically manipulated into a first display configuration and will form the second planar display surface when the plurality of polyhedra are physically manipulated into a second display configuration. In other words, the distribution serves as an ordered layout of all part image segments carried on or presented by the graphical surface treatment. It should be understood that the distribution can be generated according to an algorithm expressed by executable code programmed into the memory of a computer that includes a processor suitable for executing the commands included in the executable code. Then, the graphical surface treatment can be printed on one or more substrates to be applied to the facets or directly printed onto or applied to the facets. Such a distribution or layout is Figure 5A 、Figure 7A and Figure 9A imply that Figure 5A 、 Figure 7A and Figure 9A exemplify, respectively, graphic surface treatments 501, 701, 901 of transform display devices 402, 602, 802 that can be applied to examples according to Figure 4 、 Figure 6 and Figure 8 .

[0222] In some examples, at least one partial image segment of a first graphic image from at least two graphic images is provided on a graphic surface treatment between image segments of a second graphic image from at least two graphic images, e.g., as shown in Figure 5A 、 Figure 7A and Figure 9A . In some examples, partial image segments from at least two graphic images are distributed on the graphic surface treatment such that at least one (e.g., all) of the at least two graphic images is presented discontinuously on the graphic surface treatment.

[0223] According to this example, application step 1006 includes applying the graphic surface treatment formed by the distribution of the image segments to a plurality of polyhedra such that the partial image segments carried on or presented by the graphic surface treatment are mapped to and applied to corresponding facets forming a first planar display surface and a second planar display surface, such that the first planar display surface presents the first graphic image and the second planar display surface presents the second graphic image.

[0224] It should be understood that method 1000 can be extended or “scaled up” such that the transform display device presents additional graphic images on additional planar display surfaces formed in an additional display configuration, i.e., more than two. This can be achieved by converting each additional graphic image in the additional graphic images into partial image segments as discussed above, and then forming a graphic surface treatment from a distribution of classified image segments that includes image segments from all graphic images (e.g., at least a total of three graphic images, a total of twelve graphic images, or a total of eighteen graphic images, etc.). Thus, the number of graphic images that can be presented by the transform display device can be limited only by the geometry of the transform display device, i.e., the number of polyhedra included in the device, the number of facets that each polyhedron can have, and the number of planar display surfaces that can be achieved by physically manipulating and arranging the plurality of polyhedra. According to a specific example, the transform display device has a structure and geometry corresponding to the structure and geometry of transform display device 102 described above with reference to Figures 1A to 1C .

[0225] According to an example, forming step 1004 includes forming a first graphic surface treatment portion that bears at least a partial segment of a first graphic image, and forming a second graphic surface treatment portion that bears at least a partial image segment of a second graphic image. Applying step 1006 includes applying at least the first graphic surface treatment portion across a first planar display surface, and applying at least the second graphic surface treatment portion across a second planar display surface. The first graphic surface treatment portion and the second graphic surface treatment portion may form a joint or a movable hinge therebetween. According to another example, forming step 1004 includes imprinting partial image segments on a common parent substrate and thereby forming a plurality of graphic surface treatment portions.

[0226] According to an example, the first planar display surface and the second planar display surface have different shapes. According to a particular example, the first planar display surface has a non-square rhombus shape, and the second planar display surface has a triangular shape.

[0227] According to an example, in a first display configuration, the first planar display surface coextends with a first outermost surface of the transformable display device, and in a second display configuration, the second planar display surface coextends with a second outermost surface of the transformable display device. According to an example, the first outermost surface and the second outermost surface may have different shapes.

[0228] According to an example, at least four adjacent and coplanar facets form the first planar display surface, and at least six adjacent and coplanar facets form the second planar display surface.

[0229] According to another example, the graphic surface treatment includes triangular partial image segments of at least two different graphic images. It should be understood that, as discussed above, the shape of the partial image segments may be determined by the shape and configuration of the facets of a plurality of polyhedra. According to a particular example, the triangular shape of the partial image segments corresponds to the triangular shape of the facets of a plurality of polyhedra, as discussed above with reference to Figures 1A to 1C discussed.

[0230] According to an example, in a first display configuration, the facets of at least four polyhedra among a plurality of polyhedra form the first planar display surface. In a second display configuration, the facets of at least four polyhedra among a plurality of polyhedra may form the second planar display surface. According to another example, the first planar display surface and the second planar display surface may have the same planar non-square rhombus shape. Alternatively, the first planar display surface may have a non-square rhombus shape, and the second planar display surface may have a planar hexagonal shape. Alternatively, the first planar display surface may have a non-square rhombus shape, and the second planar display surface may have a planar triangular shape.

