With Electro-optical Display Patents (Class 368/82)
  • Patent number: 7907476
    Abstract: An electronic device, such as a mobile terminal, includes a touchscreen display and a control unit for operating responsive to user contact with the display. The control unit is configured to display an analog clock, detect user contact with the display, and adjust displayed position of a selected clock hand of the analog clock responsive to relative locations on the display that the detected user contact occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jong Hee Lee
  • Publication number: 20110038232
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) base clock includes a clock face and twelve groups of LEDs. The twelve groups of LEDs are arranged as an hourly indicator. Each group of LEDs are arranged as a minutely indicator. The clock further comprising a time signal generator configured for generating time signals and selectively drive corresponding LEDs to light using the time signals to display the time and keep time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: XIAO-GUANG SU, KIM-YEUNG SIP
  • Patent number: 7843769
    Abstract: An information processing device includes: timing means for performing a timing action thereby to output time information indicating the result of the timing action; unit time outputting means for converting the time, as indicated by the time information outputted from the timing means, into individual unit times, as expressed by using a plurality of time units individually, thereby to output the plural unit times individually; unit-by-unit contents decision means for individually deciding the unit presentation contents of an object to be presented to a user, individually for the plural time units, on the basis of such one of the plural unit times outputted from the unit time outputting means as is expressed by a target time unit; general contents decision means for deciding the general presentation contents of the object at the time which is indicated by the time information outputted from the timing means, on the basis of the unit presentation contents for every the time units decided by the unit-by-unit co
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Naoto Ishida, Masafumi Hatanaka, Eiji Kawai, Eriko Takeo, Toshitake Mashiko
  • Patent number: 7835231
    Abstract: A linear clock that contains a main body, twelve one hour indicators located on the main body, eleven five minute indicators interposed between the twelve one hour indicators, and four one minute indicators evenly spaced on the main body such that each indicator may be activated at an appropriate time to accurately represent the time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher George Garcia
  • Patent number: 7821878
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device for conveying information in an analog manner at least in part by the use of at least one display hand positioned on the dial side of a dial, wherein the wearable electronic device uses the display hand(s) to convey information that is stored in the controller of the device and/or provided by sensors and/or an external transmitter. An actuation mechanism, preferably a stepper motor, is used to rotate the display hands in the clockwise and/or counterclockwise directions in predefined increments to convey the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Timex Group B.V.
    Inventors: Michel G. Plancon, Louis M. Galie, Herbert Schwartz, Gerhard Stotz, Ronald S. Lizzi
  • Patent number: 7782713
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for diarizing the performance of janitorial services that includes an electronic display unit for indicating when a service was last completed and an input device for signalling when the display is to be updated. The apparatus can include a chassis mountable on a wall of a facility being maintained by a janitorial service, and at least one electronic display framed by a window on said chassis, said chassis for displaying a time when said facility was last maintained. The apparatus can also include a central processing unit connected to said display and for updating the display based on a user-input received from an input device that is mounted to said chassis and connected to the central processing unit. The input device is actuated at a time that is substantially coterminous when said facility was last maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Hurley Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony M. Talarico
  • Patent number: 7751285
    Abstract: The presently disclosed and claimed invention relates to a user personalized, wearable device that displays time along with other content in a highly customizable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Nano Time, LLC
    Inventor: John M. Cain
  • Patent number: 7722245
    Abstract: A display device has a frame having a substantially cylindrically shaped cylindrical part, a display panel that is band shaped and flexible, and a spacer that is substantially cylindrically shaped and is fit to the cylindrical part. The display panel is disposed to the outside surface of the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Norimitsu Baba, Yutaka Kawafune
  • Patent number: 7693009
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying time on a display panel having a plurality of segment type character display units are provided. Time is displayed in a first position on the display panel by activating a first group of segments in the character display units. The display of time is shifted on the display panel to a second position that is displaced from the first position by activating a second group of segments that is displaced from the first group of segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Inventor: Scott A. Buss
  • Publication number: 20100039902
