Transforming display devices, systems, and methods

Abstract

A method for fabricating a deformable display device includes transforming 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 having the partial image segments of the at least two different graphic images, and applying the graphic surface treatment to the deformable display device. The deformable display device includes a plurality of polyhedrons connected by joints and configurable between a first display configuration and a second display configuration. In the first display configuration, adjacent coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedrons form a first planar display surface having contiguous partial image segments of the first graphic image, and in the second display configuration, adjacent coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedrons form a second planar display surface having contiguous partial image segments of the second graphic image.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 383,078, filed November 10, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to display devices and methods of forming and applying surface treatments, such as photographs, to display devices. [Background technology]

[0003] Display devices for showing static visual media images, such as photographs, paintings, and illustrations, generally have fixed shapes and dimensions, which limit how the visual media can be displayed and interacted with. For example, photographs, paintings, and illustrations are typically shown within a static frame device that holds the photograph, painting, or illustration within, and is then affixed to a wall or placed on a table, stand, or other similar support.

[0004] Recent developments have provided more complex framing systems that allow multiple photographs, paintings, or illustrations to be placed in several adjacent frames of different shapes and / or sizes and irregular configurations. Recent developments have also provided electronic frames that can display a slideshow of images in a rotating, sequential manner on an electronic screen. However, these new developments in this field still suffer from the above-mentioned drawbacks in that the display devices themselves, such as frames, screens, etc., are static and non-interactive. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Non-limiting examples of the present invention are described in the following numbered paragraphs.

[0006] Clause 1: A method for creating 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 having the partial image segments of the at least two different graphic images; and applying the graphic surface treatment to a transformable display device comprising a plurality of polyhedrons connected by joints and configurable between a first display configuration and a second display configuration, wherein in the first display configuration, adjacent coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedrons form a first planar display surface having consecutive partial image segments of the first graphic image, and in the second display configuration, adjacent coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedrons form a second planar display surface having consecutive partial image segments of the second graphic image.

[0007] Clause 2: The method of clause 1, wherein the first display configuration and the second display configuration have different shapes.

[0008] Clause 3: The method of clause 1 or 2, wherein the first planar display surface and the second planar display surface have different shapes.

[0009] Clause 4: The method of clause 3, wherein the first planar display surface has a diamond shape and the second planar display surface has a triangular shape.

[0010] Clause 5: A method according to any one of clauses 1 to 4, wherein forming the graphic surface treatment includes forming a first graphic surface treatment portion having at least one partial image segment of a first graphic image, and forming a second graphic surface treatment portion having at least one partial image segment of a second graphic image.

[0011] Clause 6: The method described in Clause 5, wherein forming the graphic surface treatment includes forming a first graphic surface treatment portion having at least two partial image segments of a first graphic image, and forming a second graphic surface treatment portion having at least two partial image segments of a second graphic image.

[0012] Clause 7: The method of clause 5 or 6, wherein applying the graphic surface treatment includes applying at least a first graphic surface treatment portion across a first planar display surface and applying at least a second graphic surface treatment portion across a second planar display surface.

[0013] Clause 8: The method of clause 7, wherein the first graphic surface treatment portion and the second graphic surface treatment portion form a living hinge.

[0014] Clause 9: A method according to any one of clauses 1 to 7, wherein each partial image segment of the first graphic image maps to a facet of the first planar display surface and each partial image segment of the second planar display surface maps to a facet of the second planar display surface.

[0015] Clause 10: A method according to any one of clauses 1 to 9, wherein applying the graphic surface processing comprises applying a partial image segment of a first graphic image to a facet of a first planar display surface, and applying a partial image segment of a second graphic image to a facet of a second planar display surface.

[0016] Clause 11: A method according to any one of clauses 1 to 10, wherein at least four adjacent coplanar facets form a first planar display surface and at least six adjacent coplanar facets form a second planar display surface.

[0017] Clause 12: The method of any one of clauses 1 to 11, wherein the graphic surface processing comprises triangular sub-image segments of at least two different graphic images.

[0018] Clause 13: The method of any one of clauses 1 to 12, wherein converting at least two different graphic images into partial image segments includes receiving at least two different graphic images in digital format and dividing the at least two different graphic images into partial image segments.

[0019] Clause 14: The method of clause 13, wherein forming the graphic surface treatment includes printing partial image segments on at least one substrate.

[0020] Clause 15: The method of clause 14, wherein forming the graphic surface treatment includes forming a plurality of graphic surface treatment portions from at least one substrate.

[0021] Clause 16: A method according to any one of clauses 13 to 15, wherein converting at least two graphic images into 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.

[0022] Clause 17: The method of clause 16, wherein the shape of the first planar display surface is a diamond shape and the shape of the second planar display surface is a triangle shape.

[0023] Clause 18: The method of any one of clauses 1 to 17, wherein in the first display configuration, facets of at least four polyhedrons of the plurality of polyhedrons form a first planar display surface.

[0024] Clause 19: The method of clause 18, wherein in the second display configuration, facets of at least four polyhedrons of the plurality of polyhedrons form a second planar display surface.

[0025] Clause 20: The method of clause 19, wherein the first planar display surface and the second planar display surface have the same planar diamond shape.

[0026] Clause 21: The method of clause 19, wherein the first planar display surface has a planar diamond shape and the second planar display surface has a planar hexagonal shape.

[0027] Clause 22: The method of clause 19, wherein the first planar display surface has a diamond shape and the second planar display surface has a planar triangular shape.

[0028] Clause 23: A method according to any one of clauses 1 to 22, further comprising providing previews of at least two different graphic images on at least two planar display surfaces, including a first planar display surface and a second planar display surface, via a graphical user interface.

[0029] Clause 24: A method for creating a deformable display device, comprising: transforming at least two different graphic images, including a first graphic image and a second graphic image, into partial image segments; generating a graphic surface treatment having the partial image segments of the at least two different graphic images; and applying the graphic surface treatment to a deformable display device comprising a plurality of polyhedrons connected by joints and configurable between a first display configuration and a second display configuration, wherein in the first display configuration, adjacent coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedrons form a first planar display surface, and in the second display configuration, adjacent 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 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 comprises applying the partial image segment of the first graphic image to a facet of the first planar display surface and applying the partial image segment of the second graphic image to a facet of the second planar display surface.

[0030] Clause 25: A method for creating a transformable display device comprising a plurality of polyhedrons connected by joints and configurable between a first display configuration and a second display configuration, wherein in the first display configuration adjacent coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedrons form a first planar display surface and in the second display configuration adjacent coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedrons form a second planar display surface, the method comprising: converting at least two different graphic images comprising a first graphic image and a second graphic image into partial image segments; forming a graphic surface treatment having 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 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.

[0031] Clause 26: A transforming display device comprising: a plurality of polyhedrons connected by joints and configurable between at least a first display configuration and a second different display configuration, each polyhedron of the plurality of polyhedrons comprising a plurality of facets; and at least one graphic surface treatment displaying 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 polyhedrons form a planar display surface comprising adjacent, coplanar display facets of the at least two polyhedrons, and the first set of image segments and the second set of image segments displayed on the at least one graphic surface treatment are mapped to the facets of the plurality of polyhedrons such that the planar display surface formed in the first display configuration continuously displays the first graphic image and the planar display surface formed in the second display configuration continuously displays the second graphic image.

[0032] Clause 27: A transformable display device as described in clause 26, wherein the at least one graphic surface treatment comprises a decal, an adhesive label, a printed layer of ink, a printed layer of paint, a printed layer of dye, etching, engraving, embossing, or engraving.

[0033] Clause 28: A transforming display device as described in clause 26 or 27, wherein each image segment includes a different non-repeating portion of one of the first graphic image and the second graphic image.

[0034] Clause 29: A modified display device according to any one of clauses 26 to 28, wherein at least one graphic surface treatment is disposed on a common substrate.

[0035] Clause 30: A transformable display device according to any one of clauses 26 to 29, wherein the first graphic image and the second graphic image comprise photographs.

[0036] Clause 31: A modified display device described in any one of clauses 26 to 30, wherein at least one graphic surface treatment comprises a plurality of substrates imprinted with a set of image segments, the plurality of substrates being applied to the facets.

[0037] Clause 32: A modified display device as described in Clause 31, wherein the plurality of substrates comprises a plurality of decals configured to be adhered to the facets.

[0038] Clause 33: A transformable display device as described in Clause 31, wherein the plurality of substrates comprises a plurality of adhesive-backed labels configured to be adhered to the facets.

[0039] Clause 34: A modified display device described in any one of clauses 31 to 33, wherein at least one of the plurality of substrates has at least two image segments imprinted thereon, and at least one substrate is applied to two adjacent facets.

[0040] Clause 35: A transformable display device according to clause 34, wherein two adjacent facets are facets of one of a plurality of polyhedra.

[0041] Clause 36: A modified display device according to clause 34, wherein the two adjacent display facets are two adjacent polyhedral facets.

[0042] Clause 37: A transformable display device as described in Clause 36, wherein the joint between two adjacent polyhedrons includes at least one substrate, i.e., at least one substrate forms a living hinge, and at least two image segments imprinted on at least one substrate are split along the joint.

[0043] Clause 38: A variant display device according to any one of clauses 34 to 37, wherein at least two image segments are taken from a common set of image segments and comprise portions of the same graphic image.

[0044] Clause 39: A transformable display device according to any one of clauses 34 to 38, wherein at least two image segments are taken from different sets of image segments and comprise portions of different graphic images.

[0045] Clause 40: A modified display device according to any one of clauses 34 to 39, wherein two adjacent display facets form at least a portion of one of the planar display surfaces.

[0046] Clause 41: A modified display device according to any one of clauses 34 to 40, wherein two adjacent facets form parts of different planar display surfaces.

[0047] Clause 42: A modified display device described in any one of clauses 31 to 41, wherein the plurality of substrates comprises 24 substrates imprinted with at least 12 sets of image segments.

[0048] Clause 43: A modified display device described in any one of clauses 31 to 42, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the sets of image segments is imprinted on a separate substrate applied to non-adjacent facets.

[0049] Clause 44: A modified display device according to clause 43, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the sets of image segments is imprinted on a common substrate that is applied to adjacent facets.

[0050] Clause 45: A modified display device described in any one of clauses 26 to 44, wherein in at least one of the display configurations, four of the plurality of polyhedrons form a non-square diamond-shaped planar display surface comprising adjacent coplanar facets of the four polyhedrons.

[0051] Clause 46: A modified display device described in any one of clauses 26 to 45, wherein in at least one of the display configurations, at least two of the plurality of polyhedrons form a square, planar display surface comprising adjacent, coplanar facets of at least two polyhedrons.

[0052] Clause 47: A modified display device described in any one of clauses 26 to 47, wherein in at least one of the display configurations, at least two of the plurality of polyhedrons form a non-square rectangular planar display surface comprising adjacent coplanar facets of at least two polyhedrons.