[0231] According to an example, the first display configuration and the second display configuration have different geometries.

[0232] Reference Figure 10B According to the example, transformation step 1002 includes a receiving step 1008 and a partitioning step 1010. In the receiving step, at least two different graphic images are received first, for example, in a digital format. In the partitioning step, the at least two different graphic images are partitioned or separated into partial image segments. According to the example, forming step 1004 may include printing the partial image segments on at least one substrate.

[0233] In addition, according to the example, transformation step 1002 may additionally or alternatively include a cropping step 1012. In the cropping step, the at least two graphic images are cropped based on the shape of the first planar display surface and the shape of the second planar display surface. In other words, the graphic images may be cropped and resized to fit one of the planar display surfaces formed by the transform display device. According to the example, the shape of the first planar display surface is a rhombus shape, and the shape of the second planar display surface is a triangular shape.

[0234] Reference Figure 10C According to the example, method 1000 further includes a preview step 1014. In the preview step, a preview of at least two different graphic images on at least two planar display surfaces including the first planar display surface and the second planar display surface is provided through a graphical user interface (e.g., a browser-based user interface). Preview step 1014 may include a confirmation step 1016. In the confirmation step, confirmation of at least one possible planar display surface of the preview is received.

[0235] Thus, the present disclosure provides a preview of possible planar display surfaces of a customized transform display device during the process of manufacturing the transform display device. Consumers, suppliers, or licensees who provide graphic images to be applied to the transform display device can view the appearance and arrangement of the graphic images on the possible planar display surfaces and provide satisfactory confirmation of the previewed transform display device before the process proceeds to the forming step 1004 and the applying step 1006.

[0236] According to an example, a consumer, supplier, or licensee submitting a graphical image can use a computer or other device connected to the Internet to access a remotely connected server that hosts a website or similar interface designated to receive the graphical image and configured to provide a preview of a possible planar display surface to the consumer, supplier, or licensee. The website can be configured to preview one, some, and / or all of the possible planar display surfaces that can be generated from the submitted graphical image on a graphical user interface (e.g., a browser-based interface), and receive confirmation to proceed directly (such as through one or more "confirm" controls) or indirectly (such as through "buy now" or "add to cart" controls) to subsequent formation step 1004 and application step 1006. According to this example, the website can include or be connected to programming that converts the received graphical image into partial image segments such that the image segments can be arranged relative to each other appropriately to generate the previewed possible planar display surface.

[0237] It should be understood that preview step 1014 can be performed without accessing the website via a browser-based interface. Alternatively, a graphical image can be received and the possible planar display surface can be previewed at a terminal located in a store or production facility. Or, preview step 1014 can be performed personally using a personal computing device that includes appropriate programming or accesses such programming.

[0238] Figure 11 Illustrated is a substrate 1102 that can be used in conjunction with the method 1000 described above with reference to Figures 10A to 10C According to an example, the substrate 1102 includes a plurality of facets 1104 that are hingedly connected and rotatable relative to each other about joints 1106, 1108. The facets 1104 are also sized and shaped to be configured to form a plurality of polyhedra having the same or similar geometry as the plurality of polyhedra of the transformable display device 102 described above with reference to Figures 1A to 1C Alternatively, the facets 1104 can be configured to form a plurality of polyhedra having different geometries.

[0239] According to an example, the substrate 1102 includes at least one foldable material in which a plurality of facets 1104 are formed or defined. The facets 1104 can be folded relative to each other to form hinge joints 1106 between the respective facets of one of the plurality of polyhedra and hinge joints 1108 between adjacent polyhedra. According to an example, the foldable material of the substrate 1102 can include paper, cardstock, cardboard, or plastic. Alternatively, according to an example, the substrate 1102 can include a plurality of rigid facets 1104 that are hingedly interconnected at joints 1106, 1108 to form a plurality of polyhedra.

