Abstract:
The invention provides a self-powered timepiece including a housing; a lenticular panel mounted in the housing; a high-efficiency, battery-powered drive means having a cam; time-indicating means movable by the drive means, and a lightweight indicia carrier disposed inside the housing in close proximity to the panel, the carrier being displaceable by the cam in relation to the panel. The invention further provides a self-powered timepiece including a housing; a high-efficiency, battery-powered drive means; a lenticular panel coupled to the drive means; time-indicating means movable by the drive means, and a lightweight indicia carrier disposed inside the housing in close proximity to the panel, the panel being displaceable by the drive means in relation to the indicia carrier.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a timepiece such as a counter or wall clock, hand watch or the like, which displays movable images while indicating the time. 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/089,337, filed Jun. 3, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,226,906. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,869 describes a watch including a static visual display, such as a photograph, of the user&#39;s choice, inserted by the user himself. U.S. Pat. No. 5,380,206 discloses an animated character display for transforming a facial photograph into a personalized animated character. In comparison to the static visuals of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,008,869, 5,380,206 incorporates a moving presentation of the image. U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,016 discloses a clock with an area for a display item, mainly for advertisement purposes. 
     More sophisticated prior art devices are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,455,808, which discloses an electronic timepiece having a mobile display with gradually changing images activated by a microprocessor, and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,137, which describes a watch comprising an horological movement associated with a liquid crystal display (LCD) arrangement. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In contrast with the prior art versions of static image display, the present invention provides a multi-image timepiece capable of generating several animated images that can include photographs or graphic figures for advertising or decorative purposes. Also, contrary to the LCD display method, the present invention uses optical means and, as indicia carrier, a lithographic film which is easy to produce and is replaceable by the user. The actual indication of time can be integrated into the changing color and form of the graphic images; i.e., when an advertising logo is generated on the screen, the hands of the timepiece point to icons such as numbers or letters, which constantly change in color and form. High-efficiency drive mechanisms controlling the movement of the hands are also responsible to the graphic motion of the images, in such a way that all embodiments can be realized as self-sufficient products having their own source of energy. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a timepiece displaying movable graphic images including photographs and different forms of artwork, together with the actual indication of the time. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to animate the time indication itself, using icons changing in color and form. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a timepiece in which the indicia carrier, in the form of a lithographic film, may be easily replaced for advertising or decorative purposes. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a stereoscopic presentation of moving images combined with an actual indication of the time. 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is thus provided a self-powered timepiece, comprising a housing; a lenticular panel mounted in said housing; a high-efficiency, battery-powered drive means having a cam; time-indicating means movable by said drive means, and a lightweight indicia carrier disposed inside said housing in close proximity to said panel, said carrier being displaceable by said cam in relation to said panel. 
     The invention further provides a self-powered timepiece, comprising a housing; a high-efficiency, battery-powered drive means; a lenticular panel coupled to said drive means; time-indicating means movable by said drive means, and a lightweight indicia carrier disposed inside said housing in close proximity to said panel, said panel being displaceable by said drive means in relation to said indicia carrier. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments with reference to the following illustrative figures so that it may be more fully understood. 
     With specific reference now to the figures in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. 
     In the drawings: 
     FIGS. 1 a  and  1   b  are front and cross-sectional views, respectively, of a timepiece according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 1 c  is an enlarged portion of the side view of FIG. 1 b;    
     FIG. 1 d  is an enlarged front view of the eccentric shown in FIG.  b;    
     FIG. 1 e  is a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 1 b . 
     FIG. 2 a  is a view of an indicia carrier; 
     FIG. 2 b  illustrates the optical principles of the invention; 
     FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  are front and cross-sectional views, respectively, of another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b  are front and cross-sectional views, respectively, of a further embodiment of the invention; 
     FIGS. 5 a  and  5   b  are front and cross-sectional views, respectively, of yet another embodiment of a timepiece according to the present invention; 
     FIGS. 6 a  and  6   b  are front and cross-sectional views, respectively, of a still further embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment similar to the embodiment of FIG. 6, in which the panel is rotatable with respect to the indicia carrier; 
     FIG. 8 illustrates a method of preparing a spiral lithographic indicia carrier for the embodiment of FIG. 6, and 
     FIGS. 9 and 10 are front views of spiral and linear lenticular panels, respectively, for hand watches according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 1 a,    1   b,    1   c  and  1   d  illustrate the details of a first embodiment of a timepiece in the form of a wall clock according to the present invention. Seen is a frame  2  supporting a lenticular transparent panel  4  composed of cylindrical linear lenses  6  having a width substantially equal to the focal length of the lenses. A rigid planar board  8  is disposed spaced apart from said lenticular panel  4  at a distance of about one mm, forming a clearance  10  for accommodating an indicia carrier in the form of a lightweight film  12 . Small ribs  14  project from the rear face of the lenticular panel  4  and retain film  12  at a constant distance from the lenses. Electro-mechanical drive  16  is attached to the rear face of board  8 . Drive  16  has three concentric shafts: a central shaft  18 , rotating at a speed of 1 rpm; an intermediate shaft  20  rotating at a speed of 1/60 rpm; and an external shaft  22  rotating at a speed higher than 60 rpm. The minute hand  24  of the clock is affixed to central shaft  18 , the hour hand  26  is affixed to intermediate shaft  20 , and film  12  is coupled to an eccentric portion  28  of external shaft  22 . 
     FIG. 1 d  illustrates the geometric shape of portion  28  of the eccentric shaft. Its minimal radius r increases at a constant rate to the maximum radius R, and then constantly diminishes to minimal radius r. Portion  28  of shaft  22  is configured as an annular channel  30  for freely supporting the film therein. Thus, the uniform rotational movement of shaft  22  is transformed into linear uniform movement of the film  12  in a vertical direction. 
     FIG. 1 a  further shows the clock  1  wherein the lenticular screen has been partially removed to show two linear cutouts  32  made in diametrically opposite locations at the top and bottom of film  12 , so as to extend perpendicular to the linear strips  34  of the lithographic printing on the film. Two pins  36  projecting from board  8  serve as guides for effecting the smooth linear displacement of the film  12 . 
     FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b  schematically illustrate the optical method used in clock  1 . The lithographic printing of  3  basic images A, B, C can be prepared by any method, as described in co-pending Israel Patent Applications Nos. 121,005 and 125,210 and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,100,330 and 5,488,451. Shown is lenticular screen  4  having small ribs  38  projecting from its rear side, spacing apart a lithographic film  12  at a distance d, which is determined by the focal length f of the lenses and the number of distinct images to be displayed on the screen, such that d=f(1−1/n). 
     In the embodiment of FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b,  the three basic images are represented by the stripes A, B, C in a repetitive rhythm. A magnified strip A is displayed when compressed information belonging to lithographic print  40  is aligned with the axis of the screen lenses. A vertical displacement of the film  12  alternatively displays all three images. The ribs  38  of the lenticular screen fulfill the very important role of avoiding the electrostatic attachment of film  12  to the panel  4 . As the whole dynamic system is based on the low-rate torque of the drive  16  and the gravitational force applied by film  12 , considerations such as low friction alignment and guidance of the film are important. 
     FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  respectively illustrate front and cross-sectional views of an embodiment of a drive mechanism wherein the eccentric shaft  42  is separated from the minute shaft  44  and hour shaft  46 . Gear wheels  48 ,  50  associated with the second hand shaft  52  and eccentric  42  are both connected to a mini-rotor  54  driven by electromagnetic pulses generated by the coil  56 . Battery compartment  58  is also provided inside the housing  60 . The drive mechanism of this embodiment has the advantage that it includes a second hand, which was not included in the embodiment of FIG.  1 . 
     Radio-controlled driving mechanisms (RC movements) are also known in the field. Such a movement is based on two different coils and motors, and can be used instead of the movement described above, providing the advantage of controlling the speed of eccentric  42 . 
     FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b  disclose another embodiment of the clock. FIG. 4 a  is a front view of a movable image display area  62  having linear lenticular lens  63  separated from the time-indication area  64  behind a transparent cover  65 , which may be made integrally with the lenticular display area  62 . Such an embodiment is mostly suitable for images requiring no interference of the clock&#39;s hands. The lithographic film  66  includes a transparent area  68  freely supported by the eccentric shaft  70 . The clock&#39;s hands  72 ,  74  and time-indicating numbers  76  are sheen through the transparent area  68 . This embodiment offers an important advantage for the advertising market: the film  66  may be replaced at the user&#39;s choice by just dropping a new film  66  into a slot  78  located in the upper part of the clock&#39;s frame  80 . 
     It is understood that the housing of the timepiece may be provided with an openable aperture, as opposed to the opening  78 , facilitating the replacement by the user of the film or any other indicia carrer. 
     In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 a  and  5   b,  the time indication is made without the traditional clock hands. This embodiment also demonstrates the stereoscopic capability to present three-dimensional moving images. The clock comprises a rigid frame  82  having a transparent part  84  in its lower portion. Lenticular panel  86  has a vertical orientation. This embodiment also includes a small bracket  90  coupled to an eccentric  92  for displacing the film  88  in a horizontal direction. Guide means, similar to those of FIG. 1, are not shown. There is also provided a time indication scale  94 , constituted by a rigid, lightweight disk bearing indicating icons printed on its circumference. Scale  94  is attached to the hour shaft  96  of the drive movement  98 ; second and minute shafts are omitted in this embodiment. 
     FIGS. 6 a  and  6   b  are front and cross-sectional views of a timepiece having a spiral lenticular panel  100 . Such an embodiment can be used in wall clocks or hand watches, and presents rotational moving images. There is shown lenticular panel  100 , designed as a continuous spiral lens  102  having a constant width D. A transparent shield  104  protects the inner part of the timepiece. Second, minute and hour hands  106 ,  108 ,  110  are connected to three concentric shafts  112  coupled to a gearbox  114 . A special wheel  116  connected to gearbox  114  rotates a disk  118 , on which lithographic multi-image information is printed. When the disk  118  rotates relative to the lenticular spiral panel  100 , all of the basic images will alternately be displayed. 
     It is possible to obtain the same result by rotating a thin, lightweight lenticular film while the indicia carrier is kept stationary, as seen in FIG.  7 . Accordingly, the panel  100  is coupled to the outer one of the concentric shafts  112 , while the lithographic multi-image information is printed on the stationary disk  118 . 
     FIG. 8 depicts a method of preparing a spiral lithographic print, as follows: 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Step 1 
                 Basic images are prepared; in this particular case, the 
               
               
                   
                 images comprise three digital computer files of the 
               
               
                   
                 letters A, B, C. 
               
               
                 Step 2 
                 The information of each file is contained in a spiral linear 
               
               
                   
                 frame having an uniform width D. 
               
               
                 Step 3 
                 The information contained in each spiral linear file is 
               
               
                   
                 compressed to one-third of D. 
               
               
                 Step 4 
                 The files are shifted angularly: the first file A does not 
               
               
                   
                 change; the second file B is rotated 120°, and the third file 
               
               
                   
                 C is rotated 240°. The rate of rotation shifting is equal 
               
               
                   
                 to 360/M, where M is the number of files. 
               
               
                 Step 5 
                 All three files are superimposed to form a compact, single 
               
               
                   
                 file. 
               
               
                 Step 6 
                 A simulation of the compressed lithographic film is 
               
               
                   
                 monitored. 
               
               
                 Step 7 
                 The compressed lithographic film is printed. 
               
               
                 (not shown) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Hand watches, wall or counter clocks having a spiral lenticular panel  120  (FIG. 9) or a linear lenticular panel  122  (FIG. 10) may be provided under the same principles of construction and operation as those described above. 
     It will be evident to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the details of the foregoing illustrated embodiments and that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.