US20100083549A1

US20100083549A1 - Device and method of Interconnecting location and the time events

Info

Publication number: US20100083549A1
Application number: US12/287,399
Authority: US
Inventors: Biejia Li
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-10-08
Filing date: 2008-10-08
Publication date: 2010-04-08
Also published as: CN201484035U

Abstract

A method of interconnecting locations and time events, which includes the steps of (a) replaceably selecting a first image at a first memorial location and selectively setting a first reference time corresponding to the first image in responsive to a present time; (b) replaceably selecting a second image at a second memorial location and selectively setting a second reference time corresponding to second image in responsive to the present time; and (c) interconnecting the first image and the second image to interlink the first and second memorial locations with the first and second reference times for creating a location-time chain relationship as a reminder to remind the user to live in the moment.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a memorial device, and more particularly to a device and method of interconnecting location and time events by using a plurality of memorial modules interconnecting with each other in a predetermined manner.
2. Description of Related Arts
Traditional methods and devices for refreshing one's memory about a particular place at a particular time (such as a travel spot) are extremely limited. Very often, people may use their cameras to capture beautiful scenes and develop a photo for those scenes. Those photos may be displayed in a variety of methods by a variety of apparatus. For example, a particular photo may be displayed on a picture frame or stored as an electronic file in a computer. As a matter fact, there is little, if not nothing at all, people may do in order for them to refresh their memory about a particular location or at a particular time.
There are several disadvantages and discrepancies in associated with these traditional methods and apparatus. First, whenever people display the photos by an apparatus (such as a photo frame), there is no indication as to when and where the photos were taken. Although some cameras may have the function of printing the date onto the photos, the printings necessarily destroy or at least interfere with the original images because the date is always directly printed onto the image. Moreover, even though there is a date printed onto the photo, there is no indication of the exact time at which the photos were taken.
Second, traditional methods and apparatus for displaying photos go not provide interconnection of different locations at different times whatsoever. For example, when one is willing to refresh his or her memory regarding a series of interconnected events, the most he or she can do is to display different photos with different picture frames. There is no interconnection between the pictures and the time at which the pictures were taken. Perhaps more accurately speaking, traditional photo frames do not assist their users to interconnect places and times from many individual photos taken at different times and locations.
Moreover, traditional photo frames usually do not provide any mechanism or arrangement for physically interconnecting with each other so as to provide a means for assisting users to spiritually or mentally interconnect different places and times together. Foe examples, each of the traditional photo frames do not possess any tangible interconnection arrangement for physically incorporating with other photo frame in a view to assist users to interconnect different places at different times in their mind.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