[0240] Accordingly, the transformable display device can be provided as a flat substrate 1102, which can be more easily stored prior to the application step 1006. Additionally, the flat substrate 1102 can be directly imprinted with partial image segments and subsequently folded into a plurality of polyhedra to allow for on-demand fabrication of the transformable display device at the point of sale (such as at a kiosk or photo counter in a department store, pharmacy, or grocery store). The folding can be performed at the point of sale or by the consumer after receiving the transformable display device. Alternatively, the image segments can be imprinted on a plurality of adhesive labels (such as a plurality of stickers) attached to a common parent substrate, which are then peeled from the substrate and applied to the substrate 1102 at the point of sale or by the consumer before or after folding. According to another alternative, the flat substrate 1102 can be sold as a standalone piece, and the consumer can use a printing and cutting template to form the adhesive labels on a suitable household device. Additionally, a cutting template can be provided to the consumer for forming the flat substrate 1102 from a parent piece of paper, cardstock, cardboard, or plastic on a suitable household device.

[0241] Figures 12A to 12F A plurality of transformable display devices 1218, 1220, 1222, 1224 are illustrated according to another example of the present disclosure. Figures 12A to 12F The transformable display devices 1218, 1220, 1222, 1224 shown present various alternative geometries of the transformable display device 102 described above with reference to Figures 1A to 1C As Figure 12A shown, the transformable display devices 1218, 1220, 1222, 1224 each include a plurality of polyhedra 1202, 1206, 1210, 1214 of different geometries. Each polyhedron 1202, 1206, 1210, 1214 includes a plurality of facets 1204, 1208, 1212, 1216. As Figure 12A shown, the first polyhedron 1202 and the second polyhedron 1206 are mirror images of each other, and the third polyhedron 1210 and the fourth polyhedron 1216 are mirror images of each other.

[0242] Figure 12A The geometries of each of the polyhedra 1202, 1206, 1210, 1214 are shown. The relative proportions and relationships between the side lengths of each of the polyhedra 1202, 1206, 1210, 1214 are in Figure 12BIllustrated in the legend shown. The side illustrated by the long dashed - short dashed pattern has a unit length, which can be scaled up or down proportionally in different embodiments. Regardless of the value of the long dashed - short dashed pattern unit, the relative relationship between different sides remains constant among different embodiments. Again, regardless of the value of the long dashed - short dashed pattern length, the side illustrated by the solid line pattern has a side length equal to 0.5√(2) (unit length) (i.e., 0.5 times the square root of twice the unit length), the side illustrated by the dashed line pattern has a side length equal to √(1.5) (unit length) (i.e., the square root of one and a half times the unit length), and the side illustrated by the double - dashed line pattern has a side length equal to √(2) (unit length) (i.e., the square root of twice the unit length).

[0243] As Figures 12C to 12F shown, the geometric structures of the plurality of polyhedra 1202, 1206, 1210, 1216 result in a plurality of different consistencies between the facets 1204, 1206, 1208, 1210 of the polyhedra 1202, 1206, 1210, 1216, and thus result in display configurations and flat display surfaces of different shapes, which can be achieved by the manipulation and rearrangement of the plurality of polyhedra 1202, 1206, 1210, 1216, depending on the arrangement and relative orientation of the polyhedra 1202, 1206, 1210, 1216 when linked together in a ring arrangement 104 through joints, as described above with reference to Figures 1A to 1C the transformable display device 102 shown.

[0244] In particular, Figure 12C a transformable display device 1218 composed of twelve polyhedra 1202, 1206, 1210, 1214 adjacent to each other in the following order is shown: 1202 - 1206 - 1210 - 1202 - 1206 - 1214 - 1202 - 1206 - 1210 - 1202 - 1206 - 1214. The polyhedra 1202, 1206, 1210, 1214 are oriented relative to each other such that the sides with a side length equal to √(2) (double - dashed line pattern) of each of the polyhedra 1202, 1206, 1208, 1210 intersect at an angle relative to each other to form a series of equilateral triangles between the adjacent facets of the polyhedra 1202, 1206, 1210, 1216.

[0245] Figure 12DThe transformed display device 1220 is shown, which consists of twelve polyhedra 1202, 1206, 1210, 1216 that are adjacent to each other in the following order: 1202 - 1206 - 1210 - 1202 - 1206 - 1214 - 1202 - 1206 - 1210 - 1202 - 1206 - 1214. The polyhedra 1202, 1206, 1210, 1214 are oriented relative to each other such that the sides of the third polyhedron 1210 and the fourth polyhedron 1214 having a side length equal to √(2) (unit length) (double-dashed line pattern) are aligned with the sides of the first polyhedron 1202 and the second polyhedron 1206 having a side length equal to √(2) (unit length) (double-dashed line pattern), thereby forming a series of deep V-shaped patterns in the loop arrangement of the transformed display device 1220.

