DISPLAY DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING A TIME SEQUENCE OF AT LEAST TWO CONSECUTIVE EVENTS AND / OR ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for displaying a temporal sequence of at least two consecutive events and / or activities to be carried out, which device has a base body with at least two display fields and a movable display means, wherein the movable display means is configured to point to one of the display fields in order to indicate the event and / or the activity to be carried out.

[0002] DE 94 18 186.1 describes a mechanical children's watch with a single display element designed as an hour hand and a rotating ring on which pictograms are applied. By rotating the ring, a pictogram showing a TV, for example, can be rotated to a specific time at which a child using the watch is permitted to watch television. If the hour hand then points to this pictogram, the child knows that the upcoming activity is television. With this children's watch, the duration of an event cannot be planned or displayed, only its beginning.

[0003] US 2015 / 0313388 A1 discloses a mechanical children's watch featuring two size-adjustable display fields 3, 5, of which the first 5 represents daytime and the other 3 represents nighttime. Pictograms 6, 7 can be applied to the display field 5 representing daytime. These represent the start of activities at specific times of day and can be indicated by a hand 20. One rotation of the hand 20 (= 360 degrees) corresponds to 24 hours.

[0004] DE 94 13 324.7 describes a mechanical children's clock 1, which is designed as a wall or grandfather clock, and which has an adjustable ring 7 to which marking elements 4, 4" can be detachably attached. To record time periods for activities, two marking elements 4 with pictograms are attached, a first representing a start and a second representing an end of the time period.

[0005] US 2011 / 0193878 discloses a mobile phone whose LCD display screen can display a clock 310 with display fields 330, each display field 330 representing an activity and a corresponding time period. The hands are electronically configured and are displayed on the mobile phone's LCD screen.

[0006] DE 195 33 880 C1 discloses a mechanical children's watch having a rim 2 with a metal ring 32, to which pictograms 10 can be attached, indicating the start of a specific event at a specific time. DE 195 33 880 C1 does not specify the periods during which the activity is performed, only the times.

[0007] DE 20 2014 009 333 U1 discloses a mechanical children's watch with a visual representation of time periods during which a certain activity is scheduled.

[0008] From KR 200168961 Y1 a time-planning device is known which can be designed as a grandfather clock and which has various display fields on a clock face which represent different time periods in which certain activities indicated by pictograms are scheduled.

[0009] US 2017 / 212478 A1 discloses an apparatus and a method according to the preamble of claims 1 and 12.

[0010] Furthermore, clocks with a dial and at least two hands that display the time in hours and minutes are known from the state of the art.

[0011] People with cognitive impairments often do not understand the logic of telling the time and therefore have to rely on other methods to plan a schedule, such as a daily or weekly schedule.

[0012] The invention is based on the object of developing a device of the type mentioned above that enables a cognitively impaired person to easily understand time planning. The invention relates to a device for displaying a chronological sequence of at least two consecutive events and / or activities to be performed according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments of this device are defined in dependent claims 2-11. Further detailed information on the aforementioned preferred embodiments is described below.

[0013] According to the invention, the object is achieved in that a movement speed of the display means is adjustable, wherein the movement speed of the display means can be changed from display field to display field.

[0014] Advantageously, different time periods can be planned with a single device. For example, the movement speed of the display can be set such that an entire day's schedule is scheduled. It is conceivable that the movement speed could be set such that a weekly or monthly schedule is displayed.

[0015] For example, particularly important activities or events can be displayed using particularly large display fields.

[0016] The speed of movement varies from display field to display field. A small display field can be advantageous for particularly long events and / or tasks to be performed.

[0017] The use of a device according to the invention for production, vacation, seminar, workshop or retirement planning is possible.

[0018] It is also conceivable to use a device according to the invention to display a cooking recipe and the necessary preparation steps.

[0019] Each display field represents a specific period of time. In the simplest case, a first display field represents a working day, and a second display field represents leisure time, including nighttime rest. The movable display device points to the first display field during working hours and to the second display field during leisure time. To distinguish between adjacent display fields, these can have different colors or shapes. It is conceivable that the display fields are provided with images such as symbols or pictograms that visually represent an event or an activity to be performed.

[0020] The base body can also have various shapes, such as round, oval, triangular, square, hexagonal, or octagonal. A different number of corners is conceivable. The display fields can be the same size or different sizes.

[0021] Preferably, the base body is made of a renewable material, such as wood. It is conceivable that the base body is made of another material, such as steel, a light metal or a light metal alloy, plastic, or glass.

[0022] The device according to the invention advantageously provides a user who is cognitively impaired with an easy-to-understand time schedule, independent of a time in the known sense, in which periods in which certain activities are due can be easily identified.

