JP2001343475A - Color display device for display of time by color, and time display method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a color display device, which is satisfactory in design properties and which is rich in an aesthetic appreciation property by a method where the hour hand, the minute hand and the like are removed as well as the time and its elapsed time state are displayed by the arrangement and the shape of a plurality of colors (hue, chroma, lightness) or the change ratio of the colors, and to provide a color display device by which a numeral and its sense of time passage can be understood easily even by children. SOLUTION: A time display part which is used for a color display panel is divided into a plurality of cells. The 'time' is expressed by respectively different colors. The passage of the time is expressed by the change in colors.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color display device for displaying a time display on a display panel in "a plurality of colors". Further, the present invention relates to a color display device that displays an analog representation of time by “color change”.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional timepieces include a so-called "analog timepiece" which indicates the current time by indicating the time scale of a dial in which numerals and the like are entered with an hour hand, a minute hand, a second hand, etc. in an analog manner. The so-called "digital clock", which is converted into digital numbers of minutes and seconds and displayed on a liquid crystal display panel or the like, was used. In an analog timepiece, a dial generally displays numbers from 1 to 12 and Greek numerals at equal intervals, but there is also a type in which there are no characters and marks and dots are displayed at equal intervals. In each case, the time is read from the position on the dial by rotation of the hour hand, minute hand and the like. However, in the case of infants who cannot read numbers, understand the rules by the 60-base system that the time when the minute hand indicates the position of 6 on the dial is 30 minutes and the time when the position of the minute hand indicates the position of 9 is 45 minutes. It was difficult for a child who could not, looking at the clock to understand the time and the sense of time. Also, with a digital clock digitally displaying numbers, it is troublesome to visually grasp the elapsed time and the remaining time until the target time only by displaying the current time.

[0003]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object the following:
By removing the hour hand, minute hand, and second hand, and displaying the time and its progress status based on the arrangement and shape of multiple colors (hue / saturation / brightness), the rate of change in the colors, etc., the design is excellent, In other words, it is possible to design a clock with rich aesthetics, easily grasp the passage of time and the remaining time until the target time, and easily understand the sense of time and time even for children who do not understand how to read numbers and watches. It is an object of the present invention to provide a color display device which can be understood.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a time output circuit comprising an oscillation circuit, a frequency divider, and a time counter, a time display using a color display panel, and its driving. A circuit unit, and a control unit that sends a signal indicating the time to the time display unit so that the time can be identified by color. The control unit divides the time display unit into 12 or 24 cells, A time color zone display means for forming a time color zone so that at least adjacent cells can be distinguished by different colors, and a time display of the time lapse process of the time color zone. The cell area is discolored in proportion to the passage of time to display the current time, and the time passage is calculated based on the output time of the time output circuit unit.

Further, in the color display device for displaying the time in color according to claim 1, the cell group formed by the hour color zone display means of the control unit is arranged so that the time display unit having a rectangular shape is horizontally and / or horizontally. Alternatively, it is characterized in that it is divided in the vertical direction to form a square cell group.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the color display device for displaying the time in color, the control unit divides the time display unit into 6 or 60 cells, A minute and second color zone display means for forming a second color zone of the second display cell group; and a color zone selection means for displaying any one of the three color zones of the hour, minute, and second. I do.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the color display device for displaying the time in color, the control unit includes a minute and second display cell for displaying the time zone of the color zone displayed by the minute and second color zone display means. Minute and second time display means for changing the area in proportion to the passage of time and displaying the current time are provided.

In the color display apparatus for displaying time in color, the present invention has a minute or second scale on the entire periphery of the outer edge of the hour color zone or on one side thereof. A minute and second scale display unit for indicating time, and a scaled minute and second time display means for changing the area corresponding to the minute and second in the course of time and displaying the current time are provided.

The color display device according to claim 1, wherein the cell group formed by the hour color zone display means of the control unit has an annular time display surrounded by an inner circumference and an outer circumference. The portion is formed by dividing the cell into 12 cells by vertical lines.

In the color display device for displaying the time in color according to claim 6, an annular minute scale display section having a minute scale at an outer peripheral portion on the outer peripheral side of the color zone; An annular second scale display unit having a second scale, and a minute and second scale time display means for displaying the current time by discoloring an area corresponding to the minute and second of the time lapse process. I do.

Further, in the color display device for displaying the time in color according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7,
It is characterized by comprising a time color selection means for selecting a color to be set in the hour display cell with a selection button.

Further, claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Alternatively, in the color display device for displaying time in color, the control unit further includes digital time display means for displaying digital time on the time display unit.

Further, claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
10. A color display device for displaying the time according to 7, 8, or 9 in color, wherein the time display unit using the color display panel is a liquid crystal display device or a plasma display device.

