EP0207098B1

EP0207098B1 - A programmable timer

Info

Publication number: EP0207098B1
Application number: EP85906045A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jorgen Jacob Juhl
Original assignee: Laur Knudsen Nordisk Elektricitets Selskab AS
Current assignee: Laur Knudsen Nordisk Elektricitets Selskab AS
Priority date: 1984-11-27
Filing date: 1985-11-26
Publication date: 1990-05-16
Anticipated expiration: 2005-11-26
Also published as: DE3577758D1; WO1986003308A1; AU5192286A; NO863055L; NO165897B; DK163842B; FI862986A0; EP0207098A1; DK561184A; DK163842C; DK561184D0; FI87403C; FI87403B; NO165897C; NO863055D0; FI862986A

Abstract

In a programmable electric timer with a display (18) for digital displaying (28) of the actual time the display has been extended by a symbol field (24) including a plurality of symbols and a movable symbol field cursor (26). This cursor can be moved by means of a manually operated function shift means (40, 50). The display comprises furthermore a time scale (20) covering a number of the 24 hours of the day, optionally all of them, and associated with a movable cursor (22). This cursor (22) can be moved quickly or slowly by means of a manually operated advancing means (44, 46, 50, 54). Finally a manually operated advancing means (42, 44, 46, 52, 54) is provided for the storing of encoded switching times and switching intervals and for a simultaneous graphic indication by way of the time scale (20) on the display (18) of said times and intervals. In this manner the timer is easy to use and the user achieves a graphic view of actual switching times and intervals.

Description

Technical Field

The invention relates to an electric timer for an automatic time-control of the switching on and off of one or more electrically powered apparatuses and comprising an electronic clock having a time scale with a graphic indication and a digital display of the time and connected to a control circuit capable of actuating switching means so as to open and close an electric circuit and with memory means connected to the control circuit and a keyboard for setting the electronic clock and for setting the on and off times, whereby the keyboard comprises

a) a function shift key allowing the user to choose between a number of various function modes of the control circuit,
b) a switching on and off key allowing the switching on and off of the electric apparatuses, and
c) an advancing key for the time-setting,
said keys being connected electrically to actuate the control circuit, the control circuit being adapted to be transferred into a programming mode by actuating the function shift key and simultaneously to provide a graphic indication of said mode, and whereby the control circuit is adapted to provide a graphic indication of a time on the time scale and simultaneously display said time on the digital display, the control circuit being further adapted to advance the time shown on the time scale to a desired time when the advancing key is actuated, said time being displayed during the entire setting procedure on the analog time scale and/or on the digital display, the control circuit being also adapted to store data for the set on and off times in the memory means of the control circuit, the switching times being displayed on the time scale, and the control circuit finally being adapted to be transferred to an automatic mode by activating the function shift key after which the control circuit automatically switches on and off the electrically powered apparatuses at the said on and off times.

Background Art

Several different embodiments of timers automatically switching on and off electric apparatuses at specific predetermined times are known. Historically the progress of technology started with mechanical clocks comprising riders circumferentially arranged on a movable dial closing and opening a circuit, and developed into purely electronic, microprocessor controlled clocks whereby the open/close-programme is encoded in a memory and run while controlled by a digital clock (clock-unit). Timers are manufactured in very great numbers and used in many ways for automatically controlling light, heat, and ventilation systems, in plug-connected apparatuses as well as in machinery controls of various kinds. The various control programmes may furthermore be based on a day and night, a week or an annual cycle as well as comprise one or more channels.
The development within the electronic field has, of course, also been utilized in the above field for achieving more precise opening and closing times, a greater programme capacity, and more channels in the same unit. The latter development has, however, taken place on the terms of the electronics, which has implied that the control programme encoded was not directly available to the user. As examples thereof reference can be made to the international patent applications Nos. PCT/US79/0980 (WO 80/01120) and PCT/US81/ 00346 (WO 81/02808) as well as to the German Offenlegungssch rift No. 2804079. Unlike the latter the control programme for mechanical timers was directly readable through the positioning of the various riders, which also are applied today. Most known electronic timers merely show the actual time by way of digits. In case the user wants to know the encoded programme in details it is necessary to "leaf through" the programme by manipulating a keyboard as well as to make a note of the hours revealed thereby of the various switching on and off procedures. The latter "leafing through" must be carried out day by day in a week programme, and in case of several channels channel by channel.
The above procedure facilitates in no way the work of the user.
In addition the programming of known elec- tronictimers can often be complicated and involve frequent consultations of the associated directions for use.
It is known to provide a time scale with a graphic indication of the switching times, cf. for instance the British Patent Application No. 2 054 908, Japanese Patent Application No. 55-63788 and the European Patent Application No. 119 312. None of these publications include, however, directions of how a timer must be built up in order to allow a user to use the timer immediately without particular instructions and without studying the directions for use.

