JP6684544B2 - Time expression unit - Google Patents

Description

The time reference acquisition unit and the display unit are separated into separate subunits, and the display unit includes one or more arbitrary subunits on a three-dimensional space, a two-dimensional plane, or a one-dimensional straight line. Relates to a time expression unit that expresses and manages time in various forms independently or in cooperation with each other and additionally has an additional function other than the time expression function.

Conventional timepieces are classified into mechanical timepieces and crystal timepieces according to the method of acquiring a time reference, and are classified into analog timepieces, digital timepieces, voice timepieces, etc. according to the time display method. However, in these, a power source for acquiring the time reference, a case that stores various parts and circuits, and a display unit that displays information regarding time are integrated to form one watch. In other words, one clock fulfilled both the function of acquiring the time reference and the function of displaying the time. From watches with long and short hands to digital watches, there was no change in this regard.
Patent Document 1 discloses an invention relating to "a display device, a timepiece, a control method of a display device, a control program, and a recording medium" that perform display control according to an operating state of a rotating bezel. According to the present invention, although the time can be displayed in various modes, a panel for displaying the time is provided above the case main body in which the oscillation circuit, the frequency dividing circuit, the clock counter, etc. are stored. There is no difference from the clock.

By the way, recently, a time reference can be acquired by an electronic component that generates a reference time such as an integrated circuit component, and indoor or outdoor devices can transmit and receive signals by wireless communication or infrared communication. If so, a device equipped with parts such as ASIC, FPGA, PLD should be used to acquire a time reference, and this device should send a signal to another device, and the device that received this signal should display information related to time. Should also be possible. As a result, it can be easily imagined that the installation position and the number of clocks, that is, the degree of freedom of layout is significantly improved.
From such a consciousness of problems, I searched the patent electronic library for a prior document relating to a new clock, but could not find it.

JP 2004-184396 A

It is an object of the present invention to realize various expressions of time regardless of integrating the time reference acquisition unit and the display unit. In addition to displaying the current time, the purpose is to have additional functions such as schedule management.

To achieve the above object, the time expression unit of the present invention comprises:
A time expression unit composed of one or more arbitrary number of first subunits and one or more arbitrary number of second subunits,
Each of the first subunits described above,
Time reference acquisition means for acquiring the current time ,
An instruction means for transmitting instruction information including the acquired current time to each of the second sub-units,
Each of the second subunits described above,
Instruction receiving means for receiving information transmitted from the first subunit,
External input means that enables input of information from outside the first sub-unit,
Output means for expressing current time or information indicating a time different from the current time according to the information received by the instruction receiving means and the external input means;
It is characterized by comprising self-propelled means controlled by the output means .
In this way, since the function of acquiring the current time and the function of expressing the time are performed by different devices, it is possible to display more various times than the conventional timepiece. Since the present invention has a wider variety of time display modes than the conventional timepieces, it is more appropriate to call the time “expression” rather than the time “display” .
Information about time such as the current time is essential as the "instruction information". This is because the first role of the time expression unit of the present invention is to provide the function as a clock. In addition, the instruction information includes the output method and timing of information regarding time, the position (or direction and distance) of the second subunit to move, and the like.

By including the external input means , the second subunit can function as an input device that can input various information from the outside, and can function as an output device that can output based on various input information. You can also
"Information from outside the first subunit" means that the person using this time expression unit moves the second subunit from the current position to another, or is attached to the case of the second subunit. This is information that is meant to be used to operate the switches that are present or to be input by communication from the outside. For example, when the output means of the second subunit has a function of generating an odor at a specific time and has a switch for switching on / off of the generation of the odor, a manual switch-off for stopping the generation of the odor or Transmitting a stop command from a mobile terminal such as a smartphone when going out is an example of “information from the outside”.

Further, the time expression unit of the present invention is
By providing self-propelled means, the following time expressions are possible. That is, a target time is set for the second subunit placed at a position distant from the first subunit, and the second subunit is set as the set target time approaches the current time acquired by the first subunit. May be self-propelled toward the first subunit, and the distance decreasing with the movement between the first subunit and the second subunit may be information indicating a time different from the current time .