[0246] Figure 12E The transformed display device 1222 is shown, which consists of twelve polyhedra 1202, 1206, 1214 that are adjacent to each other in the following order: 1202 - 1206 - 1214 - 1202 - 1206 - 1210 - 1202 - 1206 - 1214 - 1202 - 1206 - 1210. These polyhedra are oriented relative to each other such that the sides of the first polyhedron 1202 and the second polyhedron 1206 having a side length equal to √(1.5) (unit length) (dashed line pattern) intersect at an angle relative to each other to form an equilateral triangle between the adjacent facets of the polyhedra 1202, 1206, and the sides of the third polyhedron 1210 and the fourth polyhedron 1214 having a side length equal to √(2) (unit length) (double-dashed line pattern) are aligned with the sides of the first polyhedron 1202 and the second polyhedron 1206 having a side length equal to √(2) (unit length) (double-dashed line pattern), thereby forming a series of shallow V-shaped patterns in the loop arrangement of the transformed display device 1222.

[0247] Figure 12FThe transformed display device 1224 is shown as being composed of twelve polyhedra 1202, 1206, 1210, 1214 that are adjacent to each other in the following order: 1202-1206-1214-1202-1206-1210-1202-1206-1214-1202-1206-1210. These polyhedra are oriented relative to each other such that the sides of the first polyhedron 1202 and the second polyhedron 1206 having side lengths equal to √(1.5)(unit length)(dashed pattern) meet at an angle relative to each other to form an equilateral triangle between the adjacent facets of the polyhedra 1202, 1206. The sides of the third polyhedron 1210 and the fourth polyhedron 1214 having side lengths equal to √(2)(unit length)(double-dashed pattern) meet at an angle relative to the sides of the first polyhedron 1202 and the second polyhedron 1206 having side lengths equal to √(2)(unit length)(double-dashed pattern) to form equilateral triangles between the third polyhedron 1210 and the adjacent facets of the first polyhedron 1202 and the second polyhedron 1206 and between the fourth polyhedron 1414 and the adjacent facets of the first polyhedron 1402 and the second polyhedron 1406. The above orientations of the polyhedra 1402, 1406, 1410, 1414 form a series of deep U-shaped patterns in the loop arrangement of the transformed display device 1424.

[0248] As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents.

[0249] As used herein, the terms "right", "left", "top", and their derivatives shall relate to the orientation of the present invention in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the present invention may assume various alternative orientations, and thus such terms should not be considered restrictive. Additionally, it should be understood that, unless there is a clear stipulation to the contrary, the present invention may assume various alternative variations and sequences of stages. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the drawings and described in the following specification are examples. Accordingly, the specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not considered restrictive.

[0250] In addition, in this regard, this application may use the term "plurality" to refer to an amount or quantity. In this regard, the term "plurality" means any quantity greater than one, e.g., two, three, four, five, etc. The terms "about", "approximately", "close to", etc. refer to plus or minus 5% of the stated value. For the purposes of this disclosure, the phrase "at least one of A, B, and C", "at least one of A, B, or C", or similar expressions referring to two or more elements include: (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C), including all additional possible permutations when listing more than three elements.

[0251] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing component amounts, reaction conditions, dimensions, physical properties, etc. used in the specification and claims are understood to be modified in all instances by the term "about", which means plus or minus 5% unless otherwise apparent from the disclosure. Unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention.

[0252] Although the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. However, any numerical value inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in its corresponding testing measurements.

[0253] In addition, it should be understood that any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. For example, a range of "1 to 10" is intended to include any and all sub-ranges between the recited minimum value of 1 and the recited maximum value of 10, and including the recited minimum value of 1 and the recited maximum value of 10. That is, all sub-ranges starting with a minimum value equal to or greater than 1 and ending with a maximum value equal to or less than 10, and all sub-ranges therebetween, such as 1 to 6.3, or 5.5 to 10, or 2.7 to 6.1.

[0254] The foregoing examples and embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to various examples. After reading and understanding the above examples, others will envision modifications and variations. Accordingly, the above examples are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a transformable display device, the method comprising: converting at least two different graphic images including a first graphic image and a second graphic image into partial image segments; forming a graphic surface treatment for carrying the partial image segments of the at least two different graphic images; and applying the graphic surface treatment to a transformable display device including a plurality of polyhedrons, the plurality of polyhedrons being connected by joints and being configurable between a first display configuration and a second display configuration such that in the first display configuration, adjacent and coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedrons form a first planar display surface carrying the continuous partial image segments of the first graphic image, and in the second display configuration, adjacent and coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedrons form a second planar display surface carrying the continuous partial image segments of the second graphic image.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first display configuration and the second display configuration have different shapes.

