Timer and display device

• US 7,020,047 B1
• Filed: 03/18/2003
• Issued: 03/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steve Brock
• Original Assignee: Steve Brock
• Inventors: Brock, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): Hirshfeld, Andrew H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hinze, Leo T.
• Application Number:
  US10/391,262
• Time in Patent Office: 1,106 Days
• Field of Search: 368/10, 368/89, 368/28, 368/29, 368/327, 368/223, 368/107, 368/108, 708/111, 708/112
• US Class Current: 368/10
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 45/0076 Decoration of the case and of parts thereof, e.g. as a method of manufacture thereof specially shaped G04B45/0061, G04B45/0069; decoration with inscriptions and pictures G04B45/0084; construction of the hands G04B19/042; decoration by adding extra pieces to the clockwork G04B47/04; colouring by treatment of the surface, e.g. by oxidation C25D

Abstract

A display device for displaying an event and method for monitoring and displaying a time interval related to a non-displayed past event and/or a non-displayed future event. A displayed event of a person or event is displayed on a support member, such as a frame or plaque. A timer is provided to calculate an accumulating time interval and/or a reducing time interval. The accumulating time interval measures the current elapsed time from a non-displayed past event. The reducing time interval measures the time remaining from a current time to a non-displayed future event. The time intervals are displayed on a timer display that is disposed adjacent the displayed event to remind an observer of the time to a non-displayed future event and/or of the time from a non-displayed past event.

Claims

1. A method of measuring and monitoring time intervals related to a non-displayed past event and a non-displayed future event comprising the steps of:

(a) displaying an event;

(b) inputting a first date corresponding to a non-displayed past event;

(c) inputting a second date corresponding to a present time;

(d) inputting a third date corresponding to a non-displayed future event;

(e) calculating the time interval from the non-displayed past event to said present time;

(f) calculating the time interval remaining from the present time to the non-displayed future event; and

(g) concurrently displaying the calculated time interval from the non-displayed past event to said present time and the calculated time interval remaining from the present time to the non-displayed future event with the displayed event.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of displaying an event is performed in a picture frame.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of displaying an event is performed via a video monitor.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said picture frame is shaped like a puzzle piece.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said picture frame is disposed adjacent a second picture frame to resemble an interlockable puzzle piece.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the first date is a date of birth.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the third date is the date of an eighteenth birthday.