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EP0990196A1 - Projection clock - Google Patents

Projection clock

Info

Publication number
EP0990196A1
EP0990196A1 EP97929214A EP97929214A EP0990196A1 EP 0990196 A1 EP0990196 A1 EP 0990196A1 EP 97929214 A EP97929214 A EP 97929214A EP 97929214 A EP97929214 A EP 97929214A EP 0990196 A1 EP0990196 A1 EP 0990196A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
clock
projection device
projection
lens
liquid crystal
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP97929214A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0990196B1 (en
Inventor
Raymond Apartment E10 CHAN
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
IDT LCD Holdings BVI Ltd
Original Assignee
IDT LCD Holdings BVI Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by IDT LCD Holdings BVI Ltd filed Critical IDT LCD Holdings BVI Ltd
Priority to DE29724450U priority Critical patent/DE29724450U1/en
Publication of EP0990196A1 publication Critical patent/EP0990196A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0990196B1 publication Critical patent/EP0990196B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G9/00—Visual time or date indication means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
    • G04B19/34—Position of the hands projected optically

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an apparatus for projection of a liquid crystal display of clock to a smooth surface according to the prior art part of claim 1.
  • the purpose of the invention is to project the display of a clock comprising a projection device to any smooth surface. Therefore, the projection clock provides a moveable projection device. Furthermore, the projection clock may provide a time display based on a clock synchronized by a DCF-77 signal - a so called radio clock - and provides an alarm.
  • the projection device is focusable and permits a focusing of the projected image to walls having a different distance or to ceilings having a diverse height. Thus, different set-up heights of the projection clock may be compensated by adjusting the lens.
  • the use of a super bright light-emitting diode with collimator-cage as projection light source also causes a significant increase of the lastingness of the projection light source compared to the former applied incandescent bulbs with halogen filling.
  • the invention solves the posed task by using an apparatus which embodies the features of claim 1.
  • An other advantageous embodiment of the invention is the translatability of the projecting lens in an axial direction by means of a knurled turning knob.
  • the projecting lens is easily focusable and permits a focusing of the projected image at walls or ceilings.
  • the advantages of the invention are particularly based on the focusability of the lens through which the projection clock may be placed on an arbitrary level and may be used with different heights of a ceiling. Furthermore, the apparatus according to the invention permits the projection of a clock coupled with a radio clock at a wall or a ceiling.
  • Fig. 1 shows a top view of the projection clock according to one implementation of the invention
  • Fig. 2 illustrates a front view of the projection clock according to one implementation of the invention.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates the projection clock comprising a clock 1 and a projection device 2.
  • the projection device 2 is based on the transmitted light principle and comprises a light source 4, a miniature liquid crystal display 5 which is to be projected and a spherical lens 3.
  • the light source 4, the miniature liquid crystal display 5 and the spherical lens 3 are sequentially arranged along the light beam permitting a projection of the miniature liquid crystal display 5 into a real image.
  • the projection device 2 is moveable mounted and provided with a knurled turning knob 8 permitting a focussing of the spherical lens 3.
  • the clock 1 and the projection device are provided with two batteries 12, but optionally an AC-power unit 13 with a 3 V DC low tension side may be connected.
  • Fig. 2 shows a front view which illustrates the clock 1 with the projection device 2 which is moveable relative to the casing 9 of the clock 1 around the axis of rotation 17 which connects the casing 9 and the clock 1.
  • the knurled turning knob 8 at the projection device 2 serves to translate the lens 3 in an axial direction and therewith focus the spherical lens 3.
  • the display 11 of the clock 1 optionally provides a 24 h or a 12 h time display which may be chosen by a press switch 14. Apart from this a display 15 of the week-day and a display 16 of the date is integrated in the display 11 of the clock 9.
  • an alarm function preferably providing an acoustical signal can be controlled by the press switch 14 which is integrated in the clock 1.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Liquid Crystal (AREA)
  • Devices For Indicating Variable Information By Combining Individual Elements (AREA)

Abstract

Apparatus for projection of a liquid crystal display (5) of a clock (1) to a smooth surface, where the clock (1) comprises a casing (9) and a projection device (2) which is moveable relative to the casing (9) and provides a light source (4), a liquid crystal display (5) and a spherical lens (3), characterised in that the projection device (2) is based on the transmitted light principle, where the light source (4), the liquid crystal display (5) and a focusable, spherical lens (3) are sequentially arranged along the light beam permitting the projection of the liquid crystal display (5) into a real image.