[0053] Clause 48: A modified display device described in any one of clauses 26 to 48, wherein in at least one of the display configurations, six of the plurality of polyhedrons form a hexagonal display surface with adjacent coplanar facets of the six polyhedrons.

[0054] Clause 49: A modified display device described in any one of clauses 26 to 48, wherein in at least one of the display configurations, eight of the plurality of polyhedrons form a triangular planar display surface comprising adjacent coplanar facets of the eight polyhedrons.

[0055] Clause 50: A transformable display device according to any one of clauses 26 to 49, wherein the plurality of polyhedrons comprises 12 polyhedrons arranged in a continuous loop and / or chain.

[0056] Clause 51: A transformable display device according to clause 50, wherein the plurality of polyhedra comprises a plurality of different geometric shapes arranged in an alternating order.

[0057] Clause 52: A transformable display device according to clause 51, wherein the plurality of polyhedra comprises two different geometric shapes arranged in an alternating order.

[0058] Clause 53: Each of the polyhedra is 1 unit, the square root of 2 units (

number

number

[0059] Clause 54: Each of the polyhedra is one-half of the square root of 2 (

number

number

number

[0060] Clause 55: A transformable display device according to any one of clauses 26 to 54, wherein each of the polyhedrons is a tetrahedron.

[0061] Clause 56: A modified display device described in any one of clauses 26 to 55, wherein the display configuration of multiple polyhedra includes an arrangement of multiple polyhedra of different geometric shapes, and the planar display surface formed in each of the display configurations includes the outer outermost surfaces of the geometric shapes.

[0062] Clause 57: A transformable display device as described in clause 56, wherein at least one of the display configurations includes arranging a plurality of polyhedrons into a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0063] Clause 58: A modified display device according to clause 56 or 57, wherein at least one of the display configurations comprises an arrangement of a plurality of cuboid polyhedrons.

[0064] Clause 59: A transformable display device according to any one of clauses 56 to 58, wherein at least one of the display configurations comprises an arrangement of a plurality of polyhedra in two adjacent pyramids.

[0065] Clause 60: A transformable display device according to clause 59, wherein two adjacent pyramids are arranged with their respective faces in abutting engagement.

[0066] Clause 61: A transformable display device as described in clause 59, wherein two adjacent pyramids are hingedly connected along their respective sides.

[0067] Clause 62: A transformable display device according to any one of clauses 56 to 61, wherein the display configuration comprises an arrangement of multiple polyhedra of the same geometric shape.

[0068] Clause 63: A transformable display device according to any one of clauses 56 to 61, wherein the display configuration comprises an arrangement of a plurality of polyhedra of different geometric shapes.

[0069] Clause 64: A modified 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.

[0070] Clause 65: A transformable display device according to clause 64, wherein at least two planar display surfaces are non-parallel.

[0071] Clause 66: A modified display device according to clause 64, wherein at least two planar display surfaces are coplanar.

[0072] Clause 67: A transformable display device described in any one of clauses 26 to 66, wherein each of the plurality of polyhedrons has at least one magnet arranged in proximity to at least one facet thereof, the magnet being configured to stabilize the plurality of polyhedrons in a display configuration.

[0073] Clause 68: A transformable display device as described in Clause 67, wherein each of the plurality of polyhedrons comprises at least one magnet positioned adjacent to all of its facets.

[0074] Clause 69: A transformable display device according to clause 67 or 68, wherein at least one magnet in each polyhedron has an opposite polarity to at least one magnet in each adjacent polyhedron.

[0075] Clause 70: A transformable display device described in any one of clauses 26 to 69, wherein the plurality of polyhedrons comprises a foldable substrate having a plurality of facets connected to each other and configured to form the plurality of polyhedrons.

[0076] Clause 71: A method for making a deformable 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 having the partial image segments of the at least two different graphic images; and applying the graphic surface treatment to the deformable display device described in any one of clauses 26 to 70 so that, in a first display configuration, adjacent coplanar facets of a plurality of polyhedrons form a first planar display surface having consecutive partial image segments of the first graphic image, and in a second display configuration, adjacent coplanar facets of a plurality of polyhedrons form a second planar display surface having consecutive partial image segments of the second graphic image.

[0077] Clause 72: A method for making a deformable display device described in any one of clauses 26 to 70, 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 having 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 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 deformable 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.

[0078] Clause 73: A method for making a transformable display device, 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 having the partial image segments of the at least two different graphic images; and applying the graphic surface treatment to the transformable display device described in any one of Clauses 26 to 70, wherein each partial image segment of the first graphic image is mapped to a facet of a first planar display surface and 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 comprises 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. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0079] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with reference to the following drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. [Figure 1A] 1A and 1B illustrate schematic surface features of a modified display device according to an example of the present disclosure. [Figure 1B] 1B shows a schematic diagram of the geometric configuration of the polyhedron of the deformed display device of FIG. 1A. [Figure 1C] A legend for interpreting the line patterns shown in Figure 1B is provided. [Figure 2] 10A-10C illustrate schematic diagrams of surface features of a modified display device incorporating magnetic features according to an example of the present disclosure. [Figure 3A] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a planar display surface according to an example of the present disclosure. [Figure 3B] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a planar display surface according to an example of the present disclosure. [Figure 3C] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a planar display surface according to an example of the present disclosure. [Figure 3D] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a planar display surface according to an example of the present disclosure. [Figure 3E] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a planar display surface according to an example of the present disclosure. [Figure 3F] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a planar display surface according to an example of the present disclosure. [Figure 3G] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a planar display surface according to an example of the present disclosure. [Figure 3H] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a planar display surface according to an example of the present disclosure. [Figure 3I] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a planar display surface according to an example of the present disclosure. [Figure 3J] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a planar display surface according to an example of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates a transforming display device configurable between different display configurations according to an example of the present disclosure. [Figure 5A] 5 shows a schematic diagram of a graphic surface treatment that can be applied to the modified display device of FIG. 4. [Figure 5B] 5B shows a schematic diagram of a flat display surface formed with the graphic surface process of FIG. 5A. [Figure 5C] 5B shows a schematic diagram of a flat display surface formed with the graphic surface process of FIG. 5A. [Figure 5D] 5B shows a schematic diagram of a flat display surface formed with the graphic surface process of FIG. 5A. [Figure 5E] 5B shows a schematic diagram of a flat display surface formed with the graphic surface process of FIG. 5A. [Figure 5F] 5B shows a schematic diagram of a flat display surface formed with the graphic surface process of FIG. 5A. [Figure 6] 10 illustrates a transforming display device configurable between different display configurations according to another example of the present disclosure. [Figure 7A] 7 shows a schematic diagram of a graphic surface treatment that can be applied to the modified display device of FIG. 6. [Figure 7B]7B shows a schematic diagram of a flat display surface formed with the graphic surface process of FIG. 7A. [Figure 7C] 7B shows a schematic diagram of a flat display surface formed with the graphic surface process of FIG. 7A. [Figure 7D] 7B shows a schematic diagram of a flat display surface formed with the graphic surface process of FIG. 7A. [Figure 7E] 7B shows a schematic diagram of a flat display surface formed with the graphic surface process of FIG. 7A. [Figure 8] 10 illustrates a transforming display device configurable between different display configurations according to yet another example of the present disclosure. [Figure 9A] 9 shows a schematic diagram of a graphic surface treatment that can be applied to the modified display device of FIG. 8. [Figure 9B] 9B shows a schematic diagram of a flat display surface formed with the graphic surface process of FIG. 9A. [Figure 9C] 9B shows a schematic diagram of a flat display surface formed with the graphic surface process of FIG. 9A. [Figure 9D] 9B shows a schematic diagram of a flat display surface formed with the graphic surface process of FIG. 9A. [Figure 10A] 1 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example of the present disclosure. [Figure 10B] 10B shows a flowchart of further steps of the method of FIG. 10A. [Figure 10C] 10B shows a flowchart of further steps of the method of FIG. 10A. [Figure 11] 10A-10C illustrate substrates for use in the method of FIGS. 10A-10C according to an example of the present disclosure. [Figure 12A] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a polyhedron geometric configuration of one or more deformed display devices according to an example of the present disclosure. [Figure 12B] A legend for interpreting the line patterns shown in FIG. 12A is provided. [Figure 12C] 12B schematically illustrates surface features of a deformed display device incorporating the polyhedron of FIG. 12A, according to an example of the present disclosure. [Figure 12D]12B schematically illustrates surface features of a deformed display device incorporating the polyhedron of FIG. 12A, according to an example of the present disclosure. [Figure 12E] 12B schematically illustrates surface features of a deformed display device incorporating the polyhedron of FIG. 12A, according to an example of the present disclosure. [Figure 12F] 12B schematically illustrates surface features of a deformed display device incorporating the polyhedron of FIG. 12A, according to an example of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0080] 1A-12F, the following disclosure is generally directed to customizable, transformable display devices and methods for making such devices. The transformable display devices described below address the above-mentioned shortcomings in conventional display devices by providing a display device that can be physically manipulated into different display configurations having different shapes and providing different display surfaces for showing different portions of a visual media applied to the display device.

[0081] A general introduction is first provided, followed by a detailed description of exemplary embodiments.

[0082] 4-9D, deformable display devices 402, 602, 802 of the type described below with reference to the schematic diagrams of Figures 4-9D and 1A-1C can be physically manipulated to achieve various display configurations in which a plurality of polyhedra connected by joints form a geometric shape having one or more external planar display surfaces consisting of at least two adjacent coplanar facets of the polyhedra. Such planar display surfaces are particularly suitable for projecting graphic images, such as drawings, pictures, or photographs, distributed across the facets forming each of the planar display surfaces.

[0083] In this way, one or more physical graphic surface treatments consisting of sets of different graphic image segments (sub-image segments) can be applied to some or all of the facets 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144 of multiple polyhedra 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128. As the transforming display device 102 is manipulated into various different display configurations (e.g., having different overall geometric shapes), the facets 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144 of the different polyhedra 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 having one or more graphic surface treatments applied, i.e., the display facets, are positioned differently relative to one another. Once a display configuration is achieved, at least two display facets are positioned adjacent to one another and coplanar to form a planar display surface that continuously shows at least one of the graphic images segmented within the at least one graphic surface treatment.

[0084] As the transforming display device 102 is further manipulated, the display facets are rearranged relative to one another and image segments formed from one graphic image can be pulled apart or hidden within the geometry of the transforming display device 102 to achieve different geometries that form different planar display surfaces showing different graphic images.

[0085] The present disclosure thus provides an interactive, transformable, transformable display device that can be physically manipulated to show different successive graphic images in a dynamic and engaging manner that provides visual and tactile feedback as different display configurations are achieved and different graphic images are presented sequentially. Furthermore, the transformable display device can be arranged in different three-dimensional geometric shapes and stabilized by optional magnets 210, 212, as described below with reference to FIG. 2. Thus, the transformable display device can be maintained in any one of different display configurations and is suitable for showing any one of the graphic images in a static manner when not manipulated.