Disclosure of Invention

A timer of the type stated in the introduction to the specification is according to the invention characterised in that the keyboard comprises only one function shift key connected to the control circuit, said control circuit being adapted to comprise

1) an initial mode for setting the current time,
2) a programming mode for setting the desired times for the switching on and off,
3) an automatic mode for the normal function according to the programming,
and by the display comprising an indication of the present mode of the control circuit. The one and only function shift key and the simultaneous indication of the selected mode on the display makes it easy for the user to understand the timer. Preferably, the keyboard comprises only one on and off key, and the control circuit in the programming mode is adapted to provide the transfer of a set switching on or off time to the memory means, when said on and off key is activated, and with the control circuit in the manual mode the activating of said on and off key will imply the switching on or off of the apparatuses to be controlled.

As a result, the handling of the timer is so simple that without the assistance of directions for use the user can use the timer correctly and set a desired programme subsequently appearing on the time scale provided. In this manner the user can always check the programme and for instance see whether a specific apparatus is to be switched on or off. In other words the timer is so to speak "selfexplanatory" as the user can determine the function and operation of the timer by the method of trial and error by pressing experimentally the three keys based on the reactions directly appearing on the time scale of the timer.
In a preferred embodiment according to claim 4 the user keeps the switching on and off key pressed down while he lets the graphic time indication pass through the desired switching on interval by means of the advancing key. As he observes the time scale with the graphic indication of the times simultaneously, the user has the feeling of "drawing" the desired programme because on the display he draws so to speak a line corresponding to the desired switching on intervals.
The remaining sub-claims deal with advantageous embodiments the advantages of which appear immediately from the subject matter of the claims.

Brief Description of Drawings

The invention will be described more detailed below with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which

Fig. 1 illustrates substantially by way of a block diagram the main components of a timer according to the invention,
Fig. 2 illustrates an advantageous outline of the display and function keys of the timer,
Fig. 3 illustrates an example of the display at an initial stage of the programming of the timer,
Fig. 4 illustrates an example of the display at a terminating stage of the programming of the timer,
Fig. 5 illustrates an example of the display when the programme has been encoded and the timer set for automatic operation, and
Fig. 6 illustrates an example of the display when the timer is to be manually set.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

