Analog timepiece, time display method and time display program

Abstract

To provide a new-feeling time display method in an analog timepiece.SOLUTION: A second hand 20 is reciprocated within a range of circular arcs 22 and 24. Alternatively, a second display part 32 for displaying a second of the time is reciprocated within a range of a circular arc 34 according to the lapse of time. In this way, it is possible to provide a new-feeling time display method different from the conventional monotonous display method by periodically reversing a moving direction of the second hand 20 or the second display unit 32, the element for displaying the time, before completing one revolution.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an analog clock, a time display method, and a time display program.

Background Art

[0002] The methods of displaying time on a clock are generally classified into a "digital type" and an "analog type". In the digital type, time elements such as hours, minutes, and seconds are displayed as numbers, and the current time is uniquely displayed. On the other hand, in the analog type, the hands (hour hand, minute hand, and second hand) corresponding to each time element rotate according to the passage of time, and it is suitable not only for displaying the current time but also for displaying time (the period between two points in the flow of time).

[0003] In a general analog clock, the hour hand, minute hand, and second hand all rotate in the clockwise direction. In addition, Patent Document 1 discloses a clock in which the second hand rotates in the counterclockwise direction, opposite to the hour hand and the minute hand.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel time display method for an analog clock.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, the analog clock and time display method according to the present invention are characterized in that the second hand reciprocates within an arc.

[0007] In addition, the analog clock and time display method according to the present invention are characterized in that a second display unit that displays the seconds of the time reciprocates within an arc in accordance with the passage of time.

[0008] Furthermore, the analog clock and time display method according to the present invention are characterized in that a second display unit that displays the seconds of the time operates so as to reciprocate within an arc in the depth direction of the dial in accordance with the passage of time.

[0009] The present invention also relates to a time display program for displaying time on a computer display, characterized in that the computer is caused to execute a time display method having any of the above-described configurations.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, in an analog clock, by reciprocating the second hand or the second display unit, which is an element for displaying time, within the range of an arc, a new and novel time display method different from the conventional monotonous display method can be provided, in which the moving direction of the second hand or the second display unit periodically reverses before one full rotation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of an analog clock, a time display method, and a time display program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] <First Embodiment> The analog clock 10 according to the first embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as "clock 10") is displayed on the display provided in a smartphone which is a kind of computer.

[0014] In the smartphone used in this embodiment, various off-the-shelf devices that are widely and generally popular can be adopted. This smartphone includes basic components such as a CPU, a storage unit such as a memory and a storage, a communication module for communicating with external devices, a battery, as well as a display and a touch panel.

[0015] Normally, a clock function is standardly equipped in the smartphone. When the communication line of the mobile phone can be used, this clock function is automatically corrected to accurate time information based on a standard called NITZ (Network Identity and Time Zone). Also, even in an environment where the communication line of the mobile phone cannot be used, in a communication environment such as an Internet line, it is configured to be able to accurately and automatically correct the time information using NTP (Network Time Protocol). Therefore, in this embodiment, efforts are made in the display mode of the time information based on this clock function.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the clock 10 includes a time display surface 12 for displaying time. In this embodiment, the display of the smartphone on which the clock 10 is displayed constitutes the time display surface 12. In this example, the time display surface 12 is displayed by regarding the paper surface of FIG. 1 as the display of the smartphone, but other elements other than time elements (for example, date elements such as a calendar and app icons) may be displayed on the time display surface 12 on the display.

[0017] The time display surface 12 of the clock 10 has the same basic configuration as a known analog clock. That is, numbers from 1 to 12 are arranged in equal pitch in sequence along the periphery of the circular dial 14, and the time is displayed by the hour hand 16, minute hand 18, and second hand 20 that rotate according to the passage of time. The hour hand 16, minute hand 18, and second hand 20 are pointers corresponding to time elements corresponding to hours, minutes, and seconds, respectively.

[0018] Inside the circular dial 14, on virtual radiation lines extending radially from the center point of the circle at equal pitch intervals of 30°, mark lines indicating 5-minute intervals in a general clock are displayed. Further, on virtual radiation lines extending radially from the center point of the above-mentioned circle at equal pitch intervals of 6°, mark lines indicating 1-minute intervals in a general clock are displayed short from the periphery of the dial 14 toward the center point.

[0019] The hour hand 16 rotates once in 12 hours in the clockwise (clockwise) direction, similar to a general clock. The minute hand 18 also rotates once in 60 minutes in the clockwise (clockwise) direction, similar to a general clock.

[0020] On the other hand, the second hand 20 has a completely different configuration from a general clock. The second hand 20 is configured to reciprocate within the arc with the midpoint in its longitudinal direction as the rotation center. In this example, one end side of the second hand 20 reciprocates within the range of the arc 22 between the position indicating 10 seconds (the number "2") and the position indicating 20 seconds (the number "4") in the conventional display method at a constant period. At this time, the other end side of the second hand 20 reciprocates within the range of the arc 24 between the position indicating 40 seconds (the number "8") and the position indicating 50 seconds (the number "10") in the conventional display method at a constant period. That is, the second hand 20 repeats reciprocating movement in the clockwise (clockwise) direction and the counterclockwise (counterclockwise) direction within the ranges of the arcs 22 and 24 in a seesaw-like motion at a constant period. In this example, it is assumed that the second hand 20 is set to make one round trip within the ranges of the arcs 22 and 24 in 30 seconds, but the movement period of the second hand 20 can be arbitrarily set and changed.

