Timepiece display which superimposes digits and graphics

• US 5,748,568 A
• Filed: 05/01/1996
• Issued: 05/05/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hal M. Harrison
• Original Assignee: Hal M. Harrison
• Inventors: Harrison, Hal M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miska, Vit W.
• Application Number:
  US08/641,416
• Time in Patent Office: 734 Days
• Field of Search: 368/82-84, 368/223, 368/239-242
• US Class Current: 368/82
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 9/0094 using light valves, e.g. liquid crystals

Abstract

A watch or clock display shows hours as large digits and the minutes past the hour as the incremental filling of a familiar or regular figure. The digits and the partially filled figure are superimposed to make maximum use of the space available for the display.

At the new hour, and for a predetermined number of minutes thereafter (say five or 7.5), only the hour number is shown in the center of the display. Then the first of successive segments of the figure are displayed. As the hour progresses, the figure becomes more nearly filled by increments.

Claims

1. A method for displaying the time on a timepiece display as one or more digits superimposed with a familiar or regular figure divided into a plurality of divisions, where the total area of said figure represents the 60 minutes of an hour and where one or more of said divisions appears displayed in part or all of the same area used by one or more of said digits, comprising the steps of:

(a) shading predetermined areas of the display to show said digits to represent the hour of the time;

(b) shading zero or more of said divisions so that the area of said figure apparently shaded at any one time represents the approximate fraction of the hour which has passed since the hour began; and

(c) filling said display for showing said digits as discrete from any parts of one or more shaded divisions with which they superimpose so that said digits are easily read.

2. A timepiece display for showing the time as one or more digits divided into a plurality of members, said digits apparently superimposed with a familiar or regular figure divided into a plurality of segments, where the total area of said figure represents the 60 minutes of an hour and where one or more of said segments appears to superimpose with one or more of said members, comprising:

(a) an electro-optical display of one or more of said members to show one or more of said digits to represent the hour;

(b) an electro-optical display of zero or more of said segments so that the fraction of said figure apparently displayed represents the approximate fraction of the hour which has passed; and

(c) controlling means for selectively activating the superimposing members and segments so that said digits are discretely displayed and easily read.

3. A method for displaying the time on a timepiece as one or more digits in conjunction with a familiar or regular figure, the total area of which represents the 60 minutes of an hour, comprising the steps of:

(a) displaying said digits to represent the hour of the time;

(b) displaying zero or more filled divisions of said figure so that the area filled at any one time provides an instantly readable representation of the approximate fraction of the hour which has passed since the hour began; and

(c) displaying one or more indicia positioned around said figure so as to indicate the number of said divisions which may appear in said figure.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the indicia indicate the approximate number of minutes the filled segments represent.

5. A timepiece display for showing the time as one or more digits representing the hour in conjunction with a familiar or regular figure, the total area of the figure representing the 60 minutes of the hour, comprising:

(a) an electro-optical display of one or more digits to represent the hour;

(b) an electro-optical display of segments which together constitute divisions of said figure, zero or more of said segments being filled at any one time so that the area filled represents the approximate fraction of the hour which has passed; and

(c) including one or more indicia positioned around said figure to indicate the number of said divisions which may appear in said figure.

6. The timepiece display of claim 5 wherein said indicia indicate the approximate number of minutes the filled divisions represent.