When there are two or more second subunits, the instructing means sends instruction information to the instruction receiving means of each second subunit, and these second subunits cooperate with each other to obtain the current time or the current time. Information indicating a time different from the time may be expressed.

In the present invention, the time reference acquisition function and the time display function are not realized by a single device, but the time display function is independent of the time reference acquisition function, so that the degree of freedom in expressing time is increased more than in the past. . As a result, it is possible to perform higher-order time management / schedule management, etc., instead of simply acquiring the time. Furthermore, beyond the conventional concept of "clocks", auxiliary functions (for example, functions as educational tools, amusement functions, healing functions for users, etc.) for users who want to manage time are added. It is also possible.

(1) is a diagram illustrating a conventional timepiece, and (2) is a diagram illustrating a time expression unit of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the time expression unit of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the use condition of the time expression unit of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the use condition of the time expression unit of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the other usage condition of the time expression unit of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the use condition of the time expression unit of 4th Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the use condition of the time expression unit of 5th Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the use condition of the time expression unit of 6th Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the use condition of the time expression unit of 7th Embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
The minimum structure of the time expression unit of the present invention is one first subunit and one second subunit. The reason why at least two subunits are required is that the main purpose of the present invention is to separate the time reference acquisition unit and the display unit, which are integrated in the conventional timepiece.
In the conventional timepiece 100 shown in FIG. 1 (1), a display unit 102 is included in a case 101 in which an escapement for acquiring a time reference, a crystal oscillator, and the like are housed. On the other hand, in the time expression unit 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1B, the devices for storing the time reference (stored in the case 2) and the display unit 3 are separate. .

As shown in FIG. 2, the time expression unit 1 of this embodiment is composed of one first subunit A and one second subunit B.
The first subunit A includes a time reference acquisition unit 4 that acquires a time reference, and an instruction unit 5 that sends instruction information including time information such as the current time to the second subunit B.
The second subunit B has an instruction receiving unit 6 that receives instruction information from the first subunit A, an external input unit 7 that enables input of information from outside the first subunit A, and time-related information. The output means 8 for expressing The second subunit B is also provided with a moving means 9 if it can move by itself.

Each of the first sub-unit A and the second sub-unit B has a storage medium (not shown) and its read / write device, or a non-volatile memory or volatile memory (ROM, RAM, etc.), CPU, DSP, FPGA, CPLD, etc. Devices (including storage element inclusion type) and the like are connected by a bus and mounted on a circuit board (not shown). When the computer program stored in the ROM is executed by the CPU, the time reference acquisition means 4, the instruction means 5 and other means of the first subunit A are realized, and the instruction reception means 6 of the second subunit B is realized. Functions of the external input unit 7, the output unit 8 and other units are realized.

The time reference acquisition means 4 of the first sub-unit A may be a crystal oscillation type or a radio clock type.
The instruction means 5 acquires the current time based on the time reference signal output from the time reference acquisition means 4, and sends the current time and necessary instruction information to the second subunit B. The instruction information may be sent by any means such as radio waves or infrared rays.
Here, where the first subunit A and the second subunit B are arranged as long as the instruction information from the instruction unit 5 of the first subunit A can be obtained by the instruction receiving unit 6 of the second subunit B, they are arranged at any positions. May be done. Note that the first subunit A and the second subunit B are not necessarily arranged in the same room. For example, there is a realization method in which the first subunit A is installed in a manager's room of a building, the second subunit B is formed of a large liquid crystal screen, and this is installed on the roof of the building. Another option is to install huge subunits on the roof or wall of multiple buildings. Furthermore, each of the two buildings facing each other may include the first subunit A and the second subunit B, and the second subunit B of each building may display the time information on the wall surface of the other building. In other words, the time information is projected mutually among the buildings.