[0023] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for displaying a temporal sequence of at least two consecutive events and / or activities to be performed according to claim 12. Preferred embodiments of the method are defined in dependent claims 13 and 14. Further detailed information on the aforementioned preferred embodiments is described below.

[0024] For convenience, each display field is assigned to a specific time period in which the event is taking place and / or within which an activity must be completed. This allows a user to see which event is about to take place and / or which activity is due to be performed. For example, if a display field forms a quarter of the visible page, it is understood that a quarter of the total time must be spent on an event or the activity corresponding to that display field.

[0025] In one embodiment of the invention, the display fields are resizable. This advantageously allows for adjustment of the time periods represented by the display fields. Creating a customized schedule, such as a daily schedule, is easily possible.

[0026] For example, the display panels can be made of colored, self-adhesive fabric or felt elements that are glued to a base. When redesigning, these can be removed and replaced with new ones that are larger or smaller.

[0027] In a further embodiment of the invention, the display means is rod-shaped, preferably in the form of a pointer. A rod-shaped display means can, for example, be designed in the manner of a rotating clock hand. Advantageously, a simple display of an event or an activity to be performed is possible. One rotation of the hand by 360 degrees corresponds, for example, to an entire period of time in which all events and / or activities to be performed occur and which can be between one hour and one year, in particular between 12 hours and one week. In particular, the entire period of time is a whole day, i.e. 24 hours, a working day (for example, 8 hours), or a night (approximately 8 hours).

[0028] In one embodiment of the invention, a signaling device is provided that signals a transition of the display device from one display field to an adjacent display field. The signaling device can emit an acoustic, optical, and / or haptic signal indicating that another event is pending and / or that a different activity must now be performed. Advantageously, the device does not need to be continuously viewed.

[0029] An acoustic signal can be a warning tone or a sequence of tones, while an optical signal can be a flashing of at least one warning light, and a haptic signal can be a vibration of the base body.

[0030] At a transition of the display means from one display field to an adjacent display field, a dividing line separating adjacent display fields from one another is expediently parallel to the movable display means. A clear separation between adjacent display fields is advantageously possible, and confusion as to whether a display means points to a first or an adjacent second display field is advantageously prevented.

[0031] In a further embodiment of the invention, the base body has a visible side with visible side sections formed by the at least two display fields. Advantageously, all display fields are immediately recognizable. Furthermore, it is possible to see which event or activity is about to occur.

[0032] The display fields can be designed, for example, as circular sectors and / or circular segments. Advantageously, a device is created that is designed in the manner of a clock with a display means, which can be a pointer. Such a device can be used, for example, for the simplified representation of a schedule, for example, a manager's calendar.

[0033] In one embodiment of the invention, the base body has a visible side formed by a matrix display. The matrix display can be applied, for example, glued, to a visible side of the base body. The matrix display is preferably designed as an LCD, LED, or OLED screen. The device is advantageously customizable and usable for various scheduling purposes. For this purpose, individual matrix display areas can form display fields whose size can be changed, which display specific colors, symbols, or pictograms when controlled. Control can be provided by a programmable control unit, which can be programmed, in particular remotely, by an application program ("app") running on a computer, mobile phone, or tablet computer.

[0034] The base body can be designed as a carrier for the matrix display and at least help to shape the optical design of the device, which can be designed in the manner of a pocket watch, wall watch, floor watch or wrist watch.

[0035] The matrix display is expediently disc-shaped, in particular perforated, and preferably has a through-opening through which the display means can pass. A combination of a pointer, which forms a component of the device, and an electronic display is advantageously conceivable.

[0036] If the matrix display is designed in the form of a perforated disc, the display means, which is designed mechanically, can pass through a passage opening, so that the display means is arranged on a visible side of the device and a control device, which controls the display means and its speed of movement, is arranged on a side facing away from the visible side.

[0037] It is particularly advantageous if the display means is designed as a pointer in the manner of a clock hand, and the matrix display is designed as a circular clock face with a through opening at the center. A device is created that combines a mechanical display means with a matrix display.

[0038] In a further embodiment of the invention, the movable display means is designed as an electronic pointer that is displayed on the matrix display. Advantageously, a nearly entirely electronic device is created, preferably designed as a wall clock, a table clock, a pocket watch, or a wristwatch.

[0039] A display screen is expediently provided, which is arranged at a distance from the display fields, preferably below them. The display screen is designed, in particular, as an LCD screen and allows the display of additional information concerning the events or activities to be performed. This information can be in the form of text messages, icons, numbers, letters, or colors.

[0040] It is conceivable that the display screen has several display areas.

[0041] In one embodiment of the invention, the device is designed in the manner of a grandfather clock, pocket watch, wall clock, or wristwatch. The base body can form a housing or be provided as a support for an electronic display such as a matrix display.

