Electro-optical Patents (Class 368/29)
  • Publication number: 20090168609
    Abstract: A system that enables a user to indicate time zones in their electronic calendar for corresponding time periods in the future, and that makes the future time zone information it collects available for scheduling purposes, so that free time can be correctly determined even for frequently traveling users. The disclosed system further automatically provides indications to the user when input future free time information creates local times for previously scheduled calendar events that are outside of the user's regular working hours.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Robert C. Weir, Maureen Elizabeth Kraft, Raj Heda, Diana Weir, Elizabeth Paulsen Sawyer
  • Publication number: 20090122652
    Abstract: A method for displaying events in a plurality of calendar systems. The Custom Calendar System Program (CCSP) herein allows a user to create a custom calendar system by changing the length and names of the year, month, week, or day of any calendar system. The Event Conversion Program (ECP) herein translates the date for an event into a generic date and stores the event with the generic date. When the user changes the displayed time period or calendar system, the Display Program (DP) herein displays the new calendar system and/or time period and determines which events occur on the displayed time period. The DP translates only the events which occur in the displayed time period into the displayed calendar system dates and displays those events on the displayed calendar. A date caching file allows the invention to minimize the number of translation calculations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin Michael Parees, Phillip J. Rau
  • Patent number: 7532544
    Abstract: A multifunction timer device for providing a time/date stamp on objects includes a housing, a controller with a timer circuit contained in the housing, a display for displaying information from the timer circuit, and a multifunction input button. The input button is operable in predetermined sequences to select operating and display modes of the timer device. The input button can be operated to display an actual date or time, to display a current timer value, to select between count-up and count-down modes, and to increment a counter. An adhesive backing is provided for attaching the timer device to an object. A communications link is provided for interfacing the controller with an external programmer. A reset trigger is used to automatically reset the timer device when the object is moved in a particular way, such as when a lid is removed from a pill container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Inventor: Kevin C. Morse
  • Publication number: 20090109799
    Abstract: A method for displaying a calendar for browsing digital images is disclosed. The method includes generating data for each of a plurality of digital image files captured by the camera module, wherein the data are stored in an image file list. A selected calendar month of the calendar is read and a date of a day in the calendar month is read. The read date listed in the image file list in the calendar is highlighted. The highlighted calendar of the calendar month is displayed. A related system is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: CHI MEI COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Ta-Wei Wang
  • Publication number: 20090097361
    Abstract: A content display method is disclosed. The content display method includes the steps of: accepting an instruction input to create a target calendar; extracting a content that indication information has to be displayed in an elapsed period having already passed and a content that indication information has to be displayed in a non-elapsed period to pass from now on in the target calendar based on the instruction input accepted through the accepting step; and arranging the indication information of each of the contents extracted in the extracting step in a corresponding date in a target calendar and displaying the target calendar on a display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takatoshi NAKAMURA, Yoichiro SAKO, Itaru KAWAKAMI
  • Patent number: 7518955
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided, the device comprising a display, user interface, a controlling unit connected to the display and the user interface, providing an electronic calendar application and an alarm clock application. The device further comprises a memory connected to the controlling unit to store calendar items. The controlling unit is configured to receive a command from the user interface of the device to set an alarm to a given time; set the alarm to said time; activate an alarm on the display of the device at said time, receive a stop alarm command from the user interface of the device; stop the alarm and activate and display the calendar application and/or a task list for the date of the alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Topi Saukkonen
  • Patent number: 7512039
    Abstract: A method for enhancing functionality of an automated testing tool. Embodiments of the present invention provide for dynamically adjusting a date in an automated testing tool. System time in a system time format is adjusted according to a date offset. Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of formatting a date in an automated testing tool. System time in a system time format is accessed, wherein the system time comprises a current date and a current time. The date is formatted according to a predetermined date format. Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of regulating access to variables of an automated testing tool. An electronic document of the automated testing tool is populated with at least one variable and at least one value corresponding to the variable. In response to a request to access the variable, access to the variable and the value is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventor: Venkata Subbarao Voruganti
  • Patent number: 7505371
    Abstract: A mobile electronic device that includes a controller including at least one processor, for controlling operation of the mobile device; a display coupled to the controller; a user input device coupled to the controller; and a storage coupled to the controller, the storage storing event reminder information identifying event reminders for different types of events, times at which the event reminders are scheduled to be released for display on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Darrell May, David P. Yach, Andrew D. Bocking
  • Patent number: 7492670
    Abstract: A method for displaying events in a plurality of calendar systems. The Custom Calendar System Program (CCSP) herein allows a user to create a custom calendar system by changing the length and names of the year, month, week, or day of any calendar system. The Event Conversion Program (ECP) herein translates the date for an event into a generic date and stores the event with the generic date. When the user changes the displayed time period or calendar system, the Display Program (DP) herein displays the new calendar system and/or time period and determines which events occur on the displayed time period. The DP translates only the events which occur in the displayed time period into the displayed calendar system dates and displays those events on the displayed calendar. A date caching file allows the invention to minimize the number of translation calculations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin Michael Parees, Phillip J. Rau
  • Publication number: 20090040875
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for synchronizing a plurality of calendars on a mobile device. An embodiment includes responsive to receiving a plurality of event objects, parsing each event object into event information and a calendar identifier. The method includes associating each event object with a calendar based on the calendar identifier. The method includes displaying the event objects on a calendar client executing on the consumer device, wherein each event object indicates the calendar with which it is associated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: T-MOBILE USA, INC.
