Analog clock, time display method, and time display program

Abstract

[Problem] To provide, in an analog clock, a time display method that provides a new sensation. [Solution] The passage of seconds is expressed by the movement of a dial 14 that repeats enlargement and reduction continuously. By interlocking the movement of the dial 14 itself with the passage of seconds, the movement of the entirety of the dial 14 is made to function as a sign representing the passage of time.

Description

Analog clock, time display method, and time display program

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

[0002] Clocks can be broadly divided into "digital" and "analog" types. Digital clocks, which display the hours, minutes, and seconds as numbers, uniquely display the current time. On the other hand, analog clocks, which have hands corresponding to each time element (hour, minute, and second hands) that rotate over time, are suitable for displaying not only the current time but also the time between two points in time.

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

[0004] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 02-81490

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a time display method that provides a new feeling in an analog clock.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the analog timepiece and time display method according to the present invention are characterized in that the passage of seconds is indicated by the movement of the dial face repeatedly expanding and contracting continuously.

[0007] The present invention also provides a time display program for displaying the passage of time on a computer display, the program causing the computer to execute the time display method having the above-described configuration.

[0008] According to the present invention, in an analogue clock, by linking the continuous expansion and contraction of the overall shape of the dial itself to the passage of seconds, the movement of the entire dial functions as an indicator of the passage of time (seconds), making it possible to provide a time display method with a completely new feel that is completely different from conventional display methods.

[0009] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an analog clock, a time display method, and a time display program according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] An analog watch 10 according to this embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as "watch 10") displays information on a display provided on a smartphone, which is a type of computer.

[0012] The smartphone used in this embodiment can be any of a variety of widely available off-the-shelf devices, and includes basic components such as a CPU, a memory unit such as a memory or storage, a communication module for communicating with external devices, a battery, a display, and a touch panel.

[0013] Smartphones typically come standard with a clock function. When a mobile phone communication line is available, this clock function automatically corrects the time to the correct time based on a standard called NITZ (Network Identity and Time Zone). Even in environments where a mobile phone communication line is unavailable, such as in a communication environment with an internet connection, the time can be automatically corrected accurately using NTP (Network Time Protocol). Therefore, in this embodiment, the display format of the time information based on this clock function is devised.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1, the watch 10 has a time display surface 12 that displays the time. In this embodiment, the display of a smartphone on which the watch 10 is displayed constitutes the time display surface 12. Note that in this example, the page of Fig. 1 is used to represent the smartphone display and displays the time display surface 12, but other elements besides the time element (for example, date elements like a calendar, app icons, etc.) may also be displayed on the time display surface 12.

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

[0016] Marker lines representing 5-minute intervals on a typical watch are displayed on imaginary radial lines extending radially from the center of the circular dial 14 at equal intervals of 30°. Furthermore, marker lines representing 1-minute intervals on a typical watch are displayed short from the periphery of the dial 14 toward the center on imaginary radial lines extending radially from the center 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 the clock 10 having the above configuration, the display mode of the passage of time for the time element "seconds" is configured completely differently from that of a general clock. The display mode of the passage of "seconds" in the clock 10 will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

[0019] In the timepiece 10 of this embodiment, instead of a second hand, which is a pointer corresponding to the "second" of the time element, the hour hand 16 and minute hand 18 are configured to visually indicate the passage of seconds by a movement that regularly changes the size (area) of the entire dial 14. In this example, the dial 14 changes its radius evenly little by little, while its overall shape continuously repeats movements of expanding and contracting as time (seconds) passes. Specifically, the dial 14 gradually contracts from a preset maximum radius (the state shown in FIG. 1 ) to a minimum radius (the state shown in FIG. 2 ). Then, the dial 14 gradually expands from the minimum radius to the maximum radius. This series of expansion and contraction movements is displayed as one cycle in conjunction with the passage of time (seconds), so that the movement of the entire dial 14 functions as an indicator of the passage of seconds.

[0020] The timepiece 10 is also configured so that an image periodically appears around the dial 14 in response to the movement of the dial 14. In this example, the area corresponding to the difference between when the dial 14 is at its maximum radius and when it is at its minimum radius (the donut-shaped area shown by hatching in FIG. 2 ) is the image display area 20. As the dial 14 gradually shrinks from its maximum radius, an image gradually appears in the image display area 20. When the dial 14 reaches its minimum radius, the area of ​​the image display area 20 reaches its maximum. As the dial 14 subsequently expands, the image gradually disappears from the image display area 20. Finally, when the dial 14 returns to its maximum radius, the image previously displayed in the image display area 20 disappears. Examples of images displayed in the image display area 20 include photographs or paintings of landscapes, calendars displaying the date, and the like. Furthermore, the image displayed in the image display area 20 is not limited to still images, but may also be moving images (video).