    Abstract: Provided is a system for distributing and information processing watch information contents D1 concerning a variety of clocks, the system comprising: an information distribution device 19 that distributes watch information contents D1 concerning a variety of clocks, the contents being created in advance, as data to an information user's hand held terminal device #i (i=1 to n); and a plurality of hand held terminal devices #i that acquires and processes watch information contents D1 distributed as data by this information distribution device 19, wherein a software watch based on the watch information contents D1 is displayed as a video image, and a time is clocked at the hand held terminal device #i. In this manner, a plurality of software watches with different designs can be configured, and time display of these software watches can be automatically corrected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Eiji Kawai
  • Patent number: 7639571
    Abstract: A timepiece has a display panel having electrophoretic particles between two opposing substrates, and a drive circuit unit having a display drive unit for applying an electric field between the substrates and a timekeeping unit for keeping time information. A plurality of first electrodes are rendered in the shapes of a plurality of symbols used to display time information content on one of the substrates, and a second electrode is disposed on the other substrate for applying a voltage between the first electrodes and the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Junichiro Ishii, Manabu Akahane
  • Patent number: 7636276
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for measuring geo-solar time parameters. Wrist-watches, clocks, and computer functionality provide, in addition to a traditional chronological parameter for a control frame of reference, several geo-solar time parameters including but not limited to distance Earth travels or has travelled between any two universal orbital points, dynamic Earth-Sun distance, and dynamic rotational velocity of Earth at any longitudinal-latitudinal point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Inventor: Alan Navarre
  • Patent number: 7599255
    Abstract: The device for displaying time in selectable display patterns includes a storage device, an interface, a housing, display elements, and a controller. The storage device stores selectable display patterns. The interface receives an input to select a display pattern. The housing contains a display area that displays the selected display pattern. The display elements may include hour display elements, minute display elements, second display elements, day display elements, date display elements, and/or month display elements. Time is displayed by the amount of display elements in the exhibiting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Inventor: Dennis C. Kent
  • Publication number: 20090201772
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to software and mechanics, and more specifically, to systems and methods for providing time using color. In one embodiment, the invention includes a clock for providing time using colors, the clock including a time component, the time component configurable to produce a measurable mark of time; a color decoding component, the color decoding component configurable to associate the measurable mark of time with a given color group, the colors of the given color group being representative of numbers; and a display component, the display component configurable to visually display the given color group in an arrangement, wherein the displayed color group is usable to determine a time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventor: Michael A. Billeaudeaux
  • Publication number: 20090122653
    Abstract: A display device that has a display panel having a front substrate, an image forming unit, and a back substrate rendered together in layers, and a wiring board layered on the back surface of the back substrate. A plurality of input/output pins are formed on the front surface of the back substrate, and a plurality of connection pins that are electrically connected to the input/output pins by respective conductor members are formed on the back surface of the wiring board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeaki Seki, Kenichi Okuhara
  • Publication number: 20090109802
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying time on a display panel having a plurality of segment type character display units are provided. Time is displayed in a first position on the display panel by activating a first group of segments in the character display units. The display of time is shifted on the display panel to a second position that is displaced from the first position by activating a second group of segments that is displaced from the first group of segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: Scott A. Buss
  • Patent number: 7525877
    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. Licensing information may be obtained via www.inventerprise.com.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Inventor: Shelton E. Harrison, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7525876
    Abstract: The electric apparatus performs time display that is optimal for a user, without need of operations for switching time display by use of the 12-hour system and 24-hour system. In a tape printer, a keyboard section and a CPU are connected to each other via any one of a plurality of solder points A, B, and C. If the solder point is “A” (YES at S103), an hour system flag is set to “OFF” (S105). If the solder point is not “A” (NO at S103), the hour system flag is set to “ON” (S107). If the hour system flag is OFF, a target country (target district) of the keyboard section is “USA”, so that time is displayed in the 12-hour system on a liquid crystal display section, while if the hour system flag is ON, the target country (target district) of the keyboard section is not “USA”, so that time is displayed in the 24-hour system on the liquid crystal display section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Tanjima, Hidekazu Ishii, Nako Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 7518959