The instruction receiving means 6 of the second subunit B may have any structure as long as it can receive a remote communication means medium including visible light such as radio waves or infrared rays.
The second subunit B can be manually operated by the user. The external input means 7 of the second subunit B is changed by the user by changing the arrangement position, receiving a signal by radio or the like, and being given a stimulus including light, sound, vibration, heat, pressure, and humidity from the outside. Recognize as an operation instruction. Therefore, the external input means 7 also includes sensors that recognize them. Further, the external input means 7 appropriately includes a switch, a touch panel capable of inputting alphanumeric characters, and the like.

The output means 8 of the second subunit B may take any form as long as it can express information about time.
The time may be displayed by analogy or digitally by a numerical value or the like by the hands, or may be displayed by sound or smell. Further, the mist may be jetted at a specific time such as the hour, or characters or figures may be projected on an external sheet-shaped object such as paper or curtain. That is, the output means 8 may be a pointer, a digital display screen, a mist ejecting device, a speaker, or an optical projector depending on the display mode. Alternatively, instead of the minute hand and the second hand, when the second sub-unit B itself moves in place with time to express time, the output means 8 controls the operation of the self-propelled means 9. As described above, the second sub-unit B can be provided with the output means 8 in various modes, and any of the second sub-units B is based on the information received by the instruction receiving means 6 or the external input means 7. It is common in that the output means 8 performs time expression.

The first subunit A may be powered by a cable from a household outlet, or may be powered by a battery. On the other hand, the second subunit B is placed in an arbitrary place in the room or is allowed to run on its own. Therefore, it is desirable to use a battery or the like that does not require a cable (depending on the size of the second subunit B). . Alternatively, when the first subunit A transmits the instruction information on radio waves, the power may be supplied via an antenna (not shown) that receives radio waves on the second subunit B side.

In this embodiment, the first subunit A and the second subunit B have different means. However, one subunit is provided with all of the time reference acquisition means 4, the instruction means 5, the instruction reception means 6, the external input means 7, and the output means 8, and sometimes it functions as the first subunit, and sometimes it functions as the first subunit. It may function as two subunits.

The time expression unit 1 of this embodiment includes one second subunit. However, if the number is set to two or more, or if the time display of each of the plurality of second sub-units is set to the same mode or different modes, there is more scope for utilization. The second and subsequent embodiments will sequentially explain how to use the method.

[Second Embodiment]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, there are a plurality of second subunits D.
For example, five second subunits D (D1, D2, D3, D4, D5) are arranged in a range where the instruction information from the first subunit C reaches. It is up to the user how to place these sub-units (ceiling, wall, floor, surface where furniture can be installed, etc.) (mounting position, mounting method, mounting direction, etc.). For example, one subunit may be arranged at a position close to the ceiling of a pillar, another subunit may be arranged on a desk, another subunit may be arranged on a shelf of a bookcase, etc., at any position in a three-dimensional space. Alternatively, they may be linearly arranged on a two-dimensional plane such as on the floor or table, or on a long table or shelf.
When the instructing means 5 of the first subunit C sends the current time to each second subunit D, the output means 8 of each of the subunits D1 to D5 receives the current time and displays the current time in each mode.

For example, when the current time 3:00 pm is sent from the first sub-unit C, the second sub-unit D1 draws the hour hand and the minute hand like an analog clock like a timepiece with a pointer to indicate 3:00 pm. indicate. The background color may be changed between am and pm to distinguish between 3:00 am and 3:00 pm.
When the pointer is drawn, one second subunit does not have to have the hour hand, the minute hand and the second hand, and may have only one or two.
The second subunit D2 is digitally displayed by alphanumeric characters.
The second subunit D3 informs the time by voice.
The second subunit D4 projects and displays the time information on the nearby sheet 10, and the second subunit D5 projects and displays the time information represented by dots of light on the floor. At this time, the projection target may be a sheet, a wall / floor / ceiling of a room, or a wall surface of an adjacent building. In the second subunit D5, small holes are provided at equal intervals near the upper end of the cylindrical casing, and light is transmitted through the small holes corresponding to the time, but the shape of the small holes is It may be circular or slit-shaped. The position of the small hole may be determined in consideration of the projection target.
Also, a mist may be jetted to announce the arrival of a predetermined time (not shown). For example, there is an expression method in which a number representing the time is projected on a white mist, or the color of the mist is changed depending on the time. They also have a healing effect.

