Time display system, method and device

• US 20030193842A1
• Filed: 03/14/2003
• Published: 10/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Search and Social Media Partners LLC
• Original Assignee: Shelton E. Harrison
• Inventors: Harrison, Shelton E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,079,452 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 368/82
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 25/00 Indicating the time by other means or by combined means electric or electromechanical indicating G04C ; illumination of dials or hands G04B19/30; indicating the time by acoustic means G04B21/00; arrangements producing acoustic signals at preselected times G04B23/00; continuously indicating the time optically by electric means G04C19/00; producing acoustic time signals by electrical means G04C21/00; devices for cooking eggs A47J29/00
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 17/00 Indicating the time optically by electric means G04C19/00 takes precedence; by mechanical means G04B19/00, G04B19/20
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 17/0091 Combined electro-optical and electro-mechanical displays see provisionally also G04G9/0082
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 9/0082 by building-up characters using a combination of indicating elements and by selecting desired characters out of a number of characters or by selecting indicating elements the positions of which represents the time, i.e. combinations of G04G9/02 and G04G9/08
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 9/02 by selecting desired characters out of a number of characters or by selecting indicating elements the position of which represent the time, e.g. by using multiplexing techniques G04G9/0082 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 9/06 using light valves, e.g. liquid crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 9/124 provided with date indication
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0083 using wireless transmission, e.g. radio, light, infrared
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2230/015 PDA [personal digital assistant] or palmtop computing devices used for musical purposes, e.g. portable music players, tablet computers, e-readers or smart phones in which mobile telephony functions need not be used touch-screen interfaces G10H2220/096
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/115 Instrument identification, i.e. recognizing an electrophonic musical instrument, e.g. on a network, by means of a code, e.g. IMEI, serial number, or a profile describing its capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/285 USB, i.e. either using a USB plug as power supply or using the USB protocol to exchange data
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/305 Internet or TCP/IP protocol use for any electrophonic musical instrument data or musical parameter transmission purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/311 MIDI transmission G10H2240/056 takes precedence

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.

Claims

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.

2. The method in claim 1 additionally comprising the following steps:

assembling a pool of colors, said pool comprising at least one rainbow color, non-rainbow color, or precious material color;

selecting a subset of said colors from said pool; and

assigning said colors in said subset to hours of the day such that no color in said subset is assigned to more than one said hour of the day and such that each said hour of the day is assigned at least one said color in said subset.

3. The method in claim 2 wherein said step of assembling a pool is performed according to distinction criteria, said step of selecting a subset of colors is performed according to selection criteria, or said step of assigning colors to hours is performed according to assignment criteria.

4. The method in claim 1 additionally comprising the following step:

constructing a device comprising an hour indicator, said hour indicator being configured to display said first color and the other colors in said matrix sequentially, in the order of the color sequence specified in said matrix, such that only one color in said sequence is displayed prominently at a time and such that each color in said sequence is displayed prominently only during the hour to which it is assigned in said matrix.

5. The method in claim 4 wherein:

said hour indicator comprises a flat-panel display or an object encrusted with a plurality of precious materials; and

said minute-indicating means comprises a minute hand or an active hour image.

6. A method of conveying the current time of day, said method comprising the following steps:

creating a color-to-hour matrix; and

indicating the active hour via reference to said color-to-hour matrix.

7. The method in claim 6 additionally comprising the following step:

indicating the active minute in a color-independent manner.

8. The method in claim 7 additionally comprising the following step:

designing a device that indicates the active hour by color reference to said color-to-hour matrix and indicates the active minute without color reference.

9. The method in claim 8 wherein the step of designing a device further comprises at least one of the following steps:

evaluating the advantages of a time display system that includes a color-to-hour matrix;

enumerating the purposes to be served by said device;

selecting an appropriate form factor;

selecting an appropriate hour indicator or an appropriate minute indicator;

or

selecting an appropriate timekeeping mechanism.

10. The method in claim 7 additionally comprising the following step:

projecting light onto a color-independent minute-indicating means.