[0042] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings relating to the exemplary embodiments. They show: Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a device according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows a further embodiment of a device according to the invention, Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of a device according to the invention, Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of a device according to the invention, Fig. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of a device according to the invention, Fig. 6 shows a further embodiment of a device according to the invention, Fig. 7 shows a special embodiment of a device according to the invention.

[0043] One in Fig. 1 The device 1 shown in a plan view is intended for planning a daily routine of a person living with autism and comprises a round base body 2, which on a visible side 3 comprises several adjacent display fields 4, 5, 6 forming circular sectors. Each of the display fields 4, 5, 6 is colored, with adjacent display fields 4, 5, 6 having different colors, which in Fig. 1are shown as hatched. All display fields 4-6 are different sizes, meaning they have different surface areas.

[0044] A display means indicating an event and / or an activity to be carried out comprises a mechanical pointer 8 which can be rotated in the direction of an arrow 7 and which is guided by a Fig. 1 not shown drive, wherein the drive is designed such that in this embodiment a complete rotation of the pointer by 360 degrees corresponds to a whole day, i.e. 24 hours.

[0045] Each of the display fields 4-6 represents a period of time that begins with the movement of the pointer 8 into the display field 4-6 and ends with the movement out of the display field 4-6 into an adjacent display field 4-6. During the entire period of time, an activity defined by the color of the display field 4-6 must be performed and / or an event defined by the color of the display field 4-6 takes place during the period of time. The pointer 8 indicates to a person using the device 1 what to do at what time. Recourse to a clock known from the prior art is not necessary.

[0046] Adjacent display fields 4-6 are separated from each other by a dividing line 9. The dividing line 9 is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pointer as it transitions from one display field 4-6 to an adjacent display field 4-6.

[0047] In this embodiment, the pointer 8 points to a red display field 5, which represents the working day, while a green display field 6 represents night rest.

[0048] It will now Fig. 2 Reference is made where identical or equivalent parts are identified by the same reference number as in Fig. 1 and the relevant reference number is followed by the letter a.

[0049] One in Fig. 2 The device 1a shown in a plan view differs from that in Fig. 1 shown in that in some of the display fields 4a-6a, in addition to the colour design, an exchangeable pictogram 10-13 is reusable.

[0050] The advantage is that it is particularly intuitive to use.

[0051] For example, pictogram 10 indicates that it is time for night rest, while pictogram 11 indicates working time, pictogram 12 indicates a period for social contacts and pictogram 13 indicates a period for leisure activities such as listening to music.

[0052] It will now Fig. 3 Reference is made where identical or equivalent parts are identified by the same reference number as in Fig. 1 and 2 and the relevant reference number is followed by the letter b.

[0053] One in Fig. 3 The device 1b shown in a plan view differs from those in Fig. 1 and 2 shown in that a base body 2b is triangular and has display fields 4b-6b which are triangular or square.

[0054] It is conceivable that the base body 2b has a different shape, for example square, pentagonal, hexagonal or octagonal.

[0055] It will now Fig. 4Reference is made where identical or equivalent parts are identified by the same reference number as in Fig. 1 to 3 and the relevant reference number is followed by the letter c.

[0056] One in Fig. 4 The device 1c shown in a plan view differs from those in Fig. 1 to 3 shown in that a base body 2c is designed as a screen support for an LCD screen 3c, which contributes to the design of the device 1d and is applied to a visible side. Display fields 4c-6c form visible surface areas of the LCD screen 3c.

[0057] A content to be displayed on the screen 3c is defined by a Fig. 4The control unit (not shown) is remotely programmable by a computer program, which is executed, for example, as an application program ("app") on a mobile phone or tablet computer. A user of the device 1c can select a size, a color, and, if necessary, a pictogram in the computer program, thereby designing the content to be displayed on the LCD screen 3c and then transmitting it to the control unit for display on the LCD screen 3c, for example, wirelessly via Bluetooth or WLAN. The speed at which a mechanical pointer 8c can be moved is also adjustable.

[0058] In addition, you can specify which period of time corresponds to a complete rotation of a hand 8c by 360 degrees.

[0059] It is conceivable that a single computer program could manage several devices 1c, each of which could be individualised.

[0060] The base body 2c is further formed in the shape of a perforated disc and has a Fig. 4 unspecified passage opening through which a connecting section of the mechanical pointer 8c, which connects the pointer 8c to a drive not shown, is passed.

[0061] It will now Fig. 5 Reference is made where identical or equivalent parts are identified by the same reference number as in Fig. 1 to 4 and the relevant reference number is followed by the letter d.

[0062] One in Fig. 5 The device 1d shown in a plan view differs from those in Fig. 1 to 3 shown in that a base body 2d is designed as a screen support for an LCD screen 3d, which also shapes the design of the device 1d and is applied to a visible side and Fig. 4by providing an electronic pointer 14, which is generated by controlling the LCD screen 3a. Advantageously, no mechanical components are required; adapting the device 1d to a user's needs is possible using a computer program or an app running on a mobile phone.