    Abstract: A display device has a timekeeping unit that keeps time; and a display unit that displays numerals denoting the hour value of time information, numerals denoting the tens digit of the minute value of the time information, and numerals denoting the ones digit of the minute value of the time information at dispersed over the display area of the display device, and varies the position where time information is displayed by the numeral denoting the hour value, the numeral denoting the tens digit of the minute value, and the numeral denoting the ones digit of the minute value, based on time information kept by the timekeeping unit. The numeral denoting the hour value, the numeral denoting the tens digit, and the numeral denoting the ones digit are displayed on the display unit according to at least one of a specified display state and a specified display position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Akaiwa, Yuko Furukawa, Norimitsu Baba
  • Patent number: 7502281
    Abstract: A timer includes a timing device that generates first and second time counts responsive to user input. A display is provided that displays the first time count in one of a first set of time units and a second set of time units. A user actuatable device is operatively connected to said display and causes the display to clear the first time count and display the second time count.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Inventor: Richard Rund
  • Publication number: 20090016168
    Abstract: A timepiece apparatus is described that includes a display area that is able to present different colors, a timing mechanism that is able to track the passage of time, a display mechanism that is able to change the color of the display area, wherein the color corresponds to a time period, and an interface for associating the color displayed with the time period, wherein the association is customizable by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventor: Emily Smith
  • Patent number: 7450107
    Abstract: A bracelet with information display and inputting capability comprises twelve segments hinged together to allow the bracelet to be folded around the wrist of a user. An information processing unit receives inputted information from an inputting device, for example, by a QWERTY keyboard, and generates display for displaying information on display screen. The display screen and the keyboard each extends over more than one segment of the bracelet, and the segments of the bracelet are hinged to allow the bracelet to be arranged flat for input of information via the inputting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Inventor: Philip J. Radley-Smith
  • Patent number: 7428191
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece including a hollow casing, an electronic L.E.D. module disposed in the casing, the module including a digital time and date display. A glass crystal is connected into an open bezel of the casing and covers the module and the display. By selective manual finger contact with the casing, the display is preferably orientable for reading alternately from either side of the timepiece by the wearer or by an observer. An illuminated image projection separate from the display preferably emanates from a top surface of the casing adjacent the crystal. Preferred first and second touch command bars extend around a different portion of a perimeter of the crystal wherein, when manually touched, current time or current calendar information is displayed. A thin film lamination may be attached atop the module or on an inner surface of the crystal for color enhancement of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Inventor: Dennis L. Klein
  • Patent number: 7426157
    Abstract: An interval timer combining the features of a practice timer, means of measuring date and metronome into a single device for the purpose of measuring, recording, and displaying practice records over a period of weeks or months. During the measuring of practice time, the device may complement the passage of time by the use of lights, sounds, or vibrations. It features a display screen that can indicate total time practiced, current chronological time and date, and a record of practice accomplished over a period of chronological time. The device may also accommodate interchangeable face plates of electronic icons for user personalization of the device. An enhanced version may include means for displaying assignment and practice information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Inventors: Nathan James Arnold, Greg J. Owoc, William Palmer Lovegrove
  • Patent number: 7420881
    Abstract: The device includes data entry means (10), control means (14) connected to means (12) for displaying said data. The invention is characterised in that it further includes a processing unit (16) inserted between the data entry means (10) and the control means (14). The processing unit (16) includes a memory (11) for storing reference times and particularly the Time Out, a counter (18) storing the time TC that elapses from the start of a manipulation and the time TM the elapses between two manipulations, and a comparator (21) including a first comparison unit (23), which acts on the one hand on an ON/OFF switch (24) to interrupt, via control means (14) the energy supply when TC>TO and which, on the other hand, enables TO to be altered at the end of a series of manipulations as a function of certain reference times of the memory and the speed at which the manipulations have been carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: ASULAB S.A.