[0086] 10A-10C, which utilize the interactive and deformable nature of a deformable display device to provide a deformable display device having display facets imprinted with a plurality of partial image segments taken from a graphic image received from or selected by a third party (e.g., a consumer), for example, that can be manipulated and rearranged as described above to sequentially show the received graphic image.

[0087] According to one example, the graphic images shown by the transforming display device are photographs selected or provided by the consumer, such as personal or family photos. According to another example, the graphic images shown by the transforming display device are photographs, drawings, images, or other graphics directed to a common theme, such as promotional items or collectibles. According to yet another example, the graphic images shown by the transforming display device may be arranged sequentially such that the transforming display device depicts a sequential story or event as the transforming display device is manipulated through different display configurations. Advantageously, the method enables mass customization of transforming display devices. For example, the method can be performed utilizing different graphic images for different consumers.

[0088] A detailed description of exemplary embodiments will now be provided.

[0089] 1A-1C schematically illustrate surface features of an exemplary transformable display device 102 suitable for customization according to the methods of the present disclosure. The transformable display device 102 includes multiple polyhedra 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 connected by joints (e.g., living hinges) 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168 and configurable between different display configurations, as described below. As shown in FIG. 1B, each of the plurality of polyhedrons 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.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 1A , the plurality of polyhedrons 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 includes 12 polyhedrons connected to one another by joints in a chain (here, a continuous loop arrangement 104). Each of the polyhedrons 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 may be a solid body, optionally with a cavity formed therein, and may be formed from a thermoplastic polymer (e.g., PLA) or other rigid material. For clarity, the polyhedrons described herein are not limited to completely solid objects. In some embodiments, one or more of the polyhedrons may be hollow (i.e., have a cavity therein) or may have one or more cutouts from its volume. Although an exemplary embodiment comprising 12 polyhedrons is described herein, the transformable display devices and methods are not limited to 12 polyhedrons. Indeed, the transformable display devices of the present disclosure can include 24 or other numbers of polyhedrons.

[0091] Polyhedra 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 are hinged together in an end-to-end chain configuration, for example, either an open-ended chain or a continuous loop, at joints 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168. It should be understood that joints 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168 may be formed in any suitable configuration to achieve the display configurations described below. According to one example, the joints 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168 may be formed as hinges (eg, living hinges) from one or more graphic surface treatments applied to the transforming display device 102, as described below.

[0092] 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 an adjacent polyhedron. In one such example, the joints 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168 may be formed as flexible polymer strips of the same or similar material as the outer shells of the polyhedrons. 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 fabric) that extend between adjacent polyhedrons and are configured to be secured within the internal cavities of the adjacent polyhedrons.

[0093] In any embodiment, the joints may each exclude a hub.

[0094] By manipulating the polyhedra 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, the transforming display device 102 can be arranged in a number of different display configurations in which multiple polyhedra form geometric shapes with at least one flat or substantially flat exterior or outermost surface composed of adjacent coplanar facets 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144. Figures 4, 6, and 8 show representative display configurations, including one or more cuboid display configurations 608, 808 composed of two hinged parallelepipeds, one or more display configurations 404, 406, 408, 604, 606, 806 composed of two adjacent pyramids 422 hinged along their respective sides, and one or more rectangular parallelepiped display configurations 804. One or more of the display configurations 404, 604, 806 may be comprised of two adjacent pyramids 422 arranged with their respective faces in abutting engagement. It should be understood that the various display configurations described above are exemplary, and that many other display configurations may be achieved depending on the particular geometry of the transformed display device 102.

[0095] 1A-1C, the deformation display device 102 is formed from a continuous loop arrangement 104 of twelve hinged polyhedrons 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, where each polyhedron is a tetrahedron, i.e., a polyhedron with four, e.g., triangular, facets. Each polyhedron 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 is hinged to two adjacent polyhedrons by two of its respective joints 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168. In any embodiment, each polyhedron may have at least four facets.

[0096] Eight of the twelve polyhedra 106, 108, 112, 114, 118, 120, 124, 126 are first-type tetrahedra A1, A2 having a first geometric shape as described in FIGS. 1B and 1C (tetrahedron types A1 and A2 are mirror images of each other). The remaining four polyhedra 110, 116, 122, 128 are second-type tetrahedra having a different second geometric shape as described in FIGS. 1B and 1C (tetrahedron types B1 and B2 are mirror images of each other). As used herein, two or more polyhedra may be polyhedra of a single type (i.e., either the first type or the second type) if they are congruent to each other, regardless of differences in surface treatment. For example, two mirror-image polyhedra may be congruent and therefore both be polyhedra of the first type or the second type.

[0097] The polyhedra 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 are hinged in a repeating alternating sequence of two of the first type, one of the second type, two of the first type, and one of the second type. In other words, if the first type of polyhedrons are represented as types "A1" and "A2" that are mirror images of each other, and the second type of polyhedrons are represented as types "B1" and "B2" that are mirror images of each other, then the polyhedrons 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, and 128 are connected in the following order, starting with polyhedron 106 shown on the left side of Figure 1A: A1, A2, B1, A2, A1, B2, A1, A2, B1, A2, A1, B2. Thus, the deformation display device 102 includes eight first type polyhedrons A1 / A2 and four second type polyhedrons B1 / B2.

[0098] 1B shows the geometric shapes of the first type polyhedrons A1 / A2 and the second type polyhedrons B1 / B2 of the modified display device 102. The relative scale and relationship between the side lengths of each of the first type A1 / A2 and second type B1 / B2 polyhedrons is described in the legend shown in FIG. 1C. The sides shown in the solid line pattern have a length of 1 unit, which may be increased or decreased in different embodiments. Regardless of the numerical value of the solid line pattern unit, the relative relationship between different sides remains constant among different embodiments. In other words, regardless of the numerical value of the solid line pattern length, the sides shown in the dash-dot line pattern have a length of 1 unit.

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[0099] 1B schematically represents the geometry of a first type of polyhedron A1 / A2. As shown, polyhedron A1 / A2 is a tetrahedron with four facets 130, 132, 134, 136 and six sides. The relative lengths of each side are provided in the legend shown in FIG. 4C. Two of the sides have a side length of 1 unit (solid line pattern) and two of the sides have a side length of 1 unit (solid line pattern).

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[0100] 1B also schematically represents the geometry of a second type of polyhedron B1 / B2. As shown, polyhedron B1 / B2 is a tetrahedron with four facets 138, 140, 142, 144 and six sides. The relative lengths of each side are provided in the legend shown in FIG. 1C. Two of the sides have a side length of 1 unit (solid line pattern) and two of the sides have a side length of 1 unit (solid line pattern).

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[0101] In FIG. 1B, when comparing the first polyhedron type A1 / A2 with the second polyhedron type B1 / B2, it is clear that the second facet 132 of the first type polyhedron A1 / A2 is congruent with the second facet 140 and the third facet 142 of the second type polyhedron B1 / B2. This correspondence, together with the other edge relationships of the two types of polyhedra A1 / A2, B1 / B2, as well as the above-described ordered sequence of the first type of polyhedron A1 / A2 and the second type of polyhedron B1 / B2 in the continuous loop arrangement 104 and the arrangement of the joints 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, allows the second facet 132 of one of the first type of polyhedrons A1 / A2 to abut either the second facet 140 or the third facet 142 of one of the second type of polyhedrons B1 / B2, thereby forming a configuration having three orthogonal faces. Such a configuration with three orthogonal faces is useful for building a variety of parallelepiped and pyramidal configurations, such as the display configurations 404, 406, 408, 604, 606, 608, 804, 806, 808 shown in FIGS.

[0102] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates surface features of another exemplary transformable display device 202 incorporating optional magnetic features. As illustrated, the transformable display device 202 is of the same type as the transformable display device 102 described above with reference to FIGS. 1A-1C , although it should be understood that the magnetic features illustrated in FIG. 2 may be applied to transformable display devices having a variety of different geometric configurations. The transformable display device 202 includes twelve polyhedrons 204 of the first type A1 / A2 and the second type B1 / B2 described above. According to one example, each of the polyhedrons 204 includes at least one magnet 210, 212 positioned proximate at least one facet 206, 208 thereof. The magnets 210, 212 are configured to stabilize the polyhedron 204 in various display configurations. The magnets 210, 212 may be arranged and positioned to provide engaging tactile feedback when the transformable display device 202 achieves any one of the various display configurations. As used herein, "magnet" includes both permanent magnets (e.g., ferrite magnets) and temporary magnets (e.g., an iron wafer that has a magnetic field after intimate contact with a permanent magnet).

[0103] One representative, non-limiting polarity arrangement is now described. A magnet 210 represented by a plus sign ("+") in the positive magnetic facet 206 of Figure 2 indicates a magnet 210 having a positive magnetic polarity, and a magnet 212 represented by a minus sign ("-") in the negative magnetic facet 208 indicates a magnet 212 having a negative magnetic polarity. In particular, at least one magnet 210, 212 is provided on each polyhedron 204 in a position and polarity selected to magnetically couple with at least one magnet 212, 210 of opposite polarity positioned on another polyhedron 204, for example, when the transformable display device 202 is manipulated into different display configurations.

[0104] 2 , each of the polyhedrons 204 has at least one positive magnet 210 positioned proximate each positive magnetic facet 206 and one negative magnet 212 positioned proximate each negative magnetic facet 208, i.e., four magnets 210, 212 per polyhedron 204. In the illustrated example, each magnet 210, 212 is embedded in each facet 206, 208, e.g., in a recess formed in the facet itself (either on the exterior or interior surface). In other examples, each magnet 210, 212 may be disposed within an internal cavity of each polyhedron 204 and positioned sufficiently proximate its associated facet 206, 208 such that the magnet's magnetic field extends through the facet 206, 208. For example, in some examples, each magnet 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 cradle, such as a cradle positioned near the vertices of the sides of the polyhedron 204, so that the magnetic field from the magnets 210, 212 extends through two or more facets 206, 208 of the polyhedron 204.

[0105] According to the example of FIG. 2, to facilitate magnetic coupling of the polyhedrons 204, each polyhedron 204 includes magnets 210, 212 all of a single polarity (either "+" or "-"), and adjacent polyhedrons 204 include magnets 212, 210 all of the opposite polarity (either "-" or "+"), alternating across multiple polyhedrons 204, and so on.

[0106] According to an alternative, one or more of the polyhedrons 204 have fewer than four magnets, for example, one, two, or three magnets 210, 212. According to another alternative, each of the polyhedrons 204 may include a single magnet 210, 212 embedded centrally within the polyhedron 204.

[0107] It should be appreciated that magnets 210, 212 may be of any type suitable for stabilizing and maintaining polyhedron 204 in various display configurations, while also allowing for manipulation and repositioning of the polyhedron relative to one another. According to one example, all of magnets 210, 212 are permanent magnets that generate a constant magnetic field even in the absence of an induced magnetic field or current. According to another example, some of magnets 210, 212 may be temporary magnets that exhibit magnetic properties only when placed in proximity to an induced magnetic field, such as that provided by a permanent magnet or current.

