Abstract:
Composition of digits and method of digit display for digital clocks involve implementing seven main segments, which are ranked as two linked squares sharing a common edge wherein the main segments further enclose two transitional display areas and displaying a plurality of sub-segments in succession fleetingly to constitute a continuous action for connecting a digit with a latter digit until the main segments of the successive digit are completely displayed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to digital clocks and, more particularly, to a transformation method of digits thereof. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a conventional digital clock typically displays time by means of numerical or symbolic characters. For instance, twenty minutes after thirteen o&#39;clock is indicated as 13:20 wherein each of the characters is composed of a plurality of segments. The segments are substantially shaped as bars and every seven segments are grouped as two linked squares sharing a common edge. Thereby, digits of 0 through 9 can be made up by some of the adjacent segments. Further, an integrated circuit (IC) may be implemented for controlling display of the digits. 
         [0005]    Said display of the digits is proceeded in order, namely from 1 to 2, from 2 to 3 . . . from 8 to 9 and from 9 to 0. As shown in  FIG. 2 , transformation of digits is accomplished by turning on some segments while turning off some other segments. By the described means, transformation of characters is displayed jerkily. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is one objective of the present invention to provide an improved a transformation method of digits for digital clocks. 
         [0007]    Composition of digits for digital clocks implements seven main segments, which are ranked as two linked squares sharing a common edge wherein the seven main segments further enclose two transitional display areas. 
         [0008]    A method of display digits for operating in coordination with the previously discussed composition of digits involves turning on a plurality of sub-segments in succession fleetingly to constitute a continuous action for connecting a digit with a successive digit until the main segments of the successive digit are completely displayed. 
         [0009]    It is the main efficacy of the present invention to provide a transformation of digits with a vision effect of gradual and dynamic transforming of digits. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The invention as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing showing digital time display of a conventional digital clock; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an exemplificative transformation of digits of the conventional digital clock; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a schematic drawing of the main segments and transitional display are as for composing digits of the disclosed digital clock according to the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a schematic drawing showing a continuous process and phases of transformation from 1 to 2 according to the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a schematic drawing showing a continuous process and phases of transformation from 2 to 3 according to the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a schematic drawing showing a continuous process and phases of transformation from 3 to 4 according to the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a schematic drawing showing a continuous process and phases of transformation from 4 to 5 according to the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a schematic drawing showing a continuous process and phases of transformation from 5 to 6 according to the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a schematic drawing showing a continuous process and phases of transformation from 6 to 7 according to the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a schematic drawing showing a continuous process and phases of transformation from 7 to 8 according to the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a schematic drawing showing a continuous process and phases of transform at ion from 8 to 9 according to the present invention; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a schematic drawing showing a continuous process and phases of transformation from 9 to 0 according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0023]    In  FIG. 3 , the above-discussed seven bar-shaped main segments  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17  can be seen ranked as two linked squares  21 ,  22  sharing a common edge wherein the seven main segments further enclose two transitional display areas  23 ,  24 . 
         [0024]    Transformation of digits means transforming a digit, e.g. 1, into a successive digit, e.g. 2. The disclosed transformation method involves displaying a plurality of sub-segments (will be illustrated through following embodiments) in succession fleetingly in the transitional display areas  23 ,  24  to constitute a continuous action until the main segments of the successive digit are completely displayed. During the session of displaying the sub-segments, display of some main segments of the digit may be turned off if necessary (will be illustrated through following embodiments). Also, during the session of displaying the sub-segments, display of some segmental areas of the successive digit may be turned off if necessary (will be illustrated through following embodiments). The plural sub-segments are also shaped as bars, and can even be shaped in the identical shape as the main segments. Further, said display and transformation of the digits may be under the control of an integrated circuit (IC). 
