EP0563972A2 - Electronic timeswitch clock - Google Patents

Abstract

Time switch having a microprocessor controller which renders it possible to use only three keys (CK, ZK, PK) to input precisely to the minute the switching instances for a weekly operating programme into the switching point programme memory (SP), and to set the counters (M1, H1, D1) for the time of day and day of the week precisely to the minute. In one time switch operating state (U), the contents of the programme memory are compared in a comparator (VG) to the contents of the counters (M1, H1) for the time of day, and in the event of equality the switching contact (K1) is controlled to open or close, and it is possible by actuating the set key (PK) to set two different types (HBA) of manual operation which override the time switch operation (UBA) in a temporary or permanent way. A second switching channel can be set for programming purposes by a channel selection key (KWK). The switching times respectively programmed in terms of day are indicated in a sector display (AS). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a time switch with a memory program device with a display field, on which a digital time indicator, a weekday indicator, a gear selector indicator consisting of circularly arranged display segments and operating mode indicators are arranged, and with a control panel, on which keys are arranged, the actuation of which switches depending on a key actuation evaluation program in various operating states, setting the time switch and programming switch-on and switch-off times, and with a switch-time program memory in which the switch-on and switch-off times are to be stored.

Such a timer is known from EP 0 167 848 B1. This has the disadvantage that four buttons and a switch are provided for its operational control and programming, with which operation is carried out in a complicated manner on a large number of different program branching paths, which leads in particular to difficulties if the time switch, as usual, only up to twice a year. Also, the various possible program states with the display means can only be represented in a confusing manner by means of flashing processes. In addition, the program once entered is not non-destructive in the event of a power failure and against incorrect operation, which then requires reprogramming of the switching times. Furthermore, the circular sector display device has a resolution of only 20 minutes for space reasons, and the programming of the switching times is directly connected to this coupled, since this sector display is used for user information when selecting the switching times via the number keys.

It is an object of the invention to simplify the operation of the time switch, to make it clearer and more reliable and to reduce the number of operating elements.

The solution is given by the fact that the keys are a cursor key, a count key and a program key, of which the cursor key cyclically switches the respective operating state with each actuation, namely a timer or manual mode, a weekday setting, an hour setting, a minute setting and of a programming mode, in a permanently subordinate operating state, and the counting key is connected in a counting manner according to the operating state day digits with a weekday counter, hour digits with an hour counter, minute digits with a minute counter and programming mode with a transmission-linked hour and minute programming counter, the respectively associated The contents of the counter are displayed on the digital time indicator or the weekday indicator, and in the programming mode the program point setting key continuously takes over each time it is pressed n causes the contents of this hour and minute program counter in the switching times program memory, the switching times stored in this way being alternately assigned to an on or an off state and each time the last saved switching on and off times were saved when the switching off time was saved assigned area is switched on by the display segments on the shift selection indicator.

Advantageous refinements are specified in the subclaims.

The time switch is controlled in a known manner with a microprocessor through a non-destructive microprogram. The control buttons and a timer are connected to this on the input side.

An LCD display device is provided on the output side, the display field of which is designed with symbols in accordance with the purpose of the controllable fields and the labeling. The structural elements shown in the description, such as counters, flags, comparators, etc., are ultimately expertly implemented in terms of function in the microprogram in conjunction with memory and register contents.

The particular simplicity of the operation results from the linear sequence of the input of the switching times, it being possible to jump to the next start of the day or to continue, or alternatively to jump back to the last switch-off point, however, at most until the beginning of the day.

The three control buttons always have analog functions in the different operating modes, so the first button, the cursor button, is used to reach the next operating mode or the program function, the second button, the count button, to increase the counter readings for days of the week, hours and minutes both for the current Time entry as well as for the switching time programming and the third key, the program point setting key, in order to trigger prepared functions, i.e. to save a program time or to cause the time switch function to be overridden.

The counter to which the count key is operatively connected is shown by a flashing control of the associated display elements, as is common in digital clocks.

The switching times during programming are advantageously set using the digital clock and weekday display, so that the setting accuracy is one minute. The display of the switch-on periods programmed for the specific day on the segment display only serves as an overview, since it is only accurate to 15 minutes, which means that the number of segments to be controlled is sensibly limited.

It is advantageously provided that up to four switch-on periods can be programmed per day. If the fourth is programmed, a further entry for the day is blocked and it has to be switched to the next day.