[0108] 3A-3J schematically illustrate various exemplary planar display surfaces, each comprising adjacent coplanar facets of at least two polyhedra. Planar display surfaces 302, 312, 322, 328, 334, 340, 350, 360, 366, 380 can be achieved by manipulating the transforming display device 102 described above with reference to FIGS. 1A-1C into different display configurations. It should be understood that Figures 3A-3J show the side lengths of the facets forming the planar display surfaces 302, 312, 322, 328, 334, 340, 350, 360, 366, 380 in the same pattern shown in the legend of Figure 1C, and therefore that the planar display surfaces 302, 312, 322, 328, 334, 340, 350, 360, 366, 380 shown in Figures 3A-3J have relative dimensions that can be determined in accordance with the legend shown in Figure 1C.

[0109] 3A shows a large square planar display surface 302 made up of four adjacent coplanar display facets 304, 306, 308, 310 of four of a plurality of polyhedra. The large square planar display surface 302 has four sides indicated with a dash-dot pattern indicating that the sides of the planar display surface 302 all have a length equal to two units.

[0110] 3B shows a first medium-sized square flat display surface 312 made up of four adjacent coplanar display facets 314, 316, 318, 320 of four of the polyhedra.

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[0111] As used herein, a "medium" planar display surface modified 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 on the same modified display device. A "small" planar display surface has a smaller surface area than another planar display surface of the same or similar shape on the same modified display device. A "large" planar display surface has a larger surface area than another planar display surface of the same or similar shape on the same modified display device.

[0112] 3C shows a second medium-sized square flat display surface 322 made up of two adjacent coplanar display facets 324, 326 of two of the polyhedra.

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[0113] 3D shows a small square planar display surface 328 made up of two adjacent coplanar display facets 330, 332 of two of the polyhedra. The small square planar display surface 328 has four sides shown with a solid line pattern indicating that the sides of the planar display surface 328 all have a length equal to one unit.

[0114] 3E shows a small non-square rectangular flat display surface 334 made up of two adjacent coplanar display facets 336, 338 of two of the polyhedra. The small rectangular flat display surface 334 has two opposing sides shown with a solid line pattern and two opposing sides shown with a dashed line pattern, with the sides of the flat display surface 334 extending 1 unit and 338 respectively.

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[0115] 3F shows a large non-square rectangular flat display surface 340 composed of four adjacent coplanar display facets 342, 344, 346, 348 of four of the polyhedra. The large rectangular flat display surface 340 has two opposing sides shown in a dashed line pattern and two opposing sides composed of two side lengths shown in a solid line pattern, where the sides of the flat display surface 340 are respectively

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[0116] 3G shows a non-square diamond-shaped flat display surface 350 composed of four of the polyhedra, four adjacent coplanar display facets 352, 354, 356, 358. Diamond-shaped flat display surface 350 has four sides indicated with a dash-dot pattern indicating that the sides of flat display surface 350 all have lengths equal to two units.

[0117] 3H shows an hourglass-shaped planar display surface 360 ​​comprised of two adjacent coplanar display facets 362, 364 of two of a plurality of polyhedra that meet at a single point. The hourglass-shaped planar display surface 360 ​​has two opposing sides shown with a dash-dot pattern indicating that the opposing sides of the planar display surface 360 ​​have lengths equal to two units, and the intersecting sides of the planar display surface 360 ​​are

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[0118] 31 shows a hexagonal planar display surface 366 made up of six adjacent coplanar display facets 368, 370, 372, 374, 376, 378 of six of the polyhedra. The hexagonal planar display surface 366 has two opposing sides in a dash-dot pattern and two sets of opposing sides in a dash-dot pattern, with the sides of the planar display surface 366 extending 2 units and 370, respectively.

number

[0119] 3J shows a triangular planar display surface 380 composed of eight adjacent coplanar display facets 382, ​​384, 386, 388, 390, 392, 394, 396 of eight of the polyhedra. The triangular planar display surface 380 has two sides each composed of two side lengths shown with a dash-dotted line pattern and one side composed of four side lengths shown with a solid line pattern, indicating that the sides of the planar display surface 380 all have lengths equal to four units (i.e., two units times two and one unit times four) to form an equilateral triangle.

[0120] 4 illustrates an exemplary deformable display device 402 according to one example of the present disclosure. According to this example, the deformable display device 402 has the same structure and geometry as the deformable display device 102 described above with reference to FIGS. 1A-1C. As shown, the deformable display device 402 is configurable between different display configurations 404, 406, 408 corresponding to the geometries in which one or more planar display surfaces 410, 412, 414 are formed. The deformable display device 402 has graphic surface treatments, as described below with reference to FIGS. 5A-5F.

[0121] More specifically, the transforming display device 402 is configurable into at least one display configuration 404 consisting of two hinged triangles or pyramids 422 arranged with their respective faces in abutting engagement, thus forming a non-square diamond-shaped planar display surface 410 that continuously displays a first graphic image 416. The transforming display device 402 is also configurable into at least one display configuration 406 in which the two hinged pyramids 422 are rotated apart about their hinge connection to form a hexagonal planar display surface 412 that continuously displays a second graphic image 418. The transforming display device 402 is further configurable into at least one display configuration 408 in which the two hinged pyramids 422 are rotated apart about their hinge connection to form a triangular planar display surface 414 that continuously displays a third graphic image 420.

[0122] 5A-5F schematically illustrate an exemplary physical graphic surface processing 501 that may be applied to a deforming display device, including the deforming display device 402 shown in FIG. 4, which sequentially displays multiple graphic images 416, 418, 420 within a planar display surface 410, 412, 414, as described above.

[0123] Figure 5A schematically illustrates a graphic surface treatment 501 as may be applied to each of the display facets distributed among multiple facets of each of the polyhedra of the deformed display device 402. Figures 5B-5F schematically illustrate possible planar display surfaces 503, 511, 515, 516, 517, 518, 531, 532, 533, 534, 555, 556 sequentially showing up to twelve graphic images 504, 512, 519, 522, 525, 528, 535, 540, 545, 550, 557, 566.

[0124] 5A , graphic surface processing 501 presents a plurality of sets of partial image segments (described below) formed by dividing each of graphic images 504, 512, 519, 522, 525, 528, 535, 540, 545, 550, 557, 566 into at least two portions corresponding to the display facets forming planar display surface 503, 511, 515, 516, 517, 518, 531, 532, 533, 534, 555, 556. Each image segment includes a portion of one of graphic images 504, 512, 519, 522, 525, 528, 535, 540, 545, 550, 557, 566. 5A-5F, the image segments formed from each of the graphic images 504, 512, 519, 522, 525, 528, 535, 540, 545, 550, 557, 566 are provided with a surface pattern that is unique to the respective graphic image 504, 512, 519, 522, 525, 528, 535, 540, 545, 550, 557, 566. Accordingly, FIGS. 5A-5F illustrate the spatial relationships between the various image segments of each set when divided on the graphic surface treatment 501 when applied to facets of the transformed display device 402 in the loop arrangement 104 shown in FIG. 1A, and when positioned adjacent to and coplanar with one another within the planar display surface 503, 511, 515, 516, 517, 518, 531, 532, 533, 534, 555, 556.

[0125] It should be understood that the surface patterns shown in Figures 5A-5F are provided to facilitate illustration and understanding of the spatial relationships between the image segments within each set. According to one example, at least a portion of the image segments shown in Figures 5A-5F are partial image segments converted from a complete graphic image and / or combined to form a fused graphic image comprised of different, non-repeating partial image segments. According to a particular example, all of the partial image segments are different and non-repeating. In other words, some or all of the partial image segments of a graphic image are non-repeating and do not exhibit a repetitive pattern or a portion of a pattern that may form a repetitive chain of pattern units. Figure 4 provides examples of graphic images 416, 418, 420 comprised of different, non-repeating partial image segments.

[0126] As shown in FIG. 5B, graphic surface processing 501 is configured such that a first graphic image 504, comprised of a set of image segments 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, is sequentially displayed within a hexagonal flat display surface 503 corresponding to the hexagonal flat display surface 412 formed in the two-pyramid display configuration 406 shown in FIG. 4 and the hexagonal flat display surface 366 shown in FIG. 3I.

[0127] As shown in Figure 5C, graphic surface processing 501 is configured such that second graphic image 512, comprised of a set of image segments 513, 514, is successively displayed within hourglass-shaped planar display surface 511, which corresponds to hourglass-shaped planar display surface 360 ​​shown in Figure 3H. According to one example, hourglass-shaped planar display surface 511 can be formed when deformable display device 402 is in another two-pyramid display configuration of the same shape as two-pyramid display configuration 406 shown in Figure 4. In other words, the geometry of two-pyramid display configuration 406 can be achieved through different deformations or rearrangements of the polyhedrons of deformable display device 402, and thus different planar display surfaces of the same size and shape can be formed.

[0128] 5D , graphic surface processing 501 is configured such that third graphic image 519 consisting of a set of image segments 520, 521, fourth graphic image 522 consisting of a set of image segments 523, 524, fifth graphic image 525 consisting of a set of image segments 526, 527, and sixth graphic image 528 consisting of a set of image segments 529, 530 are sequentially displayed within respective small square planar display surfaces 515, 516, 517, 518 that correspond to small square planar display surface 328 shown in FIG. 3D . According to one example, small square planar display surfaces 515, 516, 517, 518 are formed as the top and bottom surfaces of a cuboid display configuration of transformed display device 402, with two small square planar display surfaces 515, 516, 517, 518 positioned side-by-side and flush with each other on the top and bottom surfaces of the cuboid. Additionally, the cuboid may consist of two smaller cuboids hinged together.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 5E, graphic surface processing 501 is configured such that seventh graphic image 535 consisting of a set of image segments 536, 537, 538, 539, eighth graphic image 540 consisting of a set of image segments 541, 542, 543, 544, ninth graphic image 545 consisting of a set of image segments 546, 547, 548, 549, and tenth graphic image 550 consisting of a set of image segments 551, 552, 553, 554 are sequentially displayed within respective non-square diamond-shaped planar display surfaces 531, 532, 533, 534 corresponding to non-square diamond-shaped planar display surface 410 formed in abutting pyramid display configuration 404 shown in FIG. 4 and non-square diamond-shaped planar display surface 350 shown in FIG. 3G. According to one example, non-square diamond-shaped planar display surfaces 531, 532, 533, 534 may be formed when deformable display device 402 is in one of a plurality of abutting pyramid display configurations that are the same shape as abutting pyramid display configuration 404 shown in Figure 4. In other words, the geometry of the abutting pyramid display configuration can be achieved through different deformations or rearrangements of the polyhedrons of deformable display device 402, and thus different planar display surfaces of the same size and shape can be formed.