3. The method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first planar display surface and the second planar display surface have different shapes.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the first planar display surface has a rhombus shape and the second planar display surface has a triangle shape.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein forming the graphic surface treatment includes forming a first graphic surface treatment portion for carrying at least one partial image segment of the first graphic image, and forming a second graphic surface treatment portion for carrying at least one partial image segment of the second graphic image.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein forming the graphic surface treatment includes forming the first graphic surface treatment portion for carrying at least two partial image segments of the first graphic image, and forming the second graphic surface treatment portion for carrying at least two partial image segments of the second graphic image.

7. The method according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein applying the graphic surface treatment includes applying at least the first graphic surface treatment portion across the first planar display surface, and applying at least the second graphic surface treatment portion across the second planar display surface.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the first graphic surface treatment portion and the second graphic surface treatment portion form a hinge joint.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein each partial image segment of the first graphic image is mapped to a facet of the first planar display surface, and wherein each partial image segment of the second planar display surface is mapped to a facet of the second planar display surface.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein applying the graphic surface treatment includes applying the partial image segments of the first graphic image to the facets of the first planar display surface, and applying the partial image segments of the second graphic image to the facets of the second planar display surface.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least four adjacent and coplanar facets form the first planar display surface, and at least six adjacent and coplanar facets form the second planar display surface.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the graphic surface treatment includes triangular partial image segments of the at least two different graphic images.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein converting the at least two different graphic images into the partial image segments includes receiving the at least two different graphic images in digital format and dividing the at least two different graphic images into the partial image segments.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein forming the graphic surface treatment includes printing the partial image segments on at least one substrate.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein forming the graphic surface treatment includes forming a plurality of graphic surface treatment portions from the at least one substrate.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein converting the at least two graphic images into the partial image segments includes cropping the at least two graphic images based on the shape of the first planar display surface and the shape of the second planar display surface.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the shape of the first planar display surface is a rhombus shape, and the shape of the second planar display surface is a triangular shape.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the first display configuration, facets of at least four of the plurality of polyhedrons form the first planar display surface.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein in the second display configuration, facets of at least four of the plurality of polyhedrons form the second planar display surface.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the first planar display surface and the second planar display surface have the same planar rhombus shape.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein the first planar display surface has a planar rhombus shape, and the second planar display surface has a planar hexagonal shape.

22. The method according to claim 19, wherein the first planar display surface has a rhombus shape, and the second planar display surface has a planar triangular shape.

23. The method according to claim 1, the method further includes providing a preview of the at least two different graphic images on at least two planar display surfaces including the first planar display surface and the second planar display surface through a graphical user interface.

24. A method of manufacturing a transformable display device, the method comprising: converting at least two different graphic images including a first graphic image and a second graphic image into partial image segments; forming a graphic surface treatment carrying the partial image segments of the at least two different graphic images; and Apply the graphic surface treatment to a transformable display device including a plurality of polyhedrons, the plurality of polyhedrons being connected by joints and configurable between a first display configuration and a second display configuration, wherein in the first display configuration, adjacent and coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedrons form a first planar display surface, and in the second display configuration, adjacent and coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedrons form a second planar display surface; wherein each partial image segment of the first graphic image is mapped to a facet of the first planar display surface, and wherein each partial image segment of the second planar display surface is mapped to a facet of the second planar display surface; wherein applying the graphic surface treatment includes applying the partial image segments of the first graphic image to the facets of the first planar display surface, and applying the partial image segments of the second graphic image to the facets of the second planar display surface.

25. A method of manufacturing a transformable display device, the transformable display device including a plurality of polyhedrons, the plurality of polyhedrons being connected by joints and configurable between a first display configuration and a second display configuration, wherein in the first display configuration, adjacent and coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedrons form a first planar display surface, and in the second display configuration, adjacent and coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedrons form a second planar display surface, the method comprising: Converting at least two different graphic images including a first graphic image and a second graphic image into partial image segments; Forming a graphic surface treatment carrying the partial image segments of the at least two different graphic images, wherein each partial image segment of the first graphic image is mapped to a facet of the first planar display surface, and wherein each partial image segment of the second planar display surface is mapped to a facet of the second planar display surface; and Applying the graphic surface treatment to the transformable display device by applying the partial image segments of the first graphic image to the facets of the first planar display surface, and applying the partial image segments of the second graphic image to the facets of the second planar display surface.

Images