EP0190627B1 - Modular multifunctional clock - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a modular function clock according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a multifunction watch is known from GB-A-2 051 427. It is provided there that time information is supplied via a bus system to a wide variety of receivers which, for example, are intended to perform switching functions at individually specifiable times. However, the universal applicability of such a system requires complex operating functions, which easily overwhelm the user who is not always busy with such a system; especially if, as in the present case, no visual control displays and information presentations are provided to make operation easier. How confusing, even when such aids are provided for the operator, such a universally usable multifunctional clock quickly becomes apparent from WO-A-8 001 120 and is also known from the operating explanation of DE-A-3 404 239. Because if you use a single central display both for the presentation of current time information and as an aid for the change specification in a manually selected module, it is very irritating to display such different information on this single display - depending on the current manual operation to get. The user, who is almost overwhelmed by the manual operation, must now interpret the content-changing displays in the correct technical assignment.

In the case of a multi-program time switch, as is already known from Siemens magazine volume 50 (1976), pages 664 to 667 in volume 10, it is provided, in a standard slide-in housing, in addition to a central clock module, differently adjustable switching program modules, these one below the other interchangeable to arrange. Continuous time information is fed from the clock module to the switching modules via a bus system. These are each designed to be able to flexibly adapt the connection of customers of an energy supply company to the time-dependent and calendar-dependent tariff changes. A modular rich multifunction watch does not open up a more extensive use option beyond a time control process, which is basically to be aimed for with a multifunction watch.

In contrast, the invention has for its object to design a modular multi-function clock of the generic type such that easier operability is opened due to more expedient information display options depending on the complexity of the clock composed of the individual modules.

This object is achieved according to the invention in a generic multifunction watch in that it is designed according to the characterizing part of claim 1.

This solution enables the operator to either switch the more extensive central display to current module information, or to leave the central display in the normal time display state and to activate an additional display module (preferably with a smaller display scope) for this module-specific additional information, in order to be able to keep an eye on the standard information and not to be irritated by switching to very different information content. Thus, the solution according to the invention also opens up a possibility of equipping the central clock module which is advantageous both in terms of circuit technology and in terms of operation in such a way that it essentially takes over the bus control for transmitting time-derived information in addition to the direct time display; while specific information processing (such as a time-dependent measurement or a comparison of time-critical information) is relocated function-specifically to the assigned module, which in turn no longer has to be burdened with the circuitry and equipment required for a function display and its display control. For example, the multifunction watch can be modularly equipped with additional benefits that otherwise could hardly be taken into account for handling reasons; such as the acquisition of information about medium-term changes in environmental influences (e.g. to compare the current air pressure with that at a certain previous time or to show the air pressure fluctuations over a past period of time; which is also considered to be independently protectable in this respect). Because of the possibility of freely assigning the additional display to any modules connected to the bus system, the convenience of the overall system can be increasingly increased by slowly expanding the range of modules. For example, a module with a radio clock (cf. at the end of DE-A-2 708 885) can be retrofitted for the automatic adaptation of any time deviations, and in particular for the automatic change from summer time to winter time, if the multifunction clock is operated in an area that is reached by a corresponding time transmitter. Particularly convenient operating options for modules that can be assigned as desired result if a module is equipped with a rotary actuator (a so-called BIT generator) or if an acoustic coupler is even provided for external inputs to modules connected to the bus system and selected manually. The output of certain information can be provided phonetically by a speech synthesizer module, as is known as such from Patent Abstracts of Japan, Vol. 42 (P 177; 1187). On the other hand, a module can also be designed in cooperation with an appointment signaling module and with the central clock module as a radio to be operated alarm clock which, depending on the regional radio reception conditions, is offered, for example, as an FM receiver or as a long-wave receiver.

If, for aesthetic or functional reasons, mechanical coupling when connecting the individual modules to the bus system is undesirable, the optoelectronic information transmission by means of optocouplers can be carried out in a manner known per se. be used.