[0130] As shown in Figure 5F, graphic surface processing 501 is configured such that an eleventh graphic image 557 comprised of the set of image segments 558, 559, 560, 561, 562, 563, 564, 565 and a twelfth graphic image 566 comprised of the set of image segments 567, 568, 569, 570, 571, 572, 573, 574 are sequentially displayed within respective triangular planar display surfaces 555, 556, which correspond to triangular planar display surface 414 formed in two-pyramid display configuration 408 shown in Figure 4 and triangular planar display surface 380 shown in Figure 3J. According to one example, the triangular planar display surface may be formed when transforming display device 402 is in one of a plurality of two-pyramid display configurations having the same shape as two-pyramid display configuration 408 shown in Figure 4. In other words, the geometry of the two-pyramid display configuration can be achieved by different deformations or rearrangements of the polyhedrons of the deformation display device 402, thus forming different planar display surfaces of the same shape and size.

[0131] According to one example, the graphic surface treatment 501 may include a decal, an adhesive label, a printed layer of ink, a printed layer of paint, a printed layer of dye, etching, engraving, embossing, or stamping.

[0132] According to another example, the graphic surface treatment 501 may include, for example, one or more decals or adhesive labels disposed on the substrate 502 .

[0133] According to the example shown in FIGS. 5A-5F, a graphic surface treatment 501 includes an image segment corresponding to all of the facets of a plurality of polyhedrons of the deformation display device 402 and is applied to each of the facets. Thus, each of the plurality of facets of each polyhedron is a display facet that exhibits an image segment. It should be understood that the graphic surface treatment 501 may be distributed over the plurality of facets of the polyhedrons of the deformation display device 402 such that not all facets have the graphic surface treatment 501 applied. For example, the graphic surface treatment 501 may include fewer graphic images, such that some of the facets of the plurality of polyhedrons may remain blank. According to another example, each polyhedron includes at least one display facet to which the graphic surface treatment 501 is applied.

[0134] Graphic surface treatment 501 is shown in FIG. 5A as a single, contiguous arrangement of image segments. However, in any embodiment, graphic surface treatment 501 may include multiple graphic surface treatment portions, such as a first graphic surface treatment portion having at least one partial image segment of a first graphic image and a second graphic surface treatment portion having at least one partial image segment of a (different) second graphic image. Each graphic surface treatment portion may extend across one, two, or more facets. Any graphic surface treatment portion extending across two or more facets may form a joint, e.g., a living hinge.

[0135] According to the example of Figures 4-5F, the transforming display device 402 is configurable between nine different display configurations (i.e., one cuboid display configuration, four abutting pyramid display configurations 404, two two-pyramid display configurations 406, and two two-pyramid display configurations 408), forming twelve planar display surfaces 503, 511, 515, 516, 517, 518, 531, 532, 533, 534, 555, 556 such that twelve graphic images 504, 512, 519, 522, 525, 528, 535, 540, 545, 550, 557, 566 can be successively displayed through manipulation and rearrangement of the transforming display device 402.

[0136] Thus, the graphic surface process 501 allows multiple graphic images (here 12) to be divided into sub-image segments, distributed across the graphic surface process, and applied to a deformed display device so that a consecutive portion of each image is displayed on each planar display surface.

[0137] 6 illustrates a deformable display device 602 according to another example of the present disclosure. According to this example, the deformable display device 602 has the same structure and geometry as the deformable display device 102 described above with reference to FIGS. 1A-1C. As shown, the deformable display device 602 is configurable between different display configurations 604, 606, 608 corresponding to the geometries in which one or more planar display surfaces 610, 612, 614 are formed. The deformable display device 602 has graphic surface treatments, as described below with reference to FIGS. 7A-7E.

[0138] More particularly, the transforming display device 602 is configurable into at least one display configuration 604 consisting of two hinged pyramids 422 (shown in FIG. 4 ) arranged with their respective faces in abutting engagement, thus forming a non-square diamond-shaped planar display surface 610 that continuously displays a first graphic image 616. The transforming display device 602 is also configurable into at least one display configuration 606 in which the two hinged pyramids are rotated apart about their hinge connection to form a large square planar display surface 612 that continuously displays a second graphic image 618.

[0139] The transforming display device 602 is further configurable into at least one cuboid display configuration 608 forming a large non-square cuboid display surface 614 that continuously shows a third graphic image 620. The cuboid may be made up of two smaller hinged cuboids.

[0140] Figures 7A-7E schematically illustrate graphic surface processing 701 that may be applied to a deformable display device, including the deformable display device 602 shown in Figure 6, which, as described above, successively displays multiple graphic images 616, 618, 620 within planar display surfaces 610, 612, 614. Figure 7A schematically illustrates graphic surface processing 701 as may be applied to each of the display facets distributed among multiple facets of each of the polyhedra of the deformable display device 602. 7B-7E show schematic diagrams of possible planar display surfaces 703, 704, 715, 716, 727, 728, 729, 730, 751, 752, 753, 754 sequentially showing up to twelve graphic images 705, 710, 717, 722, 731, 736, 741, 746, 755, 760, 765, 770.

[0141] 7A , graphic surface processing 701 presents a plurality of sets of partial image segments (described below) formed by dividing each of graphic images 710, 712, 718, 720, 730, 732, 734, 736, 746, 748, 750, 752 into a plurality of partial image segments corresponding to display facets forming planar display surface 706, 708, 714, 716, 722, 724, 726, 728, 738, 740, 742, 744. Each image segment includes a portion of one of graphic images 710, 712, 718, 720, 730, 732, 734, 736, 746, 748, 750, 752. As shown in Figures 7A-7E, the image segments formed from each of the graphic images 710, 712, 718, 720, 730, 732, 734, 736, 746, 748, 750, 770 are provided with a surface pattern that is unique to the respective graphic image 705, 710, 717, 722, 731, 736, 741, 746, 755, 760, 765, 770. Accordingly, Figures 7A-7E illustrate the spatial relationships between the various image segments of each set when divided on the graphic surface treatment 701 when applied to facets of the transformed display device 602 in the loop arrangement 104 shown in Figure 1A, and when positioned adjacent to one another and coplanar within the planar display surface 703, 704, 715, 716, 727, 728, 729, 730, 751, 752, 753, 754.

[0142] It should be understood that the surface patterns shown in Figures 7A-7E are provided to facilitate illustration and understanding of the spatial relationships between the image segments within each set. According to one example, at least a portion of the image segments shown in Figures 7A-7E are partial image segments converted from a complete graphic image and / or are partial image segments that are combined to form a fused graphic image comprised of different non-repeating partial image segments. According to a particular example, all of the partial image segments are different and non-repeating. In other words, some or all of the partial image segments of a graphic image are non-repeating and do not exhibit a repeating pattern or a portion of a pattern that may form a repeating chain of pattern units. Figure 6 provides examples of graphic images 616, 618, 620 comprised of different non-repeating partial image segments.

[0143] Graphic surface treatment 701 is shown as an arrangement of graphic surface treatment portions, e.g., a first graphic surface treatment portion having at least one sub-image segment of a first graphic image and a second graphic surface treatment portion having at least one sub-image segment of a (different) second graphic image. Each graphic surface treatment portion extends across one facet of Figure 7A. In any embodiment, any graphic surface treatment portion may extend across two or more facets and form a joint, e.g., a living hinge.

[0144] As shown in Figure 7B, graphic surface processing 701 is configured such that a first graphic image 705 comprised of a set of image segments 706, 707, 708, and 709, and a second graphic image 710 comprised of a set of image segments 711, 712, 713, and 714, are successively displayed within respective large square planar display surfaces 703 and 704, which correspond to large square planar display surface 612 formed in two-pyramid display configuration 606 shown in Figure 6 and large square planar display surface 302 shown in Figure 3A. According to one example, large square planar display surfaces 703 and 704 may be formed when deformed display device 602 is in one of a plurality of two-pyramid display configurations having the same shape as two-pyramid display configuration 606 shown in Figure 6. In other words, the geometry of the two-pyramid display configuration can be achieved through different deformations or rearrangements of the polyhedrons of deformed display device 602, and thus different planar display surfaces of the same size and shape can be formed.

[0145] As shown in Figure 7C, graphic surface processing 701 is configured such that a third graphic image 717 comprised of a set of image segments 718, 719, 720, 721 and a fourth graphic image 722 comprised of a set of image segments 723, 724, 725, 726 are sequentially displayed within respective medium-sized square planar display surfaces 715, 716 that correspond to medium-sized square planar display surface 312 shown in Figure 3B. According to one example, medium-sized square planar display surfaces 715, 716 are formed as the top and bottom surfaces of a rectangular parallelepiped display configuration.

[0146] As shown in FIG. 7D , the graphic surface processing 701 is configured such that a fifth graphic image 731 consisting of a set of image segments 732, 733, 734, 735, a sixth graphic image 736 consisting of a set of image segments 737, 738, 739, 740, a seventh graphic image 741 consisting of a set of image segments 742, 743, 744, 745, and an eighth graphic image 746 consisting of a set of image segments 747, 748, 749, 750 are sequentially displayed within respective non-square diamond-shaped planar display surfaces 727, 728, 729, 730 corresponding to the non-square diamond-shaped planar display surface 610 formed in the abutting pyramid display configuration 604 shown in FIG. 6 and the non-square diamond-shaped planar display surface 350 shown in FIG. 3G . According to one example, non-square diamond-shaped planar display surfaces 722, 724, 726, 728 may be formed when the deformable display device 602 is in one of a plurality of abutting pyramid display configurations that are the same shape as the abutting pyramid display configuration 604 shown in Figure 6. In other words, the geometry of the abutting pyramid display configuration can be achieved through different deformations or rearrangements of the polyhedrons of the deformable display device 602, and thus different planar display surfaces of the same size and shape can be formed.

[0147] As shown in FIG. 7E, graphic surface processing 701 is configured such that a ninth graphic image 755 consisting of a set of image segments 756, 757, 758, 759, a tenth graphic image 760 consisting of a set of image segments 761, 762, 763, 764, an eleventh graphic image 765 consisting of a set of image segments 766, 767, 768, 769, and a twelfth graphic image 770 consisting of a set of image segments 771, 772, 773, 774 are sequentially displayed within respective large non-square rectangular planar display surfaces 751, 752, 753, 754 corresponding to large non-square rectangular planar display surface 614 formed in cuboid display configuration 608 shown in FIG. 6 and large non-square rectangular planar display surface 340 shown in FIG. 3F. According to one example, when the deformable display device 602 is in one of a plurality of cuboid display configurations of the same shape as the cuboid display configuration 608 shown in FIG. 6 , 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 through different deformations or rearrangements of the polyhedrons of the deformable display device 602, thus forming different planar display surfaces of the same size and shape. According to one example, the cuboid display configuration 608 is formed from two smaller hinged cuboids. The four large non-square cuboid display surfaces 738, 740, 742, 744 can include two sets of opposing sides of a rectangle formed when the smaller cuboids are rotated relative to each other between two abutting positions.

