NL2000325C2 - New indicatory device comprises series of light emitting devices coinciding with series of coinciding time periods and with one of the devices a presentation is provided of an event, activity and similar - Google Patents

Abstract

The news indicatory device comprises a series of light emitting devices coinciding with a series of coinciding time periods and with one of the devices a presentation is provided of an event, activity and similar. At the outlet all diodes are inactive and one after the other are illuminated. The news indicatory device uses a board (1) on which a series (2) of light emitting diodes (3) are located. Next to the series of light emitting diodes extends a corresponding series (4) of time periods (5). On the board (1) are graphic reproductions (6,7,8) and in the case in question the graphic reproduction (6) shows an open book indicating that at 0900 a reading hour commences. The graphic reproduction (7) indicates that at 1000 the play time begins. The graphic presentation (8) shows that at 1100 a snack pause has commenced whereby e.g. an apple can be consumed.

Description

A device comprising a series of light-emitting elements

The invention relates to a timer comprising a series of light-emitting elements, which series is associated with a series of successive instants.

Such a time device in the form of a wrist watch is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,818,798. This known wrist watch has two series of light emitting diodes (LEDs) placed below each other, which series can each display a time lapse of 12 hours such that an entire 24-hour period can be covered. One of the series of diodes concerns the first half of a day up to 12:00, the other series of diodes concerns the second half of a day up to 24 hours.

This known time device is less suitable for use by persons who have difficulty reading the clock, in particular young children.

The object of the invention is to provide a time device which can also be easily read by such persons. That objective is achieved in that at least one of the elements is provided with a display of an event, activities and the like.

Due to the fact that with at least one element displaying a time, a certain image is provided, the person viewing the timer can easily associate that image with that time. Moreover, the division of a specific duration into concrete steps, which steps are formed by the separate light-emitted elements, provides the person in question a better impression of the elapsed duration and the coming duration up to a specific event.

That event can relate to many different things, such as, for example, the start of an activity, such as a lesson, the end of an activity, such as a lesson, the end or start of a day part and the like.

In such a time device, the current time is displaced by the lighting or extinguishing of the next element in the series, in other words, as the time moves on! the time indicator. For use in, for example, a school, use can be made, for example, of a time device in which the display comprises a word or number, but it is also possible to display a graphic image, such as an apple, a child playing and the like for a break, an open space book in connection with the start of a reading hour.

The timer according to the invention can be designed in many different ways. Thus, according to a first variant, the series of elements can be at least partially or completely linear. When used in a school, for example, a series of elements can be used which is approximately the size of the width of the school classroom, such that the timer can be suspended above the board, for example.

Alternatively, however, the timer may be at least partially or fully curved.

The invention will be further elucidated with reference to a few exemplary embodiments shown in the figures.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the time device according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a second variant.

Figure 3 shows a third variant.

In the time device according to the invention shown in Figure 1, a carrier or shelf 1 is provided, on which a series 2 of light-emitting diodes 3 is located. In addition to this series 2 from diodes 3, a corresponding series 4 from time points 5 extends. According to the invention, graphical displays 6, 7 and 8 are shown on the carrier 1. The graphical representation 6 shows an open book, which in this time arrangement means that a reading time starts at 9 a.m. The graphical representation 7 suggests that the playtime starts at 10 a.m. The graphical representation 8 suggests that a snack break has arrived at 11:00, whereby, for example, an apple can be consumed.

The course of a lesson day is shown in the time arrangement of Figure 2. Here too, a series 2 of diodes 3 is shown on the carrier 1, together with a series 4 with time points 5. In addition, signs 9 are provided, each with a hook 10, which can be hung at the desired location in the series 2. In addition, as shown, the start of the morning, the start of the hour count, the start of the 30-hour language, the end of the morning, the start of the afternoon and the end of the afternoon can be displayed.

In the variant of Figure 3 it is shown that the series 2 with diodes 3 and the series 4 with time points 5 can also be curved, S-shaped in the exemplary embodiment shown, but other shapes are also possible. This variant includes the graphic representations as shown, for example, in the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2.

The passage of time can be represented, for example, by having the diodes that relate to elapsed times continuously emit light. In that case it is clear that the diodes that are not yet light-emitting relate to the time ahead. Alternatively, it is of course also possible to start with a series of diodes which emit all light, and to extinguish the diodes successively with the passage of time. In addition, it is possible to light only one diode 10 at a time concerning the current time, and to extinguish all others. Finally, it is also possible to extinguish only one diode concerning the current time, and to have all other diodes display lightly.

Claims (12)

A time device, comprising a series (1) of light-emitting elements (2), which series (1) is associated with a series (4) of consecutive times (5), characterized in that at least one of the elements (2) displays (6-9) is provided with an event, activities and the like. Timer according to claim 1, wherein the display (6-9) comprises the start of an activity, such as a lesson hour. 10 A time device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display (6-9) comprises the end of an activity, such as a lesson hour. 4. A time device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display (6-9) comprises the end or beginning of a part of the day. A time device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elements (2) comprise LEDs. 25 A time device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display (6-9) comprises a word or number. A time device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display (6-9) comprises a graphic display. A time device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the series (2) of elements is at least partially linear. 8. A time device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the series (2) of elements is at least partially curved. 9. A timer as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein initially all diodes are extinguished and successively the diodes display light and are left in light-displaying condition. The timer of any one of claims 1-8, wherein initially all diodes are lightly displayed, and successively diodes are extinguished and left in an extinguished state. 11. A timer as claimed in any one of claims 1-8, wherein each time only one diode represents light at the current time, and all other diodes are extinguished. A time device according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein only one diode relating to the current time is extinguished, and all other diodes display light.