A mechanical coupling of the individual modules to one another, on the other hand, expediently also serves to connect to the bus structure. For aesthetic reasons, it can be advantageous to anchor connectors for this purpose in brackets which act conspicuously between the individual modules as lattice or stud louvres.

The following description relates to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the solution according to the invention, which is shown in a highly abstracted manner in the drawing, restricted to the essentials.

• Fig. 1 in schräger Vorderansicht ein Kombinationsbeispiel für um einen Uhrenmodul herumgruppierte und mit diesem direkt oder indirekt zusammenwirkende Funktionsmodule,
• Fig. 2 im stark vereinfachten System-Blockschaltbild eine elektrische Zusammenschaltung von Modulen gemäß Fig. 1 und
• Fig. 3 in abgebrochener Schnittdarstellung ein konstruktives Ausführungsbeispiel für die elektromechanische Kopplung zwischen einander benachbarten Modulen nach Fig. 1 oder Fig. 2.

It shows :

• 1 in an oblique front view a combination example for function modules grouped around a clock module and interacting directly or indirectly with it,
• Fig. 2 in the highly simplified system block diagram an electrical interconnection of modules according to Fig. 1 and
• 3 shows a broken sectional view of a design embodiment for the electromechanical coupling between adjacent modules according to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.

The example grouping shown in FIG. 1 for the modular multifunctional clock 21 has the following function modules:

In the module grouping shown in FIG. 1, all modules 01-10 are visible from the front, that is to say arranged side by side and one above the other. Basically, this would only be necessary for those with controls or indicators on the front. A buffer module 18 which has batteries for bridging the power failure, for example, could also be arranged on the rear of other of the modules 1-19, because it does not have to be accessible except for the battery replacement. Compensation modules 19 can be designed with additional benefits such as a utensil drawer 22 or (in particular with free access from above) as boxes for writing utensils or memos (not shown in the drawing).

Modules that are not electrically connected to other modules are not taken into account in FIG. 1 to simplify the illustration, apart from the compensation module 19.

In the central clock module 01, a — preferably quartz-stabilized — electronic time determination circuit 23 with a clock circuit 24 and decoding register 25 is operated. A display control circuit 29, which can be switched over manually by means of a selector switch 26 or electronically from a control bus 27, causes the information currently present from the time determination decoding register 25 or on a data bus 28 to be presented on an information display 30. The time determination circuit 23 and the display control circuit 29 can also be implemented within a central processor 31, which is used in particular to control the buses 27/28 in the transmission of information and control signals between the individual modules 01 to 16. The function of the time determination circuit 23 and the possibilities of implementing serial and parallel bus systems need not be discussed in more detail here, since it is possible to fall back on common digital circuit techniques for time measurement and data processing.

In the example case shown in FIG. 1, the information display 30 has a four-digit and (before) a two-digit segmented digital display 32. In the basic position of the selector switch 26 The current hour and the current minute are shown continuously in the four-digit display 32, separated by colons flashing every second, and the day of the week in the two-digit display 32 by specifying its internationally standardized day number. Upon manual switching of the selector switch 26, other time-derived information appears in the information display 30, such as the continuous counting of the seconds to the minute in the two-digit display 32 and / or the last two digits of the current year and the consecutive number of the current month in the four-digit display.

Instead, the information display 30 can also be structured differently, for example as a combination of a circular segment display (analog display) in connection with a digital or other symbol display for time-derived and other additional information.

In order to manually change (in particular to correct) the current presentation, that is to say control of the information display 30, a correction selection key 33 is provided in the embodiment shown in the drawing, the function of which is electrically linked to that of the pulse input switch 34. The latter cause, for example, the feeding of a slow or a fast or a counting up or a counting down pulse train into the decoding register 25 (FIG. 2) to change the register content in accordance with the current functional effect of the selector switch 26 - as it is as such in different versions from the Operating technology of digital clocks is known.

