DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SCREEN PROTECTION

Abstract

An image converting screen protector for displaying an illustration on a display screen of a portable electronic device when the screen is off and becoming transparent when the screen is on. The image converting screen protector comprises a modified screen protector having top shield layer and a screen layer. The top shield layer is optically transparent and the screen layer toggles between an opaque condition and a clear condition.

Claims

1. An image converting screen protector for placement on a display screen of a portable electronic device, comprising: a. a screen layer, where the screen layer adheres to the display screen; and b. a top protective layer constructed of optically transparent material, wherein the screen layer is adapted to toggle between an opaque condition display a visible image through the top protective layer and and clear condition enable a view of the display screen and said clear condition is triggered when exposed to light emitted by the display screen.

2. A method of protecting a display screen of a portable electronic device comprising the steps of: a. joining a first layer with a second layer; b. integrating variable image into the first layer; c. adhering the first layer to the display screen; d. enabling two states for the first layer, an opaque condition and a clear condition; and e. activating the clear condition upon light emission from the display screen.

3. The method according to claim 2, where the opaque condition displays the variable image of the first layer.

4. The method according to claim 2, where the display screen is visible in the clear condition.

5. The method according to claim 2 further including the step of integrating protective qualities into the second layer.

6. The method according to claim 2 further includes integrating a transparent material into the second layer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a mobile phone having an image converting screen protector built in accordance with the present invention disposed thereon with its display screen off.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of an image converting screen protector built in accordance with the present invention disposed thereon with no light behind it.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a mobile phone having an image converting screen protector built in accordance with the present invention disposed thereon with its display screen on.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of an image converting screen protector built in accordance with the present invention disposed thereon with light behind it.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of an image converting screen protector built in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Referring now to the drawings and FIGS. 1 and 2, an image converting screen protector 11′ is shown disposed over a display screen of a conventional mobile phone 10′ with its display screen off. The image converting screen protector 11′ attaches to the display screen of the mobile phone 10′ in the same manner(s) as conventional screen protectors. In the preferred embodiment, the image converting screen protector 11′ attaches to the display screen using an adhesive.

[0014] When the display screen of the mobile phone 10′ is off, with no light emanating therefrom, the image converting screen protector 11′ includes an integrated illustration that is visible to the naked eye. It is contemplated that the integrated illustration on any image converting screen protector 11′ may be substantially any image, design, and/or text that can be created solely using photochromic paint, dye, and/or ink.

[0015] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, when the image converting screen protector 11″ is disposed on the display screen of a conventional mobile phone 10″ with its display screen on and therefore emitting light and prompting the image converting screen to toggle to a clear condition. As such, when the display screen is being used, as determined by the emission of light therefrom, the image converting screen protector 11″ becomes clear and allows an unobstructed view of the display screen.

[0016] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, the image converting screen protector 11′, 11″ in accordance with the present invention (collectively 11) includes a top shield layer 12 and a screen layer 13. The top shield layer 12 is clear, containing no material that will impair viewing of a screen therethrough. The screen layer 13 is the layer that is placed closest to the display screen of the handheld device when the image converting screen protector 11 is in use. The screen layer 13 includes therein an integrated illustration. It is contemplated that the top shield layer 12 is optically transparent, reflecting minimal light to enable the display screen to be visible therethrough but also preventing ambient light from interacting sufficiently with the screen layer 13.

[0017] The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.