If only a single daily program is entered, all days are carried out in the same way. Thus, it is advantageously provided to equip a day timer as well as a weekly timer with just one program, as well as one or two channel time switches, which simplifies manufacture, storage and repair. The program variant to be provided in each case is delivered with a Code input set, which is carried out at the factory using a special combination of button actuation

Furthermore, a program override to two different manual control modes is advantageously possible by switching to a so-called party mode when the program point setting button is briefly pressed in time switch mode, in which the switch contact is switched on and maintained until the next reversed programmed switching time is reached, and on the other hand with one long press of the program point setting button, a permanent contact switch-on of the switching contact is carried out and a subsequent short press of the program point set button results in a permanent contact switch off, and a subsequent long press of the program point set button returns to the programmed time switch mode. During manual operation, a conspicuous flashing display of the manual control symbol is activated, and all or none of the segment displays are activated according to the contact switching status.

For program protection, it is provided on the one hand that there is no possibility of general deletion on the part of the user. Furthermore, the program memory is also stored without current. In this way, a desired program or a standard program for a specific application can be inserted in the factory or before the time switch is delivered, so that no programming work is required after installation.

The operating displays are advantageously designed as easy-to-understand symbols, such as the clock symbol for time switch operation and the hand symbol for overriding manual and permanent switching operation.

The letter identifiers for day, hour and minute correspond to the ISO standard; These symbols are indicated according to the current function with a controllable pointer of the display device.

The three keys are meaningfully labeled with an arrow for the program function advance, with a plus sign for increasing the counter and with a segment for setting or triggering a function, in particular the setting of the switching times represented by the controlled segments.

The keys can be contact switches or sensor keys, which can advantageously be arranged directly on the display device.

Fig. 1

zeigt eine Schaltuhr frontseitig.

Fig. 2

zeigt ein Steuerschema.

Advantageous configurations are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Fig. 1

shows a timer on the front.

Fig. 2

shows a control scheme.

Fig. 1 shows a front of the timer, which carries the display panel (AF) and the control panel (BF).

The display panel (AF) is designed as an LCD display with the controllable panels shown hatched.

These include a digital time display (DME) with hour and minute numeric fields and a separating colon, which is flashing every second when the timer is operating. Underneath is a weekday indicator (WDA) with the number fields 1 to 7. As a shift selection indicator (SWA), a circular 24-hour segment display with 96 display segments (AS) of 15-minute fields encloses the digital displays (DTA, WDA). A switching status display (SZA), which may be supplemented by the channel display (KAA) with channel numbers 1 and 2, and a time switch operating indicator (UBA) and a manual operating indicator (HBA) are arranged in the upper corner areas. At the bottom there is a bar with five pointer symbols, of which one of the five operating modes, including the programming status, is assigned to the given operating mode. These pointers of the operating mode display (BAA) indicate symbols for the timer or manual mode (clock / hand), the weekday setting (d), the hour setting (h), the minute setting (m) and the programming (Pr) of the switching times. Only one pointer symbol is activated at a time, so that there are no confusing ambiguities.

For normal operation, the control panel (BF) has three control buttons (CK, ZK, PK), a corsor button (CK), a count button (ZK) and a program setting button (PK) and, if necessary, a channel selection button (KWK) if a second channel is available , ie a second control contact and associated storage space for a control program.

Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of the functions and Functional elements that illustrate the control program flow, which are embodied in the microprocessor.

bezeichnet. Bezieht sich eine Größe auf zwei Unterzustände, so sind beide jeweils mit einem Referenzzeichen und einem Schrägstrich dazwischen bezeichnet.The block diagram shows function groups in rectangular frames, buttons with circles and frames, indicators with double frames as well as AND-gates and OR-gates, which are available for signal bundles in multiple but only shown. Negated signals and their lines are each attached to the reference designation of the positive signal

designated. If a quantity refers to two substates, both are each identified with a reference symbol and a slash between them.

The weekday indicator (WDA) and the time indicator (DTA) are acted upon, if there is no programming status (PN), by the current day, hour and minute counters (D1, H1, M1), which are controlled by the timer (CL) and are set according to the setting operating states (d, h, m) for the current day, the hour and minute by the count key (ZK) itself or a connected repeat circuit (W), or by the programming counters (D2, H2, M2) controlled when the programming operating state (P) is present, the respectively selected on or off time being shown on the indicators (WDA, DTA).

One of the weekday and time indicators (WDA, DTA) is assigned to it by a flashing control (B) during the setting operating states (d, h, m).

The respective operating mode of one of the five operating modes (U / H, d, h, m, P) are in a modulo five counter, the z. B. is shown as a feedback shift register, which each has only one flip-flop switched on, counting controlled by the cursor key (CT) and shown with the mode indicator (BAA). The operating modes are: The timer / manual mode (U / H), the day setting (d), the hour setting (h), the minute setting (m) and programming (P).