Further, claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
In a color display device for displaying the time described in 7, 8, 9 or 10 in color, an antenna for receiving a long-wave standard radio wave including a time code, and a reception time generation for receiving the radio wave and generating reception time data And a time adjusting means for adjusting the output time of the time output circuit unit based on the reception time data obtained by the means.

Further, claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
A time display method using a color display device for displaying the time according to any one of 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 in color, wherein the color display device includes at least a display unit of a clock, a fixed or mobile phone. Display unit, display unit of TV receiver,
The transition of time is displayed as a change in the shape of a color pattern using any of the display unit of a game device, the display unit of a personal computer, and the display unit of an indoor / outdoor advertising display device.

[0016]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described with reference to the following. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a color display device 10 according to the present invention, which displays the time by color (hue / saturation / brightness).
Here, reference numeral 1 denotes a time display unit using a color display panel. The portable type is preferably a liquid crystal display device, and the desktop type is preferably a plasma display device. C on PC etc.
When using an RT device, the time display unit pattern may be displayed on a part of the RT device. The time display unit 1 using the color display panel is driven by the drive circuit unit 2 from the control unit (microprocessor MPU) 4 via the interface 3 as described later. Reference numeral 7 denotes a power supply unit (battery) of the time display unit 1 and its drive circuit unit 2.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a microprocessor (MPU), which is a control unit of the color display device 10. 4a is the control unit 4
This shows a group of programs. Here, 4b is “hour, minute, second”
Each color zone display means, 4c is "hour, minute, second" Each time display means, 4d is a color zone selection means, 4e is "minute,
Seconds, each scaled time display means, 4f hour color selection means,
4g is digital time display means.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a group of setting buttons on the outer peripheral portion of the color display device 10; 5a, a color setting key for setting the color of each time; 5b, an "hour" setting key; and 5c, a "minute / second" setting key. 5d are color zone setting keys.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a clock section, that is, a time output circuit section, 6a is an oscillation circuit, 6b is a frequency dividing circuit, and 6c is a time counting circuit.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a power supply unit (battery) such as the control unit 4, the time output circuit unit 6, and the like.

Next, there are various display modes for the time display unit 1 using the color display panel. The content of the program 4a of the control unit of the control unit 4 depends on how the time display unit 1 is displayed. The contents of the setting keys of the setting button group 5 are slightly different. The operation of the color display device 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.
The specific display configurations of the various display modes of the time display unit 1 will be described below.

A color display device 100 having a first display configuration of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3A shows the time display unit 1 by the hour color zone display unit 4b of the control unit 4.
Indicates the “hour” color zone 101 divided and displayed in 24 cells 1a to 1x having different colors. In this example, the upper two columns indicate morning and the lower two columns indicate afternoon time.
a indicates midnight, cell 11 indicates 11:00, cell 1m indicates 12:00 pm, and cell x indicates 23:00 in the afternoon. Each cell must have a different color from its neighbors so that it can be identified. The difference in the pattern in the cell expresses that the color is different for each cell. FIG. 3B shows an embodiment in which the current time is indicated.

The elapsed time changes from 1a cell to 1j by the "hour" time display means 4c in which the color of the elapsed time area changes with the elapsed time of the current time output from the time output circuit 6c.
After passing through the cell (midnight to 9am), the color changes,
(Discolored to white in this case) Further, it indicates that time has elapsed until 1/3 of 10:00 am. That is, it indicates that it is 10:20.

3 (a) and 3 (b), reference numeral 102 denotes a "minute" scale time display zone, and FIG. 3 (b) shows 20 minutes at present. Reference numeral 103 denotes a time display zone with a “second” scale, and FIG. 3B shows 25 seconds at present. Eventually, the color display device 100 indicates that the time is 10:20:25.

FIG. 4 shows a color display device 200 having a second display configuration of the first embodiment. FIG. 4A shows a case where an "hour" color zone 201 is displayed. The cell is divided and each cell is assigned to each “hour” to form a color zone 201. These colors can be changed with the setting key 5a. 5b and 5c are "hour" and "minute" respectively.
This is a setting key for “second” and is the same as the color display device 100 in FIG. FIG. 3 shows the time display zones 102 and 103 with the “minute, second” scale. In the case of FIG. 4, the “hour” color zone 201 is changed to the “minute” color zone 202 by the color zone switching key 5 d. This is a configuration for switching to the color zone 203. FIG. 4B shows a state where the color zone is switched to the "minute" color zone 202 or the "second" color zone 203 by the color zone switching key 5d. This is a case where the cell is divided into 60 cells. If FIG. 4B shows the “minute” color zone 202, the current time indicates 6:33 am Here, by switching to the “second” color zone 203, the current time of “second” can be known. Note that the “minute” and “second” cells may be divided into six cells.
The "hour" cell may also be divided into twelve cells to display color zones.