[0063] It will now Fig. 6 Reference is made where identical or equivalent parts are identified by the same reference number as in Fig. 1 to 5 and the relevant reference number is preceded by the letter e.

[0064] One in Fig. 6 The device 1e shown in a plan view differs from those in Fig. 1 to 5shown in that, during a transition from one display field 4e-6e to an adjacent display field 4e-6e, three lamps 15 are provided as optical signaling means. These lamps are arranged along a dividing line 9e and light up three times when a pointer 14e transitions from one display field 4e-6e to the adjacent display field 4e-6e. This signals a user of the device 1e that a new event and / or a new activity is pending.

[0065] It is understood that other signaling means are conceivable, for example vibration of the device or the base body 2e or an acoustic signal.

[0066] It will now Fig. 7 Reference is made where identical or equivalent parts are identified by the same reference number as in Fig. 1 to 6 and the relevant reference number is preceded by the letter f.

[0067] One in Fig. 7The device 1f shown in a plan view differs from those in Fig. 1 to 6 shown in that a base body has a lower section 16 to which a separate display screen 17 is attached, which is intended to display special, supplementary messages 18 concerning the events or activities to be performed. These messages can be, for example, text messages.

[0068] It is conceivable that the device 1-1f is designed in the manner of a grandfather clock, pocket watch, wall clock or wristwatch.

[0069] It is understood that all combinations of the Fig. 1 to 7 shown features are conceivable. For example, a Fig. 3 shown device 1b an LCD screen 3c according to Fig. 4 which is applied to a base body 2c designed as a screen carrier.

Claims

1. Device (1-1f) for indicating a time sequence of at least two successive events and / or activities to be carried out, comprising a basic body (2-2f) with at least two display fields (4, 5, 6 - 4f, 5f, 6f) and a movable display appliance (8-8c; 14; 14e; 14f), wherein the movable display appliance (8-8c; 14; 14e; 14f) is arranged to point to one of the display fields in order to indicate the event and / or the activity to be carried out, characterised in that the movement speed of the display appliance (8-8c; 14; 14e; 14f) is adjustable, with the movement speed of the display appliance being variable from display field to display field.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the display fields (4, 5, 6 - 4f, 5f, 6f) are variable in size.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the display appliance is rod-shaped, preferably in the form of a pointer (8-8f).

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that a signalling means (15) is provided which signals a transition of the display appliance (8-8c; 14; 14e; 14f) from one display field to an adjacent display field.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that, during a transition of the display appliance (8-8c; 14; 14e; 14f) from one display field to an adjacent display field, a dividing line (9-9f), which delimits adjacent display fields (4, 5, 6 - 4f, 5f, 6f) from one another, is parallel to the movable display appliance (8-8c; 14; 14e; 14f).

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the base body (2-2f) has a visible side (3-3f) with regions which are formed by the at least two display fields (4, 5, 6 - 4f, 5f, 6f).

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the base body (2-2f) has a visible side (3-3f) which is formed by a matrix display (3-3f).

8. Device according to claim 7, characterised in that the matrix display (3-3c) is disc-shaped, in particular perforated disc-shaped, and preferably has an aperture through which the display appliance (8-8c) can pass.

9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the movable display appliance (14; 14e; 14f) is designed as an electronic pointer which is displayed on the matrix display (3-3f).

10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that a display screen (17) is provided, which is arranged at a distance from the display fields (4, 5, 6 - 4f, 5f, 6f), preferably below.

11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the device (1-1f) is designed in the manner of a floor clock, pocket watch, wall clock or wristwatch.

12. Method for displaying a time sequence of at least two successive events and / or activities to be carried out, in which a movable display appliance (8-8c; 14; 14e; 14f) points to one of at least two display fields (4, 5, 6 - 4f, 5f, 6f) in order to indicate the respective event and / or the activity to be carried out, characterised in that a speed of movement of the display appliance (8-8c; 14; 14e; 14f) is adjustable, and the speed of movement being variable from display field to display field.

13. Method according to claim 12, characterised in that< / b> during a transition of the display appliance (8-8c; 14; 14e; 14f) from one display field (4, 5, 6 - 4f, 5f, 6f) to an adjacent display field (4, 5, 6 - 4f, 5f, 6f), an optical, acoustic and / or haptic signal (15) is emitted, which signals to a user a new event beginning or that another activity is to be carried out.

14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the event and / or the activity to be performed is displayed visually, in particular as a symbol or pictogram (10-13; 10e-13f), in at least one of the display fields (4, 5, 6 - 4fe, 5f, 6f).