US 5,526,327 A · Spatial displacement time display

Abstract

A display and method for depicting the passage of time by selectively and progressively filling predetermined areas, each area representing hours, minutes, seconds and tenths of seconds respectively. The areas may be of any shape or combination of shapes. The portion of the area that is filled represents that portion of an hour, minute, second or tenth of second that has passed. The areas may be normally dark in which case filling illuminates the area. Areas may be normally light in which case filling darkens the area. The areas may be any visually perceptible medium capable of changing light intensity or color including discharge tubes, light emitting diodes, liquid crystal displays, fiber optic bundles, or hologram images. The areas may be arranged in unconventional and discontinuous patterns and incorporated into a wide variety of objects.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A display for depicting time comprising:

a. a first fillable area, said first area being circular having a diameter and, within said first area, a plurality of lightable chord segments positioned perpendicular to said diameter, said first area being linearly lightable by activating said chord segments progressively across said diameter;
b. a second fillable area;
and
c. a timing circuit and a power circuit electrically connected to progressively fill and clear said first fillable area and said second fillable area during a first time interval and a second time interval so that said second fillable area, during the passage of said first time interval progressively fills and then clears and said first fillable area, during the passage of said second time interval, progressively fills and then clears.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Spatial displacement time display

Life of this patent

Spatial displacement time display

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21