FIG. 5 shows a color display device 300 having a third display configuration according to the first embodiment. Reference numeral 301 denotes an annular "hour" color zone. In this case, it is divided into 12 cells.

Reference numeral 302 denotes a time display zone with a “minute” scale, 3
Numeral 03 denotes a “second” scale time display zone, both of which are annular. Their current time is 30
2a and 303a.

Reference numeral 304 denotes a "hour" present time display zone on a normal analog clock hand, and moves clockwise (clockwise). The portion corresponding to the hand has a one-hour width area, and is displayed in the same color as the "hour" color for easy viewing, and the current time of the "hour" appears at the position of the width area end 304a. The leading end 304b of the width region in the traveling direction indicates a time one hour later.

Reference numeral 305 denotes an annular ring having scales of "minutes" and "seconds".
A display with scales may be put in each of 303.

In the case of the color display device 300, 7:40
Indicates minute 31 seconds.

FIG. 6 shows a color display device 400 which is a fourth display configuration of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, an optimal design configuration for a table clock or the like can be obtained. Reference numeral 402 denotes a “minute” color zone, which is an example of division into six cells. Cells 4a-
4f indicates cells of 10 minutes each, and the color changes in proportion to the elapsed fraction in order from the top. 40
1 is a time display zone with an “hour” scale, and in this case, 1
The cell is divided into two, and each cell is configured with a color different from time to time.

The current time is 9:25.

Here, the color of the time that has not yet elapsed for “minute” is the “hour” in the “hour” scale time display zone 401.
The display zone 401 need not be provided if the color is adjusted to the color of. Since there are no numbers or hands, others can only see it as an interior decoration, and only you can recognize the time as a clock.

Next, the color display device 2 of the second embodiment shown in FIG.
0 will be described. The second embodiment is a color display device for displaying the time of a so-called radio clock in color. FIG.
Since the same reference numerals as those of the color display device 10 of the first embodiment have the same functions, the description is omitted. Reference numeral 9 denotes a radio wave receiving unit, which includes an antenna or a ferrite core container 9a, a standard radio wave receiving circuit 9b, and a time code generating circuit 9c. The control unit 4 includes a radio wave time generation unit 4h that generates a current time from a time code received from a radio wave, and a time correction unit 4z that corrects the current time. Time display unit 1 using color display panel of color display device 20 of second embodiment
With regard to the embodiment, almost the same as the color display device 10 of the first embodiment can be used. That is, the time display unit 1 described in the color display devices 100, 200, 300, and 400 may be used. Here, the radio wave received by the radio wave receiving unit 9 is a long-wave standard radio wave modulated by a time code, and is transmitted in a one-minute format every minute.
The signal is received by the ferrite core antenna 9a, and is decoded by the standard radio wave reception circuit 9b and the time code generation circuit 9c to generate a time code. The control unit 4 receives the time code from the input terminal, generates the current time by the radio wave time generation unit 4h, and corrects the internal clock of the control unit 4 by the time correction unit 4z. The other operations of the color display device 20 are the same as the operations of the color display device 10.

The color display devices 10 and 20 may be provided with various notification sound circuit units (not shown) to the control unit 4 via an interface. If you do this,
Color and sound can be linked to change the color and the brightness.

Further, according to the time display method of the present invention using the color display device for displaying the time in color, the transition of the time is represented by the three primary colors of light, red, green and blue. In this method, a color arrangement that imitates the color change of a natural rainbow can also be used. The transition of time can be represented by displaying two or more of these colors as modeling changes. According to such a timepiece, not only aesthetics but also a color education for children can be used. Further, the color display device may be used for a display portion of a watch, as well as a display portion of a fixed or mobile phone, a display portion of a television receiver, a display portion of a game device, a display portion of a personal computer, or an indoor or outdoor advertising display device. By incorporating and using it in the screen of the display unit, the transition of time can be displayed as a shaping change of a color pattern.

[0037]

According to the time display method using the color display device for displaying the time in color according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. The time hand is displayed in analog form by omitting the hour and minute hands, etc., and displaying the time in multiple colors and changes in the colors, so that it is easy to grasp the passage of time, the remaining time until the target time, etc. It becomes a color display device capable of abundant design design such as color change and cell shape.
There are many uses especially as interior.

Even children who do not understand how to read numbers and clocks can easily recognize the sense of time and time. In addition, as seen from the rainbow in the sky, the user is given a feeling of mental fulfillment by feeling all the hues. By showing it as a color change, it can be used as a basis for color education and give a creative idea of time.