A main object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method of interconnecting location and time events in the mind of a user by using a plurality of memorial modules interconnecting with each other in a predetermined manner. In other words, the present invention creates a location-time chain relationship for interrelating a memory of a user as a part of a day in the life of remembrance and for expectation of a user as a part of a day in the future, so as to form a reminder to remind the user to live in the moment.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method of interconnecting location and time events in the mind of a user, where the user is capable of physically connecting each of the memorial modules in any manner preferable to the user. In other words, the present invention allows the user to pick the optimal manner in which location and time events are interconnected.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method of interconnecting location and time events in the mind of a user, which are not only able to identify and location and time of a particular previous events, but are also able to interconnect such location and times events through visual representations and in a manner optimally chosen by the user. Moreover, more than two location and time events can be interconnected together in a predetermined manner and representation.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method of interconnecting location and time events in the mind of a user, which do not involve expensive and complicated mechanical or electronic components so as to minimize the manufacturing cost of the present invention.
Accordingly, in order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a device for interconnecting location and time events, comprising:
a plurality of memorial modules, wherein each of the memorial modules has an image portion and a time portion positioned at a same planer view of the first image portion, wherein one of the memorial modules is arranged for replaceably displaying a first image of a first memorial location at the corresponding image portion and for selectively setting a first reference time corresponding to the first image in responsive to a present time, wherein another the memorial module is arranged for replaceably displaying a second image of a second memorial location at the corresponding image portion and for selectively setting a second reference time corresponding to the second image in responsive to the present time; and
an interconnection arrangement interconnecting the memorial modules with each other that interconnects the first image with the second image to interlink the first and second memorial locations with the first and second reference times for creating a location-time chain relationship as a reminder to remind the user to live in the moment.
Moreover, the present invention also provides a method of interconnecting location and time events through at least a first and a second memorial module, comprising the steps of:
(a) displaying a first image of a first predetermined location onto a first displaying window of the first memorial module;
(b) displaying a second image of a predetermined location onto a second displaying window of the second memorial module;
(c) displaying a first predetermined time on the first memorial module by which the time of the first image is taken as a first reference time of the first predetermined location is determined;
(d) displaying a second predetermined time on the second memorial module by which the time of the second image is taken as a second reference time of the second predetermined location is determined; and
(e) interconnecting the first memorial module with the second memorial module in a predetermined orientation in such a manner that memorial modules are adapted for interconnecting memory of a user in association with first and the second locations displayed by the first and the second displaying windows at the first and the second reference time.
These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device of interconnecting location and time events according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the device of interconnecting location and time events according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is method of interconnecting location and time events according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the device of interconnecting location and time events according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 2 of the drawings, a device for interconnecting location and time events according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, in which the device comprises a plurality of memorial modules 10, and an interconnection arrangement 20.
Each of the memorial modules 10 has an image portion 11 and a time portion 12 positioned at a same planer view of the image portion 11, wherein one of the memorial modules 10 is arranged for replaceably displaying a first image of a first memorial location at the corresponding image portion and for selectively setting a first reference time corresponding to the first image in responsive to a present time, wherein another the memorial module 10 is arranged for replaceably displaying a second image of a second memorial location at the corresponding image portion and for selectively setting a second reference time corresponding to the second image in responsive to the present time.
The interconnection arrangement 20 interconnects the memorial modules 10 with each other that interconnects the first image with the second image to interlink the first and second memorial locations with the first and second reference times for creating a location-time chain relationship as a reminder to remind the user to live in the moment.
According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the memorial modules 10 comprises a display window 111 provided at the image portion 11 for displaying one of the corresponding first and second images of the first and second memorial locations and a time setter 121 provided at the time portion 12 for selectively setting one of the first and second reference times.
Moreover, the first reference time set in the corresponding memorial module 10 is an ancient time to indicate an event of the first image of the first memorial location that happened in a certain point in time, wherein the first reference time keeps moving in responsive to the present time to indicate a time interval between the first reference time and the present time.
The second reference time set in the corresponding memorial module 10 is an upcoming time to indicate an event of the second image of the second memorial location that have yet to occur, wherein the second reference time keeps counting down in responsive to the present time to indicate a time remaining before the event occurs.
On the other hand, the interconnection arrangement 20 comprises a plurality of first and second connecting elements 21, 22 integrally formed at each of the memorial modules 10, wherein the first connecting element 21 of each of the memorial modules 10 is detachably connected with the second connecting element 22 of the adjacent memorial module 10 to interconnect two of the memorial modules 10 through the corresponding first and the second memorial elements 21, 22 in a predetermined manner.
Each of the first connecting elements 21 comprises a protruding member 211 integrally extended from a circumferential surface of a corresponding memorial module 10, whereas each of the second connecting elements 22 contains a receiving slot 221 sized and shaped to correspond with the corresponding protruding member 211 of the first connecting element 21, wherein the protruding member 211 is fittedly detachably insert into the receiving slot 221 for detachably interconnecting the two corresponding memorial modules 10.
The image portion 11 is provided within the circumferential surface of the corresponding memorial module 10 whereas the time portion 12 is provided at the corresponding -protruding member 211.