In programming mode (P), the program point setting key (PK) continuously counts the daily program point counter (TPC) with the markers (T1 ... T4), which is alternately assigned to a switch-on time and a switch-off time for programming. If the program setting key (PK) is operated in combination with the cursor key (CK), the daily program point counter (TPC) is reset to the last switch-off time, at most, however, to the beginning of the day for the next switch-on time, with the corresponding times in the programming counters (H2, M2) can be transferred back from the program memory. When programming, the program point setting key (PK) transfers the contents of the program counters (H2, M2) to the program memory (SP). In addition, the switching times already programmed for the corresponding day are put into a switching timer (SSP), where they are processed and output on the segment displays (AS). When the program counter contents (H2, M2) are transferred to the program memory (SP) and also during the retransfer, the linked contents of the serve Weekday program counter (D2) and the daily program point counter (TPC) for addressing the memory cells (SP1, ... 28) of the program memory (SP). In the example, the daily program point counter content is assigned to the lower address digits (A1, A2) and that of the weekday program counter (D2) to the higher address digits (A3 - A5).

Each time the program point setting key (PK) is pressed, a program marker (PM) is set, which is reset each time one of the keys (PK, CK, ZK) is pressed and, if it was the cursor key (CK), switches the operating status counter, so that the timer operation (U) is then available again.

In time switch mode (U), the contents of the switching time program memory (SP1, ... SP28), addressed with the help of the content of the week counter (D1), are periodically compared in a comparator (VG) with the counter contents of the time and minute counter (H1, M1), i.e. with the current time, and if there is a tie, depending on whether there is a switch-on or switch-off point, which is determined by the state of the lowest address location (A1) of the program memory (SP), the contact control (SK1) of the switching contact (K1) and the switching status indicator (SZA).

If there are several switching contacts (K1, K2), that is to say a two-channel time switch, this also has associated contact controls, and the double storage space is available for storing the corresponding amount of information. The two memory areas are switched during programming (B) with a Channel selection button (KWK), which actuates a channel selection flag (KF), which is used for memory addressing and acts on a channel indicator (KAA). In clock mode (U) all memory cells (SP1 ... SP28, SP33 ... SP60) are queried cyclically one after the other and their contents fed to the comparator (VG), which acts on the contact controls (SK1, SK2) and the switching status indicator. The address point (A6) that serves the two memory areas that are assigned to the contacts then controls the applicable contact control (SK1, SK2).

For illustration purposes, an address register (AR) with the address locations (A1 ... A7) is shown as a settable counter on the program memory (PS), which in program mode (P) concatenates the content of the program point counter (TPC), the weekday program counter (D2) and the channel selection flag (KF) is supplied. In addition, the contents of the weekday counter (D1) and a pulse cycle (ZY) for the current query and the comparison of the memory contents are counted to the address register (AR) in the timer mode (U).

In a preferred embodiment, the excess address point (A7) and the associated memory area serve to store a standard program that is supplied to the customer when it is delivered, and that can be activated whenever the customer does not want to carry out his own programming and he accordingly for the has not saved anything on the respective weekday, i.e. it skipped it during programming.

In time switch mode (U) is during the cyclical Reading the memory also loads the switching timer (SSP) with the program times of the current day, which is specified in the day counter (D1), so that it controls the display segments (AS) accordingly and the respective daily program is visible.

In a further embodiment, it is advantageously provided that if a program is only entered for the first day, this program is used for all days.

In a further embodiment it is provided that it can be determined by an initialization whether the time switch is to be used as a weekly time switch as described or as a day time switch. The amply dimensioned program memory space for programming more than two, e.g. B. four, switch-on periods released.

If the program point setting key (PK) is pressed in time switch mode (U), a manual switch flag (HF) is set or reversed, which sets the contact control (SK1) to the switched-on state and controls the manual mode indicator (HBA) accordingly and negates the time switch mode indicator (UBA ) deletes. The manual switching flip-flop (HF) is used for a so-called party switching, since it is deleted by the comparator (VG) when the next programmed switching time is reached.

If an actuation of the program point setting key (PK) lasts longer than a time specification of a time filter (T), a manual operation flag (HFD) is set or deleted when this key is pressed repeatedly for a long time. The state of the Manual switching flag (HF), which is reversed by briefly pressing this key (PK), determines the switching state of the switching contact (SK1) via the contact control circuit (SK1). Thus there is an immediate manual switching operation, which is indicated by a blinker (B) on the manual operating indicator (HBA) and in which all display segments (AS) are controlled when the switch contact (K1) is controlled and are switched off when the Contact (K1) is switched off.