         [0025]    For illustrating the present invention in detail, said main segments are respectively defined as a first, a second, a third, a fourth, a fifth, a sixth and a seven segments.  FIG. 4  through  FIG. 12  are provided for describing the exemplificative modes of transformation of digits from 1 to 0. These modes are fundamental for displaying time and cannot be parted or divided. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , a mode of transforming digit 1 into digit 2 is illustrated, wherein digit 1 is composed of the third main segment  13  and the seventh main segment  17  while digit 2 is composed of the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth main segments  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16  and includes following steps. 
         [0027]    Step  1000 , turning off a segmental area  171  of the seventh main segment  17 , turning on the fourth main segment  14  and fleetingly turning on two sub-segments  311 ,  312  in said two transitional display areas  23 ,  24 ; 
         [0028]    Step  1001 , turning on a plurality of sub-segments  313 ,  314 ,  315 ,  316 ,  317 ,  318  in succession fleetingly in the two transitional display areas  23 ,  24  to constitute a continuous action that forwards toward the second main segment  12  and the fifth as well as the sixth main segments  15 ,  16 ; and 
         [0029]    Step  1002 , completely turning off the seventh main segment  17  and turning on the second, fifth and sixth main segments  12 ,  15 ,  16 . 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , a mode of transforming digit 2 into digit 3 is illustrated, wherein while digit 2 is composed as previously discussed, digit 3 is composed of the second, third, fourth, sixth and seventh main segments  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  16 ,  17  and includes following steps: 
         [0031]    Step  2001 , turning off a segmental area  151  of the fifth main segment  15 , and fleetingly turning on a sub-segment  321  in the lower transitional display area  24 ; 
         [0032]    Step  2002 , displaying a plurality of sub-segments  322 ,  323 ,  324  in succession fleetingly in the lower transitional display area  24  to constitute a continuous action that forwards toward the seventh main segment  17 ; and 
         [0033]    Step  2003 , completely turning off the fifth main segment  15  and turning on the seventh main segment  17 . 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , a mode of transforming digit 3 into digit 4 is illustrated, wherein while digit 3 is composed as previously discussed, digit 4 is composed of the first, third, fourth, and seventh main segments  11 ,  13 ,  14 ,  17  and includes following steps: 
         [0035]    Step  3001 , turning off two segmental area  121 ,  161  of the second and sixth main segments  12 ,  16  and fleetingly turning on two sub-segments  331 ,  332  in the transitional display areas  23 ,  24 ; 
         [0036]    Step  3002 , displaying a plurality of sub-segments  333 ,  334 ,  335 ,  336 ,  337 ,  338  in succession fleetingly in the transitional display areas  23 ,  24  to constitute a continuous action that forwards toward the first, third and seventh main segments  11 ,  13 ,  17 ; and 
         [0037]    Step  3003 , completely turning off the second and sixth main segments  12 ,  16  and turning on the first main segment  11 . 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , a mode of transforming digit 4 into digit 5 is illustrated, wherein while digit 4 is composed as previously discussed, digit 5 is composed of the first, second, fourth, sixth and seventh main segments  11 ,  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  17  and includes following steps: 
         [0039]    Step  4001 , turning off the first main segment  11  and a segmental area  131  of the third main segment  13 , and fleetingly turning on two sub-segments  341 ,  342  in the transitional display areas  23 ,  24 ; 
         [0040]    Step  4002 , displaying a plurality of sub-segments  343 ,  344 ,  345 ,  346 ,  347 ,  348  in succession fleetingly in the transitional display areas  23 ,  24  to constitute a continuous action that forwards toward the first, second and sixth main segments  11 ,  12 ,  16 ; and 
         [0041]    Step  4003 , completely turning off the third main segment  13  and turning on the second and sixth main segments  12 ,  16 . 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , a mode of transforming digit 5 into digit 6 is illustrated, wherein while digit 5 is composed as previously discussed, digit 6 is composed of the first, second, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh main segments  11 ,  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  17  and includes following steps: 