    Inventors: Erik Jan Frenkel, Jean-Charles Guanter
  • Publication number: 20080192582
    Abstract: In an embodiment, the indication of the seconds is in an inner portion of the face of the clock, the indication of the hours is on an outer portion of the face of the clock, and the indication of the minutes is between the hours and the seconds. In an embodiment, the indication of the seconds is performed by placing a leading time indicator of a group of time indicators in a current time state, followed by a tail of time indicators that may have a constant or have a range of mixed states that may range in appearance that is closest to the current time state to a an appearance that is closest to a non-current time state in an order such that the closer in appearance to the current time state the time indicator is, the closer the time indicator is to the current time state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Frank H. Spoto, Robert M. Carangelo, Wayne M. Antonson
  • Publication number: 20080175106
    Abstract: Provided herein is a display means for indicating time of day to an observer. A display according to the invention uses a minimal number of indicators, which are arranged in a first row having twelve indicators, and a second row containing eleven indicators. A display means according to the invention provides time of day to the nearest five-minute interval. Also provided a process for displaying the time of day to the nearest five minutes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Vikesland
  • Publication number: 20080165629
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to time, and more specifically, to systems and methods for providing a design that replaces all numbers on a time piece utilizing only three colored shapes which change in specified color based on the hour (12 colors), one sixth of an hour (6 colors) and minute (10 colors) of a day. In one embodiment, the invention includes a timepiece for displaying time using colors, the timepiece having a display, the display configurable to providing a first color, a second color, and a third color, wherein the first color represents minutes, the second color represents increments of ten minutes, and the third color represents hours.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Michael A. Billeaudeaux
  • Publication number: 20080144445
    Abstract: A time display device for conveying a current time of a day is provided. The time display device includes a first light emitting element for indicating a current hour by displaying an hour color selected from one of six colors, wherein the six colors respectively represent six hours in a quarter of a day; a second light emitting element indicating the current minute range by displaying one of six colors, wherein the six colors respectively represent one of six intervals of ten minutes in an hour; and a first circuit for controlling flashing at specific frequencies of each of the six colors assigned to the specific hours and minute intervals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: OA Furniture Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chia-Lung Yeh
  • Patent number: 7385881
    Abstract: A display mode control method includes the steps of: enabling an electronic device to determine the time of day; and enabling the electronic device to operate a display panel thereof in a first display mode when the time of day corresponds to nighttime, and in a second display mode when otherwise. The display panel shows information in a light shade against a dark background when operated in the nighttime display mode, and in a dark shade against a light background when operated in the daytime display mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Mitac International Corp.
    Inventor: Yu-Chien Huang
  • Publication number: 20080130421
    Abstract: A display device has a timekeeping unit that keeps time; and a display unit that displays numerals denoting the hour value of time information, numerals denoting the tens digit of the minute value of the time information, and numerals denoting the ones digit of the minute value of the time information at dispersed over the display area of the display device, and varies the position where time information is displayed by the numeral denoting the hour value, the numeral denoting the tens digit of the minute value, and the numeral denoting the ones digit of the minute value, based on time information kept by the timekeeping unit. The numeral denoting the hour value, the numeral denoting the tens digit, and the numeral denoting the ones digit are displayed on the display unit according to at least one of a specified display state and a specified display position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masao Akaiwa, Yuko Furukawa, Norimitsu Baba
  • Publication number: 20080123473
    Abstract: An electronic component comprising a display panel having an image retention characteristic, and a decorative member disposed layered to the display panel. The decorative member passes the display state of at least a portion of the display panel so that the display can be seen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Noriaki Ozawa, Kazunori Hoshino, Katsutoyo Inoue
  • Patent number: 7376052
    Abstract: A clock including a screen having graduations therealong representing time periods, and light bands representing hours, minutes and seconds hands traveling along the screen to indicate current time. When at least two of the three hands overlap one another, light flashes are displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Inventor: Eliot J. Sela
  • Publication number: 20080070533
    Abstract: A function of displaying a clock visually varying according to state information which can be provided by a mobile communication terminal is implemented. In particular, an analog clock designed to move three-dimensionally, which is formed by adding a graphical factor to state information, such as remaining power of battery and reception sensitivity, of a mobile communication terminal, is displayed. Accordingly, since an analog clock on which specific state information is reflected can be displayed, various personalities of users can be reflected with simultaneously increasing visibility in information delivery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin-Yong KIM, In-Won JONG, Sung-Hwan BAEK
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7333398