[0148] 7A can include a plurality of graphic surface treatment portions carried on a substrate 775 having sets of image segments imprinted thereon, which are then applied to the display facets of the transforming display device 602. The substrate 775 may be cut from a common stock substrate 702. According to this example, the plurality of substrates 775 includes a plurality of decals or adhesive labels configured to be adhered to the display facets. According to a particular example, the graphic surface treatment 701 can include 24 substrates 775 having 12 sets of image segments imprinted thereon.

[0149] As shown, any one of the substrates 775 can have two or more image segments imprinted thereon, and the substrate 775 can be applied to two adjacent display facets of two adjacent polyhedrons of the deformed display device 602. In other words, the substrate 775 can be configured to bridge the joint between the two adjacent polyhedrons. As shown in FIG. 7B , the image segments 706, 707 imprinted on one of the substrates 775 can be taken from a common set of image segments, include portions of the same graphic image 705, and thus form a portion of one of the planar display surfaces 703. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B , the graphic image 705 is composed of a set of image segments 706, 707, 708, 709 imprinted on two separate substrates 775 (two image segments per substrate 775) that are applied to non-adjacent display facets when the deformed display device 602 is in the loop configuration 104 shown in FIG. 1A .

[0150] According to one example, one or more of the substrates 775 can incorporate joints 776, e.g., living hinges, that form at least a portion of the structure of the joints 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 160, 162, 164, 166, and 168 of the transformable display device 102 described above with reference to FIGS. 1A-1C. Thus, a joint between adjacent polyhedrons to which a substrate 775 is applied can include the substrate 775 itself, alone or in combination with other structures. According to another example, a joint between adjacent polyhedrons comprises two substrates 775 applied to opposing, adjacent display facets of the two adjacent polyhedrons. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B , image segments 706, 707, 708, and 709 imprinted on a substrate 775 incorporating a joint 776 can be split along the joint 776.

[0151] According to the example of Figures 6-7E, the transformable display device 602 is configurable between nine different display configurations (i.e., one rectangular parallelepiped display configuration, four abutting pyramid display configurations 604, two two-pyramid display configurations 606, and two cuboid display configurations 608), and 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 successively displayed through manipulation and rearrangement of the transformable display device 602.

[0152] 8 illustrates a transformable display device 802 according to one example of the present disclosure. According to this example, the transformable display device 802 has the same structure and geometry as the transformable display device 102 described above with reference to FIGS. 1A-1C. As shown, the transformable display device 802 is configurable between different display configurations 804, 806, 808 corresponding to the geometries in which one or more planar display surfaces 810, 812, 814, 816 are formed. The transformable display device 802 has graphic surface treatments, as described below with reference to FIGS. 9A-9D.

[0153] More specifically, the transforming display device 802 is configurable into at least one rectangular parallelepiped display configuration 804 forming a medium-sized square planar display surface 810 that continuously displays a first graphic image 818. The transforming display device 802 is further configurable into at least one display configuration 806 consisting of two hinged pyramids 422 (shown in FIG. 4 ) arranged with their respective faces in abutting engagement, thus forming a non-square diamond-shaped planar display surface 812 that continuously displays a second graphic image 820. The transforming display device 802 is configurable into at least one cuboid display configuration 808 forming a first small non-square rectangular planar display surface 814 that continuously displays a third graphic image 822 and a second small non-square rectangular planar display surface 816 that continuously displays a fourth graphic image 824.

[0154] 9A-9D illustrate schematically a graphic surface treatment 901 that may be applied to a deformable display device, including the deformable display device 802 shown in FIG. 8, which successively displays multiple graphic images 818, 820, 822, 824 within planar display surfaces 810, 812, 814, 816, as described above. FIG. 9A illustrates schematically such a graphic surface treatment 901 that may be applied to each of the display facets distributed among multiple facets of each of the polyhedra of the deformable display device 802. 9B-9D schematically illustrate possible planar display surfaces 904, 905, 906, 907, 908, 909, 932, 933, 934, 935, 956, 957, 958, 959, 960, 961, 962, 963 sequentially showing up to 18 graphic images 910, 913, 916, 921, 924, 927, 936, 941, 946, 951, 964, 967, 970, 973, 976, 979, 982, 985.

[0155] As shown in FIG. 9A , graphic surface processing 901 presents multiple sets of image segments (described below) formed by dividing each of graphic images 910, 913, 916, 921, 924, 927, 936, 941, 946, 951, 964, 967, 970, 973, 976, 979, 982, 985 into multiple portions corresponding to display facets forming 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 portion of one of the graphic images 910, 913, 916, 921, 924, 927, 936, 941, 946, 951, 964, 967, 970, 973, 976, 979, 982, 985. As shown in Figures 9A-9D, the image segments formed from each of the graphic images 910, 913, 916, 921, 924, 927, 936, 941, 946, 951, 964, 967, 970, 973, 976, 979, 982, 985 are provided with a surface pattern that is unique to the respective graphic image 910, 913, 916, 921, 924, 927, 936, 941, 946, 951, 964, 967, 970, 973, 976, 979, 982, 985. 9A-9D thus show the spatial relationships between the various image segments of each set when divided on the graphic surface treatment 901 when applied to the facets of the transformed display device 802 in the loop arrangement 104 shown in FIG. 1A, and when positioned adjacent to each other and coplanar within the planar display surface 904, 905, 906, 907, 908, 909, 932, 933, 934, 935, 956, 957, 958, 959, 960, 961, 962, 963.

[0156] It should be understood that the surface patterns shown in Figures 9A-9D are provided to facilitate illustration and understanding of the spatial relationships between the image segments within each set. According to one example, at least a portion of the image segments shown in Figures 9A-9D are partial image segments converted from a complete graphic image and / or combined to form a fused graphic image comprised of different, non-repeating partial image segments. According to a particular example, all of the partial image segments are different and non-repeating. In other words, some or all of the partial image segments of a graphic image are non-repeating and do not exhibit a repeating pattern or a portion of a pattern that may form a repeating chain of pattern units. Figure 8 provides examples of graphic images 818, 820, 822, 824 comprised of different, non-repeating partial image segments.

[0157] As shown in FIG. 9B , the graphic surface processing 901 is configured such that a first graphic image 910 consisting of a set of image segments 911, 912, a second graphic image 913 consisting of a set of image segments 914, 915, a third graphic image 916 consisting of a set of image segments 917, 918, 919, 920, a fourth graphic image 921 consisting of a set of image segments 922, 923, a fifth graphic image 924 consisting of a set of image segments 925, 926, and a sixth graphic image 927 consisting of a set of image segments 928, 929, 930, 931 are sequentially displayed within each of the medium-sized square planar display surfaces 904, 905, 906, 907, 908, 909. The four medium square planar display surfaces 904, 905, 907, and 908 correspond to the medium square planar display surface 810 formed on the front of the rectangular parallelepiped display configuration 804 shown in Figure 8 and the medium square planar display surface 322 shown in Figure 3C. Two of the medium square planar display surfaces 906 and 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 rectangular parallelepiped display configuration 804 shown in Figure 8. According to one example, the medium square planar display surfaces 904, 905, 906, 907, 908, and 909 are formed as six sides of the rectangular parallelepiped display configuration 804 shown in Figure 8. Adjacent sides of the rectangular parallelepiped display configuration 804 are non-parallel to each other.

[0158] As shown in FIG. 9C, the graphic surface processing 901 is configured so that a seventh graphic image 936 consisting of a set of image segments 937, 938, 939, and 940, an eighth graphic image 941 consisting of a set of image segments 942, 943, 944, and 945, a ninth graphic image 946 consisting of a set of image segments 947, 948, 949, and 950, and a tenth graphic image 951 consisting of a set of image segments 952, 953, 954, and 955 are sequentially displayed within respective non-square diamond-shaped planar display surfaces 932, 933, 934, and 935 corresponding to the non-square diamond-shaped planar display surface 812 formed in the abutting pyramid display configuration 806 shown in FIG. 8 and the non-square diamond-shaped planar display surface 350 shown in FIG. 3G. According to one example, non-square diamond-shaped planar display surfaces 932, 933, 934, 935 may be formed when the deformable display device 802 is in one of a plurality of abutting pyramid display configurations that are the same shape as the abutting pyramid display configuration 806 shown in Figure 8. In other words, the geometry of the abutting pyramid display configuration can be achieved through different deformations or rearrangements of the polyhedrons of the deformable display device 802, and thus different planar display surfaces of the same size and shape can be formed.

[0159] As shown in FIG. 9D , the graphic surface processing 901 is configured such that an eleventh graphic image 964 consisting of a set of image segments 965, 966, a twelfth graphic image 967 consisting of a set of image segments 968, 969, a thirteenth graphic image 970 consisting of a set of image segments 971, 972, a fourteenth graphic image 973 consisting of a set of image segments 974, 975, a fifteenth graphic image 976 consisting of a set of image segments 977, 978, a sixteenth graphic image 979 consisting of a set of image segments 980, 981, a seventeenth graphic image 982 consisting of a set of image segments 983, 984, and an eighteenth graphic image 985 consisting of a set of image segments 986, 987 are sequentially displayed within each of the 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 cuboid display configuration 808 shown in Figure 8 and the small non-square rectangular planar display surface 334 shown in Figure 3E. According to one example, the cuboid display configuration 808 is formed from two smaller hinged parallelepipeds. The eight small non-square rectangular planar display surfaces 956, 957, 958, 959, 960, 961, 962, 963 may comprise sides of the two smaller hinged parallelepipeds that are alternately shown when the smaller cuboids are rotated relative to each other between two abutting positions.

[0160] According to one example, the graphic surface treatment 901 can include a plurality of graphic surface treatment portions carried on a substrate 903 having a set of image segments imprinted thereon, which sets of image segments are then applied to the display facets of the transformed display device 802. The substrate 903 may be cut from a common stock substrate 902. According to this example, the plurality of substrates 903 includes a plurality of decals or adhesive labels configured to be adhered to the display facets.

[0161] As shown, any one of the substrates 903 may have two or more image segments imprinted thereon, and the substrates 903 may be applied to two adjacent display facets on one of the multiple polyhedrons. According to the example shown in FIG. 9A , the graphic surface treatment 901 includes 12 substrates 903 applied to each of the respective polyhedrons. Thus, the image segments imprinted on each of the substrates 903 are taken from different sets of image segments and comprise portions of different graphic images. Additionally, adjacent display facets of each polyhedron to which one of the substrates 903 is applied form portions of different planar display surfaces.

[0162] According to the example of Figures 8-9D, the transformable display device 802 is configurable between seven different display configurations (i.e., one rectangular parallelepiped display configuration 804, four abutting pyramid display configurations 806, and two cuboid display configurations 808), forming eighteen planar display surfaces 904, 905, 906, 907, 908, 909, 932, 933, 934, 935, 956, 957, 958, 959, 960, 961, 962, 963 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 successively displayed through manipulation and rearrangement of the transformable display device 802.