It is also possible to give an instruction to the second subunit D from the outside. For example, a switch is attached to the second subunit D3, and when the switch is turned off at night, the audio output function can be stopped.
The point is that the same time can be expressed in multiple modes. By the way, according to this embodiment, it is thought that the same effect can be obtained by arranging a plurality of conventional analog timepieces, digital timepieces, odor timepieces and the like having a pointer. However, if multiple clocks are arranged, the time may be slightly different for each clock. However, the acquisition of the time is a function of the first subunit C and is notified to the plurality of second subunits D, so that the plurality of second subunits D can express the same time.

It suffices for the second subunit to output information about time by some means, and each second subunit independently displays the time in its own mode. In the field of amusement such as a haunted house, when the time is expressed in a plurality of ways in one room such that one second subunit is sound, another second subunit is odor, etc. Is available.
Furthermore, it can be used in the field of welfare for people with severe intellectual disabilities. It is said that, depending on the degree of intellectual disability, even if you look at numbers such as "1" and "2", you cannot recognize that they represent the order or quantity. Therefore, even if "8:00" is displayed, it cannot be understood that it represents a time of 8:00. Therefore, if you want to take medicine at 8 o'clock, it is difficult to tell even if you want to take the medicine when the clock displays "8:00". If you prepare a second subunit that displays a different animal picture at each time and set it so that a rabbit picture is displayed at 8 o'clock, take medicine when the rabbit picture appears. It is possible to

[Third Embodiment]
In the above embodiment, one second subunit independently displays the time. In this embodiment, a plurality of second subunits cooperate with each other to display a "hour" second subunit, a "minute" second subunit, and a "second" second subunit. However, by blinking or moving the position, one time is displayed as a whole.

In FIG. 4, the first subunit E is located at the center, and there are three virtual circles (R1, R2, R3) centered on the first subunit E and having different radii. Twelve second subunits Fh are arranged at equal intervals on the innermost circumference R1. On the next circumference R2, one second subunit Fm moves in the same way as the tip of the minute hand, and on the outermost circumference R3, one second subunit Fs moves in the same way as the tip of the second hand. Moving. The second sub-units Fh may be turned on when the current time is reached, and instead of arranging the twelve sub-units, one may be moved on the circumference. In FIG. 4, the second subunit Fh arranged at the position of the hour marker representing 1 o'clock is turned on, the second subunit Fm corresponding to the minute hand is at the position of 10 minutes, and the second subunit Fs corresponding to the second hand. Is at the position of 15 seconds, it can be seen that the current time is 1:10:15. The lighting and movement of these second subunits F (Fh, Fm, Fs) are performed based on the instruction information sent from the first subunit E. To that end, each second subunit is given an identification number, and for example, in order to move the second subunit Fm, the identification number of the second subunit Fm and the position to be moved may be indicated. .

This embodiment also has various modifications, one of which is shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the second subunit F is arranged or moved on the circumference, but in FIG. 5, the second subunit Fh corresponding to the hour marker is arranged on a straight line and the second hand corresponding to the minute hand / second hand is arranged. The second subunit Fm and the second subunit Fs are moved on the straight line from left to right. When the second subunit Fm and the second subunit Fs reach the right end, they immediately move to the left end.

[Fourth Embodiment]
When the plurality of second subunits collectively represent the current time, in the third embodiment, the respective second subunits are arranged on the circumference or on the straight line.
However, in this embodiment, when the predetermined time arrives, each of the second subunits that have been located at arbitrary positions is moved to the predetermined position, and the current shape is formed by the assembly of these second subunits. Display the time.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6 (1), the second subunits H are individually arranged in a digital display or an analog display, and are arranged apart from each other except the hour. Then, on the hour (4:00 in the example of FIG. 6), the first subunit G sends the identification number and the movement position to each of the second subunits H. FIG. 6 (2) shows a state in which the disjointed second subunits H are self-propelled to the designated position and aligned to form the number "4". After a lapse of a predetermined time, the robot moves to disjointed positions and is aligned at the hour, which is repeated.
For example, it may be sold together with a dedicated board, and each subunit may be appropriately arranged on a board placed on the floor or a table, and sold as an educational toy for infants aligned when the hour comes. By using this, the infant will develop the sense of time and learn the numbers.