Each of the memorial modules 10 is crafted and designed to have a predetermined cross section, such as a circular cross section shown in the drawings, wherein the corresponding a displaying window is formed on a front side of the corresponding memorial module.
The image is preferably taken from a photo 70 capturing a location which the user visited. For example, the user may take a photo 70 of, say, the Statute of Liberty and attach it on the displaying window of one of the memorial module 10. It is worth mentioning that each of the memorial module 10 may have altogether two displaying windows formed on the front and a rear side thereof respectively for simultaneously displaying two different photos 70.
Each of the time setter 121 comprises an adjustable LCD time indicator 1211 which is arranged to display a predetermined reference time from which the time at which the photos or the memorial pattern was captured can be determined. For example, the predetermined reference time can be the exact time at which the photo 70 was taken. Alternatively, the predetermined reference time can be the time difference between the current time and the exact time at which the photo 70 was taken. Hence, when the exact time at which the photo 70 was taken is Jan. 1, 2007, and that the user observes the photo 70 on Jan. 1, 2008, the predetermined reference time displaying by the LCD time indicator 121 is therefore 1 year, or 365 days. Accordingly, the first reference time will keep moving in responsive to the present time by days to indicate the time interval between the first reference time and the present time. In other words, the first reference time will be shown 366 days as the time interval on Jan. 2, 2008.
Accordingly, each of the timing setters 121 further comprises a time format adjustor 1212 provided on the corresponding memorial module 10 for allowing the user to adjust the format of the time displaying on the LCD time indicator 1211. The user is able to freely select an optimal format of time display as the predetermined reference time to determine or link the exact time at which the photo 70 (i.e. the memorial pattern) was taken. Moreover, the timing device further comprises a reference time adjustor 1213 provided on the corresponding memorial module 10 for allowing the user to set the predetermined reference time in the time format chosen by the user through the time format adjustor 1212.
It is worth mentioning that the memorial modules can be interconnected at a wide variety of manners so as to fit the user's preference, as shown in FIG. 2. For example, the memorial modules 10 can be interconnected at a 90 degrees inclination through the interconnecting arrangement 20. Alternatively, the first and the second memorial modules 10 can be interconnected at a 180 degrees inclination (i.e. planar orientation) so as to simultaneously display the first and the second predetermined patterns at the same orientation.
As illustrations, the device for interconnecting location and time events may be embodied to display a wide variety of memorial patterns, such as the past, present and future scenario of a particular object or person. For example, a user of the present invention may put photos of his or her son where he was very young, a teenager, and when he becomes an adult. As another example, the user may out photos of his old house, present house, and his dream house (which has not purchased yet) so that he may have motivation to earn more money for purchasing that dream house, or so that he may have a interconnected or comparison memories of where he lived in the past.
Referring to FIG. 3 of the drawings, a method of interconnecting location and time events through at least a first and a second memorial module 10 is illustrated, in which the method comprises the steps of:
(a) replaceably selecting a first image at a first memorial location and selectively setting a first reference time corresponding to the first image in responsive to a present time;
(b) replaceably selecting a second image at a second memorial location and selectively setting a second reference time corresponding to second image in responsive to the present time; and
(c) interconnecting the first image and the second image to interlink the first and second memorial locations with the first and second reference times for creating a location-time chain relationship as a reminder to remind the user to live in the moment.
In step (a), the first reference time is an ancient time to indicate an event of the first image of the first memorial location that happened in a certain point in time. Thus, the first reference time keeps moving in responsive to the present time to indicate a time interval between the first reference time and the present time.
In step (b), the second reference time is an upcoming time to indicate an event of the second image of the second memorial location that have yet to occur. Thus, in a particular embodiment of the present invention, the second reference time keeps counting down in responsive to the present time to indicate a time remaining before the event occurs. It is worth mentioning that the first and second images of the first and second memorial locations are two photographs intentionally selected by the user.
Moreover, the first image of the first memorial location and the first reference time are displayed in the first memorial module 10 while the second image of the second memorial location and the second reference time are displayed in a second memorial module 20, wherein the first and second memorial modules 20 are physically and detachably interconnected with each other at a desired orientation.
To elaborate the above steps with more particularity, step (a) comprises a step of attaching a first photo 70 of a predetermined location onto the first displaying window 111 for displaying the first predetermined pattern. Similarly, step (b) comprises a step of attaching a second photo 70 of a predetermined location onto the second displaying window 111 for displaying the second predetermined pattern.
It is important to mention that the first and the second memorial modules 10, 20 can be interconnected with each other in a wide variety of manners. For example, the first and the second memorial modules 10 can be interconnected at a 90 degrees inclination through an interconnecting arrangement which comprises a plurality of first and second connecting elements 21, 22 formed on the memorial modules 10.
Alternatively, the first and the second memorial modules 10 can be interconnected at a 180 degrees inclination (i.e. planar orientation) so as to simultaneously display the first and the second predetermined patterns at the same orientation.
Referring to FIG. 4 of the drawings, the device is illustrated as a computerized graphical implement for interconnecting location and time events. The device is a graphical software installed into the user's computer, wherein the user is able to input the first and second images of the first and second memorial locations and corresponding first and second reference times into the computer. Therefore, the present invention will automatically place the memorial locations and times at the memorial modules 10.
As shown in FIG. 4, a cube-like graphical pattern is selected by the user, wherein the cube-like graphical pattern provides six faces as six memorial modules 10. The image portion 11 and the time portion 12 of each of the memorial modules 10 are provided at each face of the graphical pattern. In other words, six different memorial locations and reference times can be selectively provided on the faces of the cube-like graphical pattern respectively. Therefore, each of the memorial modules 10 displays one of the memorial patterns (i.e. the corresponding photo 70) which correspond to either a past event, present event or a future event respectively. In addition, the user is able to select the movement of the graphical pattern. For example, the cube-like graphical pattern is selected to self-rotate to consequently show the six memorial locations and corresponding reference times.
One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.
It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. The embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

