JPS63175796A - Device for displaying scale of time through binary notation - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to binary numbers, and more particularly to the use of binary numbers as a measure of time. Specifically, the present invention uses the binary system to calculate the time of the day (hours, minutes, seconds), the day of the week, the day of the month, the month,
This invention relates to a display device for displaying seasons and years.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION With the development of electronic computers, the binary system has attracted attention as a method for expressing the p number. Although the binary system itself is well known and does not need to be explained in detail here, the binary system has not yet come into widespread use as a means of representing numbers. One reason for this is probably that binary systems are generally unfamiliar. U.S. Patent No. 750J84
The issue discloses a clock that displays time in binary notation using a simple arrangement of lights.

In this patent, each array of lights is identified by words such as "hour" and "minute," and also by numbers such as "1" and "2." The utility of the device in memorizing binary numbers is considerably reduced by the use of such identifying characters.

It is believed that the device of the present invention will greatly assist the general public in memorizing binary notation. It is an object of the invention to provide a clock or calendar that represents time in a binary system with a display that is sufficiently attractive and interesting to increase the user's interest in binary systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Basically, the present invention is an apparatus for displaying a measure of time in a binary system from at least three graphic displays, each of which can be perceived as having a binary digit value. at least one array comprising: a timing means for generating a signal at regular time intervals; and responsive to the signal causing each graphic display to transform or move or become invisible, thereby causing the graphic display to perceived in one of two switchable states, thereby causing the array to indicate a binary number representing seconds, minutes, hours, days of the week, dates, months, seasons or years; Provided is a device characterized in that it is equipped with means for.

In one embodiment of the invention, each graphic display is elongated and the graphic displays in an array are arranged to form at least one geometric shape, such as a triangle. . In another embodiment, the graphic displays in each array are similar to each other but different from the graphic displays in other arrays. In one embodiment, the graphic display may be in the form of a pictorial diagram. In another embodiment, all graphic displays can be the same.

Furthermore, according to the invention, means may be provided for indicating the position of each graphic display in the array. Also, the position of each graphic display in one array may be aligned with the position of each graphic display in another array, and the means for indicating the aligned position may be common to all arrays. The means of indicating the position are
Advantageously, it consists of a graphical representation in the form of a diagram.

In another embodiment, the graphic displays in each array can be different. Alternatively, the graphic displays in each array may be different from the graphic displays in other arrays.

Referring to Figure 1, each of the three symbols (representations)
Two groups of symbols are shown, consisting of 1.2.5 and 8.16.52. These symbols, in this example, each have five symbols arranged in an isosceles triangular pattern.
211P consisting of two LCD (liquid crystal display) elements
elements, but these symbols can be various other elements, such as fluorescent tubes or rib-like protrusions raised on a flat surface. These elements, whatever their type, must have the property of being able to assume two states that can be distinguished from each other by one of the five human senses. For example, in the case of an LCD, it is visible when it is energized, but it is not visible when it is not energized. As other visible elements, it is also possible to use, for example, an element that has a certain color in the first state and another color in the second state.

Alternatively, in the case of a tactilely perceivable element, for example, in a first state the element is raised above the surrounding surface, and in a second state the element is retracted flush with the surrounding surface. be able to.

In the example of FIG. 1, each LCD element can not only be identified by whether it is in the "on" state or the [offJ state], but also by which one of the three orientations within each triangle it is located. It can also be identified by its appearance. That is, a person who is familiar with the array of FIG. ``Even when it is in the offJ state, it can be recognized by its orientation.

For example, if you see that LCD element 1 is set to "On") and all other elements are set to "offJ",
First by calculation, and then later, we can see that it represents a decimal 1 and occupies the rightmost column of the binary array. Similarly, each LCD element 2.
If only one 4.8.16°52 is set to ronJ and all other elements are set to ``offJ,'' then it represents 2.4.8.16.32 in decimal, respectively, and the binary array. 2nd, 5th, 4th, 5th from the right,
You can see that it occupies the 6th column. Additionally, when multiple elements are turned on, they can be read as representing various other decimal numbers. All permutation combinations for are shown in the center of each column. A black line indicates that the device is turned on, and a blank line indicates that the device is turned on. shows the number in decimal notation corresponding to each permutation combination, and the number in binary notation is shown on the left side of each column.