[Fifth Embodiment]
In the above-mentioned embodiment, the output means 8 variably displays the information on time, but in this embodiment, the fixed display (eg, printing or engraving of specific characters or symbols) and the variable display (eg: movement) are combined.
In this embodiment, the second subunit J is engraved with one number (1 to 12, or 1 to 24) corresponding to the hour marker. FIG. 7 (1) shows the second subunit J having the numeral 7 imprinted on its surface.

A visually impaired person can know the time by voice. However, if you are visually impaired and deaf, you will rely on touch and smell. FIG. 7 (2) shows an example of using the sense of touch. Twelve second sub-units J, in which the numbers 1 to 12 are engraved one by one, are arranged on the dedicated board. For example, at 7 o'clock, the second subunit J marked with the numeral 7 is self-propelled and moves close to the user's hand. In this example, the first subunit I is at the top left of the board, but it could be anywhere. Further, although the time can be notified by vibration, this is one mode of the tactile sense use.
As an example of using the sense of smell, a method of expressing time with a smell such as a smell of dumplings at 12:00 pm at lunchtime and a smell of lavender at 11:00 pm at bedtime can be considered.
As described above, the time expression unit of the present invention also has a meaning as an auxiliary means for time management for a person who has a visual or hearing impairment.

[Sixth Embodiment]
The first to fifth embodiments are intended to cause the time expression unit of the present invention to function as a timepiece.
However, it is not limited to the original purpose of the timepiece for notifying the time, but it can be utilized as a tool for managing time-related information.
This embodiment is used for schedule management, and will be described with reference to FIG.

Like the second subunit L, the first subunit K also has a function of displaying time, and the display section displays the current time 14:00. At this time, the user who plans to go out at 18:00 sets the target date and time of 18:00 through the external input means 7 of the second subunit L. Then, the second subunit L is placed at a position separated from the first subunit K by S1 ((1) in FIG. 8). This distance S1 corresponds to the target time of 4 hours. (2) of FIG. 8 shows a state in which the first subunit K is displaying the current time 16:00. Since the target has reached 2 hours, the second subunit L moves so that the distance S2 is half the distance S1. (3) of FIG. 8 shows a state in which the first subunit K is displaying the current time 18:00. Since the target time has come, the distance S3 becomes 0, and the user immediately knows that it is time to go out.
In other words, it has a function similar to the alarm of the schedule management software. However, instead of giving a voice notification, visually notify that the scheduled time has come.

Here, the second subunit L is an input device for inputting the target time 18:00, and is also an output device for moving toward the first subunit K until the target time is reached.
This kind of utilization is not in the functions of conventional clocks.
In this embodiment, the current time acquired by the first subunit is not displayed as it is by the second subunit, but is expressed as a movement toward the first subunit. Distance itself varies in accordance with the lapse of time by the self-running operation is the information derived from the current time, which is an example of a means to claim 1 "information indicating a different time from the current time".

[Seventh Embodiment]
In this embodiment, each of the subunits has an equivalent function and serves as a first subunit that controls another subunit, or as a second subunit that is controlled by another subunit. Or
A method of utilizing such a method will be described with reference to FIG.

It is assumed that there is a certain vast continent, the points P1 to P5 are 15 degrees apart in longitude from the adjacent points, and the current times are different. When the subunit M2 arranged at the point P2 controls the time display of another subunit, when the current time of the point P2 is 3:00, the time to be displayed to the other subunit is notified. For example, the sub-unit M3 placed at the point P4 whose longitude is 30 degrees east away is instructed to display 5 o'clock.

