Analog clock, time display method, and time display program

Abstract

To provide a new and innovative way of displaying time in analog clocks. [Solution] The entire clock is configured to rotate regularly around a base point on a line passing through the center of the dial 14. This makes the functioning of the clock 10 visible as movement, and the movement of the entire clock also functions as an indicator of the passage of seconds.

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". The digital type, which displays time elements such as hours, minutes, and seconds as numbers, uniquely displays the current time. On the other hand, the analog type, in which hands (hour hand, minute hand, and second hand) corresponding to each time element rotate according to the passage of time, is suitable not only for displaying the current time but also for displaying time (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 (right-handed) direction. Further, Patent Document 1 discloses a clock in which the second hand rotates in the counterclockwise (left-handed) 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 entire clock rotates regularly about a reference point on a line passing through the center of the dial.

[0007] Furthermore, the present invention is a time display program that displays the passage of time on a computer display, characterized in that it causes the computer to execute a time display method having the above-described configuration. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, in an analog clock, the entire clock rotates regularly around a base point on a line passing through the center of the dial, making the clock's function visible as movement. This movement also functions as an indicator of the passage of time (seconds). As a result, it is possible to provide a completely new way of displaying time that is entirely different from conventional display methods. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows a schematic configuration of an analog clock according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram illustrating the movement of an analog clock according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating the movement of an analog clock in a modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] 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.

[0011] The analog clock 10 according to this embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as "clock 10") is displayed on the screen of a smartphone, which is a type of computer.

[0012] The smartphone used in this embodiment can employ various commercially available devices that are widely used by the general public. This smartphone includes basic components such as a CPU, memory and storage, a communication module for communicating with external devices, a battery, a display, and a touch panel.

[0013] Smartphones typically come equipped with a clock function. When a mobile phone network is available, this clock function automatically corrects the time to the correct time based on a standard called NITZ (Network Identity and Time Zone). Furthermore, even in environments where a mobile phone network is unavailable, the system is configured to automatically correct the time to the correct time using NTP (Network Time Protocol) under a communication environment such as an internet connection. Therefore, in this embodiment, we have devised a way to display the time information based on this clock function.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the clock 10 is displayed on the smartphone's display, which functions as a time display surface 12. In this example, the paper in Figure 1 is used to represent the smartphone's display and the time display surface 12 is shown, but the display may also show other elements besides the time element (for example, date elements such as a calendar or app icons).

[0015] The clock 10 displayed on the time display surface 12 has the same basic configuration as a known analog clock. That is, the numbers 1 to 12 are arranged in order at equal intervals along the periphery of the circular dial 14, and the time is displayed by an hour hand 16 and a minute hand 18 that rotate according to the passage of time. The hour hand 16 and the minute hand 18 are pointers corresponding to the time elements corresponding to hours and minutes, respectively.

[0016] Inside the circular dial 14, marking lines indicating 5-minute intervals, as in a typical clock, are displayed on virtual radial lines extending radially from the center point of the circle at equal intervals of 30°. Furthermore, marking lines indicating 1-minute intervals, as in a typical clock, are displayed as short lines from the periphery of the dial 14 toward the center point, on virtual radial lines extending radially from the center point of the circle at equal intervals of 6°.

[0017] The hour hand 16 rotates clockwise once every 12 hours, just like a typical clock. The minute hand 18 also rotates clockwise once every 60 minutes, just like a typical clock.

[0018] In this embodiment, the clock 10 having the above configuration is made to have movement throughout the entire clock so that it is possible to determine whether or not the clock 10 is functioning. The movement of the clock 10 will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

[0019] In the clock 10 of this embodiment, instead of a second hand which is a pointer corresponding to the "seconds" of the time element, the overall components including the dial 14, hour hand 16, and minute hand 18 (hereinafter referred to as "the entire clock") are given a regular movement. Specifically, the dial 14's center point (the rotation center of the hour hand 16 and minute hand 18) is used as the base point, and the clock is configured to rotate alternately to the left and right within an angular range of 60°, with 30° to the left (counterclockwise) (Figure 2(a)) and 30° to the right (clockwise) (Figure 2(b)). As a result, the clock 10 rotates regularly, changing the direction of rotation of the entire clock when it is tilted by a maximum of 30° to the left or right with respect to a reference line (not shown) connecting the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions in a typical clock. There are no particular limitations on the speed at which the clock 10 moves, but it is desirable to set it to a speed that does not interfere with understanding the current time indicated by the hour hand 16 and minute hand 18, and that allows for quick recognition that the entire clock is moving (for example, a speed of about 10 seconds or less per cycle). The movement of the clock 10 serves as an indicator of the passage of seconds and also visualizes that the clock 10 is functioning.