11. The method in 10 wherein said minute-indicating means comprises a white minute hand, a liquid, a bubble, or a gas.

12. A time display device comprising:

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.

13. The device in claim 12 wherein said means of indicating the active hour comprises a display configured to display a plurality of colors sequentially, according to the order of a sequence specified in a color-to-hour matrix, such that only one of said colors is displayed prominently at a time.

14. The time display device in claim 13 wherein said display is further configured to display a first color prominently only during the hour to which said first color is assigned according to said matrix, said first color being one of said colors.

15. The time display device in claim 14 wherein said display is a flat-panel display.

16. The device in claim 15 wherein said means of indicating the active minute comprises a minute hand or an active hour image.

17. The time display device in claim 15 additionally comprising:

a database comprising at least a first time display mode,

wherein the current hour of the day is indicated by alphanumeric character, and a second time display mode,

wherein the current hour of the day is indicated by color.

18. The device in claim 17 additionally comprising a switching mechanism suitable for selecting a function to be performed by said time display device.

19. The device in claim 18 wherein said switching mechanism comprises a user interface.

20. The device in claim 18 wherein said switching mechanism comprises an environmental sensor.

21. The time display device in claim 16 wherein the size or shape of said active hour image indicates the active minute.

22. The time display device in claim 17 additionally comprising a data exchange mechanism suitable for use in exchanging information between said time display device and an external device.

23. The time display device in claim 22 additionally comprising means of accessing the Internet.

27. The device in claim 12 wherein said minute-indicating means comprises:

a liquid;

a container containing said liquid; and

an object that floats in said liquid or a bubble of gas in said liquid.

28. The time display in claim 12 wherein said minute-indicating means is a minute hand and said hour-indicating means is a clock face.

29. The time display in claim 12 wherein both said minute-indicating means and said hour-indicating means are a single minute hand.

64. The device in claim 12 wherein said hour-indicating means further comprises means for displaying a sequence of twelve colors such that only one of said colors is prominently displayed at a time and such that each of said colors is prominently displayed only during one hour of a twelve-hour day.

65. The device in claim 64 additionally comprising means for performing the following steps:

sensing a numerical value with an environmental sensor;

mapping said value to an outcome; and

switching to the computer-implemented function associated with said outcome.

66. The device in claim 64 wherein said means for displaying a sequence further comprises means for displaying a precious material, such as gold or diamond.

67. The device in claim 64 wherein said sequence follows the order specified in a color-to-hour matrix.

68. The device in claim 12 additionally comprising a computer-readable medium comprising computer-readable instructions that cause a video display to display an active hour image that changes over time according to a feature sequence.

24. A method of switching between computer-implemented functions performed by a device, said method comprising the following steps:

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.

25. The method in claim 24 wherein said computer-implemented function further comprises the step of selecting a record from a database or displaying contact information.

26. The method in claim 25 wherein said environmental sensor is a compass.

30. A system for communicating the current time of day comprising:

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.

31. The system in claim 30 wherein said twelve time periods are the twelve hours of the day.

32. The system in claim 31 wherein said time display device further comprises a means of switching between functions performed by said time display device.

34. The system in claim 30 wherein said time period indicator comprises at least one of the following:

a light projector;

or

an object in which precious materials are encrusted or inlaid.

35. The system in claim 30 wherein said current time period indicator comprises a color video display, such as a liquid crystal or plasma display.

36. The system in claim 30 wherein said reference comprises a display of the color assigned to the current time period according to said matrix.

37. The system in claim 36 wherein said current time period indicator comprises a first object and a second object, said first object being positioned so that it covers some but not all of said second object, said second object having a surface that comprises at least said twelve colors.

38. The time display device in claim 31 wherein said minute-indicating means comprises a computer-animated image that changes shape through the course of an hour such that said image is shaped substantially like a crescent shortly after the beginning of the hour, like a half circle at approximately halfway through the hour, and like a full circle shortly before the end of the hour.