[0021] As described above, in the present embodiment, the hour hand 16, the minute hand 18, and the second hand 20 function as a display unit that displays the time while rotating according to the passage of time. More specifically, among the time elements of hours, minutes, and seconds, the hour hand 16 constitutes a time display unit that displays the "hour" of the time, the minute hand 18 constitutes a minute display unit that displays the "minute" of the time, and the second hand 20 constitutes a second display unit that displays the "second" of the time.

[0022] The operation of the clock 10 having the above configuration, that is, the time display method according to the first embodiment, is realized by the CPU of the smartphone executing a time display program stored in the memory. Specifically, among the above-described configurations, elements mainly including the dial 14 excluding the hour hand 16, the minute hand 18, and the second hand 20 are used as a basic screen and displayed on the display of the smartphone. Also, time information is acquired using the clock function incorporated in the smartphone. Then, based on the acquired time information, the hour hand 16 and the minute hand 18 are respectively displayed at rotation angles corresponding to the passage of time. Also, for the second hand 20, based on the acquired time information, it is displayed so as to reciprocate within the range of the arcs 22, 24 at a period set by the user according to the passage of time (in this example, one round trip in 30 seconds). In this way, by making the smartphone function as a time display means for displaying the time display surface 12 of the clock 10, the time display method according to the present embodiment is executed.

[0023] Thus, according to the time display method as in the present embodiment, in the analog clock 10, by reciprocating the second hand 20, which is an element for displaying the time, within the range of the arcs 22, 24, it is possible to provide a new sense of time display method different from the conventional monotonous display method in which the moving direction of the second hand 20 reverses periodically before it makes one full rotation. Also, since the hour hand 16 and the minute hand 18 move in the same way as a conventional clock, there is no particular problem in accurately displaying the time. Furthermore, due to the movement of the second hand 20 at a constant period as described above, not only can it be immediately recognized that the clock 10 is not stopped, but it is also possible to give the user a certain sense of security with a comfortable rhythm of movement.

[0024] <Second Embodiment> In the above-described first embodiment, the second hand 20 reciprocated within the ranges of the arcs 22 and 24. However, as shown in FIG. 2, the clock 30 according to the second embodiment is configured to display the "seconds" of the time by a second display unit 32 instead of the second hand 20. The basic configuration of the clock 30 other than the second display unit 32 is the same as that of the clock 10 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, in FIG. 2, the same components as those of the clock 10 shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions and illustrations are omitted as appropriate, and the description will be centered on the different parts.

[0025] The second display unit 32 is an image that displays the seconds of the time while rotating in accordance with the passage of time, and is configured to reciprocate within the range of the arc 34 while changing the posture (angle) of the image in a circular display area below the rotation center O of the hour hand 16 and the minute hand 18. In this example, as the second display unit 32, various images such as photos, paintings, characters, or brand logos can be displayed according to the user's selection.

[0026] The operation of the clock 30, that is, the time display method according to the second embodiment, is realized by the CPU of the smartphone executing a time display program stored in the memory, similar to the clock 10 described above. Note that, regarding the time display method according to the second embodiment as well, since the basic configuration is the same, and the display method other than the display method related to the second display unit 32 is the same as the time display method according to the first embodiment, the description will be centered on the different parts.

[0027] In the time display method according to the second embodiment, an image to be displayed as the second display unit 32 is set in advance or arbitrarily selected by the user. Then, based on the acquired time information, the second display unit 32 is displayed so as to reciprocate within the range of the arc 34 at a cycle set by the user in accordance with the passage of time (in this example, one reciprocation in 10 seconds). In this way, the time display method according to the present embodiment is executed by causing the smartphone to function as a time display means for displaying the time display surface 12 of the clock 30.

[0028] According to the clock 30 according to the second embodiment, when the user checks the time, the user will focus on the movement of the second display unit 32. Therefore, for example, it can be used as a medium for advertising the display of a brand logo, an image character, or the like. In addition, since it is also possible to implement a specification in which the image to be displayed on the second display unit 32 is set in advance or arbitrarily selected by the user, for example, it is also possible to implement it as a clock application that can create a user's own analog clock.

[0029] <Third Embodiment> In the above-described second embodiment, the second display unit 32 that displays the "seconds" of the time reciprocates within the range of the arc 34 while rotating according to the passage of time. However, the clock 50 according to the third embodiment is configured such that the second display unit 52 operates differently from the second display unit 32 of the clock 30 described above. The basic configuration of the clock 50 other than the second display unit 52 is the same as that of the clock 30 according to the second embodiment. Therefore, in FIG. 3, the second display unit 52, which has a configuration different from that of the clock 30 shown in FIG. 2, will be partially enlarged and illustrated, and the description and illustration of other configurations will be omitted.