1-25. (canceled)

26. A method of interconnecting locations and time events, comprising the steps of:

(a) replaceably selecting a first image at a first memorial location and selectively setting a first reference time corresponding to said first image in responsive to the present time, wherein said first reference time is an ancient time to indicate an event of said first image of said first memorial location that happened in a certain point in time;

(b) replaceably selecting a second image at a second memorial location and selectively setting a second reference time corresponding to second image in responsive to the present time, wherein said second reference time is an upcoming time to indicate an event of said second image of said second memorial location that have yet to occur; and

(c) interconnecting said first image and said second image to form a three- dimensional perception to interlink said first and second memorial locations with said first and second reference times for creating a location-time chain relationship as a reminder to remind the user to live in the moment.

27. The method, as recited in claim 26, wherein said first reference time keeps moving in responsive to the present time to indicate a time interval between said first reference time and the present time.

28. The method, as recited in claim 27, wherein said second reference time keeps counting down in responsive to the present time to indicate a time remaining before said event occurs.

29. The method, as recited in claim 26, wherein said first and second images of said first and second memorial locations are two photographs intentionally selected by the user.

30. The method, as recited in claim 27, wherein said first and second images of said first and second memorial locations are two photographs intentionally selected by the user.

31. The method, as recited in claim 28, wherein said first and second images of said first and second memorial locations are two photographs intentionally selected by the user.

32. The method, as recited in claim 26, wherein said first image of said first memorial location and said first reference time are displayed in a first memorial module while said second image of said second memorial location and said second reference time are displayed in a second memorial module, wherein said first and second memorial modules are physically and detachably interconnected with each other at a desired orientation.

33. The method, as recited in claim 28, wherein said first image of said first memorial location and said first reference time are displayed in a first memorial module while said second image of said second memorial location and said second reference time are displayed in a second memorial module, wherein said first and second memorial modules are physically and detachably interconnected with each other at a desired orientation.

34. The method, as recited in claim 31, wherein said first image of said first memorial location and said first reference time are displayed in a first memorial module while said second image of said second memorial location and said second reference time are displayed in a second memorial module, wherein said first and second memorial modules are physically and detachably interconnected with each other at a desired orientation.

35. A device for interconnecting location and time events, comprising:

a plurality of memorial modules, wherein each of said memorial modules has an image portion and a time portion positioned at a same planer view of said first image portion, wherein one of said memorial modules is arranged for replaceably displaying a first image of a first memorial location at said corresponding image portion and for selectively setting a first reference time corresponding to said first image in responsive to a present time, wherein another said memorial module is arranged for replaceably displaying a second image of a second memorial location at said corresponding image portion and for selectively setting a second reference time corresponding to said second image in responsive to the present time, wherein said first reference time set in said corresponding memorial module is an ancient time to indicate an event of said first image of said first memorial location that happened in a certain point in time, wherein said first reference time keeps moving in responsive to the present time to indicate a time interval between said first reference time and the present time, wherein said second reference time set in said corresponding memorial module is an upcoming time to indicate an event of said second image of said second memorial location that have yet to occur, wherein said second reference time keeps counting down in responsive to the present time to indicate a time remaining before said event occurs; and an interconnection arrangement interconnecting said memorial modules with each other to form a three-dimensional structure that interconnects said first image with said second image to interlink said first and second memorial locations with said first and second reference times for creating a location-time chain relationship as a reminder to remind the user to live in the moment.

36. The device, as recited in claim 35, wherein each of said memorial modules comprises a display window provided at said image portion for displaying one of said corresponding first and second images of said first and second memorial locations and a time setter provided at said time portion for selectively setting one of said first and second reference times.

37. The device, as recited in claim 35, wherein said interconnection arrangement comprises a plurality of first and second connecting elements integrally formed at each of said memorial modules, wherein said first connecting element of each of said memorial modules is detachably connected with said second connecting element of said adjacent memorial module to interconnect two of said memorial modules through said corresponding first and said second memorial elements in a predetermined manner.

38. The device, as recited in claim 36, wherein said interconnection arrangement comprises a plurality of first and second connecting elements integrally formed at each of said memorial modules, wherein said first connecting element of each of said memorial modules is detachably connected with said second connecting element of said adjacent memorial module to interconnect two of said memorial modules through said corresponding first and said second memorial elements in a predetermined manner.

39. The device, as recited in claim 37, wherein each of said first connecting elements comprises a protruding member integrally extended from a circumferential surface of said corresponding memorial module, whereas each of said second connecting elements contains a receiving slot sized and shaped to correspond with said corresponding protruding member of said first connecting element, wherein said protruding member is fittedly detachably insert into said receiving slot for detachably interconnecting said two corresponding memorial modules.

40. The device, as recited in claim 38, wherein each of said first connecting elements comprises a protruding member integrally extended from a circumferential surface of said corresponding memorial module, whereas each of said second connecting elements contains a receiving slot sized and shaped to correspond with said corresponding protruding member of said first connecting element, wherein said protruding member is fittedly detachably insert into said receiving slot for detachably interconnecting said two corresponding memorial modules.

41. The device, as recited in claim 39, wherein said image portion is provided within said circumferential surface of said corresponding memorial module whereas said time portion is provided at said protruding member.

42. The device, as recited in claim 40, wherein said image portion is provided within said circumferential surface of said corresponding memorial module whereas said time portion is provided at said protruding member.