The block diagram of Fig. 1 illustrates an advantageous embodiment of the timer according to the invention. It comprises a single-chip microprocessor generally designated 10 and provided with the necessary number of inputs with a set of key means 14 actuating the functions implemented in the timer as well as a necessary number of outputs 16 controlling a display 18.
Before the explanation of the block diagram of Fig. 1 is proceeded reference is made to Fig. 2 for a more detailed explanation of the geometric elaboration of the timer and especially of the display. The major portion of the front of the apparatus constitutes the display 18 which is a "liquid crystal" display or in short an LCD-unit. The display shows a time scale 20 with time indications for all 24 hours of the day and a dot or line indication for every 15 min. The scale 20 is associated with a movable scale cursor 22. Incidentally the time scale need not cover all 24 hours of the day in all cases. Often it is only necessary to cover the usual working hour for instance from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and in the latter case it is possible to achieve a greater resolution of the indications of the scale and consequently a greater accuracy for the graphic indication than in the 24 hours case.
Above the time scale 20, a symbol field 24 associated with a movable symbol field cursor 26 as well as a digital clock display 28 is present, said display showing the hours and minutes.
The symbol field includes four symbols, viz. a time symbol 32, a programming symbol 34, a symbol of the automatics 36, and a manual- symbol 38.
Below the display 18, three function keys appear, viz. a function shift or MODE key 40, an IN/ OUT or ON/OFF key 42, and an advancing key 44/ 46.
The above function keys appear again in Fig. 1 on the inputs 14 of the microprocessor 10. It appears from this Figure that the microprocessor or rather the chip comprises a ROM-unit 50 and a RAM-unit 52. The permanent programme for carrying out the various functions of the timer is encoded in the ROM-unit 50, and the functions applying here appear from the explanation stated below of the handling and operation of the timer. The microprocessor comprises furthermore an LCD-driver 54 and a timer 56 with an interrupt- function. The four latter units can be established by mask programming the chip whereby it is possible to minimize the costs of the apparatus because unnecessary facilities usually present in a microprocessor can be omitted. Nothing, however, prevents the ROM, RAM, and said remaining units from being present as discrete outer units.
The microprocessor is supplied with current from a battery 58 or a power supply 60 connected to mains and through a relay unit 62 to a driver 64 for the microprocessor 10.
The presence of the timer/interrupt unit 56 ensures the least possible consumption of current, and the unit is controlled by a timer/clock unit 66, the basic frequency of which for instance is about 1 MHz. The above interrupt unit 56 counts pulses and releases an interrupt signal to the microprocessor at suitable intervals, for instance every second and half second. In this manner the microprocessor performs part of a function in response to the performing programme encoded in the ROM unit 50 and the programme encoded in the RAM unit 52 inter alia including information on the switching on/off times defined by the user in question of the apparatus. On a plurality of outputs the timer unit 56 releases signals controlling the switching on and off of the electrically activated apparatuses.
The microprocessor is controlled by a CPU- clock unit 68, the basic frequency of which in this connection can be as low as 75-100 kHz. The lower the frequency is the lower the current consumption is.
Initially when the apparatus is connected to a current source, the symbol field cursor 26 automatically appears below the time symbol 32, while the scale cursor 22 appears below the clock zero on the time scale 20. Simultaneously with the latter, the clock display 28 shows the time 00. By pressing down the advancing key 44/46, the clock can be set on the actual time. The advancing key 44/46 is adapted to advance the time shown slowly or quickly, which appears clearly from the symbols used.
Pressing the function shift key or MODE key 40 implies that the microprocessor 10 is shifted into a programming mode which allows an encoding of the desired switching times or switching intervals in the RAM unit 52. Simultaneously the symbol field cursor 26 is displaced appearing below the programming symbol 34. In this mode the user can set a desired switching time by pressing the advancing key 44, 46, advancing the time scale cursor 22 until the digital display shows the first desired switching time. It should be noted here that the time scale cursor moves stepwise-with the indicated resolution covering e.g. 15 minutes each time - whereas the exact time is shown with a minute's accuracy on the clock display 28. Then the on and off key 42 is activated at the same time as the advancing key 44/46 is pressed down. At the simultaneous pressing down of the two keys, the drawing of a black line on the display is initiated, cf. thus Fig. 3. It appears from the indication of Fig. 3 that the first switching time has been set to 6.30 a.m. and that the scale cursor 22 has advanced to the time 6.45 a.m., cf. the clock display 28. The latter procedure continues until the switching off time has been reached, whereafter the pressing down of the keys is stopped. As an alternative it is possible to design the IN/OUT key as a push-push key in such a manner that a continued pressing down of this key is not necessary during this procedure.
Subsequently, the situation of Fig. 4 appears, where the switching off time has been set to 8.00 a.m. It appears clearly from the indication of the display that the switching interval marked by a black line lasts from 6.30 a.m. to 8.00 a.m. The above procedure can be repeated for arbitrary time intervals during the 24 hours in question, and when said programming phase has been completed, the MODE key 40 is again activated so as to transfer the microprocessor to the automatic mode. The latter is indicated on the display by the symbol field cursor 26 now being located below the symbol of automatics 36.
Now the timer operates automatically and reacts on the encoded switching intervals in accordance with their encoding during the programming phase. At 1.30 p.m. the display appears for instance as shown in Fig. 5 wherein the symbol field indicates that the timer operates in the automatic mode, and where it is readable on the time scale that the time is now about 1.30 p.m. - the exact time is readable on the clock display 28 - and further that the switching interval lasts from about 6.30 a.m. to about 8.00 a.m. The indications on the time scale can only be given with an accuracy of about 15 minutes depending on the extent of the control period on the display.
If it is desired that the switching times are shown with a greater accuracy a pressing on the advancing key causes the scale cursor 22 to jump forwards to the first switching time, which appears on the clock display with an accuracy of 1 minute. Another pressing on the advancing key 44/46 causes the scale cursor 22 to move to the next switching time, which also appears on the clock display 28 with an accuracy of 1 minute. In this manner the exact switching times can be quickly provided. This procedure can also be performed in the manual-mode, that is when the cursor 26 appears below "Man 38".
In the manual-"mode" 38 the contact function can be handled like a trigger-action relay by pressing the on and off key 42, said situation appearing in Fig. 6.
A timer of the above type provides a novel general view of the approximate switching times and switching intervals and simultaneously it is easy to use because the programming of the timer is self-evident and does not imply a thorough study of accompanying directions for use.
Though the invention above has been explained exclusively by way of a description of a timer based on a 24 hours cycle, modifications, alterations or supplements obvious to a person skilled in the art can be carried out within the scope of the present invention as it is defined and disclosed by the following patent claims.
Variations can be performed which are based on a weekly programme allowing a leafing through thereof from one day of the week to the following, or an annual programme allowing a leafing through from one week to the next, and further from one day of said week to the following day. It is also possible to connect the display with more channels allowing a leafing through the various channels, as well as all possible combinations of the above possibilities. These possibilities have been indicated by a dotted line in Fig. 1 by additional key means for "week", "day", and "channel".
Under all circumstances the graphic indication of the programme encoded of switching intervals is maintained.