[0030] The second display unit 52 is configured to display the "seconds" of the time by reciprocating within the range of the arc in the depth direction of the dial according to the passage of time. In this example, the image of the butterfly displayed in the circular display area flaps its wings at a constant period according to the passage of time. At this time, the movement from the state where the butterfly closes its wings (FIG. 3(a)) to the state where it spreads its wings (FIG. 3(b)) is substantially a movement in which the left and right wings reciprocate within the range of the arc in the depth direction of the dial. In this example, the movement of the second display unit 52 is a reciprocating movement around the vertical axis. However, the direction of the axis when the second display unit 52 reciprocates is not particularly limited, and it may be configured to reciprocate around the horizontal axis or an axis in an oblique direction.

[0031] The operation of the clock 50, i.e., the time display method according to the third embodiment, is realized by the CPU of the smartphone executing the time display program stored in the memory, similar to the clock 30 described above. Note that, regarding the time display method according to the third embodiment, like its basic configuration, it is the same as the time display method according to the second embodiment except for the display method related to the second hand display unit 52. Therefore, the different parts will be mainly described.

[0032] In the time display method according to the third embodiment, an image to be displayed as the second hand display unit 52 is set in advance or selected arbitrarily by the user. Then, based on the acquired time information, the second hand display unit 52 is displayed to perform an operation of reciprocating within the range of an arc in the depth direction of the dial at a cycle set by the user according to the passage of time (in this example, one reciprocation in 3 to 5 seconds). In this way, by making the smartphone function as a time display means for displaying the time display surface 12 of the clock 50, the time display method according to this embodiment is executed.

[0033] As described above, the analog clock, time display method, and time display program according to the present invention have been described based on the embodiments. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described forms, and for example, it may be implemented in a modified form as follows.

[0034] <Modification Example> (1) In the first and second embodiments described above, the second hand 20 (second hand display unit 32) reciprocated within the range of the arcs 22, 24 (34) at a constant cycle. However, the mode of the arcs (the magnitude and position of the central angle) is not particularly limited. As long as it is within the area of the dial 14, it can be set at any position and range. Also, in the third embodiment, the position and size of the second hand display unit 52 can be arbitrarily set and changed as long as it is within the area of the dial 14.

[0035] (2) In the above-described first embodiment, the second hand 20 has the midpoint in its longitudinal direction as the rotation center. However, the second hand may be the same as that of a general clock, that is, it may have a specification in which the rotation center is on one end side. Further, in the above-described second embodiment, the second display unit 32 is displayed within a circular display area, but its shape and size can also be appropriately changed. For example, if an image character is to be displayed, the outline shape of the character may be displayed as it is. Furthermore, a second display unit in a form that displays an arc-shaped locus in accordance with the passage of time may be adopted. In this case, when an arc having a predetermined central angle is displayed from one end side to the other end side, the display is once reset, and this time, the arc is displayed from the other end side to the one end side. In this way, an operation of repeating back and forth while changing the length between one end side and the other end side within the range of an arc having a predetermined central angle is performed. Alternatively, it may be a mode in which an arc locus is displayed at the tip portion of the second hand in conjunction with the movement of the second hand.

[0036] (3) In the above-described first embodiment, there was one second hand 20, but there may be a plurality of second hands. For example, it may be implemented in a form in which two second hands are simultaneously rotated in opposite directions from a certain base point, and the rotation directions of the two second hands are reversed at the timing when they meet. Even in this case, the position and length of the second hand can be arbitrarily set and changed within the area of the dial.

[0037] (4) In each of the above-described embodiments and modification examples, a clock displayed on the display of a smartphone was exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it can also be applied to clocks displayed on portable information terminals such as smartwatches, tablets, notebook personal computers, or electronic devices such as desktop personal computers, televisions, and digital signage. Naturally, it can also be applied to various clocks such as wristwatches, wall clocks, and table clocks.

[0038] (5) Although the above-described embodiments and modifications have been described on the premise of a mode in which a time display program is standardly incorporated into a mobile information terminal, various electronic devices, a clock, etc., it goes without saying that the same effects can be obtained even when implemented as an application program provided to a user via the Internet.

[0039] (6) Although the above embodiments and modifications have exemplified a clock displayed on the display screen of an electronic device, it is of course possible to apply them to a mechanical or quartz clock.

[0040] The present invention can also be implemented in a mode in which various improvements, corrections, or modifications are added based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the gist thereof. Also, within the range where the same action or effect is produced, it may be implemented in a form in which any of the invention-specific matters is replaced with other technologies.

Explanation of Signs

[0041] 10, 30, 50: Clock 16: Hour hand 18: Minute hand 20: Second hand 32, 52: Second display part

Claims

1. This analog clock is characterized in that a second display section for displaying seconds of the time moves back and forth within an arc in the depth direction of the dial as time passes.

2. This time display method is characterized in that a second display section that displays the seconds of the time is made to move back and forth within an arc in the depth direction of the dial as time passes.

3. A time display program for displaying the passage of time on a computer display, comprising: A time display program causing the computer to execute the time display method according to claim 2.

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