It is furthermore advantageously provided that the power supply (NT) has an emergency power backup (BA) and a power monitoring system, by means of which the battery operation (BB) is indicated in the event of a lack of power supply (UN) by the blinker (B) on the time switch operating indicator ( UBA) is switched. A buffer voltage monitor is also provided, the residual charge signal (RL) of which is connected to the contact controls (SK1, SK2), so that the switch contacts (K1, K2) are thus controlled open.

The storage organization chosen in the example is for easy understanding. It can be professionally replaced by a tight packing of the data. The standard program can also be saved instead of a second contact program. The flags and counters are largely to be provided in the program and to be stored in the state in each case in the state.

Claims (18)

Time switch with a memory program device with a display field (AF) on which a digital time indicator (DTA), a weekday indicator (WDA), a shift selection indicator (SWA) made of circularly arranged display segments (AS) and operating mode displays (SZA, UBA, BAA) are arranged, and with a control panel (BF), on which keys (CK, ZK, PK) are arranged, the actuation of which, depending on a key actuation evaluation program, causes switching to various operating states, setting the time switch and programming switch-on and switch-off times, and with a switching time program memory (SP), in which the switch-on and switch-off times are to be stored, characterized in that the keys (CK, ZK, PK) are a cursor key (CK), a count key (ZK) and a program point setting key (PK), from which the cursor key (CK) cyclically with each actuation a switching of the respective operating state, namely a timer or manual mode (U / H), a Wo day setting (d), an hour setting (h), a minute setting (m) and a programming mode (P), in a permanently subordinate operating state, and the count key (ZK) according to the operating state day setting (d) with a weekday counter (D1) , Hour digits (h) with an hour counter (H1), minute digits (m) with a minute counter (M1) and programming mode (P) with a transmission-linked hour and minute programming counter (H2, M2) are countingly connected, whereby the respective associated counter contents are displayed on the digital time indicator (DTA) or the weekday indicator (WDA), and in the Programming operating state (P) the program point setting key (PK) with each actuation continuously transfers the contents of this hour and minute program counter (H2, M2) into the switching times program memory (SP), the switching times stored in this way alternating an on or are assigned to a switch-off state and each time when the switch-off time is stored, the last saved switch-on and switch-off times are switched on according to an assigned area by the display segments (AS) on the switch selection indicator (SWA). Time switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating mode indicators (SZA, UBA, BAA) are a switching status indicator (SZA), a time switch operating indicator (UBA) and an operating mode indicator (SWA), of which the switching status indicator (SZA) is the respective on or off state a control contact (K1) of the time switch is controlled in accordance with and the time switch operating indicator (UBA) is controlled in accordance with an automatic time switch operating state and the manual mode indicator (HBA) in an overriding manual control operating state and the operating mode indicator (BAA) is controlled by a modulo-five operating mode counter (BZ ) is controlled according to its respective counter reading, and that the operating mode counter (BZ) controls the time switch or manual control operating state (U / H) in its first position and controls the weekday setting operating state (d) in its second position and in its third position Position controls the hour setting operating state (h) and in its vie rt position controls the minute setting operating state (m) and in its fifth position controls the programming operating state (P) and where the Operating mode counter (BZ) is incremented by pressing the cursor key from the first to the fifth position and is brought back from the fifth position, from the programming mode (P), to the first position by pressing the cursor key two times. Time switch according to claim 2, characterized in that the minute counter (M1), the hour counter (H1) and the day of the week counter (D1) are each coupled in terms of transmission and the minute counter (M1) is acted upon on the input side by time clocks and in the time switch operating state (U / H ) the contents of the weekday counter (D1) are displayed on the weekday indicator (WDA) and the contents of the hour and minute counter (H1, M1) are displayed on the time indicator (DTA) and these contents are displayed periodically with the contents of the memory cells of the switching times program memory ( SP), which are each assigned to the day of the week counter, is compared and, if the contents compared in each case, the associated on or off state is controlled according to the control contact (K1) closed or opened. Time switch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the programming operating state (P) a daily program point counter (TPC) of predetermined capacity is incremented with each program point setting key actuation and, in each case if its counter reading corresponds to the capacity, the count key (ZK) is ineffectively controlled is, and a cursor key operation in each case a reset of the daily program point counter (TPC) and a further counting of Weekday program counter (D2), the content of which is displayed on the weekday indicator (WDA) and serves as a partial address (A3 - A5) for the switching time program memory (SP) each time the program point setting key (PK) is actuated. Time switch according to claim 4, characterized in that the hour and minute counters (H2, M2) are reset each time the day of the week counter (D2) is incremented. Time switch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the