Table 1 000001 \,, 1 010001-\-17
toooo1/'\shi33000010 - 2 0
10010---18 100 (NO/-tan 54000
011 ΔHyo5 010011-ΔUtai19 1000
11/Δ厘35000100 /Tan4010100-/
Key 20100100//-36000j01△酋501
0101-△-21100101/△Mamoru3700011
0 Otsu, 6 010110 L 22 100
110/L-38000111Δ= 7010111-
∆-25100111/∆59001000＼80
11000Δ-24101000△ko40001001
\\Cod 9 (111001Δ\Dew 25101001△\
=”41001010\-1o 011010Δ-26
101010△-haze42001011\Δ=11011
011ΔΔ-2710101jΔΔtsu4500j100
\/-12011100Δ/-28101100△/-
44001101＼△繻13011101Δ△fall 291
0111HAA=45001110\L, -14011
110ΔL-50101110ΔL-46001111
\△Iris 15011111ΔΔ key 311ON11△Δ-4
7010000-16100000/, 32110
000L-48110001L\-491101047
:A-53111001Δ＼■57j10010L-1
m50 110110. Ai error 54 1j1010Δ-
Dew 5811001fLΔDifference 51 110111LΔDifference 5
5 111011ΔΔsan59NO1004/-5211
1000Δ -56000000(60),,0Table 1
does not show the combination of elements representing the decimal number 61.62.65. These numbers are not important for the purposes of this example.

Table 2 shows simplified information from Table 1.

The right column of Table 2 shows the permutation combinations of LCD elements 1.2.4 constituting the triangular array of elements on the right side of FIG. 1 and the corresponding decimal values. teeth,
The permutation combinations of elements 8, 16° 52 on the left side of FIG. 1 and the corresponding decimal values are shown.

Table 2 Δ24 Δ5 Δ40 Δ5 14a Lb Δ56 Δ7 From Table 2, it is easy to see that any decimal value from 0 to 63 can be obtained by adding the decimal value in the left column to the decimal value in the right column of Table 2. You'll understand. Of course, the value O means that all of the elements in the triangular array on both the left and right sides are "offJ".
It is represented by the state of Any decimal number obtained in this way can be represented by matching the permutations of the LCDs in each column.

FIG. 2 shows an example of how four arrays of graphical displays of the type shown in FIG. 1 may be arranged on the face of a watch or clock. In this example, the top array 100 represents the hours of the day (from 0 to 24 in decimal notation).

The next level array 102 represents the minutes of time (0 to 59 in decimal notation). The array 104 in the next stage has seconds "t-(O
From 59 to 59 is expressed in decimal notation. Bottom array 106
represents the month and day (in decimal notation from 1 to 51). It is necessary to provide a timekeeping device (clock) and electronic circuitry to properly turn on and off the LCD elements in these four-stage arrays, but the design and construction of such circuitry (as shown here) In the case of Examples), since it is easy for a person skilled in the art,
I will not explain it here.

FIG. 5 shows the clock in FIG. 2 displaying 12:24:48 on the 6th.

FIG. 4 shows a clock face with four arrays of graphic displays of the type shown in FIG. 1 and one array of only three LCD elements. The arrays 110°i12 and 114 on the left side are each
Represents hours, minutes and seconds. The right array 116, consisting of only three elements, represents the days of the week. The reason is day 1 of the week.
This is because three elements are sufficient to form the group of numbers from to 71. The second array on the right side represents the month and day.

FIG. 5 shows a clock face having an upper array representing the day of the week, a middle array representing the month, and a lower array representing the month and day.

Figures 6 and 7 show the design of the dial of a pictorial calendar clock. In this example, the graphic display is formed of LCD elements, which are shaped into buttons to represent simple objects such as clouds, birds, sailboats, and fish. That is, five clouds 120, six birds 122, four sailing ships 124, and six fish 126 are provided. In this example, the position of each element within the column to which it belongs has meaning, but each element has f-of
If it is set to fJ, it becomes invisible and becomes useless as a p1 compliant frame, so it is preferable to provide another compliant frame or mark. This further reference frame is constituted by a wave diagram. The wave diagram has six wave crests 128, one fish placed under each wave crest, and one sailboat, one bird, and one cloud placed above each wave crest. Ru. This wave is permanently displayed and may be drawn on a screen forming a dial, or it may be an LCD element that is kept "on" at all times. In any case, a person viewing the dial can easily determine the position of any element within each row with respect to the waves. Sadness is the moon E
The bird represents the minutes of the hour, the sailing ship represents the hours of the day, and the fish represents the seconds. Figure 6 shows that all elements are "on".
Although the figure shows the state J, this is actually a pattern that cannot occur, and is merely omitted for the sake of explanation.

