New method of displaying time patented
{{date|October 14, 2006}}
[[Image:Twelv-example.gif|right|410px|thumb|Example "TWELV" time display with translation]]An American [[W:inventor|inventor]] has [[w:patented|patented]] a pair of new [[w:time|time]] formats with a [[w:footprint|footprint]] less than 50% of that of conventional four-digit time.  The more unusual of the two new formats, called "TWELV", dispenses with [[w:numerals|numerals]] altogether.   In place of [[w:clock|clock]] [[w:hands|hands]] or digits, the new clock uses color to convey the hour and a [[w:moon|moon]] image to convey the minute, which moon slowly grows throughout the course of an hour from a narrow crescent to a full-fledged circle.

The second and more approachable of the new formats retains numerical digits to indicate the minute but uses colors to convey the hour.

Early critics question whether the aesthetic benefits of the moon-clock will be sufficient to encourage users to learn the color-based time-telling system.  However, the size advantages of the new system may make it particularly suitable for mobile applications, particularly [[w:cell phones|cell phones]], [[w:wearable computers|wearable computers]], and [[w:head-mounted displays|head-mounted displays]].

== Sources ==

*{{source|url=http://www.twelv.com
|title=Demonstration website
|author=
|pub=TWELV
|date=October 14, 2006}}

*{{source|url=http://www.gizmag.com/go/6312/
|title=TWELV - a new way to display time
|author=
|pub=Gizmag
|date=October 12, 2006}}

*{{source|url=http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearchbool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=shelton.INNM.&s2=harrison.INNM.&OS=IN/shelton+AND+IN/harrison&RS=IN/shelton+AND+IN/harrison
|title=Time display system, method and device
|author=
|pub=United States Patent & Trademark Office
|date=July 18, 2006}}

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[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:Science and technology]]
Example "TWELV" time display with translationAn American inventor has patented a pair of new time formats with a footprint less than 50% of that of conventional four-digit time.  The more unusual of the two new formats, called "TWELV", dispenses with numerals altogether.   In place of clock hands or digits, the new clock uses color to convey the hour and a moon image to convey the minute, which moon slowly grows throughout the course of an hour from a narrow crescent to a full-fledged circle.

The second and more approachable of the new formats retains numerical digits to indicate the minute but uses colors to convey the hour.

Early critics question whether the aesthetic benefits of the moon-clock will be sufficient to encourage users to learn the color-based time-telling system.  However, the size advantages of the new system may make it particularly suitable for mobile applications, particularly cell phones, wearable computers, and head-mounted displays.

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United States North America Science and technology