Binary Clock

Step 5 How To Read It?

Binary clock is easy to read. It only need little bit simple math.
Okay, If we want to set 11:45:23 to our clock

It is easier convert binary to decimal than decimal to binary. I try to explain both ways.
Base number is 2

Here is the key numbers: 1 2 4 8 16 32 64 128,...

Our decimal number is 11 and that we are converting to binary. Let's find out the smallest number, which is smaller than our number from the key number list. It is 8, Let's reduce that number from our number 11-8=3. It goes to our number one time so let's put the number 1 up.

Now our number is 3 (11-8=3). Now we have to take number which is next to that number what we just used. It was 8, so the next is 4. Let's do the same thing, how many times 4 goes to 3 ? zero! Let's put the 0 number up.

Next on list is after 4 is 2. How many times 2 goes to 3 ? one time! Ok, number 1 to up.

There is one number left and our number is 3-2=1 and the last number on that list is 1 and it goes to 1 one time and that's it no numbers left. Because it goes the one time our last marked number is 1.

What we have: 1011
So the number 11 with four bits is 1011, with five bits 01011, six bits 001011, seven 0001011 etc.

Okay, let's convert it back to decimal. It is easier anyway.
Our binary number is 1011.

And our magiz numbers =) is 1 2 4 8 16, ...

Let's put our binary numbers under the magiz numbers. We have to start read from least significant digit, so that's why the counting is from right to left
8 4 2 1
1 0 1 1

Now we have to do summation with the numbers which are over the every 1 number. There are 1, 2 and 8, right?
1+2+8 = 11

Rest numbers are 45 and 23.
45 is 101101
23 is 10111 with six bits it's 010111

11:45:23 is 01011:101101:010111

Easy? =)

Comments

[mnwcsult]

You have no idea as how long I have been looking for a pure binary clock schematic. When I was 17 or 18 popular science published an article by a Motorola company employee that detailed a binary only clock using counter chips. I built one of them around 1978 and had it in a clear plastic cube, it was the only clock in my apartment, so very cool. No understood it. It died some years ago and I have always wanted to do another. This version is going to be wall sized with white LED's behind black smoked glass, it should be awesome. Oh yes I am 56 this year and still hacking away. Thanks Guy.

[Unit042]

My head hurts.

[iideetee]

heh, take a Burana(pain killer) =)

[Unit042]

Yeah. I know how to count in binary, octal, and decimal; it's the conversions that hurt. I like to keep them nice and separate.