The respective current binary-coded time information 35 of the decoding register 25 is present on all the modules 01 to 16 connected to it via the data bus 28 and is incorporated therein in accordance with the z. B. cyclic call via the control bus 27 can be fed. In order to keep the amount of information on the data bus 28 and the circuitry outlay for memory capacity and memory control in the central basic clock module 01 within limits, modules 02 to 16 are equipped with their own time registers 36 for time-derived functions. For example, the appointment signaling module 02 has a manually operated input switch 38 with which its time register 36 can be preset to a specific time of day. If this (according to the information on the data bus 28) has actually been reached, a comparator 39 speaks e.g. B. the content that in the course of the cyclical module control of the low-frequency signaling module 04 address and emit an acoustic signal (wake-up signal) because z. B. whose port switch 41 was pressed simultaneously with that of module 02. This can be time-controlled or switched off again via an erase switch 40.

The time or time-derived (for example calendar) information at which the comparator 37 is to respond can be specified directly decimally by means of a coding switch as the signaling programming switch 38. From an operational point of view, it can be interesting to manually output a module-specific coded assignment information 42 via the control bus 27 by manually setting a port switch 41, which causes in the central clock module 01 that the central information display 30 is no longer loaded with the current time information 35 from the decoding register 25, but instead (until this effect of the port switch 41 is canceled) is controlled in accordance with the current register information 43. The content of the register 36 in the module 02 can now be changed via the input switch 38 until the central display 30 in the module 01 shows the information, when it is present on the data bus 28, the control information 39 is to be triggered later.

In order to indicate that the display 30 is currently not providing any real-time information from the decoding register 25, an optical or acoustic signal is expedient, for example a flashing presentation on the display 30. In order to assign the current display to a specific other one of the buses 27 / 28 to easily recognize connected modules 02 to 16, the currently set port switch 41 suitably interacts with an optical signal transmitter (for example a built-in light-emitting diode); if this signal transmitter lights up at a port 02 to 16, then the current content of its register 36 (instead of the otherwise appearing real-time information) is presented on the central display 30. Corresponding signaling at a port switch 41 of a module 04, which is connected to the control bus 27 via the data bus 28 without information exchange, preferably has a different optical identifier (color, flashing frequency); this makes it easy to interpret that one of the other modules 02 to 16 is connected to the system of buses 27/28 (for example in cooperation with another of the modules 02 to 16), but now without retroactive effect the display 30 in the central module 01.

A plurality of appointment signaling modules 02 can be provided for a plurality of wake-up or other signal appointments, or such a module 02 allows several different appointments to be stored and selected in its register 36 (not shown in the drawing).

The event signaling module 03 differs from the appointment signaling module 02 only in that it is designed for appointments of interest at larger time intervals (monthly or annually instead of daily or weekly), as far as the connection of its comparator 37 via the data bus 28 to the central time-controlling decoding register 25 is concerned. Since such appointments have a special event content (reminder of a due congratulation or a job that is only due in greater frequency), it is advisable to B. to address the synthesizer module 05 via the coded control information 39, which is also provided from the register 36 with additional information, so that the corresponding event is stated phonetically phonetically when it occurs can be. For this purpose, according to FIG. 2, the low-frequency amplifier 45 for driving a loudspeaker 46 in the acoustic signaling module 04 is controlled again via a synthesizer memory register 44. 2 additionally takes into account the possibility of applying the time information 35 to the synthesizer register 44 from the data bus 28 and thus initiates the current time via the control information 39 from any selected one of the other modules 02 to 16 at one of those particular times - To be able to output calendar information phonetically using the NF signaling module 04.

While the activation of one (or one of several) low-frequency oscillators 47 - i.e. binary or short binary-coded control information 39 - is sufficient in the case of activation of the low-frequency module 04, for example from the appointment signaling module 02, the synthesizer memory 44 of the module 05 supplies complete information Sound information.

This can be connected directly to amplifier 45 in an analog manner; In the interest of a flexible grouping of the modules 01 to 16 relative to one another, it is more expedient to also digitize this sound information 48 via the data bus 28 into the acoustic signaling module 04 and to transmit it there to the low-frequency amplifier 45 via a digital-to-analog converter 49 .

