Some implementations relate generally to digitally controlled analog clocks and, more particularly, to a clock in which the hour and minute hands move in a linear direction horizontally or vertically.
The clock is one of the oldest inventions, meeting the need to measure intervals of time shorter than the natural units such as the day, the lunar month, and the year. Devices operating on several physical processes have been used over the millennia. The first mechanical clocks were developed around 1300 in Europe, which kept time with oscillating timekeepers like balance wheels. The next development in accuracy occurred after 1656 with the invention of the pendulum clock. The electric clock with rotating hands has been around since about the 1840's.
Clocks have different ways of displaying the time. Analog clocks indicate time with a traditional clock face and rotating hands. Digital clocks display a numeric representation of time. Two numbering systems are in use: 24-hour time notation and 12-hour notation. Most digital clocks use electronic mechanisms and LCD, LED, or VFD displays.
Embodiments were conceived to address the above-mentioned limitations of conventional clocks among other things.
Some implementations can include a Digital Analog Art Clock. The Digital Analog Art Clock provides a visual indication of time by moving the minute and hour hands via stepper motors in a linear horizontal or vertical direction across artwork. Some implementations can include vertical clocks in which time is displayed on two or more vertical elements. A clock comprising a body, wherein the body can have various sizes and shapes, wherein the body can have a decorative cover portion such as artwork. The clock includes an hour hand, wherein the hour hand can have various sizes and shapes, wherein the hour hand can move on a horizontal axis or vertical axis via a stepper motor. The clock also includes a minute hand, wherein the minute hand can have various sizes and shapes, wherein the minute hand can move on a horizontal axis or vertical axis via a stepper motor. The clock further includes a control circuit, including a processor, a stepper motor driver board, a first and second stepper motor, wherein first stepper motor is attached to the hour hand and the second stepper motor is attached to the minute hand, where in the processor receives the initial time from a network and moves the first and second stepper motor to the current time position, wherein the processor then starts polling the time and continues to update the minute hand and hour hand.
Some implementations can include a set of hour hand calibration switches, and a set of minute hand calibration switches wherein the switches are used to calibrate the scale of the body.
Some implementations can include a clock having a body, wherein the body can have various sizes and shapes, wherein the body can have a decorative cover portion such as artwork. The clock includes a first indicator, wherein the first indicator can have various sizes and shapes, wherein the first indicator can move in a linear direction, wherein the first indicator's position represents a point in time. The clock also includes a second indicator, wherein the second indicator can have various sizes and shapes, wherein the second indicator can move in a linear direction, wherein the second indicator's position represents a point in time. The clock further includes a third indicator, wherein the third indicator can have various sizes and shapes, wherein the third indicator can move in a linear direction, wherein the third indicator's position represents a point in time.
Some implementations can include a set of first indicator calibration switches, a set of second indicator calibration switches, and a set of third indicator calibration switches, wherein the switches are used to calibrate the scale of the body.
Some implementations can include a Digital Analog Art Clock. The Digital Analog Art Clock provides a visual indication of the time by moving the minute and hour hands via stepper motors in a linear horizontal or vertical direction across artwork.
The vertical clock 500 can also include a mounting bracket 512.
The first and second hour hand calibration switches (934. 936), and the first and second minute hand calibration switches (916. 918) are optional, but when installed permits the same code to be used for all clocks no matter the size and/or scale of the clock. The controller measures the distance from the first and second minute hand calibration switches and determines the scale of minute time subdivisions. The controller also measures the distance from the first and second hour hand calibration switches and determines the scale of the hours. The indicia (e.g., hour or minute numbers or other numbers, letters, or symbols) can now be placed on the body of the clock accordingly.
In some implementations the Digital Analog Art Clock could have a third linear measurement used to indicate the seconds.
In some implementations the Digital Analog Art Clock can use belts and tracks to move the minute and hour hands in a manner similar to that described above, but a number of alternative mechanical components could be used (e.g., worm gears, pulleys system). Some implementations can include a mechanical drive system including chains, weights, and/or pendulums that is similar in construction and operation as a traditional grandfather clock with the difference being that the mechanism is used to drive the linear motion of the hands of the disclosed clocks.
At 1004 control circuit obtains an initial time (e.g., from a real time clock or network such as wi-fi, etc.) and stores the current time. Processing continues to 1006.
At 1006, minute and hour indicators are set to the current time. For example, servo motors may be activated to move travelling indicators to location indicating the current time. In another example, light may be illuminated to indicate the current time. Processing continues to 1008.
At 1008, polling the real time clock or network such as wi-fi, etc. for time to change. Processing continues to 1010.
At 1010, the minute hand is moved (or the minute light is illuminated) corresponding to the current minute. Processing continues to 1012.
At 1012, the control circuit determines if it is the next hour yet. If so, processing continues to 1014. Otherwise, processing continues to 1008.
At 1014, the hour indicator is moved to the current hour (or light illuminated for the current hour). Processing continues to 1008.
In some implementations the vertical clock GUI 1200 could include a third vertical indicator had moving vertically along a fourth artwork to indicate the seconds.
It is, therefore, apparent that there is provided, in accordance with the various embodiments disclosed herein, Digital Analog Art Clocks and vertical clocks.
While the disclosed subject matter has been described in conjunction with a number of embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations would be, or are, apparent to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. Accordingly, Applicants intend to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, equivalents and variations that are within the spirit and scope of the disclosed subject matter.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/027,944 entitled “Digitally-controlled Analog Art Clocks and Vertical Clocks” and filed on May 20, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63027944 | May 2020 | US |