An hour and minute display for an electronic chronometer includes a plurality of first indicators positioned in spaced relation about the perimeter of a closed geometric figure. The first indicators are actuatable to indicate the hour. A plurality of second indicators are positioned about a closed geometric figure adjacent the first indicator. The second indicators are selectively actuatable to indicate minutes past the hour in 5-minute increments. Also positioned adjacent the first indicators is a third indicator capable of being actuated to selectively indicate increments of one, two, three or four minutes past the displayed 5-minute increment. The first, second and third indicators are preferably driven by digital counter circuits commonly employed in conventional electronic chronometers.
The dial of a timepiece is provided with a first circular array of twelve blue LEDs indicating hours, a second next-outermost array of sixty red LEDs indicating minutes, and a third next-outermost array of sixty green LEDs indicating seconds. Every fifth red "minute" LED is distinct from the intermediate "minute" LEDs in that it is either spaced farther apart from the adjacent LEDs or is larger than the adjacent LEDs, or both. A switch is provided in the timing circuit of the timepiece to select between a "normal" mode of operation wherein the sixty "minute" LEDs are energized in sequence, at the passage of each minute and a "teaching" mode of operation wherein only every fifth "minute" LED is energized, in sequence, at the passage of each five minute interval. The timepiece may be a watch, a clock or the like.
According to the present invention, there is disclosed a timepiece which comprises a face having a polygonal configuration when viewed in plan and having a timekeeping mechanism coupled with the timepiece face. Along at least one of the sides of the polygon there is provided means for indicating the units of time. The hour of time may be indicated along one side and along another side may be provided means for indicating the minute of the hour. The invention includes additional features wherein the day of the month may be included along another side, and the seconds of the hour may be provided along another side of the polygon. Preferably the time piece, according to the present invention, will comprise an LCD screen which will display a decorative design in either a static or dynamic configuration. The LCD display having a dynamic configuration can provide for configurations that will have lines intersecting the various sides of the polygon such that the intersection points indicate the hour, minute, second or day depending on the preference of the wearer of the timepiece.
An electro-optical signaling system and associated method is disclosed for communicating numerical information, such as time of day or ambient temperature, to an observer. The signaling system comprises a linear array of flashing lights, established in a vertical direction, each light being connected in parallel to the output of a microprocessor for controlling the energization of the lights and the sequence thereof. With individual lights being normally "off" and under the control of the microprocessor, energization signals are delivered to the light array in accordance with a control algorithm to turn selected lights "on" and then "off" in a predetermined, serial sequence so that the array as a whole may display a coded message indicative of numerical digits.
There is provided a digital dial face for facilitating a display of time. The dial face of the present invention comprises at least one centrally located hour indicator and a plurality of minute indicators disposed about the periphery of the hour indicator. Each of the minute indicators may be selectively operative to display a prescribed series of minutes of time. The hour indicator and the minute indicators may collectively function to facilitate the acknowledgment of time. The arrangement of the hour and minute indicators may be reversed such that a single minute indicator and a plurality of hour indicators are provided. In either case, the user may determine time by reading the alpha-numeric display of the central indicator and recognizing the position of the illuminated peripheral indicator. Information displaced on the peripheral indicator need not be read to provide an approximation of time.
A digital dial face for facilitating a display of time. The dial face comprises at least one centrally located hour indicator and a plurality of minute indicators disposed about the periphery of the hour indicator. Each of the minute indicators may be selectively operative to display a prescribed series of minutes of time. The hour indicator and the minute indicators may collectively function to facilitate the acknowledgment of time. The arrangement of the hour and minute indicators may be reversed such that a single minute indicator and a plurality of hour indicators are provided. In either case, the user may determine time by reading the alpha-numeric display of the central indicator and recognizing the position of the illuminated peripheral indicator. Information displayed on the peripheral indicator need not be read to provide an approximation of time.