The same applies correspondingly to the digitized output information 48 of a radio reception module 06, which, depending on the transmission area, can be, for example, an FM receiver for German consumer groups or a long-wave receiver for French consumer groups. The actuator 50 for influencing the sound (sound image and / or volume) is preferably provided in the low-frequency module 04; B. directly connected to its amplifier 45.

The coordination of the respective radio reception module 06 is provided digitally in the illustrated example; especially since this facilitates the presentation of the reception frequency display (via the central display 30 of the module 01 when the port switch 41 is actuated in the radio reception module 06). In connection with this, provision can be made to provide the pulse transmission switches 34 of the central module 01 for the continuous detuning (station search) and thus only need to install fixed-frequency selector switches 51 in the radio reception module 06.

In order to be able to switch the radio reception module 06 on or off in a time-controlled manner without having to implement an appointment register with connection to the data bus 28, the exemplary embodiment shown (FIG. 2) provides for the radio reception module 06 to be opened directly via an operating mode switch 52 Reception, or only to be able to switch to reception. In the latter case, for example, the appointment signaling module 02 (after setting both port switches 41 in the modules 02 to 06) determines, via the set content of the time register 36, from which point in time the low-frequency module 04 is actuated from the radio reception module 06 - which is overall the function of one Clock radio corresponds.

Especially with regard to the optional assignment of the display 30 to very different modules 01 to 16, it may be desirable to provide an easier-to-use information input (compared to the handling of the aforementioned pulse switch 34), which all switches 34/38 for the change stored or displayed information replaced. For this purpose, the input module 07 is provided with an operating element 53 that can be rotated in the manner of an adjusting wheel. In particular, it is a so-called BIT generator, as described in exemplary embodiments in DE-OS 27 26 383 or in DE-OS 28 43 353. The incremental change of a register content depends on the direction of rotation and on the speed of rotation of the operating element 53, which makes it considerably easier to adjust to predetermined display values or by predetermined display changes. If the switch 54 (which corresponds functionally to a port switch 41) of the input module 07 is actuated, the rotation-dependent triggering of the sequence of pulses 55 via the data bus 28 causes an additive or subtractive incremental change in the content of registers 25 (or 36 or 44) in that of the modules 01 to 16 in which the correction selection key 33 or a port switch 41 is actuated, that is to say a change in the register content (displayed via the central display 30) is actually enabled. Thus, the user-friendly input option via module 07 can be assigned to any of the other modules 01 to 16, provided that it only has a register or a comparable counter or memory circuit, the content of which should be changeable from outside (by manual input) .

The input input 08 in the form of an acoustic coupler results in an even simpler input option, although the scope of information is limited due to expenditure. This picks up 56 phonetic commands via a microphone; which are converted via an analyzer 57 into binary-coded command information 58 which, when the switch 59 is actuated, is transmitted via the data bus 28 to that of the other modules 01 to 16 which is used to change the content of its register (25, 36, 44,. ..) can process such command information 58 and in which the port switch 41 is set for receiving this command information 58.

Another correction option is provided specifically for the decoding register 25; namely a radio clock module 09. This is permanently set to the reception frequency for at least one long-wave transmitter for transmitting coded time information (such as DCF 77).

Via a control circuit 61, its receiver demodulator 60 feeds a time register 62 with the current time information if there are correspondingly favorable reception conditions. In this If a transmission control circuit 63 switches the basic clock module 01 to receive this time information 35 'via the data bus 28 (to correct the content of the time decoding register 25), if its operation from the clock circuit 24 has led to a deviation from the current time information 35' should. Details on the radio reception of the time information 35 ′ and the correction of a time display which deviates therefrom are described in more detail, for example, in the book “Radio clocks” by Prof. Hilberg. If there are too bad radio reception conditions at the installation location of this modular multifunctional clock 21, and thus at the operating locations of the radio clock module 09, then an adaptation to the spatial conditions can be provided via an antenna switch 64. Since a quartz-stabilized time determination circuit 23 already works very precisely in the central clock module 01, the radio clock module 09 only needs to be switched on, for example, once every 24 hours - for example, driven by the change of date in the time information 35 - in order to receive the new current one after complete reception and verified decoding Time information 35 'to switch itself off again; which is symbolically taken into account in FIG. 2 by a control circuit 64.