[0163] Methods for creating graphic surface treatments, including the examples described above, are now described. Terms used below have the meanings previously defined herein. Advantageously, the methods enable mass customization of transforming display devices, including but not limited to those described above. For example, the following method enables one or more graphic images to be distributed over a graphic surface treatment and applied to a transforming display device such that the transforming display device shows the one or more graphic images on its planar display surface. The methods may be repeated based on different graphic images, for example, performed in a first instance using a graphic image received from a first party (e.g., a first consumer), in a second instance using a different graphic image received from a second party (e.g., a different second consumer), and in n other instances using different graphic images from n different parties.

[0164] The deformed display device provided by the following method may have the geometry of any one of the deformed display devices 102, 202, 402, 602, 802 described above with reference to Figures 1A-9D. However, the following method applies to additional deformed display devices having different geometries.

[0165] FIG. 10A provides a flowchart of a method 1000 for creating a graphic surface treatment and deformation display device according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0166] As shown, method 1000 includes an optional conversion step 1002 in which at least two different graphic images (e.g., digital formats such as different photographs, 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 formation step 1004 in which a physical graphic surface treatment (e.g., one or more decals) having the partial image segments of the at least two different graphic images is formed, and an application step 1006 in which the graphic surface treatment is applied to a transforming display device (e.g., using a jig or workpiece to assist in the application of one or more decals to facets of the transforming display device).

[0167] Consistent with the previous example, a transforming display device to which graphic surface processing is applied comprises a plurality of polyhedra connected by joints and configurable between at least a first display configuration and a second display configuration (optionally a display configuration as described above), wherein in the first display configuration, adjacent coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedra form a first planar display surface (e.g., a diamond-shaped planar display surface), and in the second display configuration, adjacent coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedra form a second planar display surface (e.g., a triangular planar display surface).

[0168] In any embodiment, method 1000 can be performed using 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, or more different graphic images, each of which is mapped to a different planar display surface of a transforming display device. Thus, the number of graphic images and planar display surfaces can be scaled linearly. For example, the steps of method 1000 can be performed using a transforming display device that is configurable between display configurations having 8, 10, or 12 different graphic images and 8, 10, or 12 different planar display surfaces, respectively, one mapped to each graphic image.

[0169] In any embodiment, the transforming display device is configurable between at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, or more display configurations, any number of which may be different from the others. In any embodiment, each of the different display configurations forms a planar display surface having a different shape from the 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: diamond (e.g., non-square diamond), square, rectangle, quadrilateral, triangle (pyramid), and diamond.

[0170] The graphic images are transformed, a graphic surface treatment is formed, and applied to the transformed display device so that in a first display configuration, the first planar display surface has a contiguous partial image segment of a first graphic image (e.g., the entire first graphic image), and in a second display configuration, the second planar display surface has a contiguous partial image segment of a second graphic image (e.g., the entire second graphic image).

[0171] In any embodiment, each of the graphic images is mapped to a different planar display surface of a transforming display device, the planar display surface having n facets. The mapping step may be performed as part of the transforming step 1002 or the forming step 1004.

[0172] In any embodiment, each of the graphic images is transformed into a plurality of partial image segments, each having a shape corresponding to a facet of the planar display surface of the transforming display device. For example, each of the graphic images is mapped onto a different planar display surface having n facets, and then transformed into n partial image segments, each having a shape corresponding to one of the facets of the planar display surface, such that, for example, all of the partial image segments of the graphic image are positionable on the shape of the mapped planar display surface and continuously show the graphic image (or a portion thereof).

[0173] In any embodiment, the graphic surface treatment is formed by preparing, for each graphic image, physical partial image segments of that graphic image (e.g., a decal, an adhesive label, a printed layer of ink, a printed layer of paint, a printed layer of dye, etching, engraving, embossing, or stamping), each of the physical partial image segments being mapped to a facet of a single planar display surface of a transformed display device mapped to that graphic image, i.e., having the same size and shape, such that, for example, all partial image segments of the graphic image are configurable in the shape of the mapped planar display surface and continuously show the graphic image (or portions thereof).

[0174] In any embodiment, the graphic surface treatment is applied for each graphic image by applying physical partial image segments of that graphic image (e.g., a decal, an adhesive label, a printed layer of ink, a printed layer of paint, a printed layer of dye, etching, engraving, embossing, or stamping) to facets of a single planar display surface of a transformable display device that is mapped to that graphic image, e.g., so that all partial image segments of the graphic image are configurable to the shape of the mapped planar display surface and continuously show the graphic image (or portions thereof).

[0175] According to one example, the partial image segments of one or both of the first and second graphic images are each different from the other partial image segments, in other words, the partial image segments of one or both of the graphic images are non-repetitive and, in some embodiments, do not depict a repeating pattern or a portion of a pattern that may form a repeating chain of pattern units.

[0176] According to one example, during the converting step 1002, the first and second graphic images are separated or divided into sub-image segments, each sub-image segment comprising a portion of the respective graphic image.

[0177] It should be understood that, according to one or more alternatives of the present disclosure, the transforming step 1002 is optional and may not be required to achieve a transformed display device in all circumstances. For example, a set of partial image segments to be formed into a graphic surface treatment may be generated and applied to the transformed display device, and the set of partial image segments may be combined into a desired or planned fused image when placed on a planar display surface.

[0178] According to one example, during the forming step 1004, the partial image segments are arranged into a distribution of image segments, including partial image segments transformed from the first graphic image and the second graphic image. The distribution includes partial image segments transformed from each of the first graphic image and the second graphic image, separated, and then sorted or interspersed together in an ordered manner to correspond to the relative positioning of the facets of the multiple polyhedrons that form the first planar display surface when the multiple polyhedrons are physically manipulated into a first display configuration and that form the second planar display surface when the multiple polyhedrons are physically manipulated into a second display configuration. In other words, the distribution serves as an ordered layout of all of the partial image segments that result from or are indicated by the graphic surface treatment. It should be understood that the distribution may be generated according to an algorithm represented by executable code programmed into the memory of a computer that includes a processor suitable for executing commands contained in the executable code. The graphic surface treatment may then be printed onto one or more substrates that are applied to the facets, or may be printed or applied directly to the facets. Such a distribution or layout is illustrated by Figures 5A, 7A and 9A, which show examples of graphic surface treatments 501, 701, 901 that may be applied to the modified display devices 402, 602, 802 according to the examples of Figures 4, 6 and 8, respectively.

[0179] In some examples, at least one partial image segment from a first graphic image of the at least two graphic images is provided on the graphic surface treatment between an image segment from a second graphic image of the at least two graphic images, for example, as shown in Figures 5A, 7A, and 9A. In some examples, the partial image segments from the 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 are not shown consecutively on the graphic surface treatment.

[0180] According to this example, the applying step 1006 includes applying a graphic surface treatment formed from the distribution of image segments to the plurality of polyhedra, whereby the partial image segments derived from or represented by the graphic surface treatment are mapped and applied to corresponding facets forming the first and second planar display surfaces, such that the first planar display surface represents a first graphic image and the second planar display surface represents a second graphic image.

[0181] It should be understood that method 1000 may be extended or "augmented" to show additional graphic images, i.e., three or more graphic images, on additional planar display surfaces formed in additional display configurations. This may be achieved by converting each of the additional graphic images into partial image segments, as described above, and then forming a graphic surface processing from a distribution including sorted image segments from all of the graphic images (e.g., at least three total graphic images, 12 total graphic images, or 18 total graphic images, etc.). Thus, the number of graphic images that may be shown by the deformable display device may be limited only by the geometry of the deformable display device, i.e., the number of polyhedra included in the device, the number of facets each polyhedron may have, and the number of planar display surfaces that may be achieved by physically manipulating and arranging multiple polyhedra. According to a particular example, the deformable display device has a structure and geometry corresponding to the structure and geometry of deformable display device 102 described above with reference to FIGS. 1A-1C.

[0182] According to one example, the forming step 1004 includes forming a first graphic surface treatment portion having at least one partial image segment of a first graphic image and forming a second graphic surface treatment portion having at least one partial image segment of a second graphic image. The 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 living hinge therebetween. According to another example, the forming step 1004 includes imprinting the partial image segments onto a common stock substrate and forming a plurality of graphic surface treatment portions therefrom.

[0183] According to one example, the first and second planar display surfaces have different shapes. According to a particular example, the first planar display surface has a non-square diamond shape and the second planar display surface has a triangular shape.

[0184] According to one example, in a first display configuration, the first planar display surface is coextensive with a first outermost surface of the transformable display device, and in a second display configuration, the second planar display surface is coextensive with a second outermost surface of the transformable display device. According to this example, the first outermost surface and the second outermost surface may have different shapes.

[0185] According to one example, at least four adjacent coplanar facets form a first planar display surface and at least six adjacent coplanar facets form a second planar display surface.

[0186] According to another example, the graphic surface treatment includes triangular sub-image segments of at least two different graphic images. As discussed above, it should be understood that the shapes of the sub-image segments may be determined by the shapes and configurations of the facets of the multiple polyhedrons. According to a particular example, the triangular shapes of the sub-image segments correspond to the triangular shapes of the facets of the multiple polyhedrons, as discussed above with reference to Figures 1A-1C.

[0187] According to one example, in a first display configuration, facets of at least four polyhedrons of the plurality of polyhedrons form a first planar display surface. In a second display configuration, facets of at least four polyhedrons of the plurality of polyhedrons may form a second planar display surface. According to another example, the first planar display surface and the second planar display surface may have the same flat, non-square, diamond-shaped shape. Alternatively, the first planar display surface may have a non-square, diamond-shaped shape and the second planar display surface may have a planar, hexagonal shape. Alternatively, the first planar display surface may have a non-square, diamond-shaped shape and the second planar display surface may have a planar, triangular shape.

[0188] According to one example, the first display configuration and the second display configuration have different geometries.

[0189] 10B, according to one example, converting step 1002 includes a receiving step 1008 in which at least two different graphic images are initially received, e.g., in digital form, and a dividing step 1010 in which the at least two different graphic images are divided or separated into partial image segments. According to this example, forming step 1004 can include printing the partial image segments onto at least one substrate.

[0190] Also according to this example, the transforming step 1002 may additionally or alternatively include a cropping step 1012 of cropping at least two graphic images based on the shape of the first planar display surface and the shape of the second planar display surface. In other words, the graphic image may be cropped and resized to fit one of the planar display surfaces formed by the transforming display device. According to one example, the shape of the first planar display surface is a diamond shape and the shape of the second planar display surface is a triangle shape.

[0191] 10C , according to one example, method 1000 further includes a preview step 1014 in which a preview of at least two different graphic images on at least two planar display surfaces, including a first planar display surface and a second planar display surface, is provided via a graphical user interface, e.g., a browser-based user interface. Preview step 1014 may include a confirmation step 1016 in which confirmation of the previewed at least one possible planar display surface is received.