    Inventors: Adrian Buzescu, Cristian Serban
  • Publication number: 20090034845
    Abstract: The presently described embodiments solve the problem of getting electronic calendar entries back onto the paper calendar. To do so, in one form, according to the presently described embodiments, an inkjet label printer is mounted next to the paper calendar. Each time a daily entry gets updated online, the label printer prints out a new sticky label whose size and markings correspond to the revised paper calendar entry for that day. It is then a simple process for the user to peel off the label and affix it to the correct location on the paper calendar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Eric Saund
  • Publication number: 20080259734
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system or system for creating a personalized calendar includes prompting a user to select a date cell of a representation of a calendar to indicate a desire to add user content to that date cell, receiving the date cell selection, prompting the user to select user content for addition to the date cell, receiving the user content selection, and generating a personalized calendar that includes user content in at least one date cell of the calendar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventor: Mamta Jain
  • Publication number: 20080212410
    Abstract: A mobile electronic device that includes a controller including at least one processor, for controlling operation of the mobile device; a display coupled to the controller; a user input device coupled to the controller; and a storage coupled to the controller, the storage storing event reminder information identifying event reminders for different types of events, times at which the event reminders are scheduled to be released for display on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Darrell May, David P. Yach, Andrew D. Bocking
  • Publication number: 20080175104
    Abstract: A flexible electronic calendar allows the integration of both items that have a specific time (e.g., appointments) and items that do not have a specific time (e.g., tasks) to be displayed within the context of the electronic calendar view, thereby allowing users to organize tasks in the context of scheduled appointments. An electronic calendar view is displayed. An appointment having a specific time is displayed within the electronic calendar view. Additionally, a task is displayed within the context of the electronic calendar view without setting a specific time for the task. The task is displayed at a user-specified location within the electronic calendar view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: DOREEN GRIEB, TODD HAUGEN, MELINDA NASCIMBENI, JOHN E. KNAPP
  • Publication number: 20080165149
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a graphical user interface on a portable multifunction device with a touch screen display comprises: an hour column comprising a sequence of hour numbers; a minute column comprising a sequence of minute numbers; and a selection row that intersects the hour column and the minute column. In response to detecting a gesture on the hour column, the hour numbers in the hour column are scrolled without scrolling the minute numbers in the minute column. In response to detecting a gesture on the minute column, the minute numbers in the minute column are scrolled without scrolling the hour numbers in the hour column. The single hour number and the single minute number in the selection row after scrolling the hour numbers and the minute numbers, respectively, are used as time input for a function or application on the multifunction device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Andrew Emilio Platzer, Stephen O. Lemay, Marcel Van Os, Corbin Robert Dunn, Freddy Allen Anzures
  • Patent number: 7392041
    Abstract: The subject application relates to a system(s), methodology, and user interface that facilitate improving mobile awareness of information, activities, events, and occasions by way of images. The application involves providing images of a desired application such as a calendar for example on a mobile device display. As a result, the visual integrity of the application (e.g., calendar) can be preserved and the appropriate information can be more accurately conveyed to the user. The images can be navigated about and data can be entered into the application as desired to modify the content of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Alice Jane Bernheim Brush, Carman G. Neustaedter
  • Patent number: 7385875
    Abstract: A hand-held mobile electronic device that includes a controller, a display, a user input device, a storage, and a rigid case dimensioned to be held in a hand of a user, the case housing the controller, the display, the user input device and the storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Research in Motion Limited
    Inventors: Darrell May, David P. Yach, Andrew D. Bocking
  • Patent number: 7376605