[0021] As described above, in this embodiment, the hour hand 16 and minute hand 18 function as a display unit that displays the time. More specifically, of the time elements of hours, minutes, and seconds, the hour hand 16 forms an hour display unit that displays the "hour" of the time, and the minute hand 18 forms a minute display unit that displays the "minute" of the time. Furthermore, the movement of the dial 14 described above indicates the passage of the "seconds" of the time element.

[0022] The operation of the watch 10 having the above-described configuration, i.e., the time display method according to the embodiment, is realized by the smartphone's CPU executing a time display program stored in its memory. Specifically, the smartphone displays the above-described components, primarily the dial 14, excluding the hour hand 16 and minute hand 18, as a basic screen. The smartphone also acquires time information using its built-in clock function. Based on the acquired time information, the hour hand 16 and minute hand 18 are displayed at rotation angles corresponding to the passage of time. Based on the acquired time information, the dial 14 is displayed so that its overall shape expands and contracts continuously over time (seconds) at a cycle set by the user. A predetermined image is displayed in the image display area 20 in response to the movement of the dial 14. Note that data related to the image displayed in the image display area 20 may be acquired, for example, from an external management server (not shown) via the smartphone's communication line, or may be stored in the smartphone's memory when the time display program is updated. Alternatively, images pre-stored in the user's smartphone's memory may be displayed. In this way, the smartphone functions as a time display means that displays the time display surface 12 of the watch 10, thereby executing the time display method according to this embodiment.

[0023] Thus, according to the time display method of this embodiment, the continuous expansion and contraction of the entire shape of the dial 14 itself, including the hour hand 16 and minute hand 18, in the analog timepiece 10 is linked to the passage of time (seconds), allowing the movement of the entire dial 14 to function as an indicator of the passage of seconds, providing a time display method with a completely new feel that is completely different from conventional display methods. Furthermore, because the hour hand 16 and minute hand 18 move in the same way as conventional timepieces, there is no particular problem with accurately displaying the time. Furthermore, the constant periodic movement of the dial 14 described above not only allows the user to immediately recognize that the timepiece 10 is not stopped, but also provides the user with a certain sense of security through its pleasant rhythmic movement.

[0024] The analog clock, time display method, and time display program according to the present invention have been described above based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be implemented in modified forms, for example, as follows.

[0025] <Modifications> (1) In the above embodiment, the dial 14, hour hand 16, and minute hand 18, which are components of the timepiece 10, are illustrated as having a very ordinary and simple design, but it is also possible to use a photograph of the dial used in a ready-made timepiece. Furthermore, the hour and minute hands may also be displayed with a design that imitates that of a ready-made timepiece, in accordance with the dial. This increases the opportunities for images of ready-made timepieces to be seen by users, making it possible to use the timepiece itself as an advertising medium for ready-made timepieces.

[0026] (2) In the above embodiment, the dial 14 has a circular shape. However, the shape is not limited to this and may be other shapes such as a rectangle, other polygons, or an oval.

[0027] (3) In the above embodiment, the maximum and minimum radii of the dial 14 can be changed as needed. For example, if the minimum radius of the dial is set to 0, the dial will shrink and disappear, and then reappear while expanding. At this time, a dial with a different design may be displayed.

[0028] (4) In the above embodiment, a specific image is periodically displayed only in the image display area 20. However, as long as an image is periodically displayed around the dial, images may also be displayed in other areas. For example, an image may be displayed in the area surrounding the image display area 20 shown in FIG. 2.

[0029] (5) In the above embodiment, the image display area 20 displays photographs or paintings of landscapes, a calendar showing dates, etc. However, for example, advertisements may be displayed in the image display area 20. The image display area may also be used as a bulletin board for displaying message images or message videos.

[0030] (6) In the above-described embodiments and modifications, a clock displayed on a smartphone display has been exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied to clocks displayed on electronic devices such as smartwatches, tablets, laptops, desktop computers, televisions, digital signage, etc. Naturally, the present invention can also be applied to various clocks such as wristwatches, wall clocks, and table clocks.

[0031] (7) The above-mentioned embodiments and variants have been explained on the assumption that the time display program is incorporated as a standard feature into portable information terminals, various electronic devices, clocks, etc., but it goes without saying that the same effect can be obtained even if the program is implemented as an application program provided to users via the Internet.

[0032] The present invention can be implemented in various forms including improvements, modifications, and variations based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the invention can be implemented in a form in which any of the features specifying the invention are replaced with other technology within the scope of producing the same action or effect.

[0033] 10: Clock 14: Dial 16: Hour hand 18: Minute hand 20: Image display area

Claims

1. An analog clock characterized by a dial that continuously expands and contracts to indicate the passage of seconds.

2. The analogue timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the dial gradually expands in size in conjunction with the passage of seconds, and then gradually contracts.

3. The analog watch of claim 1, wherein an image periodically appears around the dial as the dial moves.

4. A method of displaying time characterized by the passage of seconds being indicated by the continuous expansion and contraction of a dial.

5. A time display program for displaying the passage of time on a computer display, the time display program causing the computer to execute the time display method according to claim 4.

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