Vertical Display Device with Dynamic Time Visualization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional time display devices are difficult to read and require additional scales or labels, especially for unconventional time representations, and lack dynamic visual effects to enhance readability.

Innovation Solution

A display device with vertically arranged display means that change states dynamically, using control means to switch between reflective, transmissive, or illuminated states, creating a geometric arrangement that divides time units into blocks, allowing for quick and easy reading without additional labels, and featuring sequential or periodic changes in lighting or color to represent time progression.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If unconventional time representation methods (binary, octal, hexadecimal, quintal, or prime number systems) are used, then the display becomes innovative and unique, but the readability and ease of learning to read the time deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinnovativeness of displayVSAvoidreadability of time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The time display is segmented into multiple vertical bands, each representing a different time unit (hours, minutes, seconds). Each band contains discrete display means that can be individually activated, allowing the complex time information to be broken down into manageable, visually distinct segments that are easier to read while maintaining the unconventional representation systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If time is displayed using written words, then the time representation becomes clear and understandable, but the display space required increases and different representations are needed for each language

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclarity of time representationVSAvoiddisplay space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Different colors are assigned to represent different time units and their progression. For example, vertical bands of display means are illuminated in different colors to indicate hours, minutes, and seconds, allowing clear time representation through color-coded visual cues rather than text, thereby reducing display space while maintaining clarity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Productivity

If display means are arranged vertically to show time progression, then the passage of time is visualized dynamically, but the complexity of the display arrangement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisualization of time passageVSAvoidarrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display transitions from traditional horizontal or radial arrangements to a vertical dimensional arrangement. Multiple bands of display means are stacked vertically, with each band representing a time unit. This vertical stacking creates a clear visual hierarchy and dynamic progression of time while organizing the complexity into a structured, space-efficient configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Ease of operation

If additional scales or labels are added to help read the time, then the readability improves, but the device complexity and display space increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereadability of timeVSAvoidadditional components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display means themselves provide the reading reference through their inherent geometric arrangement and illumination patterns. The vertical bands and discrete display elements are self-explanatory, with their position and activation state directly indicating time values without requiring external scales or labels, thereby maintaining readability while avoiding additional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3859452A1Display device
Publication Date: 2021.08.04 GINOTRONIC GMBH
  • EP3859452A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3859452A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3859452A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a display device comprising at least one band of display means, wherein the display means can be changed in their state depending on the progression of time, wherein a unit of time can be represented by the band, and wherein the display means can be moved to a different state starting from one end of the band. In order to optimize known time display devices and to visualize the passage of time, it is proposed within the scope of the invention that the display means be arranged essentially vertically and designed to highlight the reaching of a new time value by means of a dynamic visual effect.In this way, the individual display elements can be sequentially changed from one end of the tape to a different state as time progresses. This change is reversed at a defined point in time for each display element until the display element corresponding to the time value being shown is reached. This creates the visual impression that time is progressing, as a time value (e.g., a minute) "drips" down the tape until it "comes to rest" on the last display element corresponding to the respective time unit.