count key (ZK) by means of a repetitive signal generator (W) emits counting pulses for longer than a first time threshold at intervals of a few seconds each time a key is pressed and in comparatively many times when actuated for longer than a second time threshold delivers counting pulses at shorter intervals. Time switch according to claim 3, characterized in that after a transition to the clock switching mode (U) when comparing the contents of the hour and minute counter (H1, M1) with the content of the switching times program memory (SP), it is determined whether only switching times are stored in the program memory (SP) for the first day of the week, whereupon, if this is the case, only the hour and minute counter contents are compared with these program memory contents of the first day in the further comparisons on all days of the week. Time switch according to claim 3, characterized in that a manual switch flag (HF) is set or reversed in the time switch manual control operating state (U / H) by actuating the program point setting key (PK), accordingly the control contact (K1) is controlled on or off, and that when the manual switch flag (HF ) the timer operating indicator (UBA) is switched off and a manual operating indicator (HBA) is switched on until the cyclical comparison of the time counter contents (H1, M1) with a program memory content (SP) results in a match, whereupon the manual switching flag (HF) is deleted and the timer operating state (U) is restored. Time switch according to claim 8, characterized in that in the time switch manual control operating state (U / H) a manual operating flag (HFD) is set in each case by actuating the program point setting key (PK) for a predetermined period of time (T), and thereby the time switch operating indicator ( UBA) is switched off and the manual operation indicator (HBA) is activated flashing and during which the control contact (K1) is switched according to the state of the manual switch flag (HF) and accordingly all display segments (AS) of the control contact position are switched on or off and after another actuation of the Program point setting key (PK) over the specified period (T), the timer operating state (U) is restored. Time switch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it additionally has a channel selection button (KWK) which, when actuated, alternately sets or deletes a channel selection flag (KF), the switching state of which is fed to a channel indicator (KAA) and which is switched on in the programming mode (P). stores the contents of the hour and minute program counters (H2, M2), addressed according to the contents of the weekday program counter (D2), in a second switching time program memory area (SP33 ... SP60), the contents of which correspond to the day of the week stored in the weekday memory (D1 ) is specified, are assigned, are continuously compared in time switch mode (U) with the contents of the time counters (H1, M1), whereupon a second control contact (K2) is switched on or off in accordance with the assigned switching state. Time switch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a power supply unit (NT) buffered by a capacitor or a battery (BA) and the time switch operating indicator (UBA) is flashing in buffer mode and then when a predetermined residual charge state (RL ) of the buffer is reached or undershot, the switching contacts (K1, K2) are controlled open, and this is indicated on the switching status indicator (SZA). Time switch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the program memory (SP) has a separate program area for a standard program, which can be activated instead of a program to be stored or daily in the programming state (P) in the normal program memory area (SP1 ... SP28, SP33 ... SP60) can be copied. Time switch according to claim 4, characterized in that the daily switching time counter (TPC) can be changed for a weekly program operation and has a capacity of eight for a daily program operation. the weekday indicator (WDA) is switched off when day program mode is set. Time switch according to claim 4, characterized in that when the cursor key (CK) and the program point setting key (PK) are actuated simultaneously, the daily program point counter (TPC) is reset to the last switch-on point, but at most the beginning of the day. Time switch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it contains for control a microprocessor with a permanently stored operating program, which represents the counter and operating functions in terms of program and memory, and the microprocessor on the input side with the keys (KWK, CK, ZK, PK ) is connected and is connected on the output side to fields and symbols of the indicators (SZA, UBA, HBA, BAA, DTA, WDA, AS) which can be controlled on an LCD display device and that the switching time program memory (SP) keeps its content without current. Time switch according to claim 15, characterized in that the digital time indicator of the hour and minute displays (DTA) consists of seven-segment numerical fields, the display segments (AS) are designed as 15-minute segments of a 24-hour circle, that the operating mode display (BAA) consists of five arrow or wedge symbols, the symbols (clock / hand) and labels (d, h, m, Pr) for the five operating modes, which are arranged in the sequence from left to right, and that the switching status indicator (SZA) and possibly a channel indicator (KAA) and the The timer operating indicator (UBA) and the manual operating indicator (HBA) are arranged in the upper corner areas of the display panel (AF). Time switch according to claim 16, characterized in that the cursor key (CK) points with an arrow pointing to the right, the count key (ZK) with a plus sign and the set key (PK) with a segment symbol. Timer according to claim 17, characterized in that the keys (CK, ZK, PK) are designed as sensor keys and are arranged on the display panel (AF) or adjacent to it.

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