In the grouping of the modular multifunction clock 21 shown as an example, a telecontrol coding module 10 is also provided.

This serves to transmit coded switch-on or switch-off information via the house network 65 to consumers connected to it elsewhere (such as electrical heaters or outdoor lighting devices), so that they switch on or off depending on the time or date. In principle, the same arrangement can be used to specify the switching dates as was explained above in terms of apparatus and function with regard to the appointment signaling module 02. Instead, however, it can also be provided - as in FIG. 2 to simplify the drawing - that the switching times from other modules, such as, in particular, the appointment signaling module 02 and / or the event signaling module 03 (comparable to the activation of the acoustic signaling module 04 explained via the control bus 27 in FIG In the case of simple binary switching information or via the data bus 28 in the case of binary-coded switching information). The switch 66 can be used to manually specify at which times which switch-on or switch-off coding 67 is output to the house network 65; which device thus experiences a corresponding remote control when the telecontrol module 10 is set ready for operation via its port switch 41.

The short-time signal generator module 11 can operate on the basis of a register comparison in accordance with the mode of operation of the appointment signal generator module 02 or as a countdown counter 68, which is set to an initial value via a setting switch 69 (or, for example, as described via the rotary manual input module 07) and via the Data bus 28 is counted back by means of clock pulses 70. The remaining time span that has not yet expired can be displayed in the central display 30 by means of the port switch 41; and Z. B. the acoustic signaling module 04 can be activated (in that its port switch 41 is actuated at the same time) in order to trigger an acoustic signal at the end of the predetermined time period.

The measuring modules 11, 12 and 13 provided in the grouping example shown in FIG. 1 measure environmental conditions in the vicinity of this modular multifunctional clock 21.

According to FIG. 2, the special feature is provided that periodically (time-controlled via data bus 28) the measured values queried from a corresponding measuring circuit 71 are stored in a shift register 72; which, for example, contains the measured values recorded within the past twenty-four hours, that is, when a new measured value is delivered, deletes the oldest still contained therein. On manual query via port switch 41, the current measured value can then be right-justified in the central display 30 (depending on the circumstances, two digits or three digits if the colon is suppressed) and left-justified the exactly 24 hours ago - in this case, for example, the oldest measured value contained in shift register 72 are displayed. Via a reversing circuit 73 (controlled, for example, by repeatedly or repeatedly pressing the port switch 41), instead of or afterwards, all the discrete (for example, hourly) measurements and those contained in the shift register 72 of the last 24 hours can be displayed one after the other. The corresponding measures in the temperature measuring module 12, in the air pressure measuring module 13 and in the moisture measuring module 14 thus make it possible to compare the current environmental conditions with those of exactly one day ago at a glance or to observe the fluctuations in the past day. In a further development of these measures, measured value storage can also be provided over longer periods of time or limited to extreme values.

It may be desirable not only to be able to temporarily present one of the information provided by modules 02 to 16 in the central display 30, but also to have it constantly in mind. For this purpose, an additional display module 15 is provided, which has a multi-digit segment display 74, including the associated control circuit 75, which does not need to have the display scope of the display 32 in the display 30 of the base module 01.

Simultaneous actuation of the port switch 41 on this additional display module 15 and a port switch 41 on one of the other modules 02 to 16, which provide information 43 that can be displayed via the data bus 28, causes this information 43 to be continuously transmitted from the additional module 15 (now not from the central display 32, in order to keep it available elsewhere) - until, for example, the port switch 41 is actuated again and the information transmission is thereby canceled again.

