Horology: time measuring systems or devices – Time interval – Electrical or electromechanical
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-05
2001-10-16
Miska, Vit (Department: 2859)
Horology: time measuring systems or devices
Time interval
Electrical or electromechanical
Reexamination Certificate
active
06304519
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates generally to measuring the perceived passage of time, and more particularly relates to a method and apparatus for comparing the perceived passage of time with the actual passage of time to determine how efficiently one spends his or her time.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The background for the present invention relates generally to the application of the concept of so-called “subjective time”. Subjective or perceived time is defined as a time interval estimated not by mechanical, electronic, atomic or any other physical device but by a person based on his or her individual feeling and thought on how much time has passed since a certain moment.
The perceived estimation of the rate at which time passes is typically inaccurate. It is well known that time can “fly” or “crawl” to someone. Scientific data demonstrate that our accuracy in estimation of a long period of time (from several minutes to several hours) may vary (sometimes by an order of magnitude) depending on a number of reasons such as the type of activity exercised at a given interval, the number of events which have passed in the personal patterns of time perception, circadian and bio-rhythms, and environmental conditions. Such inaccuracy (i.e., the difference between actual or physical time and its perception) is, in itself, important and may be the key indicator of our peculiarity in time perception.
A number of well-known scientists such as Siffre, Aschoff, Waver, Block, Frigge, Campbell and others have developed theories about how the temporal judgment of long periods of time are made and based on the important fact that the perceived length of an interval of time depends at least partly on the volume and value of information being processed by someone during that interval.
One such explanation for the discrepancy between perceived and actual passage of time is a well-known theory of “two processors” developed by Thomas and Waver. This theory basically suggests that our attention at every particular moment is distributed or shared between two “brain processors”—the cognitive processor and a timer processor in such way that if we pay more attention to cognitive activity, the less attention we pay to timing itself, and as a result time appears to pass more quickly to us than it actually does. If we are paying more attention to the time itself and less attention to the activity we are engaging in time appears to pass more slowly to us than it actually does.
I have concluded from the foregoing that the degree of the “mistake” a human being makes in evaluating the time passing at any given interval indicates how deeply he or she is involved in a certain activity during the given interval of time. Such a variable may be called the “time delta”.
For example, if the time delta of an individual at a certain period of time is higher than zero, it indicates that this person is “gaining” time; for this person “time flies”. If the time delta of an individual at a certain period of time is less than zero, it indicates that this person is “losing time”; for this person “time crawls”. If the time delta of an individual at a certain period of time equals zero, it means that this person is living “in time”.
It is a general object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for processing information on the perceived passage of time to improve time management skills and thus lead to increased efficiency, productivity and enjoyment of one's activities.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, a method of comparing the perceived passage of time with the actual passage of time includes determining by a processor at least one of an actual time of day and an actual period of time elapsed since an event. At least one of a perceived time of day and a perceived period of time elapsed since an event is entered into the processor. A deviation of a perceived passage of time relative to an actual passage of time is calculated. The deviation includes at least one of the difference between a perceived time of day and an actual time of day, and the difference between a perceived period of time elapsed since an event and an actual period of time elapsed since an event. The deviation of a perceived passage of time relative to an actual passage of time is indicated, preferably by means of a digital display.
In another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for comparing the perceived passage of time with the actual passage of time comprises means including a timer for determining at least one of an actual time of day and an actual period of time elapsed since an event. An interface communicates with the determining means for entering at least one of a perceived time of day and a perceived period of time elapsed since an event. The determining means includes means for calculating a deviation of a perceived passage of time relative to an actual passage of time. The deviation includes at least one of the difference between a perceived time of day and an actual time of day, and the difference between a perceived period of time elapsed since an event and an actual period of time elapsed since an event. Also provided is means for indicating the deviation of a perceived passage of time relative to an actual passage of time.
An advantage of the present invention is that the apparatus informs the user of various aspects of the user's perception of the speed time is passing so that the user can modify his or her activity patterns to make the most productive, efficient and enjoyable use of user's time.
Other advantages will be made apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4005571 (1977-02-01), Wolff
patent: 4630935 (1986-12-01), Zetter
patent: 5031161 (1991-07-01), Kendrick
patent: 6069848 (2000-05-01), McDonald et al.
Poynter, Douglas, Chapter 8, “Judging the Duration of Time Intervals: A Process of Remembering Segments of Experience”, fromTime and Human Cognition A Life-Span Perspective, Edited by Iris Levin and Dan Zakay, 1989.
Block, Richard A., Chapter 9, “Experiencing and Remembering Time: Affordances, Context, and Cognition”, fromTime and Human Cognition A Life-Span Perspective, Edited by Iris Levin and Dan Zakay, 1989.
Zakay, Dan, Chapter 10, “Subjective Time and Attentional Resource Allocation: An Integrated Model of Time Estimation”, fromTime and Human Cognition A Life-Span Perspective, Edited by Iris Levin and Dan Zakay, 1989.
McCormick Paulding & Huber LLP
Miska Vit
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