KR100288467B1 - Timepiece for Displaying Changes in Moon Shapes - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention has a circular surface 20 for displaying analog times 24, 26 and uses the same surface 20 to indicate the state of the moons 14-1, 14-2, 14-3. It's about time pieces.

Description

Timepiece for Displaying Changes in Moon Shapes

Background of the Invention

The present invention relates to a timepiece surface in which a changing moon is displayed.

Currently, there are clocks in which separate display elements are implemented on the clock surface to display different states of the moon. However, to the best of the inventors' knowledge, no clock is represented as a change in the shade of color across the clock surface following a 28 day lunar cycle.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a watch or watch surface in which the change in moon shape is indicated on a concrete basis across the watch or watch surface.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a display for displaying the state of the moon using conventional well known watch components in order to reduce price and additional costs.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, this object is achieved by providing a digital processor as a component of a watch in which a 28 day cycle is achieved. The 28-day cycle causes the output signal to be applied to a display controller that slowly changes the display across the field of view as a change in moon shape. In particular, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, LCDs with associated drivers (ie liquid crystal displays) are used, and the watch surface is divided into sections so that the watch surface is displayed with a moon shape and a contrast which changes on the circular surface of the watch at the same time, As the shape of the moon changes, the circular surface gradually changes from light to dark or dark to bright across the surface of the watch or watch.

1 is a plan view of a watch surface showing one display state on the watch surface;

2a to 2h are plan views of a clock surface showing the continuous and specific shape of the moon that changes from full moon to new moon and back to full moon.

3 is a convex diagram showing the operation of the present invention.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, conventional digital microprocessors for watches are used, which are widely used in most digital and analog electronic watches. An additional 28 days cycle is programmed in the microprocessor using conventional timing signals generated as a constant operating part of the microprocessor.

The signal generated for displaying the date according to the moon shape is generated by connecting the microprocessor 10 (FIG. 3) to the driver 13 and the display controller and driver 12 connected to the LCD 14. The LCD 14 is crescent shaped as 14-1, 14-2, 14-3 and 14-4 (FIG. 1) as shown in FIG. The above selection and how many LCDs are actuated is controlled by the display controller and driver 12. The number of LCDs operated and the power to control the driver depend on the size of the watch or clock, and the power used increases as the watch or clock grows. The crescent shaped LCDs are brought into contact with each other, and increased shading is achieved by acting on a series of contacted LCDs. Very small spaces or gaps may be left between the LCDs in contact and additional LCDs may be used to cover the spaces.

1 shows a circular field of view surface 20 having a surface formed of the LCD described above. A rim or border 22 surrounds the watch surface 20. The time can be represented by conventional watch hands 24 and 26 that rotate in front of the watch surface. The clock hands are engraved in color or design to be visible against a light and dark background.

2a to 2h are LCD clocks in a cycle of shape where darkness gradually increases from the "full moon" surface (a) to the "new moon" (dark) surface and then brightens in the opposite direction of the "full moon". Shows the surface.

In the figure, the LCD watch face 20 shows a cycle of eight shapes with four specific LCDs that can change color.

As another embodiment, the LCD display may use 14 crescent shaped LCDs and be 28 shaped cycles that cause the "moon" shape to change once every 24 hours. There is a small gap between adjacent LCDs and the gap appears with dim visibility. Additional LCD layers can be used to cover the gap.

Conventional microchips are used to drive LCD displays, known as "LCD display segment driver chips," which can control different numbers of segments. Intercell, Inc. is one company that produces the chip.

Although the moon-shaped display is displayed covering the entire clock surface, the present invention is not limited to being displayed covering the whole because the marking may be located at any part and may cover any area of the clock surface.

Although the invention has been described in accordance with the preferred embodiments, modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (10)

In the timepiece for indicating the change in moon shape while showing time, A time display portion formed on the surface of the time piece; A plurality of separately operable display elements arranged together to form a mixed moon indication, A display controller for selectively operating said display element to produce a contrast of light and dark on said timepiece surface; Microprocessor means for controlling said display controller to change the contrast display of light and dark simultaneously with the actual moon shape, And said display means in operation generates a contrast of light and dark superimposed as a background for the time display. The method of claim 1, Said plurality of operable display elements comprising a liquid crystal display element. The method of claim 1, The timepiece surface includes four contacted concrete marking sections operable to continuously display the eight shapes of the moon. The method of claim 2, The timepiece surface includes four contacted concrete marking sections operable to continuously display the eight shapes of the moon. The method of claim 2, The surface of the timepiece includes 14 contact indicator sections to represent 28 specific indicators simultaneously occurring once a day for moon shape. The method of claim 1, The time representation is analog and includes a hand in contrast to the moon representation to indicate time. The method of claim 1, The timepiece includes a timepiece. The method of claim 1, The display element is a crescent shaped timepiece. The method of claim 3, wherein The display element is a crescent shaped timepiece. The method of claim 5, The display element is a crescent shaped timepiece.