    Abstract: A device for indicating elapsed time by way of the state of indicators is disclosed, such indicators being arranged in at least four groups such that the first two groups taken together indicate elapsed hours and the second two groups taken together indicate elapsed minutes. The indicators are switchable between a first and second state, such as illuminated or not illuminated. The number of indicators in a first state, such as illuminated, indicate the value of a digit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Cube Root, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Thompson, Robert Sloan
  • Publication number: 20080037374
    Abstract: A time display device, which is a strip-like member to be wrapped around user's body or other object, includes a flexible circuit board and a flexible case receiving the flexible circuit board therein. The flexible circuit board is provided with a controller and a plurality of hour light emitting devices and minute light emitting devices to indicate hour and minute and two light emitting devices to indicate a.m. and p.m. The case is provided with windows associated with the light emitting devices respectively. The controller controls the predetermined light emitting devices lighting to indicate time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Chin-Lun Chu, Wen-Fu Yang, Shun-Ming Chang
  • Publication number: 20080025153
    Abstract: The new clock-watch is both a new display system and a new electric time keeping system, a digital quarts time keeping system keeps the time and the rest of the digital system switches on and off the units that display the time, the display consists of four vertical rows of ten units, each of the four vertical rows of ten units individually represents a number according to how many of the units are displayed, so when you count the units that are displaying in each of the four individual vertical rows of ten units, from left to right, the four numbers give you the time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Henry Tobias Gillespie
  • Patent number: 7307920
    Abstract: This utility discloses a timer display device for displaying time. The timer display device comprises a counting unit and at least twelve light generating modules with circular arrangement to hour positions. The counting unit is a clock for counting actual time. The light generating module is used to modify light generating status according to the counting unit to display actual time correspondingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Intematix Technology Center Corp.
    Inventor: Hwa Su
  • Patent number: 7286445
    Abstract: A unified digital time display is presented in an expanded display field and configured for compatibility with prior balanced, quadribalanced, enhanced quadribalanced or unidirectional segmented displays by positioning hour display elements generally in the center of the field, minute display elements in a space beside the right flank of the hour elements, seconds display elements below the hour elements, with markers in a space beside the left flank of the hour elements which are visually different and distinguishable from markers included in the prior displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Equitime, Inc.
    Inventors: Berj A. Terzian, Michael Terzian
  • Patent number: 7272077
    Abstract: Watch with digital display capable of being adjusted by a control device sensitive to rotation and to axial pressure. The watch comprises two lines of alphanumeric characters, of which one is used exclusively for displaying the current time and the other is used exclusively for displaying indications relative to auxiliary functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventor: Pierre Nobs
  • Publication number: 20070183268
    Abstract: A time display apparatus and method are disclosed. The time display apparatus includes a digit symbol memory for storing digit symbols representing both numerical time values and the passage of time; a symbol color memory for storing digit color information to change colors of time values; a time counter for measuring the time; a controller for determining digit symbols suitable for display of a current time value and associated color information, and for outputting a time display control signal; an image processor for generating a current time representation image using the determined digit symbols and associated color information, and for outputting an image change signal to represent the passage of time in a time unit less than a minimum time unit of the current time representation image; and a display unit for displaying a current time value according to the current time representation image and image change signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hye Mi Hong, Nho Kyung Hong, Su Jung Youn, Hee Woong Choi, You Jin Im
  • Publication number: 20070183267
    Abstract: The electric apparatus performs time display that is optimal for a user, without need of operations for switching time display by use of the 12-hour system and 24-hor system. In a tape printer, a keyboard section and a CPU are connected to each other via any one of a plurality of solder points A, B, and C. If the solder point is “A” (YES at S103), an hour system flag is set to “OFF” (S105). If the solder point is not “A” (NO at S103), the hour system flag is set to “ON” (S107). If the hour system flag is OFF, a target country (target district) of the keyboard section is “USA”, so that time is displayed in the 12-hour system on a liquid crystal display section, while if the hour system flag is ON, the target country (target district) of the keyboard section is not “USA”, so that time is displayed in the 24-hour system on the liquid crystal display section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventors: Naoki Tanjima, Hidekazu Ishii, Nako Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 7215601
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device for conveying information in an analog manner at least in part by the use of at least one display hand positioned on the dial side of a dial, wherein the wearable electronic device uses the display hand(s) to convey information that is stored in the controller of the device and/or provided by sensors and/or an external transmitter. An actuation mechanism, preferably a stepper motor, is used to rotate the display hands in the clockwise and/or counterclockwise directions in predefined increments to convey the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Timex Group B.V.