[0192] Thus, the present disclosure provides a preview of a possible planar display surface of a customized deformable display device during the process of creating the deformable display device. A consumer, vendor, or licensee providing a graphic image to be applied to the deformable display device can see the appearance and placement of the graphic image on a possible planar display surface, providing confirmation that the previewed deformable display device is satisfactory before the process proceeds to forming step 1004 and applying step 1006.

[0193] According to one example, a consumer, vendor, or licensee submitting a graphical image may use an internet-connected computer or other device to access a remotely connected server hosting a website or similar interface designated for receiving the graphical image and configured to provide the consumer, vendor, or licensee with a preview of possible planar display surfaces. The website may be configured to preview one, some, and / or all of the possible planar display surfaces that may be generated from the submitted graphical image on a graphical user interface, e.g., a browser-based interface, and to receive confirmation to proceed to the subsequent forming step 1004 and applying step 1006, either directly, such as through one or more “confirm” controls, or indirectly, such as through “buy now” or “add to cart” controls. According to this example, the website may include or be connected to programming that converts the received graphical image into partial image segments, which may then be appropriately positioned relative to one another to generate the previewed possible planar display surface.

[0194] It should be understood that preview step 1014 may be performed without accessing a website via a browser-based interface. Alternatively, the graphical images may be received and potential flat display surfaces may be previewed at a terminal located in a store or production facility. Alternatively, preview step 1014 may be performed directly using a personal computing device that includes or has access to appropriate programming.

[0195] Figure 11 illustrates a substrate 1102 that may be used in connection with the method 1000 described above with reference to Figures 10A-10C. According to one example, the substrate 1102 comprises a plurality of facets 1104 that are hinged and rotatable relative to one another about joints 1106, 1108. The facets 1104 are also sized and shaped such that they are configured to form a plurality of polyhedrons having the same or similar geometric shapes as the plurality of polyhedrons of the transformable display device 102 described above with reference to Figures 1A-1C. Alternatively, the facets 1104 may be configured to form a plurality of polyhedrons having different geometric shapes.

[0196] According to one example, the substrate 1102 includes at least one foldable piece of material having a plurality of facets 1104 formed or defined therein. The facets 1104 are foldable relative to one another to form hinged joints 1106 between individual facets of one of the plurality of polyhedrons and hinged joints 1108 between adjacent polyhedrons. According to one example, the foldable material of the substrate 1102 may include paper, cardstock, cardboard, or plastic. Alternatively, according to one example, the substrate 1102 may comprise a plurality of rigid facets 1104 hingedly interconnected at joints 1106, 1108 to form a plurality of polyhedrons.

[0197] Thus, the transformable display device can be provided as a flat substrate 1102 that can be more easily stored prior to applying step 1006. Additionally, the flat substrate 1102 can be directly imprinted with partial image segments and then folded into multiple polyhedrons to enable on-demand fabrication of transformable display devices at a point of sale, such as 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 multiple adhesive labels affixed to a common stock substrate (e.g., multiple stickers), which are then peeled from the substrate and applied to the substrate 1102 at the point of sale or by the consumer, either before or after folding. According to another alternative, the flat substrate 1102 can be sold as a stand-alone component, and the consumer can use a print and cut template to form the adhesive label on an appropriate home device. Furthermore, a cutting template can be provided to the consumer for forming the flat substrate 1102 from a stock piece of paper, cardstock, cardboard, or plastic on an appropriate home device.

[0198] 12A-12F illustrate several deformable display devices 1218, 1220, 1222, 1224 according to another example of the present disclosure. The deformable display devices 1218, 1220, 1222, 1224 illustrated in Figures 12A-12F present various alternative geometric shapes for the deformable display device 102 described above with reference to Figures 1A-1C. As shown in Figure 12A, each of the deformable display devices 1218, 1220, 1222, 1224 includes multiple polyhedrons 1202, 1206, 1210, 1214 of different geometric shapes. Each polyhedron 1202, 1206, 1210, 1214 includes multiple facets 1204, 1208, 1212, 1216. As shown in FIG. 12A, first polyhedron 1202 and second polyhedron 1206 are mirror images of each other, and third polyhedron 1210 and fourth polyhedron 1216 are mirror images of each other.

[0199] FIG. 12A shows the geometric shape of each of the polyhedra 1202, 1206, 1210, and 1214. The relative scale and relationship between the side lengths of each of the polyhedra 1202, 1206, 1210, and 1214 is described in the legend shown in FIG. 12B. The sides shown with dash-dotted line patterns have a length of 1 unit and may be scaled up or down in different embodiments. Regardless of the numerical value of the dash-dotted line pattern units, the relative relationship between the different sides remains constant between different embodiments. In other words, regardless of the numerical value of the dash-dotted line pattern length, the side lengths shown with solid line patterns are

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[0200] As shown in Figures 12C-12F, the geometric shapes of the multiple polyhedrons 1202, 1206, 1210, 1216 result in multiple different compatibilities between the facets 1204, 1206, 1208, 1210 of the polyhedrons 1202, 1206, 1210, 1216, and therefore result in different shaped display configurations and planar display surfaces that can be achieved through manipulation and rearrangement of the multiple polyhedrons 1202, 1206, 1210, 1216 depending on the arrangement and relative orientation of the polyhedrons 1202, 1206, 1210, 1216 when linked to each other by joints in the loop arrangement 104, as described above with reference to the deformable display device 102 shown in Figures 1A-1C.

[0201] In particular, Figure 12C shows a deformation display device 1218 consisting of twelve adjacent polyhedra 1202, 1206, 1210, 1214 in the following order: 1202-1206-1210-1202-1206-1214-1202-1206-1210-1202-1206-1214.

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[0202] 12D shows a deformation display device 1220 consisting of twelve adjacent polyhedra 1202, 1206, 1210, 1216 in the following order: 1202-1206-1210-1202-1206-1214-1202-1206-1210-1202-1206-1214.

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[0203] FIG. 12E shows a modified display device 1222 consisting of 12 adjacent polyhedra 1202, 1206, 1210, 1214 in the order 1202-1206-1214-1202-1206-1210-1202-1206-1214-1202-1206-1210.

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[0204] Figure 12F shows a deformation display device 1224 consisting of twelve adjacent polyhedra 1202, 1206, 1210, 1214 in the following order: 1202-1206-1214-1202-1206-1210-1202-1206-1214-1202-1206-1210.

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[0205] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0206] As used herein, the terms "right," "left," "top," and their derivatives shall refer to the present invention as oriented in the drawing figures. However, it should be understood that the present invention can assume various alternative orientations, and therefore, such terms should not be considered limiting. It should also be understood that the present invention can assume various alternative variations and step sequences, unless expressly specified to the contrary. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification are examples. Therefore, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered limiting.

[0207] Also, in this regard, the application may use the term "plurality" to refer to an amount or number. In this regard, the term "plurality" means any number greater than or equal to two, e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, etc. Terms such as "about," "approximately," and "near" mean plus or minus 5% of the stated value. For purposes of this disclosure, the phrases "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), and when more than three elements are listed, include all further possible permutations.

[0208] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, dimensions, physical properties, and the like used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about," meaning plus or minus 5%, unless otherwise apparent from the present disclosure. Unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and appended claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention.

[0209] Notwithstanding that 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 their respective testing measurements.

[0210] It should also be understood that any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all subranges subsumed therein. For example, a range of "1 to 10" is intended to include any and all subranges between and including the recited minimum value of 1 and the recited maximum value of 10. That is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or greater and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less, and all subranges therebetween, for example, 1 to 6.3, or 5.5 to 10, or 2.7 to 6.1.

[0211] The foregoing examples and embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to various examples. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the foregoing examples. Accordingly, the foregoing examples should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure.

Claims

1. 1. A method of making a transformable display device, 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 having the sub-image segments of the at least two different graphic images; applying the graphic surface processing to a transformable display device comprising a plurality of polyhedra connected by joints and configurable between a first display configuration and a second display configuration, wherein in the first display configuration adjacent coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedra form a first planar display surface having contiguous partial image segments of a first graphic image, and in the second display configuration adjacent coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedra form a second planar display surface having contiguous partial image segments of the second graphic image.

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

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second planar display surfaces have different shapes.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the first planar display surface has a diamond shape and the second planar display surface has a triangular shape.

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

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

7. 7. The method of claim 5, wherein applying the graphic surface treatment comprises applying at least a portion of the first graphic surface treatment over the first planar display surface and applying at least a portion of the second graphic surface treatment over the second planar display surface.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the first graphic surface treatment portion and the second graphic surface treatment portion form a living hinge.

9. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein each partial image segment of the first graphical image maps to a facet of the first planar display surface and each partial image segment of the second planar display surface maps to a facet of the second planar display surface.

10. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein applying the graphic surface processing comprises applying the partial image segment of the first graphic image to a facet of the first planar display surface and applying the partial image segment of the second graphic image to a facet of the second planar display surface.

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

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the graphic surface treatment comprises triangular sub-image segments of the at least two different graphic images.

13. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein converting the at least two different graphic images into the partial image segments comprises 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 of claim 13 , wherein forming the graphic surface treatment comprises printing the partial image segments onto at least one substrate.

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

16. 14. The method of 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 a shape of the first planar display surface and a shape of the second planar display surface.

17. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first planar display surface has a diamond shape and the second planar display surface has a triangular shape.

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

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

20. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first planar display surface and the second planar display surface have the same planar diamond shape.

21. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first planar display surface has a planar diamond shape and the second planar display surface has a planar hexagonal shape.

22. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first planar display surface has a diamond shape and the second planar display surface has a planar triangular shape.

23. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing previews 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, via a graphical user interface.

24. 1. A method of making a transformable display device, 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 having the sub-image segments of the at least two different graphic images; applying the graphic surface processing to a transforming display device comprising a plurality of polyhedra connected by joints and configurable between a first display configuration and a second display configuration, wherein adjacent coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedra form a first planar display surface in the first display configuration and wherein adjacent coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedra form a second planar display surface in the second display configuration; each partial image segment of the first graphic image is mapped to a facet of the first planar display surface and each partial image segment of the second planar display surface is mapped to a facet of the second planar display surface; The method, wherein applying the graphic surface processing includes applying the partial image segment of the first graphic image to a facet of the first planar display surface, and applying the partial image segment of the second graphic image to a facet of the second planar display surface.

25. 1. A method of making a transformable display device comprising a plurality of polyhedra connected by joints and configurable between a first display configuration and a second display configuration, wherein in the first display configuration adjacent coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedra form a first planar display surface, and in the second display configuration adjacent coplanar facets of the plurality of polyhedra 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 with the sub-image segments of the at least two different graphic images, each sub-image segment of the first graphic image mapping to a facet of the first planar display surface and each sub-image segment of the second planar display surface mapping to a facet of the second planar display surface; applying the graphic surface processing to the transforming display device by applying the partial image segments of the first graphic image to facets of the first planar display surface and applying the partial image segments of the second graphic image to facets of the second planar display surface.

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