Furthermore, it is very convenient for an elderly person whose fine numbers are difficult to read. In particular, the position of the hand can be expressed with a certain width, so that the current time can be easily viewed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a color display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a color display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a first display configuration diagram of a time display unit of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a second display configuration diagram of a time display unit of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a third display configuration diagram of a time display unit of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a fourth display configuration diagram of the time display unit of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Time display part using a color display panel 2 Display part drive circuit 3 Interface 4 Microprocessor (MPU) (control part) 4a Program of control part 4b "Hour, minute, second" Each color zone display means 4c "hour, minute, "Second" each time display means 4d color zone selection means 4e "minute, second" each time display means with scale 4f "hour" color selection means 4g digital time display means 4h radio time generation means 4z time correction means 5 setting button group 5a color Setting key 5b “hour” setting key 5c “minute, second” setting key 5d color zone switching key 6 clock section (time output circuit section) 6a oscillation circuit 6b frequency dividing circuit 6c time counting circuit section 7 power supply section of display section 8 display Power supply other than the unit 9 Radio receiver 9a Antenna, ferrite core antenna 9b Standard radio receiver 9c Time code generator Circuit 10, 20, 100, 200, 300, 400 Color display device 101, 201 "Hour" color zone 202, 402 "Minute" color zone 102, 302 "Minute" scale time display zone 103, 303 "Second" scale Time display zone 203 "Second" color zone 301 Annular "hour" color zone 401 Time display zone with "hour" scale

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A time output circuit section including an oscillation circuit, a frequency dividing circuit, and a time counting circuit, a time display section using a color display panel and a drive circuit section thereof, and the time display section can identify time by color. And a control unit for transmitting a signal to be displayed on the display unit. The control unit divides the time display unit into 12 or 24 cells, and assigns each cell to a time display cell at each time. An hour color zone display means for forming an hour color zone so that it can be distinguished by different colors; and an area of a time display cell in the time elapse process of the hour color zone is discolored in proportion to the elapsed time to display the current time. And a time display means for calculating the elapsed time based on the output time of the time output circuit section. A color display device for displaying time in color. 2. The color display device according to claim 1, wherein the time group displays the time in color in a horizontal direction. Alternatively, a color display device for displaying a time in color, which is divided in a vertical direction to form a square cell group. 3. The color display device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit divides the time display unit into 6 or 60 cells, and stores the time display unit in a color separation zone of a minute display cell group. A minute and second color zone display means for forming a second color zone of the second display cell group; and a color zone selection means for displaying any one of the three color zones of the hour, minute, and second. Color display device that displays the time of day in color. 4. The color display device according to claim 3, wherein the controller displays the time in the minute and second display cells of the time zone of the color zone displayed by the minute and second color zone display means. A color display device for displaying time in color, comprising: minute and second time display means for changing the area in proportion to the passage of time and displaying the current time. 5. The color display device according to claim 2, wherein the time is displayed in color, and the whole of the periphery of the hour color zone or one side thereof has a minute or second scale. A minute and second scale display unit for indicating time, and a scaled minute and second time display means for displaying the current time by discoloring the area corresponding to the minute and second in the course of the time passage. Color display device that displays in color. 6. The color display device according to claim 1, wherein the cell group formed by the hour color zone display means of the control unit has an annular time display surrounded by an inner circumference and an outer circumference. A color display device for displaying time in color, wherein a portion is divided into 12 cells by vertical lines. 7. A color display device according to claim 6, wherein the time is displayed in color. An annular minute scale display portion having a minute scale on an outer edge portion on an outer peripheral side of the color zone, and further provided on an outer peripheral side thereof. An annular second scale display unit having a second scale, and a minute and second scale time display means for displaying the current time by discoloring an area corresponding to the minute and second of the time lapse process. Color display device that displays the time of day in color. 8. The color display device according to claim 1, wherein the time is displayed in color, and the color set in the hour display cell is selected by a selection button. A color display device for displaying time in color, characterized by comprising means. 9. The color display device according to claim 1, wherein the time is displayed in a color. The control unit further displays a digital time on a time display unit. A color display device for displaying the time in color, comprising a digital time display means for displaying the time. 10. The method according to claim 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,
10. The color display device according to claim 8, wherein the time display unit using the color display panel is a liquid crystal display device or a plasma display device. Display device. 11. The method of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
A color display device for displaying the time described in 8, 9, or 10 in color, comprising: an antenna for receiving a long-wave standard radio wave with a time code; a reception time generating means for receiving the radio wave and generating reception time data And a time correction unit for correcting the output time of the time output circuit unit based on the reception time data obtained by the means. A color display device for displaying the time in color. 12. The method of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
A time display method using a color display device that displays the time according to any one of 8, 9, 10, and 11 in color, and displaying a transition of time as a shaping change of a color pattern, wherein the color display device includes at least Time transition using any of a display unit of a clock, a display unit of a fixed or mobile phone, a display unit of a television receiver, a display unit of a game device, a display unit of a personal computer, and a display unit of an indoor or outdoor advertising display device. Is displayed as a color pattern change.