Description

Projection Clock
The invention relates to an apparatus for projection of a liquid crystal display of clock to a smooth surface according to the prior art part of claim 1.
The disadvantages of former similar dispositions are principally reasoned therein that the use of incandescent bulbs only permits a short lastingness in case of continuous duty and so far no projection clock coupled with a radio clock is available.
Hereto, the invention seeks to offer remedy. The purpose of the invention is to project the display of a clock comprising a projection device to any smooth surface. Therefore, the projection clock provides a moveable projection device. Furthermore, the projection clock may provide a time display based on a clock synchronized by a DCF-77 signal - a so called radio clock - and provides an alarm. The projection device is focusable and permits a focusing of the projected image to walls having a different distance or to ceilings having a diverse height. Thus, different set-up heights of the projection clock may be compensated by adjusting the lens. The use of a super bright light-emitting diode with collimator-cage as projection light source also causes a significant increase of the lastingness of the projection light source compared to the former applied incandescent bulbs with halogen filling.
The invention solves the posed task by using an apparatus which embodies the features of claim 1.
An other advantageous embodiment of the invention is the translatability of the projecting lens in an axial direction by means of a knurled turning knob. Therewith the projecting lens is easily focusable and permits a focusing of the projected image at walls or ceilings.
The advantages of the invention are particularly based on the focusability of the lens through which the projection clock may be placed on an arbitrary level and may be used with different heights of a ceiling. Furthermore, the apparatus according to the invention permits the projection of a clock coupled with a radio clock at a wall or a ceiling.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be discussed in the detailed description with accompanying drawings .
Brief description of the drawings:
Fig. 1 shows a top view of the projection clock according to one implementation of the invention; Fig. 2 illustrates a front view of the projection clock according to one implementation of the invention.
Fig. 1 illustrates the projection clock comprising a clock 1 and a projection device 2. The projection device 2 is based on the transmitted light principle and comprises a light source 4, a miniature liquid crystal display 5 which is to be projected and a spherical lens 3. The light source 4, the miniature liquid crystal display 5 and the spherical lens 3 are sequentially arranged along the light beam permitting a projection of the miniature liquid crystal display 5 into a real image. Moreover, the projection device 2 is moveable mounted and provided with a knurled turning knob 8 permitting a focussing of the spherical lens 3. The clock 1 and the projection device are provided with two batteries 12, but optionally an AC-power unit 13 with a 3 V DC low tension side may be connected.
Fig. 2 shows a front view which illustrates the clock 1 with the projection device 2 which is moveable relative to the casing 9 of the clock 1 around the axis of rotation 17 which connects the casing 9 and the clock 1. The knurled turning knob 8 at the projection device 2 serves to translate the lens 3 in an axial direction and therewith focus the spherical lens 3. The display 11 of the clock 1 optionally provides a 24 h or a 12 h time display which may be chosen by a press switch 14. Apart from this a display 15 of the week-day and a display 16 of the date is integrated in the display 11 of the clock 9. Moreover, an alarm function, preferably providing an acoustical signal can be controlled by the press switch 14 which is integrated in the clock 1.

Claims

Claims
1. Apparatus for projection of a liquid crystal display (5) of a clock (1) to a smooth surface, whereby the clock (1) comprises a casing (9) and a projection device (2), said projection device (2) comprising a light source (4), a liquid crystal display (5) and a lens (3), characterised in that the projection device (2) is based on the transmitted light principle, where the light source (4), the liquid crystal display (5) which is to be projected and the lens (3) are sequentially arranged along the light beam permitting the projection of a real image and that the projection device (2) is moveably connected to the casing (9) of the clock (1) .
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 , characterised in that the lens (3) is focusable.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , characterised in that the lens (3) is translatable in the axial direction, preferably by means of a knurled turning knob (8) and therewith focusable.
4. Apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 3 , characterised in that the lens ( 3 ) is spherical .
5. Apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 4 , characterised in that the clock (1) is preferably synchronized on the basis of a DCF-77-signal as a radio clock.
6. Apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 5 , characterised in that the clock (1) is provided with two batteries (12), preferably of the size UM3 or "AA" .
7. Apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 6 , characterised in that a AC-power unit (13) is connectable to the clock (1) and the projection device (2), preferably one which is provided with a 3 V DC low tension side.
8. Apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 7 , characterised in that the clock (1) provides an alarm signal (10), preferably an acoustical signal.
9. Apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the display (11) of the clock (1) selectively shows a 24-hour reading or a 12-hour reading.
10. Apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 9, characterised in that a super bright light-emitting diode is used as light source (4).
11. Apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the projection device (2) is turnable relative to the casing (9) of the clock (1) by rotating it around the axis of rotation (17) which connects the clock (1) and the projection device (2).
EP97929214A 1997-06-18 1997-06-18 Projection clock Expired - Lifetime EP0990196B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE29724450U DE29724450U1 (en) 1997-06-18 1997-06-18 Projection clock

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP1997/003182 WO1998058298A1 (en) 1997-06-18 1997-06-18 Projection clock