39. The system in claim 35 wherein said time display device is a key palette, wristwatch, or other wearable apparatus.

40. The system in claim 38 wherein said time display device is a telephone.

41. The system in claim 35 wherein said wherein said minute-indicating means is a minute hand and said time display device is a building.

42. The system in claim 30 wherein said time display device additionally comprises a receiver for atomic clock RF transmissions.

43. The system in claim 30 additionally comprising a human observer who has memorized or has access to documentation of said matrix.

44. The system in claim 30 wherein:

a first time period and a second time period are two of said twelve time periods, and a first color and a second color are two of said twelve colors; and

said current time period indicator is further configured to indicate that said first time period is current by the display of said first color and the non-display or less prominent display of said second color.

45. The system in claim 44 additionally comprising:

a database comprising at least one record; and

a means of selecting a said record.

46. The system in claim 44 wherein said display of said first color begins at the beginning of said first time period and ends at the end of said time period.

47. The system in claim 44 wherein said current time period indicator comprises:

an object, the surface of said object comprising a first segment and a second segment, said first segment comprising said first color and said second segment comprising said second color;

a clock face positioned to cover a portion but not all of said surface of said object; and

a movement mechanism which causes motion of said object relative to said clock face such that, when said first time period is current, said first segment is revealed and said second segment is covered by said clock face.

48. The time display device in claim 47 wherein said surface of said object further comprises ten additional segments that each comprise a different color.

49. The time display device in claim 47 wherein said motion occurs intermittently, and occurs either at the beginning of every hour or at the beginning of every month.

50. The system in claim 35 wherein said video display displays a first graphical image wherein the color of said first graphical image indicates the current time period by reference to said matrix, and a color-independent variable feature of the appearance of said first graphical image indicates the current minute of the hour.

51. The image in claim 50 wherein said variable feature of appearance is shape, size, or amplitude.

52. The image in claim 50 wherein said variable feature of appearance is speed, complexity, or relative distance between two points.

53. The system in claim 30 wherein said minute-indicating means comprises a minute hand, a gas, a bubble, or a translucent liquid.

54. The device in claim 35 additionally comprising:

a timekeeping means;

a housing means, said housing means comprising a wearable apparatus, a telecommunication device, or a computing device;

a manual interface by which a user can cause said hour indicator to indicate the current hour of the day numerically;

a database containing at least one record for a time display mode, a foreground image, or a background image;

a switching mechanism suitable for use in selecting a function, said switching mechanism comprising an environmental sensor;

a means of synchronizing information stored in said time display device with information stored in an external device; and

a means of accessing information via Internet.

63. The system in claim 30 wherein said twelve time periods are the twelve calendar months of a year or the twelve zodiac signs of a year.

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.

55. A time display device comprising:

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.

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.

73. The device in claim 57 wherein:

said first precious material and said second precious material are birthstones;

said second object additionally comprises ten additional birthstones; and

said twelve birthstones are arranged according to a sequence specified in a color-to-month or color-to-hour matrix.

58. A system comprising:

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.

59. The system in claim 58 additionally comprising a means of exchanging information through the Internet.

60. The system in claim 59 additionally comprising a means of selecting a foreground image.

69. The system in claim 58 wherein said time display device is configured (a) to display a color in such a way as to refer an observer to a particular time period in a color-to-hour or color-to-month matrix when said time period is current and (b) to provide a minute indicator configured to indicate the current minute of the hour in a color-independent manner.

70. The system in claim 69 wherein said time display device is further configured (a) to display a first precious material and to hide a second precious material at a first point in time and then (b) to display said second precious material and hide said first precious material at a second point in time.

71. The system in claim 69 wherein said time display device is further configured (a) to display a first portion of the surface of a multicolored object and to hide a second portion of said surface at a first point in time and (b) to display said second portion and hide said first portion at a second point in time.

72. The system in claim 69 wherein said time display device is further configured to display an active hour image that changes over time according to a feature sequence.

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.

62. The device in claim 61 wherein the current hour of the day is conveyed numerically and the current minute of the hour is conveyed by the color of said digit.