Claims

1. An electric timer for an automatic time-control of the switching on and off of one or more electrically powered apparatuses and comprising an electronic clock having a time scale (20) with a graphic indication and a digital display (28) of the time and connected to a control circuit (10) capable of actuating switching means so as to open and close an electric circuit and with memory means (50, 52) connected to the control circuit (10) and a keyboard (14) for setting the electronic clock and for setting the on and off times, whereby the keyboard comprises

a) a function shift key (40) allowing the user to choose between a number of various function modes of the control circuit (10),

b) a switching on and off key (42) allowing the switching on and off of the electric apparatuses, and

c) an advancing key (44, 46) for the time-setting,
said keys being connected electrically to actuate the control circuit,

the control circuit (10) being adapted to be transferred into a programming mode by actuating the function shift key and simultaneously to provide a graphic indication of said mode, and whereby the control circuit (10) is adapted to provide a graphic indication of a time on the time scale and simultaneously display said time on the digital display (28),

the control circuit further being adapted to advance the time shown on the time scale to a desired time when the advancing key (44, 46) is actuated, said time being displayed during the entire setting procedure on the analog time scale (20) and/or on the digital display (28),

the control circuit being also adapted to store data for the set on and off times in the memory means (52) of the control circuit, the switching times being displayed on the time scale (20),

and the control circuit finally being adapted to be transferred to an automatic mode by activating the function shift key (40) after which the control circuit automatically switches on and off the electrically powered apparatuses at the said on and off times, characterised by the keyboard comprising only one function shift key (40) connected to the control circuit (10), said control circuit being adapted to comprise

1) an initial mode for setting the current time,

2) a programming mode for setting the desired times for the switching on and off,

3) an automatic mode for the normal function according to the programming,
and by the display (18) comprising an indication (26, 32-38) of the present mode of the control circuit.

2. An electric timer as claimed in claim 1, characterised by the control circuit being adapted to further comprise a manual mode (MAN) for manual control of the switching on and off of the apparatuses, by actuating the said on and off key (42).

3. An electric timer as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the keyboard comprises only one on and off key (42), and that the control circuit in the programming mode is adapted to provide the transfer of a set switching on or off time to the memory means (52), when said on and off key is activated, and with the control circuit in the manual mode the activating of said on and off key will imply the switching on or off of the apparatuses to be controlled.

4. An electric timer as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the control circuit in the programming mode (P34) is adapted in such a manner that the user can keep the switching on key (42) pressed down while he lets the graphic time indication pass through the desired switching on interval by pressing down the advancing key (44, 46) too, whereby the control circuit is arranged to show the on-interval on the time scale (20) as a fully drawn line or dotted line, whereby the user gets the feeling of "drawing" his desired program on the time scale.

5. An electric timer as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the control circuit is adapted to cyclicly displace its mode functions (32, 34, 36, 38) when the function shift key (40) is activated.

6. An electric timer as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that when a power supply is initially connected to the timer, the control circuit is adapted to zero or reset the clock to a specific time such as for instance 00.00 appearing on the digital display, and that the control circuit immediately enters the time setting mode (32) in which the user can correct the time shown to correct current value by pressing the advancing key (44, 46).