[0020] The operation of the clock 10 having the above configuration, that is, the time display method according to the embodiment, is realized by the CPU of the smartphone executing the time display program stored in the memory. Specifically, among the above-described configurations, elements mainly including the dial 14, excluding the hour hand 16 and the minute hand 18, are used as the 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 displayed at rotation angles corresponding to the passage of time. And, the movement of the entire clock including the above-described dial 14, hour hand 16, and minute hand 18 (the movement of rotating the entire clock alternately left and right) is continuously repeated at the speed cycle set by the user. Thus, by making the smartphone function as the 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.

[0021] As described above, according to the time display method as in the present embodiment, in the clock 10, by giving a regular movement to the dial 14 itself (the entire clock) including the hour hand 16 and the minute hand 18, the fact that the clock 10 is functioning is visualized as the movement. This movement of the entire clock also functions as a sign representing the passage of time (seconds). As a result, it is possible to provide a new sense of time display method completely different from the conventional display method. Also, since the hour hand 16 and the minute hand 18 move the same as a conventional clock, there is no particular problem in accurately displaying the time. Furthermore, due to the movement of the entire clock at a certain cycle 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.

[0022] As described above, the analog clock, time display method, and time display program according to the present invention have been described based on the embodiment. However, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described form, and for example, it may be implemented in a modified form as follows.

[0023] <Modification Example> (1) In the above embodiment, the clock 10 was configured to rotate alternately left and right within a certain angular range around the center point of the dial 14 (the rotation center of the hour hand 16 and minute hand 18), but the base point of this movement may be at any other position. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the base point of the movement of the entire clock may be at a position offset from the center point of the dial 14. In this example, the base point is the midpoint of the line segment connecting the center point of the dial 14 (the rotation center of the hour hand 16 and minute hand 18) and the 12 o'clock position. In this case, the entire clock will oscillate within a certain angular range, and with respect to the standard position of a typical clock (the position when it is at the position shown by the dashed line in Figure 3), it will repeat a regular oscillating motion while changing the direction of rotation between a position tilted 30° counterclockwise (to the left) (Figure 3(a)) and a position tilted 30° clockwise (to the right) (Figure 3(b)) around the base point. Furthermore, the starting point for the overall movement of the clock is not limited to this; it can be set to any appropriate position on the line passing through the center of the dial 14.

[0024] (2) In the above embodiment, the shape of the dial 14 was circular, but it is not limited to this and may be a square, other polygons, or an ellipse.

[0025] (3) In the embodiments and modifications described above, the examples used were clocks displayed on smartphone screens. However, the methods are not limited to these, and can also be applied to clocks displayed on mobile information terminals such as smartwatches, tablets, and laptops, or to electronic devices such as desktop computers, televisions, and digital signage. Naturally, they can also be applied to various types of clocks, such as wristwatches, wall clocks, and desk clocks.

[0026] (4) Although the embodiments and modifications described above have been explained on the premise that a time display program is standardly incorporated into a mobile information terminal, various electronic devices, a watch, etc., it goes without saying that the same effect can be obtained even if it is implemented as an application program provided to the user via the internet.

[0027] The present invention can be implemented in various forms with improvements, modifications, or alterations based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, without departing from its spirit. Furthermore, the invention may be implemented in a form in which any of its defining features is replaced with other technologies, as long as the same function or effect is achieved. [Explanation of symbols]

[0028] 10: Clock 14: Dial 16: Hour hand 18: Minute hand

Claims

1. An analog clock in which the entire clock rotates regularly around a pivot point on a line passing through the center of the dial, An analog clock characterized in that the base point is located at a position offset from the center point of the dial, and the entire clock oscillates within a certain angular range.

2. A time display method in which the entire clock rotates regularly around a base point on a line passing through the center of the dial, A method for displaying time, characterized in that the base point is located at a position offset from the center point of the dial, and the entire clock oscillates within a certain angular range.

3. A time display program that displays the passage of time on a computer display, A time display program that causes the computer to execute the time display method described in claim 2.

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