Timepiece indicating time by generated images in sets

Claim 2

The timepiece of claim 1 wherein said sets of images are carried by an indicating panel.

Claim 3

The timepiece of claim 1 wherein said image generation controller selectively illuminates predetermined ones of said images to indicate the time.

Claim 4

The timepiece of claim 1 wherein each set of images has explicit identification to its set by at least one of figure, color, concept, background and orientation thereof.

Claim 5

The timepiece of claim 1 comprising at least three sets of images, the number of images generated and belonging to the first set indicating the hourly segments in the designation of the time, the number of images generated and belonging to the second set indicating the 10-minute segments in the designation of the time, and the number of images generated and belonging to the third set indicating the minute segments in the designAtion of the time, the images of each set having explicit identification to its set.

Claim 6

The timepiece of claim 2 wherein said indicating panel carries a plurality of lighting devices, each of said lighting devices being in registration with a respective one of said images, said lighting devices being connected to said image generation controller for selective lighting thereof for selective illumination of predetermined images of said sets of images to indicate the time.

Claim 7

The timepiece of claim 2 wherein said indicating panel carries a plurality of controllable elements coupled to said image generation controller and arranged in registration with said images, all of said elements being maintained non-transparent by said image generation controller except for those prescribed elements in registration with said predetermined images which are to be selectively generated, which prescribed elements being controlled to be transparent, the images in registration with said transparent elements being visible to designate the time.

Claim 8

The timepiece of claim 1 wherein said image generation controller comprises a source of timing signals; at least first and second motors corresponding respectively to said at least two sets of images, and coupled to said source of timing signals, said timing signals selectively advancing said motor; lighting means for selectively illuminating predetermined images of said sets of images to indicate the time; and switching means coupling said motors to said lighting means for selectively energizing said lighting means.

Claim 9

The timepiece of claim 9 wherein said image generation controller further comprises second switching means coupling said source of timing signals to said motors, said second switching means having a first operable position for normal timepiece operation, and at least two additional positions for disconnecting said source of timing signals and for selectively connecting a time-setting switch to said motors, whereby said motors are selectively advanced in response to operation of said time-setting switch to set the time indication of said timepiece.

Claim 10

The timepiece of claim 9 wherein said timing signals are timing pulses and wherein said motors are pulse-type stepping motors.

Claim 11

The timepiece of claim 1 wherein said image generation controller comprises a source of timing signals; at least first and second switching devices corresponding respectively to said at least two sets of images, and coupled to said source of timing signals; lighting means for selectively illuminating predetermined images of said sets of images to indicate the time; and coupling means coupling said switching devices to said lighting means for selectively energizing said lighting means.

Claim 12

The timepiece of claim 12 wherein said coupling means includes respective logic means coupling each of said switching devices to the lighting means corresponding to respective sets of images for selectively energizing said lighting means to indicate the time.

Claim 13

The timepiece of claim 13 wherein said logic devices are diode matrix circuits coupling the outputs of said switching devices to said lighting means.

Claim 14

The timepiece of claim 12 wherein said first and second switching devices include a plurality of sequentially operated switching elements which are sequentially operated in response to said timing signals.

Claim 15

The timepiece of claim 2 wherein said sets of images are formed on an image-printed transparent film and wherein said indicating panel carries a plurality of lighting devices, each of said lighting devices being in registration with a respective one of said images on said transparent film, said lighting devices being coupled to said image generation controller for selective lighting thereof for selective illumination of predetermined images which are lit by said image generation controller for indicating the time.

Claim 16

The timepiece of claim 16 wherein said image printed transparent film is interchangeable in said indicating panel and cOmprises a plurality of sets of light-transmissive images printed thereon, said images being disposed on said film sheet in registration with respective ones of said lighting devices.

Claim 17

The timespiece of claim 17 including at least two sets of images printed on said film sheet, the images belonging to the first set indicating the hourly segments in the designation of the time, and the images belonging to the second set indicating the minute segments in the designation of the time, the images of each set having explicit identification to its set.

Claim 18

The timepiece of claim 17 wherein said light transmissive images are transparent or translucent.

Claim 19

A timepiece comprising: an image generation controller; and at least two sets of images, predetermined images of which are selectively generated under control of said image generation controller, the number of images generated and belonging to the first set indicating the hourly segments in the designation of the time, and the number of images generated and belonging to the second set indicating the minute segments in the designation of the time, the images of each set having explicit identification to their set; said image generation controller comprising a source of timing signals; at least first and second motors corresponding respectively to at least two sets of images, and coupled to said source of timing signals, said timing signals selectively advancing said motors; lighting means for selectively illuminating predetermined images of said sets of images to indicate the time; first switching means coupling said motors to said lighting means for selectively energizing said lighting means; and second switching means coupling said source of timing signals to said motors, said second switching means having a first operable position for normal timepiece operation, and at least two additional positions for disconnecting said source of timing signals and for selectively connecting a time-setting switch to said motors, said motors being selectively advanced in response to operation of said time-setting switch to set the time indication of said timepiece.

Claim 20

A timepiece comprising: an image generation controller; and at least two sets of images, predetermined images of which are selectively generated under control of said image generation controller, the number of images generated and belonging to the first set indicating the hourly segments in the designation of the time, and the number of images generated and belonging to the second set indicating the minute segments in the designation of the time, the images of each set having explicit identification to their set; said image generation controller comprising a source of timing pulses; at least first and second pulse-type stepping motors corresponding respectively to at least two sets of images, and coupled to said source of timing pulses, said timing pulses selectively advancing said pulse-type stepping motors; lighting means for selectively illuminating predetermined images of said sets of images to indicate the time; and switching means coupling said pulse-type stepping motors to said lighting means for selectively energizing said lighting means.