    Abstract: An electronic market calendar that identifies settlement dates, holidays, market-related events, and provides links to news, information and research materials, pertaining to certain transaction terms, currencies or territories. The invention displays or provides a market calendar in which each one of a plurality of calendar dates that corresponds to a settlement date, a market-related event date or a holiday is displayed in a visibly distinct manner from the rest of the calendar dates. The set of market-related events may include, for example, events such as national elections, publications of economic forecasts, releases of economic reports, monetary policy announcements, trade announcements, interest rate announcements, press releases, governmental hearings, federal open market committee meetings, financial summit meetings, or any other events related to the market in which the electronic market calendar is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: FX Alliance, LLC
    Inventor: Philip Weisberg
  • Patent number: 7345955
    Abstract: A daily display is associated with a text display, the daily display comprising a specific Gregorian calendar date, the text display comprising an abbreviated name of a text reference work wherein the text display is associated with the specific Gregorian calendar date to constitute a complete bibliographic citation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Inventor: Steven R. Campbell
  • Publication number: 20070237032
    Abstract: An event display apparatus includes a configuration unit to configure a screen to include a time region, which is divided by time intervals along a first axis into a plurality of sub-time regions, and an event region, which is divided by event into a plurality of sub-event regions, in parallel to the first axis; and an output unit to output time slots, which has been allocated according to one or more zones, in the respective sub-time regions along the first axis, and to output sub-event regions comprising event information of different types, which correspond to the set time slots, in parallel to the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-ho Rhee, Jae-hwan Kim, Chul-hwan Lee
  • Patent number: 7272076
    Abstract: A method for determining a warranty start date for a product has steps of determining a warranty start event and generating a warranty start date after occurrence of the warranty start event. The timestamp may be generated through a query to a time server on a network connected to the product. Preferred examples of warranty start events comprise first use by the user, and production of a specified cumulative quantity of product output. The warranty start event as well as the generated warranty start date are preferably stored on a memory internal to the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Theresa A. Burkes, George B. Clifton, Steven R. Folkner, Angela K. Hanson, Linda S. Rodda, Patrick D. Walker, Kenneth J. O'Hara
  • Patent number: 7236428
    Abstract: A multifunction timer device for providing a time/date stamp on objects includes a housing, a controller with a timer circuit contained in the housing, a display for displaying information from the timer circuit, and a multifunction input button. The input button is operable in predetermined sequences to select operating and display modes of the timer device. The input button can be operated to display an actual date or time, to display a current timer value, to select between count-up and count-down modes, and to increment a counter. An adhesive backing is provided for attaching the timer device to an object. A communications link is provided for interfacing the controller with an external programmer. A reset trigger is used to automatically reset the timer device when the object is moved in a particular way, such as when a lid is removed from a pill container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Inventor: Kevin Morse
  • Patent number: 6985408
    Abstract: A system and method for dynamically adjusting expiration dates displayed on consumer products, the system and method utilizing an LCD display for displaying an expiration date and messages, sensors for monitoring environmental conditions, a clock for counting back the expiration date, and a controller for determining messages and adjustments to the displayed expiration date based on monitored environmental conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas B. Quine
  • Patent number: 6826121
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and methods for providing time translation to a requester of information incorporating human factors. The requester initiates a request for information onto a computer network, typically the Internet. Time information contained in the request for information is extracted. A translation of the time according to human factors is compared to the time in a table of database records. A determination is made as to whether to include search results as meeting the requested time criteria. If the request is met, the results are displayed when all other required criteria are true.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Inventor: Christopher M. Olexa
  • Patent number: 6798719
    Abstract: An electronic device has a central processing unit (CPU), a display, and a memory device. The display and memory device are both coupled to the CPU. The memory device includes a data structure having a born-on-date (BOD) field and a counter field. The BOD field contains a warranty start date for the electronic device. The CPU is capable of displaying the BOD field on the display. The BOD field is updated by said CPU based on the contents of said counter field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Walter J Muta, Thomas M Tripp
  • Patent number: 6795376