The block diagram representation according to FIG. 2 does not take into account the fact that the information transmitted via the control bus 27 is also binary-coded, that is to say binary multi-digit; namely, to carry out assignment information about the origin and destination of a command or data exchange (initiated e.g. via the port switch 41) and, according to this coding, to be able to effect only in certain of the modules 01 to 16, as is the case with the computer -Bus technology is known as such. For this reason, there is basically no need to differentiate between a control bus 27 and a data bus 28 (as was done above to simplify the illustration), but all control and information data can in principle be carried out in a bus 27-28 operating in a mixed parallel and serial manner. It is expedient to provide control and information data for serial transmission via the bus 27-28 which only change at larger time intervals; such as calendar information derived from time determination, or control information when different modules 01 to 16 interact in the course of information generation on the one hand and data flow control (from input modules or to output modules) on the other hand.

The individual modules 01 to 16 can be held and held together in variable base frames (not shown in the drawing). The continuous connection of the buses 27-28 is expediently carried out by means of two-sided coupling pins 77, which engage in sockets 78, which, facing one another, end in the side, cover or bottom walls 79 of the modules 01 to 16.

The insulating material holder 80 for the single-line or multi-line coupling pins 77 is expediently designed as an aesthetically pleasing framework or gallery between modules 01 to 16 located next to one another, for example in a contrasting color to the appearance of their walls 79. Where there are no bus connections through corresponding coupling pins 77 (and blind pins are not attached for mere mechanical locking), appropriately designed spacer strips 81 and filler strips 82 are inserted. Cover strips 84 are attached to the ends 83 in a non-positive or positive manner, which extend wider than the thickness of the brackets 80 and thereby cover the housing edges 85 of adjacent walls 79 in a visually pleasing manner. This detailed solution of the coupling frame is also considered to be independently protectable.

Within the scope of the invention, instead of the coupling pins 77, bus connections of a different type can also be provided between the individual modules 01 to 16 arranged next to one another, for example optocouplers in the case of positive or non-positive (for example magnetic) positioning of the modules 01 to 16 to one another.

Claims (10)

1. A modular multi-function timepiece (21) with a timepiece module (01) which has a time ascertainment circuit (23), a display control circuit (29) and an information display (30) and is connected to a data bus (28) which carries items of time information (35) and to which also at least one further module (02 ...) which can be acted upon with the items of time information (35) from the data bus (28) can be connected, in which respect the modules (01, 02 ...) are also connected to a control bus (27), by way of which the further modules (02 ...) can be connected together with one another and with the central timepiece module (01) by way of manually actuable port switches (41), characterised in that upon selection of one of the further modules (02 ...) by way of its port switch (41) the central information display (30) no longer presents the actual time information (35) from the decoding register (25) of the timepiece module (01), but the actual items of register information (43) of the selected module (02 ...), if this selected module (02) is not at the same time connected to an auxiliary display module (15).

2. A multi-function timepiece according to Claim 1, characterised in that a signal transmitter module (02 ; 03 ; 04 ; 11) for items of time-derived information (43) is provided.

3. A multi-function timepiece according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a speech synthesizer module (05) is provided.

4. A multi-function timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a radio receiver module (06) is provided.

5. A multi-function timepiece according to Claim 1, characterised in that a clock-radio module (09) is provided.

6. A multi-function timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a remote-action module (10) for the delivery of remote-control codings (67) to a domestic mains (65) is provided, which is controllable from a signal transmitter module (02 ; 03 ; 11).

7. A multi-function timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a module (12; 13; 14) having an environment measuring circuit (71) which can be activated temporarily by way of the data bus (28) and having a register (72) for the temporary storage of past items of measured- value information (76) is provided.

8. A multi-function timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that an input module (07 ; 08) for manual or acoustic input of a sequence of pulses (55) or respectively of items of information (58) is provided.

9. A multi-function timepiece having several modules (01 to 16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the modules (01 to 16) are equipped with opto-couplers as interface connections for the buses (27-28).

10. A multi-function timepiece having several modules (01 to 16) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterised in that provided between adjacent module housing walls (79) are coupling pins (77) which are anchored in holders (80) which are designed as parts of a space-filling frame or support system between the adjacent modules (01 to 19).

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