    Inventors: Michel G. Plancon, Louis M. Galie, Herbert Schwartz, Gerhard Stotz
  • Patent number: 7203134
    Abstract: A wrist watch that also has a pager function incorporated into it. The wrist watch comprises a flexible band and with a watch unit attached to the flexible band. The watch unit displays the time manually, while a LCD readout located on the flexible band displays the time electronically. The wrist watch also includes an incorporated receiver which can receive pages from pager units, with any message, numerical or otherwise, being viewable on the LCD readout. A mode button allows an individual to choose between viewing the time and viewing a received paged message on the LCD readout. The wrist watch also includes an incorporated LED indicator light that indicates if a page has been received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Inventor: Eloise Jackson
  • Patent number: 7187624
    Abstract: Enhanced control buttons are provided for a digital timepiece, each button marked with an icon which identifies its function, one icon indicative of the so marked button being operable to turn a night light on/off, another icon indicative of the so marked button being operable to access and exit from a real time setting mode, another icon indicative of the so marked button being operable to access and exit from an alarm time setting mode, said alarm button being programmable to operate in response to momentary and relatively longer pressures to perform a variety of alarm time functions, including turning on and off a similar alarm icon in the timepiece's display, turning off the alarm sound after it becomes audible following a set alarm time, and thereafter turning on the alarm icon in the watch display for repetition of the sounding of the alarm 24 hours later at the same previously set alarm time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Equitime, Inc.
    Inventors: Berj A. Terzian, Robert Alfred Brodmann
  • Patent number: 7082080
    Abstract: Balanced, quadribalanced, enhanced quadribalanced or unidirectional segmented digital time display systems are modified by inclusion of enhanced prompts which readily distinguish such real time displays and which comprise the letters AL, dA, and each of M, D and Y in pairs, to symbolize that the displays are in modes for setting or resetting an alarm time or calendar values such as the current day name and the current month, day or year dates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Equitime, Inc.
    Inventor: Berj A. Terzian
  • Patent number: 7079452
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Inventor: Shelton E. Harrison
  • Patent number: 7031229
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece has a computer for controlling operation of the electronic timepiece. The computer stores in a storage medium data inputted by a user using functions of the electronic timepiece. A display time of the data is switched by the computer in accordance with an amount of the data stored in the storage medium. The computer then displays the data on a screen of the electronic timepiece by successively switching display of the data in accordance with the switched display time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Norio Tanifuji
  • Patent number: 7017066
    Abstract: The present invention provides hardware-based synchronization within a device such as a set top box so that sets of data values can be communicated between a set of DCR registers operating at a first frequency and a set of clock register operating at a second frequency. Specifically, to communicate an initial set of data values from the set of DCR registers to the set of clock registers, a control signal is stretched and then synchronized with a clock signal having the second frequency. To communicate a current set of data values from the set of clock registers to the set of DCR registers, the control signal is synchronized with a clock signal having the first frequency. By communicating the current set of data values to the first set of registers, a hardware component (e.g., a CPU) can access the current set of data values without restriction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric E. Retter, John M. Sutton