Time display system, method and device
First Claim
1. A method for conveying the current time of day in hours and minutes, said method comprising the following steps:
- indicating the current hour of the day, said step further comprising the step of displaying a first color so as to refer a viewer to a color-to-hour matrix, said matrix comprising a relationship between said first color and said current hour; and
indicating the current minute of the hour by a color-independent minute-indicating means.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A time display device (“TDD”)—equally adaptable to watches, clocks, computers, phones, and vehicles—indicates the current hour of the day by displaying a color that refers an observer to the disclosed color-to-hour matrix, thereby eliminating the traditional hour hand or digit altogether. Alternately adaptable to months, the system may be used with both mechanical and electronic displays. Various disclosed minute indicators provide minute indication by shape, complexity, company logo, air bubbles, or other novel methods. Environmental sensors allow switching between functions. TDD appearance is user-customizable via Internet. Birthstones, gemstones, and precious metals are alternately used as stand-alone time indicators.
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Citations
73 Claims
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1. A method for conveying the current time of day in hours and minutes, said method comprising the following steps:
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indicating the current hour of the day, said step further comprising the step of displaying a first color so as to refer a viewer to a color-to-hour matrix, said matrix comprising a relationship between said first color and said current hour; and
indicating the current minute of the hour by a color-independent minute-indicating means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of conveying the current time of day, said method comprising the following steps:
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creating a color-to-hour matrix; and
indicating the active hour via reference to said color-to-hour matrix. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. The method in 10 wherein said minute-indicating means comprises a white minute hand, a liquid, a bubble, or a gas.
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12. A time display device comprising:
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a means of keeping the time of day;
a color-independent means of indicating the active minute; and
a means of indicating the active hour by color. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68)
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24. A method of switching between computer-implemented functions performed by a device, said method comprising the following steps:
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sensing a numerical value with an environmental sensor;
mapping said value to a value set, said value set being a subset of all the potential values said environmental sensor can sense;
assigning said value set to an outcome; and
switching to the computer-implemented function associated with said outcome. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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30. A system for communicating the current time of day comprising:
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a matrix comprising relationships between twelve distinct colors and twelve time periods, whereby each of said time periods is assigned at least one of said colors and none of said colors is assigned to more than one of said time periods;
a time display device comprising a current time period indicator configured to indicate by reference to said matrix which one of said time periods is current; and
a color-independent minute-indicating means. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 63)
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33. The device in claim 33 wherein said switching means comprises a compass, a level, a gyroscope, a motion sensor, a GPS receiver, or a light sensor.
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55. A time display device comprising:
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a first object positioned to cover a second object partially but not completely;
said second object, being encrusted or inlaid with a first precious material that represents a first time period and a second precious material that represents a second time period; and
a movement mechanism that moves said first object or said second object so that said first precious material can be seen and said second precious material cannot be seen when said first time period is current.
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56. The device 55 wherein said first precious material comprises a semiprecious or precious stone, such as diamond, ruby, emerald or sapphire, or precious metal, such as silver or gold.
- 57. The device 56 wherein said first time period is an hour, a month, or a zodiac sign.
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58. A system comprising:
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a time display device, comprising a time display modes database;
a time display modes selection mechanism, whereby a record in said time display modes database can be selected;
a first time display mode record, said first record containing data for use in indicating the current hour of the day using neither clock hands nor numerical digits; and
a data synchronization mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60, 69, 70, 71, 72)
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- 61. An apparatus configured to indicate both the current minute of the hour and the current hour of the day through the display of (a) a single numerical digit and (b) no other indicator of the current minute or hour.
Specification