         [0043]    Step  5001 , fleetingly turning on a sub-segment  351  in the lower transitional display area  24 ; 
         [0044]    Step  5002 , displaying a plurality of sub-segments  352 ,  353 ,  354  in succession fleetingly in the lower transitional display area  24  to constitute a continuous action that forwards toward the fifth main segment  15 ; and 
         [0045]    Step  5003 , turning on the fifth main segment  15 . 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , a mode of transforming digit 6 into digit 7 is illustrated, wherein while digit 6 is composed as previously discussed, digit 7 is composed of the first, second, third and seventh main segments  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  17  and includes following steps: 
         [0047]    Step  6001 , turning off the segmental areas  151 ,  161  of the fifth and sixth main segments  15 ,  16  and fleetingly turning on two sub-segments  361 ,  362  in the transitional display areas  23 ,  24 ; 
         [0048]    Step  6002 , displaying some of the sub-segments  363 ,  364 ,  365 ,  366 ,  367 ,  368  in succession fleetingly in the transitional display areas  23 ,  24  to constitute a continuous action that forwards toward the third, fourth and seventh main segments  13 ,  14 ,  17 ; and 
         [0049]    Step  6003 , turning off the fourth main segment  14  and turning on the third main segment  13 . 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , a mode of transforming digit 7 into digit 8 is illustrated, wherein while digit 7 is composed as previously discussed, digit 8 is composed of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh main segments  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17  and includes following steps: 
         [0051]    Step  7001 , turning on the fourth main segment  14  and fleetingly turning on two sub-segments  371 ,  372  in the transitional display areas  23 ,  24 ; 
         [0052]    Step  7002 , displaying some of the sub-segments  373 ,  374 ,  375 ,  376 ,  377 ,  378  in succession fleetingly in the transitional display areas  23 ,  24  to constitute a continuous action that forwards toward the first, fifth and sixth main segments  11 ,  15 ,  16 ; and 
         [0053]    Step  7003 , turning on the fifth and sixth main segments  15 ,  16 . 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , a mode of transforming digit 8 into digit 9 is illustrated, wherein while digit 8 is composed as previously discussed, digit 9 is composed of the first, second, third, fourth, sixth and seventh main segments  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  16 ,  17  and includes following steps: 
         [0055]    Step  8001 , turning off the segmental area  151  of the fifth main segment  15 , and fleetingly turning on a sub-segment  381  in the lower transitional display area  24 ; 
         [0056]    Step  8002 , displaying some of the sub-segments  382 ,  383 ,  384  in succession fleetingly in the lower transitional display area  24  to constitute a continuous action that forwards toward the fourth main segment  14 ; and 
         [0057]    Step  8003 , completely turning off the fifth main segment  15 . 
         [0058]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , a mode of transforming digit 9 into digit 0 is illustrated, wherein while digit 9 is composed as previously discussed, digit 0 is composed of the first, second, third, fifth, sixth and seventh main segments  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17  and includes following steps: 
         [0059]    Step  9001 , turning off a segmental area  141  of the fourth main segment  14 , and fleetingly turning on a sub-segment  391  in the lower transitional display area  24 ; 
         [0060]    Step  9002 , displaying a plurality of sub-segments  392 ,  393 ,  394  in succession fleetingly in the lower transitional display area  24  to constitute a continuous action that forwards toward the fifth main segment  15 ; and 
         [0061]    Step  9003 , completely turning off the fourth main segment  14  and turning on the fifth main segment  15 . 
         [0062]    The present invention distinctively implements foregoing transformation modes to perform a vision effect of gradual transforming of digits. The disclosed transformation method is applicable to liquid crystal display watches, liquid crystal display wall clocks, liquid crystal display table clocks, radio controlled clocks, time display on mobile phones and time display of other electronic products. 
         [0063]    Although some particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that numerous variations will be possible to the disclosed embodiments without going outside the scope of the invention as disclosed in the claims.