Figures 8-12 show designs for calendars similar to those of Figures 6-7. This design provides four cloud elements to represent the moon and five bird elements to represent the month and day. The barbed branch 140 is a permanent figure (a figure that is always displayed) and is a reference frame. Furthermore, the eighth
As can be seen in the figure, a twig 142 formed by an LCD element consists of a flower 144 representing spring, two green leaves with fruits 146 representing summer, and two dead leaves 148 representing autumn.
is provided. Winter is represented by twigs without leaves, flowers, or fruit. This calendar is for use in Earth's Northern Hemisphere.

Although all the elements are shown in the "onJ" state in FIG. 8, such a pattern does not occur in reality.It is merely shown for convenience of explanation.
In the figure, the calendar is set for the winter season, and the date is January 3rd.
It represents the 1st day. FIG. 10 shows that it is the summer season and July 18th. Figure 11 shows the spring season and shows May 2nd. Figure 12 shows the autumn season and shows May 2nd.
Indicates the 21st day of the month.

Figures 13 and 14 show calendars that would be appealing to children. In this example, an upper row of four candy bottles 150 and a lower row of five candy bottles 152 are provided.

These bottles serve as permanent illustrations and reference frames. The LCD element representing each candy displays a number depending on whether it is turned on or off.

The upper row represents different months, and the lower row represents the month and day. 14th
In the illustration, the calendar shows July 22nd. In the calendar according to the embodiment of FIGS. 15 and 16, the Indian hut 160 is a permanent pictorial image and serves as a reference frame. The tree 162 is just for decoration; the reeds and smoke represent the moon, and the Indian warrior represents the month and day. FIG. 16 shows that it is March 14th.

FIG. 17 shows another design for a watch face. The four LCD elements 170 in the left column represent the time and the six LCD elements in the right column represent the minutes. The thin vertical line 174 between the two columns and the horizontal transverse line across it constitute a reference frame. The diamond shaped element 176 below the left column represents the seconds.

FIG. 18 shows an elongated clock having four arrays of square elements separated by diamond shaped elements 180. The leftmost array of six square elements represents seconds, the second six square element array from the right represents minutes, the second four square element array from the left represents hours, and the leftmost array of six square elements represents minutes. The array of five square elements represents the date. A symbol, which may optionally be provided to indicate the value of the digit of each square element within each array, is indicated by a dot in the center of each square element.

FIG. 19 shows a timepiece with an oval dial having four arrays of square elements arranged in a similar manner as shown in the timepiece of FIG. 17. A column 184 of four square elements (all four shown as visible), a column 186 of six square elements (only five visible), and a column of six square elements. a column 18B (of which only five are visible) and a column 18B of four square elements? (of which only one is visible) are provided.

In yet another example, one or more arrays of elements may be provided, each of which is perceived as a graphical ink symbol distinguishable by state. For example, the letters I, F, O.

An array of six elements in the form Z, A, X can be provided. If these characters are incorporated into a device such as a clock or calendar in the above order, they become
IPO when all elements are placed in visible rDK at the same time
It is displayed as the word ZAX. The user will eventually remember the positional relationships of all the characters, such as that the letter X always occupies the rightmost position, and the letter I always occupies the second position from the right. Also, the user will eventually be able to remember that each particular group of letters displayed with - represents each particular number in binary and decimal notation. For example, the letter A
When only X is displayed, it is 00011 in binary
Therefore, it represents 5 in decimal notation. When only the characters FZX are displayed, it represents 001101 in binary notation, and therefore 21 in decimal notation. What is important is that each character in this array be a different character.

Furthermore, it is not always necessary to use letters, and various graphic (diagrammatic) symbols may be used without using the same symbol in the same array. However, if you choose a skillful combination of letters, they can be used not as individual letters.
This is convenient because it becomes K so that it can be read as a pseudo-term.

For this reason, the characters constituting the array IFOZAX have a good sense of pronunciation, especially when written as a word, and are a suitable combination.

In the case of a clock, for example, three or four arrays consisting of IFOZAX can be provided, but the array representing the time and the array representing the date are each 0ZAX.
and FOZAX, that is, a part of the six letters may be omitted and the term may consist of nine letters. Thus, a user who is sufficiently familiar with such a watch may stop thinking of time in decimal numbers and start thinking of it as a term or subterm in the same way that 12 o'clock is thought of as ``noon'' or ``midnight.'' Become.

g20 Figure #-t shows an example of a watch having a dial using the terms IFOZAX, 0ZAX and FOZAx.