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0990196A1 true EP0990196A1 (en) 2000-04-05
EP0990196B1 EP0990196B1 (en) 2005-12-07

Family

ID=8166659

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97929214A Expired - Lifetime EP0990196B1 (en) 1997-06-18 1997-06-18 Projection clock

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0990196B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2002505746A (en)
DE (1) DE69734836T2 (en)
HK (1) HK1024063A1 (en)
WO (1) WO1998058298A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA2415130A1 (en) * 2002-12-24 2004-06-24 Labatt Brewing Company Limited Light projecting beverage dispensing device
US7149152B1 (en) * 2005-07-28 2006-12-12 Idt Technology Limited Projection clock
CN1952768A (en) * 2005-10-19 2007-04-25 宏碁股份有限公司 Time control system and method for projection display device
DE102011118749A1 (en) * 2011-11-08 2013-05-29 Alexander Degtjarew Clock, has projector fixed on printed circuit board within housing without movement, and optically connected with turning mirror that causes turning of beam, whose direction is changed and regulated by turning mirror relative to axle
DE102011118748A1 (en) * 2011-11-08 2013-05-29 Alexander Degtjarew Watch integrated with projector for projecting digital dial on e.g. wall, has turn mirror which is provided for adjusting the direction of light beam of projector
CN103412475A (en) * 2013-07-18 2013-11-27 吴江市同心电子科技有限公司 Induction type projection clock
CN113296345B (en) * 2021-05-18 2022-05-31 福建易美特电子科技有限公司 Clock character projection equipment with rotating and zooming functions
CN119376224A (en) * 2024-12-31 2025-01-28 福建宜美智能科技有限公司 Electronic projection clock capable of manual focusing and imaging and use method thereof

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2290811A (en) 1942-02-03 1942-07-21 Harry B Nassoit Projector for time indications
DE840970C (en) 1949-12-03 1952-06-09 Otto Dipl-Ing Schmidt Clock dial projection device
US2694338A (en) 1953-03-06 1954-11-16 Moultry Clock face projecting device
JPS56669A (en) 1979-06-15 1981-01-07 Matsushita Electric Works Ltd Display unit of digital clock
JPH03175397A (en) 1989-12-04 1991-07-30 Tomoe Koukokushiya:Kk Shadow clock

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB440444A (en) * 1934-08-04 1935-12-31 Ernest Victor Raynor Improvements in, and relating to, clocks, watches and like timepieces
FR1605562A (en) * 1968-04-05 1981-04-03 Alarm clock with illuminated dial - projects image of face on to wall or ceiling of bedroom
DE8007976U1 (en) * 1980-03-22 1980-06-19 Esge Elektrouhren Gmbh, 7442 Neuffen Electric digital clock
DE3439638C1 (en) * 1984-10-30 1986-05-15 Gebrüder Junghans GmbH, 7230 Schramberg Autonomous radio clock
FR2633070A1 (en) * 1988-06-21 1989-12-22 Rigal Isabelle Clock allowing optical projection of the time and projection assembly including such a clock
DE8901512U1 (en) * 1989-02-10 1990-06-13 Junghans Uhren GmbH, 7230 Schramberg Small radio clock with antenna coil
DE9010270U1 (en) * 1990-05-04 1991-09-05 Junghans Uhren GmbH, 7230 Schramberg Autonomous radio clock
DE4112043A1 (en) * 1991-04-12 1992-10-15 Ingo Maurer CLOCK WITH ANALOG DISPLAY
US5260919A (en) * 1992-05-08 1993-11-09 Tsai Ching Shyn Electric timer with a projector

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2290811A (en) 1942-02-03 1942-07-21 Harry B Nassoit Projector for time indications
DE840970C (en) 1949-12-03 1952-06-09 Otto Dipl-Ing Schmidt Clock dial projection device
US2694338A (en) 1953-03-06 1954-11-16 Moultry Clock face projecting device
JPS56669A (en) 1979-06-15 1981-01-07 Matsushita Electric Works Ltd Display unit of digital clock
JPH03175397A (en) 1989-12-04 1991-07-30 Tomoe Koukokushiya:Kk Shadow clock

Non-Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
KATALOG DER CONRAD ELECTRONIC GMBH VON 1994, pages 183, XP002942361
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 005, no. 046 (P - 054) 27 March 1981 (1981-03-27)
See also references of WO9858298A1
TEST: "Physik", 1982, TEST, MUENCHEN, article OREAR, J.: "Vorwort: zur deutschsprachigen Ausgabe", pages: 519, XP002942362

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0990196B1 (en) 2005-12-07
DE69734836D1 (en) 2006-01-12
DE69734836T2 (en) 2006-09-07
HK1024063A1 (en) 2000-09-29
WO1998058298A1 (en) 1998-12-23
JP2002505746A (en) 2002-02-19

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