DIGITAL FACE-CHANGING WALL CLOCK

Abstract

A clock adapted to be supported by a wall or table includes a central clock face, formed by an LCD screen or the like and controlled electronically to display images. The screen is e controlled by a processing unit receiving signals from a remote device to provide information displaying on the screen the time of day in a format selected by the user as well as information selected by the user to be displayed on the screen. The processing unit contains information to display any of several images to serve as background for the clock face and the processing unit may further be able to receive signals from the remote device to provide information for displaying further images to serve as background for the clock face.

Claims

1. A clock adapted to be supported by a surface so as to be visible to a user and including a border surrounding a clock face, said clock face being formed by a screen controlled electronically to display images, said screen adapted to be controlled by a processing unit adapted to receive signals from a remote device to provide information displaying on said screen the time of day in a format selected by the user, said processing unit further able to receive signals from the remote device to provide information selected by the user on said screen, said processing unit containing information to display any of several images to serve as background for said clock face.

2. A clock as set forth in claim 1, said processing unit further able to receive signals from the remote device to provide information for displaying further images to serve as background for said clock face.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1A illustrates a clock of the present invention with traditional hands;

[0010] FIG. 1B illustrates a clock of the present invention with the hands displayed by an image created on the LED screen;

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates various clock faces of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates another clock face of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 4 represents the back of the clock of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 5 represents a mobile device that can be used in conjunction with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015] The clock 10 of the present invention includes a traditional border 12 surrounding an LED screen 14 serving as the clock face. As shown in FIG. 1A, the hands 15 of the clock are the typical mechanical hands controlled to rotate in the normal fashion; and as shown in FIG. 1B, the hands could be digital representations 16 formed as an image on the LCD screen 14 by the processing unit 17 located on the rear of the clock as illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0016] The LCD screen can also have a data section 18, that can display information requested to be displayed by the user. Such information could, for example, be the temperature either inside a building or immediately outside; calendar events for the day or other information as desired.

[0017] Inasmuch as the LED screen 14 is controlled by the processing unit 17, any type of information requested by the user could be displayed. The user can download an app to enable use by a mobile device 20 to transmit data and instructions to control the processing unit 17 by known techniques through an online network.

[0018] The processing unit has digital images stored within to generate the decorative features and aspects of the clock that will be displayed on the LCD screen 14. Photographs can be taken by any electronic hand-held device such as the mobile device 20, and uploaded as desired to the processing unit 17; or digital images can be pre-programmed for the clock 10 and selected by the user or stored or downloaded to any electronic hand-held device such as the mobile device 20, and uploaded as desired to the processing unit 17 of the clock 10. In this way, digital images can be stored in the program for the clock that the user acquires with the clock, or digital images acquired by the consumer can be uploaded to be presented as the face of the clock as desired.

[0019] In this way, the decorative features of the clock face can be changed, differing script can be used for the traditional numerals of the clock; or Roman numerals as desired. The decorative background of the clock can be changed at will; and even set to rotate images as well known for digital picture frames. Differing information can be displayed in the data section 18, including appointments for the day, weather predictions for the day or even such items as an unanswered call had been received by the mobile device.

[0020] In this way, the household clock becomes not only a decorative item that can be changed as desired; but a convenient conveyer of useful information.

[0021] These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the field; and my invention is defined by the appended claims.