Another example of a character array is EZOPIA.

0FZLIA, UFOZLI, 5ETOYA
! 'Ka6ru.

Figure 21 shows the upper row representing hours and the lower row representing minutes.
An example of a clock with a two-tier pictorial symbol array is shown. In this embodiment, the symbols in the pane are different from each other, and the user needs to memorize the digit value of each symbol in each array.

In still other embodiments, the graphic display can be configured to be switchable between a stationary state and a state that appears to be in motion. for example,
The bird shown in Figure 6.7 can be configured to be able to be switched between a static state and a state where it appears to be flapping its wings. In that case, the advantage is that the bird itself also serves as a reference frame for setting the digit values of other graphics :) quick displays.

FIG. 22 shows a modified example of a timepiece to which the same principle as in each of the above-mentioned timepieces is applied. In this embodiment, the picture of the house is provided with several rows of windows of different heights, and each row of windows is buttoned to indicate the time and date in a similar manner as in the other embodiments. . The lowest windows shown with the blinds down are simply symbols to indicate the column values of the windows above them. The watch has additional displays in the form of a bat 190 and a clock 192. The electronic circuitry is configured to turn the displays 190, 192 on and off at irregular time intervals and for irregular short periods of time. This is a feature that makes it interesting to children in %.

In the case of clocks and calendars, usually two or more symbol arrays must be provided.

Although the embodiments described above are shown as incorporating LCD elements, any other type of element capable of forming a graphic display may be used in the present invention.

For example, optical fibers of the same or different colors can be used and incorporated into place threads, canes, and the like.

As previously mentioned, these elements are formed by ridges that are configured to be mechanically switched between a protruding state above the surrounding surface and a retracted state flush with the surrounding surface. can do. In the simplest form, these elements can be in the form of discs or blocks that are manually inserted and removed through holes in the box opening. This arrangement is usually used simply to remember binary numbers rather than as a clock, but the holes in the walls of the box can also be combined to form a calendar. These elements can also be advertising symbols.

In most of the above-described embodiments of graphic displays that are switched between two different states, one state is designated as "yang" or "onJ" and the other state is "yin".
Alternatively, it can be intuitively perceived as "Off".

To avoid the possibility of the binary digits being misread, it is necessary to specify which state is r#J (On) f6c and which state is "Yin J (
It is also within the scope of the present invention to provide a means for instructing the user whether the device is off or not.

Also, the numbers displayed by any of the above-described elements may have non-numeric meanings, such as letters, symbols, spoken words, computer terms, or other technical terms.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 shows two groups of graphic displays, each consisting of three graphic displays arranged in a triangular shape. FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a watch face incorporating the group of graphic displays shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows some of the dial graphics of FIG. 2 rendered invisible. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a clock face displaying a group of more graphical displays. FIG. 5 shows a timepiece incorporating a graphic display of yet another configuration. Figures 6 and 7, Figures 8-12, Figures 15 and 14, Figures 15 and 16, and Figures 17-22 are schematic diagrams illustrating various graphic display embodiments constituting a clock or calendar. . In the figure, 1.2.4.8.16.32 is a graphic display (LCD element). Patent applicant Marie Alexander Norman FIG.
1 FIG, 7 FIo, 13 days 0.15 FIG, 16 FIG, 17 FIG, 18 FIo, 20 FIG, 21 FIo, 22

Claims (6)

[Claims] (1) a device for displaying a measure of time in a binary system, comprising at least one array of at least three graphic displays, each of which can be perceived as having a binary digit value, and a rule; timing means for generating a signal at regular time intervals; and responsive to said signal for causing each graphical display to transform or move or become invisible, thereby causing said graphical display to be in either of two switchable states. or one state, whereby the array is perceived as seconds, minutes, hours,
and means for indicating binary numbers representing the day of the week, date, month, season or year. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least two of said arrays are provided, and each array's graphic display is similar to the other array's graphic display. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein there are at least two arrays, each array having a graphic display different from the other arrays. (4) The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the graphic display is in the form of a pictorial diagram. (5) An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising means for indicating the position of each graphic display in each array. (6) The graphic display forming an array comprises:
6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, adapted to form words such as IFOZAX.