    Abstract: A system and method for dynamically adjusting expiration dates displayed on consumer products, the system and method utilizing an LCD display for displaying an expiration date and messages, sensors for monitoring environmental conditions, a clock for counting back the expiration date, and a controller for determining messages and adjustments to the displayed expiration date based on monitored environmental conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas B. Quine
  • Patent number: 6781920
    Abstract: A method for resolving meeting conflicts for an electronic calendar application is disclosed. After receiving a request for setting a first meeting schedule for a first meeting, an electronic calendar application sets a first meeting schedule and a first meeting priority number associated with the first meeting. In response to a request to set a second meeting schedule for a second meeting, and the second meeting schedule conflicts with the first meeting schedule, the electronic calendar application determines whether a second meeting priority number associated with the second meeting is higher than the first meeting priority number associated with the first meeting. If the second meeting priority number is determined to be higher than the first meeting priority number, then the electronic calendar application overrides the first meeting schedule with the second meeting schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Cary Lee Bates, Robert James Crenshaw, Paul Reuben Day, John Matthew Santosuosso
  • Publication number: 20040151072
    Abstract: A timepiece comprises a standard time clock for counting standard time and means for calculating daylight saving time by adding a predetermined time correction value to the standard time when judging that the standard time is within the period of daylight saving time. When a time input for setting the timepiece is after a daylight saving time starting time as expressed in the standard time and before a daylight saving time starting time as expressed in daylight saving time, the timepiece corrects the input time by adding the time correction value thereto and sets the corrected time as daylight saving time for the standard time clock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Shigeaki Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20030147309
    Abstract: An electronic market calendar that identifies settlement dates, holidays, market-related events, and provides links to news, information and research materials, pertaining to certain transaction terms, currencies or territories. The invention displays or provides a market calendar in which each one of a plurality of calendar dates that corresponds to a settlement date, a market-related event date or a holiday is displayed in a visibly distinct manner from the rest of the calendar dates. The set of market-related events may include, for example, events such as national elections, publications of economic forecasts, releases of economic reports, monetary policy announcements, trade announcements, interest rate announcements, press releases, governmental hearings, federal open market committee meetings, financial summit meetings, or any other events related to the market in which the electronic market calendar is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Philip Weisberg
  • Patent number: 6597636
    Abstract: A perpetual calendar device as set forth which continually maintains a display of the present month and day as well as the minimum birth year for an individual who is entitled to purchase alcohol or tobacco products. The displays of the birth year information can be switched back and forth between the alcohol birth year display and the tobacco birth year display as desired to prevent confusion by the clerk. The displays are identified. The device is adapted for use by store clerks and the like to check to determine whether an individual wishing to purchase these products has attained the minimum age required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventor: Frank T. Marchello
  • Patent number: 6563764
    Abstract: Setting or resetting of digital dates in digital time displays is facilitated by providing an array of display elements which can be selectively activated to display the capital letters M, D and Y, together with simultaneously displayed digital values of months, days and years, respectively. This enables setting or resetting a digital time display to the corresponding correct current month, day and year, without confusion, uncertainty or ambiguity, even if identical, repeated date values are displayed during the setting or resetting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Equitime, Inc.
    Inventor: Berj A. Terzian
  • Patent number: 6483779
    Abstract: A time interval and event display device depicting a displayed event and a continuous time display informing the viewer of continuous time intervals from the unchanging event to the present time or the remaining time to a future unchanging event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Countdown Clocks International
    Inventor: Martin M. Teixeira
  • Patent number: 6466517
    Abstract: A global travel clock including a calender week indicator and a plurality of global time indicators are described. In one embodiment, the clock displays a current time value including a calender week value, and global time indicators indicating a time phase in a particular country. More particularly, each global time indicator displays a daylight phase, a leisure phase, or a sleep phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Kienzle Time HK Ltd.