Next, the subunit M4 arranged at the point P5 is moved to the point P3 as shown in FIG. 9 (2). In FIG. 9A, since the current time at the point P5 is 6:00, the current time at the point P3 is 6:00, and this subunit M4 updates the time display of other subunits. The time display of the point P1, which is located 30 degrees west of the point P3 in longitude, changes to 4:00.
Elements of play that are not found in conventional world clocks are added.

[Other Embodiments]
The above embodiments are merely examples of how to utilize the present invention, and various modifications can be considered.
For example, the hour markers of a conventional timepiece are arranged at equal intervals. However, the confirmation of the time is usually required from around 6 am to 10 pm except when working at night or studying. You may increase the number of subunits and display only this time zone in detail.

By the way, both overseas and in Japan today, clocks use the punctual method of dividing a day into 24 equal parts. However, Japanese clocks were used in Japan from the Edo period to the early Meiji period. This Japanese clock adopted an indefinite time method that divides the time between sunrise and sunset and between sunset and sunrise into six equal parts. Since the time of sunrise and sunset changes depending on the season, the time interval between day and night is not constant. In such a world, Japanese clocks that use the indeterminate time were rarely put into practical use in the first year of the Meiji era, and can now only be seen at museums.
The time expression unit of the present invention can also express time in a Japanese clock style. For example, if the software installed in the subunit switches and changes the time of day and night according to the season, it becomes a Japanese-style interior article rather than a clock. The sub-unit may be provided with a changeover switch or the like so that the time expression can be switched between the punctual method and the indefinite time method. The original Japanese clock changed the time interval every 15 days. However, if the subunit stores the time of sunrise and sunset every day, the time interval between daytime and nighttime can be changed every day according to the sunrise and sunset.
It should be noted that in this Japanese-style time representation, the current time acquired by the first subunit is not displayed as it is by the second subunit. Converted information to the non-scheduled process are those derived from the current time, which is an example of a means to claim 1 "information indicating a different time from the current time".

The time expression unit of the present invention is not only used in general homes and offices, but also can be used in various places. For example, it can be utilized at a work site such as a mine.
People working long hours in mines and basements don't see what's on the ground. The second subunit is arranged at any place in the work place, and each second subunit is turned on or off in consideration of the brightness, and it is morning, evening or night depending on the lighting condition of the second subunit. However, you may make it visually intuitive.

Conventional clocks were simply "timekeeping devices." The present invention has become a "multifunctional system that expresses time in a diversified and expandable manner and rotates around the time". Even with its function, it can be applied not only to business tools such as schedule management but also to a wide range of fields such as education, welfare, and "healing effect". Therefore, not only individual demand but also demand from various industries Can be expected.

1: time expression unit 4: time reference acquisition means 5: instruction means 6: instruction reception means 7: external input means 8: output means A, C, E, G, I, K: first subunit B, D, F , H, J, L: Second subunit M: Subunit

Claims (3)

A time expression unit composed of one or more arbitrary number of first subunits and one or more arbitrary number of second subunits,
Each of the first subunits described above,
Time reference acquisition means for acquiring the current time ,
An instruction means for transmitting instruction information including the acquired current time to each of the second sub-units,
Each of the second subunits described above,
Instruction receiving means for receiving information transmitted from the first subunit,
External input means that enables input of information from outside the first sub-unit,
Output means for expressing current time or information indicating a time different from the current time according to the information received by the instruction receiving means and the external input means;
A time expression unit comprising self-propelled means controlled by the output means . A target time is set for the second subunit placed at a position distant from the first subunit, and the second subunit is set as the set target time approaches the current time acquired by the first subunit. is self-propelled toward the first sub-unit, the distance which decreases with the movement between the first subunit and a second subunit, according to claim 1, characterized in that the information indicating the different time from the current time Time expression unit. When there are two or more second subunits, the instructing means sends instruction information to the instruction receiving means of each of the second subunits, and these second subunits cooperate with each other to obtain the current time or the current time. The time expression unit according to claim 1, characterized in that each represents information indicating different times .

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