    Inventor: Roland W. Kohl
  • Patent number: 6449219
    Abstract: A timepiece with a computer based clock (2), in which time is represented on a display (1) in an analog fashion, constructed such that in order to enlarge the scope of time information on the display (1) additional information relating to the progress of time can be shown in a preferably continuous, i.e. dynamic way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventors: Volker Hepp, Joe D. Pradelski, Boris Glass
  • Publication number: 20020089897
    Abstract: Setting or resetting of digital dates in digital time displays is facilitated by providing an array of display elements which can be selectively activated to display the capital letters M, D and Y, together with simultaneously displayed digital values of months, days and years, respectively. This enables setting or resetting a digital time display to the corresponding correct current month, day and year, without confusion, uncertainty or ambiguity, even if identical, repeated date values are displayed during the setting or resetting process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventor: Berj A. Terzian
  • Patent number: 6388951
    Abstract: An audio apparatus comprises an internal clock capable of generating time data; a display section capable of displaying one form of information selected from several predetermined forms of information; and a controller capable of changing the selected information and enabling the selected information to be displayed on the display section, in accordance with the time data generated by the internal clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuichiro Matsumoto, Dai Ishikawa, Hidekazu Yoshida, Michiaki Hamada, Chiharu Akaishi
  • Patent number: 6378771
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and/or managing a business meeting, the system including a processor, memory circuitry, timer circuitry, a display and an electronic sensor. The electronic sensor scans an identification device of each attendee arriving at or withdrawing from the meeting to acquire individual unit time cost and/or individual identification data. The processor adds or subtracts individual unit time cost data to a total unit time cost parameter stored in the memory circuitry each time that an identification device is scanned by the electronic sensor, and calculates a metered cost parameter based upon the total unit time cost parameter and elapsed time data from the timer circuitry. The processor also increases or decrease a total number of attendees parameter each time an identification device is scanned. The system displays a number of time and/or cost related parameters of the meeting, such as the metered cost, the total elapsed time, and the total number of attendees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventor: James R. Cooper
  • Patent number: 6269054
    Abstract: A wrist-watch having an LCD and/or an analog display wherein the time and/or other time references are displayed and wherein changes in position of Bio-rhythm cycles are displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Inventor: Stefano A. Truini
  • Patent number: 6220512
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and/or managing a business meeting, the system including a processor, memory circuitry, timer circuitry, a display and an electronic sensor. The electronic sensor scans an identification device of each attendee arriving at or withdrawing from the meeting to acquire individual unit time cost and/or individual identification data. The processor adds or subtracts individual unit time cost data to a total unit time cost parameter stored in the memory circuitry each time that an identification device is scanned by the electronic sensor, and calculates a metered cost parameter based upon the total unit time cost parameter and elapsed time data from the timer circuitry. The processor also increases or decrease a total number of attendees parameter each time an identification device is scanned. The system displays a number of time and/or cost related parameters of the meeting, such as the metered cost, the total elapsed time, and the total number of attendees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: James R. Cooper
  • Patent number: 6154421
    Abstract: An analog timepiece having a novel means of displaying the current day of the month and indicating the current month of the year. Proximate to each of the hour positions 1 through 12 on the timepiece is a window for displaying the date; the date is displayed in only one of the twelve windows so that the window position proximate to the hour position corresponds to the current month's position within the twelve month calendar year.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventor: Idit Solomon
  • Patent number: 5999492
    Abstract: A chronological display device depicting a displayed event and a continuous time display informing the viewer of continuous time intervals from the unchanging event to the present time or the remaining time to a future unchanging event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Martin Michael Teixeira
  • Patent number: 5974394
    Abstract: A method in which idle time retrieval is not lumped together but divided multistageously so that a burden on a host person for retrieving idle time for subjects of participation is lightened. The subjects of participation are divided into some groups so that idle time is retrieved group by group on the basis of a given retrieval condition. The retrieval is continued unless the retrieval is completed for all the groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Nakayama, Tadashi Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 5898645
    Abstract: A time-keeping section is programmed in such a manner that a predetermined number of virtual particles are caused to reciprocatively move between two virtual space regions successively, and the time-keeping section can sequentially keep time with accuracy using, as a basic time unit, a time required for the predetermined number of virtual particles to make a single travel from one of the space regions to the other space region. With the time values yielded by the time-keeping section, it is allowed to accurately accumulate the basic time unit over a preset time period (e.g., time data for 1,000 years). By incorporating such a time measuring device in each selected computer, accurate common time can be set for shared use among computers connected in a network and also with a computer loaded in an artificial satellite operating far from the earth. In addition, communication among the computers and remote control of any of the computers can be performed very smoothly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: Akira Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 5764597
    Abstract: An electronic calendar for finding out the corresponding Lunar Calendar date from Gregorian Calendar/National Calendar of R.O.C. date includes a display screen for displaying the date in two different calendar systems at the same time. The display screen contains one set of display units for displaying National Calendar of R.O.C/Gregorian Calendar date, one set of display units for displaying Lunar Calendar date, one set of display units for displaying hour and minute, and one set of display units for displaying the day of the week. A central processor unit and a timing control circuit are used to perform the conversion between Lunar Calendar date and Gregorian Calendar/National Calendar of R.O.C. date, and supplies display information to the display units. A keypad consists of multiple keys, the keys are used for entering the date for conversion to the other calendar system. The entered date and the converted date will be displayed on the same display screen at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Wu Yung Shih
  • Patent number: 5754629
    Abstract: A schedule management system which can display a schedule on a screen and enables the user to enter schedule topics promptly and accurately without performing complicated operation is provided. An external voice is input through a microphone or a network control unit and is converted into a digital signal by an A/D converter and a coder. An identifier related to the digital signal is generated. The identifier is displayed on a schedule on a display unit. The digital signal is stored in a memory in relation to the identifier. A user specifies the displayed identifier through an operation section, whereby the digital signal related to the identifier is extracted from the memory by a CPU, the extracted digital signal is converted into an analog signal by a D/A converter, and the analog signal is output as a voice through a loudspeaker or the network control unit to the outside. Like a voice, an image can also be handled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Kunimori, Toshio Kamimura, Tomochika Ozaki, Takao Iwatani, Tadashi Kuwabara, Michihiro Mese, Tomohiro Esaki
  • Patent number: 5719826
    Abstract: A calendaring system which provides accurate calendaring of all dates between Jan. 01, 0001 and Dec. 31, 9999 by implementation of an extended set of leap-year rules. The system includes a variety of additional useful features including: multiple holiday tables; flexible date formats; free form definition of processing days; full support for fiscal calendaring units; changeable endpoint counting modes; and integrated support for the current date in date calendaring calculations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Platinum Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Lips
  • Patent number: 5696739
    Abstract: An alcohol and tobacco age identification perpetual calendar specifically designed for cashiers of the stores that sells alcohol or tobacco products to check customer's identification and can easily verify customer's age before making the sales.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Inventor: Nai-Wen Chang
  • Patent number: 5659521
    Abstract: An electronic watch with a multiple function display which is able to display biorhythms or the like in a format appealing to the sense of sight is presented. This electronic watch moves a plurality of hands by means of a plurality of step motors, and displays the biorhythms with the respective hands. Since the respective hands go through a single rotation when the corresponding step motor performs a set number of steps, in order to ensure that these single rotations are accurately timed with the periods of the biorhythms, movement control of the step motors is conducted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Amano
  • Patent number: 5621702
    Abstract: A liquid crystal calendar display device, especially suitable for an electronic timepiece, presents a full calendar month for all possible monthly calendars. Sunday, or any other selected day of the week, appears in the leftmost displayed column, regardless of the day which is the first date in the presented month. The area occupied by the date numerals is reduced by interleaving the date numerals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Timex Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald S. Lizzi
  • Patent number: 5619477
    Abstract: A clock has at least one display unit for the real time, at least one input unit for at least one adjustable set-time, if necessary linked to a date, that can be stored in a memory and that triggers a process when it is attained, as well as at least one display unit for the set-time(s). The input unit has at least three main input means. Each main input means allows a moment in time located in the future with respect to the time presently displayed in the set-time display unit to be reached, starting from the real time or from an adjusted set-time that has been programmed immediately beforehand with the same or another main input means. Said future moment in time represents an integral multiple or an integral fraction of an hour and/or the beginning of an explicitly named set period in time adapted to our natural time perception conditioned by culture and tradition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Inventor: U. Martin Schenk